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Meet the directors of the South African Vegan Society.
Anastasya Eliseeva: 30. Vegan Society marketing, lives in Joburg.
I get called red head or the Russian – those are some of the obvious ones. My most original one to date is Krassy - from Krasiva (beautiful in Russian) mixed with crass (because I am).
I think I have the perfect job as freelance artist, painter, illustrator, or anything creative that pays the bills. In an ideal world I’d do the same thing I do now but concentrate more on art for Animal Rights.
Other stuff I enjoy doing ... running art/music/ culture animal rights events. Directing amateur performances. Writing. Ranting about important issues. Doing street art. Seeing new places. Being in nature.
Five words to describe me ... ethical, crazy, artist, activist, dreamer.
I spend most of my time getting stuck into some cool project or other, but outside that I try and keep a balance between loud social time with friends in nightclubs and quiet introspective time in parks.
Why Vegan? I was born in Russia - one of the least animal-friendly countries back in the day. My grandmother, who did a lot of work with stray animals, took me to see an underground film featuring animal cruelty when I was about five. The shock remained with me until I got to South Africa as a teenager, where it all happened almost simultaneously - I picked up my first SAAV flier, listened to my first punk song, handed out my first anti-MacDonald’s flier in the bus... and have been involved in animal rights to some degree ever since. I was a vegetarian for over a decade when i was presented with an opportunity to open my own restaurant, doubling up as a social hub. I decided it was the perfect time to switch fully to veganism and help promote it. I’ve been vegan for about five years now.
The biggest challenge is the alienation and negativity I feel from some people I used to be close to because of my choices.
I’ve found that reading the back of the packaging on food to look for animal ingredients makes one a lot more aware of what they are putting into their body, so after going vegan I found a new interest in nutrition and health. Also, veganism and animal rights is closely tied in with so many other relevant issues, that I find myself active in a variety of issues.
I love coffee and anything with mushrooms ... I’d die without soy milk and nutritional yeast flakes.
The most irritating arguments ... ‘I didn't climb to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables’. *That's right, you climbed it to eat pre-packaged, hormone infested, cruelty filled, unhealthy flesh* ‘But what will happen to all the cows?’ *They won't be bred, duuuuuuh*‘You don't know what you're missing’ *Maybe a heart condition, or colon cancer?*
I admire free-thinking, left-of-centre activists, who go against not only government laws but the laws of their own conditioning to better the world.
Favourite quote. ''Yes, I'm a dreamer... But I’m not alone. There are more of us than you suspect, and we've got bombs. Truth and beauty bombs'' - asofterworld
Lyrics.
We shall overcome one day
And beat their monitoring arms
And spray graffiti’s on their walls
To let them know that we're no longer their obedient toys
We shall overcome one day
Deep in my heart
I do believe
That we can defeat
This mess that we've bought - so far.
Gustav - We Shall Overcome
Book. Bukgakov 'Master and Margaritta', Keith Mann 'From Dusk 'til Dawn', Antoine de Saint Exupery 'The Little Prince'.
While the world around me is not perfect - I choose to live my life in a way that creates a microcosm of the world I would like to see, hoping that it inspires other microcosms into existence, which can grow and make the world as a whole better.
I the future I see a world where people are awakened to what is going on around them and take action, get out of the selfish capitalist model of only thinking for themselves and gain foresight, caring for the world and fellow earthlings.
I feel very passionate about fighting the meat industry, being by far the biggest, most damaging to the world and the animals, and vivisection due to it being a harsh representation of exactly how grotesque human exploitation of animals can be.
People choosing direct action inspires me. It's selfless and fearless, and impact - undeniable
Looking into the eyes of an animal drives me. Seeing other people inspired and questioning the world too ...and my friend's at vegan society and their encouragement :-)
To those thinking of going vegan or getting involved in activism ... Hurry up and do it :-) But - if you're getting into activism for self-gratification or recognition - forget it. It has to be selfless, and prepare for heartache and disappointment. It's a tough cause and a long, difficult road. Keep at it. It beats living in dormant apathy. |
Aragorn Eloff: 33. Public Relations for Vegan Society. Lives in Joburg.
