‘Thought We Had Something Going’, to launch
BRAAMFONTEIN – The launch of the e-book anthology, Thought We Had Something Going, will be taking place at Bean There in Braamfontein on 26 November, with conversations by the Feminist Stokvel and #FeesMustFall leaders, Shaeera Kalla, Vuyani Pambo, Anele Nzimande and Natasha Ndlebe.
The anthology is set to launch with a series of events taking place over three days, beginning on 26 November. Thought We Had Something Going is a documentary film and e-book made up of some of the best stories from the former digital magazine, ThatsHowItIs.co.za or THIIS.co.za, which ran from 2009 to 2014 before shutting down.
The online magazine was designed as a platform for young South Africans from various ranks to voice their opinions, write, draw, and project their thoughts about their social realities before the time of the Rhodes Must Fall or Fees Must Fall saga. Pumla Dineo Gqola, Professor of African Literature Wits University described the anthology as, “A remarkable collection of writing.”
The book features works by a line-up of young writers and artists including, Lebohang ‘Nova’ Masango, Spoek Mathambo, Sindiso Nyoni, Mack Magagane, Thenjiwe Stemela, Sibusiswe Maseko and more.
WATCH:
The project was devised by Tlali Taoana, a Pan African strategist and the co-founder of Scurl & Cutt, which is a creative consultancy focused on progressing African youth agendas. Molemo Moiloa, an artist and Director of Visual Arts Network of South Africa and Thando Sangqu, English student at Wits University, also worked on the project.
“We believe the book is a zeitgeist, which contains personal youth narratives, some of which were written over two to three years ago. It presents an anthology of stories written ahead of its time. To kick-off our three-day literary occupancy, our launch dialogue will see The Feminist Stokvel in conversation with Fees Must Fall student leaders. The point of this conversation will be a debriefing of the year 2015 and will ask the question, what do we think we have going for the year ahead?” says Sangqu.
The series of events will go ahead as follows and all events will take place at Bean There, 111 Smit Street, Braamfontein:
Thursday, 26th November.
8am: Pop-up library opens for use at Bean There. The library is a space with a selection of youth culture magazines and African literature.
6.30pm: The official launch of ebook/anthology takes place at Bean There with The Feminist Stokvel in conversation with Fees Must Fall student leaders.
Friday, 27 November
8am: Pop-up library open for learning, thinking, creating.
3pm to 4.30pm: Thought We Had Something Going will host commercials director, Teboho Mahlatsi (at The Bomb Shelter) who’s noted for directing youth-focused television shows such as, Shuga and Yizo Yizo. Mahlatsi will be in conversation on the importance of storytelling and film, 21 years into South Africa’s narrative.
Saturday, 28 November
8am: Pop-up library open for learning, thinking, creating.
10am to 12 noon: Tlali Taoana, Thando Sangqu and guests on the art of defiance. Thando Sangu and Tlali Taoana will be in conversation on Thought We Had Something Going and the role of defiance.
#TWHSG
Twitter: twh_sg
Instagram: thoughtwehadsomethinggoing
Details: thoughtwehadsomethinggoing@gmail.com
