Centre for Popular Memory

Histories of struggle, emancipation and traumatic legacies are significant traits within societies and nations on the African continent. The Centre for Popular Memory at UCT is committed to preserving the first person memories of these post-traumatic legacies as a means of having a deeper understanding of such complex trajectories. The CPM is allied with UCT's Historical Studies Department and focuses on African oral history, research and advocacy. It also develops audio visual archival material for digital dissemination. Its research respects the value of multi-lingual approaches in collecting, preserving and creating access to data, along with technologically relevant outputs through academic journals, exhibitions, film and other portable media platforms.

The CPM's African Oral History archive contains over 3000 oral history recordings in 12 languages, many with full transcripts and translations. These collections have been gathered, preserved, migrated and digitised over the past 25 years, and the CPM focuses on developing these scholarly research collections for academic use as critical knowledge systems within a larger South African and international context.

Current lead projects include the 'African Memory Project' (AMP), which aims to increase access and publicity of oral and visual collections in South Africa and the continent. It collaborates with international leaders in fields of oral history and memory studies to engage with Africa-centred research material. 'Memories of Apartheid: Oral History, Research, Archiving' is another pioneering project which focuses on the liberation struggle, with specific emphasis on audio-visual collections of people living in South Africa between 1948 and 1994. The project model has already fostered critical debate in scholarly forums and engages civic society, public intellectuals and develops substantial digital archival Information Technology (IT) solutions. 'Bridging the Digital Divide' is an award-winning project, based in schools, that bridges the generational and cultural divisions between apartheid survivors and their descendants. It further considers the IT skills divide between what is perceived to be a developing country in comparison to first world technology. In joining our appeal, you will help us reach our fund raising target of R2.5million a year, over five years, to preserve the global research value of these rich and diverse archival collections and socially responsive programme.

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The Gordon Institute for the Performing and Creative Arts

A nation's sense of identity and integrity has always been celebrated through the genius of artistic expression. The richly diverse landscape of Southern Africa's people, the journey of struggle to triumph, and the buoyant personality of our social fabric inspires artists, scientists, investors and leaders the world over. Since its launch in December 2008, the Gordon Institute for Performing and Creative Arts (GIPCA) has worked to fuel our artistic energy in the region. Regarded as one of the most exciting new initiatives at UCT, the Institute supports original theatre, dance and music productions. It hosts fine arts exhibitions, awards creative arts fellowships, and has established an arts colloquium along with a UCT-wide arts festival. Its premier programme, Great Texts, attracts hundreds of interested listeners for a weekly, free-to-the-public lecture on subjects including sports science, poetry, philosophy, opera, neurophysiology and the graphic novel. GIPCA is located on the Hiddingh campus alongside museums, galleries, libraries and other heritage landmarks in Cape Town's original Company Gardens, and close to the buzz of the city centre.

To date over 100 scholars and arts practitioners based at UCT, or in collaboration with UCT staff, have found funding through this unique Institute. Composed of seven centres for arts excellence at UCT, GIPCA looks both inwards and outwards, seeking to enhance interdisciplinary arts at the university and to foster creative industry in the African community. Your devoted support and patronage will ensure that the Institute will continue to plan fresh programmes, develop new and renovated buildings, and strengthen international partnerships.

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The Little Theatre's Big Refurbishment Project

Situated on UCT’s Hiddingh Campus, the Little Theatre stands at the centre of the city’s 'cultural precinct'. It is an integral part of UCT, serving mainly as a teaching facility in the Drama Department, but has also been an important part of the life of Cape Town that continues to be used by community groups, and amateur and professional theatre companies.

Now in its 80th year, the "Little" is being primed for much needed renewal and upgrading. A key goal of the ‘revamp’ is for a more flexible and social space.

Improvements include:

• providing dressing rooms and shower facilities
• creating a much-needed social space for students and patrons
• creating increased storage capacity for sets and costumes

The new design increases the building's energy efficiency and allows the theater to transform from an end on arena stage to a theatre in the round configuration, to a promenade stage with audiences on two sides and action up the centre passage. By partnering with us toward our fund-raising target of R28 million, you can help breathe a new spirit into UCT's already proud heritage of performing and creative arts.

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UCT Opera School

For nearly ninety years, the UCT Opera School has been creating opera stars for the world’s stages. The School prides itself on discovering vocal talent amidst impoverished communities that are rich in musical culture and takes great pleasure in transforming lives of singers and the audiences who are thrilled by them. As the school has flourished, so have the opportunities, with UCT now offering basic foundation programmes to those with no formal training in singing or theory. It also offers the Performer’s Diploma in Opera, the Bachelor’s Degree of Music in Opera and the intensified Postgraduate Studio with intensive coaching and personal supervision.

The Opera School, as a major opera training institution in South Africa, is a cradle for talent and needs your support in turning fragile dreams into imaginative opportuni- ties. The School has created an endowment trust to further its imprint locally and internationally, making it possible for you to form a rewarding partnership to make it possible for brilliant students to sing, exciting productions to be mounted, and internationally acclaimed teachers to be retained and appointed. Step into the spotlight and invest in the future by sponsoring a Bursary, Production or Teacher.

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