Green Robot Design... Kgomotso Mautloa

"Happiness is success. I believe it is possible," says Kgomotso Mautloa.

"If we better the youth we can pave the way for what we want to happen in future. We can give more time to people. It might not mean a lot to you, but to another person it might mean the world."

"Without a plan you shoot in the dark"
- Kgomotso Mautloa

In 2014, Mautloa was named one of the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans. In 2015 Forbes Africa went on search for Africa's brightest young entrepreneurs and he also made this list. Mautloa is the owner and creative director at creative design and digital agency, Green Robot Design, which started in late 2007 and is based in the creative hub of Newtown, Johannesburg.

We chatted to Kgomotso on the iStart2 Show this week about his life as an entrepreneur, challenges facing young entrepreneurs and Green Robot design's participation in Amandla, the Poduction. A remarkable humble young man focussed on making a difference by benefitting others.

To listen to the show, just click play:

Thought of the day:

Book your tickets EARLY to be among the first South Africans to see the long awaited Amandla Cultural Ensemble: The Production directed by "Living Legacy Legend" Jonas Gwangwa. Book here
 

Pierre du Toit and Keitu Gwangwa host the iStart2 Show on Thursdays at 17h30 (GMT+2). Radio Today broadcasts on 1485AM in Johannesburg and nationally on DSTV audio channel 869. Radio Today also streams on its website www.1485.org.za and on 1485.mobi. 

Radio Today the station that cares. Radio that delivers!

People making a difference on iStart2

 People making a difference to create a more sustainable world!

Join our Guests on the iStart2 Show every Thursday at 17h30.  Pierre du Toit and Keitu Gwangwa host the Show on Radio Today. We broadcast on 1485AM in Johannesburg and nationally on DSTV audio channel 869. Radio Today also streams on its website www.1485.org.za and on 1485.mobi. 

Radio Today the station that cares. Radio that delivers!

Please download the iStart2 Sing cd and contribute to our cause.

Afrikaaps ... Jitsvinger & Jethro Louw

Jitsvinger (Afrikaans HipHop Artist & Poet) and Jethro Louw aka Tanneman / Xam (poet storyteller, indigenous music improviser, instrument crafter, activist & community worker) joined us in studio this week. Jitsvinger aka Quintin Goliath is not only an accomplished wordsmith and lyricist, but also a skilled guitarist with a distinctly Cape style. Both of them have performed locally and internationally.

"If you love my vernacular expression, maak it aan"
- Jitsvinger on the iStart2 Show

We chat about the exclusivity of Afrikaans (Language of Liberation) and Afrikaaps (An Afro futuristic HipHop theatre production that takes the roots of the Afrikaans language back to the slaves and the indigenous peoples of the Cape). Jitsvinger shares his experience in being part of a rally call against oil companies' intent on drilling for shale gas in the Karoo with Frackattack, a hard-hitting song and music video that takes a stand against hydraulic “fracking”. 

"One doesn't only express oneself, you express the collective"
Jethro Louw

Pops Mohamed joins the conversation to chat about  the generation gap and together they explore solutions around creating inclusivity in Afrikaans and what we can do to create a more sustainable world. "You need to take a few steps backwards and discover your roots," says Pops Mohamed.

To listen to the show and some "jamming" in studio with Pops Mohamed, just click play:

Thought of the Day:

Frack Attack video by Jitsvinger

Have a wonderful week!

Deep in the Bottom of Africa ... Monique Bingham

The First Lady of House remains one of the most interesting and enduring artists the New York City underground has ever produced. “I really, really care. Every time I come here something deep happens to me," says Monique Bingham on the iStart2 Show this week. "You should be absolutely committed to who you are. Make what you do so uniquely you that no-one can copy you".

"There is no-one more valuable than anyone else" 

- Monique Bingham

Monique's two decade milestone in the recording industry is marked by the release of a “best of” compilation featuring a host of classic and rare Bingham tracks as well as new music.

