How reading unlocked the potential of a reserved girl
I AM every woman. This is a statement I live by. This means that I cannot separate myself from the issues and experiences that women from different walks of life are faced with. Their pain is my pain. Their achievements are my achievements. I am EVERY woman.
It is through reading that I have been introduced to many different women who have helped me discover parts of myself that I did not know existed. The one book that has significantly changed my life must be The Colour Purple by Alice Walker.
The book tells the story of a young woman, Celie, who was violated by society, by her family and had her identity stripped away from her. Through interacting with other women with similar struggles, she found her own voice and power.
Part of the reason the book had such an impact on my life is that I found a lot of similarities between myself and the main character.
Growing up, I was a quiet, reserved child, who was very passive towards life and that passiveness spilled over into my adult years: I never owned my space and my purpose.
Reading The Colour Purple was almost like reading a book about myself. If I had been born in another time, in another family – that could have easily been my story. I lived in better conditions and better times than Celie, so I realised I had no excuse to be leading my life the way I was.
It was then that I realised the responsibility I had in taking control of my own life, in finding my voice, not just for me, but for the next generation of women.
The book taught me the most powerful lesson, which is that women can liberate one another.
The only tool that is a catalyst in the liberation of women, is education. One of the areas I realised early on that I thrived in, was academics.
In academics, your performance isn’t based on whether you’re black or white, male or female.
I applied myself heavily in my academics from a young age, as that is where I gained confidence.
In some ways, I felt the playing field was levelled and that is where I believe I first encountered what I call my #BlackGirlMagic, where I found the space to raise my voice as a black woman and joined in celebrating each other’s beauty, power and resilience.
I strongly believe that as women, particularly women of colour, it is our duty to not only inspire but to empower one another.
It is through telling our stories that we become empowered and empower other young women.
Our magic lies in being unapologetic and unashamed of our stories and truly being able to say, “I am EVERY woman”.
Maqondwana is a radio presenter, MC, entertainer and academic.
● This Women’s Month, Nal’ibali is paying tribute to all South African women and has joined forces with Buhle Ngaba, author of The Girl Without a Sound. You can download her book in four languages at http://nalibali.org/newsblog/ Womens-Day
For more Nal’ibali information, visit www.nalibali.org or www.nalibali. CARLA Lever sat down with storyteller, educator and author Hluma Zakaza, and asked her questions about her work.
Can you tell me a little about the way you use storytelling in your work?
I am founder of Lisahluma Skills Development Services, an NPO focusing on cultural arts education and development for children between the ages of two to 14. I employ isiXhosa storytelling as an approach to literacy development in rural and township contexts. I have two projects: one in Zwelitsha township and another in Upper Nqolosa location, Tsomo, where I come from.
Where do you draw your stories from? Do you creatively adapt material and add your own touches or do you see yourself more as a living archive of South African stories?
I regard orality as my culture because I was raised by my grandmother. I use folktales I know, but often blend them to suit contemporaneity. I also write new ones in relation to history, agriculture and health issues which affect children’s development and welfare. Folktales are archived in our communities, not in individuals. They just need to be revived and afforded their important role in today’s society.
What role and significance did these stories historically have in communities?
Traditionally, stories were used in the evening around the fireplace with grandmothers as central narrators. They were a source of entertainment and informal education that contained important indigenous knowledge, values, wisdom and beliefs that shaped morality.
Is there a particular interaction or moment that really inspired you to keep doing this kind of work?
In my career journey, I have visited so many classrooms, mostly in rural schools. The day I started using folktales