What's Hot?
Davido Begins Countdown Amid White Wedding Speculation
Olamide Unveils Star-Studded Tracklist For 11th Album, Features...
World Premiere Of Comedy Film Set In The...
‘Leave Me Alone’, Ayra Starr Cries Out Over...
The Best Nigerian Art Museums To Explore For...
11 Festivals To Watch Out For This Summer
Ric Hassani Explains Why Some Gospel Artists Switch...
Chris Brown Jokes About ‘Nice’ Jail As He...
Tiwa Savage’s Heartwarming Reunion With Former English Teacher...
British Library Reinstates Oscar Wilde’s Reader Pass 130...
  • Home
  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
    • Culture Africana
    • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Music, Movies & More
  • News
    • Travel News
  • Opinion
    • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality
The Culture Newspaper
Culture Africana

South Africa: Separating the art from the crime, stakeholders meet to proffer solution

by Olamilekan Okeowo November 6, 2019
by Olamilekan Okeowo November 6, 2019

The issue of what to do with talented and creative individuals who have committed or alleged to have committed grievous crimes against women was at the front burner of discourse at a forum organized by the South African Cultural Policy Network, Public Forum in Cape Town and Johannesburg last month.

On October 23, 2019, the Masambe Theatre, Baxter Theatre Complex in Cape Town played host to a session facilitated by Ncebakazi Mnukwana with panellists including Malika Ndlovu, Mandy Sanger, Babalwa Gusha, Amanda Gouws, Primrose Mwrebi.

It was the turn of Gramadoelas, Market Theatre in Johannesburg on Thursday 24th October where panellists included Mpho Molepo, Judy Seidman and Siseko Kumalo in a session that was facilitated by Tumi Modise.

The dilemma of what to do with the creative works of these men who have been charged with certain crimes has long been an issue amongst critics in the creative industry in South Africa and other parts of the continent.

Many questions have been asked by stakeholders on whether there should be a separation of the art from the artist? If not, does this mean that the works of Mthethwa can never be exhibited, at least until he has served his time? Or that Sarafina and other works by Ngema – and Ngema himself – should be banned from theatres, school and universities curricula? If the works are to be presented, should they be framed in a particular way (as the curator, Gabi Ngcobo, has done at the Javett Arts Centre), contextualising Mthethwa’s work against his crime and sentence? How are ‘monstrous men’ to be re-integrated within the industry, if at all? How should the sector treat Msomi after he has served his time? Does the nature of their respective crimes matter in how they are treated? These issues have been discussed within the industry for some time, with little being done formally: what can be done, who should do it, and how should it be monitored? All these were questions that the seminar attempted to find answer for.

READ More  Nairobi Rising

It would be recalled that earlier this year, Mbongeni Ngema was served with a removal notice by Joburg Theatre the night before the opening of his show because of allegations of sexual harassment against him. Similarly, Zwelethu Mthethwa is currently serving 18 years in jail for murdering Nokupila Kumalo, and there is controversy about his work being exhibited at the Javett Arts Centre in Pretoria while Welcome Msomi, the creator of the world-famous uMabatha was recently found guilty of having stolen R8m from the Living Legends fund.

0
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappEmail
Olamilekan Okeowo

previous post
Oscar Award Disqualification: A letter to LionHeart
next post
BBC on the trail of 100 greatest films by women

You may also like

New York Research Centre Celebrates 100 Years Of...

June 16, 2025

Accra To Host FESTAC Africa Renaissance Festival

June 14, 2025

Nigeria’s Ojude Oba festival: Culture And Colour Come...

June 11, 2025

Ojude Oba 2025: Nigeria’s Most Glamorous Cultural Festival...

June 8, 2025

‘Afroworld’ Exhibition To Celebrate Black Hair

June 4, 2025

Nigeria Must Promote Local Languages, Culture — Soyinka

May 21, 2025

Ibadan Cultural Festival 2025: Makinde Hints On Reconstitution...

May 18, 2025

Top 7 Must-Experience Cultural Festivals In Kenya

April 30, 2025

Why Egbaliganza Is A Cultural Blueprint For Africa’s...

April 25, 2025

Africa Centre Forges Strategic Partnership With Nigeria’s National...

April 23, 2025

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

  • Davido Begins Countdown Amid White Wedding Speculation
  • Olamide Unveils Star-Studded Tracklist For 11th Album, Features Dr Dre, Wizkid, Others
  • World Premiere Of Comedy Film Set In The Fens
  • ‘Leave Me Alone’, Ayra Starr Cries Out Over Online Bullying
  • The Best Nigerian Art Museums To Explore For Cultural Insights

Sponsored

Recent Posts

  • Davido Begins Countdown Amid White Wedding Speculation

    June 17, 2025
  • Olamide Unveils Star-Studded Tracklist For 11th Album, Features Dr Dre, Wizkid, Others

    June 17, 2025
  • World Premiere Of Comedy Film Set In The Fens

    June 17, 2025

Categories

  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
  • Culture Africana
  • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Music, Movies & More
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Photo News
  • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Interview
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality
  • Travel News
  • Travel Trends
  • Travelogue
  • What's Hot?
  • World Culture

Connect with us

Connect with us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

@2025 - The Culture Newspaper. All Right Reserved. Maintained by Freelart

The Culture Newspaper
  • Home
  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
    • Culture Africana
    • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Music, Movies & More
  • News
    • Travel News
  • Opinion
    • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality