Nizalwa Ngobani ... Serge Kaluw (Urban Zulu)

If garments tell a story then Urban Zulu is the mouthpiece for the urban and culture conscious African. Urban Zulu was established in the year 2004 by Congolese native, Papy Kaluw who was inspired by the colourful and rich Zulu culture - from the landscapes of KwaZulu Natal to the humility of its inhabitants.

Serge Kaluw starts2: 

"You can be anything you wanna be"

The concept of Urban Zulu is derived from the term izulu, which means heaven in IsiZulu. We chatted to Serge Kaluw, brother of Papy and creative director of Urban Zulu about their clothing line that is in high demand by old and existing clients as well as massive interest in creations that celebrate the beautiful people and talents of people in Africa. Serge shares their challenges, dreams and his views on creating sustainable living through fashion.

Thank you Urban Zulu for dressing the iStart2 presenters for the BASA Awards. Keitu looked stunning!

Keitu dressed by Urban Zulu.
Pictured here with Cavall Burgess 

at the BASA Awards

To listen to the show just click play:







Thought of the Day:

Remember 5 September 2014 ... remember your contribution and a big Casual Day celebration with persons with disabilities from all over South Africa. It is so easy to make a difference!

Tune in at 17h30 to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Show hosted by Pierre du Toit and the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa. The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time).

Just the Way You Are ... Celeste Vinassa, Bernadette Rigney & Terry-Ann Adams

The purpose of the Casual Day Ambassadors’ Programme is to provide inspiration and motivation to participants and beneficiaries, thereby driving sticker donations. Casual Day ambassadors create awareness by telling their own stories and their quest is for respect and acknowledgement for persons with disabilities. Casual Day ambassadors bring magic into the lives of children and adults with disabilities.

 Bring Out The Bling on the iStart2 Show

We chatted to Casual Day Project Leader,  Celeste Vinassa, Bernadette Rigney and Terry-Ann Adams, two of Casual Day's ambassadors.  “Casual Day relies on volunteers and people who use their celebrity status to bring about greater awareness of the mission of Casual Day," says Celeste. "They are happy to speak about their own experiences to give their followers a deeper understanding of what Casual Day is and how it benefits persons with disabilities. They assist participants and beneficiaries to raise donations, appearing on TV and radio shows as advocates for the project.”

Bernadette Rigney, Transformation and Disability Awareness Officer, City of Johannesburg, was born with a rare condition called Arthrogryposis, which affects the joints and limits the range of motion in her hands and legs. Bernadette is also a motivational speaker and she says she stays positive by surrounding herself with amazing friends who don’t see her as disabled. “I don’t see life as a challenge, it’s more of an adventure,” she says. “Dreams have this li’l habit of coming true!” She has an infectious smile and a sunny outlook which attracts positive and happy people to her.

Terry-Ann Adams: “I have cried many tears, experienced prejudice and mocking; I have been spat on, laughed at and thrown around all because of my disability. But I have achieved much. I have learned to fight. I have learned that life does not come easy. Most importantly I have learned that my albinism does not define me.”

It is so easy to support Casual Day! R10 can make a huge difference in the lives of so many people.

Get your Stickers! Bring out the Bling!

Get your stickers for Casual Day! Available Now from GAME and DIONWIRED! Available from EDGARS, EDGARS ACTIVE, RED SQUARE, EDGARS SHOE GALLERY, LEGIT, BOARDMANS, SHOPRITE, CHECKERS, CNA, TOYS’R’US, ABSA, ALPHAPHARM, JET & JET MART in August.

To listen to the show, just click play:




Thought of the Day:

Tune in at 17h30 to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Show hosted by Pierre du Toit and the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa. The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time).

Jamming ... Michael Stevens

Jam's about my pride and truth I cannot hide
To Keep you satisfied.
True love that now exist is the love I can't resist
So jam by my side
- Bob Marley

He traveled the world (and fondly remembers Bob Marley playing on the radio on a trip around Bali), he experienced and survived one of the worst accidents humanly possible and has found his calling as a volunteer that helps children with amputations get back on their feet. A double lower limb amputee, Michael Stevens sustained a 33 000 volt shock when he was 12, suffering third degree burns over 70 percent of his body.

