AKENOSI finds his Polena
We love the democratic casting process of the North West crew’s latest creative venture, Akenosi starring Presley Chweneyagae in the lead role as AK. The film production process also started off with a launch party at Roka two weeks ago, setting an upbeat tone for the crew, we look forward to sharing the film’s journey with you: The movie is based on the 1994 civil riots in Mafikeng and follows the life of a 30-year-old heroic young man called Akenosi who suffers the consequences of being involved in the Bophuthatswana riots. AK (Akenosi) is going into production in July, and we are proud to announce that it will feature our home brewed stars such as our Oscar winning North West born Presley Chweneyagae, Boikie Pholo, Zenzo Nqcobe and one of our internationally recognized lyrical genius HHP, amongst others. The Akenosi auditions held at the Mmabana, Mmabatho Drama Studio this past weekend were a huge success. Like HHP, KB, Presley Chweneyagae, Zenzo Ngqobe, Tuks etc – there is always a new star coming out of the North West! Over a 100 hopeful young women between the ages of 23-27 from all over the North West turned up to participate in the auditions for the character Polena – who would act alongside Presley Chweneyagae (AKENOSI). The auditions took two days. The producers of AKENOSI were on their way to determine who this lucky young lady would be.The session started off with screen tests where the ladies introduced themselves, then the stages became more intense when 26 of the young ladies where chosen from the lot.. then eventually only 9 where given the script to show off their raw talent. The producers watched with such awe as one by one, many a lady, displayed such innovative and varied acting abilities. This is despite the fact that almost all of these young ladies do not have any formal training in acting. In the end it was a tie between two ladies – a lot of deliberations went on among Presley Chweneyagae (Lead), Rabotho Rakgajane (Director/ Co-producer) and Joan Legalamitlwa (Co-producer). Lerato Motswiri and Lebogang Matsosi where the top two. Lerato, a young woman from Lehurutshe was raised by a group of women in the small village of Lobatleng. This young promising actress kept it together under the raving talent of Presley. The producers are now proud to introduce this talent to you. Please see attached photos of Lerato Motswiri – our Polena in the movie...
SA musos combine to keep the less fortunate warm
Big ups to Nceba and friends for putting together this charity event for Zakhe Community Centre in Lenasia on Saturday the 28 June 2008 in Brixton – come on Jozi people, fill the place up with love, your old clothes, tinned food etc. Click on the flyer for more: Just a little can make a big difference. We constantly ask ourselves how we can make a difference? What we can do to make a change? You have to start somewhere. Start small. And You’ll have so much more ahead of you. South African musicians are coming together to help raise funds for Zakhe Community Centre. The home is situated in Lenasia, and is run by Nobesuthu Xaba. Nobesuthu single handedly launched the centre using her own limited resources. She has five children, but has set up the NGO caring for up to ten other abandoned and troubled children. She is raising the children on her own, out of her own home. She has helped children with drug problems, including teenage mothers. Nobesuthu is a selfless African woman trying to make sense of an otherwise nonsensical situation. Qommbola productions and hot toffee communications presents Ubuntu Bethu: Siyabulela featuring My Man, Dr Badela, Deep Soweto, Stylez, Nozuko, Maxhoba, Baphixile, MXO, Sliq Angel and Kwela Tebza. On the decks are DJ Sbuja and DJ 2DAXA. All this will be taking place at House of NsAkO, 101 High Street in Brixton. Nsako stands for Nuff SAid Kollektive – a creative/entrepreneurial collective whose intentions, among others, is to develop a cutting-edge “living museum of African popular culture”. This living museum is located in the inner city of Johannesburg. Its theme exudes cultural appreciation and authencity. Once inside this cosy joint with an outside feel you are elevated into another era. This is a place of sophistication without excluding those that aspire. It has seen performances such as Kwani Experience, Marcus Wyatt, Josie Field, etc. R50 cover charge at the door and 50% of all proceeds will be donated to charity. People attending the event are encouraged to bring along old clothes, blankets and tinned foods. Let’s think about the less fortunate this winter and play our part; no matter how small it may seem to be. Keep warm by moving and swaying on the dance floor. School yourself by reading up on something new. Feed your body with a delicious warm meal. Feed your soul with majestic proudly South African sounds. Exhilarate your spirit with youthful live performances Saturday 28 June from 7pm, come experience a night out on the town with a different feel. Order a bite to eat, sit back and enjoy...
