Read the latest news from the African Hub for Sustainable Creative Economies.
- Mapping Film Festivals in South Africa: the Impact of Covid-19
Researchers at Rhodes University, Fiona Drummond, Delon Tarentaal and Jen Snowball have today published a report on “Mapping Film Festivals in South Africa: the impact of COVID-19” as part of the Creative Voucher Scheme supported by AHSCE South Africa Hub. The project aims to support knowledge development in the creative economies and fostering collaborations between academic… - Report published: Future Festivals South Africa: Lessons From The Age of COVID-19
The Future Festivals South Africa final policy report was launched on 9 March as part of Africa Week at King’s College London. The report offers an overview of the 18-month research project funded by an Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) grant. The project, a collaboration between King’s College London, Rhodes University and seven festival… - Introducing: Tshuma Mo!
By Vuyo Madyibi “Every great achiever is inspired by a great mentor.” Lailah Gifty Akita. These sentiments were echoed in the Tshuma Mo! meeting, where Nokwanda Shabangu, digital content editor, profusely declared her admiration for her mentor in their project, Zanele Mthembu. Mthembu has over 20 years of experience in the film and television industry.… - Introducing: Kliptown BeehiveBy Vuyo Madyibi “Education is the most powerful tool we can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela This quote encapsulates the aims and goals of the Kliptown Beehive team. Neo Monyamane, a filmmaker, opened the meeting addressing their aim to train the interested community of Kliptown in the art of filmmaking. Their training…
- MEET THE NAIROBI HUB VOUCHER SCHEME RECIPIENTS: Work in Progress
By Waithira Kibuchi When the ban on single-use plastic carrier bags in Kenya came into effect in 2017, the move met uproar and disbelief from both manufacturers and consumers. The former lamented the loss of income and jobs, while the latter regretted the loss of convenience. These carrier bags were cheap and easily accessible, but… - MEET THE NAIROBI HUB VOUCHER SCHEME RECIPIENTS: Waste to WearBy Waithira Kibuchi Textiles are an indispensable part of human life. We use them to dress our bodies and our environments and have become so accustomed to their presence that we often take them for granted. If you are reading this now, you are most likely wearing clothing, and are in a room with upholstered…
- MEET THE NAIROBI HUB VOUCHER SCHEME RECIPIENTS: VaziBy Waithira Kibuchi vazi/vazi/(Swahili)garment, item of clothingalso: nguo, kisua A popular and widespread stereotype in romantic relationships has it that girls never buy their hoodies – they prefer to ‘steal’ those that belong to their boyfriends. The affectionate gesture enables the couple to maintain an emotional connection even when not around each other. Another factor, however, is…
- Mapping Film Festivals in South Africa: the impact of COVID-19
AHSCE South Africa commissioned the research project “Mapping Film Festivals in South Africa: the impact of COVID-19” as part of their support to knowledge development in the creative economies and fostering collaborations between academic researchers and practitioners. The project builds on the extensive expertise of Rhodes University researchers Fiona Drummond, Delon Tarentaal and Jen Snowball. In the past two years,… - UPDATE: Fill the Blood Bank
PLANNING UNDERWAY FOR PROJECT “FILL THE BLOOD BANK” IN THE SAMARU COMMUNITY OF ZARIA, KADUNA STATE IN NIGERIA By Dr Folakemi Ogungbe The collaboration in between Ayodele Obatomi, Franklin Zaure and Babatunde Ojobaro has been going on seamlessly. Ayodele, the Lead Collaborator, says he has been enjoying the working relationship between the three of them.… - INTRODUCING: Young Nigerian ThespianCATCH THEM YOUNG! MS. PATIENCE BITRUS AND OMO’BA JERRY ADESEWO TEAM UP FOR “YOUNG NIGERIAN THESPIAN” IN ABUJA By Dr Folakemi Ogungbe A lot of young secondary school students in Nigeria are at a loss of what career or profession to pursue and those who have an idea of what they want to become will…
- INTRODUCING: Voice It!OMO’BA JERRY ADESEWO, MAKINDE ADENIRAN AND OLA AWAAKAN EMBARK ON VOICE IT! AN ARTVIVISM INCUBATION PROGRAMME. By Dr Folakemi Ogungbe What is the use of the Arts, if it cannot be incubated and reproduced in the younger generation? A theatre performance is transient – that is the very nature of the Art- the more reason…
- MEET THE NAIROBI HUB VOUCHER SCHEME RECIPIENTS: Enhancing Innovative Entrepreneurship Among the YouthBy Waithira Kibuchi The Kenyan economy, whose GDP accounts for 40% of the East African Community’s GDP, is often touted as an anchor in the region. This may be linked to factors such as the country’s relative political stability and a market-based economy. The country is renowned as a technological and financial hub and it…
