Chicago, IL -- In 2002 the Robben Island Singers, Grant Shezi, Muntu Nxumalo and Thembinkosi Sithole, came to Chicago to share their experiences as political prisoners during the South African struggle against apartheid. In 2007, Columbia will be the group's first college stop as these anti-apartheid prisoners share their stories and songs.
The trio will be back at the end of January for a series of events that will give Chicago high school students a deeper understanding of this history and will also raise public awareness of a film project documenting their experiences.
To celebrate their return to Columbia College Chicago, where they participated in classroom events and in the keynote address at the college’s 2002 faculty retreat, The Robben Island Singers will appear at Columbia for an informal and interactive concert and discussion. The program, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled from 4 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 30 in the Conaway Center, 1104 S. Wabash, 1st Floor.
Also participating in the January 30 event will be activist and educator Prexy Nesbitt, who co-teaches “Nelson Mandela and the Politics of South Africa” at Columbia with Dr. Lisa Brock, chair of the college’s liberal education department. For more information call 312-344-6725.
Natives of Durban, Shezi, Nxumalo and Sithole spent a total of more than 20 years during the prime of their lives incarcerated with South Africa’s liberation movement leaders including Nelson Mandela on the notorious Robben Island maximum security prison. During their time on the island the prisoners kept their spirits and commitment to the freedom struggle alive through song.
Political prisoners were released from the island in 1991 and apartheid was abolished in 1994. In 1997 Robben Island became a museum and tourist attraction and exhibit organizers asked the trio to record a CD of ‘prison songs’ in various African languages and in English. The recording is used in a special section of the prison tour known as “cell stories.”
While touring South Africa, Jeff Spitz, Columbia film professor and documentarian (Return of Navajo Boy) purchased the CD and decided to contact the singers and collaborate with them to tell their stories in a new documentary which reflects not only their personal odysseys, but the journey of a nation. Partnering with South African film maker Mickey Madoda Dube, Spitz and his production company, Groundswell Educational Films, embarked on The Robben Island Singers Film & Concert Project, bringing the singers to the United States in 2002 for their first concert tour, during which they inspired audiences at the Field Museum, Columbia College and several other venues.
Three years later, the men continue to sing their songs of liberation and tell their own stories, adding new chapters as their lives evolve and change. Spitz and Dube continue to gather footage and funding in their effort to bring the Robben Island Singers story to the screen.
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