IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING

Launch of a touching memoir about an astonishing life by Nomusa Xaba.

It's Been a Long Time Coming by Nomusa Xaba is the story of one woman's artistic and political journey from the tiny village of Robbins, Illinois, to East Africa - and her passage through the Westside of Chicago, the Civil Rights movement, and the Anti-Apartheid struggle on her way

Produced by Clearwater Publishing, this tenderly-written, hugely-personal reflection on the incredible life and personal journey of African American artist, storyteller and activist Nomusa Xaba will be launched at the Durban Art Gallery on August 6. The launch is part of the evening programme which celebrates Women’s Day in the gallery. Izikhwepha Zethu (Our Strength) is the Durban Art Gallery's annual exhibition which started in 1998 and which was initiated and curated by Phumzile Dlamini to celebrate Women's Day.

Nomusa Xaba (known affectionately as Mama Nomusa) took literally decades to complete what was originally planned as a book of poetry. She has written a charming collection – part memoir, part journal – chronicling her life as a veteran of both the civil rights movement in American and the international anti-Apartheid struggle. Her memories are interspersed with poetry, photographs and song lyrics. Its unique style makes it an easy read, a flight book or a holiday read.

Each carefully-chosen chapter could stand alone as a short story as the reader follows the author in her journey through the many phases of her life. From her childhood in Illinois through political, social, spiritual consciousness, finally to living and teaching in the ANC school (SOMAFCO) in East Africa. Xaba was a social activist specialising in using the arts as a vehicle to raise consciousness and forge reconciliation. Through poetry, storytelling, percussion and now the written word, her entire life has been spent in changing societies in order to render all citizens - especially women - a platform to grow and develop their talents unencumbered by racial and political restrictions.

Mama Nomusa is a multi-talented, multi-disciplined artist and a teacher by profession, she has spent many years teaching in the US, Canada and East Africa. Simultaneously, she raised her five children while performing as a poet and percussionist with her then exiled South African husband, pianist Ndikho Xaba. In 2000, her many years of teaching and performing experience propelled her to seamlessly wed all of these experiences and leave the classroom in order to become an educational consultant and storyteller. She has shared her storytelling prowess with thousands of students in the US, India and now South Africa.

Together with her husband she is now based in Durban. She recently returned to the US to interact with over 2,000 delighted students, showing them a self-produced film, Africa Through My Eyes which focuses mainly on Durban.

The book launch is sharing the spotlight with the opening of Izikhwepha Zethu /Our Strength. The exhibition involves a variety of artworks ranging from paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles and basketry. The idea behind this exhibition is not only to celebrate the legacy of women’s struggle but it is also to facilitate and communicate awareness to the viewers about social problems/issues that affects society (particularly women and children) such as crime, rape, discrimination, disease, poverty and human trafficking.

This exhibition will be accompanied by a number of children and adult workshops that will be conducted during and after the exhibition (August-November 2010). Mama Nomusa has also just made an audio recording of her book for travellers and the hearing impaired.

The launch takes place on August 6 at 17h00 at the Durban Art Gallery on the second floor of the Durban City Hall, entrance in Anton Lembede (formerly Smith) Street opposite the Playhouse.
More information from Nomusa Xaba on 083 974 3788 or Mama Nomusa at www.mamanomusa.com