15th African Renaissance presents the annual Africa Day Concert

Durban ICC Arena - May 25, 2013

DURBAN: The African Renaissance Festival and Conference will host the annual Africa Day Concert to celebrate African unity by reflecting the continent’s dynamic talent through musical performances by Mafikozolo, Zonke and Professor on Saturday, May 25 at 6pm at the ICC Arena in Durban.

Africa Day (May 25), marks the founding day of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963 and for many years has been a celebration of African unity. This was the first time that African Heads of State and Government got together in an effort to define Africa on its own terms and to be responsible for the continent’s shared destiny.

The African Day Concert takes place during the African Renaissance Festival, which began 15 years ago in an endeavour to reignite Africa’s own belief in itself and in its potenital to develop its own resources. The concert will feature some of the biggest names on the SA music scene: award-winning vintage-inspired Afro-Pop outfit Mafikizolo,the soul sensation Zonke and kwaito star Professor, with Linda Sibiya as the host and MC.

Their name may mean 'new kids on the block, who just arrived yesterday' in isiZulu, but Mafikizolo is no newcomer. This vibrant, stylish group of two comprising Theo Kgosinkwe and Nhlanhla Nciza have created a delicious dance of brew by mixing old and new South African sounds, have released seven hit-filled Afro-pop albums, sold over a million copies, picked up countless awards including eight SAMA's, and is undoubtedly one of the most successful groups in South Africa.

Born to a drummer father, soul sensation Zonke Dikana caught the musical bug at an early age, but her big break came in 1997 when Anneline Malebo, her father’s new wife, and a member of the successful group, Joy, introduced her to fellow artist Joe Nina. Zonke recently won Best Female Album for Ina Ethe at the MetroFM awards and continues to dazzle audiences with her soulful sounds.

Interestingly, Zonke came to stardom via her songwriting skills resulting in her collaborating and writing for international and local musicians.With her track record of hits behind her, she is one of the most sought-out producers in the Afro-pop and urban genre.  Zonke has written chart-topping tracks for artists such as Black Coffee, Mafikizolo, Don Laka, Tshepo Tsholo, Theo Kgosinkwe and many others over the years and worked at Kalawa Jazzmee as their premier songwriter.She now has her own recording company, Leely Music.  

Professor, the kwaito star from KwaZulu Natal who is well known for his hits which include the sensational Jezebel, has come a long way since his early days with T’zozo. He walked off with two of the biggest awards at the Metro FM awards in Durban recently - Song of the Year for Jezebel and Best Kwaito Album for University of KalawaJazmee, so named to acknowledge the KalawaJazmee Records family who took him under their wings.  Professor, like Zonke cites Joe Nina as being instrumental in his growth as a musician, along with Black Coffee and his group Shana.

The concert will start at 6pm until late at the Durban ICC Arena and tickets are R100 and are available from Computicket. For more information and the full African Renaissance programme, contact reception@wozani.co.za or telephone 031-266 9792

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Local Filmmaker's Short for Durban International Film Festival and National Arts Festival

A Shot at the Big Time, a short film by award-winning Durban film-maker, Janet van Eeden, has been selected for the Durban International Film Festival and will be the screened as part of a Think!Fest panel on the Legacy of Apartheid Conference during the National Arts Festival this July.

The film, inspired by the story of van Eeden’s brother, Jimmy, who died on the border three days after arriving in 1979, during the Apartheid Border Wars, is directed by Australian based Stephen de Villiers, produced by Janet van Eeden and London-basedMagda M. Olchawska, with Durban-based director of photography, Luke Pallett. Original songs have been written by Jonathan Handley, of the eighties Radio Rats fame, while the score has been composed by John McGuiness.

Van Eeden is Production Course Coordinator and Screenwriting lecturer at AFDA in Durban She’s written and produced many stage plays. She wrote the script for the internationally-acclaimed White Lion (2010).  She says that it has taken nine years to write the poignant story inspired by her brother’s death. The short was produced as a promo for the full length feature, in the hopes of attracting further funds.

The film, which was shot on location in Pietermaritzburg and surrounds, features Sean C. Michael from Cape Town, as Staff Sergeant Van Staden, AFDA graduate Brad Backhouse as Jimmy, the small-town rock star with a big time future, who is drafted into the army, celebrated actor, Tim Wells, who plays the role of Corporal Wiese. UKZN Drama student, TQ Zondi, plays the role of Petrus, Jimmy’s friend. Others in the cast include Caitlin Harrison as Jess, Cade White as young Jimmy, Livvy Henning as young Jess and Mapumelelo Maphumulo as young Petrus.

“After many years of trying to find the right producer to make this film in the way that would pay tribute to my brother and others who died needlessly in this war, I decided to take the reins into my own hands and produce this film myself,” explains van Eeden.

Inspired by Peter Broderick, a US crowd-funding expert who spoke at the Durban Film Mart two years ago, she launched her own crowd-funding campaign on IndieGoGo.com on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year 2011, Remembrance Day, in honour of all those fallen in war.

