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MINISTÈRE
#10 DECEMBER 2013
DES
AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES
The essential supplement of the French Institute of South Africa
Special issue:
South African Season
in France and more...
Editorial
POUR LONGTEMPS…
Nos missions de diplomates sont si denses, ardues et techniques que
l’on pourrait vite en oublier l’essentiel : l’émotion simple et authentique
des rencontres humaines, de peuple à peuple.
Emotion de cet enfant de Durban qui nous assure, les yeux encore
illuminés par « Place des Anges », l’événement de clôture de la Saison
de la France en Afrique du Sud 2012, avoir vu là le plus beau spectacle
IFAS-Culture & Research
Bienvenue de sa vie.
62 Juta Street, Braamfontein
Tel +27 (0)11 403 0458
Ukwemukela Emotion de cet écolier du Gauteng à la Standard Bank Art Gallery devant
Fax +27 (0)11 403 0465 un Matisse flamboyant, de ces spectateurs éblouis par le film « Amour »
de Michael Haneke, primé au festival international du film de Durban
Dibuka (IFAS library)
Ukwamkelo 2012.
17 Lower Park Drive,
corner Kerry Road, Parkview
Welcome Emotion des centaines d’invités au Théâtre de Chaillot pour l’ouverture
de la Saison de l’Afrique du Sud en France 2013 qui, au sortir du spectacle
Tel +27 (0)11 646 1115 de la grande chorégraphe Robyn Orlin, retiennent leur souffle lorsque
Vho tanganedzwa la Tour Eiffel s’illumine soudain aux couleurs de l’Afrique du Sud, hommage
si fort de notre Peuple de la Révolution au Peuple de la Démocratie.
www.ifas.org.za
www.facebook.com/IFASResearch Mi Amukeriwile Emotion encore lorsque les ministres de nos deux gouvernements et
www.facebook.com/institutfrancaisculture le petit-fils du Président Mandela à l’Hôtel de Ville de Paris ouvrent
www.facebook.com/dibuka.ifas Sondzela l’exposition consacrée au héros de la lutte anti-apartheid, exposition
#twitter.com/FrenchEmbassyZA qui connaîtra en France des records de fréquentation.
Kamogelo Emotion de ces groupes de danse traditionnelle du KwaZulu-Natal ou
du Mpumalanga sur les plus grandes scènes des festivals français,
Kamohelo de ce mélomane parisien qui découvre un extrait d’opéra en langue
zouloue accompagné par l’orchestre philarmonique du KwaZulu-Natal
Cover photograph © Henri Garat/
Mairie de Paris Kamogelo sur la place de la République, de cette jeune fille de Soweto, éblouissante
porte-parole dans son adresse à notre Assemblée Nationale…
The information contained in extra! Siyaalemukela Je me fais ici le relai du Président de la République française, M. François
Hollande : lors de sa visite d’Etat en République sud-africaine en octobre
was correct at the time of printing and
2013, il a conclu le discours à la communauté française en remerciant
is subject to change. Welkom tous ces acteurs, souvent dans l’ombre et les coulisses, toutes ces
équipes sud-africaines et françaises qui ont fait de ces deux années 2012
French, IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, English, et 2013 une fête permanente, le théâtre vivant de toutes nos diversités
Tshivenda, Xitsonga, SiSwati, culturelles. Et ce, dans tous les domaines, artistique, scientifique, littéraire,
Setswana, Sesotho, Northern Sotho, éducatif, économique, gastronomique ou encore sportif : un terrain
IsiNdebele, Afrikaans. d’échange sans cesse renouvelé.
Merci au public des villes et des villages, des festivals et des musées,
des écoles, des amphis et des stades, merci à nos deux peuples, si
enthousiastes à se redécouvrir.
MINISTÈRE Le souvenir des Saisons restera. Comme un filin d’amitié tendu entre
DES
nos deux pays, vers l’avenir.
AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES
Pour longtemps…
SE Mme Elisabeth Barbier,
Ambassadrice de France en Afrique du Sud
Culture
Line-up
FOR A LONG TIME… 2 The Shangaan Phenomenon, Richard ‘Nozinja’ Mthetwa
As diplomats, our missions are so dense, challenging and technical that Round the world freedom of expression, Zanele Muholi
4
we could end up forgetting the most important thing: the simple and
authentic emotions of human encounters, from people to people. Will the real heroes please stand up?, Verushka Louw
6
The emotions of that child in Durban who assured us, with his eyes still South African animation and the ‘French touch’,
8
illuminated by “Angels’ Place”, the closing event of the French Season
in South Africa 2012, that this was the most beautiful show he had Daniel Snaddon
ever seen.
10 The art of culinary perfection, Kelvin Joel
The emotion of that Gauteng pupil staring at a dazzling Matisse at the
Standard Bank Art Gallery, or those movie-goers filled with wonder by
12 « Nelson Mandela : De prisonnier à Président »
Michael Haneke’s film “Amour”, laureate at the Durban International
Film Festival in 2012.
South Africa-France Seasons 2012 & 2013 in pictures
14
The emotions of the guests in their hundreds, at the Théâtre de Chaillot,
16 Francophonie, home away from home,
for the opening of the South African Season in France 2013 who, on
coming out of Robyn Orlin’s show, were flabbergasted at the sight of
Jean-Pierre A. Lukamba
the Eiffel Tower suddenly lighting up with the colours of the South
African flag, a very strong homage from the People of the French
Fête de la Musique: a unique music experience,
18
Revolution to the People of the Rainbow Nation.
Emotions still when the ministers of our two governments, and the
Mary Duker
grandson of former President Nelson Mandela, opened an exhibition
dedicated to the hero of the fight against apartheid at the Citly Hall of
20 Crossings, the home of creative process,
Paris, an exhibition which was marked by attendance records.
Vincent Mantsoe
The emotions of those traditional dance groups from KwaZulu-Natal
or Mpumalanga on the stages of the greatest French festivals, of that
22 Public installation as part of the official
Parisian music lover who discovers a piece of opera sung in isiZulu,
accompanied by the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra on Place
commemoration of the World War One Centenary in
de la République, or of that dazzling young spokesperson from Soweto,
when she addressed our Parliament…
France, Paul Emmanuel
I am hereby relaying what the President of the French Republic, Mr François
24 The Alliance Française in Southern Africa
Hollande, said during his State visit to South Africa in October 2013
when, in concluding his speech addressed to the French community,
Shorty and Billy Boy by Gerard Sekoto
26
he thanked all of these actors, who often work in the background and
behind the scenes, to all the South African and French teams who
27 “Studying in France taught me how the world works”,
made of 2012 and 2013 a permanent celebration, the living theatre of
all our cultural diversities, whether in the domain of the arts, science,
Sboniso Cibani
literature, education, economics, gastronomy or sports: a place where
exchange is constantly being renewed.
