Just two months before the World Social Forum on Migration, scheduled for Johannesburg from 5-8 of December 2014, the European Union (EU) seems to have left no loopholes for migrants to access its territory.
Early in October 2014, the EU announced the ‘mos maiorum’ operation, with the twinned objective of stopping illegal immigrants from entering its territory but also mapping channels of clandestine immigration to insure necessary measures are put into place to control these areas. An 18000-strong police force was deployed to train stations, borders, shores and other points of entry to insure that no ‘illegal migrant’ enters. Several migrants have been arrested and are currently awaiting deportation. The underlying question remains: are these effective interventions?
Join the debate and be part of first ever World Social Forum on Migration in Africa bringing together 3000 migration experts, policy makers, academics and social movements meeting this December in Johannesburg to address the current migration systems and propose alternative models. The Forum details are as follows:
Where: University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus
When: 5-8 December 2014
Theme: Migration in the heart of our Humanity: Defending our freedom and Rethinking Mobility, Development and Globalization
About the WSFM 2014
Created in Brazil in 2005, The World Social Forum on Migration (WSFM) is one of the thematic areas of the World Social Forum (WSF) which aims to provide space for independent, democratic debates and create alternative models to existing policies, agendas and actions on migration and mobility related issues.
Since its creation in Brazil in 2005, the WSFM has been held in Asia, South and Latin-America (2005: Brazil, 2006 and 2008: Spain, 2010: Ecuador, 2012: Philippines). The 6th edition will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Starting on December 5, the approximately 4000 delegates from across the world will be invited to join the rest of South Africa to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of world icon Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in a march. This will be followed by plenaries, workshops and seminars for the rest of the three days. The event will end with recommendations/resolutions that will be presented to governments across the world for consideration.
For more information on the World Social Forum on Migrations, please check the website www.wsfm2014.com like our Facebook page World Social Forum on Migrations, Follow us on Twitter WSFM2014 or contact the WSFM Office :+27 (0)114871430/ + 27 (0) 11 487 0269 / +27 (0) 835147367 or via email at info@wsfm2014.com
For media queries, media accreditation, interview requests, access to high res pics etc please contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7631/2
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of World Social Forum on Migrations (WSFM2014)
TEN MAGICAL DAYS IN DECEMBER
Celebrating more than one Madiba Day
Siyabulela Tata, Enkosi!
While many may feel cynical about the state of South Africa, a fresh and inspirational voice that speaks with humour, empathy and compassion, hopes to inspire a nation to be “both stirred and changed” by Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
Oya Hazel Gumede is considered to be one of South Africa’s top women leaders. Her own life is a telling narrative of the success that is possible in a country full of anomalies and inspired by the change that began with Utata Madiba’s leadership. Born to a teenage mother and raised by her maternal grandmother and great-grandmother, Gumede has become a true South African success story. She has delivered the keynote address at the gala dinner at the end of the first South African Women in Dialogue forum in July 2003, at the five-year commemorative SAWID Dialogue in 2008, she became the first Young SAWID Chairperson and also represented South Africa as CEDAW representative at the UN in New York in 2006, was a Bishop Desmond Tutu Fellow, and is currently a Trustee of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and a Young Global Leader (WEF).
In fact, President Thabo Mbeki, who was present in the audience of around a 1 000 mostly rural women in July 2003, joked after hearing her speak that he had not known who would succeed him as President, but that he now knew.
As impressive as Gumede’s life story is, however, her own success is not what motivates her. Her attention is rather on healing a fractured nation and seeing it rise to realise the potential she believes is collectively in reach of every South African.
As such, Gumede has penned 10 inspirational and revolutionary articles which call for the inspiration and imagination to consciously move away from the collective state of mind our people exist in. She asks move towards the kind of country our founding fathers and mothers laid their lives down for.
In the next few weeks, her inspiring works will run across various media in an attempt to raise the social consciousness of South Africans from all spheres of life. The first five chapters reflect on the extraordinary period of 6 -15 December 2013, from both a local as well as a global perspective, and the last five chapters challenge each South African to active citizenship, inspired by the legacy of Madiba and our founding fathers and mothers.
In the narratives, Gumede also provides a roadmap of what it will take for South Africa as a country to truly flourish.
Gumede’s hope is that her messages will begin the thinking and motivation required to build a South Africa where “in all areas and spheres, leaders and followers alike, are driven by a common agenda of service and love, an agenda of upholding the human dignity of all”.
Her works point out that “the truly great soul” of Utata Madiba has given us more in death than during his life as she invites her reader to follow the magical journey that a “bruised and bleeding” post-apartheid South Africa had undertaken between 5 December 2013, when the greatest father of our nation died, and the 15 December 2013, when he was buried in the simple soil from which he had emerged.
She shows us how Tata Madiba gifted us with a sacred space that provided a glimmer of the country that we could potentially inhabit if we only tried harder. Of a country where a Chief Rabbi can lead people into “Modimo re boka wena - tsohle tsohle, di entswe ke wena”, where a Danny K sings “Homeless, homeless… inhliziyo yam, inhliziyo yam” where renowned US poet Maya Angelou addresses all of us as “Bantu, Zulu, Xhosa, Boer,” just hours after the death of Madiba to say, “We see you, South African people, standing speechless at the slamming of that final door through which no traveler returns. Our spirits reach out to you…”
She reminds us that Martin Luther’s audacious dream “that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits” is possible for South Africans, but cautions us that we cannot “sleepwalk our way into our destiny” but, that we need to connect ourselves with the enormous sacrifices that were made in the past and create a covenant to work for and give ourselves to achieve the Ben Okri vision of “the future that our bones and our history craves.”
