Today I’m excited to be talking to Dela Gwala.

Dela Gwala is a full-time feminist, activist writer, reluctant spiritualist, and hard truths enthusiast.

She holds a Master’s degree in Gender studies from the SOAS University of London and a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Cape Town. She has written for the IOL news website, Cape Argus newspaper, New Frame and Mahala magazine.

Her essays have been published in Feminism Is and the Life Righting Collective This Is How It Is. She is currently the Mobiliser-in-Chief at an organisation called the Restitution Foundation.

Her piece in Feminism Is is called When the Anger Runs Out. She says:

“For two years, I wore rage like a cape. I lashed out at anyone I felt was wrong, and I ranted – non-stop. I ranted online, in face-to-face conversations with friends, and during pillow talk with my partner. I ranted over the phone, via email, via Skype…I angered from the bottom of my belly at march after march, protest after protest, social justice meeting after social justice meeting. But then the rage became sadness. Sadness did not serve me like rage did, but I kept going…but then sadness gave way to burnout. I kept on because it was the only thing I knew to do until external intervention told me to stop.”

Dela’s piece explores the aftermath of rape, the harmful impact of rape culture, and the emotional rollercoaster of anti-rape activism. It also explores on the healing that comes from meditation and from meeting and learning from feminists online and in person.