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Veteran South African dance-maker, Robyn Orlin, named the 2024 JOMBA! LEGACY ARTIST

The 26th annual JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, hosted by UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts, has announced that it will honour veteran South African dance-maker Robyn Orlin as the 2024 JOMBA! Legacy Artist. 

Orlin’s work we wear our wheels with pride and slap your streets with colour… we said ‘bonjour’ to satan in 1820 … will feature at JOMBA! which takes place at The Sneddon Theatre in Durban from 27 August to 8 September, with a satellite festival at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg from 11 to 14 September 2024.

Robyn Orlin

Originally created in 2021 we wear our wheels …  is a collaboration with Johannesburg based Moving into Dance. This is a work that negotiates the complicated Durban rickshaw histories – and it finally comes to Durban.

Born in 1955 Johannesburg, Orlin’s vision of contemporary dance continues to be a kind of aesthetic eclecticism where she draws heavily on her own histories of ballet and modern, and a fascination with film and cinema. She has shifted the boundaries of what we consider dance to be, often falling into witty and biting political satire. Her love of kitsch, tutus and yellow plastic ducks has seen her creating iconic images that still haunt a South African dance landscape. 

we wear our wheels with pride and slap your streets with colour… we said ‘bonjour’ to satan in 1820 … 

Orlin was trained at the London School of Contemporary Dance (1975-1980), then at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (1990-1995). She began her career as a dancer, choreographer and teacher in South Africa, where she was quickly spotted, as much for the singularity of her dance making, as for the chaos that reigns in her creations.  Her (multiple prize-winning) dance piece Daddy, I have seen this piece six times before and I still don’t know why they’re hurting each other, which mocks the difficulties and shortcomings of the young rainbow nation, but also classical ballet as a trajectory of discrimination, enabled her to tour in Europe and brought her international recognition. France has since become a creative territory for her and she has made her first film, Hidden Beauties, Dirty Stories (Ina/Arte, 2004), her first opera, Handel’s L’Allegro, il penseroso ed il moderato (Opéra Garnier, Paris, 2007), and her first theatre production, Les Bonnes, by Jean Genet (Théâtre de la Bastille, Paris, 2019) in France. She continues to create work in South Africa.

Artistic Director and curator, Lliane Loots says, “The JOMBA! festival’s 2024 overall curatorial theme and provocation is “the memory of home” and we can think of no South African artist better suited to unpack both the simplicity and complexity of this in her work. Memories are about history, belonging, sometimes suffocating nostalgia, and maybe also about charting new futures … Robyn’s work is all of this and more”.

“Orlin’s work has not been performed in South Africa for many years, and so it is with great thanks for the support from IFAS (Paris) and IFAS (Johannesburg), that JOMBA! welcomes her back to South Africa as our 2024 JOMBA! Legacy artist.”

JOMBA! takes place at The Sneddon Theatre in Durban from 27 August to 8 September, and the satellite festival takes place at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg from 11 to 14 September 2024.

we wear our wheels …  will be performed on 7 and 8 September in Durban and on 11 and 12 September at The Market in Johannesburg.

For more information go to www.jomba.ac.za.

When JOMBA! and powerful women collide

When JOMBA! and powerful women collide

The JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience – the twelve day exhilarating feast of dance takes place from 24 August to 4 September at the University of KwaZulu Natal Howard College’s Sneddon Theatre and KZNSA Gallery in Glenwood.

This year’s festival hosts dancers and dance companies from Switzerland, Austria, India, Madagascar, Mozambique, Reunion Island, France and South Africa. Honouring the long term vision of JOMBA! to shine a light on the African continent and to make artistic connection with the rest of Africa, and in time Women’s Month in August, Jomba! premieres a collaboration between three exceptional African female dance-makers. South Africa’s Desiré Davids, Gabi Saranouffi from Madagascar and Edna Jaime of Mozambique come together to share their vision in a dance piece called “Lady, Lady”, an idea that was conceived when they met and worked together at residences over 2015/16.

Born in Paarl, Desiré graduated from the University of Cape Town School of Dance and is an internationally recognised contemporary dancer and choreographer. She is the co-founder together with Boyzie Cekwana of the Floating Outfit Project which was formed in 1997. The company has received International recognition as one of Africa’s ground breaking and cutting edge performance companies and has toured extensively in Europe, Africa as well as the USA. In 1999 she received the award for “Most Outstanding Female Performer” for her performance in “Rona” which won first prize at the 3rd International African and Indian Ocean Choreography Competition in Madagascar. Desiré’s first appearance on the JOMBA! stage was in 2010 with a premiere of her work titled “Who Is This...Beneath My Skin” on which she collaborated with French photographer Pascale Berouion.

Gaby, the second of the women trio is one of the most prominent female artists in the history of dance in Madagascar. She founded the I'Trôtra festival  which is a platform for the Malagasy art form, becoming a unifying structure of talents and artists of all kinds but also for all people working in the field of performing arts. The last fit of the trio is Maputo based Mozambican Edna Jaime, an independent dancer and choreographer. She began her dance career in 1996 with traditional dance in The House of Culture of Maputo. Her work is a mesmerising mash-up between traditional and contemporary dance.

These artists share, explore and exchange their realities in order to give voice to various commonalities, challenges and images as they move towards a commentary on current issues facing women in the African context. Full of wit, irony and spirited dance this is sure to be a talking point of the festival.

Other dance companies that will feature at Jomba! include France’s Company Ex Nihilo, Mamaza, Swiss company that is winning awards throughout the world, Reunion Island’sSoul City which best known for the innovative ways in which it uses Hip Hop to confluence into contemporary dance. Hip-Hop and the power of the urban dance Bboyz and BGirlz is further highlighted at the festival with the collaboration between Austrian choreographer Daniel Renner and Durban’s inimitable Flatfoot Dance Company.  The acclaimed South African born dancer and choreographer Vincent Mantsoe is also on the line-up with an African premiere of his new solo work titled “KonKoriti”.

Tickets are R60.00 or R45.00 (scholars/students/pensioners) for the Sneddon Theatre and bookings can be done via Computicket (or at venue from one hour before). Tickets for the KZNSA Gallery are R50 (no concessions) and available at venue only – from one hour before the performance.

 For more information and the programme, please go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za and join us on Facebook (JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience) and Twitter (Twitter@Jomba_dance).

 

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18th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience 24 August to 4 September 2016

MEDIA RELEASE

18th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts, presents its 18th annual JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience, at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, Pieter Scholtz Open Air Theatre and KZNSA Gallery from 24 August  to 4 September.

This year’s JOMBA! is an international and national delight for dance and theatre lovers with dancers, dance companies and choreographers making their way to Durban from all corners of the globe for 12 full days of some of the world’s best dance theatre work that promises to provoke, entertain, delight, challenge and leave audiences breathless with the sheer joy of dance in all its various contemporary manifestations. This year’s festival hosts dancers and dance companies from Switzerland, Austria, India, Madagascar, Mozambique, Reunion Island, France and South Africa. 

JOMBA! opening night in partnership with the Swiss Arts Council, Pro Helvetia, features one of Europe’s hot tickets in the form of a duet created by MAMAZA; a young Swiss company that are winning awards throughout the world. They bring a tender and viscerally challenging duet that places these two ex-Forsythe dancers in a reflecting stage space that sees their lives connect and re-connect in an endless algorithm of what two people can be with visions and echoes of themselves.

