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Community Activist to Attend Leadership Conference
Sibusiso Mboto, Pietermaritzburg. Republished courtesy of BuaNews.
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A local community activist has been selected as one of the 24 women to represent South Africa at a conference aimed at improving standards of women leaders in civil society. Ms Beauty Sekethe of Grange Township in Pietermaritzburg - who has worked tirelessly for her community will participate in the Interaction Programme for a New Generation of African Leaders organised by the British Council.
The conference will look at areas of rural development, women empowerment and will sharpen the leadership skills of the delegates through a number of presentations and workshops. The programme will start with an induction workshop on 19th and 20th September in SA followed by a three day Pan African discussion and interaction, which will take place in three parts of Africa, South Africa (8-10 November), Ghana (21-24 November) and Kenya (5-7 December). An excited Ms Sekethe told BuaNews that she felt very honoured to be able to represent the country and hoped that the expertise from the conference will enable her to reach new heights.
She said she had not expected to be a participant as there were 1500 applications from South Africa, 9 000 from the entire continent and 660 from other parts of the world.
"When I attended the interview there were 48 of us from different provinces in the country and now 24 of us will form part of the 100 person delegation that will attend the conference in which 19 African countries will be represented, she said.
A retired nurse, 65-year-old Sekethe has dedicated her life to serving the community- something she regards as a calling. "My passion is primarily with the rural communities which are sometimes forgotten. It feels good to see an impact of one's efforts because it means that our attempts are not in vain," said Sekethe.
Through Sakhisizwe an organisation she started in 1999, a number of projects have been initiated in rural villages such as Vulindlela almost 20 km outside Pietermaritzburg.
These include projects such as poultry and sewing where rural communities are actively involved in alleviating poverty.
Three skills centres have also been built and over 500 people have benefited from the initiative.
She said the success of her efforts was based on the principle of creating self employment as opposed to looking for employment. Her work gained countrywide recognition when she won the "Woman of the Year award" in 2002 which is co-sponsored by the South African Broadcasting Corporation. |
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