Art for Humanity

Exciting Book and Art Fair - 12 Sunday

2012-02-09T00:05:00.000-08:00

Untitled by Biljana Jankovic

Are you looking for a Pre-valentines adventure? Or maybe you a book lover? Or interested in the arts? Well, whatever it is, an exciting Book and Art fair is taking place this Sunday (12 Feb) at Balmoral Hotel!

The event, hosted by North Beach Events, begins at 9 am and see's a host of book and art stalls with a line up of programmes including book reviews and poetry recitations. A poet who shall be performing is AFH's very own Fikile Mthembu (16) who will be reciting works from the Dialogue Among Civilizations project.

AFH shall have a stall at the fair, where atrworks and publications shall be readily available for purchase. Digital copies of artworks from the various portfolio's will be sold at a cost of R700 each. If interested in purchasing, please contact us now! afh@dut.ac.za

Come and enjoy a fabulous day out for only R10!

North Beach Events
presents a

Book & Art Fair

Sunday 12 February 2012

Entry R10.00 per Person

9am - 5pm

Balmoral Hotel North Beach
(opp amusement park)

Find Books & Stationery Photography, Art & More on Display

Talk at 2pm by
Edris Khamissa

Activities Include Book Reviews
Story-Time, Creative Writing & Crafts

Event Co-Ordinator Rookaya 031-332-9724

Parking available behind Hotel - in front of Police Station

Head down to NOMA tonight!

2012-02-03T02:24:00.000-08:00

Hello Friends,

'an angel of mercy' by Judy Woodborne

Don't forget to visit the New Orleans Museum of Art tonight where you get to see works from various AFH portfolios!

A special event entitled, "Becoming Artfully AWARE: Linking Local and International Communities through the Arts," shall see a host of art, poetry and entertainers exhibit their work and talents. Hillary Wallis, Executive Director of Artfully Aware says, “Our goal is to welcome a cross section of community members under one roof, so we can celebrate our uniqueness as well as what makes us relate to the rest of the world. We want to express why arts and culture are so vitally important, and emphasize their positive impact on society.”

The event shall start at 5:00 pm! We look forward to seeing YOU there.

For more information, click HERE

NOMA Event

2012-01-27T00:20:00.000-08:00

Laughter Remembered by Louise Almon from the Women
for Children portfolio will be one of 11 works exhibited at
the event.

A friendly reminder that the "Becoming Artfully AWARE: Linking Local and International Communities through the Arts," a special event at New Orleans Museum of Art which shall will be taking place in a weeks time, 3 February 2012.

The event will showcase the a series of works from various AFH portfolio's aswel as photographs take at the Art and Social Justice workshops of 2011.

For more information on the Event, please click HERE

Peace and Tolerance for Elena Malec

2012-01-18T01:32:00.000-08:00

Fine Artist and writer for peace and tolerance, Elena Malec has dedicated her life to writing poetry, being an artist, a doll maker and a web designer. Romanian born Elena who has an MA in Modern languages previously worked in the education and research fields, but art was always her true passion.

With an array of publications to her name, "Elena believes art is a realm of beauty and harmony and art’s mission is to inspire meditation, bliss, positive energy, peace." Below are the works African Drum and Love and protection, which Elena uses to voice her message for peace in Africa.

African Drum

Love and Protect

Olumide by Elena Malec

Her name was Aisha, her eyes were embers, her skin was ebony. Graceful as a gazelle, young Aisha was running slowly across the savanna.

Flowering acacia trees under a magenta sky scattered dreams of her prince.

His skin was sea foam, his eyes were heavens, his name was Ian.

In the immense African night thirsty gazelles kiss the refreshing waters of the lake.

“Oh, come to my side my beloved husband, the apple of my eye; come to me my fair prince. The moon is guiding you in finding the way into my arms.

Pure and luminous is my love for you like the baobab flowers and only the age of baobabs match my fidelity to you.

I am dark as the night but shining with beauty like the sun.

Come under the baobab tree. Its bark will give us clothes, its leaves will give us medicine, the fruit will give us food and quench our thirst and the trunk will give us shelter.”

The young husband hears the love call and dashes to embrace her.

“Beloved gazelle, jewel of my life, your longing is sister to my longing for you. Between us oceans of love, between us mountains of desire, between us savannas of hope fill the moments of separation. Your kisses are as sweet as the heart of the prickly pear, your embrace is warm and dear to me.”

Kisses as sweet as the heart of the prickly pear and warm embraces followed.

Aisha was now with child.

One night they called the animals that gathered by the freshwater lake.

“Tell us the teachings of this world for our future son, you beasts of the earth.”

And for nine months animals kept telling stories.

“I am the giraffe known for spiritual vision. Many thousands years ago, in Africa, my ancestors have been depicted on rocks by the Kiffian people. My saying is that from earliest times till today man has believed that all that exists in this world has a soul. Humans and animals and plants have life, but the mountains and rivers, and rocks and the stars have a soul too and there is nothing I can tell of who does not have a spirit. Go to all corners of the earth and you will find people who believe in animism.”

And for a month the giraffe came to the lake and told Aisha and Ian stories of animistic beliefs in many mythologies.

“I might be older than you and my wisdom is legendary,” said the elephant. “I am also revered as a god, Lord Ganesha, by the Hindus. Among my teachings are those of Dharma, Samsara, Karma and Moksha, and various Yogas.

The wisdom of the Hindus goes back to the sacred Vedas which are older than other scriptures.” So every night for one full month the majestic elephant told old beliefs, and teachings from Rig Veda, Bhaagawada Gita and the beautiful mythological stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Slowly moving along from the deserts of Sahara came to the animal gathering the African spurred tortoise.

“I come from the oldest times of this world when in distant China my ancestor, the sacred tortoise, was the symbol of longevity. The first characters were inscribed on our shells.We witnessed the birth of Tao. I can tell you about the three jewels of Tao: compassion, moderation and humility and the reverance of nature, health and longevity and the principle of wu wei that is action through inaction.Tao is the true teaching and respect for ancestor spirits and immortals,” added the tortoise.And night after night it told from the teachings,symbols and rituals of taoism.

Walking quickly to meet the animals gathering one night appeared a village dog.” I am an African village dog” it said .”My ancestors are the earliest domesticated dogs on earth.Our qualities and virtues were revered by one of the oldest religions, Zoroastrianism.The Chinwad Bridge to Heaven is said to be guarded by dogs in Zoroastrian scripture.Respect for the dog is common among Iranian Zoroastrian villagers. So I bring to you the word of the Avesta, the Zoroastrian scripture.Zoroastrians believe that there is one universal god, Ahura Mazda.He is the only creator of the world which is based on two principles, good and evil.In this conflict humans take action through good deeds, good behavior, good thoughts.”

And this is how the dog told stories from the life of Zoroaster and the sacred scriptures of Iranian people.

In the fifth month of her pregnacy Aisha saw a collared dove flying above her head and landing on her shoulder. The animals were silent and the guest introduced itself.”I am from a distant time when after the flood Noah sent a dove to see if there was land somewhere and it came back with an olive branch.

Judaism tells of wonderful qualities of doves associated with the Jewish people”

“What is Judaism?” asked Ian.

“Judaism it's about the relationship between the Jewish people and God.Jewish people believe they were chosen to live exemplary lives, to model the kind of behavior that God wants of humans. By following the ten commandments you become a good Jew.”

And the dove cooed for 30 nights stories about the Jewish people and their religion.

“I come to you with the teaching of Lord Buddha” said the rhinoceros. In the "The Rhinoceros Sutra" the Buddha says one should wander lonely as a rhino.
“ Renouncing violence for all living beings,
harming not even a one;
You would not wish for offspring,
so how a companion?
Wander alone like a rhinoceros.”

And Buddha-nature is like the pure rhinoceros, mind you. Buddhist faith in Amitabha through the recitation of his name teaches that, as a consequence of this practice, after death one will achieve rebirth in paradise.”

And the Rhino continued the stories from the teachings of Buddha for one month while every soul was listening with interest.

One night the waters of the lake trembled and a fish bubbled up.

”I am the African carp. I have relatives on most continents. My teaching is very old, and my God is Lord Jesus Christ. He who died on the cross took upon Himself the sins of mankind. He lived in virtue and taught virtue. Faith, hope and charity (love) is the Christ moral teaching. Just whisper with me the words of Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.”

Now came the camel that spoke of a sacrifice and a sign from Allah. ”I preach Islam. The Qumran teaches that Allah is the only creator of all life and Muhammad is his prophet. Islam means submission to one god.”

In the ninth month confessed the monkey. ”I do not have a god .I am an atheist.”

Aisha and Ian listened respectfully and thanked all animals.

“All teachings are equally good”, they said in one breath.

And Aisha gave Ian their first born named Olumide, meaning God has come.

All information was gathered from Elena Malec's website. Click HERE for more.

"Blombos" features on TRACSYMBOLS website

2012-01-16T23:54:00.000-08:00

The aim of TRACSYMBOLS is to examine how key behavioural innovations emerged among Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis in southern Africa and Europe respectively, and explore whether and how environmental variability influenced this development between 180 – 25 ka [Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 6 – 3].

To achieve this goal the PI and co-PI have built up a new research team that for the first time... are combining archaeological results, original multi-proxy palaeoenvironmental data, and state-of-the-art climatic simulations for two continents to which a dedicated biocomputational algorithm is being applied. This approach is creating new benchmarks for better understanding the behavioural evolution of these hominins within precise environmental and ecological frameworks.

To view the works of Anthony Dunn and Bruce Willus on the TRACSYMBOLS website, Click HERE

Exhibition at NOMA - 3 February 2012

2012-01-15T23:18:00.000-08:00

by Thireshni Sanasy

Yes No by Guto Nobrega

Boy by Este' Macleod

Art For Humanity see's a busy start to the new year. As February approaches, AFH will be participating in an exhibition Hosted by Artfully Aware, entitled "Becoming Artfully AWARE: Linking Communities and International Visitors through the Arts."

The exhibition which takes place at the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) will see Art for Humanity exhibiting 11 works from 3 portfolio's, including Women for Children, Dialogue Among Civilizations and Break the Silence. Also included in the exhibition will be an array of photo's taken at the Art and Social Justice workshops that were hosted by AFH last year at various schools within the Durban area.

Banner installed by AFH at Mowat
Park High

The exhibition which is hosted by Artfully Aware in partnership with NOMA, The New Orleans Citizen Diplomacy Council and World Trade Center, aims to provide an opportunity for adults and children to share their stories with new and diverse audiences. Opening night will be held at NOMA on the 3 February 2012 from 5:00pm to 10:00pm and shall include a host of diverse programmes, including live entertainment by Michael Watson and short films dedicated to showcasing the role of arts in international society, not forgetting the works from the AFH portfolios.

To see more on the event, click HERE

Mother's Grief by Kim Berman

World AIDS Day: Break the Silence

2011-11-30T22:20:00.000-08:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

We are facing the biggest humanitarian crisis in the history of mankind, climate change. With COP 17 well underway in Durban South Africa, AFH proudly supports this initiative with hopes that solutions can be reached for the em-betterment of our lively hood. Another issue of concern that has been a highly destructive force in the global community is the HIV/AIDS epidemic. December 1st marks World AIDS day in its calender as the fight against this disease continues.

AFH (Art for Humanity) initiated the Break the Silence HIV/AIDS portfolio in 2000 with the purpose of instilling a greater sense of social responsibility towards the pandemic and to those who are infected and affected by the disease. Jan Jordaan (AFH Director) in collaboration with Vedant Nanackchand and Dr. Nigel Rollins were responsible for designing the project which has had contributions from 31 artists across the globe (21 from South Africa & 10 internationally). These artists have contributed original fine art prints to the HIV/AIDS initiative.

Art for Humanity encourages the global community to participate in the fight against HIV/AIDS. For more information on the AFH Break the Silence portfolio please follow the link http://www.afh.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=108&Itemid=69

Enough to Eat Exhibition

2011-11-21T23:34:00.000-08:00

AFH will proudly give a report back on this exciting event taking place tomorrow. For more information please visit the following link: http://www.cop17-cmp7durban.com/downloads/Map-Durban.pdf

Art & Social Justice School Workshops: Sthokozile High

2011-11-20T23:19:00.000-08:00

By Njabulo Ngobese

The last and final stop for the Art and Social Justice Workshops was the Clermont based high school Sthokozile which came highly prepared and excited about the AFH initiative packing an overwhelming 50 students. With the absence of Art for Humanity’s director Jan Jordaan and Human Rights Commission representative Eugene Raphalane, Lungile Dlamini was the head lady in charge as she wasted no time introducing her colleagues to the eager young minds of Sthokozile High. An additional introduction by the school principal as well as his warm welcome gave us the go ahead to proceed with the day’s activities.

A trip to the AFH banner which was located at the school’s wall outdoors, presented the first task for the students. Topaz asked the kids to analyse the art and read the poem on the banner simultaneously. After the completion of the task, the pupils headed back to the classroom where they began engaging in their creative process. Drawing a picture accompanied by a poem that represents the image, Sthokozile’s highly dedicated pupils wasted no time in living out their passion. Wendy Mthembu, Siyanda Ngcobo, Sanele Vezi were one of the students that displayed great talent in their work as their poetry and drawing skills caught the eye of the AFH staff.

Sthokozile students all appeared to be excited about the workshop as they shared a common message of having AFH return again in the near future. Maneli Ndlovu who occupies the Arts and Culture post at the school spoke of some of the challenges they face when it comes to the arts. Lack of resources and facilities to house any art related activities has to some degree demotivated students from participating in art programs. It was however unfortunate that the workshop could only house 50 students with a few more that couldn’t be granted access because of space issues. The presentations of the work done by the Sthokozile group proved to be quite a treat as it combined love, pain & hope both in drawings and in poetry. The experience was quite memorable.

Refreshments were then served and the highlight of the workshop took centre stage. Topaz doing what he does best, delivered one of his best performances yet. His piece received a warm standing ovation from Sthokozile. It was a perfect closing to what has proved to be a series of highly insightful workshops.

http://www.afh.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=60&Itemid=65

Banner:
Artist: Este Macleod (Boy)
Poet: Zandra Bezuidenhout (A Child Dreaming)
(Dialogue Amongst Civilization Catalogue)

Art and Social Justice Workshop at Ziphathele Secondary

2011-11-17T00:53:00.000-08:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

The Ziphathele group proved to be quite a reserved bunch at first. Overwhelmed with the anxiety of finding out what the initiative was about, AFH director Jan Jordaan eased them into the picture as he swiftly introduced the Art for Humanity team and went on to explain their visit to the school. In his brief introductory presentation, Mr Jordaan encouraged the concept of ‘imagination’ and ‘dreams’ amongst the attendants of the Art and Social Justice Workshop. He explained how the two can be merged together to produce artistry both in writing and drawing. Eugene Raphalane of the Human Rights Commission took over after Jan Jordaan as he addressed the full class of art aspirants on the relationship between rights and responsibilities. “With every right presented comes a responsibility with it”. Those were the noted sentiments of Eugene Raphalane who encouraged pupils not to abuse their rights and learn to take responsibility for themselves.

Topaz then took the students outside to the school wall where the AFH banner featuring the works of artist Joseph Madisia and poet Luness Mpunwa was located. The Sound of the African Drum was the art work and poem being analysed by the students. Simultaneously reciting the poem, the pupils grabbed the attention of passing students as they momentarily became the centre of attention at Ziphathele. Each participant of the school workshop gave their personal analysis of the poem with Topaz giving his last thoughts on the piece before everyone headed back to the classroom.

After being presented with tools to unleash their creativity, the Ziphathele group went to work. 14 year old Nonhlanhla Xaba was knee deep in her poetry piece about a man who broke her mother’s heart. She expressed her joy on the presence of the school workshop at Ziphathele.

“The workshop is an opportunity for us to voice our talents. I’m not an artist in drawings but I am in my writings”, says Pamela Sibiya who was also enthused by the presence of AFH and their initiative.

When it came to drawings, Luyanda Mnika caught the eye of our experts with his piece simply titled iKhaya Lakho (Your Home). According to the 17 year old Luyanda, inner guidance is what has propelled him to produce the work he’s done. He went on to express the importance of the school workshop and how much it adds to the upliftment of their passion for art.

The presentations were breathtakingly beautiful. Pamela Sibiya led the pact with her poem I Am A Women followed by Marareni Busisiwe’s piece titled Pollution. Bonginkosi Goba showcased his offering titled Poverty and gave room to Atlang Maletsane who presented her work titled Washa Muntu Omusha. But the highlight of possibly the entire journey of school workshops we had been through was the bravery of Grade 8 pupil Monde Mabizela who disclosed her HIV status with a poem titled Ngiphila Kabuhlungu Emhlabeni (I Live in Hardship in this World). It was an emotional moment that caught everyone off guard as the poem became too much for Monde to read out to everyone. Thanks to the assistance and motherly care of AFH staff member Lungile Gumede, Monde’s heartfelt piece was read out by Lungile.

After all the presentations were completed, refreshments were served to the Ziphathele pupils and were given a dose of that Topaz magic as he delivered a highly charged piece that left the attendants of the workshop yearning for more. We also managed to speak to Ms. Majola who had been supervising the workshop on behalf of Ziphathele. She shared her thoughts on the importance of the AFH initiative and how much it can enhance art amongst the students. “Learners are creative but they need workshops like this to allow their creativity to be set free” as she further elaborated.

