On August 7th, 2025, Unisa’s Institute for Social and Health Sciences (ISHS), in partnership with community outreach unit Imbumbe YaBafazi, hosted the fourth annual Shaping Our Future Women’s Day community dialogue.

This year’s theme, Where We Heal? Women in Community, centred on the critical contributions of women in building and nurturing their communities, each other and themselves. As with the previous three instalments of the Shaping Our Future series, the event remained rooted in its core aim: to highlight, support and celebrate the meaningful activities and work taking place in Johannesburg South’s region G informal settlement communities. Women from the Institute’s local surrounding communities came together in the spirit of ubuntu to foster a safe space to share stories, engage each other’s experiences, express themselves through music, poetry and writing, and build stronger connections grounded in collective healing and social cohesion.

Ms Vuyiswa Mhlongo, founder of Imbumbe YaBafazi and programme director for the day, together with Ms Nomagugu Ngwenya, ISHS researcher, doctoral candidate, and the project coordinator, welcomed guests with warmth and grace. Their heartfelt words set the tone for a day filled with compassion, solidarity, and a reminder of the power of women gathering -reinforcing the spirit of collaboration and deep connection that defines the dialogue series. The event featured four insightful sessions led by community leaders, organisation founders, activists, and ISHS researchers, each offering personal accounts of pain, healing, perseverance and their unique perspectives on women’s issues.

Thuli Dubazana, director of iGugu le Mbali Learning Centre, led the first session titled “Aligning Womanhood and Work/Life Balance,” in which she reminded the audience that behind every well-functioning home and community are women who rarely get acknowledged for their efforts. This brought forth a discussion on the challenges of maintaining work-life balance while managing work and community responsibilities, caregiving, and present parenting particularly. Whist making practical offerings about the homeschooling route and the role women play in shaping children’s lives – Dubazana emphasised the importance of patience, routine, and the power of listening to, affirming and encouraging children from an early age - especially when it comes to education.

This session was followed by “A word on gender-based violence,” in which gender-based violence (GBV) activists Mx Norma Uhuru Mbele (founder of Tosunga Baninga) and Ms Kholiwe Dlamini (project coordinator of Thandululo Community Development NPO) respectively delivered riveting and emotionally resonant talks, drawing from both their firsthand experiences and their advocacy work in the fight against GBV. Mx Mbele’s message was clear – noting that we cannot end violence without looking at the pain that drives it, including the emotional wounds many men carry. Mx Mbele challenged attendees to “change the script,” advocating for awareness of the complexity of violence, shared accountability, and healing interventions that involve both women and men to ensure that healing is indeed collective and that the roots of trauma and not just its symptoms are addressed.

Ms Dlamini followed a deeply personal and courageous account of her experience as a survivor of human trafficking, offering insight into the emotional and psychological toll such trauma takes—and the sources of strength she drew from to move forward. Speaking with vulnerability and conviction, she reflected on the availability and state of resources and facilities purposed to assist women and children who have suffered abuse, as well as the inner strength of women as she has encountered them - noting that despite the weight of traumatic experiences, women have had an extraordinary capacity to adapt and rebuild their lives. Now an activist against violence directed at women and children, Ms Dlamini spoke about the unique trials of doing this work within the South African context, where systemic inequality, poverty, and limited resources make the fight even more urgent.

Former counsellor, activist and community leader Ms Simphiwe Zwane (of Thembelihle Crisis Committee), spoke to the topic Women in Leadership wherein she reflected on what it means to be a woman in South Africa, considering the ongoing impact of historical disenfranchisement even in activist spaces where the sentiments are around issues of inclusion and addressing inequality. Encouraging the women in attendance not to shrink themselves in male-dominated spaces, whilst posing a critical question to the audience: "How can we lead if we are not confident?". This emphasised the importance of self-confidence and self-empowerment on one’s journey to effective leadership. Furthermore Ms Zwane highlighted that self-belief is not just beneficial but essential for women striving to make a difference – speaking passionately about the need for women to affirm and support each other. Whilst celebrating the rise of women stepping into leadership roles across various sectors, Ms Zwane reinforced that mutual support and solidarity are key to advancing gender equity and women’s leadership in South Africa.

Breaking from the speaker-audience format, Ms Noxolo Dumani and Jade Morkel, researchers and doctoral candidates at the ISHS, led a reflective writing session towards “Healing and Wellbeing in Community Contexts.” Each participant received a page of thoughtfully crafted prompts, inviting them to write a personal poem to themselves—affirming their roots, the burdens they carry, what they have been told, what they know, what they’re learning, what they honour, where they stand, and who they are becoming. This gentle yet powerful exercise offered a space for emotional release, self-recognition, and affirmation. The act of writing became a form of healing in itself, allowing women to reconnect with their own journeys in a safe and supportive environment. Many participants felt moved to share their poems aloud, and their words were met with empathy, encouragement and solidarity from the group. The session not only fostered individual healing but also reinforced the collective strength and compassion that emerges when women hold space for one another.

Throughout the day, the sessions were beautifully interwoven with moments of creative expression that stirred deep emotions and offered space for healing. One such moment was a moving poem delivered by local poet Ms Nokuphila Chavalala. Her captivating, rhythmic oration resonated deeply with the audience—evoking tears, reflection, and a strong sense of shared experience. These emotional currents carried through into collective song and dance, as women spontaneously joined voices and movement in a celebration of unity. With each ululation, each beat, and each shared note, a sense of connection, joy, and mutual recognition filled the space. These creative moments reminded everyone of the healing that can arise when stories are spoken, bodies are moved, and voices are raised together — honouring both individual and collective journeys.

Doctoral candidate and ISHS researcher, Ms Relebogile Rasodi, brought the day to a close with an inspiring and thoughtful reflection. She skilfully wove together the many threads of conversation, creative offerings, and impactful engagements that had unfolded throughout the event—creating a cohesive narrative that honoured the voices and experiences shared. Her words provided a sense of closure, while also leaving attendees with lasting appreciation and food for thought. Extending heartfelt appreciation to Shehnaaz Mohamed of Gift of the Givers, for their continued generous donations to the event, Ms Rasodi opened the floor for their carefully thought-out food and care packages which were distributed to the women in attendance. The day was then concluded with a shared lunch, offering a final moment of connection, nourishment and community.

Ms Nomagugu Ngwenya and Ms Vuyiswa Mhlongo are grateful to all who made the day possible and look forward to continuing the Shaping Our Future Women’s Day event series in the coming year.