Designer Notes

THE TWO OF US ARE STRONGER TOGETHER

The role of literature in shaping the expression of Bantu political and cultural expression cannot be understated.

South Africa’s history is fraught with the oppression of ideas and stories; in effect, this was a suppression of reality and truth that has lingering effects and requires our continued revelation.

Indeed, as we move forward in a new century and a new political context, it has become exceedingly clear for us to press on with questions such as: what are the archives of our stories and histories? How can we continue to root their relevance and wisdom within our contemporary narratives?

This aspect of Provenance Part II is a devotion to the role of literature as a tool disseminated and mastered by some of our histories’ greatest figures, under the auspices of a single institution that remains a through-line of people, politics and praxes.

Lovedale Press and its pantheonic alumni edified Black, South African political consciousness and it is to them that we owe our visions for our future - least not, our transition into democracy in 1994. In this enclave, ‘The two of us are stronger together’ serves as an offering of preservation and asserting the profound web emanating from Lovedale Press and throughout the rich, complex legacy of Black, South African political history. 

Digitised Image Courtesy from Amathole Museum