The launch of The Centre for Women’s Independence (CWI) in RDP Village, just off Orpen Road, Acornhoek, took place on the mercifully cool afternoon of 15th October. It was an incredibly colourful, vibrant event, with most of the 92 guests wearing xidumbisas, the vivid traditional cloths wrapped around waists or draped over shoulders. Huge smiles were evident everywhere as the ladies took ownership of this place that exists as a home for the empowerment of women.
The Centre itself is wrapped in a xidumbisa, in the form of an exquisite mural sponsored by Seeds of Light. This was painstakingly painted by Terence Mabaso, Vanrooy Sondlane and Penelope Colley. The centre is a learning space, business hub, women’s gym, model permaculture garden and food forest.
CWI was born out of a need for a classroom and meeting space for local NPO Zingela Ulwazi Trust’s learning programs, which focuses on business development, permaculture, self-defence, and stress reduction training for women – elements we believe essential for a woman’s independence.
We achieved our intention of only using local tradespeople from RDP Village in the creation of this centre. Ronnie Mashale headed the building crew, who did an outstanding job. A big thanks to Rajah Hardware for their support. The only contractor not from RDP was Marilize Botha of Rustique Interiors, Hoedspruit, who created our shadenet walls/blinds, installed by her husband Gavin. We were all moved by the synchronicity of our partnership, as Gavin’s mother was the founder of Lumukisa Preparatory School, our neighbour.
Many communities neighbouring wilderness/conservation spaces remain cut off from resources, including water, development opportunities and the tourism/conservation sector. This contributes to devastating poverty and disenfranchisement. RDP Village is frequently without water, and currently has not had water for 3 months. Water catchment systems and climate smart regenerative agriculture are thus crucial for survival.
The Zingela Ulwazi team has been working in RDP Village for over 10 years and has built strong relationships with the community and local structures. Permaculture Explorers is our flagship program, which assists women develop businesses and home food gardens. With the support of our partners Pick n Pay, Ackermans Foundation, the NLC, Rotary, Sieta Foundation, and many private donors, we supply fencing, shade cloth and rainwater catchment systems to participating women, so that they can grow healthy, nutrient rich organic food to feed their families, as well as sell produce.
Our other initiative is Sekwanele : Enough is Enough, a self-defence training program for women and girls, designed by two-times world champion Muy Thai kickboxer Xania Swart. Developed in response to requests from the women to help them deal with unrelenting sexual and physical assault, we have trained 3 local coaches, with another 3 about to start their training.
Business coaching is provided for these women set up their own businesses. The women also liaise with the Tribal Authority, DSD and SAPS to ensure women’s constitutional rights are respected.
All the programs have resulted in a substantial rise in self-esteem, confidence, physical and emotional resilience and strength, and a greater capacity to engage the world as a participant. Women have reported reduced stress levels, improved communication and family relationships, and greater happiness.
The CWI is a space dedicated to building diversity and thus resilience and happiness, biodiversity, socio economic and dietary diversity for greater health, and wellbeing. We employ 7th generation thinking, which means that we are tending to Mother Nature, our children and their children’s future.
We welcome our many NPO partners and those in our network to utilise our facility for educational or upliftment activities. Please check us out at www.zingela.org.
Stella Hogan is a Director at Zingela Ulwazi Trust (Hunt for Wisdom)
