HANDBAG COLLECTION
SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF RAPE
We recently asked our members to collect old handbags and fill them with items needed by victims who have been raped. Items included soaps, sweets, panties (one needs to hand those in for evidence), sanitary towels (bleeding often occurs) and anything else they thought might be nice to receive. The most important item was a note to the victim to let them know that someone cares about them.
We received major donations from St Catherine’s school and Tusk Umfolozi Casino, and a few boxes from our members. The handbags have been divided between Richards Bay, Empangeni and Eshowe. These bags have been given to the Rainbow Foundation (Eshowe) and Reaching Out (Richards Bay) to ensure that the bags are distributed correctly and not lost in the system.
Sherry Bevan (BWA coordinator), Juanita Woodhouse (BWA Chairperson), Natasha Pedro (Tusk Umfolozi Marketing Manager) and Rebecca Maduray (Executive Secretary)
BWA Zululand treasurer Shirley Stanley, handing over a portion of the handbags to SAPS, Rainbow Circle representative Peggy Strachan.
WINTER WARMTH CAMPAIGN
6 August 2010
Ikhaya LikaBaba
During the month of July the BWA Zululand Branch collected blankets from it's members and friends as part of the Winter Warmth initiative. The mentorship team decided to venture out to Ikhaya LikaBaba and hand our member, and co-ordinator of the orphanage, Wendy Oxley our collection. There we were met by three gorgeous children who desperately need our love, help and support.
As a result of this meeting the BWA were able to shower little Lulu with birthday presents and a cake to take to school the following Friday, on her birthday 20 August. Little Lulu turned 4!
WINTER WARMTH CAMPAIGN
30 June 2010
Cafe Afrique
Review by: Deirdre Bevan
Our local newspaper, The Zululand Observer, ran an advert asking for people to knit squares for their charity DICE, as part of their Winter Warmth Campaign. I am the Media Centre Facilitator at St. Catherine’s School in Empangeni and thought that this would be a wonderful project for the school to become involved in. We launched an Inter-House competition to see which house could collect the most number of knitted squares.
The first year, about 700 squares were collected and donated to DICE. The network of encouragement and support received by colleagues, parents and friends has been amazing. The ability to work independently and when time permits as well as according to your pocket, has suited many women. From this small beginning in 2007 one of our school’s social awareness programmes, “Angels- in- Training” began. In 2009 we collected and made into blankets over 3500 knitted and crochet squares. Each completed blanket is rolled and tied with ribbon and a label that has been specially made. “Handmade with Love by Angels-in-Training” is attached. Each stitch a stitch of love for someone less privileged then ourselves.
(Based on this the BWA decided to donate wool to st Catherine's School to help this initiative as part of our Winter Warmth Campaign, and the empowerment of our youth!)
DRUG AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
8 June 2010
Arboretum Primary School
The terrible news of a murder related to drugs and the aweful crime in the park adjacent to Arboretum Primary concerned members of the BWA. The BWA gave R2500 to Arboretum Primary, who are going to purchase the park and make it part of their school grounds. This will limit the ability for drug trafficking in the area, and hopefully keep our children safe!
CANSA BEANIE HANDOVER - WINTER WARMTH CAMPAIGN
4 June 2010
Cansa House Empangeni
At last year's Cuppa-For-Cansa, the BWA gave out knitting needles, wool and beanie patterns for beanies especially designed for Cansa victems. Once a person has lost their hair, items rubbing their head could cause discomfort, therefore the beanie is knitted without seams. These beanies were handed over at the start of winter to keep patients warm.
CHILD PROTECTION WEEK - HANDS OF SUPPORT
24 May 2010
Inkwazi Boardwalk Mall
The children of today are the future business people of tomorrow and so the BWA felt it important to support Child Protection Week. Our children are innocent and need to be protected. Committee members laid their 'hands' of support at a gathering in the Inkwazi Boardwalk on behalf of our members.
BACK TO SCHOOL STATIONERY HANDOVER
2 March 2010
Richards Bay Family Care
In order to help others and start off the year on a good slate, the BWA collected stationery packs from it's members. We were then able to handover the beautiful collection of goodies for the children, to Richards Bay Family Care, who then distributed the goods as needed.
