JCAF Knowledge Talks

• 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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• Seed as Relation

  Drawing from her experience working with food and land justice initiatives, Zayaan Khan examines ways to retrieve knowledge that have become extinct to us. She introduces the notion of ‘seed as relation’, a perspective that encourages using seed as a lens to see and relate with the world and all other living beings. Zayaan shares insights of the process behind her sound-piece ‘Seeds from the Streets to the Seas’ (2019), speaks about fermentation, how grief is embedded in the land in South Africa and much more. Mentioned in this episode: Zayaan Khan and Coila-Leah Enderstein – ‘Seeds from the Streets to the Seas’ (2019) June Bam – ‘Deep listening’Ecocide Aboriginal dreaming tracks Magical realism⁠⁠J.M. CoetzeeZayaan’s research project supported by Prince Claus Fund Fermentation Necropolitics Jorge Luis Borges – “Undivided divinity” in ‘Labyrinths’ (1962) To know more about Zayaan’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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