Interests. I compose electronic music. I read widely on post-structuralist philosophy, psychology, consciousness, science, sociology, politics, environmentalism, alternative economics, etc. I am an anarchist, a committee member of Mensa SA and an advocate for the responsible use of psychedelics. I enjoy experimental music, single malt Islay whiskeys and algorithmic art. I also enjoy spending time around festivals, hippie / psytrance culture, art exhibitions, performances, clubs, bars, restaurants with decent vegan options and nature.
Me in five words. Countercultural. Optimistic. Logical. Enthusiastic. Ethical.
Why vegan? I was a vegetarian (with occasional lapses into pescatarianism) for a very long time for primarily ethical reasons. At some point I realised that my ethics were not consistent with the consumption of eggs and dairy products and that, indeed, vegetarianism is kind of illogical from an ethical perspective. I therefore became vegan, which was relatively easy considering I already ran a vegan restaurant :-) Been vegan for 4 years.
How it changed my life. I've become a lot more aware of nutrition and feel a lot healthier and more clear-headed. I've become an enthusiastic advocate of the vegan lifestyle and a proud supporter of abolitionist animal rights.
Favourite food. Good salads, veg sushi, hot curries, pink peppercorn dark chocolate (Fair Trade of course), energy drinks (my vice), a good (vegan) Belgian beer and fresh watermelon juice.
I've encountered some downright bizarre defences for eating meat. My favourite is probably that livestock would go extinct if we stopped eating it. The sheer myopia of this statement never ceases to make me laugh.
I admire Timothy Leary - adventurer, social activist and shining exemplar of the antinomian spirit. One of the sanest people to ever live. Also, all the ELFs that protect nature from decimation by the exploiter class and anyone who has ever stood up and acted on the proclamation, 'Ya Basta! Enough is enough!'
Favourite quote. 'Think for yourself and question authority.' - Dr. Timothy Leary.
Book. 'A Thousand Plateaus', by Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari. The sheer breadth and originality of thought (as well as the stunning writing style) are inspirational. By far my favourite philosophers.
Movie. I'm more of a documentary person; Life and Debt, Koyaanisqatsi, Maybe Logic: The Lives and Ideas of Robert Anton Wilson and 1 Giant Leap ranking highly on my list, but as far as actual movies go, I enjoy Delicatessen, Bladerunner, Drowning by Numbers (Peter Greenaway), The Garden (Derek Jarman), Donnie Darko, More (Barbet Schroeder), Brazil, Withnail and I, The Fountain, the Monty Python films, the Kenneth Anger films and tons more ...Okay, so I'm not more of a documentary person.
In the future, I hope to see a vegan anarchist world, populated by ethical, creative, profoundly unique individuals undivided by arbitrary distinctions like race, gender, species or philosophy.
I’m most passionate about veganism because more than 90% of all animals killed are killed for food. To rage against fur, circuses and other issues without also becoming vegan in one's own life is, if not wholly hypocritical, at least misguided.
To those thinking of going vegan or getting involved in activism: do it with others, in a joyous and life-affirming manner! Get angry, but do not remain caught up in anger, resentment, hopelessness; the world will change and indeed this is all it has ever done.
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Jacky Letard: 26. Vegan Society Media Coordinator. Lives in Joburg.
My ultimate would be to live in a world with no need for an animal rights movement. Since we don’t live in a world that graceful however, I wish I could do Animal Rights work all day. Showing everyone in the world Earthlings would be great - hopefully most would feel traumatised enough to make a change. Otherwise ... an assassin would be a fine line of work for me.
Me in five words. Hmm, angsty – would you believe, it never ended with my teens :), imaginative, perceptive, opinionated and sure.
Why vegan? Stumbled across PETA (dom dom dom). I became vegetarian because who could possibly look at a cow mid-decapitation and not? Then I ordered a copy of Meet your Meat and had no idea what I was in for – the veal calves, the pigs being beaten, Alec Baldwin - and went vegan straight away. That was about five years ago.
Changing my diet is about the EASIEST thing I've ever done – I decided I didn't want to be part of a system that treats sentient beings like things, and that was that. The hard part is that I’m not a dancing-in-the-fields-with-sunlight-in-my-hair-vegan at all – I think many stupid people walk the earth and I often find it difficult not to say so to their faces.
My profound realisation is this ... Humans are fucked up. I mean really, really fucked up in a monumental fashion. But we can change.
Lasagne and vegan cupcakes, need I say more?
One of my most memorable AR moments so far was meeting Keith Mann. I also kind of loved it when my bulldog Ludo humped Steve Best’s arm. AND, it was awesome when the circus phoned the police to get us off their property for protesting ... when the JMPD arrived they said we could stay and showed us how to thoi thoi! Ha ha!
