Sustainability Conversations ... Amazing Women #WomensDay2016

Today, we celebrate the remarkable achievements and the tenacious spirits of the fearless females who continue to advocate for change, defy norms and stand up for what they believe.

Imagine over 20 000 women of all races and ages from every corner of South Africa marching together towards the Union Buildings in Pretoria. On 9 August 1956 these women were marching in protest against the pass laws that proposed even further restrictions on the movements of women.

Imagine women of all races marching to demand a better and sustainable future for the children of our children? Imagine women standing up and showing the world how we can unite as one nation and play our part in creating a more sustainable South Africa. Imagine a miracle like this happening in 2016? 

We would like to take this moment to pay tribute to all the women who have inspired us along the way in our journey - there are too many to name.

We dedicate today to you, the women who have supported iStart2 over the past five years, the warrior women who live far and wide around our beautiful country, South Africa. We salute every single one of you!

Today we pay special tribute to a woman who has, for many years, used her voice to draw attention to causes that will change the lives of millions. From ending apartheid to improving maternal and child health to issues impacting on the sustainability of our country and our people.

In the words of Nelson Mandela, we pay tribute to the Princess of Africa, Yvonne Chaka Chaka:

“It is what we make of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another. Yvonne, you are a testament to my belief. You have made all of South Africa proud to claim you as a national icon. You have motivated millions of women and men on our continent. Your generosity has benefited untold numbers of families and orphans facing the challenges of AIDS, terminal illness, abuse, poverty, and illiteracy. I know you will always make your indelible mark wherever you go, and with whatever you do. There is no stopping you! You will always be my Princess of Africa.”

iStart2 pays tribute to Yvonne on SowetoTV

Tim Modise chats to the Princess of Africa, Yvonne Chaka Chaka on SowetoTV on  Wednesday 10 August 2016 from 19h30 - 20h00. Yvonne shares her journey as a woman in Africa, talks about her involvement in the recording of the iStart2Sing CD and her contribution to benefit people in Giyani by joining iStart2 in the distribution of solar lights to the community. 

Join us on The Tim Modise Show, #DSTV Channel 251 and Free-to-Air in Gauteng, with one of the most remarkable woman in South Africa.

The iStart2Sing (The Soul Of Africa) CD compilation combines in a wonderful and enlightening journey through a diverse South African musical landscape. Designed to capture South Africans imagination, the song embodies the iStart2 vision and urges us to ‘start too’ on a journey of self discovery and sustainability.

Yvonne encourages young artists to sing new songs, to write new poems, to paint new paintings about how we see a sustainable world and offers inspiration to young artists who also dream of following in her footsteps.


Everybody loves Yvonne! You will always be our Princess of Africa!

 

We have him back on the iStart2 Show this week! Kumi Naidoo is a South African human rights activist and previously the International Executive Director of international environmentalist group Greenpeace. He is now the start-up director for the Africa Civil Society Initiative.

"It is time we speak together and decide what change we wish to see in our countries, across Africa and what we want Africa to be. For a long time now, others have been writing our story. Now is the time for us to take a brave step, a giant step for us and start writing (and telling) our own story – a story of a united Africa, at peace with prosperous and healthy people". - Kumi Naidoo .

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. 

Happy Women’s Day 2016 South Africa

Peace and love.

Activism is Sexy! It is Time to Act! ... Kumi Naidoo

"Our struggle is not about the Planet. The Planet doesn't need saving. Climate change will not make every day hotter. This struggle is about whether humanity can find a way to co-exist with nature. Practically it is about our children and our children's future," says Kumi Naidoo on the iStart2 Show this week. 

He firmly believes that we have to remember what the history of the human journey teaches us about an essential ingredient. Without it, the burst of efforts and evidence of change that we see today will remain too little, too late. That ingredient is hope. It's the belief that change is possible.

Kumi has a strong message for the newly elected leadership in South Africa: "So many millions of our people do not have a place to p*** and s***."

Dr Kumi Naidoo was kicked out of school at the age of 15. As the former Executive Director of Greenpeace International he had an icy water canon trained on him whilst climbing a ladder on an oil rig in the Arctic and fell in the icy water. An extreme activist in the truest sense of the word.
 
He was the Secretary and CEO of Civicus, the world alliance for citizen participation, from 1998 - 2008 before joining Greenpeace. He fought against Apartheid in South Africa ("The struggle against Apartheid gave me a very large extended family.") He has led various global initiatives, including the Global Call for Climate Action and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty. He is now the start-up director for the Africa Civil Society Initiative.

Listen to the podcast of the iStart2 Show with Kumi Naidoo here:



Thought of the Day:

On a lighter note!

The iStart2 initiative on SowetoTV

Tim Modise chats to the Princess of Africa, Yvonne Chaka Chaka on SowetoTV on Woman's Day, Tuesday 9 August 2016 from 19h30 - 20h00. 

Yvonne shares her journey as a woman in Africa, talks about her involvement in the recording of the iStart2Sing CD and her contribution to benefit people in Giyani by joining iStart2 in the distribution of solar lights to the community. Join us on The Tim Modise Show, #DSTV Channel 251 and Free-to-Air in Gauteng, with one of the most remarkable woman in South Africa.

Activism is Sexy! It is time to act!

Amazing (wo)man ... Yvonne Chaka Chaka

Last night we chatted to one of my most favourite people on the planet. We celebrated with "Umqombothi":  the life and legacy of our leader Nelson Mandela, the great continent of Africa and toasted a sustainable future for all the people around the World.

For many years the Princess of Africa has used her voice to draw attention to causes that will change the lives of millions, from ending apartheid to improving maternal and child health. Yvonne talked about her new Album "Amazing Man", The WEF Crystal Award and her involvement with iStart2's forthcoming compilation CD. She encourages young artists out there to sing new songs, to write new poems or lyrics, to paint new paintings about how we see a sustainable world and offers advice for young aspiring artists who also dream of walking in her footsteps. She believes iStart2 will be an experience people will never forget.

A woman of many facets, a woman inspired to rise above the many sustainability challenges facing the Music Industry. Yvonne epitomizes the difference between GOOD and GREAT. What an honour to have this incredible woman join hands with us on the iStart2 Journey.

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)

Join us for the Launch of the iStart2 Challenge at the Soweto Festival on 

22 September @ 13h15.

Meet our Ambassador, Samkelo Radebe, enjoy the music of singing sensation Luanga Choba and  dancing by the Umoja and Zindala Zombili Dance groups. Be there! A day of song and dance!

NEW iStart2 WEBSITE GO LIVE THIS WEEKEND!