- MEET THE NAIROBI HUB VOUCHER SCHEME RECIPIENTS: A Bridal KiondooBy Waithira Kibuchi Many African customs are a hybrid mix of western and indigenous traditions that are so ingrained, their origins are no longer examined but accepted as just the way things are done. Marriage ceremonies in Kenya are a quintessential example of such customs. These ceremonies blend the indigenous dowry ceremony with wedding rites…
- Knowledge Hub: Interview with Uche OnahUche Onah, a professional dancer and choreographer in Lagos, Nigeria sits with the CPC, Dr. Folakemi Ogungbe and shares out of his thirty seven years cognate experience in the Nigerian theatre space. By Dr Folakemi Ogungbe Uche Onah has been in the Theatre industry of Nigeria for thirty seven years. Uche, who began his career…
- Knowledge Hub: Interview with Dr Tosin TumeDr. Tosin Tume, Nigerian female playwright and academic, shares her professional experiences with us. Please enjoy! By Dr Folakenmi Ogungbe Folakemi Ogungbe of the AHSCE Lagos Hub meets with Dr. Tosin Tume, a female playwright and academic to talk about her experiences functioning in the Nigerian creative space. Tosin, who is a self-publishing and self-funded…
- Knowledge Hub: Interview with Dr Patrick-Jude OtehPatrick-Jude Oteh builds his Jos Repertory Theatre from nothing. The theatre company is now one of the most successful and sustainable theatre companies in Northern Nigeria. By Dr Folakemi Ogungbe Dr. Patrick-Jude Oteh, the founder and Creative Director of Jos Repertory Theatre explains he entered the theatre profession by accident as he was planning to…
- TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FILM FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA (FFASA)Previously known as the pan-African Film Festival of South Africa (PANAFFSA) By Vuyo Madyibi FFASA is a research project that assesses the need for a film festival association in South Africa. New research developments made by the collaborators prompted the change of the project’s title from “Towards the establishment of the Pan-African Film Festival of…
- INTRODUCING: “Girls in Gaming”“GIRLS IN GAMING” – EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE EASTERN CAPE By Vuyo Madyibi Girls in Gaming is one of the beneficiaries of the voucher scheme award on behalf of the AHSCE South Africa. In the first inception meeting, a gamut of topics were addressed as the team prepared to execute their proposal. Xolile Vundla…
- INTRODUCING: “Ekasi Documentary Film Screenings”“EKASI DOCUMENTARY FILM SCREENINGS” – REVIVING THE CULTURE OF THE ‘BIOSCOPE’ AT THE SOWETO BOOK CAFE. By Vuyo Madyibi “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” – Pablo Picasso. The Ekasi Documentary Film Screenings came together at the first inception meeting to discuss the ease…
- INTRODUCING: “Rural Film Art Screenings”“RURAL FILM ART SCREENINGS” – CREATING ALTERNATIVE SCREENING PLATFORMS IN THE RURAL COMMUNITIES OF THE EASTERN CAPE By Vuyo Madyibi Khanyisile Zondi and Sivuyisiwe Giba attended their first inception meeting with optimism and a distinct plan of action for their Rural Film Art Screening endeavour. Khanyisile Zondi, a documentary filmmaker and PR and marketing professional,…
- MEET THE NAIROBI HUB VOUCHER SCHEME RECIPIENTS: LUO WOMEN AND POWER IN FASHIONBy Waithira Kibuchi What comes into your mind when you hear the word ‘Luo’? Many people think of flamboyance and elegance, and popular urban myth designates ‘Luo’ not as a community, but as a lifestyle. The Luo are a Nilotic-speaking people who make up the fourth largest ethnic group in Kenya. They are also renowned…
- MEET THE NAIROBI HUB VOUCHER SCHEME RECIPIENTS: MALI SAFIBy Waithira Kibuchi How much of your life do you spend thinking about clothes? A tiny fraction, if you are like most people. You may strive to dress appropriately for different contexts in your day-to-day life, but probably never think about how your clothes got made and found their way to your wardrobe. Clothing production…
- MEET THE NAIROBI HUB VOUCHER SCHEME RECIPIENTS: UNDAMETAUNDAMETA, A MARKETPLACE FOR AFRICAN-INSPIRED SURFACE PATTERN DESIGN By Waithira Kibuchi Ever wonder where the prints and patterns on your clothing came from? Dr Odundo certainly spent many hours as a child observing the prints worn by people around her during Sunday service. She and Teresa Lubano are collaborating on UndaMeta, which was selected for…
- INTRODUCING: Project TEA – The Enterprise of ActingBy Dr Folakemi Ogungbe ISRAEL WEKPE AND ISRAEL EBOH COLLABORATE ON PROJECT TEA: ENTERPRISE OF ACTING Project TEA: The Enterprise of Acting is as rich and diverse as “tea” in the Nigerian parlance. In Nigerian street culture, coffee, tea and cocoa beverages are all other similar products are considered as tea, as long as you…
