My journey deep in the country of Northern Kwa Zulu Natal was initially riddled with much uncertainty. My biggest question concerned how the artists traveling from as far as the USA, Berlin and even Johannesburg would manage in ‘isolation’ for two weeks. Would they be self motivated and innovative enough to work with limited materials on hand and the lack of communication, no internet and intermittent cell phone usage.

Tami Jali and Christian Voith had prepared the venue, the food and accommodation thoroughly and with great care; the community of Rorke’s Drift also came out to support them. I was most impressed by the back up from Cape Town; Velile Soha ( a commitee member at Greatmore Studios) presence and organisational skills were invaluable during the workshop . On arrival I realized that the artists would be contained and able to explore the richness of the area historically and creatively.

There was an evening thunder storm, and the opening dinner was moved from the fire outside to the hall which served as the studio for the workshop. Dinner was a wonderful affair that set the tone for the workshop. Old friends, stories, new meetings, observations and questions.”

I had to leave prematurely, but I left with a knowledge that the venue was right, the preparations were in order and very envious of the opportunity available to the artists to create. There was a feeling of originality about the workshop.

Our open day saw David Koloane (trustee at Bag Factory, a sister organization of Greatmore Studios) visiting the studio; Rorke’s Drift alumnae Pat Mautloa (co-director of Bag Factory), Bongi Dhlomo and Vuyile Voyiya spent two days at the end of the workshop with the artists. The final birthing of the workshop was amazing because for years the alumnae had been trying to do something in Natal. David commented that, “The response from all over the continent and abroad was unbelievable, a signal that the Rorke’s Drift Center should not be abandoned but that something can be done, perhaps a residency or something…there is a strong indication that things need to get going there.

Jill Trappler