Tuks celebrates life of SA star Dolly Rathebe
The programme was established for the purpose of advancing the humanities through the arts to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
The University of Pretoria (UP) has set up an artist-in-residency fellowship programme that will cast off the life of local musician and artist Dolly Rathebe.
Rathebe is widely considered to be Africa’s first black female film star and was born on April 2, 1928 in Randfontein, South Africa.
She was an actress, known for roles in The Magic Garden, Cry, the Beloved Country and Mapantsula.
She died in September 2004.
Vice-chancellor and principal of the UP Professor Tawana Kupe initiated the programme to be based at the university’s Future Africa Institute and campus, with Dr Nokuthula Mazibuko Msimang appointed as the inaugural fellow.
He said the programme was established for the purpose of advancing the humanities through the arts to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
He said the Future Africa Institute and campus was a continental asset for collaborative transdisciplinary research and produces knowledge for transformative impact.
Kupe said Msimang would conduct research, document and publish a manuscript on the life Rathebe.
“I want to congratulate Dr Msimang on her appointment and wish her well in her new role.
“We look forward to working with her at the Future Africa Institute and campus,” said Kupe.
Dr Msimang is a writer, academic, producer and broadcaster who holds degrees from the Universities of Cape Town and of Western Cape and has a PhD in African literature from the University of the Witwatersrand.
He said she possessed the requisite knowledge, capacity, expertise and experience to satisfy the expectations of the fellowship and has become an artist-in-residence from August 1 for a two-year period.
“I am delighted to receive this fellowship and the opportunity to celebrate the amazing legacy of Mam’ Dolly Rathebe, writing about a woman who was larger than life,” said Msimang.
“Rathebe is part of a celebrated pantheon of mega-stars who held Africa captive with their velvety voices and seductive jazzy melodies.”
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She said the like of Miriam Makeba, Letta Mbulu, Dorothy Masuka and Dolly Rathebe were at the very top of a musical renaissance in the 1950s.
“This was a renaissance that created global legends in music, fine art, writing, movies and journalism.
“Rathebe was so much more than just a songbird. Her life story tells future generations about a time and place so unbelievable; it is as if it never happened.”
Msimang has worked for the SABC and BBC, and lectured for the academic support programme at UCT, the Wits School of performing arts and African literature. She currently lectures part-time and supervises master’s students at AFDA, the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance.
She has also presented her work at various conferences nationally and internationally, and is interested in narratives of peace, healing, courage, music and motherhood.
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