On a gloomy Sunday afternoon Obama Africa Leader, Co-Founder of the Women Lead Movement and gender equality activist, Melene Rossouw (34), managed to brighten up the local coffee shop with the passion and fire in her eyes for human rights.
Rossouw’s life has seen many amazing achievements thus far, despite the hardships in her childhood. These achievements include graduating from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master of Laws (LLM), working for more than 12 years in non/governmental legal spaces, contributing to South African communities through women empowerment and general leadership with regards to justice for South African citizens.
Attorney Melene Rossouw PHOTO: Supplied
From childhood
Rossouw’s passion for community development started during her childhood years. She grew up in a single-parent household in Bellville South with her mom and older sister – “backyard dwellers” of her aunt’s house. She expressed what a challenging experience it was growing up:
It’s really difficult to gain inspiration or to achieve anything substantial from that sort of nothingness. I come from nothing but I was always happy, my mom had a lot to do with it.”
Rossouw found her inspiration and mindset from her mom, as she was constantly involved in outreach work to aid abused women and children in the community. “There’s never been a time in my sister and I’s life where it would just be the three of us. My mom would always take someone in. We had so little but always had enough to share,” she explained with a smile.
Rossouw describes sports as a catalyst for many aspects today. She participated in netball and athletics with Western Province and South African colours. “Training taught me a lot about perseverance, dedication and discipline.” Her first national-level sporting experience was at the age of eight in 1994.
My mom couldn’t afford to go with and neither could my coach. The experience in Pretoria that year was a special one for me. I was all alone, nobody supporting me in the stands and realized in that very moment I needed to support myself and won gold.”
After this experience, Rossouw realized that if she could train hard, apply herself and see the results, she could do anything and be great. “Sport is very important, it teaches kids many things but most importantly, discipline.”
As soon as she attended UWC, she quickly sort to politics through her involvement in SASCO (South Africa Students Congress) and the SRC (Student Representative Council).
To superwoman
“I knew I did not want to be a practicing lawyer or even a very rich attorney because I never actually charged my clients,” giggled Rossouw with slight embarrassment. “People needed legal advice and access to justice but couldn’t afford it as they didn’t qualify for legal aid but also couldn’t afford private attorneys. I started paying from my own salary to make it look as if they were paying me!” – Rossouw and her former boss still laugh at this today.
I just couldn’t take their money. I would’ve probably paid for my clients for the rest of my life.”
Rossouw worked for the presidency as the Cabinet Committee Secretary, during former President Jacob Zuma’s term. This is where her main exposure to politics occurred and met former Member of Parliament and Minister of Tourism, Martinus van Schalkwyk, who wanted her to work with him.
Rossouw first rejected his offer as she felt that she did not have the skills to work as his media liaison, until he asked her: “Melene, but are you willing to learn?” A sparkle twinkled in Rossouw’s eyes when mentioning this question.
“When you say yes to that question, doors open for you. I travelled the world and gained so many skills just because I was willing to learn,” exclaimed Rossouw.
Thereafter, Rossouw managed to combine her experience over the years including law, human rights, politics and government work to establish the Women Lead Movement. “I educate women in communities and teach them about the constitution, democracy, how to hold the government accountable and how to get involved in community issues.”
Melene Rossouw leading a Women Lead Movement workshop PHOTO: Supplied
Rossouw is currently doing pro bono work – free legal advice – and forms part of Future Africa Forum where she speaks on a number of community issues.
To a message for coloured women
When asked about how she felt concerning Stellenbosch Universitiy’s controversial research-thesis on coloured women’s cognitive-functioning, Rossouw’s eyes darkened.
Rossouw explained with disgust how the years of colonialism and apartheid have caused South Africans of colour suffering and believes that this sort of white dismissiveness is not helping the healing process and is just stirring aggression amongst our people.
The fact that you are coloured does not disqualify you from anything. Being coloured makes you resilient and wise. We are capable of achieving greatness. The time of coloured leadership is coming, maybe not in our life time, but we have leadership abilities within us. Have confidence in yourself regardless of the negativities and verbal abuse. Do not justify yourself or your worth to anyone. You do not have to explain yourself or where you come from to anyone. I have dealt with a lot for being coloured and a woman. We can do anything we set our minds to but we have to work hard and dig deep because there is a lot of turmoil inside of us coloureds.”
To Obama Africa Leader
Rossouw enthusiastically explained her process of becoming an Obama African Leader and meeting President Barack Obama in 2018:
“I met so many brilliant inspiring people across Africa through this foundation.” It helped Rossouw realise that challenges South Africa face, are challenges all African countries face. “We collaborate on issues, discuss ideas in each country and help each other with solutions through projects. We are a close knitted family now. It has been really special.”
Melene Rossouw (top right) meeting US President Barack Obama PHOTO: Supplied
If the thought occurred that this was already a lot for one coloured woman to accomplish – think again. Rossouw has now been chosen to be a part of the Mandela Washington Fellowship in the United States where she will be situated for two months this year doing work as a young African leader.