Duduza Mchunu on Feminism, Social Media Activism And Self-Discovery
Duduza Mchunu widely known as Unity Bond from the widely popular all-female film series the Foxy Five shot here by Sarah Hugo-Hamman talks about self-discovery, feminism losing its core message, social media activism and more
Many people know you as Duduza from the Foxy Five, can you tell us about yourself aside from your role as Unity Bond?
This is always a bit of a strange question to answer because I dont really know the answer to this and how do I explain myself to people without sounding pretentious? I guess I'll just
start off with what I normally say when people ask me this question which is, I'm currently in my fourth year at Michaelis school of Fine Art. My major is printmaking even though I havent
made a print in 2 years and my focus is more in the digital technological side of art, that being video, sound and a bit of digital collage. I guess I've been more drawn to that side because I'm a millennial and cyber space has become the main platform of communication and expression for my generation. I find that it is a two folded experience of tangible intangibility. The main reason I studied art truly, was so that I could have a better understanding and different viewpoint for fashion specifically in the manner in which fashion has different ways of communicating to the masses when presented and branded in a specific way.
Are there any similarities between Duduza Mchunu and Unity Bond?
Well I mean at first I didn't think so but then when Jabu (Director of Foxy Five) had said that each of the characters reminds her of each womxn's personality I had to sit and think about it. I guess the aspect of being an extreme truth teller, no jokes and no sugar coating but also being able to see everyone's perspective and being super, super diplomatic, but I feel like I have way more imperfections than Unity Bond I feel like I'm constantly trying to figure myself out. I dont really know who I am and I feel like this is easily translated into the way that I speak and my way of communicating with people, there's constantly a different form of vocabulary within my expression whether it be fashion, speech, sight whatever it may be.
The term feminism has created a lot of mixed perceptions or opinions from people. What is feminism to you and how do you translate that viewpoint into your everyday life?
I think my biggest issue with feminism is that it was seen as a concept that was inclusive but then the very idea of the marginalized somehow entered this beautiful theory of equality which is why the conversation of equality is important.
South Africa is in an interesting state of flux, what is your viewpoint on where we are at, from a youth perspective and a general perspective?
To be blunt, the older white generation is still holding on to a time that was completely in their fucked up favour which obviously, is unrealistic and has left us rightfully upset. I truly think that this country still needs work and time and these things take a whole lot of time, you know, just as much as the west had time to build their empire of some deep human beings with full lives we should have our time to figure ourselves out in this society. So the key is work and a whole lot of rightfully deserved time.
What are your thoughts on social media activism?
Social media activism is fine with me as long as you're doing the shit in your humble abodes
that may make you feel slightly uncomfortable as long as you're not only talking behind your screen.
Credits:
Photography: Sarah Hugo-Hamman
Stockists:Sol Sol, Time Mate Shoes
Interview: Phendu Kuta