I so relate to Lakwena's experience of leaving sunny Africa for dull grey Britain. In October 1987 I arrived from South Africa to commence post grad studies at Oxford. After three months of ever lengthening dark nights and shorter dreary days, my wife and I were struggling. Fortunately my supervisor had warned us that SAD - Seasonal Adjustment Disorder - was a reality. Then in December the whole of Oxford was plunged into shock and horror when one of the academics Rev Gareth Bennett committed suicide. I imagine that if Lakwena had been alive and making her uplifting and public art in Oxford around that time as an antidote to depression, perhaps that tragedy may have been prevented. I am also struck by her use of colours that are so typical of African flags. So good to see a fellow African 'colonizing' Britain but with uplifting art that celebrates our shared humanity and hope. Oh, the good news is that since my wife and I had to stay indoors and really get to know one another, our darling first born Samuel, was conceived in Oxford. That unexpected joy put paid to my ambitions to graduate at Oxford. We returned to South Africa and finished the studies here at University of Cape Town. That was a generation ago. Sam turns 36 next month. 🥰
Just loved this episode, really resonated. Thanks and keep up the good work Elizabeth! May I make a suggestion for a future gues, when this particular season is over? The Irish author and journalist Mary Kenny - a very interesting lady.
I so relate to Lakwena's experience of leaving sunny Africa for dull grey Britain. In October 1987 I arrived from South Africa to commence post grad studies at Oxford. After three months of ever lengthening dark nights and shorter dreary days, my wife and I were struggling. Fortunately my supervisor had warned us that SAD - Seasonal Adjustment Disorder - was a reality. Then in December the whole of Oxford was plunged into shock and horror when one of the academics Rev Gareth Bennett committed suicide.
I imagine that if Lakwena had been alive and making her uplifting and public art in Oxford around that time as an antidote to depression, perhaps that tragedy may have been prevented.
I am also struck by her use of colours that are so typical of African flags. So good to see a fellow African 'colonizing' Britain but with uplifting art that celebrates our shared humanity and hope.
Oh, the good news is that since my wife and I had to stay indoors and really get to know one another, our darling first born Samuel, was conceived in Oxford. That unexpected joy put paid to my ambitions to graduate at Oxford. We returned to South Africa and finished the studies here at University of Cape Town. That was a generation ago. Sam turns 36 next month. 🥰
Just loved this episode, really resonated. Thanks and keep up the good work Elizabeth! May I make a suggestion for a future gues, when this particular season is over? The Irish author and journalist Mary Kenny - a very interesting lady.
Great 👌
I wish this was longer. Lakwena is wonderful and I'm glad you had her on.
More of the same, Elizabeth❤.
She was really great! Thanks for watching 🙏
It's so easy for the bourgeois and privileged to be 'subversive' in their own heads.