Name: Lerato Monethi 

Province: Free State 

Facebook: Mmami Bubblegal Monethi 

•  What is the essence of being a woman to you?

The essence of being a woman is knowing your worth, paying high respect to who you are, what you value and not letting people undermine you, your future is in your hands not depending on others.

• What is your super power?

My super power is kindness and self commitment

• What words would you use to describe yourself?

Dedicated, happy, caring, determined.

• Do you relate to Women’s Month? If yes, why is it significant to you? If no, why is it not significant to you? 

Yes, Women’s month shows the dedication that women had in 1956 to organise a march even in the time that women were oppressed more than men, women’s month holds value to me to never give up, whatever challenges I may face if I keep focus, I can achieve them.

• They say behind every man is a strong woman, is this a statement you relate to?

No, I do not agree with the perception that a woman must be behind a man. A woman can be in the front and achieve more.

• How do you think society perceives women?

In my society a woman is mostly perceived as a caretaker, she should stay at home and wait for a man to provide. That a woman is not strong enough to hustle for her own food, house and car.

• How are you #CommittedToChange in your role as a woman?

I am #CommittedToChange by working hard to achieve my full potential to achieve my goals, engaging in activities that are mostly dominated by men, to show that women can do whatever a man can do.

• What do you think the role of women is in developing the country?

The policies to improve women’s lives exist in our country but implementing these policies is where the problem is. Changing the perception in the communities that women are not objects that a man can own is where the difficulty is, but I do think that women are challenging these ideologies of who a women is.

• In a world that favours men, how are you fulfilling your role as a woman?

In South Africa where women have to work 2x harder than a man to get recognition, the best way to fulfil your role is to know who you are, what you stand for, by this you can achieve anything  as a woman.

• In your words, what would South Africa look like if it had a female president?

The rights that women fought for in 1956, would be implemented and women would be respected more, a female president would show that they can hold high positions.

• Given what you know now, what advice would you give to your younger self?

I do believe that am still growing and learning some aspects of my life as I face challenges, I would advice ny younger self that you are strong, do not be held back by your mistakes.