Masingita Masunga.

It is great to write about a beautiful and powerful story, as the year 2020 will be known as a period of uncertainty and readjustments. My three passions in life are womxn, Africa, and the arts and in this blog, I to salute another mighty warrior, Masingita Masunga.

I met Masingita, in around 2002/2003 when I was still on Generations. At that time, she was the chief executive officer of the Miss Confidence Beauty Pageant, the only beauty pageant for people with physical disabilities. She asked me to sit as one of the judges, at her event at the Carlton Centre. From that day, I have been in awe of her brilliance, resilience, and agency. 

Masingita is one of those lights that do not need to exert themselves; their aura represents who they are when they enter the door.

Over the years, Masingita has become a household name through her TV show “Masingita With Confidence”. She is an established motivational and inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, producer, TV director, and philanthropist.

I respect her outlook on life and how we handle our circumstances. A few days ago, we shared a speaking platform, hosted by The Vodacom Foundation, and before the event began, we were able to catch up on life. She made laugh as we spoke about the Covai-19, and I shared my story, and in her true fashion, she flipped the narrative and made me see things from a positive perspective. She said, ‘Hau, Rosie, you have survived so much more, climbed Kilimanjaro, and you are worried about a virus that nobody can see, you were not going to go out like that’. I truly needed that belly laugh, and as I wiped my eyes of tears, I was happy to be back in her presence. I was ecstatic when during the event The Vodacom Foundations announced that she would be their new and first brand ambassador. This corporate decision is incredibly powerful and revolutionary. I remembered back in 2004, I had nominated her for a style award, as I was a judge at the time. The organiser had questioned me on her style and could not see the fit. As I explained, her ‘style’ was and is multi-faceted. On the outside, she is elegant, sexy, and sophisticated. Her zest for life speaks for itself, she walks the unimaginable paths but takes so many with her, for me, that is beyond any person who can afford a designer outfit. I knew that back then the world was not ready to acknowledge her brilliance and that one day it would arrive. Here she is standing tall and walking through her power. 

Who is Masingita?

Masingita is a Xitsonga name for babies meaning Miracles. She is the founder of MISS CONFIDENCE SA in 1999, the first beauty pageant for women with physical disabilities. She is currently the Managing Director of MASINGITA MASUNGA Media, a company whose business model focuses on several distinct but complementary businesses, operating in television production, exhibitions-conferencing and publishing, thus creating a synergistic business group. “Masingita with confidence show” is a 30 minutes talk production that flights on Soweto TV on the DSTV cable network weekly. The show, narrated in English, Xitsonga, Tshivenda Sesotho and IsiZuluin. The target audience is all members of the community young and old. The show features guests who undertake different life issues which are evident through people’s behaviours and circumstances. It is an inspirational show that helps South Africans find restoration, vision and purpose.

Her accolades include

• 2004 the Shoprite/Checkers Woman of the year Arts and Culture category, named one of the top ten women in South Africa by the Star newspaper
• 2005 Nominated for Cosmopolitan Mover of the year and the winner of the Amstel Salute to Success award
• 2006 She was one of the recipients of The Cosmopolitan Awesome Women award.
• 2007 Rapport/City Press prestigious Woman winner
• 2008 Recipient of the Mapungubwe Arts Award
• 2011 Conducted a 1 hour Tv interview with Dr Miles Munroe who had intentions of working with her and interviewing her on his show.
• She is as a case study for Project Management and Masters Degree Leadership class at the University of Witwatersrand Business School.
• Masingita provides the assistance needed by hardworking high achieving young people to access education and creating opportunities for better lives. She provides a variety of support to current recipients including funding of school fees, accommodation, and youth development programs for youth across South Africa, both with physical disabilities and those affected by the pains of a broken society. Her first recipient of a school bursary, Taryn Deckford, has just been accepted at the University of Cape Town to complete a Commerce degree in Accounting. 

The “Walk In My Shoes” initiative

“Walk In My Shoes” is an initiative by Masingita. The aim is to rally society to unite in helping the less fortunate by donating shoes. When referring to her summit up mount Kilimanjaro, she said “to this African child… no mountain is too high for you!”. 

Oh, and did I mention that she is a person living with Cerebral Palsy,  an abnormality in parts of the brain that control muscle movements and permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination, she has been able to beat the odds. Masingita challenged the education system when she failed grade 12 twice because of her handwriting, and from that experience, she became an activist and has dedicated her existence to change the narrative around how we see and don’t see people who live with disabilities. 

Congratulation as she takes on another revolutionary role as the ambassador, and I cannot wait to see the other barriers she breaks and platforms she creates.

Womxn get Sh*t done.