Banner: Artwork: Joseph Madisia (The Sound of the African Drum)

Poet: Luness Mpunwa (The Sound of the African Drum)

From the Dialogue Amongst Civilization Catalogue

To view more information on the artwork/poetry presented on the banner, please follow the link here http://www.afhsaportfolio.co.za/joseph-madisia-artist-and-luness-mpunwa-mhlope-poet-namibia/

Art and Social Justice Workshop Chesterville Extension

2011-11-14T23:14:00.000-08:00

By Njabulo Ngobese

A warm reception from Chesterville Extension staff members and pupils promised a fruitful outcome on the day’s events as far as the Art and Social Justice Workshop was concerned. AFH was once again excited to engage lovers of art and poetry in an experience that was giving them a chance to express themselves freely without any boundaries or limitations. 23 students at Grade 9 level were going to be the centre of attention during the course of the workshop as Miss Mgadi initiated the day’s program by addressing the participants on this AFH initiative. Jan Jordaan the director of AFH (Art for Humanity) was then given a chance to introduce himself and his team as well as the work they were there to carry out. In his introductory speech, he spoke of freedom and how it can influence one’s thought process when creating their art and poetry. Eugene Raphalane from the Human Rights Commission then took over from Jan as he addressed the Chesterville Extension pupils on the importance of Children’s Rights. Bearing emphasis on Chapter 2 – 28 Section 28 on the constitution, he elaborated on children’s rights to living under a safe and protected environment. He also touched on children’s rights to attaining an adequate education regardless of race or gender. Most importantly, Raphalane noted in his address that with rights comes responsibility.

The Chesterville Extension workshop participants were then led by the AFH team to the banner chosen by the school pupils themselves with artwork from Guto Nobrega titled Yes No & a poetry piece titled The Measure of Things by Sergio Rivero. After analysing the work presented on the banner, a question was then posed to the pupils to give their own personal interpretation of the pieces. Silungile Mqadi viewed the work to be a representation of choice and responsibility. “The use of different colours represents different races and the two dogs are the alter egos of one person and their ‘yes, no’ dilemma. Phelele Gwala also passed thought provoking commentary on the artwork as he made mention of the fact that animals live through the ‘survival of the fittest’ tactic, where as humans have a ‘maybe’ option.

It was back in the classroom where Lethu Langa passed out instructions to the pupils on their required tasks for the workshop. Shortly after, work was in session as the Grade 9 Chesterville Extension pupils took to their drawing boards displaying a full array of creativity in their art and poetry. During the creative session we managed to speak to Ms. N.H Mngazi who informed us about the relevance and importance of AFH’s initiave and how much it means to the workshop’s participants. She also made mention of the importance of art and poetry and the freedom it grants an individual to express themselves.

The presentations of the art work and poetry were kick started by Sthembile Mkhize who delivered a poem titled African Women that was according to him inspired by his mother. “She feeds me with good advice. When I was young, it was my mother that shaped me into what I am today” as Sthembile further elaborated on his heart warming piece. Nothando Ngubo was next in line with an artistic piece that addressed a serious humanitarian crisis on our hands, Climate Change. Nothando explained how pollution has contributed to the social decay in society as one of her family members suffered an asthma attack as a result of cooking on wood. She also made quite an impression with her awareness of the COP 17 summit that will be gracing Durban shores soon. Other students who displayed their work included Sibusiso Bohlela with a piece titled iBhasi, Zwelakhe Mbambo with Facing Problems in Life, Philani Mngadi with My Mind Battle with Earth, Sibahle Shozi – You’re Born Freely, Zama Makono – Future & many more.

After a hard day’s work, the pupils were then served with refreshments as Jan Jordaan gave his note of thanks to Chesterville Extension for their participation in the program.

Banner: Artwork: Guto Nobrega (Yes No)

Poem: Sergio Rivero (The Measure of Things)

(Dialogue Amongst Civilization Catalogue)

For more information on the artwork & poetry presented on the banner please click on the link here http://www.afhsaportfolio.co.za/guto-nubrega-artsit-and-sergio-rivero-poet-brazil/

Chesterville Secondary School Workshop

2011-11-02T05:28:00.000-07:00

By Thireshni Sanasy

The first Art and Social Justice workshop hosted by Art for Humanity at the Chesterville Secondary school on the 12 October 2011 proved to be a great success.

The Workshops which are an annual event, was funded by the eThekwini Municipality for Celebrate Durban which is a festival hosted by the Municipality for Heritage month. The Art and Social Justice workshops which were previously called the School Banner workshop, consists of a large banner being posted on the schools building. At Chestervill Secondary the banner consisted of the artwork by Joseph Madisia and poem by Luness Mpunwa both entitled ‘The Sound of the African Drum.’

The workshop began with AFH Director Jan Jordaan giving a brief introduction to the 36 learners who participated in the workshop. The learners ages varied from 13 to 17 all belonged to Grade 9. Malethu Langa, a facilitator at the workshop and 4^th year fine art student at the Durban University of Technology addressed the learners on the power of art and poetry and how through the medium of art, human rights can be advocated. Eugene Raphalane from the South African Human Rights Commission then took the floor, informing the learners in their home language (Zulu) about their rights and how they have a responsibility to not only know their right but also respect them. The interested learners had many questions for Raphalane and were keen to learn more about their rights.

Learners were taken outside to where the banner was placed, where workshop participant, Nosipho Khomo (16) recited the poem to the audience followed by Poet Topaz who began interacting with the students to hear their views on the message portrayed through the ‘The Sound of the African Drum.’ Learners were not afraid to voice their opinions; one learner pointing out that the sun in the image could be used as a metaphor for ‘The light at the end of the tunnel’ as the artwork symbolizes the unity of Africa.

The students were then taken back to the classroom and split into two groups of 18 where one group did drawing whilst the other wrote poetry, after 15 minutes, the groups’ swapped activities. During the workshop AFH Journalists, Thireshni Sanasy and Njabulo Ngobese interviewed, photographed and filmed the learners. The workshop allowed the learners to freely express themselves and their work varied from the portrayal of their own emotions to social injustices that worry them. Arts and Culture educator at Chesterville Secondary Mrs Thipe, said, “I think this kind of workshop will allow the learners to express themselves in art and poetry. Learners need to be skilled in poetry and art, it is vital. They have to design whatever elements there are in poetry and art so that their own feelings can be expressed through the different mediums.”

During the workshop learners seemed eager to express themselves, and many enjoyed the activities given to them. 15 year old Smangale Shezi wrote a poem entitled ‘The motivation’ expressing her own values and writing about the effects of motivation on an individual and the necessity of it in a person’s life. Shezi said, “I like motivating those around me because I am very motive and I know its power.”

Other learners focused on the negative aspects that effect human society such as HIV/AIDS. 14 year old Sbusiso Zungu wrote his poem on how it is vital for people to be aware of the epidemic. “I want everyone to be informed about HIV Aids. People have a choice.” Zungu added that he thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and had learnt about how important freedom is from the banner placed on the school building.

During the workshops students also took the drawing aspect seriously, and many drew images that had a deeper meaning or metaphor. was about the fact that South Africa is being “sold” to other countries and that injustice is rife among us. Shinga said, “I chose to draw about the African Nation because we just experienced Heritage Day and money deals with the African Nation being sold to other countries which isn’t something any African person would feel good about.” Mondli Magaqo (16) also decided to draw about South Africa. Entitled “Vuka Afrika Shaya Izanla” was an image of the sun, a hut, a river and the mountains. Magoqo said that it was a metaphor for the fact that when the sun rises, light comes in and people need to wake and go to work, Magaqo said, “I drew the sun because lots of people need to go to work, and it is the sun that brings in a new day, so a new day of work.” He added that he got his inspiration of the picture from “The Sound of the African Drum” by Jospeh Madisia on the school banner. “Just like the sun brings in light on the banner picture, the sun in my picture also brings light and a new day.”

The learners then presented their work to the class. 8 of the learners individually took to the stage and presented their art to the class, whilst reciting their poem. The depth of which the learners wrote was indescribable. 17 year old Snethemba Lukshozi presented her poem, instilling the belief in her fellow class mates, that ‘love has no shame’. Nonjabulo Zondi (15) was passionate in her presentation of the importance of a person’s name, and how she is and always will be proud of her own name.

The workshop concluded with Topaz reciting more poetry to an audience of awed learners.

To view more information on the artwork/poetry presented on the banner, please follow the link here http://www.afhsaportfolio.co.za/joseph-madisia-artist-and-luness-mpunwa-mhlope-poet-namibia/

Mowart Park School Workshop

2011-11-01T04:49:00.000-07:00

By Njabulo Ngobese

Freedom defined through art and poetry were the shared sentiments of AFH (Art for Humanity) director Jan Jordaan, whose introductory speech to the 32 Mowart Park Girls that attended the Art and Social Justice Workshop kick started the day’s activities on a high note. Accompanied by the Human Rights Commission representative Eugene Raphalane, the message of freedom was further elaborated with a brief talk on responsibilities. The thin line between one’s right to express themselves and that expression being offensive to the next person was highlighted in Raphalane’s speech with a bold example he made of the Julius Malema situation with the “Kill the Boer” song.

AFH poet Topaz then took over as the 32 attendants of the Art and Social Justice Workshop were led to the banner displayed on the school wall where he engaged them in the analysis of the art and poetry of Louise Almon (artist) and Myesha Jenkins (poet). After reading the displayed poem simultaneously, words of encouragement from Topaz graced the Mowart Park participants as they geared up to display their artistry through their imagination whilst having fun at the same time.

It was all systems go when the workshop participants engaged in their given tasks of drawing a piece of art and writing a poem that represents it (vice versa). Zizipho Gwilika, a grade 8 learner was the first to have her work on display. With a subject matter she claims keeps her motivated, Love, Life & Legacy was the name of her piece. Linking creativity and reality, Zizipho describes her offering as a balance between seriousness and fun whilst the two are embedded together to represent a message of enlightenment. Grade 11 student Nombulelo Myeni was next on the list as she allowed the stretch of her imagination to paint a picture perfect tomorrow with her ideal husband. “I’m constantly thinking about the future”, says the 17 year old future star who further elaborated on the school workshop as a “source of great inspiration”.

The third piece of art and poetry came from Fikile Mthembu titled None Sense. “I’m free to make a total idiot of myself through art and not be judged”, the noted sentiments in Fikile’s thought provoking piece. Her complex word play made for an interesting read as the audience was left astounded by the 16 year old’s mature pen sliding skills. Nosipho Gcina closed off the presentations with a piece about a broken heart of a young African girl. She simple stated “It was just a thought” when a question was posed about her work. Nosipho further elaborated by commanding the workshop for helping them in their levels of improvisation as far as combining art and poetry.

Most of the participants in the workshop were enthused by the banner displayed on the school wall as it showed them the relationship between art and poetry and how the two relate to one another. All presentations lived up to excellence as the words of encouragement from AFH clearly played their hand in motivating the girls to outdo themselves. English and Art teacher Mrs D Reddy had positive things to say about the involvement of her students in the Art and Social Justice Workshop as she commanded the girls on their enthusiasm and ability to give out their best in any given task.

Topaz then delivered a poem that sparked up levels of excitement amongst the students as they requested for another one. Not known for falling short of excellence, he effortlessly breezed through his second poem as a huge standing ovation from the Mowart Park workshop participants followed.

Jan Jordaan concluded the workshop as he shared his joy and excitement on the success of the day’s events. 16 year old Nosipho Gcina gracefully gave thanks to AFH for their contribution to the school’s calendar.

For more information on the artwork & poetry presented on the banner please click on the link here http://www.afh.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=65

The African Art Centre, Shop & Gallery

2011-10-27T01:57:00.000-07:00

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

The rich historic background of the African Art Centre currently located on Florida Road in Morningside Durban, has over the past 50 years provided countless artists and craftspeople with opportunities of self employment and realization of their talents and skill. Under the leadership of the late Jo Thorpe in its first three decades of existense, the art centre has since operated as an autonomous non-profit organisation. The legacy of Thorpe and his contribution to the African Art Centre comes highly noted as he was responsible for single handedly putting Durban on the global map for running an art centre that was noted for its importance in black artistic development.

Through various marketing initiatives with assistance from sponsors as well as supporters, the African Art Centre makes it a priority to help artists and craft-workers tap into domestic, provincial, national and international markets with their work. The organisation basically operates on the idealism of encouraging artists to become self empowered entities. The art centre plays its part in providing a professional enviroment where the works of these artists and craftspeople can be showcased.

Boasting an impressive list of artists who have recieved international acclaim, the likes Azaria Mbatha, Tito Zungu, Gabisile Nkosi, William Zulu, Trevor Makhoba and Rueben Ndwandwe, have had the quality of their lives dramatically improved through the recognition of their talents.

The centre's doors are open to the most economically disadvantaged to the fustrated artists craving recognition for their work.

With an undisputed reputation for producing and supplying specialized high quality products as well as being recognised as one of the longest surviving South African organisations involved in the development and promotion of the work of artists and craft-workers, every purchase made at the African Art Centre provides income & employement for more than 600 artists and crafters currently supported by the organisation.

Living by a motto that reads “An organisation of excellence which changes the lives of artists and crafters by empowering them through innovative skills training, development and promotion”, the future certainly looks promising for artists and craft-workers looking to build a successful future in the arts.

Giving Back To Somalia Benefit Concert

2011-10-27T00:07:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

On Friday the 21st of October 2011, AFH (Art for Humanity) launched the Giving Back to Somalia initiative through a free benefit concert that took place at DUT City Campus.

Lending a hand in assisting the millions of Somalians who are currently battling through the drought and famine, AFH has taken it upon themselves to encourage DUT students to assist in this humanitarian crisis. Seeking donations of 1 tin of canned food from each learner, the Giving Back to Somalia initiative will run from 21 October till December 17. All food donations can be dropped off at the Art for Humanity office, room 107 next to the cashiers on the first floor at DUT City Campus.

AFH is also proud to announce that Friday's benefit concert has recieved positive reviews from newspaper publications such as Isolezwe who ran the story on Monday's edition on page 14. Hopefully if we can get potential sponsors to come on board, we can expand the initiative into a campus tour that will go as far as Pietermaritzburg. The objective behind this, is not just about involving DUT only but reaching out to other institutions of learning as well to join in the fight against poverty in Somalia.

The Gift of the Givers organisation will be responsible for the transportation of all collected food to Somalia. For additional information on the project please contact the Art for Humanity office at 031 373 6610.

Shailja Patel Invades DUT

2011-10-24T03:29:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

Dialogue Amongst Civilisations participant Shailja Patel paid a visit to DUT City Campus last week Wednesday as part of the 15th Annual Poetry Africa Workshops. Accompanied by Sandile Dikeni (South Africa) & Dikson (Zimbabwe), the workshop quickly showed signs of good things to come.

In her current visit to South Africa, Patel highlighted her brief tour around Cator Manor a township located on the outskirts of Durban and how much it intrigued her with its rich history and potential to produce good significant stories for international audiences. She also spoke of the Cop 17 conference taking place in Durban later this year as she encouraged local journalists to start producing their own stories on their background environment before someone from outside snatches the opportunity.

In true Patel style, she went out of the norm and initiated a poem amongst the audience that beared relevance to the upcoming Cop 17 summit. A piece that had the audience actively involved chanting "what are we brewing?", "who's gonna drink it?", who's gonna love it?" the purpose of the poem was to give students an idea of dazzling the rest of the world with the rich stories Durban and South Africa had to offer.

She closed off the workshop with a poem that was inspired by her colleague promoting a message of unity amongst society.

AFH School Workshop at Chesterville Secondary

2011-10-15T05:24:00.000-07:00

15 year old scholar, artist and poet Sne delivers a heart warming motivational piece at the Art for Humanity School Workshop at Chesterville Secondary.

Live or Let Die

2011-10-06T22:27:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

A tour around Durban's art centres and galleries proved to be quite a fruitful experience when the last stop we made surprisingly gave purpose to the whole trip. It was an awakening to an issue that has never been openly brought up for discussion in the arts community,...divisions.

The thin line drawn between what is considered commercial art and that those of purists who practice solely for personal fulfilment, has widened a gap of differences between the two. Commercial art galleries have apparently been disregarded by most art purists, claiming that they do not cater for their specifications but focus primarily on the business aspect of the trade. Observing both arguments respectively, there is probable justification behind the manner in which commercial art galleries run their operations. According to an independent art gallery owner, the term 'commercial' shouldn't even be associated with their business or the work they do.

Along with the community of art purists who have expressed their discontent for the 'commercialisation' of art for profit gain, the independent gallery owner validated her argument stating that divisions are pointless if we are all working towards the same goal.

At the end of the day like anything under the sun, continuation and progress relies on sustainability. Unfortunately for most art purists who have rebelled against the concept of commercialising their work, their art has landed in places where it will never receive the appropriate accreditation both economically and socially. The money factor for 'commercial' art galleries defines their initial vision of how artists and their work should be represented to the general public.

It is however sad to learn that most commercial art galleries do not accommodate up and coming artists due to the demands of their clients who warm up mostly to established names in the field. But the show must go on and common ground has to be established for the eradication of the gap between commercial and non-commercial art. The purpose of any form of artistry is to reach an audience and make an impact in their lives. This can only be accomplished if the work receives the appropriate platform to generate its accreditation and revenue.

2011-10-06T02:45:00.000-07:00

Dear AFH Friends and Associates.

AFH sends warm greetings and hopes that you are having a pleasant year thus far. Please receive our newsletter of the month of September. All comments and letters are welcome.

Art for Humanity: what is art?

AFH defines art as that which is created to inspire all of humanity with freedom of expression, the quest for excellence, pride, dignity, and respect for individual rights, reflection and heritage.

