Save the Date: IFAS Paths to Democracy Forum

The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) will be hosting the first regional forum in the ‘Our Future: Africa-Europe Dialogues’ series.

Titled ‘Paths to Democracy’, the forum is a free, accessible to all, and collaborative public programme created with local partners that will focus on the revitalisation of democracy through innovation and creativity.

Please join us from 7 to 8 October 2022 for a variety of discussions, projects and more spread across Johannesburg and Soweto.  

Programme Highlights Include:

More details will follow soon.

We look forward to hosting you! 

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Offre d’emploi: Assistant(e) du/de la COCAC et du SCAC

L’Ambassade de France en Afrique du Sud et l’Institut Français d’Afrique du Sud recrutent son futur/sa future assistant(e) du/de la COCAC et du SCAC

Vous aimez faciliter le travail de vos collègues et êtes un(e) partenaire de confiance ? Vous êtes réactif(ve), organisé(e), discret(e), diplomate et aimez le travail bien fait ? Devenez celui/celle qui accompagne le quotidien de nos équipes de coopération au sein de l’Ambassade de France à Pretoria !

Poste basée à l’Ambassade de France à Pretoria

Contrat à durée déterminée de 10 mois

Période souhaitée de prise de fonctions : début août 2022

Ressortissants / résidents permanents en Afrique du Sud ou candidats en capacité de travailler légalement en Afrique du Sud. Avoir un permis de travail valide est une condition essentielle pour pouvoir candidater. 

Vous retrouverez plus d’informations dans la fiche de poste ici

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Second INSP training course of 2022 for South African public servants

The Institut national du service public (former ENA – Ecole nationale d’administration) has held its second tailor-made online training course, entitled “Human resources management in the public sector”, with 30 South African civil servants attending from the 7th – 11th of March 2022.

This course follows the one on Public Administration reform, which was held from the 7th-11^th of February 2022. 29 South African public servants attended the PAR course and 30 attended the HRM course. Participants from various ministries, local authorities and public entities (Agriculture, Tourism, Brand South Africa, NSG, SALGA, etc.) benefit from these tailor-made trainings, which focus primarily on knowledge sharing and practical case studies.

Opening class of the formation “Human resources management”, 7th of March 2022.

This course on HRM gave the opportunity to reflect on how public services can relay efficiency and quality, while responding to the needs of citizens. It focused on 3 important aspects: major HRM functions, personal development as well as professional ethics and responsibilities. It was a valuable opportunity to discuss experiences, lived realities and good practices.

Governments are constantly challenged to adapt how they administrate public affairs and deliver public services, to perform efficiently within the scope of serving the people. Thus, this course aimed to demonstrate how state modernization has to be driven by the constant pursuit of building capable states in the face of changing circumstances and increasingly complex societies. In this context, the development of public servants’ skills, the strengthening of HRM practices, as well as upholding public service ethics throughout administrations, are critical for democracies.

These courses are testament to the living partnership between the French and South African governments on matters essential to democracies and developmental goals. The two administrations have been sharing good practices and experiences since 2016.

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Job Offer: Communication and Partnerships Manager

The French Embassy is heading to a new communication strategy including a unique website to promote all the activities of the Cultural and cooperation section of the French Embassy in South Africa (SCAC)
as well as the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS). This website promotes the wide array of cooperation fields of the French Embassy such as Culture, Cinema, Civil society, Education, French language, Higher Education, Research, Science, Innovation in our network in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi.

Given that, the French Institute of South Africa and the Cultural and cooperation section of the French Embassy in South Africa is seeking to appoint his/her Communication and Partnerships Manager. The position is based at IFAS, in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. In connection with your managers, the IFAS Director/ Head of Cooperation at the French Embassy and the Deputy Director of IFAS, you design the communication plan, pilot and implement it. Driving force in the implementation of the strategy and in the communication of our operational projects, you have a robust experience on mobilising and empowering a unit (one full time communication officer and day-to-day collaboration with a graphic designer/webmaster).

