Members of different stokvels around Vhembe attended the second Spekko Rice women's empowerment outreach that was held at the Northgate Lodge last Saturday.

Well-known SABC2 Muvhango actor Maumela Mahuwa (known as Vho-Susan, wife of the chief) was the guest speaker of the day. Her theme was self-empowerment, self-respect and women’s rights in the household and marriage. “It is crucial that we celebrate the significant roles played by women as mothers and sisters as they have been oppressed for generations,” Mahuwa said.

She mentioned that women were not allowed to participate in certain responsibilities and that certain jobs were reserved for men. “That doesn’t mean that women did not possess the capabilities and qualifications for those jobs. The doors are now open for all women to compete with men,” she said.

According to her, in the past, men were regarded as the ones who determined the boundaries.” Presently, only the sky is the limit,” she said. She added that all women must participate actively in all activities.

She also encouraged the unemployed community members to do something for themselves. "The time for sleeping is over and we need to show the world that we can do something for ourselves. We can only depend on ourselves because we are the masters of our own destiny.”

Ms Margaret Mufamadi of Mpheni said women should learn about stokvels and start their own. “We plan ahead and the groceries we get really take us a long way. They can sometimes last for a year,” she said. “It is better than begging for money from someone, or just waiting for your husband to bring food home. We are glad that we are now able to help our husbands in taking care of the expenses at home,” she said.

She said it was important that all the members must trust each other, “because we started the club to empower ourselves, so that we can defeat poverty”. Mufamadi said attending the workshop was of great benefit to her. “We have little experience in stokvels as an investment vehicle, but through the workshop, we can change our and others’ lives for the better,” she said.

“We need to take it upon our own shoulders to make our lives better, because there is no one who will fight for us,” said stokvel expert Ms Busi Skenjana.

She advised those present that they should always distance themselves from the sin of breaking up other people's relationships. She said that when a woman cried that her marriage was growing sour, it was frequently because of another woman.

During the day, the guests were entertained by Basadi Women of Jazz.