Reminding us of the amazing founding fathers and mothers South Africa has, people like Jan Smuts, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, and Brigalia Bam, she quotes Desmond Tutu who stated that Oliver Tambo, if alive, would have stated that “we did not win this freedom struggle to become thieves and vagabonds!”
Gumede points out that it is possible to “transcend our tribalism without losing our roots”, to “transcend our religion without losing our faith” and encourages South Africans to see in the death of our greatest father an archetypal moment of positive transition and an opportunity to “remake our societies closer to our heart’s desire”.
She reminds us that the path we are on, one of “insufficient opportunity”, “extremely short on the currency of ethics, passion and responsibility” is too small for us, and that we need a radical new path, forged out of “the messy but beautiful tapestry of our history, our stories, our narratives, and our memories” towards a nation founded on the foundation of morality, ethics and character.
For media queries, interview requests, access to high res pics etc. please contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7631/2
Issued by: JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of Oya Hazel Gumede
Endorsed by: Thabo Mbeki Foundation
Stellar line up for the Mapungubwe Arts and Heritage Festival
This weekend the Mapungubwe Arts and Heritage Festival kicks off with the much anticipated Street Carnival on Friday the 5th and the Gospel Festival being held at the Polokwane Cricket Grounds on 6 December 2014. Gospel greats Solly Mahlangu, Sipho Makhabane and Worship House will be joined by nine local gospel acts in what promises to be an event that will raise hearts and voices.
The gospel festival, which starts at 11h00 is just one of the many exciting events taking place this week (5 -13 December) in Limpopo at the Mapungubwe Arts and Heritage Festival. Celebrating all that is great about the province, the week will showcase local artists and promote one of South Africa’s most beautiful heritage sites.
This gospel festival’s outstanding line-up is then matched the following week at the Jazz and Heritage Festival taking place on 13th December, at the Polokwane Cricket Grounds. Starting at 11h00 the event features some of Limpopo, South Africa and Africa’s most exciting jazz performances. Afro-pop singer song writer Salif Keita (Mali), known for his reputation as the “Golden Voice of Africa” will be joined by local legends Hugh Masekela, Bhudaza, Jimmy Dludlu, Jonas Gwangwa, Thomas Chauke, Joe Shirimane, Colbert Mukwevho, Ringo Madlingozi, Candy and Limpopo’s own Selaelo Selota. The Jazz and Heritage Festival will also feature the following new and developing artists from the region: Advocate Bongororo, Lejekeje, Ricky Sekhale, Muzo Brothers, Ntsikwana, Brian Bomba, Malondolo, Innocent, Tyfenny and Mopedy. Tickets for the Jazz and Heritage Festival cost R100 and children under 12yrs are free.
Every day, the Limpopo story will be shared with audiences from 18h00 -23h00 at the Polokwane Library Gardens Hall by various groups local groups, ensembles and comedians. This includes Get Down Productions – Upfront on the 8 December, Polokwane Ensembles – Good story to tell; on the 9 December and a night of laughter with comedians Mashabela Galane, Thapelo, Collen Chepie and on 12 December. Entrance is free to all of these performances (Friday the 12th) .
Other events include the colourful Cultural Carnival, which will take place on 5 December and will include various local artists, musicians and cultural groups. There will also be an arts and craft market running every day at the SABC Park from 5 December to 12 December. On the 11 December, DJ Oskido, DJ Magubane -Munghana Lonene, DJ Jones Phalaphala FM and DJ Boeli Thobela FM will ensure that the Polokwane Shisa-Nyama (Opposite ANC Office) is the place to be. The event starts at 18h00 and entrance is free.
“The Mapungubwe Arts Festival fosters social cohesion, unity and nation building for the diverse population in our country. It is educational in nature, exposing the younger generation to our local artistic talent. This event further encourages tourism into our Province which has positive economic spin-offs” said MEC Ndalane.
Ticket bookings can be made at Computicket.
For media queries, media accreditation, interview request, access to high res pics etc. please contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7631/2
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of T Musicman
Session musicians and backing singers are the unsung heroes of the music industry. They are the supporting music acts whose role on both stage and studio hasn’t really been appraised, let alone appreciated. During live performances, press interviews and awards ceremonies they are seldom acknowledged by the lead singers and bandleaders. Occasionally a session musician or backing vocalist would release a gem of an album which unfortunately would go unnoticed.
But true to their selfless calling and unwavering dedication to their craft, time after time they return to recording studios to contribute to the bandleader’s next project. Being a background musician is indeed a thankless and unheralded role. But in fact they are the true stars of the industry, the mainstay of both the live and recording circuit; very much instrumental in the success or failure of a lead artist. They are always waiting in the wings – ready to be called for the next gig or studio engagement.
One of the session artists’ greatest assets is artistic versatility – their ability to navigate seamlessly across diverse idioms and media that include theatre, film and radio jingles. Without their artistic input producers, soloists and bandleaders are simply unable to craft those best-selling and award-winning masterpieces. One artist has decided to formally acknowledge backing singers and session musicians by launching music awards in their honour. And it is none other than the Princess of Africa, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, who recognised their selfless but essential role in the music industry.
“These are special artists who bring variety into one’s music and enhances one’s artistry,” she says. “Without their input I don’t think I would have made it as a recording and stage artist. I was young and inexperienced when I became a professional musician and they were there to guide me. I owe my success to them. Today I look back and appreciate their guidance. It has been ten years since I conceived the idea of honouring them.”
The result is the Backing Vocalists and Session Musicians Awards (BVSM Awards), to be launched in September (Heritage Month) this year. “Their personal and professional contributions have over the years created opportunities of pride and musical excellence and the awards will be a way of honouring them, fostering pride in their own artistic creativity, providing national exposure and celebrating their gift of music with fellow South Africans and the wider world,” she says.
Apart from their gift of song, backing singers are blessed with a sharp ear for harmony, she says. “Backing vocalists are skilled in hearing harmony lines over and around the music and can vocally reproduce what they hear to create harmony vocal line requiring written music sheets or direction from the songwriter or producer,” she explains. When she ventured into the industry as a 20-year-old singing sensation in 1985, township pop was on the rise, thanks to dynamic performers such as Chico, Brenda Fassie and Cheek To Cheek.
But Chaka Chaka took it to another level and provided the professional rivalry that until then Fassie didn’t have. As a young and shy songbird she enjoyed the backing – in every sense of the word – of a formidable and seasoned line-up of session musicians like Teaspoon Ndelu (sax), Wings Segale (vocals), Al Etto (keyboards), Jaws Dlathu (guitar), Zoli Bacela (guitar), Vusi Khumalo (drums) and Attie van Wyk, who played keyboards and was also producer and songwriter.
Van Wyk wrote and produced I’m in Love with a DJ, the 1985 hit single that launched Chaka Chaka’s illustrious career. It turned gold within a week of its release and went on to sell over 80 000 copies in the next few months. Sadly, some of these musicians have since passed on and she hopes to honour them posthumously. She fondly remembers the late Wings Segale, who gained fame in the mid-1980s as lead singer of Afro-funk outfits, Varikweru and Thetha. Segale went on to become one of the prominent session musicians of his generation.
Another special musician she intends to salute with a special award is her dear friend and long-time backing vocalist, Phumzile Ntuli who died of malaria in 2004 after a tour in Gabon, West Africa. Chaka Chaka hopes her awards will also accord an illustrious bevy of backing vocalists their rightful place in the history of South African music. These include Mandisa Dlanga, Beaulah Hashe, Faith Kekana, Stella Khumalo, Khanyo Maphumulo and Marylin Nokwe. Some like Girly Mafura, went on to become solo stars in their own right.
“The purpose of the awards is to provide greater opportunity and recognition for backing vocalists and session musicians,” she continues. The awards event will be staged annually on a date separate from the South African Music Awards or any other event that currently recognises contribution by successful music artists. Preferably this date should be during the month of September when South Africa celebrates Heritage Month. The first event will be held in Johannesburg and thereafter provinces will be given an opportunity of bidding for the event, with successful bidder hosting the event.
Categories of awards
The awards will cover a wide range of genres including jazz, hip hop, gospel, maskandi, mbaqanga, boeremusiek, gospel and kwaito. They will also consider gender parity as well as recognising the golden oldies from the past decades – 1960s to 1980s – while also taking into cognisance the growing talent in contemporary music. The following categories are being considered for the awards:
· Best Female Backing Vocalist (studio and live)
· Best Male Backing Vocalist (studio and live)
· Best Session Musicians
· Best Lead Guitarist
· Best Bass Guitarist
· Best Brass Section and Drums
· Lifetime Backing Vocalist (male and female)
· Lifetime Session Musician (male and female)
· Best Backing Vocalists of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s (males and female)
· Rookie of the Year – Backing Vocalist (male and female)
· Rookie of the Year – Session Musician (male and female)
WHAT FELLOW MUSICIANS SAID ABOUT THE AWARDS
“It has always been my dream to see backing singers and session musicians being honoured in this manner. Yvonne has been talking about launching these awards for years, but I was sceptical. I respect her for this noble initiative because we are the engines of this industry.” – Faith Kekana, seasoned backing singer. She will back Angelique Kidjo during a Miriam Makeba tribute concert at Carnegie Hall, New York later this year with fellow backing singers Stella Khumalo and Zamo Mbutho.
“I have worked for years with Yvonne and I know her as a person who always strives to do things to the best of her abilities. She likes to associate herself with success. Therefore I have no doubt that she will achieve this feat. I believe it is a great idea although personally I don’t support music awards. But Yvonne has my blessings.” – Rollins Lolo Mankge, pianist, multi-instrumentalist and composer who has performed, recorded and toured extensively with the Princess of Africa as a sideman before launching a solo career.
“This is the best thing that has happened to us backing singers. To be acknowledged by a successful and well-travelled musician like Yvonne means a lot to us. I wish other successful soloists and bandleaders will think like her because we have been instrumental in crafting their careers.” – Mandisa Dlanga, singer and dancer who has worked with an array of local and international artists including Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Johnny Clegg, Hugh Masekela, Stimela, Jennifer Rush and Paul Simon. She recently released her debut solo album titled The Dawn.
“Yvonne Chaka Chaka has always been a person who takes musicians into heart – not only recording artists but session musicians as well as the people who actually make music sound good especially for the lead singers because without session and backing musicians there’s no good music. She is someone who has always looked after fellow musicians emotionally and financially while at the same time mentoring young artists about the business of music.” – Bernice Boikanyo, drummer and bandleader who has played with Yvonne Chaka Chaka as a session artist.
