WORKSHOP 1 – IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE FIRST ARTISTS
12 September
Introduction to origins of human creativity: cultural and social significance of Blombos Cave
Exploring art and music of the First Peoples including the Khoisan, and rock art, reference to symbolism of the Eland
Musical soundscape performance & demonstration by hunting bow player Glen Arendse
Introduction by representatives of the Western Cape Khoisan Council & Cochoqua Khoisan Tribe
Visualisation and facilitated drawing exercise: identifying symbols of personal and collective meaning
Breakaway groups: sharing, response and interpretation of drawn symbols
Plenary sharing & reflection
WORKSHOP 1 – IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE FIRST ARTISTS
12 September
Introduction to origins of human creativity: cultural and social significance of Blombos Cave
Exploring art and music of the First Peoples including the Khoisan, and rock art, reference to symbolism of the Eland
Musical soundscape performance & demonstration by hunting bow player Glen Arendse
Introduction by representatives of the Western Cape Khoisan Council & Cochoqua Khoisan Tribe
Visualisation and facilitated drawing exercise: identifying symbols of personal and collective meaning
Breakaway groups: sharing, response and interpretation of drawn symbols
Plenary sharing & reflection
WORKSHOP 2 – HONOURING OUR AFRICAN CULTURAL ROOTS
3 October
Presentation re isiZulu, isiXhosa, seSotho, seTswana, isiVenda, Ndebele, isiPedi and siSwati people’s migration within South Africa.
Examining South African traditional dance forms: dance & music & speaking
Exploring distinct design traditions using siZulu, isiXhosa, seSotho and Ndebele artwork and adornment examples
Interpreting and generating new designs using traditional design vocabularies
Sharing in plenary
Online exhibition
WORKSHOP 2 – HONOURING OUR AFRICAN CULTURAL ROOTS
3 October
Presentation re isiZulu, isiXhosa, seSotho, seTswana, isiVenda, Ndebele, isiPedi and siSwati people’s migration within South Africa.
Examining South African traditional dance forms: dance & music & speaking
Exploring distinct design traditions using siZulu, isiXhosa, seSotho and Ndebele artwork and adornment examples
Interpreting and generating new designs using traditional design vocabularies
Sharing in plenary
Online exhibition
WORKSHOP 3 – MARABI KWELA: Sophiatown’s uniquely South African sounds and jive
24 October
Presentation re context of Sophiatown urban culture and history of Sophiatown in relation to Apartheid
- Breakaway discussion re. examples of creativity and cultural expression that thrive in spite of adversity.
- Plenary sharing & reflection
- Familiarising with audio examples of marabi & kwela including music that reflects their influence
- Demonstration & participation in marabi kwela dance moves
WORKSHOP 3 – MARABI KWELA: Sophiatown’s uniquely South African sounds and jive
24 October
Presentation re context of Sophiatown urban culture and history of Sophiatown in relation to Apartheid
- Breakaway discussion re. examples of creativity and cultural expression that thrive in spite of adversity.
- Plenary sharing & reflection
- Familiarising with audio examples of marabi & kwela including music that reflects their influence
- Demonstration & participation in marabi kwela dance moves
WORKSHOP 4 – UMSWENKO: Move to your own beat
14 November
A celebration of impeccable style and self-expression, Umswenko is a contemporary South African movement originally expressed by miners, finding ways to convey identity outside of work.
Presentation including examples of umswenko and amaswank
Participants dress and present themselves in their own swank
Presentation regarding archetypes of identity and the symbolism of popular styles.
Breakaway discussion re. cultural symbolism of costume, adornment & style in forging personal and collective identity.
Reflection in plenary
NB participants consider their own style and own identification
WORKSHOP 4 – UMSWENKO: Move to your own beat
14 November
A celebration of impeccable style and self-expression, Umswenko is a contemporary South African movement originally expressed by miners, finding ways to convey identity outside of work.
Presentation including examples of umswenko and amaswank
Participants dress and present themselves in their own swank
Presentation regarding archetypes of identity and the symbolism of popular styles.
Breakaway discussion re. cultural symbolism of costume, adornment & style in forging personal and collective identity.
Reflection in plenary
NB participants consider their own style and own identification
WORKSHOP 5 – ONE HEART, Many Voices: a celebration of the cultural & creative diversity that makes South Africa amazing
12 December
Introduction re diversity & inclusivity
Demonstration and explanation of Indian traditional dance + participation
Demonstration and background of traditional Chinese dance + participation
Observations and sharing
Demonstration and explanation of traditional Portuguese dance + participation
Demonstration and background of Middle Eastern bellydance + participation
Observations and sharing
WORKSHOP 5 – ONE HEART, Many Voices: a celebration of the cultural & creative diversity that makes South Africa amazing
12 December
Introduction re diversity & inclusivity
Demonstration and explanation of Indian traditional dance + participation
Demonstration and background of traditional Chinese dance + participation
Observations and sharing
Demonstration and explanation of traditional Portuguese dance + participation
Demonstration and background of Middle Eastern bellydance + participation
Observations and sharing
WORKSHOP 6 – THE VOICES OF WOMEN – Every year the Cape Town Carnival honours the women of our country.
13 March 2021
Presentation & discussion re the voice of women in society
Identifying & differentiating traditional and contemporary role models, voicing perspectives
Breakaway discussion: Expressing & witnessing to the challenges experienced by women. Voicing the power & perspectives of women
Contextualising the roles and responsibilities of men with relation to women in South Africa
Creative interpretation of the voices of women
Plenary sharing & reflection
WORKSHOP 6 – THE VOICES OF WOMEN – Every year the Cape Town Carnival honours the women of our country.
13 March 2021
Presentation & discussion re the voice of women in society
Identifying & differentiating traditional and contemporary role models, voicing perspectives
Breakaway discussion: Expressing & witnessing to the challenges experienced by women. Voicing the power & perspectives of women
Contextualising the roles and responsibilities of men with relation to women in South Africa
Creative interpretation of the voices of women
Plenary sharing & reflection
WORKSHOP 7 – AFROFUTURE explosion of creativity
24 April 2021
Contextualise African creativity and ingenuity as shaping the future we dream of right now.
Identifying fears & beliefs around our country’s future: clearing fear and doubt by making space for them.
Visualisation and drawing symbols and images of the desired future South African reality
Interpretation and sharing
Identify desired qualities of social relationships, social contracts and social contact
WORKSHOP 7- AFROFUTURE explosion of creativity
24 April 2021
Contextualising symbols of social change in South Africa
Breakaway discussion re. unofficial and popular national symbols including symbolism of utata uMadiba as father of the nation.
Discussion & sharing re the meanings & experience of “the new South Africa”
Contextualising dance and protest in South Africa, including reference to other artforms involved in protest, emphasis on Toyi Toyi as a call for change. The South African tradition of demonstrating through song, dance, music and movement is one of the strongest examples of the proactive power of our people.
Identify current social challenges and needs for social change in South Africa
Breakaway discussion on the role of art & creativity in forging social change and contributing to society and social resilience
Physical demonstration and participation in dance movement and vocalising in the style of toyi-toyi and gumboot dancing
“Next time we’ll envision the next chapter of the South African journey “
