Stories that are unusual, previously untold and close to people's hearts are the focus of Tell Your Story, a visual arts exhibition by Grahamstown video-maker Xola Mali.
Stories that are unusual, previously untold and close to people's hearts are the focus of Tell Your Story, a visual arts exhibition by Grahamstown video-maker Xola Mali.
Mali grew up in Grahamstown and went to high school at Nombulelo Senior Secondary School in Joza. He furthered his education at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), studying law.
At university Mali struggled financially.
“It’s hard for students from very poor backgrounds,” he said of his experience.
To pay for his studies, Mali teamed up with a media student from the Peninsula Technikon to produce short films for schools, using borrowed equipment from the Technikon.
This was his first experience working with film equipment and initially Mali self-taught, he was later mentored by independent film-maker Paul Mills, who now works in Johannesburg.
Makana Municipality has given support to several local artists who will be appearing in the National Arts Festival, including Mali.
“They did help,” said Mali of the advertising funds and registration fees supplied by the Municipality.
As well as being an artist and film-maker, Mali is also currently the media liaison of the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM) in Grahamstown.
The exhibition is both introspective and externally relevant.
“One of my films is a reflection on what happened at Marikana.”
While he focuses on topical issues pertinent to all South Africans, he tells the stories of the people in his home town, too.
“I wanted to tell the stories of the location, of the struggles of the people.”
