Free State World Online Newspaper is on a mission to transform lives in Free State communities by equipping women and youth with essential skills for sustainable livelihoods.
On November 5, the newspaper hosted its inaugural Free State World Rural Thaba Nchu Skills Empowerment for Women event at the Mmabana Cultural Centre in Thaba Nchu. This initiative aimed to empower women from rural Thaba Nchu with skills that could help them earn an income, understand business operations, and contribute to reducing unemployment by becoming employers themselves.
Twenty women were selected from various rural areas, known locally as “Di Trusts,” to participate in hands-on training. They learned practical skills such as nail care, makeup application, massage therapy, wig treatment, and eyebrow installation. To ensure a smooth training process, Free State World provided all necessary materials, allowing participants to focus entirely on learning without the worry of bringing their own supplies.
The event saw the presence of distinguished guests, including Barolong Boo Seleka Nations Kgosi, Her Excellency Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka, and Mirriam Moffat, the Manager of the Mmabana Cultural Centre, along with representatives from the Free State Development Corporation and Destea.
In her address, Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka praised Free State World for this impactful initiative, emphasizing its focus on empowering women from often-overlooked rural areas. She also recognized Mme Mirriam Moffat for facilitating the venue and commended Palesa Entle Isaacs-Ratolo, who led the practical training sessions in makeup, massage, and nail care.
Kgosi highlighted the significance of community-driven efforts, stating that each initiative, regardless of size, contributes to meaningful change. “Empowering women with practical skills fosters self-employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development,” she noted.
Mirriam Moffat welcomed the participants and encouraged them to seize this opportunity to transform their lives. Palesaentle Isaacs-Ratolo and her team provided top-quality training, equipping the women with valuable expertise.
The Free State World editors, Michael Tamelinth and Grace Sparks, expressed their commitment to making a positive impact in the community. They highlighted the wealth of talent in the Free State and the importance of initiatives like this one in creating entrepreneurs, reducing unemployment, and advancing the roles of youth and women.
“Our aim is to affect as many lives as possible by collaborating with community members to make a difference. We view ourselves not just as an online newspaper, but as an integral part of the Free State community,” said Grace Sparks. They announced plans to hold similar empowering initiatives across various towns in the Free State in 2026 and are open to partnerships to expand their reach.
The Free State World Rural Thaba Nchu Skills Empowerment for Women initiative was made possible through partnerships with local individuals and organizations, including Barolong Boo-Seleka, Jane Mpholo-Mehlape, Keitumetse Plaatjie, Motsamai Lepele, Bloemfontein Station Medical Centre, Nkhethwa, Naledi Phaahlo, Batho Mpholo, Mmabana Cultural Centre, and PalesaEntle Isaacs-Ratolo.
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