• Contact Us
  • Login
Subscribe
LittleAfrica News
Ubuntu Prep Charter School
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mona Davids, Founder and Publisher
    • Mymoena Kalinisan-Davids, Director of Communications
  • Newspaper Editions
  • Metro
  • U.S.
  • Africa
  • Caribbean
  • International
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mona Davids, Founder and Publisher
    • Mymoena Kalinisan-Davids, Director of Communications
  • Newspaper Editions
  • Metro
  • U.S.
  • Africa
  • Caribbean
  • International
No Result
View All Result
LittleAfrica News
No Result
View All Result
Home Metro

South African Cultural Center Opens, Showcasing Artists

LittleAfrica Staff Writer by LittleAfrica Staff Writer
July 15, 2022
in Metro
South African Cultural Center Opens, Showcasing Artists

Hon. Motumisi Tawana, Consul General, Republic of South Africa. Copyright Mona Davids, LittleAfrica News.

130
SHARES
541
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

South African Cultural Center Opens…

The South African Cultural Center, the first of its kind, has opened in New York City. Housed on the same premises as both the South African Consulate and Permanent Mission to the United Nations, it was officially opened to the public on September 23, 2021.

The Cultural Center was opened by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor.  

“We are here to officially launch the first-ever South African cultural center, which we hope will not only serve as a window to South Africa but [will] also provide South Africa-based artists, as well as those in the diaspora, a platform to share in the state of New York, and in the continental USA, and to bring to life the artistic vibrancy of our culture. In order to ensure that you have a true sense of the talent that lies in South Africa and of its colorful culture.” 

Copyright Mona Davids, LittleAfrica News
Photographer Alfred Gonzalez and his daughter with Consul General Motumisi Tawana. Copyright Mona Davids, LittleAfrica News

“I would like to really underscore the important role that culture plays in crafting a unique identity for us as Africans, us as a South African people, and for the global community in its entirety. In South Africa, we have an incredible, colorful artistic identity, which we’ve absolutely keen to share with the world.” 

The Center is meant to be a site that showcases the country’s deeply rich culture and heritage through art. The inaugural art displayed in the Cultural Center was Zakes Mda’s WASHBOARDS AND MIRRORS: The Collages of Zakes Mda. The art collection is Mda’s exploration of his life both as a citizen of South Africa and a resident of the United States.

It includes paintings paying homage to Mda’s late friend, the great musician Hugh Masekela and the washboard as a musical instrument, amongst other things. “Some of my paintings will have mirrors and washboards, that’s why the exhibition is titled mirrors and washboards,” said Mda. Mda,74, was born in the Eastern Cape and is a writer, musical composer, and painter. He has won both British and South African literary awards for his plays and novels.  

The Cultural Center was created with the intention of being a safe haven primarily for South African artists but not limited to them. Recently there was an exhibit of photography by Alfred Gonzalez, a native of New York. The exhibit, titled Beautiful People of New York, was scheduled to run from May 26 to June 30 but has been extended to July 31st.  

The collection was made up of 50 black and white images photographed by Gonzalez over the course of three years. These photographs consisted of people roaming the streets and parks of New York City.

Copyright Mona Davids, LittleAfrica News
Photographer Alfred Gonzalez and Consul General Motumisi Tawana. Copyright Mona Davids, LittleAfrica News

Gonzales would ride his bike through the city and strike up conversations with people on the street. All of the people in the exhibit agreed to have their portraits taken. When discussing the exhibit and the process, he said it was a “real joy and labor of love” to work on. Gonzales hopes that his work will be seen by as many people as possible and is grateful to the South African Cultural Center/South African Consul General.  

Earlier this year, an exhibition dedicated to the life of Archbishop Desmond Tutu was presented at the Cultural Center. Titled Desmond Tutu: Then and Now, the photographic exhibition was presented by Sumaya Hisham and Eric Miller.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu played a huge role as an anti-apartheid activist. This collection of photographs spans a three-decade period, displaying Tutu’s leadership during the years of apartheid and his more recent work as a post-apartheid activist.  The exhibition ran from February 22 until April 29. 

