…Breaking the shell that feels like safety
…Sisterhood built through a shared journey
…Ten years of grace, growth and empowerment
BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MBABANE— Women have been challenged to confront the fears, shame, disappointment and self-imposed limitations that keep them from stepping into their purpose, as Break Your Shell founder Phiwie Mabuza called for a new generation of women to rise with courage and conviction.
Speaking at the media launch of the 10th Edition Break Your Shell Mother’s Day Celebration at Mozambik Restaurant in Mbabane yesterday, Mabuza said the organisation’s decade-long journey has been rooted in helping women recognise that the limitations they sometimes accept as protection can become cages that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
Under the 2027 message, “We Are Fully Persuaded,” Mabuza said women should move beyond fear, worry and self-pity and believe that their lives can still fulfil the promises placed before them.
She said Break Your Shell was born in 2018 from an understanding of the difficult experiences women face, including social pressures, painful experiences and cultural expectations that can affect their confidence and sense of worth.
“We are saying, come out of that shell, break that shell, because God has not put you to be defined in any way you fit yourself,” Mabuza said.
The movement began with 68 women in 2018 and has since grown through different venues and collaborations, with Mabuza describing the expansion as a journey of grace rather than one driven solely by resources or experience.
She recalled how the organisation initially brought together artists, particularly musicians, before its focus expanded into creating spaces specifically for women.
According to Mabuza, the growth became even more significant when a group of women from South Africa attended the programme in 2024. What started with eight women visiting Eswatini developed into a collaboration that has seen women from both countries share experiences, encouragement and opportunities.
She said the partnership has continued to grow, with increasing numbers of women travelling to Eswatini for the celebration and members of Break Your Shell also travelling to South Africa to share their experiences.
For Mabuza, however, the numbers and bigger venues are only part of the story.
At the heart of the movement is sisterhood.
She acknowledged women who have remained with Break Your Shell since its inception, saying their ability to continue working together despite disagreements and challenges demonstrated the importance of choosing harmony and forgiveness.
“It’s not easy for a woman to stay with each other for this long,” she said, describing the journey as “work in progress”.
As the organisation prepares for its 10th edition, scheduled for 22 May 2027, Mabuza said the milestone represents more than a celebration. It is a reminder of the lessons, testimonies and transformation that have shaped the women involved.
She drew inspiration from Romans 4:21, saying women should be fully persuaded that God has the power to fulfil what He has promised.
Mabuza also urged women to recognise the power of their personal stories, saying one woman’s journey can become a source of encouragement for another.
She called on women to rise above their circumstances and step boldly into their destinies.
The message was clear: the shell may have once felt like safety, but growth requires the courage to step outside it.
With the 10th edition ahead, Mabuza said Break Your Shell remains committed to creating spaces where women can heal, connect, encourage one another and ultimately break forth into the lives they were meant to live.
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