A Night To Remember with Renowned Wilderness Guide, Author and Coach, Sicelo Mbatha

Green Corridors will begin  eThekwini Enviro Week with a Pop Up Camp and Campfire Stories hosted by Matata Adventures and renowned wilderness guide, author and coach, Sicelo Mbatha on Saturday 18 March.

This is a rare evening of campfire stories and experiences from the wilderness at Matata Adventures, a Green Corridors Wild Camping area in the Valley of 1000 Hills, managed by Mlu Mthembu, a highly experienced Durban-based nature guide.

Mlu Mthembu - nature guide and manager of Matata Adventures

Sicelo Mbatha has devoted his life to fostering deep connections between humans and nature, he grew up alongside the Hluhluwe/Imfolozi nature reserve, and nature has always been his medicine, his teacher and his spiritual home. His teachings and wisdom are world-renowned and this is an evening not to be missed.

Sicelo Mbatha

“I invite you to connect with the indigenous wisdom of my people and find your soul through the spirit of our collective humanness, or ubuntu. I am the black lion who helps people discover the wild animal within. I am the black lion who roars for peace and harmony on the great mother earth. I am the black lion, alive in the wilderness,” says Mbatha.

Matata is about a 45-minute drive from Durban and perched at the top of a beautiful mountain waterfall, overlooking some of Durban’s most wild areas. All catering (except alcoholic drinks) guides, tents and camping equipment will be provided. Max 8 participants. Fee is R1200 per person

The experience includes a Pick up by Green Corridors, at Durban’s Green Hub (near Blue Lagoon) at 13h00 OR meet and drive to Matata Adventures in convoy with guides. Depart Sunday after breakfast and a morning guided hike through the forest to experience the breath-taking views over Durban from Inanda Mountain.

To book contact reservations@durbangreencorridor.co.za or frontdesk@greencorridors.africa

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Flatfoot dance company's Love Song for KZNSA Gallery 31 March & 1 April

“LOVE SONG” is FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY’s first performance offering of 2023 in which they partner with the KZNSA Gallery to offer – for two performances only - a site-responsive and intimate dance experience that is sure to ignite passion and beauty. Performances take place on Friday 31 March and Saturday 1 April at 6.30pm.

“LOVE SONG” collaboratively created by the full company (Sifiso Khumalo, Jabu Siphika, Zinhle Nzama, Sbonga Ndlovu, Siseko Duba and Ndumiso Dube) under the choreographic direction of Lliane Loots, is a mesmerising journey into the heartland of the workings of the heart and how we love. Love is explored through bonds of friendship, intimate partners, as well as the social connection we share as community. 

FLATFOOT's Siseko Duba (jumping) and Ndumiso 'Digga' Dube in "LOVE SONG" (Photo by VAL ADAMSON)

Loots says, “at a time in our collective histories as South Africans, where so much seems impossible, we decided as a company to create a new dance work that really celebrates the power of how we connect (and maybe disconnect?) and that finds strength in the bonds we share as human beings. Far from looking away and avoiding the fault lines of our current lives, “LOVE SONG” looks at how this terrain is navigated in how we choose to love”. She goes on to say, “I have been humbled – as I always am – by the stories lovingly shared by the FLATFOOT dancers whose own choreographic journey is celebrated in this new work”. 

FLATFOOT once again push themselves to embrace new ways of making and thinking dance. “LOVE SONG” will dazzle and delight as the dancer move you to be moved by them! 

The KZNSA Gallery (Glenwood) will be open from 5.30pm on both 31 March and 1 April with a special dinner menu for those who want to eat, and the bar/coffee bar will be open both before and after the show. Running time if the show is 55 minutes.

Tickets are R100  (12 years and under -R80 and booking is essential due to limited seating capacity (contact flafootdancecompany@gmail.com).

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Photo on homepage: FLATFOOT's Sbonga Ndlovu and Zinhle Nzama - CREDIT: Val Adamson

Saints retain their regional Highway title in SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

The inclement weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the seven teams taking part in the Highway Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that saw St Mary’s DSG triumph at Thomas More College on Sunday 12 March.

In a riveting regional final Saints met host school, Thomas More. In the first quarter, the locals did not allow the defending champs any space to get into their stride, swiftly shutting down all of their intentions. 

Just after 5 minutes of play, Saints started finding their flow as Alex Bowyer came into a bit of space as she entered the Thomas More circle and fired in a sweeping reverse stick attempt that agonizingly ricocheted off the left-hand post. 

Two minutes later, St Mary’s were awarded with the first short corner of the game. Play moved from the castle to the left, with a flamboyant shot flying high and right of the goals. A disappointing pass from the 16 yard line from Thomas More saw the visitor’s Elizabeth Anderson pounce on the ball, rushing determinedly towards the goals. Anderson looped in her shot towards the box but a quick stepping keeper, Tiaasha Naicker moved to her right and denied the goal by magically getting her stick in the way, the ball fell kindly to her feet as she nimbly booted it well clear of danger. 

Halfway through the game, Saints mounted yet another attack on the home team’s goal, in a flurry at the goalmouth the ball found the foot of a Thomas More defender boldly standing on the goal line, resulting in a penalty stroke. Anderson calmly stepped up to the spot and sent a missile low and to the left that hammered into the back of the box. Saints were now 1 nil up. 

In the last quarter, Saints earned their third short corner of the game. The ball moved rapidly from the castle, left to Zakira Jamaloodeen who shifted the ball to her left and tomahawked a rocket, netting the second goal for Saints, and sealing the win and title for the favourites. 

Captain for the winning team, Kelly Jansens ter laeck said, “It was an amazing day. It is always a hard and well fought game against Thomas More and it is always a privilege to face them. They played so well from the whistle, not allowing us any room, but we were fortunate to find some space a couple of times and were lucky enough to score twice.”

St Mary’s DSG is the second team to secure a place at the Grand Finals that will take place on their home turf in July. They join Danville Park Girls’ High School who took top honours in the Durban North Regional on Saturday. 

In back-to-back fixtures at 3 Schools Trust, the challenge continues with the Durban South Regional hosted by Kuswag Hoërskool on Saturday 15 April, followed by the Durban Girls’ High School on Sunday 16 April. 

For more info like the tournaments Facebook page or follow on Instagram. 

