The search begins ... Zindala Zombili African Music & Dance Festival

The Gauteng leg of the Zindala Zombili African Music and Dance Festival was launched in Johannesburg today by the African Cultural Heritage Trust, Zindala Zombili Promotions, the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation and iStart2.

The festival consists of ten district competitions for all styles of traditional music and dance groups living in Gauteng. The winning groups from each district event will qualify to compete in the provincial festival and stand a chance to win prizes valued at over R200,000.00. There are cash prizes of R90,000.00 and R120,000.00 worth of marketing material for the groups to promote themselves and generate an income, including a DVD recording of their performance, photo's and a marketing pack.

Festival director, Qhuzulini Sithole said that, "It is important for our traditional music and dance groups to have the tools they need to promote themselves and generate an income from their cultural expression. In that way we are able to continue celebrating our culture, educating people about their roots and ensuring that our valued Living Heritage and Indigenous Knowledge Systems are preserved for future generations." 

The Zindala Zombili provincial festival will take place on 21 and 22 September in partnership with the Soweto Festival being held at NASREC from 20 to 24 September. The event will celebrate African culture and heritage through traditional music and dance, poetry, story-telling, food and attire. It will include performances from the winning groups as well as guest groups from SADC and BRICS countries.

Mr. Sithole went on to say that, "We learn from each others cultures and get a deeper understanding of who we are as people, no matter what language we speak or the color of our skin."

The provincial festival will also include a strong educational component with skills development programmes for group and community leaders, and public workshops in various styles of traditional music and dance.

District competitions calendar

DATE DISTRICT VENUE

21 July Johannesburg Mzimhlope Hostel, Soweto

27 July Emfuleni Mphatlalatsane Theatre, Sebokeng

28 July Midvaal Bantobonke Community Hall

4 Aug Tshwane Pretoria City Hall

11 Aug Ekhuruleni Katlehong Arts Centre

18 Aug West Rand Krugersdorp City Hall

25 Aug Tshwane Nkangala Community Hall

1 Sept Ekhuruleni Moses Molelekwa Art Centre

8 Sept Westrand Westonaria Sports Complex

15 Sept Johannesburg Drill Hall, Johannesburg

For more information contact Bontle Maqubela: zindala@iafrica.com or 082 845 9986.

iStart2 will be there to explore new talent! Meet with us to find out how you can enter the iStart2 Challenge! Be one of the seven!

See you there!

Summer of '69 ... Julie Stacey

“King III – What Does it Mean to Run a Values-Based Business?” The core question in our discussion with Julie Stacey on the iStart2 Show. We chatted about King III, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and how we need to build genuine, sustainable change within society and organisations.

Having graduated with a postgraduate degree in earth- and life-sciences, Julie has been involved with the mining sector for 24 years. She has worked at operational level, and has represented the industry at policy liaison and negotiating forums, such as SADC and the United Nations. She currently works nationally and internationally.

Julie was the global Sustainable Development Operations Manager for Anglo American plc. She was the Chairman of the Sustainable Development Forum of the Institute of Directors in Southern Africa. She served on two task teams of the King III Code for Corporate Governance revision process. Julie’s purpose is to facilitate the deliberate creation of a fundamentally different future and she is doing it ... these are the best days of our lives!

Thank you for sharing your passion with us Julie. To 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)

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

The Traveller ... Sheraaz

A table, a chair, a bowl of fruit and a violin; what else does a man need to be happy? Albert Einstein

Maybe Sheraaz? We chatted to  Herman Steyn, violinist and front man of the dynamic homegrown instrumental group, Sheraaz, on the iStart2 Show. We challenged Herman to interpret sustainability concepts with his violin and he amazed us with truly inspiring talent in action.

He shared his views on sustainability and what his group is doing to create a more sustainable world. iStart2 is privileged to take hands with this incredible group  of young musicians. One of their songs will be featured on the iStart2 cd (out in September) and you can catch them at some of the Zindala Zondili Dance Festivals around townships and cities in Gauteng during August and September where they will participate in spreading the word about the iStart2 Challenge.