France’s Company Ex Nihilo, also features on opening night, offering a site responsive dance work for the audience as they leave the theatre. Ex Nihilo, based in Marseille, create dance ‘interventions’ around a desire to regard shared public spaces as a work place, as they embrace spatial history, never excluding the passer-by and  spectator. “We are particularly proud to host dance companies like Ex Nihilo who are breaking down the traditional barriers that often exist in theatre spaces,” says Artistic Director of JOMBA!, Lliane Loots.

Honouring the long term vision of JOMBA! to shine a light on the African continent and to make artistic connection with the rest of Africa, this 2016 festival will premiere a collaboration between three exceptional Southern African female dance-makers who come together to share their vision in dance. Desiré Davids (South Africa), Gabi Saranouffi (Madagascar) and Edna Jaime (Mozambique) present a work called “Lady, Lady” that is a result of various short residences over 2015/16 where they were able to meet and work together. These artists share, explore and exchange their realities in order to give voice to various commonalities, challenges and images as they move towards a commentary on current issues facing women in the African context. Full of wit, irony and spirited dance this is sure to be a talking point of the festival. 

Continuing the festival’s connection to its continental history, Reunion Island’s Company Soul City returns to JOMBA! to present their newest work “Priyèr Si Priyèr” (fresh from a sold out tour in Germany). The company is best known for the innovative ways in which it uses the genre of Hip Hop and its confluence into contemporary dance. “Priyèr Si Priyèr” is a quest of the sacred through ritual. Based on Hip Hop’s unique energy, this dance work uses Reunion Island and its people as the source of inspirations.

Hip-Hop and the power of the urban dance Bboyz and BGirlz is further highlighted at the festival with the collaboration between Austrian choreographer Daniel Renner and Durban’s inimitable Flatfoot Dance Company. Renner comes to Durban with two of Europe’s most prolific breakdancers, Bilal Bachir (Germany) and Maarten Krielen (Holland), to join forces with Durban’s Preston ‘Kayzo’ Kyd, as they meet the fluid grace and technical prowess of Flatfoot Dance Company in a new creation. Titled “IDHRA/breath”, Renner returns to the sanctity of the “in and out breath”, the life force of all of us, and the very essence of dance, to create a mesmerising invocation to beauty.  “This is Renner’s third collaboration with Flatfoot (all have premiered at the JOMBA! festivals) and he comes to Durban not as a guest but as family as he shares his unique dance vision with us.” explains Loots.Over his 4 week residency, Renner will also spend time training and choreographing with the Flatfoot trainees to create a small new work for the JOMBA! Fringe programme. Break-dancers Bachir and Kreilen will also spend time exchanging and skills sharing with various eThekwini dance development programmes in Umlazi, Newlands, KwaMashu and Waterloo. 

Another coup of JOMBA! 2016 is the African premiere of acclaimed South African born dancer/choreographer Vincent Mantsoe’s new solo work, “KonKoriti”. Meaning “a state of being”, “KonKorti” returnsto the original solo format of Mantsoe’s award-winning and globally acclaimed style of dance making. Enthralling audiences with his vision of African contemporary dance and the meeting of Asian, African and contemporary styles, Mantsoe’s solo is a prayer to the power of self and is inspired by Mantsoe’s own physical, spiritual and emotional growth as both a dance maker and as an African. “Mantsoe performed at the very first JOMBA! festival in 1997 and it is an honour for Durban to play host to him again,” says Loots. “As part of the festival, he will also be teaching a master class while in Durban so I would advise that interested dancers book early to learn from one of our continent’s great artists!”

 

JOMBA! 2016 will also present a programme at the KZNSA Gallery in Bulwer Road, Glenwood on Monday, August 29. “The gallery space offers an alternate kind of challenge to dance makers and for artists who work outside of the traditions of the proscenium arch,” says Loots.  France’s Ex Nihilo continue their exploitation of everyday open space at this event with a dance performance work called “Calle Obrapia #4”. JOMBA! @ KZNSA Gallery will also host to one of India’s most controversial contemporary dance makers Preethi Athreya. Moving away from the classism and over-romaticisation of tradition, Athreya has created a solo that explores the reframing of notions of classism and beauty. Her solo, “Across, not Over” is created for, and performed by, Kathak dancer Vikram Iyengar and is, in the end, a tender and evocative meeting of two incredible dance talents and two dance styles; Baratha Natayam and Kathak. 

JOMBA! @ KZNSA Gallery is rounded off with a new work by Durban’s Lliane Loots, who partners again with spoken word maestro, Iain ewok Robinson, Durban’s Kathak expert Manesh Maharaj, filmmaker Karen Logan, and the ADD Flatfoot dancers. Loots has crated “MIGRATIONS (at the feet of Kali)” for the main gallery space. This is the second part of Loots’s newest trilogy that looks at issues of ‘home’. The work can be viewed independently or in context to the first part “HOMELAND (security)” which was performed in April 2016 by Flatfoot Dance Company. It is an ‘in situ’ physical journey into the heart of colonial and post-colonial rememberings around the movements and/or migrations of people. Using personal memory as the starting point, this work interfaces with the convergence of Indian and South African histories, and will tackle some challenging notions around issues that will no doubt stir some controversy.

New to JOMBA! this year is “KZN ON THE EDGE” a curated platform that seeks to support fresh and innovative contemporary dance work coming out of the KZN region. For this inaugural “KZN ON THE EDGE”, three innovative selections have been made. The first is a collaboration between lighting designer Michael Broderick and David Gouldie called “one man, one light”, the second is the consistent excellence of past JOMBA! Fringe work being made by Tegan Peacok and her Pietermartizburg based ReRouted Dance Company. They will premiere a new work called the “Paraphernalia of suffering”. The final performance place has been given to the newest “kids on the block”, Phakama Dance Company. Choreographer Sandile Mkhize will also premier a new work called “take me back home”. “This platform ensures that JOMBA! continues to mentor and support new and established KZN-based dance makers who are proving their mettle by consistently putting work of excellence into the public domain despite funding cuts,” says Loots.

 

JOMBA! hosts its Fringe on Tuesday 30 August with 10 new works of 10 to 15 minute each, and the Youth Fringe on Sunday 28 August. With over 40 entries for a coveted place in this year’s JOMBA! Fringe, the selection of only 10 works was a difficult task but means that the final selection offers a standard of dance theatre that is growing. The JOMBA! Youth Fringe takes place at the UKZN Open Air Theatre (entrance is free!) and is a celebration of over 20 KZN based youth dance groups and the incredible dance work that they are doing. 

JOMBA! also offers a full programme of workshops and master classes by all of the participating dancers and choreographers. For a full listing go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za and go to the JOMBA! page. These workshops and classes are offered free of charge (dancers must be 16 years and older) but booking is essential.

Performances are from 24 to 27 August, and 30 August to 4 September at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre at 7.30pm, at the Pieter Scholtz Open Air Theatre is on 28 August at 2pm and the @KZNSA Gallery on 29 August at 6pm.

Tickets are R60 or R45 (scholars/students/pensioners) for the Sneddon Theatre and bookings can be done through Computicket (or at venue from one hour before). Tickets for the KZNSA Gallery are R50 (no concessions) and available at venue only – from one hour before the performance . The JOMBA! Youth Fringe at the Pieter Scholtz Open air Theatre is free.

