a historical survey
Art Education in Soweto in the 80s and 90s
and how The Haenggi Foundation Inc. got involved in the launching of this Project
Background
The first trust: first trustees and all trustees 1981-1990
Clr. F.M. Chuenyane, Chairman of the Pelmama Art, Dance & Music Workshop Trust, Johannesburg (1981-1990), Chairman of the Soweto Council Education and Health Committee
The feasibility report of 1984
The originally intended site in Mofolo Park, Soweto
Mofolo Park Soweto in 1980 (comp. pic.© The Haenggi Foundation Inc.)
Aerial view of Mofolo Park on 28th October, 1980 - 1/4000 - please click on image for large view showing Mofolo Park and Five Roses Bowl built in 1976 (burnt down in 2012)!
Model of proposed Pelmama Aademy and Theatre in Mofolo Park, Soweto, in 1983
For further details, please refer to the 1984 report "The Economic Feasibility of a Tertiary Institution for the Arts in Greater Soweto, including a Theatre, with special reference to the Pelmama Academy, Mofolo, Soweto", officially handed over to Mr F.M. Chuenyane, Chairman of the P.A.D.M.W. Trust, by Dr. P.J. de Lange from R.A.U., at a luncheon held at R.A.U. on 29.11.1984.
Clr. F.M. Chuenyane, Chairman of the Pelmama Art, Dance & Music Workshop Trust, Soweto, receiving the Feasibility Report from Prof. Dr P.J. de Lange, part financed by the Anglo American & De Beers Chairman's Fund, Johannesburg, represented by Mr. W. King (at right)
Copy of the full report is available from The Haenggi Foundation Inc., Basel, on request, or can be viewed at BAB, Basel
This dream did not become a reality, unfortunately, but the following was real!
PELMAMA ACADEMY - SOWETO CAMPUS
Staff of the Pelmama Academy Soweto Campus in 1989 (img. Vernon Naidoo)
Students in their studio at Pelmama Academy Soweto Campus in 1989 (img. Vernon Naidoo)
For details p7 on:
Illustrated brochure in support of fund raising - 1989 (16 pp.)
Images - Campus - 1
EASTSIDE COLLEGE - TROYEVILLE CAMPUS
Students at PELMAMA ACADEMY's Eastside College Campus in Troyeville
Images - Campus - 2
Images - Book Appeal - Unpacking boxes 1
Selected Press cuttings - click to view list!
Poster of an exhibition held at Pelmama Academy Soweto in October, 1989 - also ill. in "Sowetan" 17th October, 1989
Additional reviews
Lantern, Pretoria 1992 14:4 pp. 78/9 - ISSN 0023-8422
Star International Weekly, 2nd to 8th February, 1995, p.14 - on Soweto Youth Jazz Orchestra - students of the Pelmama Academy
Sunday Times, Johannesburg - 30th April, 1995, p. 6 - on Michael and Sheila Masote
Historical Review by Gordon Froud published in 2009 by the Pretoria Art Museum in their PELMAMA Donation's brochure, covering the period 1993-1997
Lists of Donors
Appeals for books to July, 1994
Handing over the first air consignment of internationally donated books - 8th August, 1994 (click on image)
Concerts to raise funds
1981 - Sunday Musical Festival presented by Pro Musica Antiqua - 13th and 20th September, 1981
1981 - String Festival 1981 - The Haenggi Foundation Inc., Johannesburg - 23rd August, 1981
1982 - Pro Musica Antiqua at St. George's Church, Parktown - 26th June, 1982
1982 - Celebrity Concert: Martina Arroyo from New York at Pace School Theatre - 27th June, 1982
Invitation - programme - selected press comments
Martina Arroyo in Soweto 1982
1991 - Shulton Concert presented by the Pelmama Academy Soweto at Duncan Hall, Johannesburg - 9th November, 1991
Prospectus of Manu Technical College / Pelmama Academy Soweto (Part)
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE END?
Annual Report of the Pelmama Academy - 1991 + 1992 - click on link for details!
Pelmama Academy Soweto was placed under the management of and fully integrated into the Manu Technical College as from January 1993, the latter in turn changed its name to Dobsonville College, when it fell under the Gauteng Department of Education, then it was listed as a campus of the South West Gauteng College (FET) - a far cry from the original concept of the initiators of the PELMAMA ACADEMY SOWETO way back!
The Eastside College was established in 1993 (registered as a Technical College), Mr M. Muller being its Principal. On 27th May, 1996, the Eastside College stated inter alia that "Eastside is in the process of amalgamating its Art Department with the National School of the Arts, therefore donations of books are obsolete"(!)
________________
Further links:
The National School of the Arts, Johannesburg
You need the the free Adobe Reader to read the many PDF files!
Page last updated 30th June, 2016