Durban FilmMart Women Led Film - Disrupting the Status Quo

In a resolute move to address the role of women in film, the Durban International Film Festival and the Durban FilmMart (DFM), this year presents an in-depth programme that addresses the inequalities,  challenges and successes that women face within the film industry, specifically in South Africa and on the continent.

Calling for an inclusive dialogue on the role of women, the eThekwini Municipality’s film industry arm - the Durban Film Office, the Durban International Film Festival, the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the lobby and advocacy organization Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT), and international partner CaribbeanTales Media Group, are all providing input into the Women Led Film - Disrupting the Status Quo programme within this year’s DFM which takes place from July 14 -17 in Durban.

 “Despite major leaps for female equity across many industries, the film industry, especially behind the camera, is still very much male-dominated, and as such, requires  quantum shifts to ensure that women begin playing a more equitable role going forward,” says Toni Monty, of the Durban Film Office speaking on behalf of the DFM. “The objective of our women-focused programme is to bring a variety of voices together to discuss and unpack these challenges and to find useful and tangible ways to make the change needed and desired.”

The programme will present a number of workshops, roundtables and panel discussions with leading women in film.

“In a world of vast gender inequalities, it is inevitable to reflect at such bitter reality, and more importantly start working towards their redress: which starts with creation of platforms. The Women Led Film Focus becomes one of the many attempts in securing platforms to acknowledge, deliberate, and celebrate woman excellence in the film milieu.” David wa Maahlamela, Director of UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts, hosts of the Durban International Film Festival.

Sara Blecher, well-known South African film-maker and co-founder of SWIFT (Sisters Working in Film & Television) which aims to nurture and redress the inequalities faced by women in the South African audiovisual industry, echoes these sentiments, “As the women’s struggle in film begins to finally garner the attention it needs around the world, we need to look to achieving some concrete results. We have to really start looking at the local film landscape and our status within this. The focus on women at DFM, will help shine the spotlight both on the representation of women on the screen, but also more importantly on the women behind the screen.”

Parallel to the DFM focus, the DIFF will be highlighting films made by and about women within its screening programme. Festival Manager, Chipo Zhou says, “The festival has this year taken considered strides to ensure that the inclusivity of participation by women is measurable across the board from selection, jury and facilitator panels throughout the different facets of our event. The quality of film submissions by women this year demands that a space is created to ensure the momentum in the quantity of projects by women is not only maintained but augmented. This is a conscious move towards making this a permanent feature of the festival as our contribution towards the redress that is urgently required within the film industry.”

The NFVF has been working within this space for some time, and will be presenting the successes of their Female FilmMaker Project at the DFM.  “The decision to focus on women for the NFVF is a deliberate one. The objective is to break down the barriers to entry faced by women in the industry, especially black women who are the most marginalized. If the industry is to grow, thrive and become sustainable then all South Africans need equal opportunity to participate and contribute. Programmes focused on women will continue to be prioritized and we are encouraged and proud of the success witnessed by the previous female project funding recipient”, said Zama Mkosi CEO of the National Film and Video Foundation

The Durban FilmMart runs from July 14 to 17, during the Durban International Film Festival. Delegate registration is now open. For more information or to register go to www.durbanfilmmart.com.

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SPAR KZN School Girl's Hockey Challenge - Highway Regional hosted by Curro Hillcrest - May 21

In one of the most fiercely contested regionals of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge, seven west Durban schools will battle it out at Curro Hillcrest on May 21, in an attempt to claim the Highway title.

Schools participating in this regional include Westville Girls’ High School, Hillcrest High, Curro Hillcrest, Kloof High, Thomas More College and current overall challenge champs and five times winners of this regional, St Mary’s DSG.

Last year, in one of the most enthralling regional finals which could have ended either way, St Mary’s DSG just managed to edge out Westville Girls’ High School, who have claimed victory in this challenge. No doubt Westville, will be going all out in attempt to take top honours, and St. Mary’s will be eager to hang on to their title, promising some riveting hockey along the way together with the other strong teams from this area.

This regional tournament, hosted by Curro Hillcrest, will be played in a round-robin format, with 30 minute one-way matches. The two teams with the most points tallied at the end, face each other in a final to determine who will go through to meet nine other regional winners at the Grand Finals at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof in July.

Coach for St Mary’s DSG Kelly Reed says, “I am 100% confident in the team’s ability to qualify for the finals, however sport is sport and anything can happen and that’s why we all love it so much. The format of the regionals with only 30 minute games always makes it competitive and any team on their good day can be difficult to beat.”

Speaking about last year’s finals, Reed says that they were “intense but amazing – a really nice experience for the girls to play teams from all over and to learn from their different styles of play. These short format games and playing in pressure situations have taught the girls a lot about patience and how important it is to take your chances – so we look forward to the tournament and what it holds.”

The winners of this regional will join nine regional winners at the Grand Finals at St Mary’s in Durban on July 29 and 30. Regional winners include King Edward High School, winners of the Ugu and Sisonke Regional, Ferrum Skool (Newcastle), St Anne’s College (PMB North), St John’s DSG (PMB Central), Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South), Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North) and Durban Girls College (Durban Central) and a team from the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional which will be played on May 13 and another from the Northern Coastal regional to be played on May 28 at Grantleigh in Richards Bay. 

For more info like the Facebook page.

Start them young at the European Film Festival

Enjoy the European Film Festival with your little ones! For the first time the European Film Festival, which opens nationwide on Friday, May 5, offers a film which is sure to appeal to young and old. This is a great opportunity to enjoy the annual film festival together with your children, your friends’ children, your children’s friends and their parents too!

Suitable for children aged 8 and over, Zip & Zap is a madcap adventure in Spanish with English subtitles. When your parents feel overbearing, the idea of playing the whole day without them or any other adult telling you what to do might seem like a good idea. Twin brothers Zip and Zap thought so too, but soon discover that what seemed like total freedom at first, cannot trump your parents’ love. Together with two newfound friends, they set out to find their mom and dad.

“We are delighted that this year’s selection includes a family movie”, says the festival director Katarina Hedrén. “The Spanish entry Zip & Zap and the Captain’s Island by Oskar Santos, is the second filmic adventure based on a comic book series about two naughty brothers. Funny and visually stunning, the film makes for a perfect outing.”

Scheduled to make it possible for as many children, parents, uncles and aunties as possible to catch it, Zip & Zap is showing one Saturday afternoon and one Sunday afternoon in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria. The Durban screening happens early on Saturday evening (6 May) in Durban.

Book now.”

The film, which has charmed audiences at film festivals, including the BFI London Film Festival, offers a great opportunity to open children’s hearts and minds to film and magic storytelling from other parts of the world. 

For more information, visit www.eurofilmfest.co.za or join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook: #EuroFilmFestSA.

Bookings priced at R64. For booking information, visitwww.cinemanouveau.co.za or www.sterkinekor.com. 

For queries, contact Ticketline on 0861 Movies (668 437). Normal benefits and ticket discounts apply to members of SK Club, Discovery Vitality and Edgars Club.

Venues and screening of Zip & Zap and the Captains Island:

Johannesburg: Cinema Nouveau - Rosebank Mall

Rosebank Mall (Level 1), cnr Bath & Baker Streets, Rosebank

Saturday 6 May @ 2:30pm

Sunday 14 May @ 2:30PM

Pretoria: Cinema Nouveau - Brooklyn

Brooklyn Mall (Lower Level Shop 12), Bronkhorst Street, New Muckleneuk

Sunday 7 May @ 2:30pm

Saturday 13 May @ 2:30pm

Cape Town: Cinema Nouveau - V&A

King Warehouse, Red Shed, Victoria and Alfred Waterfront

Saturday 6 May @ 2:30PM

Sunday 14 May @ 2:30pm

Durban: Cinema Nouveau - Gateway

Gateway Theatre of Shopping (Expo/Explore Floor), 1 Palm Blvd, Umhlanga Rocks

Saturday 6 May @ 2:30pm

MEDIA QUERIES:

BUZ PR 

BRIDGET VAN OERLE/ SNEZIWE DUBE

011 673 0264 / 477 0923

buz@buz.co.za / info@buz.co.za

Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge – Sunday, June 11

Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge – Sunday, June 11

Online entries are now open for this year’s Durban SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge, which takes place on Sunday, June 11.