Round Robin Results

1 St Mary’s DSG 24 points, 2 Thomas More College 17 points, 3 Curro Hillcrest 14 points, 4 Hillcrest High School 7 points, 5 Westville High School 6 points, 6 Kloof High School 3 points, 7 Gelofte Hoërskool 1 point

END

Danville Park Girls High scoops regional trophy of SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge

Top honours went to Danville Park Girls’ High School in the Durban North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge after their tightly fought duel against host school, Our Lady of Fatima at the Riverside Hockey Club on Saturday 11 March.

Up until the final whistle, spectators were kept on the edge of their seats, as the game shot from one end of the field to the other. Defending champs, Fatima fought valiantly up until the last second, throwing all of the arsenal into the all-important equaliser but Danville didn’t allow them any room or opportunity, courageously clinching onto their 1 nil lead. 

Fatima ignited their final with a first minute charge up to the Danville circle but were unable to capitalise on their early break. The hosts dominated the first quarter of the game, with a variety of attacks being thwarted by a steadfast and solid Danville defense. 

After five minutes of play, Danville’s first run up to the Fatima goal ended with a determined shot being comfortably blocked. Four minutes later, Danville earned two back to back short corners that Fatima fearlessly prevented, retaliating with a good charge up into the Danville half. 

With the countdown ticking down, and less than 8 minutes of play remaining, captain for Danville, Anqobile Nkayi was rewarded with a free hit after her solid run two thirds of the way down the right-hand side of the pitch. She swiftly got play under way, passing the ball quickly to team mate, Savanah Ferreira who managed to hot foot it into the circle around two hard working Fatima defenders. Finding herself with a bit of space, and being on the wrong foot, she niftily tapped the ball in, sneaking it beyond the right outstretched pad of the Fatima keeper.

Fatima’s flair-filled day fizzled out after they tried everything to level the score, searching over heads, quick fire passes or solid searching knocks frustratingly went amiss as a calm Danville backline sent play back up to midway, only for Fatima to try again. 

Talking after the game, Nkayi enthused, “We had such fun today. We set the tone in our first game with a 5 nil win and that flowed through the rest of our tournament. Even after our one bad game, our team were unruffled. We didn’t concede a goal throughout the day and I am delighted with our performance.”

Leading up to the regional final, both teams had good runs in their pool games. In Fatima’s four games, they won three and drew against Ashton International College, while Danville were victorious in all of their games. Both teams didn’t allow any goals in in their build up to the regional final, with only the tournament winning goal slipping past Fatima.

Coaching the Danville team for the second year, an extremely happy Matthew Smith said, “The final was a composed and simple game, I think it was the best game of the tournament for the girls. They played magnificently and deserved that win.”

No stranger to the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, Ashton International College’s Gareth Bishop was presented with the Umpire of the Day award for the third time. 

This is the fourth time that Danville have hoisted the regional trophy in the 13 years since the tournament was launched. They are the first team to earn their spot at the 2023 Grand Finals that will be taking place in July at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof. 

For more info like the Facebook page or follow the tournament on Instagram. 

Results

1 Danville Park Girls’ High School, 2 Our Lady of Fatima

Pool Game Results

Pool A

1 Danville Park Girls’ High School 16 points, 2 Reddam uMhlanga 6 points , 3 Crawford La Lucia 6 points , 4 Curro Salt Rock 6 points, 5 Durban North College 0 points

Pool B

1 Our Lady of Fatima 13 points, 2 Ashton International College 13 points 3 Northlands Girls’ High School 5 points, 4 Reddam Ballito 2 points, Crawford North Coast 1 point

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge - Highway Regional Sunday 12 March

In the second tournament of the 2023 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, Thomas More College host the Highway Regional on Sunday 12 March.

Seven teams will be going head to head in this highly competitive regional, with the day’s feisty action following a round robin format. In a familiar scheduling, the quick-fire games will last 20 minutes with play running only one way.

St Mary’s DSG, Kloof first hockey team captain Kelly Jansens ter laeck  (left) and vice-captain Zakira Jamaloodeen (right) look forward to their team defending its title in the Highway Regional of the 2023 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge at Thomas More College on Sunday 12 March. Photo Val Adamson

The tech desk will be awarding four points to the victorious team, if there is a draw but both teams managed to find the back of the net, they will earn themselves 2 points each. If the result was a goalless draw, both teams will notch up a single point. An unsuccessful team will register zero points on their scorecard for their loss.

Taking to the turf on the day are Curro Hillcrest, Gelofte High School, Hillcrest High School, Kloof High School, St Mary’s DSG, hosts Thomas More with Westville Girls’ High School.

In the thirteen years since the tournament’s inception, St Mary’s DSG have dominated the region claiming all but one victory in the Highway area. One-time winners Westville Girls’ High School will be eager to release Saints firm grip on this region.

There is a five week break until another two back to back weekends of fabulous hockey expected in April, with the first fixture in April seeing schools from around Durban South taking to the field at 3 Schools’ Trust Astro which will be hosted by Kuswag Hoërskool.

All the games from all the regionals will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools’ Mobile App or their website.

For more info, like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on their Instagram account.

 ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Durban North Regional - Saturday 11 March

An early start, Northlands Girls’ High School will meet Ashton International College in the first game of the 2023 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge as they take each other on in the Durban North Regional hosted by Our Lady of Fatima at Riverside Hockey Club on Saturday 11 March.

The first of 21 games tips off just after 7am with ten local teams heading to Riverside to participate in one of the most tightly fought regionals in this challenge. The tournament will have the ten teams split up into two pools. Pool A has Danville Park Girls’ High School joined by Curro Salt Rock, Crawford La Lucia, Durban North College and Reddam House uMhlanga and Pool B is led by hosts Fatima, with Ashton International College, Northlands Girls’ High, Crawford North Coast and Reddam Ballito.

Our Lady of Fatima first team hockey Captain Mia Liebenberg (left) and Vice-Captain Courtney Veenstra (right) are keen to get the balling rolling as the school will host the first regional of the 2023 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge at Riverside Hockey Club on Saturday 11 March.

All the games will last 20 minutes with play only running one way. A win earns the successful team 4 points, a draw with goals sees both teams notch up 2 points, a goalless draw only a single point for both teams and finally, a loss registering zero points for the unsuccessful team.

Four teams have raised the Durban North Regional trophy, with hosts Fatima featuring the most at the Grand Finals, with their name engraved four times on the trophy. They are also the defending champs in this year’s regional. Danville Park Girls’ High has made three appearances at the conclusion to the ten regional tournament. Ashton International College dominated this region in the early days, and every year is a livewire of a threat on the turf, and most recently, Crawford La Lucia wowed fans with their fantastic flair.

