I expect more from you ... Vangile Gantsho

"Imagine a performance with the indigenous Khoi mouth bow accompanied by a mesmerizing west African kora, soulful Afrikaans guitar in there with soothing powerful vocals, hypnotising Indian tablas, piercing spoken word by a formidable feme, hauting violin and throbbing primal drums...There are hundreds of events happening this weekend, but none will be as diverse as this. This a truly South African sound bringing everyone together."

 "I like this because its not any particular genre its beautiful music by beautiful people...our people all of them represented. Not performing separately... performing together. Something you've never heard and might not for a while... unless you want it so." - Keitu Gwangwa

We are very proud and excited to announce that Vangile Gantsho will be performing at the Cry of Africa Show on Friday!

Vangi Gantsho is a poet and constant student. A graduate of the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute, she has performed in and conducted workshops at poetry events and festivals around the world, including: Gabon, Malawi, the USA, the Czech Republic and all over South Africa. Her work has been published in a number literary publications and  most recently, released her début collection: Undressing in front of the window. Vangi is currently working towards an MA in Creative Writing at the University Currently Known as Rhodes University.

Book your ticket here

Making Magic On the Mountain - 23 April 2016

This is a fable which tells the story of an imaginary tribe living on Magic Mountain in a land of milk and honey. The tribe faced several challenges in our quest to acquire the magical diamonds at the top of the mountain.

It all happened one Saturday night when the moon was full. The tribe decided to gather their community and started talking and singing about the issues affecting their beautiful land ... 

It was very unfortunate that some skerminkels have infiltrated their beautiful land and were taking big bites out of the food source. 

The elders in the community shared tales of a long forgotten time when tribe members lived close to nature, when food was in abundance, when people cared about each other and lived in peace with one another ... 

It was a joyous evening full of fun and laughter. Ancient sounds of a long forgotten time connected our souls as we listened to the stories and music of the past and the future. 

The tribe realized that when we focus on creating a sustainable world, when we let it sing from every village and every town, from every city and every country, that we will then be able to join hands and leave sustainable footprints for our children. 

Is this what the crack in the universe is all about? 

Thank you to everyone who played their part in making this evening such a memorable experience.

We love you all and it was wonderful working together.
Let's get to the diamonds at the top of the mountain.

iStart2Sing from the mountain side ...

The Past meets the Future ... Coenie de Villiers

Coenie de Villiers, renowned South African singer and songwriter joined us on the iStart2 Radio Show this week. We chatted about his future, sustainability of artists and the upcoming show in Centurion this weekend. Pops Mohamed also popped in to share information on a special guest who will be performing at the show.

The full interview is on the podcast down below, but here are some short highlights of our discussion with Coenie. He shares his views on:

The Horizon:
"I get up in the morning and say: What does the universe have to offer?"

Our Biggest challenge:
"We are not listening to each other".

Achievements:
"I would like to do anything that I could to create a South Africa where we see fellow South Africans and respect them"

Indigenous Music:
"I listen to an immense amount of indigenous and African music and Pops's work which I respect very deeply. It touches me. Pops really is an idol for me. Very excited and a little bit nervous about working with Pops. If we can move the world as artists we can create a better world for all of us. No judgement!"
 
A message to our leadership:
"It would be incredible to see more opportunity for musicians across the board. Invest money in projects that show the rest of South Africa that we love each other and love working together".

Artists:
"Creating art and doing what you believe you should be doing is a steep order. The big challenge for artists is to create decent stuff".

"I often think that musicians can teach the lessons the politicians fail to show. Musicians and artists and writers can unite people by creating great works that make people listen and learn and not judge." 

A message to our people:
"Support local art. Support live shows. Go to the show that we are going to have. Listen a little bit outside your comfort zone. It's an opportuntiy people should grab. There's amazing stuff and people waiting to be discovered."

The iStart2 Show this weekend:
"It is a show about music, warmth, humanity ... and about creating a better world for all of us. I really hope people come and it's a fantastic opportunity to hear new musicians. It's going to be so special. You will hear artists you have never heard before."

Come and smell the catbush, the kambro ... listen to the kora, kalimba and mouthbow .... see something unique ... hear the sounds of the Kalahari ... experience the past and meet the future!

To listen to the full interview with Coenie, just click play below:



Thought of the Day: (Coenie's favourite quote)

A unique experience awaits you in Centurion! Join us on our journey to create a more sustainable South Africa.

Book tickets for the show here

Pops en Pierre praat Prontuit met Kabous Meiring op Kyknet

"We want to give and share something that people don't know about. Suid Afrika is swanger op die oomblik. Ons moet geboorte gee aan mooi dinge" - Pops Mohamed praat Prontuit op Kyknet.

"Dis baie belangrik dat ons al die kulture bymekaar bring," seg Pops Mohamed in gesprek met Kabous Meiring. Pops, musikale ikoon van Suid Afrika is baie trots op die feit dat hy Afrikaans groot geword het. "Toe ek 'n klein laaitie was het ek baie boeremusiek gemaak" seg Pops. Hy glo ons moet twee tree terug gee: "You will never know where you are going to unless you know where you come from". 

"Ons moet trots word op ons eie identiteit" - Kabous Meiring, Prontuit op Kyknet.

