Eva Mokoena (pictured), Organiser at the African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO), discusses her journey as a reclaimer and feminist leader inspiring women in a male-dominated sector. ARO organises reclaimers and advocates for better pay, opportunities, and working conditions.
How do you balance your roles as a reclaimer, leader, feminist activist, mother, healer, and poet?
Balancing all these roles can be challenging. I sometimes have to prioritise work over spending time with my children. There are moments when I don’t do the things I love, like writing poetry. I usually write when I am emotional or hurt, but it has been a while since I have written anything. Being an activist is stressful because it demands 100% of my attention. It can be tough to cope, but I always make sure that my kids, my work, and my commitment to feminism come first.
How did starting reclaiming at a young age influence your perspective on your work and leadership?
I began reclaiming at 11. I liked to follow my mom to the landfill and help her to work. By 17, I was leading the landfill committee. I briefly explored other job opportunities and then worked as an ECD teacher before returning to the landfill. I joined the South African Waste Pickers Association (SAWPA), advocated for waste pickers in different cities, and became chairperson of the Interim Joburg Reclaimer Committee. I am a co-founder of the African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) and now organise and ensure representation for reclaimers.
Reclaiming at a young age was tough – it was abusive, but it didn’t break me. Instead, it shaped me into the woman I am today. I had to fight for my place in the landfill to prove that I was more than what others thought. The support I received from the parents, grannies, and elders I worked with gave me courage and strength. The tough times shaped who I am. I stood my ground and learned a lot.
How have you led and encouraged women reclaimers to speak out and claim their rights in a male-dominated sector? What advice would you give a young woman inspired by your journey?
I tell women, especially those in communities where they lack a voice, that we are all equals at work. No one is bigger than anyone else, and we must have respect. ARO teaches men to respect women by emphasising that women are essential for a complete world. We are strong, and we fight for the future. We must keep going, no matter the circumstances. Be confident in your abilities, and do not let anyone diminish your worth. For young women, stand up and speak out. Show that you are rocks when they say women are rocks.
ARO members celebrate the organisation’s fifth anniversary in Johannesburg in 2023.
What is your message to women during the Women’s Month?
I want to remind all women that we are the sunshine, the stars, and the sun. Wherever we go, we bring light to the world. Everything we do is to make our children proud. Let us unite and fight gender-based violence. We need to see ourselves as loved and valued individuals. Let us stop fighting among ourselves and instead support and empower each other. We must equip ourselves with knowledge and build our self-esteem. Let us be loud and unashamed of our past. Instead of letting it hold us back, let us use it as a path forward. We are survivors, and we are still standing. Big up to all the women in South Africa.
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RELATED RESOURCES
- Recruiting and organising – a background to bargaining
- A framework for negotiating conditions at work – a must-read for worker leaders in more informal workplaces.
