The Response by Wanda Lephoto now showing in Museum Africa is a reflection and response to challenge all the archives and archival practices in the museum.
The Image Collection and Archive classified through categories that carry a colonial trace with titles such as European Influence, Domestic Servants, Dress: Zulu, Dress: Women, Weddings, Churches and more.
As a response Wanda Lephoto staged multiple conversation between some of the archives which often these conversations represented in the archive in isolation when they are not to show that they have connected journeys, stories and shared histories.
The Bernberg Fashion & Textile Collection carries as much black history as it does white and having the archives exist in multiple conversation is a reflection on the impact of colonisation continues to live in black homes and black identities.
Thank you to Museum Africa for their patience and time in allowing us, Alison Moloney and Erica de Greef into the archives and for allowing us to have an ongoing dialogue about these archives and the value they hold.
Special thank you to my friends and collaborators who continue to show up for me with so much love and dedication and who without, this would not be possible.
To my mother Martha Lephoto, Nkuley Masemola, Pona Mojapelo, Taylor Makhoba, Kabelo Kungwane, Lebogang, Ramfate, Tracy Mokgopo, Ntando Dwango.
Special thank you to Ntokozo Zwane who composed and produced new music for the film.
Special thank you my friend and brother Paul Shiakallis and his team who we collaborated with to produce the photographic and film elements.
Special thank you to Tammi Mbambo for hair and make up.
Creative Direction: Wanda Lephoto
Styling: Wanda Lephoto
Art Direction: Lebogang Ramfate and Wanda Lephoto
Cast: Martha Lephoto, Nkuley Masemola
@nkuleymasemola , Pona Mojapelo
@ponahalo , Taylor Makhoba
@taylormakhoba , Kabelo Kungwane, Lebogang, Ramfate, Tracy Mokgopo
@tracymokgopo , Ntando Dwango
@i.nandos
Photography and Film Director: Paul Shiakallis
@paulshiakallis
Assisted by: Neliswa Nkosi
@kwakuhle_nkosi
Music: Ntokozo Zwane
Make up and Hair: Tammi Mbambo
@tammimbambo