“It was at a time of personal turmoil for me and I wasn’t too sure I knew what I was doing, but I posted a Youtube clip of a song written especially for A Shot at the Big Time by musician friend, Jonathan Handley and put it up alongside the, by now, well-honed treatment of the film.”

“I had no idea of the response this film would receive, but within hours, the story touched a chord in so many hearts of people around the world. Not only were people donating money, they were also donating skills. This was a true labour of love with a string of people volunteering including the full cast, a team of Media Honours students from UZKN under the guidance of Navikiran Babulai and Karel Schmidt who created the EPK, graphics design company, Visual Graphics, based in Australia who designed the poster, publicist Sharlene Versfeld, photographer Val Adamson, wardrobe mistress Kirsty Geldart-Mitchell and first assistant director Stuart Nixon.”

“Money came from the most unexpected sources, and although we didn’t raise a huge amount, it captured the imagination of these amazing people.  It was then I knew that this film had universal appeal and just had to be made.” she says.

Three months of concentrated pre-production went into the making of this demanding short, due to the military nature of the film. There had to be intense attention to detail in the military scenes and van Eeden was able to secure the services of Sergeant Major Mike Bond from the Natal Carbineers Unit in Pietermaritzburg who gave the crew access to military weapons and uniforms and ensured that every single detail on each of the thirteen military uniforms was 100% accurate.

Last year, the feature film project was selected for the Durban FilmMart and this year the short will be screened at the Durban International Film Festival (July 18 - 28), which attracts a significant number of industry guests and an audience of close to 32 000.

Van Eeden will be speaking on a panel at the Legacy of Apartheid Conference at the National Arts Festival in July where the film will be screened. “I will be drawing on my own experience as a sister of a young man who lost his life as a result of the mental anguish he underwent as a victim of conscription. I will also reveal the very tough road I undertook to tell this story, which I might add, was met with some frightening resistance from unknown entities in cyberspace, determine to deny that this kind of thing ever actually happened. This of course has made me even more determined to tell this story, in its full feature form.”

For more information go to www.shotthemovie.com or email janet@janetvaneeden.com.

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BASA to launch Toolkit and Entrepreneurial Partnership

BASA Toolkit and Entrepreneurial partnership to be launched at Soweto Theatre.

The Director General of the Department of Arts and Culture, Sibusiso Xaba, will attend the launch of a new partnership between Business and Arts South Africa and Shanduka Black Umbrellas’ Incubator Programme. At the same time, the much anticipated BASA Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts will be unveiled. 

Taking place on May 6 at the Soweto Theatre, the launch of BASA’s partnership with Shanduka Black Umbrellas is part of BASA’s ongoing commitment to providing arts organisations and practitioners with the skills to run their own business. 

Says Mark Frankel CEO of Shanduka Black Umbrellas, “All business owners, no matter which sector they operate in, should have the requisite skills in place to operate their businesses effectively and profitably. 

“In addition to the skills required, businesses from previously disadvantaged backgrounds should be provided with assistance to access networks, markets and finance to help ensure their sustainability. This is the nature of the work we do at Shanduka Black Umbrellas. 

“The partnership with BASA enables us to jointly identify potential high impact businesses in the arts sector and provide these businesses with the skills, support and development they require in order to become sustainable and create jobs.” 

The newly minted BASA Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts – is additionally set to play an important role in the sustainability of arts organisations. With a strong focus on providing a way for the management team of an arts organisation to review, refresh and enhance their sponsorship practice, the toolkit is likely to become an indispensable part of the way arts organisations work. The BASA Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts is a complement to the BASA Arts Sponsorship Management Toolkit for business that was launched last year. 

The BASA Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts has been created for both arts organisations with existing sponsorship relations and those looking for new and additional partners. 

For arts organisations with existing sponsorship relationships, the toolkit provides an opportunity to assess the depth and breadth of their practices, as well as develop the ability to nurture a more sustainable arts partnership approach. 

For organisations searching for new or additional partners, the toolkit provides a step- by-step guide and set of exercises to craft a well-considered, longer-term arts partnership strategy. 

Please note that the time of the function has been amended to 11h30 for 12h00. 

For more information and to RSVP for the launch of the Shanduka Black Umbrellas’ Incubator Programme and unveiling of the BASA Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts contact: Jessica Dennison at Jessica@basa.co.za or 011 447 2295.

Date and Time 
Monday 6 May 2013 
11h30 for 12h00 

Venue 
Soweto Theatre 

About Business and Arts South Africa NPC: 

Business and Arts South Africa NPC is an internationally recognised South African development agency which incorporates the arts into, and contributes to, corporates' commercial success. With a suite of integrated programmes, Business and Arts South Africa NPC encourages mutually beneficial partnerships between business and the arts. Business and Arts South Africa NPC was founded in 1997 as a joint initiative of government and the business sector, to secure the future development of the arts industry in South Africa, through increased corporate sector involvement. Established as a Non Profit Company, Business and Arts South Africa NPC is accountable to both government and its business members. 

About Shanduka Black Umbrellas NPC: 

The Shanduka Foundation supports Enterprise Development through the Shanduka Black Umbrella (SBU) initiative. SBU is one of the key beneficiaries of the Shanduka Group’s R100 million commitment to the Shanduka Foundation. 

