Conflict of the Heart ... Lucie Pagé

"It's not an easy country, but it is a fascinating one. I love it," says Lucie Pagé on the iStart2 Show this week.

She speaks passionately about her love for the earth and the arts. She is adamant that we have killed our values and that we need to go back and ask: "What is life about?" and "We must stop accepting bullshit. We just don't give a damn!" She's fierce and passionate about sustainability issues. 

"We have lost the plot in the World. But there is hope!" 

- Lucie Pagé

Lucie also chatted to us about joining hands across those so-called "barriers" like language, culture, race, religion, sexual and gender issues: "It is the fear of difference. How do we change?"

Lucie bares it all in her book Conflict of the Heart:
"One day, as I was hanging my washing outside, I came face-to-face with two armed men who trained their guns on me, their fingers on the trigger (Conflict of the Heart, page 139). I had great fears but I also lived great moments, perhaps the most incredible one of my career being Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as President. To live so close to this great man – he was our neighbour in Cape Town – and to have been such a close witness to his five years in the president’s seat gave me back faith in humanity."

"I wrote my first book, Mon Afrique (Conflict of the Heart) a book about the Mandela era (1990-1999) from the apartheid I lived to the birth of democracy I witnessed as a journalist, woman, White, mother of a child in shared custody between two continents, and wife of a minister, Jay Naidoo, in Mandela’s government."

To listen to the show just click play in the podcast below. If you want to be a lucky recipient of her book, pay attention to the song we play on the show: 

Thought of the Day:

Win a copy of the book 

Conflict of the Heart 

in two easy steps:

Lucie has given us five copies of her book to give away to five (5) lucky listeners. To get your hands on one of these copies, just follow two easy steps:

1) Like the iStart2 Challenge facebook page here
2) Send us an inbox message (on the page) with the name of the song we played on Lucie's show together with your name and post box particulars.


Winners to be announced on our facebook page on Thursday 28 January!


Have a wonderful week :-)

Halala South Africa ... Zolani Mkiva

ZOLANI MKIVA, His Royal Heritage, is one of the youngest practitioners of one of the oldest oral traditions in South Africa: the Imbongi, or Praise Poet.

Hailing from Idutywa in the Transkei area of the Eastern Cape, Zolani rose to prominence in 1990 when he was called upon to praise the recently released Nelson Mandela at his Welcome Home Rally in the Transkei. Zolani was then appointed Imbongi Yesizwe, or "Poet to the Nation". Significantly, in 1994 he participated in numerous performances throughout South Africa, including the Inauguration of President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. 

"Do business unusual"

 - Zolani Mkiva on the iStart2 Show

The role of an Imbongi is a responsible one in African society, for it involves articulating the feelings of the community, and encapsulating these sentiments in concise poetic phrases. Not only does the Imbongi praise, but must also ponder, even offer criticism.

We chatted to Zolani about his role, his views on sustainability, the role of art and traditional healing. Zolani believes we are at our best when we are original and that we are all born to be free. To hear his message to the nation, 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).

Let the Children live ... Don ChakaMingz & Valerie Gamache

Valerie Gamache hopes to inspire others to participate in humanitarian initiatives in an effort to contribute positively to the world: "I live my life in a journey which has purpose". Valerie is teaming up with HipHop artist and entrepreneur, Don ChakaMingz to focus on creating a more sustainable world. " I want to see love more prominent in the world. Be yourself, be unique", says Don. 

Valerie Gamache and Don ChakaMingz starts2

Look out for the iStart2 collaboration with outstanding activists and artists in the future. Valerie challenges individuals and corporations to make a bigger impact on various crisis affecting humanity. " Sustainability does not mean charity. We need to empower people and make them part of the solution". Inspiring to have chatted to Valerie and Don ChakaMingz on the iStart2 Show.

To listen to the show just click play:



 Thought of the Day

 
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 our tribe :-)

Nomvula (After the Rain) ... Sibongile Mkhabela

"Mandela left us a future. He taught us to dream big and not to be afraid," says Sibongile Mkhabela. And the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital Trust does just that. She lives her dream of making tomorrow better for our children and is adamant that South Africa needs far more than one children's hospital to ensure a healthy future for our children.  



As a teenager, she was one of the leaders of the 1976 Soweto uprising and an executive member of the Soweto Student Representative Council and the South African Students Movement's general secretary. Sibongile consequently spent four years in prison, partly serving time for ‘sedition’.

"iStart 2 think about how intergenerational communication

can take us further in connecting the dots"

- Sibongile Mkhabela

We talked to Sibongile about her life, her book "Open Earth and Black Roses," her views on creating a more sustainable world and  the legacy of Nelson Mandela. Sibongile is concerned about the fact that  "Green Environment" issues are often elitist. She asks questions about who really benefits from going green and feels strongly that the time for Africa to be a basket case is over.


