Cathkin Secondary School celebrates Women's Month with empowering Initiatives

Cathkin Secondary School in Heideveld marked Women’s Month by hosting an event to honour girls and the role of women in society.

Principal Anhuizen Armed described the celebration as “a joyous moment” and invited donors to contribute sanitary pads and food items. Women from the donating companies addressed pupils, encouraging girls to claim their place in male-dominated industries.

Mr Armed said the aim was to educate pupils about the significance of the day and to encourage respect for it.

“The first person you saw this morning was your mom. We must respect our mothers, for they have done a lot for us. Women stood tall against the previous regime. We must honour that day,” he said.

He urged pupils to take to heart the messages shared by the speakers, saying it is not every day that they meet people who love and value them.

Some pupils took to the podium to motivate their peers, while Grade 12 pupils and women in construction encouraged them to believe in themselves and achieve great things in life.

Grade 12 pupil Anovuyo Gulwa said the day resonates with women and should be respected. She called on her fellow pupils to be the generation that champions equality in all aspects of life.

“This day is not just a day; it is a powerful reminder of the journey that women have taken. It is a day to be remembered and respected,” she said.

She also appealed to parents to empower girls, stating that when a girl is empowered, she becomes a beacon of hope.

Her classmate, Anelisa Mkwana, referred to women as the "inventors, dreamers, leaders and nurturers of society."

She urged young girls to stand tall and thanked the women who fought for liberation and opened doors for them, adding that for centuries, women had to fight twice as hard to earn equal pay, and said this should end with the current generation.

“Empowerment means giving girls access to education without fear. It means ensuring that girls are heard in classrooms, boardrooms, and parliament. It means refusing to stay silent in the face of injustice. It means believing fearlessly in ourselves. We are not the future; we are the now. We are not just daughters, sisters, or mothers; we are leaders, creatives, and change-makers,” she said.

She said women belong in positions of power and that girls should not let society define their worth or validate their value.

“We are enough to change the world. The world is brighter because of women. It is time to rise to power,” she said.

Athenkosi Bixa, a site engineer at Stefanutti Stocks Construction, encouraged the young girls to take their space in society, particularly in male-dominated industries.

“We are in construction, a male-dominated space. When you get there, they may tell you not to be weak. But do not let anyone convince you that you are weak. When you enter those spaces, do not be afraid. We are taking over now. So please, take up the space,” she said, adding that there are many women who are engineers and inventors.

As a part of this initiative, pupils will now have access to sanitary pads after the KomaniI reusable pads project donated more than 1 000 packs. This gesture, driven by the vision of the non-profit organisation, aims to improve the lives of young people in underprivileged areas and uplift the black child.