I came to South Africa in 2008. I came because of the challenges we were facing in Zimbabwe, the colonial challenges. Right now there is too much unrest, too many problems. Everything is just not working out. If things were different, I would want to go back. There’s no place like home…. I think maybe we women are not heard enough. Because the men, you know everyone asks the men what they think…. I remember once we were in ward council meeting, our bishop told us, “No, the ward council meeting’s not only for brethren. That’s why even Primary, Relief Societies, these sisters are there. So when we are here, we are all equal. Your point, whatever contribution you have, let’s hear it.” Because he was also having this problem—if we are in the ward council meeting, the people who are busy talking are the brethren, the sisters are just silent. If the bishop asks, “Ok, you know, what’s your problem, do you have anything to say?” they talk. Any contributions after that, no. They only talk if they’re asked.
But at the same time, you also know where to draw the line. Like me, I’m a mother, I know what my responsibilities are. My husband, he also knows where his responsibilities are.
The problem starts when there’s somebody who doesn’t know what is their responsibility. That’s where the problem starts. But I think if we as mothers, as sisters, or everywhere, we say “Ok, get to work. I’m working with my colleagues.” Because in South Africa there’s this thing where they say it’s fifty/fifty percent. We’re equal. But that’s not true. Like now, I’m the only lady who’s working with these men in security. There are ten of us here, and nine are men. I’m the only female. So if I just take that, “No, we are working as security officers, I’m equal with them.” If I’ve got a problem, that needs a man’s attention, will they help me? They won’t. Because they say, “No, you are also a security officer, do your job.” But if there’s a woman problem, they call me over and expect me to help, because I am a woman. They say, “Come and talk to this sister.” They do. Because they know, “Ohhh we can’t, this is a female situation.”
But here in South Africa, I think women are speaking up more. We’ve got many groups, especially about abuse, violence.