The Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) recently embarked on an initiative to realise the Arts & Culture Trust Warrior Wall project, a two-phase Arts & Culture Trust legacy initiative over two months, having started in September “Heritage month” and ending later this month (October).
The Arts & Culture Trust Warrior Wall project is a public arts initiative that honours artistic legends in South Africa – Miriam Makeba (Music), Sylvia “Magogo” Glasser (Dance), Don Materra (Literature), David Koloane (Visual Art) and Dr John Kani (Theatre) – as well as highlights and celebrates the work of four young writers, five photographers and two mural artists making waves and shaping the future with their work.
ACT CEO, Marcus Desando said: “The European Union’s Delegation to South Africa has made many elements of this initiative possible. Their enthusiasm and engagement bear testimony not only to making this cultural heritage rich project a reality but more broadly of a commitment to cultural cooperation.”
EU Ambassador Dr Riina Kionka said: “Culture greatly influences our identity. In the EU this has been widely recognised and is, for example, the basis of a thriving cultural tourism industry.
South Africa is no less unique and has so much to offer. I can only encourage the Arts and Culture Trust in its efforts to contribute meaningfully to the development of a stronger cultural sector in South Africa … from the nurturing of promising talent to the development of cultural industries.”
Desando concludes: “‘It is a privilege for the Trust to have shared this space with the EU Delegation in our efforts to provide a platform to grow and develop the Arts & Culture Trust Warrior Wall project. It not only benefits the participants in the creative space but also equips them for possible future business opportunities that we believe will lead to further growth.
As future entrepreneurs these young and dynamic creatives will create employment in the cultural sector.”
The Maboneng mural will be unveiled on 28 October 2021 by the European Union’s Ambassador to South Africa, Her Excellency, Dr Riina Kionka, at a ceremony hosted by ACT CEO Marcus Desando and thereafter on display at 299 Fox Street, Maboneng, Johannesburg.
PARTICIPANTS for the ARTS & CULTURE TRUST WARRIOR WALL include:
Market Photo Workshop Students: Simphiwe Thabede, Zegugu Ngemntu, Remofiloe Sebobe, Bongiwe Phakathi and Tsepiso Mahooe under the mentorship of Thato Mogotsi, Buyaphi Mdledle and Rolihlahla Mhlanga.
Writers: Siphumelele Gumede and Tsholofelo Seleke (phase 1) and Ntshadi Mofokeng and Thobi Maphanga (phase 2) under the mentorship of Tammy Ballantyne Webber from The Ar(t)chive NPC.
Mural Artists: Nathaniel Sheppard III and Minenkulu Ngoyi from Danger Gevaar Ingozi Studio under visual art mentor, Loyisa Old John.
For further information please email: jessicad@act.og.za visit the Trust’s website, www.act.org.za or follow us on Twitter and Facebook. #ACTWarriorWall #actalumni
