This Mother’s month, an event titled “A Mother’s Table: Conversations of Legacy” brought together women from different walks of life for an afternoon filled with honesty, healing, vulnerability, and meaningful connection.
Held on May 23 at the Bluewater Bay Sunrise Hotel in Gqeberha, the gathering became more than an elegant afternoon centred around hats and heels. It became a safe space where women, mothers, and daughters engaged in conversations that are often left unspoken.
At the centre of the event was the deeply moving theme: “The weight that women silently carry.”
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Throughout the afternoon, conversations focused on the emotional labour, financial pressures, personal sacrifices, and silent burdens women carry daily while holding together families, homes, and communities.
The event posed a powerful question that resonated deeply with attendees: “Women have always carried the world — but who carries ooMama(the mothers)?”
Among the attendees were mother and daughter duo, Phakama Ntsangani and Amila, who expressed excitement about spending intentional time together surrounded by other mothers and daughters. Their presence reflected the heart of the event — creating opportunities for connection, healing, and shared experiences between generations of women.
Two other women shared that when they received last-minute invitations to the event, they immediately felt hopeful that the conversations of the day would positively impact the way they parent their children. They explained that they came expecting not only inspiration, but practical emotional growth that they could take back into their homes and families.
The programme was facilitated through an engaging panel discussion led by Nombulelo Ngubane, while the event was gracefully hosted by MC Lerato Sekisi, who guided attendees through the afternoon with warmth, elegance, and authenticity.
Hosted by media personality Pinky Bala, A Mother’s Table created an atmosphere where women felt seen, heard, and understood. Guests openly shared stories of resilience, motherhood, identity, exhaustion, healing, and purpose in a space intentionally designed to encourage vulnerability and support.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was the keynote address by renowned actress and author Ayanda Borotho, author of Unbecoming To Become. Borotho is widely recognised for her roles in productions such as Nomzamo, Isibaya, Generations: The Legacy, Shaka iLembe, and The River.
During her address, Borotho spoke candidly about how society has conditioned men to become the “kings” of households, yet many women are often left carrying the leadership and emotional responsibilities within families. She highlighted how families and communities still fail to fully recognise the value and importance of the girl child because of long-held beliefs that daughters will eventually marry into and build other households.
Money matters also formed an important part of the discussions. Sphiwe Maisela, a representative from Standard Bank, spoke about spending personalities and the importance of women taking ownership of their financial freedom. Her contribution encouraged women to become more intentional about financial literacy, decision-making, and long-term independence.
The spiritual aspect of the gathering was powerfully led by anointed woman of God Zimkhita Peter, who delivered a moving message centred on Leah’s legacy found in Genesis 29 and Genesis 30. She spoke about how Leah initially lived desperately seeking her husband Jacob’s attention and approval, even naming her children according to her pain, rejection, and desperation. However, as Leah’s mindset and understanding of herself began to change, the way she named her children also changed — symbolising healing, identity, growth, and transformation. Her message deeply resonated with many women who related to the journey of moving from rejection to self-worth and purpose.
Host Pinky Bala also spoke briefly and emotionally about the purpose behind the gathering and her gratitude toward everyone who attended to impact and uplift other women.
She reflected on how many people had become familiar with her family’s struggles through The Bala Family reality show, sharing that the platform had contributed toward her personal healing journey.
Speaking about the pressures often carried by women, particularly eldest daughters, Bala said: “As first-born daughters, we carry the burden of family as we often try to bring families together.”
She described A Mother’s Table as a platform where women could become vulnerable in safe spaces while also acknowledging how swiftly God moved throughout the preparation process for the event.
Bala further shared that both she and her mother are currently on healing journeys of their own; a statement that resonated emotionally with many women in the room.
Another powerful contribution came from Dr Joshua Ndlela, the only male speaker at the event and a psychologist, who spoke passionately about matters of the heart and the long-term effects of upbringing on emotional development.
He explained that the first place people learn love is within the home, and that the environments people are raised in often shape how they love and connect as adults.
The success of the gathering was also made possible through the support of sponsors and partners who contributed toward creating an impactful experience for attendees. Their support reflected a shared commitment to empowering women, strengthening families, and creating safe spaces for meaningful dialogue and healing within communities.
As conversations continued after the event, there was growing excitement around the possibility of A Mother’s Table becoming a national platform. Many attendees expressed hope that the initiative could travel across South Africa, creating similar healing spaces for women in other cities and communities who are longing for honest conversations, emotional restoration, and generational healing.
As the event drew to a close, many attendees left with more than memories of a beautiful afternoon. They left with renewed perspective, emotional encouragement, and the reminder that vulnerability is not weakness — and that women, too, deserve to be carried. For many, A Mother’s Table was not simply an event. It became the beginning of conversations that families, mothers, daughters, and communities have needed for a long time.
The event ended on such a high note leaving many hungry for more. The organisers are considering a possibility to make it a national event. For more information please follow Pinky Bala on all her social media platforms as she regularly updates them.
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