You contribute to developing our audience through targeted media in order to promote our different projects and ensure the public relation.
We are looking for a brilliant communicator with a track record of creating mutually-beneficial partnerships, in different fields. Experienced, you ideally have one or more successful experiences in the following areas: non-profit sector, culture, NGO. You show a strong interest in French culture and are able to work in French as well as in English.
Key responsibilities:

Communication, Press & Event
– Delivering and executing the SCAC-IFAS communication strategy;
– Coordinating SCAC-IFAS communication strategy with the French Embassy, partners and
sponsors and in general with the French network;
– Organising, coordinating and attending press launches, premieres and events;
– With the help of an external press officer, developing contacts with South African media,
journalists and industry contacts, doing regular networking and hosting media events to this end;
– Managing media inquiries and distributing press releases and op-eds; managing SCAC-IFAS
media list, with external help.

Social Media & Online Platforms
– Implement and managing SCAC-IFAS Social Media strategy;
– Managing SCAC-IFAS website, newsletter and social media accounts;
– Monitoring SCAC-IFAS performances on internet (website, newsletters, social media accounts)
and analysing the statistics.

Partnerships
– Managing SCAC-IFAS partnership;
– Developing relationships to identify and engage with new partners.

Project Management & Reporting
– Writing and managing the agreements with the partners, sponsors and technical suppliers,
– Managing external suppliers including writing and preparing briefs for them,
– Managing the communication budget;
– Coordinating projects with photographers, cameramen and agencies;
– Coordinating communication plans with project managers;
– Managing press reviews for each event/project and annual reports;
– Reporting to IFAS Director/Head of Cooperation at the French Embassy, and IFAS Deputy Director and Embassy’s Press and Communication Counsellor.

Required skills
– Hard skills
o Higher education degree preferably in journalism/communication, cooperation / art &
culture or related field,
o Background in journalism and/or institutional communication or similar career path,
o In-depth understanding and awareness of South African non-profit sector / art & culture
industry and knowledge of the South African media,
o Excellent communication and writing skills (copy editing),
o Creative thinking,
o Ability to manage,
o Ability to draft clearly and succinctly in English and good command in French,
o Must be fully computer literate (MS Office Suite),
o Website and social media management skills – including experience with content
management systems and email systems, SEO and Google analytics would be
appreciated
– Soft skills
o Adaptability to a cultural and institutional context,
o Sense of teamwork and leadership,
o Ability to work independently,
o High work capacity and availability,
o Good writing and representation skills.
Open to:
Citizens or permanent residents in South Africa or applicants who are legally in a position to work in
South Africa. A valid work permit is compulsory.

Conditions:
Fixed-term renewable 12 months contract with IFAS; 3-month trial period; possibility of permanent
contract after 2 years of fixed-term contracts;
40 hours a week;
Gross salary: R 39 721 per month + Benefits: 13th cheque + medical aid and pension fund
Starting period: February

To apply, please send a CV with covering letter, addressed to Bruno ASSERAY, IFAS Director/ Head
of Cooperation at the French Embassy at: administration@frenchinstitute.org.za by January 31, 2022.
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

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Bassline Fest I AM HERE

BASSLINE CONTINUES ITS 28 YEARS OF PLATFORMING BURGEONING TALENT & HOSTING STARS WITH BASSLINE FEST I AM HERE 27 NOVEMBER AT CONSTITUTION HILL

Bassline Fest presents I Am Here featuring Thandiswa Mazwai,  Sampa The Great, Stogie T, Morena Leraba, Moonga K, Laliboi and Ikati Esengxoweni at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg on the 27th of November 2021. Tickets are available from Computicket and Howler and  gates open 15:00 and the fest starts at 16:00 and ends at 23:00.

