Decolonial Futures
Year
2017
"True decolonization is more than simply placing Indigenous or previously colonized people into positions held by colonizers. Decolonization includes the reevaluation of the political, social, economic and judicial structures themselves and the development, if appropriate, of new structures that can hold and house the values and aspirations of the colonized people."
– Poka Laenui in “Processes of Decolonization”
On 3 April 2022 the symposium of Decolonial Futures Winter School took place in Amsterdam at Framer Framed and in Soweto at the June 16 Interpretation Centre with performances, poetry interventions, a film screening and a keynote lecture from activist, author and public writer, Françoise Vergès, who will speak about the need to refuse the punitive obsession of the State and to work towards a horizon of revolutionary peace. A second keynote lecture will be given by political activist, educatorand organiser Zama Mthunzi, who will speak about his experiences in post-apartheid social justice movements, including the 2015 #FeesMustFall protests and the organisation “Equal Education”.
We have taken the 5 stages of decolonization as proposed by Hawaiian human rights activist Poka Laenui as our starting point for the day. The author’s observations of stages that one tends to undergo during the decolonisation process have inspired ways of thinking around our own experiences as cultural producers, creatives and artists coming together in this moment. How do we remember and mourn? How do we dream and heal? How do we commit to action? These are some of the questions we have explored throughout the day’s programming.
Funda Community College
The participants in Soweto are either studying at Funda Community College or part of Mollo Wa Ditshomo, a youth-led primary co-operative based at the school. Founded in 1984, Funda Community College (formerly known as Funda Centre) is one of the oldest independent Black-led institutions in the arts sector of South Africa, established in response to the inaccessibility of specialised training in the visual arts for Black South Africans under apartheid. Built on land donated by the Education Department of the previous political dispensation of South Africa with buildings donated by the likes of the Urban Foundation and IBM, among others, Funda continues to serve as a critical point of access to the visual arts sector for young Black South Africans. Funda’s mission statement is to provide alternative education for social reconstruction.
Organisational Team Decolonial Futures
Dorine van Meel and Ibrahim Cissé (Sandberg Instituut / Rietveld Academie, Amsterdam), Simangaliso Sibiya and Phumzile Nombuso Twala (Funda Community College, Soweto)
Tutors and guests
Aditi Jaganathan, Ariella Aïsha Azoulay, Asmaa Jama, Astrid Korporaal
Bukhosi Mzikayise Nyathi, Dumisani Radebe, Elijah Maja, Françoise Vergès
Gloria Holwerda-Williams, Gouled Ahmed, Ibrahim Cissé, Jennifer Tosch, Lorén Elhili, Lindumuzi Mngoma, Kamogelo Matlawe, Marcel van den Berg, Mi You, Molemo Moiloa, Motsumi Makhene, Nare Mokgotho, Njabulo Malata, Phumzile, NombusoTwala, Sami El-Enany, Sara Blokland, Samboleap Tol, Shenece Oretha, Sibusiso “General" Nxumalo, Sipho Mdanda, Simone Zeefuik, Sibusiso “General”, Nxumalo, Thato Rossouw, Trevour Mtimkulu, Uzair Ben, Ebrahim,Zama Mthunzi
Participants (Sandberg Instituut / Rietveld Academie)
Aimee Theriot, Angelo Custódio, Anne Lakeman, Asante Mills, Cleo Tsw, Dani Ordonez Munoz, Davide Sanvee, Diego Fernando Ospina Melo, Djatá Bart-Plange, Francisca Khamis, Juhee Hahm, Kariem Philippa, Luca Soudant, Myrto Vratsanou, Nagare Willemsen, Nina van Hartskamp, Philip Ullman, Rosanne Jonkhout, Ryan Eykholt, Sekai Makoni, Sifra Coulet, Sophie Stiller, Susan Melo, Tatiana Kuznetsova, Tia Yoon, Tina Reden, Vita Evangelista, Wanda-Maria Thormeyer
Participants (Funda Community College)
Bongani Nkosi, Bukhosi Nyathi, Dumisani Radebe, Hlayisani Hobyane, Hlengiwe Dlamini, Itumeleng Kekana, Kamogelo Matlawe, Lebo Mathebula, Luela Oliphant, Moeketsi Moshoeshoe, Neo Mabuka, Nonkululeko Ndabezitha, NtebohengMonamole, Sfiso Mokoena, Simon Mokoena, Sibulele Malusi, Siwaphiwe Gwama, Tebogo Ramfate, Tshepiso Mokgobi, Zanzibar Madlebe
