AFRIKAN LIBERATION GATHERING
2024
ROUND-UP
SEPTEMBER 14TH 2024 SEPTEMBER 14TH 2024
The Afrikan Liberation Gathering was a free, one-day festival that brought together Pan-Afrikan activists, thought leaders, creatives, and changemakers from across Southern Afrika and beyond. For our inaugural Gathering, our focus was on economic systems change and decolonial justice—rooted in Afrikan values of Ubuntu, collective prosperity, and radical engagement.
Through roundtable discussions, performances, and marketplace activations, we celebrated our diverse cultural heritage, amplified indigenous knowledge, and built community pathways towards a liberated future by exploring the ties between land, Afrikan liberation, and the role of alternative economic paradigms in securing justice for all.
Catch up on our day of transformative conversations, artistic expression, and community building, and don't forget to let us know what you thought of the Afrikan Liberation Gathering 2024!
THE PROGRAMME
The Afrikan Liberation Gathering 2024 was filled with dynamic conversations, thought-provoking roundtables, and powerful performances. From exploring Pan-Afrikanism and Indigenous Knowledge to discussing land and economic systems change, the Gathering created a space for reflection and action towards a liberated Afrika.
Highlights Include:
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Roundtable Discussions: Engaging dialogues on Pan-Afrikanism and the significance of land in realising economic systems change on the Afrikan continent.
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Facilitated Sessions: "Chew and Digest" sessions led by Jermaine Johnson to reflect on our personal contributions to Afrikan liberation brought about rich insight and hope for realising Afrikan Liberation.
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Artistic Performances: Marimba Jam, Drum Busters, and Moving into Dance lit up the stage with their energy and talent.
VIDEOS
THE SPEAKERS
Our speakers and moderators brought depth, knowledge, and the spirit of Ubuntu to the Afrikan Liberation Gathering 2024.
Lebohang Liepollo Pheko
Moderator
Lebohang Liepollo Pheko is a senior research fellow and political economist at a think tank called Trade Collective. She is an activist scholar, public intellectual, international movement builder and Afrikan feminist theoretician.
Sentle Nell
Moderator
Sentle Nell is a facilitator of dialogues and conferences with a focus on energy, climate change actions and sustainability in Africa, as well as the journey towards equitable energy transitions.
Jermain Johnson
Facilitator
Jermain Johnson is a registered Drama Therapist with the HPCSA - (Health Professions Council of South Africa) and qualified with his Masters in Drama Therapy from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2013 and is one of the few black male Drama Therapists in South Africa. As an Arts based facilitator and Practitioner he has worked in several contexts from schools, rehabilitation centres, corporations and many other spaces.With a background in the arts as a performer, he realised how the arts can be used to transform and provide support in a unique way.
Thobile Chittenden
MC
Thobile Chittenden, Network Co-Lead at the Wellbeing Economy Alliance, is a dedicated Community Builder and recent Speaker. She's a Non-Profit Leader and a graduate of the Gordon Institute of Business Science's Social Entrepreneurship Programme, with a strong passion for Social & Creative Entrepreneurship.
Hector Dibakoane
MC
Hector Dibakoane, also known as Xquizified, is a dynamic change maker, leader, and dreamer with a profound commitment to youth and climate activism. Recognized as one of the "Mail & Guardian" Young 200, Hector's work is driven by an unwavering passion and love for creating meaningful change.
Kekeletso Khena
Roundtable 1: Reclaiming Roots: Pan-Afrikanism and Indigenous Knowledge
Kekeletso Khena is a former Deputy President of the Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO), an inter-sectional feminist, indigenous knowledge and social activist.
Aribiah Attoe
Roundtable 1: Reclaiming Roots: Pan-Afrikanism and Indigenous Knowledge
Dr Aribiah David Attoe is a Y1 NRF-Rated Researcher and Lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand, and was a co-recipient of the Global Philosophy of Religion Project grant from the John Templeton Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Birmingham, and hosted by the Centre for Leadership Ethics in Africa.
Thand’Olwethu Dlanga
Roundtable 1: Reclaiming Roots: Pan-Afrikanism and Indigenous Knowledge
Thand'Olwethu Dlanga is an Afrikanist and a revolutionary academic. He has served at various NPO's as a Chairperson between 2018 and 2022. Dlanga commands a vast experience both in private and public sector governance. In academia, he is interested in reading on pan Afrikanism, public memory and heritage, Afrikan Regional Politics and Strategic Security intelligence.
