Politics / South Africa

Empowering Rural Women in South Africa

news24video • 2026-04-24T04:00:52Z

Source material: PODCAST | The Odds in Our Favour: Sheriff Ramoabi is forging safe farm spaces for rural women

Summary

Change often arises from discomfort and the recognition that action is essential for improvement, especially in impoverished areas with limited opportunities. Sheriff Ramoabi discusses her experiences growing up in Lesotho and the stark differences she noticed after moving to the Western Cape, particularly regarding access to education and resources in private versus public schools. Hunger and poverty are widespread issues in South Africa, with Ramoabi highlighting the significant challenges faced by her community, especially in rural regions where job prospects are minimal. Ramoabi underscores the significance of food sovereignty and community resilience, explaining how she and other young individuals have started growing food on small plots using available materials, promoting self-sufficiency and awareness of food sources. Gorilla Gardening, led by youth, transforms unused land into food-growing spaces, showcasing resilience in a landscape where land ownership is often inaccessible. The Rural Women's Assembly is a grassroots network advocating for land, food, and seed sovereignty, highlighting the essential role of women in agriculture and community support. The Healing Circle initiative, launched in October 2023 by the Rural Women's Assembly, addresses the lack of support for women facing gender-based violence in rural areas with inadequate traditional systems. Many women in these communities work seasonally or temporarily, and initiatives like Gorilla Gardening provide additional income that helps combat hunger and poverty, which are linked to domestic violence.

Perspectives

Grassroots Initiatives

Promote self-sufficiency and food sovereignty among rural women
Create safe spaces for women to address trauma and gender-based violence

Systemic Challenges

Limited access to land and resources hinders long-term empowerment
Inadequate support from authorities undermines community initiatives

Neutral / Shared

Community engagement is essential for addressing local issues
Mental health support is crucial for women facing trauma

Metrics

10 years

duration of use of the land for Gorilla Gardening

This reflects the sustainability and commitment of the initiative

We've been on that piece of land for now almost 10 years

October 2023

launch date of the Healing Circle initiative

Establishing a timeline for the initiative's impact

in October 2023, the healing circle was launched

27 years

Sheriff Ramoabi's age as a young single mother

Her age highlights the challenges faced by young mothers in activism

You're 27, you're a single mom.

that 580, it's gone within a day USD

daily expenses faced by individuals relying on social grants

This highlights the insufficiency of social grants in meeting basic needs

that 580, it's gone within a day.

Key entities

Companies

Old Mutual Wealth

Countries / Locations

SouthAfrica

Themes

#current_debate • #community_empowerment • #community_resilience • #community_support • #food_sovereignty • #gender_based_violence • #grassroots_initiatives

Timeline highlights

00:00–05:00

Sheriff Ramoabi discusses the challenges faced by rural women in South Africa, particularly regarding food sovereignty and community resilience. Her initiatives aim to create safe spaces and promote self-sufficiency in impoverished areas.

Change often arises from discomfort and the recognition that action is essential for improvement, especially in impoverished areas with limited opportunities
Sheriff Ramoabi discusses her experiences growing up in Lesotho and the stark differences she noticed after moving to the Western Cape, particularly regarding access to education and resources in private versus public schools
Hunger and poverty are widespread issues in South Africa, with Ramoabi highlighting the significant challenges faced by her community, especially in rural regions where job prospects are minimal
Ramoabi underscores the significance of food sovereignty and community resilience, explaining how she and other young individuals have started growing food on small plots using available materials, promoting self-sufficiency and awareness of food sources

05:00–10:00

Sheriff Ramoabi discusses the importance of grassroots initiatives in empowering rural women in South Africa through projects like Gorilla Gardening. These efforts aim to address food sovereignty and community resilience in the face of systemic challenges.

