The Africana Woman Podcast Festival, held at the Chena Art House in Lusaka, was a vibrant celebration of connection, empowerment, and collaboration with a legacy indaba and a live podcast. This event brought together women from various walks of life, all united by a common goal— activating their big dreams, building lasting legacies, and achieving health and wellness.
Workshops: The Legacy Indaba
The day began with the Legacy Indaba, a symposium featuring three world-class coaches and experts. Attendees participated in interactive workshops designed to provide practical tools for personal and professional growth. Sessions included “The Entrepreneurial Mindset” by Priscilla Sichone Mpundu, “Empowering Women Through Property Rights” by Catherine Jere, and “Stuck to Success” by Danielle Dal Cortivo.
The Entrepreneurial Mindset
Meanwhile, Priscilla Sichone Mpundu captivated attendees with her session, “The Entrepreneurial Mindset.” She debunked common misconceptions about entrepreneurship, personal finances, and retirement planning. Priscilla highlighted essential tools and strategies for doing business the right way, emphasizing resilience, adaptability, collaboration, focus, and hard work. She stressed that an entrepreneur needs to be innovative and proactive, always seeking new opportunities and solutions.
Priscilla also underscored the importance of financial literacy, urging attendees to manage their finances wisely and plan for the future. She shared practical tips on budgeting, investing, and saving for retirement, empowering women to take control of their financial destinies.
Furthermore, Priscilla encouraged collaboration and networking, reminding attendees that building strong relationships can open doors to new opportunities and resources. She inspired everyone to stay focused on their goals, remain adaptable during challenges, and maintain a relentless work ethic.
By the end of her session, attendees were not only equipped with valuable knowledge but also motivated to embrace the entrepreneurial mindset and pursue their business dreams with confidence and determination.
Empowering Women Through Property Rights
On the other hand, Catherine Jere enlightened attendees about women’s property rights—in marriage, after divorce, and following the death of a spouse. She provided valuable insights on securing these rights and the importance of writing a will. This information was particularly crucial, as traditions in many African homes can be harsh on women and their children when a spouse passes away.
In some African countries, women often face significant barriers to property ownership. Cultural norms and legal systems frequently favor men, leaving women vulnerable to losing their homes and land. For instance, in some regions, women are excluded from inheriting property, evicted by in-laws, and stripped of their possessions.
As such, Catherine emphasized the importance of legal reforms and advocacy to protect women’s rights. She encouraged women to be proactive in understanding and securing their property rights, stressing that knowledge and legal documentation, like wills, are powerful tools in safeguarding their futures.
Stuck to Success
Lastly, Danielle Dal Cortivo delivered an interactive group coaching session that ignited attendees’ confidence, capability, and courage. Her session focused on empowering women to achieve success in their businesses and leadership roles. Danielle delved into the connection between fear and failure, helping attendees identify their blocks, triggers, and negative coping mechanisms.
She pointed out that the fear of failure (atychiphobia), the unknown, or even success often holds us back. It is a common but often inhibiting experience, stemming from various sources including past experiences, societal pressures, and personal insecurities that lead to avoidance behaviors, procrastination, and a lack of courage to take risks.
However, Danielle emphasized that understanding this fear is the first step towards overcoming it. She also provided practical guidance on navigating the path to success, highlighting that failure is not a reflection of one’s worth but rather a temporary setback. By reframing failure as a learning opportunity, she noted, individuals can build resilience and continue to pursue their goals despite challenges. She also encouraged attendees to acknowledge their fears but not let them dictate their actions.
Courage, she emphasized, isn’t the absence of fear; it’s taking action despite it. She also stated that many people fall into comfortable routines that don’t necessarily bring joy or satisfaction. But the good news is that change is possible, and it starts with a single step. This is acknowledging that feeling stuck is a common experience.
