Another way Girls’ Fest exposed young women to opportunity was to create an encounter with South African Women who are success exemplified, including Siza Ntombela, Head of Shopper and Consumer Marketing at Beiersdorf, Simangele Mathibela,  Black Media Pride and CFG, CEO, and Nomusa Zungu, Human Rights Commission/Podcaster, Legal Consultant. What was perhaps most significant about this encounter was that these women came from similar backgrounds and the girls in the audience. They didn’t start out in life with opportunity laid out before them. They, like the participants at Girls’ Fest, were born into an unequal society and had to create opportunity for themselves. This sentiment was echoed in the words of panelist Simangele Mathibela: “Be intentional, support each other and take yourself seriously, because if we don’t, no one will.”

Although the spotlight was on girls, women and imagining a more prosperous, equal future, PeacePlayers boys were there, too, to cheer on and support the girls. That’s how you make change – by creating allies. At PeacePlayers, we’re growing a generation of girls who know what they’re worth, and a generation of boys who understand that a safe and prosperous future for girls in South Africa means a safer and more prosperous future for everyone.