There are just over two weeks to go before Social Media Week Johannesburg kicks off on 22nd September, where nine women will be among the list of speakers at the event.
Working in various industries from across the world, here’s their official bios from the SMW release – we’ll try to get interviews with as many as possible:
Lola Pedro
Based in Lagos Nigeria, Lola Pedro oversees Sub-Saharan Africa’s content for Trendwatching and coordinates industry specific research and analysis for the independent consumer trends and insight firm. Pedro also has experience in magazine publishing, events production, virtual reality advertising, corporate film and theatre production.
Gabriella Razzano
Gabriella Razzano is the head of policy and strategy for Code for South Africa, a non-profit which promotes the availability of data, in order to build active citizenry. Razzano participated in the drafting of the African Union’s Model Law on access to information, which was later adopted by the African commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. She is currently drafting a media freedom index for the Pan African Parliament.
Bushera Bashir
Bushera currently heads up Umuzi Academy, the development unit of Umuzi Photo Club, a South African youth development social enterprise. She also empowers women from Kashmir, India through her socially conscious fashion scarves, Trebene, which enables the women to invest up to 20% of profits in educating their children.
Dr Sindi van Zyl
Self-professed patients’ activist Dr Sindi van Zyl works with non-profit organisation Anova, travelling through South Africa educating communities about HIV/AIDS and how it can be prevented and treated.
Jepchumba
African digital artist and enthusiast, Jepchumba has been listed in the Forbes 20 Youngest Powerful Women in Africa 2012 list. She is the Creative Director and Founder of African Digital Art, which allows digital artists, professionals and enthusiast to seek inspiration, showcase their artistry and connect with emerging artists. Jepchumba has also spoken at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Texas.
Amanda Sevasti
Amanda Sevasti is a feminist and humanist who loves ‘living in the future’. She is head of social media strategy at NATIVE SA. Sevasti established Social@Ogilvy within Ogilvy PR Johannesburg. She’s also been involved in activations, events and digital campaigns for brands such as Momentum, Santam, Old Mutual, Savanna and Volkswagen.
Britni Danielle
Los Angeles-based Britni Danielle works as a writer, editor and novelist – she is the editor of the online magazine Clutch, founder of The Write Pitch, and author of a few novels. Her work has also featured in American publications such as Essence, Ebony, Jet, Vibe Vixen, The Grio, The Root and TakePart.
Bassey Ikpi
Bassey Ikpi is a poet, writer, presenter, creative and activist. She dedicates her time and energy to mental health advocacy. Some of her outstanding achievements include sharing a platforms with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Luvvie
Humor writer, blogger and digital strategist Luvvie has been blogging for 11 years, dating back to a time when MySpace was still a thing. She is also the brain behind DumbestTweets.com, a blog dedicated to exposing infinite stupidity that occurs on Twitter.
You can buy tickets to the event on the Social Media Week website.