Dorcas Maphakela

Dorcas Maphakela is a multidisciplinary creative combining writing, visual arts and holistic well-being advocacy in her practice. She is a South African-born Mopedi woman who relocated to Australia by choice in 2007 and became a citizen in 2012. She studied Fine Arts at the University of Johannesburg and holds a Master of Arts in Writing from Swinburne University of Technology. Dorcas is also a TV presenter, public speaker and founder and producer of the Antenna Award-winning OZ AFRICAN TV (OATV). Her work was acknowledged with a Media Award from the Victorian Multicultural Commission for “outstanding reporting on issues of importance to diverse communities and reporting which contributes to Victoria’s cross-cultural understanding” (VMC).

Dorcas Maphakela's Latest Articles

Two panels. On the left is Eugen Bacon, a black woman with cropped hair wearing a cream top. On the right is the cover of her book "A Place between Waking and Forgetting." It features an illustration of a landscape i nshades of brown, yellow and orange.
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Book review: A Place Between Waking and Forgetting, Eugen Bacon

Speculative fiction that incorporates elements of African culture and folklore.

Two panels. On the left is of a curly haired woman smiling. On the right is the cover of her book 'Half Truth' that features an illustration of a curly hair woman with a red dress, There are no features on her face.
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Book review: Half Truth, Nadia Mahjouri

From Tasmania to Morocco, two women search for the truth about one man.

A black and white photo of two men, the comedian Jack Docherty and David Bowie.
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Comedy review: Jack Docherty: David Bowie & Me: Parallel Lives, The Westin, MICF 2025

A blend of humour and heartfelt storytelling that reflects on a lifelong admiration for David Bowie.

Two panels. On the left is photo of Eugen Bacon. On the right is the cover of her book, 'Afro-Centered Futurisms in Our Speculative Fiction' with features a profile illustration of a black woman.
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Book review: Afro-Centered Futurisms in Our Speculative Fiction, Eugen Bacon (editor)

Essays on Black speculative fiction speaks to evolving discourses about identity.

In the production of 'Ilarun' a black woman in white, with a white turban, is sitting down wit h her arms apart. On the right is a tuft of plants.
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Theatre review: ILARUN: The Cutting Comb, fortyfivedownstairs

A story of decolonised power based on a 18th century Jamaican matriarch.

Two panels. On the left is author Santilla Chingaipe who is wearing a green and white dress. On the right is her book cover, 'Black Convicts", which is all in black with white font.
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Book review: Black Convicts, Santilla Chingaipe

Australia's trade in hidden slavery exposed.

An Aboriginal man in a silver costume has a moon like headdress and carries a lit sphere on a pole. Emu in the Sun, Blak in the Room.
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Theatre review: Blak in the Room, Southbank Theatre

Three short plays offer 'the gift of hearing our stories' from First Nations playwrights and creatives.

Photos of two Māori women with chin tattoos.
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Exhibition review: Māreikura-Ka rere te rongoā | the medicine flows, Immigration Museum 

A multimedia exhibition that showcases the strength of the Māori matriarchy.

Two panels. On the left is a smiling woman, Jumaana Abdu, wearing a taupe and white hijab. On the right is the cover of her novel, Translations, which features a woman also wearing a head veil. Her face is overlaid with some intricate patterns.
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Book review: Translations, Jumaana Abdu

A psychological journey that canvasses the depths of identity and trauma and explores the gaps of language.

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Theatre review: The Heart Whispers and Whirls, Shirley Burke Theatre

A multidisciplinary ensemble of international women sharing their heritage through poetry, folk songs, dance and shadow puppetry.

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