A line-up of seven African writers with different levels of experience has been selected for the opportunity.

The writers will be creating content that focuses on the themes of climate change, equity and global health.

The selection comprises individuals coming from five different countries across sub-Saharan Africa.

The room is made up of those who identify as:
  • queer
  • genderqueer
  • non-binary
  • gender non-conforming
  • genderfluid, and
  • transgender.
The writers who are participating include:
  • Makgano Mamabolo
  • Mia Arderne
  • Nyembezi
  • Ado Aminu 
  • Sonia Audi, and
  • Glow Makatsi. 
"We are thrilled to kick off VIS Social Impact’s first writer's room with a group of incredibly talented creatives," says Georgia Arnold, head of VIS Social Impact and senior vice president of international social responsibility at Paramount.

"The candidates have all demonstrated a passion for social impact and will bring their unique lived experiences, interests and points of view to the room. We are confident that this will result in powerful content creation and further the mission of Paramount's global Content for Change initiative," adds Arnold.

Thishiwe Ziqubu, head writer and director of Beyond the Binary: Fluid Voices, says, "As a gender non-binary person myself, it is an honour to lead the programme's directive as a mainly gender diverse room."

"My personal agenda, which aligns with VIS Social Impact, is to give room for marginalised identities to hold the mic. Our task is to tell entertaining, character-driven stories that impact change on the social issues humanity is battling. Hardly ever do the 'Others' get prime selection in any media programme. We're making history here. I am honoured to be at the helm of this powerful movement," adds Ziqubu.

Beyond the Binary: Fluid Voices writers' room will run weekly for four months between February and May. A group of experts will meet with the writers and collaborate with them to support the creation of their ideas and ensure accuracy. The expert advisers include:
  • Hilda Flavia Nakabuye, a climate and environmental rights activist 
  • Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, an advocate for global health care and United Nation's special rapporteur on the Right to Health
  • Dr Beverly Ditsie, an activist, artist, filmmaker and one of the founders of the Gay and Lesbian Organization of Witwatersrand, and
  • Ava Heather Mrima from Jinsiangu, a charity in Kenya which aims to improve the lives and wellbeing of intersex, trans and non-binary persons.
"Edutainment, diversity and inclusion, social impact and authentic storytelling are the cornerstones of Paramount's brands in Africa," says Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Paramount Africa.

"We are proud to be part of this pioneering initiative. Having seen that impact is driven through showcasing rising talent, this platform will bring about authentic African stories and showcase the need for an integrated, synergistic knowledge sharing approach to drive change," adds Twala.

"Thank you to all the writers participating in Beyond The Binary: Fluid Voices’ programme; we wish them all the best in this journey," concludes Twala.

For more information, you can follow Beyond the Binary: Fluid Voices on Twitter or on Instagram.