Mpumelelo Masango
“When it comes to owning your success, celebrate yourself the way that you would celebrate a loved one. Allow yourself that leniency. In the same breath, don’t berate yourself either.” – Lupita Nyong’o
This year’s womens’ month felt like a much needed reboot for South African women. We needed to holster the pink femme flag up again and this year beckoned us to find not what is missing, but what needs refocusing and where we need to refill in order to achieve greatness.
On the 18th of August, Momentum hosted a beautiful and meaningful event that dared women to own their success. In the three part #Sheownshersuccess events, Momentum turned what would normally be one event that would be later forgotten into a movement that encouraged women from the digital realm and reality to come together and openly acquire knowledge and advice on how to champion being a woman in any space that has not embraced us yet. in a freshly scented room filled with beautiful sunlight, flora and fauna and an exquisitely dressed audience, the order of the day was inspiration and education and that was beautifully achieved as each and every woman or man present had an interest in understanding how women can move towards success.
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Every woman that bravely stepped onto the stage, whether she was conducting a well-prepared masterclass, delivered a speech or was part of a panel did so in an impactful way and gave validity to the statement that women really are more than capable. The afternoon’s theme that one should be brave and not perfect really shed light on the expectation that is placed on women to strive for perfection in everything we do because that will either guarantee marriage or a stable life that is not full of uncertainty.
Two speakers really moved me, what they spoke about and the passion that was conveyed as their words touched the microphone sparked a fire that cannot and will not be put out. In her masterclass, Ms Veronica King taught us to not be afraid to put our hand up, and it was not the topic that was impactful but what she said and how she said that forced me to reevaluate. The kindness in her delivery and her choice of words kindly lit a lantern that illuminated a path to owning my success. She taught us to feel our feelings, and step into them -even if we are afraid- because true power lies in knowing you are afraid, lowering the volume of your limiting thoughts and still doing it anyway.
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Another speaker who ignited a fire within me was Dr Tshepiso Matentjie. What a fine-drawn and powerful woman. Her power lies in her kindness and ability to transform any person’s outlook on life using just words. It was her closing line in the panel discussion that genuinely shook the room. Dr Matentjie beckoned us to get right with our mental state and seek help. It was not what she said – because we hear it everywhere- but it was her tone that almost made me cry. She begged us to first take care of ourselves because we simply cannot pour from an empty cup and our communities need strong-minded women to assist in lifting society up.
In conclusion, I really would recommend everyone to attend these events that are aimed at empowerment. Not only will you learn from others but you will also learn a lot about yourself. A lot of us always think it’s some bull or that it does not change anything, but I do think that we are entirely missing the point: these events are meant to change you because it is only then that you may change the world around you. Also remember, action begets action – that is why it is called momentum!
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