28 Standing up for Women!, Dr Lesley Ann Foster
Thank you to the public of all the cities, villages, festivals, museums,
29 Events 2014
schools, amphitheatres and stadiums, thank you to our two people,
who have been so enthusiastic about rediscovering each other.
The Proust Questionnaire has its origins in a late-19th century parlor game
The memory of the Seasons will remain, like a string of friendship
stretched between our two countries, towards the future.
popularised (though not devised) by Marcel Proust, the French essayist and
novelist. We thought that it was a good way to get to know our guest contributors
For a long time…
better through their brief and often humorous responses presented at the end
HE Mrs Elisabeth Barbier, Ambassadress of France in South Africa of most of the articles in this edition of extra!.
1
SEASONS | PERFORMING ARTS
The global Shangaan phenomenon
Shangaan Electro is the high-speed dance and music group from Limpopo that is rising from streets into
clubs, homes and venues all around the globe. extra! caught up with Richard ‘Nozinja’ Mthetwa, following
Shangaan Electro’s European tour.
Shangaan Electro toured in several The Soweto-based music producer, who grew up in Limpopo, waist on women, and is designed to make women’s hips look
French cities and towns, including describes Shangaan culture in few words: “Our culture is simple, bigger, and thereby emphasise the shaking motion. For Shangaan
Paris at the Gaîté Lyrique as part of
it is very easy to identify us: we are the only South African nation people, dance is a way of expressing pride in their cultural herit-
Sharp Sharp Johannesburg, from
to wear bright colours and the traditional xibelani. Our music age. Xibelini dance is now regarded as an open dance in which
26 September to 19 October 2013.
The event was part of the South has got a unique rhythmic tune, which is actually the fastest of everyone can participate.
African Season in France 2013. South African music, with dancers accompanying the music.”
www.france-southafrica.com The xibelani is indeed a very important feature of Shangaan Although Richard ‘Nozinja’ Mthetwa did not grow up in a
culture. It is a type of African skirt which is tied around the musical family, he feels that music is in his blood. He plays
2
RICHARD ‘NOZINJA’ MTHETWA
Music Producer and Businessman
Hailing from rural Limpopo and now Soweto-based, the
charismatic producer, record label mogul and business-
man Nozinja, saw the chance to update Shangaan music
for the 21st Century and make it a very contemporary
product of Africa.
Your favourite hobby: Soccer
Your idea of happiness: Work hard and enjoy the fruits
of my labour.
The supernatural talent you’d like to be gifted with:
To teach people to respect their spouse and to become
businessmen.
Your favourite motto: “I lead, they follow!”
What are you listening to at the moment? Fatou by
Fatoumata Diawara, Malian singer and guitarist
What comes to your mind when I mention France?:
Paris!
Who inspires you? Richard Branson
Your favourite hero/heroine in real life? My father
Your preferred olfactory memory: The smell of sizzling
prawns.
for people who like sound and music. About being a producer, With a dozen awards in their pockets, the band which became for a European tour to show their fans the “Shangaan expe-
Nozinja says: “If you want to be a good music producer, you immediately successful, toured the world to rave reviews. The rience”, loves to meet people, to make them happy and share
should not play any instrument because you can’t break the band achieved international success through a youtube video his culture with the people of the world. He loves to come back
rules once you know how to play. If you come with a new which got several million hits. Their music went viral, and sooner for more!
approach of mixing rhythms, you break the rules.” Nozinja saw than later the whole world was shacking to the beat of Shangaan
an opportunity to present Shangaan music to the world in a new music. “Everyone can go to YouTube but I cannot go to France and
light by adapting it to the 21st century with a twist, he adds “A Marseille and go to the streets and dance. It is an opportunity for Images: While France hosted a series of celebrations and
prestigious events for the official opening week of the South
producer needs to have a unique approach to music and keep us to discover the world and for people to discover our music.”
Africa Season in France, Johannesburg celebrated to the sounds
going with time. The whole world did not know about Shangaan
of Shangaan Electro at the event Rendez-Vous#1 on 6 June 2013
music; they wanted something new. We had diamonds and The Shangaan Electro experience is one of a kind: it is contagious in Braamfontein. Photographs courtesy of © Kapula
gold in our hands. People from Limpopo welcomed this with and energetic. The band which performs in xibelanis, overalls,
happiness. At first they thought I was breaking the rules of feathers and masks can literally make hundreds of thousands
traditional Shangaan music, but they gave a chance to my music of people move to their rhythms. They improvise depending on
and listened to it.” the music, mood and people. Nozinja, who travelled with the band
3
SEASONS | VISUAL ARTS
Round the world freedom of expression
Zanele Muholi’s works were exhibited
Award-winning South African photographer, video and documentary
in Transition, paysage social (Transition,
Social Landscape) at Rencontres
filmmaker Zanele Muholi is on the move: Amsterdam, Pittsburgh,
d’Arles, in Sharp Sharp Johannesburg Chicago, Alabama, London, Edinburgh, Paris, Bremen... Her powerful
at the Gaîté Lyrique, and in a solo work is on show in numerous museums and fairs worldwide, and for
exhibition Fragments d’une nouvelle
which she has received a number of important accolades. Recently
histoire par Zanele Muholi in Bordeaux,
as part of the South African Season in Muholi has won the Fine Prize for an emerging artist at the 2013 Carnegie
France 2013. International, Carnegie Museums of Art and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
www.france-southafrica.com
She was also honoured with the prestigious Prince Claus Award for
her ‘visual activism’.
4
about Zanele Muholi, it is about people who want their voices
to be heard and who are risking their lives in many ways. They
want their faces to mark history and I feel indebted to them.”
Her training in Advanced Photography at the Market Photo
Workshop has profoundly influenced who she is today, as well
as her work. Muholi recalls the school in these words: “It is not
only a school; it is a space of healing; a space where I regained
my sanity and I remembered how to be human again, it gave
me the opportunity to be myself wholeheartedly.” It is in this
environment of freedom of expression and understanding that
Zanele Muholi managed to break the boundaries and learned
about queer history.
