subnavigation >> ABOUT MISSION STATEMENT MANIFESTO OBJECTIVES EXPLANATION FAQ'S MEDIAKIT
Mission Statement

SWIKIRI is a gathering of African creativity through design. It is a platform for collaboration, discussion, inspiration and exposure of visual design, art, music, writing and all forms of creative innovation.

SWIKIRI endorses the African experience.

Respek Afrika!

BACK UP
Manifesto
It is time for all creative brothers and sisters to cast off your shackles of colour, language, religion, location and social constraints. Take arms.

A storm is brewing in Africa.

It is time for all creative brothers and sisters to cast off your shackles of colour, language, religion, location and social constraints. Take arms.

For too long have we been muted and isolated as slaves to the western ideal. Let us take the African experience and expose it to the world. The age of the African Renaissance has come.

SWIKIRI wishes to open a gateway to the Global creative community on the web. Avoiding a closed-minded approach, we encourage the study and appreciation of the cutting-edge in concept, thought and innovation in the World arena.

By providing a space for an Afro-centric community to gather, we aim to improve communication and collaboration. Where brothers and sisters can discuss, challenge and stimulate each other. SWIKIRI stands for empowerment of the individual, strength of the community.

Through digital media we unite designer, writer, musician, artist, developer – creator! By assimilating the rich influences of our great continent, we strive to foster the African Identity. Let us ignite the flame of design and creative expression. Sweet Mama Afrika!

SWIKIRI defies YOU, brother and sister, to express yourself and celebrate the character of your land. So that our friends and colleagues across the world hear our drum beat. So that they will stop and say: “The African Storm is HERE!”

Respek Afrika!

SWIKIRI!

BACK UP
Objectives
  • Provide a SPACE [PLACE] for African creativity
  • Exhibit African creativity
  • Familiarise African creatives with Global design/creativity
  • Encourage the representation of African Experiences
  • Improve communication between individuals = Dialogue and discussion
  • Stimulate collaboration
  • Encourage Individual empowerment
  • Improve and develop standard of design in Africa
  • Foster an African Identity and character
  • Promote notion of the African Renaissance
  • Boost the progression of a Digital Africa
  • Make a difference
BACK UP
Explanation
It seems that we are so influenced by Hollywood phoney escapism that we are uncomfortable when faced with relevant situations that we can identify with.

So you’ve read the Mission Statement and the Manifesto and it sounds all revolutionary and political. Not exactly. We’re just trying to get you thinking.

Africa is seldom represented beyond the stereotyped media message, be that a wildlife documentary or a news bulletin dealing with some extreme situation like war or drought. Even in Africa itself we tend to be attracted to the Western ideal and too often overlook our own experience. A pertinent example is the film industry in South Africa. In a country that produces award-winning television adverts at Cannes, film-makers have to finance their films from abroad. If this isn’t enough, the films mostly never get to run at local theatres. This can be attributed to lack of confidence from: investors, distributors, theatre owners and worst of all, the public. It seems that we are so influenced by Hollywood phoney escapism that we are uncomfortable when faced with relevant situations that we can identify with. SWIKIRI aims to challenge this attitude.

SWIKIRI is a place where the African experience can be communicated. By African experience we have no prescribed ideals but do encourage:

  • a critical viewpoint
  • a unique and individual experience
  • a fresh approach (challenging stereotypes)
  • informative content
Anyone who wishes to express their message has their space. These messages might be optimistic or they might expose some of the harsh realities. Either way others will undoubtedly be able to relate. By displaying peoples’ concepts and manifestations we aspire to foster a respect and appreciation for African creativity. We hope that this inspires individuals to collaborate more and share ideas.


SWIKIRI_FASE01: the Quickening

You might be asking “What now?”

In this initial phase, SWIKIRI shows signs of life. This introduction aims to inform you of the concept and gather bruthas and sistas willing to take the challenge.

You might be asking “What now?”

Go fill out the Get Involved form. Sign-up for the Newsletta.

Ongoing projects for individuals and opportunities for collaboration have begun; as long as you've signed up you will be given a shout when you can take part. There are Forums for discussion there will be galleries for photography and reviews and articles for interest.


Disclaimer-type thing

SWIKIRI will strive to provide a diversified representation of creativity. However, this will be directly related to who chooses to participate. The existing members can only contribute according to their own experiences and resources. Consequently SWIKIRI will most likely grow organically according to who participates. It can be anticipated that the majority of contributors will be from South Africa and mostly be involved with graphic design or new media (this is the nature of the environment and accessibility). We will continue to encourage involvement as broadly representative in Africa and within other fields of communication.


If you have any questions, visit our FAQs page

BACK UP
GET INVOLVED - click here -
FAQ'S  MEDIA KIT - TAKE AWAY
FORUM