19 February 2003
"Sisandza - Women in the Arts" is a new Durban-based publication highlighting women’s involvement in the arts.
Sizandza means “we are growing”, and the magazine aims to highlight the growth of women. “With our experiences, we grow and become stronger in making a difference to other people’s lives,” says editor Smangele Mbeje.
“The newsletter team is determined to bring women of the rainbow nation to the public’s attention, to see what they do in the community. Women who dedicate themselves to bettering and enhancing lives of other people with their artistic skills.”
"Sisandza – Women in Arts" will be published four times a year, and 2 000 copies will be distributed free to arts and community centres and township libraries in the Durban area. A further 1 000 copies will be distributed with another established Durban-centred arts magazine, "D’Arts".
Funded for this year by the Royal Netherlands Embassy, the publication aims to highlight the work of women involved in dance, craft, music and drama. “We particularly want to focus on those who are leaders in the arts in their communities,” says Mbeje.
Mbeje and assistant editor Gugu Mbuyazi both graduated from the Durban Institute of Technology. Mbeje has experience as an arts publicist and has worked as a community reporter for award-winning D’Arts magazine. Mbuyazi has been involved in various arts projects.
For more information, contact Mbeje at 083-511-1407 or send her an e-mail.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
