Blog - Page 6 - JT Communication Solutions

Homeless @ Home is a lyrical and sonic expression of love, longing, and uncertainty. It is an unsettling narrative told through poetry about a nation grappling with socio-economical politics of ownership, and a people’s volatile realities. It is a live poetry and music performance by one of South Africa’s well-known poets Mak Manaka collaborating with Malcolm Jiyane and the Alexander Choir.

The event is also a reflection of Manaka’s personal journey wrestling with his physical disability and trying to be at home with his own body. Homeless @ Home will unpack the different layers and facets to the meaning of ‘home’ and ‘homelessness’, asking “are we at home in our own skins, bodies, and languages”? If home is where one belongs, then what is home when living in a country that belongs to all, but not to itself? And address the uncomfortable issues around ownership of one’s own body, skin, and language as a major drive to being homeless at home.

Homeless @ Home aims to spark intergenerational conversations about; social cohesion, disability, depression, violence, unemployment, inequality and corruption. Overall, Manaka’s main objective is to inspire self-determination and encourage young people to remember the past, to look past the unjust violence but rather at a people’s relentless determination to achieving the impossible.

Mr Manaka and a sign-language interpreter will dance a poem together centre stage.

The event will be a free event at the door. To book your seat for the Free One Night Only event on the 20^th October 2022 at Joburg Theatre’s Lesedi stage contact Hloni on 081 573 2582.

Says Manaka “Homeless at Home is an attempt to articulate what it means to be at home in your body, your skin, your language. If home is a place where one belongs, then are we at home with ourselves? Right now we have a management crisis, but the main crisis is how we relate to each other as Africans as humans, are we at home with ourselves as South Africans?

The One Night Only event will feature

Mak Manaka (lead vocal)

Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O (2 percussionist, bass, trombone, and piano)

Amakhono We Sintu Choir of 8 sin

The production is supported by The National Arts Council

For media interviews with the artists, directors & stakeholders please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or call 011 788 7632 or 083 954 6133

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Mak Manaka Productions

On 8 September 2022 Power Learn Project (PLP) in partnership with Adanian Labs SA and the ICRD Group’s Start-up Business Campus launched the #1MillionDevs4Africa Program in Thulamela Municipality, Thohoyandou in Limpopo and The Northern Cape at Barkley West. This is in line with the organisations mission to provide inclusive, accessible and affordable tech education to young people across the continent. Recently launched in Johannesburg, South Africa, PLP aims to train 1 Million software developers across the continent by 2027. South Africa is the second country in Africa, after Kenya to introduce the #1MillionDevs4Africa Program.

“With today's explosion in technology, Power Learn's primary goal is to give youth in Africa access to quality tech training. Technical skills are becoming more critical, and the most in-demand skills are evolving quickly. The main focus of our stakeholder engagement is to meet the learners, introduce the #1MillionDevs4Africa program, and outline how the four-month hybrid training program, which is a borderless, Pan-African software tech training, is supported in each country and could potentially create substantial value for them and their communities. As we introduce the program to SA, we are optimistic that the broadest ecosystem of learners will have access to apply," says Mumbi Ndung’u, Chief Growth & Operations Officer for Power Learn Project.

For South Africa to realise the opportunity the 4IR (4th Industrial Revolution) offers, it is imperative that the current tech capacity gap is addressed. In accordance with President Ramaphosa’s commitment to a “skills revolution”, PLP in partnership with Startup Business Campus, one of South Africa’s leading entrepreneurial investment hubs, are looking to build a large talent pool that are ready to build local solutions that scale globally, support the local and global tech industry, provide employment for young people and solve pertinent local challenges.

“The process of development is not about developing things; it is about developing people who when empowered can develop things. The Power Learn Project is a necessary step in unlocking the digital economy Revolution for young people in Africa," says Lucky Litelu, Founder of Startup Business Campus and head of Partnerships, Incubation & Investments

Initially launched in 2022 in Kenya, PLP is a Pan African impact organisation with a vision of driving transformative change for the youth in Africa by empowering them with relevant technology capacity through provision of quality, affordable and decentralised tech training. The transfer of skills, skills development and technological capacity have been flagged as critical to developing solutions for unemployment and underemployment in South Africa, and Africa as a whole. The #1MillionDevs4Africa is Power Learn Project’s flagship programme.

PLP aims to kickstart software careers with entry level, fully funded training using free data access and a self-paced learning management over a period of 16 weeks. The courses range from programming languages such as Python and Dart Programming with Flutter to Blockchain 101, Databases and Entrepreneurial skills. The learners will then have opportunities for hands-on practical experience through a proof of work module. Learners will earn a certificate upon successful completion of the course and join a community of young skilled Africans ready to take on the digital opportunities.

“Upon completion of the course, learners will have access to a number of opportunities and alternative educational pathways through the organisation, ranging from internships and proof of work opportunities or venture studio and incubator connections if they want to explore entrepreneurship,” states Ndung’u.

In the pilot phase of the South African programme, PLP aims to train 1000 software developers in South Africa over four months. The call for applications is open until the 30^th September 2022 more details on www.powerlearnproject.org

Over the next few months, PLP is also looking to launch four more pilot countries; Zambia, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Ghana with North Africa envisioned for phase 2 of the program.

“We are all working towards the Pan African dream of building relevant capacity to extract value from the fourth industrial revolution. We invite our partners, especially our learners from across Africa, to join us on this transformational journey,” says John Kamara, chairman of the Power Learn Project board.

For Media queries, Interview requests or more info contact media@jtcomms.co.za or 011 788 7632

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of Power Learn Project (PLP) - https://powerlearnproject.org/

Johannesburg; South Africa: 30^th August 2022: TWAA, a mentorship and digital community based social media company arising from Africa – launches a “Women in Tech” community on its platform in a bid to connect women led communities with technology. TWAA seeks to create impact in the world of networking, with a focus on tools for community mobilization, content sharing and networking, targeting the female economy.

Founded by African media and tech entrepreneur Irene Kiwia, and incubated and invested by leading Pan African venture studio Adanian Labs, TWAA is a platform where women across the world can build groups and manage their communities in a safe space. The platform incorporates multiple tools for content creation and sharing; collaboration and co-creation, group management; a marketplace for products and services; group and one-on-one mentorship and much more.

“TWAA is built to give women a relevant platform that addresses critical issues in digital networking including data privacy, and by design shield from cyber bullying, inclusivity, accessibility and an overly simplified personal portal that allows women to build and manage their communities more efficiently and effectively, with mentorship being a key component. TWAA is built by women for women, factoring in varied nuances that are specific to what women find as relevant to how they use and interact with technology,” said Irene Kiwia, TWAA founder.

TWAA has been in beta mode since October 2020 on its web portal, and the android app version went live in May 2021 with the IOS app launching today.

Currently TWAA has over 25,000 members from over 35 countries. It is open to “early adopters” who can benefit from building a solid wave of connections and becoming the platform’s initial set of influencers as the member base grows.

“What’s fascinating about TWAA is the fact that it is built to promote inclusivity with women in mind, giving users an exciting user-friendly experience with features that streamline engagement like never before. For the first time ever I feel like I have a platform that ticks the key things that I needed the most in my personal development journey. It’s absolutely empowering!” said Linda Caroline, a TWAA member and Project Manager at Bureau Veritas.

‘I have been managing multiple women communities in various platforms and it’s always been overwhelming to deliver value because everything is super scattered with a user journey that is tiring to both me as a community manager and my network members. TWAA gives me a one stop platform to onboard my groups and interact with each group seamlessly, because the group management tools factor in everything I need to grow and bring value to my group, from members management, a content portal, a marketplace, a video conferencing tool, to networking tools, and all of this within one click.” said Jane Thomas, a women empowerment champion in South Africa.

Even though The TWAA platform is still relatively new, the social media world has shown how quickly networking platforms can grow. We have seen newly launched social apps going viral and becoming global sensations virtually overnight, grossing billion dollars in a short time span.

“Our mission at TWAA is to give women digital tools that will help them create massive value for themselves and their communities. We built a platform with women in mind considering issues around safety and cyber bullying, where by design the platform counters that. We also understand how important communities are for women and we have ensured that we give them a platform that will enable them to build and manage communities in a manner that drives value. We are launching a Women in Tech community on TWAA to bring key technology stakeholders along with women in technology to bridge accessibility in terms of capacity, knowledge, information, tools and resources. We foresee a community where women who are looking to join the tech space in Africa are interacting, learning and exchanging value and collaborating”.

Here’s what you should know about TWAA, the women platform that may soon have the female world and female led communities globally interconnected and creating exponential value.

On the TWAA platform, members can create groups and invite their communities to join and participate in mentorship, knowledge sharing, video chats, conversations and other forms of collaboration. Members can see other members, their profiles and connect with each other. Members can also set up groups with the person who creates the group taking over the admin rights to set up group protocols.

Members can also display their products and services on Store - the in-platform marketplace, set up their speaker’s bio on the speakers’ portal and display books in the book store to ensure that they can be accessed across the world.

Members can also interact with the built-in content sharing features including article write-ups, short posts, video posting, photo sharing and podcasts. The content is well segmented to allow members to access video, audio, written and all other content on dedicated portals, with the timeline giving the platform an edge on feature options.

Signing up to TWAA is easy. You can access the platform via www.twaa.io or download the app on android playstore or IOS app store and set up your profile. The biggest appeal of the platform is that it feels like all of one’s favorite platforms and digital tools are fused into one fabulous portal, allowing for seamless interaction at one place.

TWAA members can sign up as individuals or as an organization – with a different dashboard experience for each. Several organizations are signing on to the platform including Bureau Veritas, a global leading standardization company who were among the first organizations to use the platform to run an internal capacity building program for the women within their organization.

TWAA is also running a campaign to get influencers, content creators, women’s groups, women’s associations and corporates across the world to join the platform and use it as a tool to build a valuable proposition in empowering women across different sectors.

The platform can be used as a forum for a range of topics across various sectors and discourse. Be it fashion, beauty, science and technology, innovation, entrepreneurship or any other type of activism, TWAA provides the relevant tools to connect, mobilize, engage and influence.

Given the current tech landscape, it is exciting to see an African innovation that is scaling globally, and the future looks promising for TWAA as it grows both in its member base and profile, disrupting the way women connect and interact with social platforms.

For Media interviews and access to spokespersons contact – media@jtcomms.co.za or +27 11 788 7632

Distributed by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of TWAA - www.twaa.io

For More info contact TWAA Community Manager, Margy Kagema margy@adanianlabs.io or +254 790 311102

Built with safe protocols and features to counter cyber bullying
Set to redefine digital networking as we know it and drive intra Africa trade
Women influencers and communities globally are setting up for “early adaptors” advantage
Available on web portal, android app and IOS apps for women worldwide

A twenty two year old South African violinist, Neo Motsatse, will, this year, be posthumously celebrating and honouring an iconic South African composer and musician, Dorothy Masuka, on what would have been Masuka’s eighty seventh birthday - Saturday 3 September 2022 at the Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg, in a production sponsored by South African Music Performing Rights Association (SAMPRA).

