We are joining the Safari Sisters!
It is the lionesses, not the male lions, who do the majority of hunting for their prides. They are extremely hard workers.
The same can be said for female safari guides. Lionesses hunt gazelles, impala and baby wildebeest. Female safari guides hunt and strive for acceptance and success in the safari industry.
From a guide perspective, the safari industry is dominated by males and female guides have to push past social norms and the ‘macho bushman’ stigma to become successful.
“Here at Nyayo, we are huge advocates of female empowerment. ”
Our founder herself – Gemma D’Souza – single handedly wrote, designed and published Nyayo magazine at 25 years old, proving so many people wrong. She was told she was “too young”, “too ambitious” and as a woman, she was not “cut out for business”.
As we start to collate content for volume three of Nyayo magazine which will be focused on Zambia (we literally can’t wait to start), we came across The Safari Sisters.
Started by Agata Passoni, who works in the sales and marketing team at Shenton Safaris, The Safari Sisters is a platform to shed a light on how conservation, community enrichment and female empowerment are all facets of the same goal.
Agata says “The Safari Industry is such an enigmatic and eclectic pocket of people on this earth, all passionate about the places they call home and the wildlife they are privileged to see. The more people I meet in this industry, the more I realise that there’s so much potential for growth for the incredible personal projects that many entrepreneurs in the safari industry dedicate their souls to.”
She continues “There’s something in particular that resonates with me; it’s when I meet fellow ladies attempting against all odds to grow and develop other women that are far less privileged. They are leading by example in an industry traditionally held only by men.”
“The innovation these women have in creating new ideas that lead to female empowerment, engaging in concepts that piggy-back off the safari industry, to help communities that can be overlooked.”
“From community projects, to fashion brands, to natural soaps manufacturing; each of these innovative ideas have been born in the hearts of the women that I am so blessed to know. They astound me in what their personal drive leads them to create. So I took a moment and sought them out.”
Her project of setting up this beautiful platform speaks volumes and is a real encouragement for other creative women to collaborate. That is why we’re excited to announce that our founder, Gemma, will be joining the sisterhood!
Gemma will join a team of incredible women so far – Marion Payr (founder of The Travel Blog), Alice Peretie (freelance photographer and conservationist), Catherine Garden (chef and founder of Fennel & Fig), Kate Wilson (founder of Mulbery Mongoose), Thandi Mweetwa (project manager of the Zambian Carnivore program), Paola Dal Bosco (founder of Essential Zambia), Fwilane Janery (Project Luangwa) and Alice Paghera (safari guide).
There are a few projects The Safari Sisters are working on currently. These include responsible tourism projects based in Mfuwe (Zambia), conservation work to protect the South Luangwa ecosystem and, of course, Covid-19 projects and appeals to help those most vulnerable in the safari industry.
The team here at Nyayo will continue to use our magazine and growing presence to encourage female empowerment, community enrichment and conservation. Keep an eye on our social channels and website for new projects.
“There is only one thing more powerful than a strong woman... A team of them.”