IN HONOUR OF WOMEN’S MONTH, WE CELEBRATE OUTSTANDING WOMEN WITHIN THE TOBACCO CONTROL SPACE
By Xolisile Dlou and Lesego Mateme
August 1 through August 31 Our nation commemorates Women’s Month, a time when we honour the more than 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on August 9, 1956, to protest the application of the Pass Laws to women. 65 years have passed since the historic 1956 women’s march to the Union Buildings. The South African Tobacco-Free Youth Forum (SATFYF) Newsletter celebrates three outstanding women within the tobacco control space.
Rearabetsoe Nell is the Spokesperson for the Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) Youth Chapter. She is a qualified chef and an aspiring entrepreneur. Her passion lies in community development specifically in the area of sexual and reproductive health education. As the reigning Queen for Miss HIV Ambassador South Africa, she uses her crown to promote social and behavioural change in KZN. Her advocacy focuses on sharing information on HIV prevention and ensuring that the KZN youth knows about the harsh realities posed by tobacco products and that their voices are considered in the Tobacco Bill processes.
Ingrid Bame is the Campaign Manager for the South African Tobacco-Free Youth Forum and a champion for issues relating to youth development in South Africa. Bame is well-versed in leading dialogues about the importance of youth development with a special focus on matters of equality and inclusivity towards different kinds of youth groups in the country.
Ms Mogolegwa is the chairperson for the Forum’s Gauteng Youth Chapter. She is the founder of Rekgonne Warriors, a foundation that caters for victims of crime, violence, and abuse. Moreover, she is the founder of Pheli Youth Information Hub – a programme housed under Rekgonne Warriors – which is aimed at empowering the youth and relaying any opportunities available to them.
