Feminist Africa 22 and Dreaming Feminist Futures

The launch of Feminist Africa 22 on March 21st was as difficult as it was liberating. Sitting in a crowd of so many, having to navigate what a feminist future might look like was exciting for all of us. With the help of academics like Yaliwe Clarke and Fatima Seedat of the African Gender Institute, we were able to be begin the process of thinking together.

The launch was exceptional. Performances from C.Y.P.H.E.R, Blackroots, and YWL made the event. Our Events team leader, Kamohelo Mabogwane, also represented YWL in an intergenerational conversation with Pumla Dineo Gqola and Charmaine Pereira, which generated a lot of excitement, driving the symposium forward over the next two days.

YWL showed support for many wom?n who are constantly fighting against the national and global problem of inequality. We wanted to celebrate and honour the wom?n who made sure that we would have the space to dream. Our purpose for the launch is summed up by Chido Nyaruwata, our Action Research Project team leader:

All present in this room are related. Our ties are not defined by blood but lie with or feminist identity. These bonds are shaped by our common desire to live in a world full of freedom. This world was envisioned by our ancestors who sit comfortably at the top of our family tree. Our vision for this symposium is that we come together in this space in hope of, in solidarity with, in celebration of, in thanks to, in memory of, and in victory.

We did this through hashtags and two incredible videos that are soon to be uploaded on our YouTube channel! In the meantime, check out our Instagram page for photos and videos of the day.

On March 23rd, the final day of the symposium, YWL presented our Action Research Project ideas to an audience, then engaged in an intergenerational conversation with Pumla Dineo Gqola, Zethu Matebeni and Mzilikazi Nduna. The feedback we got for our papers was amazing, and Pumla, Zethu, and Mzilikazi’s answers to our questions were so important for understanding how to move forward with these ideas. We look forward to sharing our ARP with you all soon.

Although we are sad that DFF is over, we are excited for the precedent it has set for the rest of this year. Stay tuned!