In a weekend filled with exciting hockey action, the following day (12 March) the challenge heads to Thomas More College for the highly competitive Highway Regional.

All action will be streamed live on either the SuperSport Schools’ Mobile App or their website.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow their Instagram account.

 ENDS

I heart Market – 15 years on! Saturday, 4 March: 08:30 to 14:00 Ballito

The iconic I heart Market, which recently celebrated its 15th birthday, will take place on Saturday 4 March at Sugar Rush Park in Ballito from 08:30 to 14:00.

The first market was held in 2008 on the pavements outside the St Mary's Church Hall, next to the then Beanbag Bohemia in Morningsde, Durban. 

Owner of the market Anna Savage says, “We started off with 12 stall-holders ranging from ceramics, silver jewellery, clothing and homemade deli goods. But it grew quickly, so moved into the church hall but soon outgrew that. Every time we moved venue, we would get an influx of interested traders and within 3 months we would be filled to the brim with traders. Finally, we found a home on the lawns of Moses Mabhida Stadium, where we traded for a few years, and now have found a permanent home at Sugar Rush in Ballito.”

For Anna, the success of the traders, and the positive feedback from customers, remain a constant highlight. “It’s fabulous seeing people’s businesses grow. Special connections are made between customer and trader at the market, it’s a very personal experience. That's the magic of markets where you are meeting the maker rather than shopping in malls.”

The market offers a wide range of hand-crafted goods including jewellery and accessories, leather goods, artisanal foods and deli goods, ceramics, visual arts, décor, and clothing.

“These kinds of markets are so good for the small business economy," says Anna. “The direct contact to both customers, and other traders and the connections that are made by the traders is what makes this such a robust small business environment. It’s a great feedback loop. Our traders get feedback from the customer, they can see what products are preferred, and they get appreciation either through sales or praise for the work they have done. That counts for a lot.”

According to Anna, creating a curated platform for unique and interesting locally-made products, and not allowing products that are imported or mass manufactured, into the mix, has been the consistent reason for the market’s success. “Customers and traders can be assured of top quality goods being traded here.”

The Market is situated at Sugar Rush, next to Collisheen Estate in Ballito. There is a restaurant at the venue, a kids’ play area, mini-train, a reptile park, Jump Park, the Tree Trails obstacle course, and a Park Run every Saturday morning. 

For more information, or to enquire about possible trading contact info@iheartmkt.com 

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SPAR Women's Challenge Back with a Bang

Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa: The SPAR Women’s Challenge series is back with a bang and changes to the rules and prizes in the associated SPAR Grand Prix offer local runners massive new financial incentives.

For the first time since 2019, the SPAR Women’s Challenge races will be open to thousands of women in each of the six cities nationwide.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, no races were run in 2020. In 2021, SPAR came to the rescue of the elite runners by hosting six races in a limited format. This was done in accordance with Covid-19 protocols giving the top runners an opportunity to compete and to earn money. 

Social runners were able to take part in a SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge, running on their own and sharing their experiences online.

In 2022, the six races were spread out over six months, but numbers remained limited, with social runners once again taking part in a Virtual Challenge. 

The 2023 SPAR Women’s Challenge will return to its original format and will again be open to thousands of women runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. The popular 5km Fun Run is back and will be staged alongside the classic SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge, which incorporates the prestigious SPAR Grand Prix.

Former SPAR Grand Prix winner, Kesa Molotsane, is thrilled that the races are once again open to all.  “The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge was a brilliant idea, but there is nothing quite like a real SPAR Women’s Challenge event,’ she said. ‘It’s so exciting to encounter the different cultures and personalities at these races.  We were very grateful to SPAR that we were able to compete during the pandemic, but I think we all missed the festive atmosphere that always surrounds the SPAR Women’s Challenges.”

Kesa added, “I am looking forward to seeing new, exciting talent that always emerges every year. There may have been runners who couldn’t run in the restricted races but now have the chance to show what they can do.”

SPAR Group’s National Sponsorship and Events Manager, Charlene Subbarayan, is also delighted that the SPAR Women’s Challenges will once again involve thousands of women. “SPAR is all about promoting healthy living and good health means a healthy lifestyle so what better way, than to get everyone out in the open air, training for the SPAR Women’s Challenge series. The SPAR Women’s Challenge offers us a way of thanking our customers by providing them with a day of fun and entertainment, with plenty of spot prizes at all the races,” she said. 

“We are so happy that we can once again welcome thousands of women of all ages to our 10km races and 5km Fun Runs. Our target national entry is 70 000 women in 2023,” added Subbarayan.    

The President of Athletics South Africa (ASA), James Moloi, said the SPAR Women’s Challenge series is an important part of the South African athletics calendar. “Many women get a taste for running after training to take part in these unique women-only races. The SPAR Grand Prix races also offer the elite runners an opportunity to test themselves and the presence of international athletes, who are drawn to the race by the lucrative prize money. This has spurred our domestic runners to improve their times,” he said.    

In the SPAR Grand Prix, there are several exciting developments. In recent years, the dominance of athletes from Ethiopia and Namibia has made it difficult for the South Africans to earn the top prizes. This year, local athletes will win prizes in addition to the overall prize pool. In the 6 races, the first 2 South Africans across the finish line will win R10 000 and R5 000 respectively. They are eligible to collect the overall prizes as well, starting at R30 000 for a win, R25 000 for second place and R21 000 for third.

The prize pool for the overall SPAR Grand Prix has been similarly structured. The winner will receive R200 000, second place R100 000 and the prizes go down to tenth place. This year there will also be a separate ‘competition within a competition’ for South African athletes, with the 5 top local runners taking home a total of R185 000 in addition to the money they win in the overall SPAR Grand Prix. First place will score a handsome R75 000.

The total prize purse across the SPAR Grand Prix is now R1.9 million, 14% up on 2022.

Another important change comes in the number of races to count for the final points table. In previous years, the total points scored by an athlete over the 6 races counted. This, however, placed runners who had to miss 1 or 2 races because of international commitments or injury at a disadvantage. This year, a runner’s four best performances in the SPAR Grand Prix races will count for points. This means that a runner can miss two races and still be competitive.

The SPAR Women’s Challenge series incorporating the SPAR Grand Prix 10km races will be held in Cape Town, Gqeberha, Durban, Mbombela, Tshwane and Johannesburg.

Ends.

