Nxae (Sorry) ... Luanga Choba

The reasons why Luanga Choba rates right up there on my list of South African artists is glaringly obvious. Luanga (a medical doctor by profession) is passionate about sustainability, the environment, supports entrepreneurs in waste management, authentic in her music and daring in originality. She is a pure gem! 

 

Her song "NXAE" (Setswana for "SORRY") is about how we need to say sorry for what we have done to the earth and to it's people. It is a song about forgiveness and the healing that needs to happen not only in South Africa, but also in the rest of the world. "Nxae" forms part of the iStart2 Compilation Album that will be released later this year.

While deeply connected to her roots as an African woman, Luanga’s music also reflects elements of earthy international artists like Tracy Chapman. With her distinctive sound and songs reflective of her free spirit, energy and eclectic musical sensibility, Luanga Choba has proven that she is one of the freshest acts to hit the South African entertainment landscape.  Her advice to artists entering the iStart2 Challenge is simple: “Be authentically YOU - that is your brand," says Luanga.

Luanga, Samkelo & the Umoja Dancers 

at the Istart2 Challenge Launch @ Soweto Festival

To listen to a podcast of our interview with Luanga 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 on every Monday at 18h30 and repeated on Fridays in its new prime time slot at 19h00 (SA Time) or visit www.istart2.com.

iStart2 Challenge Launch at the Soweto Festival

iStart2 is an initiative that strives to provide a platform where people can take hands across boundaries and connect to create practical solutions for a sustainable future.

It's about getting involved, creating awareness and inspiring people to change their perceptions about the way we live. Wouldn't it be great to be given the opportunity to paint a new picture of what the world we live in can look like?

COUNTRY-WIDE ART COMPETITION

With this in mind iStart2 is launching an exciting national art competition open to all South Africans aged 16 – 35. The competition will accept entries in seven categories of art including music, creative writing, dance, fine arts, applied arts and design, acting and multi media.

SEVEN SUSTAINABILITY CONCEPTS

Artists are invited to express their ideas of how we can bring across the message of sustainability. The key sustainability concepts that artists are encouraged to highlight are:

• Water

• Waste

• Energy

• Health & safety

• People with Disabilities

• The Elderly

• Indigenous peoples

Finals in the competition will be held in 27 cities/towns throughout South Africa in 2014 with an event showcasing the winners.

SHOWCASE TV SERIES PLANNED

But that’s just the beginning – there’s more excitement in store! The winning entrants are headed for even greater things. A 26-episode television series is planned to showcase our young artists, enabling the public to share in every moment of their inspiring journey.

iStart2 Challenge launch at the Soweto Festival

iStart2 is partnering the organisers of the Zindala Zombili African Music and Dance Festival. The major launch of the iStart2 Challenge takes place on 21 & 22 September at the Soweto Festival in Nasrec at 13h30, Johannesburg.

Join us for a day of Dance, Music and Song. Meet our inspiring Ambassador,  Samkelo Radebe (Gold Medalist Paralympic Games, Sports Personality of 2013) .

 " I don't want to sit back and watch other people change the world for me. If I can be a part of it to make a change, I want to be a part of it" - Samkelo Radebe

 

Performing a few of her songs on Saturday 21 September at the Zindala Zombili African Music and Dance Festival, will be fresh and sensational new artist Luanga Choba. She will also perform more songs from her album 'Luanga who?" at the iStart2 launch on Sunday 22 September at 13:30. She will be joined on stage by the popular Umoja Dancers. A South African celebration!

Luanga's hit song 'Nxae' together with songs by other great artisits such as Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Pops Mohamed, Ntsiki Mazwai and Bianca Le Grange will form part of the iStart2 compilation CD that will be available from end October.

 

 Click for Full Program here

FOR MORE INFO VISIT www.istart2.com - new website up soon

Our Sports Personality 2013 ... Samkelo Radebe

" I don't want to sit back and watch other people change the world for me. If I can be a part of it to make a change, I want to be a part of it" - Samkelo Radebe (Gold Medalist at the Paralympic Games and iStart2 Ambassador)

Talking to Samkelo is almost like running a race... lots of energy, passion and a strong belief that nothing is impossible is always a given. Whether we chat about his accomplishments, his nominations as one of the 200 Young South Africans for 2013 (Mail & Guardian), the Sports Personality of the Year, Against all odds by NYDA ( on Monday it was a nomination ... on Friday Samkelo was announced the Winner of the NYDA Future Leaders Presidential Award  in Durban. Well done and congratulations!) ...

...or the trip to France to participate at the World Championship, the positive energy just flows. On a more serious note he shared his thoughts on the Oscar Pistorius saga and his support as a friend.

On a lighter note what it was like to get a drivers license WITHOUT hands and what it means to take up the challenge to be iStart2's Ambassador over the next few years. Indeed a young man who sets the world on fire. 

Thank you for voting 
Samkelo Radebe 
as Sports Personality of the Year 2013
at the Gauteng Sports Awards 

             
To listen to the show ( and it is really a great show!) just click play on the podcast below:



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)

Don't forget to Like our facebook page and follow the unfolding of the iStart2 journey (Top left) :-)