The Soul of Africa ... Karin Hougaard

A wonderful moment took place this week! Sustainability-through-Art once again became a reality. 

iStart2 Ambassadors, Karin Hougaard and Pops Mohamed handed over WakaWaka Solar lights to the NCPPDSA (National Council for Persons With Physical Disabilities South Africa). The lights worth R100k will be distributed amongst disadvantaged children with disabilities in schools as part of the wider Share the Sun initiative. "It is awesome to be part of bringing light to people. It warms my heart," says Karin.

Karin Hougaard also joined us in studio on the iStart2 Show this week. We chatted about her songs on the Soul of Africa CD compilation. They include 'A New Song', 'Quiet Love', her beautiful rendition with Philippe Elan and her wonderful collaboration on the signature song 'iStart2Sing'. Karin also expresses her views on the Share the Sun initiative and sustainability issues close to her heart

She also tells us about the exciting upcoming Afrikaans Festival, Harlekijn en de Zuid-Afrikaanse dagen, from 28 - 30 Augustus 2015, in the Netherlands. Artists who will be performing in Soestduinen include,  amongst others, Pops Mohamed, Joshua na die Reen,  Jannie du Toit, Die Heuwels Fantasties and Anna Davel. South Africans in the Netherlands have a feast of musical talent to look forward to!

Take half an hour and spend some time with this amazing and passionate woman.





Thought of the Day:

Have you ordered or downloaded the iStart2Sing - The Soul of Africa CD yet?

"The iStart2Sing cd is a wonderful rainbow of diverse artists performing on one cd" 
- Karin Hougaard

Get it from iTunes here or on Amazon here.

Hear Hear ... Jannie du Toit

What do you do to make theatre and music spaces more accessible to people with disabilities? Most people only think of building ramps for people in wheelchairs. Jannie du Toit, one of the leading musicians in South Africa and Jopie Koen from the Pierneef Theatre have taken the issue of acccessibility a bit further than most.

Jannie du Toit with Therina Wentzel, Fanie du Toit and Eloise Cupido

Not only does Jannie print his programmes in braille, but in partnership with the National Council for Persons with Physical Disbilities in South Africa, they are pushing the boundaries to create theatre experiences that are completely accessible for persons with disabilitites. This week the focus was on persons with post-lingual hearing loss and the installation of the induction loop system.

A song in sign language

We chatted to Jannie du Toit on the iStart2 Show about his career, the Hear Hear initiative and his work with persons with disabilitites. Jannie believes there is always room to think about people with disabilitites. " I believe truly in love and I love gracefully," says he and commits: "iStart2 care more".

To listen to the show and two of Jannie's most beautiful songs, Drie-uur in die more and Kinders van die Wind. just click play:




Thought of the Day:  I hear you ... I see you.

Listen Thursdays @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.