This edition of the Medu Art Ensemble newsletter contains poetry, articles, book reviews, play reviews and letters. It contains several articles, critical essays and play reviews and seeks to engage in some "hard talking about the position of culture in our society at this time". This "hard talking" is present in a number of critical articles, notably by Ngugi Wa Thiong'o and Judy Seidman. Albie Sachs writes a fascinating letter to Medu which reflects on how much of the literary and artistic work is "agonized". His experience of being in exile in Mozambique has led him to believe that artists are trying to "outshout" the oppressor. He sees value for artists in "building up liberated zones" inside themselves and creating images outside of the context of the oppressor. Front page graphic by Thami Mnyele on silkscreen.
The Medu Festival Edition has been termed as such because it contains some of the best articles, poems and short stories collected in earlier editions. This is Medu's contribution to the Culture and Resistance Festival of 1982. The aim of the festival was to showcase examples of the rich cultural heritage of southern Africa. The display of art and culture aims to challenge the brutal and systemic repression of the cultural life faced by the oppressed in South Africa. This edition contains a range of poetry and short stories each poignantly reflecting on the tumult of the 1980s. The poetry and prose of Mongane Serote, John Donne, Miles Pelo, Mafika Gwala and Mandlenkosi Langa are included. The edition is ended with an interview with Thami Mnyele and graphics from Medu members. Front page graphic a collection of Medu poster arranged by the Medu Art Collective on silkcreen.
What can our art be used for? Used by Whom? This edition of Medu explores the importance of art and its inextricable relationship to community. Two interviews, one with playwright Maki Mapogo and another with Musician Johnny Clegg, explore their artforms and the relationships these artforms have to community and activism. The Zimbabwe Writers'Workshop, chronicled in this edition, had extensive discussions on the political responsiblities of writers, includes delegates like Dambudzo Marechera and extracts from writers like Emmanuel Ngara, Micere Mugo and T.T. Moyana. The edition is concluded by Mongane Serote's in-depth article on the Politics of Culture in southern Africa. Front page graphic by Miles Pelo.