I admire anyone with the self-awareness, empathy and courage to really look outside their comfort zone at what's happening to the sentient creatures of the world. Anyone who takes a meaningful stand on behalf of the weak, the exploited and the oppressed, human and non-human, has my eternal respect and admiration. On the flip side, I find fence sitters the most pathetic creatures on earth - the kind who 'hate' animal cruelty and get all teary when they hear of crimes against animals, yet they continue to eat meat, drink milk and generally just waste the air around them by never contributing something worthwhile and consistent at all. What's with them? Are they hoping they'll just get by on good intentions all their life?
Favourite book. Subject-wise ... Horror and gore and vampires and creatures and nightmarish freaks that live under your bed wearing zipper masks and smiles.
Lyrics. Go Rise Against!
Movie. I love escaping so I have loads. I’m a truly devoted Buffy fan and I watch seasons one to seven over and over and over and over (really).
I believe in showing people the things they don’t want to see. Just like Goldfinger says J
To those thinking of going vegan or getting involved in activism... What the fuck are you waiting for? Animals are dying NOW! You’re very welcome, we’re all very nice bla bla bla bla ...there’s lots to do! Go learn the difference between animal rights and welfare, go research all the different kinds of animal exploitation that exist and once your mind has finished being BLOWN, decide how you can contribute!
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Lydia du Plessis: 36. Research and Content Development for Vegan Society. Lives in Pietermaritzburg.
I would ideally like to start up and work on a sanctuary for farm animals in SA, which can also serve as a vegan education center / retreat / retirement village. To wind down I love reading, playing sudoku or watching movies.
Me in five words. Neurotic, melancholy, easy-going (up to a point), friendly (unless provoked) and approachable (mostly).
Why vegan? I read Eating by Peter Singer and Jim Mason. As long-term vegetarians, my partner and I immediately decided to go vegan when I got to the chapter on dairy cows. Been vegan for two years.
Nothing about going vegan was a challenge, except the knowledge of what is happening to the animals, and being unable to stop their suffering RIGHT NOW. The magnitude and horror of the suffering that animals endure only became apparent to me when I started looking for information on the Internet after we decided to go vegan. It altered my perception of the world completely and irrevocably.
Favourite food. Pasta and avocado. I really miss plain yoghurt and would love to see more dairy-free yoghurt options in SA! Oh, and feta cheese. :-)
Heartbreaking stuff... Every time I drive past Rainbow Chickens, every time I see a cattle truck, every time I see the body parts of recently tortured and murdered animals ... and knowing that the people around me do not see those animals.
Favourite quote. So many, but here is one for today, and which sums me up quite well: Never despair, but if you do, work on in despair – Edmund Burke
Book. Not possible to answer this one! My favourite authors include Haruki Murakami, Salman Rushdie, Scarlett Thomas, Louis de Bernières, JM Coetzee, Jonathan Safran Foer, Audrey Niffenegger, Harry Crews, Margaret Atwood, Lindsay Davis, David Mitchell and many more. From Dusk ‘til Dawn – Keith Mann.
Movie. I enjoy films by Wim Wenders, Darren Aronofsky, Emir Kusturica, David Lynch, M. Night Shyamalan and many more. My best activist movie is Behind the Mask.
How can I best impact society to change the world? I don’t know yet! I would like it to be through writing and working directly with animals. But my strong points are administrative ... Can admin change the world?
I don’t have much hope for the future. I despair. Although I am very proud and happy to be vegan, I hope to see a world one day where veganism is the norm and calling oneself ‘vegan’ is unnecessary. I hope to see a kinder world.
Having been a vegetarian for 17 years before going vegan, I now have a special interest in dairy cows. I have a lot to make up for ... I also feel passionate about chickens because I see so many chicken torture chambers when I travel. And I have developed a special interest in vivisection issues.
Direct action inspires me. People physically intervening on behalf of the animals and removing them from the places where they are tortured inspires me. I would like to work directly with animals in need of care and reach out to people through doing that.
To those thinking of going vegan or getting involved in activism... Calvin Coolidge said “we cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once”. So just do it! Go vegan, get active! At once!
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Matthew Clayton: 20. Vegan Society Campaign and Event Manager. Lives in Joburg.
