NewAfricanWoman Issue 35 - Flipbook - Page 11
Estelle
Singer-songwriter
I have always seen myself as an African woman.
My mum raised me an African woman. I
definitely got my lessons on my West Indian
culture but I was raised as an African child so
I have never not looked at myself as an African
woman. The word ‘New’ African Woman
speaks to me as a global citizen travelling the
world and representing my African culture and
it’s amazing to watch and be part of that new
movement because when I was growing up, there
were different expectations for African women.
Women like Ellen Johnson Sirleaf truly inspire
me as an African woman because she has helped
to break so many disempowering stereotypes
about women. She is incredible and represents a
true image of a New African Woman.
SYLVIA BONGO
ONDIMBA
First Lady, Gabon
A New African Woman is not
different from other women of the
world, but she is definitely different
from the one portrayed by the
Western world. A modern African
woman is daring, entrepreneurial
and plays a major role in both her
family and society, despite the
fact that all a lot of her efforts are
overlooked. A New African Woman
is Africa’s greatest wealth.
MONICA GEINGOS
First Lady, Namibia
UCHE PEZARD
CEO, Luxe Corp, Paris
I am a New African Woman because I am lucky to be part of the
women that are contributing to
changing the narrative of Africa.
The New African Woman isn’t
one person. You have African
women who are rurally based,
you have African women who
are disabled, who come from
different ethnic groupings, who
have different sexual orientation
from you and I. So it’s not one
grouping of the same people,
we come from different regions:
there’s French-speaking Africa,
there’s Anglophone-Africa,
there’s Lusophone Africa. The
New African Woman is a mixture
of so many different influences,
but what defines her is her ability to not only survive but also
to thrive in a political and social
set-up that is not equipped for
her to survive and to thrive.
DAKORE
EGBUSONAKANDE
Actress
I am young, I am
African... I am
going on my own
path, in my own
truth projecting
positivity, light
and love, just
pushing myself to
be at my best…
I therefore encapsulate the whole
essence of what
a New African
Woman is.
MIMI PLANGE
Fashion designer
A New African Woman is today’s
global woman. She is on the move,
elevating, creating, leading and
reaching new highs.