The 12th African Women Writers’ Symposium took place on 17 and 18 October, at the Soweto Theatre, bringing together writers, academics and literary voices for two days of conversations, workshops, debates and performances.

 A key highlight was the Nadine Gordimer In Memoriam Lecture, delivered by acclaimed South African writer Sisonke Msimang, who explored the question, “What Does It Mean to Love South Africa?”

We spoke to Michelle Myeko Kekana about the significance of this gathering, the legacy of the women who helped shape it, and the role African women writers continue to play in shaping the continent’s stories and public discourse.

The 12th African Women Writers&rsquo; Symposium took place on 17 and 18 October, at the Soweto Theatre, bringing together writers, academics and literary voices for two days of conversations, workshops, debates and performances.
&nbsp;A key highlight was the Nadine Gordimer In Memoriam Lecture, delivered by acclaimed South African writer Sisonke Msimang, who explored the question, &ldquo;What Does It Mean to Love South Africa?&rdquo;
We spoke to Michelle Myeko Kekana about the significance of this gathering, the legacy of the women who helped shape it, and the role African women writers continue to play in shaping the continent&rsquo;s stories and public discourse.

The Journal, with Mmatsheko Mosito is a human-interest platform that explores the stories shaping our world through a thoughtful, solutions-oriented lens.

The show brings together voices from across sectors in policy, agriculture, arts, health, youth development, and beyond to unpack issues that matter to everyday people.

With a distinct tone that is both grounded and reflective, The Journal goes beyond headlines to examine the deeper context, lived experiences, and long-term implications of today’s conversations.

It creates space for meaningful dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and perspective-building, while amplifying African voices and narratives on a global stage.

At its core, the show is about connection, connecting ideas to action, people to purpose, and audiences to a more conscious understanding of the world around them.

The Journal, with Mmatsheko Mosito is a human-interest platform that explores the stories shaping our world through a thoughtful, solutions-oriented lens.
The show brings together voices from across sectors in policy, agriculture, arts, health, youth development, and beyond&nbsp;to unpack issues that matter to everyday people.
With a distinct tone that is both grounded and reflective, The Journal goes beyond headlines to examine the deeper context, lived experiences, and long-term implications of today&rsquo;s conversations.
It creates space for meaningful dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and perspective-building, while amplifying African voices and narratives on a global stage.
At its core, the show is about connection, connecting ideas to action, people to purpose, and audiences to a more conscious understanding of the world around them.

The Journal

Why do African women’s stories matter?

Johannesburg recently hosted the Yale Directors Forum Global Symposium 2026, convened by Yale University's Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage.
The gathering brought together cultural heritage leaders, scholars and practitioners from Africa and across the world to exchange knowledge and explore new approaches to preservation. 
Mmatsheko Mosito spoke to  Charlotte Ashamu, Director of International Programs at Yale University's Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage about the symposium's key conversations and what they mean for Africa's cultural heritage.

Johannesburg recently hosted the Yale Directors Forum Global Symposium 2026, convened by Yale University's Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage. The gathering brought together cultural heritage leaders, scholars and practitioners from Africa and across the world to exchange knowledge and explore new approaches to preservation.&nbsp; Mmatsheko Mosito spoke to &nbsp;Charlotte Ashamu, Director of International Programs at Yale University's Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage about the symposium's key conversations and what they mean for Africa's cultural heritage.

Yale Forum Connects Global Leaders to Preserve Cultural Heritage

The Real Shama Melody is a Nigerian Highlife and Bongo musician from Imo State in southeastern Nigeria, known for a sound deeply connected to the musical traditions and cultural identity of the Owerri and Igbo communities.

His music draws from Owerri Bongo, a distinctive indigenous musical tradition from southeastern Nigeria, blending traditional influences with Highlife and contemporary sounds. His work often carries themes of community, identity, life, relationships and the everyday experiences of people, while maintaining a strong connection to the cultural heritage of the region.

The Real Shama Melody is a Nigerian Highlife and Bongo musician from Imo State in southeastern Nigeria, known for a sound deeply connected to the musical traditions and cultural identity of the Owerri and Igbo communities.
His music draws from Owerri Bongo, a distinctive indigenous musical tradition from southeastern Nigeria, blending traditional influences with Highlife and contemporary sounds. His work often carries themes of community, identity, life, relationships and the everyday experiences of people, while maintaining a strong connection to the cultural heritage of the region.

Exploring the roots and cultural memory carried by Nigeria's Owerri Bongo music 

African cinema is gaining global recognition, but recognition alone does not build a sustainable film industry. Behind every successful production is a question that is often less visible: where does the money come from to develop, produce and distribute African stories, and who is willing to take the financial risk?

 

That question was at the centre of the inaugural African Film Investor Roundtable, held in Cape Town in July, bringing together 13 investors, 11 African producers and industry experts to focus on a challenge facing filmmakers across the continent: how to move from talented producers and compelling stories to a film industry that can attract serious, sustainable investment. The discussions included how to reduce risk across the film value chain, structure financing and unlock the value of intellectual property.

 

We spoke to Wakiuru Njuguna, Managing Partner of the HEVA Fund about this.

African cinema is gaining global recognition, but recognition alone does not build a sustainable film industry. Behind every successful production is a question that is often less visible: where does the money come from to develop, produce and distribute African stories, and who is willing to take the financial risk?
&nbsp;
That question was at the centre of the inaugural African Film Investor Roundtable, held in Cape Town in July, bringing together 13 investors, 11 African producers and industry experts to focus on a challenge facing filmmakers across the continent: how to move from talented producers and compelling stories to a film industry that can attract serious, sustainable investment. The discussions included how to reduce risk across the film value chain, structure financing and unlock the value of intellectual property.
&nbsp;
We spoke to Wakiuru Njuguna, Managing Partner of the HEVA Fund about this.

Why do African women’s stories matter?

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