ARROWSA/INDRA 

South to North: Arts for Social change 

Climate Change Project 

(partially funded by the National Arts Council of South Africa)

                                       

Our first phase of the South to North: Arts for Social Change ended with a reflection on what online use of the arts was the most effective in prompting the participants to want to take action. The hubs in Durban (ARROWSA), Cape Flats (South Roots International), Manchester (Gorsehill Studios) and Rochdale (Indra Touchstones) worked with the participants on their own and also met online in zoom sessions every second week between July and October 2020 - during COVID-19. A different hub led each zoom session with arts activities of their choice based on Climate Change. At the end of the four months the lead facilitators asked the youth to video themselves responding to three questions: 

1. What was your highlight in the Climate Change Project?

                            

2. What art form was used in that highlight?

3. What action did it result in you taking or wanting to take?

The snippets of interviews were then sent to Vincent who edited them into one video to be found at 

https://youtu.be/xfrHEYgeR1g

The participants' responses revealed the following:

1.  It is important to include a range of arts activities for a social change campaign to be effective.  The following arts activities made the most impact (all activities were followed by a time of reflection and discussion):

1.1 Storytelling: The use of zoom breakout sessions for participants to create endings for a story that was started by the facilitator and then all the groups presented their unique ending of the story to each other.

1.2 Improvised vocal characterisation: The use of improvisation in a zoom meeting e.g. improvised monologues on what was happening in the participant's area due to COVID-19.

                                

1.3 Movement: The use of abstract movement to music led by a facilitating group in the zoom session. The participants in the hubs respond physically, out of their chairs, even though still in front of their computers e.g. the growth and death of a tree due to human intervention.

1.4 Role play: The use of role play and humour to address serious issues e.g. three participants, play the roles of government ministers who are discussing their portfolios and how they relate to Climate Change. They address the participants from the other hubs in the zoom meeting in their roles as government ministers. OR the facilitator plays the role of a quiz host and the participants from the other hubs are asked questions in a zoom meeting as if on a Climate Change quiz show.

                            

1.5 Power Points: Documentary style power-points including video snippets e.g. the participants of the hub leading the session create an educational project at their school, such as a vegetable garden and recycling, and then take photographs and video snippets which they then share in a zoom session with the other hubs and answer questions stimulated by the power-point.

1.6 Videos: Investigative videos that interview community members e.g. a video, that includes humour and narrated in the first person that centers on interviews of community members of different age groups and their views on Climate Change.

                                            

2. The educational aspect of the project was as appreciated as was the art part because the participants were made aware of how little knowledge they had and/or how little they knew about the impact of Climate Change on other parts of the globe. 

3. The online interaction was very important to some of the participants during COVID-19 especially during lockdown in order to counteract loneliness.

4. Global youth interaction is important for finding solutions to global issues such as Climate Change.

                            

 

Climate Change video

 by ARROWSA alumni Vincent Joseph Salanji of Vinnies Vision

https://youtu.be/b1Q7xi7b10I

The video was made possible with funding by the National Arts Council as part of the 

South to North: arts for social change project 

that is taking place between ARROWSA, Durban and South Roots International, Cape Flats SA and INDRA UK, Rochdale and Manchester.

In the video, Vincent engages with youth and the elderly from his community in order to find out what they know about Climate Change and what their views on it are.  Vincent puts his usual humour into a topic that inspires many different reactions.

Go and have a look!

Indra Congress 'Pathways' 

Reflection and thanks!

Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu: 

I can't but We can!

                                                                                                      Beach Front parade (Photo by Mary-Ann Lange)

The Indra Congress "Pathways" surpassed expectations and resulted in an enthusiastic, energetic, enjoyable, thought provoking week that included sharing of cultures, skills, knowledge, friendship, tears and laughter through the arts! International Mandela Day seems a relevant day to reflect on how so many individuals from different cultures from different parts of South Africa, Africa and the world could come together, share and create arts, and become one people for a week.

Our initial budget for holding a congress in Durban for Indra was R750 000.00. We only managed to receive R30 000.00 formal funding. How did we then manage to host an international youth congress for approximately 90 people for a week and still maintain a high standard of arts skills and intercultural exchange? In this post (based on my address to the congress participants on the final day of the congress) as chairperson of ARROWSA and co-ordinator of the pre-, during and post Indra Congress Pathways, I'd like to reflect on who assisted in making the week such a success!  Although names of individuals and organisations will be listed, in truth, the amazing aspect of the congress was that it was a group effort. The reflection and thanks is shared not only to publicly acknowledge all who contributed to the congress but also to encourage other organisations and individuals to go ahead with planning events even if major funding is not available.

