The Unforgettable Journey: Durban Dialogues Then And Now

Since its inception, the Durban Dialogues has been a platform for thought-provoking conversations, diverse perceptions, and dynamic discussions. This international event has played a significant role in shaping societal norms, politics, and cultural narratives, making it an influential milestone for people from all walks of life.

The Birth of Durban Dialogues

It all began in the beautiful coastal city of Durban, South Africa, back in the early 1990s. Emerging from an era of political unrest and racial segregation, the country experienced a transformative period, marked by the end of apartheid and the beginning of democracy.

During this crucial time, Durban Dialogues emerged as an inclusive space for individuals, activists, and intellectuals to discuss topics vital to the nation's future. It aimed to bridge societal gaps, establish understanding, and foster a sense of unity among diverse communities fighting against historic injustices.

Durban Dialogues, Then and Now

by Lindsay Price(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2342 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	145 pages
Item Weight	:	3.2 ounces
Paperback	:	28 pages
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.07 x 11 inches

FREE

The discourse during the early Durban Dialogues centered around critical issues such as racial equality, social justice, reconciliation, and economic empowerment. It was a time when individuals could openly express their opinions, challenge established power structures, and envision a fairer and more inclusive society.

Evolving Discussions: Durban Dialogues Today

Fast forward to the present day, and the Durban Dialogues has evolved to address the ever-changing dynamics of our globalized world. While the core principles of equality and justice remain, the topics of discussion now encompass a broader range of societal, environmental, and technological issues.

The once local event has transformed into a global platform, attracting renowned speakers, influential leaders, and visionary change-makers from around the world. Attendees can now benefit from a diverse pool of ideas, experiences, and perspectives, enriching the depth and scope of conversation.

Contemporary Durban Dialogues focus on pressing issues like climate change, cybersecurity, gender equality, sustainable development, and artificial intelligence. It showcases the intersectionality of these topics, highlighting how each aspect connects and influences the overall progress of humanity.

Impact on Societal Transformation

The Durban Dialogues has undeniably played a pivotal role in shaping societal transformation throughout the years. It has initiated groundbreaking debates that have led to policy changes, influenced government actions, and empowered marginalized communities.

Conversations sparked within Durban Dialogues have helped break down barriers, challenge prejudices, and encourage empathy among individuals from different backgrounds. Such dialogues have fostered understanding, collaboration, and collective action, empowering participants to become agents of change within their respective communities.

The power of Durban Dialogues also lies in its ability to inspire the younger generation. By sharing inspiring stories, providing mentorship opportunities, and inviting youth to actively contribute, the event cultivates future leaders passionate about social justice, sustainable development, and creating a more equitable world.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Durban Dialogues

As the world rapidly evolves, so too do the challenges we face. The future of Durban Dialogues lies in continuing to adapt to these changes, facilitating discussions on emerging issues, and harnessing the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change.

With technological advancements enabling greater connectivity and accessibility, the Durban Dialogues has the potential to reach even more individuals across the globe, amplifying their voices and fostering collective efforts to tackle global challenges.

, the Durban Dialogues has transformed over the years, from its humble beginnings in the early 1990s to a significant global platform of ideas and social change. This incredible journey showcases the power of dialogue, empathy, and collective action to shape our world for the better.

As we reflect on the past and look towards the future, one thing remains clear – the Durban Dialogues will continue to be a beacon of hope, driving conversations that challenge the status quo, nurture inclusive communities, and inspire generations to come.

Durban Dialogues, Then and Now

by Lindsay Price(Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2342 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	145 pages
Item Weight	:	3.2 ounces
Paperback	:	28 pages
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.07 x 11 inches

FREE

A fine collection of contemporary plays by one of South Africa's leading playwrights.

The plays selected, namely Into the Grey, Shooting and Swing cover topics such as social activism, the death of a friend and discrimination in sport. Described through Singh’s satirical lens, these thought-provoking plays bring us up to date with the challenges of life in post-Apartheid South Africa. They focus particularly on people of Indian origin and their relationships with other South African communities and chart the loss of ideals in the dream of the Rainbow nation.

Includes:
Into the Grey: A harrowing drama depicting the twenty-nine year association between two Durban activists who battle a variety of challenges as their country stumbles towards a bleak future.

Shooting: A one-man play about the unchanging paradigm in Durban’s small town communities in the early years of democracy as a football prodigy’s dream is brutally shattered.

Swing: A two-hander about the relationship between a mixed-race Durban tennis player and her father/coach as they confront many obstacles in a society which undervalues the girl-child.

With a foreword by director Ralph Lawson and by Pranav Joshipura, Associate Professor of English, Mahila College, Gandhinagar, India.
A follow-up anthology of three hard-hitting plays to Singh’s successful drama anthology Durban Dialogues, Indian Voice (2013) which is now studied internationally.

“Ashwin Singh’s plays, working in a contemporary idiom and style and context, become a place for us to set up house, to inhabit, a place filled with humour, compassion and insight. They categorically signal a disposition not to remain silent, not to remain indifferent, prompting us and nudging us to make choices about how we live in our world.” Dr Betty Govinden, KZN Literary Tourism

“The ability to capture the lives and communities of Durban with both pathos and humour resonates in all Singh’s works. The plays pay tribute to the city’s cultural and aesthetic beauty but they also expose its underbelly of crime, corruption and racial tension.” Estelle Sinkins, Weekend Witness

“As with his To House and Spice ‘n Stuff, Shooting author Ashwin Singh tackles his subjects head-on, using his considerable writing skills to blend important historical and contemporary issues with entertainment.” Caroline Smart, The Mercury

About the author

Ashwin Singh is an attorney, academic, playwright, director and actor. His first anthology of plays, Durban Dialogues, Indian Voice was published in 2013 by Aurora Metro Books. The book is being studied and/or referenced at a variety of universities in South Africa, India, Canada and Europe. Singh has also been published as a playwright in the collective anthologies, New South African Plays (Aurora Metro Books, 2006) and the Catalina Collection (Catalina UnLtd, 2013). He is also a published poet and academic author.

Singh is a three-time national award winner via the PANSA Playreading Festival (the country’s foremost playwriting contest) with his plays To House (2003); Duped (2005); and Reoca Light (2012). He is also a respected stage and radio actor, having performed in a number of dramatic and comic productions.

Singh also played a lead role in award winning UK director James Brown’s short film about child abuse, One Wedding and a Funeral.