Here's How 5 South African Women Are Feeling On National Women's Day

Photographs by Andile Phewa

While most see the 9th of August as just one of many public holidays, with the recent surge in gender-based violence, sexual assault and femicide reports in the news lately, it goes without saying that women deserve more than just a day off from work. With the hope of bringing light to some of the issues and struggles facing women, we reached out to five women on our radar to share with us their hopes and dreams and deepen our understanding of what it really means to be a woman in 2018.  

Danielle Alyssa Bowler is a writer from a small coastal town on KwaZulu Natal's South Coast, called Ifafa Beach. Her writing is rooted in her feminism, and she writes from a place where her frustrations, joys, anger, bliss and activist energies co-exist. 

First thought when you read "Dear females/ladies, ....?"

Bye Felicia. Generally, whatever follows in the wake of these words either blames women for the societal position they are in, polices our behaviour on the basis of what is thought to be respectable/right, pits women against each other, or expresses a range of patriarchal and misogynist thoughts about gender. So I keep scrolling and keep it moving.

What's your opinion on how National Women's Day is celebrated?

For many people it is an incredibly frustrating time, as many feminist writers have pointed out. The category of 'woman' and gender is so narrowly defined in 'celebrations' during the month: stereotypes persist and are pervasive and inescapable. We need more than one month in which events are held, panels created and lip service paid to issues of a broadly defined gender inequality and marginalisation. The day's roots which commemorate the march of 1956 are incredibly important, as was the #TotalShutdown that happened earlier this month – but the way the day has been interpreted across many sectors often serves to undermine feminist activism around gender and the work that the day/moment claims to want to do in the world. 

What was your favourite feminist moment of the last year?

My favourite feminist moment from the last year was from Samira Raheem, a young model and actress. She is a 'yaaaaaaaaaaassssss' in human form. As I woke up and scrolled through Twitter, I came across a video from Slutwalk where Samira deconstructed the word 'slut' and exposed the sexism behind its use and meaning with such finesse, accessibility, humour and fearlessness. Her words are so important, as she declared: "I own my body…My body is not a political playground. It's not a place for legislation. It's mine and it's my future." It reminded me why I love popular culture so much and why I believe it is so important for the work that feminism does in the world and in exposing people to theory in different ways.

 Samira is a feminist mood. Watching someone state 'your mic is a slut' to a patriarch? ICONIC. 

How you feel about the representation of women in the media, film and pop culture?

Representation can be tricky. On one hand it is incredibly important for oppressed groups to be represented – it's glorious for people to see themselves in media, film and popular culture. It is also important for us to own our stories, and be the ones telling them. On the other hand, the way that representation can play out can feel like brands, organisations and institutions are striving to include marginalised people because it is 'on-trend', profitable or what is expected in this pop culture moment - rather than truly attempting to reframe, rethink and restructure their mode of working and thinking as well as reshape and widen the narratives and images that exist. For many of us, we want to be seen as human beings and not as consumers or 'target markets' in a corporatized culture. 

I will always fight for and champion representation, which also means being critical about the way it can be co-opted to serve other purposes that play into the dominant and damaging oppressive structures of power in world.

A thought leader who provides creative insights, Phendu Kuta is a freelance writer and speaker as well as the founder, editor and creative director of Unlabelled Magazine. 

What does it mean to be a woman in South Africa in 2018?

It means we have a voice and we have the power to shift things. We are better equipped than ever before to be in leadership positions and to drive conversations as well to just be as we wish to be without being confined to the expectations of what the world says we should be. 

What's your opinion on how the day is celebrated nationally?

I think we over-emphasize celebrating women on one specific day whereas we should try and ensure that women are recognised, celebrated and respected regardless of the month or day. Of course, I appreciate that there is a month and day set aside particularly for the celebration of women, but if we built a society that respects and appreciates women regardless of the month or day, maybe the abuse and degradation of women in this country would decrease. 

What advice would you give to women struggling in a male dominated industry?

Stand your ground, do your best and learn as much as you can. For me, personally, I have never let my gender be a defining factor of my success. I am forging my own path, which will become more evident soon, but I have learnt that you have to learn from the best, but in learning from others you have to draw from your own strengths to create work that is inimitable.

Why do you think your industry would benefit from more female leaders?

Diversity in any sense, gender, race, culture, etc. can always be a good thing. More representation means more opportunities for future generations, but obviously representation must never be a substitute for mediocrity.

How you feel about the representation of women in the media, film and pop culture?

There are major shifts and positive changes which is great, but we still have a long way to go. I'm Particularly concerned about the misogynistic portrayal of women in music videos. I get that sex sells but surely a woman can be more than a pretty face and a nice body?

What does gender equality mean to you, in your own personal life?

I was raised by a single mother, so being a strong independent woman is sort of in my DNA. I work with men most of the time, so I've almost always seen myself as an equal to my peers and men in general. I recognise our differences but I am not intimidated by them. 

What do you hope for young women like yourself in the future?

I could go on and on about the things I hope for the youth in general, but its more about the people and organisations with the resources to recognise that there's more to be done to improve the state of our society and make the necessary changes.

With the ability and experience in art directing, styling and sometimes even designing the wardrobes of her projects; 27-year-old photographer, stylist and model scout Sarah Hugo-Hamman  refuses to be labelled or defined by what she does or how she looks. 

What does it mean to be a woman in South Africa in 2018?