Founded by David Goldblatt in 1989 for disadvantaged young
artists, the main focus of the school was, and still is, on socio-
documentary photography as well as using photography to
reflect one’s social landscape. The Market Photo Workshop is
associated with big names such as Jodi Bieber, Sabelo Mlangeni,
Musa Nxumalo, Nontsikelelo ‘Lolo’ Veleko, Themba Hadebe,
Bonile Bam, and a whole new generation of photographers. ZANELE MUHOLI
Muholi highlights the crucial role that the MPW played in her Photographer and Activist
life as well as many other photographers in a South Africa where
young and aspiring photographers did not get exposure and Muholi was born in 1972 in Umlazi, Durban, and now
access to opportunities and education. “It was a lifetime oppor- lives in Johannesburg. She studied photography at the
tunity and experience and I am grateful to David Goldblatt and Market Photo Workshop in Newtown, Johannesburg. She
John Fleetwood for having offered me and others this space; has a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts in Documentary Media
it is the most important institution to many SA black photo-
from Ryerson University, Toronto. In 2002, she co-founded
graphers.” Muholi acknowledges that there is still a long way
the Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW), a black
to go before many can express themselves and she wants to
lesbian organisation based in Gauteng. In 2009, she founded
give a voice to the voiceless especially queer persons in SA.
and registered Inkanyiso Media (www.inkanyiso.org) which
is mostly a collective of black lesbian journalists/ writers
Although her vocation and professional commitments take her
and photographers.
worldwide, Johannesburg remains her home city where she can
truly reconnect.
Her 2013 awards include Fine Prize – Emerging artist,
“Joburg is my life, this is where I live.
I understand it better than my home, where I was born, Durban. Carnegie International (October), Prince Claus Award
Joburg is my work place, my city, my love. (September), Mbokodo Award – Creative photography
Joburg is me, my family, it is the force that drives me, whole- (August), Campaigner of the Year, Glamour magazine
heartedly.” (July), Index on Censorship – Freedom of Expression Art
Left: Black Beulah. © Zanele Muholi
Award (March).
Top: Martin Machapa. © Zanele Muholi
It is in Johannesburg that she works, connects with people and
Above: Kgompi and Charles Januarie, Kwa-Thewa, Springs, 2007.
© Zanele Muholi where she has created most of her works. The beauty of the city Your favourite hobby: Photography, it is my life.
Right: Zanele Muholi. © Zanele Muholi lies in the rich and diverse melting pot of people and culture Your idea of happiness: Love
which are a source of inspiration to her. She adds: “Joburg is Where would you like to live? It is Johannesburg, where
one of those spaces that becomes more than what meets the I currently live.
Muholi feels strongly about self-expression and stands up as
eye”. For instance, Constitution Hill has had a strong meaning Your favourite motto: Be relevant at all times for people
a determined advocate for human and gay rights. The question
to her before it became a tourist attraction; she associates to take you seriously.
of identity and the study of sexuality in Africa are common
the symbolic place with “queers claiming a space.”
What comes to your mind when I mention France?
threads in her work. Through her lens, she wants to prove
Intimate relationships
that in South Africa, each individual counts and can reclaim In 2006, South Africa legalised same sex marriages, and that
What inspires you? My family and extended family – the
the true meaning of citizenship and be proud of him-/herself same year she photographed Martin Machapa in Constitution
people who understand and embrace me for who I am.
regardless of gender and sexual orientation. For Muholi, Hill, one of her most significant photographs. She also photo-
photographing people is about recognition, not only of her Your favourite fashion designer/s: Self-taught creative
graphed the wedding of Kgompi and Charles Januarie, the first
work but, most importantly, of the community that she portrays, Zulu women who are beaders – who produce beadworks.
gay wedding in Kwa-Thema, Springs, in 2007.
an acknowledgment of one’s full identity. She explores and Your favourite hero/heroine in real life?: My mother,
exposes the various identities of the many individuals who the woman who birthed me and further gave me the
She builds intimate relationships between the city and the
feature in her work. She describes persons as ‘participants’ people featuring in her work, to bring out the essence of their chance to be here today.
who are also history makers. “The work that I produce is not uniqueness and confront social conventions.
5
SEASONS | LITERATURE
Will the real heroes please stand up?
Verushka Louw, avid book lover and children’s literature specialist, gives extra! an overview on the role
of heroes and their importance in the youth literature and particularly in South African literature.
The annual Salon du Livre et de la “Youth, which is forgiven everything, forgives itself nothing” fashion, rather creating three-dimensional characters who have
Presse Jeunesse Seine-Saint-Denis – George Bernard Shaw; this quote by Shaw is often how I see a conscience and doubts, and word them through great language.
(Youth Book and Publications Fair the interaction between young readers and works of fiction. To me, these are the heroes we need in young adult literature,
Seine-Saint-Denis) took place from They are the most extreme readers, they are believers of black heroes who look and feel like us, like the readers, facing chal-
and white, they have not yet discovered the softness of the grey lenges occurring 24/7, not necessarily masked men with
27 November to 2 December 2013 in
of life, the forgiveness for mistakes, the element of being human supernatural powers.
Montreuil around the theme ‘Heroes
that we only gain through experience and age. Age is not equal
and heroines in children’s literature’
to wisdom in this equation, experience here, is the path that John Green’s latest book, Fault in Our Stars, looks at love in a
and hosted a special South African
leads to wising up. And what better way to gain experience philosophical conundrum. What if you met the person you wanted
focus in partnership with the South
without consequence that to read about it? to spend your life with, but you both had terminal illnesses: would
African Book Development Council you cut and run, or could you have adventures while attached
as part of the South African Season It is important to me that authors maintain an element of hope to an oxygen lung? Our hero is not physically healthy or attractive,
in France 2013. and forgiveness (of self and others) within YA (young adult) text, he is not athletic or strong, he is witty and intelligent and flawed.
www.france-southafrica.com as it is this first introduction to the concept that can help young
readers make these choices for themselves in real time. Great David Levithan often addresses gender issues in his work, and
characters are often flawed, and coming to terms with their in his latest novel Every Day, he creates a world in which the
weakness is often how they overcome their dilemmas. I want reader meets the soul of a person, rather than a physical being.
to be clear here, that good literature does not preach, it tells And suddenly, in a world where we definitely judge a book by
a story and with the use of good language it has the chance its cover, there is no cover, just the insides and yet, by the end
to express the philosophy surrounding a scenario or person. of the novel, we wish this person was real, that is how badly we
want to engage with him/her, we get swept up in the moral
On an international level, there are fantastic authors to read, strength of our hero, thoughts are all we have of him/her.