- INTRODUCING: “Fill the Blood Bank”By Dr Folakemi Ogungbe Give! Save! Live! This is the theme for Project Fill the Blood Bank 2022. Ayodele Obatomi and Franklin Zaure, both of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, are collaborating with Babatunde Ojobaro, a theatre producer at Ibadan to roll out a campaign for blood donation in the Samaru area of Kaduna State.…
- INTRODUCING: The Blind MinstrelBy Dr Folakemi Ogungbe DR CHUKWUMA OKOYE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN COLLABORATES WITH TWO OF HIS FORMER STUDENTS ON “THE BLIND MINSTREL” PROJECT FOR THE AHSCE, LAGOS HUB Dr. Chukwuma Okoye’s face glows with warmth as he grants the interview on “The Blind Minstrel” project. The reason for the warm glow is not far-fetched:…
- INTRODUCING: Theatre for DevelopmentBy Dr Folakemi Ogungbe AWELE DEKPE’S THEATRE FOR DEVELOPMENT: ENGAGING THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH OF EGBEDA IN THE ARTS OF THE THEATRE TO MIRROR SEUN AWOBANJO’S FOOTPRINTS OF DAVID This AHSCE, Lagos Hub project: Theatre for Development: Engaging the children and youths of Egbeda in the Arts of the Theatre is the brain child of…
- INTRODUCING: Art for LifeBy Dr Folakemi Ogungbe “ART FOR LIFE” PROJECT KICKS OFF IN LAGOS WITH JOSHUA ALABI OF KININSO KONCEPTS AND SEGUN ADEFILA OF CROWN TROUPE AFRICA Joshua Alabi, of Kininso Koncepts is the lead collaborator on this project. He is collaborating with Segun Adefila of Crown Troupe of Africa. “Art for life” is seeking ways of…
- INTRODUCING: Food for all, zero hunger“Going To Bed Hungry Is Not Palatable!” Emmanuel Orisunmibare And Monsuru Olajide echo during the first interview for the AHSCE Lagos voucher scheme project meeting By Dr Folakemi Ogungbe Emmanuel Orisunmibare and Monsuru Olajide both explain that they have gone to bed hungry in the past and it was not a palatable situation. This sad…
- INTRODUCING: Awareness of the Inheritance of the Girlchild in IgbolandAwareness of the Inheritance of the Girlchild in Igboland By Dr Folakemi Ogungbe The AHSCE (African Hub For Sustainable Creative Economies) Lagos Hub Voucher scheme presents a series of exciting projects. On the 4th of October, 2022, the CPC for Lagos, Dr. Folakemi Ogungbe, led a series of interesting chats with the collaborators on “the…
- Intertwined: Fashion, Textile and Heritage in Nigeria exhibition
The ‘Intertwined: Fashion, Textile and Heritage in Nigeria’ photography exhibition, was held in King’s College London early in 2022 ( 8 February 2022 to 11 March 2022). The exhibition explored the ancient textile traditions and contemporary creative expression of craftspeople and fashion designers from across Nigeria. Braiding contemporary personal stories, cultural celebrations and global economic… - Understanding and supporting Creative Economies in Africa Report
This report (download it for free by clicking on the image) is the result of a previous stage of funded activities as part of an AHRC-funded research network. The report provides a summary of the research journey undertaken, including the methodology and data collected across the three cities involved in the network activities: Nairobi, Lagos… - Creative Imagination Weeks in Nairobi focus on technology and digital media in fashion
Written by Waithira Kibuchi, Creative Partnership Co-ordinator, AHSCE Nairobi The final themed workshop held on the 21st of June, 2022, reflected on the role of technology and digital media in the fashion industry in Kenya. The session was moderated by Ms Ogake Mosomi and featured two guest speakers. Mr Peng Chen is the Co-founder and… - Creative Imagination Workshop (SA): Women in Film: supporting women in leadership and business
Written by Vuyo Madyibi (SA Hub Creative Partnerships Coordinator). Today’s workshop, chaired by Avril Joffe focused on the theme of Women in Film to address systemic barriers and issues facing women who want to pursue careers in film. Specifically, we explored the potential of tailoring support programs, employment standards and regulations to enable women to… - Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Fashion in Kenya: Creative Imagination Weeks
Written by Waithira Kibuchi, Creative Partnership Co-ordinator, AHSCE Nairobi. The second themed workshop, held on the 17th of June 2022, focused on entrepreneurship and innovation in the fashion industry in Kenya. The session was moderated by Ms. Ogake Mosomi and featured two guest speakers. Mr. Bevern Oguk is a Creative Entrepreneur and Fashion Designer at… - Creative imagination week in Nairobi: Cultural Heritage and Identity in Fashion in Kenya
Written by Waithira Kibuchi, Creative Partnership Co-ordinator, AHSCE Nairobi. The first themed event held on the 14th of June, 2022 was focused on Kenyan cultural identity and heritage in fashion. The session was moderated by two guest speakers. Ms. Chepkemboi Mang’ira is a fashion artist and writer working to decolonise fashion by showcasing traditional Kenyan…