14.  BUILD-UP TO THE INDRA CONGRESS PATHWAYS 

HOSTED BY ARROWSA AND UKZN 

IN DURBAN FROM 2ND TO THE 8TH OF JULY 2018

We have an ongoing build-up to the Indra Congress Pathways that introduces the participants and arts facilitators and organisers to each other and also shares the artworks that the participating groups are working on that they will share with each other at the congress.

Meet the drama and symposium team of the Indra Congress Pathways ! 

The drama section and symposium of the Indra Congress Pathways is led by a staff member, Dr Miranda Young-Jahangeer and a PhD student, Ongezwa Mbele, of Drama and Performance Studies, University of Kwazulu-Natal while an intern from Dala, Siyavuya Mfenqa will assist with the drama activity.

                                          Ongezwa Mbele

Ongezwa Mbele is a South African applied theatre facilitator, published poet and PhD candidate at the University of Cape. She is currently a drama lecturer at the University of Kwa Zulu Natal. For her Master research she received the spirit ‘68 award for her research. This award celebrates the spirit of the 1968 sit-in, which defended the appointment of Archie Mafaje to University of Cape Town academic staff against the apartheid government’s demand to withdraw the job offer on grounds of his race. With a strong focus on supporting novel approaches to reducing social exclusion, the award is particularly suited to pilot projects.

Ongezwa has been drawn to theatre that addresses societal issues.  Therefore, she has studied courses such as Prison theatre and teaching dance in education. These courses have harnessed her passion of using theatre as medium in her work with marginalised South African youth. She attributes her interests in ‘theatre activism within youth development’ to the fact that she grew up in a marginalised area of South Africa. Therefore, she embodies and understands the marginalised South African youth’s struggles.

E-mail: ongezwambele@gmail.com

                                                                        Siyavuya Mfenqa 

Siyavuya is a young graduate from the Drama Dept at the Durban University of Technology.

He is presently doing an internship with dala which is an npo engaging in art and architecture for social change.

Dr Miranda Young-Jahangeer

Dr. Miranda Young-Jahangeer is the Academic Leader for Teaching and Learning in the School of the Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.  She is located in the Drama and Performance studies programme where her speciality is Applied Theatre.  Her work spreads across different locations including schools and public spaces however her particular interest is prison theatre and she has had an on-going programme in Westville Female Prison for the past 18 years.

13.  BUILD-UP TO THE INDRA CONGRESS PATHWAYS 

HOSTED BY ARROWSA AND UKZN 

IN DURBAN FROM 2ND TO THE 8TH OF JULY 2018

We have an ongoing build-up to the Indra Congress Pathways that introduces the participants and arts facilitators and organisers to each other and also shares the artworks that the participating groups are working on that they will share with each other at the congress.

The DUT Jewellery Design students have been working hard on the creations that they will share with the congress participants at the Indra Congress Pathways. 

Londiwe and Ntuthuko

Nikiwe

Simphiwe and Uya

The Department of Jewellery Design has been in existence since 1978. We are situated in what can be called the ‘heart’ of Durban, Warwick triangle , where our students are exposed to a range of rich cultural influences. The students are from diverse backgrounds and we encourage them to draw on their cultural heritages to contribute to the development of a South African jewellery design identity.

We concentrate on developing the necessary skills required by the jewellery industry, and also focus on a broader range of skills, such as beadwork, ceramics, traditional jewellery skills, CAD/CAM , that would assist with the development of students’ creative abilities. The goal being to develop future designers who can contribute in unique ways, as employees, future designers, employers, trainers and lecturers.

Marlene

The co-ordinator of the DUT jewellery design exhibition is Dr Marlene de Beer who is a lecturer in the department of Fine Art and Jewellery Design.  She writes: "I was employed as a part-time lecturer in the Department of Jewellery Design at Durban University of Technology from 200-2006.  I have been employed as a permanent lecturer since 2007.  I was awarded a PhD in Visual Arts at Stellenbosch University in December 2017."

We thank the DUT Jewellery Design students and Marlene  in advance for their hard work and for the contribution that they give to ARROWSA Bechet's intercultural exchanges every year with a percentage of their sales. We look forward to viewing the vibrant jewellery at the exhibition and Indra Congress Pathways opening!

