Posted on by Perspectives

WOMANDLA !!

Having grown up in a Christian family I read the bible a lot. It followed naturally that I would believe in the supernatural power of God. This blog, however, is not about what I do or do not ascribe power to in my personal space but I mention this part of my upbringing to make reference to a story in the bible I once read that got me thinking about how courageous women are. 

It takes courage to pursue one’s dreams

The story was about the twelve spies from Israel that were sent to “examine” the land of Canaan that the Lord was going to give to their possession as a people. Ten of the twelve spies came back reporting that it would be impossible to take over that land because the people were too powerful, the city is very large and greatly fortified.  They could not even imagine fighting the people of that land. However two out of the twelve spies had a different attitude, they reported that yes the people are big and the walls are huge but conquering them can be done, it is not impossible.

I liken women who pursue their careers in whatever field be it sports, law,  social and business entrepreneurship, academics and in many other fields, to the two spies who came back from exploring Canaan with a different attitude from the rest. The world of “work” was without a doubt created for men but the women who have over the years dared to initiate working environments that are suitable for women to work in. Women advancing in any field of work has never been an easy task due to a number of stumbling blocks that they come across based solely on the fact that they are women. One such subtle but lethal stumbling block is the social pressure of “being found suitable for marriage”.

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The pressure and expectations are real

Women especially young women are expected to “behave” a certain way, not be too successful more than their male counterparts or they will definitely end up alone. They can achieve but not too much, they can make money but not too much money and they better make sure they remain “humble” in their achievements if they do not want to end up alone.  I was once asked by a dear family member (whose relation to me I will not mention) “who will marry you when you have a PhD?” dumbfounded by this question and not really sure how to answer I was rescued by my sister “other men with PhD’s as well” she said jokingly. That was the first time I was subjected to this kind of pressure and I remember walking away from that conversation counting the number of “men with PhD’s and who are perusing PhD’s who could be potential husbands” … sad right? I think my experience was a tip of the iceberg compared to the stories millions of women can relay with regards to this type of social pressure all because they are bold and courageous enough to pursue their dreams. I respect women folk because despite what society has said and done over the years women have not been the kind to sit back, fold their arms and say oh well this is our fate.

Resilience is key

To me, they resemble those two spies who came back with the same report but had a different attitude, an attitude that said: “it may be difficult but it is not impossible”. One such woman who comes to mind is Caster Semenya.  That girl has been handling her case with such grace and dignity. I draw a lot of strength just by observing her hold her head up and fighting to stay in the game despite the IAAF’s determination to get rid of her. I can only imagine the self-strengthening conversations she must have with herself to keep herself going. Often times when I get discouraged in my academic journey I read about her and her strength always comes through for me. Caster is a true embodiment of WOMANDLA!!!

I imagine that those two spies had their nation, they were more concerned about the future of the people who they had left behind and not so much their own lives. Women like Mamokgeti Phakeng who are willing to forsake their comfort (salaries to pay for student fees), fear, personal time to serve their nations defiantly inspire and build courage in other women to be bold in chasing their dreams and serving the people of their nation and the world.

We women in our respective fields work hard to contribute to overcoming the numerous challenges in our various disciplines, environments and social spaces. We do not offer ourselves in service to other people by applying ourselves to our work because it is easy to do but because it must be done. If not for us then for generations to come. As Beyoncé said it our “persuasion as women can build nations” in this academic space we woman are working to build an informed nation.  

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Respect goes a long way: why all research fields matter

Agricultural extension is one of the oldest forms of information dissemination methods that are used in the public space. It is the application of scientific research and new knowledge of agricultural practices through farmer education. The practical application of Agricultural extension encompasses a wide range of communication and learning activities that are purposefully made suitable, acceptable and relatable for farmers particularly those in rural communities. It is these learning activities and communication methods that I am most interested in and would love to contribute to the growing knowledge of keeping them relevant to changing technology times and information requirements. Over the years I have learned the importance of the Agricultural Extension discipline. I have also come to understand the fundamental principles upon which it was founded which have cultivated a visceral sense of appreciation in me. 

However, over the years I have been ridiculed a lot in the discipline that I have chosen. I have learned that respect for various disciplines within the agricultural space as well as other academic spaces goes a long way. In fact, it does not show respect only for the field but also for the people who are in the field that I have learned. I often hear people ridicule certain study fields that they believe are inferior to theirs because they are not “Hard Sciences” which makes me wonder whether it is plain ignorance, or do they just assume that they are better or is it straight up arrogance with a huge dose of disrespect. I may never know but I do know that it is has a lasting impression on the minds of those to whom the disrespect is thrown.

Consequently, I developed an inferiority complex which stuck with me for quite a while. Initially, I thought I had the imposter syndrome but now I understand that the years of taking in the ridicule and disrespect led to the development of an inferiority complex deep within myself. When I registered for my undergraduate degree I was excited and hopeful until I started attending classes and I realized my classmates (the agricultural extension class of 2012) and I were treated differently by the “hard science” group of students. Reason being we had registered a Bachelor degree instead of a “Bachelor of Science degree”. According to them a bachelor of Agriculture was not worth their respect, the disrespect was real. 

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My classmates and I were bombarded with sinister remarks such as “the dumb peoples’ degree” or “are they even scientists really?  “If they are what on earth are they doing?” This treatment continued until our Honors year.  By the time we got to Honors level, a number of us had changed the degree for various reasons of course but sometimes I cannot help but wonder whether the disrespect was part of the major influences that convinced my classmates to change their degrees to “hard science degrees” Those of us who of course decided to stick with our choice in life continued to endure the demining remarks.

Needless to say, it is not only within the agricultural disciplines that such behaviour is prominent. More-often-than-not academics in various disciplines exhibit disrespect towards each other in one form or another. For example, differences in opinion about which field is more demanding and more important exist between natural science and social science scholars. Just like how one is considered to have worked less or is inferior if they are a “Doctor of Philosophy’ rather than being a “Medical Doctor”.

I am glad I stayed…

I have said this before that I have come to love and respect the discipline because of the rudimentary principles it was founded and still functions on.  But this liking and being certain that I want to stay in agriculture did not come without me doubting whether or not I should continue in it. It is true that “life will test your choices” and through my experiences as a Bachelor of Agriculture graduate, it has.

So for the longest time, I have questioned my belonging in the academic space. I wondered whether pursuing a career in academics was worth it because academics for me was that one space where I experienced a lot of self-doubtsjuly 1. Fast forward to now, I work on an interdisciplinary study and I strongly believe that healthy interdisciplinary study and work environments where we as individuals make the informed, civil and kind decision not to undermine, and make sinister jokes about each other professions are the kind of environments we need to grow the body of knowledge.  Truth is we need each other to co-exist.