The 2022 Young Women’s Symposium was held at Sibusisiwe Hall, Mandeni Municipality on Friday 07 October 2022, under the theme : “Understanding the impact of Covid-19 on Young Women in KwaZulu-Natal”.

A panel discussion of young women from various professions facilitated by Ms Sunshine Myede which consisted of:
Hon. Kayanga Baroda who’s a Member of the Ugandan Parliament, Dr L Zwane from the KwaZulu-Natal Dept. of Health, Ms S Nzuza whom is an entrepreneur and owner of Eyesihlahla Farm, as well as Ms Z Mncube who’s an academic.

Together the ladies discussed the effects of Covid-19 and how it has negatively affected the various fields they’re in, with their subject matter consisting of :

1 – Covid-19 experiences as a young woman and how the continent can respond to the effects of pandemics in future.
2 – lived experience in dealing with the deadly virus as a young female doctor.
3 – The effects of Covid-19 on women entrepreneurs and lessons learned.
4 – Covid-19 academic experience.

Later the Speaker of the Legislature Hon. NN Boyce gave each of the ladies a token of appreciation for sharing their experiences of how the pandemic and hard lockdowns affected their day-to-day lives, and further encouraged young women to keep going no matter how hard or tough life gets, and although it is inevitable that they might stumble and fall along the way, but should gather their strength and pick themselves up and continue their walk in becoming empowering, strong, innovative, resourceful and diligent young women.

A special thanks to Ms Hlengiwe Mhlanga for her performance at the end of the event.