Imagine the Cup hits the JHB Screens next week
By Bheki Khoza How involved are you with this documentary and what do you hope it achieves? I worked on the entire project as writer, director, camera person, editor, voice over, producer… it’s a project that I self-funded. There was no other way to do it. I was traveling to Brazil for two months and the story was there in front of me. The goal is to contextualise the Soccer World Cup tournament with the realities on the ground. So while people are watching these glitzy soccer stars on TV, it would be good if they thought about who was actually on the losing side: the Brazilian who demands better housing, education and other social services instead of soccer stadiums and Fifa’s tournament. Give us 5 short reasons why our audience should go watch the documentary? Be informed about what’s happening in the world. I would love everybody to know what Brazilians think about the Soccer World Cup. Watch the film and feel inspired by particularly the young and politicised Brazilians who have taken to the streets to demand a better future from their government that is misspending taxpayer’s cash. What’s new? I like this film and think you should watch it. You will enjoy it. How relevant are the conversations in the documentary to the ones South Africans had during the 2010 World Cup? Very relevant. When a South African watches this film they will see how the situation in our two countries is exactly the same. We face very similar conditions of poverty and unemployment. We are in the Global South, the developing world, and yet our governments see it fit to get us in debt to host these ridiculous events instead of investing money into our social infrastructure and improving life for locals. What are the 5 lessons we can learn from the documentary of such calibre? This depends on the viewer. I can talk about my experience and what I had learned. This is that everywhere in the world there is injustice and there are people willing to stand up against it. You will meet these people in this film. How easy would you say was to produce such a documentary in Brazil? It wasn’t always easy but not the most difficult thing in the world. The most difficult part was the language barrier. I don’t speak Portuguese and worked with translators. I managed to travel through various parts of the country and went to protests, sometimes placing myself at risk. In the end, it’s worth it. What method of production was implemented in the making of the documentary? I used a digital camera. And,...
“World’s first autobiography of a city … by the city of many world firsts”
By Thina Mazulu Dubai now easily holds its own amongst the world’s most opulent cities. It is also a testament to what a city can achieve with a vision and a solid long-term plan of action. In the last fifty years the booming desert kingdom has risen from the dust, and successfully forged an identity for itself as the jewel of the Middle East. Boasting infrastructure firsts such as their iconic Burj Al Arab – the only 7 Star hotel in the world; the Burj Khalifa – the tallest building in the world, to innovations such as the man-made islands plus a wealth of technological advancements. Dubai is on a fast track towards being one of the best cities in the world. Aside from the international accolades, the world-renowned landmarks & the jet setters who make it their playground, not much is known about the average day-to-day life of the Dubai nationals.Who are these individuals behind this Mecca of leisure? Google says they’re a population of 2.1 million, comprising of over 200 nationalities, but that’s about it. What do they do outside of their jobs, where do they dine, relax or party hard after working hard all week to keep the industry machine well oiled? This lack of visibility by everyday Dubai nationals is the inspiration behind the project by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, fondly known as Prince Fazza. The World’s first autobiography by a city is a campaign that invites ordinary people of the desert kingdom to contribute photographs of their daily lives via Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #MyDubai. So far the campaign has been wildly successful with its first week resulting in more than 27,000 Twitter mentions, and creating 198 million Twitter impressions. Of course it helps to have the weight of the prince’s 630 487 strong twitter following as a starting base. The prince himself contributes to the campaign through his own submissions and continuously encourages his people to participate as well. In spite of their royal position, which opens them to all sorts of unfiltered criticism, the Dubai royal family seems to have embraced new age communications technology. The Prince’s father has recently been named the 7th most engaging World Leader on Twitter and has a following of over a million. As the year progresses, the campaign will be expanded to various multi-media platforms. Submissions from the ongoing crowdsourcing exercise will inspire art installations, films, books, and other creative projects, which together will be combined to create the autobiography. For a city that’s positioned itself to be at the forefront of technology and innovation, implementing a campaign with digital at the core of its strategy is...