Cyril Ramaphosa called the 2009 launch of the SBU programme the happiest day of his life. 

Four years later the initiative, which helps small black businesses get off the ground, is beginning to have a real impact around the country. 

Since the official launch in October 2009, a significant number of budding and established SMMEs have applied to become part of the SBU programme. However, there is a rigorous screening process and only those committed few with ability and passion are invited to join. 

There are over 100 businesses around the country that currently form part of the programme. Others have already graduated from the initiative and have taken their businesses to new heights. 

For a small monthly fee, the SBU programme provides client SMMEs with a working environment and support services that enable them to thrive. Benefits include office space, computers, Internet and telephones, vehicles with drivers, a compulsory reliable bookkeeping service, training programmes, a structured mentorship programme and access to finance and procurement opportunities, when ready. 

SBU provides corporate South Africa with an opportunity to improve their enterprise development and preferential procurement ratings which achieves the dual goal of meeting their B-BBEE scorecard requirements as well as the knowledge that their contribution goes towards the important goal of nation building through job creation. 

Further information can be found at www.shandukablackumbrellas.org

New Manager of Durban International Film Festival Announced

NEW MANAGER ANNOUNCED -  Durban International Film Festival

Peter Machen, is the new DIFF manager

Plans are well underway for the 34th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), South Africa’s largest and longest running film festival hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA), reports Kishore Gobardan Director of Professional Services in the College of Humanities at UKZN in which the CCA is housed. The CCA is currently a special project of the newly appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Cheryl Potgieter, in the College of Humanities.

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of well-known film critic and arts journalist, Peter Machen, as the DIFF Manager,” says Gobardan.

“Peter has been working with the Durban International Film Festival for the last seven years as a programme advisor,” says Gobardan. “He comes to the Festival with a wealth of institutional knowledge which provides much needed continuity.  Along with a solid knowledge of the programming requirements, Peter has also been responsible for writing synopses in the festival publications and editing and designing the festivals' Reel Times daily newsletters. He has appeared on various DIFF panels, as well as introduced directors and facilitated Q&A sessions during festivals. So we are pleased to welcome him on board the team and look forward to the significant value he will add to the mix.”

Machen, who has a BA Honours degree in economics from UKZN, is one of South Africa's leading arts writers and communication consultants. A talented publication designer, Peter has produced a range of publications and is author and designer of two coffee-table books Durban - A Paradise and its People and Durban - A Return to Paradise. He is currently Sunday Tribune's resident film columnist.

Earlier this year Machen attend the Rotterdam and Berlin Film Festivals as part of his research as a programme advisor for DIFF, and is excited about the challenges that lie ahead. “It is quite a daunting task to step into someone else’s programming shoes,” he says, “but because I have been so intimately involved in the festival for some time now, I know my way around and look forward to creating a programme that will be interesting and varied for our audiences.” To that end, Peter will be heading off to the Cannes Film Festival next month to seek out additional cinematic treasures for the DIFF 2013 programme.

“The Assistant Film Festival Manager position will be announced within the next few weeks, and the CCA Director’s post has been advertised and should be filled soon.”

It’s business as usual for the Durban FilmMart, the co-production project of the Durban Film Office and DIFF, this according to Toni Monty of the Durban Film Office. “We have had a great response to the call out for projects for this year’s Durban FilmMart. Submissions are now with adjudicators and we await their selection. We are proceeding with the plans to present a strong fourth market, and we are pleased to receive continued support from our partners and supporters, Rotterdam Film Festival’s CineMart, IDFA, Arte France, Hot Docs and EAVE, as well as the inclusion of other awards from new strategic partners, Paris Project, the co-production and development platform of the Paris Cinema International Film Festival,  Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and No Borders, a co-production market of the Independent Filmmakers Project In the USA.”

The 34th Durban International Film Festival will take place from July 18 to 28. The full programme will be in the www.durbanfilmfestival.co.za website five weeks before the festival begins.

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Bro Kwazi's First Splashy Fen

THE first time I ever heard of Splashy Fen was in my matric year, a few years ago. All I knew is that Splashy Fen was a music festival that only played punk, rock and metal.

09 April 2013 | Kwazi Ngubane

Going to Splashy Fen on Thursday 28 March I did not know what it was that I was in for although I had asked question upon question about what Splashy Fen was all about, researched the website and scoured the internet for photos, incidences etc about the event.

I wanted to be sure about what it was that I was getting myself into. I arrived on Thursday evening around 11pm and, with nothing much to do, we set up camp and started a fire and went to sleep. It was only in the morning that we learnt we had camped in a family camp site and had to look for a new site to set up camp.

Waves of campers

It did not take us long to find the right area as we were attracted to noisy cars and a group of peers our age. We were quick to set up the tent and as soon as we were done, we set out exploring Splashy Fen.

The waves of campers coming through the gates were endless, the age groups could not be more different and the number of stalls, tents and stages blew us all away.

It was clear to us why Splashy Fen had such a huge following; it is a place that has a culture of its own. Everyone was friendly and helpful and when they knew it was your first Splashy Fen, you were greeted with smiles, hugs and wishes that you enjoy your first experience.