 
As jy nou nog nie plan gemaak het om jou kaartjies te boek vir Saterdag 21 November se #iStart2Sing vertoning in Centurion nie, moet jy onmiddelik daai KredietKaart uitpluk en 'n booking maak op www.iStart2.com. Sal heerlik wees om jou daar te sien. 

Prontuit is repeated on Kyknet Channel 144 Thursday 19 November 2015 at 14h30.

Or Check it out here on youtube!

See you in Centurion this weekend!

Newsflash: iStart2Sing (Official Music Video) Magic! :-)

Magic! ‪#‎iStart2Sing‬ Official video now on Youtube! Thank you Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Karin, Icon Pops, Dudu, Herman, Ziyon, Zubz The Last Letta, Bianca, Dudu, JB Arthur, Mo'mint Studios, Roland Erasmus, Christopher Keys, Eric Stoch, Cavall Burgess, James Kinloch, Cian Mclelland, JP Du Toit, Keitu Gwangwa, Simon Manda, Vanda Joubert, Minimax Performing Arts, The Hit Parade Foundation and everybody who worked so hard to make this a success



Start2Sing : Lyrics

 
I am because you are, Children of the earth
A planet crying out to those who hear
And when we join our hands together as the brotherhood of man
We start to see a new tomorrow drawing near…

I start to sing a song of joy
I start to dance a dance so free
I start to shout a shout of hope for the world to hear
Now let us sing from the mountain side
Every voice joined in deepest pride
For we sing the soul and cry of Africa

I START TO SING A SONG OF JOY
I START TO DANCE A DANCE SO FREE
I START TO SHOUT A SHOUT OF HOPE FOR THE WORLD TO HEAR
NOW LET US SING FROM THE MOUNTAIN SIDE
EVERY VOICE JOINED IN DEEPEST PRIDE
FOR WE SING THE SOUL AND CRY OF AFRICA

We’ll take care of the weak, the endangered and the old
We’ll lead the way across the nation
We want to leave behind a legacy for generations to enjoy
For what we save today is tomorrow’s provision

ISTART2 SING A SONG OF JOY
ISTART TO DANCE A DANCE SO FREE
ISTART TO SHOUT A SHOUT OF HOPE FOR THE WORLD TO HEAR
NOW LET US SING FROM THE MOUNTAIN SIDE
EVERY VOICE JOINED IN DEEPEST PRIDE
FOR WE SING THE SOUL AND CRY OF AFRICA

I plant the thought right now
A seed in your mind and your heart right now
The future for all right now
Depends on what we start right now
The path that we walk right now
Leads to the light or the dark right now
The journey we embark on now
Decides victory or loss right now
I start to get up and know my place
My place in the big picture
I start to get up and own my space

My space in a world which is
Full of untold wonders, riches
Handed down by our predecessors
As a steward for generations
In the future
Here's to the future!

I start to sing a song of joy
I start to dance a dance so free
I start to shout a shout of hope for the world to hear
Now let us sing from the mountain side
Every voice joined in deepest pride
For we sing the soul and cry of Africa

ISTART2 SING A SONG OF JOY
ISTART TO DANCE A DANCE OF FREE
ISTART TO SHOUT A SHOUT OF HOPE FOR THE WORLD TO HEAR
NOW LET US SING FROM THE MOUNTAIN SIDE
EVERY VOICE JOINED IN DEEPEST PRIDE
FOR WE SING THE SOUL AND CRY OF AFRICA

I start to forgive, and when I start to forgive…
I start to live again, and when I start to live again…
I start to receive..

Composed: JB Arthur
Lyrics: JB Arthur & Zubz

iStart2 Sing a song of joy ... Pierre du Toit & Keitu Gwangwa

Catch some behind the scenes experiences in the making of the iStart2 Sing cd.

Pops Mohamed & Keitu Gwangwa on Morning Live on SABC Saturday 20 September 2014.

The iStart2Sing (The Soul Of Africa) CD compilation combines in a wonderful and enlightening journey through a diverse South African musical landscape. The compilation combines subtely stated wisdoms and insights with dynamic and entertaining songs. ‘iStart2Sing’ gathers together 16 multifarious tracks from a wide range of South African voices, it features contributions from Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Jonas Gwangwa, Pops Mohamed, Jennifer Ferguson, Sheraaz, Cindy Alter, Ntsiki Mazwai, and Daniel Eeuwrick amongst others.

Sitting at pole position on the cd is iStart2’s vibrant anthem and theme song ‘iStart2 Sing’, an unswerving, energetic and celebratory call to action. Written and produced by Emmy award winner JB Arthur, ‘iStart2 Sing’ combines the talents of African queen Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Afrikaans chanteuse Karin Hougaard, the multi-talented Bianca Le Grange, SA’s top indigenous music legend and recent 21Icon recipient Pops Mohamed, House music superstar Jonathan ‘Ziyon’ Hamilton from Liquideep, Rapper on the rise Zubz and the spirited performing artist Dudu Majola.

Designed to capture South Africans imagination, the song embodies the iStart2 vision and urges us to ‘start too’ on a journey of self discovery and sustainability. iStart2 have taken their unending love of the power of art and with it compiled this amazing journey that not only celebrates home grown talent, but also dives deep into the hearts and souls of our people.

To listen to some of the tracks played on the iStart2 Show ... click play:


Thought of the Day - Catch Pops Mohamed on Saturday SABC Morning live for some behind the scenes footage of the iStart2 initiative.

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)