In this month’s issue:

TOP NEWS

- Dalai Lama Denied a Visa

Dialogue among Civilizations

- Dialogue Among Civilizations Publication Available

- Dialogue Among Civilizations Review

- Interview with Tunisian Artist, Nicene Kossentini

Women for Children

- Under Control - Q & A with Angela Buckland

- A look back at Women’s Month

- ‘Precious Cargo’ by Ernestine White and ‘Her Elements of Life’ by Chantel Erfort

Break the Silence

- Real Stories Gallery

- "Yehoshua Comforting an Aids Victim" by Mduduzi Xakaza

General News

- Themba Shibase Finalist for 2011 Sovereign Africa Art Prize

- Njabulo Ngobese – Media Intern 2011

- ASJ Conference

- 5th International Entertainment Education Conference - New Delhi November 17-20, 2011

- FNB Art Festival 2011

Contemporary News

- The Power of a poem

Click HERE the link to view our September/October 2011 Newsletter

Warm Regards,

Thireshni Sanasy & Njabulo Ngobese

AFH Media Team

Art for Humanity

(Formerly Artists for Human Rights)

C/o Fine Art

Durban University of Technology

City Campus

Box 953

Durban 4000

South Africa

Tel: +27 (31) 373 6610

Website: www.afh.org.za

Email: afh@dut.ac.za

Art for Humanity...'the art of human rights'

War for Righteousness

2011-09-28T00:06:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

Image by Zapiro

It’s been an ongoing battle between the South African media and government about the proposed legislation of the Protection of Information Bill which hasn’t reached its decisive ruling. Contradictory to its grassroots policy of protecting and fighting for human rights, the ANC has apparently lost the plot in its ongoing journey of rectifying the injustices of the past government. Previous policies are now coming into play as the media has been put on a chokehold to censor any information that might prove to be detrimental to the reputation of the state. At what cost though as the question has been posed to the government’s rulings on the matter. Could it be that we are now entering the realm of a system of social injustice that is designed to protect and preserve the criminal minded figures in blue collar corruption? The ones who hold the answers to those questions are currently waging war at each other with the audience being the recipients and barriers of the final verdict.

It’s no surprise at all, that the South African government found it convenient to suppress its first threat to its agendas, the media. Known for its influential power on the general public, it was only a matter of time before civilians exercised their democratic right of rebelling against a corrupt government that has earned a reputation for squandering state funds. The proposed legislation of the Protection of Information Bill was initiated on the false basis of protecting and serving the interest of South Africans. However, the rejection of the bill by members of the media and general public, made it evident that the state was acting in its own interest.

The biggest victims should the final decision swing in the government’s favour, will be those blinded by the lack of information of what the state does with money that is suppose to serve its people. The slogan that won the ruling party a position of power back in 1994 “A better life for all” has now become a myth. It’s every South African’s responsibility to reject the Protection of Information Bill in the name of civil justice.

Happy Heritage Day

2011-09-23T00:21:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

Excitement looms in the air as Heritage month reaches its pinnacle with the long awaited celebrations of tomorrow's holiday. Although September 24 was meant to be a commemoration of the late great King Shaka Zulu and his tribal following, Heritage Day has since been diversified to accommodate all cultures in different spheres of life across the country.

Durbanites can brace themselves for an array of activities taking place tomorrow across the city. The 14th Annual Is'cathamiya Competition will be gracing the Playhouse Theatre with a live musical showcase of home grown dance moves from the province's finest. Also Unit 11 an indie night club located on Stamford Hill will play host to the all black Johannesburg based rock band, Blk Jks. Celebrate Durban will present the Miss eThekwini Competition that will hold its reign at the Durban City Hall from 6:30pm till late with a showcase of twenty beauties who hold hopes of being crowned Miss eThekwini 2011.

With an exciting list of options to pick from, it seems like Durban is spoilt for choice on how they can engage in the celebrations of Heritage Day. AFH (Art for Humanity) wishes all South Africans a joyous holiday with the encouragement of unity, peace & love amongst all.

Arranged Marriages

2011-09-20T01:39:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

As the celebrations continue for heritage month, we look at the long standing history of arranged marriages in the Indian community.

The practice of arranged marriages is now something of the past in most Indian communities around South Africa. Nowadays, the choice one makes with whom they choose to spend the rest of their lives with depends on how much they love that person. The whole idealism behind arranged marriages in the first place is based on the conservative nature of the Indian culture. Parents found it appropriate to choose a life long partner for the children because there were certain rules and regulations they had to follow when initiating the process.

Status and class were the key elements of note when couples were in the process of being brought together. One could not marry outside of their class. The girl's family would look at the boy's status to see if he is worthy of marrying their daughter. . Unlike the Zulu culture with lobola, in the Indian community it is the girl that pays for the boy (Dowry), which in India is still practiced.

Although arranged marriages may seem ideal on a cultural level, socially they can backfire severely leaving room for promiscuity which can result to the contraction of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. The dissatisfaction of one of the parties in the relationship can easily compel them to seek gratification else where. Studies have shown that there is a higher chance of committing adultery if you are in a committed relationship with someone you don't love reason being there is very little loyalty built between the two people.

With the above as an added form to the AIDS epidemic, it is important for people to realise that as humans each individual has the right to make his/her own choices.

South African Heritage

2011-09-15T23:13:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

The westernisation of black society has over the years resulted in several cultural rituals being sidelined for practice. The use of traditional healing methods has been subjected to be demonic practice according to Christianity, a faith that has seized its dominance in black society since it's first arrival in Africa. Today's generation of black youths, stands as a reflection of what has been considered by elders as the lost generation. They destitute any knowledge of self.

The most hypocritical act according to a philosophy student I recently interviewed, lies in certain races embracing and celebrating heritage month without any knowledge of their cultural background. "Nowadays it's become a trend to follow the wave and scream 'heritage month' just because it's noted in our calender. If the day was not publicized as much, very few people would actually get into the spirit of celebrating the occasion" says Khondlo Mtshali who has strong views about today's black society lacking knowledge of their culture. One might argue though that Khondlo's argument is one sided and only points out to one specific race group. A coloured girl once brought something to my attention that I found to be quite interesting. She stated that the coloured race in South Africa has no historic origin that they can identify with. Being a "mixed breed" has made it extremely hard for them to find some form of grounding and cultural background.

So the question arises, what is the purpose of celebrating heritage day if today's generation being the future leaders of this country have very little or no knowledge at all of their grassroots? Perhaps the month should be used to it's fullest capacity to educate and cultivate the youth of their origins.

Tribute to Biko

2011-09-11T22:33:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

Heritage months pays homage and respect to a fallen soldier who fought for the liberation of our country during the apartheid regime, Steven Bantu Biko.

"Black is beautiful", the famous slogan the late anti-apartheid activist Stephen Bantu Biko was known for still bears relevance in today's times where the loss of cultural identity remains a threat in the current generation of black youths.

Born in King Williams Town in the Eastern Cape, South Africa in 1946, Steve Biko showed early signs of political activism through his expulsion from Lovedale High School. Although still in his youth, Biko was already motivated to challenge a system of social injustice he felt had a negative connotation on black society. NUSAS (National Union of South African Students) was a multiracial politically moderate organisation that Steve Biko first joined while in Medical School. Firm on his beliefs to give people of colour a voice of their own, Biko went on to form SASO (South African Student Organisation) which eventually revolved to become BCM (Black Conscience Movement). Steve Biko was elected as the organisation's first president.

It wasn't long before Steve Biko's name became the centre of attention in the South African government books. Posing a threat to a system he was adamant on destroying, Biko was ruled out as a terrorist by the government. Numerous efforts were made to shut down his political activities as countless arrests & detentions by the police became a norm for Biko. His calling as an anti-apartheid activist however came to a tragic end. On September 12 1977, Stephen Bantu Biko was killed while in the custody of police after being interrogated, starved and brutally beaten. An autopsy conducted after his death confirmed that he died of brain lesions. His funeral was attended by thousands and thousands of masses who bided farewell to a soldier who fought for a now liberated South Africa.

We salute you Stephen Bantu Biko.

Hip Hop Geba (The Purpose)

2011-09-07T23:40:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

According to ancient history, the sound of poetry, the drum and rhythm, earned its origions in the continent of Africa. With the enslavement of African civilians to serve under their respectful masters as slaves, the spirit of music & poetry transcended to foreign lands where it found a new language that would have universal appeal and break barriers to reach a broader audience.

iGeba, is a Zulu term for isiZulu the language. It represents a culture that has seized its dominance in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Existing in the borders of Inanda, is a rich history of fallen kings who were known as 'Izimbongi' which translates to 'poets' in English. Their visions and dreams were usually interprited through their poetry and song. That particular chapter in history is now represented by a new breed of artists who have carried that torch left behind by their predecessors. 'Hip Hop Geba' is the evolution of Zulu poetry layered over 'break-beats' influenced by a variety of genres from jazz to soul music. Pioneering the movement for future generations to follow is Merel, a born & breded native of Inanda, who has been pushing an agenda of note that has encouraged lovers of art and music to take note of the distinguished genre, 'Hip Hop Geba'.

The release of his 2008 self titled debut underground EP sparked a lot of talk around the 23 year old music phenomenon. Reaching an audience that ranged from the youth to adults, Merel's style of song writing displayed a great sense of maturity. It encouraged the youth to value, appreciate and celebrate black heritage with efforts to preserve the Zulu language from extinction. According to a video interview where Merel was asked to break down the meaning behind 'Hip Hop Geba', he simply stated that "the genre represents fallen kings & poets who spoke for their people. Shaka is a highly commercialised concept of someone that was regarded as the greatest king in the Zulu nation. But history does not speak of greater kings who fought the same fight Shaka did. Those are the kings I speak for and represent in my music".

With concerns looming over the loss of cultural identity amongst the current generation of black youths, 'Hip Hop Geba' seems like an ideal medium for encouraging youngsters to revisit their history and learn about their heritage.

A School Of Historic Wealth

2011-09-04T21:36:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

A location that houses some of Durban's richest heritage, Inanda is a township located on the outskirts of the city's metropolis. The home of late revolutionary figures such as Mahatma Gandhi & John Langalibalele Dube, Durban is well recognised for its diversified cultural blend that has played a vital role in shaping South Africa's rich history.

Inanda Seminary, an all girls school with a 141 years of academic excellence, is a living testament of Inanda's rich historic background. Having produced some of South Africa's well respected figures both in the cooperate and political spheres, Inanda Seminary has prided itself at living up to its motto of ''Shine wherever you are''. With an impressive 100% pass rate in 2010, Inanda Seminary remains firm on maintaining its academic excellence that was established when the school was first launched in 1869 by American Missionaries. Mary Kelly Edwards, an American Missionary, was the school's first appointed principal. Her impressive leadership skills helped set a high standard of academic achievements that have put the school in the noted eye of global icons such as Nelson Mandela and South Africa's current president Jacob Zuma. Mr Mandela was responsible for assisting in finding Inanda Seminary sponsorship from Sappi to keep the school going after it was on the verge of closing down due to the lack of funds. Madiba's historic visit to the school took place on August 13th 1999.

Since then, Inanda Seminary has carried its traditional standards of high excellence both academically and morally. With funding from sponsors, the school has been able to run a bursary program that is aimed at disadvantaged pupils. The bursary covers both boarding & tuition costs. With Heritage month now in full effect, AFH gives praise to Inanda Seminary for their long standing monumental contribution to the history pages of Durban & South Africa.

Spring Break

2011-08-31T22:00:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

Providing escapism from the bone chilling winter season, today marks the official start to everyone's favourite time of the year, spring. Excitement looms in the air as Durbanites can brace themselves for an array of festivities that will be gracing our shores. September being Heritage month, will see various celebrations across the country paying homage to South Africa's diverse and rich cultures.

"Celebrate Durban Halala 2011" is a yearly festival that combines music, art, dance, sport & various other activities that celebrate the spirit of humanity as well as embrace the various cultures that co-exist within Durban and South Africa as a whole. Art for Humanity (AFH) an NGO operating at the Durban University of Technology's City Campus under the directorship of Jan Jordaan, will be adding its contributions to the Celebrate Durban festivities by conducting workshops at 5 different schools around the Durban area. The idea behind the workshops is to encourage the youth to express themselves through their art. Whether it be poetry or sketches of drawings or paintings, the workshops give school children a voice that challenges any form of human injustice.

The celebrations of Heritage month kick started yesterday at the Green Hub as Celebrate Durban was officially launched. Durban's mayor James Nxumalo and eThekwini Spokesperson Loganathan Logie Naidoo were some of the guests present at the launch. Judging from the success of the launch, September promises endless excitement for Durbanites, local & international guests who will be gracing our shores during this month.

For more festivities taking place during the Celebrate Durban Halala 2011, visit: http://www.durbanexperience.co.za/Media/Pages/Halala_Durban_2011.aspx

For updates on the AFH school workshops you can visit our blog page: http://www.afhsouthafrica.blogspot.com/

An Angel of Mercy/For Our Children

2011-08-31T00:48:00.000-07:00

An Angel of Mercy

Judy Woodborne

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

"Not knowing when the dawn will come, I open every door" - Emily Dickinson, Poet.

Judy Woodborne was born in 1966 in Cape Town. She obtained her BA in Fine Arts from Michaelis School of Fine Art in 1988 and an advanced Diploma in Printmaking with distinction in 1989. She was awarded her Master’s of Fine Arts degree with distinction from the University of Cape Town in 1993 with a dissertation entitled Moria, a Eulogy of Folly. She lives and works in Cape Town, and is a resident artist at Spencer Street Studios.

Poem:

For our children

Makhosazana Xaba

Write the wrongs

on our girls and boys

for everyone to know

about every single one,

then there’ll be

no excuse not to

right the wrongs

on our girls and boys

who in their own right

deserve a national rite

for all to declare:

Respect, Protect and Fulfill

the Rights of Girls and Boys.

Right the wrongs

on our girls and boys

who rightly await

the nation’s loud voices:

Respect, Protect and Fulfill

the Rights of Girls and Boys.

Right at birth our children expect

every right-minded person

to know without being told

that normalcy demands that we

Respect, Protect and Fulfill

the Rights of Girls and Boys.

Mo ntlheng ya bana ba rona

Setswana translation coordinated by Dr Maria Letsie

Siamisa diphoso

mo basetsaneng le mo basimaneng ba rona

bao ka tshiamo ba letetseng

mantswe a kwa godimo a setshaba:

Tlotla, Sireletsa le go Diragatsa

Ditshiamelo tsa Basetsana le Basimane.

A Brief Biography of Makhosazana Xaba

Makhosazana (Khosi) Xaba was born on 10 July 1957 in Greytown, KwaZulu-Natal to Glenrose Nomvula Mbatha and Rueben Bejanmin Xaba. She grew up in Ndaleni as the second of five children and currently lives in Jozi. these hands is her debut collection of poetry. She is one of the 12 poets ISIS-X, a women-only anthology of poetry and photography (Botsotso).

Before turning to writing, Khosi worked as a women’s health specialist for both local and international NGOs. She wrote and published extensively on health systems management, gender and health, and women’s health policies. She is currently a Writing Fellow at the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WISER) working on a nonfiction biography project for a year.

She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of the Witwatersrand. She is the winner of the Deon Hofmeyr Award for Creative Writing (2005) for her unpublished short story called Running. Khosi’s poems have also appeared in: Timbila, Sister Namibia, poetsagainstthewar website, Women in Writing, Botsotso, South African Writing, Green Dragon and Echoes.

Precious Cargo/Her Elements of Life

2011-08-31T00:29:00.000-07:00

Precious Cargo

Ernestine White

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

"Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion" - Martha Graham, American Choreographer.

Ernestine White received a Master's degree in Fine Arts from the University of Cape Town in 2004. She has participated in numerous group exhibitions and also received a Master Printer Certificate from the Tamarind Institute, Alberquerque, New Mexico.

Ernestine is currently the exhibition coordinator-curator for the Parliamentary Millennium Project at the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa.

Poem:

Her elements of life

Chantel Erfort

Face full and bright like the moon

Her dreams fly across the sky

Before bad dreams gather like clouds.

And yesterday she was just 8 years old

Now face full and bright like fire

Her eyes dart across the room

Before tears well like water

And yesterday she was just 8 years old

Now face full but not

Bright

Dulls into anger as she cries.

Ekuqakatheke ePilwenakhe

IsiNdebele translation: F Mahlangu

Ubuso obumomothekako ebuphazima njengenyezi

Amabhudango wakhe aphapha hlangana nesibhakabhaka

Ngaphambi kobana amabhudango amambi angahlangana njengamafu

Izolo lokhu ubeneminyaka ebu-8

Gadesi ubuso obumomomothekako buphazima njengomlilo

Amehlwakhe agijima kilo loke ikamero

Ngaphambi kobana iinyembezi ziwe njengamanzi

Izolo lokhu ubeneminyaka ebu-8

Gadesi ubuso buyamamatheka kodwana

Abuphazimi

Bukhombisa ilaka nakalilako

A Brief Biography of Chantel Erfort

Chantel Erfort is a writer, assistant editor at Cape Community Newspapers, co-foudner of a community arts projct the COLOUR: Spirit of the Flats, and co-owner of the community-based record label, DALA FLAT MUSIC. She oversees the DALA FLAT MUSIC’s 38 Special Words and Music project and is in the process of completing her first book The Meditation and Maths of Leaving, a compilation of short stories, poetry and letters to a long-lost friend.

