Queer migrants find their spiritual sanctuary
Behind a book that highlights how important their faith is for LGBTQIA+ migrants, refugees and asylum seekers is a very special ministry in the heart of Johannesburg.
Culture
Herbie Tsoaeli’s temple of timelessness
The acclaimed bassist returns with a second album, At This Point In Time launched in early November. It is rooted in heritage and pays homage to his jazz ancestors.
Theatre giving voice to the oppressed
Theatre, besides being a form of entertainment, can be a powerful medium of protest too. Residents of a land occupation in Tembisa recently staged a participatory play to illustrate the point.
Drawing everyday heroes out of the archive
A new comic book anthology inspired by the Supreme Court of Appeal archive brings to life an era of popular resistance during the early 20th century.
The evolution of Common
The veteran emcee from Chicago is finally getting his dues with a series of albums inspired by the struggle for racial justice. But his political ambiguity endures.
English workers sing for the countryside
A new album of folk songs sung by people who work and walk the land across the United Kingdom has a powerful message about the politics of accessing our shared heritage.
‘I am Samuel’, an African love story against all odds
The makers of I Am Samuel about a daring relationship in a queerphobic society, went to extraordinary lengths to let their project see the light. Their government is not impressed.
Growing and giving back through dance
The Soweto Moves Project, on famous Mputhi Street, promotes dance across many styles while emphasising the social importance of the arts.
Film Review | ‘Dreams are messages from the deep’
The film adaptation of Frank Herbert’s sci-fi novel Dune is a wild, techno-gothic epic for dark times.
For Barney Rachabane, jazz was a way of life
Starting with a penny whistle as a child on the streets of Alexandra township, the saxophonist went on to leave an indelible mark on South Africa’s musical landscape.
Jazz original Malcolm Jiyane plays it forward
The multidimensional trombonist goes beyond tradition, experimenting with form and genre in his fresh and distinctive five-track album Umdali.
Sharp Read | The yoke of neoliberalism revisited
A new book co-authored by Noam Chomsky updates his critique of capitalism with insightful comment on what has allowed the tyranny of the common sense consensus to flourish for so long.
Long Read | Simon Gush’s art is labour as concept
The artist’s new exhibition at the Stevenson gallery continues his enquiry into the meaning and realities of labour, drawing on Mexican muralism and progressive theory.
ANTI-MASS’ queerness is in both genre and gender
Connecting singeli, gqom, techno and more, the Kampala-based collective draws lines between music, merging sound and politics.
Artists cannot live on streaming revenue
With no live gigs, musicians in South Africa and abroad have struggled financially. The UK is looking at new legislation to ensure creators are fairly compensated when their songs are streamed.
Mother Earth is a victim of gender discrimination
In Text Messages this week, if the world started ‘thinking like women … it would end violence against women and children’ – and against the planet.
Niq Mhlongo and the return of the short story
The novelist and editor capitalises on South Africa’s genius for short fiction in his new collection, which considers how we are haunted by the ghosts of our past.
‘Wild Imperfections’ moves womanism forward
Compiled and edited by Natalia Molebatsi, Wild Imperfections opens up, enhances and expands Black feminism in new and liberating ways, flattening geography and privileging solidarity.
Thando Doni’s theatre without translation
The 2021 Standard Bank Young Artist for Theatre Award is a well-deserved recognition of the Cape Town theatremaker’s exceptional skill, talent and hard work.
Cara Stacey wants to move the music forward
The Standard Bank Young Artist award winner finds working with other musicians inspiring, despite the mainstream establishment view that collective work suppresses individuality.
Remembering history with Kudzanai Chiurai’s library
The Zimbabwean artist has created an extraordinary listening space filled with vinyl records of historical import ranging from political speeches to African struggle songs.