iStart2 Blog

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Save me ... Muneera Salie

Do you want to save energy and electricity costs? Have you installed a solar geyser at your home? Is it affordable? Do you know about Eskom's rebate programme? Why are banks not helping? Is it time for a green bank? Do you think enough is being done to help consumers and government to achieve the goal to install 1 million solar geysers by March 2015?

Muneera Salie, an energy and research analyst at Frost & Sullivan, is quoted in the Business Day saying:" Something needs to be done to stimulate the demand side of the market in order for substantial growth to occur." Business Day states that the poor uptake of solar geysers was due to the initial outlay, which made it unaffordable to most people.

We chatted to Muneera, a chemical engineer, about the findings of her research report, on the iStart2 show. Eskom yesterday vowed to keep the lights on at all costs. Maybe it is time to help ourselves to save costs and do our bit to keep our own lights on.

It was Earth Day on the 22nd April and we listen to Michael Jackson's Earth song and the beautiful music of Karin Hougaard, For you and Frightened Heart. Win two tickets to Karin's show, Alien Sky, at the Atterbury Theatre on 3 May 2013. Email your Earth day pledge to pierre@istart2.com to be part of the draw. To listen to the podcast just click "play".

Become part of the iStart2 tribe by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join our movement. Let's 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!

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Find me in the Kitchen at Parties ... Laughing Chefs & Lötter de Jager

Lötter de Jager is a painter. He paints because he loves it, only painting what he sees as beautiful, and his work is his interpretation of such beauty. He does not aim to convey a message, but rather to tell a story. It is his intent that people who view his work experience a deep emotion, whether it be happiness or sadness, love or anger, light or dark! He will be exhibiting his work on 25 April at the iStart2 Hub.

Laughing Chefs realises the responsibility that they have not only towards our community and our planet, but also towards the next generations. They support the principles of sustainability, and aim to apply them at every event they create. This includes minimising waste, energy usage and emissions, conserving water and including the local community. Furthermore, they make use of fresh, seasonal and ethical products, from reputable and responsible suppliers. They hope that the care they take to conserve our planet, our future and our children’s future will be tangible in all they do!

We are giving away two tickets to Karin Hougaard's show - Alien Sky - on 3 May in the Atterbury Theatre. Just listen to our show (on podcast below), email your reply to pierre@istart2.com and stand a chance to be a lucky winner at our draw on 25 April. Book tickets early at computicket if you don't want to miss this beautiful performance by Karin Hougaard.

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

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

End of the Innocence ... Brandon Borgelt

Brandon Borgelt is a sculptor of nudes, wildlife and Native Americans. Sitting Bull's fight is as real today as it was then...

We chat to Brandon about his views on sustainability, the banking system, conspiracy theories and his work as an artist. A gentle guy with strong views about the world we live in. The Eagles and Don Henley's music echoes the song of the earth:

"But I know a place where we can go
That's still untouched by men
We'll sit and watch the clouds roll by
And the tall grass wave in the wind"

To listen to the show, just click play:

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

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

African sky Blue ... Qhuzulini John Sithole

Under the Leadership of Qhuzulini John Sithole, the chairman of the African Cultural Heritage Trust, His Holiness, The Dali Lama landed in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning, 3rd November. He was in South Africa to open the World Sacred Music Festival. John Sithole and a group of horn players welcomed the Dalai Lama, who looked on bemused and intrigued as Sithole circled him and ushered him to the podium. That was in 2004.

Qhuzulini John Sithole is also director of the Zindala Zombili Festival and we had him in the studio this week to give his views on the state of the Arts in South Africa. The recent debate on SABC about the state of the Art's in SA asked some very relevant questions about how South African Artists face the challenge of direct and indirect censorship from the government, especially through the channel of funding. Should artists challenge the "system" in South Africa? Does an artist "sell-out" if they accept funding from government? Should artists challenge audiences with work that raises questions about our country? To listen to the interview just click play

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

Thursday, March 21, 2013

I've come to take you home ... Diana Ferrus

I am a bit of a sissy boy. I cried in "As it is in heaven" and "The curious case of Benjamin Button". I cried when the son of one of my best friends died. I cried when my own son recited his Amandla poem in a township to celebrate 100 years of struggle and victory in South Africa. I also cried when I interviewed Diana Ferrus on my radio show...

A story about humiliation ... but, a story that ended in hope. Sarah Baartman, displayed as a freak because of her unusual physical features, was finally laid to rest 187 years after she left Cape Town for London. Her remains were buried on Women’s Day, 9 August 2002, in the area of her birth, the Gamtoos River Valley in the Eastern Cape.

Diana Ferrus, poet, writer and human rights activist was the guest on my show this week. Her tribute to Sarah Baartman is one of the most beautiful poems I have ever heard.

“I’ve come to take you home –
home, remember the veld?
the lush green grass beneath the big oak trees
the air is cool there and the sun does not burn.
I have made your bed at the foot of the hill,
your blankets are covered in buchu and mint,
the proteas stand in yellow and white
and the water in the stream chuckle sing-songs
as it hobbles along over little stones".

To listen to the show (and the rest of the poem in her own words) just click play

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

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Silent Hands ... Dirk Venter

Silent Hands

Can you hear me?
Listen, not with your ears
But with your eyes.
To you they speak,
My silent hands.
Hear me tell my tale.
Hear me sing my song.
Learn my language,
My beautiful native language.
Hear my hands,
Hear my music and story.
Learn my language.
Speak to me with your hands.
Share my beautiful language.
Hear my silent hands.
We have a tale to tell,
A song to sing.
Open your eyes
And hear me speak.

- Author: Sandra L. Brooks

How do we integrate Deaf people into society? Does it help to shout at them? If someone is deaf, does it mean they are dumb, too? Growing up as a child with deaf parents, Dirk Venter, CEO of Deaffriendly, continues to play a role in the lives of deaf people all over South Africa. Insightful to hear his wisdom on the iStart2 Show.

We chat to Dirk about the myths and truths around Deaf people, the collaboration with iStart2 and the "silent" hands behind the initiative. We also chat about the meaning of the silent hands in the iStart2 logo. Please contact Dirk if you can help. His e-mail: dirk@deaffriendly.co.za

To listen to the podast, just click "play" below:

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

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Without my own two hands ... Samkelo Radebe & Simon Manda

“I lost my hands but I don’t just want to be a disabled person. I want to be an extraordinary, amazing human because being disabled is not enough. I want to be that guy without hands who can do things much better than most.” - Samkelo Radebe, as he was quoted in the The Citizen, just before winning a Gold Medal in the Paralympic Games last year. This man is true to his word. What an honour to "take arms" with someone who promised that he will be the "best" ambassador on the iStart2 initiative. Without my own two hands we can change the world ...

Samkelo is joined in the iStart2 studio by Simon Manda, one of our media partners at Mass Media and responsible for the ThisAbility Newspaper circulated in South Africa. A man with a BIG heart who focus on spreading positive news and success stories about our disabled community.

We chatted to Samkelo and Simon about their dreams, sustainability and what they are doing to create a more sustainable world out there.

To listen to the podcast, just click play:

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