12.  BUILD-UP TO THE INDRA CONGRESS PATHWAYS 

HOSTED BY ARROWSA AND UKZN 

IN DURBAN FROM 2ND TO THE 8TH OF JULY 2018

We have an ongoing build-up to the Indra Congress Pathways that introduces the participants and arts facilitators and organisers to each other and also shares the artworks that the participating groups are working on that they will share with each other at the congress.

The group coming from Palestine are looking forward to meeting you all!

Nicola Zreineh, Al Harah Theatre

Nathalie Hodaly

Nicolas Jarad

We are happy that Nicola, Nathalie and Nicolas will join us at the congress and look forward to them sharing with us through the arts!

Join us at the 

collaborative ARROWSA, UKZN, 

Bechet High School and

DUT Jewellery exhibition and Indra Congress Pathways opening 

on 2nd July at 5.30 for 6.00 pm

at the UKZN, Howard College Campus, Gate 1

Square  Space Theatre, 

Drama and Performing Studies

A percentage of sales will go towards the ARROWSA Bechet intercultural exchanges

11.  BUILD-UP TO THE INDRA CONGRESS PATHWAYS 

HOSTED BY ARROWSA AND UKZN 

IN DURBAN FROM 2ND TO THE 8TH OF JULY 2018

We have an ongoing build-up to the Indra Congress Pathways that introduces the participants and arts facilitators and organisers to each other and also shares the artworks that the participating groups are working on that they will share with each other at the congress.

Meet the youth from Namibia who will join us at the congress!

''My name is Denis Swartbooi, born in Rehoboth, Namibia, grew up a few years of my life in Arandis and now currently living in Rehoboth. I'm a first year student at Anistemi College in Usakos. I have a strong passion for arts and craft ever since I was a young boy. I love drawing and singing as I see true beauty in life through it. I'm a very open-minded person. Open to learn anything and share my ideas of how I do things and willing to learn new skills to improve my talents."

"My name is Gianni Beukes, I  was born and raised in Rehoboth, a central town in Namibia 80km south of Windhoek. I am a highly motivated and dedicated individual in my community. I am currently studying towards my  degree in law. I am a very energetic individual and always had a deep sense for culture and arts. I am highly motivated by my culture's legacy and it awakens an urge with in me to share  and revive it. I am a high tolerant person for different cultures, customs and traditions. I can best be defined as a persevered, dedicated and well organize individual. I am always adjustable to new circumstances. I can endure a lot of hardships and know how to adore an opportunity."

''My name is Darrel-Ray Willmore, born in Rehoboth, Namibia and raised in Okahandja a town located 140km North of Rehoboth. As I grew up, I've always had a desire for the automotive industry as well as cooking and poetry. I am quite enthusiastic and dedicated to achieve wellness in all aspects of my life, because nothing pays off as much as hard work. My deepest passion is to fulfil the missing gaps of people in my community as well as around the globe through my message.''

Smithley Araeb

"My name is Smithley Araeb. I am 17 years old, i first year student in hospitality and tourism at Anistemi College and Training Centre, Namibia. I was raised in Arandis and moved to to Rehoboth at aged 13. I always strive to do my best and push myself to get things right that try out. I have a passion for cooking and serving people. Besides the kitchen i love dancing, drama and poetry, and always ready to try new things."

We are excited to meet these young men from Namibia at the congress!

10.  BUILD-UP TO THE INDRA CONGRESS PATHWAYS 

HOSTED BY ARROWSA AND UKZN 

IN DURBAN FROM 2ND TO THE 8TH OF JULY 2018

We have an ongoing build-up to the Indra Congress Pathways that introduces the participants and arts facilitators and organisers to each other and also shares the artworks that the participating groups are working on that they will share with each other at the congress.

Meet an assistant co-ordinator and fundraiser of the congress Dr Lauren Dyll of the Centre for Communication, Media and Society, University of KwaZulu-Natal and ARROWSA

Dr Lauren Dyll is a senior lecturer in the Centre for Communciation, Media and Society (CCMS), and is the disciple representative on the Research and Higher Degree Committee, as well as the Community Engagement Committee. She is head of the Research Portfolio for ARROWSA.   Lauren assisted with the first ARROWSA intercultural exchange to Arrow UK in 2006.  She has been a keen supporter of the different ARROWSA projects ever since  that first trip especially the ARROWSA Bechet programme and has inspired the support of her generous family and friends especially in funding and sponsoring the disadvantaged participants of ARROWSA.