At all times through her writing, Chantel strives to maintain and uphold the ethos of social upliftment through the arts as expressed by the DALA FLAT MUSIC and the COLOUR: Spirit of the Flats. Her work has been published in Women Flashing, a compilation of Flash Fiction by South African women writers (2005).

Weighing And Wanting/The Private Eucharist

2011-08-30T23:53:00.000-07:00

Diane Victor

Weighing and Wanting

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

"Is it too much to ask that women be spared the daily struggle for superhuman beauty in order to offer it to the caresses of a sub-humanly ugly mate?" - Germaine Greer, Academician

Diane Victor has worked in art making since graduating in printmaking in 1986 from Wits University. She has worked as an artist and lecturer at various institutions since 1992; teaching drawing and etching mainly at Pretoria University, but also at Wits Technikon (now University of Johannesburg), Pretoria Technikon (now Tshwane University of Technology), UNISA, Wits University, Vaal Technikon and recently at Rhodes University.

Diane’s determination to remain unbound to any one institution in a preference for flexible teaching, ties to her belief in cross-pollination between departments being more effective for her than administrative bondage to any one. This has allowed Diane the freedom to continue almost full time with her own personal art making processes and commissioned work.

She received the ABSA Atelier Award in 1988 granting ten months’ work and stay in Paris. Other residencies include a UNESCO residency in Vienna in 1999, a residency from Ampersand Foundation to New York City in 1998 and Vermont studio in the USA in 2002. Diane has had four solo shows at the Goodman Gallery since 1992 and exhibits consistently in South Africa and internationally.

Poem:

The Private Eucharist

Michelle McGrane

The old woman behind the pharmacy counter

passes forward a brown paper packet, her

shrivelled hands mottled, liver-spotted;

the accusatory, tight-lipped mien pronounces,

You young women destroy your health.

Listen Ouma, you're tempted to explain,

you don't know the half of it.

Instead, you smile, fade to nothing,

concentrate on crackling paper, your fingers

fidgety, thin-skinned animals.

Consecrated capsule on outstretched tongue,

squatting in a darkened room, you receive

the Holy Sacrament for Hungry Girls;

a private Eucharist to appease

your bare boned God of Reduction.

Give me this day my daily resolve,

the grace not to let a single morsel

pass through these lips,

amen.

After mass, spiritual ebullience: dry mouth

dizziness jaw-clenching palpitations…

Clutching the rosary of your martyrdom,

speedy strong in occult absolution,

you shrug with the insouciance

of the pardoned penitent;

every true believer pays a price.

Privaatnagmaal

Afrikaans translation: Marí Peté

Gehurk in ‘n skemer kamer,

kapsule geheilig op die tong, ontvang jy

die Sakrament vir Honger Dogters;

‘n Privaatnagmaal om jou benerige

God van Vermindering

te bevredig.

Gee my vandag my daaglikse wilskrag,

die genade om nie ‘n enkele krummel

oor my lippe te laat nie,

amen.

A Brief Biography of Michelle McGrane

Born in 1974 in Zimbabwe, Michelle McGrane spent her childhood in Malawi, and moved to South Africa with her family when she was fourteen. She has lived in Pietermaritzburg since 1988. Michelle has published two collections of poetry, Fireflies & Blazing Stars (2002) and Hybrid (2003). She was the recipient of the South African Writers' Circle Hilde Slinger Poetry Award in 2003 and the Quill Award in 2004.

Her poems have been published in local literary journals such as Fidelities, Botsotso, Kotaz, LitNet and Timbila as well as internationally in the United Kingdom, America and Canada. Michelle is dedicated to promoting South African writing and has a strong commitment to developing her work and the work of other writers.

She was involved as a mentor in the Agenda Feminist Media Project Creative Writing Programme in 2004 and was a participant in the Centre for the Book's Turning the Page festival of emerging South African writers held in 2004.

Acting Together (Join the Conversation)

2011-08-30T02:01:00.000-07:00

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

A collaborative effort between Brandeis University and Theatre Without Borders has resulted in a project that has been in the running for the past six years working towards peacebuilding and performance in art whilst creating venues for artistic and scholarly exchange. This project is called "Acting Together (Join the Conversation)".

"Acting Together On The World Stage" is a feature-length documentary that will be launched this fall by "Acting Together". The documentary will comprise of a toolkit of videos and printed guides to aid educators, practitioners and policy makers. There will also be the first of two volumes of an anthology entitled Acting Together: Performance and the Creative Transformation of Conflict. The screening of the documentary will be on a global scale.

Film and print resources produced by Acting Together are a result of focused conversations and case studies that include highlight artists, peacebuilders and community leaders from every continent. The global outreach of the project streches as far as the aborigional community of Australia to artists holding their governments accountable for crimes in Uganda and the former Yogoslavia.

The art serves as a common factor between global communities that have all undergone similar trials and tribulations when it comes to social injustice. A project of Acting Together's calibre, bridges the gaps between all the cultures of the world and provides them with a platform to speak a common language of peace and righteousness.

Mother-Daughter/My Imagination & Daughter

2011-08-30T01:16:00.000-07:00

Mother-Daughter

Elizabeth Vels

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

"Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn" - Harriet Beecher Stowe (writer)

Elizabeth Vels works in mixed media where she layers fragile and cast papers, etching, thread, stitching, paint, ink and text to make artists books and small sequantial works, or larger composite pieces on streched canvas. Her work mines the archaeology of her life of which according to her "reveals the miraculous in the every day".

She has work in Major Public Collections that include the S.A National Gallery Cape Town, Pretoria Art Gallery, Durban Art Gallery, Johannesburg Art Museum, South African Council of Churches, Sasol Collection, University of Stellenbosch to name a few.

Poem:

MY IMAGINATION

Teilharde Fregona

My mother gets ready to go out

I inhale her perfume so rich and so deep

The smell entangles my senses like the vines of a tree

She quickly leaves and I fall off to sleep

Colours explode, fireworks of my imagination

My mind is filled with hope, memories and dreams

All the information and knowledge is kept there

Like a bag overflowing ripped at the seams

I open my eyes but my room is shrouded in darkness

I am scared of the dark, a beast of the night

I shut my eyes tightly and hear the front door

It’s my mother she’s back, things will be alright.

DAUGHTER

Charl Fregona

There are things you should know about

My silent heart,

My dumb tongue.

I know that you breathe the echo of perfume on my pillow

That you clothe yourself in my gown,

Black silk, twist your hair round,

Try to wear my frown

That you sing to keep me in

And stagger across the floor of your life

Wearing my ridiculous stilettos

Because you think you are alone.

I push back mute longing.

We see exactly who we are in our mirrors.

Because you are patterned in my cells,

I carry you across the great divide

Along that steep edge between death and forever,

Lead us through the struggle of birth into love of living.

My divine burden, my heart speaks.

I have been before.

You are not home alone

I am here with strong round walls to enclose you.

Umcabango wami

Siswati translation of poem extract coordinated by Dr Maria Letsie

Ngihogela emakha akhe ladulile nalanukelelako

Leliphunga livakala emiveni yami njengensimu yetihlahla

Imibala iyadubuka, imililo lekhona emicabangweni yami

Ingcondvo yami igcwele ngelitsemba, tinkhumbulo kanye nemaphupho

Ngivule emehlo ami kodvwa likamelo lami likhungatfwe bumnyama

Ndvodzakati

Siswati translation of poem extract coordinated by Dr Maria Letsie

Ngiyati kutsi uphefumlela emakha lamnandzi emcamelweni wakho

Utigcokisa I-gawuni yami,

Isilika lemnyama,ushwile tinwele takho,

Uzama kuswaca njengami

Kutsi uyahlabela kute ungigcine

Kungumtfwalo wami, inhlitiyo yami iyakhuluma

Ngikwentile kucala.

Awusiwedvwa laph’ ekhaya

Ngikhona netindvonga leticinile ngikukakile.

A Brief Biography of Teilharde & Charl Fregona

Tei Fregona was born in 1992 in Durban and is a student in Kloof High School.She has had three books published by Umsinsi Press. Tei sings, plays the guitar and loves reading. She is currently planning on becoming a pop star, but cannot make up her mind if she would rather train dolphins or be a trapeze artist instead. Tei has been writing poetry since she started reading and writing.

Charl Fregona was born in Prieska, in the Northern Cape, but grew up in Zimbabwe. Charl is an instructional designer at the Centre for Higher Education Development at the Durban University of Technology, and is currently studying for a PhD in web-based learning and teaching.

She has three children, loves to read and travel. Her first poem was published at the age of nine and she has subsequently been published in Zimbabwe, South Africa and the United States as a short story writer, a poet and a novelist. She has edited a number of poetry anthologies, one of which is Liz Vels’s collection, Handspun.

Women with a Cause

2011-08-29T02:28:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

A project that has prided itself at taking initiative in addressing issues related to social and gender injustice has been the cornerstone for art feminists that hold no prisoners when it comes to political action for women's rights.

The Philani Printing Project was initiated in 1997 by the Philani Nutrition Project, the Western Cape Department of Social Services and primarily funded by South Africa's Department of Welfare. Established by a group of Xhosa women artists, the Philani Printing Project was built on the grounds of empowering women both politically and socially. The program educates, employs and empowers women with all the necessary skills to eradicate social ills such as child malnutrition and poverty.

The foundation of the Philani Printing Project was built around the ideology of empowering women first with financial security of which transfers to independence and then results to mothers taking better care of their children's needs. The Philani Printing Project has its roots firm in the South African township regions where the rate of unemployment and poverty are at its peak.

The work produced at the Philani Printing Project is exhibited and sold both locally and internationally and they operate at the Crossroads township on the outskirts of Cape Town. For more information, visit their website at : http://www.philani.org.za/about.php

Hope/Every Mother Hobo Is My Mother

2011-08-29T00:12:00.001-07:00

Hope

Bronwen Vaughan-Evans

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

"When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others" - Peace Pilgrim, Spiritual Leader

The University of Natal graduate with a Master's degree in Fine Art in 1995, Bronwen Vaughan-Evans is a Durban based artist that has received a merit award in for the Sasol New Signatures Art Competition and has been involved in solo exhibitions that include the One-Zero-One exhibition and the Negotiated Spaces exhibition that was shared with Nontobeko Ntombela at the end of 2006.

Bronwen is currently lecturing part time in the Fine Art Department at the Durban University of Technology.

Poem:

Every mother Hobo is my mother

Nise Malange

I was born under the bridge of the harbour

I was born with double pneumonia,

Frail, underweight and undernourished

Everyone thought I was not going to live

But my mother said I was a fighter

A tiny ugly little fighter

Whose umbilical cord was cut by a mother hobo

Using the broken beer bottle

My frail body only covered by old smelly

Towels and rugs from all the mother hobos around me

I was surrounded by love and caring

Every cents was kept to buy me formula and bottle

Everyone collected old baby clothes

My skin does not know the softness of baby clothes

I did not know the smell of new clothes.

So this is what I was told

So what did I know

What have I experience

Pain is my name and hunger is my middle name

I fight every day because other girls do not like me

I sniff glue so that I can be brave

I smoke dagga so that I can hallucinate

And feel good about my self

I never beg for money for food

But work for it

Since five men have open my legs

And touch my private parts

Every mother claimed me as hers so that

They can sell me as a sex slave

And get money for gavin (concoction of spirit, pineapple etc)

Six seven I remember every penetration, sweat

And scream of every colour and size

I do not remember when I have my first period

But remember men yelling and screaming because

I was dirty

So do not judge because you do not know where

I come from

Do not ask me where my home is because

I never have one

Do not ask me about my mother

Who gave birth to me because she died?

Few months after I was born

Do not ask me about my father because

Every homeless man in the street

Is my father

I am no longer the tiny ugly duck anymore

But beautiful and a body of a modeller

but suffer from suffer and irritate

my bosses when I have attacks

I am still in the streets of Durban

I come out only at night because

I am now a professional sex slave,

My body is an income for a man

Who claims to be my father

But still sleeps with me

he collects money paid to abuse my body

I get bitten up and horrible things done

To my little body

I am sometimes treated like a queen

When I am to serve dollars and euros

I get pampered and perfumed

I drink red wine and eat prawns

But cannot be in the streets for days

Because of all the money they pay

So do not judge me but pray for me

Because I do not know who will

Push me down the 15th floor

You know under this thick skin

There is still that little ugly fighter

Who is still underweight and undernourished?

Who still fight in the street so that she can lives

Any bridge under the harbour is my sanctuary

Because that is where my umbilical cord lies

That is also, where my mother afterbirth is buried

That where my home is.

That is where my memory begins

Umama onguSkhotheni ungumama wami

IsiZulu translation of poem extract: Nise Malange

Ngizalwe ngaphansi kwebholoho nginenyumoniya

Ngondile,ngimncane ngingondlekile kodwa ngiyisiqhwaga

Inkaba yami yanqunywa ngebhodlela likabhiya elifile

Umzimba wami awubazi ubuntofontofo bezingubo zabantwana

Ngazi ubuhlungu,indlala nokwesaba

Ngibhema iglu ukuze ngithole isibindi

Ngibuye ngibheme nensangu ukuze ngidakwe

Angikaze ngiyicele imali, ngiyayisebenzela

Kusukela ngineminyaka emihlanu ngiyisigqila socansi

Manje amadoda akhokha amadola namayuro aphesheya

Ngiyashaywa,ngidakiswe ngihlukunyezwe ngokocansi

Ngakhoke ungangihluleli ngoba awazi lapho ngiphuma khona.

A Brief Biography of Nise Malange

Nise Malange is the current director of the BAT Centre, and was born in Cape Town. She has been involved in social, political and community work for many years. After the unbanning of all political organisations in 1991, Nise founded the Stories that Can Heal project, an initiative that focused on the victims of political violence, using stories and poetry as means of healing past traumas.

In 1996, when the Truth and Reconciliation hearings were being undertaken, Nise’s project was invited to extend its work to help victims come to terms with the distressful conditions they were facing. She is currently working with young women who have been victims of rape and sexual abuse.

Children Should Be Seen And Heard/My World In Mama's Hands

2011-08-25T22:40:00.000-07:00

Children Should Be Seen And Heard

Avitha Sooful

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

"I decided it is better to scream. Silence is the real crime against humanity" - Nadezhda Mandelstam, Russian writer, Hope Against Hope

Avi Sooful holds a Masters degree in Fine Art from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban. She is currently a senior lecturer at the Vaal University of Technology, Vanderbijlpark. She has participated in various exhibitions nationally and internationally. Her most recent exhibition was at the Cité Internationalle des Arts, Paris.

Poem:

My world in Mama’s hands

Lebogang Mashile

My world is in Mama’s hands and in Papa’s lap

On Oupa’s shoulders and on Gogo’s back

My world is an unformed promise

As soft as my flesh

Laced with a ferocious warning

Not to harm a hair’s breath

A different hue of love is calling

One compose of rivers wept

By those before me who prayed for morning

I crawl on their steps

In Mama’s hands and in Papa’s lap

On Oupa’s shoulders and on Gogo’s back.

I am a new day

Touch me gently

There is no going back.

Lefatshe la ka Matsohong a mme

Sesotho translation: Mohau Letsie

Lefatshe la ka moetshong a mme hedima ntate

Mahetleng a ntatemolo le mokotlong wa nkgono

Lefatshe la ka ke thepiso sa hlophiswang

Le bonolo jwaloka letlalo la ka

Le tletse dihlokomediso tse bohale

Hore ho seke ha utlwiswa moya bohloko

Mofuta o fapaneng wa lerato o ntse o bitsa

O tshwanang le noka ha e lla

Jwaloka bao ba tlileng pele ho nna ba rapella mafube

Ke kgasa mehlaleng ya bona

Matsohong a mme le hodima ntate

Mahetleng a ntatemoholo le mokokotlang wa nkgono

Ke letsatsi le letjha

Ntshware ka hloko

Ha ho sa na ho kgutlela morao

A Brief Biography Of Lebogang Mashile

Lebo Mashile has been called the ‘It’ Girl of South African poetry, a wordsmith extraordinaire, a visual verbalist, an icon of modern South African poetry. Lebogang’s tireless work ethic has earned her creative titles including published author, executive producer, actress, poet, independent record producer, corporate and independent event MC, life skills facilitator/speaker and television series presenter.

Lebo takes on social debate and it is reflected in her continually increasing body of work. In 2004, Lebo debuted as a film actress in the Academy Award Nominated Hotel Rwanda, directed by Terry George. Also in 2004, Mashile became executive producer and presenter of the SABC 1 documentary series L’Attitude, now in its third season.

Lebo Mashile was named by Cosmopolitan Magazine, as one of South Africa’s Awesome Women of 2005.

Sindisiwe

2011-08-24T22:37:00.000-07:00

Sindisiwe

Pontso Sikhosana

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

"I am prepared to sacrifice every so-called privilege I possess in order to have a few rights." -

Inez Milholland, Suffragist 1909

Pontso Sikhosana started her art career in 1992 during her matric year. She later enrolled at the Funda Centre (AIA) in Soweto where she completed her 3 year diploma in Fine Arts under the supervision of Charles Nkosi. Pontso went on to join the Artist Proof Studio in Newtown Johannesburg where she started printmaking. It was at this point she realised she wanted to be an artist. Under the mentorship of Aileen Foti and Kim Berman, Pontso grew her skills and qualified as a printmaker.

Apart from working and collaborating with different artists, Pontso has also been involved in a number of print exchanges such as the Sharpeville Exchange. She has also collaborated with other women artists on the Doll Project, which dealt with raising awareness of child abuse.

Poem:

Sindisiwe

Arja Salafranca

Raising my camera,

you hide your sign,

again and again.

