{ cape town is the world design capital 2014!! }

After a valliant effort by so many, we have come out tops, beating Bilbao, Spain and Dublin, Ireland to win the coveted title of World Design Capital for the year 2014. Not only were we the first African city to make it to the final short listing of this competition, but we've taken the crown! Fantastic! I think all the folks at the Cape Town Partnership deserve a very long holiday! Find out more here.

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4

{ the occupation has begun }

Occupy Wall Street begun on the 17 September 2011, a month later South African's have heeded the call to protest against the extreme gap between the rich and the poor. Operation Ubuntu is the local spinoff of this international movement influenced and inspired in many ways by what the media has dubbed the "Arab Spring".

The slogan of the Manahttan OWS was "we are the 99%" in response to the fact that the majority of global wealth is owned by 1% of the population. Unsustainable, inequitable and unjust. We cannot deny the impact the global economy has on the everyday citizen, citizens who have no control over the system.

On a pop culture note, it's cool to see the "V For Vendetta" film's character beign appropriated for this cause. We are the masses, that's where our power comes from, our shared interests, and not necessarily our indivuality. Interesting thought.

anyway, I drigress. So, basically, it's an important movement, but it also questions the strength of peaceful protests - what will the lasting impact of the global occupations be?

Follow Operation Ubuntu on Facebook.

Images: 1, 2, 3

{ in memoriam - dr wangari maathai }

A mother of the Green Movement.

Image: Wangari Maathai

{ black is beautiful }

For his work as a founding member of the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM), Bantu Stephen Biko is a definitive icon of the struggle against Apartheid. Emerging internationally in the 1960s, the Black Consciousness Movement essentially emphasises the link between the individual and society; that only if individuals believe they are worthy of change, or capable of change, will that societal change happen. In other words, ‘black consciousness’ rejected the white monopoly on truth entrenched over years of colonial oppression (especially regarding race and class), an idea which became a unifying platform for the many ‘black’ activist and social groups of the time.

For those who missed out on POL101, the term ‘Black Consciousness’ was dubbed by W. E. B. Du Bois who argued that Black Americans had a ‘double consciousness’ – because they were conditioned by colonial oppressors, to believe they were inferior beings as a result of their race. Biko’s writings echo this sentiment in his concern for the existential struggle of the ‘black’ person as a dignified and proud human being. The core of black consciousness was psychological, not purely political and that’s why it was such a powerful movement.

34 years ago Steve Biko was murdered in police custody on 12 September 1977. Noting the political problems South Africa finds itself in today (like corruption, patronage), had he lived, would we be a more ‘conscious’ nation? Would we be better equipped to deal with problems of pollution and climate change? Biko is still relevant and will be until we all take responsibility for the impact we have on the planet  and the people we share it with. Be conscious.

The 12^th Annual Steve Biko Memorial Lecture entitled “Evil Under The Sun: The Death of Steve Biko” will be presented by Sir Sydney Kentridge (lead lawyer in the Biko Inquest) and held tonight at Jameson Hall, Upper Campus UCT, see the invitation here.


Images: 1, 2, 3

{ fear the box }

Begun as a legacy event of the 2014 World Design Capital Bid, Creative Week Cape Town embodies the zesty art scene of the Mother City. Running from 9-18 Sept 2011, this event  aims to showcase "creativity in design, music, film, theatre, business, innovation, digital media, fine arts and crafts in Cape Town" (so basically everything!), and does just that as it spans across the city from Khayelitsha to Kloof Street, presenting anything from art installations and gigs to opendoors with your favourite creatives. A fitting aspect of the format of this event is that you can create events - which means the week really is a current, relevant reflection of trends and ideas in the city!

There's a smorgasbord of events to choose from (click on the image links below for some of my picks). A must do on my list is the District Six Walking Tour on  Wedneday 14 September starting at 14h30 - a perfect way to celebrate Heritage Month and experience of the powerful impact this area has had and continues to have on Cape Town's creative culture. "The tour focuses on the parts of District Six which overlap with The Fringe: Cape Town’s newly developing Design and Innovation District.  Find out more about this fascinating area – the politically charged Stakesbury Lewis Hostel, the nightlife area of Castle Bridge, the Peninsula Maternity Hospital and the famous Bloemhof Flats will all be covered in this unique walk." Talk about living history! For more info and booking details click here. The Creative Week programme really has something for everyone, so whip out those diaries and start planning here.

Wherever you are, fear the box and do something extraordinary - here's to a creative weekend!

Follow Creative week Cape Town on Twitter using the hashtag #cw2011

Images: All Creative Week Cape Town - 1, 2, 3, 4