The race, which is now in it’s 28th year, is a firm fixture on the KZN event calendar in KZN and annually draws a field of around 17 500 runners and walkers, along with countless supporters that come to enjoy the camaraderie and fun along the route and at the finish.

The theme for the challenge this year is “SHEroes” celebrating the “Superhero” status of women. “Every woman has a unique story to tell about their own inner beauty, strength and determination. In short, every woman is a Super Hero in their own way,” says Max Oliva, Managing Director of SPAR KZN, “We look forward to welcoming these wonderful “SHEroes” to this year’s race where they can showcase their determination and collective energy in one of the most talked about, and certainly the most beautiful, running and walking events in town.”

Once again participants have an option of taking part in the more competitive 10km distance starting at 8am or can enjoy the shorter, half distance 5km at 9:30am.  The challenge starts in Masabalala Yengwa Avenue outside the finish venue at the Growthpoint Kings Park outer fields, where there will be live music to entertain finishers and supporters.

Entries are limited to the first 17 500 ladies and can be done either online; by using the bulk entry process, or at the race registration venue at the Durban Exhibition Centre three days prior to the event.

Prize money for the first position in the open category is R10 000, second position R7 500 and third R5 000, and there are also various other category prizes across the board.  For the professional athletes participating in the challenge as part of the nationwide SPAR Grand Prix Series, the stakes are much higher as the prize money for the series sits at an impressive R173 000 this year.

For the first time, non-South African athletes are eligible to accumulate Grand Prix points which means that the field now includes those elite non-South African athletes. Currently Louisa Leballo (Nedbank) leads the Grand Prix log having taken the honours in Cape Town on April 2 in a time of 32.58 minutes. The next race takes place in May in Port Elizabeth, followed by Durban in June.

A donation of R2 will be made per entry to this year’s official race charity CANSA Mkhuhla Care Home in Durban, a “home-away-from-home” for cancer patients receiving treatment.

Entrants for the 10km challenge are required to be 14 years or older and for the 5km must be 9 years or older on the day of the competition.

Race Registration takes place at Hall 6 at the Durban Exhibition Centre on:

•   Thursday, 8 June from 10:00 to 17:00,

•   Friday, 9 June from 10:00 to 17:00 and

•   Saturday, 10 June from 10:00 to 15:00.

All female entrants will receive a promo bag at race registration and on race day, all those who complete the race will receive a breakfast pack.

Entry fees are R110 for a 10km non-licensed entrant, which will include a temp licence, R100 for a 10km licensed entrant and R100 for all 5km entrants. 

For all the relevant race information, as well as to enter online go to www.sparwomensrace.co.za/durban 

For more information like the SPAR Women’s Race KZN Facebook page.

Realness Pan African Screenwriters' Residency - update on progress

Following an exciting first year of searching for, identifying and nurturing groundbreaking African stories, Realness Pan African Screenwriters’ Residency reflects proudly on their inaugural year of championing African film and putting focus on story development.

Presented by pioneering film company Urucu Media, Realness was established in 2016 with the aim of providing the best talent on the continent with the space, time and support necessary to create and develop their vision.

“Five screenwriter/directors were selected to participate in 2016 and each were in different stages of development with their feature fiction projects which, combined with their diversity of backgrounds, made the residency an invigorating and stimulating experience,”  says Realness founder Elias Riberio.

“We will do everything within our reach to see these projects transition from the concept, to the page and finally to the screen.”

After attending Durban FilmMart (DFM) as Durban Talents in 2016, the Realness residents worked at Nirox in the Cradle of Humankind for 6 weeks under the mentorship of Nadja Dumochel and Selina Ukwuoma. Following this they had a further 6 weeks to polish their work from home and submit the drafts to the awards committees.

Kenyan writer/director Amira Tajdin’s script for Hawa Hawaii (in fourth draft when selected for the residency)  was awarded three invitations from her participation. Her producer Wafa Tajdin attended Torino Meetings Event, a financing market in Turin, Italy where she secured international co-producers. They have been invited to attend La Fabrique des Cinemas du Monde in Cannes this year followed by a pre-production and financing workshop at MIDPOINT in Macedonia (June) and Prague in October.

South African writer/ director Wim Steytler’s project Uitlander, which was in first draft on selection , went on to be invited to three international platforms including the NFVF/CNC co-production workshop in Paris, EAVE Producer’s Workshop and more recently La Fabrique des Cinémas du Monde in Cannes.

Steytler says “I have new hope for the South African film industry where auteur driven films can be celebrated locally and reach an international audience.  Realness is tangibly facilitating a new wave in African cinema.”

Madagascar, writer/director Luck Razanajaona who brought his film Disco Afrika to the residency at third draftsays that participation in the residency gave him an opportunity to develop a clear structure and characters. Through the partnership between DFM and Realness, Luck also took his project to Cinemart in Rotterdam and won a cash award from Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie

Ethiopian filmmaker Hiwot Admasu, whose project A Fool of God was in its treatment phase upon coming to Realness, used the time in the residency to further develop the central themes and begin the screenwriting process. She was awarded participation to the Locarno Filmmakers Academy in Switzerland and upon arrival won another residency award; she had another three months of writingin Wintitour.

Finally, South African filmmaker Sheetal Magan participated in Realness with her feature film concept The Day and Night of Brahma, which also came into the residency as a treatment. “Gaining exposure to the script consultants took me to a deeper and more considered exploration of my film,” says Magan.

Looking ahead, the Realness team is assessing applications to the second edition. Over a hundred submissions were made with applications coming in from twenty-five countries across the continent including Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Morocco, Togo, Nigeria and Rwanda.

“We worked hard to encourage more applications from the rest of the continent and are proud to have achieved this.” says co-founder Cait Pansegrouw “Over 70% of our applications came from outside of South Africa this year.

The 2017 edition of Realness takes place in June and July 2017 at the Nirox Foundation, culminating in participation in the Durban FilmMart at the Durban International Film Festival. Announcement of this year’s participants will take place at the Cannes Film Festival.

Realness is an initiative founded and curated by Urucu Media, under the mentorship of Berlinale Talents and in partnership with the Nirox Foundation, Durban Filmmart, The Durban International Film Festival, Durban Talents, Ten10 Films, The French Institute of South Africa and Institute Français, Torino Film Lab, EAVE Producer's Workshop, Midpoint Feature Launch, Locarno Filmmaker's Academy, Produire Au Sud, Fairbridges Wertheim Becker and Le Centre National du Cinéma et de L'image Animée (CNC).

Realness is an initiative founded and curated by Urucu Media, under the mentorship of Berlinale Talents and in partnership with the Nirox Foundation, Durban Filmmart, The Durban International Film Festival, Durban Talents, Ten10 Films, The French Institute of South Africa and Institute Français, Torino Film Lab, EAVE Producer's Workshop, Midpoint Feature Launch and Locarno Filmmaker's Academy.

For more information on Realness, African Screenwriters residency  contact realness@urucumedia.com

SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey

Ugu and Sisonke Regional

Suid Natal Hoërskool: Saturday 22 April

King Edward High School (KEHS) made a convincing third consecutive victory, winning the Ugu and Sisonke Regional in the SPAR KZN School Girls' Hockey Challenge after a commanding final against Creston College on Saturday 22 April.

