Empowering women: Nel aims to uplift women through job creation

‘Hello My Friend’ founder and TikTok content creator, Maryke Nel says her life changed the day she met a lady named ‘Nesta’, a domestic worker in a household around her neighborhood. 

Nel says she was on her usual running route when Nesta came behind her and said, ’hello my friend’ and joined Nel on her run. 

Nel then recorded her encounter with Nesta and later posted on TikTok, which led to the video going viral with over 1 million views. 

She reveals that the idea behind the ‘Hello My Friend’ brand came to be when people in her comment section started asking for merchandise. 

Nel applauds TikTok and acknowledges the platform users for how they came together to encourage and raise funds to help purchase running attire for Nesta.

She says this is the type of uplifting and empowerment people should show towards one another. 

Nel expresses her admiration for women and says they are strong because they have pushed through the perception that women are ‘soft and cannot do certain things’. 

She says women should exercise their rights and freedom to raise their voices and not allow certain circumstances around them to silence them. 

She also cites that her brand seeks to empower discouraged women through job creation and with a skill of making clothing. 

VIDEO: Maryke Nel speaks on South African women and entrepreneurship. 

@sabcnews Celebrating Women’s Month: ‘Hellow My Friend’ founder @maryke_nel speaks about how South African women should use their voices to advocate for their rights. She also urges women to venture into entreprenuership to promote financial freedom and empower the next women through job creation. #sabc #sabcnews #womensmonth #hellowmyfriend #marykenel ♬ original sound – SABC News