Bassline Fest I AM HERE is presented in partnership with the 4th Music In Africa Conference For Collaborations, Exchange and Showcases (ACCES) and Reeperbahn Festival . ACCES is a pan-African trade event for music industry players to exchange ideas, discover new talent and create business linkages. ACCES is held in a different African city every year, attracting active music industry players from across the globe. This year is Johannesburg’s turn.

Register for ACCES at www.musicinafrica.net/acces .ACCES is organised by the Music In Africa Foundation, a non-profit and pan-African organisation, in partnership with Siemens Stiftung, Goethe-Institut and Reeperbahn Festival International – one of Europe’s largest club festivals.

Sampa The Great, Ikati Esengxoweni and Morena Leraba are presented by ACCES in partnership with Reeperbahn Festival – Europe’s leading club festival. StogieT performance with an all-star jazz band is made possible by SAKIFO Festival from Reunion Island.

“Bassline is excited to announce further alliances to add to the existing partnerships with ACCES, Music In Africa, Reeperbahn Festival, SAKIFO Festival. Castle Lite & Nandos are now also on board for I Am Here.” Says Bassline’s Brad Holmes.

The Bassline welcomes another leader in Arts & Culture support, the French Institute of South Africa and by association, the Paris New York Heritage Festival.  Holmes explains that “The Bassline & the French Institute of South Africa have been involved in collaborative projects for over two decades, spanning from the Melville Jazz Club days, the Concert Hall in Newtown days, the Bassline Live at the Lyric concerts and the annual Festivals. Most notably through the Fete de la Musique, which occurs annually as a “Free Music For All” festival, which the Bassline produces for the French Institute & TOTAL Energies. ”

He adds “Via this process developing talent has the opportunity to platform their music in a quality and professional setting. Many artist’s careers have blossomed after performing at the Fete de la Musique. The Bassline curates much of its talent for their concerts & festivals from the Fete de la Musique. In Fact five out of the seven artists on the Bassline Fest I AM HERE stage will have come through the past number of years’ Fete de la Musique.”

Sophie Boule, Cultural Attaché & Deputy Director of the French Institute of South Africa concurs:

“We are excited to be supporting these fantastic cross-genre talents at the Bassline Fest I AM HERE, especially after the success of Fête de la Musique. We have witnessed the eagerness of audiences to get back to experiencing live music in Johannesburg, and the iconic Constitution Hill is the perfect place to bring people together”.

Set to be a day to remember, the Bassline Fest I AM HERE, will not disappoint. “Envisage this; sunny Jozi day under blue skies at the Parade ground at Constitution Hill, great food, refreshing drinks and of course excellent talent on high quality staging, and we have a welcome addition this year of a dome roof over the stage and main viewing area”  shares Paige Holmes Creative Director of Bassline.

Tickets are R400 Adults & R200 for 12 and under on COMPUTICKET and Howler.

COMPUTICKET

https://tickets.computicket.com/event/bassline_fest_i_am_here/7176689/7176693/6760

HOWLER

https://howler.co.za/basslinefestiamhere

Follow Bassline on Twitter & Instagram, like Bassline on Facebook

For more Bassline info www.bassline.co.za

Register for ACCES at www.musicinafrica.net/acces

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Goût de France /Good France is back for a 6th edition in South Africa

Goût de France /Good France is back for a 6th edition in South Africa as we celebrate French cuisine and our shared passion for gastronomy as part of the international event.

The unprecedented health crisis not only saw the cancellation of the 2020 event, but also placed severe pressure on the restaurant and food industry as a whole.

Supported by the French Embassy in Pretoria and the Consulate General of Cape Town, the 2021 edition in South Africa will aim to promote the revival of the restaurant industry in the country, with a focus on French gastronomy.

From 14 to 22 October 2021, patrons will have the opportunity to experience a taste of France locally and will stand a chance to win exciting prizes, including a return flight to Paris.

The South African edition this year has been made possible thanks to the support of JCDecaux, Air France, Advini, Bridor, L’Oréal and TotalEnergies.

