'n Nuwe Land, 'n Nuwe Mens ... Bianca le Grange

"I love Afrikaans - die taal - I am proudly South African. I choose positivity and life" - Bianca le Grange

One of South Africa's busiest female superstars, Bianca le Grange is an accomplished musician who's talent was showcased to millions around the country through SA Pop Idols 2002.

This sassy, sexy and gorgeous singer, pianist, violinist and actress now runs her own business, appears frequently in popular musical theater, guest presents on television and actively supports young talent with her social responsibility projects. In addition to committed training and mass media exposure, Bianca applies her acting, singing and song writing skills to a variety of lucrative roles – corporate gigs, session recording, musicals, television appearances. 

                 Bianca Starts2 ... with Pops Mohamed (iStart2 Ambassador)

"Together we want to write and record a fresh track with all the elements from the ancient past, the present and the future ... and do that for iStart2"

We chat to Bianca about her song contribution to the iStart2 Compilation cd (and she is going to play an important part in the build-up to the TV series), her view on sustainability issues in the world, her role in Blood Brothers currently running at Monte Casino ... and much more.

To listen to a podcast of the show and a song from her latest cd 'n Nuwe land, 'n nuwe mens" (A new country, a new person) just click play below



Thought for the day:

Willam Shakespeare: If Music be the food of love ... play on.

Tune in to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za.

The show is broadcast every Monday at 18h30 and repeated on Fridays in its new prime time slot at 19h00 (SA Time) or visit www.istart2.com.

StrussBob ... Tshepo Phologane

StrussBob is an African street culture brand (pronounced Stroes bob) and is a South African colloquial phrase meaning – “The Promise of Truth”. StrussBob is a universally recognised street term representing a promise of truth. StrussBob is known as one of the leading street brands in South Africa and prides itself in being born and bred on the streets of South Africa.

Tshepo starts 2!
"iStart2 be different. Different is interesting" 

StrussBob is a street style brand that prides itself in being born and bred on the streets of South Africa. Our aim is to elevate African street culture to top global status and build a brand that resonates with the youth of Africa and beyond. StrussBob is a representative of African street culture and aims to make a positive contribution in shaping youth identity and aspirations.

We chat to Tshepo Mosa Phologane (Designer & Photographer) who intends to bring StrussBob to the forefront of South African urban fashion and to restore pride in African culture. StrussBob is proud to be AFRICAN.



To listen to a podcast of the show just click play:

Thought for the Day:

The Photograph

Tune in to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za.

The show is broadcast every Monday at 18h30 and repeated on Fridays in its new prime time slot at 19h00 (SA Time) or visit www.istart2.com.

Across the Universe ... Dan Schreiber

” I love Tea, bamboo, lotus, nature, people, water, architecture, the sun and open minds. I travel and share earth and soil regeneration ‘technologies’ , seeds, tools and ways of harmonic interaction. ” - Dan Schreiber

All the way from Byron Bay, Australia, Dan joined us in the studio on Monday.  He is a gardener, visionary, father, inspirational storyteller, speaker and lecturer, a professional photographer, videographer and multimedia producer. He is a self-taught herbal healer, ecologist and landscape gardener with a forte for creative direction and vision.

Dan Starts 2!

Dan Schreiber chatted to us about "Growing Life", including growing local economies, food, housing materials, medicine and fuel. He describes this as the future of farming, quantum agriculture and the next level of Permaculture. 

He is incredibly well versed on the subject of the planet, earth and soil regeneration 'technologies', seeds, tools and ways of harmonic interaction. He travels around the world to share his  knowledge about organic plant growth enhancers which are on the cutting edge of increasing plant and soil biota health to support the flowering of human awareness via vibrational nutrition. Dan’s most recent direction is exploring systems of perpetual renewal and designing human interfaces to enable harmonic human communication, relationship and custodianship of the natural world.

To listen to the show, just click play below:



Thought of the day:

Growing life

Tune in to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za.

The show is broadcast every Monday at 18h30 and repeated on Fridays in its new prime time slot at 19h00 (SA Time) or visit www.istart2.com.

One Love, Ngoma ... Keitu Gwangwa & Empress Tallowah

Refreshing and inspiring to have two beautiful artists on the iStart2 Show - a Sangoma and a Rastafarian sharing their views on sustainability and healing. Two women who are passionately living different lifestyles but are united in their quest to promote indigenous traditional African music, art and heritage preservation. 

Keitu Gwangwa, has throughout her life explored various arts disciplines with success, has performed in several countries abroad and continues to work with icons and artists to promote African culture and heritage. As director of Ndebi Creations she aims to blend activism and art in encouraging pride in Africans for our history and identity. Keitu talks to us about her life as a sangoma and shatters some of the myths and preconceptions people have about what it means to be a sangoma.

