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's Latest Articles

A woman wearing a cardboard crown. She has a black top over a light blue skivvy. La Belle Epoque.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

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.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

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.
Features

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.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

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.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

Comedy review: Jennifer Wong: The Sweet and Sour Hour Power, Chinese Museum, MICF 2024

A night of clever puns and interactive fun.

Image is a wall with a neon sign saying HEADLINERS above a picture of an Asian man and a smiling Black woman looking up.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

Comedy review: Headliners with Joel Kim Booster and Zainab Johnson, Melbourne Town Hall, MICF 2024

This unlikely pair of Americans dazzled at this year's MICF.

Four female and non-binary people stand in a group facing the camera, one is sitting at the front wearing light blue, the others are standing behind her. All five wear a T shirt with breasts and crosses for nipples drawn on in texta.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

Comedy review: Breast of the Fest, Trades Hall, MICF 2024

A showcase of emerging female and non-binary performers.

Image is an armless bust with a microphone for a head and a full pink bra.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

Comedy review: Raise the Bra, Queen Victoria Women's Centre, MICF 2024

Graphic humour laced with tales of lived experience.

A headshot of a bald headed man of Egyptian heritage, wearing a black T shirt, against a red backdrop with curved lines emanating from his head to look as if he is broadcasting/radiating.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

Comedy review: Akmal: Red Flags, Athenaeum Theatre, MICF 2024

A MICF stalwart returns to the stage and continues to impress.

Image is a red, yellow and pink illustration of a Chinese dragon.
StarsStarsStarsStarsStars

Comedy review: Crazy Funny Asians, Kicks Bar, MICF 2024

Asian comedians in a high-energy show foster moments of genuine connection and lighthearted laughter.

1 2