such as John Green, Meg Rosoff or David Levithan. These authors
are dedicated to writing for young adults, and their life philoso- My favourite, Meg Rosoff, remains Just in Case, the story of an
phies are challenging and often bring about interesting debates. average boy who realises there is something like Fate in the
They write for the youth as if they were writing for adults, tackling world and he tries various ways to escape it but, as the reader,
topics such as fate, destiny, death and gender, all in a non-sermon we already know that the inevitable is bound to happen and yet,
6
we have such empathy for his journey and what he learns about
man, which no one has ever watched! “The choices we make,
himself along the way. The writing is fresh and the book never
talks down to its audience; it merely shares a viewpoint with dictate the lives that we lead”.
the reader. There is an assumption of maturity that I find What are you reading at the moment? Just finished an
often lets the reader step up to the writing and challenges. amazing new YA novel due next year called Charm and
Strange by Stephanie Khuen.
In South Africa, I find that we are still new to this idea of story-
What are you listening to at the moment? Don’t laugh but
telling. We still have a history in the making and often the work
I am listening to Paul Simon’s Graceland album in the car
that surfaces brings with it a sense of forced redemption, that
at the moment, it is just an upbeat album, makes traffic
characters are cast in specific race/class/religion settings
to tell a certain story. It does not come across as natural or easier.
inspiring, rather as a history lesson that we have to learn from. What comes to your mind when I mention France? I have
There is also a sense that South African authors are wary of never been! I always said I wanted to see France with someone
writing YA literature, as it is often seen as ‘easy writing’, a I love, that has just not happened yet. I also think of my
fall back to writing serious fiction for adults, which is such a brother who celebrated his 30th birthday at the top of the
terrible misconception.
Eiffel Tower in the Champagne bar, just him and his wife
because they knew the barman. And of how I learned to speak
I want to highlight an author whom I think is doing it right, who
French in my first year at university and all I can remember
is capturing a young voice in her work and who speaks the truth.
In her latest novel, Sally-Ann Partridge looks at the close bond is how to ask for the time!
of friendship between a group of high school students. Sharp What inspires you? Stories about ordinary people getting
Edges tells the story of the death of one of them, through the out of their comfort zones and helping others
eyes of the other six. Each person gets to tell a part of the story, Your favourite fashion designer: Issey Miyake
but in a true teen sense, it is a messy non-chronological style Plane, train, boat, bicycle or car? Anything where I don’t
of details and blocked-out bits of memory. Partridge tackles
have to do anything and I can read and the person in charge
drugs, homosexuality, friendship taboos and death – all big
knows what they are doing!
topics – in such an easy going way that the reader is caught
unaware when the truth is finally revealed. At no stage does
VERUSHKA LOUW Tea or coffee? Rooibos tea.
she preach, she is simply stating the facts of the event and Children’s Literature Specialist TV, radio or cinema? I have given up on TV, but often will
you find yourself choosing sides, thinking, what would you take out a series from the DVD-store and watch it all in one
have done, who would you have been? Verushka Louw lives in a flat in Woodstock, if she stands on week, like bing watching!
her toes, she can see the ocean. She collects alphabet books City, sea, mountain or countryside? The sea, the sea…
This is her fourth book already and she continues to create Your preferred scene in a movie? Julie and Julia, the scene
and blue plates and wishes afternoon naps were still com-
scenarios that can play themselves out in our mind. In one
pulsory. By day, she works as a Children’s Book Manager, where Julia Childs and her husband have friends over for
of her earlier works, Fuse, we meet a boy who equally hates
and by night, she likes to make things with her hands: pies, Valentine’s dinner and he tells her how much he loves her,
high school and his home life. When he finally makes a friend
brooches and journals. Some of her favourite sleepless nights it makes my romantic heart cry every time.
at school, it soon becomes clear that he is getting himself in
a situation from which he might not know how to escape. His have been spent reading amazing books. Marathon or 100m? I am lazy, but I think the endurance of
older brother steps in, and the two of them literally go on the training for a marathon would be more rewarding.
run for their lives. Set between the streets of Cape Town and Your favourite hobby: I’m a crafter, I like to cut out things Your favourite hero/heroin in fiction? I love Matilda (Roald
Pretoria, we see how the relationship between the two brothers and make journal covers, or found-object brooches, I hoard Dahl)
grows and changes. It is a simple and honest account of bullying, Your favourite hero/heroine in real life? I wish I had the
loads of little bits of things!
parental abuse and struggle but, and here is the winning part,
Your idea of happiness: A sunny day outside with people I guts that Malala Yousafzai has at that age, she is amazing.
there is bright hope too, hope that reads true, that is believable.
love around, but I can read on my own. Or watching someone Sparkling water or champagne? Champy every time.
I love sleep (there is a Margaret Atwood poem that captures The word you prefer? I have many tattoos on my body, they
In our modern society, we are seeing a need to reconnect with
our origins, our basic human nature; people are cycling to work that so perfectly). are all words, they have meant different things to me over
again, growing vegetables on their balconies, making an effort If not yourself, who would you be? I wish I could draw the the years, now that it is nearly summer again, I am loving
to see friends and family, not just communicate through tech- pictures in my head. The illustrator, Shaun Tan draws some the word ‘lucid’ which is on my right leg.
nology. We have become aware that we need to protect that of those pictures. Your preferred olfactory memory: I grew all over, we moved
which we have valued, or it will disappear. This is also how I see Where would you like to live?: I love Cape Town, living a lot, but we lived in small towns in the Karoo when I was
the hero scenario. We are in desperate need of heroes in every-
near the sea makes me happy, the vastness of the ocean little, and often the roads were not tarred but dirt. When the
day life and in fiction, that are showing their human vulnerabil-
is calming to my soul. rain clouds would be brewing in the sky, you could smell it
ities, that aren’t the strongest, or the cleverest, or the most
The supernatural talent you’d like to be gifted with: Easy, coming and when the first fat drops would fall, there was a
handsome. When the last page of a book is read, the protagonist
needs to be someone we would want to hang out with, someone to stop time. mix of water and dirt that did not quite mix yet; that is a happy
we would want to be, not a strange character in a cape. As young Your favourite motto: It is from a movie called Renaissance smell. In the Karoo rain makes everyone happy.
readers, we need to learn that we can save ourselves.
