Athi Mongezeleli Joja

Athi Mongezeleli Joja is an art critic based in Johannesburg, South Africa. A member of the art collective Gugulective, he is currently studying toward his MFA at the University of the Witswatersrand on the critical practice of late critic Colin Richards. His writing has appeared in publications such as The Mail and Guardian, Art Throb, Contemporary And (C&), Chimurenga Chronic, and Africanah.

Pretensions of fighting for the oppressed and the totality of white power

Article Athi Mongezeleli Joja - 17 Apr 2020

We should be wary of taking theories of commitment and agency as self-evident; we should instead question their unspoken assumptions as we also question the motivations attendant to them

Drawing lines in art and politics

Article Athi Mongezeleli Joja - 13 Dec 2019

Judy Ann Seidman’s retrospective shows the complicity of antiblack racism in the white left

A Black Aesthetic lacks rigour

Article Athi Mongezeleli Joja - 5 Apr 2019

A Black Aesthetics as being uninventive and politically questionable

Fictive world is not escapist

Article Athi Mongezeleli Joja - 15 Feb 2019

Simphiwe Ndzube’s solo show in Cape Town offers no easy answers to deracinated utopias

Psychology of colour, texture

Article Athi Mongezeleli Joja - 18 Jan 2019

There is much more to the way Jody Paulsen uses his palette in ‘Water Me’

Ngobeni’s beautiful nightmare

Article Athi Mongezeleli Joja - 23 Nov 2018

The artist says our errors may give us the wisdom needed to confront these difficult times

Art and politics: Blessing Ngobeni brings us back to the reality

Article Athi Mongezeleli Joja - 5 Aug 2015

Despite seeming flamboyant or childlike, the artist's latest exhibition As If You Care tackles pertinent issues and shows his penchant for politic.

Athi-Patra Ruga’s latest art shows ‘Azania’ without a purpose

Article Athi Mongezeleli Joja - 21 Jul 2015

Athi-Patra Ruga's National Arts Festival show brings to mind a neo-avant-gardist catwalk display or an opening act for Lady Gaga, writes Athi Joja.

Simon Gush: Images, words and sounds expound on the global work ethic

Article Athi Mongezeleli Joja - 9 Jun 2015

Simon Gush’s latest exhibition interrogates the central role played by work in the construction and perception of our identities.

Writing’s on the wall for Robin Rhode

Article Athi Mongezeleli Joja - 1 Apr 2015

Now based in Berlin, South Africa’s ‘poet of street art’ is back home with an exhibition that signals his intent to keep ‘flipping’ the art world.

Story of destruction told through photos of eerie beauty

Article Athi Mongezeleli Joja - 23 Mar 2015

Photographer Cedric Nunn's travelling exhibition puts the spotlight on the South Africa's past that's been neglected, distorted or forgotten.

Artist Kemang wa Lehulere’s journey through relics and erasures

Article Athi Mongezeleli Joja - 29 Jan 2015

Many of Kemang wa Lehulere’s signature items are present in his latest show, giving it a sense of being ongoing and transmuting.

12 Page 1 of 2

Press Releases

Special Reports

Western Cape SMBs look to technology to get them through pandemic

special reports - 25 Nov 2020

Many companies have over-capitalised on IT infrastructure in the past, and are looking for ways to access simpler, cheaper technology that cuts their costs

Special Reports

Land reform still a hot potato

special reports - 24 Nov 2020

The land has got to belong to all the people of South Africa, and many believe that there’s no other mechanism for that except expropriation

Special Reports

UP chemical pathology scientists develop ground-breaking nanobodies for Covid-19 detection and therapy

special reports - 24 Nov 2020

Nanobodies are smaller than conventional antibodies and easier to work with so they are ideal for good cheap sensitive rapid tests for Covid-19

Special Reports

Inclusion as learned experience in higher education

special reports - 23 Nov 2020

Understanding the complexity of intersections between oppressions relating to race and gender is key to any commitment to creating a culture of inclusion and social justice

Special Reports

Local government in crisis: how it can be fixed

special reports - 20 Nov 2020

Local governments are supposed to promote non-racial development, in a decentralised manner, but the reality does not match up

Special Reports

Covid-19 accelerates adoption of technology by the African property sector

special reports - 20 Nov 2020

It’s not the technology itself that is valuable, it’s the opportunities that it creates: this may be the perfect time for reinvention

Special Reports

BE 1 OF 8 LUCKY PEOPLE TO DRIVE OFF WITH R80 000

special reports - 19 Nov 2020

From 23 to 30 November 2020, simply purchase any BMW bearing the number “8” and you could be one of eight lucky people to drive off with R80 000

Special Reports

Introducing Sabinet Judgments

special reports - 18 Nov 2020

A well-rounded view of reported and unreported judgments supplemented by an advanced system to enable users to rapidly find the information they require