SEDGEFIELD NEWS - Sedgefielders Martie Rooi and Belinda Hobson were recently acknowledged as the two women in Sedgefield, the slow town of Greater Knysna, who go way beyond the call of duty.

Thanks to Louisa Mynhardt from the Sedgefield St Francis church, ladies of Sedgefield spent the afternoon of Sunday 20 August being entertained by song, dance and inspirational speakers while witnessing several women being acknowledged as women of worth at the NG church, Sedgefield.

“I thought it was about time that the women of Sedgefield be acknowledged for going far beyond the call of duty. In essence, I wanted to issue certificates to Sedgefield’s ‘overachieving’ women,” said Mynhardt.

Locals were asked to nominate women who they believed were deserving of the acknowledgement, and over 38 women were nominated. Although all 38 women received overachiever awards, it was Belinda Hobson and Martie Rooi who shared the overall award for the most overachieving women in Sedgefield.

Coordinator Louisa Mynhardt (right) receives thanks from Judith Nay, representative of event sponsor Currencies Direct.

Rooi is well known for the tireless work she does as a Red Cross nurse in the communities of Sedgefield, and was truly amazed and humbled when she heard of the nomination and was handed the award. Besides her work as Smutsville’s “Nightingale”, she spends a great deal of her time encouraging the youth to upcycle waste through her involvement in the Slow Festival’s Out of the Bin fashion show, to name but one other of her interests.

It was agreed that Hobson, who is the office manager of the Sedgefield branch of the Greater Knysna tourism entity Knysna & Partners, works tirelessly in assisting with uplifting the community, making her service to the area extend far beyond her work within the tourism industry. She was instrumental in assisting and sheltering fire victims during the recent fires and can be seen collecting and distributing goods for those less fortunate throughout the year.

Greater Knysna mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies shared the difficulties she and other female leaders face in a mostly male-dominated world, while local Dr Ado du Toit spoke to the audience about changing their health through changing their outlook on life.

The mayor encouraged the women to act as mentors to young women, explaining that all women are leaders by nature. “If we look at the households across South Africa I would be confident to say that the majority of them are ruled by women. Even today, more often than not, with both parents working, the woman still run the home.

Sedgefield women have a great deal of fun during the women of worth event in Sedgefield on Sunday 20 August.

“She is the organiser, cook, cleaner and child minder to name but a few of her tasks. Trust me when I say that this task requires a lot of leadership ability.”

There were very few dry eyes in the house as local lass Shaza Greeff hit each sweet note perfectly during her rendition of appropriate songs.

Val Roulston’s dancing girls ended off a perfect day with their Eisteddfod A+++ award-winning tap dance.

“Our sponsors, Currencies Direct, have already indicated that they will sponsor next year’s award ceremony. Something that I know you will all look forward to and enjoy,” concluded Mynhardt. 

ARTICLE:  OUT THERE COMMUNICATIONS

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