March – In support of the 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Child Abuse
28 November 2008
Richards Bay CBD
The BusinessWomen’s Association in partnership with Reaching Out Domestic Violence Support Desk took the opportunity to take to the streets and encourage citizens to help stop the abuse of women and children. Marchers gathered at the office of Reaching Out Domestic violence Support Desk, and with the aid of local traffic officials, were able to walk around the CBD and onto the South African Police Services, were a declaration and a petition were handed over to Mr Pillay. BWA and Reaching Out, would like to call for an extension of the campaign to be a 365 day campaign!
All participants wore their white ribbons with pride and held their banners, voicing their plees and concerns, up high. The BWA says NO to women and child abuse.
BWA would like to thank the following sponsors:
- Bambisani Projects
- Sign Force
Phozi Phozi Primary School Prize Giving and Christmas Party
27 November 2008
Phozi Phozi Primary School, Kwambonambi
The Businesswomen’s Association were able to bring joy and excitement to the faces of the little children at Phozi Phozi Primary School due to the phenomenal support from it’s members, and local businesses.
The morning started off with all the graduates of Grade R and Grade 7 receiving certificates. The teachers then took the opportunity to reward all the outstanding achievements from all the grades.
The extreme heat did not put the enthusiastic students off, and guests were entertained with musical entertainment and a beautiful Christmas play by the students.
After all the hard work, everyone was treated to a lovely spread of lunch and each child received a gift pack of stationary for school next year.
BWA would like to thank the following sponsors:
- ABI
- African Essence Spa
- Amangwe Village
- Bambisani Projects
- Bees Ink.
- Business Against Crime
- C.C.W. Catering Supplies
- Christine Wade & Associates
- Dezray Naidoo & Associates
- Flowers by Ziggy
- Inyanga Motors
- Isabelle Interiors
- Kwambonambi Municipality
- Monica Naidoo
- Natasha Singh
- Richards Bay Printers
- St. Catherine’s School Early Act Club
- St. Catherine’s Pre-Primary School
- uMhlatuze Water Board
- Wyett’s Meat and Deli
Reaching Out: Candle-lighting Ceremony
25 November 2008
Uthungulu District Municipality, Richards Bay
The Businesswomen’s Association were present at the candle-lighting ceremony marking the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Child Abuse. Guests present joined together to ask for the campaign to be a 365 day initiative. All present lit a candle in honour and support of all women and children who have been, and are being abused.
For more information on the BWA please contact Sherry Bevan at the office 035 772 5518, 084 468 8252 or zululand@bwasa.co.za.
A Heartfelt Response
19 March 2008
Review by: Lesley Stephenson, Zululand Observer
St Catherine’S School learners responded overwhelmingly to a request of the Zululand Businesswomen’s Association (BWA) to help the KwaMbonambi school, Phozi Phozi Primary. They collected books, toys, clothes and school bags for the children. Chairperson of the Zululand BWA, Dezray Naidoo and Branch Coordinator Sherry Bevan were very grateful for the donation and immediately took the parcels out to the school. Phozi Phozi Primary, which Grade 1 learner Nontokoza Mkhwanazi attended before her brutal murder recently, is in dire need of support. However, a ray of hope has come from the atrocity as the school’s situation has been brought to the public’s attention.
Women in media - are they breaking the glass ceiling?
The Businesswomen’s Association handing over the donations to Phozi Phozi Primary. (from back left) Mrs Mjiyakho (Deputy Principal) Mpume Ndlela (BWA member), Dezray Naidoo (BWA Chairperson), Sherry Bevan (BWA Branch Coordinator) and Mrs Mncube (Grade 1 teacher), with the Grade 1 learners
PHOTO: LESLEY STEPHENSON
Sitting amongst the bags of clothes and toys are (front from left) Michelle Frenzel, Serryn Stickly and Jessica Klynsmith; (middle) Jared Brink, Robyn Trump and Andile Mdletshe; (standing) Caylin Sprighton, Dezray Naidoo, Paige Lotter, Katy Addison, Sherry-Lee Bevan and Kimberley Tocknell
PHOTO: CHRISTA VAN DER