The Cultural Center is a place that has catered to the arts and will hopefully continue to do so well into the future.  

 

Previous Post

Gun Violence on the Rise, At Least 50 People Shot Over Fourth of July Weekend in NYC

Next Post

Multiple Shark Attacks at New York Beaches

LittleAfrica Staff Writer

LittleAfrica Staff Writer

Related Posts

Mayor Adams Kept in the Dark By NYC Social Service Commissioner Regarding Problems in Homeless Shelters
Metro

Mayor Adams Kept in the Dark By NYC Social Service Commissioner Regarding Problems in Homeless Shelters

by LittleAfrica Staff Writer
August 13, 2022
487
Jacob Borbin, 14, Shot Dead in an NYC Building Lobby
Metro

Jacob Borbin, 14, Shot Dead in an NYC Building Lobby

by LittleAfrica Staff Writer
August 12, 2022
495
Serena Williams Announces Imminent Retirement
International

Serena Williams Announces Imminent Retirement

by LittleAfrica Staff Writer
August 10, 2022
501
NYPD Settlements Currently At $68 Million For 2022
Metro

NYPD Settlements Currently At $68 Million For 2022

by LittleAfrica Staff Writer
August 9, 2022
495
South Africa – The Champions
Metro

South Africa – The Champions

by LittleAfrica Staff Writer
August 2, 2022
526
Next Post
Multiple Shark Attacks at New York Beaches

Multiple Shark Attacks at New York Beaches

LittleAfrica News Newspaper : August 2 — August 15
Print Newspaper Edition

LittleAfrica News Newspaper : August 2 — August 15

Little Africa News Newspaper : August 2 — August 15

August 1, 2022
LittleAfrica News Newspaper : July 19 — August 1
Metro

LittleAfrica News Newspaper : July 19 — August 1

LittleAfrica News Newspaper : July 19—August 1

July 21, 2022
LittleAfrica News Newspaper : July 5 — July 18
Metro

LittleAfrica News Newspaper : July 5 — July 18

Local, National, and International News for the Diaspora LittleAfrica News Newspaper : July 5—July 18

July 8, 2022
LittleAfrica News Newspaper : June 14 – July 4
Print Newspaper Edition

LittleAfrica News Newspaper : June 14 – July 4

LittleAfrica News Newspaper : June 14—July 4

July 3, 2022
LittleAfrica News Newspaper : June 1 – June 13
Print Newspaper Edition

LittleAfrica News Newspaper : June 1 – June 13

Little Africa News Newspaper : June 1⁠ — June 13

May 31, 2022

Local, National, and International News for the Diaspora

Recent Posts

  • LittleAfrica News Newspaper : August 16 — September 5
  • South African Communities Protest Against Illegal Miners
  • Mayor Adams Kept in the Dark By NYC Social Service Commissioner Regarding Problems in Homeless Shelters
  • Sierra Leone Declares a Nationwide Curfew in Response to Violent Anti-Government Protests
  • Jacob Borbin, 14, Shot Dead in an NYC Building Lobby

Menu

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mona Davids, Founder and Publisher
    • Mymoena Kalinisan-Davids, Director of Communications
  • Newspaper Editions
  • Metro
  • U.S.
  • Africa
  • Caribbean
  • International

© 2022 LittleAfrica News. A Project of Social Impact Strategies. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • LittleAfrica News Newspaper : March 1 – March 15
  • LittleAfrica News Newspaper Print Edition : February 16 – February 28
  • Mona Davids, Founder and Publisher
  • Mymoena Kalinisan-Davids, Director of Communications
  • Newspaper Digital Editions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

© 2022 LittleAfrica News. A Project of Social Impact Strategies. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?