For more information, please go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za and join us on Facebook (JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience) and Twitter (Twitter@Jomba_dance).

 

The 18th JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience is under the artistic direction of Lliane Loots and is organised and hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal), and is supported primarily by the eThekwini Municipality. 

 

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The Journeymen announced as opening night film for 37th Durban International Film Festival

Media Release

The Journeymen announced as opening night film for

37th Durban International Film Festival

The Durban International Film Festival is pleased to announce that the opening night film of the 37th edition will be the World Premiere of the South African documentary, The Journeymen, the latest instalment in the Twenty Journey project. The documentary has been directed by Sean Metelerkamp and produced by filmmaker Jolynn Minnaar whose film, Unearthed, was one of the big hits at DIFF 2014.

Filmed as part of the Twenty Journey project in 2014, the year in which South Africa celebrated 20 years of democracy and mourned Nelson Mandela’s death, The Journeymen chronicles the journey of three young South African photographers, Wikus de Wet, Sipho Mpongo and Sean Metelerkamp, as they travel 24 000km in a motorhome throughout South Africa, with GoPro cameras strapped to their chests, to explore the mood and feel the pulse of contemporary South Africa. From urban sprawls to dusty rural roads, the trio were driven by the question “Has Mandela’s vision of equality in a rainbow nation been achieved?”

The film answers this with a kaleidoscopic set of responses that are disturbing, beautiful, thought-provoking and, more than anything, movingly surreal.

Said Acting Festival Director, Peter Machen, "It is highly appropriate that this intersectional portrait of our strange and beautiful country will screen on the fortieth anniversary of 16th June, 1976. The film is a portrait of a nation that was forever changed by the actions of the youth of Soweto, and screening it on this day will act as a tribute to the bravery of the tens of thousands of unnamed young people who helped build the road to our liberation."

Machen continued, "The film shows the underlying demons of our troubled national soul but also its deep and profound beauty. Made with technology that is widely accessible, the film is also a vibrant call to arms for new modes of filmmaking and fresh approaches to narrative. We are very happy to be screening the world premiere of The Journeymen on the opening night of the 37th Edition of DIFF.”

Director, Sean Metelerkamp said, “While we never set out to make a feature length documentary, looking back, through embracing new technology, we were able to capture our promising, contentious and confusing country as we went about exploring our respective photographic themes. We hope that this collaboration - between three guys from different cultural and racial backgrounds, united simply by a duty to set out and discover truly authentic South African stories - kickstarts conversations and interactions. As luck would have it, our film features a chance encounter with Sam Nzima, who photographed Hector Pietersen. We can’t think of a better way to honour Youth Day than to share our film with the country. “

The Twenty Project was made possible by many generous Kickstarter backers. The documentary is executive-produced by Dylan Voogt and made possible with the support of Stage 5 Films, Priest Post Production, 744 Digital and Mothership Studio.

The Durban International Film Festival takes place from 16-26 June 2016. The Festival includes nearly 200 theatrical screenings, as well as the Wavescape Film Festival and various industry initiatives, including the 9th Talents Durban programme (in cooperation with the Berlin Talent Campus) and the 7th Durban FilmMart co-production market (in partnership with the Durban Film Office).

For more information go to www.durbanfilmfestival.co.za. #DIFF2016  @DIFFest

The 37th Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with support from the National Film and Video Foundation, Durban Film Office, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, eThekwini Municipality, German Embassy, Goethe Institut, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and a range of other valued partners.

 

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PHOTOS SUPPLIED: Please note that these pics are high res. If for any reason they do not come out as high res - please let us know and we can re-send.

 

Issued on behalf of the DIFF by:

Sharlene Versfeld/ Sipho Ngwenya/ Ayanda Mabanga

Versfeld & Associates

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Durban International Film Festival Announces Programme for 37th Edition

MEDIA RELEASE

DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES PROGRAMME FOR 37TH EDITION

The 37th Durban International Film Festival has announced its programme, offering another exciting edition of the continent’s leading showcase of independent African and international film. It will take place at 15 venues across the city and its outlying areas from 16-26 June.

In an exciting new move, the festival has added a number of new venues to further increase the footprint of the festival into areas that don’t usually have access to formal cinemas. The festival has also increased its presence on the commercial circuit, with Nu Metro Pavilion being added to its roster of venues.

The festival will kick off on the 40th anniversary of June 16, 1976 with the World Premiere of the South African documentary, The Journeymen, directed by Sean Metelerkamp and produced by Jolynn Minnaar, whose film, Unearthed, was one of the big hits at DIFF 2014.

Filmed in 2014, the year in which South Africa celebrated 20 years of democracy and mourned Nelson Mandela’s death, The Journeymen chronicles the experiences of three young South African photographers as they travel 24 000km in a motorhome through South Africa, with GoPro cameras strapped to their chests. From urban sprawls to dusty rural roads, the trio were driven by the question “Has Mandela’s vision of equality in a rainbow nation been achieved?” The film answers this with a kaleidoscopic set of responses that are disturbing, beautiful, thought-provoking and, more than anything, movingly surreal.

With just under half of all the films originating from Africa and South Africa, this year’s festival once again celebrates and honours the rich, ever-evolving language of African cinema. Of the 101 feature-length films to be shown at the festival, 50 are African films, including 17 fiction films and 9 documentaries, while there are 24 South African films, including 10 fiction films and 14 documentaries. Additionally, the festival’s programme will include more than 90 short films, the majority of which are African and South African. 

Key titles from the continent’s ever-expanding film industry reflect the growing call for real freedom and authentic engagement with power and political narratives. The Revolution Won't Be Televised, from Rama Thiaw, is a smart and insightful documentary that sheds light on political resistance in Senegal, Naked Reality, the latest film from provocative filmmaker Jean-Pierre Bekolo challenges the status quo and critical questions those in power, while Nakom is a haunting film about the conflict between tradition, modernity and love, Ghostland chronicles the loss of language and identity of indigenous Nambian people, and Nawara, from Egypt’s Hala Khalil, is a biting social commentary on Egypt’s classist society. Then there is I Shot Bi Kidude, the long awaited feature film about African musical legend Bi Kidude, by British filmmaker Andy Jones, and Independence from Mário Bastos chronicles the Angolan liberation struggle.

South African features films include Shepherds and Butchers from master filmmaker Oliver Schmitz.  - based on the book written by Durban advocate, Chris Marnewick and produced by Videovision Entertainment. The film which won the audience award at Berlin will have a special gala screening onFriday, June 17.  "We are very proud of our film, Shepherds and Butchers which won the Berlin Panorama Audience Award. Whilst there has been controversy and disappointment around the selection process at DIFF, we are pleased to share our film with this audience.” says Anant Singh Producer of the film.

Other SA Films include Endless River, the latest film from South African auteur Oliver Hermanus, Kalushi which chronicles the story of Solomon Mahlangu, the mockumentary Wonderboy for President starring Kagiso Lediga and directed by John Barker, and Tess from previous DIFF winner Meg Rickards, which follows the story of a sassy twenty year-old prostitute on the streets of Cape Town.

