Cape Town's Living Rights Festival: a cultural hub for social justice
The second annual Living Rights Festival to unite artists and activists will be coming to Cape Town.
Image: Supplied
From the 21st of November to the 6th of December, Cape Town is set to transform into a major cultural and intellectual hub as the second annual Living Rights Festival unfolds. Spanning diverse neighbourhoods, including Salt River, Observatory, Langa, and the city centre, the festival promises a vibrant and urgent search for solutions to pressing local and global issues.
Organised by the Institute for African Alternatives (IAA), the event will draw together leading scholars, artists, activists, policymakers, and the general public in a bold, collaborative framework designed to tackle major contemporary challenges.
“The Living Rights Festival is dedicated to advocating for peaceful coexistence, social justice, and human rights,” said Nazeema Mohamed, festival co-ordinator at the IAA. “Through the synergy of art and academic discourse, we aim to motivate communities to confront and resist violence, militarisation, climate change, racism, and other threats that endanger our collective future.”
Opening night focuses on global crises
The festival’s launched on Frlday and set a powerful tone, concentrating sharply on the critical civilian protection crises unfolding in Sudan and Palestine.
This crucial public discussion, to be held at the Central Methodist Church from 17:00 to 20:00, will delve into the structural conditions enabling mass atrocities while also exploring practical avenues for global solidarity and accountability. The panel, guided by Prof. Suren Pillay, Director of the Centre for African Studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT), features notable figures including:
Former UCT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mamphela Ramphele
Accomplished sculptor and poet, Prof. Pitika Ntuli
Whole World Women Association CEO, Mary Tal
UCT’s Prof. Shamil Jeppie
Extensive programme blends art and activism
Beyond the opening discussion, the festival boasts an extensive line-up designed to foster critical reflection and community engagement:
Film Screenings: Audiences can engage with compelling local narratives, including a screening of "Mama Goema," celebrating Cape Town’s unique music genre on 24 November at the Bertha House Bioscope in Mowbray.
Music Panel Dialogue: On 27 November at Theatre Arts, Observatory, a panel titled “Music in Hard Times” will create a generational dialogue, seeing Gen Z artists analyse the influence of authoritarian regimes on artistic expression alongside musicians from the anti-apartheid era.
Workshops for Women Leaders: Women community leaders will convene on 24 November at Community House, reflecting on UN Security Council Resolution 1325, promoting a vital day of solidarity and skill development.
Theatre and Faith: An engaging staged reading of Mike van Graan's work, "Abraham’s Promises," will occur at the Simon’s Town Museum on 28 November, showcasing crucial interfaith dialogues.
Youth Focus: A five-day initiative for young people, focusing on photography, spoken word, and performance art, will culminate in a public showcase on 5 December at the Guga S’thebe Cultural Centre.
Children's Theatre: "Guardians of the Gods," aimed at nine to twelve-year-olds, presents a narrative about global unity through shared experiences. Performances are scheduled for 23 November at Theatre Arts, Observatory.
Visual Narratives: A photography exhibition showcasing the winning images from the Youth Photo Competition will debut on 1 December, highlighting powerful visual narratives captured by young talent from the Cape Flats.
“Audiences can expect to engage with leading thinkers, artists, and change-makers across disciplines, fostering a vibrant space for creativity and critical reflection,” Mohamed said, underscoring the festival's commitment to advocacy and communal engagement.