These are the minutes of the Medu publication and research unit meetings that were held between 1982 and 1983. P&R was established to manage general administrative matters, and to address issues relating to the structure, layout and publishing of newsletters, the holding of events and the publishing of monographs and books. In 1983 P&R was divided into the Naledi Writers Unit, and the Medu Executive.
In this newsletter, there are five poetry sections, namely Dead roots, Apology from London by Arthur Nortje, Miles of many fears by Bachana wa Mokwena, A prayer for Africa from the mouths of babies by Mandlenkosi Langa and I surrender by Thele Moema. Other section is the art review of the film by Mongane Serote called 'The wild Geese'. Medu's views on burning current issues in South Africa are included, interview by Bachan wa Mokwena interviewing Teresa Devant de Gonzalez regarding the theatre and the role of an artist in an oppressive system. Lastly, there are featured articles by Molefe Pheto, Phetu Serote and Timothy Williams.
The title of this Medu special edition is "No to the White Republic, Yes to the People's Republic". While PW Botha held celebrations for the anniversary of the Apartheid republic, Medu used this edition to say "Stop the Republic Day Festival". Bachana Mokwena's article on the 20th anniversary of the "bloodthirsty republic" gives a strong historical background to the processes of the republics formation, and the united opposition against it. Further, John Donne writes about Grigori Oganov's insight into the relationship between culture and resistance and between art, artists and their communities. Artworks by Thami Mnyele and Judy Seidman are included throughout the publication, including a sharp and graphic description of black life in South Africa entitled "Fragments: A Brief Comment on Black Lives in South Africa" by Thami Mnyele. Front page graphic by Judy Seidman and the Medu Art Collective.
Medu declared the year 1983 as the "Year of Women", placing an image of a women with a gun on her back on the front cover of this edition. The first section of this edition covers cultural work both about women and by women. This includes poetry and articles. One poem by Victor Matlou, titled "The Breath of August 9th" engages with the importance of women in the struggle for freedom, starting with his title which refers to the march of women to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 to oppose pass laws. The second section of this newsletter explores "Medu's work and progress", with a particular focus on community oriented art projects. This an exploration of the Ngwedi graphic unit by Mognane Serote, the Community Band-Bond by Mandisa and projects undertaken by the Itumeleng Film Unit. Front page graphic by Miles Pelo.
Is the concept of "black poetry" valid? James Matthews argues that black poetry has become a powerful force in South Africa. He suggests that poetry by and about the black majority is locally grounded and people no longer look toward America for such inspiration. Matthews draws links between black poetry, black consciousness and black power.
These are minutes of meetings held by the Medu Graphics Unit between October 1982 and May 1984. The meetings included hard discussions about the racial composition of Medu, discussions of content of graphics and posters produced by Medu, and administration discussions over finances, projects, trips, training programmes and the structure of Medu.
