Image: allison christine on Unsplash

In South Africa, as in many parts of the world, tea gatherings played a subtle yet powerful role in women's activism. These seemingly normal social events often became safe spaces for political mobilisation and resistance, particularly when formal political organising was restricted. 

In the United States, the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention—widely regarded as the start of the organised women’s rights and suffrage movement—was catalysed by a tea gathering in New York, where five women resolved to call the convention. In the United Kingdom, tea rooms similarly offered socially acceptable spaces where suffragists could organise, recruit, and fundraise. And in South Africa, a 1955 tea party involving six women led to the formation of the Black Sash, initially known as the Women’s Defence of the Constitution League. This group went on to play a prominent and sustained role in opposing apartheid laws and policies. A year later, in 1956, more than 20,000 women marched to the Union Buildings to protest the extension of pass laws to African women—an iconic moment in South African history that the Black Sash supported alongside broader women’s formations.

This Women’s Day, in that same spirit of solidarity and transformation, six accomplished women—all University of the Western Cape (UWC) alumnae—will gather over tea to reflect on their journeys. Held in aid of bursaries for female students, the event will highlight the challenges they’ve overcome, the successes they’ve achieved, and how UWC shaped their paths as leaders and changemakers.

The interactive event, themed Empowered Women Transforming Tomorrow, will feature a Q&A session and opportunities for personal engagement with a carefully selected panel. Smile 90.4FM Radio personality  Sylvia Akach - better known as Sylvia A - will take on the role of facilitator on the day. The event will take place on August 7, 2025, at the Life Sciences Building, Mezzanine Floor, from 11h00 to 13h00. Tickets are available at R450, and all proceeds will be donated to bursaries for female students.

Meet the participants 

Sylvia A is a dynamic, multi-talented media personality based in Cape Town. She's a radio presenter, voiceover artist, MC, podcast host and content creator—bringing energy, warmth, and authenticity to everything she does.

Yumnah Jones embodies resilience and determination. Overcoming societal barriers and navigating life with multiple disabilities, she has channelled her strength into self-discovery and ambition. Her journey has culminated in the publication of her debut novella, She Who Dreams - a testament to her courage and creativity. 

Rene Naylor is the former Springbok Rugby physiotherapist and owner of Naylor & Croy Physiotherapists. She is a pioneer in sports physiotherapy and a high-performance consultant with nearly 130 national caps. Rene exemplifies breaking barriers in male-dominated industries and empowering the next generation of women in sports science.

Nicolette Naylor is the founder and CEO of Ubuntu Global Philanthropy and a former Regional & Global Director of the Ford Foundation. Nicolette spent the early part of her career as an international human rights lawyer in the public interest law and women’s rights arenas in South Africa and London. 

Ruby Marks is South Africa’s Ambassador to Benin and Togo.  A seasoned diplomat, gender activist, and former trade unionist with significant experience in gender policy and foreign relations. Formerly South Africa’s ambassador to Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Benin. 

Cara-Jean Petersen is the CEO of Feenix Trust, a UWC alumna and trained psychological counsellor with over 15 years of experience. She leads innovation in student access and education funding through empathy and purpose-driven leadership.

Dr Fikile Vilakazi is the Director of UWC’s Gender Equity Unit. She is also currently serving as a member of various collectives globally, including the Lordes’ Love Rebels feminist collective, Ikhwelo Healers Collective, and the Global Ecovillage Network South Africa, amongst others, some of whom she has co-created. 

Contact Vera Adams at vadams@uwc.ac.za to reserve your seat.