South African documentaries include Alison, a deeply personal account of a woman who endures unimaginable suffering but refuses to become a victim, Action Commandant which tellsthe untold story of slain South African liberation fighter, Ashley Kriel,  Lost Tongue which introduces us to Helena Steenkamp, a San woman from the Kalahari who embarks on a mission to revive the endangered language of her people, and Nobody Died Laughing a documentary about Pieter-Dirk Uys, one of South Africa’s most prolific writers, satirists and activists.

As well as the strong African Focus, other key areas include a focus on issues around indigenous rights and colonialism, a small programme of films that deal with HIV (given the fact that the World Aids Conference will be taking place in Durban two weeks after the festival ends), and a rich programme of films about dance and music.

This year’s edition also includes a country focus on Dutch cinema offering a cross-section of contemporary cinema curated by Gertan Zuilhof of the Rotterdam Film Festival, in recognition of the Dutch-South African Co-production Treaty. DIFF 2016 also includes a retrospective look at Portuguese-language African film in partnership with Tri Continental Film Festival.

As has been the case for 37 years the festival will also present an eclectic selection of film from around the world.

DIFF partners for the 11th year with Wavescape to present a feast of surfing cinema from around the world. Wavescape opens with a free outdoor screening at the Bay of Plenty Lawns on Sunday 19 June, before locating to the new venue at Rivertown Beerhall from June 20 to 26.

The 9th Talents Durban in co-operation with Berlinale Talents, brings together the creativity of 20 selected filmmakers from Africa, who will take part in a series of masterclasses, workshops and industry networking opportunities during the Festival. Supported by German Embassy and Goethe-Institut, Talents Durban creates a space for filmmakers to hone their skills, develop collaborations and network with other future leaders of the film industry in Africa, and the world.

Now in its 7th year, the Durban FilmMart, a partnership project with the Durban Film Office, and supported by the City of Durban, is a film finance and co-production market presented in three strands – Finance Forum, Master Classes and the Africa in Focus seminars. Nineteen selected African projects (9 fiction features and 10 documentaries) will hold one-on-one meetings with potential financiers, co-producers, and distributors in the Finance Forum. The DFM master class and networking programme is open to registered delegates only. See www.durbanfilmmart.co.za for further details.

New venues this year include the Playhouse, Nu Metro (Westville Pavilion), Rivertown Beerhall and numerous outreach venues in Umlazi, Clermont and Inanda. Other venues include Ster Kinekor Musgrave, Ster Kinekor Cinema Nouveau, the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, the KZNSA Gallery, eKhaya MultiArts Centre, Luthuli Museum in Groutville and the Elangeni-Maharani Hotel, with festival hubs at the Elangeni-Maharani and the Playhouse.

 

Programme booklets with the full screening schedule and synopses of all the films will be available free at cinemas, and other public information outlets.  For more info go to www.durbanfilmfest.co.za. The full programme will be available online from June 1.

The 37th Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, with support from the National Film and Video Foundation, Durban Film Office, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, eThekwini Municipality, German Embassy, Goethe Institut, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and a range of other valued partners.

 

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PHOTOS: Supplied by DIFF. Please note that is for any reason these pics are not high res enough (or they have been embedded for some reason)- please let us know and we can resend.

We have photos of most of the films - which we can give you access to via Dropbox. Just let us know and we can send you the link. 

Many thanks

Sharlene/ Sipho/ Ayanda

 

Sharlene Versfeld
Versfeld & Associates
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Programme Announcement: Time of the Writer 14 - 19 March 2016

Media release

Programme Announcement

19th Time of the Writer

14 -19 March 2016 

The Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN) has announced the lineup and programme for the Time of the Writer festival, as well as new partnerships for its 19th edition.

Ten writers from South Africa and Africa will meet for a week of stimulating literary dialogue and exchange of ideas. Audiences can engage with award-winning writers, from a variety of political and social contexts, on the creative and technical processes and perspectives which shape their writing. Evening readings and discussions will take place at 7pm at eKhaya Multi Arts Centre (KwaMashu), Ohlange High School (Inanda), Umkhumbane Hall (Cato Manor), Umlazi Cinema and Clermont Hall.

This years panel discussions couples authors whose writings share semiotic marrow and are loosely titled after books and papers that echo their literary sentiment.

The evening panels are:

The Madness of History – Tuesday 15th March (eKhaya Multi Arts Centre -KwaMashu)

Ashwin Desai and Mishka Hoosen will have a conversation on the importance of retrospective meditations on self, historical figures and the family. 

Why Must a Black Writer Write About Blackness? – Wednesday 16th March (Ohlange High School)

In this Dany Laferrière inspired panel discussion Panashe Chigamudzi and Eusebius McKaiser share their experiences as writers who write without curiosity’s gaze.

They Write What They Like – Thursday 17th March (Umkhumbane Hall - Cato Manor)

Crossing the borders from short stories to novellas to poetry to essays, writer Niq Mhlongo gives insight into his unique take on the world across genres and mediums.

Tuning In... – Friday 18th March (Umlazi Cinema)

Writing for listeners is an art that requires its own stage, a stage of which Christa Biyela and Mandla Ndlovu are accomplished masters. These two audio drama maestros open their lyrical vaults and with it the history and depth of the Zulu audio drama. 

The Alchemy of Fiction – Saturday 19th March (Clermont Hall)

How pliable is truth? Can one measure the elasticity of the human imagination and if pushed, would one ever erase the self from one’s own story? In this panel, musician turned author Nakhane Touré and Nikhil Singh discuss the roles fantasy, biography and imagination play in the erection of the worlds they create. 

As part of the festival’s focus on decolonizing South African literature the festival will gather leading voices from every facet of literature in the areas of writing, editing, publishing, translation, marketing, bookselling and promotion (including events), to interrogate the central question of how to go about decolonising literature in South Africa, from writing to readership.

Conversations that Matter is a daytime programme of roundtable discussions, led by experts across the various fields of literature, that provides a space for people to share and contribute towards this vital topic ofdecolonisation within literature.

The following topics will be under discussion during the day from 11am.

Conversations That Matter: The Book & Knowledge Production – Tuesday 15th March 2016 (KwaMashu Library)

Writers Niq Mhlongo, Panashe Chigamudzi, TO Molefe, Percy Zvomuya, Nakanjani Sibiya and poet Mputlane wa Bofelo meet to expose the landmines that await writers who render text that challenges literary traditions and their inherent exclusion of certain voices.

Conversations That Matter: The Book & GateKeepers – Wednesday 16th March 2016 (Ohlange Library)

To probe the accessibility of literary institutions and the tribulations of those tasked with creating that access, this conversation culls from the experiences of both publishers and distributors. Has the South African literary landscape shifted to accommodate previously poorly documented and valued contributions? Which attitudes delay decolonising access? To open the discussion are Prof. Sihawu Ngubane, Thabiso Mahlape, Kholeka Mabeta, Duduzile Mabaso, Mandla Matyumza, Siphiwo Mahala.

Conversations That Matter: The Book & Readership – Thursday 17th March 2016 (UmKhumbane Hall – Cato Manor)

To explore questions on readership often posed to booksellers, librarians and festival organisers are Cedric Sissing (Adams Books), Benjamin Trisk (Exclusive Books), Fortescue Helepi (African Flavour Books), Sinenhlanhla Buthelezi (Goethe Library), Tebogo Mzizi (eThekwini Municipality Libraries), Mignon Hardie (FunDza Literacy Trust), Frankie Murrey (Open Book Festival), Dr. Maria Van Driel (Jozi Book Fair) and Jennifer Platt (Sunday Times). This conversation draws on the challenges of pricing, public expectations and historical misconceptions on reading cultures in South Africa.