The Centre for Communication, Media and Society (CCMS) is located in the School of Applied Human Sciences of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The Centre offers Honours, Masters’ by Research (MSocSci) and Doctoral (PhD) degrees, in the Southern African region’s premier graduate research and educational unit in Culture, Communication and Media Studies. CCMS staff are internationally recognised scholars, and our postgraduate programmes reflect our interdisciplinary and international research culture which draws on media studies, television studies, film studies, cultural studies, history and heritage, and health communication. Modules offered reflect the research culture of CCMS and include: media theory; cultural studies in practice; media in the global world; South African mediascapes, social change & health communication; and research methodology for media and cultural studies. A wide variety of teaching styles are used to support learning, including seminars, workshops, and individual supervision. CCMS offers highly structured degrees with weekly seminars, and close supervision. 

We are happy to have Dr Lauren Dyll of CCMS, UKZN as part of our ARROWSA team at the Indra Congress Pathways and thank her and her colleagues for securing funding for the congress lunches!

9.  BUILD-UP TO THE INDRA CONGRESS PATHWAYS 

HOSTED BY ARROWSA AND UKZN 

IN DURBAN FROM 2ND TO THE 8TH OF JULY 2018

We have an ongoing build-up to the Indra Congress Pathways that introduces the participants and arts facilitators and organisers to each other and also shares the artworks that the participating groups are working on that they will share with each other at the congress.

Meet the participants from Lucknow India:

We are looking forward to these talented young women and teacher sharing with us at the Indra Congress Pathways!

From left to right: Akanksha, Sandhya, Roli, Shambhavi, Jyoti

8.  BUILD-UP TO THE INDRA CONGRESS PATHWAYS 

HOSTED BY ARROWSA AND UKZN 

IN DURBAN FROM 2ND TO THE 8TH OF JULY 2018

We have an ongoing build-up to the Indra Congress Pathways that introduces the participants and arts facilitators and organisers to each other and also shares the artworks that the participating groups are working on that they will share with each other at the congress.

Meet directors of Indra Congress United Kingdom:

David Oddie   

After working as a teacher and actor David founded what is the current Plymouth Barbican Theatre Company.   In 1999 he was invited by the now University of St Mark and St John, Plymouth to write and teach a BA programme for Drama in the Community and later an MA in The Arts and Conflict Transformation.  In 2004 he established, with the blessing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the ARROW programme, (Art: a Resource for Reconciliation Over the world). In 2006 David became a National Teaching Fellow of the British Higher Education Academy.

In 2010 David left the College to set up the Indra Congress, an independent social enterprise company committed to developing the arts as a resource for young people and their communities in settings and situations of conflict.  He has been working in collaboration with Mary Lange and ARROWSA for the past 14 years.  David’s book, A Personal Journey of Art and Conflict: Weaving Indra’s Net, tells the story of ARROW/Indra.

David is passionate about the role of the arts in helping young people navigate their way through our troubled world.  He lives in a delightful cottage in Cornwall, England with his wife Hilary and their collie dog, Islay.  He lives near his eldest son Joe, a teacher, and grandchildren.  His youngest son, Joff, is the lead guitarist in the UK band Wolf Alice.

We are thrilled that David Oddie will be at the Indra Congress Pathways as he has been integral in its planning!

Tim Prentki

We are sad that Tim Prentki will not be at the Durban congress but he sends the following message:

Greetings to all my friends, colleagues and young people attending the Durban Congress. I shall greatly miss being with you this time but I'm sure it will prove a brilliant event following all the hard work that has gone into setting it up.

I've been lucky enough to have been associated with Indra and Arrow before it for many years; writing the Arts Council report on the early years, 'A Mile in My Shoes', attending the Plymouth, Derry and Bethlehem congresses, and more recently being a director of the Community Interest Company. While we are always looking for younger, more dynamic people to push us old-timers aside, I hope I'll be associated with Indra for the months and years ahead. My professional life in teaching and research has mainly been concerned with Theatre for Development, of which Indra is a superb example.

I shall follow the outcomes of Durban 2018 keenly and am looking forward to news of the bi-lateral and multi-lateral projects initiated at it.

Warmest wishes, Tim.

7.  BUILD-UP TO THE INDRA CONGRESS PATHWAYS 

HOSTED BY ARROWSA AND UKZN 

IN DURBAN FROM 2ND TO THE 8TH OF JULY 2018

We have an ongoing build-up to the Indra Congress Pathways that introduces the participants and arts facilitators and organisers to each other and also shares the artworks that the participating groups are working on that they will share with each other at the congress.