On my platforms, I always share that my passions in life are womxn, Africa and the arts. We know that before COVID-19, we faced a crisis and that’s is of gender-based violence. Under the GBV platform, we also need to understand the level of financial abuse that happens in many forms, from making somebody work and not paying them, controlling somebodies finances, the list is endless. We underestimate the reality that home care is work, in many homes, an aunt or grandmother takes care of the children, home chores, cooks. They too deserve to be paid. When we move into the corporate space, we know that there is a significant difference in what men earn as opposed to what women receive, from entry-level to CEO level. The entertainment industry is no different. Many survivors have lost work and been blocked from future work as they have spoken out on abuse or irregularities that happen in the industry and on sets, they are ostracised. With the loss of events and gigs, artists and entertainers have lost an income altogether, and as we do not fall under SA labour laws, we are not covered or protected, even though we have been paying our taxes.

So as history has dictated, womxn are often left to pick up the scraps and make ends meet. Look at our mothers or grandmothers struggles, and there are endless stories are of how women have put their children through school by selling and doing multiple jobs, such as hawkers or those selling fresh produce. Activism work is not respected, and on many occasions, it is expected of us to provide corporates and government with content regarding the issues that we fight for, this exchange is often likely to be pro bono or as many corporate states it is part of the CSI (corporate social investment). Unfortunately, many of us do not operate from a place of privilege, and therefore the work is still working and is our livelihood, and we should be paid for our intellectual property, time and content.

So as we brave the uncertain future, we have to operate on a different frequency. Myself and many of my warriors have to find additional streams of income. PR and advertising have coined the phrase; we are moving into a new normal, let us prioritise those in need and make it ‘normal’ to support them. I have formulated a brief list of where we can assist a few warriors, myself included.

Poz Candy
Yvette Raphael sells head scarfs and masks, which have been made by retired grandmothers. The collections include a bouquet of table sets all beautifully crafted with African prints.
Pieces of African print are also available for the manufacture of wraps, dress and other items for ware. Whatsapp number +27 76 612 7704

Pictures of their work.

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The Ntethelelo foundation.
Thokozani Ndaba is the founder of the Ntetheleo foundation. Due to the lockdown regulations, this community has been significantly affected and is need of many resources from sanitary ware for the ladies, basic household necessities, data for the children to get their homework. Their contacts details are
thokozani@ntethelelofoundation.org.za
More on their work – https://rosiemoteneblog.wordpress.com/2019/02/25/ntethelelo-mastering-the-art-of-forgiveness/

Dr Bev Ditsie.
Our global icon Dr Bev Ditsie has partnered with Colour Central and have created a limited edition of t-shirts, sweaters.
The proceeds of the sales will go towards Dr Bev doctor’s bills.
https://rosiemoteneblog.wordpress.com/2020/08/01/dr-bev-palesa-ditsie/

The merchandise.

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One Man studios.

Kgomotso Matsunyane is the founder of One Man studios, a studio space to rent for dance and rehearsal, photography and videography, exhibition and co-hosting space. They have also created an area called ‘Die Urban Padstal’. On designated dates, they host a space for entrepreneurs to come and sell their locally made and produced items.
Contact details 8 Rogers Street, Selby.
Lebo@oneman.co.za

Loyiso Saliso
Womxn and human rights activist, HIV, SGBV and SRHR advocate, researcher, intersectional feminist and facilitator. The founder of
Khanyisa Ikamva projects. Their main objective is to empower and assist marginalised womxn and youth with academic, psychological, economic and social development.
Ivs.khanyisaikamva@yahoo.com

Waka Talent Agency
I founded Waka Talent agency in 2011. I have a footprint in 14 African countries that include SA, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, DRC, Angola, Gabon, Lesotho, Botswana, Liberia. Many of our contacts cancelled as productions stopped due to the travel bans. We now focus on our talent working in the digital space. We have a bouquet of elite TV presenters and speakers who can host and moderate webinars. Many of our clients are brand ambassadors and are perfect choices for influencer campaigns as well as digital marketing. Between our clientele of talent, we can produce voice-over work in languages, Swahili, Nigerian pidgin, Ghanaian pidgin, Luganda, Yoruba, Igbo, Se Tswana, English, French and Angolan Portuguese.
http://www.wakaagency.biz

Website address

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#WeAreDoneTalking #Sueusall #Tellyourtruth

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, South Africa faced a crisis of its own, and that is gender-based violence. Johannesburg is named the rape capital of the world, and we have an alarmingly high rate of femicide.
In 2018, a collective of activists, NGO’s and academics issued our government with #24demands on what should happen about that crisis, they were accepted, but there has been no change. A few months later, the same activists and citizens invited the president to the first Gender summit, on stage, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, openly stated that we as a nation are in a crisis.

Over the decades, Intersectional Wom_n and Queer Bodies held protests, written essays and challenged our courts, yet our legal system does not support or protect those who speak out. When people speak out on their abuse, they are often intimidated, undermined, or publicly gaslighted; this is mainly when the alleged perpetrator is a public figure or wealthy. They then use their male privilege to silence survivors through PR campaigns and influential lawyers, who secure and granted urgent court applications. In many cases, the survivor has to deal with the emotional
trauma, the public scrutiny, and in some cases, even loses their jobs, then they have to face the injustice at the courts.
We have witnessed that these alleged violators have used these tactics of defamation of character and court papers, knowing that the police and judicial system does not support survivors.