The final between the defending champs, KEHS and previous winners, Creston, got off to a gentle start with KEHS slowly building momentum. Spearheading the offensive, star-forward Zhanique Sissing capitalised on camping out in front of the Creston goals bysuccessfully knocking in the first two goals for her team. The third goal came courtesy of Azisa Cokoto, who in the semi-final secured her teams position by scoring the only goal in the game against Kokstad College. 

In a show of gutsy determination, Matatiele’s finest had pummelled in 15 goals after their pool games, leaving them with 13 points, four points ahead of second placed, Southcity. The two top teams drew nil nil when they met in the pool games. King Edward won their other games, while Southcity was held to their second draw in a Sheppie derby against Port Shepstone High School.

In the second pool, Creston College ended their endeavour with ten points, three points ahead of Kokstad College. Both Creston and Kokstad drew when they took each other on in the pool game but unlike KEHS and Southcity, their scoreline was 1 all. Kokstad was held to a goalless draw against host school, Suid-Natal.

Top goal scorer for King Edward High School was the skillful centre striker, Lukhona Ndumndum who was cool as a cucumber when in the circle, showing off fantastic stick work and when one-on-one with the goalie, she beat them most times.

Coach for King Edward, Deidre Duminy said, “It was a good outcome! Some games better than others. The game against Southcity was hard, they did a really good job marking us and kept a tight lid on us.”

Continuing, she said, “The Kokstad game was frustrating as always, they play a very physical game, and the girls end up losing discipline and play a bit of a hit and hope game.”

“Things came together nicely in the Creston game though and I was proud of their composure in the circle and general discipline. They played with huge hearts and have a never say die attitude. We have a lot of young players with huge potential.”

In the playoff for third place, Kokstad College were surprised by a focused and hard-working outfit from Southcity. Only one goal was netted and for the first time in this regional, Southcity landed up on the podium, claiming the bronze.

In the first semi-final, King Edward met Kokstad College Cokoto successfully slotted in the only goal. In the second semi-final, Southcity and Creston ended full time with the goal line level on nil nil. Creston College’s Fezeka Nzama and Lara Bounverie both scored while their keeper Daniella Horn kept an impressively clean sheet in the penalty shoot-out.

Nine schools participated in the Ugu Sisonke Regional, one of the biggest regionals in the tournament. Games were 23 minutes long, with the teams only playing one way in perfect warm autumn conditions.

King Edward is now the seventh team to make it through to the Grand Final in July, they join Ferrum Skool (Newcastle), St Anne’s College (PMB North), St John’s DSG (PMB Central), Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South), Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North) and Durban Girls College (Durban Central).

The next regional will be hosted by Wembley College, in Greytown on Saturday 13 May.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page.

Results

1 King Edward High School, 2 Creston College, 3 Southcity Christian Schools, 4 Kokstad College, 5 Port Shepstone High School, 6 Suid-Natal Hoërskool, 7 St Patrick’s College, 8 Ixopo High School, 9 Scottburgh High School

ENDS

Sharlene Versfeld
Versfeld & Associates
Public Relations and Communications
Mobile: +27 (0) 83 326 3235
Tel: +27 (0) 31 811 5628
Post: P O Box 30547, Mayville, 4058
Email: sharlene@versfeld.co.za
Twitter: sharlvers
Website: www.versfeld.co.za

Action in Autism's Annual Red Carpet Fundraiser

Action in Autism is gearing up for what promises to be an evening of magical entertainment this Saturday, 22 April, at the St John Hall in Rippon Road, Sydenham. Organised by Michelle de Quintal, the event aims to raise much-needed funds for the Action in Autism Centre, based in Sydenham.

The Action in Autism Centre houses an early learning intervention centre for children ages 2 to 6 years, and provides free support, advice, research and information to people with autism and their families. A free monthly diagnostic clinic is offered to families who do not have access to medical aid. Action in Autism also runs bi-annual training workshops, hosted by a team of professionals, that aims to share information and transfer skills and techniques for communication to parents and professionals. Action in Autism is committed to supporting autistic people and the people that support them.

To attend the Red Carpet Fundraiser, or to make a donation to the organisation, please call 031 2074858, or email info@actioninautism.org.za.

For more information about Action in Autism and the support offered by the organisation, or other services offered by the organisation, please call 031 207 4858, email info@actioninautism.org.za, or visit the website at www.actioninautism.org.za.

-ends

Further information:

Kirsten Miller

ACTION IN AUTISM

031 207 4858/083 7774468

info@actioninautism.org.za

Autism Awareness and Acceptance Campaign in Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu

Action in Autism calls on all families who have children with autism, autistic people and caregivers of those with autism to join us at an autism knowledge sharing and acceptance drive in G Hall, KwaMashu on 29 April from 8am-12noon.

The Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (INK) area is situated 30km north of Durban central. It is a distance for people in the INK area to access the support and services Action in Autism provides at their offices.  The INK area has approximately 510 000 residents. It is the second largest agglomeration of poor neighbourhoods in South Africa.  It is also a place where approximately 15000 people with autism spectrum disorders reside.

Action in Autism is committed to ‘support autistic people and the people that support them, wherever they may live’ – the organisation has partnered with the local Area Based Management team, under the management of Linda Mbonambi to host its annual Autism Awareness and Acceptance Day in the INK area.

“We recognise the scarcity of services available to people with autism and their families,. To fast track service delivery and draw attention to the plight of people with autism and their families, we will bring a host of expertise into the area to share knowledge, create partnerships and hopefully initiate a longstanding support group in the area.  This initiative would not have been possible without the support of the INK ABM”

The programme of events will comprise of presentations in isiZulu on Autism, a parental perspective, a perspective from an adult with autism, and a presentation from an educational specialist on accessing education.  In addition, Action in Autism will host a free diagnostic and screening clinic with three experts in the field of Autism. This is in line with the INK ABM focus area on Living Environment Improvement which seeks to promote healthy living and lifestyle.

To RSVP for this event or volunteer your services for this event, please call Action in Autism on 031 207 4858 or emailinfo@actioninautism.org.za.

Please join us in celebrating these two incredible milestones. 

Wilderness Wisdom

Wilderness Wisdom

By Sharlene Versfeld

We looked over the muddy waters of the Umfolozi as the heat seared through my freckled skin.  I longed for the shade that the lunch-stop across the river promised. And the least of our worries were the crocodiles that could be lurking in the milky brown water.  Rather a massive “daka” boy, a lone male buffalo, known for being notoriously bad-tempered, lay in the water on the opposite back. His massive, muscular back arched, his head down and relaxed on the cool sand.  He was going nowhere.  It was midday and hot as hell.

Our guide Mandla Gumede approaches the river, cautiously but with enough visible movement and natural sound, in an effort to ensure our “daka boy” knows we are here. Conflicted. On one hand, he had 6 tired, hungry and hot trailists collapsed in sweaty heaps on their heavy backpacks, waiting for his instructions, and on the other – a very deep  “leave no trace” ethic buried beneath his skin. That “you-don’t-mess-with-anything-in-the-wilderness” kind of ethic. You come and go and you just don’t go messing with anything.  I understood that too, so I whispered, half in jest, half in desperation but oh so respectfully, “Please, please Mr Buffalo, just get up and go so we can cross.” And he did.  He just got up, turned to look at us for a while, and then trotted through the reeds and high up onto the grassy plain beyond.

“The secret to the success of the Wilderness Leadership School is “hlonipha”,” said Simon Blackburn, owner of Tree Tops Lodge at Spioenkop a few weeks earlier when I met him on a wildlife medical emergency seminar, “that’s why these guys have virtually no problems on trail in the big five reserves.”