I look through the viewfinder,

but you’re too quick,

the minute I click,

you pull your sign away.

You won’t let me take your photo with a sign

that places you at somewhere at the bottom,

asking for money.

Even when a woman rolls down her car window

to palm change into your hand,

your sign is hidden,

a slightly puzzled smile on your six-year-old face.

Your mother sits on the opposite side of a busy thoroughfare,

She’s been there for years.

Children like you have been begging there for years.

You may even have been there since you were a baby

on your mother’s back.

Sindisiwe

Sesotho translation of poem extract coordinated by Dr Maria Letsie

Ha ke phahamisa khamera ya ka,

o pata letshwao la hao,

hape le hape.

Ke a sheba ka aparata ya khamera,

empa o a potlaka,

ka nako eo ke ho nkang setshwantsho,

o pata letshwao la hao.

Ha o ntumelle ho o nka setshwantsho ka letshwao

le ho behang kaekae tlase,

o kopa tjhelete.

Leha mosadi a bula fenstere ya koloi ya hae

ho o kgakeletsa tjhelete lehofing la hao,

letshwao la hao le patehile,

lebonyo le le nyenyane la ho makala sefahlehong sa ngwana wa hao ya dilemo tse

tsheletseng.

A Brief Biography on Arja Salafranca

Arja Salafranca was born in 1971 in Spain to a Spanish father and a South African mother. She has lived in South Africa since the age of five. In 1993 she received a degree in African Literature and Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand. She has had fiction and poetry published in a number of local journals and anthologies, including The Finishing Touch (Cosaw, 1992), Like a House on Fire (Cosaw 1994), LyfSpel/BodyPlay (Kagiso, 1994), The Torn Veil (1998) and in In the Rapids (Kwela 2001).

Her first poetry collection, A life stripped of illusions, received the 1994 Sanlam Award for poetry, while a short story, ‘Couple on the Beach’ was a winner of the same award in 1999 for short fiction. Her second collection of poetry, The fire in which we burn, was published in 2000. A collection of prose and poetry, Glass Jars Among Trees, which she edited with the poet Alan Finlay, was published in 2003 by Jacana. Arja has worked for various newspapers in Johannesburg and now edits the Sunday Life supplement in The Sunday Independent.

Mothers Grieve 11 Lives Lost

2011-08-24T03:16:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

11 kids all under the age of 12 were killed in a bus accident that happened between Knysna and Sedgefield in Southern Cape yesterday morning. The driver lost control of the bus and crashed into the Knysna bridge into the river. The rear end of the bus was the only part left sticking out. The survivors were rushed to hospital to be treated for injuries. Divers were at the scene in search of more bodies while the police investigated the matter further.

The tragedy will be a tough pill to swallow for the mother's of the children that were lost in the accident as it has never been a sign of good fortune for a mother to bury her own child. AFH sends it condolences to the families of the victims in this time of difficulty.

Untitled 2006/War Triptych: Silence, Glory, Love

2011-08-23T21:51:00.000-07:00

Untitled. 2006

Berni Searle

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!" - Maya Angelou, African American Poet

Born in 1964 in Cape Town, Berni Searle is best known for producing digital video and lens based media installations. Her work references ongoing explorations around issues of self-representation, personal and collective identity. Berni was short listed for the international Artes Mundi award in 2004 and in 2003 she was presented locally with the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist award. That resulted with a solo exhibition, Float that toured nationally until 2004.

Other solo exhibitions that Berni has participated in include, A Matter of Time at the UC Berkeley (2003), Presence at the Speed Museum, Louisville (2005) and About to Forget at Michael Stevenson Contemporary, Cape Town (2005). Her most recent group exhibitions include, Hang In There, My Dear Geum-Sun, Busan Biennale at the Busan Metropolitan Art Meseum, Seoul (2004); Min(e)dfields at the Kunsthaus Baselland, Basel (2004); the fifth Shanghai Biennale at the Shanghai Art Museum in China (2004) and the 'Always a Little Further' at the 51st Venice Biennale (2005).

Poem:

War Triptych: Silence, Glory, Love

Gabeba Baderoon

I. Accounting

The mother asked to stay.

She looked at her silent child.

I was waiting for you.

The quiet of the girl’s face was a different quiet.

Her hands lay untouched by death.

The washer of bodies cut

away her long, black dress.

Blue prayer beads fell

to the floor in a slow accounting.

The washer of bodies began to sing

a prayer to mothers and daughters.

The mother said,

who will wait for me.

II. Father Receives News His Son Died in the Intifada

When he heard the news, Mr Karim became silent.

He did not look at the cameras,

nor at the people who brought their grief.

He felt a hand slip from his hand,

a small unclasping,

and for that, he refused the solace of glory.

III. Always for the First Time

We tell our stories of war like stories

of love, innocent as eggs.

But we will meet memory again

at the wall around our city,

always for the first time.

Uyabalisa

IsiZulu translation of poem extract: EM Mabuza

Uma ucela ukuhlala

Ubheke ingane yakhe ethulile

Bengilindele wena

Ukuthula ebusweni bentombazane bekunokuthula okwahlukile

Izandla zayo kunokufa okungathintwa

Ogeza imizimba usika ilokwe lakhe elide

Ubuhlalu bokuthandaza obuluhlaza kwesibhakabhaka

Buwele phansi ngokunensa bubalisa

Ogeza imizimba waqala ukucula

Umthandazo wabomama kanye namadodakazi

Uma wathi,

Ngubani ozolinda mina.

nguGabeba Baderoon, ekhishwe eqoqweni Iphupho Emzimbeni ozolandela

A Brief Biography on Gabeba Baderoon

Gabeba Baderoon is the author of three collections of poetry, The Dream in the Next Body (Kwela/Snailpress, 2005), The Museum of Ordinary Life (DaimlerChrysler, 2005) and A hundred silences (Kwela/Snailpress, 2006). Her poems appear in the anthologies Worldscapes (Oxford University Press, 2005), Ten Hallam Poets (Mews Press, 2005), Voices from All Over (Oxford University Press, 2006) and Birds in Words (Umuzi/Random House, 2006) and her short fiction is included in Twist (Oshun, 2006).

Gabeba is the recipient of the DaimlerChrysler Award for South African Poetry 2005 and held the Guest Writer Fellowship at the Nordic Africa Institute in 2005. Her debut collection, The Dream in the Next Body was named a Notable Book of 2005 by the Sunday Independent and A hundred silences was selected for Homebru 2006 by Exclusive Books. Both the The Dream in the Next Body and A hundred silences were Sunday Times Recommended Books.Gabeba has been a featured poet in the 16 Days of Activism readings, and at Poetry Africa, Weltklang in Berlin, the Stockholm Poetry Festival, Poetry International in Rotterdam and London and the Bristol Poetry Festival.

The Miseducation of Womanhood

2011-08-23T00:30:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

10 years ago on this very month, South Africa played host to the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. Music being an influential medium amongst many, Grammy award winning and globally renowned musician Lauryn Hill was scheduled to grace the South African shores with a 3 city tour that was aimed at spreading awareness about the conference and its importance in society. Although Lauryn Hill eventually cancelled the tour, to many it was a great sign of change to come in acknowledging a female artist of colour to endorse an event of this nature.

Listed in Rolling Stones' magazine top 500 list of the greatest albums of all time, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is a critically acclaimed stand alone classic that explores the struggles of women that deal with the daily pressures of living up to the expectations of society. Following the success of her former group's album The Score by The Fugees, Lauryn Hill excelled beyond the pressures and expectations she faced to succeed with her debut solo project. The numbers spoke for themselves as the The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill debuted at 1 in the Billboard 200 chart with over 400 000 record sales during its first week.

Little has been said about the monumental value the album holds for female figures in past, present and future generations. The well thought out masterpiece is a living testament of the daily struggles women deal with. Whether it be social, gender or human injustice, the album acknowledges and celebrates the spirit of womanhood. The likes of Durban based songstress and rapper Skye Wanda, can bear attribute to the influence the work of Lauryn Hill has had in her life since the inception of her career as an artists. Also a victim of gender in-equality in an industry that was at some stage male saturated, Skye Wanda is symbolic to a female artist that has lived through the guidance of Lauryn Hill's words to establish herself as a well respected and independent entity in the Durban music scene.

A song that was close to heart for many was the heart felt tribute to her first born Zion David. The song speaks of a woman who is encouraged by the outside world to give up her child for stardom and music success. In the end however, Lauryn Hill kept her child and still reigned supreme with the success of her debute album.

Deeply internalised through song, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill continues to serve its purpose in uplifting women all over the world with its timeless jewels of wisdom.

Where Are The Cows? (Ziphi Iinkomo)/Looking Up

2011-08-22T23:27:00.000-07:00

Where Are The Cows? (Ziphi Iinkomo)

Beverley Samler

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

We continue to salute and pay homage to the women in arts who have used their skills to be actively involved in the fight for basic human rights.

Beverly Samler was born in Zambia and lived most of her life in Zimbabwe. In 1980 she came down to South Africa and settled in the Eastern Cape. After a long break she found herself painting again and ended up at the Buffalo City Public FET College's printmaking studio where she studied for four years under Rose Warren.

Beverly's passion for printmaking is balanced with other media, such as photography and painting. With two solo exhibitions held in the Eastern Cape, she has also exhibited in numerous group showings locally and in Zimbabwe. In 2003, Beverly participated in the third international Printmaking Conference in Cape Town, where she was involved in the production of a community based project and exhibition, Salted Lines. Other printmaking conferences and exhibitions Beverly attended include the Germany and Poland conference held in 2005 where she initiated and co-facilitated an exhibition Proud Survivors. And she also exhibited at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.

Beverly is a board member for the Ann Bryant Art Gallery. She is motivated to use art to improve and educate her community.

Poem:

Looking up

Finuala Dowling

The moment before you died

You looked up,

The way all children look up: hopefully.

You were expecting us to come

But we didn’t come.

You see --

The economy has been growing at 3.2% per year

Many of our shopping malls have parking for over 1000 cars

Things have been looking up

We’ve had a lot of new stuff to look after

Of course, when we read how you’d died,

You had three hundred thousand mothers;

You had four hundred thousand fathers.

Yet it’s true that the moment before you died,

You looked up, and no one came.

Impucuko

IsiXhosa translation: Tessa Dowling and Nosipho Tshabane

Umzuzwana phambi kokuba usweleke

Wajonga phezulu

Ngendlela bonke abantwana abajonga ngayo: ngethemba.

Ubulindele okokuba sifike

Kodwa zange sifike.

Uyabona ke --

Uqoqosho lunyuke kakuhle ngonyaka

iivenkile zethu ezinkulu zineendawo zokupaka iimoto ezingaphezu kwewaka

Izinto ziye zaphucuka

Besinezinto ezininzi ezintsha esinokujonga kuzo

Kaloku, sakuba sifunde indlela obusweleke ngayo

Ubunentlaninge yoomama;

Ubunentlaninge yootata.

Nangona, uthe ngomzuzwana phambi kokuba usweleke

Wajonga phezulu,

Kodwa akwabikho

namnye ufikayo

A Brief Biography of Finuala Dowling

Finuala Dowling is a former Unisa lecturer now working as a freelance writer. She has published two volumes of poetry, I Flying (awarded the Ingrid Jonker Prize) and Doo-Wop Girls of the Universe. She is also the author of a novel, What Poets Need, several short stories published in local and international anthologies, and an award-winning comedy, Bungee Writing Finals. She lives with her extended family in Kalk Bay, Cape Town.

Push 'n Pull/Groote Schuur Paediatric

2011-08-22T00:58:00.000-07:00

Push 'N Pull

Kerry-Lyn Potgieter

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

The strength of a woman is embodied in the work she's done in shaping our society into a perfect place of harmony where each & every can co-exist peacefully.

The East London born and breaded Kerry-Lyn Potgieter is a well travelled spirit that has journeyed extensively throughout the United Kingdom, Europe and the Middle East. She has produced work at Edinburgh Printmakers and at Oxford Printmakers, whilst developing her skills in the art of metal etchings. Kerry-Lyn currently resides in her place of birth and lecturing in the Department of Art and Design at the Buffalo City Public FET College, satellite campus of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

The Buffalo City Community Art Project is a project that Kerry-Lyn developed and initiated with the Salted Lines: Image from the Mouth of the Buffalo Exhibition being the resultant. The exhibition was showcased at the third Impact International Printmaking Conference in Cape Town. The purpose behind the project was to impart knowledge, whilst promoting skills development and training. Kerry-Lyn has been involved in many art-related projects within the educational sector, privately as well as with artists affiliated with the David Krut Printmaking studio in Johannesburg. She has participated in numerous exhibitions and international printmaking conferences.

Poem:

Groote Schuur Paediatric

Liesl Jobson

The mountain is gone

under grey sandwich clouds

and I’m waiting, Mama.

Baby repairs won’t fly

this time. The policeman

prodded Uncle, took him away.

I’m going down too.

I can’t walk another

twist and bump day

on this push me pull

poke heavy weather path.

Slap ‘n tickle games aren’t funny.

I can’t take a joke.

Game’s over; you coming now?

I’m waiting at the hospital, Mama.

Bolotabana ka Groote Schuur

Sesotho sa Leboa translation: LP Boshego

Thaba e utame

ka fase ga marumasehla

feka nna ke letile, Mma.

Dithuša bana di ka se šome

lebakeng le. Lephodisa la

kgotla Malome, Motloše fa.

Le nna ke sepela le naye.

Nka se kgone go sepela

letšatši le lengwe gape la dimenya le

dikhwiti mo tseleng ye ya phoukara

ya nkgorometše nkgoge.

Go phaphatha le go tsikitlana

ga se papadi tše bose.

Ga ke ke amogele metlai.

Dipapadišane di fedile; na o a tla?

Ke go emetše mo sepetlela, Mma

A Brief Biography on Liesl Jobson

Liesl Jobson is a Johannesburg musician. Her poetry and fiction have appeared, or are forthcoming in, South African journals New Coin, Kotaz, Botsotso, Fidelities, Chimurenga, Carapace, Green Dragon, Laugh It Off, New Contrast, and Sweet Magazine. Internationally her work appears in online and print journals including The Southern Review, Sleeping Fish, Tough Times Companion, Crosscut, Noö Journal, The Journal of Modern Post, InkPot, The Christian Communicator, Oasis, 3:AM (USA), LICHEN Journal (Canada) and The journal, Aesthetica, Bonfire and Brittle Star (UK).

She was the focus poet in Timbila 2005 and The Hiss Quarterly (August 2005). Her poetry is featured at Southern Rain Poetry and she won the POWA Women's Writing Poetry Competition (2005) and the Inglis House Poetry Contest in 2003. She edits poetry for Mad Hatters’ Review and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2005. Liesl received the 2006 Ernst van Heerden Award from the University of the Witwatersrand, where she completed an MA in Creative Writing.

Born To Raise A Man

2011-08-19T00:36:00.000-07:00

Born To Raise A Man

Nontobeko Ntombela

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

The spirit of womanhood continues its reign as we pay homage to the works of female artists who have dedicated themselves at fighting for children's rights through their arts and trades.

Born in 1982 at Empangeni, Nontobeko Ntombela, now living and working in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal is a Fine Art graduate of the Durban University of Technology. She has been actively involved in both arts administration and practising art and has been part of successful art events such as the recent exhibition titled 'Negotiated Space' a travelling show by Ntombela and Bronwen Vaughan-Evans amongst others.

Nontobeko has worked with a number of organisations including Art for Humanity, BAT Centre Trust, Community Art Project, Young People for Change, Amafa/heritage KwaZulu-Natal and now at the Durban University of Technology as the Gallery Curator.

Poem:

Born to Raise a Man

Bandile Gumbi

Son of my sister

My son

The ambers of resistance

Are now sown

In the flicker of your eyes

I leave this story

To mould

The man born of woman

Son of my sister

My son

You who was conceived

When freedom was an embryo

Born at the wake

Of yet another revolution

The burden of your future

Is in the hands

That will raise you

You who will take root

When another imperialist power

Is in the market for your identity

When destruction

Does not come only in nuclear weaponry

But feed to all your senses

Filling some with senselessness

Son of my sister

My son

I don’t aim

To define your manhood

But to nurture the women in your genes

Their strength shall complete your initiation

To a world of mudslides

And volcanic ramblings

May your walk in dignity

Your birth-right

Bend only to guide your step

Never to compromise your principles

Son of my sister

My son

I pray for your hands

Never to be raised in anger

But in exhilaration

As you conquer

Yet another stumbling block

May your dreams be filled with guiding force

At the depth of your youthful confusion

To usher you to clarity

Son of my sister

My son

You whose born of women.

For Tumisa on his 1st Birthday

Wazalelwa Indoda

IsiZulu translation of poem extract: Bandile Gumbi

Ndodana kadadewethu

ndodana yami.

Wena owabambwa

Inkululeko isayumbungu

Wazalwa ngasikhathi somunye umbangazwe

Ikusasalakho

lisezandleni ezizokukhulisa.

A Brief Biography of Bandile Gumbi

Bandile Gumbi holds a BA Social Science from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Since 2000 she has performed in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town, mainly at poetry clubs and art exhibitions. She is a founding member of 3rd Eye Vision, an artist-administrated interdisciplinary arts organisation based in Durban. Her self-published Pangs of Initiation was recently launched in Durban.

She performed at Poetry Africa 2004. Bandile is currently studying through correspondance for a Masters in Communication for Development through Malmo University, Sweden and since the beginning of 2006, has been working as a freelance events manager based in Johannesburg.

