Iziko Summer School 2008

Cape Town, 18 January 2008 - Iziko Museums of Cape Town’s Summer School 2008 officially opens on 31 January 2008, at the Iziko South African Museum. The theme of the month-long programme of symposia, workshops, films and activities is Museums, Climate Change and Africa’s Indigenous Heritage.

A full-day symposium on Saturday, 2 February, chaired by Professor George Philander, focuses on climate change. Shirley Moroka, Director for Atmospheric Policy Regulation & Planning, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, discusses government’s strategy on climate change. Dr Roger Smith, a palaentologist based at Iziko, reveals how climate change in the past contributed to the mass extinction of species. Journalist and author Leonie Joubert discusses how climate change affects vulnerable communities. Robert Zipplies, a business consultant who is writing a book on climate change, ponders the role of business in addressing climate change. The symposium concludes with a look ahead by the National Research Foundation Research Chair for Climate Change, Professor Bruce Hewitson.

A second full-day symposium on Saturday, 9 February explores the significance of the much-discussed Timbuktu Manuscripts of Mali, that have provided an insight into an African heritage and culture of writing and reading that existed long before recorded colonial history.

A certain highlight this year is a series of five free lectures by well-known and sometimes controversial lecturer, writer and curator, Andrew Lamprecht. Presenting a refreshing and comprehensive take on the development of South African contemporary art, the lectures, under the intriguing overarching title of ‘Contemporary Sa Art: A Guide for the Perplexed’, take place at 18h00 on 6, 7, 19, 20 and 21 February.

Other art-related activities include a curator’s walkabout of the new ‘Dungamanzi’ exhibition, beading and mosaic workshops, a visit to Darling with a performance by Pieter-Dirk Uys, and poetry by Diana Ferrus.

Early booking is essential for the ever-popular guided excursions, each led by acknowledged experts in the field. The programme includes a weekend visit to the Sutherland Observatory (16-17 February), day walks in the Bo-Kaap (16 February) and on Table Mountain (17 February), and a four-day Cedarburg retreat (28 February-2 March).

Eleven films, nine of which are locally-produced thought-provoking perspectives on recent South African history, run throughout the month-long programme.

In keeping with our commitment to public education and promoting South African heritage, Iziko has again invested heavily in ensuring that the Iziko Summer School programme remains accessible and affordable.

To book and for further information about the programme, please contact Wandile Kasibe at Tel: 021 481 3804/13 or email wkasibe@iziko.org.za. Details of the offerings, and a downloadable brochure, can be accessed on our website, at www.iziko.org.za.

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