Tina Thiart is a well-known women’s rights activist and non-profit fundraising expert. Her achievements are very impressive. She has worked for more than 20 years as a catalyst for social change and gender equality, aiming to build better communities in South Africa. We are proud to say she is from the South Peninsula and today we are having tea with her asking her about what she does and what she will be doing on Women’s Day.
Q: What is your Motivation as a woman’s activist and a fund raiser?
A: I grew up in a workers class environment in the 1970s where there was gender inequality.
In the 1980’s I worked as a teacher. Back then, woman salaries were less than men’s salaries and we worked harder. We also had to smoke in the toilets while the men smoked in the staff room. There were personal expectations for women and then I made the choice to become a woman’s right activist.
Q: How do Women’s Rights look in South Africa today?
A: There are a lot more opportunities for Woman today in this country. There is less pressure on women to stay at home and have children, however there are still class, race and cultural issues. The poorer the woman the less access she has to her rights and collateral. There are also still a lot of positions in economics and leadership to be fulfilled by women.
Q: What would you like to see for SA Woman in the future?
A: To see them having their own companies and making their own money. If they make their own money they can see to their children’s future. Women must try and be independent. If a woman has independence, she has a new soul and she values herself better.
Q: Have you ever been threatened for being a woman’s activist?
A: Yes. Before the Football World Cup 2010 South Africa, the statistics came out about prostitution, slavery and trafficking. We wanted to create awareness about this and needed the funding from our companies. They denied funding and shut the whole idea down.
Q: Tell us a bit about WHEAT (womans hope, education and training)
A: I started it after I was an anti-apartheid activist and saw the need in women to network. It gives small grants to woman to create business and leadership in their own communities. Women have access to courses, skills and knowledge. By gaining one of these qualities she can change her life and community. Any woman can apply for this grant.
Q: How can SPM contribute or help with your organizations?
A: Network yourself as a woman and create awareness, especially in community issues. Moms need to make their children aware of gender equality and raise them by setting boundaries. Every child is the key of a new society
You can contact us if you would like to contribute or be part of some of our organizations.
Q: How will you spend your Woman’s Day on the 9th of August?
My Woman’s Day for me will start Friday the 7th with a Woman”s day celebration at the Artscape Theatre. Then on the 9th I will do a Humanity walk in town and then the Lunch table of Humanity. The lunch is where the privileged people eat with the homeless. All are welcome to join me!
Find out more about Tina and her Celebration of Woman’s day at the Artscape Theatre on www.southpeninsulamoms.co.za
Win this Women’s Day
Congratulations to Sarah Bartlett who wins an OLAPLEX BOND Multiplying treatment and blow dry worth R450 from Amanda Greenwood at her Kommetjie Hair Salon.
Thanks to everyone who entered!