Catch a Fire, finally in SA!
You know things have changed for the better in South Africa when you have local stars such as Bonnie Henna (formerly Mbuli) and Tumisho Masha starring alongside some of Hollywood’s hottest in the form of Academy Award© winner Tim Robbins (Mystic River, The Shawshank Redemption) and Derek Luke (Glory Road, Friday Night Lights). And you know you’re on Represent when you can read an interview between *Miss P* and the beautiful Bonnie Henna and talented Tumisho Masha on the movie Catch a Fire premiering in SA this Friday 09 February! Directed by Australian veteran Phillip Noyce, (Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger) Catch and Fire is the powerful true story of the life of Patrick Chamusso’s hero journey to find freedom during the divided times in the early 1980’s in South Africa. The film was shot in locations where the real action happened all those years ago! Bonnie Henna plays the role of Precious, wife to Derek Luke who plays Patrick Chamusso in the movie. We chatted about the experience, the accent and the afro… RR: This is not your first movie, but this is pretty huge, how do you feel? BH: I’m really pleased with the film and my experience of working on it. I think it’s a brilliant film that has helped stretch my capacity as an actress. RR: What are your feelings on the movie as a whole? BH: I think it’s a wonderful film and beautifully told. RR: How would you describe the experience of working with veteran director Phillip Noyce? BH: Phillip Noyce is a great director with an impressive track record, I learnt so much from him, and he is also one of the kindest and compassionate people I’ve ever met. RR: Precious Chamusso’s accent is indigenous to South Africa, but it is not yours personally, was it easy to pull it off? BH: The accent was quiet challenging; the test was maintaining it throughout the film. RR: In an article about the movie you are quoted saying “I want to become one of the best actresses in the world” how do you plan to do this? BH: My perspective has changed since then, I am more concerned about the people I will meet and work with, the things I can learn from them, traveling the world and enjoying the journey. RR: Do you think South Africa has enough opportunities for talented actors? BH: My dreams and goals are not limited to the availability of opportunities in South Africa; there is always a bigger picture. RR: How do you feel about the lead role being played by a non- South African? BH:...
Mikanic: In From The Cold
Mikanic is back in South Africa with a number of shows in February and March, and more dates to be added soon. The Cape Town duo Mike and Nick kick off the tour in Johannesburg with two acoustic shows. Shirzad and Alex will join them for the remaining dates ending at the spectacular Oude Libertas amphitheater in Stellenbosch and the much anticipated Sons of Trout reunion show on the 24th of February at Mercury in Cape Town. Mikanic was formed in 2003, with Michael Rennie on violin & vocals and Nick Turner on acoustic guitar & vocals. Both musicians were already well known on the South African music scene having founded Sons of Trout, one of the country’s top selling acts. With Trout they headlined every major music festival in the country and toured extensively, releasing four albums and opening for a number of international artists. In 2004 Mikanic released its first album, Swimming with the Women, to great critical acclaim and popular success. The album crossed musical boundaries, established Mikanic’s characteristic sound, and provided the springboard for their departure to the USA. Now based in New York, Mikanic’s line-up features musicians from Japan (Yasuhito Sasaki on lead guitar), India (Shirzad Khusrokhan on bass) and the USA (Alex Beckmann on drums). Mikanic’s music effortlessly spans genres with influences ranging from rock, reggae and African to hip-hop and jazz. Lyrically powerful, relevant, humorous and energetic, the music has a wide appeal. With shows that feature virtuosic musicianship, funky grooves and catchy tunes, Mikanic has quickly become one of New York’s hottest live acts. In June 2005, upon returning from tours in the UK and South Africa, Mikanic released a powerful second album, The Subway Tracks, showcasing the diversity and the instant appeal of their sound. Mikanic also toured Japan with great success. Among other shows, the band played sold-out concerts at Sweet Basil and Mandala in Tokyo and at Olive Hall in Takamatsu, collaborating with some of Japan’s biggest stars, and appearing live on radio and TV. Mikanic has played many of New York City’s legendary venues including CBGB’s, Ace of Clubs and The Knitting Factory. They have also performed at the UN, Lincoln Center and at 9/11 memorial services held at Ground Zero in 2004 and 2005. Mikanic’s universal appeal lies in the sincerity and positive energy of their music. Their new single Sweet Radio is mastered and up on MySpace. Click here to listen to it. South African Tour line-up: Wed, 07 Feb 2007, Tanz Café, Brynston (Duo) Thurs, 08 Feb 2007, Kippies, Newtown (Duo) Fri, 09 Feb 2007, Kippies, Newtown Sun, 11 Feb 2007, Bassline, Newtown...
