African sky Blue ... Qhuzulini John Sithole

Under the Leadership of Qhuzulini John Sithole, the chairman of the African Cultural Heritage Trust, His Holiness, The Dali Lama landed in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning, 3rd November. He was in South Africa to open the World Sacred Music Festival. John Sithole and a group of horn players welcomed the Dalai Lama, who looked on bemused and intrigued as Sithole circled him and ushered him to the podium. That was in 2004.

Qhuzulini John Sithole is also director of the Zindala Zombili Festival and we had him in the studio this week to give his views on the state of the Arts in South Africa. The recent debate on SABC about the state of the Art's in SA asked some very relevant questions about how South African Artists face the challenge of direct and indirect censorship from the government, especially through the channel of funding. Should artists challenge the "system" in South Africa? Does an artist "sell-out" if they accept funding from government? Should artists challenge audiences with work that raises questions about our country? To listen to the interview just click play


Become part of the iStart2 tribe by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join the movement where we take hands to create a more sustainable world.

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!

I've come to take you home ... Diana Ferrus

I am a bit of a sissy boy. I cried in "As it is in heaven" and "The curious case of Benjamin Button". I cried when the son of one of my best friends died. I cried when my own son recited his Amandla poem in a township to celebrate 100 years of struggle and victory in South Africa. I also cried when I interviewed Diana Ferrus on my radio show...

  A story about humiliation ... but, a story that ended in hope. Sarah Baartman, displayed as a freak because of her unusual physical features, was finally laid to rest 187 years after she left Cape Town for London. Her remains were buried on Women’s Day, 9 August 2002, in the area of her birth, the Gamtoos River Valley in the Eastern Cape.

Diana Ferrus, poet, writer and human rights activist was the guest on my show this week. Her tribute to Sarah Baartman is one of the most beautiful  poems I have ever heard.

“I’ve come to take you home –
home, remember the veld?
the lush green grass beneath the big oak trees
the air is cool there and the sun does not burn.
I have made your bed at the foot of the hill,
your blankets are covered in buchu and mint,
the proteas stand in yellow and white
and the water in the stream chuckle sing-songs
as it hobbles along over little stones".

To listen to the show (and the rest of the poem in her own words) just click play


Become part of the iStart2 tribe by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join the movement where we take hands to create a more sustainable world.

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!

Silent Hands ... Dirk Venter

Silent Hands

Can you hear me?
Listen, not with your ears
But with your eyes.
To you they speak,
My silent hands.
Hear me tell my tale.
Hear me sing my song.
Learn my language,
My beautiful native language.
Hear my hands,
Hear my music and story.
Learn my language.
Speak to me with your hands.
Share my beautiful language.
Hear my silent hands.
We have a tale to tell,
A song to sing.
Open your eyes
And hear me speak.

- Author: Sandra L. Brooks

How do we integrate Deaf people into society? Does it help to shout at them? If someone is deaf, does it mean they are dumb, too? Growing up as a child with deaf parents, Dirk Venter, CEO of Deaffriendly, continues to play a role in the lives of deaf people all over  South Africa. Insightful to hear his wisdom on the iStart2 Show.

We chat to Dirk about the myths and truths around Deaf people, the collaboration with iStart2 and the "silent" hands behind the initiative. We also chat about the meaning of the silent hands in the iStart2 logo. Please contact Dirk if you can help. His e-mail: dirk@deaffriendly.co.za

To listen to the podast, just click "play" below:
 

Become part of the iStart2 tribe by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join the movement where we take hands to create a more sustainable world.

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!

Without my own two hands ... Samkelo Radebe & Simon Manda

 “I lost my hands but I don’t just want to be a disabled person.  I want to be an extraordinary, amazing human because being disabled is not enough.  I want to be that guy without hands who can do things much better than most.” - Samkelo Radebe, as he was quoted in the The Citizen, just before winning a Gold Medal in the Paralympic Games last year. This man is true to his word. What an honour to "take arms" with someone who promised that he will be the "best" ambassador on the iStart2 initiative. Without my own two hands we can change the world ...

Samkelo is joined in the iStart2 studio by Simon Manda, one of our media partners at Mass Media and responsible for the ThisAbility Newspaper circulated in South Africa. A man with a BIG heart who focus on spreading positive news and success stories about our disabled community. 

We chatted to Samkelo and Simon about their dreams, sustainability and what they are doing to create a more sustainable world out there.

To listen to the podcast, just click play:


Become part of the iStart2 tribe by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join the movement where we take hands to create a more sustainable world.

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!

Africa ... Vanessa Perumal

Vanessa Perumal, at the helm of JT Communications,  holds the distinction of pioneering a leading brand in the media, communications, strategy and content production landscape of Africa. Her creed and vision, "African's for Africa" with Human Rights Activism at the core of its value system makes Vanessa one of the most valuable partners in communicating the iStart2 Story to the rest of the world.  As a social entrepreneur, Vanessa  is PASSION & ENERGY in capital letters.

We chatted to Vanessa about lessons learnt during the World Cup, her passion for the arts and the sustainability challenges we face in South Africa. Together with an international community of Friends of the Desert, Vanessa is at the forefront of profiling the Caravan for Peace in support of the people of Mali and the Sahel region's right to musical and cultural freedom of expression.

Just click play to listen to the show with Vanessa ( One of those shows where, afterwards, I just felt so damn  lucky to do what I do. This woman is a wonderful inspiration)



Become part of the iStart2 tribe by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join the movement where we take hands to create a more sustainable world.

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!

Let it be ... Yvonne Kgame (Part 2)

Death. Something we don't really want to think about. And when the guy with the long sable comes along we get a choice ... only sometimes.  Yvonne Kgame had that choice after a double stroke in 2007. We continue our discussion with her in the iStart2 Show. Her determination is a fearless expression of her choice to live and to do so with a deep sense of purpose. 

Yvonne  is currently The Executive: 

Innovations and Editorial Manager of Local Content at the SABC.

In tonight's show we chat to Yvonne about sustainability, the values of Hope, Humour, Interconnectedness, Inspiration and Forgiveness and how we need to go about it to achieve the dream of a serving nation. She advises on the iStart2 television series. We talk about the role of the SABC in social change and sustainability. Yvonne gives a commitment to "start too". A celebratory story of a second chance at life. 

In the Radio Today studio with the iStart2 Production Team

To listen to our show, just click "play" below



Become part of the iStart2 tribe by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join the movement where we take hands to create a more sustainable world.

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!

Let it be ... Yvonne Kgame (Part 1)

Yvonne’s path towards healing the body, mind and soul is nothing short of miraculous. Her unfolding journey  will inspire you to believe in living with purpose and have faith in your magnificence. Yvonne's story will take you to the edge of your own cliff and bring you back, transformed and inspired to live your authentic life. Yvonne  is currently The Executive: Innovations and Editorial Manager of Local Content at the SABC.

We chat to Yvonne about her book "Infinite Grace", her experience of facing death and her miraculous recovery. We also play her favourite music by the Beatles and share in the wisdom of this remarkable lady.

Yvonne with Graca Machel and Seipati Kau.

To listen to the podcast just click play :-)




Become part of the iStart2 tribe by "Liking" our iStart2 facebook page and join the movement where we take hands to create a more sustainable world.

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!