Diverse music

The mornings were laid back with many choosing to go swimming in the lake, stay at their camp sites, walk around or drive to the town of Underberg, 18kms away, to explore what the town had to offer.

The afternoons would be a hive of activity with three major tents hosting shows till midnight. The busy muddy roads would be filled with youth rushing to the respective tents, stalls or the place where everybody hung out, the bar.

The acts on stage could not be any more diverse in colour, genre and personality and included commercial bands such as Mi Casa shared the stage with acts such as City Bowl Mizers, Matthew Mole, Asleep In Transit, Desmond & the Tutu's, Mean Black Mamba, David Jenkins & Maqhinga Radebe, and the list goes on.

The shows were not only limited to music but also included stand-up comedy showcase with the likes of Paul Snodgrass, Glen Bo, Dusty Rich, Bobby Collins and Lil' Paul (who is not that lil') partaking in shows such as Whose Line is it Anyway, the world’s worst job enactments and plenty more.'

Rocking the stage

For those that longed to hit the dance floor, with heart pounding bass music and blinding disco lights, there was the Uber Cool Tent.

This tent had a mixture of punk, rock, pop, dance and hip-hop music with acts such as German bass, Arnold Ewood Philips; PHfat and more rocking the stage.

I must say that Splashy Fen is the premium music festival in KZN, it has everything that a music festival suppose to have. It's well-organised and safe with around-the-clock SAPS supervision, wonderful tents and stalls to buy from and music that will keep you dancing till the morning.

Use the list

The only precaution that I would advise is to know how to set up your tent, know how to find the right spot to set up camp or you shall be as unlucky as I was and have both your tents flooded with water two nights in a row.

Also when embarking to Splashy Fen, make sure to take note and pack all the advised ’things to bring’' items listed  or you shall have a super cold evening sleep and be running around for utensils, charcoal, gas-cookers etc.

Make sure to go onto www.splashyfen.co.za for the dates for next year’s 25th edition. See you there next year.

BASA Launches Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts

This May sees Business and Arts South Africa launch a new partnership with Shanduka Black Umbrellas’ Incubator Programme as well as unveil the much-anticipated BASA Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts.

Taking place on May 6th at the Soweto Theatre, the launch of BASA’s partnership with Shanduka Black Umbrellas is part of BASA’s ongoing commitment to providing arts organisations and practitioners with the skills to run their own business.

Says Mark Frankel CEO of Shanduka Black Umbrellas, “All business owners, no matter which sector they operate in, should have the requisite skills in place to operate their businesses effectively and profitably

“In addition to the skills required, businesses from previously disadvantaged backgrounds should be provided with assistance to access networks, markets and finance to help ensure their sustainability. This is the nature of the work we do at Shanduka Black Umbrellas.

“The partnership with BASA enables us to jointly identify potential high impact businesses in the arts sector and provide these businesses with the skills, support and development they require in order to become sustainable and create jobs.”

The newly minted BASA Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts – also launching on May 6 – is additionally set to play an important role in the sustainability of arts organisations. With a strong focus on providing a way for the management team of an arts organisation to review, refresh and enhance their sponsorship practice, the toolkit is likely to become an indispensable part of the way arts organisations work. The BASA Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts is a complement to the BASA Arts Sponsorship Management Toolkit for business that was launched last year.

The BASA Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts has been created for both arts organisations with existing sponsorship relations and those looking for new and additional partners.

For arts organisations with existing sponsorship relationships, the toolkit provides an opportunity to assess the depth and breadth of their practices, as well as develop the ability to nurture a more sustainable arts partnership approach.

For organisations searching for new or additional partners, the toolkit provides a step-by-step guide and set of exercises to craft a well-considered, longer-term arts partnership strategy.

For more information and to RSVP for the launch of the Shanduka Black Umbrellas’ Incubator Programme and unveiling of the BASA Sponsorship Toolkit for the Arts contact: Jessica Dennison at Jessica@basa.co.za or 011 447 2295

Date and Time:
Monday 6 May 2013
9h30 for 10h00

Venue:
Soweto Theatre

DURBAN FILMMART PROJECT SELECTED FOR HOT DOCS 2013

DURBAN FILMMART PROJECT SELECTED FOR HOT DOCS 2013

Devil’s Lair, one of the award-winning projects from last year’s Durban FilmMart has been selected for this year’s Hot Docs, the Canadian International Documentary Film Festival in Toronto in April/May this year.

Produced by Neil Brandt of Fireworx Media and directed by Riaan Hendricks of A Season of Film (who also did the cinematography and editing) this feature documentary uncovers the conflicting worlds that exist amongst the troubled communities of the Cape Flats in Cape Town South Africa. It is an intimate portrayal of one gang leader and his young family as they navigate a violent and contested physical and psychological landscape, one in which honour, love and betrayal are all too often sides of the same coin.

Devil’s Lair, which will have its World Premiere at Hot Docs on May 1, was a featured project at last year’s Durban FilmMart, where it selected by as one of the “Most Promising Documentary Projects”, and as a result Brandt and Hendricks also received a travel and accommodation grant from WorldView/IDFA enabling them to attend IDFA, and pitch the project at the IDFA Forum in November last year.

