Goethe-Institut Johannesburg

Abdullah Ibrahim (1934–2026)

Over the past days since the passing of Abdullah Ibrahim, a giant whose music carried the soul of South Africa across the world, we reflect on the sonic legacy. As we listen to Green Kalahari, Soweto, and Mannenberg, our thoughts go back to his concerts in 2010, together with the German public broadcaster WDR's Big Band here in South Africa, just before the World Cup started in South Africa.
Abdullah Ibrahim was more than a pianist, composer, and bandleader. He was a cultural custodian, a spiritual seeker, and one of the most profound artistic voices our nation has ever produced. He passed away in Bavaria, his chosen place to live and compose, at the age of 91 after a remarkable career spanning more than seven decades.

Born in District Six, Cape Town, as Adolph Johannes Brand, he transformed the sounds of his childhood the church hymns, Cape rhythms, township melodies, and jazz traditions into a musical language that spoke to people across continents. Through his music, South Africa found one of its most eloquent storytellers.
Exiled from his homeland, he carried South Africa with him wherever he went. From the clubs of Europe to the concert halls of New York, he introduced the world to a distinctly African voice in jazz.

Those who encountered Abdullah Ibrahim often spoke not only of his genius but of his humility. His performances possessed a rare stillness and depth. He understood that music was not merely entertainment; it was a form of reflection and healing. Through every note, he invited us to listen more carefully to ourselves, to one another, and to the world around us.
South Africa has lost a cultural treasure, but his music remains.

Hamba kahle, Abdullah Ibrahim.
May your journey be peaceful.

Abdullah Ibrahim & WDR Big Band. Photo: WDR.

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The Southern Africa Component Entanglement Workshops continued in Botswana 🇧🇼 adding another layer to an ongoing regional conversation on how heritage is shaped, shared and reimagined through collaboration.

Following a series of exchanges across the region, the Botswana workshop became a space where ideas were not only shared but also tested through interaction as participants engaged directly with each other’s practices, questions and emerging creative directions.

What emerged was a clearer sense of how heritage work is being rethought through collaboration not as isolated projects but as connected processes shaped by dialogue, critique and shared experience.

Across disciplines and geographies, new relationships were formed while existing ones deepened, contributing to a growing network of practitioners and custodians of various knowledge systems committed to co-creating more inclusive and responsive heritage narratives in the region.

Photography by: VYB Digital

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WikipediaZA Meetups

📅 Every 3rd Saturday
Date: 20 June 2026
Time: 10:30 – 12:30
📍 Goethe-Institut Johannesburg
119 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood
Johannesburg, 2193
💸 Free & open to everyone

About the Meetup
Wikipedia meetups are friendly community gatherings where people come together to connect, share ideas, and improve free knowledge. Whether online or in person, anyone can join, no permission needed!

What to Expect
At this Johannesburg meetup, we’ll explore:
• Wikimedia South Africa projects & programs
• Local, African & global Wikimedia initiatives
• Open discussions & Q&A about Wikipedia and sister platforms

Why Join?
This is a space to learn, collaborate, and engage with everything Wikipedia:
• Discover how Wikipedia works
• Learn about Wikimedia South Africa
• Ask questions about editing & contributing
• Hear about upcoming events
• Join occasional training & edit sessions

Who Can Attend?
Everyone! Beginners, experienced editors, researchers, or anyone curious about Wikipedia.

Quick Terms
• Wikipedians = people who edit and maintain Wikipedia
• Wikimedians = contributors across all Wikimedia projects (Wikipedia, Commons, Wikidata, etc.)

📧 [email protected]

Das Goethe-Institut Südafrika freut sich, die Bewerbung zur Teilnahme an der Deutschlehrer*innentagung Südliches Afrika 2026 zu eröffnen.

Vom 6. bis 8. November 2026 kommen Deutschlehrkräfte aus dem südlichen Afrika zusammen, um sich über aktuelle Entwicklungen im Bereich Deutsch als Fremdsprache auszutauschen. Die Tagung bietet vielfältige Impulse für die Unterrichtspraxis, fördert die fachliche Vernetzung und eröffnet neue Perspektiven für die Weiterentwicklung des Deutschunterrichts.

Die diesjährige Tagung steht unter dem Motto „In Vielfalt vereint“.

Als regionale Fachtagung richtet sich die Veranstaltung an Deutschlehrkräfte im südlichen Afrika und bietet:
hochwertige methodisch-didaktische Workshops,
aktuelle Erkenntnisse aus der DaF-Forschung,
praxisnahe Ansätze für den Unterricht mit Kindern und Jugendlichen,
sowie Raum für kollegialen Austausch und gemeinsame Reflexion.
Wer kann sich bewerben?