Innocence Lost

2011-08-18T00:20:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

Fighting to keep up with the social standards of modern day society, campus life for most young women hasn't been a walk in the park. The pressures to fit in with the city's elite has partly been reason behind most young adults falling prey to the inner city decay that has cornered them into selling their souls to indulge in a lifestyle of quick and easy money.

Hailing from poverty stricken communities, most girls who seize their independence when moving to the big cities usually find themselves at the helm of temptations. The prostitution ring continues to grow in Durban as more and more young female adults flock into the prostitution market with hopes of earning enough money to buy acceptance in desired society.

What's more troubling is a shocking revelation of how some of these girls give up themselves without any form of protection at the expense of the client paying a little extra money for their services. At the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, it seems like these young adults will stop at nothing to get that financial fulfilment.

According to a student at Berea Technikon, a certain res is used as a brothel by its owners. The girls who reside there have to sell their bodies to keep a roof over their heads. However that's part reason behind their activities, according to our undisclosed source, some of these students sell their bodies for the thrill of being financially independent. The pressures of keeping up with the latest trends and buying acceptance from the economically stable circles also adds to their reasoning for engaging in such activities.

It is uncertain what the future holds for these girls but the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS will continue to do damage on a new frontier if the government doesn't tighten it's laws around illegal prostitution.

Sisterhood/Dancing With Angels

2011-08-17T23:53:00.000-07:00

Sisterhood

Gabisile Nkosi

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

The spirit of womanhood continues its reign as we embrace the women who have dedicated their arts and crafts to the fight for children's rights.

Durban based artist Gabisile Nkosi, has been a participant in community educational projects and is interested in the therapeutic effects of art making. She has contributed to Art for Humanity's Break the Silence HIV/AIDS Billboard and Portfolio Project. Her work has been seen in several group and solo exhibitions in South Africa and abroad. Gabisile is also part of the permanent collection of the Durban Art Gallery. She's currently at the Caversham Press in KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

Poem:

Dancing with Angels

Mavis Smallberg

she is singing new lullabies, jumping in new dreams

dancing with angels so her child becomes whole

under her feet is the debris of pain

beauty defaced, dead trampled dreams

all anchor her spirit

deprive her of hope

there’s a rustling of angel wings swift in the air

up to her knees are memories of sorrow

ribbons and bones tattered and broken

her relics of tears

his violations of trust

there’s a landing of angel feet soft in the air

she is dive-bombed by devils

they poison her head

ride on her back

shake up her heart

there’s a sounding of spirit war stirring the air

then she hears angelsong inside her heart

she starts learning the lesson, opens her eyes

unchains her feet

unties her soul

there’s a whispering of angel voices always in air

and she is singing new lullabies, jumping in new dreams

dancing with angels so her child becomes whole

Dans met Engele

Afrikaans translation of poem extract: Marí Peté

verstrengel in herinnering van smart,

beendere gebreek en klere geskeur,

haar oorblyfsels van liefde

sy skending van vertroue

maar engelvoete land sag in die lug

en in haar hart hoor sy hul sing -

sy begin te leer, haar oë gaan oop,

ontketen haar voete

bevry haar siel

A Brief Biography of Mavis Smallberg

Mavis Smallberg has been writing and performing poetry since the early 1980s and currently works at the Robben Island Museum. Mavis has been involved in various cultural collectives such as a COSAW, Vakalisa, Red Rituals and WEAVE. She has taken part in many group and individual poetry performances and readings. Her work has been published in several national and international anthologies.

The most recent ones are Women on War: An international Anthology of Writing from Antiquity to the Present (Ed. Daniela Gioseffi), Feminist Press (City University of New York, New York 2003), Women Writing Africa (Wits University Press, Johannesburg 2003).

A Flower For Malika/Girl Child

2011-08-17T00:49:00.000-07:00

A Flower for Malika

Judith Mason

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

Born in 1938 in Pretoria, Judith Mason is a BA degree graduate in Fine Arts of which she obtained at the University of Witwatersrand in 1960. She taught painting at the University of the Witwatersrand and occasionally at other institutions on a casual basis e.g. University of Pretoria, Michaelis School of Art. Judith exhibited frequently in South Africa between the time period of 1962 and 2002. She has works in all major South African art collections of private and public bodies in Europe and the USA and has represented South Africa at the Venice Biennale in 1966 taking part in various Valparaiso and Sao Paolo Biennales in the 70s.

Judith Mason's publications include a mixed media portfolio in collaboration with Ted Townsend, poet; A Dante Bestiary (ombondi editions, New York, 1990); lithographs for selected poems by Patrick Cullinan (The Artists' Press, 1993) and Talking Pictures (essays published in 1988 by the Broederstroom Press).

Poem:

Girl Child

Malika Ndlovu

Girl child

Wild virgin flower

Surviving even where the soil

Aches for rain

Will bear no grain or fruit

Where innocence and youth

Is harvested with brutality

Where she more than her brother

Suffers the scorching of a dominant Sun

Forcing her into the shadows

Where she can be forgotten

Neglected

Underestimated

In more ways than one

Buried

Girl child

Wild virgin flower

Misled and mis-educated

Not only

By the twisted tales of tradition she is fed

But by those who continue

To teach these poisoned lessons

By their actions

Mothers, fathers, older brothers and sisters

Who show her

She is less

Unwanted

Or born to be burdened

Exploited

Violated

Girl child

Wild virgin flower

How do you recognise your Self

In these mists of projected fear

How do you hear you own voice

Discern when and how

You can make your own choices

Girl child

Wild virgin flower

Open your petals with courage

Bear your dreams to the night sky

Under Moon’s glow

You will come to know

The truth of your origin

The immeasurable power

Of your authentic nature

Uncover the wealth and wisdom

Of your scorned and silenced

Female ancestry

Guidance for your growth

Girl child

Wild virgin flower

When ominous clouds loom

And you cannot protect yourself from the flood

Let these tides of pain

Feed your roots

Fire your determination

Trust that as you shed skin

Lose parts of yourself to threatening winds

These seasons of sorrow will change

You were destined to be here

In this moment

In this place

In this body

In this time

You are the fountain source

The life force

Of all that is woman

Shining in her fullness

With her innate resilience

Bearing miraculous fruit

Mntwana Wentombazane

IsiZulu translation coordinated by Dr Maria Letsie

Mntwana wentombazane,mbali yasehlane

Udukisiwe awufundiswanga kahle

Hhayi ngezinganekwane ezingeyizo oxoxelwe zona

Kodwa ngalabo abaqhubekayo

Befundisa lezizimfundiso ezingezizo ngezenzo zabo

Onina, oyise, abanewabo nodadewabo abameyayo

Ongafunwa noma ozelwe ukwethweswa umthwalo, exhashaziwe,ehlukunyeziwe

Mntwana wentombazane, mbali yasehlane

Qhakaza ngesibindi

Feza amaphupho akho esibhakabhakeni

Ngaphansi kokukhanya kwenyanga uyokwazi ukunotha nokuhlakanipha

Kwamathongo akho anga hlonishwanga nabulawa

Uyisusa somthombo, Amandla empilo abo bonke besifazane

Nokuqina kwakho kokuzalwa, uthela izithelo ezimangazayo

A Brief Biography of Malika Ndlovu

Malika Lueen Ndlovu is a Durban-born poet, playwright, performer, arts project manager and mother of three, with a wide range of experience in the arts and arts management arenas. She has two of her own poetry anthologies, Born in Africa But and Womb to World: A Labour of Love, and her work also features in several local and international publications. She is dedicated to creating indigenous multi-media works in line with her personal motto "healing through creativity".

Malika is a founder-member of Cape Town-based women writers' collective WEAVE, co-editor of their multi-genre anthology WEAVE’s Ink @ Boiling Point: A selection of 21st Century Black Women’s writing from the Southern Tip of Africa. Malika has recently joined The Mothertongue Project, a women performing artists, writers and visual artists collective, scripting for their highly successful Grahamstown Festival 2004 production Uhambo! : Pieces of a Dream. She has also initiated the And The Word Was Woman Ensemble of 14 local performance poets, bringing together established Cape Town writers and fresh writing talents.

This Is My Story/Mary Mother of No-One

2011-08-16T01:47:00.000-07:00

This Is My Story

Marjorie Maleka

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

Day 16 of Women's month as we continue to salute the women who have dedicated themselves at making a change in our society by fighting for children's rights.

"I am an artist", that just about somes up Marjorie Maleka who was born in Vryburg in 1979 and grew up in the Free State under the guidance of her mother. She attended primary school at Reitz and secondary schooling at The Agricultural School of Seotlong. Marjorie art career began at Vaal Triangle Technikon in 1999 and she joined the Artist Proof Studio in 2001. She specialises in print-making and has participated in group exhibitions locally and abroad and now manages the Artist Proof Studio's Nhlanhla Xaba Gallery whilst in the process of learning Marketing and Sales.

Marjorie Maleka states that her work is about "human rights, with a focus on the rights of women". She combines printmaking, photography and collage in her work. Marjorie's long term goals include furthering her studies and becoming an artist as well as an art critic.

Poem:

Mary mother of no-one

Lindiwe Nkhutha

yet again unfounded myths

re-write themselves on my body

faceless malevolent voices

proclaim me the virginal cleanser

of heartache and dis-ease

while taking turns to fill me to the brim with same

my shrills swathed in regal stoles of collective silence

lie behind consensual paralytic truths

that have never walked,

let alone flown

i watch with a throat full of swallowed words

while my consent is sacrificed on alters to inconsiderate gods

it crushes the bones in my heart

that no one ever hears the

two, sometimes three, mostly seven pleadings

that drip out of the sides of my mouth

onto my pillow now gone deaf

will somebody…

will somebody, anybody…

somebody,

anybody,

your body

stop this madness

Ngingu Maria uma kamuntu

IsiZulu tranlsation: Lindiwe Nkutha

Kwenzeka futhi, izinganekwane ezingena msusa

Zizibhala emzimbeni wami

Amaphimbo anomunyu kodwa angenabo ubuso

Angibiza ngocwebileyo

Ogeza izinhlungu zenhliziyo nezifo zonke

Ngaleso sikhathi agcwalisa ubunjalo bami ngalezo zinhlungu

Izikhalo zami zemboswe ngengubo yobukhosi engasho lutho

Yona egquma amaqiniso akhubazekile

Angakaze ahamba

futhi angeke andize

Konke lokhu ngikubuka umphimbo wami ugcwele

Amagama engingakwazi ukuwagwinya

Kwenziwa izihlabelo egameni lami ngokuvuma kwami

Kwenzelwa onkulunkulu abengenandaba

Kuphula amathambo enhliziyo yami

Ukuthi akekho namunye okewezwa

Lawo mazwi amabili, ngesinye isikhathi amathathu

Kaniningi ayisikhombisa angumthandazo wami,

Ophuma ohlangothini linye lezindebe zami

Manje esengiwaxoxela umqamelo wami

nawo sewuyisithulu

ukhona mumbe…

ukhona mumbe, nanomawubani ...

mumbe,

nomawubani,

nawe qobolwakho

masibambisaneni siphelise lomkhuba.

A Brief Biography of Lindiwe Nkutha

Lindiwe Nkutha was born in Soweto to Mandla and Thandile Nkutha. Trained as an accountant and now working as a business development consultant, Lindiwe has come to heed the message that she has heard life whisper into her eyes and ears. She has spent most of her time honing her skills into various media, including photography and videography to complement her newly-acknowledged vocation to tell stories.

Some of her poetry has been published in feminist publications in the SADC region and read on stages of Jo'burg's underground poetry scene. A short film she made titled 'Muted Screams' was shown in South Africa and the United Kingdom. Her works as a photographer include 'This Way We Bleed' and 'Jocasta's Hairballs'.

Lindiwe's short stories appear in an anthology titled '180 degrees'. She is currently working on a novel.

Gift of the Givers in Somalia's Rescue

2011-08-15T01:00:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

The South African based humanitarian group Gift of the Givers, has been one of many organisations responsible for shipping relief aid to the thousands of Somalis who are still battling with the aftermath of what has been noted as one of the worse droughts & famine in 60 years. With the disaster reaching crisis mode, thousands of Somalis have reportedly fled the country to seek refugee in camps located in Ethiopia and Kenya.

The UN (United Nations) and World Food Programme, have set up emergency food & medical centres to assist the victims of the famine. However concerns continue to grow over the influx of Somalis in camps that are not built to accommodate the number of arrivals.

Dieticians and South African doctors will be located in Somalia for a week long stay as they will assist with medical aid and malnutrition. A plea has been launched to all South Africans and members of the global community to assist with any form of contributions that will help with the Somalian community in this time of need.

To make donations - 0800 786 911 - toll free - www.giftofthegivers.org

Ukunqamuka Kwe Mbeleko

2011-08-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Ukunqamuka Kwe Mbeleko

Nomusa Makhubu

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

Day 15 of Women's month as we celebrate the works of women devoted to using their art to raise awareness on children's rights.

Today we pay tribute to the work of Nomusa Makhubu who matriculated in 2002 at Riverside High School, Vereeniging, Vaal Triangle. She is currently studying towards a BA in Fine Arts at Rhodes University specialising in Photography. Her work experience includes the National Arts Festival 2004 as an Art Assistant, National Arts Festival 2005, Narrator (part time) at the South African Library for the Blind, Student and Paperwork Exhibitions 2004/2005. Nomusa is also part of a society called Kujenga Inchi Upia which deals with outreach programmes that aim at creating student involvement in the community by teaching art, music & dance.

In 2006, Nomusa Makhubu was awarded the Gerard Sekoto Prize for the most promising artist in the ABSA L'Atelier Art Competition 2006.

Poem:

look at me

Khona Dlamini

look at me

see me

do not let your eyes

turn away from the contours of my being

i am the child whose life

is ordered by numbers

who is mothered by the social system

fathered by the education system

look at me

not through me

let butterflies flow from your lips

to caress the catacombs in my heart

so that i

can

taste

LOVE

and know that

I AM/ MATTER

look at me

not through me

Ntjhebe

Sesotho translation of poem extract: MP Letsie

Qotso

dirurubele di phalle ho tswa dipounameng tsa hao

ho phaphatha mabitla a ka pelong ya ka

hore ke

kgone

ho latswa

LERATO

le ho tseba hore

KE MOPHEDI

ntjhebe

o se ke wa ntlodisa mahlo

A Brief Biography of Khona Dlamini

Khona Dlamini is a Durban-born writer and journalism student at Rhodes University. She has worked as co-ordinator of the Women’s Day celebrations at the BAT Centre since 2002. Her writing has been published by the Agenda Feminist Media Project, Y-mag, kush.co.za and Grahamstown’s local paper the Grocott’s Mail.

Boy/A Child Dreaming

2011-08-12T01:02:00.000-07:00

Boy

Este Macleod

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

Drawing and painting has been a life long passion for Este Macleod who was born in Pretoria in 1968. In 1994 she obtained a Higher National Diploma in Textile Design at the Pretoria Technikon. At that time she was also studying fine arts with ceramics, printmaking and jewellery design as subjects. Since then she has been working mainly as a studio cramicist and painter. She does book illustrations and jewellery design, works on commissions and projects, takes part in group and solo exhibitions and occasionally holds workshops.

Este's love for travelling and exposure to various cultures has served as inspiration for her work. She currently lives on a farm with her husband and son close to Henley-on-Thames in England. At present, she is continuing her studies in ceramics and glass and works as an artist.

Poem:

KIND WAT DROOM

Zandra Bezuidenhout

Ek is ‘n kind. Ek droom

ek word ‘n witkruisarend

of ‘n reuse geelhoutboom.

Wonders kan gebeur

as jul my lewe respekteer.

Ek vra dat jul my regte

op die hart sal dra.

Laat my in veiligheid

op hierdie aarde woon.

dat ek kan groei en blom

om sonder vrees

te word wat ek moet wees.

(Language: Afrikaans)

A CHILD DREAMING

English translation: Zandra Bezuidenhout

I am a child of many dreams:

I’d love to be a soaring eagle

or a lofty yellowwood tree.

Wonders might happen

if I am treated with respect,

as children’s rights are rooted

in a moral alphabet.

I pray that you will from today

respect my life in every way,

that I may grow and flourish fearlessly

until one day I do become

the person I was meant to be.

A Brief Biography of Zandra Bezuidenhout

Zandra Bezuidenhout (1945- ) was born in the Strand, Western Cape. She studied at the University of Stellenbosch and has been working in the teaching and language professions for many years. She and her husband have been married for 40 years and their three grown-up children remain their pride and joy. Zandra was awarded the Ingrid Jonker prize for poetry in 2001. After furthering her studies locally and in the Netherlands, when the children flew the nest, she obtained her doctorate in Afrikaans and Dutch literature in 2005.

Zandra works as a part-time lecturer, freelance journalist and translator. She loves music, theatre and art, and looks forward to compiling educational material related to languages and culture.

Voice of Liberation

2011-08-11T00:39:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

1966 is a year that will forever be remembered for the release of Nina Simone's controversial song Four Women. Making its presence felt in a decade that saw the rise of civil rights movements such as the Black Panther Party, Simon's Four Women piece was no stranger to the spotlight as the song was surrounded by a string of controversies that eventually led to it being banned from several major radio stations.

