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...
Represent ♡’s Kalimba Beatbox
Probably the most poignant video we’ve seen (and heard) on the web in a long time. Carlos plays the Kalimba and makes soulful sweet jazzy sounds with his mouth… Some kind of beautiful. Just wish it didn’t...
Represent ♡’s the Gautrain website
We love this site. Nice work Gauteng Provincial Government, great innovative thinking and spot on with the social media information sharing habits of today. Gautrain is essentially a content and story aggregator for the imminent Gautrain and the ongoing, some would say painful, others superbly exciting development of this marvellous fast choochoo we’re all waiting for. We know it’s going to be worth all the stress and reading the everyday people’s tales of suspense around it just gets us panting at the bit! Share your impressions, photo’s and love of the Gautrain here. PS: GPG, remember from now on, your social media guy is always right. Image: From the Gautrain site, by Lambert du...
Al Prodgers in the Eastern Cape
Al Prodgers takes to the stage at the Barnyard Theatres in Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay on the 3rd and 4th of April to open his national Comedy Trek, but also returning to the area where his ancestor first set foot on the African continent generations ago. Genealogists suggest that in the 19th century a Prodgers, making his way from Britain to India ended up in Africa, setting the standard of navigation that is still a hallmark of the family. Clan legend has it that he heard of the discovery of gold in Knysna and jumped ship to seek his fortune. Although he was still wet behind the ears, and everywhere else because he should have waited till the ship docked before jumping, he fell in love with a Boer woman. Young Prodgers must have carried the comedy gene, because history records that her first words upon meeting this “soutie” were, “Is this some kind of joke?” They married, and it’s fairly certain that they had a tempestuous relationship, since their descendants fought on opposite sides of the Anglo-Boer War. Maybe they were just lost again. Thanks to satellite navigation and the participation of myweek magazine, Al Prodgers, descendant of this quirky crowd is on a Comedy Trek with Melt Sieberhagen, a rising star of alternative Afrikaans stand-up. It’s a hilarious roadshow, exploring the funny side of being South African. The first leg of the Trek begins in the beautiful Garden Route, which is far enough away from Johannesburg to have finally left the scene of the crime. The Comedy Trek also features scenes on screen with fresh, improvised comedy shot daily in every destination and behind-the-scenes footage of the comedians and tour chaos filmed by their faithful roadie, Ettienne Shardlow. Language and themes are authentically South African too, so parental guidance is advised, but if you’re an adult who wants to celebrate the wacky side of life, come along for a laugh to the Al Prodgers myweek Comedy Trek at the Barnyard Theatres in Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay on the 3rd and 4th of...
VIP Tickets!!! H2O celebrates 10 years of dance
TWO SETS OF VIP tickets to give away for SATURDAY the 7th March!! Email editor@represent.co.za and tell us on what day was H2O first launched 10 years ago… send yr name, cell number and ID number. See our review and photo’s from the last party here. It’s an impressive line-up and considering that summer is soon on it’s way into hibernation, if you’re an H2O fan, make sure you soak up the last rays of a 10 year summer of fun at H20’s 10th Anniversary event at Wild Waters. We’re not going to tell you about it as the press info below has the answers to all your questions, but we will mention that some of our superfavo DJ’s are playing like Ready D, Fresh, Brett Jackson, Shaun Duvet and of course the sublime CT mega band Goldfish will be performing live alongside some international djs. Read all about it below: H2O 10th ANNIVERSARY – SATURDAY 7 MARCH 2009 SMIRNOFF SPIN & COKE ZERO in association with THE POWER OF 5FM is proud to present.. H2O! A DECADE OF DANCE!! Saturday 7 March ’09 3 International Artists Over 60 Top SA Artists! 9 Dancefloors! 22 Hours of Party Mayhem!! H2O – A DECADE OF DANCE! Once upon a time on the 28th day of the 8th month in the year 1998, the H2O Dream was born. On this day, while driving to Mozambique, for reasons we still don’t quite understand, my brother Paul and I started exchanging thoughts on a daytime dance party at Wild Waters.. “Just imagine, a 24 hour party in a water park “ I said, my stomach twisting inside with excitement. “We can do this Paul, let’s throw this party, it’s going to be the best party ever!” Paul looked at me with the same excitement in his eyes, “Let’s do it!” he said. On Saturday 6 February 1999, the first H2O Party was held featuring International DJ Bob Sinclar.. A 20-hour party with a crowd of 13 000! Wow!! What a day! And what an awesome party it was! The dance floor is heaving as the coloured lights pass back and forth, bouncing off the crystal blue water of the main wave pool. A sea of scantily clad bodies sway knee deep in water to the undeniable hair raising sound of dance music.. This is the Dream.. This is H2O!!! REGISTER & WIN WITH H2O! Register on our website http://www.h2oparty.com before 28 February 2009 and stand a chance to win a fantastic party prize! *All 4 will be presented with V-VIP H2O TICKETS, 4 Cameroon Makeover Vouchers and 2 Super Hot Jetset watches for the winner and his/her...
Introducing Vula Malinga
We recently stumbled across the soulful vocalist Vula Malinga who’s stirring up some musical waves in the UK after her success recording with Basement Jaxx. She’s an East London girl, as in Hackney luv, London, not the Eastern Cape, but born to South African parents in the States… Kinda pop meets RnB with the potential to do something different, she’s got some serious range on her- with her oodles of talent, we’re hoping she heads for an original sound. We’re hustling an interview with her soon, watch this space. Bit of PR on Vula – you can catch her on Facebook here : If you don’t already know about Miss Vula Malinga, chances are you’ve seen her everywhere and just didn’t realise. With an impressive catalog of work already under her belt with collaborations with UK heavyhitters such as Basement Jaxx and MJ Cole, she has gained respect in the UK music scene as one of the most gifted singer/songwriters on the scene and now after a sell out tour supporting Sam Sparro, Vula has dropped her long awaited E.P. “If You Want It” released under her own label “DivaGeek Records”. With a new single due out early 2009, Keep your ear to the streets…. Vula Malinga Live on Radio –...
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