Deutschlehrkräfte aus: Südafrika, Angola, Botswana, Demokratische Republik Kongo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mosambik, Sambia und Simbabwe

Termin

Freitag, 6. November, bis Sonntag, 8. November 2026

Bitte planen Sie:
Anreise: Freitagvormittag (bis ca. 11:00 Uhr)
Abreise: Sonntagnachmittag (ab ca. 15:30 Uhr)
Veranstaltungsort

Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge

Bewerbungszeitraum

15. Juni bis 31. Juli 2026

Wir bitten Sie zudem, ein Abstract zum Motto „In Vielfalt vereint“ einzureichen und sich auf diese Weise aktiv in die Tagung einzubringen; wir werden Ihr Abstract sorgfältig sichten und prüfen, in welchem Format wir Ihren Beitrag im Programm berücksichtigen können.

Detaillierte Informationen zum Bewerbungsverfahren finden Sie im Bewerbungsformular.

Gerne können Sie diese Ausschreibung an interessierte Deutschlehrkräfte in Ihrem Netzwerk weiterleiten.
Wir freuen uns auf zahlreiche Bewerbungen und darauf, Sie im November 2026 bei der Deutschlehrer*innentagung begrüßen zu dürfen.

➡➡https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=VbctA1T2H0OylpOhyHrXXcGzPtfbtXZHq2ZSkzhjcwBUOE5LRFY4WU5JTTNSSEtXN0xWWEEyUkcyWi4u

📝This is your sign to start writing again!

Join us for the Goethe Writing Club Meet-Up and get inspired with a community of dedicated writers!

📅 Date: Thu, 18 June 2026
⏰ Time: 18:30 – 20:30
📍Venue: Goethe-Institut Johannesburg

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, this quarterly meetup is all about growing together, sharing your work, and exploring new writing challenges. Bring your creativity and be ready to dive into fiction!

📌 Submit your piece (up to 3000 words) and join the discussion!
For more info: [email protected]

No time for German? Think again. 🕒🚀

A busy career shouldn’t hold back your professional growth. The Goethe-Institut offers premium German courses designed specifically to adapt to heavy corporate workloads.

🔝GET 30% OFF YOUR GERMAN COURSES TODAY. USE THE CODE: WINTER30

Why top professionals trust our world-renowned academy:

🧩 Smart Modular Learning: Each level is divided into 3 to 4 manageable sub-levels, allowing you to balance career and education seamlessly.
🌐 Tailored Formats: High-impact online training, immersive on-site learning, and corporate packages to upgrade your entire team.
🛡️ The Global Benchmark: Earn prestigious, certified certificates recognized by top-tier employers worldwide.

Turn your language skills into your biggest career asset.

🔗Visit our webshop: https://www.goethe.de/ins/za/en/spr/kur/tup.cfm

🚨 JOB OPPORTUNITY 🚨

The Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture (AEPC) are looking for an Operations Officer in Johannesburg on a full-time basis. The position supports the EU Project Office at the Goethe-Institut South Africa.

The Goethe-Institut is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany with a global reach. We promote and foster international cultural cooperation. The AEPC Office at the Goethe-Institut in Johannesburg regulates the work in the Sub-Saharan countries. Its activities in this region have a special focus on strengthening the pan-African dialogue, and on promoting mobile access to information and education.

Read the full job description, key responsibilities, requirements and how to apply here: https://www.goethe.de/ins/za/de/ueb/kar/ooe.html

Operations Officer - EU Projects in SSA - Goethe-Institut Südafrika Das Goethe-Institut Südafrika sucht zum nächstmöglichen Zeitpunkt zunächst befristet bis zum 31. Juli 2027 eine*n Mitarbeiter*in für die Sprachabteilung. Der Beschäftigungsumfang beträgt 100% (40 Stunden pro Woche).

🎓 SCHOLARSHIP: DLL-Stipendien 2026 - jetzt bewerben!

Für DaF-Lehrkräfte im südlichen Afrika 🌍

📅 Frist: 15. Juni 2026
🚀 Start: September 2026

✅ an Deutschlehrkräfte im südlichen Afrika - Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagaskar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mosambik, Simbabwe, Sambia oder Südafrika
✅ aktive Lehrtätigkeit oder Lehramtsstudierende im Bereich Deutsch & Deutsch als Fremdsprache
✅ mind. B2-Niveau (nach GER)

💡 Erweitere deine Methoden & vernetze dich international!

🔗 Infos & Bewerbung:
https://www.goethe.de/ins/za/de/spr/unt/for/dll.html

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🎓 DLL Scholarships 2026 - Apply now!

For DaF (German as a Foreign Language) teachers in Southern Africa 🌍

📅 Deadline: 15 June 2026
🚀 Start: September 2026

✅ German teachers in Southern Africa - Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Sambia or South Africa
✅ actively teaching or student teachers in German / German as a Foreign Language
✅ minimum B2 level (according to the CEFR)

💡 Improve your teaching methods & connect internationally!

🔗 Info & application:
https://www.goethe.de/ins/za/en/spr/unt/for/dll.html