Sibikwa Arts Centre, in partnership with the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and the South African Cities Network, is proud to announce the launch of Seriti sa Basadi, a project that affords women a digital space to celebrate their strength and agency for change.
The project promotes awareness, collective understanding, and a (re)narrating of the present and future, from the perspective of South African women. The Seriti sa Basadi project will be presented via social media during Women’s Month, culminating in a virtual event at the end of August 2020.
Amidst the prevailing national climate, one need not look too far, nor too deeply, to see the indescribable forms of injustice, inequality and discrimination that girls and women around the country are subjected to. This unfortunate reality has become part of our daily lives, as it finds expression constantly in various media platforms. This foreign behaviour or practice is perpetuated by gender biases or stereotypes, and unorthodox patriarchal and cultural value systems.
Current statistics paint a grim picture particularly for young black South African women, as arguably the most disadvantaged and vulnerable group in terms of levels of education, unemployment, and access to justice. For young black women in peri-urban and rural areas, the situation is even more dire, due to the lack of media coverage and profiling, almost relegating them to the realm of obscurity. The promise of equal representation and inclusiveness as a tenet of a constitutional democracy remains an illusion for some women and girls on the ground. The burden of responsibility to live in a safe environment void of fear remains a sole obligation of women rather than society as a whole. This is further compounded by the socio-economic injustices premised on gender inequalities.
Working in collaboration with youth, women formations, community organisations and government departments, the project can change the current trajectory and ensure inclusion and universal access for all women and girls. Employing the Seriti sa Basadi project, the aim is to empower young women through imparting knowledge, learning and exploring alternative mechanisms and approaches to navigate the difficult circumstances that confront them, with positivity and hope.
Women of all ages, interested in participating, are invited to submit short recorded or written expressions, provocations or statements of their perspectives in respect of womanhood, to info@sibikwa.co.za during the month of July 2020.
At the end of July, a panel will review submissions and a selection of work will be shared on social media platforms during the month of August, leading up to an online event at the end of Women’s Month.
This event will comprise performances, presentations and a panel discussion between female artists, activists and allies, responding to the critical issues raised, and the role that creative and cultural expression can play in challenging and improving current realities, and envisioning a better future. A small number of airtime/data vouchers will be made available to participants from all nine provinces for the online event, through an application process – women who would like to receive this support are asked to submit a motivation letter to info@sibikwa.co.za by 14 August 2020.
More information regarding the online event will be shared in due course.
Submissions open: Monday, 13 July and close on Wednesday, 29 July 2020. Notifications of selection: Monday, 3 August 2020
Deadline for support motivation letters: Friday, 14 August 2020
Deadline for notifications of support: Friday, 21 August 2020
For more information, contact Caryn Green or Phyllis Klotz via email info@sibikwa.co.za or call 011 422 4359.