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YOU ARE YOUR SISTER’S KEEPER

28/09/2021 08:18:00 Delisa Thwala

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EZULWINI - The second edition of Eswatini High Tea not only attracted scores of beautiful ladies but left impactful lessons to the women in attendance.

The buzzing word at this year’s High Tea was ‘ You are your sister’ s keeper ‘, and ‘ against all odds’ taking place in Ezulwini Sibane Hotel on Sunday, the event proved to be exactly what the ladies needed. Bubbly and humorousLindokuhle Mthupa hosted the ladies once again, and treated them to endless laughter and inside jokes that had every lady laughing out loud. One of the speakers Nontobeko Dlamini, a certified Industrial Psychologist said while some of the most cherished relationships were with other women, there was always a pervasive narrative that would have everyone believe that women did not and could not get along. Dlamini said with all of the negative images about women that were ingested daily through the media, they cannot afford to be fighting among themselves as women or avoid each other because they believed the hype and stereotypes about who they were.

Professionally

“We will not make it long in this world, professionally or personally without a strong network of women in our corner. Cheer other women on. We have internalised the myth that a woman’s success or happiness somehow chips away at our own success or happiness. But it is not so. If another woman gets a job opportunity you wanted, celebrate her, be inspired to keep aiming high, and continue to buck a system that teaches you that only a few women get to succeed,” said Dlamini when addressing the over 20 women in attendance.

Made up of six speakers the event proved to be a success as almost all relatable topics were touched on. From intimacy, to savings and social welfare of children the speakers made sure to leave no stone unturned in trying to motivate the attendees. Another eloquent speaker was Ezulwini Mayor BongileMbingo, she spoke about COVID-19 and how it has affected women led businesses and how they can again pick themselves up and try again. She too encouraged women coming together and helping each other. “Pull your sister to the side. Though we all like to buy into the damaging superwoman ideal, women are humans and we make bad calls in our personal and professional lives daily. When you see your sister messing up in a way that poorly reflects on you, your field, or even all of womanism, by all means, say something,” said the Mayor.

Mbingo mentioned that there was nothing empowering or enlightening about dragging another through the mud in the name of whatever cause one professes to be defending. On this Mthupa chipped in and said when another women messed up it was the next women’s chance to help. “That is your sister making a mistake. That is you down there screwing-up–in the past, present, or maybe even in the future. People respond better when they hear hard truths in a soft and loving way. When your sister knows you are talking to her out of love, that will exponentially increase the chances that she will be receptive to what you have to say and will stop doing whatever wrong-headed thing she has been doing,” said Mthupa.

Activist and Entrepreneur Lungelo Shiba said women should support their efforts however they can, whether through words or deeds. “ Mentor women who need mentoring, cry with them when they cry, celebrate with them when they celebrate, encourage them when they need encouragement, because no one knows how hard it is to be a woman in a man’s world like your sisters do. No one can keep you like your sisters can,” he said.

Programme

In between the programme the guests were treated to soulful and vibey sounds courtesy of RNB singer Judah. The award winning artist performed songs from his debut album and also gave snippets of his upcoming album. He was in the company of Platinum Concepts, who kept the sound system and visuals of the event up to standard. Highlights of the event were the local stalls that had different merchandise to offer, the raffle draws that saw a couple of women walk away with lucrative prizes like Spa vouchers and nights in selected hotels in the country. One of the attendees applauded the organiser for a smoothly run event. “This is my second time attending the Eswatini High Tea and they never disappoint. Everything is always well organised and very impactful conversations,” said Nompendulo Dlamini.

Other speakers included a qualified social worker placed in the Deputy Prime Minister’ Office, NgazilePhiri, who encouraged parents to always give time and attention to their children. Phiri mentioned that children were individuals and needed attention and love from parents to avoid instances like drug abuse and suicide. There to speak on the importance of accepting people living with Albinism was Stukie Motsa of Stukie Motsa Foundation. She mentioned that September was Albinism awareness month.
“We still have a long way to go in teaching people what living with Albinism is. We would also love donations in the form of sunglasses, sunscreens and hats to protect our skin from the sun,” Pleaded Motsa.All combined the speakers on the day touched on different topics that hugely affected women especially during COVID-19. Women were encouraged to embody words they spoke about themselves and realise that they were what they said and perceived themselves to be. Everyone present was also equipped on employee and employer relationship, loss and recovery, development and how giving up was not an option. The theme this year was emerald green and orange; ladies stuck to the theme and brightened up the hotel. The total ambience and energy at the second edition of Eswatini High Tea was life giving and wholesome as explained by guests in attendance.

THANK YOU - EHT FOUNDER

The host and organiser of Eswatini High Tea ZamokuhleVilakazi expressed her gratitude for the people who pulled through to the event. Vilakazi said putting together the event was a breeze because she worked with locals and women who were willing.
“This has always been my idea to see women come together for the greater good and it has happened again. This has happened despite the biggest challenges like COVID-19,” said Vilakazi. She also attributed her whole look for the day to women she supported. Vilakazi mentioned that spaces like EHT were spaces that she would love to see evolve and become something done often. “We need more of such spaces, we need more of these conversations as women. This has been absolutely fun to put together and watch unravel,” said Vilakazi.