A Sustainable New Year ... 2013

Art is the great messenger. We draw inspiration from it ... it interconnects us ... we laugh with it ... we learn to forgive through it ... and it gives us hope.

Creating a sustainable world is the biggest challenge we face in the future. It is important to protect our world for future generations. It is also critical to save water, energy and deal with waste differently. In understanding what can be done we invited a broad spectrum of people - artists, musicians, comedians, cartoonists, writers, business people, media people and community leaders from the South African society, to talk to us on the iStart2 Radio Show.

In our New Year Show we share the views, commitments and ideas of 16 warriors
- Pops Mohamed ( Musician )
- JP du Toit ( Writer & Entrepreneur )
- Mark Sampson ( Comedian )
- Mokokoma Mokhonoana ( Satirist )
- Prof Mervyn King ( Business Leader)
- Karin Hougaard ( Artist )
- Ma Malindy Myeza ( Community Leader)
- Sietse van der Woude ( Sustainability Expert)
- Somerfaan ( Musician)
- LadyRay ( Comedienne )
- Ismail Mahomed ( Arts Director)
- Nadiem Solomon ( Comedian)
- Ntsiki Mazwai ( Poet & Musician )
- Cian Mclelland ( Producer )
- Charles Leonard ( News Editor )
- PJ Powers ( Musician )
- Scott Cundill ( Activist )

  ... to create a more sustainable world. The journey will continue in 2013 with more shows and the launch of the iStart2 Challenge. Will you take hands with us? To listen to this powerpacked show, just press play



Become part of the iStart2 family by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join the movement where we take hands to create a more sustainable world.

Join me every Monday at 18h30 (SA Time) and listen to the show on Radio Today 1485 am in Jo'burg, catch us nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 169 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Radio Today. Radio that delivers! 

We look forward to free fall with you in 2013.

Monkey gone to heaven ... Charles Leonard

Charles Leonard, News Editor at the Mail & Guardian Newspaper is a big guy. He has been a journalist for the past 25 years, but musically obsessive for more than 40 years. This guy knows his music. You may even catch him at Kitcheners from time to time where he often DJ's. I have asked him to be our guest on the iStart2 New Year's show and to play "Sustainability-through-music."

Charles shared some very interesting stories about every song and we listen to Monkey Gone To Heaven, Electric Car, Timber and Mercy, Mercy Me, amongst others. We also chat to Charles about his views on Sustainability, on whether he thinks different religious groupings can take hands ( his article in the Mail & Guardian's God Edition last year was one of the most read articles) and his love for music. A New Year's Show that makes you think about our future.

To listen to the podcast click "play" below:



Become part of the iStart2 family by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join the movement where we take hands to create a more sustainable world.

Join me every Monday at 18h30 (SA Time) and listen to the show on Radio Today 1485 am in Jo'burg, catch us nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 169 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Radio Today. Radio that delivers!

If u don't know where u from... Ntsiki Mazwai & JP du Toit

Insightful show with bright young artists, Ntsiki Mazwai ("I am somewhat crazy, but can be normal") and JP du Toit ("Writer, actor and sometimes a human being....") They share their thoughts on sustainability, climate change, contemporary South Africa and even the politics of "hair." They surely let the sunshine in. Is this the age of Aquarius? 

Our Happy Holiday show with lots of laughter and serious discussions. Ntsiki says: "I'd rather be funny than deep" whilst JP feels " terrible things happen when good people do nothing" They share some of their poems, we listen to their favourite songs and a spirited discussion on the "weave" issue, concluding with the idea that fake hair is not sexy. Who would have thought it? Talking about hair on a show about sustainability! Who let this dog out?

 iStart2 Radio Today Team with Ntsiki and JP

To listen to the podcast click "play" below:



Become part of the iStart2 family by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join the movement where we take hands to create a more sustainable world.

Join me every Monday at 18h30 (SA Time) and listen to the show on Radio Today 1485 am in Jo'burg, catch us nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 169 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Radio Today. Radio that delivers!

Sweet Poison ... Ntsiki Mazwai

What WHITES in South Africa need to hear ... one of the questions asked in the Reconciliation Day interview with the very talented, Queen of the Streets,  Ntsiki Mazwai. Controversial?  Challenging? ... or just a simple truth? Have we really integrated as a society after 1994?  "At least many white girls are getting a bit of ass,"  said Ntsiki with her tongue firmly in cheek.

