The second annual Living Rights Festival in Cape Town will unite scholars, artists, activists, policymakers and the broader public in a bold, collaborative effort to address pressing local and global issues.
The festival is organised by the Institute for African Alternatives, an independent, progressive organisation committed to the development of alternative social and economic policies in South Africa, the African continent and beyond.
Panel discussions, workshops, music, photography and art events, theatre performances, film screenings and more will take place in the city centre, Salt River, Observatory, Langa and other neighbourhoods from Friday 21 November to Saturday 6 December.
“The Living Rights Festival is dedicated to advocating for peaceful coexistence, social justice and human rights,” says Institute for African Alternatives festival co-ordinator Nazeema Mohamed.
“By combining the power of art with the rigour of academic discussion, we and our partners aim to inspire communities to stand against violence, militarisation, climate change, racism and other threats to our collective future.”
Opening event
The launch session on Friday 21 November will focus on two civilian protection crises: Sudan and Palestine. This public conversation will examine the structural conditions that make mass atrocity possible, and ask what forms of solidarity, accountability and repair are needed.
Prof. Suren Pillay, Director of the Centre for African Studies, University of Cape Town (UCT) will moderate the panel. Panelists include former University of Cape Town Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mamphela Ramphele; sculptor, poet, writer and academic Prof. Pitika Ntuli; Whole World Women Association CEO Mary Tal; and UCT Department of Historical Studies Prof. Shamil Jeppie.
This opening event takes place at the Central Methodist Church, 46 Church Street, Friday 21 November, from 17h00-20h00. Entrance is free.
Programme selection
Other events include, but are not limited to:
Film screenings: In partnership with The Big Sound Film Festival and Surplus book store, there will be a screening of Mama Goema, on Cape Town’s signature music genre. (24 November, Bertha House Bioscope, Mowbray.)
Indalo Yethu: Our livelihoods. Our nature. Our heritage represents community members from biodiversity and conservation areas in South Africa, with the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS). (26 November, Bertha House Bioscope.)
Gaza: Journalists under fire examines the risks that journalists face when reporting in Gaza. (3 December, Bertha House Bioscope, Mowbray.)
Music: In a panel discussion, Music in Hard Times, Gen Z will engage with the anti-apartheid generation to discuss how authoritarian power-blocs have affected performance, and the rise and response of African and Asian musicians. (27 November, Theatre Arts, Observatory, 18h00.)
Conversations: Querying leadership will gather distinguished panelists from academia, Parliament, the United Nations and the education sector to discuss feminism, authoritarian violence and alternative leadership. (25 November, Iyatsiba Lab, 66 Greatmore Street, Woodstock, 16h00).
Workshops: Women community leaders from diverse sectors will gather to discuss UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. The workshop will be a transformative day of reflection, solidarity, healing and skills-building. (24 November, Community House, Salt River, 10h00-15h00.)
Theatre: The Simon’s Town Museum will host a staged reading of a scripted dialogue written by Mike van Graan. Abraham’s Promises brings together voices from Islam, Judaism and Christianity. (28 November, Simon’s Town Museum, 18h30 for 19h00.)
Youth: Over five days, 30 young people will explore photography, playback theatre and the spoken word. (1-5 December, various locations.) The Ko Kopanong Play Back Theatre Group, drama specialists from Wits University, will facilitate a public performance. (5 December, Guga S’thebe Cultural Centre, 14h00-17h00)
Children’s theatre: Guardians of the Gods, geared at nine-to-twelve-year-olds, is a play about what unites children all over the world, living in a world ruled by adults. (23 November, Theatre Arts, Observatory, 16h00 and 19h00.)
Photography: An exhibition of winning works from the Youth Photo Competition, featuring powerful images captured by young people from the Cape Flats. (Launch 1 December, Bertha House, 67-69 Main Road, Mowbray 17h30.)
“Audiences can expect to engage with leading thinkers, artists and change-makers across disciplines, fostering a vibrant space for creativity and critical reflection,” concludes Mohamed.
Find the full programme, with venues, dates, times and panelists at: https://ifaaza.org/living-rights-festival-2025/. All events are free, excluding Guardian of the Gods (book at https://theatrearts.co.za/show/guardian) and Abraham’s Promises (book at Quicket).