 

To participate in this exciting event and competition, visit one of the restaurants on the list below:

Gauteng:

La Madeleine Restaurant
122 Priory Road, Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria
https://lamadeleine.co.za/

La Vie Lente Bistro & Venue
242 Graham Road (M6) Tierpoort Shere, Pretoria East
www.lavielente.co.za

De Kloof Restaurant
Waterkloof Golf Estate, Johan Rissik Drive, Eclipse Rd, Pretoria
https://dekloofrestaurant.co.za/

Whisk Wine Bar
Cnr Nellmapius Dr & Cornwood Ave, Centurion
https://whiskwinebar.com

Prue Leith Culinary Institute
262 Rhino Street, Hennopspark, Centurion
https://www.prueleith.co.za/restaurant/

The Elm Tree
The Syrene Hotel, 28 Wessel Road, Rivonia, Johannesburg
https://thesyrene.co.za/the-elm-tree-restaurant/

Old Ducky French Cafe
Pineslopes Shopping Centre, Corner The Straights Avenue & Witkoppen Road, Fourways, Johannesburg
http://oldducky.com/

Arbour Cafe
64 Wrenrose Ave Birdhaven Johannesburg 2196
www.arbourcafe.co.za

Believe eatery
7 Mackay avenue, Blairgowrie, Johannesburg
http://believeeatery.co.za/our-menu/

Bespokery
66 Tyrone Ave Bespokery, Parkview, Johannesburg
https://bespokery.co.za/

Bellagio Illovo
Unit 1, Oxford Manor,196 Oxford Rd, Illovo, Johannesburg, 2196
https://www.bellagiorestaurant.co.za/

Western Cape:

Societi Bistro
50 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town
https://societi.co.za

Reverie
226A Lower Main Road Observatory 7925, Cape Town
http://www.reverie.capetown/

Simon’s restaurant
Groot Constantia Road, Groot Constantia Wine Estate
https://www.grootconstantia.co.za/

Le coin Français
17 Huguenot street, Franschoek
https://lecoinfrancais.co.za/

The Vine bistro
Lelie Street, Idas Valley, Stellenbosch
www.glenellyestate.com

Mana Epicure
151 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape town
https://mannaepicure.com/

THE 41
41 Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town
http://www.the41.co.za

Jonkershuis Restaurant
Groot Constantia Wine Estate, Groot Constantia road
www.jonkershuisconstantia.co.za

Eastern Cape:

Molo Lolo Restaurant & Cooking Schools
Caesar Avenue, Addo
https://www.addoafricanhome.co.za/molo-lolo-restaurant

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Bidding for a better future

14^th September

Art collectors, wine lovers, and people in search of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, can start bidding on a catalogue of items and experiences that will go under the hammer to raise funds for the Tutu Legacy Fund.

The auction, set to take place on 22 September 2021, is part of the Foundation’s 90@90 campaign. The campaign, which began in 2020, aims to raise R90-million over two years for the Tutu Legacy Fund in Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s 90th year, ending on 7 October 2022.

The Tutu Legacy Fund was established to help facilitate the Foundation’s ability to foster a new, inter-generational drive for positive change in Africa and the rest of the world, thereby ensuring that the Archbishop’s legacy of ethical leadership is perpetuated.

“Archbishop Tutu’s principled and courageous leadership gave South Africans hope and courage during apartheid, and it gives us hope and courage today. His example is sorely needed at this complex time in human history,” said Piyushi Kotecha, CEO of the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation.

Funds raised from the Art for the Arch auction on 22 September 2021 will go towards an exciting new long-term exhibition celebrating the work of Archbishop Tutu, titled Truth to Power, curated in collaboration with the Apartheid Museum, which will open in October 2021. This exhibition forms part of the wider 90@90 campaign.

The hybrid (in-person and online) auction event will comprise two sessions, the first at 3pm, with the main event taking place at 6pm.

