Enamoured Windhoek women start Hats & Roses preparations on Friday evening
The 500 or so women who travelled in groups to the Out of Nature resort south of Windhoek on Saturday came together for a celebration of the milestones in the fight against cancer.
Organised by the Cancer Association of Namibia and its project partners, the 2017 Hats & Roses celebration took place in a yellow marquee that grew hotter and hotter as the 5-hour event evolved.
Celebrity South African pianist, Rocco de Villiers entertained the ladies with his extraordinary talent and dexterity behind the piano keys while Master of Ceremonies, Afra Schimming-Chase had her hands full to steer the programme along a vaguely defined course. As more and more champagne corks popped, the bread and cheese fare became all the more appetising.
This annual event has assumed such a high profile on the Windhoek social calendar, groups of women come together all over Windhoek on the day prior to the main event, colour-coding and matching dresses, outfits and head attire.
Earlier this week the Cancer Association said it realised about N$200,000 in surplus boosted by another N$100,000 from Spar Namibia and N$70,000 from Alexander Forbes. At N$500 per ticket the 500 ladies contributed a cool N$250,000 in ticket sales.
Cancer Association Chief Executive, Rolf Hansen said the proceeds are used to support community outreach clinics where any Namibian woman has access to Pap smeers, breast examinations, ultrasound screenings and mammograms.
Pictured are the ladies from the East, from the left, Frances Botha, Helene Vosloo, Monya de Waal, Marna Loftie-Eaton, Marike Botha, Susan Schutte, Hettie Garbers-Kirsten, Eileen Rakow and Jeanette du Toit with Retha Steinmann in front.
