Partnerships between Kenyan, S African artists can yield more

On Wednesday, I had a presentation during a South African-Kenyan Dialogue session on arts in South Africa and Kenya. They event was hosted by Brand SA.

So why is art important? A fair share of both of South Africa and Kenya’s taxes come from artists. Besides the artists themselves, many other people have been employed by art, be they curators, printers, publishers, instrumentalists or weavers.

Before the presentation, I talked to artists from both countries and realised they have been collaborating in various fields including literature, visual arts, music, performing arts and fashion. Collaborations in film are in the offing. Thus, Brand SA and Brand Kenya need to amplify this message to art lovers.

Kenyan writers have participated in literary festivals in Durban, Franschhoek and Open Book in Cape Town and this is set to continue.

There is also a reciprocal relationship with Storymoja with South African writers coming through for the last three years, with funding from the South African High Commission.

Kenyans have also participated in pan-African literary initiatives which that their origin in South African, including Short Story Day Africa (SSDA)  first won by Kenya’s Okwiri Oduor, who went on to win the Caine Prize.

This year, two Kenyans, Wairimu Muriithi and Florence Onyango, are on the list for SSDA while the  three-man panel of judges includes Billy Kahora of Kwani.

In visual arts, Kenyan artists such as Michael Soi and Magdalene Odundo, have held workshops or residencies in South Africa. I recall a conversation with Ms Odundo, who incidentally helped me shape the main character in my last novel, London Cape Town Joburg. She informed me that she had done workshops in Durban and had also visited the Walters Gallery in Franschhoek. 

South African artists have also been to Kenya and I’m selfish enough to hope one of my compatriots wins the residency that Kuona Trust is currently advertising.

DANCED TO SOUTH AFRICAN TUNES

This year alone, Kenyan fans have danced to tunes by South African musicians Simphiwe Dana, Jonathan Butler (yes, contrary to what an opposition newspaper stated last week, he is not American), and most recently Mi Casa. Prior to this, at least half the participants of Muthoni DQ’s Blankets & Wine have been South Africans.

South Africa has also been lucky to have Eric Wainaina as one of the headline acts for Africa Day celebrations. But as one of the participants at the Dialogue mentioned, there is room for more collaboration in this particular field.

Beyond once-off performances in our respective countries, our musicians can also have the kind of collaborations that have been happening between South Africa and Nigeria.

The participant also suggested that artists could stay beyond their event dates and host workshops at the two Kenyan universities that offer music – Daystar and Kenyatta.

Last year, I was honoured to see Mshai Mwangola perform at a literary festival in South Africa. I have known her for a while but I’d never seen her perform. As we share similar stories as Africans, one hopes we can see more Kenyan stories performed in South African and vice-versa, particularly now that the Kenyan National Theatre is available to artists again.

In fashion, South African clothing chain Mr Price, in partnership with Elle Magazine’s Rising Star Design Search, engaged local talent to produce for their shops. If this chain will work for Kenya’s fashion industry, may be they can suggest that the local franchise does the same with local designers. 

Film should not be left behind. I understand Kenya Film Commission  and South Africa’s National Film and Video Foundation signed a deal to work together at the Cannes Film Festival over a year ago. Unfortunately, many filmmakers in both countries don’t seem to be aware of the deal. May be this initiative should be publicised. 

If you are a Kenyan artist, send me fresh and fun ideas of possible collaborations between our two countries.

Both Brand Kenya and Brand SA track future artistic pursuits and publicise them in the two countries.

Zukiswa Wanner is a South African author living in Kenya