Acknowledgment is hereby given to the following people, organisations and institutions for their contributions:

Founder of Indra Congress and assistant coordinator of Indra Congress 'Pathways':
David Oddie (Director Indra Congress)

                               David Oddie as guest speaker at the congress opening (Photo by Alix Harris)

Fund raising:
  - Crowd funding - Luthando Ngema (ARROWSA management and Media and Cultural Studies UKZN)
   - Raising donations - Bhekithemba Dlamini (ARROWSA management and Bechet High School) and Dr Lauren Dyll (ARROWSA management and CCMS, UKZN)
    - Jewellery auction donation of Indra Net necklace - Kathlyn Allan (Author Jewellers)
    - Sponsoring of Instagram advert for jewellery auction - Luthando Ngema
    - Jewellery raffle donation of 'the giving hand' necklace - Kathlyn Allan (Author Jewellers)
Support for the above was especially from ARROWSA management and ARROWSA Bechet's family, colleagues and friends.

  
       Luthando Ngema (Photo Mary Lange)                                  Shanette Martin (Photo by Mary-Ann Lange)

Social Media build up on Indra Congress Pathways Facebook page- all countries participants and leaders
Press releases - Miliswa Magongo and Luthando Ngema
Congress media and equipment:                                           
  - Filming - Shanette Martin (Director South Roots International)
  - Co-ordination of  media volunteers and social media posting -Luthando Ngema
 - Media volunteers - Samantha Madondo (Media and Cultural Studies, UKZN), Tshimanga Tshiteya (ARROWSA Bechet alumni)

   - Co-ordination of media shown at the congress - Betty Giannouli for Greece, Urvashi Sahni for India;  and Shanette Martin for South Roots.
 

   - Photographer - Vincent Joseph (ARROWSA Bechet alumni) (Photo by Robyn Michelle)

Build up workshops in the weeks before the congress:
  -Intercultural exchange between Canadian students and ARROWSA Bechet at Bechet High School - Bhekithemba Dlamini
  -Making of bead and African charm necklace gifts for congress visitors - ARROWSA Bechet and materials sponsored by and workshop led by Kathlyn Allan, (Author Jewellers) and assisted by Karla Nixon (Fine Arts Dept, DUT)
  -Media workshop - Shanette Martin
  -Cooling Conflict  - anti-bullying workshop - David Oddie (Director Indra Congress)

Jewellery exhibition:

                                                                                                                               (Photo dut.ac)

Jewellery creation: Jewellery and Fine Arts Department, DUT second and third year students
Co-ordination and display - Dr Marlene de Beer and Dr Chris de Beer (Jewellery and Fine Arts Department, DUT)

Arts activities - artists donated their time to prepare for the congress in the weeks before and to facilitate the arts activities everyday of the congress and co-direct and lead the beach front parade activities.

 - Music, singing and dancing - Sue- Livia van Wyk (South Roots International)

        Sue-Livia van Wyk with her fellow South Roots International team participants (Photo by Selby Williams)

 - Drama - Ongezwa Mbele (Drama and Performance Studies, UKZN), assisted by Siyavuya Mfenqa (Dala intern)

                                                                                                           Ongezwa Mbele (Photo by Luthando Ngema)

                          Siyavuya Mfenqa and congress participants (Photo by Siyavuya Mfenqa)

 - Arts and crafts - Dane Knudsen (Stops) (Graphic Design department, DUT) , Kathlyn Allan (Author Jewellers) and Karla Nixon (Fine Arts Department, DUT)

                                                                Posters created by the arts and crafts group (Photo by Luthando Ngema)

  - Arts and crafts materials - Donation of materials and tools  by Kathlyn Allan, Karla Nixon and Dane Knudsen; funding  from jewellery auction

   Kathlyn Allan working with the ARROWSA Bechet participants in the arts and crafts group
                                                                                                                                          (Photo by Kathlyn Allan)

   - Mass movement - Alix Harris (Indra Congress Plymouth, UK)


          Mass movement facilitated by Alix Harris as part of the Beach Front parade (Photo by Mary-Ann Lange)                                 
- City walk - Doung (Dala)
  - Hand mapping exercise - Luthando Ngema
  - Warm up drama exercise session - Canadian students

Beach front parade planning -  Dane Knudsen, Dr Mary Lange, Ongezwa Mbele, Dr Miranda Young-Jahangeer, Nicola Zreineh (Al Harah Theatre, Palestine), Kathlyn Allan, Sue-Livia van Wyk and Karla Nixon
Beach front parade makeup - Karla Nixon

                                                                                                        (Photo by Nathalie Hodali)

Beach front parade direction - Dane Knudsen, Karla Nixon, Kathlyn Allan, Sue-Livia van Wyk, Ongezwa Mbele, Siyavuya Mfenqa and Dr Mary Lange

                                                             Karla Nixon directs the beach front parade bird (photo Luthando Ngema)

Beach front parade permit payment - from jewellery auction funds

Congress Venue and wifi - UKZN Drama and Performance Studies co-ordinated by Dr Miranda Young-Jahangeer (ARROWSA management and Drama and Performance Studies, UKZN) and staff

     - venue technical and general co-ordination and assistance at venue (including supervision of meals at the congress) - Jason Barber (Drama and Performance Studies, UKZN)

Facilitation, rehearsals and direction of presentations performed at the congress - were self funded by each participating group's leader.
                            