Hlonipha, the isiZulu word for respect, pervades every being of the trail guides in Ian Players’ legacy programme, which sees highly experienced guides take trailists out into the wilderness areas of the Umfolozi/Hluhluwe Game Park. Simply put, you leave no trace, except your tracks.  And this means no emotional trace either – no trauma, no impact on the emotional well-being of the creatures in whose home we are privileged to be able walk.  So of course Mandla was cautious, and I was glad I had, in that moment, become “a buffalo whisperer”.

The Wilderness Leadership School takes groups of 6 trailists at a time into pristine reserve areas. The trailists must carry all their cooking, food, bedding, and personal requirements in and out of the reserve – and must leave no trace. No burnt firewood, no broken branches, no upturned rocks, no toilet paper, nothing.

Stepping into the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi reserve, packs laden, we were briefed under a tree. It’s serious business. You could die out there. “Just remind me again, I take cover if it’s a buffalo or rhino, and only then if you say so. And I don’t run if it’s a lion? I stand still, right. So the lion does not identify me as prey?”

“Isn’t it strange, that this is where humanity inhabited with ease not too long ago,” said our other guide Doric Holmes later, as Mandla was showing us the track of an extremely large lion, and our adrenalin juices were flowing (very) fast.  “We lived here in the wilderness, amongst all of this, the animals and creatures, and were not afraid. And now we return and are so out of touch and disconnected that we fear it.”

An ancient place and space. Here a royal hunting area, once teeming with game. Remnants of Shaka’s Zulu people, who lived at one with the land, lie scattered around. The pottery shards and broken grinding stones that pepper the edges of the ageless animal paths, echo a rich history of a people and a oneness with nature.

Walking and living on trail is the ultimate nature experience. Us trailists follow, in single file, our two guides, both armed in case of a dangerous interaction with an animal. Neither of our guides had ever needed to use their rifles. “We track, we listen and we observe the animals, so that we are no invading their comfort zones. Respect is important. Quiet is important. Being present is important.”

So present that one morning Mandla, who was lying chatting to us in his sleeping bag, as we drank our hot drinks, jumped up to show us that an elephant was crossing the river.  So tuned in he was he could hear the lone bull, a good 300 metres up the river bank, enter the water.

As we walk we notice the tracks. We stop to discuss what it is, the direction the animal was heading, how old we think the track is. We sit by watering holes and watch the giraffe, zebra and impala skittish and aware of our presence. The “daka” boys snort and stand and watch from afar on the banks of the rivers, alerting us to the fact they have noticed us. The wild dogs, gladly present themselves, all nine of them on the sand bank in from of our camp, on the first morning as we sip our tea and dunk our rusks. All the while watching us, ears twitching.  Mocking cliff chats settle in front of us wagging their tails on the cool rocks.  The baboons bark and some raucous Egyptian Geese, well were just raucous.  Then the frogs chorus, like competitive choirs at night, reminding us that they too own some pretty fine real estate here in the wilderness. 

Our path crosses with a lone young bull elephant one day, and the guides move swiftly into action. One moves left to find a safe exit through a gully lined with magnificent Sycamore Figs. The other moves us downwind behind some trees. We remove backpacks, and wait for our instructions. Our exit planned, we don our gear and move swiftly out of the oncoming path of the elephant. Quickly we ascend the hill, with enough distance now to look back and observe him on the opposite bank. All the while his trunk up and alert as he continues to monitor us.

We camp in three places over the four nights, each time setting up before dark: gathering firewood far away from camp so as not to deplete the camp areas of dead wood needed for its own ecosystems to survive. Collecting and purifying the water – enough to wash and drink. Then making a small fire to cook, and settling in for the night under the stars, where each trailist takes watch alone for a few hours to ensure no animals pass through the camp.

It’s the first night, and having done a trail before, my adrenalin does not pump as fast as that first time on watch. I know now that it’s the anticipation of the nightwatch that is more scary than the watch itself. It’s now an opportunity to contemplate the vastness of the great sky lit with a million stars, and the crackle of the small fire, the rumble of the lions in the distance or the hyenas “whooooop, whoooop” and the odd owl, and the silence.  And I am present now. Not home, not trawling Facebook, or answering a what’s app, or planning my day tomorrow. Absolutely now. For should I wander off I shall miss the stars, and the sounds or the visit by the hyena.

And therein lies the beauty of these trails. Of the connection we once had with the wilderness, with the trees, and the plants, and the bugs and snakes and the frogs and the animals.  For within it we did not fear. Now without it we do.

Symbolically I enter the wilderness with a heavy backpack, and exit with one a whole lot lighter. And one thing is for sure, it is always very very difficult to leave.

-ends

The Wilderness Leadership School offers 4 night, 5 day trails with highly experience guides in various areas including Umfolozi/Hluhluwe Game Reserve, iSimangaliso World Heritage Site, Drakensberg World Heritage Site, the Wild Coast, Pilanesberg National Park and Okavango Delta World Heritage site.. For more information contact 031-462 8642 or email info@wildernessleadershipschool.co.za

Sharlene Versfeld is a Durban-based communications consultant and publicist.

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge Pongola: Sat 25 Feb Ferrum High Claims Back Regional Title in SPAR KZN

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge

Pongola: Saturday 25 February

Ferrum High Claims Back Regional Title in SPAR KZN

It was a day that young hockey players had to really dig deep to sustain their games in sweltering heat in the first of the regionals in the 2017 SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge which saw Ferrum High School reclaim the Northern Regional title.

Defending champions Sarel Cilliers were unable to hold onto the cup, which they scooped from Ferrum last year, who have now been crowned champions six times in this region.

Participating teams included Newcastle High School, Ferrum High School and St Dominics also from Newcastle, Utrecht High School, Dundee High School, Vryheid High School, Pionier High School (Vryheid) and Pongola Akademie. 

The twenty-four minute games, were played in two pools with Ferrum topping the log of Pool A, meeting Pool B runners-up, host school Pongola Akademie in the first semi-final. The second semi had Pool A’s Pionier taking on Dundee, who topped Pool B.

Dundee were outright winners of their pool finishing their three games with 10 points having drawn against Pongola in the pool game. Pongola were two points behind them having drawn two of their games. 

Ferrum were clear dominators having won all of their games. The battle for second place was down to the wire with Sarel Cilliers and Pionier equal on nine points. The deciding factor was goal difference, and Pionier had to score more than two in their final game against Newcastle.

Pionier’s centre forward, Lara Dedekind, stormed down the middle of the field smashing a shot from the top of the circle landing their second needed goal in their last match to secure their place in the semis. Inspired by success the team continued to net another four more goals taking the final score to 6 – 0.

The first semi saw Pongola taking on Ferrum with Ferrum scoring their goal in the first half, and Pongola defended valiantly throughout the remainder of the game only having a few opportunities at the other end which they were not able to convert.

In the second semi-final, Dundee met Pionier for the first time in over a decade, and Dedekind netted another two for her team in between goals landed by team mates Johanette Wilken and Anlie Knoetze.

In the blazing sun, Pionier and Ferrum met for the finals with evenly matched play, as both sides had opportunities on either end. Earlier on in the day the two teams that had battled it out with Ferrum conquering Pionier 2-1. 

As the clock wound down in the final, left wing Lucrecia Struwig managed to beat the last line of the opposition’s sterling defense – goalie Lorma Janse van Rensburg to nudge the ball in. In the last minute of play, Pionier fought courageously being awarded with back-to-back short corners but were unable to equalize.

Captain of the winning team Sanelisiwe Mnguni, elated with the win said “We had to really work hard and persevere, especially when our energy levels were really low, but we held onto our motto Believe, Motivate and Communicate to get us through.”

The Most Promising Umpire was Que Mdletshe, representing Dundee High School.

Our 2017 tournament is well and truly under way with the fantastic community spirit both on and off the field, it always is a festive way to start our year.” said Les Galloway Tournament Director.

Max Oliva, Managing Director of SPAR KZN said “Well done to the teams that gave their all despite the relentless heat. We appreciate your dedication to your teams and schools, and to the camaraderie shown throughout the day.”  

Ferrum High school is the first team through to the grand finals which will be played at St Mary’s DSG in Durban at the end of July.

For more info like the Facebook page.

Results:

1 Ferrum High School, 2 Pionier High School, 3 Dundee High School, 4 Pongola High School, 5 Sarel Cilliers High School, 6 Vryheid High School, 7 St Dominics College, 8 Utrecht High School, 9 Newcastle High School

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Celebrating the Velobala Class of 2016: Group Exhibition

Celebrating the Velobala Class of 2016: Group Exhibition

The African Art Centre is pleased to host the Velobala Class of 2016 Group exhibition showcasing charcoal, pencil, oil pastel, chalk pastel drawings, paintings and jewellery.

The Velobala Programme is an African Art Centre Development Project that offers formal art classes to young talented black artists who do not have the financial means to enroll for tertiary-level art training. Initiated in 1994, this African Art Centre programme is an ongoing commitment to facilitate exploration of different mediums for young talented artists, including ceramics, drawing, painting, jewellery and printmaking. This project is supported by the Durban University of Technology’s Department of Fine Art and Jewellery Design.

Over a period of 10 months the 2016 Velobala Programme saw the development of 28 aspiring artists.  Major Ndlovu, a second year student of the programme, said this: “The Velobala programme meant a lot to me, it introduced me to the art industry and helped me to build a solid foundation. What I like most about the programme is that you attend as much as you can, their classes are unlimited. They provide upcoming artists enough time to shape and showcase their talent. Once you participate in the Velobala programme you become part of the African Art Centre family.”  Works produced by Major Ndlovu will form part of the Velobala 2016 exhibition.

The Velobala 2016 exhibition at the African Art Centre will be opened from Thursday 9 February.

The Centre would like to thank the Artists for Human Rights Trust, Mr Price Home and the Durban University of Technology Fine Arts and Jewellery Department for partnering with the African Art Centre on this programme.  The exhibition is supported by the National Arts Council of South Africa.

For more details contact the African Art Centre on 031 3034634 or email africanartcentre@afri-art.co.za

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Phansi Museum launches the 22nd Art Craft Tradition Calendar - Featuring the Human Rights Murals (Durban)

Media Release

 Phansi Museum launches the 22nd Art Craft Tradition Calendar - Featuring the Human Rights Murals (Durban) 

One of the most admired contributions the Bartel Arts Trust and the Phansi Museum have made to the enrichment of the cultural life in KwaZulu Natal is the annual Art • Craft • Tradition calendar.  This annual publication, now in its 22nd year of production was officially launched on Wednesday, 7 December 2016.  Each year, the Museum distributes 1 000’s of calendars to schools in cities, villages and in faraway rural areas, clinics, libraries, community centers and educational institutions across the province.  

The 2017 calendar features panels from the 1992 Universal Declaration of Rights and the 1994 Interim Bill of Rights murals painted on the surfaces of the east and south walls surrounding the former Central Prison in Durban.  Both these murals laid the foundations for the 1997 Human Rights Mural of the Final Constitution.  Just as the Rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Interim Bill of Rights inspired the drafters of the Final Bill of Rights in Chapter 2 of the South African Constitution of 1996, so the works of the artists of the 1992 and 1994 murals came to inspire the artists who painted the 1997 Human Rights mural. 

Whilst the rest of the world commemorates International Human Rights Day and the 68th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 on 10 December 2016, the Phansi Museum will celebrate the launch of the Human Rights Mural Calendar of 2017 three days earlier.  The 2017 Human Rights Mural calendar aptly also pays tribute to late Terry-Anne Stevenson, (1950 -  2016) who initiated the Community Mural Projects and who tirelessly mustered the artists in Durban including Thami Jali, Sfiso Ka Mkame, Derick Nxumalo, Zamani Makhanya, Sibusiso Duma, Lalelani Mbhele and Joseph Manana to interpret the Bill of Rights on the prison walls and transform the streets of Durban with paint.  

Finally, to coincide with the launch of the calendar and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Phansi Museum in collaboration with Community Mural Projects, the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal and Street Law will launch the Human Rights Art and Essay Competition for learners in Grades 7, 11 and 12.  The objective of this competition is to get learners from as many schools in KwaZulu Natal who see the calendar to illustrate their vision and understanding of our Human Rights. 

The calendars for 2017 in poster and desktop format will be available from the Phansi Museum and other retail outlets from 7 December 2016.

 For additional information please contact theMuseum on 031-206 2889 or admin@phansi.com

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Applications are now open for the Realness Pan African Scriptwriting Residency 2017

Media Release

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE REALNESS PAN AFRICAN SCRIPTWRITING RESIDENCY 2017

Following the success of the inaugural scriptwriting residency, Realness is thrilled to announce the call for submissions for the 2017 edition.

Realness is a pioneering residency that provides filmmakers with the opportunity to hone and develop their creative scriptwriting skills. It serves to address the need for promising African film projects to be supported in their development phase to be able to realistically compete in global film markets.

This year five filmmakers - Amirah Tajdin (Kenya), Hiwot Admasu (Ethiopia) Luck Razanajaona (Madagascar), Sheetal Magan (South Africa) and Wim Steytler (South Africa) spent six weeks at the Nirox Artists’ Residency in the Cradle of Humankind under the mentorship of script consultants Selina Ukwuoma and Nadja Dumouchel, including attending the Durban FilmMart and Talent Campus at the Durban International Film Festival. 

“The success of this residency is not only evident in the encouraging feedback from the participants, who welcomed the opportunity to be in a quiet headspace to tap into their creative sources, but it is also evident in the numerous awards they have received and the progress made following the residency,” explains Elias Ribeiro, Creative Director of Realness. “Luck, for example, had a project selected for the Durban FilmMart prior to the residency, where we met and worked with participants as a precursor to programme. Here he walked off with awards from CineMart (International Film Festival Rotterdam) and the International Organisation of La Francophonie to further develop his script. Hiwot has since won an award to participate at another residency programme in Switzerland the Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur, and two of the projects have signed co-production agreements since completing the residency.”

As a result of the Realness programme, Ribeiro has,been invited to present the initiative at five major international festivals since starting it earlier this year, namely Berlinale, Cannes, Locarno, Venice and Torino. “The continued interest is very encouraging and serves as a platform for the residents to maintain the momentum towards getting their films made. We have structured Realness in a very holistic and strategic way, engaging with heavy-weight partners and advisors in developing the framework for the programme. It is rewarding to see the genuine interest in developing synergy between African cinema and the rest of the world.”

Amirah Tajdin said “Realness made me realize that…time and space really does make all the difference during script writing.” Wim Steytler said that Realness gave him the courage to “throw my script and 8 months of work into the bin. I gained important insights into how to take my story from decent to good. After Realness my goal is to take the project from good to great.”

Realness is proud to announce that the partnerships established in 2016 will continue into the second edition, which means that the 2017 residents will also have the opportunity to further develop their projects through the awards offered by the Durban FilmMart, Locarno Filmmakers Academy, Torino Film Lab, Midpoint, EAVE and La Fabrique des Cinema du Monde.

The submission window opens on 28 November 2016 and closes on 31 January 2017:

Applicants must submit ONE PDF dossier containing:

• a motivation for wanting to participate in REALNESS (1 page)

• a synopsis of the proposed feature project (1 page)

• a narrative treatment of the proposed feature project (6 pages)

• a draft of the screenplay (if available)

• a writer's note of intention (1 page)

• a short biography (1 paragraph)

• two links to samples of previously produced work, uploaded to vimeo. If selected, residents will be required to donate one copy of their previous work to the Nirox film library.

