Sisters Incorporated's first fashion boutique event
Members of Sisters Incorporated along with their residents, Claremont Community Policing Forum(CPF), Wynberg CPF, Femmove and Wynberg police at the first ever fashion boutique held at the shelter.
Image: Wesley Ford
Sisters Incorporated held its first-ever fashion boutique for its residents as part of a Women’s Month event held on Saturday, August 30
The Kenilworth-based non-profit, which has been a shelter for abused women and children for over 66 years, was showered with clothing and shoe donations from the Claremont Community Policing Forum (CPF) and Wynberg CPF.
All the clothing was placed on hangers and tables to create a shopping experience for women living at the shelter to pick out the clothing they like.
Social auxiliary worker at Sisters Incorporated, Nobuntu Nforchu, who helped organise the fashion boutique, called it Ukmambesa, Xhosa for 'gifting'.
Ms Nforchu said they were approached by Claremont CPF, which suggested the idea of giving our women a shopping experience. “We wanted our ladies to have clothing with dignity. Sometimes we have ladies who come to our shelters and they do not have enough time to pack their bags,” she said.
Ms Nforchu said she could see the joy on the women's faces while they chose their clothes, and when various organisations visited the shelter.
Claremont CPF vice chair Carla Williams said the organisation reached out to the community for clothing donations, and residents generously responded. “The CPF remains dedicated to collaborating with organisations such as Sisters’ Incorporated and others, aiming to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need,” she said.
The women were also treated to a holistic dance, movement, and empowering session by the Femmove non-profit. Femmove founder, Megan Goliath, said this event was amazing. “I could feel the burden that these women are carrying, but they have found a sense of empowerment, where a weight was lifted off their shoulders, and it was good to support their healing where we could use movement, mindfulness, and breathing exercises with them,” she said.
Ursula Van Nelson, from Mitchells Plain, has been staying at the shelter for the past three months. “I want to thank the manager for allowing me to stay here to help with my healing and recovery. I love this place, everyone is inspiring here,” she said.
If anyone would like to find out more about Sisters Incorporated, you can visit sisters.org.za or call 021 797 4191 or email manager@sisters.org.za
From left are Sisters Incorporated manager, Delene Roberts, their social auxiliary worker, Nobuntu Nforchu, Wynberg police officers, Sergeant Lizette Baaijes, Sergeant Halgernon Jacobs, Claremont CPF members, Claire Terink, Carla Williams, Wynberg CPF members, Suzanne Japtha, Theresa Daniels and Megan Goliath from Femmove.
Image: Wesley Ford