The Wikimedia Community User Group Zambia has officially announced its participants for the upcoming WikiIndaba 2024 conference, scheduled to take place from October 4 to 6, 2024, at The Capital On The Park in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. This marks an exciting milestone for the Zambian Wikimedia community, as it will be the first time Zambia is represented at the conference since 2019 and the first time the country will participate as an officially recognized user group following its recognition in 2023.
The objectives of WikiIndaba 2024 include:
- Building capacity for African Wikimedians
2. Fostering growth of the coverage and involvement of Africa in Wikimedia projects
3. Connecting African Wikimedians both within the continent and in the diaspora
Turning ideas into action
Three participants have been granted full scholarships to attend the conference, with two receiving their scholarships from the Wikimedia Foundation. These participants are:
- User:Icem4k– The founder of the Wikimedia Community User Group Zambia, Isaac has been an active member of the Wikimedia movement since 2011. His dedication to promoting free knowledge and open-source projects in Zambia has made him a key figure in the local community. Reflecting on the upcoming event, he shared: “It’s a tremendous honor to represent Zambia at WikiIndaba 2024. This conference is an opportunity for us to collaborate with fellow African Wikimedians, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. I’m particularly excited to contribute and discuss ways we can continue growing the movement in Zambia and beyond.”
- User:ChaloNiZambia – A seasoned Wikimedia editor who began contributing in 2018. She brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the Wikimedia projects and is eager to engage with fellow Wikimedians across the continent. Speaking about her selection, she said: “I am thrilled to be a part of WikiIndaba this year. It’s not just a chance to meet other editors and advocates from across Africa, but it’s also a space for personal growth and community building. I look forward to representing Zambian voices and gaining insights that will help us drive greater participation in Wikimedia projects back home.”
Additionally, User:Phiri Jnr, the communication officer for the Wikimedia Community User Group Zambia, was awarded a full scholarship through the SADC Scholarship Program, facilitated by Wikimedia South Africa. His role as communication officer has been instrumental in raising awareness and promoting Wikimedia activities in Zambia. Edward shared his thoughts on the opportunity: “Being part of WikiIndaba 2024 is an exciting opportunity for me personally and for our community. I’m eager to learn about the innovative ways other countries are growing their Wikimedia communities and find strategies that we can implement to make a bigger impact in Zambia. I’m grateful to Wikimedia South Africa for this scholarship, which makes it possible for me to attend.”
WikiIndaba: A Gathering of African Wikimedians
WikiIndaba Conference is the regional gathering for Africans both within the continent and the diaspora. The first edition was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2014 by Wikimedia South Africa. In 2017, the conference moved to Accra, Ghana, and was organized by Open Foundation West Africa. Subsequent editions have been hosted in various countries: Tunis, Tunisia in 2018 by Wikimedia TN Usergroup, and Abuja, Nigeria in 2019 by the Wikimedia UG Nigeria. Although the 2020 edition, planned for Kampala, Uganda, was postponed due to the pandemic, it became a virtual event in 2021 hosted by the Wikimedia Community User Group Uganda. In 2022, the conference took place in Kigali, Rwanda, and in 2023, it was held in Agadir, Morocco.
In 2024, the 8th edition of WikiIndaba returns to Johannesburg, organized once again by Wikimedia South Africa. This year’s theme, “!ke e: /xarra //ke,” meaning “United in diversity,” highlights the collective strength of the African Wikimedia community.
Reflecting on this theme, the participants shared their thoughts:
User:Icem4k: “The theme resonates deeply with our mission in Zambia. It emphasizes the importance of unity and collaboration among diverse communities, and I’m excited to explore how we can harness our differences to enhance our projects.”
User:ChaloNiZambia: “‘United in diversity’ perfectly encapsulates the spirit of WikiIndaba I think. Each participant brings unique perspectives and experiences, and I believe that together, we can create a more inclusive and comprehensive Wikimedia landscape.”
User:Phiri Jnr: “This theme is a call to action for all of us. It reminds us that our varied backgrounds are our greatest strengths and that by working together, we can drive significant change in the Wikimedia movement across Africa.”
WikiIndaba provides a platform for Wikimedians from across Africa to collaborate, discuss strategies for promoting free knowledge, and strengthen the Wikimedia movement on the continent. The conference aims to build capacity, foster growth in African participation in Wikimedia projects, and connect Wikimedians from across the continent and diaspora. Zambia’s participation at the conference highlights the community’s growing influence and commitment to contributing to the global Wikimedia movement.
As Zambia steps into the global Wikimedia spotlight once again, the Wikimedia Community User Group Zambia is eager to use this opportunity to strengthen its projects, forge meaningful connections with other African communities, and advocate for expanding Wikimedia activities within Zambia.
About Wikimedia Community User Group Zambia:
The Wikimedia Community User Group Zambia, officially recognized in 2023, is dedicated to promoting Wikimedia platforms in Zambia. The group’s mission is to foster free knowledge, support local Wikimedia editors, and encourage contributions from Zambians to the global Wikimedia ecosystem.
