Today is Human Rights Day in South Africa!  I had planned a longer post but Telkom (our oh-so-lovely telecommunications provider) is being wonky and my internet connection keeps dropping off so I’m having to curtail my plans.

Human Rights Day, celebrated here every year on 21st March, is also the memorial date of the Sharpeville Massacre in the Sharpeville township in Gauteng when 69 blacks were murdered when policemen opened fire into the crowd.  People had come together to protest the unjust, restrictive pass laws of apartheid.  Essentially, anyone working in a town (note: not to be equated with working AND living, which would encompass whites) had to carry a pass book with them at all times under pain of arrest.  On the day of the protest, it was planned that Black and Colored men would converge on police stations without their passes and demand to be arrested for violating the laws.  The intention was that so many people would be arrested that jails would overflow, life would grind to a halt and the Pass Laws would have to be scrapped.

A South African displaying his pass book, which granted him permission to be in town, an area designated solely for whites under apartheid law.

Today, while Sharpeville is remembered, another focal point of the day (and

one of great pride) is the recognition of the rights that all South Africans are now entitled to by law, regardless of skin color, creed or background.  It is also a day to commemorate those who suffered or died while fighting for Human Rights here in RSA, in Sharpeville and elsewhere.

To be fair, there is still progress to be made here with regard to human rights.  However great steps have been made since apartheid was abolished; the establishment of a South African Human Rights Commission is only one of many accomplishments.

In honor of Steve Biko, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu and the countless thousands of others who rose up against apartheid, and the millions around the world who continue to suffer– especially some of our neighbors.

For additional coverage, see:

Eyewitness News

SABC News

mask.org

Remembering Sharpeville

AllAfrica

Took some lovely pictures in and around the University of Cape Town the other day and thought I’d share …

A view looking up at Upper Campus and the mountains behind.

 

A look out at Cape Flats (where the townships are), with Somserset West and Sir Lowry's Pass behind-ish.

 

The view of Jameson Memorial, the heart of UCT's Upper Campus.

Coke signage in Woodstock, on the Main Road near Greatmore Street

The creative glory of the Design Indaba Expo continues with …

Heath Nash

Luminous, ethereal lights made from discarded milk bottles.

Although trained as a sculptor, Heath Nash created his own brand of functional, beautiful pieces made from other people’s trash.  My favorites were the butterfly/flower lights shown above, made from (have a look at other milk jug lights here and here).  He also creates wall hangings, baskets and candleholders made of discarded wire.  Nash employs local artisans to build many of his pieces although the design is his alone.  Check out his story and his blog for more details.

 

Nuno Felt

Although Nuno (Japanese for ‘fabric’) doesn’t have a website, their products are well worth a second look. Made of 100% South African mohair, Nuno trains and employs local crafters to make jewelry, scarves and the sweetest felted stuffed animals. Designer Sue Kingma can be contacted at sue4nuno@mweb.co.za.

Mü & Me

If you’re a stationary fan, beware: Mü & Me makes some of the sweetest cards, journals, paper and notebooks around.  Featuring sweet illustrations of children and animals, each character has a name and fully “lives” in the creator’s imagination (for additional clarity on that point, see here).  Like many of the talented artisans at Design Indaba, Mü & Me can be found at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock … but they also have a lovely e-comm shop as well.

Township Cotton

A relatively new enterprise, Township Cotton utilizes traditional South African patterns to create sturdy, beautiful fabrics.  Their website (as well as their studio) are under construction at the moment, but be sure to check back for photographs and for additional information on their community empowerment initiatives!

I have to admit that I’ve been struggling with how to post about the Design Indaba Expo 2010.  There was so much talent there that I would feel remiss not giving mention, however brief, to any of the designers that I spoke to or whose details I picked up.  This is especially pertinent because in a country with high levels of unemployment, these talented individuals have chosen to stay at home in South Africa and create opportunities for themselves, and in many instances hire people who might not otherwise have any means of employment.  So, it is with great excitement that I begin my first of (many) Design Indaba posts.  Enjoy!

PS You may also notice that I’ve added another set of links to my side bar featuring South African design that I’ll be adding to as I work on my Indaba posts.  If you have any additional suggestions, please let me know!

Shine Shine

Courtesey of the Shine Shine website.

Creator of bold and beautiful prints, Shine Shine is a textile designer that fuses pop art with traditional Dutch-influenced African textiles. Designer Tracy Rushmere, previously known for working with the Afro brand, has created a bold line that is visually distinct.  (Also see select products here). She’s been featured in Elle Decor SA, Visi, and on Animal New York (though Animal’s description of Shine Shine as a merchant isn’t quite accurate).

Skinny Laminx

Photo of the Threadcount Fabric Collective booth at the Indaba, featuring textiles and products from all the designers mentioned here.

Well known in the blogosphere, Skinny Laminx, aka Heather Moore, is a brilliant textile designer and illustrator.  She has a fantastic Etsy shop, is found biweekly at the Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill, and creates beautiful and memorable pieces (I am the proud owner of a tote bag that I use to quite literally carry my life around with me here). She’s appeared in so many major publications, both in print and online, around the world that it would be ridiculous to select just a few– though I will name drop the New York Times. The above photo is courtsey if her Flickr stream.

Twine

Birdie fabric, courtesy of the Twine website.

New to me when I came to SA, I have developed a serious crush on the intricate, organic designs of Twine. Created by two friends from the winelands (Stellenbosch, to be exact), their designs have become something of a household name in the Cape Town design scene. Check out their blog for regular updates and insight into their creativity.

Fabricnation

Courtesy of the Threadcount Collective website.

Something of a newcomer on the textile scene having been established in 2007, Fabrication has nevertheless made quite a reputation for themselves.  They’ve received press from the likes of Elle Decor SA and Visi.  Designed by two friends from art school, their designs draw heavily on African tradition.  They currently have about 20 prints in production, but new designs are added every 6 months or so. Have a peek inside their studio as well.

Lula Fabrics

Photo courtesy of the Elle Decor blog.

Bright, bold and beautiful– Lula fabrics are, in a word, stunning.  They’re all of excellent quality, and locally designed and produced.  Despite having no furniture to upholster, drapes to make, or even a house to put them in, I had to restrain myself from buying meters of her fabric.  Designer Melissa Kerhoff also started her line in 2007 after stints at some big name firms– and to great success.  Be sure to have a look at this Elle Decor blog entry for more details on the lovely Melissa and many more pretty, pretty pictures.

Shopfront near Salt River.

 

Check out an organization that wants to use Coke’s presence in South Africa and developing nations for good.

Life is keeping me quite busy here in Cape Town.  Between lectures on Microeconomics and Statistics at UCT, working at Ons Plek and exploring my new home, there just aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything I want to.  I’m putting my life on hold this Friday afternoon though as I head to the Design Indaba Expo at the CTICC in Cape Town.  Design Indaba is an organization of South African designers working to effect positive change through design.  Initiatives include a sustainable and low-cost housing program utilizing traditional mud-packing techniques, beautiful but affordable housewares made from repurposed materials, and an environmentally friendly farming initiative capable of sustaining our planet and our growing population. I’ll be bringing my camera and asking lots of questions when I visit the Expo and will be sure to post details next week!