Activator Ras Hein Uses the Power of Storytelling to Challenge Social Injustice

2016 Activator Ras Hein Scheepers from George, Western Cape, uses the power of storytelling to challenge social injustice and shape the narrative through advocacy and film screenings, aiming to inspire communities and foster meaningful dialogue about pressing social issues.

He became an Activator because of his strong desire to drive change since leaving school. In 2010, Ras Hein was involved in student politics at the University of Western Cape while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology, intending to pursue a postgraduate teaching qualification, which he didn’t complete, but his passions for community engagement and development grew stronger despite the setbacks he had encountered.

Despite his shortfall in pursuing his academic venture, Ras Hein has become a force to be reckoned with and has completed training in organisations such as YALI and Africa Unite. Currently, Ras Hein co-directs the prestigious Africa Day Festival in George, which is now in its eighth year and hosts the Ashley Kriel Memorial Cypher in Cape Town. He is also involved in the flagship initiative of the Adwa Movement, a pan-African collective that he co-founded at the age of 23. In 2023, he was honoured with a medal by the Ethiopian Veterans Association for his role in organising the Adwa Victory Parade. And now he is completing a BA in international relations through Unisa.

As Activators, we can all learn that in every setback, there is a comeback and Activator Ras Hein is the perfect example of channelling negative energy into fruitfulness.

Despite all his distinct accolades in community development and youth engagement, Ras Hein remains at the forefront of challenging social injustice through storytelling through film screening.

Film screenings have become a medium of education, learning and development in local communities to raise awareness. Ras Hein, through his collaborative efforts with various NGO networks, has had two successful film screenings featuring Ashley Kriel and Patrice Lumumba in July. The audience was a gender-balanced and intergenerational mix. The audience was a gender-balanced and intergenerational one.

Gender disparity, inequality and marginalisation remain causes which is burning in the activist Ras Hein. At the moment, he is working on a film screening called Murder in Paris by director Enver Samuels, which will take place at Bertha House, 67 Main Road, Mowbray, Cape Town, 5.30pm on 25 August 2025.

The commemoration of Dulcie September, who is turning 90 years old on 20 August, is at a remarkable time in Women’s Month. Her story unpacks a complicated story of the assassination of anti-apartheid activist Dulcie September on the morning of March 29, 1988, in Paris.

Dulce September, who is a former school teacher, was serving as Chief Representative of the African National Congress (ANC) to Luxembourg, Switzerland, and France when she was killed. Murder in Paris sheds light on her unsung heroism and significance in the fight against apartheid, with original interviews and never-before-seen archival footage.

Without a doubt, the story of Dulcie September will resonate directly with the injustices women face in South Africa and around the world. According to Ras Hein, “ the film will also acknowledge women’s contribution to the liberation of South Africa – also noting the discrimination based on gender, race and class which continue to impede women’s full realisation of their freedom and constitutional rights, raising awareness about the life of Dulcie September, to educate people about the losses and the gains of the liberation struggle pre 1994 before the dawn of democracy. And because it is women’s month, the film will also recognise the contribution of women to the liberation struggle and anti-apartheid movements Ras explained.

Summing up, activator Ras Hein calls the network to action to realise the following, “Every year, in August, South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, to pay tribute to the more than 20 000 women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956, in protest against the extension of the Pass Laws to women” he said.

The collective invites all stakeholders, including communities, to a grassroots project with the purpose of restoring and preserving the revolutionary memory of Dulcie September. Together, we can mourn and heal from the injustices inflicted on our communities and the greater society by the oppressive past, and thereby shape and navigate future pathways to equality, peace, prosperity, and social cohesion.

And therefore I encourage all Activators to get involved in addressing gender justice issues as my contribution to society is focused on educating communities on grassroots levels and that everything depends on the consciousness and will of the people to liberate themselves from all forms of social injustice,  despite race, age, gender or background.”

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About the Author:

Lebogang Victor Ditsebe is a 2018 Activator from Kimberley, Northern Cape. Member of the Writers Hub, Civic Champion for the Holding Local Government accountable programme for ACTIVATE Change Drivers and a passionate disability rights awareness advocate.