Cover Author, activist, and Zafigo founder Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir shares what to expect at this power-packed travel conference in Kuala Lumpur (Photo: Zafigo)
Author, activist, and Zafigo founder Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir shares what to expect at this power-packed travel conference in Kuala Lumpur (Photo: Zafigo)
1 / 1
Beloved Malaysian author, activist and founder of women’s travel platform Zafigo Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir shares what to expect at this power-packed travel conference in Kuala Lumpur
Despite all the reasons that we have not to travel–whether it be uncertainty, fear for safety, soaring flight prices, or commitments at home–it’s nice every once in a while to be reminded of all the beautiful things that come from doing so.
After a five-year hiatus, ZafigoX 2024 returns with such a reminder, promising to empower, inspire, and connect women who are passionate about travel.
Set to take place on October 12-13, 2024, at Menara KEN TTDI in Kuala Lumpur, this year’s conference, themed Rejuvenation, will showcase a stellar lineup of international and local trailblazers, thought-provoking panel discussions, and hands-on workshops designed for women, by women.
Among the notable speakers headlining the event are Asma Khan, celebrated UK-based chef and advocate for social change in the food industry; Dr Mona Minkara, a blind traveller and accessibility advocate; and Palestinian journalist Plestia Alaqad, who will share her compelling personal stories from the frontlines. Sara Jane Ho, an etiquette expert and host of Netflix’s Mind Your Manners, will also be taking the stage to provide insights on navigating cultural differences with grace.
Above Red Hong Yi, Annice Lyn, and more interesting speakers to expect at ZafigoX 2024
Red Hong Yi, Annice Lyn, and more interesting speakers to expect at ZafigoX 2024
1 / 1
Closer to home, local luminaries include Suri Kempe, a staunch human rights advocate, and Red Hong Yi, a contemporary artist known for her unique installations. An exclusive conversation between Zafigo founder Marina Mahathir, and Malaysia’s squash legend Datuk Nicol David will also delve into empowering underserved youth through sports.
See more: Front & Female editor's picks: The best podcasts by women and for women
With engaging workshops by experts in food, movement, and self-defence, along with captivating performances by local talents, ZafigoX 2024 promises a transformative weekend dedicated to reigniting passions, nurturing connections, and empowering women from all walks of life.
On October 12, participants can expect celebrity chef and instructor Sapna Anand, Malaysian dancer January Low who will teach how to harness the power of classical Indian Odissi dance to reconnect with one’s body, Malaysian national Jiu-Jitsu athlete Cassandra J. Poyong on mastering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques to stay safe while travelling, and scrapbooker extraordinaire Tercia Goh, who will touch on the cathartic practice of documenting and journaling travel.
Below, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir shares more about the changing tides of travel trends, how her outlook on travel has changed, and what she hopes to achieve with this year’s ZafigoX conference.
Above Zafigo founder Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir
Zafigo founder Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir
1 / 1
How has your relationship with travel changed over the past several years since first starting Zafigo?
You know, I feel I’m pulled in two different ways. On the one hand, because of the pandemic, it felt like we were shut in for so long and we suddenly realised how quickly things can come to an end just like that. On the other hand, I feel like if I have an opportunity to go somewhere or to do something interesting, I’m like, “Let’s do it!” Because I don't know when I might not be able to do it, right? That said, the global travel landscape has changed, not least because of price and that travel has become so expensive. Now, you really have to think about where you want to go and how you’re going to do it, whether you can afford it, whether it’s sustainable or not. In Barcelona, they protesting against too many tourists coming in and making things expensive, right?
Do you feel that travel is a luxury reserved for only certain people?
I still believe that travel is something important for every human being. When you read the news and you look at what some people are saying, how it comes from a place of real ignorance, isolation and not knowing anything about anyone else. To me, that’s worrisome. It’s not the same seeing the other countries on TV. You need to interact with people and you’ll find that they're not that different really. They’re much the same. So I guess I’m in a kind of state of flux when it comes to thinking about travel. But I still believe in the good that comes from it.
Zafigo celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Looking back, are there any milestones in particular that remain close to you throughout this journey?
I can hardly believe it’s been 10 years for one thing. When we did our very first panel talk at The Georgetown Festival in 2016, we realised that a lot of women are really interested in travel and nobody’s been catering for them. Then when we started doing ZafigoX and every year it grew. It’s a bit like this quote from Field of Dreams: if you build it, people will come.
We never knew how many women out there were travelling whether on their own or in groups, having different kinds of experiences and wanting to share it through writing for us or through events like ZafigoX. There’s a whole world that we’ve discovered out there and it’s really great.
Above “There’s a whole world that we’ve discovered out there and it’s really great,” says Marina
“There’s a whole world that we’ve discovered out there and it’s really great,” says Marina
1 / 1
Give us some insights about the lineup of speakers and workshops at ZafigoX 2024.
The programme this year is not about a group of women saying they went here or there. It’s about a journey that a person takes. It’s a form of inner travel if you like, from doing one thing to becoming another. For instance, Asma Khan started cooking for a supper club at home and now she operates this wonderful restaurant in London called Darjeeling Express. She is on a mission to prove that women chefs can run restaurants, cook as well as anyone, and deserve the credit as well.
We’ve got Plestia Alaqad, one of the journalist who reported from the ground in Gaza. Now she’s left to study abroad. But really her story is about how you go from an environment of destruction and despair and keep yourself sane. She also happens to be a poet, and we are teaming her up with our spoken word artist, Sheena Baharudin. So that will be an interesting collaboration.
There will be wonderful people, like Nicol David herself to talk about how she went from a schoolgirl in Penang to becoming the number 1 squash champion in the world, recognised and respected by the likes of Roger Federer and others. We have Mona Minkara who is a blind woman, a scientist, and she travels despite being blind. So, I mean, what’s our excuse?
What’s the biggest takeaway that you want attendees to receive from this year’s ZafigoX conference?
Maybe travel is not available to everyone right now. What we are providing is an opportunity to come and meet these people on your doorstep, who can really inspire you to do something yourself.
Maybe nobody needs to travel six times a year. But why not be inspired, save up, and do one fabulous trip once a year, or once every two years? It’s just as good, right?
I think that despite everything that’s happening around the world, but it would be a shame if everyone just decided to stay home and not go anywhere. Because we need that interaction. Humankind has always travelled in one way or another, and it’s led to all sorts of good things.
Topics
Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
