KwaNobuhle resident Ntombozuko Jafta, who exemplifies a “no work, no gain” spirit, was recently recognised as a recipient of the Fabulous Woman Awards in the gender equality category and is taking part in this week’s Brics Summer School at the University of Johannesburg.
The 13th annual Fabulous Woman Awards took place on Saturday at the Graham Contemporary Gallery in Hyde Park, Sandton.
The awards are organised by the award-winning nonprofit Fabulous Girls Foundation, launched in 2013 to celebrate African women and girls who demonstrate excellence, ethical womanhood, and dedication to women’s empowerment.
The foundation supports young women aged 18 to 35 through educational development, mentorship, and initiatives aimed at tackling youth unemployment via strategic partnerships.
Jafta, who was the 2022 gender-based violence category winner of The Herald Nelson Mandela University Citizens of the Year Awards, said she was humbled simply to have been nominated for the Fabulous Woman Awards.
“The venue was beautiful, the people were warm, and we even received R800 vouchers to pamper ourselves,” she said.
“Being nominated by others left me amazed, and it was an incredible opportunity to network with other inspiring women.”
The nomination process began in June, when Jafta’s name was put forward by two Johannesburg-based individuals.
She was asked to submit a biography and answer 10 category-specific questions, after which the judges selected the top 10 finalists for each category.
Jafta is also a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and holds an auxiliary social worker certificate.
She participated in a dialogue hosted by the department of international relations and co-operation (Dirco) on Thursday.
In 2015, she founded her own nonprofit, the TWYST Foundation (Transforming Women Youth in Social Trends), which focuses on empowering women and girls.
Jafta’s motivation to start the foundation came from her personal experiences — surviving stage-four cancer, enduring a difficult divorce, and overcoming depression — as well as witnessing systemic inequality affecting women and girls.
“The inspiration came from seeing first-hand the unequal access to opportunities and the widespread acceptance of GBV,” Jafta said.
“Many young girls are forced to leave school due to early pregnancy, while the boys involved face no consequences.
“This violates our constitution, which guarantees the right to education.”
Through partnerships with organisations such as the Volkswagen SA Community Trust, Eastcape Midlands College, UN Women, Sanlam Foundation, Avon for Women Foundation, Kolisi Foundation, and the Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation, Jafta’s nonprofit has placed more than 200 women and youth in private companies.
About 250 women and girls have also been trained to start their own organisations and participate in decision-making structures across the province.
Known for her hands-on approach, Jafta often goes the extra mile to assist the vulnerable, sometimes accommodating children at her home until proper care arrangements can be made.
She has also facilitated the election of girls and youth into the Brics Youth programme, enabling them to gain leadership experience on a global stage.
Her organisation runs targeted programmes in leadership development, public speaking, negotiation, mediation and strategic decision-making.
In collaboration with the UN Women’s peace and security agenda, the foundation recently placed 10 girls in the Brics Summer School, which Jafta is also attending.
The programme focuses on economic, political and cultural development within Brics, with sessions on geopolitics and cross-cultural fundamentals.
“Our first day focused on bridging the gap between government and civil society,” Jafta said.
“Unfortunately, my schoolchildren couldn’t attend because they were busy with exams, but the experience remains invaluable for those participating.”
The Herald
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