Insightful Art

2012 Art Exhibition ISSA

ARTTRIBUTE

If you grew up in a neighbourhood such as Mahikeng, then art would have been a foundation you build solid character and assumed esteem over who you are: the core of identity. My first experience of it was in the mid 1980s when I found myself inspired by a ballet dance class where I met a significant number of people who marked this time and place. This marked place is called Mmabana, which loosely translated means “Mother of Children’; established to be a haven that nurtures art but most importantly should be classified as the custodian for the well being of little ones>>untainted hearts, minds and free spirited creatures.

Two blocks from Mmabana is another marked place called Gaabo-Motho, offices of the provincial Department of Sports, Arts & Culture rumoured to be undergoing a name change for some reason. Gaabo- Motho means “Home to mankind”, meaning Art is home to humanity. It bears a sense of expression that is truely connected to who you perceive yourself to be as a person, which inevitably dictates an introspection on your own cultural heritage and if you have never probed your heritage then the real you in both physical and spiritual form is yet to be discovered.

Although Mmabana and Gaabo-Motho are far from being where they should be in terms of industrial capacity and relevance to 21^st Century, the foundation that existed over 100 years ago has shrubs of talent and vested interest in the Creative Arts, that the next years to come are re-enactments of sheer brilliance and foresight on the part of the likes of Sol Plaatje and many more who continued his efforts. What can be said about Sol Plaatje without ranting the obvious, the first African to write a Diary of a War: Black man’s view of a White man’s war, discovered long after the Mahikeng Siege. Quite sure he would have passed for a Bra Sol in today’s SA lingo, a Poet, a writer and a visionary / pioneer who co-founded the first Setswana-English weekly newspaper called “Koranta ea Becoana” in 1901, as well as a founding member of the South African Native Congress today known as the ANC.

This history is best captured by a talented Artist Georgie Bhunu who is known for his extensive work on the Barolong-Ba-Ratshidi Monarchy and his featured current work presented at his Art Gallery of “the Life and Times of Sol Plaatje” is a mavel. Bhunu has recaptured history and through his paintings has brought to life heroic stories about the Barolong peole and its lineage. His work has given profound meaning to insightful art, the likes that go from generation to generation marking time and a place.

Oil painting of Sol Plaatje

As a measure of continuity and that revealed in the connection between a Sol Plaatjie who resided in Mahikeng in the late 1800s and Georgie Bhunu exhibiting his 21^st century artwork in his Mahikeng gallery of paintings modelled from pictures that were taken over 100 years ago, lies the essence of true art – insightful Art.

By: Lerato Mosimane

Lost in Translation

If one had to inspire a whole generation by reminding them of who they are, at the same time translating an inconvenient truth about the past and present, how best could you do it?
This was the task at hand for the African National Congress and its new dispensation in South Africa marked on 8 Jan: celebrations of 100 years of the liberation movement/ struggle. The celebrations most likely where felt only in Bloemfontein, the Free State city was the host and the place where the historic formation of the ANC began; notably far from the euphoria that was felt when Nelson Mandela was released from Robben Island. In those days you simply felt the atmospheric buzz and an energy that took over for days, South Africans were full of hope and had a sense of an overwhelming victory.

The centenary of ANC's existence comes at a time when the ruling party in government is experiencing rive factionalism within its organization and marred by corruption coupled with mismanagement of tax payer's money. As a result a spring of service delivery protests reached their all time high in 2011, and likely to continue in 2012 as more and more South Africans living in poverty and despicable conditions without basics, are growing ever impatient with the ruling party.
But perhaps this is nowhere near the real rot of the "fruit of the pie"! What can be termed as "lost in translation' is seen in how the ANC, at a cost of R 100 m sought to inspire the people of South Africa at the Centenary celebrations. Where did it all begin and more importantly where is this Titanic ship sectioned into upper class and poor class, where the upper class are enjoying most of the ship's delights amongst a few and the bulk of the poor are cramped at the bottom sharing left overs.

National pride

 The proceedings of the Centenary celebrations kicked off with a service at the Wesleyan Church in Waaihoek, where the ANC was founded in 1912 known then as the South African Native National Congress.
This ceremony was followed by a formal address at a stadium and ended with musical play and act called Tshihumbudzo (the remembrance), which quite literally related the story of the ANC. The musical play meant to tell the story of 100 years in 100 minutes failed dismally to live up to the moment, and can be easily categorised as the worst theatrical display for a 21st century African audience. Tshihumbudzo lacked depth or a core theme,  loosely directed with very little creativity in set design, props and costumes.

Instead the most that was achieved out of this rushed musical was an overbearing cliched euro centric image of South Africans, failing to even distinguish time lines through spoken language and dress code, but most appallingly a complete disregard for cultural heritage and what it truly means to be a South African today.

Mirror our cultural heritage

A missed opportunity, this turns out to be for the ANC, leaving alot to be desired and more questions than answers. @PAYT embraces culture and employs ways to discover African heritage through discovery and an artistic expression of the indigenous. Tshihumbudzo should have explored a basic but yet powerful approach and theme to translate the historic by sampling the very man whose words inspired the inception of the ANC, Pixley Isaka Seme when he said "Forget all differences among Africans and unite in one national organization. Key words being Africanism and Unity @peace,love & understanding>>

What does it mean to be African?