Conversations That Matter: The Book & Language – Friday 18th March (Umlazi Library)

An interrogation of the notion of linguistic hierarchies in print media, literature and academic institutions requires contributions from academics and cultural producers whose careers are dedicated to the preservation and promotion of marginalized languages. This conversation will be initiated by Eric Ngcobo, Dr. Mpho Monareng, Dr. Gugu Mazibuko, Dr. Pamella Maseko, Prof. Nobuhle Hlongwa and Wangui Wa Goro.

Conversations That Matter: The Book & Intersectionality – Saturday 19th March 2016 (Qashane Library)

As a result of recent shifts in the quality of contributions produced outside the academy, the topic of Intersectionality has relocated academics and social commentators alike. The youth are proving to be the aorta of the argument and keeping pulse with contemporary readings on Intersectionality demands the voices of those who bravely tackle this pertinent and inflammatory subject. To open the discussion are Eusebuis McKaiser, Milisuthando Bongela, Nakhane Toure, Lindokuhle Nkosi, Mputlane Wa Bofelo, Mbali Matandela and Zethu Matebeni.

The 19th edition of the festival is presented in partnership with various organisations including the eThekwini Municipality Libraries department whose involvement supports the community engagement programme of the festival by hosting Conversations that Matter in public libraries.

All events are FREE to library or student cardholders. For members of the public without either card, a nominal fee of R20 will be requested at the box office from one hour before the event. The eThekwini Municipal Libraries along with The Centre for Creative Arts will be on hand at each venue in order to aid those without library cards to sign up for one on the spot, all that it requires is a valid ID document and proof of residence.

For more details about this years' Time of the Writer, visit the www.cca.ukzn.ac.za  or call (031) 260 2506.

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University KwaZulu-Natal), the 19th Time of the Writer is supported by eThekwini Municipality, the National Department of Arts and Culture Alliance Française de Durban. The Centre for Creative Arts is housed in the College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is a special project of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cheryl Potgieter.

 

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19th Time of the Writer 14 - 19 March 2016

19th Time of the Writer

14 - 19 March 2016

The Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN) is proud to announce a change in venues and a special programme for the 19th Time of The Writer, which takes place from 14 to 19 March in Durban, under the theme Decolonising the Book.

A nationwide conversation on inclusiveness in the South African literature landscape began at the 2015 edition of Time of the Writer, sparked off by South African writer Thando Mgqolozana. In order to provide a platform for conversation and debate on this issue, this year’s edition of the festival will gather the leading voices from every facet of literature in the areas of writing, editing, publishing, translation, marketing, bookselling and promotion (including events), to deliberate on the salient issues pertinent to the transformation and growth of literature in South Africa. This theme aims to interrogate the central question of how to go about decolonising literature in South Africa, from writing to readership.

Conversations that Matter is a daytime programme of roundtable discussions, led by experts across the various fields of literature, that provides a space for people to share and contribute towards this vital topic. The nightly evening panels will then feature a summative discussion on the day’s deliberations.

The 19th edition of the festival is presented in partnership with the eThekwini Municipality Libraries department in whose libraries the day programme will take place.

This year’s edition of the festival features a shift in venue for the evening panels as each day the festival will take place in a different location across the surrounding areas of Durban; venues are located in Clermont, Cato Manor, Umlazi, Inanda and KwaMashu.

“We are very excited about the plans for this year’s festival, which came about as a result of a growing call from within the literary world and South Africa as whole for increased diversity, access and inclusiveness. The Centre for Creative Arts would like to acknowledge one of South Africa’s leading writers Thando Mgqolozana who has been very vocal about change in our society and has assisted in the programming of this edition of the festival,” says Tiny Mungwe, festival manager at the Centre for Creative Arts. “The change is very big for us and by breaking from years of tradition we will have another set of operational challenges, but it is something we believe is absolutely crucial for the festival and for the face of literature in South Africa if we are to effect some kind of shift in our thinking.”

The line-up of writers and venues will be announced in a few weeks time.

All events FREE to library or student cardholders. For members of the public without either card, a nominal fee of R20 will be requested at the door one hour before the event.

For more details about this years' Time of the Writer, visit the festival web page or call (031) 260 2506

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University KwaZulu-Natal), the 19th Time of the Writer is supported by the City of Durban, the National Department of Arts and Culture, The Goethe-Institut and Alliance Francaise Durban. The Centre for Creative Arts is housed in the College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is a special project of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cheryl Potgieter.

 

19th Time of the Writer - Schools Short Story Competition

19th Time of the Writer

14 - 19 March 2016

Schools Short Story Competition

The 19th Time of the Writer hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal invites South African high school learners to submit their short stories for the annual Schools Short Story Competition by Friday 26 February 2016.

Held in conjunction with the Time of the Writer Festival, the Schools Short Story Competition is open to all South African high school learners and aims to encourage creative expression in young people while functioning as a springboard for the future writers of South Africa. With the festival’s long standing commitment toward nurturing a culture of reading and writing, this competition has received a wide appeal that continues to grow with each edition of the festival.

Winners will be awarded cash prizes, book vouchers and complimentary tickets to the festival.

The Time of the Writer takes place from 14-19 March 2016. As one of the country’s longest running literature festivals, Time of the Writer brings together some of the best authors, publishers, and editors from around the world, while focusing on providing a platform to KwaZulu-Natal talent.  In addition to the nightly showcases at the various community based venues, the festival also organises a broad range of free daily activities including an educational and entertaining programme of workshops, reading sessions and panel discussions. This includes engagement with teachers, on the implementation of literature in the classroom and with members of the public interested in literature as well as visits to schools by the festival participants.

For more information on the festival or the competition, go to www.cca/ukzn.ac.za or contact the Centre for Creative Arts on 031 260 2506/1816 or email:  schools@cca-ukzn.co.za

 

Terms and Conditions

·       The competition is open to all South African high school students.

·       There is no particular topic for the short stories.

·       The short stories can be written in English or isiZulu.

·       Illegible entries will not be considered (Typed entries preferred).

·       Short stories are to be a maximum of 5 pages in length.

·       Deadline for submissions is 26 February 2016. (16:00)

 

How to Enter

Entries can be submitted by one of the following methods:

Email: schools@cca-ukzn.co.za

Fax: 031 260 3074

Hand Delivery: Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Mazisi Kunene Avenue, Durban, 4041, South Africa

 

All entries must include:

·       Name of School (Contact and physical address)

·       Name of submitter (Grade, age and contact details)

·       Ensure that all pages are numbered.

 

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts(University KwaZulu-Natal), the 19th Time of the Writer is supported by the City of Durban, the French Institute of South Africa and Alliance Française, the KZN Department of Arts and Culture and the National Department of Arts and Culture and the Goethe-Institut. The Centre for Creative Arts is housed in the College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is a special project of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cheryl Potgieter.

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CAPTION:

Last year’s schools’ short story competition winners.