Considered as some of Nina Simone's most thought provoking works, Four Women is a song that speaks of four stereotyped female forms that deal with the different pressures of womanhood inflicted by the society we co-exist in. Although the song has travelled through decades, the message it beared still remains relevant even in today's times. In the year 2000, the underground hip hop duo Reflection Eternal, created a remake of Nina Simone's classic piece as they re-labelled it 'For Women'. Still keeping within the context of the origional version, Talib Kweli one half of Reflection Eternal, showed how 34 years later, the message left behind by Nina Simone could still reach the women of today on the same strength as it did during her era.

As we celebrate Women's month, we acknowledge revolutionary female figures both locally and internationally for the contributions they have made through their crafts to spread a message of goodwill in human rights. The characters that Nina Simone portrayed in Four Women serve as a representation of the measures we as human beings have to go through in order to respect, appreciate and accept each other as a single entity.

Rest In Peace Eunice Kathleen Waymon aka Nina Simone.

Janus

2011-08-10T23:59:00.000-07:00

Janus

by Yasmin Flett

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

It's a beautiful Thursday morning, day 11 of Women's month as the celebrations continue in honouring the works of all the women that have been active in the fight for children's rights.

The Scotland native of Aberdeen, Yasmin Flett born in 1983 is an honours graduate in illustration and design at the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee, Scotland in 2005. She's been invited to be Artist in Residence with the Natural History Society of the University of Dundee, where she visited Trinidad for five weeks to investigate the environmental impact on the native species and this was followed by an exhibition at the University.

In 2004, Flett was involved in voluntary work at the New Kirkcudbright International Arts Festival, Kirkcdbright, Dumfries and Galloway, where she worked with a team in the running of the festival. At the end of 2003, Flett was invited by the Senior Geologist of Concoco Philips to visit Dubai, United Arab Emirates to examine Arabic approaches to art. In 2006, Yasmin moved to Brighton England where she works as a freelance illustrator.

Poem:

Janus

Jennifer Scott

Do you see that picture?

That’s me when I was born.

Not exactly beautiful – all tiny eyes and wrinkled skin

Fists reaching out blindly, and two chubby bald heads.

Two! They look like eggs

My mama drew it.

I’ve heard about this picture, but I haven’t seen it before

Until now.

And now I’m like a baby again, trying to make sense of what I see

My mama said she drew it from life, that means it should be real

But like my mama used to say

I’m in two minds

I can try to remember myself, lying there

Fidgeting in the darkness

With mama’s booming laugh and daddy’s fiery temper still zipped up inside

Maybe I wasn’t thinking of anything,

Perhaps I was like a blank slate

Waiting to be drawn on.

I remember when I was small I used to believe that

Anything was possible

Every holiday I played on the cannon at Blood River

It was the sweat and blood of my people caking that gun

But mama I want it to be a rocket

I said.

The night sky outside my house is very big

So is my imagination!

I never did reach the moon yet, mama explained that it’s a long way

I learnt a lot from my mama

She said she has been learning from me since I was born

But what can you learn from a baby?

Janus

Ndebele Translation of poem extract coordinated by Dr Maria Letsie

Uyawubona lomfanekiso na?

Ngimi lokha nangibelethwakho.

ngizwile ngomfanekiso lo, kodwana akhenge ngiwubone ngaphambilini

kufikela gadesi

Gadesi ngifana nomntwana godu,ngizama ukuhlathulula lokhu engikubonako

uMma uthe asirhwala asusela epilweni yamambala, okuthjo kobana kufanekle kube liqiniso.

Kodwana njengobana uMma bekathanda ukutjho

Ngisemqondweni emibili

Isibhakabhaka sebusuku ngaphandle kwendlami sikhulu

Injalo ke imicabango yami

Ngisengakafiki enyezini, Umma wangihlathululela bonyana yindlelede khulu Ngifunde

kukhulu kuMma

Uthe gade afunda kimi kusukela ngibelethwa

Kodwana khuyini ongakufunda emntwaneni?

A Brief Biography on Jennifer Scott

Jennifer Scott from Kirkcudbright, Scotland received a BA Geography from Hertford College, University of Oxford in 2004. Since 2005 Jennifer has been working as a Community Consultation Facilitator for the UNDP in the Maldives. Jennifer was recently published in the Scottish Journal for Human Rights with an article on ‘Human Rights and Liberia’ and an interview with prominent exiled Liberian human rights lawyer, Tiawan Gongloe.

From 2003 to 2004 Jennifer was a student teacher at the Oxford-based Non-Governmental Organisation ‘Jacari’ which consisted of her being closely involved in helping the families of recent immigrants and asylum seekers to settle in the United Kingdom. She enjoyed the challenges and rewards of giving weekly English tuition to an 8 year-old Muslim boy from a non-English speaking family.

Face Cloth/Bathtime

2011-08-10T00:03:00.000-07:00

Face Cloth

Bronwen Findlay

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

Day 10 of Women's month as AFH (Art for Humanity) continues to honour the women who are involved in the fight for children's rights.

A former student at the Natal Technikon and University of Natal, Bronwen Findlay who was born in Pietermaritzburg in 1953 is a celebrated figure in her trade as she has been actively involved in numerous solo exhibitions as well as participating in group exhibitions. She is a practising artist and teacher that has vast experience that stretches from Durban all the way to Johannesburg. Bronwen is currently teaching in the Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture at the University of Johannesburg where she runs a teacher training course and is involved in department teaching.

Bronwen Findlay was a proud participant in the Art for Humanity's "Break the Silence" HIV/AIDS awareness project.

Poem:

Bathtime

Yvette Christiansë

Shh. Listen. Splashing in the tub …

Is she a little partridge? Is he a chubby crow?

Shh. Listen. Under her chin, behind his ears.

Mamma’s long day still has a way to go,

so shh, under the arms, scruba-dub-dub …

One potato, two potato, three potato, four …

Playtime, nighttime, bath-time for

mamma’s little partridge, mamma’s little crow,

pecking at the face-cloth, kicking just for fun …

Shh. Listen. Thunder speaks and windows shake.

Quick, one more rub as floorboards creak. Shh,

mamma’s hard morning is just a night away

and little birds must go to sleep where thunder

is a whisper and heavy shoes can’t find them.

Nkarhi wo hlamba

Xitsonga translation coordinated by Dr Maria Letsie

Shh. Yingisela. Kulumbya ebavhini…

Ku nga va ku ri xinhwarhana? I vukuvuku ro nona?

Shh. Yingisela. Ehansi ka xilebvu xakwe, endzhaku ka tindleve takwe.

Siku ra manana lero leha ra ha lehile,

se shh, hansi ka mavoko, scruba-dub-dub…

Zambala rin’we, mazambala mambirhi, mazambala manharhu, mune…

Nkarhi wo tlanga, madyambu, nkarhi wo hlamba wa

swinhwarana swa manana,xivukuvukwana xa manana

swi lumetela xithawulana, swi tlanga hi ku rhahetela…

Shh. Yingisela. Ndlati ya vulavula na mafasitere ya tsekatseka.

Hatlisa, ku rhidimba ntsena nakambe fulobodo yi ku khweree. Shh,

swinyenyana leswintsongo swi fanele ku ya etlela laha ndlati

ku nga hlevetelo na titanghu leto tika ti nge swi kumi.

A Brief Biography of Poet & Novelist Yvette Christianse

Yvette Christiansë is a poet and novelist. She was born and raised in Johannesburg and Mbabane. She now lives in New York where she teaches at Fordham University.

Her book of poems Castaway was shortlisted for the PEN International Poetry Prize 2001. Her novel based on the life of a slave woman in the Cape Colony was released in November 2006. Her poetry, prose and scholarly writing have been published in South Africa, Australia, Canada and the USA.

How Often Do We Bend Down To Help The Children

2011-08-09T01:07:00.000-07:00

How Often Do We Bend Down To Help The Children

by Dina Cormick

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

Today on National Women's Day, we continue to pay homage to the works of the women that have been responsible for being the voice that speaks for children's rights.

Dina Cormick is a Zambian native from Nkana who is known for her work as a feminist theologian and artist. Born in 1942, Dina has worked as a free-lance artist since 1976 from her studio in Durban where she has created numerous woodcut and lino-block prints to image the need for change. Her works have also been responsible for arousing political and social concern and challenging the particularly narrow vision of Christianity practiced by so many South Africans.

Dina Cormick's collections can be found in places such as the Constitutional Court, Pretoria, Gauteng; Harare National Gallery, Zimbabwe; Tape Aids for the Blind, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal; the National Heart Foundation, Johannesburg, Gauteng and the Durban Botanical Gardens, KwaZulu-Natal. Her religious artworks can be found in over 300 churches throughout southern Africa. Dina has exhibited widely in solo exhibitions in South Africa, Europe and America.

Poem:

Emoyeni

Marí Peté

She rose at dawn to catch a train,

stampedes along smoking buses

screeching brakes and bullet holes.

In a sewerage ditch she hears a cry.

Amadumbe ankles stop, aching back

bends low, banana fingers brush aside

fermenting fruit syringes and coke cans –

She scoops him with the willow branches

of her arms. Toes sink into clay belly.

He climbs her contours for birds eggs

in hollows of her nest, soft places

to sleep between her breasts.

He smells the sour breeze

of milk upon her breath.

Emoyeni = isiZulu for breath / spirit

Emoyeni

IsiZulu translation coordinated by Dr Maria Letsie

Wavuka ekuseni ukuyothatha isitimela

Ukugxobana namabhasi ethunqisa intuthu

Kukhala amabhuleki kanye nezimbobo zezinhlamvu

Phakathi esitamukokweni uzwa ukukhala

Isitobhu saseMadunjeni, ezwa izinhlungu ngemuva

Ugoba kancane,iminwe ethambile iyaphulula emaceleni,

Emiphongolo enezithelo ezibilayo kanye namakani e Coca-cola

Wamcaphuna ngezandla zakhe ezingamagatsha omnyezane

Izinzwane zakhe zashona phansi emajukujukwini obumba.

Wamnyusa emnqumisa emnyusela amaqanda enyoni

Phakathi esidlekeni sakhe ezindaweni ezintofontofo

Zokulala phakathi kwamabele akhe

Uhogela umoya wobisi omuncu emphefumulweni wakhe

A Brief Biography of Mari Pete (poet)

Marí Peté’s poems have been published in literary journals such as Fidelities, Botsotso, Tydskrif vir Letterkunde, on the LitNet website and in the anthology Collaborations: a Book of South African Art and Poetry. Her bilingual poetry collection begin was published by umSinsi Press in 2002. Marí’s poem “voorstedelike oggendritueel” (suburban morning ritual) was awarded first prize in the 2004 Woordgilde poetry competition.

For Women

2011-08-09T00:37:00.000-07:00

The late Albertina Sisulu was monumental in the fight for women's rights.

by Njabulo Ngobese

Following a series of articles AFH (Art for Humanity) has posted paying tribute to all the women that have used their gifts and trades to promote social responsibility and awareness in child welfare and human rights, we continue to honour them in the dawn of a day that celebrates their presence in this world and the contributions they have made in improving the livelihood of our society.

It's been 55 years since that historic moment when the women of South Africa joined forces and took to the streets to petition against pass laws (legislation that required African persons to carry a document on them to prove that they were allowed to enter a 'whites only' area). The course of events for that day did not only enforce justice for women in South Africa but it changed the course of history that led up to a democratic society we now co-exist in. Today, through various projects that have been established both independently and commercially, the works of the women who have been responsible for making a contribution towards the em-betterment of our country, haven't gone unnoticed. Art for Humanity (AFH) is proud to have payed tribute to the women who continue to uphold the legacy that was initiated on 9 August 1956 through the publication Look at Me - Women Artists And Poets Advocate Children's Rights.

On this historic day of note, we embrace the winds of change that have been brought about by the female forms of this country in their brave efforts that have empowered them to be recognised far beyond the cliched stereotypical misconceptions they have lived under for decades before earning their rightful place in society as equals in any level of co-existence.

Rest in Peace Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu. Your legacy lives on.

My Birthday Wish

2011-08-05T00:56:00.000-07:00

My Birthday Wish

by Angela Buckland

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

Day 5 of Women's month as AFH (Art for Humanity) continues it's appreciation for the works of female figures that have prided themselves at fighting for children's rights through their respectful trades.

Durban based photographer Angela Buckland's work speaks volumes. The launch of her first book Zip Zip My Brain Harts, reflects her personal account of parenting disabled children in South Africa. With works drawn from personal experiences, Angela still reaches levels of success when working on commercially commissioned jobs as she successfully tailors her photography to suit the client's visual requirements.

Angela Buckland currently works & lives in Durban, South Africa, with her husband and two small children.

Poem:

My birhtday Wish

Kareemah El-Amin

He said he doesn’t want to die, my hymen for his life

I've saved 100 lives since birth

Between my legs is his salvation

He speaks of love and understanding, piety and grace

With his penis in my face

Gifting me with the sacrament of his unholy communion

I turned nine today

Blow out the candles, and make a wish

“Father, please forgive my sins…

Let me join you before I turn ten”

Zwine nda tama nga duvha langa la mabebo

Tshivenda translation coordinated by Dr Maria Letsie

O ri ha todi u fa, vhusidzana hanga ndo vhu vhulungela vhutshilo hawe

Ndo vhulunga matshilo a dana tshe nda bebwa

Vhukati ha milenzhe yanga ndi phuluso yawe

U amba nga ha lufuno na u pfesesa, vhudikumedzeli na tshilidzi

Na vhudzimu hawe khofheni hanga

A tshi mpha tshiga tsha tshilalelo tshivhi

Ndo fara minwaha ya tahe namusi

Ndi dzima makhandela nda bula itsho tshine nda tama

“Khotsi, nkhangwele zwivhi zwanga…

Kha ndi vhe na iwe ndi saathu u fara minwaha ya fumi”

A Brief Biography on Kareemah El-Amin

Kareemah El-Amin is a highly acclaimed filmmaker, poet, playwright, director, producer and singer. An American, born on a farm in the state of Michigan, she knew from of a very young age that she was destined for a life in the arts. She has won numerous awards and been published in Mother Freedom Press, the International Poetry Journal, and Generation X; In Our Own Words an international anthology of Gen X poets. Her first film, The Thin I'm In was invited to 13 film festivals and won Directors' Pick at The Bare Bones International Film Festival. Kareemah currently lives in South Bend, Indiana with her two sons, Mateen and Rashad.

Living Children and Dead Children

2011-08-04T01:09:00.000-07:00

Living Children and Dead Children

by Lien Botha

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

The endearment for children and their potential to blossom into progressive humanitarian activists of tomorrow, can be an attribute to the mother figures that have played their part in ensuring that today's new borns are tomorrow's leaders.

The sentiments of Lien Botha towards the welfare of children are highly noted in the AFH (Arts For Humanity) publication Look at Me - Women Artists and Poets Advocate Children's Rights as she boldly states in one of her statements "Until we can create a world in which children are able to grow in health, freedom and safety, and have unrestricted access to the natural and cultural resources we value, we cannot call ourselves fully human".

Today in celebration of women's month we continue to pay tribute to the female forms that have played a role in fighting for the basic human rights for children through their contribution in the arts. The highly accomplished and celebrated Lien Botha is our focus for today as we acknowledge her list of achievements that include credentials from both local & international exhibitions. A successful career of 14 years producing timeless works of art for humanity, Lien Botha is a proud reflection of the women we salute for their wonderful contribution to the em-betterment of our society, more especially the children.

Poem:

Living children and Dead children

Karen Press

When I think of living children I think of them walking

small and alone over wide hard ground

strewn with curling thorns the colour of scorpions

and leaves as strong as shoes, as strong as skin.

I think of them walking with straight backs

in the direction of hills far away,

and the low trees watching them in case they need help,

and the grasshoppers following them

to find out where they’re going,

and an eagle circling that doesn’t dare to swoop.

There is no magic garden there, and no giant to learn to trust.

I think of them as ones who never turn back or cry

because everyone is so far away

and the land is wide open even in darkness,

the stones stay warm as loaves of bread,

the night moths hover,

fly forward a little way,

hover and watch.

Dead children are no-one’s ancestors.

They sit alone, unsummoned,

and all their memories surround them.

No-one comes to fold the memories away,

wash their faces, sing them to sleep.

Their knowledge takes the form of hunger.

Around them their successor dead,

parents and grown siblings, nieces, nephews,

bustle about, preparing for ceremonies of power over the living.

The dead children, ancestors of death,

sit on the floor between the swirling hems of shadows,

lost.

Bana ba ba tshelang le bana ba ba tlhokafetseng

Setswana translation: Lorato Trok

Fa ke akanya ka bana ba ba tshelang ke akanya ka bona ba tsamaya

ba le bannye ba le nosi mo lefatsheng le le thata le le bulegileng

ba gasagantswe ka mebitlwa e e kgolaganeng mmala wa diphepheng

le matlhare a a kwenneng jaaka ditlhako, a kwenne jaaka letlalo.

ke akanya ka bona ba tsamaya ka mekwatla e e tlhamaletseng

ba lebile kgakala kwa dithabeng,

ditlhare tse dikhutshwane di ba lebile gore fa ba ka tlhoka thuso,

le bomantlopane ba ba setse morago

go bona gore ba ya kae

le ntsu e ntse e ba dikologa e sa tshabe go ka tlhasela.

Ga gona tshingwana ya malea foo,le seng dimo go ka ithuta go tshepa.

Ke akanya ka bona jaaka ba ba senkeng ba nanoga le e seng go lela

gonne mongwe le mongwe o kgakala

le lefatshe le bulegile thata tota le mo lefifing,

matlapa a nna a le bothitho jaaka ditene tsa senkgwe,

motuotwane wa bosigo o sa sute,

o fokela kwa pele go se go nene,

o nna o sa sute o be o lebelela.