“One of the key objectives of the DFM, which is a joint programme of the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), is to act as a feeder platform in bringing African projects to other established international co-production markets. “ explains Toni Monty of the Durban Film Office. “We are delighted to hear that Devil’s Lair has been selected to premiere at Hot Docs. Results like this for any film helps to foster and encourage a confidence in developing projects, as often, at ideation stage stakeholders are cautious as to what tangible results can be obtained. This helps to demonstrate the potential and possibilities that do exist.”

Speaking from Johannesburg Brandt was excited about the selection and for the opportunity of holding their world premiere at Hot Docs. “It’s at once fantastic and terrifying.” he said. “Hot Docs is North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market with about 200 documentaries from around the world, so the competition is tough, but we are really looking forward to the experience and to working hard at making sure our film gets the best start to its festival life possible.”

For Brandt and Hendricks the experience at IDFA was hugely beneficial in the further development of the film. “Everything in the creation of this film worked as a complex puzzle, all working simultaneously.” says Brandt. “We originally received a production grant from the IDFA Bertha Fund, who have been tracking the film. Then we were invited to the IDFA Summer School in June last year, just before the Durban FIlmMart where the project was well received resulting in us pitching the film at the IDFA Forum in November 2012. Here we were able to pitch a more developed film to broadcasters and investors and pick up sales agent Journeyman Pictures. Funding had also been received from the Hot Docs Blue Ice Fund, which has also been tracking the film since the Durban FilmMart. So there has been an incredible amount of support and interest in the film from international funders, which is encouraging, as difficult politically-charged films from Africa are often not easy to finance. Local funders include the Open Society Foundation, Sabido Productions and the NFVF. TVO Canada has just bought the first license and we are in discussions with numerous further broadcasters.”

The 4th Durban FilmMart will take place from 19 to 22 July 2013 during the 34th edition of the Durban International Film Festival (18-28 July) and will present an official selection of about 10 fiction projects and 10 documentary projects.

For more information on the Durban FilmMart visit www.durbanfilmmart.com.  Entries to this year’s DFM are now closed.

For further enquires contact info@durbanfilmmart.com

Trailer link :   http://www.hotdocs.ca//film/title/devils_lair

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Durban to host BASA Business Breakfast and Education Programme

With a new KwaZulu-Natal representative on the ground and an increased focus on the relevance, advancement and sustainability of the arts in the region, the upcoming Business Arts SA - BASA Education Programme, supported by Etana Insurance, are not to be missed by arts practitioners.

The first Durban series of workshops in the 2013 BASA Education Programme, supported by Etana Insurance, take place on April 11th at the KZNSA Gallery in Bulwer Road, Glenwood and are free to pre-registered participants.

Businesses will also be able to take part in the focused activities on April 11th by attending a business breakfast also at the KZNSA Gallery.

The business breakfast will include national and regional Business and Arts South Africa representatives and will give insight into a number of initiatives aimed at business. These include the first-of-its-kind BASA Arts Sponsorship Management Toolkit, which gives South African businesses a tool to navigating the sponsorship cycle and, ultimately, the ability to measure the effectiveness of arts sponsorship as a strategic part of any business.

The Durban workshops are also a chance for businesses and arts practitioners to connect with newly appointed Business and Arts South Africa representative in the region - Sharlene Versfeld of Versfeld & Associates.

Versfeld has been involved professionally in the South African arts sector since 1987 and has a long-standing reputation for her extensive work as an arts marketer most notably with the various festivals hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.  In 2012 Versfeld undertook research for the British Council, with Nicolette du Plessis of Cultural Radius, on the South African arts landscape in relation to international agencies and collaborations. She is additionally a Board member of the Flatfoot Dance Company and does pro bono marketing for Action in Autism in KwaZulu-Natal.

“This is a challenging chapter in the arts industry in South Africa,” Versfeld says of her new tenure.

“Tough as it may be, we truly believe that businesses are looking for new and innovative ways to leverage their brands, whether from a sponsorship point of view or from a meaningful corporate social responsibility perspective.

“The research that BASA has done, the relationships developed with business and the inroads made into professionalising the arts industry provides a solid foundation for the further development of arts and business relationships, and we look forward to being part of a motivated and skilled team to help facilitate this in KZN.”

The Durban BASA Education Programme workshops, supported by Etana Insurance, are divided into three sessions and will cover social media, publicity basics (as part of the Back To Basics programme) and fundraising.

Are you all aTwitter and LinkedIn to Facebook? 11:00-12:30

Alma Maxwell of Outsourced Communications will share some insights about Social Media and how arts organisations can use these "versatile free-to-use" platforms to get the conversations going.

Back to Basics 13:00-14:30

Publicity and the Art of getting your message across in a very cluttered media space. Sharlene Versfeld and Kwazi Ngubane of Versfeld & Associates, unpack the basics of publicity and share some useful tips in getting media coverage.

Fundraising 14:45-16:00

Gordon McDonald, Director of Community Chest will look at hints and tips to increase your opportunity of raising funds for your organisation/project.

