Phenomenal Women Winners

Women’s Month culminates in Celebration of Phenomenal Women

 “My nooi is in ‘n nartjie,

 my Ouma in kaneel,

daar’s iemand…iemand in anys.

Daar’s n vrou in elke geur!” 

These cheerful words from the poem, Liefdesgedig by South African poet DJ Opperman, kicked off the Cape Winelands District Municipality’s (CWDM) final event for Women’s Month. The Phenomenal Women of the Cape Winelands Award Ceremony was held in Paarl this week and is the results of a partnership between the CWDM, Afrikaanse Taalmuseum en -monument (ATM) and the Historium Trust.  The poetry reading formed part of the opening address by Mr Michael Jonas, Director of the ATM.

“Through this event and the nomination process, the CWDM and our partners sought an opportunity to celebrate the unsung heroes, the women who give their time, love and care in order for others to thrive, often while neglecting their own needs. I am proud to be among the phenomenal women in this room, district and country.” Stated the Executive Mayor of the CWDM, Ald (Dr) Elna von Schlicht.

Members of the public were invited to submit nominations for a woman that they consider phenomenal.  The rules of entry were kept simple to help ensure inclusivity and submission was made easy through a mobile friendly online form. Close to 100 entries were received from all corners of the district. Judges had their hands full in categorising, checking that the criteria were correct and then contacting winners and runner’s up.  Phenomenal woman are often also the busiest women!

The Awards Ceremony was led by Pietie Williams, Executive Director of the CWDM’s Community Development and Planning Services and attended by winners, runner-ups, the people who nominated them, members of the partner organisations and two guest speakers. Chrystinn Jacobs co-owner of Jacob’s Jam in Ceres and Jaydee Joubert an up-and-coming entrepreneur from Paarl, shared their inspiring stories of success.

The winners and runner’s up received gifts from the CWDM and partners, Afrikaanse Taalmuseum en -monument and the Historium Trust as well as from Jacobs’ Jam and Tupperware Western Cape.

Please contact sender for contact details or individual photos of winners and runner’s up. We also have material available on each winner and runner-up and a description of each category.

The CWDM’s Community Development and Planning Services department houses the Rural and Social Development unit who are responsible for programmes such as Women’s Month.  The unit ran a comprehensive Women’s Month campaign throughout the district. These events and initiatives included, a Victim Empowerment Programme, another that promotes breastfeeding among pregnant and new moms and a programme for the elderly aimed at the prevention and management of abuse.

The CWDM the Cape Winelands District Municipality strives to maintain and protect the status, wellbeing, safety and rights of all vulnerable groups throughout the district. The Phenomenal Women of the Cape Winelands District was the last project of Women’s Month 2022.

Photo:

Winners with CWDM Management and Mayor.

From Left: Lavona Solomons; Pietie Williams (ED: CDPS and Programme Director CWDM); Jocelyn van der Ross, Andeline Coetzee; Felicity Fransman; Henry Prins (Municipal Manager, CWDM); Ald (Dr) Elna von Schlicht ( Executive Mayor CWDM); Juanita Eversen; Elize Boer, Nicolette Labuschagne, Thembi Mehlo and Elmarie Rabe.

Media contact:

Jo-Anne Otto 

jo-anne@capewinelands.gov.za

021 888 5202 / 072 808 0106

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