Cape Town - KNOWN as the woman who took on President Cyril Ramaphosa in a viral video at the height of the Covid pandemic - Joanie Fredericks is Mitchells Plain’s own Joan of Arc, an activist who fights to amplify women’s voices.
She might go by many names - Aunty Joanie, Uncle Toni, Pastor, Moulana - but working towards the betterment of her community is all that matters to the 51-year-old.
Fredericks was among countless activists who helped to feed hungry citizens impacted by the hard lockdown in 2020. She shot to fame over the “Dear Mr President Video Project”, which told the stories of communities across the country in an attempt to get the attention of the president to talk about food insecurity.
She is also known as the woman who started an exclusive driving school for women on the Cape Flats, advocating for the safety and empowerment of women.
A proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Fredericks recounted the journey that brought her to activism.
“Ever since I can remember, I wanted to become a human rights lawyer, I was born to serve the community.
“After being raped at the age of 15, that desire in me grew even bigger. I left school because I fell pregnant with my daughter and I told my brother, who told me to tell my parents.
“This is where the shift to fighting for people’s rights, especially women …my father told me that it couldn’t be true that I was raped and my mother stood there even though I could see she believed me, she didn’t say anything because she didn’t have power and that was my turning point.“
Fredericks went on to become the first female forklift driver in her hometown of Grabouw, where she also experienced hardships in a male dominated industry.
“I was constantly undermined, I thought there must be more women working there (who) experienced the same things, so I started reaching out and asking women if they felt safe.
“A group of women got together and I became the gender coordinator for SAAPAWU (South African Agricultural Plantation and Allied Workers Union),” said Fredericks.
Fredericks went on to receive the Amazon Award from the Women’s Legal Centre for her work with women farm workers.
With the help of a farmer, Fredericks, then 26, travelled to Israel where she realised her life goals and began investing her energy into the community.
Two decades ago, Fredericks was named chairperson of the Cape Town region of the Western Cape’s Network for Violence against Women.
She also founded Ladies Own Transport Services, providing affordable and professional services for women who need to get from place to place.
In conjunction with Ladies Own Transport Services, Fredericks also started Ladies Own Driving School in 2018 aimed at empowering women to get their licence and become independent.
She also led the Community Action Network (CAN), providing up to 10 000 meals a day at 25 different locations in response to the Covid-19 lockdown which exacerbated unemployment and hunger on the Cape Flats.
“People ask me why I am doing this and its simple, we all need someone to inspire the next generation and the next. That way we will always have people fighting for others.
“Also I have a brilliant team that has the same heart as me, so I can’t let them down.”
Fredericks said that she was working on a biography.
“For years this has been in my heart, and this is why I decided to finally get the ball rolling, to inspire other women through my life story,” said Fredericks.
During Weekend Argus’ visit to her home, she had to constantly excuse herself as women and children came calling.
“There is an open door policy here, whenever people feel they need to come and have a chat they are welcomed, not on our time but theirs,” she added.
A rape survivor who spoke to Weekend Argus about the help she received from Fredericks, said:“Joanie is always going to be our go to person (for rape survivors), she listens and when you don’t want advice, she will just hug you. You can also trust her with your secret, she won’t tell a soul until you are ready.”
Fredericks said working with victims and survivors of crime taught her a lot.
“I constantly try to fill up my cup, because you cant serve people with half empty cups, when they are already empty,” she concluded.