Edna believes women must be self-reliant

POLOKWANE – Edna Pearson (50) believes that a woman can overcome anything when she puts her faith in God.

When Edna arrived in Polokwane in 1999, she started working as a car guard to support her family. She raised her two children on the R130 to R150 in daily tips she made looking after people’s vehicles at the Jack Botes and Nirvana halls.

Review spoke to Edna about her views on women’s rights and place in society in view of Women’s Day that will be celebrated on Saturday.

She says life has taught her to be self-reliant. “Although I’ve been married twice and my parents help me a lot, I have always been independent. I also teach my children to be self-sufficient,” she says.

Heartache is no stranger to Edna. She says she had to fight for everything she had in life. Her first husband died in a hit and run accident in 2003 and her second husband last year due to illness.

“For most women the loss of a husband is the end of the world. Although I loved both my husbands dearly, it has always been important to me to carry on for the sake of my children.”

Working 10-hour to 16-hour shifts as a woman alone, Edna says she has relied on her faith in God to get her through some difficult and dangerous moments.

She believes that women in South Africa are not offered enough opportunities to reach their full potential and that not enough is done to uphold the rights of women. “Women are being abused not only by their husbands and boyfriends, but also by their children in many instances,” she says. “Teenagers have babies too young and then dump them on their mothers, who sometimes only have a state grant to get by on.”

Edna’s wish for women on Women’s Day is stricter laws to protect women’s rights. She also says domestic violence should have a minimum penalty of six years in jail and more awareness should be created around women and their rights.

Edna’s message to the women who are afraid to stand up for themselves is simple: do not be afraid.

“As long as you keep your hand in the hands of God, you will be safe no matter where you are or where you come from. Do not let any man use you or abuse you. Stand up for yourself,” she says.

“I am living proof that, as long as you believe in yourself, you can make it.”