SA boy builds rockets to go to the moon
We’d heard rumours about a South African dude building spacecrafts to make flying to the moon as easy as booking an online flight – we finally tracked him down. His name is Elon Musk he’s about 35 years old and he is a serious INTERNET and MOON guru!! Similar to Roelof Botha, who we have recently profiled on the site, Elon is a young entrepreneur and now succesful self-made bi… llionaire with incredible vision and belief in big creative concepts and in Elon’s case, way-out visionary ideas and projects. Elon was one of the founders of PayPal – he sold it for 1.5billion bucks and now runs a company called SpaceX which is building rockets to get to the moon. The man is clearly very gifted and very ambitious – thanks for making us proud!!! Well if we made that kind of cash in a deal we’d also spend it on the craziest and most far out thing out there… gettting to the moon! See an extract of his biog from NotableBiographies – we in the meantime will try and secure our own interview with Elon. NotableBiographies: ELON MUSK 1971 ” South Africa Entrepreneur, philanthropist Elon Musk was a multi-millionaire by the time he reached the age of thirty-one thanks to his creation of the company that became PayPal, the popular money-transfer service for Web consumers. Musk has become one of a new breed of what the New York Times called “thrillionaires,” or a class of former high-tech entrepreneurs who are using their newfound wealth to help turn science-fiction dreams into reality. Musk is the founder of Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, a company based in El Segundo, California. In 2005 SpaceX was busy building the Falcon rocket, which he hoped could some day make both space tourism and a colony on the planet Mars realistic goals for humankind. Sells homemade video game Musk is a native of South Africa, born in 1971 to parents who later divorced. His father was an engineer and his motheroriginally from Canadawas a nutritionist. Musk was fascinated by science fiction and computers in his adolescent years. When he was twelve, he wrote the code for his own video game and actually sold it to a company. In his late teens, he immigrated to Canada in order to avoid the required military service for white males in South Africa. It was still the era of apartheid, the South African legal system that denied political and economic rights to the country’s majority-black native population. Musk was uninterested in serving in the army, which was engaged at the time in a battle to stamp out a...
BAYETE NKOSI Jabu Khanyile
We don’t want Represent to become an obituary column but it is a sad day when we lose two of our musical greats within a few weeks and the death of Jabu Khanyile is one that cannot go unpublished. Jabu Khanyile has always been one of Editorista’s favourite African musicians – her good friend Pamela Nkosi worked closely with his band Bayete in the late 90’s and so Edi spent lots of time at concert… s and hanging with the band. He was also one of the first public figures we knew of with two wives which was interesting to observe. Sadly Jabu Khanyile passed away this weekend after suffering from cancer and diabetes at his home in Soweto. The saddest part about this is that we only find out about his illness once he is gone (unless we missed previous press on this). Jabu was a magnetic and powerful live performer and his music is enjoyed by people all over the world, with many world music lovers including him in their Top 10 list of world musicians. Jabu you will be missed but your music will keep your talent and messages alive. Our condolences to all the fans, friends and family during this difficult time. Click here for the full story from IOL: The death of Kora Award winning singer and songwriter Jabu Khanyile has shattered the local music industry. Khanyile, 49, died at his Dobsonville, Soweto, home on Saturday night after losing a battle to prostate cancer. It is only two weeks since singer Lebo Mathosa died. Lindelani Mkhize, of LME Entertainment, the record company that worked with Khanyile said he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and had been undergoing radiation therapy for the past five months. He also suffered from diabetes. Mkhize said Khanyile’s last performance was in July in Germany during the World Cup handover. According to Mkhize the singer died peacefully at home surrounded by his family. Khanyile was married to Phindy Dlamini and Khululiwe Sithole and had seven children. At the time of his death, Khanyile was working on a new album through which, Mkhize said, he had hoped to educate men about cancer. Khanyile was born in Mofolo, Soweto. At the age of 14, he joined a group called The Daffodils as a guitarist. He shot to fame in the 80s as the leading vocalist of the Afro-fusion band, Bayete, whose hits include Mbube and Mbombela. After he went solo he released a total of eight albums, the first being Mmalo-We in 1993. “Why are we losing our musicians like this? It is terrible,” was Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s reaction. Singer...
LEBO MATHOSA WE WILL MISS YOU
Thanks to all Representers for your kind words, support and condolences. Just so you know, Lebo’s family have received all your messages, they sent us the following: “We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to South Africa and beyond – our State President Mr. Thabo Mbeki, all the dignitaries who shared the dark moment with us, the music industry, the Benoni Metro police, the … media, friends and colleagues of Lebo – for the warm and emotional tribute you paid to our late beloved daughter Lebogang Precious Mathosa. As difficult as it was to accept the loss, your generous physical and emotions support humbled us and made it easier to forge through the pain Yours truly Mathosa Family and Christ the Rock Church, Daveyton.” Our thoughts are with the family who have lost their beloved sister, daughter and friend. We miss you already Lebo. What a depressing way to start the week – an early morning wake up call to tell us about the tragic loss of our favourite South African diva, the talented, sexy, vivacious, unique and much loved Lebo Mathosa. Words cannot express our shock at the news, as the phone continued to beep and ring with news of her death in a car accident apparently just after midnight last night on the East Rand somewhere, our Monday suddenly looked a whole lot more blue. Our condolences go out to her friends, to her family, her band members, her dancers, her fans, her record label, her people and everyone that is saddened by her loss. Lebo, Represent loves you. More info...
Proudly brought to you by:
