ZAM Reporter
With marches and rallies, sports boycotts and sanctions many Australians once participated in the international solidarity movement against Apartheid. An exhibition in Cape Town showcases a history more relevant than ever. There was excitement and huge support. There were challenges and failures. One needed a long breath before succeeding and winning the hearts and minds of many people. As in many countries in the Western world, racism is deeply rooted in Australian society. But when activists rose... With marches and rallies, sports boycotts and sanctions many Australians once participated in the international solidarity movement against Apartheid. An...
ZAM Reporter
The system of racial segregation in South Africa wasn’t simply black and white. There were more categories and subdivisions. In 1951, the Apartheid authorities issued Proclamation 73. It categorised Indians as a subdivision of people racialised as coloured. This further complicates the assigning of racial categories under the white minority regime. Inspired by their own family histories, Zara Julius and Chandra Frank set out to collect family photographs of everyday, lived experience. These are... The system of racial segregation in South Africa wasn’t simply black and white. There were more categories and subdivisions. In 1951, the Apartheid...
Milan Hermes
Meet Adam Belarouchia, current resident at the Thami Mnyele Studio in Amsterdam. This young artist from Morocco has received awards since his studies at the Institute of Fine Arts in Tetouan. Image: © Adam Belarouchia For his work Ana hna (I am here) he received the Grand Prix Aïcha de l’Animation . Adam continued to study the comic and animation track in Tetouan. His views on education and the urban culture of Morocco are visible in his final examination: a short comic book about a boy who tried... Meet Adam Belarouchia, current resident at the Thami Mnyele Studio in Amsterdam. This young artist from Morocco has received awards since his studies at...
Oliver Barstow
T-shirts, donated by international do-gooders, feature in Roxo’s exhibitions The Hands that Feed You and Objects in Transit . How do the t-shirts illustrate the relationship between Africa and countries with 'interests' in Africa that your work interrogates? The t-shirts are sourced and selected from ‘informal’ markets in Maputo. Locally, the t-shirts are called 'Calamidades' — directly translated from Portuguese as ‘Calamities’ given that they have come to represent the humanitarian aid agencies... T-shirts, donated by international do-gooders, feature in Roxo’s exhibitions The Hands that Feed You and Objects in Transit . How do the t-shirts...
Ayọ̀ Adénẹ́
The first time I questioned gender norms, was watching Dame Julie Andrews as she switched roles in 'Victor, Victoria'. I must have been about 8 years old, and more than the movie itself, what I remember was having my heart in my mouth, and hoping, for her sake, she wouldn’t get found out. Today feminism is in its fourth global wave, and its #metoo iteration is the most powerful social agenda of our time. Its leading voices in the West have won landmark victories against sexual harassment and... The first time I questioned gender norms, was watching Dame Julie Andrews as she switched roles in 'Victor, Victoria'. I must have been about 8 years...
Jos van Oijen
In her book In Praise of Blood , Canadian author Judi Rever controversially claims that not one, but two genocides were committed in Rwanda in 1994.[1] The first genocide nearly wiped out the Tutsi minority. A second one, secretly committed by the Tutsi dominated Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), allegedly targeted the Hutu majority. It’s a sensational story, but how well does it fit with reality? How well researched is it? Smokescreen Although Rever’s book is promoted as a ground-breaking piece of... In her book In Praise of Blood , Canadian author Judi Rever controversially claims that not one, but two genocides were committed in Rwanda in 1994.[1]...
Ayọ̀ Adénẹ́
It was the good old days, and I was a small boy smothered by the smorgasbord of sensations symbolic of the age of wonder. Then one evening, as Mum and I sat watching Frank Olize's Newsline on NTA, his guest spoke about herbs, and said she had found we could even drink our own urine, because it contains vital natural ingredients for our immunity. And, to prove her point, she had a bottle of her own urine, and there on live TV, she took a sip. "Ewww!" Mummy said. I just opened my eyes like an... It was the good old days, and I was a small boy smothered by the smorgasbord of sensations symbolic of the age of wonder. Then one evening, as Mum and I...
ZAM Reporter
The Contemporary African Photography Prize is open for entries to its eighth edition. The prize is directed at photographers whose work engages with the African continent or its diaspora. The five winning entries will be showcased in a series of exhibitions produced in collaboration with major photography festivals in Africa and the rest of the world with the aim of raising the profile of African photography. The CAP Prize aims to raise the profile of African photography within the arts and to... The Contemporary African Photography Prize is open for entries to its eighth edition. The prize is directed at photographers whose work engages with the...
Felwine Sarr
Kirina is a poetic narrative on the genesis of a new world. Serge Aimé Coulibaly has taken metaphors for the human condition found in the mythical story of the Battle of Kirina and turned them into a choreography in which he invites us to reflect. While unfolding this story from the collective memory of West Africa, he makes us think about movements, absurdity, the feeling of abandonment, the search for meaning and the promise of new horizons. Kirina was the place where Sundiata Keita defeated the... Kirina is a poetic narrative on the genesis of a new world. Serge Aimé Coulibaly has taken metaphors for the human condition found in the mythical story...
ZAM Reporter
Resolution — MA Moving Image is a two-year master programme committed to the future of the moving image. It is the sequel to current Temporary Programme Shadow Channel: Film, Design and Propaganda (2017-2019). In a period of two years, you will meet a multitude of artists, academics and activists, working at the intersection of film, music, art, video games and direct action. Previous tutors of Shadow Channel have been amongst others artists Rana Hamadeh, Maryam Monalisa Gharavi and Mark Leckey,... Resolution — MA Moving Image is a two-year master programme committed to the future of the moving image. It is the sequel to current Temporary Programme...
Oliver
The latest issue of the Johannesburg Review of Books brings you, amongst many others: Bongani Madondo, Rustum Kozai, Lebohang Mojapelo, Troy Onyango, Victor Dlamini, Niq Mhlongo, Eben Venter, Guy Tillim and Efemia Chela. In this issue, in a world exclusive, we’re pleased to announce the longlisted stories for the 2018 Short Story Day Africa Prize. This year’s prize theme is ‘Hotel Africa’, with SSDA seeking ‘innovative short fiction set in the rooms, the passages, the bars and the lobbies of hotels... The latest issue of the Johannesburg Review of Books brings you, amongst many others: Bongani Madondo, Rustum Kozai, Lebohang Mojapelo, Troy Onyango,...
ZAM Reporter
She is one of the driving forces behind the country’s and continent’s literary renaissance. “Lola Shoneyin’s light and ironic touch exposes not only the rotten innards of Baba Segi’s polygamous household in this cleverly plotted story; it also shows how women not educated or semi-literate, women in contemporary Nigeria can be as restricted, controlled and damaged by men – be they fathers, husbands, uncles, rapists – as they’ve never been”. This is what Cassava Republic, Nigeria’s leading publishing... She is one of the driving forces behind the country’s and continent’s literary renaissance. “Lola Shoneyin’s light and ironic touch exposes not only the...
Oliver Barstow
For five years, Ben Krewinkel has been building an ever growing collection of 20th century African photobooks. The 500 to 550 titles in his possession reflect the changing visual representation of the continent. Krewinkel’s collection is visible online; he is also working on a book. At what point did you realise you were starting a collection? I’ve been collecting photobooks for a long time now. The first two photobooks in my collection were Black Child by the South African photographer Peter... For five years, Ben Krewinkel has been building an ever growing collection of 20th century African photobooks. The 500 to 550 titles in his possession...
Laurens Nijzink
Three images. That’s all I’d seen of Santu Mofokeng’s work before now. So when I rushed to FOAM, the Amsterdam based photography museum, I felt quite unprepared. What I knew was that he was a South African and that he shot in black and white. That was about it. However, the fact that Mofokeng was given a solo exhibition at FOAM raised my expectations. I joined a guided tour by curators Hilde Haest (FOAM) and Joshua Chuang (based in New York) who has lately worked closely together with Mofokeng.... Three images. That’s all I’d seen of Santu Mofokeng’s work before now. So when I rushed to FOAM, the Amsterdam based photography museum, I felt quite...
