Iconic poet and struggle veteran, Dr Mongane Wally Serote will recall his experience of ‘Weaponizing Words for Political Change’ at the conference.
The ACT | UJ Creative Conference is pleased to announce that the #CreativeUprising programme will include a free session, during which Dr Serote will deliver a thought provoking address. The session will take place in the Main Theatre at Arts Centre located on the University of Johannesburg’s Kingsway Campus in Auckland Park.
This open session, scheduled to take place from 16h00 – 19h30 on Thursday 27 July 2017, will comprise two parts. The Lekgotla starting promptly at 16h00 will feature The Department of Basic Education and The Department of Arts and Culture. Audience members are invited to bring their questions to this forum, followed by a short break after which Dr Serote will deliver the day’s closing address.
Dr Serote is no stranger to the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT). In 2016, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for Literature at the 19th Annual ACT Awards. The ACT Lifetime Achievement Awards seek to honour South African greats whose continued work in their respective fields have significantly shaped and changed the arts and culture industry in South Africa. Last year, Serote was celebrated alongside Penny Siopis (Visual Art), Johaar Mosaval (Dance), Adv. Albie Sachs (Arts Advocacy), Johnny Clegg (Music) and Pieter Dirk-Uys (Theatre).
Pic John Hogg
This year’s #CreativeUprising Conference considers arts education and arts in education in it’s current state and possible futures. “We could not think of a more fitting speaker to encourage the youth to speak out and use the power of their voices, than Dr Serote,” says ACT Marketing Manager Storm Jade Brown. “Serote’s inspiring personal story serves a pertinent reminder of the power of arts and we are happy to be able to make this event, alongside the Lekgotla a free and open one so that all may join”.
Dr Serote is a true South African icon, and his work is widely recognised from near and far. Although, best known for his poetry that has been hailed as pivotal to the rise of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa, Serote has received numerous other awards, scholarships and accolades. Dr Serote is also an active member of the Liberation Army, Umkhonto We Sizwe and he firmly believes that now is the time that South African literature should feature more heavily in South African curriculums at both school and university level. He says that “arts and culture can be the tapestry which weaves our nation together”.
For more information about Dr Serote’s talk or the Lekgotla or the full conference programme please click here.
The #CreativeUprising conference is presented by the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) and UJ Arts & Culture (a division of FADA) in partnership with SAMRO Foundation with support from Drama for Life.
