South African women are done with the myth of being endlessly strong. Done with burnout and financial inequality. We. Are. Done.
We’ve all felt this, we’ve been saying this, and now the Her and Now: Insights into the Women of South Africa 2025 Report[1] confirms it.
Burnout among South African women
The report, unpacked by Jill Snijman, shows a quiet but powerful shift. Women are no longer measuring success by how much they can endure.
Instead, our definition of strenght now include rest, softness, and above all, saying NO with our whole chests.
Snijman calls it a “quiet revolution,” and I can’t help but agree. Because we are also done shouting and begging.
The burden of strength
For decades, women have been told resilience is their superpower. The data confirms it: 90% of women are seen as resilient.
The burn, however, is that 68% say others rely on them every single day. That constant expectation creates an invisible load. It leaves women juggling jobs, families, and communities with little space for themselves.
The guilt only adds to it. The report found that 64% of women feel guilty spending money on themselves. (Hi, hello, yes, I’m also 64% of women…)
That turns even small acts of self-care into a luxury instead of a necessity.
Money, stress, and agency
Finances are another heavy hitter.
The report shows three out of four women say money is their biggest source of stress. And while 88% believe financial independence is essential for happiness, six in ten don’t have the support to reach it.
Money in the bank is nice, sure, but it’s about so much more than that. Snijman explains that financial stability also represents freedom, choice, and emotional liberation, and not just income.
Women want agency over their lives (say it louder for the ones at the back!) but unfortunately, in this the year 2025, rigid gender roles and pay gaps are STILL getting in the way.
Again, we can back this up with data: Only 36% of women say South Africa feels built for them. (Again, me, I’m 36%…)
Nearly a quarter (a quarter!!) say they feel invisible in their own communities.
Choosing softness
So it really comes as a surprise to absolutely NO ONE that women are starting to resist. Except, we aren’t resisting with loud rebellion.
Oh no, we are learning to set boundaries, we are discovering the true meaning of sisterhood, and we express that with small but impactful acts of defiance. Daily.
The report shows that 97% of women “show up” for others, even when it’s hard.
But now, more are showing up for themselves too, and I’m absolutely here for it. We are now understanding rest is essential, financial independence is non-negotiable, and kindness is strength.
Snijman puts it plainly: “Burnout is out. A quiet, powerful revolution of softness is in.”
ALSO READ: South Africa’s fintech gender gap: Why women still face barriers
Why it matters
The TL;DR part is this:
- Women are going to thrive, the world simply has to keep up with this shift.
- Systems designed on the assumption that women can “keep it all together” are broken.
- We reject those systems, and we are setting clear boundaries.
- The world now needs to put support structures in place, structures that take real stressors (like finances, safety, and care burden) seriously.
Until then, women will keep redefining what power looks like. And right now, power looks a lot like softness.
References:
[1] 1st for Women, & Mpholle, R. (2025). Her and Now: Insights into the Women of South Africa 2025: Edition 1: The Quiet Revolution (R. Mpholle, Lead researcher) [PDF]. 1st for Women.