Veruska Louw Left: Promotional posters for 2013 Salon du Livre et de la Presse Jeunesse Seine-Saint-Denis
7
SEASONS | CINEMA
South African animation and the ‘French touch’
With the recent national release of Khumba and the success of the 3rd edition of Kunjani’mation – South Africa
Animation Festival, Daniel Snaddon, animator, story artist and director of Kunjani’mation, talks to extra! about
the effervescence of the South African animation industry.
The 2013 Annecy International Film The 4th South African 3D animated feature film, Khumba, was feel that we too have to ‘earn our stripes’, before what we are
Festival hosted a South African stand released in South Africa this year on 25 October. This is the doing is considered a ‘real job’.
for the first time and welcomed the second feature from Triggerfish Animation Studios, the same
largest South African delegation of team behind last year’s $23 million hit, Adventures in Zambezia. Fortunately, this is something that our French counterparts do
animation professionals, as part of The release of this film in many ways represents the best hope not have to worry about. As the 3rd largest producer of animation
the South African Season in France for a case of South African feature animation industry, and many after the US and Japan, France has an animation industry that is
2013. www.france-southafrica.com breaths will be held as the film rolls out in theatres across quite simply put, booming: Despicable me 2 has been the runa-
the world over the next few months. way hit of the summer, boasting a worldwide gross of over
$800 million, Universal Studio’s biggest hit in its 100 year history!
The story of Khumba is about a young zebra who is born with half In addition to this, French animators are leading the way in terms
his stripes, and who must journey out into the Karoo to find out of artistic innovation, pushing the medium through their games,
how he can make himself complete. As one of the animators on their short films from top schools such as Gobelins in Paris and
the film, I feel that in many ways, this story represents how many Superinfocom in Valenciennes, as well as numerous exciting
of my fellow South African animators feel about their chosen series and feature films.
profession: in a country where the economy is built on primary
industries, such as mining and agriculture, it is easy for us to
8Left: Scenes from Khumba, the second digitally animated
feature film to come from South Africa’s Triggerfish
Animation Studios ©
event was an enormous undertaking for the team of volunteers
who made it happen, and cemented in the minds of our French
guests the picture of an emerging industry that was eager, hungry
and filled with talent and potential.
This year, Animation SA had the privilege to take the largest SA
delegation in our history, 39 delegates, to the Annecy Inter-
national Animation Festival in France with the support of the
France-South Africa Seasons 2012 & 2013, the NFVF and the
Department of Trade and Industry. Our goal was simply to
validate South Africa’s animation industry in the eyes of the
global animation industry, and to promote the quality of South
African animation arts. Members were able to set up shop in
the market, and promote their projects and businesses to
DANIEL SNADDON
other animation professionals from all over the world.
Animator and Story Artist
At a special event organised by Animation SA and MIFA, a
Daniel Snaddon is the director of Kunjanimation Animation
presentation was made to the South African business lead-
Festival for Animation SA in his spare time. He is currently
ers’ market, including The Animation School in Cape Town,
writing his 2nd feature film with Tim Argall for the Sediba
and to branded content innovators. All in attendance were
Masters’ programme of the National Film and Video
extremely happy to hear about the progress South African
Foundation. He would like you to take your favourite young
companies have made in the past few years, and since the
person to see Khumba.
festival, we have heard many exciting reports of possible col-
It would be safe to say that many South African animation artists
laborations, including Gobelins’ interest in forming a long-
would love to see our industry grow in such a healthy and exciting Your favourite hobby: Playing music with friends.
term relationship with the Animation School.
way as the French animation industry has grown in the past 20 If not yourself, who would you be? Someone in the future
years. As a result, we have been making an effort to establish because I’m jealous I probably won’t live long enough to
One of the biggest thrills that we had at the festival was seeing
and grow connections with French studios and schools, in an drive a flying car!
Khumba’s international premiere, as one of eight feature films,
effort to learn what we can about the ‘French Touch’. To our Where would you like to live? Cape Town, Paris, San
chosen out of 88 entries, in competition at this year’s festival.
great joy, France has responded by taking an almost paternal Francisco and perhaps Vancouver.
Getting up onto the stage with our director Anthony Silverston,
interest in our young industry, and has gone to great lengths Your favourite motto: “Don’t let other people tell you
and the ten other members of the team who travelled all the
to build ties with South Africa. who to trust.”
way to France to experience the moment, and hearing the warm
What are you listening to at the moment? My favourite
reception of the audience was completely surreal, and felt
Much of this has been accomplished over the past three years, album at the moment is a recording of Leonard Bern-
much like a fairy tale. Judging from the response of the French
with Kunjani’mation Animation Festival, established in 2011 by stein’s Ravel concerts in London and New York. His ren-
audience, we have made something very special, and have
dition of Daphnes et Chloe Suite is the business!
Animation SA. Together with French Institute of South Africa reason to be optimistic for its release!
What inspires you? Anyone who really loves something.
(IFAS) and the Alliance Française of Johannesburg, we man-
Plane, train, boat, bicycle or car? Can I say flying car?
aged to put together a small festival which revealed that there The latest edition of Kunjani’mation, which took place in November,
TV, radio or cinema? Cinema of course!
was a huge appetite for the content that we showed and the aimed to match up French and South African companies who
Your preferred scene in a movie? The scene where Helen
knowledge that was shared, and so for 2012, we decided to would be able to complement each other on long form animation
Hunt goes to Jack Nicholson’s apartment in As Good
go bigger. projects (sort of like speed dating!). In all that we have done
As It Gets to tell him that she will not sleep with him, and
together, the real triumph for us would be to see a project that
to thank him for saving her son.
In 2012, Animation SA received generous support from the South saw a collaboration between a South African and French anima-
Your favourite hero/heroin in fiction? Egon Spengler
African and French governments, within the framework of the tion studio, perhaps a co-production. Wouldn’t be great if we
from Ghostbusters.
France-South Africa Seasons 2012 & 2013, to put together a use the ‘French Touch’, in combination with our African point
The word you prefer? Grand
festival that not only had excellent artistic content, but also a of view? This would really be something!
Your preferred olfactory memory: There’s a factory near
platform with which to create business ties between our countries.
the house that I grew up in that used to process oranges,
Gaining further sponsorship from WESGRO and the NFVF, we Daniel Snaddon
it made the whole farm smell like marmalade!
embarked on a project that turned out to be the single largest
event dedicated to animation in the history of South Africa. The
9SEASONS | GASTRONOMY
The art of culinary perfection
extra! talks to Kelvin Joel, South African top pastry chef, passionate about cooking and good food, exchanging
and giving back to the community. Chef Joel was the invited guest of the reality cooking TV show MasterChef
South Africa which featured one of his pastry specialities, the lemon meringue gateau.
