"... do not dwell on the past.See, I am doing a new thing!" -Isaiah 43:18-19
After downing tools for 5-6 weeks after a life altering procedure I had the privilege of immersing myself in two remarkable events, the Motsepe Foundation GEWAL Summit and the Thabo Mbeki Foundation ##IWD Dialogue, that left an indelible mark on my soul and I now fully understand the perfection of God's timing. My healing journey has resurfaced who I have always been: a leader, an activist and a diamond that is being polished so I may take my place. There was much to learn and these are a few take aways from the weekend :
*The Quest for Solutions*:
At the heart of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), I joined forces with visionaries, trailblazers, and change agents. Together, we dissected the intricate web of gender inequity that still clings to our new economy. The air buzzed with anticipation as we delved into the very fabric of transformation.
*Entrepreneurial Flair and Innovation*:
Entrepreneurs, those alchemists of progress, ignited the room. Their flair dictated what we innovate. We scribbled ideas in our purple books fueled by the urgency of change. But innovation alone isn't enough; it's the fusion of entrepreneurial spirit and policy reform that will reshape our world.
*Intentionality as Our Guiding Star*:
Intentions matter. They propel us forward, aligning our work, dreams, and calling. With intentionality, we forge paths toward a sustainable future. Each step, deliberate. Each choice, purposeful.
*Inclusive Conversations*:
Azania, my daughter, stood by my side as we stepped into the Thabo Mbeki Foundation's International Women's Day dialogue. The topic was financial inclusion but this wasn't just about urban women or corporate boardrooms. No, we couldn't speak on inclusion while excluding the informal sector—the heartbeat of our communities.
*Fireside Wisdom*:
The elders gathered, their eyes reflecting lifetimes of resilience. Around the 'fireside', we shared stories—the kind that bridge generations. Without these intergenerational conversations, our solutions remain hollow. Realism and practicality emerge from the crucible of shared experiences.
*Legacy and Democracy*:
It's not about us; it's about those yet to come and feminism is the highest form of democracy because it shatters patriarchal norms. We must pass down skills, like torchbearers illuminating the path using spirituality and prayer to center us, grounding our activism.
*An Unstoppable Movement*:
We pledge to form a women's movement that transcends borders, that defies state boundaries. History whispers to us: Women's movements have always thrived, even without official sanction. The time is now. We stand prepared, ready to dismantle inequality and poverty brick by brick.
Dr. Brigalia Bam, Mrs. Zanele Mbeki, Dr. Precious Moloi-Motsepe ngiyabonga.💐
#IWD2024 #countmein#inspireinclusion#changemakers #womenwholead #financialinclusion