Roger Lucey

Roger Lucey (born 1954) is a musician, journalist, film maker, actor and educator who was born in South Africa. In the late 1970s and early 1980s his early career as a musician was destroyed by Paul Erasmus of the South African Special Branch, because the lyrics to Lucey's protest songs were considered a threat to the Apartheid State. Although already aware of his anti-apartheid songs, the South African Government's security apparatus only swung into action to destroy Lucey's career after he performed a radical song in a programme on Voice of America radio. The criminal methods used against Lucey formed part of the testimony given by Paul Erasmus in front of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission.^[1]^[2]

Master of Arts in Liberal Studies. Duke University, North Carolina, USA. 2010.

Director of Documentaries. Etv. Etv is a national broadcaster in South Africa. 2007 - 2009. “Aria del Africa” is a film about the changing face of opera in South Africa. It cover the lives of two young opera singers from poverty stricken parts of the country as they prepare for their first professional production. “The Road to Then and Now” cover the journey of photographer Paul Weinberg as he collects and collates a unique photographic collection in the country. Featuring the work of eight prominent hotographers. “Leading Like Mandela” a look at the six principles of leadership that have distinguished Nelson Mandela. “Mandela” a five part series on the life of Nelson Mandela. “Desmond Tutu” a two hour biographical documentary.

Director of IA Pictures, a division of Interalios investments. IA pictures is a production company specialising in the production of documentaries and training videos. July 2003 to present.

“Guardians of the Bow”. The film covers a unique collaboration and tour of four musicians from Brazil, Angola and Portugal. It is to premier at the Durban International Film Festival in 2005. “The Accidental Busker”, shot in Italy in 2000. It is the story of a musical journey through Italy and premiered at Durban International Film Festival 2004. “Dead Tide”, a documentary about the fishing industry in Mozambique. It is currently being used as an educational film at Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo. It is soon to be screened on SABC Africa.

Trainer and Mentor for Media Institute of Southern Africa. From May to June 2006 conducted training courses in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique and Durban. The courses were run in collaboration with the Centre for Creative Arts at UKZN.

Since 2002 have conducted short courses and semesters at Rhodes U, University of Cape Town, Durban Institute of Technology and Helderberg College in video production and media studies. Was a mentor for Cue TV (Rhodes University Journalism Department) in both 2003 and 2004. External examiner for the Rhodes Journalism department in 2002,2003 and 2004. Conducted courses in 2003 and 2004 in practical television production. In 2004 conducted Master classes in digital television production for Natal Technikon students as part of the Durban International Film Festival. In 2002/4/5/6 conducted guest lectureships and practical training courses for UCT’s media studies department.

Training consultant to SABC News, 2003 to 2004. Founder, producer and presenter of “e Arts”, an arts programme for e news. January 2001 to June 2002. Production Manager e-News, January 1999 to December 2001. Field Producer for Wild Things, a US wildlife series for the ABC network. 1997. Cape Town Bureau Chief/Deputy SA Bureau Chief for Worldwide Television News (WTN). January 1990 to September 1995. Senior camera operator/producer for WTN Johannesburg. July 1985 to December 1989. Freelance sound recordist for ITN, WTN, BBC and ABC News. August 1982 to June 1985. Senior sound engineer and manager at Prosound, a professional sound reinforcement company specialising in concerts, studio applications and stadium PA systems. June 1981 to July 1982.

Musician / songwriter / composer Extensive work as a musician, recording five albums of my own songs. Composer of music for several documentaries and plays. Currently part of the Song Riders concept performing frequently around South Africa. Recently toured Namibia and South Africa playing guitar, keyboard, saxophone, flute and percussion.

Notable recent performances include: Freemuse fundraising concert, Nelson Music Room, Duke University 2009. Performance at the Museum of World Culture,Goteborg Sweden 2008 Fourth International Gathering on Freedom of Expression. Istanbul 2006. Wordfest. National Festival of the Arts, Grahamstown. 2006 Awesome Africa 2005/6 Durban International film Festival 2003/4 Zanzibar Festival of the Arts 2003 Second International Conference on Music and Censorship, Copenhagen 2003 Third International Gathering on Freedom of Expression, Istanbul, 2003 Songs published in Prof Michael Chapmans “ Anthology of South African Poetry “ 2003 Mundos World Music Festival, Emilio Romano, Italy 2002 Ferarra International Buskers Festival, Italy 2001 Awesome Africa Music Festival, Durban 2000/1/2 Poetry Africa Festival 2000

Actor/ playwright/ writer Extensive work as voice artist on commercials and documentary films. Actor on commercials, both local and international, and performer in films, drama series and plays. Worked with Nicolas Ellenbogen and Theatre for Africa. Writer of two plays for Theatre for Africa; “The High Cost of Living” directed by Andrew Brent, and “Newsroom” directed by Nicolas Ellenbogen. Both premiered at the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown. Writer of several articles on news related stories. An article on the conflict in Chechnya (published in “Playboy” magazine) was nominated for a Mondi award.Arts correspondent for Cape Etc., a lifestyle magazine based in Cape Town.

AWARDS

Winner of the Arts and Culture Trust, Media in Support of the Arts prize 2001 Finalist in Arts and Culture Trust Journalist of the year 2001 Living Treasures Africa Hall of Fame 2000 Freemuse Ambassador. Inducted 2007. Recognition of Exceptional Final Project. Graduate Liberal Studies, Duke University, 2010.