AMAKA – Zulaikha Patel

 

Youth, Power, Purpose

 

Zulaikha Patel is a wonderful inspiration to the Black youth in voicing her inner strength from historical implications that transcended into today’s culture. She was always a true ambassador for her community in standing up against the treatment of black females specifically; the control, there is over their appearance and attitude, especially in schools and workplaces in South Africa. She noticed that racism is still very much alive by being Black women being criticized for wearing their natural hair and this activates racism and prolongs the race against it. She also speaks about never labeling herself and her peers never labeled themselves, however, all they felt was the resistance against them. They were told not to speak their native languages at school and their complaints about race and politics were the reason for the lack of top black learners at schools. She describes racism as an endless loop of providing reasons for anti-racism and fighting for just being.

 

“Even though the world is grappling with injustice, we have younger

people that are pushing us closer to a just future.

And our future will be better than our present.”

– Zulaikha Patel

 

The Zine

 

Her journey in being an activist and spokesperson for anti-racism is revolutionary and has grown tremendously since her early teens. She gives thanks to her late father who provided her with all the knowledge ranging from her history to politics, her environment, and her community. Her truest passion is to have her voice galvanize the youth to follow in her footsteps. She believes that the youth of South Africa needs to be helped in aiding the massive unemployment issue and as well providing opportunities for higher education for the Black youth in this country. From a young age, she was a symbol for the community and evoked change through her cultured knowledge gathered by overcoming the hardships, her spoken truth and involvement and focus for the upcoming generations, and her acts of service towards it.

 

“Storytelling and the practice of passing down knowledge through

our oral traditions are tools that are so important in fighting

against and preventing erasure, especially that of

Black women”

– Zulaikha Patel

 

 

A special thanks to the entire production where the talent, teamwork, and cohesive vision definitely transpired through this amazing work of art advocating a very powerful message. Daniela Miles helped produced this shoot along with Anja Marais representing Weare_ and also a special thanks to the talented Gabrielle Kannemeyer that took these punchy shots of Zulaikha Patel showing her startling power and beauty. Gabrielle also states that this project is her dream project, shooting with her dream camera and getting to take photos for her dream magazine with her dream team. Everyone has really captured the essence of this shoot and made the vision and message come to life and what a superb first digital zine we have produced for Amaka.

 

Credits

Photographer: Gabrielle Kannemeyer

Stylist: Daniel Obasi

Digital Technician and Lighting Assistant: Bongeka Ngcobo

Styling Assistant and Props Stylist: Onesimo Bam

Styling Assistant: Nthabiseng Makhoha

Hair & Make-Up Artist: Suaad Jeppie

Hair & Make-up Assistant: Xola Makoba

Production: Weare_

Producers: Anja Marais and Daniela Miles

Thanks to: Lingua Franca Communications

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