From a breakfast with former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba to a print of photographer Jürgen Schadeberg’s famous photograph of Nelson Mandela in his Robben Island cell, this auction has something to offer everyone.

“It’s wonderful to be able to offer such a wide variety of lots in this exceptional auction, and we are honoured to be involved, and we are very grateful to the artists who have donated artworks to the auction,” says Frank Kilbourn, executive chairperson of specialist art dealers Strauss & Co.

Works by renowned artists, such as a new, limited-edition print by William Kentridge are on auction. Roses in Big Glass (2020) is one of a print series of 30 that has an estimated price tag of R100 000 to R150 000. Kentridge is an acclaimed international artist whose work – ranging from etchings to stop-frame video animations – often explores the effects of colonialism on the oppressed.

Cape Town-based artist Barry Jackson’s bronze Dancing Tutu statue will go under the hammer along with Esther Mahlangu’s Ndebele Abstract. Jackson is regularly commissioned to produce full-figure portrait statues of historical figures and has sculpted Nelson Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada, Oliver Tambo and Louis van Mauritius, a slave in the former Cape Colony who led a rebellion in 1808. Mahlangu is one of South Africa’s most globally recognised artists, whose brightly coloured abstracts explore her Ndebele heritage.

Archbishop Tutu also features in a painting by artist Charles Foley, who was part of a South African team that won the Cannes Lions Grand Prix award. The oil-on-canvas work, titled The Spirit of Joy: Tutu and Dalai Lama (2021), depicts the two spiritual leaders’ famous discussions on joy at the Dalai Lama’s residence in Dharamsala, India, in 2015.

Art lovers looking for something unusual to bid on might earmark Turiya Magadlela’s Ubuhle bakho bufana neLanga (Your Beauty Is Like a Rising Sun). This piece (pantyhose on canvas with acrylic gel sealer) was created in 2018, and is expected to fetch between R80 000 and R120 000.

Other works on auction include Blessing Ngobeni’s Died Digging Gold 1, which has an estimated value of R80 000 to R120 000, Georgina Gratrix’s Ballyhoo Blooms, a colourful piece in oil and glitter on linen, and John Meyer’s landscape, West of Sutherland. Also in the catalogue are Lutanda Zema Luzamba’s Munkoyo, a portrait, and Jake Aikman’s Solace.

These are only a few of more than 100 artworks on auction,that have been donated to the Art for the Arch auction.

Other lots include:

• A fully sponsored stay at a five-star private villa in the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, a pristine wilderness of 2 500ha at Gansbaai, near Hermanus in the Western Cape. The reserve is home to 868 known plant species and guests can enjoy a multitude of experiences, from botanical and river tours to ethical cage diving to see sharks. On auction is a stay in one of the reserve’s two private luxury villas for 10 people for two nights, valued at between R150 000 and R260 000
• Rare books, such as a signed first edition of the Archbishop’s God Has a Dream (2004); DIGNITY: In Honor of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, by Dana Gluckstein; and a signed copy of theologian Michael Battle’s Desmond Tutu: A Spiritual Biography of South Africa’s Confessor
• Limited-edition prints of cartoons by Jonathan Shapiro, better known as Zapiro, such as The Hole Truth (3/25)
• Several different lots of La Motte wine and méthode cap classique

“I would like to profusely thank all the artists and other donors who have so willingly offered lots to be auctioned off. You are contributing to the Foundation’s vision for a brighter future for humanity, a worthy cause, ” added Kotecha.

Kotcheka also thanked the Foundation’s auction partner Strauss & Co. “The support they have given has simply been wonderful and a boon in this onerous and fulfilling journey. Our gratitude to them is enormous.”

Special thanks go to Dr Paul Bayliss, senior specialist art curator at the Absa Art Gallery, for assisting with the curation, and to the Embassy of France in South Africa and French Institute of South Africa for marketing the auction to its stakeholders.