The call is open to screenwriters from across the African continent and selection will be based on artistic merit. REALNESS will hold no legal claim over the work once the residency is completed.

All submitted material must be in English. A committee appointed by the Realness team and their partners will read the project entries and conduct interviews with a shortlist of candidates in April. The REALNESS selection will be announced at an event hosted by the pavilion Les Cinemas du Monde in Cannes, 2017.

Dossiers must be submitted to realness@urucumedia.com. For further information and to download the application form go to www.urucumedia.com/realness.

Independent cinemas extend the run of award-winning film - Train of Salt and Sugar in Cape Town and Johannesburg

Media Release

Independent cinemas extend the run of award-winning film - Train of Salt and Sugar in Cape Town and Johannesburg

Train of Salt and Sugar, recent winner of the Best Film award at the Joburg Film Festival, has had its run extended at local independent cinemas in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The Mozambican film directed by Licínio Azevedo, is set in the civil-war-torn northern Mozambique during the late 80’s has received critical acclaim since premiering in August this year at Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. The City Press’s film critic Charl Blignaut described the film as “a superb, gritty, mystical, African love story”.

A selected project at the 2014 Durban FilmMart, the film has been produced by Ukbar Filmes (Portugal), Ébano Multimédia (Mozambique), Les Films de l’Étranger (France), Panda Filmes (Brazil), and new-wave South African company Urucu Media with the support of M-Net and M-Net’s Portuguese channel Jango Magic in Africa.  M-Net will screen the film on Jango in 2017.

The film’s run has been extended at the Bioscope in Johannesburg until the end of December this year, and at The Labia in Cape Town until December 2.

For screening details go to www.thebioscope.co.za  or www.thelabia.co.za

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CAPTION: Artworks created by 2015 Velobala Art Class attendee Zakhele Hlabisa:  Amandla Okudla_Strength from food, Acrylic on canvas, 45.5 cm h x 56 cm w,

Durban's Flatfoot Dance Company performs at Goree Island Diaspora Festival, Senegal in November 2016

MEDIA RELEASE

FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY

performs, as a special envoy of the National Arts Council of South Africa, at the prestigious GOREE ISLAND DIASPORA FESTIVAL (Dakar, Senegal)

25 – 27 November 2016

Durban’s acclaimed contemporary dance company, FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY, is one of four companies invited by the National Arts Council of South Africa to represent South Africa in Senegal at the prestigious Goree Island Diaspora Festival at the end of this month.

FLATFOOT is one of two dance companies to get the invite and will be presenting a double bill (titled “Southern Exposure”) of choreographer (and artistic director) Lliane Loot’s recent dance works. Over 2016 Loots has presented two linked dance works that have dealt with hard-hitting themes around displacement, migrations and refugees. The first titled “HOMELAND (security)” was presented in April at the Sneddon Theatre and looks into issues of identity from the pain of the global refugee crisis that sees millions of people (mostly from developing contexts like Africa) forced to leave or evacuated their homes due to war, and political and social disasters.

In this highly praised work, Loots and the FLATFOOT dancers respond to false notion of belonging to a nation state and of feeling safe at ‘home’. With a deep resonance towards the pain of South Africa’s own xenophobia and continued racism, Loots’s “HOMELAND (security)” begins to claim back the internal safety of a resistant (dancing) self that seeks community.  

The second work, “MIGRATIONS (at the feet of Kali)” sees FLATFOOT collaborate with spoken word poet Iain ewok Robinson and classical Indian Kathak dancer Manesh Maharaj. Bordering on performance installation, this dance theatre works is physical journey into the heart of colonial and post-colonial rememberings around the violent movements/migrations of people. Using personal memory as the starting point, this work interfaces with the confluence of colonial Indian and South African histories and sees the meeting of spoken word, African contemporary dance, classical Indian Kathak dance and video installations.  This work premiered at the 2016 JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Festival in September this year.

Loots says; “Given that the 8th Edition of this Goree Island Diaspora Festival is themed “MEMORY AND RESILIENCE,’’ from the past to the present, how can we heal the divides in human society?”, FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY’s dance work is perfectly situated to sit in the framework of the festival and add to the artistic debates around issues of memory, resilience, home and the myriad identities of South Africans (and Africans)”.

She adds, “We are thrilled to be going. Not only to share our work on our own continent but to take dance work that means something to us and to the lives of African bodies that must speak”.

Goree Island, like its twin Robben Island, is a site of memory and history for Senegal and was used as a slave outpost during the colonial era. The island has been turned into a museum and visitors can walk through slave holding cells and walk through the “door of no return” – the infamous door that saw slaves loaded onto ships bound for Europe. The festival brings together various African artist each year in a festival that allows for collective healing.

FLATFOOT dancer Sifiso Khumalo says; “this is a big one for us – not only to walk the history of Goree Island and our West African brothers and sisters but it is also a time to remember that our art is a weapon for remembering. I cannot wait to dance and speak the truth of our South African bodies in Senegal."

“We leave Durban on 24 November and while this is not a sports tour, we are looking at this as the “team South Africa” in a spirit of letting our cultural ambassadors feel as significant as our sporting ones?” says Loots.

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Caption to Photos by VAL ADAMSON

0381: FLATFOOT dancers with Tshediso Kabulu in front and at the back Njabulu Zungu, Jabu Siphika, Sifiso Khumalo, Zinhle Nzama and Kim Mccusker-Bartlett in Loots’s critically acclaimed “HOMELAND (security)” that will travel to Dakar, Senegal in November.

0418: FLATFOOT dancers Zinhle Nzama on left, Kim Mccusker-Bartlett being lifted and in order front to back Tshediso Kabulu, Jabu Siphika and Sifiso Khumalo in Loots’s critically acclaimed “HOMELAND (security)” that will travel to Dakar, Senegal in November.

0495: FLATFOOT dancers Sifiso Khumalo on the floor, back couple on left Najbulo Zungu and Zinhle Nzama, back couple on rightKim Mccusker-Bartlett and Tshediso Kabulu in Loots’s critically acclaimed “HOMELAND (security)” that will travel to Dakar, Senegal in November.

Juego Flamenco 8-11 December 2016

Juego Flamenco - 8-11 December 2016

Centre for Jazz and Popular Music on the UKZN’s Howard College Campus

The Linda Vargas Flamenco Dance Company in collaboration with jazz musicians Neil Gonsalves (piano), Demi Fernandez (jazz/flamenco guitar) once again take to the intimate venue of UKZN’s Jazz Centre to present Juego Flamenco, the latest instalment  in what is now an annual treat for Durban audiences from these well-respected performers.

Having previously explored the fusion between flamenco and Jazz, Arabic, Indian Kathak, Celtic, and South American styles; Juego Flamenco, meaning ‘flamenco game,’ is a playful blend of these musical and movement styles whilst still embracing the flamenco essence.  Featuring pulsating rhythms and exhilarating music and dance, Juega Flamenco will provide audiences with yet another feast for the senses. There are only 4 performances once again, which usually sell out very quickly, so book early to avoid this treat not to be missed!

Backed by Demi Fernandez and Neil Gonsalves, these world renowned musicians in their own right present new compositions alongside the dance. Their unique style and talent continue to leave audiences spellbound. They are joined by Bryan Stone on percussion who will also add live singing, alongside Gemma Schumann – who made her singing debut as a highlight in last year’s show.

