Delmas – At just 26 years old, Florah Nhlanhla Sitoe is already a force for change in her community. Growing up in poverty and other social ills like gender-based violence, she watched women and children struggle daily.
Those early experiences sparked a deep commitment to create a space where women could come together, support one another and drive meaningful change. Today, that vision takes shape through the not-for-profit organisation called Mighty Women of the Society.
“The challenges I saw around me made me realise that if women come together, we can change the narrative of our community,” she says. “Seeing the struggles of women in Delmas motivated me. I wanted to create a support system that addressed poverty, health, gender-based violence (GBV) and empowerment.”
The Mighty Women of the Society’s mission is to empower women and uplift vulnerable communities through education, collaborative support and sustainable initiatives.
Through workshops, mentorship programmes, food parcel distributions, and networking events, the Sitoe is making a tangible difference. Women learn new skills, gain confidence, and connect with one another, while the broader community feels the impact of these coordinated efforts.
The organisation has grown through strong partnerships with local government, businesses and social services. Among its proudest milestones are providing school uniforms and stationery to underprivileged learners, donating winter clothes to families in need, including people living with disabilities.
The organisation also works closely with the Premier Office’s Local AIDS Council and the GBV Forum established to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and GBV in the province.
Like many leaders, Sitoe continues to face hurdles like securing funding, balancing competing demands and bearing the emotional weight of working with vulnerable populations are constant struggles.
In five years, she envisions a Delmas with empowered women running sustainable businesses and social cohesion is strengthened. “What keeps me going is seeing positive change in people’s lives. Community appreciation and partnerships fuel my drive,” she says. “Women are pivotal in community development, leading initiatives in health, education and economic growth. Their resilience inspires broader societal change.”
