Mother's Day is an annual occasion when we take the time to honour the incredible women who have shaped our lives through their love, support, and guidance. In celebration of Mother's Day 2024, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) published Mama. This is a unique anthology that pays tribute to the strong mother figures who have left an indelible mark on our hearts and minds, showcasing their unwavering strength, resilience, and love. As NK Jemisin writes in her novel The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, "In a child's eyes, a mother is a goddess. She can be glorious or terrible, benevolent or filled with wrath, but she commands love either way. I am convinced that this is the greatest power in the universe."
By sharing these stories, we hope to celebrate the strength, resilience, and love embodied by mothers and mother figures everywhere. Through this anthology, we aim to foster a deeper appreciation for the women who have shaped our lives and to provide a platform for the UJ community to reflect on the profound impact of maternal figures.