Furthermore, Danielle shared insights into the importance of starting small and gradually building up. Each small victory boosts confidence and brings you closer to your ultimate vision, she noted. Moreover, she stressed the value of surrounding one’s self with a supportive community. From friends and family to like-minded individuals who encourage and hold each other accountable. Sometimes, just knowing someone believes in you can make all the difference.
Ultimately, Danielle’s advice was to take action, even if it’s a small step, as it moves you forward. She encouraged women to celebrate their progress and learn from setbacks, reminding them that the journey is as important as the destination.
The Africana Woman Live Podcast (AWP)
The afternoon was dedicated to the Africana Woman Live Podcast by founder and host, Chulu Chansa. The live podcast featured powerful conversations about health, wealth, and self-love. Guests like Lady Nomsa, Nelly Paulser, Agatha Chipampila Yowela, and Kaajal Vaghela shared their insights and experiences, inspiring the audience to pursue their dreams with renewed vigor.
Attendees learned about the importance of holistic well-being, encompassing physical, mental, and emotional health. They discussed practical strategies for maintaining a balanced lifestyle, such as regular exercise, mindful eating, and stress and disease management techniques. The speakers emphasized the significance of self-love and self-care, encouraging women to prioritize their own needs, health, and well-being.
In terms of wealth, the discussions covered financial literacy, investment opportunities, and entrepreneurship. The guests shared their personal journeys of building financial independence and offered advice on managing money wisely, setting financial goals, and creating multiple streams of income. They highlighted the importance of financial education and empowerment, particularly for women, to achieve economic stability and growth.
The conversations on self-love were particularly moving, as the speakers delved into topics like self-acceptance, body positivity, and overcoming poverty, societal pressures, and abuse. They encouraged attendees to embrace their unique identities, celebrate their achievements, and cultivate a positive self-image. The session was a powerful reminder that self-love is the foundation for a fulfilling and empowered life.
Picnic and Experiences
The Africana Woman workshops and Live Podcast were a transformative experience, leaving attendees with a renewed sense of purpose and the tools to pursue their dreams with confidence and determination. The festival celebrated the strength and resilience of African women. It also provided a platform for meaningful connections and shared learning.
The festival also featured a delightful picnic and a variety of experiences, including the LEMBA Africana Authors Corner with a variety of books to choose from. The Health and Wellness stands also offered a variety of organic remedies for many ailments. Additionally, the festivals showcased African culture with handmade earrings, Chitenge covered journals and bags as well as Art decorated mugs. Attendees also enjoyed delicious food, danced to DJ beats, and explored opportunities for learning and fun through networking.
The festival’s success was made possible with support from partners. These included Ethiopian Airlines, APVA, Money FM, Christian Nation FM, So Online Radio, Alliance Française de Lusaka, Euclid Transport and Fleur de Lys. Their contributions, along with the dedication of staff and volunteers, ensured a seamless and enriching experience for all participants. Together, they took significant steps towards empowering women and building lasting legacies.
Overall, the Africana Woman Festival was more than just an event; it was a movement towards a brighter, more empowered future for women. It showcased the power of community, the importance of self-love, and the limitless potential of women when they come together to support and uplift each other.
Final Thought: Podcasting for Impact
The potential of podcasts as a medium for achieving positive impact cannot be overemphasized. This is clearly demonstrated by the profound influence of Chulu’s Africana Woman Podcast on women’s lives. Covering topics from women’s wellness and health to financial literacy and advocacy for women’s rights and development, the Africana Woman Podcast has created a network of resilient women who are overcoming odds to stay healthy, financially independent, and grow both personally and professionally.
Moreover, the podcast offers a unique platform for storytelling and sharing diverse perspectives, making it a powerful tool for social change. By amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard, AWP fosters a sense of community and solidarity. It also educates and inspires listeners to take action on important issues, thereby driving positive change in society.
In essence, AWP has proved that podcasting is not just about sharing stories. It’s about creating a ripple effect of empowerment and transformation. Through thoughtful and impactful content, podcasts can pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.
Written by
Muzhinga Kankinda
Zambia Country Rep APVA
