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by QW+ staff writer
Unique fellowship helps Women+ and LGBTQI+ activists be heard
Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal – Some 33 South African *Women+ and LGBTQI+ activists from marginalised, rural and low-income communities are being given a rare opportunity to learn how to make their voices heard.
Often working behind the scenes, out of the sight of mainstream media, they’ve been silently serving their communities in various fields, ranging from climate and social justice to children’s rights, youth, education about autism and gender-based violence, to name a few. Now, having been selected to take part in a unique fellowship programme, they’ve been given a chance to learn how to share what they do and drive change in their communities.
Offered by Quote This Woman+ (QW+), a South African non-profit organisation dedicated to amplifying women’s voices in the media, the South Africa 2024/25 Voices Fellowship Programme is being funded by The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, at no cost to the participants.
Running from December to June 2025, the programme will help empower the group with the confidence and skills they need to get coverage for the causes they are so passionate about. In telling their stories to wider society through different media, they’ll be able to create awareness about them and build networks to achieve their goals to challenge discrimination and oppression.
“Their efforts to advocate for their worthy causes will have a far louder resonance if they are able to engage more meaningfully with the media,” says Kath Magrobi, QW+ Director.
Magrobi says the group will work together to learn hands-on strategies for engaging with both traditional and online media, including radio, podcasts, TV, print, and Tik-Tok-like news formats. They’ll work on crafting practical advocacy campaigns, building leadership and acquiring valuable networking skills.
“They will be empowered to become change-agents and to build their profile and that of their causes. They have a meaningful contribution to make to the country’s social landscape, but without the knowledge they need to help get their messages out, their voices are often not heard. This programme will teach them how to maximise their chances of getting airtime and space in both mainstream and social media,” says Magrobi.
She adds that the diversity of the different causes currently being worked on by the various participants, and the wide geographical make-up of the group, means they’ll also be learning from and about each other.
Juanita Williams, managing editor at allAfrica.com and QW+ board member on the selection panel, said she was privileged to contribute to finalising “the list of incredibly impressive candidates for the QTW+ Fellowship”.
“I found the number of applications surprising at first because sometimes women don’t apply for the roles for which they’re qualified. And then it became obvious why the scope was so large; after all we know that women with a mission are hard-working and focused. I look forward to witnessing their development during the fellowship, and the inevitable benefits for their communities and South Africa,” said Williams.
Magrobi strongly believes that the work of activists, opinion-leaders and trail-blazers in marginalised communities deserves to be platformed in the media, adding that this brand-new fellowship offers chosen members the pragmatic tools they need to be heard and by doing so, help them drive positive change within their communities and beyond.
“We’re excited to watch the group develop their knowledge and talents, and see what they can achieve. We’re here to help them all the way.”
Hustling hard to help their communities – the work of three participants
A Cape Town participant felt “a strong calling to create a healing and inclusive space for the LGBTQI+ community, addressing the unique challenges faced by this community within townships like mine”. The project they’re involved in helps provide a safe, affirming space for LGBTQI+ individuals where they can experience healing, express themselves, and find a supportive network. “I’m also refining my understanding of how art and facilitation can foster healing and create dialogue. Much of my work has been ‘behind the scenes,’ involving research, planning, and reflection, which I see as critical preparation for eventually taking this work directly into my community.”
To the left: QW+ Fellow Phelisa Sikwata
While there is a wide variety of areas of interests among the participants, one community champion chosen for the fellowship works on access to housing in the gang-ridden Mannenberg area. “Our organization has a zero budget and we did this work with hustle and with our comrades’ and the community’s support…Doing the work on a voluntary basis makes it more personal, because so many of the families are unemployed and going through so much. This makes me more determined to tell their stories.”
To the left: QW+ Fellow Kashiefa Achmat
Another participant organises ‘booknics’ which are community-centred reading picnics aimed at helping children read for comprehension and pleasure. “I grew up in the Free State, where reading was a huge part of my life and helped me learn to express myself. When I moved to Cape Town, I was heartbroken to see how limited literacy opportunities were in the townships. I knew I had to do something, even if it took time.”
To the left: QW+ Fellow Zimkitha Zilo
Contact: Kath Magrobi, Director at Quote This Woman+, kath@quotethiswoman.org.za
About Quote This Woman+
Quote This Woman+ (QW+) is a South African non-profit organisation dedicated to improving gender representation in the media. QW+ works to promote women+ experts as credible sources on a wide range of topics by providing a database to journalists. The aim is to bridge the gender representation gap and shape public narratives that reflect a more inclusive society.
About the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives
The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) supports grassroots projects led by local civil-society organisations that understand and respond to the unique needs of their communities. Each year, the CFLI funds projects across a range of focus areas, from fostering inclusive governance and promoting gender equality to building climate resilience and promoting human rights. By prioritising local groups, CFLI enables community-driven solutions that foster prosperity, well-being, and sustainable development. To learn more about the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, please visit the website.