Catholic family and women’s-rights activist Mahadi Buthelezi has been appointed president of the newly-formed Women’s Forum of the South African Council of Churches.
Soweto-born Mrs Buthelezi is a working group member of the SACBC and the archdiocese of Johannesburg’s Marriage and Family Life Office, the secretary-general of the Southern African Catholic Women’s Organisation (SAUCWO), and CEO of the Catholic Business Forum.
She was recently elected president of the newly formed SACC Women’s Forum. She is also a member of the UN Women SA and the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities’ Generation Equality’s National Task Team, a board member of the Moral Regeneration Movement, and a member of the national task team of the faith-based organisation Collective Against GBVF’s National Task Team.
Moreover, she is a member of the UN Women SA and the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities’ Generation Equality – a global initiative set up to improve the status of women, youth and other disadvantaged groups. She is also the convenor of the South African Action Coalition for Economic Justice and Rights.
As the CEO of the RB Property Group and Fund, Mrs Buthelezi oversees their property business that specialises in property development, consulting and sales. It is responsible for mega-projects such as shopping centres, social housing complexes, student accommodation, and bonded sectional title houses. The Property Fund focuses on capital raising, bespoke property investments, equity raising and mergers and acquisitions. She leads a team of specialists in finance, engineering, strategy, research, project management and operations.
She is a trained media professional who has served in marketing, production, news and presenting at different media organisations, most recently at Radio Veritas.
“I believe that I’m part of a bigger community, society and world,” Mrs Buthelezi explains the wide range of her activities.
“Prayer and my Catholic faith give me strength. I’m emboldened to participate in a range of communities, organisations, and initiatives to improve the lives of others and the world,” she said. Thus she devotes considerable time to the work of the Catholic Business Forum, empowering other individuals in the world of business.
She is married to her businessman husband Robert; they have raised four children
Mrs Buthelezi was crowned 2nd princess for Mrs Gauteng 2021, a platform for married, divorced and widowed women aged between 24 and 58. Its aim is for women to step up and speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves and about making a difference in the lives of those in need.
“I’m driven by a desire to work for a world free of gender-based violence, poverty, inequality and racism,” Mrs Buthelezi said.
In her free time, she enjoys watching good movies, fashion design, cooking, gardening, listening to music, travelling and dining out.
She is on Facebook: mahadi.buthelezi
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