SADC Parliamentary Forum
An art exhibition themed, “So She Was Turned to a Pillar of Salt,” began in the Namibian capital Windhoek on Saturday, with renowned Namibian artist Jo Rogge being hailed for her transformative contributions to contemporary art and social justice.
The exhibition, which opened to an engaged audience of art enthusiasts, diplomats, and social activists, revolves around the complex relationship between memory, identity, and the evolution of society.
SADC Parliamentary Forum Secretary General Ms Boemo Sekgoma, was the keynote speaker at the launch.
“Art is the language through which we express the soul of humanity,” the SG said.
Drawing on the words of Nobel Laureate Saul Bellow, Ms Sekgoma posited that art “penetrates what pride, passion, intelligence and habit erect on all sides,” inviting attendees to embrace the “genuine reality” often obscured by the noise of everyday life.
The exhibition’s theme encourages viewers to grapple with the tension between reflecting on the past and moving toward the future.
“We must remember that while we learn from our experiences, we cannot live there,” Ms Sekgoma cautioned, adding, “True progress lies in forging ahead, unburdened by the ghosts of yesterday.”
Addressing the pressing issues affecting women around the world, Ms Sekgoma stressed art’s powerful role in challenging outdated norms.
“Child marriages, female genital mutilation, and gender-based violence are not merely harmful cultural relics. These practices turn women into pillars of salt - frozen in time and denied the chance to move forward,” she argued.
She noted that through artistic expression, Rogge’s work aims to inspire change and give voice to the marginalised, invoking the need for society to reexamine and dismantle harmful traditions.
She also touched on the complexities of identity in relation to societal expectations.
“The conflicts surrounding the body, especially bodies in precarious positions, reveal a philosophical paradox of identity shaped by forces beyond our control,” Ms Sekgoma said.
Recognizing the experiences of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, she noted that Rogge’s art creates a space for validation and exploration of these identities.
“In doing so, we resist the notion that people must be frozen in place and limited by outdated norms,” she asserted.
Highlighting the perils of inaction, the SG highlighted the responsibility each individual bears in the fight against oppression.
“When we remain silent, we become complicit in perpetuating these harmful systems.”
Drawing from the words of Joseph Beuys, she underscored the importance of art as a catalyst for societal change.
“Art that cannot shape society... is no art.”
Ms Sekgoma hailed Rogge for her commitment to art.
“Her artistic journey is one of deep reflection and interrogation of heritage, identity, and history,” she said.
Namibian political scientist and author Professor André du Pisani attended the launch of the exhibition. In an interview, he shed light on the profound significance of Rogge's work, noting its multifaceted impact on culture and society.
Having collaborated with Rogge since she arrived in Namibia during the 1980s, Du Pisani described her as a pivotal figure in arts education, stating, “Her role in arts education has been very formative. She has trained some very good artists.”
He said Rogge’s latest exhibition tackles pressing issues of identity and gender, presenting a tapestry of perspectives that challenge societal norms.
Du Pisani noted, “As an artist, she has defined her own identity. It’s very much about her identity. In that sense, it’s introspective.”
He said this introspection was rooted in a strong feminist ethos, with the artist embracing both radical and material feminist principles, enabling her to confront critical issues such as gender-based violence and the evolving roles of women in contemporary society.
Du Pisani elaborated on the broader implications of Rogge’s art.
He said: “She revisits what is happening to women more generally... She’s also political. She reflects on how society responds to these phenomena of unity and diversity.”
He added that Rogge’s art serves as a catalyst for discussion around identity construction and the complexity of self-definition within a diverse society.
The professor stressed the importance of knowledge construction in Rogge’s work, asserting, “That makes her an important artist, not only visually, but also in terms of the knowledge construction that her work carries.”
He said her ability to interweave artistic expression with feminist theory positions her as a critical voice in the contemporary art landscape.
Asked what he would want to see society gravitate towards considering Rogge’s work, Du Pisani articulated a vision for societal progress: “If you want social inclusivity and if you want to actualize the principles of equity, equality, and liberty, then you go into social democracy... How you deal with these different identities is an important question, not only politically but in knowledge.”
He held that Rogge’s art was instrumental in decolonizing narratives surrounding patriarchy and that it transcends mere aesthetic appeal, acting instead as a powerful commentary on identity, gender, and the quest for equality.