The BASA Education Programme, supported by Etana Insurance, has seen workshops already held in Johannesburg and Cape Town and upcoming workshops planned for the Eastern Cape as well as Limpopo regions.

To be part of the BASA Education Programme, supported by Etana Insurance, and attend these important, insightful and stimulating workshops contact: Kwazi Ngubane on 031-8115628 or email kwazi@versfeld.co.za.

AFDA (The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance) Durban to host Open Day on April 6

AFDA (The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance) Durban will host another Open Day for prospective students on Saturday, 6 April from 10am to 12noon.

The new campus which opened its doors in February this year, now boasts 63 students in the first year intake and according to the Chairman of AFDA, Garth Holmes, students and academic and administrative staff have settled in superbly to the Durban school.

This Open Day will provide prospective students, parents and guests a greater understanding about the AFDA programme with introductions from the Campus Dean Franco Human and lecturing staff, as well as demonstrations and performances from current first year students. There will also be a screening the AFDA 2013 Oscar Nominated Honours film, Kanyekanye (23 minutes).

The AFDA Durban Campus is situated in Glen Anil, Durban North, and boasts a strong line up of academic staff drawn from the film and live performance industries. Franco Human, an experienced producer and film maker, film-maker Richard Green is Head of the Film School, director, actor and playwright Rajesh Gopie, is Head of the Live Performance School, and scriptwriter and film-maker Janet van Eeden, is production course administrator and script writing lecturer. 

Prospective students can contact Durban-based Marketing Officer, Milena Gevers for more information on milenag@afda.co.zaor call 031 569 2252. For more info about the school go to www.afda.co.za

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David Gouldie's Magic for New Beach Event March 22

City of Durban to host New Beach Dance Extravaganza for BRICS Summit

To celebrate the BRICS summit, the City of Durban will host the New Beach Dance Extravaganza, a free street party at New Beach (the old Dolphinarium site at the bottom of West Street) on Friday, March 22 from 6pm to Midnight.

Staged by one of Durban’s most creative brains, David Gouldie of Urban Edge, the New Beach Dance Extravaganza is styled very much on the lines of last year’s highly successful Jomba City experience at the Skate Park.

This is a family event, which features a main stage with Metro FM Award winners for best group – The Muffins, Afritude, DJ’s and Slam Poets including the inimitable MC Ewok.

To honour the various cultures represented at the BRICS Summit, dancers from the Flatfoot-, Breakthru-, Nateshwa Dance Companies and the Vuka Dancers will perform Brazilian, Russian, Indian, Chinese and South African inspired dances.

Expect to enjoy Tai Chi demonstrations, a drumming circle, live performance art installations, “Art in the Park” arranged by Artspace with live artists exhibiting works as well as graffiti artists being inspired by the five countries represented as they create their work on site.

Durban’s favourite creative market, the I Heart Market will offer creative goods for sale and wholesome fresh food and refreshments.

The event is free to all. Bring picnic blankets or chairs. There is lots of parking at the beachfront and there will be visible security and a strong police presence.

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Durban - The warmest place to be presents a feast of music at the Rainbow Restaurant - 24 March

In recognition of Human Rights Day in South Africa and as one of the official welcoming events for delegates to the Fifth BRICS Summit, Durban - The Warmest Place To Be presents a feast of music at the Rainbow Restaurant in Pinetown on Sunday, March 24 at 2pm.

The first performance starts at 2pm with deep jazz as Burton Naidoo's Musical Democracy quintet takes to the stage. This will be followed by a set from five-piece afro-beat outfit Tanga Pasi who hail from the Kalanga region of Zimbabwe and who will be making their third appearance at the Rainbow. For this performance the audience will get to hear the sounds of their debut full length album, Ntolontolo - A Long Time Ago. From there it’s "sho't left" to the unique sounds of Dr. Fly and The Nurses, an a capella trio in the tradition of the Andrew Sisters featuring the vocal talents of Sophie Basckin, Jessica Sole and Natalie Shama. Then it will be time for a "beega party" with electro-percussion trio Napalma fronted by Mozambican born/Brazilian raised vocalist Ivo Maia with Brazil's Cid Travaglia driving hard on djembe.

“The best part of it all is that with the kind and generous support of the Ethekwini Municipality we are able to use this event as a fundraiser for the Rainbow's charity of choice, the Open Door Crises Centre which is based in Pinetown and offers invaluable assistance to the victims of human trafficking and abuse. All monies raised from ticket sales will be donated to Open Door.” says Neil Comfort of the Rainbow.

Doors open at 1pm and tickets are R40 at the door. For more info contact the Rainbow on 083 706 2294 or 083 4638044.

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16th TIME OF THE WRITER International Writers Festival Durban: 18 - 23 March 2013

Media Release

16th TIME OF THE WRITER International Writers Festival

Durban: 18 - 23 March 2013

The written word will envelop Durban as nineteen writers from South Africa, Africa and abroad, gather for a thought-provoking week of literary dialogue, exchange of ideas and stimulating discussion at the 16th Time of the Writer International Writers Festival (18 - 23 March). The festival, hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal), with principal support by National Lottery Distribution Fund, will feature a diverse gathering of leading novelists, social commentators, activists, playwrights and short story writers.

