Qiniso Van Damme – “What a privilege it is that we are able to chase our dreams”
Womanhood and sisterhood for Qiniso Van Damme is all about forming part of this incredible tribe of women who are making history. In her OWN way, Qiniso hopes that her life forms part of the building block that fortifies women’s complete liberation that we still strive for in the year 2023.
Taking the lead in choosing a man for herself as the first South African Bachelorette, defying the norms of men taking the lead, has started her on that road of emancipation. But even years before that, the model had already taken a stance for women, forming part of crucial work and campaigns like the Foxy Five web series seven years ago. Yes, it may seem comical at first but the strong messages of feminism are still very much pertinent in today’s society. That women have all it takes to be whatever they want to be.
Now, the 30-year-old returns to further showcase her acting skills on another six-part web-series dubbed #momentstomeltinto – that canters around womanhood, challenges they face and what this beautiful society can be all about.
“I think it is so important to take up space. To grab that seat at the table and show men and other naysayer that we have a right to exist, to live, to breathe, to fail and to prosper,” she said.
And with her story being told publicly like it was, Qiniso said she felt like a brown girl’s love story has made an impact on various other women’s lives and that impact goes beyond what she had initially imagined.
“Yes I wanted love, and thank God that I found it, but more than that I wanted to show that women also have a right to shop for a man that they want. That they also have a right to date, to put themselves out there and approach opportunities where they can find love,” she said.
This, she adds, goes against the growing stereotypes that women should wait for the men to find them, adding that society is quick to label women who go for love outside of society’s confines.
A recent video on TikTok of a woman narrating how she met her husband and how she use to multi-dated prior to that meeting, has been met with backlash with many critising her choices in how she dated.
Even with such a bold stance of looking for love, Qiniso was also afraid of the backlash.
“I was afraid of those awful degrading labels, truly. Because I am not just a woman but I am a woman of colour, and anything that you do reflects on other women of colour. Anything we do can have consequences for these unending stereotypes attached to bodies like ours. But the positive responses overwhelmed me,” she added.
Her previous work in promoting womanhood made it easy for her to say yes to this six-part series, adding that all her experiences have empowered her.
“Everyday when I live out my truth, I feel like I am making a difference somehow. Beyond even the show, when I pursue my dreams everyday whether it’s a 9-5 or something completely different – that speaks volumes. I always say that I am my ancestor’s manifestation.
“Everything that my ancestors went through, being black human beings and going through the most in Africa, they didn’t have the chance to dream. They didn’t have a chance to want to be something great. And what a privilege that we are able to dream and chase our dreams,” she said.
Qiniso’s life and career journeys continues to speak true to the causes that she stands for. Better and equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of economical status.
And even in 2023, conversations such as these are still very important for the lady – hence agreeing to be casted in the six-part-mini series.
“There’s something also honest in saying that as much as I have succeeded in so many arenas of my industry, I still feel that imposter syndrome and I still feel like I am outside the window knocking in so I can be recognised. We are trapped as South Africans in choosing the same people over and over again for jobs/gigs, regardless that there is so much talent around.
“I want to use my influence and the platforms that I have been given to ensure that no one is left behind, I want to make sure that no one is outside knocking on the window or begging for a seat, you know.
“I want women of colour to dream, that although it is hard work but that there is room for you. I want other girls to look at me, see my hustle and believe in themselves,” she said.