IMBOKODO: Women who Shape Us

Imbokodo: Women Who Shape Us is a groundbreaking series of books which introduces you to the powerful stories of South African women who have all made their mark and cleared a path for women and girls. These books recognise, acknowledge and honour our heroines and elders from the past and the present.

South African women are silent no more on the roles that we have played in advancing our lives as artists, storytellers, writers, politicians and educationists.

The title ‘Imbokodo’ has been chosen as it is a Zulu word that means “rock” and is often used in the saying ‘Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo!’, which means “You Strike a Women, You Strike a Rock!”

In 10 Curious Inventors, Healers & Creators you will read about the women who shape our world through education, science and maths. You will read about women who became teachers, nurses, social workers, scientists and community workers, overcame obstacles and through their work fought for social change.

Source: https://jacana.co.za/product/imbokodo-women-who-shape-us-10-inventors-healers-creators/

Keywords/Themes

Education, Healing and Medicine, Social Change, Innovation, Creativity, Female Independence, Passion and Purpose, Overcoming Obstacles, Diversity and Representation.

Book Review & Recommended Use in Classroom 

I used some of the biographies in a block about “People who changed the world” - to supplement the rather famous and well-known people by women who represent various aspects of world citizens. 

class 10 in the context of "People who changed the World”.

The language is generally easy to understand. However, some terms - especially certain unfamiliar names – posed challenges for my pupils in class 10. 

(Ulrike, April 2025)

            
Sensitive Content

None

 

About the Authors

Athambile Masola is a teacher, writer and poet. She is the founder of Asinakuthula Collective (www.asinakuthula.org), a collective of teachers and researchers interested in women’s history. She is a member of Bua-lit Language and Literacy Collective, which works on social justice in language and literacy education. She has written poetry in Xhosa, titled Ilifa (2021). She is a lecturer in the History Department at the University of Cape Town.

Xolisa Guzula is a lecturer in language and literacy studies with a focus on multilingual and multiliteracy education at the University of Cape Town. She specialises in multilingual education, especially in teaching children to read and write in two languages. She is one of the founders of a network of reading clubs growing across the country. She has written four children’s books and translated many children’s books from English to Xhosa. She is a member of Bua-lit Language and Literacy Collective, which works on social justice in language and literacy education.

Source: https://jacana.co.za/product/imbokodo-women-who-shape-us-10-inventors-healers-creators/