This program will engage our community in crucial global conversations, spark an ongoing exchange of ideas, and promote awareness of race, human rights and political change.

SOUTH AFRICA & KENTUCKY: Different Lands, Common Ground

LEARN

• The College of Arts & Sciences will offer one of the first national, public screenings of “Have You Heard from Johannesburg” a new seven-part documentary on the global anti-apartheid movement. Two weekly showings will be offered at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. every Thursday in Kastle Hall 213 from Sept. 30 – Nov. 11. Each showing will be accompanied by special speakers. Accompanying the film is a 2 credit course - A&S 100-049.

• A&S will offer a Program in International Understanding for undergraduate students. Students who attend and are critically engaged with 10 of the South African activities will receive a certificate for their resume and be eligible for a scholarship for the education abroad trip to Cape Town in Summer 2011.

• The College will offer a course on Truth and Reconciliation linked to the University’s Peace House in Spring 2011 taught by Adam Banks, professor in the new Division of Writing, Rhetoric and Digital Media.

• On Friday, Jan. 28, A&S will sponsor a one day symposium on public health in Appalachia and South Africa open to the University and interested members of the public. The event will be broken into three parts: (1) history of public health in Appalachia, (2) prominent health care issues common to Appalachia and South Africa (e.g., tobacco use, violence and women, cervical cancer, children’s health), and (3) health and human rights issues as they play out in the two regions. Anchoring this symposium is Peter Barron, a prominent South African public health expert. Barron is currently a consultant in the South African Ministry of Health, devising a Primary Health Care strategy for South Africa that incorporates community involvement.

• An international conference focusing on non-racialism, a central tenant of the African National Congress, will be held on campus April 15 and 16.

• Cyril Ramaphosa, a leading political and business figure in South Africa, will give one of the keynote addresses.

INTERACT

• Mr. Eddie Daniels, former South African political prisoner at Robben Island and friend of Nelson Mandela, will be a scholar-in-residence Oct. 24 – Nov. 7. His visit will include a public address, visits to local K-12 schools, and interactions with students and faculty in classrooms. Copies of his signed autobiography will be available for purchase.

• In mid-April, the College will welcome Mr. Ahmed Kathrada and Ms. Barbara Hogan as honored guests. Kathrada (Kathy) was one of 10 prisoners (including Nelson Mandela) involved in the Rivonia Trial, which led to life imprisonment with hard labor. Kathrada spent more than 26 years in prison. Upon release in 1989, Kathrada held various roles in the new South African government, including as a Member of Parliament and President Mandela’s Parliamentary Counselor. He also served as chairperson of the Robben Island Museum Council.

• Ms. Barbara Hogan is the Minister of Public Enterprise (she is also former Minister of Health) of South Africa. Hogan was a political activist in the anti-apartheid movement, culminating in her brutal imprisonment for 10 years. She is most well known for leading South African efforts to fight AIDS and advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention. In 2009, “Time” Magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

• Mr. Kathrada and Ms. Hogan each will address the University at a special convocation ceremony open to the public on April 13, 2011. They will also be available to meet with students and faculty in small group or class settings.

• Mr. Bob Vassen, editor of “Letters from Robben Island,” will talk about befriending Mr. Kathrada and editing his letters. Vassen spent 30 years in exile from South Africa for his anti-apartheid activities and was a major conduit between the prisoners on Robben Island and the outside world.

• Dr. Andre Odendaal, leading South African historian and sports figure, will be a scholar-in-residence for the Spring 2011 semester. He will offer the course “Sports, Race, and Change” based on the research for his seven books. He is the Honorary Professor in History and Heritage Studies at the University of the Western Cape, has served as trustee of the Nelson Mandela Centre for Memory, and has served as the first director of the Robben Island Museum. He is also a former first-class cricket player.

• Ms. Zohra Ebrahim, recently appointed Chairperson of the Social Housing Regulator (SHRA) in South Africa, will be a scholar-in-residence for the Spring 2011 semester.

EXPERIENCE

• Beginning in October 2010 the College will mount an on-line book club with South African novels and memoirs open to alumni, students, parents and the public.

• The U.S. tour of the international exhibit on Ahmed Kathrada’s life will debut at UK in the College’s Anthropology Museum (Lafferty Hall) during Spring 2011.

• The College will offer two education abroad programs in Summer 2011, one for two months in Cape Town for 20 students, focused on internships and social activism in South Africa, and the other for two weeks with Writers without Borders.

• There will be on-going collaborations between the College of Arts and Sciences and colleagues at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. A&S faculty will be scholars-in-residences at UWC during Spring 2011.

• The Department of Theatre in the College of Fine Arts will produce a South African play in its World Theatre Festival in April 2011.