African sky Blue ... Qhuzulini John Sithole

Under the Leadership of Qhuzulini John Sithole, the chairman of the African Cultural Heritage Trust, His Holiness, The Dali Lama landed in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning, 3rd November. He was in South Africa to open the World Sacred Music Festival. John Sithole and a group of horn players welcomed the Dalai Lama, who looked on bemused and intrigued as Sithole circled him and ushered him to the podium. That was in 2004.

Qhuzulini John Sithole is also director of the Zindala Zombili Festival and we had him in the studio this week to give his views on the state of the Arts in South Africa. The recent debate on SABC about the state of the Art's in SA asked some very relevant questions about how South African Artists face the challenge of direct and indirect censorship from the government, especially through the channel of funding. Should artists challenge the "system" in South Africa? Does an artist "sell-out" if they accept funding from government? Should artists challenge audiences with work that raises questions about our country? To listen to the interview just click play


Become part of the iStart2 tribe by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join the movement where we take hands to create a more sustainable world.

Join me every Monday at 18h30 (SA Time) and listen to the show on Radio Today 1485 am in Jo'burg, catch us nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 169 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Radio Today. Radio that delivers!

I've come to take you home ... Diana Ferrus

I am a bit of a sissy boy. I cried in "As it is in heaven" and "The curious case of Benjamin Button". I cried when the son of one of my best friends died. I cried when my own son recited his Amandla poem in a township to celebrate 100 years of struggle and victory in South Africa. I also cried when I interviewed Diana Ferrus on my radio show...

  A story about humiliation ... but, a story that ended in hope. Sarah Baartman, displayed as a freak because of her unusual physical features, was finally laid to rest 187 years after she left Cape Town for London. Her remains were buried on Women’s Day, 9 August 2002, in the area of her birth, the Gamtoos River Valley in the Eastern Cape.

Diana Ferrus, poet, writer and human rights activist was the guest on my show this week. Her tribute to Sarah Baartman is one of the most beautiful  poems I have ever heard.

“I’ve come to take you home –
home, remember the veld?
the lush green grass beneath the big oak trees
the air is cool there and the sun does not burn.
I have made your bed at the foot of the hill,
your blankets are covered in buchu and mint,
the proteas stand in yellow and white
and the water in the stream chuckle sing-songs
as it hobbles along over little stones".

To listen to the show (and the rest of the poem in her own words) just click play


Become part of the iStart2 tribe by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join the movement where we take hands to create a more sustainable world.

Join me every Monday at 18h30 (SA Time) and listen to the show on Radio Today 1485 am in Jo'burg, catch us nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 169 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Radio Today. Radio that delivers!

Silent Hands ... Dirk Venter

Silent Hands

Can you hear me?
Listen, not with your ears
But with your eyes.
To you they speak,
My silent hands.
Hear me tell my tale.
Hear me sing my song.
Learn my language,
My beautiful native language.
Hear my hands,
Hear my music and story.
Learn my language.
Speak to me with your hands.
Share my beautiful language.
Hear my silent hands.
We have a tale to tell,
A song to sing.
Open your eyes
And hear me speak.

- Author: Sandra L. Brooks

How do we integrate Deaf people into society? Does it help to shout at them? If someone is deaf, does it mean they are dumb, too? Growing up as a child with deaf parents, Dirk Venter, CEO of Deaffriendly, continues to play a role in the lives of deaf people all over  South Africa. Insightful to hear his wisdom on the iStart2 Show.

We chat to Dirk about the myths and truths around Deaf people, the collaboration with iStart2 and the "silent" hands behind the initiative. We also chat about the meaning of the silent hands in the iStart2 logo. Please contact Dirk if you can help. His e-mail: dirk@deaffriendly.co.za

To listen to the podast, just click "play" below:
 

Become part of the iStart2 tribe by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join the movement where we take hands to create a more sustainable world.

Join me every Monday at 18h30 (SA Time) and listen to the show on Radio Today 1485 am in Jo'burg, catch us nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 169 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Radio Today. Radio that delivers!

Without my own two hands ... Samkelo Radebe & Simon Manda

 “I lost my hands but I don’t just want to be a disabled person.  I want to be an extraordinary, amazing human because being disabled is not enough.  I want to be that guy without hands who can do things much better than most.” - Samkelo Radebe, as he was quoted in the The Citizen, just before winning a Gold Medal in the Paralympic Games last year. This man is true to his word. What an honour to "take arms" with someone who promised that he will be the "best" ambassador on the iStart2 initiative. Without my own two hands we can change the world ...

Samkelo is joined in the iStart2 studio by Simon Manda, one of our media partners at Mass Media and responsible for the ThisAbility Newspaper circulated in South Africa. A man with a BIG heart who focus on spreading positive news and success stories about our disabled community. 

We chatted to Samkelo and Simon about their dreams, sustainability and what they are doing to create a more sustainable world out there.

To listen to the podcast, just click play:


Become part of the iStart2 tribe by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join the movement where we take hands to create a more sustainable world.

Join me every Monday at 18h30 (SA Time) and listen to the show on Radio Today 1485 am in Jo'burg, catch us nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 169 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Radio Today. Radio that delivers!