South Africa: From feminist political education to systemic change and agency

The One in Nine Campaign, based in Johannesburg, is a feminist advocacy organisation working to amplify the voices, leadership, and lived experiences of womxn. Through its Siqhubeka Ukwakha Project, implemented in Johannesburg and the Vaal, the organisation creates transformative spaces where womxn critically reflect on their experiences, build political awareness, and take collective action against gender‑based violence and femicide. The project emphasises intergenerational learning, rebuilding relationships between older and younger womxn to counter harmful narratives and strengthen inclusive feminist organising.

Change emerged through sustained engagement in feminist political education, leadership development, healing‑centred facilitation, storytelling for social justice, and community activism. Participants explored systemic inequalities, power structures, and the intersections of gender, labour and sexuality. This process strengthened their confidence, political consciousness and leadership capacity.

Two participants, Thabsie Mabezane and Kegomodicoe Mocoancoeng, experienced profound transformation. Thabsie shifted from identity‑based advocacy to a deeper, systemic feminist leadership approach, enabling her to support organisational development, influence policy engagement and build platforms for liberation‑focused arts and feminist knowledge‑production. Kegomodicoe transitioned from identifying primarily as a survivor constrained by silence to recognising herself as a woman with power, agency and a voice. Her strengthened political awareness informs her work as a community facilitator and enhances her ability to engage with GBV as a structural issue.

The significance of these changes lies in how individual transformation translated into collective feminist power. Both women now contribute to movement‑building, challenge exclusionary systems and mentor others. Their journeys illustrate the strategic value of feminist political education in fostering durable, inclusive movements capable of challenging GBV and systemic injustice.

Sustainability is strengthened through mentorship, reflective practice and partnerships with local councillors, police structures, community forums and education stakeholders. By facilitating workshops, dialogues, arts‑based activism and intergenerational learning, Thabsie and Kegomodicoe continue to shape community action and contribute to long‑term social justice.

Thabsie Mabezane "My political understanding, leadership role, and responsibility within communities have transformed. Through 1in9's feminist political education, I moved from focusing only on identity to understanding the political systems that shape our lives."

Kegomodicoe Mothogobeng Mocoancoeng "Through One in Nine, I learned that I am not a victim of gender‑based violence. I am a woman with power."

Nompumelelo Mathabela "We have witnessed them transform from participants into multipliers of knowledge, mentoring others and challenging systemic inequalities."