For media queries, media accreditation, interview request, access to high res pics etc please contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7631/2
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Backing Vocalists and Session Musicians Awards (BVSM Awards) #BVSMAwards
“FUNKY” FRED WESLEY QUARTET SET TO WOW SA FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY
Renowned and distinguished funk, jazz, blues and R&B musician Fred Wesley is set to bring his unique form of highly entertaining music to Johannesburg audiences. The American trombonist, who began his career playing for Ike and Tina Turner, is also a respected arranger and composer, author, musicologist and educator.
Fred Wesley worked with James Brown from 1968-1957 as music director, arranger, trombonist and a primary composer, making him the world’s funkiest trombone player. He is a veteran of the Count Basie Orchestra, having also worked with an illustrious variety of artists such as Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Usher, Pancho Sanchez, the SOS Band and Cameo. He also performs with his close friends Maceo Parker and Pee Wee Ellis. Rap star Nas and Pop sensation Janet Jackson are among the scored of artists who have sampled Wesley’s work
Fred Wesley is the Bandleader of the New JBs – taken from his direction of the JBs – showcasing his unparalleled ability to bring musicians together to create magic for the pleasure of music lovers in Johannesburg, at The Wits Theatre on 29 Novemeber2014 -. There are only 380 seats available, so book now!
Concert details
Ø Event: Fred Wesley Quartet
Ø Date: 29 November
Ø Venue: Wits Theatre
Ø Artists: Fred Wesley
Ø Time:19h00 for 20h00
Ø Tickets: R120 at Computicket
Contact Details
For event details, Please contact Lynne Pillay on: lynnet@mweb.co.za or 021 674 9944
For media queries, media accreditation, interview request, access to high res pics etc please contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7631/2
Issued by JT Communication Solutions
Discover your wings and take off at the 2014 Unleashed Woman Born to Fly Conference
You have been on the edge for a while, now it’s time to take a leap and fly at this year’s Unleashed Woman “Born to Fly” Conference on Saturday the 4th October 2014 at the Oak Leaf, Sandton. Now in its fourth year, the conference brings together woman, leaders in their respective industries, to network, share their experiences and look towards making a difference in the broader society.
Bringing a vital mix of insight and inspiration to this year’s conference is the dynamic Nonkululeko Gobodo, Executive Chairman of the accounting firm SizweNtsalubaGobodo and Standard Bank Business Woman of the Year 2014. Joining her will be Annie McWalter, CEO of The Hope Factory, a non-profit company that specialises in enterprise and supplier development and growing South African entrepreneurs.
“This conference is aimed at those who've been contemplating stepping out into bigger and better things in their lives, vocations and careers, but excuses or the busyness of life has gotten the better of them that they are unwarily settling for a life less than what they could potentially live,” says Lerato Thekiso, founding member of Unleashed Woman.
Unleashed Woman, a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), was established in 2011 by a group of professional black women looking to inspire other women to realise their own personal potential. Through regular conferencing, mentorship and educational initiatives they continually aim to create thought provoking conversations.
Since inception Unleashed Woman has used their collective expertise to partner with, and support other non-profit organisations, offering a turn-key service that ensures sustainability and functionality. While the nonprofit sector in South Africa is active, vibrant and determined to make a difference, it also faces many challenges including the global recession, reduced government funding and support and increased competition. Despite willing, many initiatives dwindle and disappear due to funding issues, capacity challenges and the lack of sustainability models.
Through the working, supportive partnerships Unleashed Woman have been able to share a number of success stories with life-changing initiatives across the country, including the Shine Like A Diamond Girl Child Foundation (based in Limpopo) and the Awakening Conference initiative (based in North West).
The Unleashed Woman Born To Fly Conference 2014 takes place on Saturday 4 October at the Oak Leaf, Sandton from 09h00 to 12h00. Registration costs R220 and seats are limited. For more information or to RSVP contact Unleashed Woman at 084 926 8481 or info@theunleashedwoman.org.
For media queries, interview requests, access to high res pictures etc please contact Dee’s from JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7631/2
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of The Unleashed Woman – www.theunleashedwoman.org
Human rights and the environment will be the focus areas as local high school learners from throughout South Africa participate in the South African Model United Nations conference, to be held in Cape Town on 17 and 18 October 2014.
The South African Model United Nations (SAMUN), an Education Africa project in partnership with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Pretoria, was established 16 years ago and reaches more than 500 schools annually in all nine provinces.
During the national finals at the Cape Town Civic Centre, a team of four high school students, from each province will be assigned a specific country to represent in a simulated United Nations General Assembly-style debate on a globally relevant topic.
The country’s most gifted young debaters have already participated in provincial workshops and debates throughout South Africa (with the topic: “The humanitarian crisis in Syria: What can and should be done?”) to select the best debating team in each province.
They will now be heading to the national conference in Cape Town on 17 and 18 October. There, the sharpest young minds in South Africa will be challenged by debating the following two topics: “Weighing the economic benefits vs the environmental impact of fracking” and “State-sanctioned homophobia: Universal human rights vs state sovereignty”.
At these “special sessions” modelled along the lines of the UN General Assembly, the provincial teams will be tasked with persuasively advancing the policies of China, Nigeria, Uganda, Saudi Arabia, France, the United States, Russia, Norway and India on these controversial issues. Debating teams from the rest of Africa and abroad have also been invited to compete.