We chatted to Monique about Osunladegate (Osunlade “crossed a f***ing line”), why she loves South Africa so much ("There's serious issues here. You cannot make such sweeping statements about a whole country"), her poignant collaboration with Black Coffee (Deep in the Bottom of Africa) and her new Best of the Last Album with House Afrika Records.

To listen to the show and her exquisite voice, just click play:

Thought of the Day:

Pierre du Toit and Keitu Gwangwa host the iStart2 Show on Thursdays at 17h30 (GMT+2). Radio Today broadcasts on 1485AM in Johannesburg and nationally on DSTV audio channel 869. Radio Today also streams on its website www.1485.org.za and on 1485.mobi.

Radio Today the station that cares. Radio that delivers!

The Last Sentinel ... Andries Roof Bezuidenhout

"There is no one Afrikaans identity. I really detest the idea of one category of Afrikaans people. We must start using Afrikaans as a way to include people," says Andries Bezuidenhout. "We are tired of the discourse of reconciliation. I think people now  are much more honest. We can actually get somewhere."  
 

"Interesting things happen in music when you crossover and 
not keep it pure" - Andries Bezuidenhout

We hosted one of South Africa's most versatile artists - singer, songwriter, poet and painter - Andries "Roof" Bezuidenhout on the iStart2 Show this week. "We need to break down the idea that environmental issues are white middle class issues and raise them with politicians." He feels strongly that we need to take a much longer term perspective on our country's future. 

We chatted about the identity of Afrikaans, "skarrelaars", recycling and sustainability challenges that we face as people in South Africa. Andries actively engages with his students on sustainability topics as a Professor of Industrial Sociology at the University of Pretoria.

As a visual artist, Andries mostly produces oil paintings of South African and other African landscapes, as an Afrikaans speaking poet and musician, Andries explores matters of identity and belonging against the backdrop of a changing South Africa. To connect to Andries on his website, visit here.

Listen to the podcast of the show and music by the Brixton Moord en Roof Orkes below:

Thought of the Day:

Look out for exciting collaborations in the months to come - Pops Mohamed, Andries Bezuidenhout and Coenie de Villiers and more ...

Pops Mohamed and Andries "Roof" Bezuidenhout in the Netherlands.

 Interesting collaborations sometimes start in other countries ...

Book your ticket at www.iStart2.com

See you there!

Amandla - Cultural Ensemble ... Simanga Gwangwa

"It's been a lifelong ambition for Dr Jonas Gwangwa to put Amandla back on stage," says Simanga Gwangwa, who is responsible for marketing the production of Amandla. "Amandla can now be positioned as a premier nation building tool and a prime export into Africa and the World. We operate from a place of love with our people."

"This is a call for action for a new struggle, especially for the youth, to create a connection between the past, present and future. It's about ordinary people and what they believe in. We are a rainbow nation and Amandla is about unity and togetherness through art. We want to reconnect the youth." 

"I believe I can change the world" - Simanga Gwangwa

'
Amandla is a musical theatre production which was developed and produced by Dr Jonas Gwangwa in 1980 in Angola. The main objective of this musical was to conscientise and educate the world about South African culture and how apartheid was affecting the lives of South Africans. It is both exciting and essental for South Africans to engage with this rich theatrical opus today!

Amandla - Cultural Ensemble, The Production will be on stage at the State Theatre from 3 - 5 December 2015.

We chatted to Simanga Gwangwa in an exclusive interview giving us a behind-the-scenes look at what's happening in preparation of one of the most important theatrical events to hit the South African stage this year.

To listen to the show and some great music by Dr Jonas Gwangwa, just click play below:

Thought of the Day: 

Pierre du Toit and Keitu Gwangwa host the iStart2 Show on Thursdays at 17h30 (GMT+2). Radio Today broadcasts on 1485AM in Johannesburg and nationally on DSTV audio channel 869. Radio Today also streams on its website www.1485.org.za and on 1485.mobi.


Have a fantastic week!