ABOUT US

Asinakuthula umhlaba ubolile: we cannot keep quiet while the world is in shambles. These are the words from Nontsizi Mgqwetho’s poetry written in isiXhosa in the newspaper Umteteli waBantu in the 1920s. Her words are behind the inspiration of work which challenges the erasure and marginalisation of black women in historiography. Asinakuthula Collective aims to be custodians of black women’s stories through public events, dialogues and publications.

We are a Collective of teachers, students, researchers and creatives invested in breaking the silences, marginalised narratives and vacuums of content surrounding the lives, roles, experiences and complexity of black African women in history.

Our logo is made up of two faces superimposed on newsprint. The faces are from pictures of Charlotte Maxeke and Nontsizi Mgqwetho. The newspaper print behind their faces are taken from their 1920s articles in the newspaper Umteteli waBantu. This logo represents the faces of these women which are seldom seen. This logo also represents an archive of their work and lives. The image of Nontsizi Mgqwetho is one of the few if not the only picture available of her.