Opening night will feature all participating writers as they make brief presentations at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, while the newly appointed Deputy Vice Chancellor of the School of Humanities, Prof Cheryl Potgieter will make a keynote address. A tribute to the late Phyllis Naidoo will be read by struggle veteran Ella Ghandi. The rest of the week’s evening presentations will be panel discussions with writers talking about their writing and the issues dealt with in their work. The musical act opening the festival is Zimbabwean band Tanga Pasi.

The panel discussion titled Perspectives in South African Writing on Tuesday 19th March will feature South African writers Kabelo Duncan Kgatea and Jo-Anne Richards. Trained as a journalist and working as a miner, it was after Kgatea’s first book Njeng manong fa ke sule! (Devour me, vultures, when I’m dead!) was published and won the Sanlam Prize Youth Literature (silver) in the Sotho category, that he got promoted to communications officer and no longer worked below ground. When The Innocence of Roast Chicken, the debut novel of internationally published author and journalist Richards first appeared, it topped the South African best seller list in its first week and remained there for 15 weeks. This discussion will be facilitated by Zukiswa Wanner.

Controversial human rights issues are brought to the fore in the evening’s second panel titled Africa Writing Queer Identity, featuring leading Nigerian writer Jude Dibia and Graeme Reid of South Africa, and will be facilitated by Sarojini Nadar. Dibia’s books address issues which range from sexuality, gender roles, race to the stigma of HIV/AIDS in modern day Africa. Reid, the director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Programme and founding director of the Gay and Lesbian Archives of South Africa, explores gay identities in South Africa in his book How to be a Real Gay. Music by Durban duo Njeza and Siphelele Dlamini will commence the evening proceedings at 19h30. 

Book launches take place at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre’s Wellington Tavern deck prior to the evening shows, from 18h45. The first book launch of the festival is the UKZN English/IsiZulu Book (UKZN Press) – a collaborative venture of stories by various authors. 

On Wednesday 20th March, the first panel, titled Reflections on the Palestinian State, features Palestinian-born American-based novelist and essayist, Susan Abulhawa, in an interview discussion with Lubna Nadvi. Abulhawa’s Mornings in Jenin was translated into 24 languages worldwide and hailed by The Times as the “first English-language novel to express fully the human dimension of the Palestinian tragedy”. Exploring Genre in African Literature is the topic of the second panel, featuring South African author, photographer and filmmaker, Zinaid Meeran, alongside Nnedi Okorafor, award-winning author born in the United States and of Nigerian descent. Meeran was awarded the European Union Literary award for his debut Saracen at the Gates in 2009. About a curious exploration of living raceless in a country where just about everybody seems to have one, this debut was also shortlisted for the Sunday Times fiction prize in 2010. A professor of creative writing, Okorafor has received numerous accolades for her books, which are often characterized by African culture infused with reminiscent settings and memorable characters. This panel will be facilitated by True Love books editor and publisher Melinda Ferguson. Music by Durban duo Nhlanhla Zondi and Zulublue will kick start the evening presentation, while Molope’s book, This Book Betrays my Brother launches prior to the show.

On the evening of Human Rights Day, Thursday 21st March is the panel titled Perspectives in SA Writing, with a panel which features Elana Bregin and Damon Galgut, and facilitated by Siphiwo Mahala. Galgut’s In a Strange Room, a novel which follows the journey of an isolated South African traveler seeking a deep satisfaction in life, was shortlisted for several awards, including the 2010 Man Booker Prize and M-Net Literary Award. Bregin is well known for her award-winning young adult titles, which include The Kayaboeties and The Red-haired Khumalo, which all deal with the social realities of a changing South Africa. 

Under the title The Reporter as Writer, Jackee Batanda from Uganda and Aman Sethi from India, both novelists and journalists, feature in the evening’s second panel discussion. Together with the numerous awards for her fiction writing, Batanda also featured in the London Times alongside 19 young women shaping the future of Africa. A seasoned journalist working as a correspondent for The Hindu, a newspaper in India with a daily readership of about 2.5 million, Sethi has also contributed articles to various publications, around health policies in India. The evening’s musical act is the pair Mike Muyo and Tom Watkeys. 

Following the book launch of The Imagined Child (Picador) by festival participant Jo-Anne Richards, and a music performance by the band Nje, the presentation of prizes to winners of the schools short story competition will take place on Friday 22nd March. The first session titled Youth Literature, similarly puts a spotlight on young people, and features writers Elieshi Lema from Tanzania and BD Khawula from South Africa. Lema started off writing poetry before moving on to children’s books. Her first novel Parched Earth - A Love Story received an honorable mention in the Noma Award for Publishing in Africa and forms part of the curriculum in various universities. Based in Durban, Khawula’s inspiration to write stems from his love for his country. His debut novel Yihlathi Leli, won a silver award in the African Languages category at the Sanlam Youth Literature Awards. 

