BEYOND PRAYER, WOMEN CONFRONT THE REALITIES OF FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE

BY SIPHOSETHU MABUZA

MANZINI – Financial independence is not only about earning money; it also involves making informed decisions, managing responsibilities and navigating setbacks without losing sight of long-term goals.

These issues sit at the intersection of faith, business and personal wellbeing, the focus of the second edition of the Ladies Picnic: Prayer and Business Expo, scheduled for October 31 at Olive Country Lodge in Mkhondvo.

Organised by Beauty For Ashes, the gathering carries the theme “Queens, Do Not Crumble!”, drawn from 2 Corinthians 4:8–9. The passage speaks about enduring hardship without being defeated, a message that takes on practical meaning when considered alongside the pressures women face in their personal and professional lives.

For women building businesses or working towards financial stability, motivation alone may not be enough. Understanding money management, making sound financial choices and maintaining personal wellbeing can all influence whether an idea develops into a sustainable livelihood.

The programme brings together speakers whose listed backgrounds span clinical psychology, money coaching, community development and occupational health and wellness. Dr Celeste Jacobs-Richards, a clinical psychologist and certified money coach, is among the speakers, alongside Vivianne Dumas and occupational health and wellness practitioner Dumisile Dlamini. Khumbu Dlamini and Prophetess Nothando Zwane are also listed.

Their different areas of focus place mental wellbeing, financial decisions and spiritual life within the same conversation. These subjects can overlap in everyday life, particularly when financial pressures affect personal relationships, confidence and the ability to plan for the future.

The event also raises a broader question about women’s empowerment: how can encouragement be translated into practical knowledge and decisions that make a lasting difference? Creating space for women to exchange experiences and discuss these challenges can be one step towards addressing that question.

The six-hour gathering is scheduled to run from 10am to 4pm. Registration is listed at E450, including refreshments, with a lay-by option available through a 50 per cent deposit.

As the second edition approaches, its central themes extend beyond a day of prayer. They touch on the relationship between resilience, financial knowledge and the everyday decisions that shape women’s independence.