Guest Author

Despite the change of era, development in science and technology in the 21st century, the life style of the majority of women of Africa have not changed or improved over centuries. Most women in Africa are living in rural and underprivileged areas and hardly have access to the necessities of life such as: Running water, electricity, hospital, shops, transport, enough food…not to mention access to any form of training or education for the upgrading of their intellectual capacities.

Despite the change of era, development in science and technology in the 21st century, the life style of the majority of women of Africa have not changed or improved over centuries. Most women in Africa are living in rural and underprivileged areas and hardly have access to the necessities of life such as: Running water, electricity, hospital, shops, transport, enough food…not to mention access to any form of training or education for the upgrading of their intellectual capacities.

They are overruled by poverty and lack of opportunity to improve the quality of their lives. There is no other choice to life for them than to embrace the miserable life that present itself everyday.

Tradition and colonisation have shut doors of education to most women, therefore depriving them from taking part in the process of political and  socio economic development of our continent. The majority of these women and their respective families have no source of income for their survival. In rural areas, most women survive by doing “traditional art works” or “traditional agriculture”. Their labour involves long and painful procedure. For example “traditional agriculture” has a very long process from labouring the ground to prepare for the sowing of seed to watering the crops until ready for harvest.

Most of these women work with no machines, no proper equipment, no proper roads, no shoes to walk with, no transport …they walk miles and work long hours under the African burning sun. For a new mother in rural areas, besides carrying a heavy basket of fire wood and food on her back or a 20 litre container of water on her head, she also carries her child on with her to and from work every day until the child is able to walk with her. It is a daily struggle. 

By the time they turn 45 or 50 years of age, their bodies are worn out and tired. The cycle of their life has almost reached the end and they are just waiting to die. Their bodies become so vulnerable that they can die of simple viruses like the flu or malaria. Should they be exposed to wicked virus like HIV-Aids, their short life is further shortened. 

Any legacy for the next generation?  One of the major consequences of this life style is that the mind is even destroyed before the body. “ Poverty mentality” is a disease that kills more Africans than any other. It kills dignity, self-esteem and self worth and eventually kills the body. The “Poverty Mentality” is contagious and can be passed from generation to generation with fatal consequences affecting not only the family but the whole community as well .

If we want a brand new Africa, we need a brand new woman of Africa. The dignity, self
esteem and self worth of African women should be restored in order for her to pave way to the process of development and unity of Africa.

Madelein Mkunu is the Founder and President of Organisation for Development and Unity of Africa’s Women. She holds a degree in Accounting, a certificate in Creative Writing and Journalism and various certificates in Leadership Management. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, she grew up in the Country until 1994 when she relocated to South Africa where she lives with her husband and son.