Joyful celebrations at Birchwood celebrate women in society
Cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, entertainment, a sumptuous lunch and fabulous prizes awaited guests at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre's annual Celebrating Women event on August 4.
“The event was a treat for regular customers and the media to thank them for their support,” said events manager Natalia Walicsek.
And spoilt they were! On the lawns of the Phomolong Restaurant, masseuses from the hotel’s spa gave soothing neck and shoulder rubs and makeup specialists offered mini makeovers and beauty advice with a spritz of the latest perfumes.
Metro FM talk show host Criselda Dudumashe was the guest speaker and showcased the book she’s recently published, You are Never Alone: God’s Favourite Daughter.
In delivering a powerful message on beauty coming from within and how to appreciate and love yourself, Dudumashe touched on the stories of her life which appear in the book.
“My life started in Boksburg when my mom went to the Boksburg Benoni Hospital to give birth to me. She was 18 years old and in labour, desperate for help. It was a whites-only hospital though and she was turned away.
“Thankfully, a young Australian nurse working there helped her. She took my mom into a cupboard in which dirty linen was kept and helped her deliver me, her baby girl.
“My mom was so grateful to this woman that I was named after her. The nurse’s name was actually Griselda, but my mom incorrectly spelt it Criselda.
“I have always carried this name with pride.” Dudumashe spoke openly about being sexually abused as a child, leaving home at the age of seven to escape the abuse and living on the streets, and about finding out, later in life, that she was HIV positive.
The event ended on a high note with a performance by “the first lady of kwaito”, Tamara Dey, and lucky draws for various prizes.