To listen to the story and wisdom of Sibongile Mkhabela just click play below: 



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 the iStart2 cause www.iStart2.com

Hamba Kahle ... Tribute to Nelson Mandela

We pay tribute to Nelson Mandela with songs, personal stories and memorable moments:

"His legacy will live for a long long time and be aspired to by many many people" - Geoff Rothschild - Patron of the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital Trust, the Head of Government and International Affairs at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and its former chairman

"We felt him. We touched him" - Yvonne Chaka Chaka - The Princess of Africa, musical icon

"Let the angels have their wings over his body and family and the world and bring the world to a peaceful world"- Pops Mohamed - Celebrated musical legend and iStart2 Ambassador

"Madiba is my father and my guide on so many things" - PJ Powers - South African Musical icon

"I met him in Japan ... it was the first time I held his hand" - Jonas Gwangwa - Oscar nominee, Emmy Award Winner for Cry Freedom and iStart2 Patron

"Mandela leaves a revolutionary legacy of a nonracial South Africa which is able to reconcile with its past" - Solly Mapaila - Deputy General Secretary of the South African Communist Party and former  Umkhonto weSizwe cadre.

"When he was going to be released we bought two suits for him from the Council of Churches" - Malindy Myeza - Community Leader and iStart2 Patron


Hamba Kahle Madiba!

To listen to the show and tribute songs by Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Jonas Gwangwa and Brenda Fassie, just click play:




Thought for the Day

Tune in to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za.

The show is broadcast every Monday at 18h30 and repeated on Fridays in its new prime time slot at 19h00 (SA Time) or visit our brand new website: istart2.com

Mime or Meme ... ???

An act of silence ... ?

“Please forgive me, but what I was doing, I was doing what I believe is my calling, I was doing what I believe makes a difference to the country,” Jantjie

Ballade vir Madiba ... Gavin van den Berg, Shareen Swart, Kaz McFadden

Vreemde nag.
Skarlaken nag.
Koerantpapiere, baksteenmure, Neon nag.
Sirenes onder 'n donker maan.
Nag na nag.
Mens na mens.
Donker nagte, onverwagte.
Skadufigure.
En elkeen is uiteindelik.
Enkeling, vreemdeling, verstoteling rug gedraai op die ligtekring.
Agterstevoor, onderstebo.
Vreemdeling, enkeling alleen.
Agterstevoor, onderstebo.
Vreemdeling, enkeling alleen.
- Richard van der Westhuizen

  Old ballads never die! Our hero Nelson Mandela will never die ...he will live on in our hearts ... he will always live on through all South Africans embracing the values he immersed into our beautiful country.

This week on the iStart2 Show we asked two actors, Gavin van den Berg & Shareen Swart, from one of the most popular Afrikaans television series, Ballade vir n Enkeling, screened back in the Apartheid years (1987) to reflect on the past and to focus on the challenges facing actors today. Kaz McFadden, a young actor known for roles in 7de Laan, Egoli and Villa Rosa, joined us to reflect on sustainability in the arts industry. 

Jacques Rynhardt & Meisie Moolman. Remember?

 

Messages to President Nelson Mandela:

Gavin van den Berg: "You will be with me in spirit forever"
Shareen Swart: "I thank you for giving us a legacy of reconcilliation"
Kaz McFadden: " I hope there are many more like you Mr Mandela"

To listen to the show just click play:




Thought for the Day: 

Tune in to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za.

The show is broadcast every Monday at 18h30 and repeated on Fridays in its new prime time slot at 19h00 (SA Time) or visit our brand new website: istart2.com

Amazing (wo)man ... Yvonne Chaka Chaka

Last night we chatted to one of my most favourite people on the planet. We celebrated with "Umqombothi":  the life and legacy of our leader Nelson Mandela, the great continent of Africa and toasted a sustainable future for all the people around the World.

For many years the Princess of Africa has used her voice to draw attention to causes that will change the lives of millions, from ending apartheid to improving maternal and child health. Yvonne talked about her new Album "Amazing Man", The WEF Crystal Award and her involvement with iStart2's forthcoming compilation CD. She encourages young artists out there to sing new songs, to write new poems or lyrics, to paint new paintings about how we see a sustainable world and offers advice for young aspiring artists who also dream of walking in her footsteps. She believes iStart2 will be an experience people will never forget.

A woman of many facets, a woman inspired to rise above the many sustainability challenges facing the Music Industry. Yvonne epitomizes the difference between GOOD and GREAT. What an honour to have this incredible woman join hands with us on the iStart2 Journey.

Listen to the show, just click play:

Listen to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, dstv Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. The show is on every Monday at 18h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 19h00 (SA Time)

Join us for the Launch of the iStart2 Challenge at the Soweto Festival on 

22 September @ 13h15.

Meet our Ambassador, Samkelo Radebe, enjoy the music of singing sensation Luanga Choba and  dancing by the Umoja and Zindala Zombili Dance groups. Be there! A day of song and dance!

NEW iStart2 WEBSITE GO LIVE THIS WEEKEND!