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.
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.
The theme of poetry and music is about the world-wide and age-old oppression. It is a participation of different countries such as South America, Europe and Southern Africa.
This pre-seminar paper from the Publishing and Research Unit entitled "Opening the Doors of Culture" suggests ideas for the a paper to be presented at a seminar in 1982. It gives reflections on how to bring culture to the people and how to use it as a tool for resistance. Handwritten notes on the paper.
