by thato | May 19, 2011 | Featured 1
Ape Man: Tony Miyambo will perform at the National Arts Festival
Tickets, check! Accommodation, check! Transport, check! The National Arts Festival is back on June 30 until July 10 and promises to showcase more talent and appeal to a more diverse crowd than in previous years.
Every year, Grahamstown comes alive with music, dance, visual art as well as film and stage productions. It’s a non-stop party that lasts 11 days. “The extensive festival programme caters for the whims and fancies of all kinds of arts enthusiasts and those looking for a short escape from the humdrum of everyday life,” says festival director Ismail Mahomed.
Wits will have its production Red Peter’s Way Out showing at the festival. Directed by master’s student Phala Ookeditse, 4th year dramatic arts student Toni Bonani Miyambo is its sole cast member. The play is an adaptation of a play by Franz Kafka where Ookeditse explores identity and race post-apartheid.
He touches on how much we as South Africans define our identity by the colour of our skin, and the stereotypes and expectations we attach to people when they are a certain race. He also touches on how South Africans were simply fighting for a way out of the apartheid system as opposed to fighting for freedom.
Ookeditse says it’s a “heavy text that is very physical”. He adds that it was challenging to make it a lighter piece that would speak to the audience.
New additions to this year’s National Arts Festival programme include productions from winners of the inaugural Standard Bank Ovations awards which premier in this year’s Arena programme.
Visual arts enthusiasts will be able to attend interactive workshops by established South African comic book and other illustrative artists.
A jazz programme for children is another innovation this year. Also, with the Public Arts programme having grown to almost three times its previous size this year, people will have easier access to experience the arts.
Tickets are selling fast and so is accommodation (not that you’ll be sleeping much), so book soon.
For more information visit: www.nationalartsfestival.co.za
by thato | May 13, 2011 | Featured 1
BlackBerry South African Brand Ambassador: Siyabonga Ngwekazi
THE Wits Blackberry ambassadors kicked off their search for all hip hop talent in a stundee fashion on Tuesday afternoon May 10.
The theme for all events organised by Wits Blackberry ambassadors this year is Hip Hop. The greatest talent found by them will participate in one of Hip Hop’s biggest events in South Africa: Masters of Rhythm later this year.
The amphitheatre was heaving with Witsies enjoying various performances from dancers, MCees, poets and one graffiti artist. Initially, ambassadors Mawethu Nkolomba and VOW FM presenter Mosa Kaiser were only looking for two participants in each category, but opened the competition to the audience. Unfortunately, no beat-boxers boxers were found on campus.
Television and radio presenter Siyabonga “Scoop” Ngwekazi, and DJ Lebogang Naves entertained from behind the decks, while the crowd danced and sang along.
The crowd was receptive to all categories except poetry. Nkolomba, a poet himself agreed that some of the spoken word was not what he had hoped, but added that the amphitheatre was not a great venue for poetry. “I think that if people listened, they would have heard how great the last girl was. I think her poem was relevant and deep”, he said.
Tsholofelo Pule, a first year BA student won the dance category and Lebogang “Inta” Matlapeng, . Witsie’s voted that no one should win the poetry category. Matlapeng was also chosen as the overall winner by the organisers of the Masters of Rhythm event. He is expected to compete against winners from other campuses and individuals, who went through the Masters of Rhythm auditions, held on April 23.
No contestant walked away empty handed, Matlapeng won the new Blackberry Pearl and so did an audience member after a random draw.
To find out about the next Blackberry campus activations and other events where more talent will be scouted, keep reading the Vuvuzela!
by thato | May 12, 2011 | Featured 1, News
Photo courtesy of Bentz.lu
South Africa has lost one of its jazz icons.
Zim Ngqawana, who played the flute and saxophone, was due to perform at a WALE event on Saturday, May 14, but died on Tuesday.
Ngqawana was taken to the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital after he collapsed last weekend after a stroke.
Ashraf Johaardie, producer of the WALE 4.0 festival and general manager of Wits Theatre, says the band that was supposed to be backing Ngqawana at the Atrium in the South West Engineering Building will be doing a tribute performance in his memory.
Dean of humanities, Tawana Kupe, asked those at the WALE opening parade to hold a minute’s silence for Ngqawana.
In line with Islamic customs, Ngqawana was buried on Tuesday evening at West Park cemetery after a service at his home in Troyeville.
Ngqawana grew up in Port Elizabeth and started playing the flute at 21. After his music studies in South Africa, he received the Max Roach scholarship to study at the University of Massachusetts in the US with legendary jazz artists Archie Shepp and Yusef Lateef.
He got his big break when he directed a 100-person Drums for Peace Orchestra at the inauguration of former president Nelson Mandela in 1994. He also performed a solo on his saxophone.
Ngqawana dedicated his life to developing and nurturing upcoming artists. He is survived by his wife, children and family.
May his music live on.
by thato | May 12, 2011 | News
SOME political parties are pulling out their “big guns” (excuse the pun), while others are nowhere to be seen. This year, there are389 registered parties but how many of these are “pulling out all the stops” to get your vote?