A Digital Narrative

By:SA Photographer & Designer: Digidi Dyse

A showcase of the best digital narratives and digital news design for the iPad, mobile apps, tablets and ebooks have a captured audience ready to jet on a new media crusade that has changed the game altogether. The launch of the Ipad, arguably the most desired gadget of 2011, has since seen a surge of digital news cast including the likes of iMaverick.

The trick of course is to have the most user friendly, smart applications such as Blackberry Messenger (BBM), but have the capacity to deal with the heat that comes with high demand and the people's conventions. Blackberry suffered a set back towards the end of 2011, frustrated social media addicts experiencing withdrawals symptoms during "blackouts" we could say- "it was long time coming". Hijacked social media platforms such as BBM that assisted in mass mobilization of young activists for whatever the cause are "HERE 2 STAY". InfoTech is key in advancing connectivity, and in a place such as Africa its thriving,  the Arab spring certifies the power of digital media.

Perhaps far more compelling is the transformation of mainstream media affected by twitter, blogs and facebook, which now faces a tough time trying to compete with updates and news feeds shared online faster than you can say "Breaking News">>#tag has taken over!
As for the "Bad&Ugly">>the cellphone scandals and Household media woos xposed in 2011 reared its ugliness and left alot to be desired.....Now we know that what was once perceived to be informative, should be considered to be manipulation of the truth.
 So now we are witnessing an exciting era where the truth depends on who's telling the story and most bloggers and twitters have become advocates of #truestrory. Lets call it the reign of independent media>>new point of views and broader perspective. It may be said also that the digital media has created an opportunity for Digital Artists to stretch their range for creativity with graphic designs or visual content that coincide with today's applications ranging from smart phones to ipads and 3D motion picture.

@payt would like to shine a spotlight on digital narratives in Africa that tell African stories or a point of reference thats fresh and progressive. A review of the Audiobook "A-Dollar-A-Day", brings us closer to what the future holds for digital narratives in African context, seeking the solutions for Africans right here in Africa. "A-Dollar-A-Day" is a compilation of commentary as well as poets and musicians with a common vision the "rebirth of Africa". The Audiobook is produced by MM3rd of Dextraw Multimedia, a digital music producer who has his pulse on sounds of Africa with influences by JDilla, Madlib and MF Doom, maintains an authentic African experience, but most importantly has managed to sample some of the best narratives on political issues that range from Zimbabwe and its landreform policy, negative-ethnicity to African mindsets and population control.

"A-Dollar-A-Day" is a 2012 Souvenir marking 100 years of the Liberation Struggle of the African National Congress. A free download will be available @paytafrica.blogspot.com /@maishayetu.wordpress.com, so stay tuned in!!!

Marking 100 years of the Liberation Struggle

The Early Years – Part 1 by Richard Rive

During 1911, a thirty-year-old black lawyer with a growing practice in Johannesburg, South Africa, took the major initiative in organising a nation-wide congress of black representatives. This was an idea that had already germinated in his mind eight years before while he was still an undergraduate student in New York. His name was Pixley ka Isaka Seme. He was a Zulu barrister-at-law, practising in the Transvaal as an attorney of the Supreme Court of the Union of South Africa.

In this historic call, he emphasized the necessity for black unity.

“The demon of racialism, the aberration of the Xhosa-Fingo feud, the animosity that exists between the Zulus and the Tongas, between the Basutos and every other native must be buried and forgotten... We are one people. These divisions, these jealousies, are the cause of all our woes and of all our backwardness and ignorance today.”¹

On January 8, 1912, his hope seemed to be realised when personalities from black communities all over Southern Africa converged on Bloemfontein. Appropriately Pixley Seme, as the initiator, gave the keynote address.

“Chiefs of royal blood and gentlemen of our race, we have gathered here to consider and discuss a theme which my colleagues and I have decided to place before you. We have discussed that in the land of their birth, Africans are treated as hewers of wood and drawers of water. The white people of this country have formed what is known as the Union of South Africa – a union in which we have no voice in the making of laws and no part in their administration. We have called you therefore to this conference so that we can together devise ways and means of forming our national union for the purpose of creating national unity and defending our rights and privileges.”²

The assembled delegates then sang Tiyo Soga`s hymn, `Lizalise Dingalako Tixo We Nyaniso` (Fulfill Thy Promise, God of Truth) and Seme formally proposed that

“...The delegates and representatives of the great native houses from every part of South Africa here assembled should form and establish the South African Native National Congress.”³

His motion was seconded by Alfred Mangena, a fellow lawyer, who had been called to the bar two years earlier at Lincoln`s Inn, London. The African National Congress was born.

ANC President Jacob Zuma and Zimbabwen President Robert Mugabe expected to attend the Centenary Celebrations in Bloemfontein starting  Sun 8 Jan 2012



Delegation from the South African Native National Congress [today known as ANC] that went to
England in 1914 to convey the objections of the African people to the 1913 Land Act
Back Row (L-R) - Walter Rubusana, Saul Nsane; Front Row - Thomas Mapikela, John Dube, Sol T Plaatje



"A-Dollar-A-Day"

A-Tell It Like it Is Youth Venture!!!