Thandi Dyani
Roundtable 1: Reclaiming Roots: Pan-Afrikanism and Indigenous Knowledge
Thandi Dyani is an Independent Consultant and DEIB advisor, and external Network Organizer for Africa Region & the Nordics with the BMW foundation working with Leaders to inspire responsible leadership and catalyze change.
Tshepo Madlingozi
Roundtable 2: Land, ardi, lefatshe —
Land and its ties to a liberated Afrika through economic systems change
Tshepo Madlingozi is a Commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission. Before joining the SAHRC, he was the Director of the Centre for Applied Legal Studies at the Wits University, and was actively involved in the work of various civil society organizations and initiatives, including, among others, the Rural Democracy Trust, Khulumani Support Group, and the African Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA).
Yoliswa Msweli
Roundtable 2: Land, ardi, lefatshe —
Land and its ties to a liberated Afrika through economic systems change
Yoliswa Msweli is an independent researcher and a land justice scholar. She is a PhD candidate at the Institute for Poverty Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), University of Western Cape. Her PhD thesis is investigating the conception of justice for land from the perspective of the historically dispossessed people.
Yvonne Phyllis
Roundtable 2: Land, ardi, lefatshe —
Land and its ties to a liberated Afrika through economic systems change
Yvonne Phyllis works as the Director of The Forge. The Forge is a community-centred, progressive, feminist, pan-African project in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Through her work at The Forge, she has worked with a wide range of professionals, community groups/organisations, social movements, women's organisations, trade unions and cultural workers.
Daliwonga Pantshwa
Roundtable 2: Land, ardi, lefatshe —
Land and its ties to a liberated Afrika through economic systems change
Daliwonga Pantshwa is a father, multimedia designer, founder of Bala LeRona Literacy Club, and co-founder of Down2Earth Living Soil NPC, an organisation dedicated to food sovereignty. He is also a gardener and a researcher in environmental apartheid and Indigenous Ecological Knowledge.
Hamza Hamouchene
South to South Solidarity: The climate crisis, imperialism and Palestinian liberation
Dr Hamza Hamouchene is a London-based Algerian researcher-activist, commentator and a founding member of Algeria Solidarity Campaign (ASC), Environmental Justice North Africa (EJNA) and the North African Food Sovereignty Network (Siyada). He is currently the Arab region Programme Coordinator at the Transnational Institute (TNI).
Pedro Tarak
South to South Solidarity: Co-creating global futures towards economic innovation — A Latin American Perspective
Pedro Tarak is a WEAll Trustee, Member of the World Future Council, Co-Founder of Sistema B, and Co-Founder of RITA (Regional Impact Trade Alliance). He is also a small investor and collaborator in different B Corps or impact businesses: Guayakí, Origen, Mercado Pax, Quinto Impacto, and IMPACT TRADE.
THE PERFORMERS
NOXOLO DESIRE
Poet
Noxolo Desire Mahlangu is a writer, spoken word performer and skills transfer facilitator. She uses poetry as a method of teaching what she learns throughout her human experience. She is passionate about harnessing the powers that lie within her gifts and using them to shape the world around her.
MAPUMBA MUSIC
Musician
Mapumba is a singer, songwriter, and diverse multi-instrumentalist based in Cape Town. His sound is unique—deep yet simple. This essence is beautifully captured in his recent song, "Breath," which is available online.
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SPOKENPRIESTESS
DJ
Spokenpriestess is a South African born afrobeats DJ with an infectious passion for everything African, especially travel, fashion and culture. Dubbed the “African Powerpuff Girl,” she’s on a quest to discover more about the continent through circular music and she’s bringing everyone along on this colourful journey.
DRAMA FOR LIFE PLAYBACK THEATRE COMPANY
Drama for Life Playback Theatre Company brings unscripted stories to life, performed by actors and a musician based on audience sharing. This simple yet powerful form of theatre fosters empathy and awareness, using only voices, bodies, and personal stories. Founded in 2008 with the University of the Witwatersrand, it addresses social issues through community engagement.
UNCLE LASSIE
Founded by Vuyo "Lassie" Ndalela, Uncle Lassie Mobile is a creative hub based in Makers Valley, Johannesburg. With 20 years of stilt walking and children's entertainment experience, Lassie brings unmatched expertise to every event. We offer high-quality, safe entertainment for corporate functions, festivals, and more.
