A few years ago, I found myself in a situation where a woman was being abused and, as a woman myself, I was too scared to help. I lived in the quiet section of a big township in Gauteng. My living space was in a communal set up, with several tenants sharing a house that…
Contraception is key
Sexual and reproductive health rights are one of my biggest passions. I believe that everyone has a right to enjoy safe and consensual sexual intercourse without the fear of unintentionally becoming pregnant, before being ready for it. This is evidently more fundamental to women; for they bear the responsibility not only to carry the baby…
Maybe One Day: Dream of My Future
“Thanks for coming” It was as if the voices came from miles away. My eyes darted from left to right as I looked for a boda boda that would take me to town. I spent the previous night drinking, dancing, and laughing with friends I hadn’t seen in a while. It had been a long time…
DREAMS OF MY FUTURE ‘Finding who I am’
Being a woman is like being on an adventure—you get to experience and explore life as it rocks you into different directions. However, all these directions are driven by one word: CHOICE. Whatever direction we take, we have made a choice. One of the areas where making a choice is the most important is our…
Be kind: How certain words can affect your mental health
Weak, attention seeker, crazy, nuts, cry baby, anti-social, moody, selfish, psycho, lazy, angry, bitter, bipolar, disturbed, schizo—have you ever said or had these words said to you? These are some of the hurtful words used when referring to someone experiencing a mental health condition. October is World Mental Health Awareness month, which aims to educate…
Contraception during the Covid-19 epidemic
When international news began to be flooded with reports of a rising number of coronavirus infections at the beginning of this year, the virus seemed to me like a distant threat that was unlikely to reach Africa. In retrospect, I realize that was very naïve! South Africa recorded its first case of COVID-19 on March…
What does womanhood mean to you? Lessons of greatness from the past
Have you ever heard the phrases “those who don’t know history are bound to repeat it” or “It’s important to know history so that you learn from it”? As young women in South Africa, we have a great example of history to learn from. On August 9 1956, in what came to be known as…
Surround yourself with people that will help you grow
After my daughter was born, I was depressed and scared because of the stories I have heard about being a single parent. Even though I had managed to carry my daughter for nine months, I was worried about how I would raise her, and at some point I even tried to commit suicide. I never…