Domestics out of kitchen and in the spotlight

NELSON Mandela Bay's domestic workers will swap their aprons and overalls for evening gowns this weekend at the first-ever gala dinner aimed at thanking the women for their hard work.

On Saturday, instead of being at the beck and call of their employers, the tables will be turned as the domestic workers are wined and dined instead.

The event is a platform for employers to celebrate the women who clean their homes, help raise their children and know all the tricks to get rid of stubborn stains.

Organiser Zanele Diniso, the owner of Periwinkle Home Executives, said the event was a chance to pamper domestic workers.

"Every year, there are numerous events to celebrate businesswomen, academics or women in science – but the women who spend their days cleaning your house, cooking your supper and doing your laundry, before going home to do the same there, are never acknowledged," she said.

"AmaXhosa call these women oo-nokhitshi, meaning women of the kitchen, because that's where they spend most of their day.

"So I just thought we need to take the domestic workers out of the kitchen and put them in the spotlight, have an event designed to let them know that their job is also special enough to be celebrated."

She said the formal event, to be held at Kwantu Towers at 6pm on Saturday, was long overdue. "It is a chance for employers to show their appreciation to their domestic workers and to say thank you for their honesty and kindness, the love they have for your children, and the love they have for your family."

Diniso, who was raised by a domestic worker, said there would also be motivational speakers and a Labour Department representative, who would talk about the importance of saving and the value of the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

"Employers can buy tickets for their domestic workers only, or come with them, because the talks will be aimed at both of them. We are hoping to sell about 150 tickets."

The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality is one of the event sponsors.

Municipal spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki said domestic workers were the heartbeat of the nation.

"Assisting and being part of an event that is meant to honour them is our little contribution as the city," he said.

New Brighton cleaner Nozuko Cola, who works for Periwinkle, said she was looking forward to dressing up for the event.

"Sometimes domestic workers are looked down on but this event means we are also worth something.

"We are valuable to our employers. It's a really great feeling."

Tickets for the event are R170 for a single, R200 for a double and R2000 for a table, and are available from Periwinkle House Executives. - Thulani Gqirana