27-06-2025
The Raising Queens Foundation Youth Day event focuses on emotional wellness for girls
In honour of Youth Day, the Raising Queens Foundation hosted a heartfelt and transformative event dedicated to girls from a local Morningside shelter.
Held on June 16, the gathering aimed to create a nurturing space that blended wellness, personal growth, and emotional care, affirming these young women's worth and resilience.
The foundation's founder, Nthabiseng Kgafela, reflected on the motivation behind the event: 'At Raising Queens, we believe that healing is just as essential as empowerment.
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'We've seen how trauma and abandonment can hinder a young woman's ability to dream or feel worthy. This Youth Day, we wanted to go beyond celebration, to create a moment of restoration where these girls feel seen, supported, and valued.'
Kgafela emphasised that the foundation's mission extends beyond one-day initiatives. 'Our goal is to build long-term impact through programmes that address emotional, physical, and psychological needs because true empowerment starts with healing.'
The event featured inspiring talks by Khwezi Mabunda, of Sisonke Wellness Foundation, and Donna Dikotla, of We Are Well and Whole Co, who shared their own healing journeys to empower the girls to see their strength and embrace the possibility of renewal.
Mabunda's heartfelt talk resonated deeply with attendees. 'It is okay not to be okay, but it is important to find someone to talk to about the things that bother you. Learn to let go of things. Healing is not linear, and it's not meant to be done alone.
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'Find different ways to get help and heal on the things you go through. Do not stay in your past, especially as you are so young. Take charge of your life and your future. Build yourself to something that you will be proud of some day.'
Throughout the day, participants engaged in movement sessions and received curated winter care packages, exploring activities designed to foster confidence, connection, and emotional healing.
Feedback from the girls highlighted the event's impact. Many expressed feeling understood for the first time, and leaving with a renewed sense of hope. 'Hearing those stories made me feel like I'm not alone. It gave me courage to believe in my own strength,' said one of the girls, who asked not to be named.
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Building on the success of this event, the foundation is committed to expanding its healing-focused approach. Plans are underway to develop a mobile wellness series that partners with other shelters and communities, ensuring more girls receive the care and support they deserve.
Kgafela concluded with a call to action: 'Healing is a form of empowerment, and every girl deserves access to it. We invite the community to join us because when we show compassion and support, we create a world where every girl can rise with confidence, purpose, and dignity.'
In addition to hosting empowering events, the foundation continues its winter drive initiative, collecting toiletries and essentials to restore dignity during colder months. Kgafela said: 'Donations of sanitary pads, deodorant, toothbrushes, soap, and body lotions are welcomed to help sustain this vital work.'
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