2023 SPAR GRAND PRIX CALENDAR

Cape Town – Sunday, 23 April 2023 – Green Point Common

Gqeberha – Saturday, 27 May 2023 – Pollok Beach, Summerstrand

Durban – Sunday, 25 June 2023 – Kings Park Stadium

Mbombela – Saturday, 15 July 2023 – Mbombela Stadium

Tshwane – Saturday, 5 August 2023 – SuperSport Park

Joburg – Sunday, 1 October 2023 – Marks Park Sporting Club

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge 2023 Dates Announced

Having a ball. Dates for the 2023 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge have been drawn up with the tournament travelling to ten regions in KZN beginning in the first week in March.

The tournament that began in 2011 has fast become a highlight fixture in the schoolgirls’ hockey calendar. Close to 75 high school girls’ first teams will be taking to the various hockey fields around KZN in the tournament’s 13th year. 

Launching the 2023 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that tips off next month (March) are Nozipho Mkhize (SPAR KZN’s Advertising & Sponsorship Manager) and Les Galloway (Director of SchoolGirl Sport and Tournament Director). Pic by Val Adamson

The ten regionals will take place over three months early in the year, with a two-month break before the highly contested Grand Finals that will take place at St Mary’s DSG on the weekend of 22 and 23 July. The ten crowned 2023 regional champions will head to Kloof to duel it out on the astro for the highly coveted winning title of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge. The trophy has only three names engraved on it over the ten years that it has been played. They are Durban Girls’ College - Durban Central Regional Winner -2013, 2014, 2015, 2022; St Anne’s College – Pietermaritzburg North Regional Winner – 2011 and St Mary’s D.S.G. – Highway Regional Winner - 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. 

Building momentum to the Grand Finals, the first regional tournament tips off with defending champions in the Durban North Regional, Our Lady of Fatima welcoming teams on Saturday 11 March at their ‘home turf’, the Riverside Sports Club. Thomas More College hosts the fierce and fiery Highway Regional on Sunday 12 March at their grounds. 

Kuswag Hoërskool opens up the April diary with the Durban South Regional that they will host at the 3 Schools Trust Astro in Glenwood on Saturday 15 April. The following day – Sunday 16 April - Durban Girls’ High School welcomes teams from the Durban Central Regional back to their home ground at the 3 Schools Trust Astro. Heading up the road, teams around Hilton will converge at St Anne’s College for the Pietermaritzburg North Regional on Saturday 22 April. And in the final back-to-back weekend in 2023, the challenge heads down the South Coast to Creston College for the Sisonke and Ugu Regional on Sunday 23 April. 

On Saturday 6 May, St Dominic’s School will see teams from around Newcastle and surrounds taking to their astro for the KZN Northern Regional. The tournament heads inland to Wartburg Kirchdorf School on Saturday 13 May for the uMvoti and oThukela Regional. For the penultimate regional Epworth School hosts the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional on Sunday 14 May. And in its familiar spot, Grantleigh College in Empangeni rounds off the 2023 Challenge with teams partaking in the Northern KZN Coastal Regional on Saturday 20 May. 

For spectators that are unable to get to the side of the pitch, the ten regionals and the Grand Finals will be live streamed by SuperSport Schools on their mobile app or website.

For more info on the tournaments, like the Facebook page, or follow on Instagram. 

ENDS

Online Film Facilitation Course Highlights the Power of Film to Drive Change

“Change is possible. And a well-crafted film with a powerful message shown to a relevant audience can be a catalyst for positive change in society.” This is the big take-out from alumni of the inaugural online Film Impact Screening Facilitation Course offered by Cape Town-based media organisation Sunshine Cinema and the UCT Centre for Film and Media Studies in 2022.

Its success, along with the growing need for societal shifts, has resulted in the course becoming an annual feature on the film and social justice landscape.  The 2023 online course will run from June 1 to December 8, 2023. It will equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to use film as a tool to initiate meaningful discussions and have a positive impact on societal issues.

Sihle Hlophe

South African Sihle Hlophe, graduate of the course who is Executive Producer at Passion Seed Communications, a film-driven social enterprise said, “The course…affirmed what I have always believed – that film is an effective tool for social change. I am inspired by the filmmakers who are using their films to create paradigm shifts, influence changes in policy, hold people in power accountable, and change the lives of their documentary subjects. Through the course, I had the privilege of meeting some of these filmmakers such as Rehad Desai, Anita Khanna, and Emily Wanja.”

Hlophe hopes that her recent award-winning film “Lobola, A Bride's True Price?" will bear the fruits of the course having secured five impact screenings around the country with Sunshine Cinema: “The impact campaign of “Lobola”  is aimed at empowering women with important information about their marital rights, men too. This course has helped tremendously in developing a strategy for this.” 

Le Roux Schoeman,

Le Roux Schoeman, a video journalist and editor working for the faith-based NGO Kerkbode, and an alumnus of the course said that he had “very little understanding of how content "lands" in real life ... in the communities where it was shot, for instance. So the course concept (How to facilitate screenings) appealed to me as a natural extension of working with video on social impact and human interest stories.”

Debbie Walters

Another alumni  New York-based producer Debbie Walters said “A powerful takeaway for me was that change is brought about by ordinary people every day. When we look at change as a process rather than an event and position ourselves as part of the solution rather than just restating the problem, there is great power in what we can do even as one person.  When it comes to the change I'd like to inspire within the film production community itself., I'm looking forward to sparking conversation about what is happening within my own community by creating safe spaces to encourage dialogue.”

Denis Onyodi

Ugandan creative Denis Onyodi, whose vision is to impact his “world through creative and relevant visual content” did the course in 2022 and said that the overall take-out for him was that he got an understanding of the impact eco-system and how he could have a lot of control over this to achieve the greatest impact for his work.

A highlight for Denis was “meeting like-minded professionals from Kenya, South Africa, and South America and being able to discuss areas of shared interests.”

Joan Njeri

Kenyan producer, Joan Njeri said, “Figuring out how to do an impact campaign and the practical side was really interesting for me. Anyone who has a goal to work in a community should do this course.”

“The course is open to anyone wanting to learn more about how to use film as a means to make change,” explains Sydelle Willow Smith Sunshine Cinema co-founder, and lecturer. “These could be locally-based issues for example service delivery or gangsterism, or bigger global issues such as climate change, and food security. But what is vital is that people, once having watched a film, are able to have robust and open discussions with a facilitator, with the aim to help or galvanize a community into positive action.”

Well-known story-tellers, film producers and directors, activists, writers, community leaders and university lecturers who have used their skills to effectively make change will be lecturing the course.

Participants will learn the methods and processes for hosting impactful screenings and will leave with a toolkit and a network of peers and mentors to support their future efforts.