After the finals, participants will have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of an overnight stay at Robben Island to explore the history of the island and South Africa’s transition to democracy. Deputy Basic Education Minister Enver Surty will join the learners on Robben Island for the prize-giving luncheon.
Following the national finals, the best-performing South African provincial debating team and one learner from each of the remaining eight provinces will have the opportunity to travel to the United States to participate in the international Model United Nations conference. The skills of the students will be assessed by a panel comprising representatives of the United Nations and academia.
Education Africa is a non-profit organisation that promotes education as the key to unlocking economic prosperity. Education Africa’s operations director, Linda Gould, explains: “The beauty of the SAMUN programme is that it brings together resourced and under-resourced learners as well as educators on a single platform. This fosters social cohesion and shared learning. The programme imparts valuable life skills to the learners – such as tolerance, dialogue, negotiation skills and empathy. They also gain an awareness of international relations and human rights.”
Other partners in the SAMUN project include the Department of Basic Education, the South African Permanent Mission to the UN (New York), Robben Island And alumni of the SAMUN programme.
Members of the public are welcome to attend the debates, which are sure to be stimulating and thought provoking as South Africa’s most talented learners engage in a battle of wits. The debates take place on 17 and 18 October at the Cape Town Metropolitan Council, located at the Civic Centre, 12 Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town.
For more information, visit:
Contact: Linda Gould
Operations Director: Education Africa
083 708 3591 or 011 685 7300
Twitter: Ed_Africa
Facebook www.facebook.com/EducationAfrica1992
Website www.educationafrica.com and www.samun.org
For media accreditation, interview requests and access to high res photos please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7632 and speak to Dee’s
Jessica Mbangeni shares her Musical Journey at
The Lyric at Gold Reef City
Multi SATMA nominee Jessica Mbangeni will launch her album ‘IGoli’ at The Lyric at Gold Reef City on Friday, 26 September.
Fusing Afro-jazz and Afro-soul elements with traditional Xhosa rhythms, this enterprising young artist has crafted an irresistible medley of music and poetry steeped in the culture of her Eastern Cape upbringing.
IGoli – which when translated means “in Joburg” – is a live album comprising 11 tracks, most of which were composed by Mbangeni, with one track (UmaXhosa) penned by the late jazz great Victor Ntoni, who passed away last year. The CD was produced by Ntoni, Gabriel Stuurman and Lawrence Matshza, and has been independently released through her own label, KwaNtu Entertainment.
Mbangeni’s poetic lyrics speak of the contrast between rural simplicity and the urban rat race, rites of passage, traditional practices and the importance of upholding one’s culture.
Over the years, Mbangeni has toured the world with the Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, and has also worked with local luminaries such as Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Dolly Rathebe, Abigail Kubeka and Thandi Klaasen.
Join Jessica Mbangeni on an enchanting spiritual journey that will leave you feeling spiritually tuned.
Venue: The Lyric at Gold Reef City
Date: 26 September
Tickets range from R150 – R335
Bookings at Computicket or The Lyric Box Office On 011 248 5000 or www.goldreefcity.co.za
Note to media
For media accreditation to the event please contact media@jtcomms.co.za
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Jessica Mbangeni
Come and celebrate spring and the country’s 20 years of Democracy with a star-studded procession of South African music royalty at the annual Tribute Concert, taking place at Moretele Park on Saturday, 30 August 2014, Mamelodi in Pretoria.
The City of Tshwane once again plays Proud Host to this ever-popular concert, now in its 17th year, which is renowned as one of the premier events on the country’s music calendar.
The line-up for this year’s special-edition Moretele Park Tribute Concert, which pays homage to our Democracy and its musical Heroes and Icons, reads like a who’s who of the local music industry. Organisers Drakensberg Promotions have assembled a parade of exceptional artists that will head to Mamelodi for a daylong party pulsing with jazz, pop, traditional and dance music.
Headlining the 2014 event are Afro-pop duo Mafikizolo, the comeback kids who recently collected two MTV Africa Music Awards to add to the eight South African Music Awards they won at this year’s ceremony.
Plus, sensational dance maestros Mi Casa will be getting the crowd up on their feet with their essential and uplifting house grooves.
The one and only Johnny Clegg – our very own Le Zulu Blanc, a true living legend who has been fêted as a French Knight of Arts and Letters and who received the Order of Ikhamanga back home – will also be performing on the day.
He will be joined by fellow music veterans Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Letta Mbulu, Jonas Gwangwa, Thomas Chauke and Ringo. The younger generation of dazzling musicians is well represented by Lira, Bhudaza, Musa (last year’s Idols winner) and Zonke – all adding up to an unmissable music encounter par excellence.
Emerging jazz artists and groups will also perform on the day, which pays homage to South Africa’s music luminaries while showcasing the next generation of bubbling-under talent.
“We are immensely proud that the Moretele Park Tribute Concert is now widely regarded as being the hottest springtime party in the country,” says Leonard Sithole of Drakensberg Promotions.
“This year’s event is a particularly special occasion for us, because it gives us the opportunity to reflect on how far we have come as a country in the two decades since the dawn of democracy – but also to celebrate our musical riches, from our evergreen stalwarts right through to our talented young upstarts.”
Join the thousands of revelers at Moretele Park Tribute Concert in Mamelodi, at one of the year’s most festive parties! The entertainment starts at 11am, and continues into the night. Tickets cost R300 and are available at Computicket.
