 Atandwa Kani and Nat Ramavhulana performing "ID Pending", a play directed by Warren Nebe
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The First Traditions Pitso
Soweto is the largest township in South Africa. It is also the place where two Nobel Peace Prize winners, former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, at one time lived. Soweto is a place where many traditions were and are still being made. But it is also a place marked by a history of racial dispossession, oppression, inequality and violence. Because of these issues, which are integral to the Changing Traditions Project, it was a particularly poignant place to host the First Traditions Pitso.
This First Traditions Pitso was held by Unisa's Institute for Social and Health Sciences at the Soweto Hotel in Klipton on 18 and 19 November 2009.
Traditions, which is funded by Unisa, is a collaborative, transdisciplinary and international network project focused on Africa. The aim is to recognise, build or recreate traditions of wealth, identities, peace and equality. The successful two-day event brought together a diverse range of individuals from a range of disciplines and worlds, including film-makers, scholars, activists, researchers, journalists, actors and theatre directors. This provided an opportunity to engage on traditions of wealth, identities, peace and equality.
Unisa's Dean of the College of Human Sciences, Prof Rosemary Moeketsi, delivered a powerful and heartfelt opening address. She was followed by Prof Kopano Ratele, the project leader of Changing Traditions, who gave the introductory presentation to the Pitso.
Yabba Badoe, a Ghanaian film-maker based in England, spoke about the journey of making her moving film "The Witches of Gambaga". The short version of the film was screened and generated a great deal of discussions.
Other speakers included Prof Bhekizizwe Peterson of the University of the Witwatersrand, Dr Kgamadi Kometsi of the South African Human Rights Commission, Willy Nel of the North-West University, Vuyelwa Mtimkulu of Setshaba Research Centre, and Dr Tom Sengani of Unisa, who gave a fascinating talk on kin-terms.
"ID Pending", a play directed by Warren Nebe and performed by Atandwa Kani and Nat Ramavhulana, was effective in relaying the issues around identity, culture and tradition. This play proved to be humorous and a highly entertaining way to end off the proceedings.
It is clear that Traditions 1 has tapped into a current that is deep and strong. There is a definite need to interrogate, challenge, build and enhance social, economic, political and cultural traditions in South Africa and throughout Africa.
Traditions 2 is set to take place in Ethiopia in 2010. |