On Wednesday, May 18, all registered South Africans who are 18 years or older have the right to vote in the third democratic municipal elections run by the Independent Electoral Committee (IEC). The results of these municipal elections will affect you directly, no matter what your background is, so read on to be well informed before making your mark! Only 48% of registered citizens made their mark in the last municipal elections.
At the municipal elections, voters will be voting for local government who will be responsible for the delivery of basic services to all communities. These basic services include water and electricity,
sanitation, the maintenance of municipal roads, and the regulation of municipal transport services, to mention a few.
– Who can vote on May 18?
All registered South Africans who are 18 years or older on voting day and have a green barcoded identity book.
– How do you know if you are registered?
SMS your ID number to 32810 or check the ‘Am I registered’ page on the election website (www.elections.org.za)
– Where can you vote?
Citizens are allowed to vote at the voting station where they are registered. To find out where that is, refer to the ‘Am I registered’ page or call the IEC call centre on 0800 11 8000 (free from a landline)
If you have moved home, you will have had to re-register during the registration dates. Also, if you won’t be able to travel to your voting station because you’re physically infirm or disabled or can’t vote at your voting station on election day, you will have had to apply for a special vote so that you can vote on May 16-17. If you qualify for a special vote, IEC representatives can also visit you where you are living to help you vote. Registration for special votes closed on May 3.
Visually impaired citizens can be accompanied by someone who is 18 years and older to the voting station. There will also be IEC representatives who will be able to assist you.
All voting stations will be open from 7am- 7pm on May 18. You can only vote once and will need to have your ID with you. Election day has been declared a public holiday.
by thato | May 10, 2011 | Featured 1
Mosa Kaiser
Wits BlackBerry ambassadors are looking for poets, graffiti artists, lyricists, break-dancers, and other hip-hop artists.
Mawethu Nkolomba and Mosa Kaiser are the Witsies who were selected to be BlackBerry (BB) ambassadors on February 28. Apart from representing what the BB brand stands for, they’ve been tasked with helping BB users to make full use of their phone’s features, organise campus promotions, parties and hip-hop sessions.
The theme for all their up-coming events is Hip-Hop. Nkolomba and Kaiser will be searching for all talents associated with hip-hop during campus promotions and parties. Prizes will be won at these gatherings, and the opportunity to perform at the biggest hip-hop event, Masters of Rhythm, is also up for grabs.
VoW FM presenter Kaiser said she’s also looking into organising “sister chats”, saying that a lot of undergraduate students are in need of some mentoring and sisterly love. These chats will give female Witsies an opportunity to learn and seek advice from those who’ve come out the other side in life’s hardships.
BB ambassadors have been given a large budget to run all these events during their eight-month tenure.
“Wits won’t be the same. We want students to express their creative side and also bring back the spark in campus life,” said Nkolomba, who’s a poet himself.
Mawethu Nkolomba
“I saw it as a stepping stone to where I want to be,” said Kaiser, who has already, at the age of 20, acted in five movies.
Look out for the official launch on campus of their activations and other events when we return from study break. You might just win yourself a BB hamper that will give you the opportunity to be a part of what Nkolomba says is the BB revolution.
by thato | Apr 1, 2011 | News
It is no April Fool’s joke that Sibusiso Radebe will win himself R10 000 and an Apple Macbook Pro laptop once he finishes his 200 hours of living in a bakkie on Friday, April 1.
Radebe beat four other finalists by more than 900 votes to get a chance to win “The Resident” competition. If he completes eight days of living in the Nissan NP200 bakkie, he’ll win himself the above prizes and bragging rights for setting a new world record.
JUST CHILLIN': Sbu jokes with some friends Photo: Thato Motaung
Radebe was given a daily exercise routine of 15 minutes and a medical check-up. He was also allowed to shower daily, have bathroom breaks and 30-minute eating breaks. He was allowed to eat anything and anywhere he wanted – as long as he stayed in the van. “I’ve eaten so many different things in the last five days, some I can’t even pronounce,” he said.
The 3rd year geology student was never without company. He received several visits from family. Fellow Witsies also came in numbers – “especially the ladies”, he said with a grin.
Radebe kept in touch with the “outside world” using his cellular phone and a laptop with internet connection. One of his tasks was to submit a daily blog entry for The Resident website which summed up his activities.
His lectures were recorded for him and his tutorials were completed in the van and submitted by friends.
The heavily tattooed Witsie said he’ll spend his winnings on a music and entertainment business named Silver Spoon Hustle which he’ll co-own with a friend. “I can’t give away too much until the mud is dry.”
The bakkie was parked outside the Umthombo Building, and Radebe was monitored by a security guard.
Musical chairs and an eating competition also took place in the eight days. I-pods were given to the winners.
Sibusiso had just entered into day seven of eight when the paper was due for print.
Check out witsvuvuzela.com for a diary of Radebe’s residency and some pictures of the week and closing party with DJ Crazy White Boy.
by thato | Apr 1, 2011 | Featured 1
by thato | Mar 18, 2011 | News
Problem solving: Doctor Donald Kaberuka discusses possible solutions for Africa’s challenges Photo: Courtesy of Caution Hlongwane
African Development Bank president Dr Donald Kaberuka made a brief presentation on Challenges and Opportunities facing Africa at the FNB Building, West Campus, on March 14.