Linda Vargas is the founder and director of the Linda Vargas Flamenco Dance Company. She has choreographed numerous flamenco dance productions as well as the opera productions La Traviata, Amal, Faust, Salome and Carmen. Linda co-founded the international organization Alianza Flamenca and is a member of its Board of Directors, as well as its panel of international examiners. She currently lectures at UKZN and performs, examines and conducts educational and corporate workshops both nationally and internationally. Her educational dance workshops in schools and for NAPTOSA assist teachers to incorporate dance in the formal school curriculum. Linda holds a Masters Degree in Education as well as B.A. Honours in Drama, LISTD and Final Diploma (ISTD, London).

Neil Gonsalves holds a Masters degree in Music and currently lectures at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He has performed in various national music festivals with numerous South Africa jazz and Afro-beat luminaries as well as his own band, Tonk. He has also toured internationally, including a 4 year stint as part of Johnny Clegg’s band. He has released a solo album “North Facing” which represents a blend of modern South African and Nordic Jazz.

Demi Fernandez was born in Brazil of Spanish Parents and spent many years living and performing in Flamenco Tablaos in Spain. Demi has also appeared as leading flamenco guitarist with numerous South African and international Spanish Dance Companies.  He is resident guitarist for the Linda Vargas Flamenco Dance Company and AlianzaFlamenca. He has composed musical scores for several SABC TV productions and also appeared in numerous productions including “Guitars for Africa” in Durban and at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival. He currently lectures in the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Jazz programme.

Juego Flamenco runs at the Centre for Jazz and Popular Music on the UKZN’s Howard College campus from 8-11 December. Performances are nightly at 7pm and on Sunday the 11 December at 3pm. Entrance Fee is R130 (R100 students / pensioners). Bookings through Linda on: lindavargasflamenco@gmail.com (please note new email address) or 031-201 0750 (mornings only). Tickets are limited for each performance so advanced booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

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Issued by Wesley Maherry

on behalf of the Linda Vargas Flamenco Dance Company             

maherry@ukzn.ac.za

+27 82 950 8188

Action in Autism Skills Transference Workshop - Oct 21 and 22

Media Release

Action in Autism Skills Transference Workshop

Action in Autism will hold a Skills Transference Workshop on Friday 21 October and Saturday 22 October, at the Moth Hall, King Dinizulu Hospital in Durban.

Some of the greatest challenges for autistic people is verbal and non-verbal communication, sensory processing difficulties and the demands of social interaction.  In an ever changing fast paced social world, it is tough for autistic people to feel embraced and supported.   

Action in Autism, a non-profit organisation based in Sydenham, supports this community by providing a highly-intensive 2-day workshop for parents, educators, professionals and those who interact regularly with autistic people. These workshops offer skills, techniques and supports for communication, social interaction, sensory processing challenges and informs and explains the reasons for some of the behavioural challenges experienced by autistic people. These supportive strategies will enable autistic people to better navigate the world they live in and empower people with best practice skills in supporting them. 

Hosted bi-annually by a team of six professionals, a parent and a young adult with autism, the workshop includes both theoretical and practical components, as well as opportunities for networking. The team of professionals comprises of a clinical psychologist, educational psychologist, a speech therapist and a specialist in augmentative and alternative communication systems, an occupational therapist, and an educator.

All parents, professionals and those that support autistic people are invited to join Action in Autism’s next Workshop on Friday 21 October and Saturday 22 October, to be held at the Moth Hall, King Dinizulu Hospital in Durban. The workshop cost of R850 per person covers course materials, refreshments and meals. All parents who cannot afford the costs are sponsored by the organisation.  Please contact the Action in Autism office on 031 207 4858 or send an email to info@actioninautism.org.za for a registration form. Places are limited to 40 people per workshop.

For more information about Action in Autism, the Skills Transference Workshops, or other services and support offered by the organisation, please call 031 207 4858 or email info@actioninautism.org.za.

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Artists for Autism – Comedy Night to raise funds for Action in Autism

Artists for Autism – Comedy Night to raise funds for Action in Autism

A bunch of local comedians will gather in force as Artists for Autism in a jam-packed comedy night to help raise funds for Action in Autism  on Friday, October 14 at 7pm at the George Campbell School Hall .

Action in Autism, which provides early intervention for 16 children under the age of 6 at their Centre in Sydenham, will host the Comedy Night with twelve local comedians featuring Analakshmi and Neil Green as the headline acts.  Comedians include Troy Tesla, SbuMnyandu, Mo Vawda, Kamz, Mathew, Mfundo, David M, Darryl, Xolani and Vanessa – who all bring their unique blend of humour to the stage for an evening of laughter and fun.

 “Action in Autism, besides running early interventions, also provides a free walk-in resource and support service, a free diagnostic clinic, and regular support group meetings for families of people with autism,” explains Chairperson Liza Aziz. “Many organisations such as ours are working with people with special needs and have no support whatsoever from government and we rely heavily on the goodwill of civil society for funds –  so we urge everyone needing some light relief to come join us for some fun and help us support people with autism. A special thanks to these artists who have agreed to help us with this fundraiser too!”

Snacks and refreshments will be on sale. All proceeds go to ensuring the continuation of Action in Autism’s services to the autistic community.

George Campbell High is at 261 Sylvester Ntuli Road, Durban. Tickets for the Artists for Autism Comedy Night are R120, and are available from the Action in Autism office and Computicket. For more information about Action in Autism and to secure your tickets, call 031 207 4858 or email info@actioninautism.org.za.

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Durban University of Technology’s third annual DigiFest (#DUTDigifest - Arts and Design Digital Festival) is set for 9 and 10 September.

Media Release

3rd #DUTDigifest

(Arts and Design Digital Festival)

9 – 10 September 2016

Durban University of Technology’s third annual DigiFest is set for 9 and 10 September. 

The University’s City Campus will open its doors to the public for a series of live art activations, exhibitions, innovations, panel discussions, workshops, music, theatre, poetry, comedy, dance, food and more.

The opening night, Friday 9 September, includes a DUT Alumni fundraising event for the ‘Missing Middle’ campaign - a funding support initiative for students. It also features live performance by the award-winning a-capella trio The Soil, and includes the launch of the 24th International Symposium on Electronic Art, (#ISEA2018), which takes place in Durban in 2018 - the first time on African soil. 

Several DUT academic programmes will participate in this year’s Digifest, alongside external partners and organisations working with digital technologies.  

Interior Design students present an exhibition of flat-pack lazer-cut chair prototypes, designed and manufactured in conjunction with Durban Art Deco Society and Makerspace Durban. 

Fine Art students research, map, manufacture and present a series of objects exclusively for the Digifest entitled no-tech to lo-tech. 

Bending Blackboards, an eLearning collection, includes work from practitioners interfacing with art, science and technology

The Journalism programme will present photo essays and short documentaries. Written, video and audio coverage of the DigiFest will be streamed on the Journalismiziko online publication and online radio.

The Rise of the OXX project returns in 2016 as an inter-departmental, collaborative project including Fashion & Textiles, Graphic Design, Jewellery Design and Interior Design departments in an exhibition and fashion show of innovation and inspiration.

In an exhibition entitled Perception, Jewellery Design students explore the interaction of their jewellery with the world, through a visual and audio installation. 

The Photography programme are working with 3D mapping artists to exhibit a selection of images, which will bring new life to parts of the campus.

Graphic Design students will exhibit portfolios that embrace a wide range of digital media for print or online publications, websites, online apps, animation, advertising, stationery, and other forms of visual communication. 

Live performance features at the sixth annual DUT Children’s Theatre Festival, a parallel event, which takes place at the Courtyard Theatre from 8 to 11 September. DigiFest will stage a satellite production from this festival of Looking for a Leader, and dance students from the Drama department will stage two dance performances.

Video Voyeur screenings will showcase the best music videos and dramas produced by Video Technology students.

The Language Practice department introduces #DigiWordPlay using humour, performance and mime to bring to life the meanings and interpretations of words within and across different languages. 

