Cape Flats women leaders in the spotlight Following a dream Positive changes New possibilities

• Date: 18 November 2020
• Published date: 18 November 2020
• Publication title: Athlone News

Twenty of these community activists have been invited to be part of the Cape Flats Women Alumni by the Manenberg Safety Forum who will be hosting an exhibition and gala at Community House Old Union Building, in Salt River Road, on Saturday November 28.

The Cape Flats Women Alumni was established to celebrate these women and to recognise the effects of them not being celebrated for the "immense" work that they do daily.

"For decades, women of colour have played a big role in the shaping of communities and societies as we know them today, and with little to no academic qualifications, just their 'street' knowledge that they've gained through life experiences on their journeys," said founder of the Cape Flats Women Alumni, Roegchanda Pascoe.

Ms Pascoe, 46, said the women were selected to receive certificates and recognition for their continuous, on-going support to their communities that they serve. "The main objective is to celebrate, uplift and express the stories of our women community activists through expressions of various art forms.

The Cape Flats Women Alumni will also attend a four-day deep healing workshop, which will include learning to deal with fear and a tour to various communities to express the pain and adversities that they faced as women.

Mymoena Scholtz, of Grassy Park, who is the founder of Where Rainbows Meet, in Vrygrond, was one of the first 20 community leaders selected for the Cape Flats Women Alumni.

"It makes one feel good knowing that out there people are acknowledging and appreciating what you do as a person."

Ms Scholtz, 56, said her journey was not easy and her involvement in the community started 25 years ago, "where I went in search of my dreams and goal of uplifting myself. Coming from a huge family where education was not even considered as a good thing, I decided, in my early 30s, to pursue my dreams.

She attended New World Foundation (NWF), in Lavender Hill, where she gained training and work experience in community development. "Working with the people made me hungry for more knowledge and the New World Foundation sent me to the University of Cape Town to study further in Adult Education. After two years I was sent to the Islamic College to study to become a social auxiliary worker. I enjoyed empowering myself because I got to know the real me. The NWF has built a strong foundation where I fell in love with community development and the empowerment of others. It was all about making sure people realise their value and...