 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
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 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  Test driving the new Circle-in- the-City route as it appears on the MapMyWay site - WOMAN ZONE, friends and visitors gathered at the starting point: Charly's Bakery - icing sugar pink, woman owned coffee shop in Canterbury St....ready to roll.....  ....first stop along the way was The Old Granary In Buitenkant St, once a woman's gaol back in the 19th century where women suffered, not just for their 'crimes' but for their gender....  ....and then a moment to rest and reflect on the acheivements of Cissie Gool who in 1962 became the first black woman to be called to the Cape Bar and who became known as the ‘jewel of District Six’. This memorial to her created by artist Ruth Sacks shows the different laws that she helped to pass.  As we near the City Hall and the Library in Darling St, Philippa points out another memorial artwork in honour of so many missing children....definitely something for every mother, every parent, to reflect on...  A walk around the Mother City would not be complete without a visit to the Flower Sellers of Adderley St....no easy job in these drought stricken times....  Possibly the saddest tale we hear along the way is that of Krotoa, the young woman born in 1642, employed by Jan van Riebeek, who went on to become an interpreter, but eventually died a broken woman approximately 30 years later....a tragic story - questionably retold in a recent movie, but look forward to a production on her life coming up later this year at Artscape (where WZ also has their Women's Library). At this spot , we also hear the more contemporary story of Rock Girl, an NPO empowering young women to improve their lot in life....  Along the route, we see many women - of all ages, plying their various trades - as artists, shop and gallery owners, stall holders....  ....and here, under former Archbishop Desmond Tutu's commemorative arch sandwiched between St George's Cathedral and a statue of Queen Victoria.......  ....as dancers....putting culture on display in front of Parliament where it's hoped that women's rights can be better recognised.....  There's all this and a lot more to take in on this walk-and-talk - and it was great to get additional info and input from many of the walkers. But an hour or so later, everyone was more than ready for a cup of coffee which, together with so many more woman-focused stories, we were able to find at the District Six Museum Cafe - run by, guess who - two women, Janine and Kelly....  ...who very kindly gave the tired walkers a free koeksister each, served with a smile by Shameegah, to revive their flagging spirits. If you're interested in walking the Circle-in-the-City route with us - get in touch on info@womanzonect.co.za. Or if you'd just like to do it for yourself, check it out on http://mapmyway.co.za/routes/womans-walk-talk/. Hope you enjoyed this taster - and that you'll find us on facebook Woman Zone CT - and sign on to our mailing list.  She came with tins and toilet roll inners, ribbons and a glue gun, Miss Trash to Treasure herself....  Sherelle Hallford of 'Fantasia' also came with the know-how.....which she was happy to share at the Treasure from Trash STORY CAFE....  First she shared her own story - which was a bit 'trash to treasure' in itself...to which everyone listened intently...  After that everyone got stuck in.....  There was some ideas-pooling.....  ....strategic systems planning....  ....method application.....  .....and due congratulations.....  ...intense concentration....  ....and more intense storysharing....  Until finally the projects were finished......  ....or nearly finished.....  ....proudly finished....  ...daintily finished....  ....boldly completed...  ....and delightfully done!  A fun and happy morning spent turning trash into treasure - from left: Terri, Nadima, Sybil, Flora, Sherelle, Gugu, Theresa and Mumtaz. And from WZ too a big thank you Sherelle Halford. Find our more on her facebook page. WZx  Very pleased to have hosted our first Digital Storytelling workshop at the Women's LIbrary....with specialist Dialogue Duo: Asanda Ngoasheng (left) and Daniela Gachago.....  The theme was: Exploring your Identity,subtitled 'when did you first realise you were black, white, coloured, Indian or.....and those of us there were ready to roll....  Daniela gave us the words.....  ....Asanda made sure we got the pictures....  And then came the stories....with Thoko leading the way....  ....followed by Nadia....  .....then by Melanie....  .....by Gayle.....  .....by Zoli....  ....by Lucia....  ....and by Leonie....  One morning was no way long enough to get through all the digital detail and the stories.....  ...so we agreed to meet up again next year to complete the picture.....Watch This Space! Thanks to everyone who came who taught, learned and shared. xx  Five years ago a small group of women got together at The Kitchen, a woman owned coffee shop in Woodstock, to discuss ways of sharing, understanding, growing and knowing each other. Last week a core group of the many hundreds of women who've been involved in WOMAN ZONE got together at Lelapa, a woman owned restaurant in Langa, to celebrate!  Our hosts were mother and daughter team Monica (left and Sheila Motsei Mahloane.  