South African chef Kelvin Joel led South African cuisine has been at the forefront in France this different things and explore ‘new’ South African food and fla-
workshops on South African cuisine year through the South African Season in France. How would vours. Such shows have had a strong impact on people’s daily
at the Saveurs du Monde and at the you describe local cuisine and its evolution in the last few years? lives, and we have seen a boost for edutainment cooking classes:
South African Week in Paris in October South African cuisine is spoilt with flavours because of our diverse people are interested in learning and experimenting. There is
2013, as part of the South African cultures and ethnics groups. For instance, you find lots of aromas a huge interest in new food, taste and ideas, markets are pop-
Season in France 2013. and spices in both Indian and Cape Malay cuisines. There is truly ping out and becoming more and more popular, namely Market
www.france-southafrica.com a rainbow cuisine with a multitude of dishes and ways of cook- on Main in Johannesburg, people want to discover and get fresh
ing. Up until recently, each ethnic group seemed to focus on cook- products. There is a new trend in people who want to learn
ing its own specialities. But since the last five years, South more about food and our diversity which is a good thing. In South
Africa has seen a shift in people’s mind and cooking: South Africa, there is a problem of obesity and diabetes and educating
Africans’ curiosity to explore new culinary horizons has increased, people about what they eat is a priority so they get an under-
this is partly due to TV exposure on gastronomy shows and standing on the impact of their diet on their body. In fact, it
channels namely Masterchef and the Food Network. Television is not only about educating people about health but it is also
has brought straight into people’s home the art and delights of about enjoying food. We are seeing a new generation of young
cooking and gave them the opportunity to find out more about South Africans who want to become chef.
10KELVIN JOEL
Pastry Chef and Founder of the
Johannesburg Culinary and
Pastry School
Kelvin Joel obtained a diploma in Hospitality Management.
He has had experience as a pastry chef in some of South
Africa’s top 5 star hotels for the past 14 years. He has
succeeded in managing the pastry kitchen in hotels such
as the Parktonian, the Sandton Sun, The Michelangelo and
Hyatt. Some of his accolades include an internship at the
Hyatt Atlanta and opening a restaurant in Sydney. He was
recently featured on the current season of MasterChef SA.
My favourite hobby: Spending time with my wife and kids.
Your idea of happiness: Economic freedom
If not yourself, who would you like to be? Barack Obama
Where would you like to live? There is no place like
home, sunny and friendly South Africa.
The supernatural talent you’d liked to be gifted with?
© Photos courtesy of Johannesburg Culinary and Pastry School
Knowing what the future holds
Your favourite motto: You only have one life to live so
With over ten years in the cooking industry, how do you how to make this food!” What is the vision behind the school? give it your best shot.
What are you reading at the moment? The leader who
perceive South African ‘haute cuisine’ industry? The main objective is to educate its students about the Art of
had no title by Robin Sharma
Although we have a huge variety of national dishes, our cuisine Culinary Perfection and ignite people’s passion for good food.
What are you listening at the moment? Robert Kyo-
is very much influenced by the Western and international chefs We are also interested in uplifting and developing the surround- saki’s audio CD, Rich Dad, Poor Dad
who come to South Africa. However South African chefs are ing communities of the city; allowing the growth and potential What comes to your mind when I mention France?
keen to develop their own dishes, an effort is made on presentation of these individuals to reach both local and international Good pastries and croissants
What inspires you? Successful people
and bringing a ‘flavour profile’ and to take it to the world really standards in the culinary industry. We focus on training (both
Your favorite fashion designer? Chef Works (LOL, I’m
to take ownership of their own cuisine. In this sense, young South theoretical and practical) and developing young students always in uniform)
African chefs are experimenting and creating new dishes which from previously disadvantaged communities; exposing them Plane, train, bicycle or car? Plane
results in making South African cuisine more appealing and to the hospitality industry. The school has an onsite bakery on Tea or coffee? Coffee
TV, radio or cinema? TV
sexier, we are gearing towards smaller portions and more power- the premises to assist with the practical requirements and to
City, sea, mountain or countryside? Countryside
ful flavours. Local chefs are often working on their own but there assist with the sustainability of the school.
Your preferred scene in a movie? Al Pacino’s ‘Inch by
are some organisations which get us together such as the Inch’ speech from Any Given Sunday
South African Chefs Association. Through these gatherings, we Your speciality is pastry, a last word on this? Marathon or 100m? Marathon
get the conversation going but we need more forums and plat- Well there are not many pastry chefs in South Africa and we Your favourite hero or heroine in fiction? Superman
Your favorite hero in real life? Barack Obama
forms to keep the dialogue open. are very much influenced by European pastry. We need to
Sparkling water or champagne? Champagne
develop our own uniqueness and that is another reason why The word you prefer? Sexy food
You have opened a school in Joburg CBD, the Johannesburg I started the school, to fill this opportunity and open new Your preferred olfactory memory? The smell of cin-
Culinary and Pastry School, as one of your patrons says: platforms to bring food to the next level. namon in traditional Cape Malay koeksisters.
“…the only thing better than sampling fine food, is learning
11SEASONS | HERITAGE
« Nelson Mandela : De prisonnier à Président »
a record-breaking exhibition in Paris
In a scoop for the city of Paris, the legendary and beloved South African freedom fighter and elder statesman, Nelson Mandela
was the subject of a ground-breaking, multimedia exhibition that paid tribute to his remarkable life. Originally on show at the
Hôtel de Ville in Paris (Paris’ City Hall) from 30 May to 6 July 2013, the exhibition saw a record-breaking number of visitors and
was extended until 27 July 2013.
The exhibition Nelson Mandela: De Produced by the highly regarded Apartheid Museum in Johan- Mandela was central to every stage of South Africa’s heroic
prisonnier à Président (Nelson Mandela: nesburg, in association with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, struggle against apartheid – from formulating a new radical
From prisoner to President) was the exhibition celebrated Mandela’s relationship with the people approach in the 1940s, to leading the mass struggle of the 1950s,
exhibited at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris of France, while offering a comprehensive historical overview from the formation of the liberation army, Umkhonto we Sizwe
from 30 May to 27 July 2013 as part of the epic life and times of Nelson Mandela. – or Spear of the Nation – in the early 1960s, to his imprison-
of the South African Season in France ment for 27 long years.