The hashtag, #SueUsAll #WeAreDoneTalking is a public statement, confirming solidarity with survivors who have received lawyers letters with the hope of silencing them and causing additional trauma.

They are collating a list of lawyers, counsellors and organisations that can provide psycho-social support. They are open to creating partnerships that could assist in providing funding and support to those in need.
Contact wearedonetalking@gmail.com
Twitter @wearedonetalki1
Facebook: WeAre Donetalking
Instagram: @wearedonetalking

Information

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The Cheeky Natives.

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The Cheeky Natives is a literary podcast primarily focused on the review, curatorship and archiving of black literature. They also sell and distribute african literature and have assited in helping many local authors in selling and promoting their work. They offer moderating panels and written intrviews with authors and much much more.

http://www.cheekynatives.co.za

Dr. Bev Palesa Ditsie.

Dr Bev Palesa Ditsie

We walk amongst heroes and game-changers; some of us have the privilege of knowing these phenomenal people. Unfortunately, as history has dictated, we only honour and acknowledge their agency, once they have gone. As activists, we not only want to bring about change but also salute these soldiers, who took a stand, especially during a time when society sated that we do not have rights and we certainly do not have the right to be heard. 

Dr Bev Pales Ditsie, is one hero, who for decades has shifted many perspectives on our agency, voices but more importantly, spoke up for black African lesbians and continues to do phenomenal work for the LGBTQI community as a whole. 

Who is Dr Bev Ditsie?

Born during the apartheid regime, is an advocate for LGBTQI community, activist, artist, and filmmaker. Dr Ditsie, who is one of the founders of the gay rights organisation, Gay and Lesbian Organisation of the Witwatersrand (GLOW). South Africa’s first multiracial and political lesbian and gay rights group.

In 2019 Bev was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Claremont Graduate University in California. The honorary doctorate was to acknowledge this dedication and hard work in the fight for LGBTI equality.

The 4th UN World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995.

Dr Bev spoke at the United Nations Conference on Women in 1995 and was the first person to address gay and lesbian rights before at The United Nations. The aim was to convince UN delegates to “adopt resolutions recognising sexual diversity” A revolutionary moment for the African LGBTQI community as a whole. Dr Ditsie made a statement about the importance of including lesbian rights in discussions about the empowerment and upliftment of women. The speech is noted as being incredibly revolutionary as it was the first time an openly Black lesbian person did so. It was also the first time that the United Nations faced a discussion on considering the realities of LGBT people in the protection of human rights. In her address, Dr Ditsie argued that a focus on women’s rights should include the struggles of all women, saying that “if the world conference on women is to address the concerns of all women, it must similarly recognise that discrimination based on sexual orientation is a violation of basic human rights”.

The transcript of Ditsie’s address:

http://www.un.org/esa/gopher-data/conf/fwcw/conf/ngo/13123944.txtDr

The first and original pride.  

Dr Bev is one of the organisers of the first Pride March in South Africa, which took place in Johannesburg in 1990. Dr Bev and her friend and activist, Simon Nkoli, worked together on creating the first South African pride event. It was a pride of importance and a platform to target societal hatred and bigotry. The event received a lot of media attention, and soon Dr Bev became a known figure for speaking out on issues that the then society deemed taboo, this included her having to get added security.  

Career:

A young Dr Bev chose a career in media as a form of expression, which later allowed for the opportunity to merge activism with art. Since 1980, Ditsie has worked as an actress and director in television making her the first black female child star in television. In the late 1990s, with the emergence of reality TV, Dr Bev starred in the reality show, Livewire – Communities. The significant doctor’s credits include productions, having written, directed and consulted in over 20 Documentaries, screened nationally and internationally. The first documentary film, ‘Simon and I’ (2001),won several Audience Awards, including the 2004 Oxfam/Vues d’ Afrique best documentary, Montreal, Canada. 

The story of ‘Simon and I’  is autobiographical, following her “personal and political journey” with Nkoli. The film uses both interviews and archival material. Their story charts the history of the gay and lesbian liberation movement in South Africa and presents a personal account of the devastating AIDS epidemic in Africa. The story unfolds using a mixed format of interviews, archival images and newspaper clips. Dr Ditsie speaks about the problematic issue of sexism within the gay rights movement. 

‘Simon and I’ is a tribute to an enduring friendship and bond between two remarkable leaders and pays homage to Nkoli, whose hard work and unyielding determination moved South Africa to become the only country in the world to include sexual orientation in its constitutional Bill of Rights.

 

#BevbyColourCentral .

The Urban clothing brand that offers unisex ready-to-wear colourful streetwear has partnered with the icon, Dr Bev. 

Order the #BevbyColourCentral sweaters and hoodies to support the medical fund. To place an order, send a direct message on their Facebook page or through a WhatsApp message, to +27 83 611 3818.

The collaboration is to assist in fundraising for her medical fees (surgery). #SupportBev #Supportlocal #SupportColourCentral

Dr Bev, I honour you, I salute you and I thank you.