                             

        

                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                       (Photo by Ongezwa Mbele)

Congress Symposium:
Co-ordination and co-chair: Dr Miranda Young-Jahangeer
Co-chair: David Oddie

Meals:

  -Congress Lunches - funding from UKZN Research Prof Ramjugermath co-ordinated by  Dr Lauren Dyll (ARROWSA Management and CCMS, UKZN)
   -Suppers for visitors staying at Concord Guesthouse food and time donated - Dr Lauren Dyll, Anne Ross, Prof Ruth Teer-Tomaselli (CCMS, UKZN), Luthando Ngema, Dr Miranda Young-Jahangeer

Dr Lauren Dyll and Anne Ross (Photo Lauren Dyll)

 -Congress Tea and snacks - Dr Mary-Ann Lange and Dr Miranda Young-Jahangeer
   -Welcome snack packs for visitors from outside of Durban - Dr Mary Lange

Accommodation:
   - Namibia, Canada and South Roots - paid for their own
   - UK and Palestine - paid by David Oddie
  - India - paid one night for themselves and balance paid by ARROWSA from funds raised by publication sales and museum programmes

Durban transport co-ordination time donated: Bhekithemba Dlamini

Transport funding:
  - The leaders of participants from outside of Durban raised their own transport funding to attend the congress:  namely Darryl and Lessle Beukes from Namibia; Marina Barham from Al Harah Theatre in Palestine; David Oddie and Alix Harris from Indra Congress in UK; Shanette Martin from South Roots, Western Cape, South Africa, Diane Conrad of University of Alberta, Canada and Urvashi Sahni from Study Hall, Lucknow, India.
  - ARROWSA Bechet and Abasha Bash to UKZN - donations and raffle funds
  - Airport trips for overseas visitors - Dr Mary-Ann Lange, Kathlyn Allan and Dr Mary Lange
  -Visitors staying at Concord guesthouse to UKZN  - Dr Miranda Young-Jahangeer

Congress gift packs - UKZN co-ordinated by Luthando Ngema
Congress programme:
Design and layout time donated- Dane Knudsen
Printing co-ordination time donated - Bhekithemba Dlamini

Collage of Indra Congress Pathways participants by Dane Knudsen

I dreamed a week before the Indra Congress 'Pathways' that I saw a pride of young and female lions standing on each others shoulders in a formation reminiscent of cheerleaders.  In the dream I stood back and said "I didn't know that they could do that!"  At the end of the Indra Congress Pathways when I stood in front of the congress participants in the UKZN Square Space Theatre and looked at the young participants and all the leaders I had the same feeling as I did in the dream; awe and gratitude as I thought: 'I didn't know that you could do that!" but we did!

Thank you everyone!

                                                                                                       (Photo by Mary-Ann Lange)

Mary Lange (ARROWSA Chair)

DUT Jewellery exhibition opens tomorrow evening at Drama and Performance Studies, University of KwaZulu-Natal!  

If you can't be there see the creative work below and let us know if you would like to buy any of these unique creations.  A percentage of all profits goes to the ARROWSA Bechet intercultural exchange projects.

16.  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 young women from Plymouth UK who will share their talents at the Indra Congress Pathways!

Alix Harris

Alix Harris is a Theatre Practitioner, Director & performer. In 2015, Alix set up performance company Beyond Face with the aim to promote and raise the profile of people of colour in performance work in Plymouth and the wider regions. The company works with young people, emerging artist and professionals across theatre and dance. Beyond Face is now a resident company within the Barbican Theatre Plymouth . Alix is a participant of the Artistic Directors Leadership Programme run by tiata fahodzi & RTYDS. Alix works at the Barbican Theatre as a freelance Practitioner & Director, as well as the Theatre Royal Plymouth & is a director of the Indra Congress CIC. The majority of Alix’s work is focused on people’s stories and a big focus on using the arts for social justice and to ensure that every voice is represented on stage. 

Ellie and Georgia have been attending Plymouth Indra for almost 5 years. They both have just completed their Drama and English Literature A Level. Georgia will be starting a degree in Performing Arts education at the University of St Mark and St John in September. Ellie hopes to use her experience in Indra to pursue a career in Drama Therapy. 

They say “we are really excited about being enlightened in the culture of South Africa and seeing our friends from Indra again and making new ones.” 

Looking forward to seeing these young ladies perform again!