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A Tale of Firsts

A Tale of Firsts, the inagural soundscape from the series Her Melody, Our Song , takes the listener on a time-bending voyage into the life of Dr. Ntombehlophe Brigalia Bam as she traverses the joys and challenges of living a life of many firsts. The field recordings are set against a sonic landscape of IiNgoma, amaCulo namaHubo from the late 19th century until today.

Also hidden in the soundscape are speeches and interviews with influential figures in our contienent's history, who help us tell the tale of firsts.

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Her Melody, Our Song

A sonic expedition into the life of social activist and former chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, Ntombemhlophe Brigalia Bam, affectionately known as 'Makhulu Hlophe.'

Over the past 4 years, mkutaji has been in conversation with Makhulu Hlophe, recording stories that span over the course of the 91 years of her life. Participating in top secret strikes in boarding school in the 1950's and meeting the Lion of Judah, Emperor Haile Selassie just before his assassination in the 1970’s.

The fragments of audio recordings will be set against the landscape of global music as it has transcended from the 1930’s to today. Hymns from composers such as Elder Tholakele Caluza and melodies of AmaMpondomise from Elder Mantombi Matotiyana. Contagious rhythms of the 80’s led by Elder Dorothy Masuka and sounds of West African revolutions from Elders Tony Allen and Princess Fatu Gayflor.

The Listening Session will be followed by an intergenerational conversation between Makhulu Hlophe, mkutaji and published poet, music journalist and performance artist, Philile Nkabinde.

Photograph by Gisèle Wulfsohn

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Shaping Memory: Archiving as Creative Practice (2023)

mkutaji recently completed a fellowship with the Visual Arts Network of South Africa (VANSA). She wrote and edited a toolkit on archiving for artists and arts organisations in Africa was the outcome. Published by VANSA.

Full Publication

A staged movement production that explores the journey of womanhood through the stages of resilience, resistance and release.

When Women Move was showcased on the Alliance Francais stage in Accra, Ghana in March 2020. This was movement piece that brought together women from various age-groups through a workshop series titled SheMotion. Choreographed by Sena Atsugah, with Creative Direction by Mkutaji (Nangamso Gumbe).

When Women Move