My creative practice takes place on the lands of the Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri Woiwurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation. I pay my respects to their Elders past and present, their ancestors and families, acknowledging their deep and ongoing spiritual connection to Country. I extend my respects to Wathaurong Waddawurrung peoples, whose lands I was birthed and raised upon that have deeply shaped me and my experiences.

I acknowledge Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri custodianship of the lands, waterways and skies that I continue to live, work and benefit from, recognising that sovereignty was never ceded. I come with an intention to deepen my understanding of ancestral pathways as a diasporic being, while sharing, learning and creating on unceded lands (Melbourne, Australia).

I extend this acknowledgement and pay my respects to peer African and Indigenous peoples across the globe viewing this website.

Remembering District Six

Single channel HD video, duration 12:52 mins.

District Six, a once thriving community that bordered Cape Town's central business district in South Africa, was home to many diverse communities that lived together. Since the fall of Apartheid, many are still fighting for restitution. The National Party who implemented the Apartheid regime, described an area like District Six as a breeding ground for “slums” and “radical thought” justifying their need to eradicate such areas in order to maintain their vision of White Supremacy. The Group Areas Act of 1950 demarcated and enforced removals of residence, based on race and class. These laws affected my family and millions of African people, who not only lived in District Six, but throughout the country. District Six was only one of thousands of places that experienced forced removals throughout South Africa. Apartheid law, though officially ceased, continues to bear its repercussions, leaving behind legacies of problematic social 'race' constructs, economic loss, political and psychological damage that continues on the continent and within the diaspora.

In the case of District Six, a community of at least 60,000 people were forced to say goodbye and the town was bulldozed and demolished. South Africa's government post-Apartheid planned to rebuild homes in the area intended for residents who were affected to return, but much of the land continues to remain barren, rubble lay for many years since 1966, leaving a constant visual scar and reminder.

‍Remembering District Six (2016-2018) documents community protest and residents gathering on the 50th anniversary of District Six forced goodbyes (February 11, 1966). This video work serves as a document of resilience, strength and self-determination, not only for District Six former residents, but South Africa's wider communities of Indigenous, African and Afro-Asian peoples who were affected immensely by Apartheid law within colonial imperialism, and the ongoing fight for land and restitution.

Video produced by Roberta Joy Rich.
Edited by Lyndon Campbell, Roberta Joy Rich.
Speaker: Bonita Bennett, Director of District Six Museum.
Interviews with District Six former residents, community supporters and Moegamat Benjamin.
Music by Wise Men of the East, Anwar Gambeno's Cape Traditional Singers.
Camera: Lyndon Campbell, Roberta Joy Rich.

Special thanks to The District Six Museum & District Six Working Committee for organising and facilitating the 50th year Commemorative event.

Remembering District Six (2016-2018) was first presented in Deny / Denial / Denied at Blak Dot Gallery (2017) and subsequently in Coloured™; Greatmore Studios (2018), WE KOPPEL, WE DALA; Metro Arts (2019), Seventh Cinema; Seventh Gallery (2024) and Everything you can dream of is true at UTP (2024) and WestSpace (2025).

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