‘Beyond Mayibuye’ advances peace & heritage in Southern Africa

‘Beyond Mayibuye’ advances peace & heritage through youth-focused, liberation-themed education in Southern Africa

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is proud to announce the launch of Phase 2 of the programme Beyond Mayibuye: Southern African National Liberation Movements Heritage | Museums and Cultural Centres as Places of Learning, which aims to preserve and activate the heritage of national liberation movements in Southern Africa. By centering young people in conversations about history, memory, and identity, the programme seeks to build bridges between generations while fostering a deeper understanding of shared struggles for freedom. Through the upcoming publication of a toolkit as well as workshops, collaborative exchanges and exhibitions, Beyond Mayibuye empowers youth to reimagine heritage as a living resource for peacebuilding and collective futures.

Launched in partnership with the Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP) and key stakeholders in the region, the second phase of the initiative commenced with the pilot of the new toolkit Beyond Mayibuye | Co-Creation with the Public during the Sonic Solidarities Incubator, hosted by the Livingstone Office for Contemporary Art (LoCA) in Zambia between 19 and 22 August 2025. The incubator brought together artists, curators, historians, thinkers, and change-makers from across the globe for meaningful exchanges that help shape critical artistic frameworks in Zambia. During this phase, the Beyond Mayibuye | Co-Creation with the Public toolkit will also be piloted at Mafalala Museum (Mozambique), Apartheid Museum (South Africa), and National Gallery of Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe) in September and October, culminating in the development of one-of-a-kind participatory educational programmes in each locale. 

The toolkit is designed for cultural institutions to promote intergenerational transmission on the liberation movements, and it contains best practices, potential activities, and resources to inspire innovative and participatory educational programmes.  

“Culture is who we are and cannot be separated from sustainable development, as both are crucial in shaping our societies and environments for present and future generations. UNESCO remains committed to exploring collaborative and innovative ways to further arts and culture education in the Southern African region for the protection and transmission of this important heritage and history,” says Nisha, Director of Office and UNESCO Representative to Southern Africa.

This new phase deepens engagement with young people by equipping institutions to deliver novel educational programmes that reconnect communities with the values, struggles, and stories of the liberation era, in the spirit of “Mayibuye”, a word in several Bantu languages that embodies the ethos of restoration, resurrection, and revival. By transforming museums and cultural centres into dynamic spaces for intergenerational learning, dialogue, and reflection, the initiative promotes social cohesion, critical historical consciousness, and a sense of shared identity rooted in dignity and resilience.

"Our partnership with UNESCO and in Beyond Mayibuye reflects Javett-UP’s commitment to shaping spaces where art, heritage, and education converge to inspire social change. By working with youth and regional partners, we are not only preserving histories of liberation but also empowering the next generation to imagine futures grounded in peace, justice, and collective memory," commented Javett-UP’s Acting CEO, Jackie Rens.

Beyond Mayibuye invites communities, educators, and youth across Southern Africa to embrace the vital role of cultural heritage in peacebuilding and civic education. 

IMAGES https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1slw4dFTFXwwhmWdGOF0BwZXsjuEveRP9?usp=drive_link