Filmmakers – Opportunity for EU funding
We tried to make sense of it all on your behalf, but we’re never great with the small print in life. From our understanding, essentially, the EU has over R60 million to invest each year in African, Caribbean and Pacific based film projects, focusing on training initiatives, animation, documentaries and series with a view to exploring cultural stories from these areas. The call for proposals has just gone out, so if you’re a ‘veritable’ production company based in Africa wanting to tell your story or train people in film making and need some funding (doh!), make sure to kick off the process by scouring the site to see if you qualify and then rapidly getting all your ducks in the row as applications close early September and there’s lots to do before then. You know how the saying goes, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. We’d be interested to hear who, if anyone, manages to get some funding, so please keep us in the loop. More below: The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States Secretariat (ACP Secretariat) launches a call for proposals financed by the “ACP-EU cooperation support programme for the ACP cinema and audiovisual sectors”, to support projects in the intra-ACP cinema and audiovisual fields, aiming at contributing to the development and structuring of the ACP States’ cinema and audiovisual industries, so that they can create and distribute their own images more effectively. It also aims to enable more promotion of cultural diversity, the networking of ACP cultural identities and intercultural dialogue. The current call for proposals will award grants to three types of Actions in the cinema and audiovisual fields: – Production projects of cinema and audiovisual (television) works (Lot 1) – Promotion, distribution, dissemination and networking of the cinema and audiovisual sector in the ACP States (Lot 2) – Professional development and training of ACP professionals in the cinema and audiovisual sector projects (Lot 3) The full Guidelines for applicant can be consulted on the Programme website (http://www.acpfilms.eu), and on the EuropeAid Calls for proposals and tenders website (http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/work/funding-opportunities/index_fr.htm). he deadline for submission of proposals is 5 September 2008. Kind use of image – thanks to Turkairo according to Creative Commons BY...
Is your green idea worth R5,859,055.53?
Have you got an inspired idea for a greenhouse-gas-reducing product or service? Are you interested in using your creativity to help with the current global crises? Enter the PICNIC Green Challenge and win over R5 million to develope your bright idea… and you get to meet Richard Branson. It’s a global crisis and a global competition, so scientists, engineers, superminds, enter! “The world must embrace a new, greener lifestyle. One bright idea can make a big difference. To encourage and aid the invention of great new green products and services, the Dutch Postcode Lottery and PICNIC present the PICNIC Green Challenge 2008.” We call on you to dream up a greenhouse-gas-reducing product or service. Send us your idea by 31 July. Watch the competition video below for more information....
“Together” the anti-X advert
The cheesy and wobbly “Together” soundtrack suggests it’s been thrown together quickly – it’s a pity as it weakens the desired ‘pull factor’ needed for the potency of the message, but it’s great to see a selection of famous faces standing up for one people, one continent. We’re just wondering where the diversity is. Ma Lilian Dube brings in some OOMPH, she certainly has the strongest most believable presence and Lira the best singing voice… and is that Louise Carver we hear and see shakily representin’ in the background? Nevertheless, we need all hands on deck, so good on Leo Burnett, SABC and Mind Fox for moving fast. “Anti-Xenophobia, Dr. Khumalo, Lillian Dube, Lira, Pabi Moloi, Nthati Moshesh, Zonke, Louise Carver, Timothy Maurice Webster,Lebo Motsoeli,Sophie Ndaba, Sonia Sedibe, Bonnie Henna, Fezile Makhanya, Public Service Announcement, PSA Johannesburg, Leo Burnett, Mind Fox Productions” Watch the video below....
DJ Sdunkero’s magic hook
We’re so happy for Mpumalanga as we realise how much the ‘Song of the year’ title means to one of our favourite provinces. We’re going to keep listening to the mysterious “Maputo Song” to see if we can find the magic hook that got the province voting the song into first place for “Song of the Year”, give us time to find that kwasa rhythm ne! Congrats to Ligwalagwala FM and DJ Sdunkero – see some of their photo’s of the Ligwalagwala FM experience of the SAMA’s and the delight of some of the Maputo Song fans here and read our thoughts from a marketing perspective on our sister site JOVA . You can also find out more about DJ Sdunkero at MIO. Read Ligwalagwala’s announcement below: Mpumalanga’s finest house DJ Sdunkero caused a stir when he won the “MTN record of the year award at the SAMA event this past weekend 03 May. The whole of Mpumalanga was behind the KaBokweni born muso who was nominated for the record of the year, the famous “Maputo Song” from his album Edladleni Volume 1. Ligwalagwala FM is more than ecstatic after one of its very own DJ Sdunkero won the biggest award of the South African Music Award. DJ Sdunkero emerged head and shoulders above prolific artists in the category of Record of the year to win it. “The 3rd of May 2008 will forever be a memorable day to me because I was able attract the recognition that Mpumalanga province deserves”, I was more than confident about my work prior the awards but the win gave me more joy than I anticipated Messages of support were conveyed from the Mpumalanga Provincial government, Department of Arts and Culture and the Public prior to the event. He received a hero’s welcome when he landed at the Kruger Mpumalanga international airport where hundreds of fans where eagerly awaiting their hero. “Sdunkero has put Mpumalanga entertainment industry on the Map, the whole country will now give us the respect we deserve” said an excited fan. Amongst the crowd was ANC treasure Mathew Phosa and his wife Speaker of Mpumalanga legislature YM Phosa Indalo car hire sponsored the Ligwalagwala FM DJ’s with two branded Mercedes Benz, while Sdunkero’s was dressed by Mpumalanga born tycoon Robert Gumede executive chairman of Gijima ASP. DJ Sdunkero hosts the “The Zone Eskhaleni” with Giventake 18h00-21h00 on...
Proudly brought to you by:
