Lemn Sissay, a London poet, is proposed to lead a workshop on poetry and public works in Cape Town, South Africa around the time of the 2010 World Cup. The workshop would involve local students and adults working together with Lemn to paint poems on landmarks in the townships to shine a light on lives there beyond just the soccer event. Funding of $5,000 is requested for supplies, Lemn's participation fees, and volunteer expenses. The goal is to create poetic landmarks that will continue inspiring the community long after the World Cup.

1. April 6-9, 2010
Cape Town, S. A.
A day of joy. A day of care.
Poetic Landmark
The
Project.
A proposal to create a township landmark.
creative incubator

2. A poem becomes a landmark when Lemn Sissay is involved. And he is. Lemn, says, “The story
of how I started making my is rooted in the belief that poetry is central to
what we do. Why don’t we see more poetry in the street in the same way that we see sculptor?”
We believed Lemn, a London poet, author, playwright, performer and workshop leader would be a
fascinating addition to this project. He agreed with us. His parents are Ethiopian and Eritrean and
his life is an extraordinary story that he told in his show Something Dark. Check out his website
www.Lemnsissay.com and see some of his wonderful public works—poems that prevail in
many unlikely places.
Also look at his internal flights documentary on youtube to know more of his story.
Lemn has worked in South Africa, abet nothing quite like this. Still, we know, all of us--
you included-- have no fear of new ideas and are champions of great endeavors.
So together we can make a poetic landmark that says so much more than just its words.
Opportunity:
The World Cup of Soccer will be held in South Africa during the summer of 2010. Unquestionably, a spotlight of celebration
and discovery will shine on the country. While the excitement of this event will be shared by people throughout S.A.,
the reality of unemployment, poverty and epidemic HIV will prevail in the townships that bear these heavy burdens.
Nonetheless, spotlights of creativity, caring and meaning can find their way to these everyday places to great success.
For example, WordofArt and their artists have a long history of graffiti style public art projects in Cape Town’s
townships, and the citizens reaction is overwhelming.
Various projects undertaken by WordofArt and Matchboxology have enabled us to learned how to work in and
with these communities. And in doing so, we’ve gotten back something profound--tremendous appreciation from
those who are so often neglected and ignored by everyone but the AIDS workers and beer companies.
So we were thinking. Let’s use the occasion of a worldwide event to shine a light of our own—one that will
continue to brighten lives long after the World Cup is over.
Shine a light.
Concept: When is a poem a landmark?
That is SO COOL! THANK YOU!WOW!
POEMS AS LANDMARKS
P
O
E
M
S
A
S
LANDMARKS

3. That’s the day GrassRootsSoccer, locals and
volunteers come together for our own version
of the World Cup—on a strictly scaled down
version. Our day includes a day of play,
HIV testing and lunch.
a pair of shoes
Objective:
That’s the day Lemn leads the seminar in poetry
and public works and Infectious enthusiasm.
Lemn’s participation fee and per diem.
Approximately USD, plus a contribution of mileage
or a plane fare.
A day of preparation.
What is needed:
A day of joy.
A day of care.
That’s the day of painting.
All of us together.
Lemn, students, adults,
locals…all of us, you included
if you like.
funds for paint, brushes, and
related supplies.
Approximately
$3,000.
unless you’d rather play barefoot.
$5,000.
April 6-9,
2010.
When?
What is needed:
What is needed:

4. Matchboxology is an innovative communication incubator that operates primarily in 2 areas, social initiatives and musicology.
The company is the creative incubator behind the highly acclaimed youth focused South African SCRUTINIZE (Flip HIV to
HI-Victory) mass media and community outreach campaign funded by Pepfar/USAID through Johns Hopkins Health and
Education in South Africa. Matchboxology conceived Footballers 4 Life (F4L): an organization that trains and manages
ex-professional soccer players as Wellness Coaches—leveraging their social influence and popularity to increase the impact of
prevention outreach. Matchboxology were the strategic architects and remain the chief creative partner partner for the Levi’s®
Red For Life initiative — a public/private partnership in South Africa with PSI, USAID & Johns Hopkins that has successfully
leveraged the significant social influence of the Levi Strauss brand via mass media, branded mobile testing and events to educate
and promote VCT and behavior change amongst young adults. This programme has been featured on CNN & BBC and at the
International AIDS Conferences in Montreal and Mexico City.
Matchboxology has further depth of experience in HIV/Aids having produced campaigns such as New Start and A Man Knows
as well as working with 46664, World Bank, UNHCR, UNAIDS, the Desmond Tutu Foundation and the Western Cape Dept. of
Health. The senior Matchboxology team members also have experience successfully marketing men specific campaigns for brands
such as Mercedes Benz, Hansa Pilsner, Bavaria Lager and MTN (as Executive Creative Directors/ Writers for all).
Matchboxology harnesses its wide network of connections to artists, comedians, and creative communications professionals
to bring to life campaigns that leverage star-power to create human connections via clear-cut and honest messaging.
The company utilizes its global expertise in to devise strategic marketing that delivers high-impact communication and
branding– taking campaigns into a space where people not only recognize the slogans but incorporate their messages into their
daily life and language.
Cal at www.matchboxology.com or
Margy at margywords@gmail.com for further information,
your financial contribution or giving of your time to paint.
Please contact
Profile
c
Cal Bruns Chief Creative Incubationist
Jason Coetzee Detail Director
Lemn Sissay Guest Director of Poetry
Mushumbi Mutuma Project Manager
Shakira Raj-Coomar Finance Manager
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Who?