By Senthati Katlego Zasekhaya
Refiloe Mofokeng, who is in her late thirties, was born and raised in the mining town of Khutsong, Carletonville in the West Rand of Gauteng. She is a proud mother a daughter who is in matric and has always been deeply involved in her community.
During the Covid-19 pandemic she witnessed the struggles of her community members firsthand and it inspired her to take action. It was a period of extreme hardship for her community, and Refiloe found herself looking for ways to bring about positive change.
Her path led her to Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA), where she attended a workshop on equal legal education. The movement's transformative power was clear and the empowering information she received was a turning point in her life. Refiloe knew right away that she needed to be a part of the movement and to contribute to its mission. She currently serves as the Branch Coordinator for WAMUA and Branch Organiser for MACUA.
In her role, she organises, plans and oversees the work and implementation of WAMUA activities in her branch. She leads the movement with passion and dedication. Her responsibility involves communicating with WAMUA members, assisting them with planning branch activities and writing proposals.
As a female activist, Refiloe has faced a lot of challenges such as self-doubt and uncertainty about her leadership abilities. She also faced criticism from problematic male comrades who questioned her ability to lead. Refiloe persisted and demonstrated her worth as a leader.
Refiloe strongly believes that MACUA-WAMUA's initiatives have had a significant impact on the lives of women in her community. Through educational workshops, WAMUA provides women with knowledge and support, giving them the tools they need to boldly advocate for their rights. These initiatives give women opportunities to become leaders in their respective fields, instilling a sense of empowerment and self-confidence.
The key issues affecting women in her community served include the challenges that women face in the mining industry, exclusion from social labour plans (SLP), gender-based violence, obstetric violence and pervasive patriarchy. Refiloe is deeply committed to addressing these issues and promoting the rights and well-being of women in her community.
Her advice to young women aspiring to be activists is to step outside of their comfort zones, pursue their passions and goals, believe in themselves and always be authentic. She encourages them not to limit their potential and to recognise the power within themselves.
One of her proudest moments in the movement was when she represented WAMUA internationally. In 2023, she attended the 2nd Global Thematic Social Forum on Mining and the Extractivist Economy in Indonesia. Here, she met with activists from all over the world to exchange ideas and discuss issues affecting women in mining-affected communities.
Refiloe sees the MACUA-WAMUA expanding across Africa and possibly in the future to consider obtain seats in Parliament to influence the development of policies that affect mining communities.
She envisions women as change agents in their communities, decision-makers and policyinfluencers. She sees women in positions of authority, influencing policy decisions across the country.
Her message to women facing challenges is to avoid remaining in negative situations because they affect their way of life. “Women are essential to society and their presence is constantly felt. They must remember that giving up is not an option because they are always required by society,” she says.
Women’s Month is very important for Refiloe. She says she has celebrated the month by making a difference in her community. She attends events and activities that recognise women’s contributions and accomplishments. Refiloe’s contributions to MACUA-WAMUA and her community continue to make a significant impact in her community.
The post MACUA’s Equal Legal Education Workshop Triggered Refiloe Mofokeng Into Activism first appeared on MACUA.
