PROFESSOR PATRICK JAMES EBEWO.

Zulu people have a saying, “umuntu ngubuntu aga-bantu,” ... translated as “you are because I am.”

In order words, this is a philosophy that stresses the benefits that could accrue from symbiotic existence; a philosophy that instructs humanity that no one is an island—we need each other irrespective of colour, creed, or race.
This philosophy should receive priority in artistic creations for the encourage-ment of the South African people to live harmoniously in the transformed environment. If this is consciously inscribed in the management of the artistic affairs of the country, the government could curb incidents of White-Black racial tensions and xenophobic attacks on foreign nationals, which erupt like unsuspecting volcanoes from time to time. A calculated synergy between the different art forms could help eliminate working in silos and promoting unity and progress and true spirit of reconciliation amongst the people.

Post-apartheid South African arts policy should focus on social cohesion and continue to anchor the national government’s transformation and reconciliation agenda...

PROFESSOR PATRICK JAMES EBEWO

Vice Chancellor

Professor Patrick James Ebewo is the Vice Chancellor of Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Nigeria. He was also Dean of the School of Communication and Creative Industries, United States International University-Africa located in Nairobi, Kenya; and Head of Theatre and Film Studies, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa. He studied at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria; and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA and holds a PhD in Theatre Studies. Prof. Ebewo has taught at universities in Nigeria, Lesotho, Swaziland (Eswatini), Botswana, South Africa, and Kenya. He is a “Rated Researcher” of the National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF) who has published extensively in the areas of theatre, film, culture, communication development, and arts management

AUTHORS

Photos: National Theater in Lagos State, Nigeria photo by Omoeko Media; book cover Art of NIgeria by Ulli Beier. Images for use from author, or under creative commons and / or public domain. 

Arts Management, Cultural Policy, & the African Diaspora

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Art Management, Cultural Policy, & the African Diaspora