In this episode, we openly talk politics in Namibia and the rise of the youngest minister in Africa. Emma shares about her childhood, the ever changing ICT sector and digital economy, Palestinians right to self determination and she also shares her gratitudes affirmations and haircare routine. She is an orchids lover. Emma believes " The political space has written rules and unwritten rules, silent expectations and loud expectations. It is easy to go with the crowd and what others believe its true. But it important that constantly I make decision that I believe in." On female leadership she believes "Women show up everyday. Women are good enough to raise Presidents, Kings and Leaders but we’re not good enough to be those leaders ourselves? Make it make sense!" she continues "There aren’t many of us in this country, on the continent or in the world.  We, young women, are also here and we deserve a seat at the table."She has been helping girls code and reducing cost of data, donating laptops to schools and community centres as well as passing bills in Parliament on reduction and removal of tax on sanitary pads. She also advocated for paid Internships which was adopted by finance ministry. On being part of Nalafem Collective she says " Being part of a Pan-African feminist movement on the continent like Nalafem is an energy booster that validates our feelings of the lack of compassionate grief and that we’re not alone, let's get back to work. This makes Nalafem necessary" Her dinner table would surly have Former President of Liberia , Ellen Johnson Sirelaf and Former Deputy Prime Minister of Namibia, Libertine Amathila.Worlds of Wisdom from Emma: Inform yourselfUnderstand how systems operateShow up! Be seen! Make your voice heardYour don’t have to know all the answers but have a spirit of a learnerContinuously be authenticBook recommendation:  Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus by by John Gray _____________________________________________Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.org follow IG account @IamNala_podcast  Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org

In this episode, we openly talk about the creative industry, manifesting Forbes 30 Under 30,  her travels and adventures, her childhood, co-creation from a place of knowing to social media as a space of entitlement.  You will also learn how to operationalize creatives and navigate the space. Jena's mother encouraged an environment where she could simply ‘become’ which opened her to the world of ‘trying’, from studious kid, to tour guide to a boss of a marketing agency, Jena shares her three dimensional self.  We’re looking at a potential politician. Jena studied Political Science. She identifies as feminist and champion for underrepresented and overlooked people because she says “ I am her, she is me”. She believes her contribution to the liberation of women, black and brown bodies is in "opening doors and access" for her people as well as translating their voices to the stakeholders that matter.Some of her Words of wisdom; What do you do when no one else is watchingCreate your container and processesDo the work when no one watchingAsk yourself how you show up in the worldThis body is the only airplane we get to fly- take care of it & nurture itWe have one life to liveIt is our job to build with, to allow to be built throughfigure out what do you care about & what gets me excitedExtract your creative DNA from your work to show why you add valuelet goBe ready to give and ready to receiveIncrease your valueAllow yourself to feel, if you need to cry, cryHearing ‘No’ is part of life journey, it’s okayEnjoy being a kid,  being curious of not knowing3 Ss  1) Start your day with meditation - 2) Strengthen yourself for the next season & 3) Stay in touch with my networkEnjoy this episode and don't miss her poetry at the end. Find out more about her work at  www.jenasekwa.com _____________________________________________Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.org follow IG account @IamNala_podcast  Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org

Episode description not available.

Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.org follow IG account @IamNala_podcast  Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org

