Greater Good South Africa

Durban-based cause, Art for Humanity hosts school workshops to educate learners on the power of human rights and social justice through art and poetry. The organisation’s Media Manager, Thireshni Sanasy, outlines this innovative approach.

The workshops, funded by Breadline Africa are titled, “School Banner Workshops” and take place on the school premises where learners are selected by respective teachers at the school’s preliminary meeting. The workshops are facilitated by Art for Humanity staff including the Director, Jan Jordaan, poets Busiswa Gqulu and Hip-Hop poet Topaz and interns from the Durban University of Technology Fine Art and Journalism Departments.   

Banner
Prior to the actual workshop a banner is installed at the schools. Mayville Secondary, Ogwini Comprehensive Technical High, Bonela Secondary and Summerfield Primary school in the greater Durban area each had a banner installed on their school building during 2009 and 2010. The banner is an artwork and poem from the Art for Humanity “Women for Children” Portfolio. Displaying the art and poetry on the outdoor banners contributes to the general school environment in a positive way; very often the schools lack any kind of visual interest or stimulation of any kind.

Reflection
The workshops begin with Jan Jordaan addressing the learners on the importance of rights and responsibilities. The learners are then taken to the banner installation where an artist interprets the significance and composition of the artwork and the poet recites the poem.  The learners then get an opportunity to reflect, voice their own opinions, responses and interpretations of the banner. They are then divided into two groups and asked to create artwork and poetry on social issues currently affecting them, including their hopes dreams.

The learners are encouraged to present their work to the group which gives them a sense of pride and ownership. Grade 11 Ngobile Mbambo of Ogwini Comprehensive Technical High School said, “The workshop has allowed me to express my feelings about issues that are very important to me. My artwork is on the overcrowding of townships and the diseases and conflicts residents face. I would really like for Art for Humanity to come back.”

Inspiring human rights
The workshops are meant to encourage discussions amongst the learners on issues of social justice and human rights. Speaking on the significance of the workshop, Jordaan noted that art represents a creative tool that inspires human rights and a sense of social justice amongst the learners. “Our workshops contribute to the school curriculum around life orientation, art and literature. Art and poetry serve as a common medium through which the individual learners express themselves. The banners serve as a valuable teaching resource, inspiring discussion and debate among the school and community”.

This is a wonderful opportunity for schools to create a spirit of activism and enlightenment amongst learners regarding children’s rights and welfare as well the voices of women as primary care givers in our society. The project further aims to inspire the values associated with good art and poetry in the learners and viewers, these values includes freedom of expression, creativity, excellence, innovation, pride, dignity and respect for individual rights, and lastly to promote reflection and appreciation of cultural heritage in the learners.

>> Find out more about Art for Humanity