Tallowah and Keitu start 2

Our Rasta Sista, Empress Tallowah, studied at the National School of Arts where she specialised in drama. Being Rastafarian was more a calling than a choice. Tallowah sees Rastafari more as a way of life rather than a religion but she embraces other religions. Tallowah's message is one of love and greatness. She believes: " We are all great and we need to remember, accept and apply this philosophy in our own lives"

( Note to self: So important that our youth learn about the wonderful diversity and different lifestyles of all people in our country) To listen to the show and some rhythmic music by Bob Marley and Thandiswa Mazwai just click play:



Thought for the day:

Healing Hands

Tune in to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za.

The show is broadcast every Monday at 18h30 and repeated on Fridays in its new prime time slot at 19h00 (SA Time) or visit www.istart2.com.

Colourful ... Carel Ballack

As Ombudsman of SESSA (Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa), Carel Ballack mediated complaints on Solar Thermal installations. He also kept himself busy with project identification, research into the renewable energy industry and giving feedback to the broader industry on business opportunities and growth opportunities for small business & entrepreneurs. Carel recently joined the Copper Development Association Africa.

"Start2 be more aware of what is happening around you"

 Carel Ballack on the iStart2 Show

We asked him to join us on the iStart2 Show to give advice to those of us who plan to become more energy efficient. Carel also offered some good ideas on the issue of Solar energy. 

If you are interested to find out:

- How does a solar geyser work?

- How much electricity can one save by replacing your geyser with a solar geyser?

- Solar geysers are very expensive. How long does it take it to pay it off from the electricity savings?
- What are the funding options for those who want to make a difference but do not have the money to buy it? I heard the Eskom rebate programme has been stopped - is this true. If no, how does it work?

- What were the typical problems that you encountered when you were the Ombudsman of SESSA?

- Where can listeners get more information if they are interested in buying a solar geyser?
.... then all you have to do is click play below and listen to our show.



Thought for the day: 

"The Road less Traveled"

Tune in to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za.

The show is broadcast every Monday at 18h30 and repeated on Fridays in its new prime time slot at 19h00 (SA Time) or visit www.istart2.com.

Diphororo (Waterfall) - Jonas Gwangwa

"Music is life" - Dr Jonas Gwangwa on the iStart2 show (21 October 2013).

 Dr Jonas Gwangwa starts 2!

Dr Jonas Gwangwa was born in Orlando East in Soweto almost exactly 76 years ago. As a young man he electrified the famous Sophiatown music scene. He left the country in 1961  after touring with the musical KING KONG. He ventured to the United States to further his education at New York’s prestigious Manhattan School of Music and worked under the patronage of musical legend Harry Belafonte. Later Jonas joined forces with George Fenton to create the original score and theme song for the much heralded Richard Attenborough film, "Cry Freedom". The score achieved Oscar, Grammy Bafta, Golden Globe and Anthony Asquith award nominations and won Ivor Novello and Black Emmy Awards.

One of the many highlights of his career was performing at the Nelson Mandela 70th birthday tribute concert in Wembley Stadium and to see Mr Mandela become the first President of a free South Africa. His lifework crystallised when he served as composer, arranger and musical director of "Amandla", the much acclaimed worldwide ANC cultural ensemble tour to which he devoted ten years of his life.

Jonas Gwangwa is a very humble man. He cares deeply about his family, indigenous music,  our country and the future sustainability of musicians and artists. It is indeed a great privilege to honour one of the greatest sons of Africa as an icon of the iStart2 Movement.

To listen to the interview with Dr Jonas Gwangwa and his songs Cry Freedom and Diphororo, just click play:



Thought for the day:
"In time, we shall be in a position to bestow on South Africa the greatest possible gift - a more human face" - Steve Biko

Tune in to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za.

The show is broadcast every Monday at 18h30 and repeated on Fridays in its new prime time slot at 19h00 (SA Time) or visit www.istart2.com.

Too young to die ... Raymond Rampolokeng

"We have to take action to preserve the earth for future generations" - Raymond Rampolokeng, a man who makes bird watching sexy and appealing. He will entice you to take out your binoculars and enjoy the sounds, flight and sights of Soweto's feathered friends. He'll even take you to climb Enoch Sontonga Hill overlooking Orlando Dam and the colourful Two Towers. He might even convince you to be brave enough to do a bungy jump with him. 

A young man who takes pride in training and capacitating the local community on biodiversity and ecological awareness with an emphasis on heritage and eco tourism. His warm personality, kind heartedness, passion about bird life and knowledge about Soweto make him the right guy to take you on that township trip you have always wanted to do. This guy is all about changing mindsets and really giving you an experience to take the spirit of the people of Soweto home with you.

The words of Raymond's favourite song by Jamiroquai echoed in my mind after the interview. Let's rather build bridges in this beautiful country of ours. Raymond surely does.

"Everybody
Don't want no war,
'Cos we're too young to die,
So many people,
All around the world,
Seen their brothers fry.
What's the motive?
In your madness.
You've made my people cry.
So politicians this time
Keep your distance.
'Cos we're too young to die"

To listen to the show - and music by Lesley Rae Dowling and Jamiroquai - just click "play"





Thought for the day - Eco Tourism vs Ego Tourism

Tune in to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. The show is on every Monday at 18h30 and repeated on Fridays in its new prime time slot at 19h00 (SA Time) or visit www.istart2.com.