WOMEN’S DAY EDITION DAWN

From Denise’s DeskInterim DAWN leader

Welcome to the Women’s Month edition of the DAWN newsletter. The month of August was a tremendous success for DAWN due to a large number of events taking place across the country to celebrate women’s month. The events have been interactive and have made a lasting impact on many communities. I urge all members of DAWN to continue to reach out and make a difference in the lives of people, showing that the DA/DAWN cares.

Encouraging others to register and vote will have an impact on changing local government in 2016 and National government in 2019. With the DA in government, more jobs will be created and the future of all South Africans will improve.

I encourage the staging of more events on the ground. It is through these low cost, high impact initiatives such as pickets, candlelight vigils, protests outside courts or elsewhere where people gather, visiting shelters for the abused and highlighting the need for more safe houses that DAWN can illustrate its element of care to communities. In addition to these events, DAWN needs to spread a message of hope for the future and give a glimpse of what South Africa would be like under a DA government. It is in light of this objective that I cannot stress enough the importance of incorporating #Vision2029 into all events.

We at DAWN hope that you enjoy this edition of our Newsletter but more importantly that it provides you with useful information and insight into how DAWN is making a difference.

FREEDOM. FAIRNESS. OPPORTUNITY.

DAWN Eastern Cape giving out blankets for the last of the cold winter days.

DAWN in Limpopo giving young girls a talk on Sanitary Dignity.

National Women’s Day Event

The month of August marked National Women’s Month. This is arguably the most important month on the DAWN calendar.

The theme for Women’s Day was “The Fight against Drug Abuse.” The aim was to convey DAWN’s unwavering commitment to uniting with communities and working with them to build a drug-free society. The event took place in Atlantis - which is one of the many communities in the Western Cape that is plagued by drug abuse and gangsterism.

It was a community event consisting of a march led by Denise Robinson, MP supported by National spokesperson, Phumzile van Damme, activist leader Helen Zille and Western Cape Provincial leader Patricia de Lille. The march was followed by a street meeting where there was a candid discussion of the issues contributing to and emanating from drug abuse. It was high impact and low cost and sought to raise awareness while illustrating DAWN’s commitment to eradicating the scourge of drugs in communities in the Western Cape. This type of event conveyed DAWN’s activism approach as it perfectly encapsulates activism in action.

FREEDOM. FAIRNESS. OPPORTUNITY.

DAWN Gauteng handing over a wheelchair for Women’s Day

DAWN reaching out to the community in the North West.

DAWN supporters out in their numbers for a Women’s Day march in Mpumalanga.

DAWN KZN giving out hampers at an old age home.

DAWN activists getting ready to march for a drug free society in Atlantis

Xoliswa Profile

This month we talk to one of DAWN Western Cape’s representatives, Cllr Xoliswa Pakela- Mapasa about causes close to her heart and what we can do to empower South African women.

1. What do you find to be the most challenging part about your role as a DAWN leader?

Most women are used to being employed and earning a salary, when you speak to them about becoming self-employed and starting up their own businesses it’s like you’re speaking a foreign language

2. Women in South Africa face a variety of issues, is there one particular issue that you are passionate about?

I am passionate about unemployment amongst women. I find that sometimes it leads to a rise in prostitution or even drug- trade and other illicit activities in order to allow them to support their families.

3. In what ways do you think women can take decisive action in order to empower themselves?

Firstly by believing in themselves and through the formation of co-operatives and other business initiatives so that they empower themselves.

4. Why do you think that 21 years into a new constitutional dispensation women in South Africa remain vulnerable and disempowered?

I believe that a majority of women still suffer from a mind-set of dependency on their male counterparts.

5. What would you say has been a defining moment in your career?

I was invited to a weaving exhibition by a group of unemployed ladies that I had previously introduced to weaving in Du Noon. These ladies now sell their products at the Waterfront and in Woodstock.

6. What would you say has been your biggest achievement in the field of empowering women to date?

I love introducing women to various projects and seeing the difference that these projects make in their lives.

FREEDOM. FAIRNESS. OPPORTUNITY.

Women in the Western Cape being empowered at a Women¹s Economic Empowerment Symposium

DAWN National Women¹s Day march in Atlantisuniting towards A drug free future #Vision2029.