As we come to the end of Women’s Month, let us remember that celebrating women should not be limited to one month. It is a reminder to continue recognising, supporting, and empowering women every day. In South Africa, August is officially observed as Women’s Month, with 9 August celebrated as National Women’s Day.

Women’s Month is a time to:

• Honour the contributions and achievements of women in South Africa.
• Raise awareness about issues affecting women, such as gender-based violence, inequality, economic empowerment, and access to education and healthcare.
• Celebrate the progress made toward gender equality while recognizing the work that remains.

A well-known slogan associated with the 1956 march is:
“Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo!”
This isiXhosa phrase translates to “You strike a woman you strike a rock,” symbolising the strength and resilience of South African women.

In the spirit of recognising the role women play in society Face First Media got behind St John’s D.S.G to support Grade 9 learner as they embarked on a 200km journey from Drakensberg to Lesotho.

The three-week adventure is known as uHambo, which means “journey” in isiZulu – an apt name since this trip is a physical, spiritual and emotional journey for the girls. It is a compulsory part of the Grade 9 curriculum.

The intention of uHambo is to promote an opportunity to develop tolerance, gratitude and perseverance, while encouraging environmental awareness and respect. This enriching experience provides a brief respite from our fast-paced, often superficial, consumerist society.

• This is what the learners had to say about uHambo:
• “uHambo was a unique adventure filled with emotion, different experience and new discoveries”
• “uHambo taught each of us many things, like being grateful and appreciative, but the lesson that stood out the most was that, like the distance we had to walk each day. A limit is only something that you impose on yourself. We are all stronger than we think!”
• “uHambo was an incredible opportunity that left us feeling closer to one another, humbled and inspired.”
• “On uHambo, we learnt the value of endurance, preservice and gratitude.”

Learners spend their nights in tents. All personal items and camping equipment were carried by pupils in backpacks and drinking water was sourced from streams and cattle troughs. Organised food drops every three days spared the hikers the burden of carrying food but reminded them of the constant need for rationing.

We are glad to be part of the journey in shaping strong, resilient future leaders and hope that the lessons from this journey will propel them to greater heights while teaching them lifelong lessons that they can take into the workplace.

UHambo teaches leaners about: turning setbacks into strength, the power of women who refused to give up and lessons on surviving to thriving.

Key Details of uHambo

• The Route: An epic 200 km hike starting from areas like Underberg and moving toward Lesotho.
• Self-Sufficiency: Students carry everything they need for food, clothing and shelter on their backs.
• Core Goals: Promotes tolerance, gratitude, perseverance, endurance, and environmental awareness while teaching the value of community.
• Support System: The school backs the expedition with an extensive support team comprising medical, administrative, emergency personnel and transport vehicles handling food drops and safety

“Resilient Women: We Rise, We Rebuild, We Become.”