<strong>The</strong> South African Pavilion THE STRONGER WE BECOME ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS <strong>The</strong> curators wish to thank Dineo Seshee Bopape, Tracey Rose and Mawande Ka Zenzile for taking this journey and realizing this project with us. Our grateful appreciation to the contributors in this catalog Gabi Ngcobo, Nontobeko Ntombela, Same Mdluli, Portia Malatjie, and Aicha Diallo for the words and ideas shared in their texts. Mawande Ka Zenzile wishes to acknowledge: Ndibulela ooDlomo, ooMadiba, ooSopitsho, ooVelebembhentsele, icamagu livumile budedile ubumnyama kwavela ukukhanya! Thank you to the curators of the South African Pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale, Nkule Mabaso and Dr. Nomusa Makhubu for having the conviction for having faith in my work, and for sharing with the world. I would also like to thank the South African Department of Arts and Culture for their support and believing - in the vision of the curators, my fellow artist’s works and my works. I am honoured to be part of their team to go and represent South Africa in Venice Italy. I am deeply thankful to my family, my wife especially for allowing me to take action when the urge to play and make art arrives. I would also like to thank God, my goat for being part of the family. I would also like to thank my gallery Stevenson Gallery for the support. I am honoured to be part of their establishment. I am most thankful to my gallerist Michael Steveson, Nkule Mabaso, Mamu Tofu (OoDlaminikazi, ooZizi, ooJama kaSjadu, my spiritual mentor), Sinazo Chiya, Mayibuye Ntsatha aka Dj Mighty, Zakara Raitt, Zona Magadla, Shona Alexander, Sophie Perryer, Kabelo Malatsie, Andrew da Conceicao, Joost Bosland, David Brodie, Federica Angelucci, Sue Devine, Liesl Hartman, Colin Steven, Jane Alexander, Sabata, Sesiu, Zwelakhe Khuse, Nolvuyo Mjoli, Peter E Clarke (rest in peace to his soul), Sarah Grace Potter, Larissa Johnson, <strong>The</strong>sis ZA (Ayanda Charlie and Ondela Simakuhle) and everybody I forgot to include. Bangaqumbi baqalekise. Camagu! Tracey Rose wishes to acknowledge: Denzel Edgar as <strong>The</strong> Profiteering Prophet Simon Njami as <strong>The</strong> Prophessor Zen Marie, Mandlakazi Zilwa & Crystal Wilton (Fierce Not Shady Productions, Johannesburg) Jean-Pierre Bekolo (Paris shoot) Adelson De Oliveira (Production Assistant) Audrey-Desmond-Lwandle Rose and Koyo Kouoh (Production support & all round awesomeness) Wits School of Arts (WSOA), Department in Visual Arts (DIVA) <strong>The</strong> work is courtesy of Tracey Rose and Dan Gunn, London. Dineo Seshee Boape wishes to acknowledge: acknowledgement 1 ba ba golo. le ba banyane. ba banyane. le ba bagolo. ditebogo. ke leboga bohle ba ba leng (fa). ba ke ba bonang, le lena ke sa le boneng empa le nthekgileng. ka seetša. ka lerato. ka mmino. ka monyama. ka ngwedi. ka dikeledi. in the words of C.M. “bless every face I have ever seen…” bohle. bless the thorns, the cries and the crows. malebo Mama le Papa and all hands that have helped to make this work. (yes you too). le mahlo. acknowledgment 2 everybody, and yes, you too 77
Special Thanks Our special thanks for the all the supporting roles large and small offered to the artists and the curators: Amogelang Maledu, Brendan Copestake, Liesl Potgieter, Carlos Marzia, Luvuyo Equiano Nyawose, Mmabatho Thobejane, Bulumko Mbete, Dan Gunn, Bettina Klein, Justin Davy, Sinazo Chiya, Greg Ruiters, Josue Nsabwa Kabeya, Andre Buester, Mateo Ortigas, Claudia Ortigas 78