Artists: Judy Seidman

Artists: Judy Seidman

Artists: Judy Seidman

Artists: Thami Mnyele

Artists: Thami Mnyele

Artists: Judy Seidman

Artists: Judy Seidman

What is the place of artists, cultural activists and writers in the struggle against Apartheid? This edition of the Medu Art Ensemble newsletter, the last of 1981, shares experiences of artists and their range of cultural activities. The issue consists of poetry, articles, short stories and book reviews. The first poem is about the silences imposed by Apartheid, composed by John Donne. Ngugi Wa Thiong'o's article on "Education for a national culture" focuses on the importance of understanding your background and culture, particularly in the context of a liberation struggle. It is certain that artists have a role to play in this process! A short story about "The New Place" by Mongane Serote focuses on an experience of forced removals and resettlement that many black South Africans faced. Front page graphic by Mike Kahn on silkscreen.

This edition of the Medu Art Ensemble newsletter contains poetry, articles, book reviews, play reviews and letters. It contains several articles, critical essays and play reviews and seeks to engage in some "hard talking about the position of culture in our society at this time". This "hard talking" is present in a number of critical articles, notably by Ngugi Wa Thiong'o and Judy Seidman. Albie Sachs writes a fascinating letter to Medu which reflects on how much of the literary and artistic work is "agonized". His experience of being in exile in Mozambique has led him to believe that artists are trying to "outshout" the oppressor. He sees value for artists in "building up liberated zones" inside themselves and creating images outside of the context of the oppressor. Front page graphic by Thami Mnyele on silkscreen.

The Medu Festival Edition has been termed as such because it contains some of the best articles, poems and short stories collected in earlier editions. This is Medu's contribution to the Culture and Resistance Festival of 1982. The aim of the festival was to showcase examples of the rich cultural heritage of southern Africa. The display of art and culture aims to challenge the brutal and systemic repression of the cultural life faced by the oppressed in South Africa. This edition contains a range of poetry and short stories each poignantly reflecting on the tumult of the 1980s. The poetry and prose of Mongane Serote, John Donne, Miles Pelo, Mafika Gwala and Mandlenkosi Langa are included. The edition is ended with an interview with Thami Mnyele and graphics from Medu members. Front page graphic a collection of Medu poster arranged by the Medu Art Collective on silkcreen.