Women’s Month always reminds me of my arrest at the age of 18; I was the only woman in a group of 52 men detained during the first state of emergency in 1985.
In 1987 I wrote my matric and failed. It was a painful and embarrassing moment for myself and my family. I stood in front of a mirror to reflect about that challenge and I reminded myself how intelligent and beautiful I was.
From that moment I told myself that matric was not going to stand in my way to greater things in life.
I did secretarial courses and immediately got a job as a typist/receptionist at a trade union federation. I worked hard and ultimately initiated a women’s desk, which became the major women’s desk in the entire federation.
That saw me get elected as the Southern African women’s representative for the Public Services International Union. I travelled to 14 countries, attended international conferences and participated like everyone else. At that time, no one knew I had no matric.
In 1990, I was voted Sowetan Woman of the Year Runner-up and the following year I was on the panel of judges for the same award.
I joined a non-governmental organisation after leaving the trade union. Within three weeks, I was handed a huge project: the Duma Nokwe Human Rights Awards. I had three weeks to organise. I slept in the office for days trying to get work done. It was a success.
I was sent to head the Soweto Human Rights Centre, which also became a success. I got funding from USAID after hosting an 18 member delegation from Washington DC.
We all know that men like to lead, but let me tell you, we allow them to. I have worked in male-dominated organisations and I refused to let them bully me. My voice was always heard.
I wrote my matric in 2015 after 27 years and passed. It changed my life. I have recently completed a Community Development and Leadership course with UJ. I am so grateful to my daughter, Tebogo, and my family for the support.
I want to challenge all women to work to make themselves better; it is never too late to rebuild our lives.
Written by Semakaleng Mokhine, an Executive Secretary in the Transport Department
