As a prologue four young artists take us into the ideas, emotions and dreams of the youth of contemporary Cape Town. From this entry point, the Fallist activists let us dive into the first spectacular year of the Fallist movement that changed the South African universities and society forever. The story begins with a statue of the former colonialist and Prime Minister of the Cape Colony, Cecil Rhodes, overlooking the University of Cape Town. A black student throws faeces from his Township at the statue to protest the racism and elitism still looming at the university and in South African society. A whole generation of students begin to stir. Within weeks, students of color rise to protest white supremacy at universities across the nation, including Phakamani, Mickey, Wandile and Anzio. They want to get rid of apartheid legacies once and for all, with the campaign RhodesMustFall.

It's not long before the students realize that the issue of race in South Africa is strongly interlinked with class period. Phakamani, a youth from the poorest township outside Cape Town, begins to fight for free education for everyone through #FeesMustFall. South Africa is the most unequal society in the world, and most black youth, who make up the majority of the country’s population, could never afford higher education. Now they are confronting the state itself; violent encounters with university security, police and the army descend on these impassioned youth. 

Content advisory: contains some scenes with violence and course language

Please join us for the Art of Fallism discussion

Time: Mar 11, 2022 11:30 AM Eastern Time

Join Zoom Meeting https://carleton-ca.zoom.us/j/98192531110