The perfectly manicured Ruth First Gardens were the venue for this year’s Ruth First Women’s Day picnic. Under a sunny but slightly breezy afternoon sky, around 50 Ruth First and Victoria Mxenge residents gathered for a Sunday concert, bringing the week long Women’s Day celebrations to a close.
The perfectly manicured Ruth First Gardens were the venue for this year’s Ruth First Women’s Day picnic. Under a sunny but slightly breezy afternoon sky, around 50 Ruth First and Victoria Mxenge residents gathered for a Sunday concert, bringing the week long Women’s Day celebrations to a close.
It was also a gathering that was meant to honour the spirit of Ruth First, said Tamirin Lever, the house’s entertainment representative.
“We just wanted to bring the girls together to share their ideas and solutions to social problems but also to have fun!” added Lever.
She worked closely with the house warden Larissa Klazinga in organising the event. Klazinga is well known for her activism against women’s abuse.
She was one of the organisers of the Sexual violence=Silence campaign as well as the recent Real Women, Real Violence ambush theatre campaign. Fellow Rhodents David Knowles and Lucy Kruger were on hand to entertain the
crowd with some soulful blues. A reveller even remarked that Knowles is a cross between Bob Dylan and Don McLean.
Kruger, on the other hand, chose to sing classics such as Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi noting that “people like to hear what they know”.
She skilfully switched between the classics and original material. The lawns were abuzz with activity as some of the women from the two residences challenged each other on a skipping game.
“I’m used to performing for people who aren’t really listening so I don’t take offence. The important thing is that they were having fun,” said Kruger after her set.
“It’s so refreshing that as young women we can get together in this way. I’m grateful to have this opportunity to be part of and learn in such a special place. This is all thanks to pioneering women such as Ruth First,” said Vanessa Mabena, a Ruth First House resident.
