Briefly News Women of Wonder 2022 aims to celebrate a diverse group of proudly South African women from all backgrounds who succeeded despite the obstacles they faced.
According to the team, it searched high and low for people whose stories will resonate with and motivate other women.
From business owners who succeeded despite serious health diagnoses, women who fought to get out of poverty, women proving their haters wrong, to politicians who want to see a younger, more diverse political landscape, Briefly News' writers interviewed people from all walks of life.
"Our goal is to create inspirational content that shows our audience what the embodiment of a resilient and strong South African woman is. I believe there are dozens of unsung heroes among us. Most importantly, women are leading in their respective fields, and we want to share their amazing stories," says Rianette Cluley, managing director of Briefly News.
The Briefly News Women of Wonder 2022 project aims to inspire other women to succeed despite their challenges and to motivate them to go beyond their limits.
"This project aims to reach young and old, from cities to rural towns. It's important that we reach the teen girls and women who think their dreams are unachievable. Briefly News wants to show them their aspirations are valid and within reach, no matter the challenges they face," adds Cluley.
"We can accomplish this by sharing stories of the incredible women who came before them," Cluley says.
Giving Mzansi's women a voice
After starting a new content direction, Women Empowerment, earlier this year, Briefly News says that it realised there are amazing women in South Africa whose stories need to be shared.
Nonkululeko Gobodo became the first shero of Briefly News Women of Wonder 2022
In the first Briefly News Women of Wonder 2022 story, Briefly News reported that Nonkululeko Gobodo made history despite facing racism and falling pregnant when she was 17.
Gobodo is South Africa's first black-qualified chartered accountant. In an exclusive interview, Gobodo told Briefly News that even her mother was worried about whether she had what it took to make it in life.
Gobodo says, "Women have grown up in a society where they have been considered inferior and that they do not belong in certain positions or boardrooms. The women of today need to be their authentic selves in their respective positions without having to constantly fight to be heard or match up to their male counterparts.
"If we compromise or abandon ourselves, we are not going to change anything," concludes Gobodo.
Individuals who want to participate or nominate South African women for Briefly News' next special projects — or want to be featured in one of Briefly News' women empowerment articles — can email [email protected] with Women Empowerment in the subject line.
For more information, visit www.briefly.co.za. You can also follow Briefly News on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.