The Translation and Interpreting Practice programme will stage an installation to collect, translate and upload words in the theme of art, design and technology to the isiZulu online dictionary hosted by Oxford Living Dictionaries. 

Other highlights include:

Award-winning Digital artist and DUT Fashion Lecturer Nirma Madhoo-Chipps presents her latest work Labtayt Sulci. This series shot partially in Iceland is inspired by the NASA exploration of Enceladus, one of Jupiter’s moons, and extends the notion of the digital fashioned body - real or simulated; human or exobiological.

An exciting installation from the Maker Space, along with international contributors, will be capturing sound clips from the local space, converting these into a visual and three dimensional form and then converting that into a sculptural object and artwork.

Live art from Resoborg, Sketch Wars and others will adorn the campus walls. 

Performances by some top South African Artists, including The Soil, Felix Laband, Raheem Kemet, Easy Freak, DJ Lag, DJ Merlon, Strage and Nkululeko Dlamini. 

PechaKucha talk series returns on the subject of digital art, design and innovation. The speakers are selected from various background and this punchy talk format allows 20 x 20 second slides to guide the speakers. 

Talkfest hosts a number of workshops and panel discussions, with speakers from around South Africa, on various subjects from social innovation, art & data, 3D printing, digital design and social media. 

031 Entertainment presents local comedians for a short showcase and Art for Humanity will host a Poetry Session. 

DigiFest takes place at the DUT City Campus, Corner of Dr Pixley Ka Seme (formerly known as West Street) and Julius Nyerere (formerly known as Warwick Avenue) on Friday, 09 September from 12pm to 10pm, and on Saturday, September 10th from 10am to 10pm. All are welcome and entrance is free. The full programme will be released online on August 30th.

This year’s theme, “We are such stuff”, is taken from William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, in commemoration of the 400 year anniversary of his death. #‎Shakespeare400

DUT DigiFest is presented by the Faculty of Arts and Design at Durban University of Technology, with support from the Ethekwini Municipality.  

For more information go to  www.digifest.dut.ac.za

Instagram: dutdigifest_

Twitter: @DigitalArtFest 

Facebook: DUTDigiFest 

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Media and Publicity: sharlene@versfeld.co.za / +27 (0) 31 811 5628 / +27 (0) 83 326 3235

Programme Information: andiled@dut.ac.za / +27 (0)31 373 6455

September 2, 1016

JOMBA! Opening Night Address by Lliane Loots

ADDRESS BY LLIANE LOOTS - Artistic Director of the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience and lecturer in UKZN’s Drama and Performance Studies Programme at the opening of the 18th edition of the festival.

The 18th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (College of Humanities) and its Centre for Creative Arts opened last night (24 August 2016). Artistic Director of the festival and lecturer in UKZN’s Drama and Performance Studies Programme gave the opening address. Below follows an edited version of it:

This has been an historic year for South Africa. We have had local elections that have begun to pointedly shift our political landscape. We have the continued emergence of defiant youth who are demanding what a liberation struggle’s Freedom Charter promised them – that the doors of learning should be open. We are realising how hard it is to find a new public protector who is not tainted, we have a public broadcaster making contested paternal decisions for us about what is deemed appropriate for us watch ... and we also had four beautiful young women stand silently to remember Khwezi and to remind our nation, 22 years into democracy, of a legacy of gender violence that sees 1 in 3 women face violent sexual abuse.

And in the background, in the academy, in cultural communities, in the political left of left, and with the trendy new elites, I hear the phrase “decolonise” – a kind of catch-word of post-colonial struggles. Reading Ngûgî wa Thiong’o in the mid-1980s was for me a political turning point and so when I hear “decolonise” being thrown out by the various political and struggle elites I own to a certain nostalgia of remembering a time of clear right and wrong.

As an artist and cultural activist, I have begun to wonder what “decolonise” means to me, to dance and indeed to a festival like JOMBA! It is best, of course, to go back to Ngûgî himself whose book did not just speak about “decolonising” but more specifically about “decolonising the mind”.

Wa Thiong’o wrote about what he called the biggest ‘cultural weapon’ wielded and daily unleashed by imperialism against an artistic collective defiance. This cultural weapon of the imperialist – for want of a better explanation, those who seek to rule by creating dependency - is what he called the “cultural bomb”.

The after effect of this Imperialist “cultural bomb” is to annihilate a people’s belief in their names, in their language, in their environment, in their heritage of struggle, in their unity, in their capacities, and ultimately in themselves. This cultural bomb, once exploded, makes us see our past as a wasteland of non-achievement and it makes us want to distance ourselves from this history of what seems local and thus like nothing worthwhile – it makes us want to identify with that which is furthest removed from ourselves.

This “cultural bomb” is not a bomb that goes off loudly; it does not fall from the sky from a foreign plane; it is more a quiet, silent amorphous bomb that goes off in fits and starts from within until, one day we wake up and find that we no longer know who we are, we no longer know what to think or feel and so we allow the machinations of international corporate and globalised capital tells us how to look, think, feel and love. We no longer have real memory and history because the endlessly re-written political and cultural version of who we are, are sold to us like truth. Our minds have been colonised as we have been taught to dream only of owning and having and no longer do we seek the discipline of being and doing.

And as I tonight claim Kenya’s Ngûgî as one of my political and cultural ancestors, I hope that he would look favourably on me extending his thoughts beyond just the colonising of the African mind through the Imperialist cultural bomb, to another terrain.

As a dancer and choreographer, as the artistic director of this festival for the Centre for Creative Arts, I am aware that I work in one of the most contested territories on the planet – the body. That most race and gender oppressions sits on the visceral lived body takes my work out of the abstractions of academic discussions of oppressions into the embodied reality of race and gender that sits on the skin.

What more profound way to fight the effects of the cultural bomb than to make, live and support an art form that decolonises the oppressed, globalised, racialised and abused body? This is the work of the contemporary dancer, the choreographer and the arts administrator that makes space for this war against cellular forgetting. This festival makes a dedicated effort to invite and partner with organisation, artist and dance companies who are using the voice of their physical art form, to break down stereotypes, to address embodied histories and memory, who physically deconstruct socially and culturally defined ways of being inside one’s skin, and who also, sometimes, decolonise a theatre space by asking us to watch dance in another site.

And so tonight, on behalf of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, our College of Humanities, and the School of the Arts, and Centre for Creative Arts, I welcome you to the 18th edition of the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience - and reflect on the longevity of 18 magnificent years of embodied danced rebellion against the effects of the Imperialist cultural bomb.

We fight, through JOMBA!’s dedicated space of serious contemporary dance making, against being seduced into thinking dance is only reality competition shows on television that promises the winner fame and fortune.

We fight against being uninterested by the demands of contemporary art and dance because it asks us to think and feel and listen, - and sweat - we fight thus against participating in the slow death of critical arts; and with this, the death of our resistance.

I cannot thank you all enough for being here tonight and bodily sitting on a seat to support this space.

I want to end tonight with a jump back in history to a time when the very concept of Modern Dance was being born. I leave you tonight with the word of José Limon – the Mexican American immigrant who changed dance history forever. In 1956, he said;

“Never have the arts been so needed, nor so challenged, as in these times of mechanized bestiality, when the human species seems possessed by a suicidal frenzy.  The Dance can remind us of the greatness of humanities spirit, and of her creativeness.

The Dance is many things. It is a Power.  It can help stem the putrefaction and decay gnawing at the heart of human courage, and withstand the philosophies of doom and surrender.  The dancer can use her voice to call for reason out of unreason, and order out of disorder.  That has always been the high task of the artist. 

The contemporary artist and dancer can do no less than dedicate the power of her spirit and the flame of her art to bring light to the dark places”.

JOMBA runs until September 4. For the full programme go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za

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