Mon - Sun: 8AM - 8PM

Interview with Mmatshilo Motsei

Mounira Chaieb . Episode 5 . 18:15

Leading Feminist Voices Project

Interview with Mmatshilo Motsei

Episode 5 Mounira Chaieb 10/17/2024

Welcome to ALC Radio. I’m your host, Mounira Chaieb, and today we bring you the final episode of the Leading Feminist Voices Project—an exploration of leadership, resilience, and purpose through the eyes of remarkable African women.

Our guest today is Dr. Mmatshilo Motsei, a woman whose life has been shaped by an unwavering commitment to truth and transformation. She is an author, healer, midwife, and social science researcher, deeply invested in the fusion of indigenous wisdom with modern knowledge. But more than that, she believes leadership is not merely a position—it is a spiritual calling, one that aligns individuals with their unique purpose in the world.

Her journey is both inspiring and sobering. She speaks of the challenges that shaped her path, from surviving domestic violence to leaving a secure academic position to create ADAPT, an organization dedicated to preventing abuse. Her conviction led her to confront one of the most contentious moments in South African history—Jacob Zuma’s rape trial. Writing about it cost her dearly—economic suppression, social isolation, and over a decade of hardship. Yet, she emerged from the darkness, finding healing through writing and rediscovering her voice.

Beyond activism, she champions the importance of indigenous knowledge—particularly in midwifery and education. She challenges traditional views of leadership, reminding us that wisdom is not confined to institutions but found in the stories of elders, in rituals, and in the shared experiences of communities.

Her insights on empowerment are profound. True leadership, she argues, is not about wielding authority, but about co-creation—an understanding that even those who follow are, in their own way, leaders. To lead well, one must also learn how to follow.

Through courage, sacrifice, and deep introspection, Dr. Motsei’s journey teaches us the power of purpose, the necessity of truth, and the unyielding spirit of those who dare to challenge the status quo.

Join me as we explore the extraordinary life and wisdom of Dr. Mmatshilo Motsei—right here, on ALC Radio.

Let’s begin.

Truth as a Spiritual Calling: Mmatshilo Motsei’s Journey of Resilience and Transformative Leadership

Episode Outline:

Guest: Dr. Mmatshilo Motsei
Host: Mounira Chaieb
Show: ALC Radio – Leading Feminist Voices Project
Citation: Motsei, Mmatshilo (Guest). “Truth as a Spiritual Calling: Mmatshilo Motsei’s Journey of Resilience and Transformative Leadership” Hosted by Mounira Chaieb. The ALC Pan-African Radio. October 17, 2024. Podcast, Mp3. 18:15. https://alcafricanradio.com/index.php/audio/leading-feminists-voices-episode-5-mmatshilo-motsei

1. Introduction & Guest Overview (00:00 – 00:00:25)

Host introduces Dr. Mmatshilo Motsei.
Overview of her background as an author, healer, midwife, and researcher.
Mention of the Leading Feminist Voices Project and its significance.

2. Leadership as a Spiritual Calling (00:00:25 – 00:01:38)

Dr. Motsei explains the concept of a spiritual calling as a unique gift one is born with.
Distinction between spirituality and religion.
Leadership as an alignment with one’s mission and innate purpose.

3. Challenges & Activism (00:01:38 – 00:04:29)

Personal experiences of domestic violence and how it shaped her activism.
Decision to leave academia and establish ADAPT (Domestic Abuse Prevention & Training).
Struggles of working with communities as a young activist.

4. Confronting the Zuma Rape Trial (00:04:29 – 00:06:37)

Motivation behind writing about Jacob Zuma’s rape trial.
The risks of speaking out in a politically volatile time.
Consequences of publishing the book—economic suppression, isolation, and financial struggles.

5. Writing as a Form of Healing (00:06:37 – 00:08:32)

Writing provided solace and survival during isolation.
Published multiple books, including a collection of essays on African humanism and politics.
Decision to return to university full-time to study creative writing and regain her voice.

6. Indigenous Midwifery & Traditional Knowledge (00:08:32 – 00:10:57)

The role of indigenous midwifery and traditional birthing knowledge.
Importance of pre-colonial wisdom in modern healthcare.
Rituals surrounding childbirth and maternal care in rural communities.

7. The Role of Indigenous Teachers & Knowledge Sharing (00:10:57 – 00:12:22)

Indigenous knowledge is a co-creative process, not a top-down approach.
Learning from rural communities and elders rather than imposing Western frameworks.
Knowledge is exchanged through relationships, not lectures.

8. Healing & Multi-Generational Trauma (00:12:22 – 00:13:44)

The impact of colonialism and historical wounds on African communities.
Vulnerability as a tool for healing.
Personal growth through working with communities.

9. Redefining Leadership & Followership (00:13:44 – 00:16:40)

Leadership is not about positions of power, but custodianship of knowledge.
The role of elders and community members as leaders in their own right.
Empowerment as a double-edged sword—those empowered can challenge leaders.
A true leader must also learn how to follow.