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Jewish art out of Africa.
Washington DC - Jewish South Africans artists will be participating in a controversial exhibition entitled "The Jews out of Africa" to be opened in the Washington, D.C. area later this month. The special focus of the art exhibition is on the diverse group of African Jews who live on the African continent in the North, South and countries in between. Controversy surrounds the validity of certain groups' claims to being Jewish. Clive Emdon's paintings of the landscapes of South Africa and Lisa Firer's visual artworks from clay marks the South African Jewish community's contribution to the exhibition. At present, the hosts of the exhibition, the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, is also negotiating with the controversial Jewish South African artist, Stephen Cohen, to exhibit and attend the event. The continent of Africa has long been the home for a diverse group of Jewish people who have lived and practiced the traditional Jewish rituals. The Jewish communities in Africa have either been Jewish for two millennia or they have accepted Judaism in recent years because the religion resonated in their lives. Certain groups such as the Lemba from Southern African, believe they are the descendants of the "lost tribes of Israel. "The Jews out of Africa" exhibition will stimulate discussion and encourage the appreciation of the diverse identities of African Jews as reflected in art. Firer's clayworks express her identity as a South African Jew. Playing with the endless possibilities of clay is her major preoccupation. "I feel strongly rooted in Africa in terms of my visual repertoire, whose form and patterned surfaces reflect my identity as a South African," Firer said. Her work is hand built, using texturing devices such as patterned surfaces and mobilising on clay's ability to be chameleon-like. South African painter Emdon, focuses on the landscapes of South Africa across the planes and the human form. According to Emdon, his environment and social structure as an African Jew shaped his creative impulses. He was a journalist who worked through the worst years of apartheid to be an agent of change within his community. His paintings are colourful, and fluid brush strokes are used to express his views. The Lemba of Southern Africa are featured in the exhibition through the lens of renown U.S. photographer, Jay Sand, who will exhibit his photographs and discuss his work as writer, photographer and traveler. The Lemba-tribe claim to be descendants from ancient Jews, and recent genetic evaluations have proven their connection to the Jewish people. However, some of the established Jewish leaders and organisations do not accept the Lemba as Jews. Sand has explored the relationship between race, culture, religion and politics within the African Jewish communities. He has documented the Aabayudaya of Uganda, a community that has practiced Judaism for over 80 years. Sand has developed a program as an introduction to the fascinating world of African Jewry. Material about the Jews of Tunisia on the Isle of Djerba who have practiced Jewry for over 2000 years, is included. He will also exhibit photographs of the House of Israel Community of Ghana, who adopted Judaism when a local Ghanaian recognised Jewish characteristics in the ancient tradition of the Sefwi people. Sand will present a forum discussion on how the different groups have determined what constitutes being "Jewish." The "Jews out of Africa" series will also included the screening of two films about African Jewry. "Routes of Exile" will be screened as it offers a look at the remnants of the Jewish community left in Morocco. This film provides a new perspective on the current crisis of Jews in a modern Muslim state. "Operation Moses" presents the story of the rescue, immigration and absorption of Ethiopian African Jewry. The Gala evening of "The Jews Out of Africa" exhibition will include African Jewish melodies and dances, and a delicious assortment of African delicacies. Representatives from the Ethiopian, Moroccan and South African Embassies will deliver the welcoming remarks. © RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications [ Top ]  Kytie Koekblik ColumnIlda Jacobs Washington D.C. - Volgens die meeste Amerikaners wat ek ontmoet, is Halloween 'n verskoning om geld te maak. Maar almal, oud en jonk, is in elk geval deel van die pret. Laas Sondag was ek na 'n "Pumpkin Patch." Ek kon my oë nie glo nie. Dat iemand uit 'n spul tweederangse pampoene en 'n paar verdwaalde stalletjies met Halloween-dekorasies, kan geld maak. Suid-Afrikaners doen dit gewoonlik net oor Kersfees, wanneer jy allerhande junk kan koop of op 'n slee kan ry of jou foto saam met die een of ander liefdadigheidsorganisasie se krismisvader kan laat neem. Hier in Amerika, is die geringste ding 'n verskoning vir die Columbus dag spesiale uitverkoping of die Halloween bierfees of die Krismis kalkoen specials of is dit nou thanksgiving kalkoen, ek weet tog ook nie. Maar die Pumpkin Patch was in elk geval 'n belewenis, ten spyte van blatante geldwolwe wat agter die feestelikhede sit en gryns het oor die dollars wat inrol. Jy betaal jou vyf dollar en dan is dit soos America's Funniest Home Videos om die kinders dop te