Aniruth
Tech entrepreneur and co-founder of many start-ups, Praneetha Aniruth, is a woman who truly embodies the phrase “empowered women empower women”. Aniruth entered the tech industry 15 years ago and specialised in Google Ads and Digital Innovation. Whilst her team works with both the corporate and big business sector, much of her time is spent helping small businesses use online tools to grow, increase sales and make money. She has spoken at many conferences; master classes and is a fierce advocator for women in technology. Currently she stands as the chairperson of the uMhlanga Women’s Association, a non-profit organisation that serves as collective of empowered women from all walks of life, showing support to women and being a constant reminder of the strength that women bring. Durban North News invited Aniruth on the couch to learn more about the individual behind the thriving organisation. Durban North News (DNN): Tell us more about the UWA community kitchen and how that project sparked the formation of the association as a whole?
Praneetha Aniruth (PA):
The Community Kitchen was founded during the unrest in July when the ladies in the uMhlanga and surrounding areas began cooking hot meals from donations for the CPF neighbourhood watch members and volunteers who were working to keep the areas safe. We soon realised that there were thousands of hungry children, unemployed, frail and elderly people who needed our help and we began cooking food and arranging grocery hampers for them. An Exco was then formed and we registered an NPC and now aim to fulfil our goals to Serve, Empower and Educate.
DNN: Aside from food distribution to the underprivileged, what other work does the UWA do for the surrounding communities?
PA: We have seven subcommittees within the organisation. Whilst the community kitchen sparked the initiative, we also concentrate on the following: community outreach, skills and training, health and wellness, women 4 women, communication and technology, women in business and events. Our other work includes our Menstrual Awareness Campaign, Adult and Children Literacy and Numeracy training, our upcoming Women in Business Event and the free drawing of your will during Wills Week.
DNN: Tell us a little about the women within the association?
PA: I am grateful to be supported by an incredible team of women. Our Exco consists of CEOs, teachers, entrepreneurs, lawyers and a professor in medicine, communication specialists and executives. We are a sisterhood of women, and our mission is to Serve, Empower and Educate and change lives every day.
DNN: What were some of your proudest moments/favourite projects since the inception of the UWA?
PA: My top four so far are the Community Kitchen based in Phoenix that serves one hundred hot meals to those in need every day. What makes us unique is that we deliver the food to those in need. Many indigent kids, elderly, disabled people cannot leave their homes to get food, we take the delicious, nutritious meals to them. The recent successful campaigns included our Menstrual Awareness Campaign, where we collected and distributed over 2 000 packs of sanitary pads to schools in need. We are grateful to Gateway Shopping Centre and Old Mutual Properties for donating over 50 boxes of sanitary pads. Project 100 – we believe in the power of sustainable charity donations and with just R100 a month, you can assist in driving and sustaining our community outreach and charity programmes. If you would like to donate please check out our website www.umhlangawa.co.za. Pre-Loved Goods – we are appealing for our community to donate pre-loved goods of clothing, shoes, accessories and homeware. These items will be sold to raise funds and also encourage women to become entrepreneurs by selling the pre-loved goods.
DNN: What makes you and the women in the association so passionate about what you do?
PA: We are fully supported by each other and live by our mission to Serve, Empower and Educate.
DNN: How does it feel like being part of such an incredible group of like-minded women who wish to serve their communities and how can more individuals contribute to your projects should they wish to?
PA: I am so grateful and fortunate to be able to serve with such inspiring, dedicated and loving women. Many of us are mothers and have demanding full-time jobs, but we realised during the unrest that if one works from a space of love, towards a common goal, anything and everything is possible. The UWA welcomes members, volunteers and donors with open arms. You will find all the relevant information on our website or our social media platforms.
DNN: Tell us about the importance of having women-centric/led groups like the UWA and the impact it has on communities?
PA: As mothers and women, we have an innate desire to nurture, share and grow. As a tech entrepreneur I am a huge advocator for women in technology and for us to change the technology landscape. Similarly, I believe it’s time for women to take the helm in their communities and lead with their hearts. The impact of the love will be seen in the most positive ways.
DNN: What are some of the long-term goals of the community kitchen and the UWA as a whole?
PA: Our long-term goal is for us to duplicate the UWA in other areas so that all women will have an opportunity to help those in need around them, with the focus being employment and skills training. I would love to see a community kitchen in every area in South Africa, and for it to be supported by a women’s association.
DNN: How has the association impacted you since its inception?
PA: I have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity of the community, but I am even more overwhelmed by the hunger, unemployment, abuse and injustice that people around us face every single day. I now know that I cannot sit back and do nothing, and that we have to join together as women, mothers, daughters and sisters to make a difference and Serve, Empower and Educate.
