Across South Africa, a new generation of women is reshaping conversations about the pressures that define their daily lives – from economic inequality and social expectations to questions of safety, purpose, and identity. While gender equality has advanced in policy and public discourse, many young women continue to navigate a reality where opportunity is uneven and resilience, resourcefulness, and faith remain essential for survival and growth.
It is within this landscape that Bulelwa Okoh, founder of Treasured Women and First Lady of House of Treasures Ministries, has grounded her work. Through her women’s network and the annual Esther Arise Women’s Conference, which attracts more than 5,000 participants, Okoh has created spaces where women – particularly young professionals, students, and emerging leaders – can share their experiences and access practical guidance on legal, health, and financial matters.
“Women want to talk about real life,” says Okoh. “They want to know they’re not alone in balancing family, work, faith, and wellbeing. When they share their stories, they find strength – and that’s where change begins.”
Bulelwa’s approach is shaped by her own journey. She has spoken candidly about navigating rejection, blended family dynamics, and the challenges of co-leading one of Johannesburg’s fastest-growing ministries alongside her husband, Apostle Felix Okoh. “My journey has shaped my empathy,” she says. “Strength isn’t the absence of struggle but the ability to rise through it.”
Before entering full-time ministry, Bulelwa built a career in business development, working with executives from JSE-listed and multinational organisations. She also ventured into modelling, after appearing on Mzansi Magic’s Diamond in the Ruff, a De Beers–sponsored reality series that led to campaigns for Edgars, Queenspark, True Love, and Drum Magazine. That early exposure, she says, gave her a first-hand view of how image, confidence, and self-perception influence how women — especially young women – see their worth.
Those lessons now underpin her work with Treasured Women, which combines mentorship, prayer, and practical training. The initiative runs workshops on issues such as legal literacy, entrepreneurship, and mental health, alongside sessions that nurture spiritual growth. For many of the young women who attend, it’s both a place of restoration and a platform for development – a faith-based, forward-looking community where purpose and preparation go hand in hand.
The broader social context underscores why such spaces matter. According to Statistics South Africa, women make up 51% of the population but remain more likely to face unemployment, economic insecurity, and vulnerability to gender-based violence. Young women, in particular, bear a double burden – entering adulthood amid persistent inequality while carrying the expectations of family and society.
For Bulelwa, addressing these challenges requires faith and action. She encourages young women to pursue education, develop skills, and build businesses, while also calling for systemic reform to create equal access and protection. “Conversations are powerful,” she says, “but change also needs systems – policies, protection, and fair opportunity.”
Beyond her ministry, Bulelwa is building a growing presence in media and publishing. Her forthcoming book, Borrow More Vessels, expands on her message of faith and capacity -a call for women to enlarge their vision and embrace their potential. She has also featured on Kenya’s Woman Without Limits talk show and hosts her own Pearls of Wisdom interview series on YouTube, reaching young audiences across Africa.
Through these platforms, Bulelwa continues to blend advocacy and ministry, amplifying the voices of young women who are redefining empowerment as a lived expression of faith, courage, and purpose – not just a conversation, but a calling to rise and lead.