The celebration, titled “Seasons: Dorothy Masuka’s Songbook in the Style of Vivaldi” is a musical production weaving Masuka’s prolific work with that of the well-known Italian composer, Antonio Vivaldi’s “Seasons.” True to Vivaldi’s pioneering work on “programme music,” the performance will be interspersed with extramusical narrative expanding on Vivaldi’s accompanying sonnets to poetically incorporate aspects of Masuka’s own musical journeys.

“I am truly excited and honoured to be able to pay tribute to two of the most prolific and truly iconic composers of their times, Mam Dorothy Masuka and Antonio Vivaldi,” said Neo about the production. “As a classically trained South African musician, it is always my attempt to bring both elements in my music – classical training plus being South African. In this production we epitomize this duality, and the synthesis is something special,” she continued to explain.

The importance of this work is highlighted by the fact that it brings an ensemble of sixteen musicians on stage, representing a fusion of both the classical music and the afro-soul genres. The arrangements and some of the new compositional elements have been created by the legendary music arranger, composer and producer, JB Arthur. “I have enjoyed working on this work with its rich elements to work with. We have preserved the feel and integrity of each of the compositions, while attempting the difficult work of seamlessly fusing and harmonizing works for totally different eras, genres, styles, cultures, and continents,” commented Arthur. “It doesn’t often get more challenging than this, but we did it,” he added.

The production was premiered at the arena of the National Arts Festival at Makhanda, formerly Grahamstown, in 2019 to great reviews and acclaim. “We are excited to be bringing this production home for both Neo and Mam D,” enthused Fezeka Motsatse, executive producer and director of Fezeka Motsatse Activations – the production company responsible for this work. She continued to explain that she and Neo have assembled a top tier group of musicians, including one of the leading academics and artists, Dr Hleze Kunju, as a narrator, the lead guitarist and the founder of the Grazroots Project Billy Monama, SATMA-award winner Aus Tebza on bass guitar, and internationally recognized pianist Avzal Ismail, to mention a few.

Dorothy Masuka, popularly known as Mam D to her fans in South Africa, was one of the leading African singer-songwriters whose career had spanned more than six decades. She achieved early success and fame through her writing and recording her chart topping “Hamba Nontsokolo” in the early 1950s. This was followed by compositions that were recorded by some of her more famous peers like Mirriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela. Masuka was inducted into the American Hall of Fame in 2002 and four year later was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for “Excellent achievement in and contribution to music composition and performance,” by President Thabo Mbeki. Masuka died on 23 February 2019 on the 19^th birthday of Neo Motsatse. It was also the year in which the compilation music production, Seasons: Dorothy Masuka’s Songbook in the Style of Vivaldi” was written and premiered during the National Arts Festival at Makhanda. The performance at the Lyric Theatre on Masuka’s birthday on 3 September 2022 will be the first since being premiered.

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (1678 to 1741) was an Italian composer of the baroque era. He was also a virtuoso violinist, teacher, Roman Catholic Priest and an impresario who was regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time. Among the many instrumental compositions he also composed a series of four violin concertos, each of which gives an expression to one of the four seasons in a year. Vivaldi’s body of work has formed a basis for much scholarly work in addition to being performed widely the world over.

“This is a celebration and a musical event not to be missed,” concludes Neo.

Tickets are available online at Computicket and you can also get them at any of their outlet stores (Checkers, Shoprite, Checkers Hyper, House & Home and Ok Foods).

Ends

For more information contact Fezeka Motsatse on fmactivations@gmail.com or 082 784 2585

For Media queries, Interview requests or more info contact media@jtcomms.co.za or 011 788 7632

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of Fezeka Motsatse Activations

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Neo Motsatse

The Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans 2021 awardee, Neo Motsatse, is a South African Violinist who is breaking new grounds, challenging boundaries, and impacting lives using music as a vehicle for social change. She started playing violin at the of six and is a versatile musician who plays classical fusion mixing classical, popular, gypsy and South African sounds. Neo has performed in a range of platforms such as music competitions, corporate functions, concerto festivals, music festivals and she has toured nationally and internationally. Her musical prowess has seen her winning music competitions and becoming the two-time winner of the Standard Bank Ovation Award at the National Arts Festival in Makhanda.

Neo achieved widespread recognition through her annual concerts called “Neo Motsatse the Concert” (NMtC) which she started at age 10. Since then, she has used this platform to offer job opportunities to other musicians and artists, stage performances to younger musicians and created a platform for social cohesion in communities. Neo hosted her 8th series of NMtC in March 2018 at the prestigious, 1056 seater, Wits University’s Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg, accompanied by the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Kutlwano Masote.

Some of Neo’s other performances include:

A Tribute song to Mama Winnie Madikizela Mandela at the Joburg Theatre bidding her farewell working alongside various South African Musicians and Director Zwai Bala;
The production: “Letters with MaSisulu” at the National Arts Festival, receiving her 2nd Standard Bank Standing Ovation Award in 2018;
The Dorothy Masuka’s Songbook adapted from the Baroque Period Composer, Antonio Vivaldi in July at the National Arts Festival in 2019;
The Freedom’s Day Concert “Remembering MaSisulu” in Partnership with the Apartheid Museum in April 2019;
Two day feature performance of The Journey with Sipho hotstix Mabuse playing along Sipho Mabuse and Tony Cedras in 2019.
Performance at the funeral of the late Sibongile Khumalo in 2021, playing one of Ms Khumalo’s songs, “Little Girl”.

Neo is currently in studio working on her debut album targeted for release towards the end of the year.

The Goethe-Institut in collaboration with AnimationSA will host the final Cav’ Platform Dialogue Forum for 2022 on the 26 August 2022 at the Cape Town International Animation Festival CTIAF. This will be a hybrid event both in-person and live streamed through the AnimationSA and Cav’ Platform Facebook groups.

Following two highly successful Cav’ Platform Dialogue Forums in Johannesburg and Durban earlier this year, the Cape Town Dialogue Forum will cover the latest trends and opportunities in licensing and merchandising in the animation community. This is an important piece of the animation value chain however only few industry players know much about it. It is a complex industry that has its own challenges and opportunities.

“The dialogue forums has seen the animation industry engaging with itself as well as with the public sector and the Cav' Platform a project of Goethe - Institut have been honoured to have been part of this process and hope such engagements continue beyond the scope of this project,” said Bandile Gumbi Cav' Platform Project Manager.

Licensing and merchandising is a new industry to most animators and is as complex if not more than the animation itself. It is vital that we understand this critical arm of the animation value chain and start learning how to extract value from it. This Cav‘ Platform Dialogue will explore two critical areas including, Africanisation of merchandise and addressing the critical shortage of African themed toys and apparel for the youth market. The three specialist guests will give us an overview of the industry from their unique perspectives from being a global brand player to a local African brand player and a small animation studio perspective. The panelists are Thabo Motsabi from Toys with Roots (www.toyswithroots.co.za), animator Kgosi Ntono and Jacques De Beer from Character Licensing and Marketing (CLM). The forum will be moderated by Isabelle Rorke, Co-Chair : AnimationSA - Social Impact and Human capital Innovation.

“The South African animation industry is at a pivotal time, a time to start engaging with the multiple income streams that are attributed to animation brands. By shifting from project focus to brand focus producers can start to explore the various ways in which to show a return on investment. This collective brain's trust forms the beginning of our journey to unlock the wealth that awaits in mastering licensing and merchandising for animation brands,” says Rorke.

The Cav‘ Platform is a collaborative project between the Goethe-Institut and Animation South Africa (ASA) that develop dialogue forums focused on topics relevant to the Animation Industry. Goethe-Institut and Animation SA have been collaborating over the past 3 years on the Cav‘ Platform particularly focusing on the transformation of the South African animation industry. Each dialogue forum is based on the theme and research findings of transformation requirements within the animation industry.

In the course of German Development Cooperation, GIZ and Goethe-Institut are collaborating with Animation SA to further develop the ecosystem of the rapidly growing African animation sector. While GIZ is providing support to Animation SA to strengthen their internal capacity as an industry association, further develop services to members and broaden Animation SA’s role and capacity for advocacy and lobbying work on behalf of the industry, the Goethe-Institut is focusing on support to enable extensive industry dialogues.

The event will be hybrid and to RSVP contact Sandile - Makhathini.sandile@goethe.de

Event details for the Cav‘ Platform Dialogue Forum in Cape Town

Date: 26^th August 2022

Time: 13h30-14h15pm

Venue: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)

For more information please contact Cav’ Platform Project Manager Bandile Gumbi at Bandile.gumbi@goethe.de

For Media queries, Interview requests or more info contact media@jtcomms.co.za or 011 788 7632

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of Goethe Institut – https://www.goethe.de/en/index.html

Note to Editor

About the project “Cultural and Creative Industries" (CCI)

The project “Cultural and Creative Industries” is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut. It improves employment and income opportunities for creative professionals in six partner countries; Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa and operates mainly in the music, fashion, design and animation sectors. In addition to promoting the development of entrepreneurial, digital, creative and technical skills through training programmes, the project aims to strengthen the framework conditions and the ecosystem of the cultural and creative industries. As a federally owned enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development.

AnimationSA

AnimationSA aims to grow and transform the animation industry to enable access to animation education for all South Africans. The organisation aims to provide access to international markets and represent businesses within the sector in terms of policy and support structures. In an era of digital disruption and the year of global disruption, it seems more necessary than ever to not only transform the demographics of the local workforce but also to decolonise the very content that is collectively produced. The aim is to bring home the entire ecosystem that creates, distributes and consumes content across all technologies and platforms.

This August marks the 75^thyear of India’s independence from Britain and the India Club SA are ready to join the world in celebrating with the return of its much-loved cultural Carnival. Free to all (with rights of entry reserved), the India Day Carnival will take place at the Imperial Wanderers Stadium on Saturday, 13^th August 2022.

After a two-year hiatus the Carnival returns with a diverse Program of live events that showcase India’s rich heritage in South Africa. The event will be open from 11h00 and closes at 20h00. There will be a range of artisan booths, craft foods, clothing merchandise and small businesses offering a range of products. There will be excellent prizes and special deals up for grabs during the day. A range of DJs will have visitors entertained late into the night.

During the course of the day visitors can expect performances by various dance studios, each unique in approach and dance style. The Darpan Dance School are kathak specialists with a holistic approach to experiential learning using traditional knowledge. The Naach Studios’ programme includes a range of Indian dancing from Bollywood and folk to bhangra, belly and fusion. The Surya dance family’s performance celebrates 21 years of culturally uplifting entertainment.

The Anavarata Dance Institute returns to wow Carnival-goers with their much-anticipated performance, while the Soweto Shining Star Youth Production brings their energy and vibe to the programme. Other performances include the Darpan Dance School who are kathak specialists with a holistic approach to experiential learning using traditional knowledge.

The deeply committed women empowerment organisation Sari for Change (SFC) will share their unique sacred economy programme and products.

Various Indian cultural and social organisations will be represented on the day including the South African Telugu Community (SATC), the Telangana Association of South Africa (TASA) and the Rajasthan Association of South Africa.

