Author cultivates confidence in women

Lebogang Baingapi | Tuesday September 20, 2016 17:18

Botha, who published the book I have life, originates from South Africa. She uses her 1994 rape experience to help victims in similar ordeals or rather, any challenging situation that force them to make informed decisions.

On Saturday she gathered women in the mining town for a high tea seminar in a bid to share her inspirational story, experience and the power of making a good choice. She said two men assaulted and threatened to kill her, leaving her seriously injured and unconscious.

She highlighted the importance of allowing time to be the best healer and to offload by sharing problems as another way of healing. She said how one respond to a situation also does matter because it can either calm or worsen the situation.

“You are all unique in your own way and you should not allow your past to control your future. You should take your past as a lesson and move on to create your own legacy,” she stressed.

Botha was of the view that there is power in believing and she emphasised that you cannot know what you are capable of until you try something new. She said fear will always be there but that should not overpower the ‘I can do it’ spirit.

She said it is upon everyone to choose happiness over fear.

Botha is an international inspirational speaker whose movie Alison scooped the International Humanitarian platinum award for documentary at the 2016 World Humanitarian Film Awards a few weeks back.

Another speaker at the event, former chairperson of the South East District Ann Joubert narrated her story of abuse in marriage. She said she was previously married in South Africa and left the 10-year-old marriage and returned to Botswana determined to claim her freedom back.

She later joined politics and was a councillor from 2002 to 2014 and served in different high posts in the country. She urged women to stand up for themselves and actively participate in fighting abuse.