Our first official forum was the book launch of “An Uncomfortable Paradise: A History of Dispossession and Slavery in Simon’s Town,” by Joline Young. This was successfully co-hosted by IFAA, Surplus Radical Books, and The Peace Centre on Saturday, 09 March, at the Peace Centre. This forum was attended by up to 50 mostly political and cultural activists from around the city and well-received, resulting in a call for us to host more forums that deal with social history stories.
Joline Young is a historian, author, copywriter, and researcher. She is a fellow of the David and Elaine Potter Foundation and holds an M.A. degree in Historical Studies from the University of Cape Town. Joline has a particular research interest in the history of Simon’s Town, but is also experienced in oral history research and community research projects; as well as curatorial projects in the Western Cape region.
We were honored to have Lionel Davis as a special guest and respondent to Joline’s presentation.
Lionel Davis is a renowned South African visual artist, teacher, and public speaker. Lionel was born in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1936 in District Six. He rose to prominence as a figure in the anti-apartheid movement and was incarcerated for seven years on the infamous Robben Island. Amongst his many achievements, he shares a passion for social and political history and has a profound knowledge of Simon’s Town and its peculiar history.