Tough As Nails

African women are so strong. Last week I was walking with a lady who had a young child snugly wrapped and sleeping on her back whilst on her head a huge bag of clothes was elegantly balanced. She chirpily told me that she could easily add a twenty litre drum of water to her load! I believe her. I don’t know how far she was heading but she glided along.

Of course, there are other sorts of strength. We have become friends with a lady who has recently changed roles at MRCH. She was working as a grass cutter but was thrilled to be offered a short contract helping to make tea and helping to prepare meals. Neither job pays well at all. Neither job has much variety or seems at all pleasurable. With around 90% unemployment, however, any job seems to be accepted with enthusiasm.

Our friend lives in an informal settlement in Epworth with her three daughters.  There are no services there – no running water or electricity. Her three-room home was partially built by her husband before he moved to South Africa in January to find work – which is very common. She has received no support from him since – which is also common. Many Zimbabwean men try to work as laborers in South Africa and get ripped off or exploited or both. He is now demanding that she stop work and join him in South Africa – something she is not at all keen to do as she would have to leave her children behind.

When we went for a visit we found our friend was maintaining a really healthy garden, she was braiding a lady’s hair for some cash and had recently dug a well. She sent us home with delicious maize, groundnuts and some sunflower seeds. Anthea wondered aloud whether getting a couple of chickens would be a good idea. Our friend said chooks were out of the question, as they would be stolen on their first night. No doubt. It is sad that nutrition is often trumped by security.

Our friend’s story is not extreme but it is very typical. The truth is I cannot imagine conducting myself as joyfully and calmly if our roles were swapped. I am frequently silenced by the faith, patience and capacity to suffer with grace that seems so common here- especially amongst the women.