Vamba Sherif
[Dutch text below] There was a time when African intellectuals, living primarily in France, felt it was necessary to respond to the overwhelming avalanche of philosophy, history, and other systems that continued to emphasize white superiority. Led by the poets Leopold Seda Senghor, Aimé Césaire and Léon Damas, they came up with an appropriate answer: Negritude, or being black. What better way to combat racism and deep rooted convictions than by using the same means as the oppressor? "Naked woman,... [Dutch text below] There was a time when African intellectuals, living primarily in France, felt it was necessary to respond to the overwhelming...
By ZAM Reporter
Realisme, magie en fabel: de verhalen van Lesley Nneka Arimah zijn geestig en wrang, wreed en hartverscheurend. Arimah’s werk verkent de grenzen van verschillende genres en creëert zo een volstrekt eigen stem met een geheel eigen geluid. Wat het betekent wanneer er een man uit de lucht valt is het opwindende begin van de carrière van een groot schrijverstalet en behoort tot de wonderlijkste, krachtigste literatuur van dit moment. Een boek winnen? Stuur een mail voor 20 april naar... Realisme, magie en fabel: de verhalen van Lesley Nneka Arimah zijn geestig en wrang, wreed en hartverscheurend. Arimah’s werk verkent de grenzen van...
ZAM Reporter
The Amsterdam-based South African artist Neo Matloga is nominated for the 2019 de Volkskrant Visual Art Award. ‘For me ZAM magazine was the first magazine reflecting people of colour. (…) It connects me to my people.’ Watch the full video here. The Amsterdam-based South African artist Neo Matloga is nominated for the 2019 de Volkskrant Visual Art Award. ‘For me ZAM magazine was the first...
ZAM Reporter
Ikhono Lasenatali (Zulu for a talent or skill) presents interpretations of Muholi’s ground-breaking Somnyama Ngonyama (‘hail the black lioness’) series. In a video produced by her Inkanyiso Collective’s member Lebogang Mashifani, Muholi explains that her initiative was fed by a desire to make more voices heard. “Young artists are speaking their own truths, they are using their own mediums. How do they look at my work? What do they feel?” Voices were silenced by the Apartheid architects and... Ikhono Lasenatali (Zulu for a talent or skill) presents interpretations of Muholi’s ground-breaking Somnyama Ngonyama (‘hail the black lioness’) series....
ZAM Reporter
South African photographer Nontsikelelo Veleko has given one of her images to ZAM as a gesture of appreciation for our work. “We are humbled by this gift. It encourages us to develop our international platform of creatives in the fields of investigative journalism, photography, arts and opinion with even more energy,”says ZAM editor Bart Luirink. Veleko wrote her motivation for the gift on the back of the picture: "To ZAM Magazine, a donation to keep the organisation invested in African arts,... South African photographer Nontsikelelo Veleko has given one of her images to ZAM as a gesture of appreciation for our work. “We are humbled by this...
ZAM Reporter
Rafiki (Swahili for friend) is a 2018 Kenyan drama film directed by Wanuri Kahiu. It is the story of friendship and tender love that grows between two young women, Kena and Ziki, amidst family and political pressures around LGBT rights in Kenya. The film had its international premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival; it was the first Kenyan film to be screened at the festival. Rafiki was banned by the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) "due to its homosexual... Rafiki (Swahili for friend) is a 2018 Kenyan drama film directed by Wanuri Kahiu. It is the story of friendship and tender love that grows between two...
ZAM Reporter
The works of Saidou Dicko, Jodi Bieber, Andrew Esiebo? Household names for ZAM readers since their works have been covered by the magazine the past. They are three out of 25 photographers shortlisted for this year’s CAP Prize. The five winners will be announced on Wednesday 12 June, 5pm at Photo Basel international Art Fair in Basel, Switzerland. Check out the list of 25 photographers here . Jodi Bieber, CAP Prize 2019 Shortlist Saidou Dicko, CAP Prize 2019 Shortlist Sibusiso Bheka, CAP Prize 2019... The works of Saidou Dicko, Jodi Bieber, Andrew Esiebo? Household names for ZAM readers since their works have been covered by the magazine the past. They...