Funda Centre
[Funda = “learning”]
Also referred to in some sources as Funda Arts Centre.
Founded in 1984 and run by Matsemela Manaka. Sponsored by the Urban Foundation. The centre was specifically dedicated to the arts.
From Xaba: "The ethos at Funda was to decolonise African theatre and to create original theatre productions that did involve Eurocentric themes or formats. This also applied to other art forms that were taught at Funda, namely dance, music and fine arts. The centre framed its ideas on socio-political interaction (within urban and rural communities), academic discussion and art making from an Africanist perspective. The Funda Arts Centre comprised the Soyikwa Institute of African Theatre, the Soyikwa dance programme and the Madimba Institute of African Music."
Members of staff at Funda included Professor Es’kia Mphahlele, Matsemela Manaka, Sibongile Khumalo, Ali Hlongwane, Job Kubatsi and Motsumi Makhene.
Plays presented at the Funda Centre included International Hot Talk ’87 written and performed by Andrew Chabeli and John Ledwaba, Crisis of Conscience by Walter Chakela (1986)
Later known as Funda Community College.
Sources
Xaba, Andile. 2021. 'Collective memory and the construction of a historical narrative, analysis and interpretation of selected Soweto-based community plays (1984–1994)'. Unpublished PhD thesis.
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