Sheila told us the amazing story of how Lelapa came to be from the tiny two-roomed house that it was. Frustrated by working as a domestic earning R40 a week, she set out on mission selling second hand clothes, then importing them from Bangkok and little by little raising the funds to buy a car, extend the house to what it is today and realise her goal of running a restaurant....in Langa, Cape Town's oldest township.  ....a well recognised and respected one at that....  Her story was captivating....and a lesson in determination.  Someone else who not only always has stories to share, but songs - and Philippa opened proceedings with a specially written Thank You song.....  Nancy shared a bit too - of our history, our milestones and the contributions of all the women present or just with us in spirit....  And so we were ready to eat.....(ps: spot the lone brave male, Mjikisile from Artscape's Board!)  And what a spread there was!....These were just a few of the vegetarian specials....  ....plates filled - not the moment to have waistline worries....  .....but to celebrate every dish, so deliciously put together....   .....by Monica and her kitchen team.....  There were some contented smiles.....  ....meaningful conversations.....  ....happy moments.....  ....togetherness....  .....and a good time had by all!  And a moment of magic as Malika, mamma moon, shared her poem 'In the Company of Women'....  ....and had us enrapt with her words and sounds....  ....enrapt!  Beryl shared the way forward...our future plans and projects....  ....and Daphne shared a lighter moment with our shweshwe rosette...!  Philippa tinkled the ebonies....  ....while Monica tots up the tally.....  ....and Annie gets the shot!  Some fond farewells....  ....bit of chaos.....  ....and time to say goodbye....  ....but not without a special thank you to Janet....mama MLT Corp for getting us there....  .....in style and comfort!  ...with a special thank you to Courtney for bringing us back to our Artscape home.  So thanks to all who came and shared our Ladies Lunch at Lelapa in Langa....lovely!   ....Thank yooooooo. x  Who's Who: Top row left to right: Mara Fleischer, Daphne Cooper, Sarah Jacobson, Lorna Zilwa, Mjiko Vulindlu. Middle row from left: Angelina Mhlawuyo, Janet Pillai, Lorraine de Villiers, Ethel Hamman, Theresa Smith, Melanie Lippert, Malika Ndlovu, Ntiski Sigege, Jennipher Gubuza, Odette Halliford, Marlene le Roux, Philippa Kabali-Kagwa. Bottom row, from left: Beryl Eichenberger, Anine Pheiffer, Lindisiwe Mlotywa, Sindiwe Magona, Carol du Toit, Annie Bisset, Nancy Richards.  Artscape's wardrobe of glittering costumes is one of Cape Town's best kept secrets. Or it was until Saturday when Gabeba Isaacs spilled the beans - at a WOMAN ZONE Story Cafe in her honour!  In conversation with journalist Theresa Smith she explained the inner workings of how these wonderful, sometimes weird outfits are made.  She talked about basic pattern blocks, darts and toiles - the language of a costumier.  ....about bodices, baubles, brocade and built-in sweat pads....and the duvet sized petticoat that makes the The Queen of Hearts frock fulsome....  .....about the fabric buyer, the curtain cloth and cutting sequinned cloth by the metre for Tina Turner's sexy shift....  And in the audience were two of her gurus - mentors Eva Parsons and Penny Simpson....  ...who joined in conversations about the unavailability of good fabrcs these days and how you have to improvise with patchworked leather outfits for Troillus and Andronicus.....    ....and the stories of the designs and designers are legion....Gabeba's archive file is thick with examples....  Turns out the talented Gabeba - who retires next month after nearly forty years in the wardrobe wonderland, is able to turn her hand to other things....like matric dresses....  So the other doyenne Wardrobe Women with all their wisdom were persuaded to come and share.....   ....and answer questions from the audience....  ...until it was time to say thank you....with flowers for the rare blooms of the wardrobe world....  ....meanwhile, all this time, Khayelitsha Yo-yo Queens. Jennipher and Angelina had been using the time wisely - stitching as they listened....  Just time for a photo-op to record the event.....  ...and pay tribute to all the fabulous women keeping sewing alive - most especially to Gabeba and we wish her well in the next chapter of her life which, we hope, will include passing on her skills. Watch this space!   ....then finally time to pack away all the wonders of the wardrobe back into their secret space. And just fyi, the wardrobe archive is the size of two rugby fields!!  ....last but not least, time to say thank you to Ambre Nicholson and Theresa Smith for getting this very special Woman Zone honouring STORY CAFE together. xx  Great gathering for our Story Cafe at the Women's Library August 8, called simply 'Women and Their Books.'  There was Ambre Nicholson with her A-Z of Amazing South African Women....  There was Colleen Higgs of Modjaji who published it.....  There was Chwayita Ngamlana with her debut novel, 'If I stay right here'.....  There was Qarnita Loxton with her first title too,'Being Kari'.....  There was the award-winning Maxine Case with her 'Softness of the Lime'....  As an added extra there was Emma Kriel with her 'Gathering Shards'....  There was lively debate and interaction.....  ....with family and friends.....  ....lots of questions....  ....and even autographs! Hope we'll see you at the next Story Cafe - watch our facebook page for details Woman Zone CT or sign up for our mailing list on info@womanzonect.co.za. See you then. xx |
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