Please join us on 22 September 2021. Bidders can register from 15 September 2021 on the Strauss & Co website: https://www.straussart.co.za/

About the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation

Founded in 2013, the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation represents one of the world’s most iconic leaders, and his life-long partner. The Foundation strives to ensure their

uncompromised bravery is celebrated, communicated and curated for posterity. Guided by the

values of its founders, the Foundation uses the Tutus’ rich archival heritage to promote learning,

leadership and dialogue. This takes place through research and development, archival

digitisation, museum design and curation, and programmes and events to promote these

values.

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FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE JOBURG’S FOUR-STAGE LINEUP ANNOUNCED

6^th September

Fête de la Musique (or World Music Day) Joburg is back on the 18th of September 2021 and will be happening at four venues in the city for the first time. The popular and free music festival, established in 2010, has become a great platform for a diverse range of renowned and upcoming talents to make themselves known in South Africa.

Fête de la Musique Joburg 2021 will take place at Newtown Junction; Orlando West Soweto’s Hector Pieterson Memorial; Victoria Yards in Bertrams, and Alliance Française in Parkview, between 12 pm-5 pm. Entrance is free with limited capacity to ensure everyone’s safety; attendees are encouraged to adhere to strict all Covid -19 protocols.

“After the postponement of Fête de la Musique in Johannesburg, we are ready and counting down to this highly anticipated musical showcase. We are excited to be back at Newtown Junction, which followers of the festival will be familiar with. Our partners at Alliance Française will play host to music lovers in the Northern suburbs, and other attendees will see some of their favourite musical acts at the vibrant Victoria Yards. We are also honoured to partner with the Hector Pieterson Memorial to bring the music to Soweto. We are proud to be playing our part in supporting the South African music industry, which has been devastatingly impacted by the pandemic. We look forward to seeing everyone again under strict and safe Covid-19 protocols.” – Sophie Boulé, Cultural Attaché Embassy of France in South Africa.

Mandla Mlangeni; The Brother Moves On; BLK JKS, and Maleh will headline the stages, and they will be joined by Ms Party, Mx Blouse, Melo B Jones, Ikati Esengxoweni, Laliboi, Manu Grace, Basadi ba Mintsu, Bobo Jay Nzima, DJ AN.D, DJ Binz, Shotgun Tori and the Hound, Musa Mashiane, Simba Ci, Spokenpriestess, Sun Xa Experiment and

Tshepang Ramoba.

NEWTOWN JUNCTION

12pm – 1pm

Spokenpriestess

1 pm – 2 pm

Musa Mashiane

2 pm – 3 pm

Mx Blouse

3pm – 4pm

BLK JKS

4pm – 5pm

Ms Party

HECTOR PIETERSON

12pm-1pm

Tshepang Ramoba

1pm -2pm

DJ Binz

2pm -3pm

Laliboi

3pm – 4pm

DJ AN.D

4pm – 5pm

Mandla Mlangeni

VICTORIA YARDS

12 pm-1 pm

Melo B Jones

1 pm -2 pm

Bobo Jay Nzima

2 pm -3 pm

Manu Grace

3pm – 4pm

Ikati Esengxoweni

4 pm-  5 pm

The Brother Moves On

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE

12pm-1pm

Shotgun Tori and The Hound

1pm-2pm

Basadi Ba Mintsu

2pm-3pm

Sun Xa Emperiment

3pm-4pm

Simba Ci

4pm-5pm

Maleh

A selection of these performances will also be live-streamed on :  http://www.fetedelamusiquejhb.co.za/streaming/

• 12pm – 1pm
• Tshepang Ramoba (Hector Pieterson)
• 1pm – 2pm
• Sibusiso Mashiloane (Newtown Junction)
• 2pm – 3pm
• Laliboi (Hector Pieterson)
• 3pm – 4pm
• BLK JKS (Newtown Junction)
• 4pm – 5pm
• Mandla Mlangeni – (Hector Pieterson)

The Fête de la Musique Joburg is brought to you by the French Institute of South Africa and the Alliance Française of Johannesburg, in partnership with Bassline Live and Newtown Junction. It is made possible by the continuous support of TOTAL South Africa to the arts.

