‘Poverty is feminine – it affects our mothers and sisters the most’: Maimane

Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane on Monday took off his political cap and visited a women’s shelter in Hillbrow‚ Johannesburg‚ to mark Nelson Mandela Day.

Maimane was accompanied by Johannesburg mayoral candidate Herman Mashaba and other party delegates to Othandweni Women’s Shelter.

“Izwa imithandazo yethu. Nkosi sikelela. Thina lusapo lwayo‚” Maimane broke out in song‚ to which party members and women from the shelter joined in.

“Today is not a day for speeches. It’s not about politics. We are here today to show humanity.

“We are here to give back to the community. Poverty is feminine. It affects our mothers and sisters the most‚” Maimane said.

The team handed out blankets and toiletries to the women at the centre.

DA Johannesburg mayoral candidate Herman Mashaba said he was touched by the work the centre does.

“It actually becomes painful sometimes when you have to come to these places.”

The shelters accommodates 40 women overnight at a charge of R15 per night. They fork out an extra few rand for a meal.

These are abused women or those who have been kicked out of their homes by their partners.

Maimane promised to donate money to the shelter.