News – Dialogue for Justice

Ariel Dorfman and African writers discuss the role of art in strengthening democracy

Ariel Dorfman and a handful of African authors debate how art can deepen democracy and fight oppression

28 July 2010 | Category: Dialogue for Justice

July 29, 2010 – Today acclaimed Chilean-American author and human rights activist Ariel Dorfman joined Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer, renowned Zimbabwean-born writer Elinor Sisulu, and poet and former political activist Mongane Wally Serote in a discussion on the role of art in consolidating democracy and fighting oppression.

Ariel Dorfman attends first South African reading of his play, Purgatorio, at the Baxter Theatre

Purgatorio reading prompts more questions about reconciliation and forgiveness

27 July 2010 | Category: Dialogue for Justice

July 27, 2010 – Ariel Dorfman’s schedule of activities as a lead up to the Eighth Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture, in Cape Town came to a close on Saturday, July 24, with an exquisitely performed reading of his play, Purgatorio (2005), by South African actors Morne Visser and Mbali Kgosidintsi at the Flipside at the Baxter Theatre. Claire Stopford directed the pair, who performed their reading after just a few days of rehearsal.

Ariel Dorfman and South African writers discuss reconciliation

Writing’s role in steering memory and reconciliation celebrated and debated

26 July 2010 | Category: Dialogue for Justice

July 25, 2010 – The issue of reconciliation, which was topical and omnipresent in the public discourse and the South African media in the late 1990s, has been mostly obliterated by other issues.

Hence, Professor Njabulo S Ndebele, a trustee of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, senior research fellow of the Archive and Public Culture Research Initiative at the University of Cape Town, and author of The Cry of Winnie Mandela among other novels, chose to bring together Ariel Dorfman, who will deliver the Eighth Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture, and four South African writers of a younger generation at a dialogue held in Cape Town on Friday, July 23, 2010, to explore the subject of reconciliation.

Fear, displacement and scarce resources form focus of sharing session in Nyanga

Sharing session identifies fear, displacement and lack of resources as factors contributing to xenophobia in the province

22 July 2010 | Category: Dialogue for Justice

July 23, 2010 – International human rights activist, author and playwright Ariel Dorfman, who is in South Africa to deliver the Eighth Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture on July 31, today joined Nelson Mandela Foundation CEO Achmat Dangor, as well as African and international humanitarians, to take part in a social cohesion sharing session around the issue of xenophobia in the Western Cape.

Ariel Dorfman delights children from Athlone on first stop in South Africa

Acclaimed author and activist reads to children for Mandela Day

21 July 2010 | Category: Dialogue for Justice

July 21, 2010 – World-acclaimed Chilean-American author, human rights activist and distinguished professor of literature and Latin-American studies, Ariel Dorfman, landed in Cape Town this morning ahead of the Eighth Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture, which is taking place at Johannesburg’s Linder Auditorium on July 31, 2010.

Seventh Annual Lecture speaker wishes Mr Mandela happy birthday

Professor Muhammad Yunus sends his best wishes to Nelson Mandela

15 July 2010 | Category: Dialogue for Justice

July 20, 2010 – Professor Muhammad Yunus, who delivered the 2009 Annual Lecture at the Johannesburg City Hall last year, has sent birthday and best wishes to Nelson Mandela on his 92nd birthday.

Substance abuse and insufficient medical support top community conversations agenda

Hot topics emerge as main concerns at community conversations across South Africa

28 June 2010 | Category: Dialogue for Justice

June 28, 2010 – During May and early June of this year a series of Nelson Mandela Foundation community conversations were held in towns representing six provinces across South Africa.

Common concerns emerging from some of these communities included drug and alcohol abuse, unprofessional treatment by clinic nurses and a shortage of clinic and medical staff.

Many sixty sevens for Mandela Day – A statement from Ariel Dorfman

I like the number 67

23 June 2010 | Category: Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, Dialogue for Justice, Mandela Day

June 23, 2010 – I like the idea of 67 minutes dedicated on Mandela Day to making the world a better place, closer to our dreams, farther from our nightmares. And 67 minutes every day after that.

Centre for Memory and Dialogue produces a video

Foundation’s community conversations programme showcased online

21 May 2010 | Category: Dialogue for Justice

July 18, 2010 – The Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Centre for Memory and Dialogue has produced a short video that highlights the work they do.

Culture can bring needed social change

Nelson Mandela Foundation attends a community conversation in Giyani

20 May 2010 | Category: Dialogue for Justice

June 14, 2010 – The Nelson Mandela Foundation’s HIV/AIDS community conversations facilitator, Motlatsi Lekhuleni, recently attended a dialogue in the Khakhala Village in Giyani in the Limpopo Province.

Below, Lekhuleni shares his views on the importance of taking local practices into account in order to facilitate positive social change.