Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Zimpapers Business Hub
BUSINESS tips, health, personal empowerment, spiritual nourishment and fun dominated yesterday’s gathering of over 100 women in Bulawayo who came together to celebrate Mothers’ Day.
Organised by a Bulawayo women empowerment group, Women of Strength and Dignity (WOSAD) in North End suburb, the event was filled with excitement and joy as mothers spent quality time together and exchanged pleasantries.
Mother’s Day is a global celebration honouring the mother figure, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society.
It is celebrated in many parts of the world on the second Sunday in May, and complements similar celebrations honouring family members, such as Father’s Day, Siblings Day, and Grandparents’ Day.
For WOSAD, the event provided a grand opportunity for women or women to exhibit their milestones and struggles through stories that exemplify courage, resilience, and grace, fostering a supportive environment for each other and pushing to achieve their fullest potential.
WOSAD founder, Mrs Thembelihle Madondo, said they decided to make the day special for mothers, with some coming from different parts of the country.
“We had over 100 women here, with some having come from as far as Gokwe, Plumtree, Tsholotsho, Nyamandlovu and Gweru, as well as locally here that came to spend the day with us as we celebrate Mother’s Day,” she said.
“We wanted to make the day extra special for them, and we had various speeches and presentations on women empowerment programmes and projects.
“We also had nurses from the Ministry of Health and Child Care who conducted cervical cancer screening for the women, as well as educating us on breast cancer.”
The programme also featured spiritual leaders who conducted moving motivational sermons and touched on the important role that women play in the family set up as well as in society.
On business tips, women encouraged other women to identify business opportunities, empower each other with resources and networks that enable exploration of opportunities, while utilising organisations such as WOSAD that train women in relevant business skills.
“This was also a time for mothers-in-law to bond with their daughter-in-laws as they exchanged gifts, shared their life experiences and shared great traditional meals at the event,” said Mrs Madondo.
Scotland-based nurse, Ms Sisa Khumalo, said the event made Mother’s Day quite interesting.
“From the medical side, we learnt a lot and some myths were also debunked. I believe women need these health promotions,” she said.
“There are myths going around and they have been passed from generation to generation. One such myth is that if a husband or man sucks the breasts of a woman she does not get breast cancer, this is not true.”
Ms Khumalo said the event was an eye-opener for many women, and those looking to make extra income and be less dependent on men got business tips.
Lighthouse High School director, Mrs Otilia Lunga, said they also got information on how organisations such as the Adventist-Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI) can play a pivotal role in the training and development of women in business.
She said improving the local business environment for women and strengthening communities through advocacy, networking, and campaigning would create an easy line of communication for business owners to connect with governing bodies.
Another participant, Ms Sphathisiwe Moyo, said women from the event would get an opportunity to be part of the WOSAD accelerator and incubation hub that provides support and training on entrepreneurial skills through workshops, mentorships, and ongoing support.
This extends to opening up a network of investors, customers and potential partners among others.
Mrs Siza Mabuza from Nyamandlovu said women were also taught on spiritual issues that are critical for their day-to-day lives.
“Spiritual issues can significantly impact daily life by affecting one’s sense of meaning, belonging, hope and morality.
“These issues can range from personal struggles with faith and purpose to interpersonal conflicts related to beliefs, and they can influence mental and emotional well-being. The event was important as women were taught how to be spiritually aware,” she said.
Preferring to be called NaSharon, another lady said as a woman who attended the event, it was uplifting regardless of different religious beliefs.
