By: Mo Senne (Senior Communications Officer)
Feminism and the act of confronting patriarchy are essential for creating a more equitable and just society. Patriarchy is a social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and property control. It is not just about individual men but about a deeply ingrained system of norms, values, and institutions that have historically privileged men and marginalised women and other gender identities. Confronting patriarchy is a crucial step in achieving feminist goals. It is about challenging the root causes of inequality rather than just the symptoms.
Naledi Malotana’s talent for writing and directing was recognised early in her career. In 2019, she was awarded a Certificate and the Ms Cohen Trophy for Writer and Director of Best English Play. She garnered accolades the following year, winning a Bronze Award for the English Olympiad from the De Beers Group of Companies. Her commitment to her craft was further recognised when she was named a finalist in the 2025 National Playwright Competition for The Glass Ceiling, which "critically examines patriarchal systems" inspired by her mother’s career as a soldier. This piece, which reflects her dedication to confronting societal norms and sparking essential conversations around gender dynamics, led to an interview with The Herald and a profile by a fourth-year journalism student.
A rising artist, writer, and aspiring director, Naledi Malotana, is making a profound and deeply personal mark in the creative world. Born and raised in the bustling city of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, Naledi’s artistic sensibilities are inextricably linked to her hometown, which has, in her words, shaped a lot of her views and beliefs in her creative practice. Now, as a third-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) student at Rhodes University, she is charting an ambitious course, pursuing Drama as a third major while excelling in her other disciplines. Her dedication and academic prowess have not gone unnoticed, earning her a coveted place on the Dean's Merit list.
Naledi’s work highlights her courage and commitment to discussing uncomfortable and unconventional topics. Her artistic philosophy is rooted in exploring personal identity and social feminism. She revealed that she fell in love with performance art. “It constructed my alter ego; I am not afraid to step out of my comfort zone and talk about the unconventional and uncomfortable things," she said. This introspective and fearless approach is a hallmark of her creative journey.
The artist's process is self-discovery and a fearless confrontation of internal conflict. She explained that a recent, pivotal artwork (which was the centrepiece of the 2025 National Arts Festival Student Exhibition at the Rhodes University Fine Art Department) was created from a "very personal space" and that she was "dealing with much internal conflict". She noted that her BFA degree gave her the avenue to express these profound emotions. The themes explored in this mixed-media piece were trauma, environmental degradation (which she equates with the self), and a haunting lack of memory. “I don't have many childhood memories," she stated, "which inspired this piece". She felt that this absence of a background meant she "lacked an identity" and could not recognise herself without a background. In response to this deeply personal struggle, the artwork became a powerful act of self-reclamation. "This was me constructing my identity, building the identity I feel I have now".
The physical composition of the artwork itself serves as a metaphor for this construction of identity. Naledi chose to use her clothing in the piece, as she believes clothing is a big part of who she is and that she does not feel quite herself unless she dresses up or alters her clothes. To represent the active process of building herself, she sewed the fabric into the piece, showing the "actual stitching" of her identity. The self-portrait at the centre of the work has an "emotionless expression", a deliberate choice by the artist to create a sense of "confrontation" with herself and the viewer.
Beyond her academic and literary achievements, Naledi is an accomplished artist. Her visual work has been featured twice at the annual NAF Student Exhibition at the Fine Art Department in 2024 and 2025. Whether through performance, writing, or visual art, Naledi Malotana's creative output is consistently personal and purpose-driven. Her art is not merely for aesthetic pleasure but a vital platform for internal and external dialogue. She uses her craft to challenge herself and her audience, solidifying her position as a compelling and critical voice in the contemporary art scene.