There is a fee for the course, but several scholarships are available to participants who merit the opportunity. 

Applications must be in by 31 March 2023.

For more information or to enroll visit 

https://sunshinecinema.org/2023-uct-impact-course-application/

FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY travels to Kenya at the end of February 2023

Durban’s much-loved FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY heads to Kenya on 24 February for a two-week exchange project with Nairobi and Siaya based DANCE INTO SPACE. The exchange comes out of a large project headed by Dr. Lliane Loots (Artistic Director of FLATFOOT) and Prof. Yvette Hutchison (Warwick University, UK) that is setting up a network of African choreographers, researches and dancers called the African Disability Dance Network (ADDN). Funded by a two-year grant from UKRI – AHRC, that will be officially launching digitally on Tuesday 20 February.

FLATFOOT’s Jabu Siphika

Alongside a portfolio of award-winning performance work, FLATFOOT’s integrated dance work has seen it nationally spearhead work with dancers with Down Syndrome, and its numerous programmes with dancers with physical disabilities. FLATFOOT travel to Kenya to share and learn from sister dance company DANCE INTO SPACE (DIS) headed by Ondiege Matthew. DIS, whose work has seen them collaborate with artist from Birmingham Rep (UK) and whose work is supported by Amnesty International, offer a mission to share artistic skills with people from all walks of life and to create work that cross all sorts of borders – both physical, cultural and social.

Loots and Matthew met first in Nairobi in 2019 and have kept a strong connection over the lock down years and now finally get to meet in a dance studio. Loots says, “I cannot begin to say how excited I am by this opportunity to work with Ondiege. He is a man whose dance work and vison are blazing trails in Africa. While our friendship is strong, being able to move together and share creative energy is a dream.  I remain so humbled by Ondiege’s agenda to create deeply humanising integrated dance practices in Africa – I am looking forward to learning from him!”

Lliane Loots and Ondiege Matthew

Loots travels to Kenya with three of the senior FLATFOOT dancers, Sifiso Khumalo, Jabu Siphika and Zinhle Nzama, where they will engage in a full daily programme of shared classes and training and begin to work on joint choreography with their Kenyan counterparts.

In a rounding off of this exchange, Matthew and some of his DIS Kenyan dancers will travel to Durban, South Africa,  to the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience (hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu Natal in 2024 to share their work with South African audience and dancers.

-ends

Durban FilmMart 2023 - Selected Animation Projects Announced

The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) is pleased to announce the 8 animation projects that have been selected for this year’s Durban FilmMart. 

“Animation has been noted by Forbes Magazine as one of the fastest growing sectors in the creative industry across Africa over the past few years”, says Magdalene Reddy, DFMI Director. “Against this backdrop the annual Durban FilmMart (DFM) will for the second year include animation projects in development in its Pitch and Finance Forum. Positioned as the premier film market in Africa, the DFM is perfectly placed to provide a platform for animation content creators to meet potential collaborators and financiers, thereby contributing to the continuing growth of animation on the continent.” 

The official DFM Animation project teams from across the continent are currently preparing their pitches for DFM 2023 will take place from 21 to 24 July 2023 as an in-person event in Durban, South Africa. 

Official DFM Animation Projects: 

● Azania Rises: Season 1 (South Africa), producers: Dr. Farayi Chinyanga andFatuma Abdullah and director: Farisai Kavayi 
● Boy Boi (Kenya), producers: Shadrack Munene & J. Njogu Macharia and director J.Njogu Macharia 
● Between heaven and earth (Entre ciel et terre) (Tunisia), producer, Sarra BenHassen and director, Nadia Rais 
● My BIG name (South Africa), producers: Busisiwe Ntintili, Mpumi Sinxoto &Amanda Zungu and director: Lebogang Sekwelenkwe 
● NALEDI (South Africa), producer: Lesego Vorster, co producers: Valentin Maupinand Aristote Douroudakis and director:Lola Aikins 
● Spiky to the Core (زين) (Egypt), producer and director: Nermeen Salem

● SOLA (South Africa), producers AJ Pitre, Thandiwe Mlauli and director: ThandiweMlauli

● The Passport of Mallam Ilia (Nigeria), producer: Ferdinand Adimefe and director: Chekwube Okonkwo 

Each team has been assigned an individual mentor who will give them the tools to pitch and the confidence to navigate the market, which includes one on one meetings with decision-makers from across the world. In addition to this, each team has access to an 8 week masterclass series, presented by DFMI which began in mid January. The masterclass series is specifically structured to upskill and prepare filmmakers for the international marketplace and will be presented by Beth Parker, Terence Maluleke, Aseye Tamakloe and Mounia Aram, just to name a few. The series covers creative elements such as story development, character development and visual representation as well as business elements such as distribution and finance planning. 

At the end of the 8-week masterclass series, selected project teams will then be invited to participate in the Road to Annecy Animation Incubation Programme presented by DFMI’s animation partners, Digital Lab Africa (DLA), Tshimologong Precinct and Cape Town International Animation Film Festival (CTIAF). 

The 8 official animation projects in development will be presented to a panel of international decision-makers consisting of potential co-producers, broadcasters, film funds, and distributors at the 14th Durban FilmMart Pitch and Finance Forum. 

The Durban FilmMart Institute receives principal funding from the Durban Film Office and the eThekwini Municipality. 

The Durban FilmMart animation programme is supported by the project “Cultural and Creative Industries” which is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut. It improves employment and income opportunities for creative professionals in six partner countries; Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa and operates mainly in the music, fashion, design and animation sectors. In addition to promoting the development of entrepreneurial, digital, creative and technical skills through training programmes, the project aims to strengthen the framework conditions and the ecosystem of the cultural and creative industries. 

For further information contact info@durbanfilmmart.com

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Climate Communication: Creatives gathered in Cape Town to address the crisis

Climate Story Lab ZA participants, mentors, and guest speakers gathered in Cape Town from 22 to 26 January to develop and amplify 9 creative projects that address the climate crisis.

This 4-day residential lab brought together creative leads from Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and South Africa. The aim was to strengthen the potential of each project to reach and move a particular target audience. Over the course of the lab project leads got to present their work to a room full of key people engaged deeply in different aspects of climate crisis mitigation and adaptation work.

Vivian Chuene, Content Partnerships Manager at TikTok Africa

Projects included theatre, documentary film, podcast and virtual reality. Full details of these projects can be found on the CSL ZA website : https://climatestorylabza.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/cslza23-project-info-pack.pdf

Mentors at the Lab represented a diverse range of voices from various disciplines, areas of interest and expertise who are changing the way the world sees and engages with the climate crisis. 

