You ROCK!!
A rock is known for it’s many uses and benefits. When you want to see far and wide you stand on a rock. When you want to escape danger from below, you stand on a rock. When you want to get out of the storm, you hide behind a rock.
One of my grandmother’s favourite hymns was Rock of Ages by Rev August Montague Toplady, which is a well-known Christian hymn, referring to God as a stedfast, unyielding rock, a place to hide.
Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo, meaning you strike a woman, you strike a rock, was a chant by the courageous South African women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956, protesting against the unjust pass laws. In the face of a ruthless apartheid government, these women from all races and backgrounds stood together and showed courage and bravery fighting for what they believed in. This women’s month we remember those women and look to them for inspiration as we strive to create financial inclusion for women in South Africa.
South Africa is not short of examples of great women who epitomise the word Imbokodo. From our grandmothers, our mothers, our teachers, the women who marched on the Unions Buildings, the women in government and in our communities and, of course, the women of Lesaka. From generation to generation, steadfast, champions for change, bold and courageous warriors, shaping our future and raising up the next generation of Iimbokodo.
At Lesaka you will be presented with opportunities. I want to encourage you to take them. Opportunities to make your voice heard, to learn, to teach others, to collaborate, innovate and showcase your talent and the Mbokodo you are. Grab it with both hands.
I’m proud to be amongst the great women of Lesaka. Doing our part to fulfill the potential of women through financial inclusion. We are our foremothers’ wildest dreams. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We come from a great lineage of warriors. May we RAISE them, may we BE them.
Happy women’s month.
One of my grandmother’s favourite hymns was Rock of Ages by Rev August Montague Toplady, which is a well-known Christian hymn, referring to God as a stedfast, unyielding rock, a place to hide.
Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo, meaning you strike a woman, you strike a rock, was a chant by the courageous South African women who marched to the Union Buildings in 1956, protesting against the unjust pass laws. In the face of a ruthless apartheid government, these women from all races and backgrounds stood together and showed courage and bravery fighting for what they believed in. This women’s month we remember those women and look to them for inspiration as we strive to create financial inclusion for women in South Africa.
South Africa is not short of examples of great women who epitomise the word Imbokodo. From our grandmothers, our mothers, our teachers, the women who marched on the Unions Buildings, the women in government and in our communities and, of course, the women of Lesaka. From generation to generation, steadfast, champions for change, bold and courageous warriors, shaping our future and raising up the next generation of Iimbokodo.
At Lesaka you will be presented with opportunities. I want to encourage you to take them. Opportunities to make your voice heard, to learn, to teach others, to collaborate, innovate and showcase your talent and the Mbokodo you are. Grab it with both hands.
I’m proud to be amongst the great women of Lesaka. Doing our part to fulfill the potential of women through financial inclusion. We are our foremothers’ wildest dreams. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We come from a great lineage of warriors. May we RAISE them, may we BE them.
Happy women’s month.
Norma