South African actress, producer, entrepreneur, spiritual activist and mother, Mona Monyane has a remarkable journey. In this episode, we openly talk about feminism, relationships, divorce, spirituality, self awareness , connecting with the divine and being fully oneself. Mona shares how her ancestors awakened her from grief of the death of her baby 7 days after birth.  She talks of black women as 'queen's and backbone of society which led to her work supports SGBV survivors, the right of choice for women, limited by patriarchy to be labelled and ostracised.  However, Mona explains why she does not identify as feminist, she doesn’t strive to be equal to men or match their energy but owning her power as a woman is what she strives for. Mona is an artist and considers "Being in the creative industry as a calling not a career",  she believes Africa's voice needs to be reintroduced as absolutely able to express itself intelligential and put itself on world stageHer Words of wisdomNever stop being who you areNever forget -- You are the lightBe still. Be you. Stillness is being who you areRemember me by being everything you are meant to bePerfection is an illusionBe yourself -- Shine bright like a DimondStop questioning if you’re getting it right or wrong (an elephant doesn’t doubt if it’s n elephant)You have the power to choose you, every single day, all day longYou are enough, be all of youGet pissed off with the version of yourself that doesn’t want the best for youIt’s comfortable to sit in pain, Time to be uncomfortable, own who we areYou loose a lot of people because they were not meant to stay, your tribe will find you Spiritual practice Tips Isolate yourselfWrite things down (aspirations, dreams, feelings..)Go to nature (hub a tree, sit by a river, dance in the rain, lay on the ground…)Get a petPray (have a conversation with the great divine)Create an environment (candles..)RestFinal thought from Mona is " What's difficult about the truth is that - it is simple", so hoping this episode will bring you closer to living your truth and reflect in the Christmas season on who you really are.  --------------------------------------------- Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.org follow IG account @IamNala_podcast  Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org

Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.org follow IG account @IamNala_podcast  Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org

Aisha Yesufu is an impact-led Nigerian socio-political reformer, civic & community development crusader, who consistently demands for good governance, fight for justice, fairness and equity and lend her voice in support of women safety and financial freedom.  In this episode she talks about BringBackOurGirls movement , EndSARS movement and her other good trouble. She unpacks how poverty has been weaponised, generational gap and corruption.  "For my parents, putting food on the table, that's their activism", she shares about her family, movements and Nigerian politics. "If you can't mingle with the people why are you going in politics?"Married at 24, she has installed in her two children; Amir and Aliyyah Yesufu, her words of wisdom Know who you areAccept who you areLove who you areDon't negotiate your valuesChallenge meNothing is off the tableKeep learningDevelop 'people sills'Develop empathyKill the voice that says "you can't"Don't compromise   Leadership priorities for Africa; Civic EducationCitizens demandsEmpowering youth to take chargeAlso find out if she will run for office? Aisha's relationship advice is to look for someone who can add value to you but not diminish you. --------------------------------------------- Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.org follow IG account @IamNala_podcast  Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org

No one picks up the phone and say “ Hi Serisha how are you doing”? This episode shows an authentic and honest conversation with Serisha Barrat who felt crippled but found light in the darkness in an incredible journey. Serisha started her first business at 17 and since then she’s been a successful entrepreneur with multiple companies. She tells the story of how she mimicked her boss and eventually became her own boss girl. "I made it happen for myself. I carried myself well because I'm not gonna look like my problems", she says.  Serisha is a social entrepreneur with key foundational values; impact is key driver for her businesses as well as financial freedom because she believes " I am not dependent on anyone to create my world and impact". As a problem solver she is always on the quest of - What are the gaps and how we fix it? and continues to build without reinventing the wheel. On this episode she talks about corruption , rising in male dominated industry and snippet of her dating life. When there is so much noise around her and on social media she reminds herself "What am I doing is what matters to me".Her words of wisdomKeep on trying everydayBe grateful for being safe, for family, for a new day to be who you want to beDont compare yourself to anyone elseStay in your lane and focus on what you’re buildingPray , I got my strength from god/divineFree your time from admin tasks and focus on buildingUnderstand what you need to do what resources you need to streamline your processStop feeling sorry for yourself no one is coming to save youIt's not a me problem it's many of us problemSerisha shares her tips, management tools and hacksChatGPT4 plus - many ways to plug in tools like canva and read pdfs, draft emails and send emails.Canva - create marketing materials.Apollo ai connected to linkedin to help find co-founders and investors.Dalle - Image generations.Midjourney - image generations.Jasper.ai - is an AI-powered writing assistant.Otter.ai - Meeting note takerBard - stats and researchNotionRows ai - Financials projections. Book recommendation: Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins-------------------------------------------------Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.orgLearn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org

