Artists: Medu Collective

Artists: Medu Collective

Artists: Judy Seidman

Artists: Thami Mnyele

Artists: Judy Seidman

In this newsletter, there are five poetry sections, namely Dead roots, Apology from London by Arthur Nortje, Miles of many fears by Bachana wa Mokwena, A prayer for Africa from the mouths of babies by Mandlenkosi Langa and I surrender by Thele Moema. Other section is the art review of the film by Mongane Serote called 'The wild Geese'. Medu's views on burning current issues in South Africa are included, interview by Bachan wa Mokwena interviewing Teresa Devant de Gonzalez regarding the theatre and the role of an artist in an oppressive system. Lastly, there are featured articles by Molefe Pheto, Phetu Serote and Timothy Williams.

The title of this Medu special edition is "No to the White Republic, Yes to the People's Republic". While PW Botha held celebrations for the anniversary of the Apartheid republic, Medu used this edition to say "Stop the Republic Day Festival". Bachana Mokwena's article on the 20th anniversary of the "bloodthirsty republic" gives a strong historical background to the processes of the republics formation, and the united opposition against it. Further, John Donne writes about Grigori Oganov's insight into the relationship between culture and resistance and between art, artists and their communities. Artworks by Thami Mnyele and Judy Seidman are included throughout the publication, including a sharp and graphic description of black life in South Africa entitled "Fragments: A Brief Comment on Black Lives in South Africa" by Thami Mnyele. Front page graphic by Judy Seidman and the Medu Art Collective.

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.

A background to the Exhibition of South African Art called "Art Toward Social Development" that was held on the 10 June to 10 August 1982 at National Museum and Art Gallery in Gaborone, Botswana. The exhibition reflects a panorama of South African art in 1982 through paintings, photographs and sculptures. The entire spectrum of South African society is reflected here. The first page of the document introduces the exhibition. Subsequent pages include a list of the artists and their artforms as well as biographies of the exhibitors.

The flyer includes advertisements for the Art Toward Social Development exhibition and Culture and Resistance Symposium/Festival which included art, photography, film, literature, theatre, music and dance. The Art Toward Social Development exhbition would take place from 10 June - August 10 1982. The Culture and Resistance Symposium dated July 5 - 9 July 1982. At the back of the flyer there is information that the opening of Art Toward Social Development would be done by Thami "Thamsanqa" Mnyele at 18:30 on Wednesday, 9 June 1982 at the National Museum and Art Gallery. The front cover is the poster for the exhbition.