Artfluence live at Capture site
THE Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), in partnership with the uMngeni Municipality and uMngeni Tourism, will present the 2nd annual Artfluence Human Rights Festival at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site in Howick from May 3-8.
South African film-maker Cedric Sundstrom will participate in a post-screening discussion of his film If This Be Treason, a tribute to political activist and human rights defender Helen Joseph, that coincides with the 20th anniversary of her death.
It’s a tale of passionate and deep resistance to oppression. Joseph’s inspiration was unswervingly spiritual and inspired by the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German cleric who died in a Nazi concentration camp.
At the unveiling of Joseph’s tombstone in 1996, Nelson Mandela shared heartfelt words: “I will always remember her for the period we spent together during the Treason Trial. We were among the 28 accused who remained in the dock until the end of the trial. As our numbers shrank, we all became more attached to one another and grew to know each other very intimately.”
“After my release I made it a point to visit my dear old friend and comrade. Physically she was old and frail, the popular fiery voice was gone, but the strong-willed Helen was still complete and undaunted. We talked about the good old days, laughed over our mistakes and tried to fill each other in on the three decades we had spent apart.”
Mandela said when he left Joseph’s home, he felt stronger, younger and more determined to march the last mile to freedom.
Speaking on behalf of the Centre for Creative Arts at UKZN, director Ismail Mahomed said it was important for South Africans to be united.
“At this time of political challenges in South Africa, which sees the risk of this country again becoming racially polarised, it is important for us all, irrespective of our political persuasions, to remember and be inspired by leaders like Helen Joseph, who Mandela held in such high esteem,” said Mohamed.
He said the 2nd annual Artfluence Human Rights Festival commemorates the 60th anniversary of the capture of Nelson Mandela and is presented under the theme “Freed Imaginations: Resilience, Action & Change”.
Popular political puppet Chester Missing will provide entertaining but biting commentary about South
Africa’s democracy.
Also featuring is film-maker, gender and gay rights activist Beverly Ditsie, who has has been named the 2022 Artfluence Human Rights Champion.
The Inaugural Artfluence Human Rights Lifetime Achievement award will be presented to veteran poet, author, journalist and community activist Don Mattera.
The 2nd annual Artfluence Human Rights festival will be live and online. The full programme is available at artfluence.ukzn.ac.za or for enquiries, email cca@ukzn.ac.za or on social media: @artfluencefest