Cape Town – Rachel Kolisi is encouraging South African women to give themselves permission to embrace joy, rest and vulnerability, reminding them that caring for themselves is just as important as caring for others.
Speaking on The Anele Podcast – Her & Now alongside Anele Mgudlwa and Cindy Poluta, Kolisi reflected on the realities of motherhood in 2026, describing it as a journey with no instruction manual.
“Navigating motherhood in 2026 is a constant learning experience,” she said. “The tests are hard, and the lessons can be even harder.”
Throughout the candid conversation, Kolisi spoke about the pressures many women face to be the “perfect” mother while also dealing with generational trauma, personal growth and the demands of everyday life. Rather than presenting motherhood as something to be mastered, she stressed that every woman is learning as she goes.
View this post on Instagram
Her reflections echoed the themes of her recent five-city Falling Forward Roadshow, which created a safe space for women across South Africa to share their experiences of divorce, grief, career transitions and personal reinvention.
“Some of the nights felt like a giant therapy session,” Kolisi said. “It allows for a space to acknowledge that we’re all, at some point or another, dealing with something that’s really life-transforming.”
Beyond encouraging emotional healing, Kolisi also highlighted the importance of financial independence, drawing on her years of working with organisations supporting survivors of gender-based violence.
“The amount of women remaining in abusive relationships because they do not have financial independence is outstanding,” she said. “If I’ve got a platform, it’s an incredible opportunity to bring that conversation to the forefront.”
For Kolisi, one of the greatest lessons she has learned is allowing herself to embrace a gentler way of living.
“Every single one of us is entitled to joy. We’re entitled to softness. We’re entitled to peace,” she said.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Instagram/ Rachel Kolisi
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