“Our vision for the India Day Carnival is to create a platform that highlights the India-South Africa relationship. This is an event that celebrates cultural diversity and each year we aim to expose, educate and observe our unique cultural heritage. We hope to create a new platform for small businesses and artisans allowing them to network and market in a different space” says India Club SA President John Francis.

This is the year the India Club SA has brought this Carnival to Johannesburg and the welcome all South Africans to come together in creating an afternoon of arts, culture and fine cultural experiences, while marking one of the most momentous days on the Indian calendar.

Further Info - Manish Gupta - Chairman India Club: 083 966 5577 and Email: theclassicindia@gmail.com or Sindhu Bharadwaj - Communications India Club: 071 872 2514 and Email : bharadwajsindhu081@gmail.com

John Francis - President of India Club: 079 118 2996 and Email address:johnfrancisv13@gmail.com

Stall Bookings - Prasanth Siddapur - Vice President India Club: 0842870328

Interview requests and all other media queries, please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or 011 788 7632.

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of India Club SA - https://indiaclub.co.za/

Note to Editor

The India Club SA

The India Club SA was formally launched in 2007 at Marlboro Community Centre in Johannesburg. The first event organised by the club was a Diwali celebration at the Marlboro Community Centre. Membership of the Club is open to all Indian nationals. The Club focuses primarily focus on social and cultural activities but also contributes to charitable causes through special events.

Sari for Change

Sari for Change (SFC) is a mom and daughter run business celebrating our evolving identities and the empowerment of women through our sacred economy – a term coined by founder, Rayana Edwards. SFC aims to bring unemployed women to self-sufficiency using a 'pay it forward model' that allows for women to donate their gently worn saris to women with an intention to recreate new garments and earn a dignified income whilst working in their own spaces. To date, Sari for Change with the assistance of our community has empowered 64 women with skills development and home industry skills

Anavarata

Anavarata ( 044-238-NPO) is a community based Non- Profit Organisation in the townships of South Africa involved in free training, development and retention of Youth in the creative/ Arts & Culture sector in South Africa. We are 60 years old- the oldest organisation of its kind on the Continent of Africa, in terms of Indian, multicultural and Intercultural dance, as well as, UNESCO (CID) Council of International Dance members.

Our focus is Training, Performance and Production & Direction. We specialise in dance from all over the world and are authorities on all things South Asian and South East Asian. A mix of traditional and contemporary Dance and Dance Theatre is used to create a unique, new and fresh look at South African dance culture. The young people not only train in multicultural and intercultural genres as international performing artists, but also as trainers and arts administrators.

Soweto Shining Stars Youth Production

Soweto Shining Stars Youth Production was formed in 1999 and it was registered with the Department of Social Development in 2012. It was established with a purpose to create a conducive environment and provide a platform through the arts and culture in which the youth can better express themselves. Despite lack of resources, especially in its earlier years of operation, SSSYP managed to continue to operate.

SSSYP formulated the “Dinaledi Tsa Soweto Community Project” which is in line with the Department of Arts and Culture 2010 strategy plan to enhance the role of the Arts and Culture in the economy and society.

This August the Turquoise Harmony Institute (THI) will once again bring hope, awareness and advocacy to country’s and continent's refugees in their third award winning concert at the Linder Auditorium in Johannesburg, On Friday 12 August 2022 from 19:00 to 21:30. Some of South Africa’s top acts will be featuring; the event will be both live and live streamed online.

THI aims to raise awareness of the plight of the numerous people on the African Continent and around the world who have been chased from their homes, forgotten, and misplaced by others, and to celebrate those who superhumanly overcame the challenges of being forced to be a stranger in another’s country.

The concert will feature leading artists including Msaki, Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, PJ Powers, Thandi Ntuli, Pops Mohamed, Neill Solomon, Rocksteady Dub, Bienvenue Nseka and Lebo Mashile. During the evening leading SA composer Neill Solomon’s new song Homeland, produced by JB Arthur at the Flame Studios at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, will be publicly launched.

“We want people to think ‘what if I was in their shoes, what would life look like? Could I face the sometimes insurmountable challenges and daily struggles they face?’. With these concerts our aim to reframe the refugee experience, shifting the debate away from refugee statistics and refocusing on the attitudes of those who may not be sure who refugees even are, creating connections through common experiences and increased understanding,” says Ayhan Cetin, Executive Director of Turquoise Harmony Institute.

The conflict between Russian and Ukraine gave the world a glimpse of the devastation that can be brought to families and their homes by powers beyond their control. Exposed to violence, the elements, and criminals, including human traffickers, the previously productive and healthy citizens found themselves at the coalface of humanity’s evils. However, Ukraine is not alone in a refugee crisis and many have experienced the horrors of conflict. Often out of the media and as such the public consciousness, Africa has face numerous conflicts, Rwanda, Congo, Uganda, Zambia, and even South Africa.

Having come out of Apartheid, South Africa committed to a new era of humanity with Nelson Mandela and celebrated diversity under Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s rainbow nation. Sadly, our efforts did not last, and to other Africans South Africa has become known as a country of intolerance.

For THI this was an unacceptable legacy to promote, for our nation and our generation. They began to work to raise awareness about the challenges of refugees and other forcibly displaced people, by inspiring people through the arts. This culminated in their first concert for refugees in 2019 and again, but online, during the lockdown in 2020

The 2019 concert set a new precedent for social justice workers around the world and THI was awarded the Pioneers in SDGs Project Stakeholders Award at the UNGA Conference in New York. Through awareness and funds raised THI were able to start various projects including the “Social and Economic Integration of Refugee Women in South Africa” in which French-speaking refugees and migrated women who were forcibly displaced from their home countries were given English classes. Following the language classes THI added weeks of skills development classes. Secondly, THI partnered with the Three2Six project in different ways which provides undocumented children an opportunity to continue their studies for Grade 7 and 8 to whom Three2Six provides an opportunity to study until Grade 6.

The second concert was held December 10, 2020, on World Human Rights Day. It was live streamed to audiences around the world. An overwhelming number of people tuned into various social media platforms to enjoy the music and offer support to refugees and other forcibly displaced people in South Africa and around the world. Furthermore THI received positive feedback from government, private organisations, institutions, and individuals from different walks of society. We do feel grateful for the South Africans' approach to this issue and for uniting toward the same goal.

Partners of the concert are Nelson Mandela Foundation, Amnesty International, Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Universal Rights Association, Wits University, Flame Studios, Horizon Educational Trust, Mail and Guardian, Time to Care, Scalabrini Centre, JT Communication Solutions, Music in Africa, SAMRO, ConcerstSA and Refugee Social Services.

Tickets for the show are R200 and any amount raised will be used towards helping refugees in South Africa through respected charities like Gift of the Givers, Three to Six schools, and our own programs at the Turquoise Harmony Institute.

For Media queries, Interview requests or more information contact media@jtcomms.co.za or 011 788 7632

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of Turquoise Harmony Institute (THI) – https://turquoise.org.za/

See below the links to the posters for the Concert (JPEG and PDF versions):

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ltFk-4M1Zx3MtXl78jRAlyk1Hiy1F_wT?usp=sharing

and

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZbfsQ2nSDL_8oD1GgIY71GSuw8AUxVP5?usp=sharing

Notes to Editor

Turquoise Harmony Institute (THI)

Started in 2006, Turquoise Harmony Institute (THI) pursues the goal of fostering relations among different faith and cultural traditions to contribute to the well-being of humanity. We encourage and facilitate exchange of views and experiences between different parts of the society and engage in activities that are aimed at stimulating critical thinking and analysis of affairs affecting the lives of all people. We engaged in many activities in our short history such as conferences, seminars, iftar dinners, intercultural trips, dialogue awards. The aims of these activities include promoting dialogue, tolerance, and understanding among the peoples of South Africa and the world by fostering the universal values such as love , tolerance, democracy, human rights and justice. We strongly believe that the future of humanity should be built on a culture of coexistence, dialogue, and tolerance. Differences should be seen as a strength and that which can serve as multiple opportunities for building an inclusive world.

The plight of refugees and other forcible displaced people has been close to our hearts for many years. People who have been forced from their homes by political, economic violence, or climate change, fled their homelands, and were driven to the limited mercy of other nations fall among the most exposed and vulnerable in the world.

THI aims to create awareness about the social, economic, etc. challenges of the refugees and other forcibly displaced people especially post COVID-19 pandemic, through inspiring people by music. Misinformation and lack of awareness about the issues affecting refugees and people seeking asylum are key factors leading to negative opinions of these groups which ultimately cause xenophobia. THI aims to counteract this misinformation and contribute to social cohesion against xenophobia attacks in South Africa.

In continuation of 60 years' celebration of connecting stars in the City of Gold, Joburg Theatre presents Mozart’s Don Giovanni on the iconic Mandela Stage featuring top international cast and crew, with Gauteng Choristers and music by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO), with Juan Burgers on piano and conducted by one of Germany´s leading opera conductors, Johannes Stert.

Don Giovanni produced in-house by Joburg Theatre and directed by Christoph Dammann, with Musa Nkuna as the production´s Artistic Consultant, with the most important parts of the text translated to English by Amanda Holden. The recitatives in Don Giovanni where the action is driven will be in English while all music with orchestra will be sung in original Italian with surtitles

Described by Mozart as a “drama giocoso” that is, “funny drama”, Don Giovanni, is an ingenious mixture of serious and comical opera. Throughout the opera, Don Giovanni, the lover who used to be so successful, fails to seduce a woman. His magic no longer works, his dark, violent and misogynistic side emerges more strongly and is a deterrent. The comedy is dark, as the voices and music are rich.

“As Joburg Theatre we are excited to once again have opera return to our stage and we expect our audiences to thoroughly enjoy these special performances”, says Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema, CEO of Joburg City Theatres

The role of Mozart’s most incorrigible playboy – Don Giovanni – is sung by American operatic bass-baritone Kevin Short. Short’s current engagements include singing Porgy Porgy and Bess, at theMetropolitan Opera. He has performed in over twenty different operas at the Metropolitan Opera and at various operas houses in the United States and around the world. German bass-baritone Oliver Weidinger sings Don Giovanni’s trusty servant Leporello. Weidinger is a member of the ensemble at the Theater Regensburg in Germany. Portuguese soprano Carla Caramujo performs in the role of Donna Anna, a graduate of Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She recently performed Un Moto di gioia, Mozart Concert Arias by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker with the Portuguese National Ballet (CNB) and baroque orchestra Divino Sospiro.

South African born Tenor Musa Nkuna who is now based in Germany performs the role of Don Ottavio, he debuted in 2001 as Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni in Switzerland. He has been a tenor with the Theatre of Pforzheim, Cologne State Opera, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Lisbon and Mecklenburg State Theatre, Schwerin. In 2016 Nkuna sang the role of Tamino in Mozart’s The Magic Flute directed by Dr Christoph Damman. Njabulo Mthimkhulu gives his voice to the beleaguered Masetto. In 2015 he sang the role of Nelson Mandela at the world premiere of Juan Burgers’ Ubuntu-The Opera at the Playhouse in Durban. Mthimkhulu currently lectures music at the Nelson Mandela University. Nokrismesi 'Kimmy' Skota plays Masetto’s fiancé, and Don Giovanni’s current obsession, Zerlina. She is a lyric soprano and is best known for her performances with internationally acclaimed Dutch violinist Andre Rieu, which led to her performing around the world from 2010 to 2013.

