An Overdue Thank You: From Personal Gratitude to Recognising Women’s Societal Value

August brings with the wonderful and vibrant energy of Women's Month. This month has always been significant for me as it is not only my birthday month, but also a time of remembrance as yesterday coincided with the 35th anniversary of my mothers tragic passing.

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After losing my mum at a young age, I was fortunate to be raised by a community of exceptional women. These God-fearing, faithful, committed, and hardworking women stepped in to fill the void in my life. Their love, care, and guidance shielded me from the potentially devastating consequences of the traumatic loss I experienced. They instilled in me values, principles, and discipline that continue to shape my life today.

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The Salt of My Life: Women Who Shaped Me

The loss of a mother is a traumatic experience for any child. In my case, I was fortunate because it led to experiencing the extraordinary power of a community of women. My grandmothers, aunts, church members, and neighbours collectively stepped into the role of nurturers, mentors, and guardians.

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These women were truly the salt of my early life. Like salt, they preserved what was good in me during difficult times, enhanced the flavour of my experiences, and helped heal the wounds of loss. They provided a haven of love and care that I needed to help me navigate the trauma I had experienced. They created a safe space where I could grieve, heal, and eventually thrive. Without their influence, the trajectory of my life could have been vastly different.

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Women as Salt: Preserving, Enhancing, and Healing Society

-?????? In the Community

The dedication of these women extended far beyond their homes. Many worked tirelessly in factories during the day and still faithfully attended weeknight church. Their ability to balance the demands of work, family, and community involvement was inspiring.

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What struck me most was their spirit of joy in service. Despite the nature of tasks, there was always laughter, singing, and a sense of fellowship. This spirit of joy was matched only by their selflessness. They gave of themselves freely, finding fulfilment in the acts of service itself. In our community, these women were the salt, preserving our values, enhancing our communal life, and healing wounds through their efforts.

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-?????? In the Workplace

Today, I have the privilege of working alongside remarkable women leaders. What strikes me most is the passion they bring to their roles, regardless of the industry. Their commitment to excellence and willingness to tackle challenges head-on is truly inspiring.

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Perhaps most impressive is the courage these women display, especially in male-dominated sectors. They often bring unique perspectives, emphasising collaboration, emotional intelligence, and long-term sustainability alongside traditional metrics of success. Like salt, they enhance the flavour of our professional environments, preserving what works while adding their unique touch to improve outcomes.

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-?????? In the Agriculture sector

My experiences in agricultural development have also shown me the pivotal role women play in this sector. In Southern Africa, up to 80% of smallholder farmers are women, and represent the backbone of food security and rural economies.

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These women farmers embody the metaphor of salt in the most literal sense. They are preserving agricultural traditions, enhancing food security, and healing the land. Despite facing numerous challenges, they persist with dedication and faith in the land. Their commitment goes beyond economic survival, instead it is a deep connection to the earth and an inherent belief in its ability to provide.

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From Personal Gratitude to Recognising Societal Value

Being raised by a community of women to now working alongside amazing women leaders, I realise that our narrative needs to change. Women no longer need to be “propped up” because they have proven time and again that they can stand on their own feet in all instances.

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Instead of only focusing on how to support women, we should be celebrating and embracing the value they add to our world. Like salt, women are not just a supplement to our society but instead they are essential to its flavour, preservation, and healing.

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I’m excited by the innovations women are bringing to our fields in agriculture, their consideration of sustainable practices, and their commitment to creating inclusive environments. Women also bring an added dimension that is crucial for addressing the complex challenges we face in agriculture and beyond. Their perspectives, leadership styles, and approaches often differ from traditional approaches, providing the diversity for innovation and sustainability in our continuously evolving world. I witness this daily with the extraordinary women I work with.

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The Role of Men: Recognising the Value of Salt

As men, our role needs to evolve too because we often carry ingrained biases that can hinder women’s progress. Many of us are still grappling with what I call a “superiority caveman complex,” a predisposition that’s been reinforced over generations. Our role is to recognise the essential nature of salt in our diet of life and, to understand that women’s contributions are not just beneficial, but crucial for a healthy and balanced society.

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Celebrating the Salt of Our World

To all women reading this: you inspire me each day. I admire you for having a spirit of selflessness, often giving much more than you receive. Your role as the salt of our society is both a privilege and a responsibility. You are not supplementary but, are essential ingredients in the recipe of our society and you provide flavour to our families, preserve the best of our communities, heal the wounds in our industries, and enhance the world at large. ?

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Happy Women’s Month and thank you for being the salt that makes our lives and our world better.

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With love and gratitude.