We learned that doing what is within our capacity and trusting our vision gives positive results for all involved.
We chose to take on an artist residency as our prototype project where we invited a local artist to be supported in their creation process at Aba Té Farm. We made this decision because we believe that art has the ability to inform meaningful change and is often overlooked by society. Our hope was that the land, and the practices that come from it (specific to Aba Té), would inspire the artist to create work that spoke to their own healing, the healing of others and/or that of the natural world. The objective of the residency was to build local capacity by offering a space of connection to land (which has been severed for many South Africans) for the resident thus inspiring others to seek such connection as well. It was about creating conversations around what connection to land can offer for one’s personal healing and the collective healing of dispossessed people of our land.
We invited Lukile, a local South African musician to come and spend 2 weeks at our farm in Tshwane North. Here, he partook in many alternative learning practices that aided in his creative process, including tai chi, gardening, capoeira, cooking and visual art. During Lukile’s stay, we also had many conversations around identity, race, land and our socio-political context.
At the end of the residency, we hosted a Rooted Retreat where Lukile got the opportunity to share some insights about his experience and what he created during the residency. Here, the artist was empowered to share his work in ways that he hadn’t before.
We set up our retreat centre space to make it habitable for the resident, this included renovating the bathroom, adding comforters such as extra pillows, a bedroom mat and a bedside lamp. We also provided the resident with supplies for breakfasts. In the evenings, we cooked dinner and he joined us for this meal. Around the dinner table, we had conversations about our histories and experiences as Coloured people in South Africa.
Each family member facilitated workshops with Lukile throughout his stay. Michelle facilitated several tai chi sessions; David facilitated two gardening workshops and gave Lukile access to the vegetable garden where he could harvest vegetables for some of his meals; Sam facilitated two visual art workshops, Zoe facilitated two cooking workshops and two capoeira workshops. Lukile also got the opportunity to join a free-writing session with the family.
We also invited Lukile to share some of his reflections about his stay and the residency with us.
We have been encouraged to continue with the residency programme. With the right support, we envision having at least one artist residency per year. We have also noted the possibilities of hosting music-centred events that would include artists whose work focuses on connection to land and community.
We were honoured to host Lukile and are looking forward to experiencing more of his creations!
Kai gangans!
This post is based on Zoë Fortuin’s report for 2025 Germinators Projects.
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