Follow Fête de la Musique on

http://www.fetedelamusiquejhb.co.za/

Twitter @JoburgFDLM

Instagram @fetedelamusiquejhb

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ifasculture; https://www.facebook.com/AllianceFrancaiseJHB/

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Royal Hair Salon by Nikiwe Dlova

27^th August

Botho Project Space, with the support of the French Institute,  is proud to present from 9 September to 2 October 2021, Royal Hair Salon by Nikiwe Dlova, a grand statement of African pride and a restored sense of luxury and royalty with an art exhibition that elevates the influence of African hairstyles to an evolved interpretation of grandeur and richness.

The golden thread from ancient civilization to urban African culture has been hair. It plays a significant role in symbolizing one’s family background, social status, spirituality, tribe, and marital status.  Royal Hair Salon is a celebration of the evolution of identity, culture, and craftsmanship using the creative language of synthetic hair extensions.

The show brings Nikiwe’s anthropological vision to life, aiming to preserve the ongoing human story told by the craftmanship of hair through needle work, embroidery, weaving and creative hairstyling. With the hope of reigniting a passion for the practice of hair in the youth of Africa, the versatility of Nikiwe Dlova’s medium opens a field of possibilities for all people to connect and engage around cultural and spiritual traditions.

Though hair plays a communal role by making a social and spiritual statement, it is inherently a deeply personal experience. For Nikiwe, hair is meditative work and is a means to transfer positive energy and a prayer to another. The show is curated in a way for visitors to reflect on their own hair journey.

Royal Hair Salon is also a declaration of the strength and positivity of the Black identity. Historically, hair has been stripped of its essential nature, with attempts to sever the Black community from the expression of culture through hair.  Nikiwe Dlova’s exhibition appreciates and praises the potent beauty of hair and the importance of protecting and preserving Blackness through braiding. Hairstyles birthed through various braiding techniques are a communication of resistance and community. The continuity of braiding has been a mark of Black resilience. Braiding techniques are a source of strength and a symbol of the creativity that we show to the world. Communities have come together through the messages which braided hair relays. Current braiding styles incorporate various cultures; however, the final style will always carry the creative communicative language of a particular community.

The exhibition is enhanced by the collaborative incorporations of Andile Buka, John Baloy and Sindiso Nyoni. It incorporates the power of digitisation as Nikiwe consistently pushes and interlaces timeless hairstyle techniques with the modern age, propelling the exhibition into the future. Our Botho website houses the intricate research done by Nikiwe for the show, allowing one to fully immerse in the richness and beauty of the history of braiding and how it is powerfully translated into the Royal Hair Salon.

The Royal Hair Salon has been built with the support of the French Institute.

“Our mission is to support multi-disciplinary art and cultural projects;  and The Royal African Salon, achieves this through multiple mediums.  It is important for us to support a project that celebrates African heritage in all its magnificence. We know that this collaboration will have a positive and long-lasting impact on the audience.”- Selen Daver, Cultural Attaché for the French Embassy of South Africa.

Nikiwe Dlova biography: Nikiwe Dlova is a Hair artist from Diepkloof, Soweto. She studied Clothing Management at University of Johannesburg, her love for fashion made her explore another element of her identity which is hair, she started her brand ownURcrown in 2018 to explore art and identity in hairstyling, headpieces, fashion and lastly contemporary hair art tapestry pieces/artworks which showcases how hair extensions can be used as a textile form by weaving, sewing braided hair extensions by hand to create a visual story. She is interested in how people express themselves through their hair, not only limiting how they style it but how they interact with hair in their environment and in their clothing. Combining history, design and culture helps her to tell her story of how versatile hair is without limitations.

