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Nonvula Kunene was an unemployed single mother of three when she set about building a home where she could live with her children. Until then, they had been living in eZiqwaqweni near Eshowe with her father, stepmother and niece, but space was cramped. Her father gave...

A burning desire to take charge of his finances led Langalakhe Ronald Made to launch a poultry business. “I had a dream of changing my personal and family trends on how to make my income,” he said. “I had for several years worked as an employee and it was not helping...

Alice Nhlapo worked as a domestic throughout her life. Things were not easy for this resident of Sharpeville, Gauteng, and the salary that she received from her employer was not enough to sustain her family. She decided to work for two employers to increase her income...

The small town of Nababeep was already on the ropes when Covid hit and the impact was brutal, although not for everyone. I didn’t grow up with night-time fables read by my parents. I didn’t grow up with “héply eva after”.  My mom was far too busy surviving, raising...

A lesser woman might have been defeated by being chased out of her home by an abusive husband and left to fend for herself and ten children. But when it comes to single-parenting, Mam Kholeka Radebe (50) is “Imbokodo” (a rock). She rolled up her sleeves and has been...

When Bongekile Sishi started working at a pawn shop several years ago, she had no inkling that she would end up running her own successful business, manufacturing and upholstering furniture. A can-do attitude helped to get her there. Sishi (43) explains that when the...

NATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AND SAVEACT These are extraordinary times for women in South Africa. Covid-19 and the economic crisis have compounded the challenges that women face. It is apt that at least two new initiatives by SaveAct should help its women members to develop...

SaveAct staff will be guided by the following safety guidelines while working under COVID-19 conditions.  Drafted in May 2020   INFECTION PREVENTION GUIDELINES FOR SAVEACT/OFFICES/FIELD WORK Controlling the spread of infection is considered the main aim of all...

Like most people, dressmaker Khethiwe Sthomo was hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, but then an opportunity arose. Under normal circumstances, she makes a living sewing smart dresses for the women of Mdwebu near Estcourt, where she lives with her husband and two...

“If it wasn’t for Covid-19 and lockdown the house would be completed by now.” These words, spoken by Nelisiwe Langa, a 36-year-old single mother from Estcourt, sum up the frustration of millions whose plans have been interrupted by the coronavirus that causes...

Many people dream of building a brick-and-mortar home for their parents. Nelisiwe Langa is on her way to actually achieving this dream. What’s incredible is that she’s doing it on a monthly income of R1200 — plus the labour of her family. Nelisiwe, a 36-year-old...

‘There is a sureness in the skies remaining faithful while everything around me slips through my hands,’ writes the author about coping in the time of the coronavirus. In her small town in Northern Cape the response to pull together has been affirming. I’ve been...