WeeklySA_AdminPREVALENCE: Growing incidence a global concern, hence the imperative to focus on its early onset among teens…
By Priscilla Malinga
As part of the Youth Month event, the Royal Table Global Consult and Faith Ministry, an international organisation with a grassroots focus, gathered the youth at the Eyethu Heritage Hall, Mofolo, Soweto, as part of the breast cancer campaign.
The girls – about 20 of them – who were the focus of the event – were later gifted with bras made available by a well-known retail store in Soweto as part of a programme to sensitise them to be conscious enough to detect early signs pointing to the onset of breast cancer.
Talking to the girls, CEO Tshidi Lelaka of the consultancy of the same name, said breast cancer is a reality for which the girls must be aware of.
Girls from Ezimbuzini informal settlement between Orlando East and Orlando West, were also part of the programme.
The comprehensive programme, according to Lelaka, is geared towards “getting bras for disadvantage household”, which she said were a luxury for disadvantaged families in informal settlements.
Former Miss Soweto and Miss Black South Africa Augustine Masilela Chuene was one of the guest speakers. She offered refreshments for the day.
Chuene told her young audience to strive for success, and how she was mocked when she was young because she was petite and tiny.
“But I turned being mocked into a career which earned me a string of beauty contests, becoming one of the most powerful women in South Africa.”
Lelaka said breast cancer was a major health concern in South Africa, being the most prevalent of all cancers.
“Which is why this event is such a needed platform to teach, raise awareness, and educate the girl child about early signs of breast cancer while offering support and encouragement with their careers,” Lelaka said.
Royal Table Global Consult and Faith Ministry is a boutique entity focused in making a difference in under resourced communities.
“As an organisation we trust that the government, churches, schools, and friends of Soweto will recognise the need to help our children have better life outcomes.
“We are passionate about being involved in such meaningful event so as to educate a girl child,” said Chuene.
She said as the gender-based violence was the enemy of a girl, so was breast cancer, members of society must rally around each other to fight these scourges. “The girl child needs to be aware of what is going on in their bodies and this must start early,” Chuene said.
Other speakers included chaplain Palesa Mashapa, CEO of Aura; Carole Dyantyi, program director of Best Health Solutions who works with the Ezimbuzini informal settlement; Sibusisiwe Makhubu, CEO of Sinothando Global Impact; Lihle Malinga, CEO of Black Ruby Consulting; and Rising author and poet, Sinenhlanhla Dlamini Kunene.
Boys formed part of the event. The organisers believe it was important for boys to understand what challenges girls faced.
They took part in sharing words of encouragement, urging girls not to be distracted but to follow their dreams.
The event is scheduled to take place yearly, and business was encouraged to get involved.
“Going forward we have a call to action, to host a career and health fair, and continue to secure the dignity of our girls and boys by providing decent underwear, addressing reproductive health challenges,” said Lelaka.
