Staying soft in a world that rewards hardness

Mmabatho Makotanyane, Founder of MM Communications

Reading through Mmabatho's story reminded me of the old Destiny's Child song, Survivor. If you are an 80s baby, I'm sure you'll remember it! I liken Mmbatho's journey to “dry bones come alive”. Her journey reflects the significant strength and resillience of a woman, even after the hardest knock in life almost took her out.

This is a gift one can fully embrace when grounded in in whose they are... This dynamite is a survivor in many aspects, actually, she's thriving. Read along as she shares parts of her.

What about being a woman makes you tick?

Being a woman means carrying both fire and tenderness. What makes me tick is the quiet strength women embody – the ability to nurture, lead, rebuild, and rise, often simultaneously. I’m moved by how women turn pain into purpose and how we hold space for others even when we’re still healing ourselves. I see this happening a lot through our women’s empowerment sessions when women talk about what they went through and how they didn’t just stay there but they developed the strength to carry on. I also see this with me when met with challenges and how I rise again.

Who inspires you and why?

I’m inspired by women who break stereotypes and take leadership roles to make decisions that empower and shape the nation.  I’m inspired by women who lead with both wisdom and spiritual authority, women like Dr. Pearl Kupe. With over 40 years of experience as a lawyer, she’s not only a legal powerhouse but also a fearless minister of the Gospel. Her voice carries weight, her courage is unwavering, and her commitment to truth is deeply rooted in faith. She reminds me of the Deborahs and Jaels of our time – women who rise in moments of crisis, speak with divine clarity, and shift nations through obedience and boldness. Her life is a testament to what it means to walk in purpose without compromise.

You have a career in journalism and women empowerment. What made you choose these fields?

I chose journalism because I’m passionate about writing and storytelling – stories shape society. I believe in the power of narrative to challenge norms, spark dialogue, and inspire change.

I chose women empowerment because too many stories about women are told through a lens of limitation and that needs to change. I wanted to rewrite that narrative. I wanted to amplify voices that challenge stereotypes, celebrate resilience, and demand accountability from systems that fail us.

Our women’s empowerment sessions are not just motivational; they’re therapeutic and spiritual. I wanted to create a safe space where women from all walks of life could come together to be inspired, uplifted, and encouraged to become the best versions of themselves. And I’ve seen that transformation happen, time and time again, since we started over a decade ago.

Being inspired by wanting to create change is selfless. What has been your greatest challenges as a change agent?

Mmabatho

One of the hardest parts is staying soft in a world that rewards hardness. Choosing compassion, vulnerability, and grace in spaces that glorify control and dominance makes you a nonconformist and that comes at a cost. Advocacy means confronting resistance, apathy, and sometimes betrayal from those who withdraw when change gets personal. It gets lonely at the frontlines because truth-telling isn’t popular, and the world often rewards the easy way out.

But my greatest challenge has been learning to rest without guilt. Burnout doesn’t serve the mission. I had to unlearn the lie that pausing is weakness. Rest is not retreat – it’s restoration. It’s how I protect my voice, my clarity, and my impact. Because real change requires longevity, not urgency.

You’ve experienced a chapter in your life that challenges the core of your faith and who you are. Tell me about this.

There was a time when survival felt like my only goal. I questioned everything – my worth, my faith, my purpose. But in that wilderness, I discovered a deeper intimacy with God. I faced serious ill-health, in and out of hospital, and my child became my stronghold. I had to petition God like Hannah did– begging Him to heal me so I could be there for my child, my family, and the lives my work impacts.

Even in my silence, people reached out. They asked why I’d gone quiet, saying they were thirsty and hungry for our women’s empowerment sessions. That reminded me: faith isn’t the absence of doubt, it’s choosing to believe even when everything feels broken.

God restored me, and I will continue to serve Him as His vessel.

Healing isn’t linear. How have you navigated your healing journey?

As challenging as it is, I’ve learnt to honour the pauses. Healing has looked like journaling, prayer, therapy and sometimes just breathing through the day. I’m learning to stop chasing perfection and start embracing progress. Some days I’m strong, other days I’m tender – and both are valid.

I still experience flashbacks of what I went through. The scars from my surgery are a constant reminder of God’s mercy and grace. And in those moments of reflection, I praise and worship even more. I share my testimony even more because healing isn’t just for me, it’s for others too.

What’s your advice to someone who may be going through something really hard right now?

Know who and what your source of strength is and hold on to that. Keep the faith – God is coming with victory in His hands. He is the doctor in the sickroom, the lawyer in the courtroom. He keeps His promises. I’ve been there, and I can attest: He has a record of faithfulness. He is a way-maker, peace-giver, and promise-keeper.

You don’t have to be okay to be worthy. Your pain doesn’t disqualify you; it deepens your capacity for compassion. Take it one breath at a time. Ask for help. Rest. And remember, survival is a victory, but healing is your birthright.

With everything you’ve experienced and have seen, what would you say is your super power?

My superpower is reframing and believing that everything happens for a reason. I can take a moment of despair and find the seed of transformation in it. I turn survival into storytelling, and pain into purpose. I don’t just endure – I evolve.

I’m also deeply mindful of the company I keep. I avoid negativity and constant complaining at all costs – they drain your spirit and keep you stagnant. I’m grateful for the gift of discerning spirits. I cut off toxic energy quickly, and that has saved me from prolonging my stay in harmful situations. That discernment came through experience, and it’s one of the ways I protect my peace and preserve my purpose.

Reflecting on the year thus far, what are you most grateful for?

I’m grateful for good health, the gift of life, and for my relationship with God, which I continue to prioritise above all. I’m grateful for clarity. This year stripped away distractions and deepened my sense of purpose.

I’m thankful for the people who’ve held space for me, for the courage to say no, to stand up for myself, and to develop a thick skin. I’m grateful for the quiet moments that remind me I’m still healing and still growing. I went back to school this year, and I’m deeply grateful for that. I believe in the power of education to transform not just minds, but lives.

What’s your message to women?

You are not too much. You are not too late. You are not too broken. Your story matters, your voice is needed, and your softness is strength. Keep rising, even if it’s slow. The world needs your light. Stop being apologetic about your success, own it and be encouraged to enter spaces that allow you to be bold and celebrate your experience and skills.

What are you working on right now?

I’m currently pursuing my Honours in Gender and Sexuality Studies, with a research focus on the Psychology of Gender-Based Violence. I’m also a freelance journalist, reflecting on current affairs through a lens of empowerment and systemic change.

Beyond academia and journalism, I continue to host women’s empowerment sessions – spaces where women from all walks of life gather to be inspired, motivated, and encouraged to become the best versions of themselves.

I’m also shaping digital content that challenges stereotypes and celebrates resilience. And honestly, I know it’s time to start working on a book – one that weaves together faith, media, and societal transformation.

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To connect with Mmabatho, visit her super active pages on:

• Instagram: @mmabathoempowers

• Facebook: Mmabatho D Makotanyane

• LinkedIn: Mmabatho Makotanyane

• X: @mmabatho_2