JCAF Knowledge Talks

• Soft Entanglements

  Igshaan Adams speaks about how domestic spaces, everyday movement through Cape Town's segregated landscape, and personal introspection have informed his artistic practice. He reflects on the impact sufism had both in his life and in his work. Igshaan shares how tapestries can hold experiences, and how weaving has become a way to reconcile different parts of himself. Adams also discusses the importance of collaboration, particularly with family members and people from his community. Mentioned in this episode:Philani, a NPO working in KhayelitshaSufismIn Between (Igshaan Adams, 2011) ‘When Dust Settles’ exhibition (2018)Desire linesThe Practice of Everyday Life (Michel de Certeau, 1984)Bismillah performance (Igshaan Adams, 2014) Paul Gilroy’s concept of ‘a planetary humanism’To find out more about Igshaan’s work, visit blank projects’ website or follow him 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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• Reverse Futurism

  Stella Mutegi speaks about her experience co-founding Cave_bureau, a Nairobi-based bureau of architects and researchers. She discusses how researching the caves in and around Nairobi has contributed to better understanding of the tensions and connections between rural and urban contexts, as well as the pre- and post-colonial conditions of the city. Mutegi also shares insights into indigenous knowledges in Kenya and expands on Cave_bureau’s interest in improving life in African cities, while taking into account the social and environmental implications of architecture and urbanism.Mentioned in this episode:The Great Rift Valley in KenyaThe Anthropocene MuseumMount Suswa in KenyaCow Corridor (2021)Shimoni Caves of the EnslavedCave_Bureau’s exhibition at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (2023)British Pavilion at the Architecture Venice Biennale co-curated byCave_Bureau (2025)To find out more about Stella’s work, visitCave_bureau’s 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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• 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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