Rouel Beukes sings the role of the Commendatore, father of Donna Anna and later the famous “stone guest”. Beukes is a bass baritone and has been part of the worldwide tour of Sir Andrew Lloyd-Weber’s The Phantom of the Opera.

Damman directed Mozart’s The Magic Flute in 2016 for Joburg Theatre with Nkuna as the producer of the production. As an Opera Don Giovanni is dark, not only in terms of plot, but also because many of the scenes take place at night or in a darkened room or courtyard. With this in mind, the aesthetics and design of this production are inspired by the "film noir" of the 1950s, with low-key lighting, strong light-dark contrasts and a few splashes of colour.

Don Giovanni brings the glory of opera back to Joburg Theatre and revels in the magnificence of voice, music and drama in celebrating 60 years.

Performances are from 12 August to 21 August and Ticket Prices range between R250 to R550

Web http://www.joburgtheatre.com

Twitter http://twitter.com/joburgtheatre

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/joburgtheatre

For Media queries, Interview requests or more information contact media@jtcomms.co.za or 011 788 7632

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of Joburg Theatre – www.joburgtheatre.com

On 22 July 2022 at the Durban FilmMart the Goethe-Institut in collaboration with AnimationSA will host the second dialogue in the 2022 Cav’ Platform and Animation SA Dialogue Forum: Incubators and Creative Clusters as Models for the Transformation of the Audio Visual Industry.

The Dialogue Forum will be moderated by Isabelle Rorke and the panel is composed of experts in incubation, creative clusters and ecosystems strategy Levinia Jones, Leoti Taylor and Xolile Vundla.

In the course of German Development Cooperation, GIZ and Goethe-Institut are collaborating with AnimationSA to further develop the ecosystem of the rapidly growing African animation sector. While GIZ is providing support to AnimationSA to strengthen their internal capacity as an industry association, further develop services to members and broaden Animation SA’s role and capacity for advocacy and lobbying work on behalf of the industry, the Goethe-Institut is focusing on support to enable extensive industry dialogues.

The event will be live and to RSVP contact Sandile - Makhathini.sandile@goethe.de

The Second Dialogue of the 2022 Forum is a hybrid event and billed to take place at the Cape Town International Animation Festival CTIAF in August. This Dialogue Forum will cover the latest trends and opportunities in licensing and merchandising in the animation community.

Event details for the Cav‘ Platform Dialogue Forum in Durban:

Date: 22 July 022

Venue: Live Event, FilmMart, Elangeni Hotel (Durban)

Time: 16h30-18h30pm

Ticketing info: RSVP to Sandile on Makhathini.sandile@goethe.de

For Media queries, Interview requests or more info contact media@jtcomms.co.za or 011 788 7632

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of Goethe Institut – https://www.goethe.de/en/index.html

Note to Editor

About the project “Cultural and Creative Industries" (CCI)

AnimationSA

Johannesburg, South Africa. AfyaRekod has launched the fully automated Universal Patient Portal in South Africa and it is ready to change the face of patient care across the country, Africa and the world.

Using block-chain driven technology the Universal Patient Portal is a secure central, mobile platform where patients and the medical professionals treating them have real-time access to their health data and medical history, not only ensuring effective ongoing medical management, but critical, timely information in an emergency.

Initially developed and launched in Kenya, AfyaRekod is the brain-child of CEO John Kamara. An Adanian Lab start-up, AfyaRekod, was founded in 2019. Kamara saw first-hand how the lack of medical records and static data could lead to poor medical management when a friend died having received the wrong medical intervention in an emergency. Using seed funding from Mac Venture Capital and Next Chymia. Kamara built an AI platform that would track health data, aimed at bridging the gap between health care and treatment, anywhere, anytime for patients, medical professionals, providers and organisations.

“AfyaRekod is a game changer and has given me a voice in my own medical care,” says Vanessa Perumal, Managing Director of JT Communication Solutions and AfyaRekod ambassador.

“As a patient who has survived a rare form of cancer and a full laryngectomee, I have a long list of operations, medical interventions and prescriptions to my name, now I am safe in the knowledge that wherever I am, whatever medical practitioner is treating me, here or internationally, I have complete access to my medical information and no one has to hunt down medical records,” Perumal explains.

Medical records are a vital tool in managing health, notifying healthcare professionals of medications, chronic illness, past problems and procedures and ultimately allowing them to determine the most accurate course of treatment. Misdiagnosis is serious and can lead to a delay in treatment of the real condition. An IOM report released in 2015 indicated that around 12 million instances of patient misdiagnosis occur annually in the USA, a country with a well-developed healthcare sector. Misdiagnosis is preventable, but only if health records are accurate and mobile.

The pandemic has pressed the fast-forward button, bringing an urgency into health data accessibility and analytics. This is a global problem that needs to be innovatively addressed by patient-centred health care solutions. For the best care patients should have sovereign rights of ownership of their information and it should be mobile and easily accessible. AfyaRekod ensures this is a reality.

“If more patients are in peril like I was and understood how the medical health ecosystem works, the knowledge alone can empower them. It can also improve legislative processes, influence better regulatory frameworks and hold insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and the medical sector to account. It should be we as patients who set the standard of how we want our healthcare to be managed“ said Perumal

The subscription-driven Universal Patient Portal can be accessed via the web portal via myrekod.com as well as the mobile app (android and iOS). It is secure, consolidated and allows patients consistent access to their health-records, as well as access to a marketplace of various health services within the ecosystem in real-time.

Over and above patients securely managing their health records, including prescriptions and hospital visit summaries, the AfyaRekod Universal Patient Portal offers secure decentralised, multilingual and intelligent telehealth solutions, health resources, symptom trackers, reminders and notifications, as well as mobility of the record across multiple channels and devices. Though any patient can use these tools, it is especially useful for patients with chronic illness, parents, pregnant women, and patients with hereditary diseases.

The AfyaRekod platform extends to include doctors, offering a digital clinic with a B2B platform, tele-pharmacy tool and e-prescription platform. For providers, the platform has multiple functionalities such as hospital management, patient management, knowledge management and inventory management, as well as an AI driven reporting tool, that allows organisations to make strategic decisions, predications and early identification using data analytics. NGO's and other related organizations can register and manage their target groups on the platform.AfyaRekod has already onboarded over 50 hospitals.

For all international media queries contact media@jtcomms.co.za or (27 11 788 7632)

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of AfyaRekod - https://afyarekod.com/

Note to Editor:

About AfyaRekod

AfyaRekod was founded in Kenya in 2019 and operates in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, and Zambia. AfyaRekod is a patient-driven platform driven by AI and blockchain to help patients and health providers access in real time the mobility of health data. AfyaRekod is a health record management platform built to assist users with better healthcare services.

The company's platform allows organizations, health providers, and medical experts to interact and connect with patients, even remotely, in real-time whilst providing tools to store, manage and analyse health records as well as manage hospitals and facilities.

AfyaRekod’s is part of the NVIDIA AI program via AICE Africa and has key partnerships with The Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK), Healthy Mind Foundation(Nigeria), Alchemy (South Africa), AURA (South Africa), GE Healthcare, Telkom, The Africa Block-Chain Center, The AI Center of Excellence, Adanian Labs, and Lishe Living among others.

The AfyaRekod Universal Patient Portal launched in Kenya early this month and has over 150,000 users in Kenya alone. The Universal Patient Portal launches later in Nigeria and Zambia later in July.

Follow AfyaRekods

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

In the space of two short but turbulent years Vanessa Perumal, Managing Director of JT Communication Solutions, has gone from losing her voice to a rare cancer and full laryngectomy to finding it once more as a speaker.

Vanessa has been invited to address the 70^th annual meeting of the International Association of Laryngectomees in Charlotte, North Carolina. She attends the conference in her own right and as ambassador of Afya Rekod, an African-developed healthtech platform. She will deliver her address on Youth Day, 16 June 2022, commemorating the 46^thanniversary of South Africa’s youth uprising.

Over the last 25 years Perumal has established herself as a social entrepreneur, social justice activist, innovator, feminist and strategist.

She is the founder and Managing Director of JT Communication Solutions – a pan-African media, communications Agency.

Whether as a ‘struggle” journalist or communications strategist, Vanessa has strived to drive social change in South Africa and on the continent by focusing on how narratives of change are structured. She believes in exploring the power of digital technology and transforming the way we produce and distribute content about Africa. She has successfully scaled her business from a traditional PR, publicity and communications agency to embrace digital technologies and social media platforms.

Previously recognised in the 2014 Mbokodo Awards in the Promotion of Arts in Media category and a finalist in the 2016 Businesswomen’s Association of SA Awards, she was a participant in the 2016 Graca Machel Trust’s Women Advancing Africa Roundtable, and honoured at the 2017 2^nd Biennial Backing Vocalists and Session Musicians (BVSM) Awards for her work in promoting music and arts in the media.

Perumal’s voice is her tool. Over the years she has sold a powerful story but in 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, she faced the cruelest of ironies: a chondrosarcoma diagnosis, a rare laryngeal cancer. The vocal cord palsy Perumal experienced had her ear, nose and throat surgeon Dr Khaleel Ismail searching for answers, while hospital delays due to COVID stalled the immediate implementation of a therapy.

By May of the same year, when the tumour presented itself, Perumal was faced with the heart-breaking decision to lose her voice-box in order to save her life.

Dr Ismail, based at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, assembled a team of highly skilled medical experts to take on the case that included an oncologist, vocal oncologist, speech therapist and physiotherapist. Following a successful operation Perumal spent 24 days in intensive and then high care.

She has spent the last two years rediscovering her voice through intensive rehabilitation, speech- and physiotherapy, artificial speaking devices and her renowned iron-clad will. Her recovery fed her determination to change the African narrative, and highlight the excellence and innovation of the medical professionals and healthcare workers she encountered on her journey to recovery. Many of them had not before encountered a cancer such as hers.

Despite the challenges of a ‘new’ voice and slow recovery, including follow up operations, she has not slowed down and has returned to her passion, once again making herself heard in entrepreneurial and innovation spaces, and continuing her communication work across the continent.

She has developed powerful partnerships with various stakeholders to forge technology-driven solutions to Africa’s development challenges. “Now that I have a seat at a global table in this, my second chance, I recognise how important it is as Africans that we innovate our spaces to be more inclusive,” she propounds. “Collaborating with Afya Rekod founder John Kamara and his team of innovators is a conscious decision to demonstrate that Africans can advance solutions made for a global ecosystem.”

Perumal is about to embark on a new chapter as a motivational speaker, starting with the annual IAJ event. Her peers throughout the industry on the continent consider her resilience and determination awe-inspiring; she is admired by all those who come in contact with her and her will to communicate an empowering African narrative that now even stronger than before she lost her voice.

