MUSINA – Musina Centenary Celebrations must help to unlock the boundless economic opportunities that await people in the industries of tourism, mining, manufacturing and agriculture further, the MEC for Health and Social Development, Seaparo Sekoati, told hundreds of Musina residents at a Women’s Celebration rally last week.

Giving the keynote address on behalf of Premier Sello Moloto at the Musina Show grounds on Sunday, Sekoati said women, in particular, “must at all cost” benefit from these economic activities and create winning models of fighting poverty and creating employment.

Sekoati was part of a high-ranking delegation of political leaders and government officials who attended the occasion. The event was the culmination of three days of celebrations that commenced on Friday, when Phalaphala FM’s Ndevetsini broadcasted a special programme on Musina women.

On Saturday, Campbell came to a standstill, when women invaded the former mining village to attend a Women in Dialogue session. Councillors, members of the provincial legislature, members of parliament and female government officials addressed the jovial crowd about matters ranging from domestic violence to economic empowerment.

Highlighting the role that women played during the struggle for democracy, Sekoati said: “This women’s month offers us an opportune moment to reflect on the role women played in advancing the struggle for freedom and democracy in our country. It also gives us a rare opportunity to celebrate the historic 1956 women’s march against the extension of pass laws to women.”

Showing appreciation for the commitment shown by Musina women towards the celebrations, Sekoati said that he was pleased that women from all corners of Musina “have come here to reaffirm their commitment to the course of enhancing freedom, as our forbearers did on 9 august 1956.”

While welcoming the guests, the mayor, Ald David Phologa, said that, as Musina was celebrating its centenary, it was decided to celebrate Women’s Month. “It is my greatest gratitude to welcome you here in Musina. You may be aware that we are busy with our Centenary Celebrations. We felt as a municipality that we must have one or two days dedicated to women,” Ald Phologa said.

Emphasizing the significance of celebrating Women’s Month, he said that there were a number of events that were celebrated countrywide to address the challenges that were still faced by women. “We felt that it would be proper as a municipality to acknowledge the contributions that are made by our sisters and mothers,” he said.

A music festival followed the formal programme. Patricia Lewis serenaded the female-dominated crowd with a combination of her latest hits and some golden oldies. Then Malaika got the audience on their feet, when they performed their popular hits, including Destiny and their latest release, Thubobo Yanga.