hou. Daar is 'n skuur vol strooi waarin die kleintjies rondrol en van bale hooi af spring, klein ongelukkies en snot en trane is net so algemeen soos die genies, geproes en die hooi in die hare. Ek kon my oë nie glo toe 'n woeste, ongeveer 11-jarige boelie, 'n 3-jaar oue klein dogtertjie soos 'n sak patats gryp, haar heen-en-weer wieg en toe van bo van die bale af neersmyt in strooi nie, en die kinders gooi mekaar met strooi en dit is net takke en rooi oë. Daar is ook 'n baan vol groen miniatuur John Deer trekkertjies waarop klein kniekoppies trap dat die stof so staan, sonder om enigsins progressie te maak. Dit is algemeen om 'n kop-aan-kop botsing te sien, of 'n kind wat absolute totale chaos veroorsaak deur stroom-op te probeer jaag. Daar is ook ritte in 'n groot pampoenkoets, en op 'n hooikar wat jou na die pampoenlande neem. Daar kan jy jou favourite oranje pampoen gaan uitsoek vir Halloween. Sonder Halloween se ekonomiese injeksie, sal hierdie plase in herfs maar sukkel-sukkel, en pampoenfeeste bied die antwoord. Dit is ongelooflik mooi, die tyd van die jaar in die "Boland" van Washington D.C. , die countryside. Die herfsblare is skakerings van goud, geel, rooi en oranje en die bome gloei in die son op 'n mooi dag. Die diep oranje pampoene gloei self, en dit is natuurlik vir my die pragtigste. Ek het in die pampoenland rondgestap, op soek na die perfekte, ferm, pampoen sonder gate of kreukels. In Suid-Afrika het ek myself nooit eers aan die wit pampoene gesteur nie! Daar is ook voël verskrikkers met gesiggies soos die Simpson familie en ander tv-karakters. Dit het my nogal aan die voëlverskrikkers in Suid-Afrika laat dink. Dit was 'n famile-tradisie om somermaande na die aarbei-plase in die Boland te ry om na die voëlverskrikkers te gaan kyk. Maar selfs die gelapte en opgestopte poppe het 'n derdewereldse gevoel gehad. Hulle was aangetrek in flardes, en het op donkiekarre gery. Daar was ook trekkers en selfs 'n helikopter wat uit blik en goed aanmekaar geslaan is. En nou hou ek my eerste Halloween in Amerika. Ek weet nie waaroor Halloween gaan nie, en ek het alreeds 'n waarskuwing van die huis af gekry oor die aand, wat glo 'n feesviering van die sataniste is. Ek weet darem nie so mooi nie. Al die kindertjies wat trick of treating doen, die Halloween decorations net omdat dit spinnekoppe en geraamtes en monsters en allerhande lelike goed is, maak dit nog nie 'n sondige nag nie, in elk geval nie in Amerika nie. My Halloween planne behels verskeie kostuumpartytjies, en klaarblyklik is die strate van Georgetown - 'n studente-area in Washington - vol mense in kostuums. So na ek gaan "trick of treating" doen het saam met my baas se kindertjies, sal ek gaan rondparadeer in die een of ander over-the-top kostuum en honderde fotos neem van die sondige nag om huis toe te stuur. Ek het alreeds allerhande cheap Halloween goed by die Dollar Ekspress shop, waar elke item 'n dollar kos, gekoop: spinnekop webbe, gloeiende geraamtes, grynsende chocolates, Halloween potlode wat my 'n hele twee jaar sal hou, 'n oranje pampoen- bedlampie... ha-ha. Ek het dus daarvoor geval, en die Amerikaners maak geld uit my uit. Kytie K. Kytie Koekblik would like you to respond to her tongue-in-cheek running commentary on suburban life in America in this editorial. Fresh off the boat, she is ready to explore and experiment with American bath plugs and to drive on the other side of the road. You can contact her here. © RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications [ Top ] Kalahari rusks take U.S. by storm
The dunking of rusks in your morning coffee is unknown to Americans. In fact, rusks are South Africa's best kept secret. Kalahari Limited, a South African owned company based in Atlanta, has changed that. Up and until now, only in South Africa could boxed rusks be bought from your local supermarket, or could freshly baked rusks be obtained from your local home industry. Kalahari Ltd. was founded around a kitchen table in Atlanta in 1998, when South African David Abrahams, originally from Johannesburg, was sharing a box of rusks he had just received from family members in South Africa with his old Californian friend Edward Fitch. Soon Fitch was hooked. Abrahams and Fitch smelled the market potential of the good old rusk as a convenient, healthy breakfast alternative. Their refined version of a rusk with its "delightful flavour and rustic grace" is explained to its American eaters as cereal baked into a bar with wholesome grains and real fruit. They have emphasised the rusks' potential to be a quick satisfying meal that could be taken to work or left in a desk drawer. The Kalahari Brand Rusks are exclusively manufactured by Bokomo in Cape Town for exclusive distribution by Kalahari Limited in the United States. The ingredients have been modified in such a way to eliminate negatives found in some brands of rusks, such as hydrogenated oils or artificial colors. Abrahams and Fitch believe the rusk is ideal for health-conscious, time constrained consumers, providing an alternative to fruit bars and granola. Detailed nutritional information have been provided on their webpage for health conscious people who avoid over-processed food. It is emphasised that the Kalahari Rusk is only lightly sweetened, containing less than 4 grams of sugar per serving as opposed