The programme includes symposia, mosaic and bead-making workshops (a great chance to learn an income-generating skill), informative art talks by accomplished speaker and art lecturer, Andrew Lamprecht, a poetry reading and a walkabout through an unusual exhibition. Unless indicated, all events are free and take place at Iziko South African Museum. A full programme is available on the Iziko website at http://www.iziko.org.za.

31 January at 17:30 for 18:00: Minister Tasneem Essop opens the event with a hot topic: ‘The Opportunities Global Warming Presents to Africans’.


2 February from 09:30-14:30: Climate Change Symposium. A well-informed panel of experts discusses topics including the government’s strategy on the problem, mass extinction of species, the role of business and the effects of climate change on communities. The symposium will be opened by Professor Brian O’Connell. Entry is R30 for adults and R10 for students.

6 February at 17:30 for 18:00. Accomplished speaker and lecturer Andrew Lamprecht presents the first of a 5-part lecture series on contemporary SA art which promises to offer ‘A guide for the perplexed’. Lecture 1 is an overview of “the terrain of contemporary South African Art’.


7 February at 17:30 for 18:00. In his second lecture, Andrew Lamprecht examines the ‘Big Names’ in contemporary art, the rise of the ‘superstars’ and the impact of the economy on the art world.

9 February at 09:30. ‘Symposium: Timbuktu manuscripts revealed’. Topics include the fascinating account of South Africa’s involvement in saving the famous manuscripts, a paper on the challenge to preservation posed by climate, and Timbuktu’s contribution to African astronomical heritage. Entry is R30 for adults and R10 for students.

13 February at 17:30 at Iziko SA National Gallery. Curator Carol Kaufmann conducts a walkabout of ‘Dungamanzi/Stirring Waters: Tsonga and Shangaan Art from southern Africa’, a showcase of some of the finest artworks of its kind, and a genre which previously enjoyed little public exposure.

16 & 23 February from 10:00-15:00. African Beading Workshop. Book early for this popular event which equips participants with a variety of beading skills. Entry is R200 including materials.

16 & 23 February from 10:00-13:00. Mosaic Workshop. Another favourite, this practical course also covers the history and design of this ancient art. Entry is R200 including materials.

19 February at 17:30 for 18:00. Andrew Lamprecht discusses ‘The Young Lions’, emerging artists who challenge the status quo of art production.

20 February at 18:00. Andrew Lamprecht examines ‘The way it all works’. Is the world of commercial galleries, media, curators and institutions all about ‘inner cliques’, ‘shams’ and inaccessibility of contemporary art?

21 February at 17:30 for 18:00. In an appropriate conclusion to this informative series, Andrew Lamprecht discusses ‘Challenges and Opportunities’. Would you like to invest in art? If so, learn about the trends, fashions and fads of the contemporary art world.

9 February from 17:30-19:30. ‘Ansela van de Caab’: poetry reading at the Iziko Slave Lodge by Diana Ferrus. Ansela was a slave woman who lived in the notorious Slave Lodge of the 1680’s. Diane will be accompanied by musicians Victor Fredericks and Charles Louw.

Images: From Dungamanzi exhibition, drawings of slaves from the Slave Lodge, and visitors to the Slave Lodge.

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