MARIMBA JAM
Originally sprung from an outreach initiative created to share the joy of playing marimbas with learners from underprivileged schools, MARIMBA JAM is an award-winning social enterprise that both performs and teaches the African Marimbas in South Africa.
DRUM BUSTERS
Drum Busters is a leading Team Building, Corporate Events, Training and Life Coaching Company. Their concept is that Drumming is something that everyone and every culture can relate to and as a medium, brings people together. The focus of Drum Busters is about connecting people and building teams through Interactive Drumming.
MOVING INTO DANCE
Drum Busters is a leading Team Building, Corporate Events, Training and Life Coaching Company. Their concept is that Drumming is something that everyone and every culture can relate to and as a medium, brings people together. The focus of Drum Busters is about connecting people and building teams through Interactive Drumming.
ACTIVATIONS
Afrikan Liberation Bookstore hosted by The Commune
Housed inside The Forge, Braamfontein, The Commune bookshop is a radical Pan-African, socialist and feminist bookstore and a coffee shop.
In partnership with The Commune and Lit.Culture Books, we hosted a book stall with an array of Pan-Afrikanist literature, as well as copies of Hamza Hamouchene's "Dismantling Green Colonialism: Energy and Climate Justice in the Arab Region".
Children's Programme hosted by Timbuktu In The Valley
Inspired by the principles of Africa’s first university in Timbuktu, ancient Mali, Timbuktu In The Valley aims to foster and stimulate the young people’s self esteem and cultural awareness, and provide an outlook to a future full of opportunities and career paths for every young person, no matter where they’re from.
Timbuktu entertained young changemakers during our Gathering, making sure all ages could enjoy and participate in the space.
Seed Swap hosted by Down2Earth
Down2Earth Living Soil is a non-profit organisation dedicated to sustainable food production and climate justice.
Down2Earth hosted a plant and seed swop for green thumbs, budding farmers and agriculture enthusiasts.
Meet Our Partners
Want to know more about the organisations and our hub members who have partnered with us on this journey from an initial spark to a continental celebration of change and progress?
Art Installations
Co-curated by Mthabisi Sithole, our Afrikan Liberation Gallery featured local multi-disciplinary artists and encouraged participants to release their inner artist by painting our Afrikan Liberation Mural!
Afristuff Market
Local vendors within our community displayed their crafts for sale!
GALLERY
FAQs
Is the event free to attend?
Yes, this event is free to attend, but registration is required. There will be stalls on the day which may require funds.
How accessible is the event?
We strive to make this event as accessible as possible. There will be South African Sign Language interpreters provided by Yellow Owl. Deaf attendees will have reserved seats in the front of the venue.
While Victoria Yards has stairs and uneven paths, wheelchair accessible routes will be available, and our team is on hand to assist with any reasonable accommodations. We have also received advice from an accessibility practitioner on how to make several provisions such as:
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Reserved parking for persons with disabilities
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Reserved accessibility seating in the main venue and at the Terrace Garden
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Clear signage marking entrances, exits as well as bathrooms
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Quiet and Prayer Room
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Accessibility liaison will be on sight, with support from volunteers to support reasonable accommodation for all our patrons
Will this event be streamed?
Yes, the sessions happening in the main venue will be streamed to our YouTube Channel.
Will there be live photography and videography?
Yes, we will be recording the event and taking attendee interviews. If you are not comfortable with your image on camera, you will have the option to opt-out of photos and videos. Should attendees still want to share their views off-camera, there will be opportunities for written submissions.
Will there be food and refreshments?
Yes, a coffee and tea lounge will be available for purchase. We will provide a variety of seasonal fruit - on the house, and host a Pan-Afrikan vegan inspired lunch during our lunch break. Victoria Yards also offers additional dining options on site if you'd like to explore more food choices. Please note that meals from these restaurants will be at your own expense.
Is parking available?
Yes, free parking is available at Victoria Yards. If you are driving please arrive early to secure a spot. There is also accessible parking with an accessible route leading to the venue, entrance and toilets.
How can I contact the organiser?
For any questions or inquiries, please contact us at afrikanliberation@weall.org.
For accessibility inquiries, please contact Thoriso.afrikanliberation@weall.org.