#WomensMonth2023: Maves Tau - Breaking barriers and impacting society

Maves Tau joined the CSIR in 2015 as a legal secretary and a couple of years later, she stepped up to assume the huge role of an administrator for the Legal and Compliance group while juggling being a first-time mom, studying and working. Maves is recognised as a phenomenal woman this Women's Month and beyond.

Maves is a Cambridge University Press Extra Mile award winner - she was recognised as a student who went the extra mile to assist with community development and help other students to not only study, but to start their community projects.

She has a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance, a Diploma in Paralegal studies and a Postgraduate Diploma in business management (Ethics and Compliance), which she recently obtained in 2022. "I pushed myself to do well when I was completing my diploma - I was pregnant, working as a board secretariat and debt collector, as well as conducting my day-to-day work duties. It was tough attending classes in the evenings and on weekends while being a mom and a full-time employee, but I did well," Maves says. Maves believes that her commitment to self-development is what drives her.

Passionate about making an impact

In high school, Maves developed a passion for helping people, especially supporting teenage moms. While participating in an outreach activity, she was given a tertiary application form. This sparked the flame to do the same for others and that is how she started her own non-profit organisation, with no sponsorship, while in tertiary. She established Bokgoni Youth Empowerment (BYE) to lend a hand to the underprivileged by donating cosmetics, school clothes and shoes, as well as Christmas clothes to families that could not afford clothes for their kids during this joyous time of the year. She also gives university/college information to schools to make them aware of opportunities available to the learners. "When I visit the schools to drop off the donated items, I also give a motivational talk to encourage learners to strive for more," Maves explains.

In 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, BYE ran a food campaign and the proceeds were donated to a few families. Following the successful food campaign, BYE donated 100 school shoes at Villers, Eastern Cape in 2021. The organisation plans to collect and donate books to a few identified schools in need.

"Through an alumni initiative 'CIDA Alumni' we are currently in working on establishing a partnership with the Sono Khoza Soccer Foundation to help identify young talented soccer players at grass-roots level who would ordinarily not be exposed to certain opportunities. We are also exploring other potential partnerships to help improve the lives of disadvantaged black children. We look forward to securing sponsors to fund their schooling."

With support, success is guaranteed

According to Maves "Women's Month is an opportunity to reflect on the position of women in various fields in STEM and support." Maves is the founder and a leader of an interdenominational women's group since 2021. This is an online platform where ladies (middle aged and older - the oldest being 65) come together and talk about issues women go through. Bible study and prayer are the foundation of the initiative. The group provides help and support to those who need assistance from professionals such as social workers, counsellors and the justice and legal system.

This initiative is similar to the support that the CSIR offers to women through programmes such as the CSIR Women's Forum, ICAS wellness programmes, the ethics hotline and various human resources processes. "I would advise women to learn about the various CSIR processes and the right channels to follow if they have concerns and issues and if they want to upskill themselves to be considered for the career ladders. It is important to remember that challenges are everywhere, but it is possible to resolve them," Maves remarks.

Maves Tau, legal secretary and founder of Bokgoni Youth Empowerment.

To Maves, Women's Month is an opportunity to reflect on the position of women in various fields in STEM and support.