On February 11, Millennium bim, in partnership with the Franco-Mozambican Cultural Center (CCFM) and the Mozambican-German Cultural Center (CCMA), inaugurated the exhibition "Madjoni-Djoni - Portraits of Mozambican Miners and Families in South Africa", by Mozambican artist Nuno Silas.

The exhibition, supported by Millennium bim as part of its "More Mozambique for Me" Social Responsibility program, explores the history of Mozambican labor migration to South Africa and the impact of this experience on the country's cultural identity.

In a multidisciplinary approach, integrating photography, painting, installation and video, the exhibition offers a comprehensive view of the reality of Mozambican miners since the 19th century. The work of Nuno Silas, an artist born in Maputo in 1988, highlights not only the harsh conditions to which these workers were subjected, but also the strategies of resistance and cultural reinvention that emerged in this context.

Memory and Identity on the Move

The exhibition revisits the migration of Mozambicans to South African mines, motivated by the search for better living conditions and, in certain historical periods, to escape military conscription. During the Apartheid regime, these workers faced extreme exploitation and racial segregation, but also developed their own ways of preserving their identity, such as the Makwayela dance, a symbol of resistance and belonging.

Through images and interactive installations, "Madjoni-Djoni" does not limit itself to a historical record, but opens up space for reflection on the contemporary impacts of migration and the struggle for dignity and recognition.

For Moisés Jorge , PCA of Millennium bim, supporting this exhibition reinforces the Bank's mission to value the art and history of Mozambique: "Supporting this exhibition is a way of giving visibility to the narratives that have shaped our country and continue to influence our society. The portraits of the miners and their families portray a fundamental part of our history, highlighting the challenges and contributions of Mozambicans in the diaspora. We feel honoured to contribute to this legacy being told and recognized, reinforcing our role in promoting essential cultural debates."

Following the exhibition, a conference was held entitled "Migration and Resistance Movements: The Journey and the Challenges". The event, moderated by Nuno Silas, was attended by artists, academics and researchers from various fields, including literature, music, cinema and anthropology, to debate the dynamics of migration and the forms of resistance that arise in this process. With an interdisciplinary approach, the conference was an opportunity to reflect on the cultural, social and political impacts of migration, both in the countries of origin and destination.

The exhibition "Madjoni-Djoni - Portraits of Mozambican Miners and Families in South Africa" will be open to the public at the CCFM and CCMA from Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., until March 29, 2025.