International Women’s Day Celebration at Yunus Emre

The Yunus Emre Institute in Johannesburg hosted a conference to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March 2025.

Guest speakers included Natania Botha, HRH Princess Khushe Mtirara, Dr Zanele, Ndileka Mandela, Dr Liaqat Alli Azam, and H.E. Nilvana Darama Yıldırımgeç, Ambassador of Türkiye to South Africa.

The audience enjoyed performances by Cesar Hurtado, Sweet Voice Chorale, and Lorato Labuschagne.

In her speech, Natania Botha shared insights into her mosaic art, which features 40 upcycled mannequins adorned with antiques collected from around the world.

“Mosaic, for me, is the perfect metaphor for life. We often see ourselves as broken pieces — whether it’s the struggles we face, the challenges we encounter, or the obstacles we must overcome.”

She reflected on her artistic journey and the transformative power of art to change perspectives, tell profound stories, and awaken consciousness. Through her sculptures, she aims to express the interconnectedness of all things, the beauty that emerges from chaos, and the importance of assembling fragmented elements to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

Her message for the day was that regardless of our backgrounds, like broken pieces, when we connect and collaborate, we create something beautiful and powerful.

“This journey has taught me that success is not about what you achieve, but about the lives you touch, the change you inspire, and how you bring others along with you.”

Princess Khushe Mtirara spoke of the importance of instilling pride in heritage, especially among children and women, even when the heritage involves struggle, such as fetching water from the river.

“It is a struggle, but that is the struggle of a woman — a woman who cares for her family, a woman who cares for her nation.”

She emphasised that these experiences define the strength and identity of women and are far more meaningful than simply seeking shortcuts to success.

H.E. Nilvana Darama Yıldırımgeç congratulated all the women present on Women’s Day.

“Sister and brother is one word in Turkish — kardeş. It’s a gender-free language,” said Mrs Yıldırımgeç.

She spoke proudly of Türkiye’s legacy under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, highlighting that women gained the right to vote and be elected well before many European nations. She noted Türkiye’s emphasis on girls’ education and the vital role women played in society, especially during the Turkish War of Independence.

Today, one-third of the Turkish Foreign Ministry is comprised of female diplomats, and H.E. Mrs Yıldırımgeç is the third consecutive female Turkish ambassador appointed to South Africa.