Pamoja: together change is possible

Pamoja is a new exhibition produced by the Swedish Institute. It is the story of the long relationship of cooperation between Sweden and the countries of southern Africa, and unfolds the international solidarity concerning a shared commitment to decolonisation and national liberation.

The material is primarily aimed at young people between the ages of 18 and 35. It serves as a basis for conversations about today’s global challenges, in order to create a sense of agency and encourage activism. The idea is to inspire young people of today to make the world a better place for all, by telling the story of the anti-apartheid movement and the international solidarity.

Pamoja: together change is possible consists of a photo exhibition of 20 African advocates together with a web platform developed by Liliesleaf Centre of Memory, in collaboration with the Swedish embassies and representatives in Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The platform will be launched locally by the embassies.

In September, The Swedish embassy in Pretoria hosted the very first digital launch of the exhibition. Shortly thereafter, the embassy together with Artscape Theatre Center in Cape Town presented a hybrid version with a panel discussion and jazz music.

– The conversations were very inspiring, and we have come away feeling very proud of being able to represent the fight for democracy and human rights carried out by so many Swedes and their South African friends and partners during the struggle. In 2022 we will continue our work with a collaboration with University of Pretoria, says Ami Larsson Jain, Deputy Head of Mission at Embassy of Sweden in South Africa.

The photo exhibition will remain on display at Artscape until December. During the autumn and winter the launching tour will continue in Johannesburg, Harare and Maputo.

Liliesleaf Centre of Memory
Liliesleaf is one of South Africa’s foremost national heritage sites. Between 1961 and 1963, Liliesleaf served as the secret headquarters of the ANC, SACP, Umkhonto we Sizwe and the Congress Alliance.
Today, Liliesleaf is home to exhibitions that tell the story of the journey to democracy in South Africa. It enables visitors to recall the country’s stories and events through interactive exhibitions, ensuring that this period in South Africa’s recent history is preserved for current and future generations.

Learn more about the toolkit Pamoja: together change is possible on Sharing Sweden