In celebration of Women's Month, Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 (SU) is shining a spotlight on extraordinary staff and students on our campuses who champion women's rights and gender equality. Through their dedication and leadership, they inspire and drive positive change within our community. Solomzi Mphambo is a proud feminist and a passionate voice on campus as the Student Representative Council (SRC) member responsible for the Womxn and Queer Empowerment portfolio (WAQE).
Can you share a defining moment in your life that solidified your commitment to gender issues?
I think I've always been a feminist and growing up witnessing my mother's struggles as a single parent made me aware of the injustices black women suffer in our society. What solidified my commitment was when I started reading feminist texts, especially the work of black feminists. That gave me the strength to advocate for Black women and to become part of important conversations about problems we face as a society. I always try to embody black feminism when I walk into spaces.
Who are your role models?
Academically definitely bell hooks, because of how clearly she shows that classifications such as race, gender, sexual identity and class are interconnected and ignoring that intersection creates oppression towards women. In terms of popular culture, Beyonce is my hero. I love how she always tries to advocate for women and that she occupies spaces for black women.
Can you tell us about your family and how they have supported you?
My family has always been super supportive. My mom and aunts and my grandmother have always embraced me, I love them so much. As a queer person, they never made me feel like an outsider in the family and they never tried to box me in. They've also allowed me to have full autonomy to do whatever I want with my life.
What are you studying and how does that influence your activism?
I'm a BA student majoring in philosophy and political science. My academic work ties in nicely with my activism because the Womxn and Queer Empowerment portfolio aims to actively diminish institutional patriarchy, end rape culture and gender-based violence (GBV). All these issues are rooted in our social and political landscapes, so my academic work provides a foundation from which I can critically think about ways to empower and help women and queer people.
How do you support and empower queer students on campus, and what initiatives have you implemented to create a safe and inclusive environment?
Over the past year we have had many conversations on campus about gender-based violence, queerness and homophobia. One of the challenges we identified is including the voices of men in these discussions, because it's always mostly women taking part.
We were hoping to facilitate a conference for men, but the logistics behind that idea was too daunting. We decided to instead host a Gender Equality Week on campus happening this week to invite everyone to the conversation.
We're embracing gender equality, offering engagements around gender dynamics and queerness through literature and music as well as also celebrating our resilience in the fight against GBV. To mark the end of Women's Month, WAQE hopes to not only raise awareness about gender inequality and the ongoing violence against women and queer individuals, but to also encourage discourse on gender equality.
What hobbies or activities do you enjoy?
I love writing poetry and reciting my work. It helps me cope with heartbreak and to make sense of life's challenges. I'm an avid reader. I prefer books that deepen my understanding of feminism, because it's a very broad ideology. I also enjoy social media. The platform I spend most time on is X (formerly Twitter), it's the most real one. It's very informative and there's always interesting discourses happening.
How would you describe your experiences at SU?
It has been an eye-opening experience and very enriching. I came from a background where I was unaware of the transformation that was happening at SU. There is still some unlearning that some people must do, but overall, I feel comfortable here and I've enjoyed my experiences at SU. I decided to go into student leadership because I wanted to be part of the transformation process. I believe university life is a microcosm of society, and we all have a responsibility to contribute to changing our world for the better. This is the place where you really let go of your prejudices to become a better and kinder person.
Are you hopeful that we can end GBV in South Africa?
GBV is a complex problem that is woven deep into the fabric of our society. You firstly need a willingness to unravel the different layers of the problem so that we understand what we're dealing with. We have a long way to go doing that, but we should not be discouraged. Much more can be done by government to support victims of GBV to make the reporting process less traumatic and to ensure that victims get the assistance they need to not suffer in silence. The government must provide a better legal framework and resources to protect the vulnerable but as a society, our responsibility is to educate ourselves and provide support wherever we can. We need to continue having honest and inclusive conversations.
How do you celebrate Women's Month?
Women's Month is a very special time of the year. On Women's Day I like to revisit books I love to immerse myself in the wisdom of women. As a black feminist, I'm so inspired by the historical underpinnings of Women's Day and Women's Month in South Africa. The Women's March to the Union Buildings in 1956 was a profoundly symbolic moment, showing the power of women of all races standing up for justice together. These women, from all walks of life, defied the patriarchal and racist system that sought to silence and control them, demonstrating that collective action can challenge even the most entrenched injustices. It was such a monumental event.
The march not only paved the way for future generations of South African women but also fuels my commitment to continue the fight for equality and justice in our society today. Despite our struggles and our differences, we can unite to face the common enemy – patriarchy.
PHOTO: Stefan Els
?
