Zindala Zombili 2012

The Zindala Zombili African Music and Dance Festival has announced the official programme for the upcoming multicultural festival to be held at Alex Stadium from 27th November to 2nd December 2012. The vibrant and exciting showcase of indigenous culture is taking place in Alexandra to contribute to their centenary celebrations and acknowledge the history and diversity of South Africa’s first township. Zindala Zombili will feature the best local music, dance and poetry talent drawn from provincial competitions held all over South Africa in 2011 and 2012. This is a dynamic and powerfulexpression of our shared heritage and an event you definitely want to attend. Some of the other highlights include a rare performance by the renowned Umkhonto ka-Shaka band and the Venancio Mbande Timbila Orchestra from Mozambique. Venancio, who heads up the group, is a recent winner of a prestigious UNESCO award for his work to conserve indigenous music in Mozambique. The programme also features an isiScatamiya competition with 10groups participating for cash prizes.

27th – 30th November 2012 * Schools workshops in Ubuntu and various styles of traditional music and dance. There are still a few spaces available…call to book. * Skills programme in event management for leaders of youth and cultural organisations in Alex. 1st December 2012 10am to 5pm * Curtain raisers from Alex featuring a drama about the history of Alex and traditional Zulu dance. * Provincial winners in the following categories: KhoiSan, Abantwana, Setapa, Ummiso Nekutsamba, Dinaka, Mohobelo and Mzansi. * The Venancio Mbande Orchestra from Mozambique. * Umkhonto ka-Shaka 2nd December 2012 10am to 5pm * Provincial winners in the following categories: Mamarutla, Khuthauza, Domba, Shameni, Mokgibo, Ingadla and Makgakgasa. * isiScatamiya competition featuring 10 of the hottest groups from Gauteng and KZN. iStart2 is proud to be associated with the Zindala Zombili Festival. See you there!

Bring back the humans ... Somerfaan

At Nel aka Somerfaan is described as a maverick South African electronic music visionary. 
 

Born before technology. Frustrated on the ‘plaas’ where he was born, because there was no radio-signal, thus, no music . . . the young Somerfaan was forced to create alternatives. He resorted to banging out beats (with plug-spanners) on any found farm implement whilst singing out loud to the rhythmic cacophonies.

In this period, it was widely rumoured that one day, while working in the mielie fields, he was abducted by aliens for an undisclosed period.

 Somerfaan in the Radio Today studio

with Amanda and Pierre

We chat to Somerfaan about his music, his sustainability initiatives, the abduction and his music career. He is passionate about making a difference and give some ideas we can follow to creating a sustainable world. We also listen to some of his earlier music, Morning is Broken featuring Chris Chameleon and two of the songs from his latest cd, Laaste Somer: Bring back the Humans (beautifully sung by Jane Rademeyer) and Don't worry I got you (with his good friend Cito) 

At believes "charity starts at home - save water, save energy and be good to the people working for you". Words of wisdom from one of our most passionate iStart2 Ambassadors

Somerfaan with Lizette Brand at the 

iStart2 launch in Durban

Great show with a great, unique and authentic artist! To listen to the podcast of the show, just click play.




 Also remember to link with us on facebook 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!

Confessions of a misfit ... Mokokoma Mokhonoana

A man that would rather fill your head with principles that you can apply to your life tomorrow, instead of what happened yesterday. And he argues in his book, Confessions of a misfit, that YOU (Yes, you!) are a genius. The genius in you awaits... This book of wisdoms would make a great Xmas gift.... :-)

Was great having Mokokoma on the show this week. He is a philosopher, a humanitarian, an essayist, a CARTOONIST (and will be designing some interesting designs for the iStart2 T-Shirt campaign), a social-critic, an aphorist, a satirist, a social-entrepreneur, and... an overall nonconformist - indeed a very talented man.

We listen to his favourite music, talk about his work as an artist and chat about his book. Right!


"Don't you know
They're talkin' bout a revolution
It sounds like a whisper"
- Tracy Chapman

Listen to the show - just a click away...



Also remember to link with us on facebook 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 that delivers!

And ..... don't forget to support iStart2 on Saturday 24 November ... buy those Xmas gifts early ... The Xmas market @ 160 South Street at the iStart2 Hub.

iStart2 ... uStart2 ...weStart 2gether ... Mark Sampson

Mark Sampson is on a mission to discover if Africa can show the world how to combat climate change. Mark is a comedian who is serious about climate change and the effect it is having on our children. Find out about how Mark and his family is preparing to go Africa Clockwise in a big green truck.

iStart2... uh...3... :-)

We chatted to Mark in the beautiful Chapmans Peak area about his passion for sustainability, the earth and why he thinks art will make change happen in the world. Lots of fun...  :-) We also play his favourite songs "One Love" and "Green World."


Click "play" to listen to the podcast of show.



Remember to link with us on facebook 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 that delivers!

Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For ... Cian Mclelland

How can I improve energy efficiency at home or in my small business?

Cian Mclelland is our guest in the Radio Today Studio and he chats to us about decentralisation of hot water systems. Cian is one of the iStart2 Warriors focused on ways to save energy and water, involved in the iStart2 Series Television production and an organiser of indigenous cultural festivals around the country like the Zindala Zombili festival coming up in Alexander beginning December 2012. Hope to see you there!

 Pierre & Amanda with our guest, Cian Mclelland.

Click "play" to listen to the podcast of our show.



Remember to link with us on facebook. 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 that delivers!

If you go away ... Karin Hougaard (Part 2)

Sheeez! Have just listened to Karin again, talking about her experiences in the Netherlands, what it felt like to perform to 17 000 people three nights in a row in Antwerp, how she integrated sustainability themes like collaboration, new territory, open systems and her motto , "Reduce, Re-use and Recycle" into her life, her music and her new cd Alien Sky.

Karin's insights, passion and inspiration is probably one of the biggest driving forces that will contribute to  making the iStart2 Challenge an initiative that will move many people to start leaving sustainable footprints. Karin doesn't just talk... she inspires and excites us to start living the change we want to see.

We listen to a few songs: 

"For you" - a song Karin wrote as an anthem for her country, South Africa, and "Frightened Heart" about how it feels to be in unfamiliar territory (from her new cd, Alien Sky). Karin also sings Queen, "You take my breath away" and one of her Dutch songs, "Bij Mij" - powerful and intimate. 

That which she could not put into words or music – she now captures in her paintings. The painting below is aptly called " We do all kinds of fencing"

(Click here to view some of her work)

What a privilege and honour it is to work with such a multi talented individual. I salute you Karin Hougaard! Click "play" to listen to the podcast of our show.



Remember to link with us on facebook. 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 that delivers!

If you go away ... Karin Hougaard (Part 1)

Almost four years ago Karin Hougaard moved to a little town, Oak Ridge in North Carolina, USA. We chat to Karin about  how living in another country has changed her life. How it influenced her brand new cd Alien Sky and listen to "Free Falling" from the album. Sustainability issues is close to her heart and we discuss her  involvement in iStart2, fun times in Amsterdam with the recording of Quiet Love and lots more. 

(Karin in the Netherlands during the recording of Quiet Love)

Karin took the chance, she took the step, she holds on tight... and will never look back. Karin is free falling...

" Free falling is for dreamers

just a daring lullaby

free falling is for dreamers

just a moment flashing by

free falling

free falling

free falling " 

Fun times in Amsterdam :-)

Here with Philippe Elan and Suzaan Steyn

To listen to the podcast click the "play" button below.

Remember to link with us on facebook. 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 that delivers!

PS: Interested to read more about the recording of Quiet Love just click on my blog  synchronicity