My Activism

Joe Mashilo

by Joe Mashilo

I never dreamed of becoming an activist. Life has a way of pushing people to stand up and address the injustices they see around them. As a child, I thought activism was something for older people and politicians. During the apartheid era in the 1980s, I contributed to the fight against the unjust apartheid system by participating in protests, chanting slogans, and denouncing the apartheid government. I never imagined that I would one day become a community activist, which I am today. To me, activism means speaking up whenever I witness injustice and refusing to remain silent.

I remember a day in secondary school when one of my classmates, a bright, kind, and reserved girl, was bullied daily by a group of girls. It still disturbs me to think about it. Their behavior was rude and unfair. I stood up and challenged the bullies, and their behavior finally changed after involving the parents, teachers, and the school principal. Imagine if I had chosen to remain silent; the mistreatment would have continued. Since then, I have advocated for justice. I now work for Justice and Peace, a faith-based organization dedicated to achieving social justice. I challenge unjust structures and systems that seem designed to hinder the development and growth of the people.

I actively host community meetings, dynamic workshops, and engaging conferences as vibrant platforms for open discussion and collaboration on pressing issues that demand our attention. Being present and visible in these settings has become my norm and way of life. Injustices and inequalities are part of our daily lives, and as an activist, I am committed and courageous in my efforts to bring about positive change. Activism has taught me that change is possible and that the oppressed are often the agents of their transformation.