M'Bifo ... Mbongeni Buthelezi

This man is unique: "I don't know of any artist in the world that does what I do. I wish I had four hands," he says.

Mbongeni Buthelezi Starts2

"The only thing I think of is plastic"

Mbongeni Buthelezi is an artist whose art is renowned for its distinctive, personal, and innovative style. For his artworks Buthelezi exclusively uses industrially produced plastic materials with various imprinting, making art from plastic rubbish. "I collect rubbish and create something beautiful from it. I collect something that has no value and give it new life. That's what we can do with ourselves and our lives". 

The use of such material shows Buthelezi's awareness of environmental problems. "I have to believe in climate change and what the experts are telling us." He is convinced that seeing his works and his history, people are able to realize that in South Africa there are many opportunities, too, and that it is possible to create a better live and a career out of nothing; making art would enable people to change their lives and to contribute something positive to the world.


Buthelezis works have been exhibited internationally, including the Museum of African Art in New York, the Goch Museum in Germany as well as the Prague Biennale

To listen to his journey, just click below:




Thought for the day:

Tune in at 17h30 to 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). 

Please Visit our website: www.istart2.com and join our movement.

Basimanyana ... Ntsako Mkhabela

Basimanyana ... the wisdom of forgiveness...

“Activism is dirty; it needs your hands whether it is a veggie garden, teaching kids how to paint or how to write, activism needs your hands more than your voice,” says Ntsako Mkhabela. "We need to get dirty man. We need to think deeply about realities... look outside the window."

Ntsako is a playwright, director of theatre and founder of the Spelling Bee in South Africa. She feels strongly about sustainability and believes it speaks to our own ability to survive on this earth. "It's not my business to mess with the earth."

We chatted to Ntsako on the iStart2 Show and listened to her favourite song by Vusi Mahlasela. To listen to the interview just click play:



Thought for the Day:

Tune in at 17h30 to 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). 

Please Visit our website: www.istart2.com and join our movement.

Time to heal ... Zubz

"How can anyone tell my story better than me?" says Zubz; this guy definitely does not conform to the stereotypical picture of a hip hop rapper! He not only impressed us with his professional approach and seriousness in shooting his video part of the iStart2 Anthem song (that will be out soon by the way), but also touched the iStart2 Team with his lyrics and commitment to creating a song that is going to take South Africans and the world by storm. 

iStart2! Ndabankulu, Keitu,Zubz & Pierre

A peek at his rap lyrics, emphasises his positive, but serious outlook on life:

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
  - Zubz (Listen to the interview to hear the full verse)

 Great fun during the iStart2 video shoot in Diepsloot 

Zubz understands his place in the big picture and he believes that every person needs to decide whether they are going to build or to destroy. He is a firm believer in the power of the human spirit and is committed to making a difference in creating a more sustainable world. We chatted to Zubz about his life, his contribution to the iStart2 Song and sustainability and he shares his advice with people interested in entering the iStart2 Challenge.

To listen to the wisdom and insights of this remarkable wordsmith and two of his songs "Only your love" (with Pops Mohamed & Ntsiki Mazwai) and "Time to Heal", just click play below.





Thought for the Day:

Tune in at 17h30 to 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). Please Visit our website: www.istart2.com and join our movement.

Stand Up for Your Rights ...Benjy Francis

More than 20 film clubs headed into Joburg’s townships for the 2nd annual Film Clubs Conference where they discussed how the arts can change lives. The aim of this volunteer-based organisation is to develop a socially conscious arts and culture movement against the backdrop of an ever- deepening crisis in youth participation and development in the arts, fueled by poverty and inequality. 

We chatted to Benjy Francis, a true warrior and champion, about how he uses the silver screen as a tool for social transformation… Benjy told us of a group of young Alexandra residents who photographed images of environmental degradation, neglect and unhygienic living conditions in the township on World Environment Day last year, “The images show quite clearly how this impacts on the residents dignity and human rights,” he said. “The exhibit served as a "third eye" showing us what we take for granted in our lives.” 

