JCAF Knowledge Talks

• Story Keeper

  Traci Kwaai speaks about her experience working in and with the community of Kalk Bay (Cape Town), as well as the politics of land and sea in the area. Kwaai discusses her 'Walk of Remembrance', and highlights innovative ways in which storytelling can preserve heritage through the use of new technologies and artistic co-creation. She also shares insights into her work at The Fisher Child Projekt, the NGO she founded that offers children and youth the possibility to connect with the ocean through snorkelling, diving and marine education. Mentioned in this episode:Forced removals in the 1960s/1970s in Kalk Bay under the Group Areas Act (1967)The Fisher Child Projekt NGO‘The Sea is in our Blood’ exhibition at Olympia Bakery (Kalk Bay, 2025)The Fisher Child AR/VR co-creation with Lo-Def Film Factory and Urchin StudiosPort Cities and Intruders: The Swahili Coast, India, and Portugal in the Early Modern Era (Michael N. Pearson,1998)Fishing quotas in Kalk BayTo find out more about Traci’s work, visit her website or follow her on Instagram.Music for the JCAF Knowledge Talks podcast was commissioned by JCAF.‘INGWENYA’, performed by the Afrikan Freedom Principle, led by Mandla Mlangeni, © MM Publishing.Website URL: ⁠jcaf.org.za⁠Instagram: ⁠foundation_jcaf

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• Landscapes of Repair

  Molemo Moiloa and Nare Mokgotho from MADEYOULOOK discuss their interest in everyday black practices in South Africa, and reflect on their understanding of what it means to have a relationship with nature. They speak about sixteen years of working collaboratively and highlight several of their projects. Molemo and Nare also share insights into the process behind their multimedia installation Dinokana, which was commissioned for the South African Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2024 and can now be experienced in South Africa for the first time as part of the Structures exhibition.Mentioned in this episode:Njabulo Ndebele’s writings on the ordinaryEjaradini (MADEYOULOOK, 2018–present)Michel Foucault’s work on the ‘unsaid’ in The Archaeology of Knowledge (1969)Santu MofokengCorner Loving (MADEYOULOOK, 2014–present)Non-Monuments Programme (MADEYOULOOK, 2012–present)Bang-Bang Club1913 Land Act in South Africa1912 Irrigation and Conservation of Waters Act in South AfricaMafolofolo (MADEYOULOOK, 2022) exhibited at documenta fifteenPlant Provocations: Botanical Indigeneity and (De)colonial Imaginations (Mvuselelo Ngcoya and Narendran Kumarakulasingam, 2016)Dinokana (MADEYOULOOK, 2024)Structures exhibition at JCAFTo know more about MADEYOULOOK’s work, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.Music for the JCAF Knowledge Talks podcast was commissioned by JCAF.‘INGWENYA’, performed by the Afrikan Freedom Principle, led by Mandla Mlangeni, © MM Publishing.Website URL: jcaf.org.zaInstagram: foundation_jcaf

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• Future Imaginaries

  Pelonomi Moiloa discusses the importance of expanding online access to African languages for building a better future across the continent. She explains how a socially grounded, Africa-centric perspective shapes the work at Lelapa.AI, the research and product lab she co-founded and leads. Pelonomi also introduces The Ungovernable, an initiative focused on community building through collective learning projects rooted in the concept of self-determination. Mentioned in this episode: Lelapa AI The Ungovernable Neuroprivacy‘Ecospheres’ exhibition at JCAF Ximena Garrido-Lecca – ‘ Insurgencias botánicas: Phaseolus lunatus (Botanical insurgencies: Phaseolus lunatus)’ (2017) Achille Mbembe  –  ‘Decolonizing Knowledge and the Question of the Archive’ (2015) Achille Mbembe – ‘Afropolitanism’ (2020) Homi K. Bhabha – ‘The Location of Culture’ (1994) Voice to voice technology Deep Learning Indaba René Magritte To know more about Pelonomi Moiloa’s work visit the websites of Lelapa.AI and The Ungovernable. Music for the JCAF Knowledge Talks podcast was commissioned by JCAF. ‘INGWENYA’, performed by the Afrikan Freedom Principle, led by Mandla Mlangeni, © MM Publishing. Website URL: https://jcaf.org.za Instagram URL: instagram.com/foundation_jcaf/

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• Building Conviviality

  Ilze and Heinrich Wolff speak about the concept of an ‘architectural practice of consequence’, a concern that ties into their ethical stance on advocating for spatial justice and research-based design projects. They expand on the concept of conviviality, as it applies to spatial practice and knowledge creation. Ilze and Heinrich also provide insight into the process of creating JCAF’s Reading Room, and what it means for them to practise as architects in the context of South Africa. Mentioned in this episode:Rahul MehrotraCheré Botha School project in Cape TownLe CorbusierAlessandro Petti and Sandi Hilal – DAAR Paulo Tavares and Gabriela de MattosPaul Gilroy’s concept of ‘planetary humanism’‘Strange Fruit’ performed by Billie Holliday (1959) and Nina Simone (1965) The Group Areas Act (1950) The Native Land Act (1913)Sol Plaatjie – ‘Native Life in South Africa’ (1916)Sol Plaatjie – ‘Mhudi’ (1930)Bessie HeadSteinkopf Community CentreAmartya Sen – ‘Poverty and Famines: An Essay on Entitlement and Deprivation’ (2003)Manuel (Manolo) Callahan’s concept of ‘renewing our habits of assembly’Manuel (Manolo) Callahan and Fred Mutton – joint lectureJCAF Reading Room designed by Wolff architectsBag FactoryPolly Street Art Centre To know more about Ilze and Heinrich Wolff’s work visit their website or follow them on Instagram. Music for the JCAF Knowledge Talks podcast was commissioned by JCAF.‘INGWENYA’, performed by the Afrikan Freedom Principle, led by Mandla Mlangeni, © MM Publishing. Website URL: https://jcaf.org.zaInstagram: instagram.com/foundation_jcaf/

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• Homage Through Clay

  Reflecting on the influence other women had on her early artistic development, Zizipho Poswa shares her trajectory in relation to the cultural and historical context of the Eastern Cape. She explores the symbolism of ceramics as vessels, relating them to motherhood and traditional Xhosa customs. Zizipho also discusses the creative process behind her recent bodies of work and explores the relationship between spirituality and her artistic practice. Mentioned in this episode: Imiso ceramicsPractice of ‘lobola’Zizipho Poswa –  iLobola (2021)Zizipho Poswa –  uBuhle boKhokho (Beauty of Our Ancestors) (2022) Zizipho Poswa – iiNtsika zeSizwe (The Pillars of the Nation) (2023–2024) Zizipho Poswa – ‘uNa’kaMzingisi’ (Mzingisi’s Mother) (2024) shown in the Ecospheres exhibition at JCAF. African textile traditionJ.D. Okhai OjeikereCenter for Contemporary Ceramics at California State University Andile Dyalvane To know more about Zizipho’s work follow her on Instagram Music for the JCAF Knowledge Talks podcast was commissioned by JCAF.‘INGWENYA’, performed by the Afrikan Freedom Principle, led by Mandla Mlangeni, © MM Publishing.Website URL: ⁠https://jcaf.org.za⁠Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/foundation_jcaf/

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