Now 34 years old, Michael is a volunteer for Jumping Kids, an ambassador for the Vodacom Change the World Foundation and has recently been appointed as a Casual Day ambassador.

The iStart2 Team with Michael:
"iStart2 talk to people to make things happen".

Michael will be leveraging his celebrity status to help children who need prosthetics, as well as all persons with disabilities who receive assistance through Casual Day. His efforts have already helped several children in Casual Day participating schools. Join Michael and the Casual day team to "Bring out the Bling" on 5 September 2014.


We had the honour of interviewing this incredibly courageous man on the iStart2 Show this week about his story, his views on sustainability and his calling to create a more sustainable world: "I believe in South Africa. I believe in its people and in our potential to be great". To listen to the show, just click play:



Thought of the Day:

Tune in at 17h30 to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Show hosted by Pierre du Toit and the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa. The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time).

           Join our challenge at www.iStart2.com

One of Them ... Thuli Matlala, Bob90 & Nomthi Sishi

A studio full of Diversity! Thuli Matlala (Casual Day Ambassador), Bob90 and Nomthi Sishi (Bob & The Binos) chatted to us on the iStart2 Show about disability as one of the most important indicators of a sustainable society. Our guests also shared exciting opportunities about how Casual Day, I SEE YOU and iStart2 are joining hands in partnership with the National Council of Persons with Physical Disabilities SA (NCPPDSA)

Thuli Matlala: "iStart2 challenge the stereotypes around people with disabilities"
Bob90: " I Believe in tomorrow"
Nomthi Sishi: " iStart2 have more patience with people who do not know how to treat people with disabilities"

Thuli sparkles when she speaks about Casual Day being the biggest fundraiser for people with disabilities in the country: "People can go out and buy stickers for R10. Casual Day falls on 5 September this year and the theme is "Bring out the Bling". It is so easy to make a difference.

Bob90 and the Binos have contributed their song "One of Them" to the iStart2 compilation CD which is due for release in August. For Nomthi it is not about being a part of the Albinism group, but it is about not trampling on other people: "It's not about how you look, but about what you can be. You can do whatever you put your mind to". Bob90 is also adamant: " Look at me for who I really am, do not look at me for being a Bino".

 

CasualDay2014, I SEE YOU and iStart2 partnership.

Raising funding for people with disabilities

Reflecting on the show afterwards filled me with deep respect for these young ambassadors who spread their message of joy and hope to a world that is not always prepared to listen. A world where we sometimes fear to join hands with people who may be a bit different to us, but if we just look a little deeper we'll see people like you and me who rise above challenges in a very heroic way. Thank you to Simon Manda from THISABILITY for connecting so many people.


To listen to the show, just click play:



Thought of the Day:

Tune in at 17h30 to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Show hosted by Pierre du Toit and the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa. The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time).

 

Visit www.iStart2.com and join the tribe !!

 

In the Air Tonight ... Therina Wentzel & John Malherbe

It was a tremendous honour to host Therina Wentzel, National Director of NCPPDSA and John Malherbe of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in SA. Two people passionate about the sustainable future of the disabled community. Sustainability can only happen through people!

Therina Wentzel & John Malherbe

Topics covered during the discussion included the 20 Year Anniversary of Casual day ("Bring out the bling" on 5 September 2014), the Nappy Run and the I SEE YOU SA initiative. iStart2 is proud to partner with the NCPPDSA with the aim to get as many disabled entrants in the iStart2 Challenge as possible. The NCPPDSA will be responsible for ensuring that all venues are accessible to those persons with disabilities during the 27 City Tour. A burgeoning partnership with limitless potential to bring disability issues to the forefront! Join us in this quest.

To listen to the show just click play:




Thought of the Day: Do you see the elephant in the room?

Tune in at 17h30 to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Show hosted by Pierre du Toit and the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa. The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time).

 

Join our tribe! www.iStart2.com