Included in the line-up of experts and mentors were:

• South African Human Rights and Environmental Activist Kumaran “Kumi” Naidoo, who served as Executive Director of Greenpeace International; and is a Special Advisor to the Green Economy Coalition and Senior Advisor for the Community Arts Network (CAN).

• South African social justice activist Zackie Achmat, known for his activism in health, education, queer rights, spatial justice, commuter rail and recently energy / electricity.

• Award-winning Kenyan impact producer Emily Wanja  who has worked with policymakers across national and county governments, private stakeholders, funders, civil society, and communities, using film as a tool for advocacy. 

• South African science writer and author Leonie Joubert who focuses on environmental and social justice issues, climate and environmental collapse.

• Lesotho-born Pascalinah Kabi, the author of Pollution, Profits and the People - an incendiary book that exposes the ugly reality of water mismanagement in Lesotho. 

• Zimbabwean Kudzayi Ngwerume, formerly from Greenpeace, and now the Communications & Engagement Manager with the Urban Movement Innovation Fund (UMI Fund), who supported this lab. 

• Professor Susan Levine,Head of the University of Cape Town’s Department of Anthropology, whose research spans visual and medical anthropology, with an interest in the role of the arts in health care settings. 

• Vivian Chuene, Content Partnerships Manager at TikTok Africa, who supports partners and creators in Entertainment in the Southern African region. According to her the hashtag #ClimateChange has had more than 4.3 billion engagements, demonstrating people around the world are looking for climate stories.

• Award-winning playwright, activist story-teller and co-founder of Empatheatre, Neil Coppen, who shared the 5-year journey of their theatre production  Lalela ulwandle, that has supported transformative governance of our oceans from community activations to Cop27 and engagements with United Nations agencies

• Elaine Maane (Zambia), Regional Training Coordinator at STEPS, is responsible for programme development, regional network partner training and mentorship in using film as a tool for change. 

• Nazeer Sonday (South Africa), a regenerative farmer, entrepreneur, social and environmental justice activist and chairman of the Philippi Horticultural Area Food & Farming Campaign.

• Xoli Fuyani, a South African environmental education consultant and Founder of the Black Girls Rising NPO and Lisakhanya Mathiso a youth climate activist based in Cape Town and Communications Intern at 90by2030.

• The well-known mobile solar cinema NPO Sunshine Cinema was represented by their Programmes Director Rene Weston, and Nontokozo Sibanyoni, a graduate of the UCT Sunshine Cinema Impact Facilitator online short course. 

“After spending three intense days in the same space with the creatives, activists and strategists I can tell you that these 9 projects are going to hit the target with audiences. It was a ‘1 + 1 = 3’ experience, where having everyone together in the same space elevated all the stories and distribution strategies,” says Dr Liani Maasdorp, CSL ZA co-director, impact consultant and UCT film lecturer.  “It can be exhausting and demoralising working in this field, constantly facing the devastating impacts of climate change and the ordinary people who are least responsible for generating harmful emissions. Hearing the stories of those who are generating climate adaptation and mitigation strategies from the African continent inspired us and re-invigorated everyone to continue their work with even more passion.”

The residential Climate Story Lab ZA is supported by the UMI Fund and hosted by the UCT Centre for Film and Media Studies in partnership with Doc Society and the Climate Story Unit.

For more information go to: https://climatestorylabza.org/

I heart Market 4 February at Sugar Rush Park , Ballito, North Coast

After a successful move north of Durban in time for last year’s Festive Season the  I heart Market offers a sale market on Saturday 4 February at Sugar Rush Park in Ballito from 08:30 to 14:00. 

The I heart Market is considered an iconic KZN artisanal retail experience that has gained a reputation for its high-quality hand-crafted and designed goods that include delicious foods, jewellery, and accessories, leather goods, ceramics, visual arts, décor, and clothing.

Delicious condiments

"After a really productive festive season, it’s now time for our traditional “January” sale in February – one of two sale markets we host,” says Anna Savage owner and manager of the market. “This is an opportunity for customers to pick up some top quality locally made products, and for our traders to move their end-of-range products in order to make space for fresh new products and designs for our March market.”

Quirky hand crafted decor ideas

The Market is situated at Sugar Rush, next to Collisheen Estate in Ballito. There is a restaurant at the venue, a kids’ play area, a mini-train, a reptile park, Jump Park, the Tree Trails obstacle course, and a Park Run every Saturday morning. 

Gorgeous hand made toys

For more information, or to enquire about possible trading contact info@iheartmkt.com 

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Eye-opening documentary on brutal British torture used during Kenya’s War for Independence for Al Jazeera English

The shocking story of how Britain used torture in its war against the Kenyan anti-colonialist Mau Mau movement in the 1950s is exposed in an eye-opening documentary A Very British Way of Torture to be aired on Al Jazeera English from 8 December.

Directed by Edward McGown and produced by Rogan Films, the film is a co-production with Britain’s Channel 4 and Al Jazeera English, and premiered on Channel 4 earlier this year.

Between 1952 and 1960, Britain fought a brutal war in Kenya against the Mau Mau – a movement fighting for Kenyan independence from colonial rule. It was an exceptionally bloody conflict, with atrocities committed on both sides. 

For decades, however, many of the worst abuses carried out by British colonial forces have been kept hidden.

The filmmakers drew on a vast archival cache of thousands of files, hidden for more than 50 years by MI5 and MI6 relating to the end of the “empire” that came to light during a High Court case in 2013 brought by Mau Mau veterans, pleading compensation for torture.

Gitu Wa Kahengeri Chairman Mau Mau War Veterans Associations who is interviewed in A Very British Way of Torture

Piecing together survivor testimonies and expert analysis from a team of British and Kenyan historians, this film sheds new light on shocking new evidence. Telling a complete story of how Britain was involved in a regime of systematic torture – including accounts of murders, rapes and forced castrations.

“This may well also be the last time we hear from some of the voices of the surviving Mau Mau war veterans,” say producers at Rogan Films.  “Finally, we can show how some of their testimony about the British use of torture, for so long disputed by the authorities, is in fact true.”

“These are stories that simply have to be told,” says Fiona Lawson Baker, Executive Producer, AJE Witness. “They form part of a bigger picture of an evolving world in which the atrocities of the past, are compelled to the surface so that apologies, forgiveness and understanding can support a healing process that is so urgently needed.”

