STATEMENT BY ARTISTS FOR AFRICA ON THE VIOLENCE AGAINST FOREIGN NATIONALS

If art were to mirror our society right now, it would reflect the rainbow as a tattered farce, the African Renaissance as a bad stand-up comedy routine, the notion of ubuntu as a horror movie, and our much-admired constitution as a satire on what we have become.

Given where we have come from, with Madiba's inaugural "never again" speech still ringing in our ears, and with the dream that we would be a beacon of humanity, dignity and tolerance, there can be little excuse for the sheer brutality in the violence wreaked against foreign nationals in the last few weeks.

At the same time, we recognise the desperate conditions in which many of our fellow citizens continue to live. The horrific statistics of AIDS-related deaths, of victims of violent crime and of infant mortality bear testimony to a people brutalised by the genocide of neglect and dehumanised by the third force of poverty.

We call upon the many ordinary citizens who have rallied in response to the current humanitarian crisis on an unprecedented scale to translate these efforts into concerted action that will revive the non-racial project, hold accountable those responsible for delivery and help to build a truly better society for all.

We call upon our colleagues in the arts community to employ their creativity in the service of all our people, not only those who can buy our art, to speak truth to power and to continue to remind us of our dreams. It is time for us as citizens to reassert our central role in our democracy, to reclaim ownership of our ideals and to practice our common humanity.

About Artists for Africa

Artists for Africa was launched as an informal network of artists, cultural organisations and institutions on Monday 26 May 2008 to help coordinate action by the arts and culture sector in response to the violence against foreign nationals as it reflects itself in Cape Town.

Like other citizens and organisations, numerous individual artists and arts organisations have given of their time and resources in the last few weeks.

Artists for Africa will provide a mechanism for greater collective action, to encourage the arts community to utilise its unique creativity at this time and to plan and embark on further action beyond this particular crisis.

For more information or to become part of AFA, contact any member of the committee:
Andrew Lamprecht (UCT Michaelis School of Fine Art) 0724965032;
Karen Jeynes (Performing Arts Network of South Africa): 0839468526;
Mandla Mbothwe (Magnet Theatre and UCT Drama School): 0828268586;
Kathy Coates (Iziko Museum): 0822004622; Mike van Graan (Africa Centre): 0829003349;
Robert Weinek (Public Eye): 724205193 and
Dathini Mzayiya (Gugulective and Arts South Africa Initiative): dathinimzayiya@yahoo.co.uk
Administrative support is provided by Farzanah Badsha: (Africa Centre): 0824234381.