Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1983 (Accumulation)
Level of description
Subseries
Extent and medium
37 pages
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Medu Art Ensemble was formed by South Africa exiles in Gaborone, Botswana, in 1978. The organisation produced a wealth of creative work across all major art-forms; the roup further played a key role in shaping aesthetic and cultural theory and praxis within Africanist and liberation struggles. On June 14 1985, the South African Defence Force attacked the homes of Medu members and other activists in Gaborone, killing 12 people; Medu as an organisation ceased to exist.
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Scope and content
What can our art be used for? Used by Whom? This edition of Medu explores the importance of art and its inextricable relationship to community. Two interviews, one with playwright Maki Mapogo and another with Musician Johnny Clegg, explore their artforms and the relationships these artforms have to community and activism. The Zimbabwe Writers'Workshop, chronicled in this edition, had extensive discussions on the political responsiblities of writers, includes delegates like Dambudzo Marechera and extracts from writers like Emmanuel Ngara, Micere Mugo and T.T. Moyana. The edition is concluded by Mongane Serote's in-depth article on the Politics of Culture in southern Africa. Front page graphic by Miles Pelo.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
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Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Permission to publish must be obtained from the Medu Art Ensemble Project.
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Script of material
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Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
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Publication note
Newsletter has a cover page, unnumbered table of content and one unnumbered illustration page.