Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 30 November 2008 - 31 March 2009 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
14 pages
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The Medu Art Ensemble was formed by South Africa exiles in Gaborone, Botswana, in 1978. The organisation produced a wealth of creative work across all major art-forms; the roup further played a key role in shaping aesthetic and cultural theory and praxis within Africanist and liberation struggles. On June 14 1985, the South African Defence Force attacked the homes of Medu members and other activists in Gaborone, killing 12 people; Medu as an organisation ceased to exist.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Pamphlet of Thami Mnyele and Medu Art Ensemble Retrospective at Johannesburg Art Gallery. It covers topics about Thami Mnyele's biography, various Units of Medu which includes the relevance and commitment of Medu that provided training workshops in a range of arts skills including creative writing, theatre, music, photography, film and graphic art. Medu had The Graphics Unit which was responsible for producing Medu newsletters and posters with political messages. in addition, the Publication and Research Unit as a centre of Medu to contact with South African arts groups.