 Herman with Production Manager, Eazi Ed,  in the Radio Today Studio

Listen to the podcast to find more about Sheraaz. We played three of the songs  (Kgolofelo, Whales and Ngena) from their debut album, The Traveller, to wet your appetite. Inspirational music by young talented musicians making a difference in South Africa. 



 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) :-)

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) :-)

My Black President ... InkuluFreeHeid

On 27 April 1994, South Africa took her first step into freedom. On that day, we came together as a nation and showed the world that conflict can be overcome. That hurt can be turned into hope. And that when we work together, miracles do happen. Now, almost twenty years later, we need to come together again to make the Vision for South Africa 2030 a reality. This is the central message from young youth leaders from InkuluFreeHeid, our guests on the iStart2 Show.

iStart2 collaborating with InkuluFreeHeid

We chatted to Amukelani Mayimele and Erik de Ridder about the mission, the goals and how InkuluFreeHeid is going to contribute and unite South Africans behind efforts to deepen democracy, enhance social cohesion and find solutions to pressing economic challenges of our time. Join their nation-wide conversation by visiting the website at www.inkulufreeheid.org

To listen to the podcast of the show and their favourite music by Brenda Fassie (Black President) and Lira (Uprising), 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)

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

Thula ... Sibongile Khumalo

"This morning I woke up with a deep sense of gratitude. Grateful that I am alive in this country at this time. That, challenges notwithstanding, I have an opportunity to contribute to an initiative, a movement that calls on us CITIZENS to make a difference. That this difference is vested in the decisions of each and everyone of us, and the actions of each and everyone of us to ultimately affect the way we think in a constructive and productive way. Grateful that we still have a sense of community that spurs us to action for the greater good of society." - Sibongile Khumalo (launch of the Citizens Movement - Citizens ZA, 27th April, 2013)

Someone once described Sibongile as “a musical adventuress and mezzo soprano with an outstanding vocal range, Sibongile Khumalo has been hailed the queen of South African jazz, the Empress of Soul, a diva for the 21st century. If it’s star quality you’re after, then look no further.”

Our team in the Radio Today studio was taken aback by her warmth, humility, wisdom and sense of humour... a beautiful human being. We fully understand why she believes the world needs dreamers who don't just dream, but dreamers who DO! To listen to a podcast of the show just click "play":

Listen on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, dstv Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Don't forget to Like our facebook page if you are interested to follow the unfolding of the iStart2 journey (Top left) :-)

Please Note: (On Tuesday 11 June 2013 all radio stations on the DStv Audio Bouquet are changing their numbers. Radio Today's DStv Audio Channel number will be 869 in future)

Our Future, make it work ... Bobby Godsell (Part2 - Citizens Movement)

How can we involve society at large in contributing to a better future towards the 2030 Vision for South Africa? How can I get involved? How do we make it work?

HIGH-profile business and political leaders have signed up to be patrons of a new Citizens Movement, which is meant to promote good values, community work and philanthropy. Businessman Bobby Godsell and former trade unionist James Motlatsi are the "conveners" of the movement. We chat to Bobby Godsell about what we CAN DO to make South Africa a better place and realize the vision for South Africa 2030.

A good way to start is to sign the Citizens Charter by going here

To listen to a podcast of the show (and some music by Simphiwe Dana) just click "play":




iStart2 was part of another remarkable event that took place yesterday at Freedom Park. A declaration of commitment by advocates of social cohesion was signed. The aim is to embrace the National Development Plan and involve society at large in contributing to building a better future. South Africans taking hands...

Launch by Paul Mashatile - Minister of Arts & Culture

A good society is built by active citizens. If you can start, iStart2!

 

Tune in next week Monday @18h30 on Radio Today. Our special guest is one of the greatest diva's of South African music, Dr Sibongile Khumalo.

Listen on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, dstv Audio Channel 169 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Don't forget to Like our facebook page if you are interested to follow the unfolding of the iStart2 journey (Top left) :-)