Stellenbosch organisation shines a light on the struggles faced by fisherwomen in West Coast

A photographic exhibition by Ubuntu Rural Women and Youth Movement, a community-based organization from Stellenbosch, is shining a light on the struggles faced by fisherwomen on the West Coast.

The photographic exhibition premiered on Thursday, July 10, at the Artscape theatre,  together with a documentary, but the photographic exhibition will run until Tuesday, August 12.

It formed part of the activities that were held on the launch of the 2025 Artscape Women’s Humanity Festival, organised by  Artscape and Woman Zone under the theme: Peace in Action – Working Together. 

Running throughout until the end of August, a women’s month, this year’s festival calls on women and men alike to come together in the spirit of humanity, collaboration, and courageous compassion.

Vainola Makan, from Bellville, is a programme coordinator of the Ubuntu community-based organisation.

“The exhibition is about amplifying the voices from the West Coast fisherwomen that so boldly have been struggling on their own to keep the mining industry from ruining the pristine ocean by mining in the ocean. 

“Should mining be allowed to continue, the ecosystem will be severely disrupted and their cultural, social, spiritual, and economic relationship with the ocean, as heritage and natural resource, will be destroyed and their legacy to the future generations impacted,” she said.

The 2025 edition of the festival is made up of arts, music, literature, and stories from lived experience, with programming that speaks to the need for healing and hope. 

This year, the festival also honours six icons of peace: Retired Judge Albie Sachs, opera singer Virginia Davids, actress Thembi Mtshali-Jones, artist Sue Williamson, actor Fahruq Valley-Omar, and the late anti-apartheid activist Nomvula Mthethwa .

“In a world scarred by conflict and separation, we are choosing to listen, to care, and to work together,” said Marlene Le Roux, chief executive of Artscape. “Now, more than ever, peace must be intentional. It must begin with understanding 'the other' and be nurtured through kindness, storytelling, and acts of humanity.”

The Ubuntu Rural Women and Youth Movement works closely with fisherwomen along the West Coast, empowering them with the knowledge to speak out against harmful mining practices and to demand inclusion in decisions about natural resources.

The documentary captures the voices of West Coast fisherwomen who are protecting the ocean heritage.