Follow @VanessaPerumal and her blog #MiraculousMoments on Facebook

For media queries and more information contact media@jtcomms.co.za or call on +27 11 788 7632

Notes to Editor

• AfyaRekod is a digital health data platform that focuses on the patient and allows health facilities to capture, store, have realtime access to and mobility of the patients health data.

• Using AI and various blockchain modules, AfyaRekod allows health institutions, partners and patients to make insightful data-driven decisions that allow doctors to provide better healthcare for patients.

• Developed as a patient-driven platform, the patient maintains the sovereign right of ownership to their health data and the way it is used.

Issued by JT Communication Solutions and supported by Afya Rekod

Over the past six days, Meals On Wheels Community Services (MOWCS) South Africa has delivered over 40 000 meals to thousands of people in the flood affected KwaZulu-Natal. With generous support from sponsors, MOWCS has been able to assist in the worst affected areas, with hot cooked meals, blankets, clothes and clean water.

MOWCS is committed to poverty and unemployment alleviation, aiming to ensure communities not only get a hot meal regularly, but are eventually able to feed themselves. Over and above providing meals, they have a skills development training programme, as well as beneficiaries in orphanages, elderly homes and professional caregiving services. Nationally MOWCS have 181 branches and over 280 delivery vehicles supporting multiple communities. They provide 2.4 million meals a month and 31 million meals per annum.

Over the past week, MOWCS has increased its capacity on the ground, meeting the growing need for help in some of the worst affected areas of the eThekwini Metro. Resources and support from branches in other provinces have been deployed to eThekwini to ensure the needs of the most vulnerable are met.

“We would like to really thank our partners for their continued support through this difficult week, they have enabled us to respond to this disaster through their donations: Pick n Pay, Mc Cain, Pepsico, OS Holdings, Barcadi, Food Lovers Market – your contributions have allowed us to reach more people than we would have on our own. Now is the time to work together to assist the KZN Communities effectively. We invite more partners and donors to join hands with MOWCS to address other issues beyond food, such as clean water, blankets, and clothes,” said MOWCS CEO Nelisa Mabenge.

MOWCS is aware that people from many of the displaced communities are unable to go to MOWCS relief centers where they would normally get a hot cooked meal; as a result MOWCS is literally getting the MEALS ON WHEELS to deliver to the camps where the displaced residents are currently housed for safety.

With President Cyril Ramaphosa declaring the situation in KZN as the State of National Disaster, MOWCS is committed to providing meals for as long it is necessary and is inviting more organisations to come on board and donate towards this cause in order to reach more affected areas.

Donation Account Details:

Acc Name: Meals on Wheels Community Services SA

Account No: 4076236605

Bank: ABSA

Branch: Brandwag

Account Type: Current Account

For more details on Meals on Wheels and their programmes contact the CEO’s office, Ms Lerato Mojaki (Executive PA) lerato@mealsonwheels.org.za or visit their website www.mow.org.za

For media enquiries and interview requests please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or call 011 788 7632

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Meals On Wheels Community Services (MOWCS) – www.mow.org.za

The Goethe-Institut in partnership with Animation South Africa (ASA) launch the 2022 Cav‘ Platform Dialogue Forums. The Cav‘ Platform is a collaborative project between the Goethe-Institut and Animation South Africa (ASA) that develop dialogue forums focused on topics relevant to the Animation Industry. These dialogue forums form part of the programming of various South African festivals with an interest in animation and take place in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

Goethe-Institut and Animation SA have been collaborating over the past 3 years on the Cav‘ Platform particularly focusing on the transformation of the South African animation industry. Each dialogue forum is based on the theme and research findings of transformation requirements within the animation industry.

“This partnership with Animation South African is one the ways that the Cav’ Platform a project of the Goethe-Institut is contributing to conversations that we hope will yield better income prospects for those involved in the animation industry” said Goethe-Institut Cav’ Platform Project Manager Bandile Gumbi.

The first Dialogue Forum takes place in Johannesburg on 29 April, at a Hybrid Event at the Radisson Red and kicks off the series with a focus on incubators as a model for transformation. Titled Innovating in the incubator space through hybrid models, this dialogue considers the current ASA incubator Road to Commercialisation - Broadcast Readiness Incubator, headed up by ASA’s Isabelle Rorke. This dialogue will explore how the ASA incubator has impacted the candidates and how this model can be expanded for greater transformation through entrepreneurial and general skills development with the goal of sustainable job creation.

The event will be live streamed through the Goethe-Institut face book group and to RSVP for the live event RSVP to Michelle - events@animationsa.org.

The second Dialogue Forum is set to take place the Durban Film Mart and will continue to focus on incubators as a model for industry transformation, but will expand to include the creative clusters which are yielding impressive results in Gauteng.

The final Dialogue Forum will take place at the Cape Town international Animation Festival and will introduce licensing and merchandising to the animation community. This is an important piece of the value chain however very few industry players know much about it. It is a complex industry that has its own challenges and opportunities. By hosting a dialogue on this subject the Cav‘ Platform will be able to discuss two critical areas including, Africanisation of merchandise and addressing the critical shortage of African themed toys and apparel for the youth market.

All three Dialogue Forums form part of the greater conversation ASA continues to have within the animation and gaming industry, seeking greater transformation and more opportunities for South African animation and gaming professionals on home soil.

Event details for the first Cav‘ Platform Dialogue Forum in Johannesburg:

Date: 29 April 2022

Venue: Hybrid Event, Radisson Red (Rosebank)

Time: 4 - 7pm

Ticketing info: RSVP to Michelle - events@animationsa.org

For media enquiries and interview requests please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or call 011 788 7632

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Animation SA (ASA) - www.a nimationsa.org and Goethe-Institut

About the Partners

Cav’ Platform

Cav’ Platform contributes to existing efforts in the creative and cultural industry (CCI). Through research-based forums and a virtual platform, Cav’ Platform provides a space for dialogue, networking, information and resources sharing. The project is part of the Goethe-Institut’s Cav’ Creative Economies that comprises the two projects Cav’ Platform and Cav’ Townships. The programme aims to contribute to the creative and cultural industries in South Africa, by supporting creative organisations and small businesses towards income generation.

AnimationSA

SA Animation Game Jam - Gaming is big money and Game Jam highlights the opportunities in South Africa

Gaming is hot and the world games market, a billion dollar industry, is steadily growing. At the end of 2020 Newzoo reported there 2.69 billion gamers and growth has been steady with an average of 5.6% year-on-year (YoY) increase. 2021 figures are forecast to reach 2.81 billion gamers that will earn the global games market an estimated $189.3 billion.* This is an industry worth getting in to, and this April Animation SA and Adanian Labs are proudly collaborating to host their first Game Jam in South Africa from 8 to 10 April 2022 at the ASA Incubation Hub at Constitution Hill.

The aim of the Game Jam is to get graduate game developers, or individuals interested in game design and development to explore the world of gaming as a career prospect. This year’s event will host approximately 20 aspiring game developer interns, giving them an opportunity to showcase their ability to design games within the context of gamification. The event hopes to arm them with ‘survival skills’ to consider outsourcing gamification work whilst they develop their main game or passion.

“It is hoped that events such as the Game Jam will encourage graduates and young game developers to consider the prospects to earn a living working in their dream job as a game developer. The event aims to highlight the various career opportunities that exist within the space,” said event organiser Xolile Vundla of Animation SA.

Each participant will be challenged to create an educational game with various techniques adopted to create fun ways to engage younger players. Participation in the event will enable the aspiring interns to gather additional info on working in the video game and gamification market, learning where they would like to position themselves in the market and finally get support that helps them develop or sharpen the game development skills required for their chosen speciality. The participants will be judged on their ability to balance principles of game design and the needs of the non-entertainment clients in the process of making a gamification product.

Adanian Labs is committed to growing the Gaming ecosystem because it will allow young Africans to build games that will compete globally Create and inform edutainment. The Game Jam is also part of collective efforts to allow African developers to participate in the new digital world of tokenisation, game metaverse and tech ecosystem,” says Bendon Murgor co-founder of Adanian Labs who are intentional about positioning the lab to be a catalyst to support start-up incubators.

The five SMMEs in the ASA Incubator currently ongoing will each receive four or five interns from this Game Jam and the event is an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their level of skills and will be used as a final assessment before placement on the internship programme. The Game Jam will happening at a later date in Cape Town for Western Cape Graduates.

For media enquiries and interview requests please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or call 011 788 7632

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Animation SA (ASA) - www.a nimationsa.org and Adanian Labs SA - https://www.facebook.com/AdanianLabsSA

ENDS

About Animation SA

Animation South Africa is an Industry Association representing the interests of animation, gaming and VR professionals. Founded in 2006, Animation South Africa (ASA) is registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) as a non-profit company (NPC). Animation SA aims to transform the animation, gaming and Virtual Reality (VR) industries in South Africa by making trading conditions more conducive to creating and/or maintaining work opportunities, developing initiatives which transfer and develop scarce and critical skills and generating Initiatives which result in more commercial activity, including the exportation of South African animation products and services. ASA is involved in conducting and participating in various research drives using the findings to accurately reflect and inform future interventions.

About Adanian Labs

The Adanian Labs mission is to provide a platform where African Tech start-ups can thrive and access all key resources that allows them to launch and grow sustainably. From access to funding, developing the technology, support from technical teams, go to market strategies and to scale.

We are passionate in our drive to create “CAMELS!” Strong, resilient companies, entrepreneurs & youth who will sustain African economies, even with limited resources. We coined #TheCamelTheory knowing the challenges in terms of equity that Africa has in its spin towards the #4IR.

* https://financesonline.com/number-of-gamers-worldwide/

Msaki, Simmy and students from Morris Isaacson Centre for Music among the Talent Featured at the Festival

Johannesburg, South Africa communities will, for the second time, get to witness and enjoy a series of talks, concerts, collaborations and a local market this weekend on the 4th and 5th of March at Constitution Hill at the Paris New York Heritage Festival Joburg Edition.

From Paris to New York, Montréal to Vancouver, Johannesburg to Los Angeles, the Paris New York Heritage Festival is an international festival, a journey to the heart of Africa and the African Diaspora’s art and music, and it will soon be landing in Joburg for the second time.

The cultural expressions of African and diasporic communities share a common foundation “a fight for the recognition of their humanity, and the importance of acknowledging their role in its history.” In 2022, the festival explores Humanity's future under the theme of Human[U]nity: after the global pandemic hit during the peak of climate discussions all around the globe, Humanity must now figure out how to survive, together, as one!

Kicking off on the 4th of March, A series of conversations and exchanges exploring the theme of Human[U]nity will take place. Open to the public and facilitated by Nicky Blumenfeld (Kaya959), guest speakers will include Benjamin Levy (Festival Director, promoter, educator), Azah (master percussionist and music therapist), Lance McCormick, (current director at Flame Studios), Itu (from Viva Nation Radio), Raashan (international DJ, rapper, composer and collaborator) and Mandla Mlangeni (independent artist, audiovisual and events management, educator and director of Mandla Mlangeni Music. Interested parties can Register for the Conversations via this Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mzIiCSI9DE7Rr_W_MK0PmHU0b5fMe8eurGIG5g2Fe2E/edit

The Festival on the 5th will present Concerts, Collaborations and Local Market from 4pm to 12pm. A unique line-up, featuring acclaimed artists from the USA, France and Southern Africa coming together for the first time on stage. Some of the talent includes:

Simmy is a South African singer-songwriter with a huge following. She gained prominence in 2018, after signing a record deal with EL World Music and working closely with Sun-El Musician. Her hard-hitting songs touch on modern issues and more personal narratives speaking to life and love in the digital age. Simmy is a powerful and evocative vocalist and undoubtedly one of South Africa’s shining stars!

