OTHER EVENTS
(A partial list of some of our favourites)
PANEL DISCUSSION ON HIV/AIDS
University of Ottawa (2001)
Webcast panel discussion at University of Ottawa featuring Canadian leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS and special guest Dr. William Makgoba, head of the South African Medical Research Council. Sponsored by CIHR, Health Canada, CIDA, IDRC and South African High Commission. Video production by InMotion.
CANSA FESTIVAL
Toronto - various locations (1994)
Week long Canada-South Africa arts festival featuring theatre, music, a film series and a conference of anti-racism educators. Included a long-time dream to stage a play with a mixed cast of Aboriginal actors and South African exiles. The result - "Survival" - was a uniquely challenging piece of theatre.
WALTER & ALBERTINA SISULU CANADIAN TOUR (1991)
Cross-Canada tour of the South African freedom fighting couple who were the mentors of Nelson Mandela. Honourary dinner in Toronto with performers Molly Johnson and Big Sugar. With live video and speeches by leading Canadians. MC - Ann Medina.
TORONTO URBAN ALLIANCE ON RACE RELATIONS (1995)
20th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner. MC Taborah Johnson. Live video & multi-media. Honouring Co-Founder Rabbi Gunther Plaut.
ARTS AGAINST APARTHEID FESTIVAL - GALA OPENING
Royal Alex Theatre, Toronto. (1986)
A 5-hour extravaganza featuring over 120 artists and specially written material by some of Canada's leading authors. Hosted by Don Ferguson & Roger Abbott with guests including: Margaret Atwood, Rene Daniel Dubois, Timothy Findlay, Tom Jackson, Molly Johnson, W.O. Mitchell, John Neville, the Nylons, Buffy Ste. Marie, Judith Thompson, R.H. Thomson and house band by Joe Sealey.
"…a once-in-a-lifetime collection of dramatic, musical and literary talent." - Toronto Star
"You had to be there. It was excellent." - Share
MAYIBUY' iAFRICA
Royal Alex Theatre, Toronto. (1990)
Another 5-hour extravaganza celebrating Nelson Mandela's release from prison and broadcast on MuchMusic. Featuring: Oscar Petersen, Abdullah Ibrahim, Molly Johnson, Parachute Club, and many more. Message to Canadians from Mandela taped at his Soweto home and broadcast at the concert.
"Oscar Peterson received a standing ovation….Liona Boyd was a surprise guest… It was an evening of celebration with approximately 100 performers" - Toronto Star.
"The evening was a mixture of lightness and joy, sorrow and anger…" - Globe & Mail
MEET ALBIE SACHS
Bloor Street United Church, Toronto. (1989)
Former anti-apartheid activist (and now South African Supreme Court Justice) thanks Canadians for their support during his recovery from a car bomb incident. Featuring a performance of the play "The Jail Diary of Albie Sachs".
The emotion was such that we thought the building would collapse, under the weight of applause and foot-stamping, during a highly-charged on-stage meeting between Sachs and his theatrical alter ego, played by R.H. Thomson.
CONCERT FOR INDIGENOUS RESTORATION
Royal Alex Theatre, Toronto. (1991)
An Earth Day celebration broadcast on MuchMusic and, subsequently, Vision TV featuring: Daniel Lanois, Lorraine Segato, Loreena McKennitt, Tom Jackson, Graeme Greene, Gary Farmer, Murray McLaughlin and 50 chiefs, elders and shamen from across the Americas from the Amazon to the Arctic,
AN EVENING WITH AHMED KATHRADA
University of Toronto. (1999)
Book launch of Ahmed Kathrada's Robben Island prison diaries in a talk show format. Canadian journalist Adam Vaughan interviews Kathrada and special guests from the audience, who had worked with him in the anti-apartheid struggle before his 30 year prison term and had since moved to Canada. Many happy reunions.
THE MATTHIEU DA COSTA AWARDS
Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hull and other venues (2000)
Three day event featuring: award show, hosted by Juliette Powell, tour of Ottawa for national award winners and their families and dinner for award winners and their MPs. For Dept. of Canadian Heritage and Canadian Teachers' Federation.
YOUTH AGAINST RACISM VIDEO AWARDS
Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hull (1999)
National High School video awards show. Hosted by Juliette Powell with guests: rap artists Dubmatique, figure skater Emmanuel Sandhu and the SIFA African choir. Also staged versions of winning videos. Address by Secretary of State for Multiculturalism, Dr. Hedy Fry and "live" launch of the Campaign's web site where guests are the first to sign petition to stamp out racism.
NELSON MANDELA VISIT TO TORONTO
Nathan Phillips Square and Queen's Park, Toronto. (1990)
Special ceremonies honouring Nelson Mandela's first visit to Toronto. With presentation of a specially carved Ojibway talking stick to assist him with negotiations towards a democratic South Africa.
ROYAL COMMISSION ON ABORIGINAL PEOPLES
Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hull (1996)
Public launch of final report Hosted by Gary Farmer and Michelle Rouleau. With addresses by Commission co-chairs René Dussault and George Erasmus. Featuring performances by Claude McKenzie, Tuudjaat and an NFB film of the Commission in action. Broadcast live by CPAC and RDI.