Bana ba ba tlhokafetseng ga se badimo ba ga ope.

ba nna ka nosi, ba sa bidiwe ke ope

ba dikaganyeditswe ke dikgopolo tsa bona.

Ga go ope yo o tlang go phuthaphutha dikgopolo tsa bona,

a ba tlhapisa difatlhego, a ba opaopela.

kitso ya bona e lebega jaaka tlala.

Motlhatlhami wa bona o tlhokafetse,

batsadi le bana ba motho ba ba godileng, ditlogo,

ba phetesela, ba baakanyetsa mokete wa maatla a a ba ba tshelang

Bana ba ba tlhokafetseng, badimo ba loso,

ba nna fa fatshe magareng ga pitlagano ya meriti e e pheulegang

ba timetse

A Brief biography of Karen Press

Karen Press was born in Cape Town, South Africa. She has worked as a teacher of mathematics and English, with a range of progressive education projects, and as a member of the Buchu Books Publishing Collective. She has published seven collections of poetry and her poems have been included in anthologies in South Africa, France, Austria, the UK and the USA. She currently works as a freelance editor and writer.

Freedom of Speech for Gambian Activists

2011-08-03T02:31:00.000-07:00

by Njabulo Ngobese

The actions of Gambian president Yahya Jammeh hold very little credibilty for a man who is acting within the rights of his people or his country. Taking a stance at defending a throne he seized with little or no ethical code of conduct, the masses who have been up in arms in protests to have him overthrown from governance have suffered in the hands of a ruthless leader who has passed punishment as severe as the death penalty.

This is a call of note to the international community of social and humanitarian activists to step in & rescue these innocent patriots who are now on the verge of being executed for doing the right thing. If social justice appeals to Gambia's High Commissioner, Elizabeth Ya Eli Harding then there's no doubt in anybody's mind that those who have been involved in plans of overthrowing Yahya's leadership can be granted a chance to democratically state their reasons for taking such measures against its governance.

The state of journalism is currently under threat globally due to the fact that the media has been known to be a credible medium for change when it comes to influencing the perceptions of society in general. In situations like Gambia, the full force of the media has been suppressed to defend and preserve unethical political & social agendas that do not serve the interest of the Gambian people. The change for a fair and democratic society lies in the hands of those who are prepared to make a difference in this world by empowering the concept of Freedom of Speech.

For those who wish to make a difference and sign the petition for Freedom of Speech in Gambia, click here

Mother's Grief

2011-08-03T02:18:00.000-07:00

Mothers Grief by Kim Berman

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

As the celebrations for Women's month continue, we salute the works of female social activists who have prided themselves at enriching the lives of others through their contributions in arts for humanity.

The life story of Kim Berman reads like an inspiring novel documented in pages of truimph over struggle. Having recieved academic creditation from noted institutions such as Tufts University, Massachusetts in the United States of America, this journeyful soul has made her mark in South Africa's art and humanity forums. Kim's journey dates back as far as 1992 when she and her late collegue Nhlanhla Xaba founded the Artist Proof Studios (APS), a community printmaking centre in Newtown. 11 years later the studio burnt down resulting in the tragic death of Nhlanhla Xaba and the loss of over 120 artist's work. However the unforseen tragedy did not stop Kim Berman from living out her vision as the Artists Proof Studios were rebuilt a year later through donor funding.

Apart from the APS project, Kim Berman was also involved in initiatives such as the Paper Prayers campaign an AIDS awareness program through the visual arts that currently operates out of the Artist Proof Studio as an income-generating activity for HIV positive groups of women.

Phumani Paper, a poverty alleviation program that was funded by the government's Departme nt of Science & Technology is another one of Kim's successful projects that has had a solid 11 year run whilst creating hundreds of jobs through the production of paper-craft products. The research unit is currently developing the capacity to produce "proudly South African" archival cotton and sisal paper and board to supply the South African National Archives.

Kim Berman's credentials are of serious note as she has:

* Lectured & held exhibitions both locally and abroad

* Recieved an international fellowship for 2003/4 from Brandies University, USA to participate

in a programme on "Recasting Reconciliation through Culture & the Arts

* She is currently registering to do a doctorate on the role of the arts in social change in South

Africa.

Poem by Mmatshilo Motsei

A Woman's Heart of Steel
by
Mmatshilo Motsei

A woman's heart is not just a heart
it is a well of great waters
giving life to each soul
when it turns to steel
life comes to a standstill.

How can her heart not turn to steel
when her man is eagerly awaiting death
eyeballs, cheek bones and rib cage protruding
coughing up a storm with lungs
devoured by the bowels of gold.

How can her nipple not calcify into a rock
when her daughter's womb
is violently thrust open
by cuts disguised as sex.

How can her heart not turn to steel
when her son's brain is rotting in jail
and her grandson swallowed
by the great waters back to the land of no return

A woman's heart is not just a heart
It is a beginning
It is the end
When her heart turns to steel
life comes to a standstill
and a drop of breast milk
an ocean of blood.

Pelo ya mosadi ya tšhipi

Sesotha sa Leboa translation: LP Boshego

Pelo ya masadi ga se pelo fela
Ke sediba sa meetsi a bohlokwa
Ao a fepago moya o mongwe le o mongwe,
ge e fetogela botšhiping
bophelo ka moka bo a ema

Na pelo ya gagwe e ka se fetogele botšhiping bjang
mola monna wa gagwe a lebane le lehu
thaka tša mahlo, metlhagare le dikgopo di le molaleng
a gohlola ledimo go tšwa maswafong
ao a feditšego ke lerole la meleteng ya gauta.

Na tlhoko ya tswele la gagwe e ka se theme bjang boka leswika
ge popelo ya morwedi
e kgotlwa wa go phulwa
ke mesego yeo e utilwego ka la thobalano.

Na pelo ya gagwe e ka se fetogele botšhiping bjang
ge bjoko bja morwa wa gagwe bo bolela ka kgolegong
mola setlogolo se meditšwe ke meetsimagolo go boela faseng go sa boelwego nthago

Pelo ya mosadi ga se pelo fela
ke mathomo
ke bokhutlo
Ge pelo ya gagwe e fetogela botšhiping
bophelo bo a ema
gomme lerothi la matutu
e be lewatle la madi.

A brief bography of Mmatshilo Motsei:

Mmatshilo Motsei is a community organizer, author, poet and a mother of three. She was born in Lady Selborne, Pretoria and raised in rural North West province. She started her career as a nurse and midwife and moved on to become a nursing lecturer, social science researcher and a psychology graduate.

Over the past decade she has worked as a counselor, trainer, gender consultant and a rural development practitioner.Born of a family of spiritual healers, she was chosen against her will to continue with the legacy of healing.

As part of her healing process, she published a book titled Hearing Visions Seeing Voices (Jacana 2004). She is currently working on her second book, The Kanga and Kangaroo Courts: Reflections on the Jacob Zuma Trial (Jacana 2007).

Rebels with a Cause

2011-08-02T23:42:00.000-07:00

By Njabulo Ngobese

DUT students embarked on a strike 3 weeks ago over issues concerning student welfare. According to reports, the highlighted issues were the NSFAS cases on the failure to fund first year and B-Tech students for their studies in 2011, security issues at student residents following an alleged rape case of one of the students and the highlight being the disregard for government condoms where students insisted on branded condoms being shelved at campus cafeterias for accessibility through NSFAS funding.

Last week Wednesday on the 27th of July 2011, students were served with eviction notices across various DUT student residents following growing concerns over the safety of property rented by the university. An interdict had been applied for by the landlords of the properties in question at the Master’s High Court for the eviction of students the very next day on Thursday 28th of July 2011.

However the story that led headlines as the reason behind the DUT strike was the complaint of students over the issuing of government condoms. According to students at the Durban University of Technology’s Steve Biko Campus, the revolt against government condoms came as a result of their questionable safety. Sibongiseni Dhlomo the MEC of Health in KwaZulu-Natal has been invited to give a speech re-assuring students of the safety of government condoms. However learners at DUT remain firm on their beliefs of having branded condoms replace the government ones.

“It’s saddening to realize that the media has dwelled mostly on the condoms issue as the primary factor behind the strike we are currently embarking in”, says Mandisa Xaba a third year student at DUT's Ritson Campus. “There is so much more we have been battling with as students in the hands of a failed academic and social system of DUT” as Mandisa further elaborated.

AFH initiated the Break the Silence HIV/Aids print portfolio in 2000, with the purpose to instill a greater sense of social responsibility towards the pandemic and to those who are infected and affected by the HIV/Aids virus. To view the portfolio click here http://www.afh.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=258&Itemid=83

Imagine The Language

2011-08-01T23:33:00.000-07:00

"Imagine The Language"

by

Giselle Baillie

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

The second day of Women's month continues as we give further acknowledgement to the female form for its contributions to the em-betterment of society on a humanitarian level.

Dwelling deep into the journeyful ventures of the !Xun culture of Platfontein, Northern Cape, Giselle Baillie an MFA graduate who spent her 4 years in Rhodes University studying Printmaking, has expressed her fascination with concern on the battle between democracy and traditional practices and the effects it has had on this particular community more especially the children.

According to her published article on the AFH (Art for Humanity) publication ''Look At Me'' - Women Artists And Poets Advocate Children's Rights, Giselle Baillie expresses her concerns on the effects the state of politics has had on the children of this noted community as far as them finding a sense of identity when it comes to language. Having been forced to cross three political borders over the past twenty years from Angola to Namibia all the way to the Northern Cape due to political campaigns, the !Xun culture's children are the biggest victims to this social ill.

"Imagine their language and then...imagine the Rights of the Child within their form of life", are the highly noted sentiments of Giselle Baillie when it comes to the past, present & future of the children of the !Xun culture and their endangered relationship with their source of identity,..language.

"Die Kind "
by Magasina Majundo

Vertel aan Wejoenke Kambungu deur Magasina Majundo in !Xun. Vertaling in Afrikaans deur Wejoenke Kambungu.

Lang, lang gelede, het die Boesman kind allenig in vrye wildernis van die veld gewoon.

Hy het van streek tot streek beweeg en so deur het hy gebied bestudeer en kennis gemaak.

Hy het ook so kennis gemaak met riviere, heuwels en wilddiere.

Hy het hulle by hulle name geken, van klein tot groot.

Soms as hy gaan jag het, het hy’n kleiner pyl en boog gebruik en somstyds wanneer omstandighede hom toegelaat het, het hy ‘n groter pyl en boog gebruik.

‘n Klein pyl en boog was gebruik om die prooi onmiddelik af te bring omdat gif aan die punt van die pyl gesmeer was.

Die pyle was dikwels gemaak in twee dele. Daar was ‘n voorpunt wat geskei was van die lang deel wat dan aan die voorpunt geskik gestel om in die prooi te bly wanner dit geskiet was.

Hy het alles geken wat jag betref.

Wanneer hy verdwaal in die nag, het die sterretjies met hom gepraat deur rigtings te gee en die maan het hom geantwoord deur helder bo te skyn in die nag.

Hy het die ideale om ‘n kind te wees geken in veld, alhoewel hy ‘n swerwer was en van een gebied tot ‘n ander gebied rondbeweeg het.

Hy was meestal aanpasbaar en het gou aan alles deel geword.

Die kind van ‘n Boesman het meer ondervinding baat gevind om ‘n swerwer te wees.

Polities het dit vir hom sterker gemaak.

En niemand sal hom van die reg wegbaan en isoleer nie.

"The Child"

English translation: Marí Peté

Long, long ago the Bushman child lived alone in the free wilderness of the veld.

He moved from region to region and in this way he got introduced to, and became familiar with, the environment.

In this way he also got to meet rivers, hills and wild animals.

He knew them by their names, big and small.

Sometimes when he went hunting, he used a smaller bow and arrow. And sometimes, when circumstances allowed him, he used a bigger bow and arrow.

A small bow and arrow was used to bring down the prey immediately, since there was poison smeared at the end of the arrow.

The arrows were often made of two parts. There was a front end that could separate from the longer part. This enabled the tip to stay in the prey after it was shot.

He knew everything about hunting.

When he got lost at night, the stars spoke to him by giving him direction, and the moon answered him by shining brightly above.

He knew the ideals of a child through the veld, although he was a nomad and moved from one region to another.

He was mostly adaptable and quickly became part of everything.

The child of a Bushman gained more experience by being a nomad.

Politically it made him stronger.

And nobody would take him off the right course or isolate him.

About Magasina Majundo

A brief biography of Magasina Majundo according to the AFH (Art For Humanity) publication "Look at Me" - Women Artists and Poets Advocate Children's Rights :

Magasina Majundo was born in 1934 in Angola. In the 1980s, she moved together with the !Xun people to Namibia, and then again, moved in the 1990s to the Northern Cape. Magasina has seven children, Wejoenke being one of them. She is the storyteller within the !Xun community of Platfontein.

Laughter Remembered.

2011-08-01T01:34:00.000-07:00

August has arrived and with it we pay tribute to all the women who have, are and will make a difference in society.

Today, we pay tribute to all the female artists and poets who participated in AFH's "Women for Children" Portfolio. The portfolio consists of 25 artworks ad poems by women from around the world. The aim of the project was to advocate through art the unfortunate issues our women and children are faced with.

Today, we look at the work of Louise Almon, a South African artist who graduated as a Bachelor of Fine Art in 1981 from Rhodes University. She was an anti-apartheid activist who through her work as an artist portrayed the struggles South Africans and the youth of South Africa were facing.

"Laughter remembered" by Louise Almon

Almon's work displays the the relationship between a "child's feeling of total love and the security and comfort of a free woman." The work shows the importance of love and happiness. About "Laughter Remembered," Almon says, "In the moment captured in the image, intensive happiness and comfort in relationships can be seen, nurtured and embraced."

Along with the artwork is a poem by Myesha Jenkins, who posses a BA degree from the University of California. Jenkins began writing poetry when she immigrated to South Africa in 1993 and works in community development.

My sweet girl

by Myesha Jenkins

it is the vulnerability of your innocence that I vow to protect.

For I value the peace that I find in your laughter

seek courage in the fierceness of your tight hug

am inspired by the directness of your truth.

In you I see myself as you learn and grow

full of opinions and impossible questions

running into the wildness of your own imagination.

Playing is the only work you should know

passionate about living you sing with the birds

sleeping dreams of future worlds.

You make me human again.

Xihleko lexi tsundzukekaka

Xitsonga tranlsation: T Baloyi

Mpama ya mina

I xichavo xa ku hlantsweka ka wena leswi ndzi lavaka ku swi sirhelela.

Hikuva ndzi xixima ku rhula loku ndzi ku kumaka eka xihleko xa wena lexi

kumaka nsusumeto wa ntsindziyelo wa swandla swaku!

Ndzi tsakisiwa hi kongomelo ra ntiyiso wa wena

Eka wena ndza tivona, loko u ri karhi u dyondza no hlakulela miehleketo ni

swivutiso leyi ya swa vu chavela-whawha!

Ku huhwa hi wona ntirho lowu u wu tivaka,

Ku rhandza ku famba u karhi u yimbelela na tinyenyana

loko ti lora tiko ra mundzuku

u ndzi endla ndzi titwa vumunhu nakambe

Help Somalian Refugees!

2011-07-27T02:49:00.000-07:00

Millions have been affected by the instability that Somalia is now facing, with Somalian refugees having to take plight in Kenya and Ethiopia.

To assist the refugees and make a difference in their lives, click HERE.

Happy Birthday Madiba!!

2011-07-18T02:57:00.000-07:00

By Kailene Pillay

18 July, 93 years ago, a distinguished leader, father and friend was born. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born in a little village Mvezo located in the district of Umtata. Christened as Rolihlahla at birth, which means "troublemaker", his English name Nelson was given to him by his teacher.

Mandela was the first person in his family to attend school. He furthered his studies at Fort Hare University which is the place he met lifelong friend Oliver Tambo. Later in his life, he studied Bachelor of Laws while in prison.

After the 1948 election, Mandela became actively involved in politics. In this time he also started a law firm with fellow lawyer Oliver Tambo, providing free or low cost legal counsel.

He was committed to non-violence resistence, aka: Satyagraha- influenced by Mahatma Ghandi. Mandela along with 150 others were arrested on 5 December 1956 for treason which later became well known as the Treason Trial.

Mandela has been in and out of prison, Robben Island being the longest where he remained there for 18 of his 27 years in prison. It was in prison that he became known as the most significant black leader in the country.

Friederik Willem de Klerk, President of South Africa at the time, announced the release of Nelson Mandela in February 1990. In that same month, de Klerk reversed the ban on the ANC and other anti-aparthied organisations. Between 1990 and 1994 Mandela led the country to their first multi-racial election.

Mandela was inaugurated as President of South Africa on 10 May1994.

His humanitarian efforts do not go unnoticed. Mandela is a not only a political leader and freedom fighter, but also a human rights activist. He holds dear to him the education of children, the building of schools in rural areas and HIV/AIDS campaigns to name a few. Mandela day is focused on broadening humanitarian work. A particular humanitarian project which is close to Madiba's heart is the Nelson Mandela's Children Fund which started in 1995.

Mandela, known lovingly as 'Tata Madiba' by the people of the world, is one of the greatest, most significant, honest, loyal and hard working men of our time. We celebrate this special day with him by giving our time to the less fortunate. This day is dedicated to do good, just as Tata Madiba has taught us. This day is a hope to inspire people to embrace the values that Mandela shared.

The Art for Humanity team would like to wish Mr Nelson Mandela a very happy 93rd Birthday and our blessings and good wishes upon him, always.