Africa Centre

Malika Ndlovu and Lorelle Viegi, Curator and Project Manager of the newly launched Badilisha! An African Poetry X-change has announced the second event the Badilisha! 2008 calendar. This is a forum discussion entitled Poetry on the Map.

This gathering will engage role players and stakeholders in the ‘cultural tourism’ industry, as well as poets and representatives of established poetry networks and platforms in the Cape Town. The focus of the discussion will be to look at how poets as part of this city’s “hidden treasures” can better expose themselves to a market or sector other than arts and culture. Doing this could help poets and support them in sustaining themselves and their work whilst growing public /corporate /tourist understanding of what poets contribute to the cultural and social landscape of the Mother City.

The event will comprise of 2 parts:

1. Poetry Performance/Presentations: A key outcome of the event is to create broader platforms for poetry by opening up spaces for exposure and economic advancement, particularly for new voices. To this end, invited poetry group or network representatives have been asked to recommend one or two poets from their organisations or networks open the way for the discussion.

2.Guest Speakers and Forum Discussion:

Invited Guest Speakers invited are Nicole Moody (Verses & CT Tourism)
Iain Harris (Coffee Beans Routes), Zenariah Barends (Community Health Arts Trust (CHAT) and the Cape Cultural Collective). Each will give a 10min input to contextualise and catalyse the discussion, which will be facilitated by Malika Ndlovu.

Other participants have been identified in terms of their involvement in the promotion of poetry in the city or their potential for such engagement. Some of these include Bulelwa Basse (Lyrical Base Poets), Hugh Hodge (Off the Wall Poetry Sessions), Silvana Dantu (African Equations), Zayd Minty (Cape Town Partnership), Hale Tsehlane (SUPS), Diana Ferrus (UWC Poetry Society), Pamela Qasana (CPUT) Ingrid Fiske (Centre for Extra-Mural Studies) Gus Ferguson (Snail Press) Suzy Bell (John Brown Publishing) Sean Germond (Pygmalion) Astara Mwakalumbwa (Poetry Delight), Marcia Raymond & Rheina Epstein (City Library Poetry Group), Anne Schuster (Women Writing Workshops), Keith Gottschalk (Landsdowne Local Poetry), Shelley Barry (CTV), Brian Currin (Brian Currin Online Marketing & Rhythm Records), Marianne Thamm (Theatre SA), Beryl Eichenberger (Mothercity Bookfest & Hippo Communications).

Participants are invited to engage in the facilitated forum discussion to promote the sharing of information, resources and skills, aiming to stimulate and encouraging wider communication and networking between the participants and the larger sectors they represent.  Ultimately towards greater support and access to work opportunities for poets as well as the creation or more efficient implementation of mutually beneficial programmes/projects in Cape Town and beyond.

The overall event will be recorded and key points raised and recommendations emerging from the forum discussion will later be circulated to all participants, so that a substantial information resource is created and the exchange extends beyond this gathering.

POETRY ON THE MAP : PROGRAMME

13 December 2008,

First Floor, 44 Long Street, Cape Town.

14:00 – 15h00      Guest Poets’ performances/presentations

15:00 – 15h30      Presentations from 3 invited guest speakers:
Nicole Moody, Iain Harris, Zenariah Barends

15h30 - 16:30     Open Discussion

16h30         Refreshments Served

17:00            Close

Facilitator – Malika Ndlovu

On the 23rd November, the Africa Centre and Dark Lunch Media hosted an Intimate Tribute to Miriam Makeba at the Africa Centre at 44 Long Street.

Mama Africa’s inspiring life was aptly celebrated with song, poetry and footage from the 1959 classic black and white film Come Back, Africa. Performers on the night included Busi Mhlongo, Malika Ndlovu, Ernie Dean, Tina Schouw, Nhoza Sitsholwana, Nomfusi Gotyana and DJ Ntone.

The Africa Centre is proud to present The Crossing, the incredible true life journey of Jonathan Khumbulani Nkala from Zimbabwe into South Africa. Award-winning actress, director and voice coach Bo Petersen directs, and written and performed by 28 year old Jonathan Khumbulani Nkala.

This inspiring tale will play at The Gymnasium, above the new Space Theatre, 44 Long Street from the 20-22 Nov, 26-29 Nov and 3-6 Dec at 20:15; Saturday matinees at 15:00.
Bookings: Computicket - 083 915 8000 - www.computicket.com
Ticket price:  R50

On the 11th November, the Africa Centre launched the Artist’s Handbook: a Guide to the Business of the Arts. The Artist’s handbook was conceived, compiled and published by the Africa Centre, in collaboration with VANSA.

Advocate Brenda Madumise, Chairperson of the Board of the National Arts Council, and Ismail Mahomed, Director of the National Arts Festival were the guest speakers at the event that also marked the launch of the Africa Centre at its new premises at 44 Long Street, Cape Town. For a copy of Ismail Mahomed’s speech, click here (africa-centre-speech_ismail-mahomed).

Copies of The Artist’s Handbook cost R50 and are available from the Africa Centre offices. Contact Ethel on 021 422 0468 or info@africacentre.net

The Africa Centre has officially launched its presence in the heart of the city of Cape Town. The new home for the Africa Centre is on the 1st Floor, 44 Long Street, Cape Town.

44 Long Street is a historic building better known as the Space Theatre, which was established in 1972. This has been revived as the New Space Theatre. Part of Cape Town’s most vibrant street, 44 Long Street will function as a mini arts precinct and will be a hive of activity from 9 am until late. Africa Centre intends to be an integral, driving part of this initiative and will host arts activities, discussions, workshops, and exhibitions. To read more, click here.

If you wish to get in contact with us phone +27 21 422 0468/9