Unlike most women, national librarian Rocky Ralebipi-Simela was never exposed to the usual stereotypes of women.
“I grew up in a totally different environment where I was not aware of women’s issues,” she said in Pretoria at the weekend.
Because she was not domesticated, Ralebipi-Simela did not have a sense of what women were subjected to.
“All along, I used to think that women were just being petty. I became aware of the issues surrounding women only after I graduated from university.”
She did not see domestication, or managing a household, as a woman’s job.
“My husband helps around the house. It is a 50/50 setup.”
Women abuse was an issue that Ralebipi-Simela believed needed to be addressed in the country.
“It is really terrible. I have met women who struggled with abuse in their relationships.”
She said many women struggled to strike a balance between work and family life.
She urged all women to take time to find themselves.
“Woman, know who you are. It is important to engage with yourselves.”
Ralebipi-Simela said the true key to freedom was sitting down long enough trying to find out what they wanted in life.
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