MBOMBELA – Cstahood, a women empowerment non-governmental organisation (NGO), continues to play a key role in creating opportunities for rural women to develop their talents and participate in the arts industry.
As such, the organisation brought together women on Saturday, 16 May in Mbombela for a gathering aimed at empowering one another, sharing business ideas and exploring opportunities within the creative sector.
Chairperson of Cstahood in Mpumalanga, Pamela Mahlalela told Mpumalanga Mirror that the NGO was founded in 2001 in Mbombela by Nozzy Nguse and has since grown into an international movement dedicated to uplifting women, particularly those from rural and disadvantaged communities.
“The NGO operates internationally and is committed to empowering women from rural areas by developing skills and talents within the arts industry, including crafters, designers and early childhood practitioners,” said Mahlalela.
Mahlalela said the organisation plays a key role in connecting women creatives to opportunities and stakeholders in the arts sector.
“This initiative greatly benefits members across the arts sector, as the organisation engages stakeholders and the National Arts Council to secure exhibition opportunities for them to showcase their work. Members continue to uplift one another, as the organisation is dedicated to empowering the less privileged,” she added.
One of the crafters, Nonkululeko Nkosi said the initiative has played a significant role in helping them showcase their work. “Cstahood has assisted us in many ways as we are able to come together, support and empower one another as crafters. We have also been given opportunities to attend exhibitions where we showcase our work, as the organisation actively helps us to get involved,” she said.
The gathering also served as a platform for networking, mentorship and collaboration, with women encouraged to use their skills to build sustainable income-generating opportunities. The organisation has committed to strengthening its role as a support system for rural women seeking access to the creative economy and wider empowerment opportunities.
