Represent Interview: Babazeka.com
Thanks to Twitter (do you follow Editorista’s tweets? http://twitter.com/sisiwami )Represent was introduced to a ‘socially aware online store’ recently called Babazeka that sells a range of colourful South African handmade goods, supporting numerous craftspeople throughout the country. The shopping bug immediately kicked in and we of course needed to know more. We chatted to Sarah, the lady that makes it all happen. (Crafters, find out how to get in touch with her below) We love your website Babazeka, please tell us what your inspiration for creating Babazeka is? What does Babazeka mean and where did the name come from? Babazeka was created for a few reasons. One, I moved to a small town (Knysna) and realised pretty quickly if I wanted to be truly happy in my career, I would need to start my own business doing what I enjoy (as opposed to the jobs the town had to offer). Two, I’ve always loved making things by hand – my favourite hobby is sewing. Three, I’m one of those people who has just always had the urge to help others. So, after chatting with lots of people, I put it all together, and agreed with my cousin, Scott, to set up an online store which would sell handmade things made by job creation projects. Scott developed the site and helps me with the online marketing, pretty much everything else is up to me. The word Babazeka is zulu, and means “be beautiful” or “be admirable”. I found it in an online dictionary, got all excited about how suitable the meaning was to what we were doing, and then got even more excited when the .com was available. (It’s VERY difficult to find available .com’s) What is your background? What is your backstory? Where did you grow up? I grew up in Joburg, and studied Business Science Marketing at UCT. I always thought that I’d go into advertising, but after travelling around the world for 3 years, I figured out quite a bit more about myself and realised that the advertising industry is definitely not where I belong. I’m just not a corporate or big city girl. Moving back to South Africa and to Knysna, is where everything was put into perspective for me. I knew immediately that I wanted to be a South African who helps the country in my own little way, that it’s not all about money and that it is all about quality of life. How are you finding online sales in SA, are people trusting of the system? Do you have much interest from overseas clients? Our sales are growing steadily which is the most...
More rooftop film in Jozi this Sunday
A(nother) SHOWCASE OF JOBURG’S HOTTEST EMERGING YOUNG FILMMAKERS SUNDAY, 26TH APRIL ENTRY R20 6.30 PM FOR 7.00 PM At Private Practice… (map below) The Crazy Fight Beast Song. This 25 minute collaborative film takes you through a series of hilariously fortunate and unfortunate events. Consisting of four short stories, each of a different genre, the film is written and directed by four filmmakers: Morne du Toit, Stefan Niewoudt, Quinton Weihahn and Pieter Joubert. Burning The Bridges by Simon Makwela. Set in the wake of the 2008 xenophobic chaos that rocked the country, Burning the Bridges traces the journey of a perpetrator who digs a hole for himself and becomes the victim. A compelling story that blurs the lines between fiction and reality. Thembalethu by Neo Ntlatleng and Ksenija Micic. A fictional story set in a South Africa dismantled by a ten year civil war that rages from 1994 to 2004. The story follows Khatu, a young woman transformed into a killing machine who meets an optimistic young prisoner of war. A story of hope in the midst of despair FOLLOWED BY A Q&A WITH THE FILMMAKERS IN ATTENDANCE. For more information: Call 011 836 8911 Cell: 072 317 5145 Email: info@coalstove.co.za Visit www.coalstove.co.za PROUDLY SPONSORED...