Gorilla Gardening, led by youth, transforms unused land into food-growing spaces, showcasing resilience in a landscape where land ownership is often inaccessible
The Rural Womens Assembly is a grassroots network advocating for land, food, and seed sovereignty, highlighting the essential role of women in agriculture and community support
The intersection of hunger, poverty, and gender-based violence underscores the urgent need for womens empowerment and solidarity to address these interconnected issues
Operating across nine provinces in South Africa, the assembly seeks to elevate the voices of rural women and recognize their vital contributions to food security
Ramoabi emphasizes the necessity of women supporting one another in establishing independent spaces to reduce the risks associated with gender-based violence

10:00–15:00

Sheriff Ramoabi discusses the launch of the Healing Circle initiative, which aims to provide support for women facing gender-based violence in rural South Africa. This initiative addresses significant gaps in community support and promotes empowerment through safe spaces for sharing experiences.

The Healing Circle initiative, launched in October 2023 by the Rural Womens Assembly, addresses the lack of support for women facing gender-based violence in rural areas with inadequate traditional systems
Many women in these communities work seasonally or temporarily, and initiatives like Gorilla Gardening provide additional income that helps combat hunger and poverty, which are linked to domestic violence
The initiative was developed following a community assessment that identified significant gaps in support for abuse survivors, including insufficient responses from law enforcement and healthcare providers
The Healing Circle aims to create safe spaces for women to share their experiences and receive support, fostering empowerment and community among participants
The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified issues of gender-based violence, underscoring the need for local solutions that empower women and provide essential resources

15:00–20:00

Sheriff Ramoabi's initiatives focus on creating safe spaces for rural women in South Africa, addressing issues like gender-based violence and trauma. The Healing Circle provides a supportive environment for women to share experiences and foster resilience through community engagement.

The Healing Circle initiative, created by the Rural Womens Assembly, provides a supportive environment for women dealing with trauma, particularly those impacted by gender-based violence and substance abuse
Regular meetings led by facilitators, including healthcare professionals, foster a sense of community and sisterhood among participants, promoting collective healing
Women involved in the Healing Circle have reported significant progress in their healing journeys, confronting various traumas and building resilience through shared experiences
The program encourages skill development in areas like art and crafts, which serve as therapeutic outlets and also provide income opportunities, enhancing participants living conditions
The initiative facilitates intergenerational dialogue, enabling mothers and daughters to address emotional challenges and misunderstandings, thereby strengthening family relationships

20:00–25:00

Sheriff Ramoabi emphasizes the critical link between land ownership and issues such as unemployment and gender-based violence, highlighting how limited access to land restricts women's self-sufficiency. Her initiatives, including the One Woman, One Hectare campaign, aim to empower women by promoting the use of communal and backyard spaces for gardening.

Sheriff Ramoabi highlights the critical role of land ownership for women, linking it to unemployment and gender-based violence, as limited access to land restricts self-sufficiency and community support
The One Woman, One Hectare campaign promotes the use of communal and backyard spaces for gardening, empowering women to achieve independence and support their families
Ramoabi points out significant challenges women face in gardening, including limited access to water and restrictive seed laws that impede their ability to grow crops and sustain their livelihoods
The Healing Circle initiative not only aids women in overcoming trauma but also strengthens intergenerational connections, facilitating communication between mothers and daughters about their struggles
By establishing safe spaces for women to share experiences and support each other, Ramoabis initiatives aim to empower women to escape cycles of abuse and poverty

25:00–30:00

Sheriff Ramoabi discusses the Healing Circle initiative, which supports women facing gender-based violence in rural South Africa. The initiative emphasizes the importance of community engagement and mental health support for women in challenging circumstances.

The Rural Womens Assembly engages in seed saving and multiplication to address climate challenges and enhance food security in their communities
Sheriff Ramoabi underscores the significance of mental health support, relying on her family and colleagues to manage the pressures of being a young single mother and community activist
The Healing Circle has built connections with local police and social workers to assist women facing abuse, though trust issues persist due to inconsistent support and judgmental attitudes from authorities
Access to a stable venue is crucial for the Healing Circle, as it would provide a safe and consistent environment for community support and healing