Author’s Smashing the Patriarchy series illuminates the fight against GBV
The author dives deep into the painful truths of GBV and outlines a path for women to reclaim their power and fight back against centuries of oppression.

In a world where GBV and femicide continue to claim the lives of countless women, one author is using her voice and pen to spark change.
Through her powerful storytelling, Lethabo Maleka has dedicated her work to shedding light on the devastating impact of these issues.
Her books not only raise awareness but also offer a call to action, urging women to rise up, demand justice and break the silence.
Who is the author of Smashing Patriarchy?
Glenvista’s Lethabo Maleka (formerly Gwangwa), originally from rural Limpopo, lived with her mother while her father worked as a migrant worker in Johannesburg.
“I would often write letters to my dad about our well-being at home and he would respond with compliments about how good my writing is,” shared Maleka.
She spent most of her schooling years there, progressing from primary to secondary school. She completed her matric through correspondence with the Joint Matriculation Board at Turret Correspondence College, with funding from the SACHED Trust.
Maleka then went on to pursue higher education, earning both her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from Wits University, followed by a master’s degree from the University of Johannesburg.

Her professional journey began shortly after graduation when she joined the Educational Opportunities Council (EOC) in Johannesburg.
The EOC had awarded her a four-year scholarship, sponsored by the British Council, which allowed her to pursue her studies. In her role at the EOC, she worked as a student counsellor, coordinator, and administrator for local scholarship programmes.
Her responsibilities included recruiting students, screening candidates, conducting selection interviews, placing students at appropriate tertiary institutions and providing counselling support.
Following South Africa’s democratic transition in 1994, many donor agencies withdrew their funding, prompting Maleka to transition into public service. She joined the Gauteng provincial government, starting her career in the Department of Development Planning and Local Government as a researcher at the assistant director level.
A year later, she was promoted to deputy director and took on the role of assistant secretariat to the Gauteng Executive Council in the premier’s office.
Her career in the public sector continued to flourish as she moved to the Department of Finance and Economic Affairs, where she headed the Gauteng Liquor Board Secretariat Unit in the Gauteng Liquor Licensing Chief Directorate. Maleka remained with the department until her retirement.
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Strides to the writing journey
When the author met her husband and while they were still dating, she would also write letters to him because they stayed far apart. And just like her father, he would complement her writing.
“When we got married he continued complimenting my writing and encouraged me to write books.”
With Maleka’s focus solely on academics and getting a good education so she could get a good job, writing seemed like a far-fetched dream.
“Writing was certainly something I thought was unachievable. And besides I never had a role model who writes,” highlighted the author.
It wasn’t until 2011 that Maleka started writing her autobiography titled Rising like dust: The story of a rural girl who kept rising and rising.
“When I just started writing my autobiography, the idea of writing another book came to mind,” shared the passionate writer.
Her pen as a weapon
After completing her autobiography, she started working on a second book titled Tales of Two Presidents and halfway through finishing the book, the issue of GBV (GBV) became prominent.
“I have always been drawn by patriarchal issues and the oppression of women since my days at university,” expressed Maleka.
In 2018, when she was close to completing her other books, femicide spiralled out of control. Every time the author would watch the news, read the newspaper or listen to the radio, she would hear about a girl or woman being murdered or raped.
“I found myself intrigued by these issues and collected press cuttings about the horrendous femicide stories,” said the author.
To confront the harsh realities of GBV and femicide, Maleka began writing Smashing the patriarchy: A Women’s Testament.
“The first question I asked when I started writing this eight-volume book series is, ‘Why do we speak about GBV in isolation from patriarchal systems’, for me, GBV is founded in power imbalances.
“I decided to link the two concepts to bring to the readers’ attention that we cannot talk about GBV without linking it to patriarchy hence the titles of the books,” shared the passionate writer.
Maleka shares that her research led her to identify GBV as a symptom of patriarchal systems and she starts her first volume by defining the term ‘patriarchy’.
By confronting the harsh realities of these issues and painting vivid pictures of the pain, fear, and resilience that define the lives of many women, the author, rather than leaving her readers in despair, encourages empowerment, pushing women to reclaim their power and challenge the system.
“In one of my books, I urge women to unlearn the systems of patriarchy, the back-breaking chores, and patriarchal values,” expressed the author.
“Women must understand that there is no honour in the case that your husband, uncle or neighbour rapes your daughter and the male figure needs to be protected in the ‘name of honour’ and the ‘name of shame’ because they don’t want to shame these people,” said Maleka.
She added: “There is no shame in reporting your husband and there is no honour in sacrificing your child. When someone carries out acts of GBV, we must report them.”

Rallying cry for women to rise up
Maleka believes that storytelling has the power to break the silence around GBV, creating a ripple effect that can bring change.
“When women tell their stories then change will start. The time is now – for us, women to start ensuring we unity because we are very divided,” she reflected.
Through her advocacy and her courageous writing, she is inspiring a new wave of women to claim their space and demand the respect, dignity, and justice they deserve. As the conversation around femicide and GBV continues to evolve, Maleka uses her work not only to raise awareness but also to fuel the movement for systemic change.
“As long as patriarchy can touch everyone, so can GBV. It can be any of us at any time, especially with the rate and pace that this issue is growing. It should be a wake-up for all of us.
“We must begin to realise that we need to act because as long as we don’t act, as long as we don’t unite to dismantle patriarchy, we will forever live with GBV,” shared the author.
For more information or to purchase the book series contact Lethabo Maleka on 082 377 1246, or email mamodulam@gmail.com or visit the Draft2digital website for the e-book version.