Safety, jobs and workplace equality remain major concerns for women living across the Merafong City Local Municipality.

The Herald conducted interviews with residents in Blybank, Fochville, Welverdiend and Carletonville.
Speaking after Women’s Day on August 9, local women highlighted widespread worries about crime and personal security.

“It is not safe for local women, whether they are at school, in church or at home. We cannot fully celebrate Women’s Day until we are safe,” said Zintle Sithole from Welverdiend.

This view was shared by Blybank resident Kgalalelo Chirwa, who expressed fear and noted a lack of local progress, future prospects and specific jobs for women.

“I don’t feel that there is a future in this area as there is no progress. There are also no specific jobs for women,” Chirwa remarked.

In Fochville, Nthabiseng Zisiwe agreed that women cannot walk alone in the streets and pointed to difficulties in the workplace.

Zisiwe explained that women continually have to fight for positions, prove themselves and deal with men who try to undermine them.

Maryna de Klerk, a parking guard in Oberholzer, described similar challenges in her role, noting intimidation from some men and arrogance from customers. Despite these hurdles, De Klerk emphasised that she is simply working hard to feed her family while trying to bring a smile to people’s daily lives.

“I love talking to people in the same way as I would have liked someone to talk to me if they were watching my car.

“I love being able to put a smile on someone’s face and make their day a bit better.”

Other residents, including Thandi Ngqondela and Nthabiseng Letswela, remarked that general life is difficult for women in the area.

“You do not see many women going to work, but I feel that there is not much difference between Blybank and other mining areas,” says Ngqondela, who regularly visits Blybank from Klerksdorp.

“It is difficult being a woman around here,” says her friend, Letswela.

Not everyone was negative about Merafong, though.

Visitor Jav Khan from Randfontein, who the Herald interviewed in Fochville, noted that Merafong is more beautiful and its people more welcoming than Randfontein.

Several of the women who the Herald interviewed did not want to be photographed.

Their reasons were that they were not dressed for the occasion or that it make cause other people to accuse them of “trying to get into the spotlight”.