Concert details
Ø Event: Moretele Park Tribute Concert
Ø Date: Saturday, 30 August 2014
Ø Venue: Moretele Park, Mamelodi in Pretoria
Ø Artists: Mafikizolo, Mi Casa, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Lira, Johnny Clegg, Don Laka, Letta Mbulu, Jonas Gwangwa, Ringo, Bhudaza, Idols 2013 winner Musa, Zonke and Thomas Chauke
Ø Time: 11h00
Ø Tickets: R300 at Computicket
For event details contact (011)482 4937 - Drakensberg1@telkomsa.net
For media queries, media accreditation, interview request, access to high res pics etc please contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7631/2
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Drakensberg Promotions
Entrepreneurial warrior on a mission to unleash the power of Fashion to create jobs, change lives and nurture the ‘Sacred Economy’
By training unemployed women to make new garments out of recycled saris, Rayana Edwards is promoting sustainability while stimulating job creation in developing markets through her Sari for Change project.
This Johannesburg-based designer, social entrepreneur, sales guru and mother of five daughters fuses clothing, coaching and culture in a single dynamic package. She calls her mantra of women supporting one another to launch small businesses the “sacred economy”.
“It’s about beating all the evils and wrongs done to women by ensuring we have healthy bank balances,” she explains. “That way, we can make better decisions for ourselves and our loved ones. It’s about sacredly investing in each other as humans first. The intention, simply, is to channel abundance towards a creative purpose.”
That creative purpose ties in closely with a pressing economic one: boosting South Africa’s ailing clothing manufacturing industry, this has been hard hit by cheap imports, while at the same time creating sustainable livelihoods for emerging women entrepreneurs.
By building capacity and imparting much-needed creative and business skills, Edwards and her team are playing their own small part in promoting the manufacturing and consumption of vibrant and proudly local women’s wear.
Edwards is the founder and director of Harem Clothing, and runs a retail store at Northcliff Corner shopping centre with plans to expand the brand to other locales. There, she fuses her love for traditional and Western designs in her beautiful kaftans and tunics of all lengths, designs and fabrics. The clothing – ranging from wedding dresses and outfits for special occasions to everyday wear – is layered and comfortable.
“Being a Muslim, we subscribe to a certain dress code, which is to dress modestly. Most of our products are produced in this way, yet appeal to many other women,” says Edwards.
“For example, the kaftan is worn by countless communities worldwide. Working with the sari, we are also catering for non-Indian women out there who wish to wear them – so why not have an Indian sari with traditional African beading? We are living in a global village, so our clothes should reflect that.”
In addition, she is one of the driving forces behind the Sari for Change incubation project, where intern designers, seamstresses and beaders use fabric from donated saris to create exquisite new handmade garments. Using beadwork, hand embroidery, crochet trim and other techniques, they are encouraged to incorporate traditional African elements into their designs.
“We have just had our first intern designer launching her label online, and yet she still does work for us. We encourage collaborations and long-term partnerships,” says Edwards.
The project, which is an inaugural project of Meaningful Change employs women who are able to use a sewing machine but may lack knowledge of market forces and requirements, and provides them with on-the-job training for several months. Professional garment makers teach the trainees through master classes, with Edwards imparting entrepreneurial skills.
The women are then encouraged to launch their own businesses closer to where they live, while still receiving mentoring. The women are also given the opportunity to produce clothing for Harem Clothing stores.
“This ensures they have a steady income and a client in the first few months of starting up. They, in turn, have to replicate what they were taught – paying it forward,” Edwards explains.
Edwards previously worked largely in property development, before embracing her love for fashion and clothing and opening her first high-end ladies’ boutique while living in Nairobi.
Passionate about Africa and its creative potential, she has since been at the forefront of merging the informal sector of indigenous fashion and handcrafts with mainstream business principles. An early success in this regard was when, upon moving back to South Africa, she imported sandals from Kenya that were snapped up by fashion house Sun Goddess for its participation in SA Fashion Week.
Marrying her love for a fusion of cultures with a newfound passion for coaching, Edwards opened Harem Clothing in 2007 and set about creating an empowerment structure to support women in reaching their full economic potential.
Edwards continues to dream big: “The bigger vision is to have a central place where we have all the indigenous crafts of Africa collected and designed in products that feed into Africa,” she says.
“We’d also love to roll out 10 Harem stores countrywide within the next 18 months, incorporating our Sari for Change project, and for the owners of these stores to be located closer to their homes. Studies have shown that when women travel long distances to their workplace, it infringes on their children and quality of life. This is a huge challenge in this country and it breaks my heart when an employee has to leave their home at 5am in the middle of winter to ensure they reach their place of work at 8.30am.”
Until then, Edwards and her “tribe” of emerging women entrepreneurs will continue their quest to build the sacred economy – building, supporting, sharing and celebrating successes together.
Rayana Edwards is a graduate of the Goldman Sachs GIBS 10000 Certificate Programme for Entrepreneurs
Mentee of the Cherie Blair Foundation
A New Insights Life Coach
Board member for the Meaningful Change Institute
Founding member of the AfricansforAfrica Network
Founding member of the Entrepreneurs Networking Connectors (ENC)
For more information, visit Harem Clothing or Sari for Change on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sariforchange
www.facebook.com/haremclothing
Visit Harem Clothing at Shop at Northcliff Corner
For media interviews requests, site visits to the production studios, high res pics and further information please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or call (011) 788 7632 or 083 954 6133
This media activation is part of the JT Communication Solutions’ CSI inputs to drive, support and enable Entrepreneurial Development in birthing the “Sacred Economy” through the Africans for Africa Net
Fusing Afro-jazz and Afro-soul elements with traditional Xhosa rhythms, this enterprising young artist and creative entrepreneur has crafted an irresistible medley of music and poetry steeped in the culture of her Eastern Cape upbringing.