MTV Base to host President Jacob Zuma, Helen Zille and Julias Malema in an election telecast
MTV Base choose or lose 2014 encourages South African youth to exercise their right to vote and motivate youth engagement with democratic process. As election fever grips the nation, South Africa’s leading politicians are to come face-to-face with some of their youngest constituents in a special programme from MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV (DStv Channel 130), aimed at motivating young people to engage in the electoral process. “MTV Base Choose or Lose 2014” will air simultaneously on MTV and MTV Base ahead of the upcoming elections on Sunday 4 May 2014 at 18:00 CAT (repeat: 22:00 CAT, 4 May). President Jacob Zuma (ANC), DA leader Helen Zille and EFF president Julius Malema will appear in an historic one-hour TV special where they will be quizzed on why South African youth should vote for them for the coming term of office. Eight young South African “born frees” (ie born after the first South Africa democratic elections in 1994) will be on hand to put the leaders on the spot and pose questions about a range of issues including education, service delivery, HIV/AIDS, gender issues and other burning issues affecting the youth of today. Facilitated by MTV Base VJ Sizwe Dhlomo, “MTV Base Choose or Lose 2014” is based on MTV’s global “Choose or Lose” campaign, created in 1982 to inform and empower young voters on the political issues that matter to them most, and to provide a platform for airing their views. The campaign has been credited with fuelling several of the largest youth voter turnouts in US history, including the 2004 elections, when it helped inspire nearly 22 million 18-30 year olds to register and vote. The campaign has subsequently engaged youth voters in many other countries around the world including Mexico’s 2006 Presidential election. In Africa, “Choose or Lose” has also spawned initiatives such as “MTV Base Meets” – a platform where young people are given the opportunity to interact directly with inspirational leaders and opinion formers. The Choose or Lose election drive will also include on air promos and additional short editorial pieces on MTV and MTV Base, encouraging young people to get out there and vote, during the build up to the election. “For South Africa to fulfil its full potential it is critical that young people, who make up the majority of the continent’s population, actively engage in choosing leaders who will address the issues they face. We are excited to leverage our Choose or Lose campaign to encourage young South Africans to go out and vote in the upcoming elections with a better understanding of the leading candidates and their agendas” says Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa. Tim Horwood, Channel Director, MTV Base further added “The Choose or Lose campaign plays an important role in helping to bridge the divide that can exist between a country’s leaders and...
McCoy Mrubata on his musical Journey
Saxophonist, flute player, band leader and composer McCoy Mrubata, who is based in Johannesburg, will be going to KwaZulu Natal to head up a quintet consisting of Durban-based talents Neil Gonsalves on keys, Paki Peloeole on drums, Sibusiso Mkhize on trumpet and Ildo Nandja on bass. For the performance at Tatham Gallery Mrubata will perform with a trio consisting of Neil Gonsalves and Paki Peloeole. The exciting band will perform lots of music from Mrubata’s forthcoming album titled: The Brasskap Sessions Volume 2. It is a special treat for the people of Kwazulu Natala because the album is not officially released yet and the audiences will be getting a little preview plus the album will be available for sale at the shows. 1. You will be in Durban performing music from your forth coming album: The Brasskap Sessions Volume 2, tell us more about the album? I started recording The Brasskap Sessions Volume 2 In 2012 and it’s the second one of the Brasskap series after the 2008 release. The Idea of these series is to bring together generations of musicians and make a rich sound that will appeal to the young and old. The series also helps the young to get accustomed to recording sessions early in their careers. 2. What can your fans expect from it? The Durban fans can expect music that is rich, full of emotions. Most of the songs that we’ll be performing are on the forth coming album and inspired by day to day experiences. 3. How is it different from your other projects? This album is deferent from the previous albums simply because it’s produced by a young producer and pianist, Luyanda Madope. Luyanda brings out a fresh energetic and emotional McCoy sound. 4. Who did you work with on this project? The Brasskap Volume 2 features : Feya Faku , Prince Lengwasa , Jabu Magubane , Paul Hanmer , Tlale Makhene and Louis Mhlanga , the great and a legend Moses Ngwenya , Peter Sklair , Vuli Yeni , Sipho Ndlovu , Mthunzi Mvubu , Mbuso Khoza, Linda Mzimela , Senzo Sikhakhane , Sthe Bhengu from the band H3 , Lindiwe Mxolo , Thembinkosi Mavimbela , Lwanda Gogwana , Ayanda Sikade , Sisonke Xhonti and Sandile Gontsana. 5. You will be performing with Neil Gonsalves and Paki Peloeole, what are you most looking forward to? Performing with great musicians like Neil Gonzavles, Paki Peloeole, Ildo Nandja and Sbu Mkhize is going to be good as I enjoy different Interpretations of my music especially when the musicians are outstanding like these gentlemen. 6. How do you think music has evolved from the days you started to now? The...
Celebrating African Music with MTV
Last week Wednesday all roads led to The Sands, in Sandton for the MTV Africa Music Awards nominees announcement party. The event was star studded, as expected and the atmosphere at the event was phenomenal. Guests were entertained by artists like AKA, Mafikizolo, Professor, Oskido, Yuri Da Cunha just to name a few. It goes without saying that people like free alcohol, which is a good thing because it looks like people have more fun when it is an open bar event. The biggest and brightest contemporary artists from across the African continent were nominated in 14 separate music categories including Best Male, Best Female, Song of the Year, Artist of the Year, Best Group, Best Lusophone, Best Francophone, Best Hip Hop, Best New Act, Best Live, Best Pop, Best Alternative, Best Collaboration & Best International. Broadening the scope of the MAMAs franchise, achievement in non-music fields will be recognised in three new lifestyle categories: “Personality of the Year”, the “MTV Base Leadership Award” and “Transform Today by Absolut”. The MTV Africa Music Awards KwaZulu-Natal will be taking place in South Africa for the first time on 7 June 2014. Due to be held at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC). The event was a success, look forward to the award...
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