Quote This Woman+ is the organization that supports a cohort of dynamic social justice advocates through their Fellowship Programme that aims to amplify the underrepresented voices across South Africa. Lerato Mogashoa is a 24-year-old social activist from Winterveld and has been actively working with Childline Gauteng as well as NACOSA (Networking HIV & AIDS Community of South Africa).
She mentions that her inspiration came from the silence that she experienced growing up in her home and surrounds, that resulted in unspoken pain overwhelming girls in the house, leading to suffering as there was no one affording them the space to talk, express and personally just be yourself.
Lerato mentions that she as been in and out of jobs since finishing high school and through that experience of volunteering and working here and there, that has enabled her to discover her social advocacy, being around different people, who shared their struggles and ultimately gravitating towards voices that cannot speak for themselves. “I mostly work with youth, especially girls, teen moms, young people dealing with violent environments as well as mental health. It’s not easy to work with boys though, she relates. We try methods to lure them so they can open up as they are often left out of emotional support.”
One example was coming across a young fellow living with diabetes. He didn’t really understand how serious it was oh how to manage it properly. Then, by chatting with him and helping him acknowledge his condition in a way that made sense to him. No stress just talk!” She enthuses. “In my engagements with people I believe it’s key to tell things for what they are. What people are scared to say such as how societal pressures usually punish girls and how men are expected to man-up! I use the platform to amplify their realistic narratives working with social organizations.
“I believe in honest conversations that bring healing, listening and giving the other person on the other end a platform to speak out their feelings without reservation. At times it is overwhelming to bear another person’s emotional load, being in touch with their feelings.” She tells of a girl she once met in who told her that she wasn’t girly enough as she lacked a feeling of being soft, tender or even pretty enough to meet expectations of society. In response, there is no manual for being female as you may choose to be the person you desire to be. Confidence is not driven by looks but the energy and confidence that one exudes.
Her stand-out moments are the hidden pains that she sees in victims, but what really struck her was the girl that approached her at a school function who was battling with self-harming. A scenario that made her consult with her mentor who gave support with permutations that pushed for mental health interventions as well as awareness. “Reading the room helps a lot when orchestrating sessions with people, I speak their language, their body language tells a story. If I can’t manage there’s always support and if it doesn’t really workout we simply revert back to the drawing board. As a grounded person it helps to attend every individual with integrity and the utmost dignity they deserve.” She explains.
“Working with community clinics opened up to empowering partnerships and collaborations especially as they bring in elaborate health resources, counselling interventions in the form of support groups that help us learn more attributes in effective social care. People in distress suffer shame, prejudice and judgement, not knowing what to do or where to find help that’s where we show up and thus establish trust. To make voices heard without fear in schools, homes, in the streets and in all social circles. People don’t feel safe when their pressured, we need to create safe environments so they open up!”
In conclusion I ask Lerato of the real current Youth challenges that need tackling and in response she centered on mental health, Gender Based Violence, unemployment, perfection pressure, social media strain, the feeling of not being seen or heard especially from loved ones. These are the top priority pressing issues that we need to give attention to.
Jerry Sokhupe
Soweto Sunrise News
