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The aim of the event was not only to honour these women leaders but to also draw inspiration from their courage to serve others.
by NONTOBEKO AISHA MKHWANAZI
The atmosphere in Newlands, Cape Town, was charged with admiration and inspiration as Masjidul Quds hosted a gala banquet to honour South Africa’s extraordinary women on August, 11, 2024.
Shining a spotlight on the achievements and profound contributions of female leaders across various spheres of society, the event brought together a large audience eager to celebrate these remarkable women.
In an interview, Mohammed Abdulla, Chairperson of Masjidul Quds, shared his perspective on the importance of the occasion.
‘We felt it essential to celebrate women’s contributions across all areas,’ he said.
Abdulla also emphasised that the aim of the event was not only to honour these women leaders but to also draw inspiration from their courage to serve others.
This auspicious occasion also featured a stellar lineup of keynote speakers, each bringing their unique perspectives and experiences.
Among them were Dr Naledi Pandor, the former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Fatima Jakoet, a pioneering Muslim female pilot; Rehana Khan-Parker, an Acting Judge and passionate advocate for gender equality; and Patricia Goliath, the esteemed Deputy Judge President of the Western Cape High Court. These women, each accomplished in their own right, shared stories of struggle, perseverance and triumph, leaving the audience in awe.
Dr Pandor captivated the audience with her powerful narrative, beginning by reflecting on her upbringing as the child of exiled political leaders.
‘Many people don’t know much about my background because I don’t talk much about myself,’ Dr Pandor said with her voice steady and clear.
‘I am a child of exiled political leaders of South Africa. My father and grandfather were both involved in the Treason Trial of 1959. After the weak evidence presented by the state, all 156 trialists were acquitted. Following the trial, my father was advised by the ANC to leave the country and join the international mobilisation efforts outside South Africa.’
She also recounted the night her family left for Lesotho, describing it as a confusing and fearful experience.
‘I remember being six years old, bundled into a car late at night. The next morning, we woke up in a strange house in Maseru, Lesotho and I wondered what had happened to our home,’ she narrated.
Despite the challenges, her mother’s resilience and dedication to her children’s education left a lasting impression on her.
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‘My mother, though quiet and small in stature, was incredibly strong. She believed in the power of education and humility. She taught us to treat everyone with respect, and it’s because of her that I am devoted to my work today,’ said Dr Pandor.
Her speech further took on a broader, more urgent tone as she spoke about the parallels between South Africa’s struggle for freedom and the Palestinian cause.
‘There is a link between our struggle for freedom and the people of Palestine. We cannot desert them until they enjoy the freedom and justice we have achieved,’ she asserted.
She also called on the audience to actively support the Palestinian cause, urging them to use media outlets, social media and public campaigns to make the struggle visible to the world.
‘We must strive to be part of this worthy fight for freedom. We must make the Palestinian struggle visible, and the desire for freedom of Palestinians our desire,’ urged Dr Pandor.
Acting Judge Rehana Khan-Parker also shared personal anecdotes, reflecting on her family’s legacy of service and education.
‘My dad, Gulzar Khan, a political activist and educator, was my mentor. He taught us to think wider than just our needs and ourselves,’ she said, recalling how her father’s dedication to education led him to sell insurance policies to fund university education for others.
This spirit of selflessness and commitment to education deeply influenced Parker-Khan’s career as a lawyer.
‘It’s the teachings of my father which saw me devise training programmes for lawyers who lacked the skillset or experience in certain disciplines in law,’ she noted.
Reflecting on the importance of the role of women in community service, she spoke warmly about the impact of collective efforts, noting that ‘it is in the value of combined efforts that we can raise the hopes of others.’
During the event, she also emphasised the importance of education, hard work and resistance in order to achieve one’s goal by sharing a moving memory from her time on a bursary interview panel.
‘When I was part of a panel in charge of interviewing Grade 11 students for a matric bursary, I recall interviewing a girl from Langa who was, I think, at Spine Road High in Mitchells Plain. She was an A-grade student who had so little. For her, achieving matric would make her the first in her family to do so. Despite her circumstances, she achieved amazing results.’
Fatima Jakoet, who has broken barriers in the aviation industry, also urged everyone to pursue their dreams despite obstacles.
‘It is crucial to keep striving towards your dreams, no matter the hurdles you face especially as a woman. Because unfortunately we live in a world where in some spaces women are treated as incapable or are unacknowledged for their hard work. But let that not deter you; rise up and unleash your full potential,’ Jakoet added.
She elaborated on her own journey, highlighting the challenges she overcame in her journey.
‘My path was not without its difficulties, but every challenge was an opportunity to prove my determination. Breaking through barriers in a male-dominated field required not only resilience but also a deep belief in my abilities,’ Jakoet explained.
Her insights reminded the audience of the value of perseverance and the importance of staying true to one’s goals despite adversity.
With enthusiasm and a blast of energy, Deputy Judge President Patricia Goliath spoke about finding confidence in one’s voice as a woman and the responsibility to inspire future generations.
‘As women, we need to harness our voices and be confident in our contributions,’ Goliath stated.
She urged women to embrace their roles as leaders and advocates for change.
‘We must use our positions to empower others and create a ripple effect of positive change. Our voices are powerful tools for transformation, and we must use them to challenge inequalities and champion progress,’ she concluded.
Throughout the event, attendees emphasised that in a world often overlooking women’s contributions, such gatherings should not be confined to Women’s Month but should occur regularly. This call to action is vital for fostering a future where women and men unite in the pursuit of equity and justice.
In the spirit of celebration and community, Masjidul Quds will be hosting a week-long event from September 15-21, 2024, to honour the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). For more details, visit Masjidul Quds’ social media platforms @Masjidul Quds.
