few has done it again and still going stronger

By Loretta Kodisang (Pictures by: Yanda Tolobisa)

February 10, 2005: Saturday, January 29, 2005 was Forum for the Empowerment of Women's (FEW) third anniversary. The celebration took place at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, like with all the events that FEW hosts, people were there in numbers and they had a wonderful time.

In spite of the fact that the organisation did not have any budget to run the event, but because of the commitment of its members the celebration turned out to be one of its kind. Musa Ngubane who is part of the network and publication subcommittee was the MC of the day. Mary Louw, Chairperson of the forum gave a speech on the current projects of the forum; she also spoke about the long awaited newsletter of the forum.

Since poetry is one of the most significant form of entertainment and of expressing ones spirituality and emotions and is used as a tool to fight for equality, the poems recited at the event really inspired gays and lesbians to keep on fighting the injustices.
FEW has made it it's culture to carry out this fighting spirit. Marco Ndlovu and Bathini kept the audience in deep thoughts, their poetry could move mountains.

Followed by a drama presentation, a drag show, sizzling ballroom dancers and kwaito dancers, all performed by FEW members except for the ballroom dancers. Fikile Vilakazi of the Equality Project gave a presentation on the struggle of and realities of black lesbian women in South Africa. Then the CEO of the organisation, Donna Smith, mentioned how delighted she was that the organisation had sustained itself 'til that day and still to many years to come and her birthday wish was for FEW's wishes to reach those of the community.

"FEW empowers, gives direction to lost souls, gives hope to the hopeless, gives safe space to its constituency, that's why it is progressing in the rate that it is" said Bathini Dambuza, a member of FEW.

"The public is assured to learn more about equality, empowerment and humanity. If u push hard you might end up pushing away a good thing because FEW is embraced by most talented and educated people who are willing to share their skills and knowledge to advance the lesbian community."