I'd call it "SET-IT-OFF", but if we have to be literal then its a fresh release of what young adults in three separate parts of Africa voicing out their views on global politics and the course for Africa and its future. Inspired by the four strikes facing every African, plight of Ppoverty, HIV/AIDS, War and underdevelopment, coupled with a stretch period of bad leadership, there is alot to be desired..

A window of opportunity presented itself when PAYT invited Kenyan Social media journalist Muki Garang on an exchange program that lasted a month, hosting him in Mahikeng South Africa. The cultural exchange and network snowballed into an impromptu audio and musical recordings of the likes of Poets, MCs and Professional pioneers that each had a unique point of reference in piecing the picture for change towards a better future for all Africans. [Ounce and for all!!]

What makes this initiative unique is its broad perspective relating African issues from regions including South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe,Libya, Sudan and Kenya. The audio book "A-Dollar-A-Day" is a non profit initiative by a collaboration between PAYT and Maisha Yetu with a major publicity campaign in SA and Kenya within social media. The intention is to spread the word for young people to first rediscover themselves as Africans (#concepts>>Proudly African, Made in Africa and Made-4-Africa) and then start contributing to the bigger picture of decolonizing and breaking the cycle of slavery.

Re-invent Africa:( A Sore sight with a cry 4 Chage!!

Making Bold Moves-
rewrite African History!!
The future of Africa is stashed in a dark closet, a some sort of Pandora's Box with twisted tales with schemes fit only for dirty politics and a global iimperialist agenda.In the mean time Africans aka.. common decent people are distracted from the real issues and consumed by euro centric modern day materialistic ideals, that fulfils an instant gratification removed from the responsibility for the cause and effect on the environment. 

African beliefs and traditions are founded on nature based customs and practises in sync with both the environment and the animals or other earth's creatures. The so rich yet so poor paradox of Africa rests on the double blow of #1. a history of bad leadership and #2. Africa's place in the old and new economic order. African governments should stop perpetuating welfare states, with vanity projects passed off as development or humanitarian, when in fact transnational corporations are given Cart Blanche to expand on their business interests.

The time for the reinvention of Africa is now....Africa for the Africans!

'A free and independent state in Africa. We want to be able to govern ourselves in this country of ours without outside interference" - Kwame Nkrumah

Now we have to ask ourselves "What does it mean to be African?", in the global context we can say you don't have to be an Indian or in India to be a Yogi. Yoga is a spiritual connection and practise that is embraced all over the world. It is India's gift to the world....the same goes with Africa. To possess a truly African spirit is a connection that can be explored by any human being with a shared interest.

Let us take stock of our common cultural knowledge!

Stay Tuned:) #Green-effect>> Catch PAYT 2012 Blog webcam updates as we follow a young couple in Mahikeng; NW South Africa,  attempt to get off the grid and create a Prefab compound in a Village, with limited access to electricity and water supply.

Poetry Africa

The  Poetry Africa international poetry festival takes place in Durban in early October, predominantly featuring poets from South Africa and elsewhere on the African continent. The seven-day programme includes performances, music, book-launches, the Durban SlamJam, seminars, workshops, open mic sessions, and school programmes. Poetry Africa satellite events take place in other cities and countries. Poetry Africa is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN).

Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre 17 - 21 October

Bat Centre 22 October

Confirmed Poets for 2011:

Didier Awadi (Senegal), Gabeba Baderoon (South Africa), Joshua Bennett (USA), Jaap Blonk (The Netherlands), TJ Dema (Botswana), Dikson (Zimbabwe), Sandile Dikeni (South Africa), Myesha Jenkins (South Africa), Khadijatou (United Kingdom), Phelelani Makhanya (South Africa), Oswald Mtshali (South Africa), Dashen Naicker (South Africa), Niyi Osundare (Nigeria), Shailja Patel (Kenya), Fernando Rendon (Colombia), Patrice Treuthardt (Reunion), Uzinzo (South Africa), Mphutlane wa Bofelo (South Africa), David wa Maahlamela (South Africa), Raul Zurita (Chile).

Poetry Africa on Tour:

Blantyre (Malawi) 8-9 October

Johannesburg 10-11 October

Harare (Zimbabwe) 12-13 October

Cape Town 14-15 October

Tour participants:

Didier Awadi (Senegal) with Tibass Kangu (DRC), Chiwoniso Maraire (Zimbabwe), Kwame Dawes (Ghana/Jamaica), TJ Dema (Botswana), Khadijatou (United Kingdom), Lebo Mashile (South Africa), Shailja Patel (Kenya).  Chris Abani (Nigeria) joins the tour for Johannesburg, Zimbabwe and Cape Town; Jaap Blonk (Netherlands) for Zimbabwe and Cape Town; South Africans Gabeba Baderoon and Sandile Dikeni for Cape Town. Local poets will also participate in the showcases in the respective centres.