The exhibition runs up to 12 October.
Ends/.
*Moses Magadza is the Media and Communications Manager at the SADC Parliamentary Forum.
STATEMENT FROM THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE SADC-PF ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2024
15 Set. 2024Dear representatives of Member Parliaments, Civil Society Organisations and other partners,
It is with immense pleasure that I release this Statement on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, which stands as a testament of the Forum’s unyielding objective to make parliamentary democracy thrive in the SADC region.
Caros representantes dos Parlamentos Membros, Organizações da Sociedade Civil e outros parceiros,
É com imenso prazer que divulgo esta Declaração por ocasião do Dia Internacional da Democracia, que constitui um testemunho do objectivo inabalável do Fórum de fazer prosperar a democracia parlamentar na região da SADC.
By Moses Magadza in Pretoria, South Africa
Former First Lady of Namibia, Monica Geingos, has emphasised the urgent need to champion Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for young people across East and Southern Africa.
Geingos was the keynote speaker last Thursday at a regional dialogue themed “Transforming Futures: Exploring Strategies for Accelerating Collective Regional Actions to Advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.”
- Honourable Members of Parliament;
- Traditional and Religious Leaders who have graced this occasion,
- The Country Director, Plan International - Antoinette Ngoma;
- The Head of Africa Engagement, Girls Not Brides, Nerida Nthamburi,
- The HIVOS Regional Director, Ms Nana Zulu,
- Representatives from the UN Agencies,
- Young People from the SADC Youth Forum and the HIVOS Youth Advisory Panel;
- Distinguished Guests;
- Members of the Fourth Estate;
- Ladies and Gentlemen;
I bring greetings from the Forum and express my profound gratitude for the honour bestowed upon me and the Forum to deliver the keynote address for this crucial engagement. From the onset, allow me to preface my keynote address by alluding to the laudable entreaty from Theodore Roosevelt, who was unequivocal in his observation that,
Prezados colegas e parceiros,
É com enorme prazer que apresentamos esta Declaração aos parceiros e partes interessadas no Dia Internacional da Juventude de 2024.
Data limite: 9 de agosto de 2024
1. Introdução e enquadramento da tarefa
O Fórum Parlamentar da SADC é a principal organização interparlamentar da África Austral mandatada pela sua Assembleia Plenária para elaborar e monitorizar a transposição das leis-modelo, normas mínimas e outros instrumentos normativos conexos para os ordenamentos jurídicos nacionais. As leis-modelo elaboradas pelo Fórum constituem um poderoso instrumento de responsabilização do Executivo pelos parlamentares, uma vez que servem de instrumentos informativos que permitem obter disposições legais e administrativas que representam as melhores práticas regionais para a orientação dos parlamentos nacionais. Progressivamente, as leis-modelo adoptadas pelo Fórum são incorporadas pelos parlamentares, com um acompanhamento regular protagonizado pela Comissão Parlamentar Regional de Fiscalização das Leis-Modelo (CPRFLM), o órgão do Fórum especificamente criado para avaliar a eficácia das iniciativas de incorporação das leis-modelos nos ordenamentos jurídicos nacionais.
Dear Parliamentarians, Citizens and Partners,
As we commemorate the International Day of Parliamentarism on 30th June 2024, the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) jointly reaffirm the importance of Parliament as a cornerstone of democracy.
Estimados Senhores Deputados, Cidadãos e Parceiros,
Ao comemorarmos o Dia Internacional do Parlamentarismo, a 30 de Junho de 2024, o Fórum Parlamentar da Comunidade de Desenvolvimento da África Austral (FP da SADC) e o Instituto Internacional para a Democracia e a Assistência Eleitoral (International IDEA) reafirmam conjuntamente a relevância do Parlamento na qualidade de pedra basilar da democracia.
By Moses Magadza
WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA - The SADC Parliamentary Forum and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to consolidate and strengthen democracy in Southern Africa.
The Secretary General of SADC PF, Her Excellency Boemo Sekgoma and the Secretary General of International IDEA, Dr Kevin Casa-Zamora signed the MoU at the SADC PF headquarters in Windhoek, Namibia.
SADC PF and International IDEA sign MoU to reinforce democracy