 

DIFF 2016: Call for Submissions

Media Release

DIFF 2016: Call for Submissions

The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) invites filmmakers from across the world to submit their Short-, Documentary- or Feature Fiction films to screen in the festival from the 16 to 26 June 2016. The 37th edition of the festival is organized with key partnerships with the Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, National Film and Video Foundation and other valued funders and partners.

With screenings of cutting-edge cinema from around the world, containing as always a special focus on both South African and African films, the festival exhibits films in a range of diverse venues in and around the city of Durban. DIFF is the premiere platform for the launch of African films and a key gateway to the African film industry. The festival also includes an annual local and international awards component.

Only films completed in 2014, 2015 and 2016 will be considered, and there is no charge for entry. Submissions will be accepted via an ONLINE SCREENER. All submissions must be entered via the DIFF Visitor Page online at vp.eventival.eu/cca/diff2016 . In order to submit a film, an account needs to be created if this has not already been done in previous years. The deadline for all entries (short films, documentaries and feature fiction films), including delivery of screeners, is 29 February 2016. 

This year’s festival will feature a focus on the important issue of HIV and Aids within film; DIFF invites filmmakers with films on this subject to submit for consideration in this category.

Each edition of the festival features an extensive Industry Programme with seminars and workshops comprised of both local and international filmmakers and industry professionals. The programme is made up of the 9th Talents Durban (17 to 21 June 2016), presented in co-operation with Berlinale Talents, and the 7th Durban FilmMart (17 to 20 June 2016), presented in partnership with the Durban Film Office, as well as various other streams of programming.

For more information check out the festival Submission FAQs or visit: www.durbanfilmfest.co.za or email diff@ukzn.ac.za.

Follow the festival on Twitter (@DIFFest) and on Facebook.

Enquiries can be dircted to Mitchell Harper on Tel: (+27) 0312601650 or email: harpercca@gmail.com

The festival is hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal and is supported by the KwaZulu–Natal Film Commission, EThekwini Municipality, the National Film and Video Foundation, the German Embassy, Goethe Institut, the Gauteng Film Commission and the Film and Publication Board.

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18th Poetry Africa Schools Poetry Writing Competition

18th POETRY AFRICA

SCHOOLS POETRY WRITING COMPETITION

DEADLINE: 19 September 2015

The Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal), with principal funding from the City of Durban invites all students to submit their poems as part of the 19th POETRY AFRICA Schools Competition.

Poetry Africa is committed to nurturing a culture of reading and writing poetry, especially among the youth of KwaZulu-Natal. The festival invites primary to high school learners to take up this exciting opportunity of submitting material for the poetry competition which is held in conjunction with the festival. The poems can be written in either English or isi Zulu and since there is no topic, writers have the licence to get creative. The Festival will accept up to two poems per learner; - illegible entries will not be considered. 

Poems must be submitted either by hand at the Centre for Creative Arts (CCA), UKZN, Howard College Campus, Mazisi Kunene Avenue, Glenwood, Durban, 4001 or via email to poetryafrica@cca-ukzn.co.za or by fax to (031) 260 3074 - deadline is 19 September, 2015.

The Poetry Africa festival, now in its 19th edition, takes place from 12 to 17 October 2015 in Durban.

Winners will read their poems on the main stage of the Poetry Africa festival on the evening of 16 October. Prizes will be awarded by Adams Booksellers and the Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN).

Entrants must ensure that the following information is on the front page of all submissions and that all pages are numbered:

Full name and surname.

School Name.

School Contact Details. (Email / Phone/ Address)

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Media enquiries:

Sharlene Versfeld 

Versfeld & Associates

sharlene@versfeld.co.za

 

August 30, 2015

Prelude Poets Auditions

Media Release

Prelude Poets Auditions

The Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal), presented with principal funding from the City of Durban, calls out to Durban’s emerging poets to take part in the 19th Poetry Africa Festival as Prelude Poets.

Poetry Africa,  which takes place from 12 to 17 October brings together some of the world’s finest poets and musicians to Durban, with artists from the African continent and beyond. 

Four Durban poets are needed to perform "curtain raisers” for the festival. The programme gives the city’s poets the opportunity to showcase their work to audiences at the country’s premier poetry festival. Many poets performing in this space have gone on to be invited as festival participants in Poetry Africa and other platforms in subsequent years.

Participants will be required to audition original works with a five minute limit. Auditions will take place at The Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal Howard College Campus) on 3-4 September 2015. Auditions slots will be assigned by booking. To book an audition time, applicants must send an email with their full name and contact details with Poetry Africa Prelude Auditions in the subject line to poetryafrica@cca-ukzn.co.za.

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University KwaZulu-Natal), the 18th Poetry Africa is funded by the City of Durban. The Centre for Creative Arts is housed in the College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is a special project of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cheryl Potgieter. 

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Flatfoot Dance presents "days like these"

Media Release

Flatfoot Dance Company presents “days like these”

Durban’s inimitable Flatfoot Dance Company begins its 12th year in 2015 with a full blown performance season of innovative dance to lure, cajole, amuse, provoke and sheer-out entertain audiences. “Days like these” has a one week run at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from the 25 to 29 March 2015.

Always looking for new challenges, award-winning Durban based choreographer, Lliane Loots has delved into the theatre making methodologies of Verbatim Theatre to create “days like these”. Verbatim theatre, sometimes referred to as Documentary Theatre, asks the playwright to gather live testimony and the spoken word of real people to construct the dialogue of a drama. In this way the resultant theatre work achieves a degree of authenticity and truthfulness that allows real people a voice. With a history going back to the 60s, Verbatim Theatre has a long trajectory in creating edgy political theatre where these methodologies help create social dialogue.

Loots’s fascinating with Verbatim Theatre sparked and interest to see if there could be cross-over into contemporary dance. As Loots says; “the way that I work is essentially verbatim in that I am constantly asking the dancers to bring their own life experience – through their bodies – into the work we make. As a choreographer I have always thought of myself as a type of ‘collector of stories’; some of them are my own but others come from the dancers who I am working with”.

In “days like these”, Loots has asked the six resident FLATFOOT dancer and co-collaborators on this dance work (Sifiso Majola, Tshediso Kabulu, Sifiso Khumalo, Jabu Siphika, Julia Wilson and Zinhle Nzama) to go even deeper into this physical and spoken word storytelling and after a two week intensive and deeply personal workshop process around memory gathering, Loots then only set out to create the choreography around what she calls “a dance theatre work that takes everyday memories and begins to celebrate the sacred of what we all might feel is the commonplace of our lives”. She goes on to say, “what has resulted is an incredibly tender and beautiful interior dancescape that – for me anyway – will poignantly remind an audience of what it means to be human; and to be an African”.

Loots asked the dancers to dig for memories around three specific topics; food, politics and love/loss. As the process of re-membering went, Loots explains, “we sat with each other sometimes laughing till we cried and sometimes growing silent in a shared space of pain and solidarity. I am reminded again that the deeper we dig into the personal as artists, the more profoundly political our voices become”.

“days like these”, sees Loots return to a long time artistic partnership with award winning Durban theatre and filmmaker, Karen Logan. Logan’s videoscape for “days like these, sits at the heart of the work as it was her task to capture, verbatim, the final memories and stories collected.