In his opening, deputy vice-chancellor, Prof Yunus Ballim said: “We certainly have a shared sense of history with much of sub-Saharan Africa. Also, we share similar problems and solutions to those problems.”
Kaberuka outlined four key challenges faced by sub-Saharan Africa. These were government defiance and the implications for business confidence, managing natural resources and managing external shocks. He found it unacceptable for so much wealth in food and minerals to be exported, while over half the population lived below the poverty line in many countries. He said this was happening because economic resources were not being managed well.
As a solution, Kaberuka recommended a free movement of natural resources within the African continent as well as government investing in greater infrastructure.
He expressed his wish for governments to provide more support to farmers by providing agricultural subsidies, saying it would work best on a temporary basis.
He said it was important to find solutions to Africa’s challenges, as opposed to finding individuals to put the blame on, and that we should work and develop together and stop “wasting opportunities”.
by thato | Mar 15, 2011 | News
“We certainly have a shared sense of history with much of Sub-Saharan Africa. We certainly also have a shared sense of problems and solutions to those problems,” said Professor Yunus Ballim, deputy vice-chancellor, when introducing Doctor Donald Kaberuka.
Kaberuka, president of the African Development Bank Group, addressed over 50 people in the FNB building auditorium, West Campus on March 14. It was a brief presentation on a pertinent topic: Challenges and Opportunities facing Africa.
Problem solving: Doctor Donald Kaberuka discusses possible solutions for Africa’s challenges. Photo courtesy of Caution Hlongwane
In his address, Kaberuka outlined four key challenges faced by Sub-Saharan Africa. These were government defiance, managing natural resources, managing external shocks, as well as the implications for business confidence as a result of government defiance.
He found it to be unacceptable for so much wealth in the form of food and minerals to be exported, while over half the population lived below the poverty line in many countries. He stressed that this was happening because economic resources were not being managed well, which results in a lack of business confidence.
As a solution, Kaberuka suggested a free movement of natural resources within the African continent as well as government investing in projects that will contribute to building greater infrastructure.
Kaberuka expressed his wish for government in African states to provide more support to farmers, adding that it would work best on a temporary basis.
He pointed out that it was important to find solutions to Africa’s challenges, as opposed to finding people to put the blame on, and that as African countries we should work and develop together and stop “wasting opportunities”.
Kaberuka is a Rwandan economist and has served as president of the African Development Bank since 1995. He was also Rwanda’s Minister of Finance and Economic Planning from 1997 to 2005 and is credited with helping restructure and stabilize the country’s economy after the civil war in 1994.
The African Development Bank Group’s mission is to promote sustainable economic development and social progress in the continent and help reduce poverty. To this end, the Bank seeks to mobilize resources to assist African countries, individually and jointly.
by thato | Mar 15, 2011 | Featured 1, News
Just when we thought The Repertoires had reached their peak as one of South Africa’s finest hip-hop dance crews, came the announcement of their new reality show which debuted on satellite channel Vuzu last week Friday.
The reality show, Running with the Reps, showcases “young, upcoming, talented people and how they handle the drama of trying to make it out there … being in the entertainment industry and the dramas of life itself,” says Nthato “Taydos” Malete, co-founder of the group and Voice of Wits radio presenter.
Cranking it up: Catch “Running with the Reps” at 19h30 on Friday's on Vuzu Photo: Courtesy of Vuzu
The Repertoires are between the ages of 18 and 25. Members who are keenly followed include Malete, co-founder Larry Mncube-Nhlane, Tejee “DJ Ellipsis” Mbuyamba, manager Michael Makwala, Senhle “T-Chama ”Mazibuko and dance duo “Tha Thundacats” – made up of Thato Mathlabegoane and Kea Mahlobo.
“Everyone has ambitions and dreams, but if you’re watching people trying to do something about it, it’s a whole different story. It’s inspiring,” says Malete.
Makhosini Sihlali, fellow Witsie and co-manager of the Johannesburg crew, adds that getting the idea for the reality show to materialise was not “as easy as it seems”. He explains that because they are young, people tend to not take them seriously, assuming that they’re just another dance crew chasing fame.
The show was a trending topic on Twitter, March 4. Fans seemed fairly impressed with the first episode. On Monday, many Witsies said that Tha Thundacats were the most entertaining of the bunch.
Sihlali says that viewers of the show can expect to witness intimate moments shared by the crew and their families. In the first episode, we were introduced to Mncube-Nhlane’s girlfriend and Malete’s 19-month-old son.
Apart from watching the “Reps” pursue their dance ambitions, viewers will get to see them chasing their individual dreams to become actors, recording DJs and successful radio presenters.
In the past four years, the dance crew has secured a huge following and performed alongside artists such as Jozi, Pro and Shuggasmaxx.
For more information on the show log on to: vuzu.dstv.com/reps
For bookings: e-mail Makhosini Sihlali: msihlali@gmail.com