2013. The City of Paris awarded “The exhibition attempts to breathe fresh life into a story that
Nelson Mandela an Honorary has been well told in many books, documentaries and other Beginning in the mid-1980s while still in prison, Mandela
Citizenship at the opening of the tributes around the world,” says Christopher Till, Director of initiated and then led the negotiation process that culminated
exhibition on 29 May 2013. the Apartheid Museum. “The strength of the exhibition is the in South Africa’s first democratic election on 27 April 1994. He
www.france-southafrica.com way it attempts to provide a layered glimpse of Mandela in all served as the first president of a democratic South Africa,
his various guises and reincarnations. It examines his undoubted according him the iconic status of ‘Father of the Nation’.
strengths and greatness, but does not shy away from his self-
acknowledged weaknesses too.”
12life, but avoids a simple chronological description. Instead
Mandela’s history is told through six themes which represent
aspects and periods of his life. These are: Mandela, the character
– his formative years; Mandela, the comrade – his entry into
resistance politics; Mandela, the leader – his emergence as a
key personality in anti-apartheid struggle; Mandela, the prisoner
– the long and cruel years on Robben Island and other prisons;
Mandela – the negotiator – the man who painstakingly led a
long and complex negotiation toward democracy and Mandela,
the statesman – South Africa’s first democratic president and
a world leader of great stature.
The story is told through large scale exhibition panels featur-
ing historic photographs which tell the story along with the
narrative text. These include many family photographs – some
that have not been published previously. The design of the
exhibition is distinctive, using modern digital techniques in
conjunction with historic images.
The exhibition also takes a number of innovative forms and
features a range of original artworks:
• A maquette of a large scale outdoor artwork by Marco
Cianfanelli, consisting of 50 separate steel poles which
form an image of Mandela’s face when viewed from a cer-
tain angle
• Beaded portraits of Mandela, created by Impumelelo, a
collective of rural women artists
• A series of cartoons, first published in various newspapers
during the course of Mandela’s post-prison life, by the car-
toonist and satirist, Zapiro
• A photographic portrait of Mandela by the well-known South
African photographer, David Goldblatt
• Nine short films showing aspects of Mandela’s life includ-
ing dramatic historic footage
• Large scale overhead banners depicting the broader politi-
cal context in which the struggle against apartheid took
place.
The exhibition also creates an opportunity to understand the
way in which Mandela is represented in various South African
The exhibition « Nelson Mandela : De prisonnier à Président » (Nelson Mandela: From prisoner to President) was exhibited museums, including the Apartheid Museum, Robben Island,
at the Hôtel de Ville in Paris. © Juliette Robert Mandela House and the Capture Site. One of the issues the
exhibition explores is the way in which Mandela has used his
powerful presence and considerable good looks to great po-
litical effect, both before and after his prison years.
The exhibition traces how Mandela built a new nation from the Representations of Mandela are sometimes, however, simplistic.
fragments of conflict, making full use of the ‘weapons’ at his His life can be read as a fairy tale, in which he emerges as the Through these media, the viewer is able to absorb many aspects
disposal: militancy, love, persuasion, forgiveness and acute handsome prince, bravely riding in to rescue his people. In fact of Mandela’s life, and to reflect on the extraordinary impact
political acumen – with a fair amount of self-deprecating humour Mandela’s story is complex, and his role is best understood when that he made on modern South Africa. His contribution spanned
sprinkled in for good measure. we recognise him as a key player in a much bigger picture. His a period beyond 70 years, and has touched almost every aspect
life story is intertwined with the historic forces at play in South of South African life. The viewer is also invited to reflect on the
Nelson Mandela is known throughout the world as the person Africa in the 20 century. He has shaped these forces and has
th
immense sacrifices made by Mandela, his family and com-
who did so much to liberate South Africans from the long horror been shaped by them. And like all human beings, Mandela is rades, and many ordinary South Africans, in the long and
of apartheid. He is also known as South Africa’s first demo- fallible, and his mistakes are part of his history. He also has a painful battle against apartheid. Many viewers took some aspect
cratic president, as a leader deeply committed to reconciliation, personal story, one that has played out in the public eye. He of his story into their own lives as they experienced the epic and
and as a great international statesman. Indeed, his contribu- is a heroic human being, but a human being nonetheless. moving drama that is the life of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
tion has gone well beyond South Africa’s own story, and he
comes to represent the highest human aspirations – integrity, This exhibition tries to represent Mandela’s life story in all its
commitment to others, sacrifice and forgiveness. complexity. It covers every chapter of his long and productive
13SOUTH AFRICA-FRANCE SEASONS 2012 & 2013 IN PICTURES Top row left: Opening of the French Season in South Africa 2012 – SA Minister Hon. Paul Mashatile (left), French Minister Hélène Conway-Mouret (centre), Curator Sylvie Ramond (right) at the opening of the 20th Century Masters, the Human Figure exhibition at the Standard Bank Gallery. Photo by French Embassy. Top row right: Closing of the French Season in South Africa 2012 – Studios de Cirque’s Place des Anges (Angels’ Place), Durban. Photo by Val Adamson. Middle row left: The Miser by Sylvaine Strike. Photo by Rufin Coudyzer. Middle row centre: Fred Sathal’s show Constellations at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Africa. Middle row right: Rendez-Vous exhibition at the SA National Gallery, Cape Town. Bottom row: DeLaVallet Bidiefono’s Où Vers, biennial Danse l’Afrique danse !, Soweto Theatre 14
Top row left: Opening of the South African Season in France: Robyn Orlin’s Beauty remained for just a moment then gently returned to her starting position. Top row right: Opening of the South African Season
in France – SA Minister of Arts and Culture Hon. Paul Mashatile and French Minister of Culture and Communication Aurélie Filippetti. Middle row left: Exhibition Afrique du Sud, l’autre pays de la Préhistoire
© Institut français. Middle row centre: Clermont Community Choir, Paris © Institut français. Middle row right: George Hallett at the exhibition Un portrait d’Afrique du Sud at the Cité Internationale des Arts,
Paris © Vinciane Verguethen/IF. Bottom row left: Rasty at the Paris Hip Hop Festival © Bénédicte Alliot/IF. Bottom row right: Le parlement des enfants (Children’s parliament), Paris © Catherine Vinay/IF
15FRENCH CULTURAL NETWORK IN SA | FRANCOPHONIE
Francophonie: home away from home
extra! met with Jean-Pierre A. Lukamba, African Diaspora Forum (ADF) Vice Chair, at the headquarters of
ADF in Bellevue East, Johannesburg, to discuss the significance of the French language amongst Francophone
communities based in South Africa.
