With elegance, eloquence, and unmistakable presence, distinguished actress, producer, and women’s advocate Nambitha Mpumlwana unveiled The Divas Repartee — the flagship experience of her transformative women’s empowerment movement, Diva Nexus.
The inaugural luncheon, hosted at the resplendent Thyme on Nicol in Hurlingham, marked the commencement of a national tour dedicated to restoring women to the centre of the conversation — as thinkers, creators, leaders, and luminaries of change.
In an era where women’s voices are too often diminished, The Divas Repartee rose as a resounding symphony of unity and purpose — a sanctuary of dialogue, dignity, and discovery. It beckoned women not merely to attend, but to arise: not to be spoken to, but to speak; not to contend, but to connect; not to comply, but to create anew.
The afternoon’s gathering was graced by acclaimed actress and activist Florence Masebe, whose story epitomises resilience and the enduring flame of African womanhood. In a deeply poignant address, Masebe revisited the fateful day — 18 August, twenty-six years ago — when she survived a “rain of bullets” in a failed attempt on her life. With profound candour and radiant humour, she transformed tragedy into testimony.
“Whilst people may see a dot on the page,” she reflected, “that dot is the beginning of your life’s canvas — where you may draw and drive your own life and ambition. The dots on my page once stood as my bullets; now they stand as reminders of resilience.”
With tenderness and grace, she emphasised the importance of community in her recovery — the devoted “tribe” of friends and family who journeyed beside her, accompanying her to countless medical appointments and nurturing her spirit back to strength. Her narrative, delivered with levity and light, was not one of sorrow but of sublime restoration — a celebration of survival, sisterhood, and the soft power of solidarity.
Throughout the day, conversations bloomed like wildflowers — unguarded, vibrant, and deeply connective. Each dialogue became an opening, each story a bridge, each moment an act of reclamation. Opportunities emerged, collaborations were born, and a profound sense of shared purpose infused the room.
“Hey Diva,” Mpumlwana declared with regal warmth, “conversations are movement — a gathering of power that becomes the momentum of transformative action and celebration.”
The Divas Repartee is more than an event; it is a living movement — a tapestry of voices woven from courage, intellect, and grace. It is a testament to what becomes possible when women convene not in competition, but in communion. Through the fearless exchange of ideas and experiences, it reminds us that transformation begins with conversation — and conversation, in the hands of women, becomes revolution.
This was not merely a luncheon. It was an awakening — a renaissance of voice, vision, and valour.
About Diva Nexus
Diva Nexus is a dynamic women’s empowerment movement founded by Nambitha Mpumlwana, devoted to awakening the power, presence, and potential of women across Africa and beyond. Through curated experiences such as The Divas Repartee, Diva Nexus fosters dialogue, collaboration, and leadership among women — affirming their rightful place as architects of culture, catalysts of change, and custodians of community.
At its heart, Diva Nexus is both a call and a celebration: a clarion reminder that every woman holds the divine spark of transformation — and that when women gather, the world itself shifts.
