Sustainability Conversations ... Children of Africa Unite #MandelaMonth 2016

 Artist: Mbongeni Buthelezi

The 2016 Mandela Day will again be a worldwide commemoration and celebration of the life, philosophy and achievements of one of the biggest heroes of our time.

What Mandela Day Means

Mandela Day is based on the idea that if every individual dedicates a short amount of time to making the world a better place, there is immense potential for collective good to flourish. Mandela Day is a call to action for every individual, group, corporate, to take responsibility for making the world a better place, one step at a time, in response to areas of need within their communities and guided by means at their disposal
 
The Mzansi Spelling Bee is a group of passionate individuals who play their part in creating a better South Africa. They take Nelson Mandela's quote of "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world" to heart.

Ntsako Mkhabela, the founder, is a strong believer in improving literacy in South Africa one word at a time; one child at a time. This initiative has grown from a single province spelling bee in 2012 with 200 spellers to being in 9 provinces with thousands of spellers in this, the fifth season of the Mzansi Spelling Bee. 

The Mzansi Spelling Bee is a growing movement to get South Africa’s children to fall in love with words. The love of words and education is the one gift that South Africa can offer our children. Through words we can raise confident children with the power to dream, create, break boundaries and explore the world. Get involved in the Spelling Bee here.

The Palace of Justice was the venue for the historic Rivonia Trial (1964) involving Nelson Mandela. In 2002 the entire interior of the building was renovated, except for the holding cells below ground level. Mandela and his fellow trialists found themselves in one of these cells on every day of the trial. The walls of the cell carry messages left by generations of political prisoners.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation released photos of graffiti in the holding cells at the Palace of Justice, Pretoria. Read more here

Mbongeni Buthelezi is the epitomy of Sustainability through Art. He has made a name for himself in contemporary art through his use of waste plastic. Buthelezi "paintings" are made of waste plastic, which he cuts into little pieces and melts, with a heat gun, onto a plastic canvas. This man is unique in making his contribution to a more sustainable world.

The Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital

Madiba had a dream of establishing a dedicated children's hospital. In 2016, NMCH is rapidly nearing completion. The Nelson Mandela Children’s Trust strives to change the way society treats its children and youth. This long-term vision captures the central role society plays in shaping children’s lives. To make your contribution in helping Mandela's dream come true, click here

 

Children of Africa Unite on the iStart2 Show today. Nine #Bee organisations from Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Nigeria, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe will be taking part in a first-ever African Spelling Bee competition scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, over the next few days. Today we chat to Zameer Dada, a former Spelling Bee winner  and his Mom, Kuraysha. Zameer will be part of the team representing South Africa in this extraordinary event. Best of luck to all the participants!!

Keitu Gwangwa & Pierre du Toit host the iStart2 Show on Thursdays at 17h30. Radio Today broadcasts on 1485 MW (AM) in greater Johannesburg and countrywide on ‪#‎DStv‬ audio channel 869. 

Radio Today also streams globally on www.1485.org.za. 

Something to think about ...

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains,

 but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others"

- Nelson Mandela

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.