Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1984 (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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Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Medu declared the year 1983 as the "Year of Women", placing an image of a women with a gun on her back on the front cover of this edition. The first section of this edition covers cultural work both about women and by women. This includes poetry and articles. One poem by Victor Matlou, titled "The Breath of August 9th" engages with the importance of women in the struggle for freedom, starting with his title which refers to the march of women to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 to oppose pass laws. The second section of this newsletter explores "Medu's work and progress", with a particular focus on community oriented art projects. This an exploration of the Ngwedi graphic unit by Mognane Serote, the Community Band-Bond by Mandisa and projects undertaken by the Itumeleng Film Unit. Front page graphic by Miles Pelo.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Permission to publish must be obtained from the Medu Art Ensemble Project.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Publication note
Newsletter has a cover page, unnumbered table of content and one unnumbered illustration page.