​During the month of August, Weekly Bulletin will be profiling women in the Gauteng Department of Social Development who are doing extraordinary work to inspire others and celebrate how far women have come in the struggle for equality.
One such woman is 30-year-old Khwathelani Mapatha Nefolovhodwe from Protea Glen in Soweto. She is currently working as a Community Development Practitioner under the Sustainable Livelihoods Unit in Krugersdorp, West-Rand Region and also doubles up as a writer.

Nefolovhodwe says her book titled ‘Strength of a Woman’ has influenced women who are both career and purpose-driven.

“What inspired me to write this book is that we are living in a very desperate era. An era in which few women in the body of Christ understand their power and significance in the church.”

“Church is meant to be a haven, but most women become victims of sexual, financial and physical abuse within the church, yet some of these victims are unable to report to the church leaders or other church members. Therefore, Strength of a Woman is my offering to women from all walks of life to shift from the culture of chasing miracles and paying consultation fees to pastors to get their breakthroughs.”
“The book aims to help women walk in sincere faith and in the love of God. It reminds women of their strength and how to put it to good practice,” said Nefolovhodwe.

She added that the book has inspired women to reclaim their lives and to be confident about themselves.

Extending her words of encouragement to all women in the Department, Nefolovhodwe said, “Dear woman, sometimes things do not work out the way we expect and we deal with a lot of internal conflicts that often mess with our self-esteem, but that shouldn’t crush your abilities. Nothing in your life will change for the better unless you intentionally change it. Therefore, we need to hustle and work hard to see the fulfilment of our dreams.”