Tell us more about the African Diaspora Forum… The majority of immigrants is based in and around the big Moreover, when immigrants arrive in a host country, they
The aim of the African Diaspora Forum (ADF) is to create aware- cities in Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, the most are faced with a new language that they don’t necessarily know
ness about the wealth and diversity of the African continent, economically dynamic provinces. The largest African franco- and have to learn. The African francophone network is vast and
encourage relationships, exchanges and mutual understanding phone community in South Africa is the DRC with an estimated spreads amongst 32 countries. The French language is perceived
between South Africans and non-South African residents, and 500 000 nationals. It is also the third largest foreign country as an identity value and an element of socio-cohesion between
to promote integration between all African communities. It also represented in South Africa, after Nigeria and Zimbabwe. The French speakers, creating solidarity, common identity and values
aims at consolidating a Pan African forum for African residents reason for this is that the DRC is the nearest francophone country. between the various communities, linking people intellectually
to work together to build one common voice on common issues, To go back in history, Congolese immigrants first started to and culturally.
and a shared feeling of belonging to Africa. Open to all, so far come to South Africa around 1905 and specifically in Johannes-
22 African countries are represented within the organisation. burg when the city was being built, and then again around 1991 With African French-speakers coming from diverse linguistic
during the great wave of immigration due to the democratisa- backgrounds and settling in a multi-lingual South Africa, have
Can you give us an overview of the francophone community tion crisis in certain African countries. Generally, many franco- you seen an evolution of the French language?
in South Africa? phone African immigrants leave their countries for political, Yes indeed. To start with, the French language differs between
South Africa has a long history of immigration and, over the climatic, or socio-economic reasons. the various francophone countries whereby each has its own
centuries, has welcomed a diversity of cultures from the African ‘twang’ and vocabulary influenced by the respective native lan-
continent and beyond. Today, the African francophone popu- What is the significance of the French language within guage and sayings of each country. Languages are ever changing
lation is estimated at 700 000 to 800 000 people from Algeria, francophone communities? and adapting to new generations and situations. In South Africa,
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo Generally, language has a strong implication for immigrants as we see a cohabitation of languages in the homes, with the
(DRC), Mali, Morocco, the Republic of the Congo and Senegal. the mother language brings nostalgia about the home country. influence of schools and our environment on a daily basis.
16Moreover immigrants choose to speak English for socio-economic
The supernatural talent you’d like to be gifted with: To be
reasons. Those who live in predominantly black provinces choose
to learn Zulu and Xhosa over English. It seems easy to ‘lose’ our a problem solver for many people
native African language and French. However there is a strong Your favourite motto: “If we don’t stand for something, we
emphasis on the transmission of the maternal language to our may fall for anything.” Malcolm X
children: it is an asset for their future as international citizens. What are you reading at the moment? Abraham Lincoln’s
biography by David Herbert Donald.
A final word on French language What are you listening to at the moment? Storm is over
Overall, English is mainly used by francophones for education by R. Kelly
and business purposes, while French remains attached to emo- What comes to your mind when I mention France? Louis
tions and values such as democracy, fraternity, freedom of XIV and beauty
expression, humanity and love, for in the end French is the most What inspired you? Starfish Story by Loren Eiseley and
romantic language in the world! from Amnesty International I learned that even an ordinary
empowered person, can make a huge difference
Your favourite fashion designer: Pierre Cardin
Plane, train, boat, bicycle or car? Car, because I’m the one
Francophonie in South Africa JEAN-PIERRE A. LUKAMBA who will be driving
African Diaspora Forum Vice Chair Tea or coffee? Coffee
Every year in March, the French cultural network in South Africa TV, radio or cinema? TV, because I prefer seeing than
celebrates the French language and Francophone cultural Jean-Pierre A. Lukamba is the Founder and Chairperson hearing
diversity. In 2014, festivities are taking place across the country: of the Refugee Help Desk, the Vice Chair of African Diaspora City, sea, mountain or countryside? Countryside, I don’t
concerts, screenings, food markets, exhibitions, workshops Forum, a WG Member of Amnesty International and the Co- like too much noise.
and performances are part of an exciting programme organ- Founder and Member of the South Africa Forum for Inter- Your preferred scene in a movie? When an actor can sacri-
ised for you by the network of Alliance Française, from Johannes- national Solidarity. He has been representing African Migrants fice his/her life for his/her family
burg to Cape Town, via Port Elizabeth, Pretoria and Durban. in several International platforms. He is a Franco-Anglophone Marathon or 100 m? Marathon
speaker, writer, blogger, human rights activist, unlocker, Pan- Your favourite hero/heroin in fiction? Harrison Ford and
Africanist and lover. Jennifer Lopez
Your favourite hero/heroine in real life? Kwame Nkrumah
Your favourite hobby: Picnic and reading and Martin Luther King Jr.
Your idea of happiness: Less troubled life with my family Sparkling water or champagne? Sparkling Water, Cham-
If not yourself, who would you be? Mahatma Gandhi pagne is reserved for special occasions.
Where would you like to live? In a peaceful and stabi- The word you prefer? Voilà!
lised DRC Your preferred olfactory memory: The smell of lavender
Message from the Embassy of France and the Alliance française has grown in
Ambassador Thami XN Ngwevele strength to ensure that this objective is fulfilled. In this regard we
can proudly report that over 2 000 South African public servants
Chief Director: Diplomatic Academy
have taken courses in French from 2008 to the end of 2012. In
DIRCO – Department of International
addition, a number of our senior diplomats and deserving students
Relations and Cooperation
have been sent for immersion courses to language institutions
in France to expand on the knowledge gained at home.”
“The Diplomatic Academy of the Department of Foreign Affairs
(now DIRCO), the Embassy of France in South Africa and the
Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie signed a Mem-
orandum of Understanding on 20 December 2008 to use their
best common endeavours to develop the teaching of French and
Left: Dobet Gnahoré was the headline performer of the
Francophonie culture to the South African diplomatic corps and
Francophonie celebrations in March 2013. Photo courtesy of
www.contrejour.com/artists/Dobet/index2_uk.php?page=medias its partner departments. Since then, co-operation between DIRCO,
17Vous pouvez aussi lire
