MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Two more Worthy Woman competitions are being established and are set to take place next year, after the successful competition held in Mossel Bay during Woman's Month last month.
The founder of the competitions, Mossel Bay resident Salome Werner, used to own a business, Mooiste Jy, in Marsh Street, Mossel Bay.
Assist women
It was essentially a make-over and empowerment initiative, designed to assist women in reaching their goals.
Werner's Worthy Woman competition was held to create awareness of the work of influential women, uplifting communities through their careers or their non-profit organisations.
It was designed to raise funds for the NPOs. Besides the Worthy Woman competition final which will take place again in Mossel Bay on 9 August next year, there will be a Worthy Woman competition in Hermanus on 8 March and one in Gqeberha on 11 May.
Amazed
Werner was amazed when her Worthy Woman competition, which she started in Mossel Bay and publicised online, became a national contest because it drew nominations from throughout South Africa.
She says: "We had 2 798 Worthy Woman nominees, but only 10 from the Garden Route and mainly from Mossel Bay."
From the start Werner's goal was to support charities in the Mossel Bay area, which she saw were doing excellent work, but which needed funds.
Further goals
Besides the Worthy Woman competitions, Werner has further goals to uplift women.
She says her Worthy Woman initiative is in the process of establishing a dedicated training centre.
"It will provide free afterschool education and skills development programmes, aimed at women who haven't had the opportunity to pursue further education or vocational training.
Practical skills
"By offering practical skills, educational support, and counselling services, our goal is to equip these individuals with the tools they need to build better lives for themselves and their families.
"There will be a two-year accountability programme to ensure ongoing support and guidance, helping participants stay on track to reach their goals.
"This is a project we hope to implement across South Africa."
Grateful
Werner is grateful to those who supported her Worthy Woman project this year.
She says several companies generously sponsored their services, time or products.
"Our primary source of funding came from event ticket sales."
Winner
The winner of the Worthy Woman competition was Lieutenant-Colonel Maria Gerber, head of the detective unit at Da Gamaskop Police Station; second was Maggie Nguta, who runs the Nokuthula Disabled Care Centre in KwaNonqaba with the limited funding she receives from the Department of Social Development (DSD); and third was Ché Clarke, who heads up the Growing Hope social responsibility programme of the church, Every Nation Mossel Bay.
The finalists in the Worthy Woman competition were (from left) Barritia James, Ché Clarke (third place), Maggie Nguta (front, second place), Claudine Damon Patel (back, in light blue), Lieutenant-Colonel Maria “Koekie” Gerber (first place), Lewona Prins and Mitchelene Scheepers.
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