"I believe in the power of human beings to change the world"  

- Benjy Francis on the iStart2 Show

Benjy "starts2" by committing to motivate young artists to enter the iStart2 Challenge. Great support from a man who uses the Arts as a catalyst to develop youth in areas where sadly, everyone else has given up.

To listen to the show just click play:



Thought for the day: 

Will your party deliver on the sustainability challenges we face in our country? 

Tune in at 17h30 to 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  The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time). Visit our  website: www.istart2.com and join our movement.

Yakhal' inkomo ... Mongane Wally Serote

"I do not know where I have been
But Brother,
I know I am coming"

A man committed to leave footprints of a new sense of spirituality and moral rediscovery in South Africa. Mongane Wally Serote spent his lifetime expressing the injustices and harsh realities of life for black people under apartheid. His work has inspired, and continues to inspire generations of youth throughout South Africa, Africa and the world. His contribution to the South African literary arena has been invaluable. His thought-provoking poetry not only expressed the effects that oppression had on South Africans, but it also stands as a timeless body of work that marks an important period in South Africa’s history.

Dr Mongane Wally Serote starts 2 ...

Serote was appointed CEO of Freedom Park to oversee the construction, a national monument, situated in Tshwane, for the heroes and heroines who died in defence of South Africa and in the struggle for freedom. He has also served as chair of the parliamentary select committee for arts and culture. 

Serote's work as poet, novelist and healer is far from over. Today he focuses his energy on sustainability and the challenges we face to create a sustainable South Africa. A wonderful honour to listen to the wisdom and insights of a remarkable man.



 Thought for the Day: 

Power Emergency

Tune in at 17h30 to 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  The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time). Visit our  website: www.istart2.com and join our movement.

Enter the iStart2 Challenge today! Be one of the seven!

Rise ... Nomfusi

"I start2 have a vegetable garden at the back of my yard" - Nomfusi

With a gigantic voice and tons of charm, there is nothing small about the tiny songstress Nomfusi. With sheer will and determination she has risen from the squalor of South African squatter camps to glistening on the stages of the world. Likened by critics to a young Miriam Makeba with a twist of Tina Turner, the multiple SAMA and Metro FM Award nominee embraces both her African heritage as well as the sounds of Motown she grew up with.



In 2013 Nomfusi portrayed the character of Miriam Makeba in the Golden Globe winning film, “Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom,” with appearances at both the Hollywood and Berlin premieres. We chatted to Nomfusi about her role in the movie and experiences on the red carpet. She also shares advice on entering the iStart2 Challenge and her views on the misuse of land, consumerism and religion.

To listen to her songs, Rise, Kunjalo and the interview, just click play:



Thought for the day:

Tune in at 17h30 to 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  The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time). Visit our  website: www.istart2.com and join our movement.

Enter the iStart2 Challenge today! Be one of the seven!

Orinoco Flow ... Margaret Makoka & Sunet Wagner

"Have an open heart and share"- Margaret Makoka

"Nothing is impossible" - Sunet Wagner

  
Entry to the iStart2 Challenge is open and one of the first companies to collaborate with iStart2 is Minimax Performing Arts. They provide young South African performers, performing artists and artists with a platform to express themselves in a supportive yet challenging environment which enhances their skill and talent while simultaneously building their self-confidence, social skills and leadership capability.

Sunet Wagner and Margaret Makoka starts too...

We chatted to Sunet Wagner and Margaret Makoka about how they plan to  integrate the iStart2 Challenge into the curriculum at the Suncares Arts Academy. Participating will be six schools in Diepsloot near Montecasino and six schools in Mayfair near Gold Reef City, with 480 learners in total – 40 from each school. Two ladies who are passionate about creating a more sustainable world for young artists and creating opportunity for young artists to showcase their art in the iStart2 Challenge

To listen to the show just click play:



Thought for the day:

Tune in at 17h30 to 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.

New Time slots for the iStart2 Show. The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time). Visit our  website: www.istart2.com and join our movement.