to 14 to 18 grams typically found in a fruit bar or cereal bar. As opposed to processed sugars which provide temporary fuel for the body, the Kalahari Rusks give the body the slow burning fuel which sustain energy levels. The twice baking process removes excess moisture which gives the rusk that extra crunch. "These rusks taste so much better than any other commercially made product. They are definitely better than Ouma's." Abrahams claims. Abrahams and Fitch have also let the Americans in on the century-old South African tradition of the dunking of rusks in a complimentary beverage. In Europe, rustic hard breads are commonly softened in teas or coffees before eating. The European biscotti comes closest to a rusk, as it is also double-baked, but it is much sweeter and less nutritional. The authentically South African rusk has the make-up of a cereal. Designed by the Voortrekkers as a food without preservatives that could travel well, the rusk now has made its way across the oceans. Dunking rusks are marketed in the United States as "an accessible, pleasant morning ritual" with its ancestry in South Africa. Kalahari Limited has even introduced the art of dunking. On Kalahari Limited's webpage, the detailed steps of dunking are outlined. A Kalahari Dunking Ritual in the U.S. would entail brewing up your favourite hot beverage, grabbing a rusk, dunking it in the hot liquid for a slow count of three while you ponder your upcoming adventure and ready your mind for the adventure. The next step is to enjoy the "wonderful flavor of the warm rusk/beverage blend" and to repeat it as often as necessary Abrahams and Fitch saw the potential of selling rusks to the American coffee-and tea crowd. They fine-tuned the marketing of the Kalahari Rusk as a "breakfast you dunk." The Kalahari Expedition Crew feels strongly about one thing - if you don't dunk your Kalahari Rusks, you are missing out on the best part of the Kalahari Experience. The "Expedition Crew" believes eating rusks without dunking them either in milk, hot chocolate, coffee or tea, is like having tortilla chips without the salsa, or cereal without adding milk, or the popular American bagel without cream cheese "Don't miss out on the unduplicatable experience of the Kalahari Rusks Dunking Ritual." they have emphasised. Americans can now order the Kalahari Rusk off the internet at Amazon.com where you will pay a breathtaking 33 dollars plus shipping, amounting to R6 per rusk! Currently Kalahari Limited's Retail Partners carry Kalahari Rusks in many of the major cities here in the U.S. for a little as 6 U.S. dollars per box of 44. Next year in January, the Kalahari Rusks will be available in an all natural formulation with a new flavor, Apple Cinnamon, that will join the existing line of Muesli and Original. © RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications [ Top ] SA endangered species selected for art
Washington DC - The South African Embassy celebrated the portfolio launch of the acclaimed artist Donald Heywood in Washington last week. Heywood, a British artist from Cape Town, created a series of 12 numbered and signed prints entitled the "Smithsonian Endangered Species Collection." The portfolio will be used as a fund-raising tool for a U.S. institution, the Smithsonian Conservation and Research Center (CRC). Heywood praised the "South African government's outstanding efforts in the field of conservation." He presented the South African Ambassador to the United States, Sheila Sisulu with Portfolio number one of the Subscribers Edition, featuring South Africa's endangered cheetah on the front cover. "It is my hope that these images of endangered species will be seen across the States and in South Africa" Heywood said. He expressed the wish that the "co-operation between South Africa and the U.S. in joint conservation efforts would be strengthened by the project." The portfolio was handmade and published in Cape Town, and printed in Durban. Heywood spoke highly of the "care, attention and detail of people in the printing industry" in South Africa. "The South Africans are professional, dedicated people and this was first world commitment and quality," Heywood said. The portfolio depicts endangered species worldwide. Already Heywood's portfolio has increased co-operation between the Smithsonian and South Africa. A spin-off of the project will be the establishment of educational outreach projects created by the CRC. Next year several South African teachers will be brought out to the CRC in Front Royal, Virginia, to be taught about conservation through education. 