Mbangeni will be performing tracks from her self-funded album at Niki’s Oasis in Newtown on Saturday, 2 August 2014 and at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni on Friday, 8 August 2014, prior to her September CD launch at Gold Reef City’s Lyric Theatre.
She is also due to perform at the International Women’s Forum Conference in Atlanta in the USA at the end of October, when she will also be attending the CMJ Music Marathon as an independent artist and record label owner. Then, next year, Mbangeni will be heading to the influential South by Southwest music conference in Texas.
IGoli – meaning “in Joburg” – is a live album comprising 11 tracks, most of which were composed by Mbangeni, with one track (UmaXhosa) penned by the late jazz great Victor Ntoni, who passed away last year. The CD was produced by Ntoni, Gabriel Stuurman and Lawrence Matshza, and has been independently released through her own label, KwaNtu Entertainment.
With Mbangeni – who is South Africa’s only female imbongi or praise poet, and also runs a successful fashion and décor business producing exclusive African designs – on vocals, the CD features the crème de la crème of South African musical talent.
Her impressive list of collaborators on the album includes McCoy Mrubata, Fana Zulu, Sydney Mavundla, Phinda Mtya, Kwazi Shange, Nduduzo Makathini, Khanyo Maphumulo, Reuben Malgas, Bheki Mbatha and Khanya Ceza.
The poetic lyrics speak of the contrast between rural simplicity and the urban rat race, rites of passage, traditional practices and the importance of upholding one’s culture. “Most of the tracks are love songs – a kind of ‘African blues’, if you like,” relates Mbangeni.
“They are celebratory – such as those sung during initiation ceremonies – but also speak of pain and rejection, and are anchored in my personal cultural influences and experiences.”
In addition to the title track, another single that is being targeted for radio airplay is titled Afrika, a moving tribute to the late Nelson Mandela. The track is being released to help raise funds for the planned Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital in Johannesburg.
Track number seven on the album, Emgodini, is a tribute to mineworkers and was triggered by the August 2012 Marikana massacre. She was commissioned to compose the song by “people’s poet” Mzwakhe Mbuli, and hopes it will go some way towards healing the nation’s wounds and instilling hope for the future of the African continent.
Mbangeni is well acquainted with the country-versus-city dichotomy: she was born and raised in Nqamakwe in the Eastern Cape, but now resides in Johannesburg, where she owns KwaNtu Afrocentric Designs, a thriving indigenous African fashion, crafts and décor boutique at the Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg.
She is also in demand as a poet for corporate events – with praise singing and poetry remaining her first love – and has performed in Europe as well as at high-profile local events such as MaMbeki’s funeral, the fifth annual Thabo Mbeki Lecture, the FIFA World Cup draw and in the stage production Madiba – The African Opera at the State Theatre.
Over the years, Mbangeni has toured the world with the Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, and has also worked with local luminaries such as Hugh Masekela, Sibongile Khumalo, Dolly Rathebe, Abigail Kubeka and Thandi Klaasen.
It has been a decade-long journey, she reveals, to draw together all the different threads and stories in a single musical package. “My influences on the album range from choral and symphonic to Xhosa a cappella sounds – together, they combine to create a sound that in Xhosa we call umngqungqo. It’s very rarely heard or celebrated in modern music.”
With IGoli, Mbangeni emphatically proves that she defies labelling or boxing into any neat category. She is a poet, singer, composer, businesswoman, job creator, mother and heritage activist who is passionate about ensuring that the world hears authentic African stories.
“I would really like people to sit up and take note of the content we produce as Africans, and how it relates to our culture,” she says.
Mbangeni has run cultural exchange programmes in faculties of anthropology, and wishes to use her insights to help the country embrace its sense of identity through the powerful tool that is music.
“I want to collaborate with universities around the world to preserve indigenous languages through jazz,” says this young trailblazer. “We need to promote indigenous knowledge systems to preserve our cultural integrity, sustain our heritage and maintain our traditional protocols.”
IGoli is available to purchase at KwaNtu Afrocentric Designs, shop C91 at the Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg, Johannesburg. Alternatively, the album can be purchased online via iTunes and at all her live performances.
Jessica Mbangeni has been nominated for a phenomenal 10 SATMAs (South African Traditional Music Awards): Best Praise Singer, Best Poet, Best Afro-Soul, Best Afro-Jazz, Best Download, Best Female, Best Newcomer, Best IsiXhosa Album, Best Song of the Year and Best Video. For more news and information on how to vote for Mbangeni ahead of the awards on 4 October 2014, follow @jmbangeni on Twitter, or visit https://www.facebook.com/jessica.mbangeni on Facebook or http://www.kwantujessica.co.za.
For interview requests and access to high res photos or CD sampling please contact Dee’s on media@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7632
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of Jessica Mbangeni - http://www.kwantujessica.co.za
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SAMRO Foundation: Composing the future with Gerard Sekoto and the Post Office
By : JT Communication Solutions
SAMRO Foundation: Composing the future with Gerard Sekoto and the Post Office
SAMRO Foundation: Composing the future with Gerard Sekoto and the Post Office
Music icons past and present honoured in a special concert evening ‘composed’ by Gerard Sekoto, SAMRO Foundation and SA Post Office
The SAMRO Foundation is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Gerard Sekoto Foundation and the South African Post Office on its annual flagship project for postgraduate music students, the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships Competition.