The documentary can be accessed on Al Jazeera English streaming service,Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@aljazeeraenglish/featured or online https://www.aljazeera.com/videos/documentary/

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Focus on Fans in Al Jazeera English Series to complement World Cup Football Viewing

Six short documentaries focussing on the fans behind football teams in Brazil, Morocco, Germany, Indonesia and the UK, are now streaming in a series - The Fans Who Make Football - on Al Jazeera English during the World Cup, as part of a celebration of the beautiful game, and an acknowledgment of the people who support and “live” for their teams.

 The series is produced and directed by UK-based Clover Films, with Mike Healy, Jamie Doran, Tracey Doran-Carter, Yeni Artanti and Leila Lak in various roles. Now enjoying its second airing, the series opens a window to what drives the passion of the supporters and, in many cases, the social justice and humanitarian motives that underpin the game for these fans on their home turf.

The Fans who Make Football explores how the old adage that “football is more than just a game” comes to life. The series digs into what drives the supporters. Whether it be standing up for the working class, labour rights, gender equality, or making a statement against global injustices, the films look at how the game pulls like-minded people together, creating a focus for their passion and opportunities to make a difference.

 Liverpool FC

At Liverpool FC, we learn why the anthem “You’ll Never Walk Alone” - Liverpool Football Club’s war cry for the underprivileged - rings loud and in unison at every Liverpool match. For fans, it is about more than football. It is a fight for equality, social justice, and a voice for the UK’s often ignored working-class. Despite the money behind the multimillion-dollar game, Liverpool has remained a team that continues to put the people before profit.

FC St Pauli 

FC St Pauli explores why the German club, established in Hamburg in 1910, has garnered so much attention across the globe. Its unwavering fandom has been cultivated over decades and gives the club a unique identity in the world of football. Proudly anti-establishment, St Pauli supporters are united in compassion always standing up for oppressed people and those least privileged. It is seen as a beacon of hope in the midst of Europe’s rising far-right movements

Glasgow’s  Celtic FC

Glasgow’s  Celtic FC looks at the social dimensions behind the team that holds British and European attendance records. While football may lead the passion for Celtic FC, its supporters are driven by much more than just the sport. Founded in 1887 to help poor Irish immigrants in Glasgow, the charitable side of Celtic continues to this day. The fans fund schools and clinics for poor people across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe as well as the Middle East. They have made their voices heard in some of history’s greatest human rights struggles. Nelson Mandela himself applauded Celtic fans for their campaign against apartheid in South Africa, and today the Palestinian cause is among the issues gripping the club’s fanbase.

 PSS Sleman 

In  PSS Sleman we meet the supporters who have redefined the profile of the football fan throughout Indonesia. Women make up the core of the club’s most passionate supporters, giving PSS Sleiman a unique voice in the world of football. The film follows the Slemani Ultras, superfans who are challenging long-held cultural norms.

Raja Casablanca AC

In Morocco, we see how Raja Casablanca AC’s home turf, The Mohammed V football stadium, holds more than just a sporting legacy. Each match has become a platform for protest against the country’s social, economic, and political injustices. The club’s huge popularity garners substantial coverage and in turn offers wide media coverage to these protests across the region. These voices of defiance would not go unpunished in any other context. The film explores the club’s history as an outlet for the city’s working-class, making it such an icon for political defiance.

Boca Junior FC

Finally in  Boca Junior FC, we meet super-fans as they reveal how and why they have become the voice of the common man and woman in Buenos Aires. In the city that is home the more football clubs than any other in the world, the film explores the special relationship between the team, its fans and the rest of Argentina.

The documentaries can be accessed on Al Jazeera English streaming service, Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@aljazeeraenglish/featured or online https://www.aljazeera.com/videos/documentary/

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Doccies on rights and wisdom of First Nations, and the inextricable link to the ever-growing climate crisis, in new documentaries on Al Jazeera English

Whether it be environmental disaster or extractive development, often it’s the indigenous First Nation peoples around the world who are on the frontlines – whose lives, communities and very existence are under threat.  In First Nations Frontline, a new series which recently started airing on Al Jazeera English, indigenous people from Australia, Sweden, Colombia and North America invite audiences into their worlds, revealing the realities and consequences of the rampant capitalism and human greed which contributes to the climate crisis.

The Starry Night Toad directed by Kata Karáth

Providing a glimmer of hope as the world navigates the climate crisis, Colombian Arhuaco leader Ruperto Chaparro Villafaña teams up with scientists to save the critically endangered Starry Night Harlequin Toad in Colombia, in The Starry Night Toad directed by Kata Karáth.  They work to unite indigenous and western scientific knowledge to understand the role of the toads in the unique ecosystem of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the world's highest coastal mountain and the sacred land of the Arhuaco people.  The life cycle of the frog helps determine when to cultivate and harvest different crops – the reason this species is a flagship for their community-based project. Chaparro Villafaña must also defend their territory against illegal land grabbers, even as he’s working with scientists to find the cure for a deadly fungus that threatens all Harlequin toad species in the Neo-tropics.

The Torres Strait: Swallowed by the Sea 

The Torres Strait: Swallowed by the Sea directed by Theopi Skarlatos, looks at the Torres Strait Islanders’ class action against climate change. Climate change is causing catastrophic damage to the Torres Strait Islands. Fearful of losing their homes, the islanders sue the Australian government – but this is just the beginning. Refusing to be silenced, this is the story of how a father and son are letting the world know of their plight. 

In Black Butterflies: The Cost of Going Green

In Black Butterflies: The Cost of Going Green  directed by Saila Huusko, father and daughter Mikael and Sara Elvira fight against what they believe is Sweden’s exploitation of their land and resources, in the name of Sweden’s green agenda. Their community, the Sami, believe natural resources should only be used when necessary because, without them, humans will cease to exist. This film is their journey as they lobby climate activists and the Swedish government demanding the protection of their way nomadic way of life. 

Native Nation: Voices of Survival 

Moving to North America, the Navajo Nation offer valuable knowledge to mitigate the effects of climate change on their sacred lands in Native Nation: Voices of Survival directed by Ali Sargeant Sam Liebmann. Two Native American writers take us on a road trip to meet a community of fellow indigenous activists who are fighting to protect their land. They use traditional knowledge and ideas, and hope to influence the world’s approach to save the environment. 

“The issue of the environment and the struggles of First Nation people often go hand in hand, and certainly we have seen this in the recent COP27 deliberations in Egypt,” says Farid Barsoum, Executive Producer of the First Nations Frontlines series for AL Jazeera. “ Indigenous people  are often the first to bear the brunt of our environmental failures. We commissioned this series in the hope that several of these stories will collectively illuminate some of these issues, providing valuable insights for a global audience.”

