Joy to the World ... Ryan Whittal & Nadiem Solomon

The planet faces a future of extreme weather, rising sea levels and melting polar ice from soaring levels of carbon dioxide and other gases. Only an unprecedented global effort to slash emissions will turn things around. Starting to work on solutions in the workplace should be on the agenda of every organisation.

The ability to improvise is arguably humanity's most valuable skill and it gives human beings an immense advantage over every other species on the planet. The same is true for nations, corporations, teams and individuals who are able to harness these skills, conquer adversaries and prosper. 

Nadiem Solomon & Ryan Whittal

You may have watched the TV Show: "Whose line is it Anyway?" where the actors make-up lines and scenes on-the-spot from random audience suggestions? Workplace Improv is a methodology that utilises the same principles and techniques of Improv Comedy to unlock natural instincts in a team to think on their feet, improvise and solve problems creatively and effectively whilst enhancing communication, cohesiveness and focused action. We chatted to Ryan Whittal (TV producer, director, writer, actor and comedian) and Nadiem Solomon (Executive Coach, Conflict Management Facilitator, Entrepreneur and Business Consultant) about Improvising Sustainability and Workplace Improv.

To listen to the show and music by Herb Alpert and Three Dog Night, just click play:




Thought of the day:

Listen @17h30 on 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 the iStart2 Challenge 

www.iStart2.com

Moral Magic at iStart2 Holy Cow Weekend

The Holy Cow Weekend on the 17 & 18th March 2012, celebrated our rich and diverse communities through performances by leading indigenous and sacred musicians and discussion sessions by leading academics, comedians and other experts.

Nadiem Solomon with an enlightening discussion on the Art of War…

風　Swift as the wind
林　Quiet as the forest
火　Conquer like the fire
山　Steady as the mountain

You have to believe in yourself.
Sun Tzu

Nadiem also milked some holy cows with his wonderful rendition of Jan Spies and other wonderful stories about the richness of South Africa’s diverse cultural groups.

Dr Abel Pienaar juggled the concepts of certainty, doubt and uncertainty… His T-shirt said it all…

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle.The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein

Prof Christina Landman entertained us with changing shirts, introduced new concepts like “Moral Ecstasy” and  enlightened us with her “moral magic”. Yeah, “normal” people are really scary. ;-)

Swannie Swanevelder.  His hands are sore but his heart is full … to quote John Malcovich.... his wife asked him: why dont you get a proper job? he answered: "But I’m a puppeteer"! Thanx Swannie for letting the little people talk! Good luck in Taiwan. Make South Africa proud, Boet!

JP du Toit. Young poet and writer, shared some poems and continued his story on “The Six”…

“A twenty-something white male was driving from Brooklyn to Centurion accompanied by a twenty-something beautiful black female and her twenty-something frumpy white female friend at 2AM in the morning of Thursday the 29th. It was as their motor vehicle joined the M18 that they encountered a road block. A policeman standing in the road signalled for them to pull over to the side…” 

World renowned jazz muso, Pops Mohamed and Yusuf  Ganief & Lynn Holmes-Ganief from Desertrose, fused South Africa's abundant and varied sacred music and engaged with a delighted audience,  engaging them in an evening filled with magical music.

Pops Mohamed has been leading the battle to retain the indigenous African sounds so they are not overrun by the American pop sounds and on his quest has been joined by numerous African legends including jazz great Moses Khumalo.

His nickname Pops dates back to his childhood enthusiasm for the comic seaman Popeye. The prolific and multi-talented South African singer songwriter Pops Mohamed has been attracting international attention for almost two decades for his effortless versatility on in playing traditional and for his ability to fuse a startling scope of regional African styles with his elegant original compositions.

Thank you Pops Mohamed for joining the iStart2 journey. It was wonderful to spend a weekend with you. We learned so much. We look foward to continue the journey in the months to come.

All events during the weekend explored a larger vision of getting people to take hands across barriers and contribute to a sustainable earth. Be sure to be at our next Holy Cow Event and experience the greatness of moral magic … magical moments you will never forget...

iStart2 Holy Cow get-together

Join us for a lekker Holy Cow get-together. We are going to have lots of fun, milk some Holy Cows, be entertained by top musicians and Artists, enjoy good food... and just be South African together! Let's take hands across the barriers...and join hands 2 start2 contribute to a sustainable world.

Our topic leaders/artists include, amongst others...

- Prof Christina Landman - Theologist

- Nadiem Solomon - Comedian/ Motivational Speaker

- David Kau - Comedian
- Dr Abel Pienaar - Spiritual Philosopher

- Pierre du Toit - Social Entrepreneur
- Swannie Swanevelder ( SA's top Puppeteer)

World class entertainment from South African Musical Greats
Desertrose Southafrica, featuring Yusuf Ganief (Artist) &
Pops Mohamed (Artist)

Programme (Subject to change)

Saturday 17 March

9h00: Welcome and get-to-know-each-other.
9h30: The Art of War: Sun Tzu - Ancient Wisdoms for Modern Day Success - Nadiem Solomon

10H30 - 10H45 Tea/coffee

10H45 - 11h00: Adult Puppet Theatre - Swannie Swaneveer

11H00 - 11h30 Muslims and Jews Milking the Holy Cow - Nadiem Solomon

11h30 - 13h00 - iStart2 think water, waste and energy - Pierre du Toit

13h00 - 14h00 - Lunch

14h00 - 14h15: Jan Spies - The Ultimate Boer - Nadiem Solomon

14h15 - 15h45 - "The Problem with Certainty - in Praise of Doubt"
- Dr Abel Pienaar

16h00 - 17H00 - David Kau - White and Black Only

18H30 - "Potjiekos"

20h00: The Music of Desert Rose and Pops Mohamed in a Musical Celebration

An exceptional occasion - a collaboration of Lynne Holmes (master of crossover music, composer, Pianist, lyricist, pianist, Founder of Desertrose) & Yusuf Ganief (South Africas leading Arabic world music lead singer for Desertrose) ...

...and Pops Mohamed who is a master of indigenous music - our much treasured 'one-of-a-kind" musical artist

Sunday 18 March 2012

8h15 - 9H00 - South African Breakfast
9h00 - 10h00 - "Moral Ecstacy" - Prof Christina Landman
10h00 - 10h45: - Be surprised!
11h00 - 12h00: - Closure

-As always, a few surprises instore for those who dare to join this incredible event - U know me by now :-)

Cost: R600 per person (includes meals, entertainment, discussion sessions on both days)

Overnight Accommodation: R200 pp sharing ( limited space at the Hub for 24 people)

Email me pierre@istart2.com for Banking details should you wish to book your space.
( Limited bookings available)

A one of a kind get-together ... please join us... let's take hands across all barriers.

C U THERE!! :-)


'The only journey is the journey within"
- Rainer Maria Rilke