The Body as Archive: Women as Repository of History and Memory

In reflecting on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and on 30 years of democracy, we focus on the stories of Nomonde Calata and Seipati Mlangeni, widows of Bheki Mlangeni and Fort Calata who were murdered by apartheid security forces. Their testimonies at the TRC and their continuing journeys with this traumatic past open up questions about the relationship between trauma, history, and the body as an archive. Their presence and iconic TRC cries will open a dialogue about women's bodies as archives of trauma, history, and collective memory. For this conversation, Nomonde Calata and Seipati Mlangeni will be in conversation with Sisonke Msimang and Prof Tamar Garb.

More about our Panellists

Nomonde Calata and Seipati Mlangeni are two remarkable women whose lives have been deeply shaped by the brutal realities of apartheid. As the widows of Fort Calata and Bheki Mlangeni, both of whom were murdered by apartheid security forces, they have transformed their personal grief into powerful testimonies at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Their ongoing efforts to address social injustices and preserve the memory of their husbands highlight the enduring relationship between trauma, history, and the body as an archive. Their stories serve as a testament to resilience and the power of collective memory.

Joining the conversation, Sisonke Msimang and Professor Tamar Garb bring their extensive expertise in storytelling, history, and art. Sisonke, an acclaimed author and columnist, delves into themes of race and identity, while Professor Garb, a distinguished historian of art, has extensively explored gender, sexuality, and post-apartheid culture. Together, they will engage with Nomonde and Seipati to explore the ways in which women's bodies hold and transmit the weight of history, trauma, and memory, offering a unique lens on the complex intersections of personal and collective experiences in post-apartheid South Africa.

To access Nomonde and Seipati's respective "TRC testimonies" and full speaker bios you can Click Here

To register for both events Click Here

Dance and Music as a Political Voice of Repair

In the evening session (17:00), Gregory Maqoma, South Africa's greatest dancer-choreographer, and Mandla Mlangeni, award-winning trumpeter, composer and bandleader, will engage with and respond to the earlier conversation in dialogue with the panel.  

More about our Panellists

Gregory Maqoma, a world-renowned dancer and choreographer, began his career in 1990 with Moving Into Dance (MID) and founded Vuyani Dance Theatre in 1999. Known for his innovative work that explores cultural identity, Maqoma has collaborated with artists like William Kentridge and earned numerous awards, including the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and the 2024 Fleur De Cap Encore Award. Mandla Mlangeni, an award-winning trumpeter, was named Standard Bank Young Artist of the Year for Jazz in 2019. He leads several acclaimed projects, including The Tune Recreation Committee and The Amandla Freedom Ensemble, blending melancholic jazz with vibrant experimentation to celebrate African identity and social consciousness. Together, Maqoma and Mlangeni will offer their unique insights in a dialogue that connects the worlds of dance and music to the broader themes of the earlier conversation.

For full bios you can Click Here

To register for both events Click Here

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