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). She is the co-founder of Yo CiTY, a platform that champions the culturally diverse experience through Art & music. 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

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.

Against red drapes stands a dark-haired woman wearing lacey, black underwear-style clothing.
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Theatre review: Apologia, Malthouse Theatre

Reality and surrealism collide in one woman's fantasy of wanting to be a French actress.

Two panels. On the left is a smiling woman with brown hair, lavender coloured glasses and a lavender top. On the right is the title and author of the book in white font ('Dirrayawadha' and Anita Heiss) over a sunset treescape.
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Book review: Dirrayawadha, Anita Heiss

The prolific author returns to the Frontier Wars in this epic Australian fiction.

A woman wearing a cardboard crown. She has a black top over a light blue skivvy. La Belle Epoque.
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Theatre review: La Belle Epoque, Theatre Works

A multimedia play that interweaves different art forms to tell the story of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Two panels. The left shows a photo of an Asian woman with long black hair, wearing a white dress and carrying a pink rose. The right panel shows the book cover of 'Safe' Space, which is pink.
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Book review: Safe Space, Alyssa Huynh

A memoir that tracks the author's lived experience with racism as an Asian-Australian woman.

Muhubo Sulieman. Photo: Supplied. A young woman wearing a colourful purple, pink and yellow headscarf, sitting on the grass and weaving. She is in a joyful mood, smiling and working.
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Fashioning a memory

Discover the hidden tales of African diasporic textile artists that reveal unique cultural influences and creative processes.

Dirt Poor Islanders. Image on left is an author shot from the thighs up of a young Islander woman all in black with long black hair and her arms crossed in front of her against a red backdrop. On the right is a book cover of an empty yellow drink can with pink flowers wound around it. Winnie Dunn.
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Book review: Dirt Poor Islanders, Winnie Dunn

Winnie Dunn's debut is the first novel to explore the diffusion of a Tongan-Australian culture.

Jennifer Wong. Image is a headshot of a smiling woman of Asian appearance wearing glasses. She has long dark hair and a side parting, plus a pink shirt. Her head is slightly tilted to the right.
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Comedy review: Jennifer Wong: The Sweet and Sour Hour Power, Chinese Museum, MICF 2024

A night of clever puns and interactive fun.

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