.....UMFANEKISO WOMAMA OQINQWE NGOCINGO.....EK IS DRAADVROU!

Hi, Molo, Hallo! My 'birth mothers' were Sue Kramer (above) and Lovell Friedman (below. They designed me in 2016 and I was built by a team of wonderful wire workers at Street Wires.

But I was conceived by a whole group of women to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Women's March on August 9 1956 when 20,000 women walked to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the Pass Laws and demand peace, justice and freedom. Here are just some them welcoming me to Artscape.

Because there are only two other statues of women in Cape Town (eish!), I was created to represent ALL women in the Mother City, past, living and those yet to be born. So it was important that I should look good and be well dressed.

I was 'launched' so to speak, at Artscape's annual Women's Humanity Arts Festival. My new family at Woman Zone had been given many metres of shweshwe fabric by Da Gama Textiles to decorate the truck that would be leading their Women's Humanity Walk - they had quite a bit left over, so they were able to give me a shawl and a doek.....

....but my real 'clothes' were going to be labels written by the women of Cape Town with the names of their women heros, role models, loved family members or just friends.

Marlene le Roux, my 'godmother' and CEO of Artscape was one of the first to write a name and attach it to my skirt....

After that a rush of women (and a few men) came to add their name labels, at the launch, throughout the Festival and beyond.

Here I am with my proud birth mothers and godmother. Thank you lovely ladies for bringing me into being, and to all the 'doulas' who helped.

After that I was brought up and proudly displayed in the Artscape foyer, my labelled. layered skirt, fluttering in the wind.

Of course, being a woman, it wasn't long before I needed a new outfit.

And just in time for summer, I was transformed into Mother Earth by Annie Bisset!

Then, yup, you guessed, once my 'dressers' saw that I responded well to new outfits, they gave me another one - and here I am a few months later as Woman of Words! Covered in proof pages from books supplied by Modjaji, publisher of women's titles.

....and then, true as Bob, Annie's at it again........

So here I am as a very smart lady from the Bo-Kaap - and please note my fancy silver slippers from Artscape's wardrobe department!

And no, this is not my dancing partner, this is me being moved to the stairwell on the way to the Chandelier Foyer!

Next came Christmas and here I am as Joy, to the world.

And though I say it myself, I looked rather good at night as well!

But then my team got busy again! This time Willemien de Villiers joined Annie....and I went seriously colourful....

...turned into the kaleidoscopic Khayelitsha yoyo queen, using yoyos made by The Everywoman Project (but that's another Woman Zone story).

But you know what they say about change - compulsive and inevitable.....and here I am as Mama Afrique.....

....and visitors from home and abroad just love to have their picture taken with me. Sadly I can't do selfies.

Until, reduced down to my undergarments, I took a short break.....

....while my dressers Annie and Nancy took a visit to Artscape's incredible wardrobe department overseen by Fritz Feinauer. And look what they found.....

So here I am transforming back in time, into no less an historical figure than.....

Krotoa herself! Otherwise known by her colonial employers, the van Riebeeck Family, as Eva.

And just in case you dont know my story as Krotoa.....here it is, in an extract from a book called 'Like Family' by Ena Jansen. This certainly wont be my last incarnation as one of the many women of Cape Town, so if you have any ideas on who else I could be, or you would like to help with future outfits, do get in touch on info@womanzonect.co.za. Much love, WIRE WOMAN xx

​Coolest choice of venue for the WOMAN ZONE year-end lunch was 4ROOMED eKASI CULTURE in Khayelitsha - chez Abigail!

So, meet Abigail Mbalo - mostest hostess who welcomed us with warmth, joy and the widest smile into her eKasi Cultural kitchen.....

The food is classy...glazed pap with microherbs a favourite.....

.....and appetites were hearty - with calls for more!

And the visuals, irresistible!

....fresh and flourishing.....

....with service to match......

There were intros and welcomes...

And Abigail shared her self-determined story from dental technician in the suburbs to creative restaurant royalty in the township - and uber inspiration....

She sure had our attention.....

Maria followed with her story of domestic worker to guest house owner....

Followed by activist Pharie with her's of founding Lulibo an organisation to uplift young women in Nyanga....

Storytellers Nolu, Philippa and Gilly told us a bit about their own stories.....

....some of us took the opportunity for a nap.....

...while the busy kitchen was busy preparing for the next arrivals.....

....and finally time for us to say hambani kahle.....

......and smiling Talent the driver kindly came to take us all home in a smart MLT Corp bus.....a treat!

With special thanks, a warm hug and a Woman Zone YoYO badge to the divine Miss Abigail....until we meet again. A five star visit to: www.4roomedekasiculture.com with five star transport with www.mltcorp.co.za

Take two women who've not only plunged the depths of addiction, but written the book and come out the other side in tact - and you have a recipe for some serious wisdom. SARA-JAYNE KING (left) author of Killing Karoline and MELINDA FERGUSON author of Smacked, of Hooked and of Crashed shared some explosive anecdotes and some incisive insight at a Story Cafe last weekend. Just a few memorable quotes: 'Addicts feel very at home with failure.' 'If I'd written a book in active addiction it would have been bullshit.' 'Catharsis is overrated.' 'Once I'd put my darkness into the light - the light spread.' 'The shit doesn't go away just because you've written a book.' 'Use your privilege - go to a clinic.'

The theme for The Women's Humanity Walk this year was Uniting Cape Town in Faith...

....and it got off to an early start at the Bo-Kaap - under the watchful eye of Table Mountain.

Early arrivals got the Schotschekloof Community Centre, warmed up - thanks Beryl - and wired up for sound - thanks Luyanda of Selective Hearing.

....till very soon the crowds had gathered.

Everyone was a VIP, but it was a special honour to have Cape Town City Mayor Patricia de Lille with us.....

