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ctober 18, 2017 newyorkbeacon.net

BEACON ON THE SCENEHon. Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcukareceives prestigious Mbokoda Award

By Audrey J. Bernard

On Monday, September 25, 2017 dignitaries joined delegates from across the

Diaspora in various disciplines in public and private sections supported by the UN Women and UNICEP to attend a break-fast to honor Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka who has recently been re-appointed as UN Under Secretary, Executive Director, UN Women at the Smith-Midtown Restaurant, 956 Second Avenue, 51st Street, NYC. Dr. Mlambo-Ngcuka was presented with the coveted Mbokodo Award by Chief Ex-ecutive Director and Mbokodo Awards creator Carol Lindiwe Bouwer. Guests were greeted by debonair Carl Nelson for Mbokodo Women in Business awaiting the arrival of special guest host America fashion guru, designer, business woman and author, June Ambrose.

The early morning breakfast was especially notable because it took place during the 72nd General Assembly in New York City and was another critical milestone in Bouwer’s endeavor to advance the plight of women through highlighting the reality that “our challenges are univer-sal and that women abuse and

gender inequality is not restrict-ed to impoverished communities but exists across all classes and races,” stated Bouwer. “It is in this regard that we amplified the voice of every woman across the globe through a program that brings women from diverse nations and backgrounds to en-gage with Dr. Mlambo-Ngcuka who reflected broadly, amongst other issues.”

In her powerful empowering address, Dr. Mlambo-Ngcuka addressed issues which effect all women: Common and pecu-liar challenges affecting wom-en from country to country across the world; Innovative and ground-breaking initiatives that have been implemented in

various countries to advance women emancipation; and UN programs and instruments of engagement that are geared towards gender equality and lastly the innovative UN ste-reotype campaign which is geared towards ensuring we don’t stereotype gender roles when raising our children. “The glass ceiling must be removed,” she noted in her concluding re-marks. Following her nurturing speech, attendees, buoyed by her words, engaged in an impas-sioned exchange in which they truthfully connected with her.

One of the many moving

highlights of the event was a heartfelt moment captured when Bouwer shared her own story of how Dr. Mlambo-Ngcuka was instrumental in getting her to host a parliamentary session, an occasion that left an indelible mark on her own life story! “In you we see that our dreams are valid, your rise validates our ambitions and our dreams for young girls who may not come from a lot but wish to BE much! We today stand in solidarity with the world to salute you and honor you as a leader,” said Bouwer to thunderous applause. Other rousing speakers included

Anne Githuku Shongwe, Hon. Susan Shabangu, Florah Mat-jila and Liz Agbor-Tabi. Love-ly aspiring actress Bobo Matjila served as Mistress of Ceremo-nies and guests were delightfully entertained by singer Chioma Eza who received a standing ovation for her searing rendition of “I Rise Up.” Guests left with memorable food for thought, new friends and a current copy of Bouwer’s Destiny Magazine featuring Bouwer and Ambrose on the eye-catching cover. (Pho-tos by Joseph Rodman)

About the Mbokodo AwardsLaunched in 2012 at the Soweto Theatre, the Mbokodo Awards are a conduit through which we shine the light on the exceptionally talented South African women whose work has had great influence on the evolution of our society. These awards are a representation of the struggles and conflicts that confront women of today, but more importantly, they are also an expression of triumphs registered by women in every sphere of our society. During the past 5 installments, the Mbokodo’s have recognized and celebrated multiple amazing and powerful women such as the inimitable Thandi Klaasen, the iconic Esther Mahlangu, the melodious Si-bongile Khumalo, as well as the erudite Nadine Gordimer amongst many others. Most notably, an honor was conferred on the first South African culture icon to address the United Nations and that was the late, great Miriam Makeba. Beyond the award ceremony, the Mbokodo Awards are positioned as a platform for advancing broader emancipation of women across all facets of their everyday life hence we reward be-yond talent but also advocacy work in society.

Bobo Matjila, Anne Githuku Shongwe, Malaak Compton Rock, Hon. Susan Shabangu, Carol Bouwer, Dr. Phumzile Malam-bo-Ngcuka, Florah Matjila, June Ambrose, Liz Agbor-Tabi

Carol Bouwer, Carl Nelson, Bobo Matjila

Horace & Carol Nelson

Madichaba Milosevic, Ajak Deng, Anina Malherbe-Lan, Alexandra Amon

Carol Bouwer, Dr. Phumzil Mlambo-Ngcuka

Dr. Sibu Madikana, Carol Bouwer

Anina Malherbe-Lan, Deborah Koenigsberger

June Ambrose

Chioma Eza, SA UN Ambas-sador HE Jerry Matthews Matjila, Carol Bouwer

Linda Chichester, David Coffman

Joyce Mullins-Jackson, Audrey Smaltz

Mandisa Monnakali, Sherry Bronfman, Carol Bouwer, June Ambrose, Youseline Dbos

Carl Nelson, Ajak Deng, Anina Malher-be-Lan, Charles D. Fall

Dr. April Ripley, Bobo Matjila, June Ambrose, Chioma Eza, Anina Malherbe-Len, Malaak Compton Rock, Liz Agbor-Tabi