Representah! Cosmopolitan Braamfontein.
Meet another gem in our crew of exciting Represent citizen journalists – Reuben Malema, who adores his buzzing and bustling suburb of Braamfontein and certainly loves to wax oh so lyrically. Read all about what’s happening in Braamies now and see some photos here: 4pm and a deafening roar of rush hour vehicles innumerably bustle through Braamfontein’s central motorway – Jorissen Street. How this well-preserved portion of a metropolitan – long engulfed by the stench of midden-ridden urban decay – has managed to emerge the city jewel that it is today has left an aura of perplexed expressions on the faces of many a benevolent resident – who’ve all lived through it’s at times beleaguering multifaceted socioeconomic dynamics. Maybe the vexed reactions are merely unfounded hyperboles, in that Braamfontein has long been viewed as the cornerstone of premier African intelligentsia and Superior Master Brewer`s capabilities, because as far as memory can serve many a historian, it has always played host to The University of the Witwatersrand (chief among African Universities – in my opinion!) and The Corporate Head Quarters of SAB (Before the former performed a spectacular coup de `ta on Miller Breweries of the USA and subsequently relocating its African Quarters to Sandton – in order to keep up with the Jones I guess!!). Modern day Braamfontein is categorized by a true lifestyle of laissez faire: the clean streets are indefinitely littered with students and bored security guards strolling around, but a surprisingly unbefitting and very alarming factor is the stone-cold lack of a decent place to dine at (not unless you regard take-away outlets as such place of cause). This anomaly is upsetting what is otherwise a well balanced neighborhood; perfectly conducive to a relaxed student and yuppie lifestyle and an ideal place to set-up shop for aspiring young entrepreneurs. Personally, I`m extremely bewildered by the so-called youth focused industry trend setters, vis-a-vis: YFM and Metro FM – Why are they so hypocritical and so distastefully target market focused, I mean why on earth is YFM based in Rosebank and Metro at the SABC when a considerable amount of their academic listenership and merchandise purchasers (which to me is their true target audience/ perpetual spending pockets) is domiciled or at least centered around Braamfontein? Go figure! Research has revealed that YFM was at one time pitted in Yeoville (Again, when the Jones move up, you better well make sure you move up too: Wa lala wa sala Mpya!!!). Interviews conducted around the precinct have revealed scathing details about the grassroots fundamentals of the ostensibly uncompromising -xenophobic pockets which prowl the streets of this “cosmopolitan” segment of the great metropolitan (Jozi). Emotions...
More Representer’s LURVE our city of Jozi
The words just keep on flying in….there’s More and More love for Jozi. Wow – what a response. You made our day, week, our May… We’ve been showered with shimmering, glimmering, dripping words of love today – All in response to our unimportant little call for Representer’s to remind us all just why we LOVE JOBURG. You have renewed our spirit – we really needed some love so thanks. Look forward to some of our inspiring and amazing new citizen journalists on Represent… we can’t wait. Here’s a taste – we just had to share some of the words with you. SHARPILE!. (If anyone else feels like waxing lyrically, email editor@represent.co.za or write in the comments section.): Yrhiness How can I not and I bet you your R20 Gucci shades from Smal street you do too. I’ve been to China and Nigeria and back to the 1970’s to further 2010 by just taking R6 Zola budd taxi through Jozi. I came in the city naive and after a couple of back door clothing discount offers and a few card games I haven’t ’til date received any greater wisdom. Everytime I put my index finger in the air I surrender myself to the great adventure that awaits me intertwined with the culture massive that beholds this story filled city. Why I love Jozi? Do you have forever for me, to tell my love for Jozi to you? Preya I can’t say there is anything physically appealing to me about Joburg, but it’s got a pulse and soul that I just love. It is great to see how different cultures merge into sub cultures in Joburg. In just one day I can cross paths with a real McCoy Rastafarian to a koogirl all togged up in her designer wear to the up and coming business ladies who are hanging out at poetry sessions in Jozi’s Newtown precinct. “Joburgers” give this city a dynamic energy. The fast paced “Joburgers” are constantly on the move, whether they are going to work or the gym, eating out, partying till late, attending shows and the exhibitions and just moving along with the beating rhythm of Joburg. The diverse background of the “Joburgers” gives this vibrant city a culture like no other city. Leanne Jozi, JHB, Joeys, Jo’Burg, Johannesburg, Egoli, The City of Gold. This is why I love Jozi, with its multiplicity of names it also carries a multiplicity of faces. Jozi can be anything you want her to be making it easy for any person to find their niche on her busy streets and bustling sidewalks. It’s the juxtapositions of ‘walkie talkies’ available on...