Logan says, “working on “days like these” has me seriously excited. It’s always inspiring to work with Lliane Loots and the Flatfooters - this work in particular is meaty and uncompromising and is taking new leaps with the integration of the AV on multiple levels and surfaces and the melting of boundaries between documentary and dance. I think the results will be mesmerising, befitting the very personal layers of narrative that each dancer has woven into the work”.

“days like these” also features the subtle and imaginative lighting design of Wesley Maherry whose challenge was not only to help support the manifold projections, but to also find a way to light the dance that helped the stories unfold.

“days like these”, works with multiple projections and light, and as the images, the voices and the dancing bodies begin – in truth and vulnerability - to layer the stage space, so the remarkable magic of dance theatre starts to happen. We are reminded, in “days like these”, of the need for art and dance, to urge us, as audience, to unbury our own stories. Loots began this work in a response to Nigerian writer, Ben Okri’s comment;

"There is not a single person who is not touched by the silent presence of stories. A nation is as healthy and confident as the stories they tell themselves. Without fighting, stories have won over more people than all the great wars put together. The universe began as a story. Only those who have lived, suffered, thought deeply, loved profoundly, know joy and the pain of life, tell truly wonderful stories. Africa breathes stories."

Thursday’s performance (26 March @ 7.30pm) features a special after show “DANCE TALKS BACK” hosted by awarding winning arts journalist Adrienne Sichel in conversations with Loots and the dancers. This is a unique opportunity to listen to the dancers and choreographers unpack and answer questions about their work. Sichel comes to Durban as a guest from The Ar(t)chive at the Wits School of Arts.

Bookings are now open via Computicket. Ticket prices are R85 for adults, R50 for students/learners and pensioners. Block bookings of 10 or more people is also at R50 per ticket. 

 

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For more Information, interviews and pictures please contact:

Sharlene Versfeld
Mobile: +27 (0) 83 326 3235
Tel: +27 (0) 31 811 5628
Email: sharlene@versfeld.co.za
Website: www.versfeld.co.za

 

Time of the Writer Festival Evening Panels and Programme

Media Release

Time of the Writer - Evening Panels - Programme

A select group of 20 writers from South Africa and Africa will gather together for a week of thought provoking literary dialogue and exchange of ideas at the Time of the Writer Festival from Monday (March 16)the opening night  untilSaturday (March 21) next week.

Audiences can expect to hear the opinions of multiple award winning writers, from a wide variety of political and social contexts, on the creative and technical processes and perspectives which shape their writing. Evening readings and discussions will take place at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre (Howard College Campus) beginning at 7pm each evening.

 

Tuesday, 17 March

Female Narratives

The first panel of the festival pairs two South African authors as they discuss with the challenges and opportunities faced by female authors in the modern landscape and unpack the female narratives in their writing.

Z.P Dala (South Africa) is a therapist and full-time writer. Dala has been included on the 2015 Goodreads Sunday Times list of Top Novelists to look out for in 2015.

Kirsten Miller (South Africa) has published short stories in six collections, a short play, a children’s book, and was a finalist in the SA PEN literary award three times. She held a dual career as a freelance writer and in early intervention for Autism for many years. She also worked as a Drama lecturer, a Creativity lecturer and a dolphin trainer early in her career.

The panel will be facilitated by UKZN research and PhD student Alan Muller.

 

Writing Without Permission

In the face of growing censorship across the world, Time of the Writer brings together two fearless authors with reputations for tapping into hard truths no matter the consequences.

Jacob Dlamini (South Africa) holds a PhD from Yale University. Having previously worked as a journalist and was the political editor of Business Day newspaper. He is the winner of the University of Johannesburg’s Creative Writing Debut Prize for his book Native Nostalgia.

Mzilikazi wa Afrika (South Africa) is a multi-award winning journalist working for the SundayTimes investigations unit in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Bushbuckridge born scribe was awarded two international scholarships to study in the UK and USA for the recognition of his outstanding achievements in the field of journalism.

Scholar and activist Jackie Shandu will facilitate the panel.

 

Wednesday, 18 March

Telling Stories, Bridging Divides

This panel highlights the power of literature to transcend borders and cultures, Telling Stories, Bridging Divides highlights two authors who have reached audiences beyond their regions through their stories being translated as well as the telling of stories that transcend borders.

Born in Bassala, Ousmane Diarra (Mali) is a storyteller, poet, novelist and author of many children’s books.

M.J Mngadi (South Africa) was the recipient of the SALA (S.A.) Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009 for lifelong dedication to African and World literary excellence. Whilst employed at the Commissioner’s office as an Interpreter/Clerk Mngadi spent his spare time reading books and learning Authorship and Freelance Journalism.

Head of the French Department of University of KwaZulu-Natal Bernard De Meyer will facilitate the discussion.

 

Murder, She Wrote

With the rise in popularity of crime novels coming out of South Africa, this panel brings together two established female authors with the focus on this burgeoning genre.

Charlotte Otter (South Africa) is a writer living in Germany, where she works as a corporate communicator in the IT industry. Otter’s first novel, Balthasar’s Gift, which is crime fiction set in her home town of Pietermaritzburg, was published to critical acclaim.

Books editor for the Witness Margaret von Klemperer (South Africa) was arts editor of the newspaper for 16 years until she decided to give up full time work and see whether she could write a publishable book. She was born in Britain but has lived in Pietermaritzburg for more than 40 years.

This panel will be facilitated by PhD student Olivier Moreillon.

 

 Thursday, 19 March

Letters From Zimbabwe

The festival shifts its gaze north bringing together two of Zimbabwe’s new generation of authors to provide insight and perspective on the stories of Zimbabwe, often told from the diaspora.

Multiple award winner, NoViolet Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) shortlisted for the Man Booker prize for her novel entitled We Need New Names.

Sue Nyathi (Zimbabwe) began writing at the tender age of 10 and nurtured this passion through her teenage years.  Holder of a Master’s Degree in finance, Nyathi is a freelance writer, scriptwriter and a novelist.

Poet, author and activist Menzi Maseko will facilitate the panel.

 

Blurring the Lines- Memoir and Fiction

This panel brings together two prolific authors who sometimes channel real life experiences, to create honest pieces of work that tread the fine line between reality and fiction.

Nthikeng Mohlele (South Africa) was listed by Bloomsbury Publishing, Hay Festival and Rainbow Book Club among the 39 most promising authors under the age of 40 from sub-Saharan Africa and the diaspora.

Growing up in the streets of Makhado town, reformatory school and maximum security prisons,Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho (South Africa)was released from prison on 11 November 2010, He went on to become  a writer, poet, freelance journalist and has also authored a novel, The Violent Gestures of Life.

This panel will be facilitated by Sunday Tribune senior journalist Nathi Olifant.

 

Friday, 20 March

Written in the Margin

Written in the Margin; highlights the untold stories of marginalised South Africans often forgotten in classic and popular literature, taking an audience into worlds overlooked.

Author and journalist Carol Campbell (South Africa) has worked in print media for 24 years and during that time covered South Africa’s transition to democracy in 1994 going on to win a British Council award for education reporting the following year.

Futhi Ntshingila (South Africa) is a former Sunday Times journalist and recipient of the 2004 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Editor’s Choice Award, with a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism at Rhodes University and Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her work deals with women who are in the peripheries of society whose stories have been historically ignored.

Senior Sunday Times journalist Matthew Savides will facilitate the panel discussion. 