Visit: https://www.bothoprojectspace.com/

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Calling on all SMEs, startups and researchers working within the Agriculture Technology (AgTech) landscape!

10^th August

The World Bank Group and the French-South African Agricultural Institute (F’SAGRI), in partnership with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the French Embassy and the French Ministry for Agriculture are looking to finance and support entrepreneurs, researchers and technologists through the 1^st in a series of the AgTech Innovation Challenge with the e-Southern Africa Startup Community (e-SASCy) exclusively on the Innovation Bridge Portal (IBP). Are you working towards finding innovative solutions to some of the most urgent issues affecting agriculture and food security in Southern Africa ─ one of the sectors most  affected by the Covid-19 pandemic? Don’t miss out on this opportunity to accelerate your venture. 

Actors within the Southern African agricultural sector face increasing uncertainty due to food security concerns, rapidly growing populations, unsustainable practices, climate change and sub-optimal land use. Technology innovation can help transform the region’s agriculture value chain by assisting smallholders, emerging and commercial farmers overcome challenges in productivity, post-harvest activity management, and access to finance or markets. To incentivise the development of these technologies, The World Bank, F’SAGRI, DSI, the French Embassy and the French Ministry for Agriculture are excited to launch this challenge, which aims to develop innovations and innovators while creating links and displaying the benefits of exchange in the AgTech sector with e-SASY. Short-listed applicants stand a chance to pitch their ideas at the AgTech Innovation Challenge Day, taking place 25th  November 2021. The winners of the Innovation Challenge will win substantial prizes, enabling them to accelerate and expand their projects. Additionally, the research innovators from Southern African universities will gain international exposure and knowledge to apply their ideas locally. The challenge is divided into four focus areas:

Challenge 1: The digitalisation of Supply Chains

How can digital solutions help customers and consumers on the margins (i.e., smallholder farmers) gain better access to resources, markets and finance? 

Challenge 2: Food Technology

How can we push the boundaries of new processes, inputs, nutrition and ingredients?

Challenge 3 Productivity

How can technology and product innovations be leveraged to increase agricultural productivity?

Challenge 4: Climate-Smart Technologies

How can environmental stress and climate change be offset in food systems?

The AgTech Innovation Challenge winners will receive the following prizes:

• The Innovation Prize endowment with cross-mobility for applied researchers and a cash award for the startups.
• The opportunity to exhibit their proposed work at an award ceremony hosted by World Bank, F’SAGRI and

partners at the French Residence in Pretoria (if travel is feasible on the 25 Nov 2021, all expenses will be paid).

• Winners will be featured as innovators in AgTech press releases, media and exhibited at a challenge expo day at the end of the competition.
• Growth program including workshops, One-on-One mentorship, Pitch Polishing, Business Development and Fundraising training

Who can apply? 

1) Post-revenue startups with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) ready for or tested in-market, who are operating in Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa

2) Applied Researchers at South African universities -including mobility countries, with viable projects to participate in our virtual pitch-day.

Important dates to note:

29 Aug 2021: An online webinar inviting potential applicants to learn more about the AgTech Innovation Challenge and the requirements of the competition.

1 Sept 2021: Call for nominations/applications directly relevant to tech interests and country development objectives.

1st -24th November 2021: Shortlisting of applicants. Selected startups and applied researchers will start preparation for the AgTech Innovation Challenge Day.

25^th November 2021: The AgTech Innovation Challenge Day. The session will comprise of pitches from the short-listed startups and researchers, who will go through a rigorous judging and voting session for the winner to be selected.

November 2021-January  2022: Winning applicants will attend various workshops and mentorship programmes focusing on investments, fundraising and partnerships for their ventures.

Feb/Mar-2022: Challenge Expo Day. Winners will share the progress and results of the AgTech Innovation Challenge.

Apply here: https://www.innovationbridge.info/ibportal/content/agtech-innovation-challenge

For general queries email:  agtech@innovationbridge.info

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