Ravele Mashudu
In the little town of Thohoyandou Venda, hidden in the rolling hills of a rural area of South Africa, tradition ruled the lives of its residents. For years, women had been relegated to the background, with their roles limited to the home and the fields. But one young girl, Phophi, 12 years of age was determined to break free from convention. Because the traditional women and young ladies from the rural areas turned to be slaves without freedom of expression and freedom of speech.
Phophi lived with her grandmother and Gogo Nyawa, who was widowed at a young age and had struggled to raise her children on her own. Despite the difficulties, Gogo fostered in Phophi a passion for learning and a drive to make a difference in her society. Phophi’s parents, while well-intentioned, were deeply rooted in tradition and wanted her to follow in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother.
As Phophi approached adolescence, she felt the weight of tradition bears down on her. She was carrying a burden on her shoulders which was also difficult for her to talk to anyone. Her parents expected her to help with home tasks and care for her younger siblings, while her brothers were encouraged to further their education and explore their futures.
Phophi felt smothered by the demands placed on her, wishing for the freedom to pursue her own aspirations. She was left behind in her education because of the responsibilities that were on her and ahead of her, at her young age she was expected to be a mother to her siblings.
Mrs. Makhado, Phophi’s teacher, once paid a visit to her parents to discuss her future plans. Mrs. Makhado was a strong supporter of girls’ education and pushed Phophi’s parents to let her continue her studies. However, Phophi’s parents were apprehensive, stressing the value of tradition and Phophi’s need to master domestic skills.
Gogo, who had been quietly monitoring the exchange, finally spoke out. She told stories about her personal challenges as a young lady and the value of education in overcoming the cycle of poverty. She begged Phophi’s parents to reconsider their decision and let her pursue her goals.
Phophi’s parents gradually came to understand the worth of their daughter’s education. They realised that tradition was not about limiting individual potential, but rather about maintaining cultural history. With Gogo’s help, Phophi’s parents decided to let her continue her studies as long as she learnt the traditional skills that had been passed down through centuries
Phophi’s journey was not without hurdles. Some community members objected, believing that girls should prioritise home obligations over schooling. Phophi persevered, thanks to the support of her family, Mrs. Mthembu, and an expanding network of like-minded peers.
Phophi grew up to become a community leader, fighting for girls’ education and breaking conventional conventions. She organized seminars and debates where women and girls could share their stories and find solutions to the problems they were facing.
Phophi’s tale demonstrates the power of resilience and drive. In a community where tradition was important, Phophi was able to reconcile the tensions of cultural history and individual potential. Her trip emphasizes the value of education and the necessity for communities to encourage and develop their youth, particularly girls and women.
Phophi’s experience demonstrates the possibilities for positive development in rural communities. By embracing education and questioning conventional norms, young people like Phophi can become change agents, defining their own destinies and contributing to community development. As Phophi’s narrative shows, tradition may be lifted, allowing for a brighter future.
Instead of parents forcing tradition on their young girls, they must allow them access to education to brighten their future.
Photo credit: Freepik
#Ravele Mashudu, a South African Journalist is a Fellow of 2025 Women In journalism, Gender reporting media fellowship of Africa Foundation for Young Media professionals