The documentaries can be accessed on Al Jazeera English streaming service, Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@aljazeeraenglish/featured or online https://www.aljazeera.com/videos/documentary/

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Action in Autism hosts its annual market on 10 December 2022

Action in Autism (NPO) will host its annual market on Saturday, 10 December, at their premises, 105 Haig Road, Parkhill, Durban North from 9 am to 2 pm.  This has become a much-anticipated annual event that the students of the Action in Autism’s Shahumna Centre, a skills transfer and business hub, have been hard at work, preparing for.

The Shahumna Centre offers a three-year skills and entrepreneurship programme for autistic adults. The programme focuses on areas such as food preparation and catering, horticultural crop gardening and indigenous plant propagation, and arts and crafts.

“The students of the Centre have developed their skills to plan, prepare and manage the various steps associated with a successful market," said Ashvir Dalu, manager of the Shahumna Centre. “The academic curriculum offers theoretical knowledge on running a business and this market provides them with an opportunity to engage with the community and put into practice the skills they have learnt. The support of the community is pivotal to the success of the market.

The organisation is calling on the local community and the greater Durban area to support the market, and our autistic students. This market is a step towards promoting an inclusive, neurodiverse society that is accepting of autistic people.

Simon Grobler, an autistic student at the centre, commented “Our market is a place where people of neurodiverse backgrounds can experience an exciting day with family and friends, while also shopping for different items and food. It enables us as neurodiverse individuals to interact with others on a professional level and financially support this organisation that ultimately supports neurodiverse people.”

Action in Autism’s other flagship projects includes an Early Learning Intervention Centre which provides early intervention and therapy for infants and children in a non-discriminatory, first come first serve basis. The organization’s Assessment and Therapy Wing provides comprehensive assessments and therapies and caters for all.

The market aims to raise funds essential for the operational costs of the organisation, and to continue the services offered, which include, a quarterly free diagnostic clinic, a bi-annual skills transference workshop for parents, educators and professionals, and a walk-in resource centre that provides support for parents and caregivers of autistic people.

Patrons of the market can indulge in the delicious baked goods prepared by the food production students, select fresh produce and succulent planters grown by the plant propagation team, browse through pre-loved clothing and homeware, purchase Christmas presents, and décor created by the arts and craft students, enjoy a jumping castle and simply have fun in the kiddies zone. The market will also have external vendors present, adding to the variety of items that will be on sale.

Action in Autism welcomes your support through a cash donation or resources, or through volunteering your services. If you would like to attend the market, make a donation of pre-loved clothing, plants, or household goods, book a table to trade, or for more information about the market, please call 031 563 3039, email info@actioninautism.org.za or ashvir@actioninautism.org.za.

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Opportunity for filmmakers to Develop Skills as Film Impact Screening Facilitators

Leading South African media organisation Sunshine Cinema, known for its robust approach to taking meaningful cinema to communities to support activism and impact change, together with UCT’s Centre for Film and Media Studies will once again offer an online professional development course on Film Impact Screening Facilitation from June 2023.

The course is aimed at communicators, creatives, aspiring impact producers, and purpose-driven “Gen Z’s” eager to ignite change through the screening of mostly documentary, but also fiction feature films to targeted and relevant audiences.

An example of an impact event. Well-known South African Storyteller Dr. Gcina Mhlophe gives a key note address at a Sunshine Cinema screening of the documentary “From Durban till Tomorrow” about the history of AIDS Activism, held at the KZN Art Gallery in September 2019. Photo by Rowan Pybus

“This is the second year this course has been offered in response to a growing demand by audiences and filmmakers to provide content that can impact myriad current crises and challenges the world is facing”, explains Sydelle Willow Smith, Sunshine Cinema co-founder, and course lecturer. “With this demand for content comes a call from audiences to be able to unpack, engage and work with this film content to benefit their spheres of influence and interest. The course provides tangible and workable methodologies for people to develop skills as facilitators to work with film screenings that can help guide audiences and impact this change or stimulate meaningful activism.”

 Sunshine Cinema is best placed to offer practical insights for “impact facilitators” as they have taken films to communities in Southern Africa for years, supporting producers, organisations, and creatives who have the content but lack experience in making an impact with audiences.

 “There is no doubt about it: issue-driven documentaries have increased in popularity, and filmmakers know what impact they would like to achieve by making their films, but often don’t know how to build strategies to mobilise these stories to effect change. ,” explains Miki Redelinghuys, well-known impact producer and the course co-writer and lecturer. “This is where an impact facilitator steps in to support the film in reaching the right audience and inspiring them to take action.

 The 2023 course runs from 1 June to 8 December 2023 and will cover six modules, each geared towards giving students the knowledge and confidence needed to work as a film impact screening facilitator. According to course convenor Dr Liani Maasdorp, “thanks to the combination of carefully curated inputs and written and practical assignments, students leave the course knowing how to organise, market and host a screening and facilitate a meaningful conversation with the audience about the issue shown in the film. This important work aims to positively influence people’s perceptions and behaviour around issues including human rights, social justice, and the climate crisis.”

 The six-month, 100% online, professional development course comprises weekly self-paced lessons on the UCT online learning platform, most of which culminate in a virtual class that “allows students to engage with influential movement builders, impact producers, and filmmakers from South Africa, Africa and beyond”.

 Guest lecturers include well-known creatives, activists, and impact producers including globally renowned and award-winning story-teller Gcina Mhlophe (SA), film director and activist Zackie Achmat (SA), impact campaign specialist Rowan Pybus (SA), producer and cultural activist Sir Vince Manzini (SA), UCT senior lecturer, impact producer and activist Dr Liani Maasdorp (SA), writer, producer, impact producer Anita Khanna (SA), filmmaker, writer, and producer Judy Kibinge (Kenya), filmmaker, community leader, and founder of Sierra Leone’s first media-makers union Arthur Pratt, and Indian filmmaker Kushboo Ranka.

 At the end of the course, participants will have a series of processes, methodologies, creative ideas and examples, a practical toolkit from which to work, as well as ongoing support as alumni from the course convenors, and peers.

 The course is open globally to anyone interested in using film to affect change, and several bursaries are available to participants who merit the opportunity.

 The closing date for applications is 31 March 2023.

 For more information or to enroll visit https://sunshinecinema.org/2023-uct-impact-course-application/

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