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Mail & Guardian

Wally Serote

latest news & developments
Art of liberation: Keorapetse Kgositsile in 2009. He was a pre-eminent cultural figure in the struggle, and was not afraid to critique the ANC’s ‘backwardness’ when it came to culture. His bridging of politics and art was one of his many talents. (Oupa Nkosi)
AFRICAN FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND CULTURE

Festac, the ANC and the arts

Keorapetse Kgositsile played a vital part in elevating the position of the cultural worker

  • Uhuru Phalafala
7 min read
Drawn Lines invokes a double meaning of drawing as the prevalent medium of expression in the show, but also that of marking political demarcations. (Judy Seidman) (Delwyn Verasamy)
BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS

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

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…

  • Athi Mongezeleli Joja
16 min read
It is no surprise that poetry of Mongane Wally Serote (pictured), Mafika Pascal Gwala and Oswald Mtshali was read at anti-apartheid rallies — these poems no doubt aroused emotions but, more importantly, in the lines of the poems, citizens heard their voices and saw their plights. (Paul Botes/M&G)
MAFIKA PASCAL GWALA

South Africa’s poets write of our new struggle for freedom

Today’s battle is for economic and social freedom, in particular women’s freedom from violence

  • Athol Williams
5 min read
Malema’s day in court
DEREK HANEKOM

Hanekom: ‘Kill the boer’ refers to the struggle only

Julius Malema’s mimicking of a gun whilst singing "Kill the boer" only bears reference to the armed struggle, a senior ANC official said on Monday.

  • Staff Reporter
2 min read
Serote’s dialogue of disparates
BOOK REVIEWS

Serote’s dialogue of disparates

Many years of mulling over ideas about post-1994 South Africa has resulted in a skillfully considered novel that’s not an easy read.

  • Jane Rosenthal
5 min read
ELISABETH EYBERS

SA honours sport stars, poets and scientists

Sport stars, poets and scientists shared the spotlight at a National Orders awards ceremony in Pretoria on Friday. President Thabo Mbeki bestowed South Africa’s highest awards on…

  • Staff Reporter
2 min read