Namhla Tshisela
Namhla Tshisela
What a year! What a night!
The Sowetan Women's Club pulled out all the stops on Thursday to bring a memorable year to an end.
The year-end event for the club was held at the Emperors Palace in Johannesburg where members were treated like royalty.
The programme diverted a bit from the usual club menu as the house was treated to a surprise guest.
The night was used to pay homage to all the women in the country, celebrate their achievements and their efforts in reinforcing family ties and values.
Members ate and drank like queens throughout the night.
The club's favourite Brenda Fassie song, Vulindlela, brought the house down, prompting 600 women to dance and sing along.
Aptly called the "power house of women" by the MC, Vanessa Jansen of All You Need is Love fame, the presence of some of South Africa's most influential women was testimony to this.
Veteran actress and casting agent Lillian Dube kept the house in stitches with her jokes.
Businesswoman and guest speaker Zindzi Mandela honoured her parents, especially her mother, surprise guest and struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
Like moths to a flame, awestruck members relished the opportunity to be photographed with the mother of the nation.
"My mother taught me to stand on my own, to be strong and optimistic," said Mandela.
Mandela shared some of the most painful moments in her life such as the imprisonment of her parents and the loss of a child.
She urged women to trust their instincts, support others and love themselves.
"We'll never be able to implement anything without self-worth. Every one has a journey on earth. Let others embark on their journey the way that they were destined," she said.
The night was truly dedicated to club members and Christmas came early for some, with lucky members walking away with Mageu Number 1 and Playtex hampers.
An unforgettable night!