The first time ever I saw your face ... Ashanti Mbanga

"The bicycle is the vehicle of a new mentality. It quietly challenges a system of values which condones dependency, waste. inequality of mobility and daily carnage... There is every reason why cycling should be helped to enjoy another Golden Age," - James McGurn 

Ashanti Mbanga feels strongly about sustainable transport. She is a green transport economist, a former Miss Earth South Africa and a passionate change maker who aspires to educate and affect a positive change in the lives of others. We chatted to Ashanti about her time in the Netherlands and her views on cycling in South Africa.  As an iStart2 Ambassador, Ashanti urges all artists out there to submit their art and become part of the iStart2 Challenge.

Ashanti Mbanga: "iStart2 challenge South Africans to challenge themselves"

To listen to the show, her favourite music by Roberta Flack and a "transport" song from the iStart2 cd, "Die Laaste Trein" by Daniel Eeuwrick, just hit play:

Thought of the day: Aim for number one ... avoid number 2 ...

The iStart2 Show is broadcast at 17h30 on Radio Today 1485AM in Jozi, nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. The show is hosted by the beautiful Keitu Gwangwaand Pierre du Toit. You can listen every Monday at 17h30 and the show is repeated on Thursdays at the same time. Join us! 

Visit www.iStart2.com and join our initiative

Quiet Love - Fortune Madlala & Simon Manda

Are we hearing the silent voice? What is the difference between a mime and a sign language interpreter? What are the challenges that deaf people face in the world? What can we do to make a difference?

This week on the iStart2 Show we chatted to two people who have both feet in the world of persons with disabilities, Fortune Madlala and Simon Manda:

Fortune is a South African Sign Language(SASL) interpreter. Her love for interpretation for the deaf community has seen her have stints on YoTV and SHIFT on SABC 1, News in 60 Seconds on SABC 3 and SABC2 special broadcastings. She has interpreted for President Jacob Zuma during live broadcastings of the State of the Nation address, ANC centenary events for Deputy Presi­dent Kgalema Motlanthe and former Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Nelson Mandela. She is the founder of Forch Communications and Projects - a media company that communicates deaf awareness and solutions.

Simon is the Editor of the first ever cross disability awareness newspaper in South Africa, THISABILITY Newspaper, Simon has got a massmedia approach to TV, radio, print and web platforms. He is involved in media, events and brand management. He currently sits on the Association of Independent Publishers(AIP) board and is Secretary of the Board at Forch Foundation - an NPO offering socio-economic services to the deaf community. He is very involved in disability initiatives where he works with Casual Day - the largest fundraising disability program in SA, I SEE YOU SA - a diversity project  and iStart2.

Simon Manda:" iStart2 Sign"

Fortune Madlala: " iStart2 create change in the deaf community"

To listen to the show (and the songs Quiet Love and Whales from the iStart2 cd) just click play:

Thought of the Day:

The iStart2 Show is broadcast at 17h30 on Radio Today 1485AM in Jozi, nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. The show is hosted by the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa and Pierre du Toit. You can listen every Monday at 17h30 and the show is repeated on Thursdays at the same time. Join us! 

www.iStart2.com

Charlie ... Ismail Mahomed

Are enough artists challenging the status quo? 

Energetic, back from Europe and ready to rock 'n Roll. Great chatting to Ismail Mahomed, Festival Director at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival about his four month trip, new insights into the world of art and the Charlie Hebdo attack. Ismail also shares advice on touring Europe at less than R700 a day. Read his tips and tricks here.

"Reach out!"

Ismail Mahomed on the iStart2 Show

Ismail feels we have failed to deal with reconciliation effectively in South Africa. However, he is confident about our Artists: "Artists are committed to building a nation that is transformative and healing," says Ismail. "iStart2 Challenge ... we all need to start challenging"

To listen to the show and an oldie by Rabbitt, (Charlie) just click play below

Thought of the Day ...

The iStart2 Show is broadcast at 17h30 on Radio Today 1485AM, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worlwide on www.1485.org.za. The show is hosted by the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa and Pierre du Toit. You can listen every Monday at 17h30 and repeated at the same time on Thursdays. Happy listening!! 

Get Involved!

A call to independent/capable/dynamic entrepreneurs keen on working with an EXCITING Sustainability-through-Arts initiative that will contribute to several non-profit beneficiaries including the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in SA (NCPPDSA), Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital Trust, Woman of Africa Foundation, IPACC, Princess of Africa Foundation, Food & Trees for Africa and Schools for Disabled Children around the country.

We are recruiting champion teams in 27 cities and towns in South Africa: Cape Town, Worcester, Stellenbosch, PE, East London, Grahamstown, Durban, Richards Bay, NewCastle, Emalahleni, Nelspruit, Thohoyandou, Polokwane, Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, Rustenburg, Johannesburg, Soweto, Centurion,Vanderbijlpark, Boksburg, Kroonstad, Bethlehem, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Kuruman and Upington.

Champion Teams consisting of 6 members plus a city champion is being setup at the moment to form one of the biggest citizen networks around South Africa.

The Task:
- Organising auditions for artists entering the iStart2 Challenge.
- Organising an event to showcase the winners and other artist(s) performances
- Fundraising through selling the BAG OF HOPE and other iStart2 sustainability products to benefit charities
- Facilitating and managing Learnerships that will be run in all 27 cities

eMAIL your cv or a company profile to iStart2Challenge@gmail.com if you are interested. Closing date: 24 January 2015.