A few years ago, she packed her bags, left the big city, and went to live in the rural Eastern Cape to pursue farming and living off the grid. Actress Brenda Ngxoli has shared the joys of being a village mom with her fans and how she does not regret her decision of leaving the fast-paced Johannesburg.

A FEMALE FARMERS STRUGGLE

The new mom of one has also recently opened up about the hardships of being a female farmer in the Eastern Cape. "Female Farmers sihleli kakubi ezilalini (we are living in anguish). Over the past three years, I have lost hundreds of livestock. Aggressiveness on the daily, kufuneka soyike ( we live in fear), and the worst part is that bazifuye (they raise the stolen stock) right in front of you,' she says.

THE HARASSMENT

 The seasoned actress shares how her family was harassed and taken advantage of because she and her mom are women. "Just izolo (yesterday) and this morning, people rocking up at our gate with sticks and wanting usohlutha imfuyo (to take our livestock),' she says. "They've been harassing my mother because engumfazi onemfuyo (she is a woman with livestock) without a husband. They've stolen mine by droves and are now wanting to fetch them in broad daylight.'

EQUALITY FOR ALL

Brenda condemns any inequality in farming. "Lomhlaba wokhokho wethu (Our ancestor's land) does not belong to a selected few. No siduko sithile should terrorize another. No gender should bully and steal from another. No woman should climb and use another,' she condemns. Brenda adds that these people walk around with sticks threatening people because of their status in society. "Baqhayise ngokuphatha amagqudu because their Uncle is so and so. Our kraals are running empty because livestock theft and village crime are going unnoticed. If you are a female that has something, bafuna ukuphatha kakubi. Bakutshutshise ngandlela zonke (they harass you). Now they are rocking up with sticks bafuna usexutha (they want to take) what is left,' she says. "Need I add that they are related to the local sibonda (counsillor) and chief? So, goodness gracious, they even stealing my dogs and cats. What is this looting mentality that has entered the lives of our people? Doing criminal activities in large groups?' she asks.