Today meet  Shanette Martin who is a director and team leader of South Roots International. Shanette and a team of volunteers will capture and share the Indra Congress Pathways through video and photographs.

Shanette Martin is the director of South Roots International - a non profit company using arts and media as a tool for social transformation.  Shanette studied film and video technology at the Film School of Tshwane University of Technology.

For eight years, Shanette worked between Los Angeles, London and South Africa in the main-stream film industry in post production and as writer/director in independent documentary productions.

In 1994, Shanette turned her focus to addressing issues of injustice in previously disadvantaged communities in South Africa and focused on the upliftment of the Roodewal community in Worcester South Africa.  She was based here for eighteen years, using musical theatre to tell the story of this people group from slavery of colonialism, to slavery of Apartheid, drugs, gangs and alcohol, to their ultimate freedom.  Today members of this community tour internationally, telling their story through the arts, while Shanette now documents such stories on video and continues to address issues of injustice within other communities throughout South Africa.

We look forward to working with Shanette and South Roots International at the Indra Congress Pathways!

6.  BUILD-UP TO THE INDRA CONGRESS PATHWAYS 

HOSTED BY ARROWSA AND UKZN 

IN DURBAN FROM 2ND TO THE 8TH OF JULY 2018

We have an ongoing build-up to the Indra Congress Pathways that introduces the participants and arts facilitators and organisers to each other and also shares the artworks that the participating groups are working on that they will share with each other at the congress.

Meet the Media and Cultural Studies team from UKZN.

                 

"Luthando Ngema, has been part of ARROWSA as a volunteer since 2010. And through this participation her community engagement projects are strongly linked to ARROWSA and Indra Congress activities.  She will be one of the hosts at UKZN and will facilitate the hand mapping exercise.  Look forward to laughter and fun around Luthando.  And learning about the South African culture and people.  Youth development for Luthando  is important, because the youth are influential in creating cultural futures and encouraging peace in conflicted environments."                                          

              

"I'm Layla Dube, ready to welcome Indra Congress participants in Durban.  I am a Masters student studying Marketing and Cultural Studies.  I am an English, Media and Cultural studies tutor and the Academic Development Officer for the School of Arts.  My link to ARROWSA is through Luthando Ngema, and I've had the opportunity to attend events around the Abasha Bash and Passbook Competition, which are projects affiliated to ARROWSA.  I am passionate about youth development because young people have a lot to offer they just need a guiding hand and opportunities."

                         

"My name is Samantha Madondo and I am a Masters student in the school of arts at UKZN.  Volunteering for youth development is a crucial element to get involved in.  With youth month fast approaching it is important to get involved in initiatives like the Indra Congress that help assist youth in various creative spaces.  As students in the School of Arts it's important to pay it forward and give to our visitors an unforgettable South African experience.

Fun fact: I've played professional hockey for 6 years."

     

"Hi, I'm Sbusiso Lungani Hlongwa, born and raised in Durban KwaZulu-Natal.  I enjoy working with the youth, especially through edutainment programmes.  Making a difference in someone's life, give me motivation to keep going and encouraging youth to do better in approaching life and its challenges.  Volunteering for a youth development program for me is very important because for me it means I play a huge role in the development of our South African youth, therefore this ensures a more positive and confident individual.  Looking forward to meeting all the Indra Congress participants  Sizobonana maduze (we shall meet soon)"

"Hi everyone, I'm Tshimanga Tshiteya from ARROWSA SINCE 2010.  So excited to once again participate in the Indra Congress!  My short story, Imbewu Yesizwe, was adapted and performed at the Indra Congress back in 2014.  I am an aspiring young Civil Engineer currently doing his 3rd year at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.  I speak seven languages, play three different music instruments and I am hoping to travel to one hundred countries before 50 yrs.

I have always been passionate about the youth and being able to inspire young through my experiences. I believe that in order to change the future and the world, it start with the youth.  I have been an active, on and off, member of ARROWSA from 2010 to date. Looking forward to catch up with everyone!"

We are looking forward to working with ARROWSA management and UKZN lecturer Luthando as well as her Media and Cultural Studies, UKZN team.  We welcome back ARROWSA alumni Tshiteya!  We thank them all in anticipation for their assistance in running the congress.