A TUG OF MEMORY: TWENTY-ONE YEARS IN THE KAROO
Chris Marais and Julienne du Toit, photojournalists and independent publishers
Friday 30 January 1.00 pm COURSE FEES R115; Staff and students R58
In their twenty-one years of criss-crossing the Karoo in all seasons, in times of drought and flood, the lecturers have met and written about hundreds of people living there. In their writing they often bring long-dead characters, their achievements and adventures, back to life. This lecture is a nostalgic journey into the Karoo space and story archives, as well as a celebration of their dedication to a region that many once thought was dry, empty and devoid of any interesting features. Today, of course, the word ‘Karoo’ evokes feelings of warmth, adventure and a welcome escape from the pressures of urban life.
Recommended reading
Marais, C and Du Toit, J. 2011. Karoo Keepsakes I and II. South Africa: MLM Publishers.
Marais, C and Du Toit, J. 2016. Road Tripper: Eastern Cape Karoo. South Africa: MLM Publishers. Marais, C and Du Toit, J. 2018. Moving to the Platteland: Life in Small Town South Africa. South Africa:
MLM Publishers.
Marais, C and Du Toit, J. 2020. Karoo Roads: Tales from South Africa’s Heartland, I–IV. South Africa: MLM Publishers.
TO BOOK: https://www.webtickets.co.za/performance.aspx?itemid=1575301950
Photojournalists Chris Marais and Julienne du Toit have carved out a unique niche as Karoo storytellers, photojournalists, publishers, and teachers.
Based in the small Eastern Cape town of Cradock, this husband-and-wife duo has spent over two decades traversing the dusty backroads of the Karoo, capturing its essence through their website, Karoo Space, and a series of acclaimed books. Their work is a love letter to the Heartland of South Africa, blending vivid narratives, evocative photography, and a deep respect for the people, places, and stories that define this arid region.