For me, as a white women who lives in South Africa, I see my role as supportive. As a white women I can't sit here and talk about what it's like being a women in this country when like in all honesty, it's just not space I'm interested in filling. No matter what I've been through or experienced, whilst valuable to my own life, it will never come close to the experience of POC women and men in this country . 

Who's the most incredible, inspiring woman in the country right now and why?

I'm not interested in signalling out individuals, there are too many women in this country who are doing incredible things every day. There's no point comparing, because no one person can ever understand what the other is or has gone through or where they are at in their own story. I am proud and inspired by so many different women and just from the last two last projects I worked on, FAKA MUSIC VIDEO, and a fashion film submitted for the last BOKEH festival, it only makes me more excited for what is to come for all of us in the future.

Why do you think your industry would benefit from more female leaders?

Within Design Thinking, they talk about how the best ideas are formed from the broadest spectrum of people coming together, bringing all their various perspectives, contexts and talents and creating something from that. Diversifying your team by incorporating those who identify as women from various backgrounds can not not be beneficial to any project. I suppose it's having an equal representation of people, whether we talking gender or race. It also doesn't hurt having someone else in the room who understands you on that level.

What's the greatest misconception about women today?

One misconception that I think we still working on is the idea that we all think and feel the same way. But it's fine, for me, I love when people underestimate me as it makes it that much more entertaining when I prove them wrong. 

Men are trash, but what about women? 

Yah, we're trash too, and anyone who says that we're not is lying to themselves. We have the capacity to be the absolute worst, and can cause pain the only way a women knows how. But men are trash and their behaviour has played a role in how women treat one another. At the end of the day, there's gold lying in amongst it all and finding it is completely up to you and the choices you make. 

If 21-year-old WITS law student and part-time model, Tumi Ntsewa had her way she'd celebrate Women's Day being waited on by "cis-gendered heterosexual men in aprons serving us mimosa's and breakfast tapas on gold trays."

What does it mean to be a woman in South Africa in 2018?

Well, as a young black woman in South Africa it has been really cool seeing other black women doing the things that I want to do in the future. I feel that our spaces are changing because I see young successful black models in mainstream media and even in the legal sphere, there are women like Thuli Madonsela. These women make it possible for me to believe that my goals are not far-fetched or impossible.

Who's the most incredible, inspiring woman in the country right now and why?

I just think that I'm generally proud of what women are doing. Picking one person is impossible. I really think women are showing up in all spheres.

What's the most empowering thing about being a woman right now?

You can literally do what you want. As women in South Africa we have choices and can make decisions for ourselves and I find that really empowering. Like you can wake up and decide that you're going to be a deejay and just like, that you are!

What's your ultimate girl anthem?

Even though she didn't pitch at Afropunk, I really love Solange's 'Don't touch my hair'. This song really resonates with me as a black woman because it celebrates the versatility of black hair and pays homage to our identity and experiences. It also touches on the frustrations of being a black woman and how the mainstream media looks at black hair and define us by it.

What advice would you give to women struggling in a male dominated industry?

I think that in the legal field women are already breaking the mould. There are far more women advocates and attorneys than there ever were before. The world is changing and for it to keep changing women need to be consistent in fighting predominantly male spaces. But men also need to unlearn their patriarchy because we can't do it alone.

What's the most difficult thing you've had to learn or come to terms with as a woman?

We are not safe.

What do you hope for young women like yourself in the future

I really want more representation. I want young black women to see themselves more in everything, in our magazines, in our literature, in music and politics. Seeing people that look like you achieve great success is so important as a young black child because it's a building block towards self-love.

The DJ, producer and stylist Xoliswa Deniece Moyo express herself through her creativity, and will be doing just that at two Women's Day events in Braamfontein this Women's Day. 

What's your opinion on how the day is celebrated nationally?

I think it's great how this day is celebrated nationally. It's just a shame that we are only made a priority in August.

Who's the most incredible, inspiring woman in the country right now and why?

Winnie Mandela, because of her bravery as a woman and her great leadership qualities

What's the most empowering thing about being a woman right now?

Being able to show people what women can do and telling my story as a woman

What should men do on this day and every day?

Men should be accountable for themselves and their actions every day. We should be able to feel safe no matter where we are or what we are wearing.

What's your ultimate girl anthem?

Erykah Badu's 'Cleva'.

Who is paving the way for female leaders of the future in SA?

There are so many women in different areas & walks of life. Bonang, Caster Semenya and Sho Madjozi to name three. 

What was your favourite feminist moment of the last year?

Women coming together to wear all black with a doek in honour of Mama Winnie Mandela.

How you feel about the representation of women in the media, film and pop culture?

I think it's slowly getting there. It would be nice for there to be better representation of darker skinned women, too.

What's the most difficult thing you've had to learn or come to terms with as a woman?

The fact that I'm not safe simply because I'm not a woman. 

What does gender equality mean to you, in your own personal life?

Gender equality to means not having to prove why you can do something because of your gender.

What do you hope for young women like yourself in the future

I hope that young women in the future won't have to always have something to prove to men. I also hope that women will be able to feel safe no matter who they're around, where they are and what they are wearing.

How do you envision a world with more women leaders?

The world would definitely be a better place with more women leaders. Women can bring new perspectives, ideas and solutions to the table.

Men are trash, but what about women? 

Once rape statistics go down, then maybe we can chat about it