Attorney gives women a boost
EASTERN Cape attorney Buhle Tonise has made a name for herself in law, but the 29year-old’s heart is geared towards empowering – and uplifting – women to be roleplayers in their communities and surroundings.
She started her own law firm five years ago after feeling that an 8am to 5pm job would stifle her in her bid to focus on her passion for women empowerment.
Today, the Dutywa-born attorney’s thriving commercial law firm is based in Johannesburg with offices in Dutywa and Mthatha.
This freedom, she says, enables her to plough back in to the community, through a company she founded two years ago – Shevolution Africa. The empowerment movement brings young and older women together to learn from one another.
She said she took it upon herself to host sponsored programmes, where between 50 to 70 women, comprising women role models, as well as those responding to her Facebook invites and a number of disadvantaged women from the area attended.
The programme comprises dialogue sessions where the businesswomen give talks on their life and work experiences.
Last Sunday, she hosted the movement’s third drive – the first in East London – at the Ground X hotel near the airport. She has also organised similar programmes in Dutywa and Mthatha.
The gathering at Ground X hotel saw 70 women rub shoulders with Frere Hospital CEO Dr Rolene Wagner, OR Tambo mayor Nomakhosazana Meth, TruFM station manager Tobeka Buswana and business executive Leandra Pelser, who shared their experiences in their leadership positions.
The Facebook page is called Shevolution Africa. —