This year’s competition, which takes the form of a Concert Evening at the Wits Great Hall on Saturday, 30 August 2014, will see the compositions of the four finalists – two in the Western Art Music genre and two in the Jazz/Popular Music style – being performed before a live audience.
At the end of the evening, the winners of two international scholarships worth R170 000 each will be announced, as well as subsidiary awards including the newly launched Surendran Reddy clazz Award.
The gifted young Western Art Music composers vying for this enticing prize are University of Cape Town Master’s student Amy Crankshaw and Antoni Schonken, a PhD candidate at Stellenbosch University (Western Art Music).
In the Jazz/Popular Music section of the competition, the compositions of Grahamstown-based MMus graduate Kingsley Buitendag and University of KwaZulu-Natal Master’s degree candidate Prince Bulo (Jazz/Popular Music) will take centre stage.
Life-changing though the occasion will no doubt be for the two young music students who will be declared the winners of the lucrative scholarships, it will be equally momentous from a music heritage point of view.
The late Gerard Sekoto, one of South Africa’s most highly regarded visual artists, was also a gifted musician – and two of his original compositions will receive their much-anticipatedpublic premiere at the SAMRO Overseas Scholarships concert evening.
In a coup for South African arts and culture, Sekoto’s works Africa and Igoli will be performed by Johannesburg’s Orbit Big Band, arranged by former SAMRO scholarship winner James Bassingthwaighte.
In the 1990s, the South African Post Office issued two overseas postage stamps depicting artworks by Sekoto, as well as a miniature sheet and commemorative covers.
In July 2014, the SA Post Office cemented its commitment to conserving arts heritage by issuing a series of 10 commemorative stamps depicting South African music legends, who may be gone but are certainly not forgotten: James Phillips, Brenda Fassie, Johannes Kerkorrel, Lucky Dube, Miriam Makeba, Solomon Linda, Spokes Mashiane, Simon “Mahlathini” Nkabinde, Kippie Moeketsi and Taliep Petersen. These, as well as the Sekoto stamps and Nelson Mandela tribute stamps, will be on display and for sale at the scholarships concert evening.
“The music legends featured on the commemorative stamps were chosen for their innovative music, which brought fundamental change to the perceptions of South Africans and was instrumental in uniting societies,” explains Lungile Lose of the SA Post Office.
“Criteria used in choosing them included factors such as whether they introduced a completely new, original and distinctively South African style of music. The musicians are as representative as possible of our society, covering the most important or best-known musical genres.”
Themba Wakashe, the chairman of the Gerard Sekoto Foundation, adds: “We are proud to collaborate with the SAMRO Foundation to preserve and nurture Sekoto’s legacy.”
The Sekoto Foundation aims to develop awareness and understanding of Sekoto’s legacy by teaching South Africans about his life, art, music, philosophy and writings. Because formal art education was largely out of reach to black South Africans during apartheid, Sekoto hoped to see this rectified and his will expressly stated that his estate should be used to uplift art education for young people.
André le Roux, managing director of the SAMRO Foundation, is excited about Sekoto’s musical works finally being brought to life on stage – the same original scores that are safely housed in the SAMRO Music Archive.
“I heard a lovely story about Gerard Sekoto’s relationship with music,” he relates. “Apparently, he was walking down one of the famous Parisian walkways and passed a bar or eatery. There was a competition on the go for a new pianist to play for their clientele. Gerard entered, started playing and promptly won the competition, which meant that he played music for the pub.
“This was often how he earned his living as a musician – composing new tunes and playing music – because as we all know, one cannot always survive on the visual arts alone.”
Le Roux believes that not enough is done to celebrate Sekoto’s legacy as a composer and for this reason, a natural common ground exists between the SAMRO Foundation and the Sekoto Foundation, where the arts and creativity in general are supported and celebrated. It’s a coup to have the Post Office as part of this “tripartite arts alliance”, he says.
“The SAMRO Foundation’s motto may be ‘composing the future’, but we are equally committed to celebrating and preserving our past cultural riches,” says Le Roux.
Shifty Records, the seminal 1980s-era independent record label that kept the South African music flag flying high with its stable of boundary-breaking artists, will also have a strong presence at the scholarships Concert Evening.
Shifty’s Lloyd Ross said it is an honour to participate in this prestigious event: “The timing of the event is serendipitous, as it occurs just two days before the launch of Shifty September at the Alliance Française in Johannesburg, which is to be a month-long focus on the legacy of the fiercely independent record label that was a home to composers of songs of conscience of all creeds during the dark decade before the birth of our democracy.
“The invitation is much appreciated, because like the inclusion of two Shifty artists on the recent Post Office's Music Legend series stamps, it is a recognition of the importance of the work that Shifty did at a time where it seemed like the record and broadcast industries were working their hardest to impede the ambitions of the committed composers in the Shifty fold.”
Entrance to the Concert Evening at the Wits Great Hall on 30 August 2014 is free, but is by invitation only and seating is limited. To reserve yourseat, please call Naseema at (011) 712 8417 or email:naseema.yusuf@samro.org.za. Visit www.samrofoundation.org.za or follow @SAMROFoundation on Twitter or Facebook for more information.
For interview requests, high resolution photos and media queries please contact JT Comms on media@jtcomms.co.za or (011) 788 7631/2
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of SAMRO Foundation.
