South Africa’s jazz and Afro-pop singer Judith Sephuma singing at the World Economic Forum in Cape Town. Photo Credit: BBC
The 25th World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa took place in Cape Town, South Africa from June 3-5 and was the largest in history with 1250 delegates, representing over 75 countries, participating in the meeting. First held in 1990, the WEF on Africa brings together political leaders, business people, youth, academics and civil society leaders to discuss current issues regarding investment and development in Africa. This year’s theme was: “Then and Now: Reimagining Africa’s Future”.
The ONE Campaign, led by ONE co-founder Jamie Drummond and ONE Africa Director Dr. Sipho Moyo, co-hosted a press conference with the WEF on our Poverty is Sexist campaign.
Press conference featuring: Moderator Oliver Canne (WEF) and five speakers: Dr. Moyo (ONE), Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, (Vice President & Gender Envoy of the African Development Bank-AfDB), Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi (Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development – UNCTAD), and two Poverty is Sexist campaign ambassadors (#StrongGirl artists) Judith Sephuma and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde.
The press conference was very well attended with all the major international and national media outlets represented. It was recorded and live streamed by WEF and can be viewed here.
Thanks to these women, this was the most enjoyable press conference we’ve ever organized!
However, this was not a typical press conference! In addition to panel discussion (by the speakers pictured above) it also featured a live performance by #StrongGirl artists: Judith Sephuma, Gabriela, Arielle T, and Selmor Mutukudzi, and Waje, who is also a UN Ambassador for Peace.
Selmor Mtukudzi from Zimbabwe (L) and Nigeria’s Waje Iruobe. Photo Credit: BBC
These amazing singers and dedicated ONE members came together at our press conference as part of our “Poverty is Sexist” campaign, to put women and girls at the centre of the global drive to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030.
Gabon’s Arielle Tomby. Photo credit: BBC
Following the press conference, the #StrongGirl artists performed for the general WEF participants in an open area.
Songbird Judith Sephuma interrupted rehearsals for her new national tour to join the event, and Nollywood star Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, made a speech about the campaign, ending up all over social media when she said, “women are so strong that if you empower a woman you empower a whole continent”.