Official launch of NPO supporting single moms

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The official launch of The Myrtle Tree NPO took place in Mossel Bay last night, 28 July. It was a joyous, yet serious occasion, symbolising women's victory over their circumstances.

Founder of The Myrtle Tree, Berenice Kogana Paulson, exuded quiet authority and determination. The impression she gave was: "I will get things done."

PHOTO GALLERY: NPO supporting single moms

The Myrtle Tree provides support to single mothers.

Track record

Kogana Paulson has a good track record. She is an ordained pastor, part of an accountable church fellowship, she is chair of the Louis57 Transformation Trust founded by professional golfer Louis Oosthuizen, she is director of the Louis57 Foundation and she has been a faithful staffer of the Mossel Bay Municipality for many years.

She is also the author of a motivational book for women and an Eden FM radio host, using her regular radio slot to encourage women.

Guests present at the launch, at the Santos Express conference venue, included Mossel Bay mayor, Alderman Dirk Kotzé, council speaker Venolea Fortuin, town councillors, previous councillor Marie de Klerk. Representatives of the Mossel Bay Business Chamber, businesses, the Louis57 Foundation, church leaders and the media were also present, as well as directors of The Myrtle Tree.

In her speech Kogana Paulson noted that in South Africa more than 40% of mothers were single. She said: "Single parenting can be classified as a pandemic."

She said: "I was a single mother for 12 years. In light of my experience and the need that exists and is continually growing, The Myrtle Tree was founded and registered by myself in 2020.

"Single mothers need financial, psychological and emotional support."

Recovery

She noted that the myrtle tree, mentioned in the Bible, symbolises recovery and establishment of God's promises. "The significance of the tree is: you only smell her fragrance when her seed is crushed, just like a single mother. Esther in the Bible was the saviour of her nation. Her Hebrew name was Hadassah, which means myrtle tree. The myrtle tree is a voice and advocate for single mothers and consists of a board of five women of which three are single mothers."

In his speech, Kotzé said Berenice was a "lady with grit". He added: "Grit is one of the most important ingredients in any successful person."

He said he was proud to be among the "incredible women leaders" at the event, women "willing to do things and get their hands dirty".

Kotzé noted that social responsibility was an unfunded mandate of the municipality, that was why it was necessary for it to work with organisations and NPOs.

The municipality supported registered NPOs, he stressed.

Photos: Julian Scholtz