YWCA celebrates 50 years

The organisation, which enjoyed a substantial following of around 3,000 members in its formative years, is down to just 500 members. At a media briefing ahead of the celebrations, YWCA national executive director, Botswelelo John said nowadays people want returns on the time they invest in any activity. She said part of their strategic positioning is to recruit more unemployed and disadvantaged women to equip them with life skills.

The organisation, whose membership is made up of women from all Christianity sects, exists to address social economic imbalances. "We seek to empower women and youth to participate in socio-economic development for improved livelihoods," she said. Moreover, she said it is worrisome that women do two-thirds of the world's work, yet they receive 10 percent of the world's income and own one percent of the means of production.