I decided to not put a photo to this post as the honour went to the many faces of the women of our communities. Women of stature, diversity and filled with different lights and shades. How does one put a picture to such variety and natural beauty? I dare not attempt but allow my words to build up a picture of the women I dedicted this day for.

The women that make our communities work. The women who keep our communities in tact, women who nurture who always do more each day to ensure that the spirit of ubuntu is embodied and emanated. Week in and out, I walk about in townships and observe the same culture by these women being carried on and I am left in awe. Allow me to let you in on what it is that those women do that makes me so addicted to their praise and honour.

 Day 26 of my Women’s Month Appreciation series and today, there is a reason why this post comes without a picture. 

I celebrate the women who, most of whom are not on any social media platform and are most probably still busy with the work they do, which I will refer to later on, as I speak or resting from the running and walking around activities they probably did today. 

It’s the women whose weekends are always full. 

The women who are rarely paid for the work they do. 

Today, I pay my special honours and appreciation to the many women in our communities who make our societies work. The women who volunteer to peel, cook, dish up, clean and pack up at almost every function in and around our communities. 

Your works and efforts are rarely acknowledged. 

These are the women who are not told what to do nor coached on how to do the kind of work they do. When there is an event, be it a wedding, funeral, birthday, tombstone, ritual, celebration or any family function in our close communities whatsoever, they are there on-hand, ready to lend a hand. All geared up and ready to help get the ball rolling. It just comes naturally to them, effortlessly even, and its through acts like these that our communities are seen to be the epitome of Ubuntu. 

I dare not underestimate their contributions. 

The women who refuse to sit around while a bag of potatoes is left unattended or when a family is battling with some items from the grocery items to complete the food list. They simply pitch, stand up and move to get things running. You have to note how efficient these women make the transaction from when the slaughtering is completed to when the meat needs to be cleaned and prepared.

They stay up all night to finalize the peeling for the next day’s event. Then on the actual day, will ensure that the cooking is done to the best of their ability, as a team. It’s never a one-woman show, even though there will be those that will naturally gravitate towards leading the team. Bayazazi labo. The team which does not isolate the role that men also play as well during these events. 

The women who stay behind while the procession goes to the burial site or wedding matrimonial and prepare for the welcoming and serving of the people as they make their way back. The women who dish up, usually before themselves, then clean up and pack up after all the festivities are done.

I take my hat off to any woman who can singlehandedly prepare pap using a drie foot pot. And I have seen many women who make this almost impossible task seem like a walk in the park. 

I think I have been able to paint somewhat of a good picture of the women who I am appreciating today. 

To all those women, I say carry on showing the current generation what makes our communities work and shine. Keep on supporting, building, uplifting, helping and serving at all costs whenever there is a need. 

Thank you for not only teaching us ubuntu but for demonstrating it. 

You are all legends. 

A happy women’s month to you! 

#Mothers

#Aunts

#Sisters

of our communities, we love you!