A Powerful Collaboration, A unique Creation: Musical History in The Making sees The Brother Moves On (SA) presenting the “Freedom Songs Project’’ which features Msaki (SA), Gontse Makhene (SA), Malcolm Jiyane (SA), Bholoja (SZ) and students from the 'Morris Isaacson Centre for Music

Acclaimed MC & hip-hop artist Raashan Ahmad (USA) will be making his first-ever appearance on a South African stage. Raashan is a soulful, conscious wordsmith and performer, and has worked with Blackalicious, Jurassic 5, (The Roots), Aloe Blacc, Nicola Conte, and more…

Djeuhdjoah and Lieutenant Nicholson (FR) with Cool Affair (SA)

DJ Line-up: NickyB (Kaya959), 2lani the Warrior, Shamrock Guitor

Locrate Market - Soweto’s famous market will present 15 stalls with delicious food and local arts and crafts for a day of fun and culture (https://locrate.co.za )

END

For media enquiries and interview requests please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or call 011 788 7632

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of BL Music & NickyB Global

PNYH will partner with IFAS, Kaya959, SACEM, Paris City, Institut Francais, Joburg Tourism, Constitution Hill, CNM

For Additional Info Contact:

Global Communication PNYH Digital:

SYLVIE : prod@blmusicprod.com

PNYH international:

Benjamin Levy (Director) - blmusique@gmail.com

+33671448680

Links:

More information click here , Ticket Office , Facebook Event , https://www.pnyhfestival.com/ , Instagram : @pnyh_festival

Note To Editor

“We have now, more than ever, the responsibility to build today for a better tomorrow!”

Conversation speakers and their topics:

Lance McCormack - Music executive, former Director at Bassline, current Director at Flame Studios

Topic: "Flame Studios - it's vision, purpose and role in establishing the ‘The Hill Music Development Arc"

Lance McCormack is a South African music industry ‘veteran’ who manages Flame Studios at Constitution Hill. The Flame Studios recording hub is a world-class facility built into the ramparts of the historic Old Fort. Named after the Flame of Democracy that burns permanently outside the Constitutional Court, Flame Studios has become a home for musicians and creatives who are actively reshaping the narrative of contemporary South African music.

Azah - Independent artist, master percussionist and sonic healer

Topic: ‘The Sacred Role and Significance of the Drum in Communities’

Tinyiko Mpho Mphago wa Mabasa, professionally known as Azah is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, musical director, cultural activist, educator and philanthropist from SA’s Jazz capital Mamelodi. Known as one of the finest South African percussionists of our generation, he was born into a family of traditional healers and began playing drums at the age of 8, and from a young age, he worked as part of Dr Philip Tabane’s famous band, Molombo. Azah has researched, studied and practiced the drums and percussion as a medium of healing and as a way of artistic and spiritual expression.

Itumeleng Mosadi - Viva Nation Radio Station Manager

Topic: ‘The importance of creating relevant and quality content for online presentation and digital spaces, and its impact for music practitioners’

Itumeleng Mosadi, also known as Shotgunflava or Mr Gun in music Circles, is a qualified Sound Engineer and Journalist as well as a versatile and passionate musician. He started working in the music industry in 2008 under an independent record label as a Sound Engineer and A&R assistant and was signed to one of the biggest independent record labels (Mabala Noise) Itumeleng currently work as a Radio Station Manager for a cutting edge Online radio station (Viva Nation Radio) and has vast experience as a music compiler having compiled music for in house retail radio stations such as Pick n Pay, Makro and Airports Radio as well as compiling mood music playlists for various corporate clients.

Mandla Mlangeni - Independent artist, audiovisual and events management, educator and director of Mandla Mlangeni Music

Topic: ‘Activating spaces and connecting community through the arts and education’

Mandla Mlangeni is a Johannesburg-based trumpeter, composer and bandleader. A prolific and talented player, Mandla is a member of the SAMA-nominated group Amandla Freedom Ensemble and has toured extensively as a member of the Cape Town Opera. His musical production ‘Oratorio For A Forgotten Youth’ was premiered by the Artscape Opera House, and he also leads the highly active ‘Tune Recreation Committee’, a group which he founded to teach music workshops and provide healing to disenfranchised communities. In 2020, Mandla received a OneBeat Accelerator grant for his project ‘Afrikan Freedom Principle’, an online platform for a wide community of musicians and arts practitioners to share insights on current developments in the industry, including a podcast, panel discussions, archives, and workshops on everything from music theory to marketing to performance to preservation.

Benjamin Levy - Founder and Director of Paris New York Heritage Festival, agent, promoter, educator

Topic: ‘New Models and Initiatives for the Music Industry and Artist Development, both locally and Internationally’

After over twenty years of promoting various artists including George Clinton, James Brown, Boosty Collins, and many more; Benjamin Levy created the Paris New York Heritage Festival. Benjamin wanted to pay homage to the music and culture of the African Diaspora, to which the music of today’s world, as well as his career, owe their roots. In 2016, the PNYH festival was born as a tribute to this heritage. "I hope the festival opens the doorway for viewers to create their point of view on this topic. Think of the event like an internet network we hope to increase awareness about the theme and encourage all to form their own opinions. Everyone is welcome at this event; you may like, dislike, agree, disagree. but hopefully, you will leave with your answer. or perhaps even more questions on this theme. Normally at a festival you eat, you drink, you consume! Think of this as another way to consume, it’s a sharing of cultures in a way a “typical” festival does not provide. Through conversation, deep questions, music, film, and company we will engage with the material and all leave different than before the festival began". - B.Levy

Raashan - International DJ, rapper, composer and collaborator

Topic: ‘The Hidden Healing Power of Music in Communities’

Raashan Ahmad (USA) is a DJ, rapper and collaborator that crosses borders and boundaries by fusing elements of hip hop, soul, jazz, world music, funk, and different artistic mediums. Considered one of the most “evolving, exciting and collaborative vocalists” of today, he has already toured across North America, Europe, Japan and Australia, and has done collaborations with Wax Tailor, Blackalicious, Jurassic 5, Aloe Blacc, Keziah Jones, Stro Elliot (The Roots), Fred Wesley (The J.B’s) and Nicola Conte amongst others.

Leote "Lee" Taylor - SACII Incubation Program/Project Manager

Topic: “#NormalisingAccess” - Creating innovative, sustainable business development and initiatives for arts, culture and heritage SMME’s

Durban-born Leote is a multi-skilled, talented creative and serial entrepreneur. She is experienced in incubation programme design and management and an expert in creative SMME development. She project manages and oversees all the SA Creative Industries Incubator's incubation programmes. She is devoted to ensuring that Creatives from all walks of life have access to the Creative Economy.

Lee is also a seasoned vocalist and songwriter with a degree in Musical Theatre from the Tshwane University of Technology. She has her own production company that does artist development and is the founder of an annual event called the Ultimate Fashion Exchange

Facilitator: NickyB - DJ, Radio Host of The World Show - Kaya959

NickyB is a well-respected and highly experienced South African DJ and music specialist. She is also a producer, compiler, writer, educator and for the past 24 years, has been the producer presenter of The World Show on Johannesburg-based radio station KayaFM 95.9. NickyB began The World Show in 1997 when Kaya FM was launched as the first black-owned, independent radio station in the newly democratic South Africa. Informative, and largely pan-African, hers is a musical journey that travels across continents and timelines. With in-depth interviews and features, it’s a very well-established show with a loyal listenership.

The cultural expressions of African and diasporic communities share a common foundation “a fight for the recognition of their Humanity, and the importance of acknowledging their role in its history.” In 2022, the festival explores Humanity's future under the theme of Human[U]nity: after the global pandemic hit during the peak of climate discussions all around the globe, Humanity must now figure out how to survive, together, as one!

Concerts, Collaborations and Local Market! (5 March 2022 - 4pm to 12pm )

A unique line-up, featuring acclaimed artists from the USA, France and Southern Africa coming together for the first time on stage:

New Artist announced: Simmy (SA)

A Powerful Collaboration, A unique Creation: Musical History in The Making

The Brother Moves On (SA) “Freedom Songs Project’’ Feat. Msaki (SA), Gontse Makhene (SA) , Malcolm Jiyane (SA), Bholoja (SZ), students from the 'Morris Isaacson Centre for Music’

It will also be the first appearance of acclaimed MC & hip-hop artist Raashan Ahmad (USA) in South Africa. Raashan is a soulful, conscious wordsmith and performer, and has worked with Blackalicious, Jurassic 5, (The Roots), Aloe Blacc, Nicola Conte and more…

Djeuhdjoah and Lieutenant Nicholson (FR) with Cool Affair (SA)

DJ Line-up: NickyB (Kaya959), 2lani the Warrior, Shamrock Guitor

Locrate Market - Soweto’s famous market will present 15 stalls with delicious food and local arts and crafts for a day of fun and culture (https://locrate.co.za )

Conversations and discussions (4 March 2022)

“We have now, more than-ever, the responsibility to build today for a better tomorrow!”

A series of conversations and exchanges exploring the theme of Human[U]nity. Open to the public and facilitated by Nicky Blumenfeld (Kaya959), guest speakers will include Benjamin Levy (Festival Director, promoter, educator), Azah (master percussionist and music therapist), Lance McCormick, (current director at Flame Studios), Itu (from Viva Nation Radio), Raashan (international DJ, rapper, composer and collaborator) and Mandla Mlangeni (independent artist, audio visual and events management, educator and director of Mandla Mlangeni Music):

Lance McCormack - Music executive, former Director at Bassline, current Director at Flame Studios

Topic: "Flame Studios - it's vision, purpose and role in establishing the ‘The Hill Music Development Arc"

Lance McCormack is a South African music industry ‘veteran’ who manages Flame Studios at Constitution Hill. The Flame Studios recording hub is a world-class facility built into the ramparts of the historic Old Fort. Named after the Flame of Democracy that burns permanently outside the Constitutional Court, Flame Studios has become a home for musicians and creatives who are actively re-shaping the narrative of contemporary South African music.

Azah - Independent artist, master percussionist and sonic healer

Topic: ‘The Sacred Role and Significance of the Drum in Communities’

Tinyiko Mpho Mphago wa Mabasa, professionally known as Azah is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, musical director, cultural activist, educator and philanthropist from SA’s Jazz capital Mamelodi. Known as one of the finest South African percussionists of our generation, he was born into a family of traditional healers and began playing drums at the age of 8, and from a young age he worked as part of Dr Philip Tabane’s famous band, Molombo. Azah has researched, studied and practiced the drums and percussion as a medium of healing and as a way of artistic and spiritual expression.

