• The African girl child as  discussed in my previous post is faced with issues of race, gender and power. These issues are at the forefront of what my dissertation will look to address. Race dealing with colonisation and the African aesthetic, gender dealing with traditional African gender roles and the representation of these within an African feminist narrative, lastly I will look at the aspect of powerlessness that the African girl child experiences within a society that is in favour of patriarchy and how the proposed centre can empower her on her journey to becoming an African woman.


    Speaking of race and aesthetics, I  found this interesting video of Panashe Chigumadzi talking on new self-identity for Africans.  Worth a watch!





    From The TEDx Johannesburg, TEDX Talks you tube page:

    Panashe Chigumadzi makes the case that stereotypes can be frustratingly hard to shake off, sometimes even for the very people they victimise. Africans especially, suffer from a 300 year old negative colonial narrative that has shaped not only how the world sees them, but in many ways also how they see themselves. 


  • The following info-graphic is one that will be added on to as the year progresses. The graphic illustrates who the African girl child is and what factors affect her and ultimately the design of the African Girl Child centre.



  • It's March 2015 and this is my first post.

    I've been a little consumed with getting to grips with my Masters year in Interior Architecture. Now that I feel like I have a grip, albeit a little uncertain,  I can finally share.

    My project for this year takes on a more Afro-centric approach, seeking to represent Africanism .
    My specific focus is on the African girl child who is considered to be at loss and at a lesser standing in society.

    This proposal was initiated due to the realisation that there are various organisations catering to the
    African girl child but there is no single place for the organisations to converge and network.
    The study proposal will look to identify the African girl child, who she is, and her traditional roles and how these traditional can be redefined and how she can be empowered.

    Empowerment can be given in a variety of ways; this proposal seeks to look at how Interior design can act as an agent in the design of an environment that empowers the African girl child. Empowerment is the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights.

    The chosen site for intervention is the Old Pretoria Fire Station on the corner of Bosman and Minaar
    Street. Following are some images of the chosen site.





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