Celebrating 20 years of the Artscape Women’s Humanity Festival

In 1956, a group of 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, carrying petitions with over 100,000 signatures against Apartheid injustice. This event, led by figures like Rahima Moosa, Lilian Ngoyi, Sophie Williams-de Bruyn, and Helen Joseph, remains a cornerstone of the Artscape Women’s Humanity Festival, now in its 20th edition.

The festival, held annually, uses the arts to empower previously marginalized voices, including those of women with disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ community, and members of the African National Congress. Each year, the festival reflects on progress since the 1956 march and the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities. Recently, the festival included a diverse panel discussion at the Western Cape Legislature, where issues such as the lack of implementation of progressive laws and the prevalence of gender-based violence were discussed.

The festival culminated in the Artscape Humanity Walk, which, for the first time, was led by persons with disabilities and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Participants observed a moment of silence and collectively declared, "Stop the Silence," symbolizing a united stand against discrimination and violence. The walk concluded with performances by Jimmy Nevis and Salome, celebrating resilience and unity in the pursuit of a more equitable society.