Ishtar Lakhani

I was born in the midst of Apartheid South Africa to parents that wielded their passion for the arts to resist injustice. Growing up in this environment, it was no surprise that I have become (and continue to become) a feminist, activist, and trouble-maker in the field of social and environmental justice.

Over the past two decades, my activism has been polymorphous. Currently, I work as a free(lance) radical collaborating with social purpose organizations, movements, and networks to strengthen their approaches to advocacy campaigning for social and environmental justice. I use a range of methodologies—from creative activism and design thinking to systems change with a feminist linchpin—to co-create campaigns that are strategic, engaging, and effective (I like to win).

My true passion is working with people who know that a better world is possible and are open to exploring unconventional ways to make that world a reality. In 2020, I was recognized in the BBC’s “Top 100 Most Inspiring and Inspirational Women” for my work with the Centre for Artistic Activism in the “Free the Vaccine for COVID-19” Campaign.

Prior to this, I was the Human Rights and Advocacy Manager at the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce, where my team achieved a number of historic advocacy wins in the campaign for the rights of sex workers in South Africa. I was also the National Coordinator for the 1 in 9 Campaign, a feminist advocacy campaign for survivors of sexual violence. During this time, I was nominated as one of the Mail and Guardian’s “Top 200 Young South Africans.”

I did take a sabbatical from direct advocacy work to experiment with other ways to imagine and build new, just worlds through the creation and managing of “Love and Revolution”, a community space, bookstore, and coffee shop—a space that was profiled in the Converse All-Stars “Optimistic Rebels” Campaign.

All these experiences and experiments (including my time at university, which gave me a Master’s Degree in Anthropology but, more importantly, a desire to smash the patriarchy) have helped me gather a unique assortment of tools to support those that not only want to disrupt and dismantle the current status quo but who also want to imagine new, brave worlds and build them collectively.

Additional Reading: Ishtar Lakhani – Daily Maverick