Mzala Nxumalo Centre presents
Perspectives through the eye of the needle.
Durban June 11; Pmb June 12; Jhb June 13; Dbn June 16
The Mzala Nxumalo Centre for the Study of South African Society (MNC) is hosting a series of events for their annual Mzala Week taking place from Monday 11 June until Saturday 16 June, with events taking place in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg.
The Mzala Nxumalo Centre for the Study of South African Society was launched in December 2015 as a non-profit organisation (NPO) to commemorate the life and works of Jabulani Nobleman Nxumalo, popularly known as Comrade Mzala – an activist, soldier, intellectual and writer who died at age of 35 on February 22, 1991 after a long illness. The Pietermaritzburg-based Centre aims to bring together left-wing students, scholars, intellectuals and political activists to research, learn, debate, read and theorise the social, economic and political dimensions of South African society, inspired by the life of Mzala Nxumalo.
For their Mzala Week – a carefully-curated programme of interesting activities have been assembled – which will take place in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Johannesburg over one week, culminating in the second Imbumba Community Festival on Youth Day, 16 June in Glenwood. The programme comprises a photographic exhibition; a conversation about the role of art in activism; a book launch; and a colloquium.
The week starts off on Monday 11 June at 5.30pm at the Durban Art Gallery with the opening of an exhibition, and a public engagement session with by famed struggle-era photographers and respected social commentators, Omar Badsha, Cedric Nunn and Rafs Mayet. An exhibition of some of their enormous body of work will be on display in the Circular Gallery for two weeks. As part of the opening session, there will be a public dialogue which considers the role of Art of Activism in which they will be examining, analysing and unpacking the role of visual arts in disrupting societal narratives and mobilising social change. Mario Pissarra, artist, academic, curator, writer, editor and founder of SA Art Initiative, will open the exhibition and lead the dialogue.
Entry is free and all are welcome to the opening and public conversation.
On Tuesday 12 June, the focus moves to Pietermaritzburg – to a sun-downer book launch starting at 5.30pm in Imbali Hall, Pietermaritzburg: the historic site where Mandela gave his last speech before being captured. Flashes in her Soul by Jean Fairbairn is about the remarkable life of Jabu Ndlovu and was originally published in 1991. The reprint features a new introduction by Debby Bonnin.
The Imbali, Pietermaritzburg home of Mrs Jabu Ndlovu, a shop steward of NUMSA (National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa) and a community leader, was attacked with a fire-bomb on Saturday, 21 May 1989. Her husband and her oldest daughter were shot dead and their house set alight. She was also shot and died later of her burns. This story shows the courage and compassion with which Jabu fought against all forms of exploitation. Her story represents the experiences of thousands of women who struggled and suffered as a result of the war in KwaZulu-Natal in the 1980s and 1990s.
Flashes in Her Soul from Jacana Media is the second book being republished as part of the Hidden Voices Project, being championed by Karin Pampallis and Prof Edward Webster, seeks to publish key texts, books, documents and other materials that were never published under apartheid or seminal books that have gone out of print. It is hoped that these recovered, lost or forgotten voices will help reinvigorate the humanities and social sciences and contribute to the decolonisation of knowledge production in South Africa and indeed throughout Africa.
Prof Eddie Webster and Karin Pampallis will launch the book and present the Hidden Voices Project. Family, friends and comrades of Jabu Ndlovu will be in attendance.
On Thursday 14 June from 5.30pm until 8pm, Mzala Week moves to Johannesburg to examine the idea: Do Foundations Bring About Any Real Change? There are at least 52 registered foundations named after individuals in South Africa. Join stakeholders in discussing their role in the South African political, social and economic landscape at a public forum.
The event takes the form of a public colloquium examining what purpose do foundations serve in our political landscape, titled Why Foundations? Activism & Change from the Armchair of Comfort. In attendance will be representatives from Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Oliver & Adelaide Tambo Foundation, Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Albert Luthuli Foundation. Venue is the WITS School of Education Staff Lounge, Education Campus, 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg.
The finale of Mzala Week will be the second day-long Imbumba Fiesta will take place in Glenwood’s Bulwer Park on Youth Day: Saturday 16 June with a winter themed market, food stalls, info stands, an open mic and concert – all with an underlying message of encouraging good neighbourliness, supporting underprivileged children and showcasing local artists and crafters.
“Currently in South Africa we experience a time of renewed hope and a realisation that corruption, most evident in the state capture debate, must be uprooted and that this is the task of both all political parties and the nation, but particularly the ANC who has been mandated by the people to govern and democratise the state. It is now evident that most people stand against corruption and can unify around the cause. The question of land however, has polarised the nation and we see both bourgeoisie middle and upper classes and the petit bourgeoisie retreating and balking at the notion of redistribution of land without compensation and at the other extreme neo-Pan Afrikinist stance manifesting and displaying the very chauvinism that Mzala cautioned against. It is against this backdrop that we embark on the Mzala Week with the theme “Crossroads”. Wither to now?” explains Derek Buchler, Chief Operating Officer of the Mzala Nxumalo Centre
For more info call 033 264 0262 / derek.buchler@mzalacentre.org.za
Listings:
Mon 11 June: 17:30 – 20:00: Durban Art Gallery – Omar Badsha, Cedric Nunn, Rafs Mayet Exhibition and Dialogue with Mario Pissarra.
Tues 12 June: 17:30: Imbali Hall, Pietermaritzburg – Flashes in Her Soul book launch. RSVP essential – eventintern@mzalacentre.org.za
Thursday 14 June: 17:30 – 20:00: Wits, Johannesburg – Colloquim: Why Foundations? Activism & Change from the Armchair of Comfort
Saturday 16 June: all day – Glenwood – Imbumba Fiesta
Programme subject to change: plse check FB page for any updates
