In her departing interview with Salaamedia presenter Inayet Wadee, Nadima emotionally reflected on her two weeks in South Africa.
Thankful to Salaamedia and the South African National Women’s Forum for the opportunity to visit South Africa and speak on behalf of Afghanistan’s men, women and children, Nadima’s rhetoric provided the South African citizens with a glimpse of everyday life in the country of her birth.
The purpose of Nadima’s tour has been to change the narrative, as she put it, and to highlight the struggles and challenges facing the people of Afghanistan.
She aimed to show and inform the South African citizens that there is more to Afghan society than the negativity circulating in and around mainstream media. Reports and information which continuously disregard the genuine efforts made to remake an Afghan society that is prosperous and inclusive of all people.
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Changing the Narrative
While in South Africa, Nadima was interviewed by multiple TV and radio stations. All of which focused on narratives western media have propagated.
She prompts media outlets and reporters to step away from western narratives and not follow manipulated and misguided information about Afghan society. Nadima states the women of Afghanistan are being unjustly targeted by the media when there are more demanding issues to address.
“This whole idea of women’s education in Afghanistan has now become almost like another form of a nuclear bomb to us. I would love for them to start saying children’s education. How come we’re not talking about children’s education in Afghanistan? Can we talk about that and ask the question, why are we not talking about it? And if we do that, how are we going to do it? But it’s easier to attack a 40-year-old woman.”
She expects a certain degree of empathy, from South African media, for what Afghanistan has been through in the last 20-odd years of occupation, destruction and death. As a country, they are a people who are experiencing numerous difficulties. As such, they need to be individually addressed so they may be able to heal and move on from their traumatic past.
She does not dispute that women are facing challenges. However, she reiterates that unless solutions are brought forth and implemented, obsessing about that area, in particular, is not serving any purpose.
Mutually Beneficial
Nadima is grateful for the hospitality, welcome and warmth she received from the communities that hosted her during her two-week stay.
She mentions that coming together like this and speaking on various platforms creates universal kinship and brotherhood in countries dealing with similar challenges as it establishes solidarity through empathy, understanding and love.
Nadima’s tour allowed her to engage with many people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. After visiting various landmarks in South Africa and learning about the history and the struggles, the South African people endured and overcame, Nadima mentions that this inspired her as she took encouragement from their strength and sacrifices to continue her work and efforts.
However, she understands the labours that lie ahead will not be easy. It will take time, patience and a willingness from others to assist Afghanistan. Nadima hopes to bolster her newfound fellowship with future visits and to use these relationships to establish mutually beneficial trade links between the Afghan community and South Africans.
“You made me realise to continue to believe in my tariqah [spiritual path] because I will admit it wasn’t easy. But you guys made me realise now all the hard work has paid off, and I know we’ll do more work [in years to come].”
She hopes her engagement and her narrative will continue to change people’s hearts and minds regarding countries in similar situations as hers. When these countries and people are spoken about, it is with a tone that comes from a place of empathy and love, not criticism.
