Face Cloth/Bathtime

Face Cloth

by

Bronwen Findlay

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

Day 10 of Women's month as AFH (Art for Humanity) continues to honour the women who are involved in the fight for children's rights.

A former student at the Natal Technikon and University of Natal, Bronwen Findlay who was born in Pietermaritzburg in 1953 is a celebrated figure in her trade as she has been actively involved in numerous solo exhibitions as well as participating in group exhibitions. She is a practising artist and teacher that has vast experience that stretches from Durban all the way to Johannesburg. Bronwen is currently teaching in the Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture at the University of Johannesburg where she runs a teacher training course and is involved in department teaching.

Bronwen Findlay was a proud participant in the Art for Humanity's "Break the Silence" HIV/AIDS awareness project.

Poem:

Bathtime

Yvette Christiansë

Shh. Listen. Splashing in the tub …

Is she a little partridge? Is he a chubby crow?

Shh. Listen. Under her chin, behind his ears.

Mamma’s long day still has a way to go,

so shh, under the arms, scruba-dub-dub …

One potato, two potato, three potato, four …

Playtime, nighttime, bath-time for

mamma’s little partridge, mamma’s little crow,

pecking at the face-cloth, kicking just for fun …

Shh. Listen. Thunder speaks and windows shake.

Quick, one more rub as floorboards creak. Shh,

mamma’s hard morning is just a night away

and little birds must go to sleep where thunder

is a whisper and heavy shoes can’t find them.

Nkarhi wo hlamba

Xitsonga translation coordinated by Dr Maria Letsie

Shh. Yingisela. Kulumbya ebavhini…

Ku nga va ku ri xinhwarhana? I vukuvuku ro nona?

Shh. Yingisela. Ehansi ka xilebvu xakwe, endzhaku ka tindleve takwe.

Siku ra manana lero leha ra ha lehile,

se shh, hansi ka mavoko, scruba-dub-dub…

Zambala rin’we, mazambala mambirhi, mazambala manharhu, mune…

Nkarhi wo tlanga, madyambu, nkarhi wo hlamba wa

swinhwarana swa manana,xivukuvukwana xa manana

swi lumetela xithawulana, swi tlanga hi ku rhahetela…

Shh. Yingisela. Ndlati ya vulavula na mafasitere ya tsekatseka.

Hatlisa, ku rhidimba ntsena nakambe fulobodo yi ku khweree. Shh,

swinyenyana leswintsongo swi fanele ku ya etlela laha ndlati

ku nga hlevetelo na titanghu leto tika ti nge swi kumi.

A Brief Biography of Poet & Novelist Yvette Christianse

Yvette Christiansë is a poet and novelist. She was born and raised in Johannesburg and Mbabane. She now lives in New York where she teaches at Fordham University.

Her book of poems Castaway was shortlisted for the PEN International Poetry Prize 2001. Her novel based on the life of a slave woman in the Cape Colony was released in November 2006. Her poetry, prose and scholarly writing have been published in South Africa, Australia, Canada and the USA.

How Often Do We Bend Down To Help The Children

How Often Do We Bend Down To Help The Children

by Dina Cormick

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

Today on National Women's Day, we continue to pay homage to the works of the women that have been responsible for being the voice that speaks for children's rights.

Dina Cormick is a Zambian native from Nkana who is known for her work as a feminist theologian and artist. Born in 1942, Dina has worked as a free-lance artist since 1976 from her studio in Durban where she has created numerous woodcut and lino-block prints to image the need for change. Her works have also been responsible for arousing political and social concern and challenging the particularly narrow vision of Christianity practiced by so many South Africans.

Dina Cormick's collections can be found in places such as the Constitutional Court, Pretoria, Gauteng; Harare National Gallery, Zimbabwe; Tape Aids for the Blind, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal; the National Heart Foundation, Johannesburg, Gauteng and the Durban Botanical Gardens, KwaZulu-Natal. Her religious artworks can be found in over 300 churches throughout southern Africa. Dina has exhibited widely in solo exhibitions in South Africa, Europe and America.

Poem:

Emoyeni

Marí Peté

She rose at dawn to catch a train,

stampedes  along   smoking buses

screeching brakes and bullet holes. 

In a sewerage ditch she hears a cry. 

Amadumbe ankles stop, aching back

bends low, banana fingers brush aside

fermenting fruit syringes and coke cans –  

She scoops him with the willow branches

of her arms.     Toes sink into clay belly.

He climbs her contours for birds eggs

in hollows of her nest, soft places

to sleep between her breasts.

He smells the sour breeze

of milk upon her breath.

Emoyeni = isiZulu for breath / spirit

Emoyeni

IsiZulu translation coordinated by Dr Maria Letsie

Wavuka ekuseni ukuyothatha isitimela

Ukugxobana namabhasi ethunqisa intuthu

Kukhala amabhuleki kanye nezimbobo zezinhlamvu 

Phakathi esitamukokweni uzwa ukukhala

Isitobhu saseMadunjeni, ezwa izinhlungu ngemuva

Ugoba kancane,iminwe ethambile iyaphulula emaceleni,

Emiphongolo enezithelo ezibilayo kanye namakani e Coca-cola

Wamcaphuna ngezandla zakhe ezingamagatsha omnyezane

Izinzwane zakhe zashona phansi emajukujukwini obumba.

Wamnyusa emnqumisa emnyusela amaqanda enyoni

Phakathi esidlekeni sakhe ezindaweni ezintofontofo

Zokulala phakathi kwamabele akhe

Uhogela umoya wobisi omuncu emphefumulweni wakhe 

A Brief Biography of Mari Pete (poet)

Marí Peté’s poems have been published in literary journals such as Fidelities, Botsotso, Tydskrif vir Letterkunde, on the LitNet website and in the anthology Collaborations: a Book of South African Art and Poetry. Her bilingual poetry collection begin was published by umSinsi Press in 2002. Marí’s poem “voorstedelike oggendritueel” (suburban morning ritual) was awarded first prize in the 2004 Woordgilde poetry competition.

For Women

The late Albertina Sisulu was monumental in the fight for women's rights.

by Njabulo Ngobese

Following a series of articles AFH (Art for Humanity) has posted paying tribute to all the women that have used their gifts and trades to promote social responsibility and awareness in child welfare and human rights, we continue to honour them in the dawn of a day that celebrates their presence in this world and the contributions they have made in improving the livelihood of our society.

It's been 55 years since that historic moment when the women of South Africa joined forces and took to the streets to petition against pass laws (legislation that required African persons to carry a document on them to prove that they were allowed to enter a 'whites only' area). The course of events for that day did not only enforce justice for women in South Africa but it changed the course of history that led up to a democratic society we now co-exist in. Today, through various projects that have been established both independently and commercially, the works of the women who have been responsible for making a contribution towards the em-betterment of our country, haven't gone unnoticed. Art for Humanity (AFH) is proud to have payed tribute to the women who continue to uphold the legacy that was initiated on 9 August 1956 through the publication Look at Me - Women Artists And Poets Advocate Children's Rights.

On this historic day of note, we embrace the winds of change that have been brought about by the female forms of this country in their brave efforts that have empowered them to be recognised far beyond the cliched stereotypical misconceptions they have lived under for decades before earning their rightful place in society as equals in any level of co-existence.

Rest in Peace Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu. Your legacy lives on.

My Birthday Wish

My Birthday Wish

by Angela Buckland

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

Day 5 of Women's month as AFH (Art for Humanity) continues it's appreciation for the works of female figures that have prided themselves at fighting for children's rights through their respectful trades.

Durban based photographer Angela Buckland's work speaks volumes. The launch of her first book Zip Zip My Brain Harts, reflects her personal account of parenting disabled children in South Africa. With works drawn from personal experiences, Angela still reaches levels of success when working on commercially commissioned jobs as she successfully tailors her photography to suit the client's visual requirements.

Angela Buckland currently works & lives in Durban, South Africa, with her husband and two small children.

Poem:

My birhtday Wish

Kareemah El-Amin

He said he doesn’t want to die, my hymen for his life

I've saved 100 lives since birth

Between my legs is his salvation

He speaks of love and understanding, piety and grace

With his penis in my face

Gifting me with the sacrament of his unholy communion

I turned nine today

Blow out the candles, and make a wish

“Father, please forgive my sins…

Let me join you before I turn ten”

Zwine nda tama nga duvha langa la mabebo

Tshivenda translation coordinated by Dr Maria Letsie

O ri ha todi u fa, vhusidzana hanga ndo vhu vhulungela vhutshilo hawe

Ndo vhulunga matshilo a dana tshe nda bebwa

Vhukati ha milenzhe yanga ndi phuluso yawe

U amba nga ha lufuno na u pfesesa, vhudikumedzeli na tshilidzi

Na vhudzimu hawe khofheni hanga

A tshi mpha tshiga tsha tshilalelo tshivhi

Ndo fara minwaha ya tahe namusi

Ndi dzima makhandela nda bula itsho tshine nda tama

“Khotsi, nkhangwele zwivhi zwanga…

Kha ndi vhe na iwe ndi saathu u fara minwaha ya fumi”

A Brief Biography on Kareemah El-Amin

Kareemah El-Amin is a highly acclaimed filmmaker, poet, playwright, director, producer and singer. An American, born on a farm in the state of Michigan, she knew from of a very young age that she was destined for a life in the arts. She has won numerous awards and been published in Mother Freedom Press, the International Poetry Journal, and Generation X; In Our Own Words an international anthology of Gen X poets. Her first film, The Thin I'm In was invited to 13 film festivals and won Directors' Pick at The Bare Bones International Film Festival. Kareemah currently lives in South Bend, Indiana with her two sons, Mateen and Rashad.

Living Children and Dead Children

Living Children and Dead Children

by Lien Botha

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

The endearment for children and their potential to blossom into progressive humanitarian activists of tomorrow, can be an attribute to the mother figures that have played their part in ensuring that today's new borns are tomorrow's leaders.

The sentiments of Lien Botha towards the welfare of children are highly noted in the AFH (Arts For Humanity) publication Look at Me - Women Artists and Poets Advocate Children's Rights as she boldly states in one of her statements "Until we can create a world in which children are able to grow in health, freedom and safety, and have unrestricted access to the natural and cultural resources we value, we cannot call ourselves fully human".

Today in celebration of women's month we continue to pay tribute to the female forms that have played a role in fighting for the basic human rights for children through their contribution in the arts. The highly accomplished and celebrated Lien Botha is our focus for today as we acknowledge her list of achievements that include credentials from both local & international exhibitions. A successful career of 14 years producing timeless works of art for humanity, Lien Botha is a proud reflection of the women we salute for their wonderful contribution to the em-betterment of our society, more especially the children.

Poem:

Living children and Dead children Karen Press 1. When I think of living children I think of them walking small and alone over wide hard ground strewn with curling thorns the colour of scorpions and leaves as strong as shoes, as strong as skin. I think of them walking with straight backs in the direction of hills far away, and the low trees watching them in case they need help, and the grasshoppers following them to find out where they’re going, and an eagle circling that doesn’t dare to swoop. There is no magic garden there, and no giant to learn to trust. I think of them as ones who never turn back or cry because everyone is so far away and the land is wide open even in darkness, the stones stay warm as loaves of bread, the night moths hover, fly forward a little way, hover and watch. 2. Dead children are no-one’s ancestors. They sit alone, unsummoned, and all their memories surround them. No-one comes to fold the memories away, wash their faces, sing them to sleep. Their knowledge takes the form of hunger. Around them their successor dead, parents and grown siblings, nieces, nephews, bustle about, preparing for ceremonies of power over the living. The dead children, ancestors of death, sit on the floor between the swirling hems of shadows, lost. Bana ba ba tshelang le bana ba ba tlhokafetseng Setswana translation: Lorato Trok 1. Fa ke akanya ka bana ba ba tshelang ke akanya ka bona ba tsamaya ba le bannye ba le nosi mo lefatsheng le le thata le le bulegileng ba gasagantswe ka mebitlwa e e kgolaganeng mmala wa diphepheng le matlhare a a kwenneng jaaka ditlhako, a kwenne jaaka letlalo. ke akanya ka bona ba tsamaya ka mekwatla e e tlhamaletseng ba lebile kgakala kwa dithabeng, ditlhare tse dikhutshwane di ba lebile gore fa ba ka tlhoka thuso, le bomantlopane ba ba setse morago go bona gore ba ya kae le ntsu e ntse e ba dikologa e sa tshabe go ka tlhasela. Ga gona tshingwana ya malea foo,le seng dimo go ka ithuta go tshepa. Ke akanya ka bona jaaka ba ba senkeng ba nanoga le e seng go lela gonne mongwe le mongwe o kgakala le lefatshe le bulegile thata tota le mo lefifing, matlapa a nna a le bothitho jaaka ditene tsa senkgwe, motuotwane wa bosigo o sa sute, o fokela kwa pele go se go nene, o nna o sa sute o be o lebelela. 2. Bana ba ba tlhokafetseng ga se badimo ba ga ope. ba nna ka nosi, ba sa bidiwe ke ope ba dikaganyeditswe ke dikgopolo tsa bona. Ga go ope yo o tlang go phuthaphutha dikgopolo tsa bona, a ba tlhapisa difatlhego, a ba opaopela. kitso ya bona e lebega jaaka tlala. Motlhatlhami wa bona o tlhokafetse, batsadi le bana ba motho ba ba godileng, ditlogo, ba phetesela, ba baakanyetsa mokete wa maatla a a ba ba tshelang Bana ba ba tlhokafetseng, badimo ba loso, ba nna fa fatshe magareng ga pitlagano ya meriti e e pheulegang ba timetse

A Brief biography of Karen Press

Karen Press was born in Cape Town, South Africa. She has worked as a teacher of mathematics and English, with a range of progressive education projects, and as a member of the Buchu Books Publishing Collective. She has published seven collections of poetry and her poems have been included in anthologies in South Africa, France, Austria, the UK and the USA. She currently works as a freelance editor and writer.

Freedom of Speech for Gambian Activists

by Njabulo Ngobese

The actions of Gambian president Yahya Jammeh hold very little credibilty for a man who is acting within the rights of his people or his country. Taking a stance at defending a throne he seized with little or no ethical code of conduct, the masses who have been up in arms in protests to have him overthrown from governance have suffered in the hands of a ruthless leader who has passed punishment as severe as the death penalty.

This is a call of note to the international community of social and humanitarian activists to step in & rescue these innocent patriots who are now on the verge of being executed for doing the right thing. If social justice appeals to Gambia's High Commissioner, Elizabeth Ya Eli Harding then there's no doubt in anybody's mind that those who have been involved in plans of overthrowing Yahya's leadership can be granted a chance to democratically state their reasons for taking such measures against its governance.

The state of journalism is currently under threat globally due to the fact that the media has been known to be a credible medium for change when it comes to influencing the perceptions of society in general. In situations like Gambia, the full force of the media has been suppressed to defend and preserve unethical political & social agendas that do not serve the interest of the Gambian people. The change for a fair and democratic society lies in the hands of those who are prepared to make a difference in this world by empowering the concept of Freedom of Speech.

For those who wish to make a difference and sign the petition for Freedom of Speech in Gambia, click here

Mother's Grief

Mothers Grief by Kim Berman

Compiled by Njabulo Ngobese

As the celebrations for Women's month continue, we salute the works of female social activists who have prided themselves at enriching the lives of others through their contributions in arts for humanity.

The life story of Kim Berman reads like an inspiring novel documented in pages of truimph over struggle. Having recieved academic creditation from noted institutions such as Tufts University, Massachusetts in the United States of America, this journeyful soul has made her mark in South Africa's art and humanity forums. Kim's journey dates back as far as 1992 when she and her late collegue Nhlanhla Xaba founded the Artist Proof Studios (APS), a community printmaking centre in Newtown. 11 years later the studio burnt down resulting in the tragic death of Nhlanhla Xaba and the loss of over 120 artist's work. However the unforseen tragedy did not stop Kim Berman from living out her vision as the Artists Proof Studios were rebuilt a year later through donor funding.

Apart from the APS project, Kim Berman was also involved in initiatives such as the Paper Prayers campaign an AIDS awareness program through the visual arts that currently operates out of the Artist Proof Studio as an income-generating activity for HIV positive groups of women.

Phumani Paper, a poverty alleviation program that was funded by the government's Departme nt of Science & Technology is another one of Kim's successful projects that has had a solid 11 year run whilst creating hundreds of jobs through the production of paper-craft products. The research unit is currently developing the capacity to produce "proudly South African" archival cotton and sisal paper and board to supply the South African National Archives.

Kim Berman's credentials are of serious note as she has:

* Lectured & held exhibitions both locally and abroad

* Recieved an international fellowship for 2003/4 from Brandies University, USA to participate

in a programme on "Recasting Reconciliation through Culture & the Arts

* She is currently registering to do a doctorate on the role of the arts in social change in South

Africa.

Poem by Mmatshilo Motsei

A Woman's Heart of Steel
by
Mmatshilo Motsei

A woman's heart is not just a heart
it is a well of great waters
giving life to each soul
when it turns to steel
life comes to a standstill.

How can her heart not turn to steel
when her man is eagerly awaiting death
eyeballs, cheek bones and rib cage protruding
coughing up a storm with lungs
devoured by the bowels of gold.

How can her nipple not calcify into a rock
when her daughter's womb
is violently thrust open
by cuts disguised as sex.

How can her heart not turn to steel
when her son's brain is rotting in jail
and her grandson swallowed
by the great waters back to the land of no return

A woman's heart is not just a heart
It is a beginning
It is the end
When her heart turns to steel
life comes to a standstill
and a drop of breast milk
an ocean of blood.


Pelo ya mosadi ya tšhipi

Sesotha sa Leboa translation: LP Boshego

Pelo ya masadi ga se pelo fela
Ke sediba sa meetsi a bohlokwa
Ao a fepago moya o mongwe le o mongwe,
ge e fetogela botšhiping
bophelo ka moka bo a ema

Na pelo ya gagwe e ka se fetogele botšhiping bjang
mola monna wa gagwe a lebane le lehu
thaka tša mahlo, metlhagare le dikgopo di le molaleng
a gohlola ledimo go tšwa maswafong
ao a feditšego ke lerole la meleteng ya gauta.

Na tlhoko ya tswele la gagwe e ka se theme bjang boka leswika
ge popelo ya morwedi
e kgotlwa wa go phulwa
ke mesego yeo e utilwego ka la thobalano.

Na pelo ya gagwe e ka se fetogele botšhiping bjang
ge bjoko bja morwa wa gagwe bo bolela ka kgolegong
mola setlogolo se meditšwe ke meetsimagolo go boela faseng go sa boelwego nthago

Pelo ya mosadi ga se pelo fela
ke mathomo
ke bokhutlo
Ge pelo ya gagwe e fetogela botšhiping
bophelo bo a ema
gomme lerothi la matutu
e be lewatle la madi.

A brief bography of Mmatshilo Motsei:

Mmatshilo Motsei is a community organizer, author, poet and a mother of three. She was born in Lady Selborne, Pretoria and raised in rural North West province. She started her career as a nurse and midwife and moved on to become a nursing lecturer, social science researcher and a psychology graduate.

Over the past decade she has worked as a counselor, trainer, gender consultant and a rural development practitioner.Born of a family of spiritual healers, she was chosen against her will to continue with the legacy of healing.

As part of her healing process, she published a book titled Hearing Visions Seeing Voices (Jacana 2004). She is currently working on her second book, The Kanga and Kangaroo Courts: Reflections on the Jacob Zuma Trial (Jacana 2007).