Me in five words. Funny, caring, friendly, energetic and ridiculously handsome. I have no hobbies ... until drinking becomes a sport.
Why vegan? My friend and I went vegetarian for a month for no real reason. As I got into researching my food I started cutting things out of my diet gradually. I’ve been vegan for a year now.
The biggest challenge I faced? Having to learn how to cook food for myself with ingredients I’ve never heard of J. You find animal products in the weirdest places!
Two vegan products I couldn’t live without are Fry’s Sausage Rolls and strawberry flavoured soymilk. I wish Wine Gums were vegan!
The most irritating comment I’ve encountered so far is ‘why don’t you protest around a lion when it kills a buck in the wild then?’ That’s real by the way.
Watching Earthlings has been the most heartbreaking so far.
I admire the people who work at FORA. Seriously. It’s the most daunting and chaotic place on the planet.
Favourite quote. ‘Evil prevails when good men do nothing’ Think its Churchill? Its cliché ...
Lyrics. ‘You tell me that I make no difference, at least I’m fucking trying...what the fuck have you done?!’ Minor Threat.
Book. To kill a mockingbird, Animal Farm and From Dusk till Dawn
Movie. Zoolander!
Being one of those annoying lawyers who ask too many questions is how I think I’ll change the world ...
Fur is so unnecessary and disgusting, and I believe it’s a battle that really can be won in the short term.
Every now and then, something really cool happens to let you know people are actually nice deep down. I find that inspiring!
To those thinking of going vegan or getting involved in activism... find a vegan friend to give you help and on activism my advice is ... cops are faster than they look!
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Oriana Lovato: 25. Vegan Society General Secretary. Lives in Cape Town.
Ideally, I’d love to run a pro life sanctuary for abused domestic & farm animals.
Me in five words. Sensitive. Passionate. Dramatic. Sympathetic. Impulsive
A good ol’ protest is always good for the soul! To wind down I always have a book and my ipod on me. I love reading and music always makes me feel good. But my best thing in the whole world is hanging out and laughing with my friends over a soya chai latte.
Why vegan? Meet your Meat! I’ve been vegan for more than a year. Family lunches, work events and ignorant people are tricky ...
I suppose my profound realisation since becoming a vegan is the fact that people care. I’m often surrounded by empathetic like-minded people and it makes me feel positive about the world. To know that there is good in the world gives strength. It’s the only thing that keeps me fighting.
Favourite food. Soya Chai Tea and Pasta. (Not at the same time!). I could never live without Soya milk and Fry’s beef strips. I WISH Skittles were vegan, dammit!
When it comes to irritating comments there are SO many to choose from! I suppose I still find it ridiculously amusing when people tell me that cows need to be milked or they’ll blow up. I don’t know about you folks but I couldn’t think of anything worse than exploding bovines...
One of my most memorable moments in life so far was getting my precious Labradors. Heartbreaking? Earthlings is right up there.
I admire my parents for constantly supporting the cause and me even if I sometimes act like a stark raving mad lunatic. My brother inspires me everyday with his humour and his choice to stand up for the animals. My best friend is a rock and a constant beacon of hope for me. Also – I admire every Vegan for standing their ground and fighting the good fight...
Favourite quote. Animals are the great voteless and voiceless majority who can only survive with our help. Gerard Durell
Book. This is far too hard. I’m just going to stick with one of my favourite authors – Richard Laymon. And King. And Koontz. And Masterson. And Rice. And Tolkien. And McCammon. OKAY! Enough.
Movie. Requiem for a dream. Stardust. Nightmare before Christmas.
I believe... education is key. Ignorance is a killer.
In the future I hope to see a vegan world. Full of daisies and peace signs and rambunctious puppies... No seriously. I see a world full of ethical people making the right choices and protecting all humans, all animals and the planet.
I think I’m passionate about animal abuse in all shapes and forms but fur is still something that will make my blood boil in an instant. There is absolutely NO need for Hollywood starlets running around in 150 dead chinchillas because a designer says it’s a great look. WHY is there still fur farming when we have such great synthetic options?
To those thinking of going vegan or getting involved in activism... surround yourself with people who think the same way you do. Sometimes Animal Rights is a thankless cause and it can be tough – but if you are reminded that you’re not alone in the struggle it’ll rev you up and get you going... Also don’t be afraid to speak up. It doesn’t matter where you are – if there is something you need to say then say it.
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