Bongeziwe Mabandla is more than just a singer…he’s the voice of the new generation
By Lebogang Mgiba He’s more than just a singer but an artist that uses his own voice to stand for what he believes in. For me, when it comes to music, there should be some emotions involved in order for me to get deep into it, otherwise there’s no point. I don’t mind listening to some ‘Ok” songs once in a while but I really appreciate artists that are story tellers and Bongeziwe is one of them. I was left in awe the first time I heard his debut album, UMLILO and wanted to find out more about him as an artist living in South Africa today. 1. You performed with Joss Stone when she was here in S.A, how did that come about? I got a call from a guy in Cape Town who was handling Joss Stone’s S.A tour concert and he told me she would like to do some cool things with South African artists. So I sent my music to him and he told me if she likes it, she will then invite me to do something with her. A week later I got a call saying Joss Stones really likes my music. Zahara and I did a performance at Balcony TV and second day we went to Soweto together which was nice and then she also invited me to Carnival City for her concert and we performed Isizathu together. 2. Interesting. How was the experience though? It was absolutely wonderful; Joss Stone is such a kind, warm and friendly person. I really like people like that. 3. How is your song writing process? I’m actually busy writing now and that’s why I got these musical instruments. This time I’m working with a band to kind of develop the song. It’s one of the things I didn’t have on the first album, UMLILO. I just did things, but I’m happy that it happened that way. With the first album, I didn’t really understand what I was doing. I wrote the songs in a guitar chilling in a studio and then they would be interpreted from there. Now I’m aware of what’s happening around me and I understand music more than I did when I was 24, making the first record. 4. What is Ndibonisiwe and Isizathu about? Let’s start with Ndibonisiwe. What I was trying to communicate was that, sometimes you can be in a situation that is not good and the song is about escaping and running away. When you see that things are not working out, it’s better to escape to something better or try something that works for you. It was also written about me trying...
First Wednesday Film Club presents “Miners Shot Down”
“MINERS SHOT DOWN” COUNTRY: South Africa DIRECTORS: Rehad Desai DURATION: 86 min AGE RESTRICTION:13 WHEN: 7th May 2014 7:30pm STUDIO 4 SYNOPSIS : In August 2012, mineworkers in one of South Africa’s biggest platinum mines began a wildcat strike for better wages. Six days later the police used live ammunition to brutally suppress the strike, killing 34 and injuring many more. Using the point of view of the Marikana miners, “Miners Shot Down” follows the strike from day one, showing the courageous but isolated fight waged by a group of low-paid workers against the combined forces of the mining company Lonmin, the ANC government and their allies in the National Union of Mineworkers. What emerges is collusion at the top, spiraling violence and the country’s first post-colonial massacre. South Africa will never be the same again. – Film courtesy of Uhuru Productions – Filmmaker in attendance FREE SCREENING , REFRESHMENTS Limited seating, come early...
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...
Pharrel Williams’ “Happy” Johannesburg
Last week in an interview with Oprah, we saw Pharrel Williams overwhelmed by the remakes of his hit single, “Happy”. It was videos from all across the continent and different countries except for South Africa. Now there’s a cool video out, made in Joburg by School Of Thought. Watch the video below and be “happy” Crew and sponsors Equipment Sponsorship — Glow (www.glowhire.co.za) Directors: Motse UnbrandedCow and Lungi Molefe Producers: Motse UnbrandedCow, Themba Mbelu and Lungi Molefe Editing: Themba Mbelu DOP – Paul Shiakallis and Threshen Bisetty ( www.behance.net/shizetty) SOT team: Motse UnbrandedCow, Lungi Molefe, Jacques Bezuidenhout and Maxzene Morgan. 1st Camera Assistant – Blessing Ndlovu and 2nd Camera – Masimba Sasa. Photo Credit: http://ind.pn/1f0GrSE...
Colombian cinema makes a début in the African continent in 2014
Colombian cinema makes a début in the African continent in 2014. The first Colombian Film Showcase brings a dozen of contemporary Colombian productions of outstanding track record for their quality and international scope that are testimony of the country’s new generation of talented filmmakers shaping new narratives and techniques in Latin American cinema. The First Colombian Film Showcase in South Africa will take place from 24-27 April at The Bioscope Independent Cinema in Johannesburg and from 8-11 May at the Labia Theatre in Cape Town. The exhibition, which showcases fiction, documentary, animation and short films, seeks to strengthen trade ties in the context of the cultural connection between two countries that have become centres of artistic creation in the Global South. Please see the full programme on their FB Page ...
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