 

Words Weaving Worlds

This panel focuses on the power of words to create in-depth pieces of fiction that mirror the complexities of real life experiences.

Ekow Duker (South Africa) is an oil field engineer turned banker turned author with a heartfelt passion for writing. He is the author of two novels White Wahala and Dying in New York whichwere published simultaneously in July 2014.

Thando Mgqolozana (South Africa) is a novelist and screenwriter. His novel A Man Who Is Not a Man was long-listed for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and was adapted for screen into Ibhokhwe (The Goat), which won the Best Short Film and Best Director of a Short Film awards at the Independent Mzansi Short Film Festival in 2014.

Publisher and photographer Russell Grant will facilitate the panel.

 

Saturday, 21 March

Shapeshifting- Form and the Modern Writer

The festival brings two chameleon-like authors who aren’t hampered by the boundaries of traditional mediums. Both panelists are known for their ability to produce work across platforms and genres – theatre, screen and novel - to bring their stories to the world.

Author and filmmaker Dilman Dila (Uganda) has been shortlisted for the prestigious Commonwealth Short Story Prize (2013), twice long listed for the Short Story Day Africa prize, and nominated for the 2008 Million Writers Awards.

Internationally acclaimed author and playwright Craig Higginson (South Africa) was born in Zimbabwe and has lived in London, Stratford-upon-Avon, Paris and currently resides in Johannesburg. He is the recipient of the Sony Gold Award for the Best Radio Drama in the UK, the UJ Award for South African Literature in English and the Naledi Award for Best South African play.

The panel discussion will be facilitated by writer and critic Sihle Mthembu.

 

The Writer is the Witness

The final panel of the festival brings together two respected South African writers as they journey through our past, bringing a fresh perspective on well-known realities told through fiction.

Imraan Coovadia (South Africa) is a writer and director of the creative writing programme at the University of Cape Town. His novel The Institute for Taxi Poetry (2012) is the winner of the M-Net Prize.

Growing up in KwaMashu Township, Mandla Langa (South Africa) received his BA at the University of Fort Hare. In 1991, he became the first South African to be awarded an Arts Council of Great Britain Bursary for Creative Writing. His diverse work includes penning an opera, Milestones, with music composed by jazz musician Hugh Masekela.

The Writer is the Witness, will be facilitated by City Press KwaZulu-Natal Bureau Chief and investigative journalist Paddy Harper.

 

Ticket prices are R25 for the evening sessions and R10 for students on presentation of a student card. Workshops, seminars and book launches are free of charge. Book through Computicket Tel: 0861 915 8000 or 011 340 8000 or online at online.computicket.com or at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from 18h00.

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) the 18th Time of the Writer, festival is made possible by support from our funders; the National Department of arts and Culture, eThekwini Municipality's Parks, Recreation and Culture Unit, the Goethe-Institut, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and Adams Booksellers as well as support from our partners; Pan Macmillan, Daily News, Computicket and the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. The Centre for Creative Arts is housed in the College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is a special project of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cheryl Potgieter.

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For more information contact:

 Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal

 Tel: +27 31 260 2506/1816

Fax: +27 31 260 3074

Email: info@cca-ukzn.co.za

 

 

 

 

18th Time of the Writer - Schools Short Story Competition

18th Time of the Writer - Schools Short Story Competition

The 18th Time of the Writer, International festival of writers, hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal invites South African high school learners to submit their short stories for the annual Schools Short Story Competition section of the festival, by Friday 27 February.

Held in conjunction with the Time of the Writer festival, the Schools Short Story Competition section is open to all South African high school learners and aims to encourage creative expression in young people while functioning as a springboard for the future writers of South Africa. With the festival's long standing commitment toward nurturing a culture of reading and writing, this competition has received a wide appeal that continues to grow with each edition of the festival.

Winners will be awarded cash prizes, book vouchers and complimentary tickets to the festival.

The Time of the Writer takes place from 16-21 March 2015. As one of the country's longest running literature festivals, Time of the Writer brings together some of the best authors, publishers, and editors from around the world, while focusing on providing a platform to KwaZulu-Natal talent.  In addition to the nightly showcases at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre the festival alsoorganisesa broad range of free daily activities including an educational and entertaining programme of workshops, reading sessions and panel discussions. This includes the Educator's Forum with teachers, on the implementation of literature in the classroom; the Community Writing Forum with members of the public interested in literature as well as visits to schools by the festival participants. The 18th Time of the Writer will also include a Storytelling Focus in partnership with Gcinamasiko Arts & Heritage Trust.

For more information on the festival or the competition, contact the Centre for Creative Arts on 031 260 2506/1816 or email:schools@cca-ukzn.co.za

The competition is open to all South African high school students.Terms and Conditions

  • There is no particular topic for the short stories.
  • The short stories can be written in English, Afrikaans or isiZulu.
  • Illegible entries will not be considered (Typed entries preferred).
  • Short stories are to be a maximum of 5 pages in length.
  • Deadline for submissions is 27 February 2015.

How to Enter

Entries can be submitted by one of the following methods:

Email:  schools@cca-ukzn.co.za

Fax: 031 260 3074

Hand Delivery: Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, Mazisi Kunene Avenue, Durban, 4041, South Africa

All entries must include:

  1. Name of School (Contact and physical address)
  2. Name of submitter (Grade, age and contact details)

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Poetry Africa - Prelude Poet Programme

17th Poetry Africa

International Poetry Festival

14-19 October 2013

Poetry Africa Prelude Poet Programme

The Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal), with principal funding from the City of Durban and the Department of Arts and Culture, calls out to the Durban’s creative and undiscovered poets to take part in the festival Prelude Poets programme as part of the 17th Poetry Africa International Festival.

The Poetry Africa festival, now in its 17th edition, takes place from 14 to 19 October 2013. The festival brings together some of the world’s finest poets and musicians to Durban, with artists from India, Nigeria, Ireland, Italy and The United States of America.

The 17th Poetry Africa, International Poetry Festival is looking for four of Durban’s brightest undiscovered poets to take part in Poetry Africa Prelude Poet programme. The programme gives the city’s creative and original poets the opportunity to showcase their hidden talents to audiences at the country’s premier poetry festival.

Participants will be required to audition original works with a five minute limit. Auditions are to take place at The Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal Howard College Campus) on 13 September 2013. Auditions and will be assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis. To book an audition time, please send an email with your name and contact details with the Poetry Africa Prelude Auditions in the subject title to paprelude2013@gmail.com

For more details about this year’s Poetry Africa, visit www.cca.ukzn.ac.za or call (031) 2602506

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts(University KwaZulu-Natal), the 17th Poetry Africa is funded by the City of Durban and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture. The Centre for Creative Arts is housed in the College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The CCA is a special project of the newly appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cheryl Potgieter, in the College of Humanities at UKZN.

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General Enquiries:

Phone: +27 (0)31 260 2506/1816

Fax:+27 (0)31 260 3074

Email: cca@ukzn.ac.za

Media Enquiries:

Kwazi Ngubane/ Nolwazi Magwaza

Mobile: +27 (073) 442-9347/ + 27 (076) 638-3546

Phone: +27 (031) 811-5628

Email: kwazi@versfeld.co.za or nolwazi@versfeld.co.za

Website: www.versfeld.co.za