People Party your way into the (chilly) weekend
And the Party People franchise continues to get stronger, the party nights just get longer… heh! (it’s lunchtime and we’re hungry). We’re wondering when Durban will be added to the mix Khenzero? hint hint. Catch Dj Khenzero’s infamous chilled out nights in Cape Town on the 24th of April at Zula bay and Joburg on the 25th April at Roka in Milpark. The Joburg event includes the EMCEE Africa talent search with R10k up for grabs… More info below as always. Party People Cape-Town Feat ILL Literate Skill 24 April 2009 This month Dj Kenzhero brings to you literally something illiterate. This hip-hop outfit, whom hail from the streets of Guguletu have managed to establish themselves as prominent emcees capable of entertainming a hip hop thirsty crowd. Within the releases of ‘Another Day-Another Rhyme’ the EP (2006) and ‘the Battle of Guguletu mixtapes volume1 (2006) & volume 2 (2008) along with Driemanskap these guys have enough recorded material to make sure the masses are entertained. ILL Skillz will be performing live on the 24th of April 2009 at the one and only Zula Lounge, situated on 149 Long Steet. For an easy R50 at the door, come through and enjoy the Party for the People of Cape-Town. For more info see www.myspace.com/partypeoplesa or www.myspace.com/illliterateskill Party People Johannesburg Feat Emcee Africa 2 25 April 2009 Emcee Africa, the continent’s extensive hip-hop talent search is back – bigger and better than before. Auditions for the continent wide Hip-Hop talent search has already kicked off in Botswana, and this Saturday, the 25th of April 2009, they come on down to South Africa to join Dj Kenzhero at this months Party People. This one is undoubtedly special. For all you heads out there that would like to partake in the challenge please email nonnaallan@gmail.com. And for those of you, who just want to watch the competition play out, come through to Roka lounge at 44 Stanley Ave Milpark. Tickets will be available at the door for R100. For more info see...
Call to Action – Swaziland Bushfire Festival
Siyanemukela (welcome in siSwati) to the third Swaziland Bushfire Festival due to take place on the 31st July and 1st and 2nd of August this year in the beautiful mountainous kingdom of Swaziland. If you love a truly African rooted vibe, in a sublime setting (don’t forget we’ve been going on about House on Fire for years now – best venue in Africa) with the biggest party animals on earth (you know who you are) then make sure to pack up the kids and friends and get to the gentle Malkerns Valley. We believe they’re also looking for artists so get in touch and rock the valley of heaven. It’s only 3.5 hours drive from Jozi… GO GO GO. Join the Facebook group for more info, and watch the promo video below for a taste of last year’s super relaxed Afro vibes. (The funny thing is, Swaziland is like this...
Represent Review: Cape Town International Jazz Festival
Around Easter time, Cape Town has a certain air about it. It has nothing to do with Easter egg hunts, bunnies or anything of the sort. Birds seem to chirp, the wind whistles in tune, even the midday cannon ball seems to boom louder. Amidst all this, guitars are tuned, drums are propped up and pianos are reeled in, all in aid of the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF). Gosh, you have to be in this city to feel the energy that the CTIJF carries with it (among the international artists that we all look forward to rubbing shoulders with). From the free concert that took place on Wednesday, April 1 – rather than the usual Thursday evenings – the line up was so exciting this year. They went all out for their 10th birthday to bring us a show to remember (and I most certainly do). CTIJF brought us the likes of Zap mama, Pete Philly & Perquisite, Mos Def, Diane Reeves, Freshlyground, Hugh Masekela, Incognito, The Robert Glasper Experiment, Zaki Ibrahim, 340ml, Maceo Parker – to name but a few. Now obviously I’d need to multiply myself to catch every artist or band but since that’s not humanly possible, I can only tell you about what I did manage to catch. On Friday, April 3 I got to see Pete Philly & Perquisite, safely my favourite dutch hip hop duo. This was their second performance at the CTIJF – and I got to see both. I remember falling in love with this band some 3 or 4 years ago. Their sound is so fresh and they are simply perfect together. The flow of Pete Philly’s voice dances on the beat in a way that radiates through your body. And this year, they weren’t any different. I listened to some Goldfish with their ever faithful Cape Tonian sound that never disappoints. But – and this is not to discredit any other artist – the highlight (possibly of the whole festival) was Zap Mama. The leading woman is absolutely beautiful with a voice that I could’ve grown up to and at the same time something my kids will grow up to – it’s timeless, soulful and elevating. Not only can she beat box with the best of them but she completely took us by surprise when she performed a Miriam Makeba song…in Zulu. It was magnificent. On Saturday I started the day early with usisi Abigail Kubheka. She was nostalgic as ever performing classics that I remember hearing when I was knee-high to a grasshopper. Zaki Ibrahim started right in the middle of usisi Abigail so I rushed...
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