Thoko Remigia Makhanya
Thoko Remigia Makhanya | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | anti-apartheid activist, environmental activist, women's health specialist and poet |
| Organization(s) | United Democratic Front, Biowatch South Africa |
Thoko Remigia Makhanya is a South African anti-apartheid activist, environmental activist, women's health specialist and poet.
Biography
Makhanya was an activist for the anti-apartheid organisation United Democratic Front.[1] In 1993, she composed the praise poem "A Noble Woman of Africa" in Zulu to honour Nokukhanya Bhengu, the anti-apartheid activist and widow of Albert Luthuli.[2][3][4]
She later became a health specialist and development practitioner with a focus on women’s development and health.[5] She volunteered for the PPHC HIV/AIDs group in Durban during the 1990s.[6]
In 2010, Makhanya joined the board of trustees of the environmental justice NGO Biowatch South Africa, campaigning against genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the industrialised food system.[5][7] She was a leader of the GM-Free KwaZulu-Natal campaign,[8] raised awareness about how the American agribusiness corporation Monsanto, in partnership with the South African Government, were handing out free GM seeds to farmers,[9][10] and has advocated for food sovereignty.[11] She retired from the board of trustees in 2019.[5]
References
- ^ Anstey, Gillian. "We're reporters, that's what we are". Good Governance Africa. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
- ^ Gagiano, Annie. Women Writing Africa: The Southern Region Review. LitNet: African Library.
- ^ Daymond, Margaret J. (2003). Women Writing Africa: The Southern Region. Feminist Press at CUNY. ISBN 978-1-55861-407-9.
- ^ Narismulu, Priya (2003). "Review of Women Writing Africa: The Southern Region". Feminist Africa (2). ISSN 1726-4596. JSTOR 48724984.
- ^ a b c Pelser, Desiré (13 June 2019). "Biowatch celebrates 20 years: Durban celebration". Biowatch South Africa. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
- ^ Mbali, M. (29 March 2013). South African AIDS Activism and Global Health Politics. Springer. pp. 12–3. ISBN 978-1-137-31216-7.
- ^ Singh, Keisha (26 June 2016). "Sufficient, safe food access is key". Sunday Tribune (South Africa). Retrieved 3 April 2025 – via Pressreader.com.
- ^ Carnie, Tony (20 April 2007). "Biowatch challenge heads back to court". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 3 April 2025.
- ^ Gosling, Melanie (27 August 2003). "Government hands out free GM seeds to farmers". The Mercury (South Africa). Retrieved 3 April 2025.
- ^ The Ecologist. Vol. 33. Ecosystems Limited. 2003. p. 6.
- ^ "Podcast: Thokozile Makhanya of Biowatch speaks on food sovereignty, and resisting genetically modified organisms". The African Women's Development Fund. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2025.