Scented Candle Lights Lit in Kagiso!
Candles for self empowerment
Net Nine Nine and Adam Rocks use flowers to impart knowledge in women empowerment In their quest to help women achieve their full potential and empower “Imbokodo” during this Women’s Month to fight poverty. Adam Rocks, in partnership with Kagiso Local Tourism, Botho Humanity and Mogale City Local Municipality, sponsored by fibre internet connectivity prover, Net Nine Nine, hosted a flower arrangement and candle making workshop.
The groundbreaking workshop held at the Kagiso Recreation Centre on 14 August 2024, drew the attention of over 50 women from the community, many of whom were unemployed, with hopes and aspirations of learning new skills to empower themselves for the future.
Made from scratch
It was all hands on deck as the ladies partook in a day of practical learning on how to make pure, scented candles from scratch, as well as flower arranging to use the skill in the future to make a living out of it.
Net Nine Nine supplied all raw material for the ladies to use while they experimented with a skill that is ignored by many, and expert trainers were on site to help educate the eager community.
Don’t wait for employment
According to event organiser, Kefilwe Moroane, the workshop has achieved its main objective of teaching women new skills in floral management and candle making “which can potentially lead to entrepreneurial opportunities”.
“There’s always many ways of making an income and not waiting idly for employment,” she said. “This is a good opportunity for them”.
She’s given an indication that springtime calls for more wedding celebrations and many people will require florists, as well as scented candles, “including funerals where they can make contact and contracts with funeral parlour operators”.
She added: “It also seeks to foster a sense of community and support for child-headed households through the dignity pack contributions. We had a successful and impactful event where valuable skills were imparted and strong community bonds formed.”
Deserving women in Kagiso
On top of it all, there were motivational talk from Palesa Fiona Makhafela from Westside FM, as well as Yoga instructor Caroline Ntwanano from NanoSquat Wellness, who started the day with stretching of muscles, as well as rebuilding confidence in the attendees.
Rachel Shole from Botho Humanity expressed her happiness passing on skills to “deserving women of Kagiso” just months before World Aids Day on 1 December where candles play a key role in commemorating the annual day set aside to remember all victims of the pandemic.
“These women will make an impact,” Shole highlighted to loud cheers. “Those with the knowledge pass it on to others to make a living. Our next conversation should be in agriculture where we have our small, underutilised land at home. We can succeed with doing things on our own. We should take ourselves as amamedi bantswembu (powerful women).”
