Exploring the Iyatsiba Lab: Art, Humanities, and the Future of Post-Apartheid Freedom

​Join a special visit to the Greatmore Iyatsiba Lab, facilitated by Professor Premesh Lalu, former director of the Centre for Humanities Research (CHR) and author of Undoing Apartheid. This event, part of Design Week South Africa, offers an exclusive opportunity to explore how the University of the Western Cape has broken through spatial and intellectual barriers in Cape Town by renovating a once derelict school building. This bold step brings together the arts, humanities, and public scholarship in a space dedicated to innovation and collaboration.

The CHR’s Iyatsiba Lab, redesigned by Wolff Architects, houses several creative initiatives, including the Laboratory of Kinetic Objects (LoKO), home to Ukwanda Puppetry and Design Art Collective, a Documentary Film Training Programme with Emmy Award-winner Francois Verster, and a Sound and New Media Programme. These initiatives reflect the CHR’s commitment to fostering international collaborations and building a democratic public sphere through advanced research and arts education.

This visit will provide a rare insight into the Iyatsiba Lab's role as a nexus for youth mobility and an incubator for artists and scholars across both urban and rural landscapes. Professor Lalu will share the story of the Iyatsiba Lab, linking it to South Africa's history of the physical and human sciences, and guiding attendees through the exciting projects and future directions emerging from this dynamic space.

The visit is scheduled for the 26th of October at 2:00 PM in Woodstock, with only 20 spots available. Don’t miss this chance to engage with cutting-edge humanities research and arts education!