By Dr Leonora Alberts-Vilakazi
My life’s purpose is rooted deeply in the soil of our community and the strength of the women who cultivate it. As an activist and a proud member of both the Faith Action Collective and We Will Speak Out SA, my work is not just about advocacy; it is about tangible, hands-on transformation.
For years, I have walked alongside community women, turning forgotten spaces into thriving backyard gardens. These gardens are far more than patches of green – they are small acts of defiance against poverty and food insecurity. When we teach a woman how to tend the earth, we are handing her the keys to self-reliance. I have watched dusty, neglected yards transform into vibrant sanctuaries of spinach, cabbage, and tomatoes.
In a world that often tries to silence or marginalise these women, watching them harvest the fruits of their own labour is profoundly moving. It gives them agency, nourishes their families, and restores a sense of dignity that no one can take away.
Cultivating Safe Spaces and Training
However, planting seeds in the ground is only half the battle; we must also plant seeds of knowledge, safety, and resilience. Through my roles in the Faith Action Collective, a massive part of my journey involves conducting targeted training sessions to assist communities.
Importantly, our backyard gardens have blossomed into literal and figurative gender-based violence (GBV)-free zones. In the safety of these green spaces, away from judgmental eyes, women feel a newfound freedom to talk about their experiences.
They share their burdens, break the silence surrounding abuse, and realise they are not alone.
Our comprehensive training workshops reinforce these safe havens by focusing on:
Sustainable Agriculture: Teaching composting, water conservation, and seasonal planting to ensure food security.
GBV Awareness and Human Rights: Equipping women with the tools to identify abuse, understand their rights, and safely navigate out of dangerous situations.
Leadership & Healing: Helping women find their voices so they can heal from trauma and become pillars of support for others.
True activism isn’t just about speaking for people; it’s about equipping them with the tools and confidence to speak for themselves in a space where they feel entirely safe.
Working with the Faith Action Collective allows me to ground this work in deep empathy and shared values, while We Will Speak Out ensures we fiercely dismantle the taboos surrounding women’s struggles. We are building a sustainable, resilient ecosystem of empowerment, one backyard and one voice at a time.