(One of the charming
works on show)
Internationally-respected photographer, Clint Strydom, has
collaborated with the children of Thanda After-school to create a collection of
contemporary photographs and messages from the children to global icon, the
late Nelson Mandela to be launched at the Witness Hilton Arts Festival 2014.
Embedded into the glorious mix of activities at KZN’s
foremost and respected arts festivals, the annual Witness Hilton Arts Festival is
a series of visual arts exhibitions and lectures to take place on the beautiful
grounds of the Hilton College.
The festival organizers are delighted that Clint Strydom
will be launching his Messages for
Mandela at the festival this year. Strydom’s works have been exhibited
internationally and he is most known for telling the ‘forgotten’ stories from
Africa’s rural communities.
Thanda After-school is a non-profit organisation that
provides support, education, and agriculture training to vulnerable children in
rural communities on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, through after-school
programmes.
This collection will assist to raise much-needed revenue and
exposure for Thanda. Clint lives on the South Coast and has a longstanding
relationship with Thanda and has generated substantial funds for this respected
NGO via the sale of his artworks in annual fundraisers in New York and London.
Messages for Mandela
tells a story from the heart. From the smallest children to the coolest
teenagers, one thing is for sure amongst the children at Thanda After-School:
Mandela is their hero.
“In the rolling hills of rural Umtwalume, where children run
with wire toys along the dirt roads, they call him “Tata Mandela”, referring to
him as their own father,” explains Strydom. “We asked them to write messages
for Mandela, and heartfelt appreciation and love spilled onto crumpled pieces
of paper. With their short-stubbed pencils, they told of their understanding of
the sacrifices he made, of their deep gratitude for freedom, and genuine
concern for his health. They told the story of a man who will never be lost,
and they showed a story of hope for the future.”
Strydom brought these letters to life through photographs of
the children themselves. Their smiles portray a new Africa – a hopeful Africa –
where children have pride in themselves and goals for the future. It is the
Africa Thanda works to create and funds from these photos will benefit Thanda’s
work with children in rural South Africa.
More information www.thanda.org, www.clintstrydom.com and www.kizo.co.za
The full festival programme can be found on www.hiltonfestival.co.za, or like
the Facebook page ~ Witness Hilton Arts Festival or follow the festival on
Twitter ~ @HiltonFest. All enquiries on 033 383 0126 /7 or theatre@hiltoncollege.com
Posts