Mary J Blige new dates
Here are the new dates (we thought we’d wait a bit before posting them) The new dates will see the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, kicking off in Johannesburg at the Coca-Cola Dome on 18 October, before heading to Durban’s Westridge Park Stadium on the 19th followed by the Bellville Velodrome in Cape Town on the 21st of October 2007. The tour which was set to kick off in Johannesburg on the 12th of May was postponed in order to accommodate a routing change on her world tour. Tickets already bought for the May dates are valid for the new dates. ********************* What a letdown – Mary J Blige’s concert has been ‘postponed’ – boohoo – we await more info but here’s the official PR for now: MARY J BLIGE POSTPONES UPCOMING TOUR METRO FM, Edgars Music Series and Big Concerts regretfully announce the postponement of Mary J. Blige’s highly anticipated South African tour. The tour which was set to kick off in Johannesburg on the 12th of May has been postponed in order to accommodate a routing change on her world tour. NEW TOUR DATES will be released early next week. “Edgars has had a profound effect on the music scene for the past seven years through Edgars Music Series (EMS), its sponsorship of music events both on a national and international scale in South Africa. It is unfortunate that the tour has been postponed, and Edgars would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to Edgars’ customers and Edgars Music Series supporters. However, both Mary J Blige and keen EMS supporters can still look forward to a fantastic showcase once the dates are established,” says Dineo Sobantu, Events & Sponsorship Manager for Edgars Chain. “As media partners for the Mary J Blige tour Metro FM welcome the fact that tour is still going to take place later in the year and hope that her fans and listeners have not been too inconvenienced,” said Bob Mabena, acting station manager Metro FM.. Tickets already bought for the May dates are valid for the new dates The South African media described her as having a “smouldering stage presence” during her April 2000 concerts in, which saw her performing to 48 000 ecstatic fans countrywide. Critics and fans alike will be floored by her powerful combination of modern R&B with an edgy rap, and electrifying live performances when she performs in South Africa in October. For further information log on to: www.edgarsmusicseries.co.za or www.bigconcerts.co.za ****************************** “Well I hope she’s better than last time” has been the wary comment from two of my friends and “WHOOHOOHOO” from everyone else that heard that the...
It’s official – John Legend is on his way!
GUYS WE DID OUR HOMEWORK AND CAN CONFIRM THAT JOHN LEGEND IS ON HIS WAY! The concert will also feature big names Watershed and Freshly Ground and there’s a whole art and fashion angle attached – read the PR at the end. We’re stilll buzzing! 10 May Breaking News Heaven only knows! This has certainly made our day – thanks to Boogie for the heads up – it’s almost as good as yesterday’s news about Femi Kuti. Apparently John Legend will be headlining the second annual POSITIVE ROCKS event in Sun City on the 16th and 17th June. Ordinary people, let’s go go go to the park…! As soon as we have more info and it’s all confirmed we’ll let you know. If you don’t know John Legends music, check out his site here He’s the most soulful singer of the moment, whose unbelievable vocal, song-writing and piano talent sets the perfect romantic, urban soul backdrop for today’s crazy life. He is a true LEGEND. Just Announced!! John Legend will be performing at POSITIVE 2007 at Sun City Resort on 16 & 17 June. This five time Grammy Award winning R&B singer, songwriter and pianist is ready to set the Superbowl alight with his smooth soulful music. John Legend is an artist who proves that, even in an age of expediency and crass commercialism real talent not only still matters – it is admired, applauded and is a coveted commodity. John Legend’s debut album, Get Lifted, mixed classic R&B grooves with modern hip-hop sounds (and artists) and was one of 2005’s top albums. On the strength of the enduring single “Ordinary People,” the album reached the Top Five of the Billboard 200. This led to three Grammy Awards: Best R&B Album, Best R&B Male Vocal Performance, and Best New Artist. Legend’s next album Once Again launched in October 2006. Legend pours himself into his live performances, really getting into each of his songs, whether they’re about flings or committed relationships he takes the audience to a high level of intensity. He doesn’t hold back and neither does his legions of fans. Superbowl ticket holders can be prepared for an entertainment roller coaster. “Sun International is thrilled to announce John Legends participation in POSITIVE. He is one of this decades foremost musicians and appeals across audiences,” says Philip Georgas, Divisional Director, Sun International Resorts. ”The POSITIVE campaign’s message is to create global awareness of successful AIDS Hospices in South Africa and an artiste of John Legend’s calibre draws attention to the positive work being done in local communities.” This year’s revolutionary arts-fusion fundraiser event promises to be the most amazing...
Make your film for Pangea Day
Thanks to Jimi for the hook up. Check out this cool project that has just launched called Pangea. Started by TED documentary award winner Jehane Noujaim, it’s a call to film makers around the world to make and submit short films about their lives that can “bring the world closer together.” 10 films will be chosen and then shown on one day around the world in May 2008 encouraging peace-building and conflict resolution. The TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is an awesome conference focusing on GREAT IDEAS that brings people together from the three genres to share their visions… read more here. It’s a great site to visit and spend some time on. Jehane won the award in 2006: “Two weeks before the US invasion in Iraq, Jehane went to Qatar, gained access to both Al Jazeera and the US military’s Central Command offices, and caught the onset and outbreak of the Iraqi war on film. The result: Control Room, her controversial, gutsy documentary that lays out the divergent ways the war was reported by the Arabs and the West. Being raised between Egypt and the US, the exploration of culture is one of Jehane’s driving forces. Her reason for making the film: “It’s important for everyone, simply as individuals, to try to understand different people and different cultures, but it’s especially important for people in the United States because we affect so much of the world beyond our borders.” Each winner gets to make a WISH and bring it to life post the conference, be a part of Jehane’s wish and submit your films for Pangea...
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