Itumeleng Mosadi - Viva Nation Radio Station Manager

Topic: ‘The importance of creating relevant and quality content for online presentation and digital spaces, and its impact for music practitioners’

Itumeleng Mosadi, also known as Shotgunflava or Mr Gun in music Circles, is a qualified Sound Engineer and Journalist as well as a versatile and passionate musician. He started working in the music industry in 2008 under an independent record label as a Sound Engineer and A&R assistant, and was signed to one of the biggest independent record labels (Mabala Noise) Itumeleng currently work as a Radio Station Manager for a cutting edge Online radio station (Viva Nation Radio) and has vast experience as a music compiler having compiled music for in house retail radio stations such as Pick n Pay, Makro and Airports Radio as well as compiling mood music playlists for various corporate clients.

Mandla Mlangeni - Independent artist, audio visual and events management, educator and director of Mandla Mlangeni Music

Topic: ‘Activating spaces and connecting community through the arts and education’

Benjamin Levy - Founder and Director of Paris New York Heritage Festival, agent, promoter, educator

Topic: ‘New Models and Initiatives for the Music Industry and Artist Development, both locally and Internationally’

After over twenty years of promoting various artists including George Clinton, James Brown, Boosty Collins, and many more; Benjamin Levy created the Paris New York Heritage Festival. Benjamin wanted to pay homage to the music and culture of the African Diaspora, to which the music of today’s world, as well as his career, owe their roots. In 2016, the PNYH festival was born as a tribute to this heritage. "I hope the festival opens the doorway for viewers to create their own point of view on this topic. Think of the event like an internet network we hope to increase awareness about the theme and encourage all to form their own opinions. Everyone is welcome at this event; you may like, dislike, agree, disagree. but hopefully you will leave with your answer. or perhaps even more questions on this theme. Normally at a festival you eat, you drink, you consume! Think of this as another way to consume, it’s a sharing of cultures in a way a “typical” festival does not provide. Through conversation, deep questions, music, film, and company we will engage with the material and all leave different than before the festival began". - B.Levy

Raashan - International DJ, rapper, composer and collaborator

Topic: ‘The Hidden Healing Power of Music in Communities’

Leote "Lee" Taylor - SACII Incubation Program/Project Manager

Topic: “#NormalisingAccess” - Creating innovative, sustainable business development and initiatives for arts, culture and heritage SMME’s

Durban born Leote is a multi-skilled, talented creative and serial entrepreneur. She is experienced in incubation programme design and management and an expert in creative SMME’s development. She project manages and oversees all the SA Creative Industries Incubator's incubation programmes. She is devoted to ensuring that Creatives from all walks of life have access to the Creative Economy.

Lee is also a seasoned vocalist and songwriter with a degree in Musical Theatre from the Tshwane University of Technology. She has her own production company that does artist development and the founder of an annual event called the Ultimate Fashion Exchange

Facilitator: Nicky B - DJ, Radio Host of The World Show - Kaya959

NickyB is a well respected and highly experienced South African DJ and music specialist. She is also a producer, compiler, writer, educator and for the past 24 years, has been the producer presenter of The World Show on Johannesburg-based radio station KayaFM 95.9. NickyB began The World Show in 1997, when Kaya FM was launched as the first black-owned, independent radio station in the newly democratic South Africa. Informative, and largely pan-African, hers is a musical journey that travels across continents and timelines. With in-depth interviews and features, it’s a very well established show with a loyal listenership.

Register for the Conversations via this Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mzIiCSI9DE7Rr_W_MK0PmHU0b5fMe8eurGIG5g2Fe2E/edit

For media enquiries and interview requests please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or call 011 788 7632

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of BL Music & NickyB Global

PNYH will partner with IFAS, Kaya959, SACEM, Paris City, Institut Francais, Joburg Tourism, Constitution Hill, CNM

For Additional Info Contact:

Global Communication PNYH Digital:

SYLVIE : prod@blmusicprod.com

PNYH international:

Benjamin Levy (Director) - blmusique@gmail.com

+33671448680

Links:

More information click here , Ticket Office , Facebook Event , https://www.pnyhfestival.com/ , Instagram : @pnyh_festival

Three Zambian Tech StartUps awarded a spot on the Global Venture Building Programme joining Four other countries

A benefit of up to USD360 000 worth of pre-seed funding collectively set to assist the Zambia’s Tech Trio

Three Zambian innovative tech start-ups Lendbox, Eco Cube Technology and Maxi Waxi are fast scaling African solutions based on their lived experience in Zambia with a global mindset to scale and offer their tech solutions to solve African problems.

Lendbox, founded by Malaizyo Muumba and Mundia Mundia is a cloud based loans management system. To keep track of finances, debtors collateral and much more.

Eco Cube Technology,founded by Kachingo Zulu is an innovative start-up company that promotes innovative product such as the spotless city waste mobile app and spotless city bins technology that will revolutionize the waste management system in Zambia. Spotless city mobile app and smart bins are it’s brainchild of Eco cube Technology. The spotless city mobile app its a digitized response to waste management using a mobile application which optimizes tracking, collection and recycling furthermore with its features of Smart Bin technology software installed in the bins can notify waste collection companies when the bin is full and ready for collection.

Maxiwaxi (Taxi3.0) founded by the dynamic duo Ernest Kangwa and Chumba Chanda is Africa's first blockchain based mobility platform wishing to decentralize the ride hailing ecosystem and disrupt the existing monopoly and centralized business model by introducing for the first time a franchise Model made possible by NfT Technology into the ride hailing industry across African markets starting with Zambia.

The startups pitched their innovations and how they are intentionally creating optimal tech solutions to a highly experienced panel of judges that consisted of the Adanian labs' co-founders, Irene Kiwia, John Kamara and Bendon Murgor, and guest judge, Tamaranji Nkhoma a local entrepreneurial powerhouse.

The program, which launched the call for startups in December 2021, received applications from different sectors including FinTech, EduTech, AgriTech, HealthTech, EnviroTech, InsurTech, EnergyTech, Smart-City, MobilityTech, EmmersiveTech - including IoT, Blockchain and AI.

“We are talking about 4IR but we have realised that we are not producing our technologies. We have a lot of entrepreneurs who are coming up with a lot of amazing solutions but they fail because of lack of access to resources,” says Chief Growth Officer, Irene Kiwia

During the twelve-month programme, startups will have access to Adanian Labs technical support, business mentorship, access to market, partnerships and funding and also help them apply lean principles in processes, learning, iteration and scaling of their innovations.

“We aim to build the next generation of socially impactful and commercially driven companies that will change the world from Africa. We are intentional in how we support entrepreneurs by de-risking the potential for failure through a 360-degree intervention that takes care of the key resources needed to help startups succeed.” said Adanian Lab’s CEO, John Kamara.

END

Contact Information: Mufa S Nyirongo +260960705898/+260971799164. Communications and Marketing Manager, Adanian Labs Zambia.

About Adanian Labs:

Adanian Labs is a Pan African venture building studio with a mission to build, incubate and launch impact-driven technology companies and entrepreneurs working to solve some of Africa’s most pertinent challenges.

Adanian Labs uses smart technologies (AI and Blockchain) as building blocks to create solutions that are impact-focused, commercially viable and scalable across Africa and other parts of the world.

Currently, the company has built 14 startups including in AgriTech, HealthTech, WomenTech, FinTech, AdTech, SmeTech and other industries; and has launched 2 centres of Excellencies - AI Center of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence and The Africa Block Chain Center for Blockchain Technology.

Adanian Labs is a partner of EMURGO Africa and is headquartered in Nairobi Kenya, with a presence in Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, Swaziland and the United Kingdom.

Four Tech StartUps awarded a spot on Adanian Labs South Africa Venture Building Programme where they stand to benefit up to USD480 000 worth of pre-seed funding collectively

Creating & Building a Borderless Africa Through Technology

Out of the sixteen (16) Tech startups that came to present their innovations on Friday the 21^st of January 2022 in Johannesburg South Africa, four startups have been announced as successful finalists who will join the Adanian Venture building programme which will grant them access to up to USD120000 worth of pre-seed funding for their tech innovations.

The startups selected for the year-long program are; Air Buy Africa, Intsika Yembokodo, Vambo Academy and Space Salad Studios who all showcased spectacular solutions to some of the problems that affect societies in South Africa and the continent.

Air Buy Africa is a platform created as a solution to the factors hindering Africa. It is an alternative online payment gateway that enables online stores to accept payments from users who do not wish to pay using their banking details. “When choosing to pay using Airbuy, online shoppers will use their mobile number instead of the traditional option of using their banking details to avoid being a victim of fraud.” says co-founder Njabulo Makhathini “We are very excited to be part of the programme and we believe this will expose Airbuy to more of Adanian Labs’ footprint which is continent-wide.” he expresses.

Intsika YeMbokodo, founded by Nomcebo Mgaga is an agribusiness skills transfer for youth where youth will be trained in Agribusiness using an online platform. Says Mgaga, “Flying high begins with spreading your wings. Thanks to Adanian Labs for allowing me to work with you and to be part of the programme! As an entrepreneur, this will enable me to grow the business, create employment and many opportunities. I believe that it will open many doors for Intsika AgriHUB as a business and make it a great impact powered and commercially viable AgriTech in Africa.”

SpaceSalad Studios was established in 2019 as a content creation collective that seeks to be an authentic African storyteller in the age of the 4th industrial revolution through the use of interactive media. Presenting on their latest innovation inspired by lived experiences and the need to promote better waste management, the team set out to create the game Doba Dash, a 3D combat racing game about the informal waste management Recycling community, known as the reclaimers aka ‘street surfers’. “In this game, players take on the role of the street surfer and battle it out in a race against other players to collect as many recyclable materials on the track which they convert into weapons or cash at the end of the game.

This is their currency which they use to customize their carts, character as well as unlock unique accessories. “We are excited that Adanian Labs and the programme will help us develop the skills we need so that we can build a commercially successful gaming industry from Africa to the world!” Shares CEO and Co-founder Thabo Tsolo

Vambo Academy is an online platform that aims to teach African languages and share various aspects of African heritage whilst preserving its value. The language and communication skills learned on the Vambo Academy platform are ready for immediate use. “We are so honoured and excited to be selected to form part of the first cohort of the Adanian labs venture building programme in South Africa. This is going to be a game-changing opportunity for Vambo Academy. We look forward to improving our offering and business model to better serve the needs of African indigenous languages and knowledge structures,” expresses Founder, Chido Dzinotyiwei

The startups pitched their innovations and how they are intentionally creating optimal tech solutions to a highly experienced panel of judges that consisted of the Adanian labs' co-founders, Irene Kiwia, John Kamara and Bendon Murgor, and guest judge, Dr Ntuthuko Bhengu who is the founder of Alchemy Health Technologies who brought to the panel, great knowledge and experience in product innovation and scalability’

“Since our establishment in 2020, Adanian Labs has incubated fourteen (14) groundbreaking tech startups across sectors. We aim to build the next generation of socially impactful and commercially driven companies that will change the world from Africa and the venture building program is going to be a sure vehicle to strategically bring this vision to a concrete reality” shares Co-founder, John Kamara

END

For media enquiries and interview requests please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or call 011 788 7632

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Adanian Labs SA

About Adanian Labs:

Adanian Labs uses smart technologies (AI and Blockchain) as building blocks to create solutions that are impact-focused, commercially viable and scalable across Africa and other parts of the world.

Adanian Labs is a partner of EMURGO Africa and is headquartered in Nairobi Kenya, with a presence in Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, Swaziland and the United Kingdom.

A Civil Society Tribute Celebrating The Life & Legacy Of Archbishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu

Live streamed Tribute to The Archbishop Tutu

Sunday 30th January 2022 at 7pm CAT

WWW.CELEBRATETUTU.COM

Archbishop Tutu was an internationalist whose impact on issues related to faith, politics and social change transcended the spiritual figure to inspire people from all walks of life, in particular artists and creative minds around the world. He achieved a level of recognition that attracted many to join his pursuit to unite people despite their differences; defend human rights and social justice issues. His death was met with an outpouring of tributes that prompted a range of civil society initiatives and artists coordinated by Palestine Festival SA and Afro Arts SA to collaborate in organising a civil society tribute to this fallen giant.

Artists, creatives and cultural activists from South Africa, Brazil, Palestine, Italy, USA, Benin, Kenya, Ghana and elsewhere have come together to pay homage, expressing themselves in diverse genres, with tributes reflective of the progressive cultural tapestry. “The Arch for us,” the organisers said in a statement, “spoke truth to power in many different ways and there were no ‘no-go areas’ for him when it comes to resisting oppression and exploitation.”

The Arch lived ubuntu every day, they added, and this philosophy was aptly captured by his words: "God longs for us to know that we were created for togetherness." His quest for justice went beyond South Africa and the power of his moral clarity was undeniable. As Mandela said, the Arch’s voice “will always be the voice of the voiceless.”

Tutu was a staunch defender of the rights of Palestinians in the occupied territories, who he believed were suffering similar apartheid policies experienced by South Africans. In 2013, he told the Washington Post: “I wish I could keep quiet about the plight of the Palestinians. I can’t! The God who was there and showed that we should become free is the God described in the Scriptures as the same yesterday, today and forever. When you go to the Holy Land and see what’s being done to the Palestinians at checkpoints, for us, it’s the kind of thing we experienced in South Africa.”

Archbishop Tutu was a critical voice in the new South Africa and called out black political elite. He was critical of the ANC leadership, the endemic corruption and the failure to deal adequately with the poverty and hardship across the country. He lived by the Christian teaching of loving your neighbour as yourself — to the exclusion of absolutely no one at all. First and foremost, he was a man of God but was also a figure for whom honesty and the truth were more important than almost anything else. His passionate activism for minorities, especially for the LGBTQ+ community and for those living with HIV/AIDS, earned him accolades on the international stage, especially artists.

On Sunday 30th January 2022 at 7pm CAT | 7pm PST | 10am ET, a special tribute will be livestreamed to reach audiences far and wide. The 90 minute livestreamed event will reflect several creative genres, including music, song, dance, poetry, caricature, mural art, photography and videography, and cartoonists amongst others.

South African artists on the line-up include satirist Pieter Dirk Uys, SA’s most loved puppet Chester Missing, comedian Marc Lottering, the songstress of the global hit song Jerusalema - Nomcebo Zikode, Bokani Dyer with Gauteng Choristers, jazz musicians McCoy Mrubata and Paul Hanmer, poets Mak Manaka, Busisiwe Mahlangu, Vus’umuzi Phakathi, Phillippa Yaa de Villiers accompanied by music from Ariel and Juana from Argentina, Neo Motsatse (violin) and Teboho Motsatse (keys), percussionist Tale Makhene, Concorde Nkabinde, Solidarity Express Quartet , Kamva Jazz String Quartet and many others. Leading South African cartoonists Zapiro and Nanda Sooben are joined by Brazilian Carlos Latuff and Palestine’s Mohamed Sabaaneh.

The Palestinian line-up includes award winning Palestinian author Susan Abulhawa, Khaled Juma, soloist Nai Barghouti, Bashar Murad, from Gaza 13-year-old singer Zain Abu Daqqa and the acclaimed Palestinian American comedian Amer Zaher, who will join us live to co-present.

The event will also feature Angelique Kidjo from Benin, Kwabena Churchill from Ghana, Zimbabwean Mazuruse, Kenya’s Ndungi Githuku and Paul Kelemba, Eritrean Mikal Yosief, Italian maestro Maurizio Capone & Bungt Bangt, Pakistani novelist Kamila Shamsie, Nicki Wells from the UK, German dancer Nadja and Dignidad Rebelde with Jesus Barraza and Melanie Cervantes from the USA.

Organisations involved in the tribute event include the Palestine Festival South Africa, Afro Arts SA, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and Joburg Theatre.

For Media enquiries and Interview Requests Please contact:-

Buz Consulting: Bridget van Oerle on buz@buz.co.za or cell: 0832636991/0114770923 or

JT Communication Solutions: Dee’s Harilal media@jtcomms.co.za or call 011 788 7632

For more information:

Contact: Nadia Meer – Director, Palestine Festival South Africa: +27 822280303 or

Roshnie Moonsammy – Director: Afro Arts SA: +27 83 272 0285

Pan African Tech Lab Adanian LABS Sets Its Eyes On South African Tech Start-Ups With The Venture Building Programme investing USD600000 into the SA Tech Startup economy

Five Tech Start-Ups set to join Global Innovations through Adanaian Labs Venture Building Programme 2022

Adanian Labs who successfully launched the South Africa Labs recently, are very excited to work within the South African market. Kicking off on a high they are already on a mission to identify and select innovations that are exceptional to be a part of the 12-month Venture Building programme which will see start-ups receive USD120 000 worth of pre-seed funding.

As part of its vision to be the leading Pan African Tech lab investing in African Innovations created to solve problems on the continent and beyond, Adanian LABS will be hosting a Demo Day where sixteen (16) shortlisted start-ups will pitch in-person to a panel of adjudicators for a chance to be selected as the final five successful start-ups to be incubated at Adanian Labs South Africa.

“Local partnerships are key in realising the Adanian Labs vision. It excites us to have created strategic partnerships with local entrepreneur As Adanian Labs, we aim to build the next generation of socially impactful and commercially driven companies that will change the world from Africa.” says Adanian Lab’s CEO, John Kamara.

Adanian Labs is a dynamic ecosystem that aims to Innovate, Nurture, Launch and Scale disruptive solutions. Selected after a rigorous selection process from over 40 start-ups that applied for the 2022 Adanian Labs Venture Building programme, the 16 startups will have an opportunity to present their unique innovations that need to align with Adanian vision to incubate technologically viable products and of commercialising and scaling.

The five selected startups will join the Adanian labs first Cohort of 2022 internationally as they will join start-ups from other countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria and Zambia The Adanian Labs venture building program will offer a blend of technology development, technical support, business mentorship, access to market, partnerships and funding while helping startups apply lean principles in processes, learning, iteration and scaling of their innovations.

Adanian Lab’s mission is to build 300 impact-driven tech startups that are commercially viable and scalable across the continent and beyond, with a vision to create an exponential impact on the African economy through youth empowerment.

Since its establishment in 2020, Adanian Labs has incubated fourteen (14) groundbreaking tech startups across sectors; have established a first in Africa partnership with Emurgo Africa. EMURGO, the commercial arm of Cardano and have raised seed funding for 4 of its existing start-ups such as Afya Rekod - a consumer-driven digital health data platform; Phema Agri - an agriculture crowdfunding platform; Paylend - an SME credit lending solution and others such as Twaa, eCobba, Reward Adz, Bloow and Ada Animation.

Supporting the South African startup Demo day is leading Integrated PR , Media and communications Agency, JT Communication Solutions. JT Comms is a proudly Level BBBEE Black women owned (with disability.) agency. Having worked on the continent on dynamic projects such as Billionaires against EBOLA, MINDS Africa Youth Networks Movements,The World Cup to mention a few, JT Comms has championed a true continental vision.As a digital pioneer, with a history of using innovation and disruptive tech, JT Comms launched the JT Comms Media Resources Centre of Excellence to harness the power of technology in creating world-class communication solutions. JT Comms has a passion for cross pollination and creating dynamic ecosystems across the continent.

Says Vanessa Perumal, “As Pan African visionaries, we are delighted to expand our reach into to the continent through strategic partnerships that we believe will see the African narrative reshaped. Building a solid communications network in a technology era where even with AI and digital we are more disconnected and the start up revolution will do well to make telling compelling stories part of their value proposition”

Adanian Labs uses its unique positioning to provide critical support for startups through an evolving socio-economic ecosystem revolving around the sharing of resources, creation, production, distribution, trade and consumption.

END.

For media enquiries and interview requests please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or call 011 788 7632

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of Adanian Labs SA

About Adanian Labs:

Adanian Labs uses smart technologies (AI and Blockchain) as building blocks to create solutions that are impact-focused, commercially viable and scalable across Africa and other parts of the world.

Adanian Labs is a partner of EMURGO Africa and is headquartered in Nairobi Kenya, with a presence in Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, Swaziland and the United Kingdom.

Bounteous Events in partnership with the National Arts Council (NAC) of South Africa brings to you an Arts Incubator Programme for Limpopo Arts Practitioners. Bounteous Events together with Limpopo Arts Practitioners will be hosting Theatre shows for Limpopo communities in the villages from the 15^th to the 30^th January. The programme commenced in April 2021 with workshops on Arts Projects and Production Management.

The main aims of Limpopo Arts Programme were the following:

- To empower Limpopo Artists with arts Management skills;

- To empower Limpopo artists with production management

- To encourage the ethics of collaborations within the arts;

- Audience development in the rural communities

The artists who attended the workshops then are now entering the last two phases (creation of the new work and performance) of Project Management.

The shows will be addressing the issues of Gender Based Violence in communities and promoting the importance of Segagešu “My culture”. Performers will use all the spoken languages of Limpopo (Sepedi, Ndebele, Tsonga, Tshivenda and Setswana)

Featuring a cast of professional performers and developing artists, including the well-known Limpopo community veterans and upcoming artists from all performing arts disciplines.

These shows and performances will be scheduled as follows;

Sekhukhune District - 15th-22nd January 2022 in Sepedi, isiNdebele and siSwati will be hosted by Kgošigadi Seloane, Ka Mošate Malatane
Waterberg District - 22^st January 2022 in Sepedi, Ndebele and Setswana at Moshate Mogalakwena Beach
Capricorn District - 20 January 2022 in Sepedi and Setswana in Seshego Zone 1 Exclusive Theatre
Vhembe District - 29th January 2022 in Tshivenda at Thohoyandou.
Shirley - 30th January 2022 in Xitsonga in Shirley at the Lutheren Church

Attending these shows will help you learn more about the Limpopo cultures. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only a limited number of people will be allowed at the venues. Email info@bounteousevents.co.za for further information and to book a place to attend the shows.

Issued by JT Communication Solutions on Behalf of Bounteous Events in partnership with The National Arts Council (NAC)

For Media enquiries and interview requests or access to high res pictures please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or 011 788 7632