What to do for Women’s Day: She Fest presents a commemorative series of events at Constitutional Hill to celebrate women during Women’s Month
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Set to take place in the coming week, She Fest will present a commemorative Women’s Month festival from 1 to 9 August 2024 hosted at Constitution Hill to celebrate South African women for their achievements and remarkable contributions over 30 years of democracy through uplifting and engaging activities ranging from film screenings, art exhibitions and even creative industry talks and workshops.
She Fest is an annual event and partnership initiative between Constitution Hill, Love Infinity Media and Sizoya Sibuye Foundation, which aims to empower women and foster inclusivity in the creative industry. Founder of She Fest, Noluthando Rotwane (DJ Teedo Love), shared that the initiative is a hub for empowerment, embracing diversity and inclusivity. It serves as a platform for information, job creation, and addressing crucial issues affecting women in the film and music industry.
The festival will kick off with a gala dinner dedicated to celebrating the exceptional achievements of 30 women who have contributed to South Africa’s transformation. These women include the likes of renowned singer and songwriter, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, actress Sophie Ndaba, singer and songwriter Lira, and many more incredible women.
She Fest will include a series of events open to the public:
August 1, 2024: 30 Years of Democracy Visual Arts Exhibition.
If you are an art connoisseur and enjoy activism through art then you will enjoy the arts exhibition that will focus on themes of freedom, women’s rights, and democracy. It will feature a dynamic group exhibition made up of art pieces created by women like Sue Williamson and Virginia Mngoma amongst others, and sourced from significant Johannesburg art institutions, such as The Market Photo Workshop and the Con Court Collection.
August 7 - 8, 2024: Inspiring Young Women: Take Girl Child to Conhill – Educational museum tours and Bill of Rights workshops.
August 7, 2024: Umbono Film Screenings – Featuring dialogues and screenings that highlight women in the film industry.
Film enthusiasts can look forward to two film screenings and engage in film industry discussions with industry experts including the likes of the Gauteng Film Comission (GFC), the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF). The two film screenings will shine a light on women in the film industry with films like Lobola: A Bride’s True Price directed by multi award winning director, Sihle Hlophe as well as Missy Ngamlana and Sinomtha Nduna’s short film Eruption. Ngamlana, a queer filmmaker and SAFTA 16 Award Winner, Nduna, both run Slate 2 Productions and will be part of the Q&A session that follows the film screenings. The topics will be focused on funding and initiatives that are aimed at developing women in the film industry.
August 8, 2024: Music Industry Talks
Attendees can engage in a music industry discussion where the focal point will be about a woman’s role in the industry and what available resources they can use to grow their careers and protect themselves from risky deals and contracts. To name a few, suitable organisations such as music management company, South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA) and music distribution company, Africori will have their respective representatives attend the discussion to provide detailed and relevant information.
August 9, 2024: Mental Health Dialogue
Leading with a discussion about mental health issues among women, mental health will take center stage on Women’s Day, 9 August 2024 followed by a relaxing yoga session with yogi and co-owner of Johannesburg’s The Nest Space, Banesa Molauoa Tseki. The day continues to get better with a free She Fest concert to add on to the feel-good atmosphere. The concert will feature local and international artists with the likes of former group member of The Soil Buhlebendalo, Lordkez, DJ Fae Fae, Brazil’s Miria Alves, and more.
The festival aims to honour the progress made in gender equality, recognize influential women leaders, share valuable knowledge through the creative industry talks and inspire future generations.