90% of the money raised through the portfolio, will be channeled into conservation. "This marks the Smithsonian's hands-on involvement in conservation in South Africa." Heywood said. The CRC foundation is celebrating its 25 anniversary this year. The foundation's mission is the conservation of global biodiversity through scientific research, professional training and environmental education. The CRC has scientists working in South Africa and around to world to save the wildlife and natural habitats, and to restore species to the wild. Sisulu praised Heywood's' images, saying that the paintings could only have been created by "someone living in Africa." She thanked the CRC for investing in the natural heritage of South Africa, and praised them for their efforts to link education and conservation. Chief veterinarian Mitchell Bush from the CRC, said the reception at the embassy and the high profiled portfolio, finally marks the recognition which they have wanted "for decades now." "We need the higher exposure level that the Heywoods are providing us, and hopefully this will be a profitable collaboration that will attract donors" said Bush who frequently travels to the Kruger National Park for research purposes. Heywood relocated to Cape Town in 1990 and has acquired South African permanent residence. In 1992 he was commissioned to paint a life-sized portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. "The Vanishing faces of Southern Africa", his first book, was published in 1994, and his portraits of South African people was praised for captivating the ageless tradition and dignity of the country's people. His second book, "Wildlife Portraits" has been praised as "some of the finest contemporary wildlife art that will serve to kindle directly a love of the natural world." Africa's biggest concert to challenge AIDS The biggest concert on the continent is taking place on November 19 at the Johannesburg Stadium. Since its inception, the Kora All Africa Music Awards has been known to present innovative ideas to celebrate Africa’s music and her artists. In 1999 a competition for African Fashion Designers was included. This year is no exception, as the Kora Ceremonies will take place over a weekend of activities. On November 17 the African Fashion Designer Competition will take place, followed by the Kora Awards on Saturday, November 18. The next day, Sunday, November 19, an AIDS Benefit, One Billion Against AIDS concert, will be presented by the Kora Music Awards nominees. Fans will also see South African favourites M’du, Brenda Fassie and Ringo on stage. In March 1998, Prof Gentiline of the Pan African Organisation Against Aids (Opals) appealed to the Kora organisation to help fund Opal’s anti-aids activities. Foreign donations were on the decrease and the organisation could not support the mobile clinics it had stationed all over Africa. Instead of contributing financially, Kora decided to mobilise its partners to generate R100 000 with a pledge to unite African musicians in an initiative to raise 1 billion CFA (2 million US Dollars) for Opals. In a country like SA, which has become used to big concerts, there are a few factors that make this big concert exceptional. Hosted by Mama Afrika, Miriam Makeba, South Africans and visitors will be able to savour music from all over the African continent, brought together in one concert. Before each performance the particular artist will convey his or her personal short message about AIDS to Africa. This message will be delivered in the artists’ mother tongue, so that all the various peoples on the continent can understand it. The concert will be recorded, packaged and broadcast to all the participating African countries. "The idea is that the message about AIDS should be carried across borders, since the HIV virus is also spread by the increased travel across borders on the continent. The message from the icon to the fan will be that AIDS is our reality and we are dying of it. No one African country can defeat this plague on its own, but as a continent we can do it", says Mr Ernest Coovi Adjovi, Chairperson and Executive Producer of the Kora awards. The partners for the Kora Billion Against AIDS Concert are: The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology of the South African Government, The Department of Arts and Culture of the Provincial of the North West Province, the Government of the North West Province, Sun International, Air Afrique, Radio France International, Afrique Magazine, Khaya FM and African Broadcasters. Tickets for the concert can be booked through Computicket. The concert starts at 10am and will continue through the whole day. The biggest star attractions will be on stage in the evening. [ Top ] Israel Travel Advisory Issued The Department of Foreign Affairs wishes to draw the attention of South African citizens intending to visit the Middle East to the ongoing violent confrontation taking place in the West Bank and Gaza, as well as in some Israeli Arab centres within Israel itself. The Department accordingly advises South African citizens against visiting the territories and centres in question until the violence has been brought under control, as well as to exercise caution if visiting the border area between Israel and Lebanon, in view of a recent military incident in that region. It is further recommended that all South African citizens presently in Israel or the Palestinian territories or proposing to visit or stay in Israel for any length of time consider registering with the Consular Section at the South African Embassy in Tel Aviv, whose address and telephone number are as follows: Top Tower 16th Floor 50 Dizengoff Street Dizengoff Centre Tel Aviv Tel: (03) 525 2566 FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT BASETSANA THOKOANE OFFICE NO (012) 351-0174 CELL NO 083 4437740 Issued by the South African Embassy - Washington DC - USA on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs [ Top ] |
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