Nadia Ahmed Abdalla, served as Deputy minister (Chief Administrative Secretary) from 2020 to 2022, Ministry of ICT, Innovation & Youth Affairs of Kenya Coming from Kenya’s coast, she was appointed to Kenya’s government as the youngest in the administration. She is sharing in this episode her learnings from her time in government and the perception of people about being young and female. People doubted her education background and why she is the voice that matters in the country.“Not many women who look like me make it”She is inspired firstly by her late mother as well as Kofi Annan, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama and Amina. J. MohamedWords of wisdomWork on yourselfIdentify your passionBe honest with yourselfRead to keep your brain aliveBooks recommendationsYou’re the baddest bitchArt of not giving a fuck -------------------------------------------------Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.orgLearn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org

Zulaikha Patel is a South African anti-racism activist. She is Best-Selling author in South Africa for her children’s book My Coily Crowny Hair  which affirms black Afro identity. At at the age of 13, she became a symbol of the fight against Pretoria Girls High School's policy regarding black girls' hair in 2016 that prohibited Afros, dreadlocks and braids.  Growing up to an Indian father and black African mother, she tells the story of her parents choosing each other, of her experience in white high school and of being rejected by her paternal conservative muslim side because of her blackness among other powerful stories of her activism. She explains how— Racism determines your outcome in life, your healthcare, your education, your job, your transport, your tax bracket, everything is based on your race. Learn also about her morning routine and don’t miss the question at the end if she is a heartbreaker or heartbroken. Her words of wisdomInform your activism with your country's lawsChoose you, and be at the steering wheal of your lifeKeep your fire litAssociate with people who get you and lift you upPick where you mingleYour intuition is your guiding compass: Listen to your intuitionDo your To-List  in 3what you need to get donewhat you hope to get donewhat you have to get done (the later as priority order)-------------------------------------------------Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.orgLearn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org

Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Nigerian economist Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala come from two different political atmospheres, yet have the ability to build common ground on their shared gendered experiences. Gillard and Okonjo-Iweala are former political leaders with years of expertise as women in government spaces.  They share with Nalafem community insights from their book on Women and Leadership: Real Lives, Real Lessons, and the implications of their findings for the field of global development and health.

Today we’re talking with Verlaine-Diane Soobroydoo, a humanist growing up with a Mauritian Indian mother and Congolese father, has taken an unconventional journey of leadership from a career at the United Nations to a published Author. When COVID-19 hit, she felt that the dust settled, realising there is some work she needs to do for healing and her reflections resulted into her first book "Unbound Twitter Thoughts for the Heart and Mind". Aya and Verlaine talk about Writing as a healing, Freedom, Womanhood, resetting, the gift of being, and letting go. Verlaine also talked about the people who "hold on to their old leaves, they think they will com back to green, and that it’s still my time". Some of Verlaine's advice : Remove people who would activate your woundsFree dive into the cycle of lifeIf you’re not whole within yourself, you’re not able to recognise pain within othersIts not the job that makes you , you make the jobGo get these leadership positionsBe free - Freedom of being whole and pursing every level of oneselfHome is where we need to beWomanhood as a trip to wholeness, You have to take a trip to find yourself, find your voice and find courage.-------------------------------------------------Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: nalafem.orgLearn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org

Kenya: With over a decade of experience in public service, Rose Wachuka, is a Policy Advisor and Chief of Staff at Chief Justice of the Judiciary of Kenya. In this episode, Aya and Rose talk about politics from an African worldview including Kenyan politics and Tomas Sankara. Rose reveals some bold views on US politics as well as Palestine-Israel politics. Through two songs of her choice from North Africa, she has taken us on a journey to different writers and books and people who inspired her as she considers “Writing as an act of melancholy”. On culture, Rose shared about her wild 35th birthday with inspiring advice and tips for young women and girls pursuing their ambitions but feeling trapped in cultural norms as she says  “Vulnerability starts where shame ends”, she also openly talked about sexuality, relationships and spirituality. Songs Zina by BabyloneSidi Mansour by Omar Khorshid-----------------------------------------------------Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: https://nalafem.orgLearn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifestoand how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.https://nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.orgLeave us an Apple Podcasts reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.

