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PREPARING SOUTH AFRICA FOR THE WORLD |
A Port Elizabeth man's artwork has inspired an international project spanning two Soccer World Cups and has been endorsed by two Nobel Laureates. Duncan Stewart has produced a spectacular range of paintings, bronze sculptures and charcoal drawings. His 40-piece collection was the curtain-raiser for the launch of Football - A Dialect for Hope. 2010 Organising Committee CEO Danny Jordaan opened the exhibition In Port Elizabeth this week. Project 2010 spoke to the Kaylene Levack, the director the initiative.  How did this come about? I met Duncan four months ago through a German architect in Port Elizabeth who was working on the stadium construction project. I then conceptualised the project and presented it to Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former President FW De Klerk as well as 2010 Organising Committee CEO Danny Jordaan. They were very excited and keen to get involved and they decided to become patrons. Ultimately, the project is necessary for us to leave a legacy in our own country and other fledging democracies in Africa and they clearly recognise this. What has the reaction to the project been like? It has been phenomenal. In just four months we have received support from all over the world. On 17 October we will host a patrons and partners dinner - these include the UN, US Aid, the President's office and the Nepad Secretariat. We will use this event to explore further options. What are your plans with this project - particularly in Africa? We are rolling this out to nine countries across the continent, including Zimbabwe, Serbia and Senegal. And there are other countries elsewhere - including Croatia. We aim to train 100 youths and community leaders in two cities of each of the countries where the project will be presented. They will be taught to use the medium of art to explore issues of hope and democracy. And after that? We will wrap up the project in Brazil, ahead of the 2014 World Cup. more interviews...
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