....so the Mayor and Marlene delivered powerful words, and songs....

....and there were prayers and blessings by women faith leaders from SAFFI South African Faith and Family Institute - with sign interpretation by Nombulelo.

And then we were on our way....

Kari marshaled the willing City marshals.....

....while those travelling in special style, courtesy Cape Town Side Car Adventures got buckled up.....

....and some in need of wheels, brought their own!

Especial thanks to the Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies who carried our flag with a song in their hearts.....

....and the biker gals took the lead around St George's Cathedral.....

Smiles, song and sunlight bonded the faithful of all denominations together....

.....and the stragglers brought up the rear....

Marshals marshaled with pride.....

....women walked and talked.....

....families and communities showed their spirit....

....and some just couldn't keep from grinning.

At the end of Adderly St, the procession rounded the bend....

...with Marlene and mascot Christopher in poll position...

And we arrived safe, sound and fully amped.

Our Walk done for another year....

......and well covered by a battery of cameras....

....it was time to mark the occasion of Artscape's Women's Humanity Arts Festival.....

....with joy....

....with thanks - to Naushad for providing over 4000 meals.....

....and with a fabulous song and dance programme courtesy Sis Thoko.

And all in the name of Faith. Thank you to all who walked in good faith with us - and we look forward to seeing you next year. The WOMAN ZONE team. xx Photographs courtesy Theresa Smith.

The Woman's Walk and Talk - Past and Present got off to a fragrant start at the Fynbos Experience at Cape Town Heritage Centre in the Company's Garden.....

.....Giselle Courtney talks us through the scented teas.....

.....the Whites Only bench in Queen Victoria Street brings us back to realities and memories....

....more memories evoked by Mary Burton who shared stories from her book, The Black Sash: Women for Freedom and Justice....

.....outside St George's Cathedral - symbol of peace and protest and a haven of refuge in so many ways, then and now.

On we stride through the streets and squares - talking and stopping to share.....

.....till we reach Krotoa Place where we think of young Khoi heroine Eva Krotoa and Bernie Mshana tells us all about Brave: Rock Girl the organisation empowering young women.....

....and there's a photo op on the new timber Rock Girl bench made to take the place of the mosaic one that honoured Krotoa before it was destroyed by Khoisan activists.

....where having worked up an appetite we did justice to the hot delicious food....

....and Tanzanian Bernie felt right at home - and was persuaded to tell her own story.

The Life Righting Collective came to our Women's Library for the launch of their anthology called 'This is how it is', and this is how it was....

...there was reading of some intensely personal writing.....and even more respectful listening.....

.....respectful listening from both sides of the room....

......till all the readers had read.....

....and everyone joined in to celebrate and smile....

....with some extra big smiles.....

....and some very special sharing moments.

So that is how it was. If you'd like to be a Righter or a Reader check the The Life Righting Collective site www.liferighting.com Thank you LRC. We look forward to more Righting soon.

So FEMINISM IS....whatever works for you......

.....that's according to JEN THORPE editor and birth mother of the book of the same name. Great to have her give a workshop at Woman Zone - where better!

The book is a collection of about essays by different women giving their take on the subject - amongst them, Bongeka Masango....

There was a great deal of listening....

....quite a bit of questioning...

....a great deal of thinking and writing....

....and some conferring....

....more questions than answers really....

...and inevitably tea, talk and networking....

...and lots to think about with a strong take-home factor. Thank you Jen. Here's to FEMINISM in all its many guises!

...,..in which ironically author PHUMZILE SIMELANE KALUMBA paid wifely respect to facilitator and storyteller Philippa Kabali-Kagwa as a Ugandan!

....and at which....

.....everyone was invited to introduce each other, by their name.....

Some, like Gogo, had much to say about their name.....

.....some less, and differently....

.....but again, much to be shared.....

....and learned....

And then the signing, the reading - and more thanks to author Phumzile and publisher Colleen Higgs. What an enriching day at WOMAN ZONE....thank you everyone for talking - and sharing! WZ xx

In the inner sanctum of St George's Cathedral in Cape Town, a cryptic but blessed choice of venue for the launch of a very special book....

.....and This Is How It Is! With contributions from members of the Life Righting Collective.

The the audience was amped....

Singer, poet Philippa Kabali-Kagwa got everyones attention with words spoken and sung.....

....and the contributing authors were called to receive their books.....

And then the writers delivered their words in the manner of their choice.....

It took FLORA DLODLO 38 years and 7 months to write her book.....

....well sort of - rather she had 38 years and 7 months of practice in being married so she could write 'Navigating the Marriage Relationship' from an informed perspective.

Understandably the topic gave rise to a great deal of interesting discussion - and lots of equally interesting questions.

....a great deal of sharing....

Till Flora's book was well and truly launched!

And a copy donated to the Woman's Library - received by chief librarian Beryl Eichenberger with love from Flora. Thank you Mama Flora. ps the book is available through Lesedi House Publishers - find them on facebook or through Amazon and other online stores. If you would like a book lunch at the Woman's Library - contact us on info@womanzonect.co.za

Three months after the first Digital Storytelling workshop with Asanda and Daniela....two determined delegates were back at the Women's Library at Artscape......

.....so we got stuck right in - first with the written word.....

.....quite a bit of planning.....

....some serious editing.....

.....some previewing.....

....some reviewing and rewriting......

.....a lot of tea.....

....and found inspiration.

....a spot of out-of-the-box thinking....

...did I mention a lot of tea?.....

.....a final preview......

And very finally, some tired but happy customers, from left: Thoko, Asanda, Gail, Daniela and Nancy. Thanks so much to Asanda Ngoasheng and Daniela Gachago for their care, commitment and creative input! Watch this space for the finished products....and details of the next workshop. x