Ntsiki uses words to heal and push the social issues close to her heart. Her song uRONGO became the biggest selling song in the country in 2005. In 2006 she released her debut album, MaMiya independently.  She spent most of 2011 promoting her book, WENA, around the country and continues to enlighten audiences with insightful poetry, music and her passion for life. Refreshing to have had such an energetic and authentic young lady on the iStart2 Show. 

 
Listen to the podcast of Ntsiki's show which includes her hits uRONGO and Sweet Poison:



Become part of the iStart2 family by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join the movement where we take hands to create a more sustainable world.

Join me every Monday at 18h30 (SA Time) and listen to the show on Radio Today 1485 am in Jo'burg, catch us nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 169 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Radio Today. Radio that delivers!

I feel so strong ... PJ Powers with Pops Mohamed (Part 2)

We have PJ back in the studio and chat about her concern for elderly people, religion, "out-of-order" robots, eat-pray-love, motivational speaking and her new book, the Power of Appreciation. 

"Self love is not an option ... it is a must"
"We all wanna be the best we can"
- PJ Powers

We listen to some new songs, "Half the sky" and "Something inside so strong" and end the show with a surprise visit from Pops Mohamed joining us in the studio.

"People love you PJ" - Pops Mohamed

What an honour to have two of South Africa's musical legends on the iStart2 Show. Magic...

To listen to the show just click "play" 



Like the iStart2 facebook page and please support our cause. Join me every Monday at 18h30 (SA Time) and listen to the show on Radio Today 1485 am in Jo'burg, catch us nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 169 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Radio Today. Radio that delivers!

I feel so strong ... PJ Powers (Part 1)

A date with PJ Powers. Something I have always dreamt about... and then, one day it all came true...

And yes, of course I felt a bit intimidated that I was going to be in the studio with one of the biggest icons in South African music. It is then that all those "what if" questions start running through your mind...

- What if she's just a spoilt diva?
- What if i go blank during the interview... ( and yes... it happened)
- What if she doesn't like my questions?
- What if we don't click at all?
- Will she take hands with iStart2?
- Will we pass the stringent criteria she use before deciding to take hands on a project? 

- Will she "make" the criteria WE set ... someone who does it with heart, someone who is realistic about the amount of work that goes into a project like iStart2... someone who "understands" the bigger picture...
- What if ... what if ... what if...

But this day turned out to be an incredible day... one of those days I will always treasure... There she was in the studio, beautiful, vulnerable but strong, happy, full of wisdom....  and humble... someone that does not only talk about sustainability issues, but someone who lives what she believes in. I can now understand why she continues to touch the hearts of so many people. Dreams do come true. And .... there is a difference between "goodness" and "greatness"...

To listen to the show just click "play" 



Dreaming of a date with PJ?? Then link with PJ on her official facebook page ... and yes... you may stand a chance to make your dream come true and have coffee & cake with her! So, 'like' PJ's page if you haven't already. There will be a draw when she has reached 500 fans and thereafter for every 500 new fans.

Visit www.facebook.com/PJPowersOfficial to 'like' and you and PJ could be sipping coffee together soon! :-)

Whilst on facebook, also like the iStart2 facebook page and support our cause. Please join me every Monday at 18h30 (SA Time) and listen to the show on Radio Today 1485 am in Jo'burg, catch us nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 169 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Radio Today. Radio that delivers!

I feel so strong ... PJ Powers (Trailer)

Blessed with a long remarkable and extremely  rewarding career, PJ Powers has been part of celebrating some of the most significant moments in South Africa's history. Her life has been a journey of many highlights .... and even some lowlights.... she has recorded over 16 albums and maintained a high profile presence both as recording artist and as a live performer for over thirty years.

It is an extreme honour to have Thandeka on the iStart2 show today. Please join us on Radio Today @ 18h30 tonight to find out how PJ is doing "Sustainability through Art." Part 1 tonight and part 2 on Monday 10 December 2012.

Preview the trailer for the show: 

Podcast available on this blog on 4 December 2012.

Always remember: "Shift happens!" :-)