Tunisia : Today we’re talking with Maha Jouini, author and activist. Aya and Maha talk about multiple battlefields including dance, history, cyber space, stigma and democracy. Maha explains how Pan-Arabism failed as a movement, how pre-colonial culture was matriarchal, how indigenous culture was feminist culture, how she overcome Tasfih (the practice of Locker to protect women's virginity) into sexual liberation. She also shares her aspiration for Tunisia’s democratic governance, death of Beji Caid Essebsi, LGBT rights in Tunisia and much more.Feminists mentioned: Lina Ben Mhanni and Maya Jribi-----------------------------------------------------Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: https://nalafem.orgLearn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifestoand how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.https://nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org

Egypt: Today we’re talking with Fatma Emam (Fatou Sakory), a Nubian Egyptian, 3rd generation of internally displaced ethnicity. Aya and Fatolu talk about African feminism, Female genital mutilation, Nubian culture, blackness, right to return, land rights, Arabization and Izlamization of North Africa, religion and Hijab and broader conversation about identity.   Feminists mentioned in the interview are Amina Wadud, Fatema Mernissi, Maha Abdelhamid and Saadia Mesbah---------------------------------------------Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: https://nalafem.orgLearn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.https://nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org

Nigeria: Today we’re talking with Emmy nominated investigative reporter, Nkiru "Kiki" Mordi, a Nigerian investigative journalist, filmmaker, writer and entrepreneur. She dropped out of school because she was harassed by a lecturer in her school. This ordeal was what led her to shoot the Sex for Grades film with the BBC Africa Eye. Aya and Kiki talk about storytelling, lessons learnt, failures and advice on security and the power of community. Some of Kiki's golden tips and advice on the show; (1) Ask questions not from a malicious place but from a place of wanting to grow (2) Dont be afraid to be wrong (3) Do your research to get confidence  Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: https://nalafem.orgLearn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.https://nalafem.org/manifestoFor collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org

Sudan: Today we’re talking with Yassmin Abdel-Magied , a Sudanese-Australian writer, engineer and award-winning social advocate. Aya and Yassmin talk about demand 7 of B+25 manifesto on Education as well as debate around decolonisation, unconscious bias, and Yassmin's books including Talk About A Revolution, You Must Be Layla among others. Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: https://nalafem.org/Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.https://nalafem.org/manifesto-nala-feminist-collective/For collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org

Uganda: Today we’re talking with Rosebell Kagumire , a writer, campaigner, pan-African feminist and multimedia communications strategist. Aya and Rosebell talk about demand 4 of B+25 manifesto on Access to Justice and Protection as well as debating concepts of power, colonialism, sexuality and freedom. Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: https://nalafem.org/Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.https://nalafem.org/manifesto-nala-feminist-collective/For collaboration and sponsorships contact aya@nalafem.org

Morocco/Italy: Today we’re talking to Yasmine Ouirhrane, founder of We Belong and Young European of the Year 2019. She is shaping the discourse of a more hopeful, tolerant Europe. Her numerous projects promote gender equality, better opportunities for refugees and the representation of young people from underprivileged backgrounds.Aya and Yasmine talk about demand 3 of B+25 manifesto on Ending Gender Discrimination especially in the context of the diaspora. Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: https://nalafem.org/Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.https://nalafem.org/manifesto-nala-feminist-collective/

Libya:Today we’re talking with Hajer Sharief , Peace & Human Rights defender,  Co-founder of Together We Build It. She focuses particularly on youth peace and security and women peace and security agendas. Aya and Hajer talk about demand 9 of B+25 manifesto on Silencing the Guns and how young women can be part of decision making  in peace and security frameworks, peace talks and negotiations. Want to support the Nala Feminist Collective? Visit our website to learn how you can help: https://nalafem.org/Learn more about the Africa Young Women Beijing+25 Manifesto and how you can help the young women of Africa create a better life for future generations.https://nalafem.org/manifesto-nala-feminist-collective/