The second panel for the evening, Writing Transformation, features South African critical thinkers and writers Andile Mngxitama and Prof Sampie Terreblanche. While Mngxitama writes significantly around the philosophy and writings of late Black Consciousness leader, Steve Biko, Terreblanche’s focuses lies on the history of economic thought and policy matters in South and Southern Africa. 

The Saturday evening book launch is On Being Human featuring contributions by various writers and edited by Duduzile Mabaso (Black Letter Media). Music and song by Durban songbird Skye Wanda will precede the discussion Writing the Other, featuring the South African panel of Ashwin Desai and Jonny Steinberg. An activist intellectual, Desai is celebrated the world over, for his poignant articulation of stories about struggle, oppression and resistance. Award-winning author Steinberg, writes about experiences about everyday life in the wake of South Africa’s transition to democracy. His debut novel Midlands, about the murder of a white South African farmer, won the Sunday Times Alan Paton Prize in 2003. This panel discussion will be facilitated by Dr. Frederico Settler from the Philosophy department at UKZN.

The festival closes with a look at the pertinent issue with South African writers Shafinaaz Hassim and Kagiso Lesego Molope, in a panel titled Writing Gender Violence. Hassim, a writer, poet and sociologist and driving force behind Johannesburg-based publishers, WordFire Press, recently published a novel on domestic violence titled SoPhia in November 2012, while Molope’s third novel This Book Betrays my Brother raises many gender equality issues prevalent in South Africa, amongst them the perception that women who wear revealing clothing invite sexual advances. Molope's first novel, Dancing in the Dust, was put on the IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) list for 2006, making her the first Black South African to make the list. 

Publishing is undoubtedly one of the central elements in the development of a local literary culture. That said a notable event that has become a significant part of the annual Time of the Writer international writers’ festival, is the Publishing Forum.  Taking place on Wednesday, 20th March between 10h00 – 14h00 at the Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College Campus, this year’s forum will feature a range of panels on salient issues within the publishing landscape. Topics discussed will cover the magazine industry, maximizing exposure in the world of digital publishing, converting your PhD thesis into a book and what publishers look for in a manuscript.

In addition to the nightly showcases at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, a broad range of day activities including seminars and workshops are formulated to promote a culture of reading, writing and creative expression. This includes the educator’s forum with teachers on the implementation of literature in the classroom, the community writing forum with members of the public interested in literature, visits to schools, and a prison writing programme.

Tickets are R25 for the evening sessions, R10 for students, and can be purchased through Computicket or at the door one hour before the event. Workshops and seminarsarefree. 

The full programme of activities, biographies, and photos of participants is available on www.cca.ukzn.ac.za. For more information contact the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts on 031 260 2506/1816 or e-mail cca@ukzn.ac.za 

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal), the 16th Time of the Writer festival is supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder), City of Durban, Adams Campus Books, Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre and the University of KwaZulu-Natal. 

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For Media Queries: 

Sharlene Versfeld/Kwazi Ngubane

Mobile: +27 (0) 83 326 3235/ (073) 442 9347

Tel: +27 (0) 31 811 5628

Email: sharlene@versfeld.co.za or kwazi@versfeld.co.za

Flatfoot Dance Company's 10th Anniversary Season - Last Thoughts at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre

FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY celebrates its 10th anniversary year with a special season of dance theatre entitled Last Thoughts at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from March 13 to 17.

“Reaching 10 years as a professional South African dance company is a huge milestone for Flatfoot Dance Company!” says Lliane Loots, founder and artistic director of Flatfoot Dance Company. “It is a testament to our city of Durban who has been our home and to the people of eThekwini who have supported us and watched us grow; and to some rather amazing local and international artists, dancers, technicians, administrators and musicians who have been part our history. It is a gracious testament to all those who have seen fit to fund the work we do. I can’t say we haven’t been poised on a knife edge many times – and will be in the future – but this is a moment for all of us to collectively honour our achievement and to say thank you in honouring the many bridges we have walked on to get here.”

“For our 10th anniversary season we wanted to do something that really celebrated our geography; our beautiful ocean facing city of Durban, to honour some really amazing artists and guests who have worked with us in the past. We return to the amazing Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre where we, 10 years ago in March 2003, hosted our first season as a professional company”. 

“LAST THOUGHTS” offers the world premiere of two new dance theatre works made for the six resident Flatfoot dancers, Sifiso Khumalo, Tshediso Kabulu, Sifiso Majola, Jabu Siphika, Julia Wilson and Thobi Maphanga. 

The first work on the programme is “Ngichaze/Define Me” is a poetic and lyrical work created by guest choreographer Sifiso Kweyama. “Kweyama has made numerous dance works on Flatfoot these past 10 years, works that have travelled with Flatfoot all over the world including Cameroon and Holland, and so it felt right to invite him back to make this special piece of dance theatre for our 10th anniversary”. Says Loots;  Kweyama, though a Durbanite, is now working with Johannesburg based Moving Into Dance Mophatong (MIDM) and so this is also a long time celebration of Flatfoot’s working relationship and friendship with MIDM. 

Kweyama’s work, “Ngichaze/Define Me”, sees the six Flatfoot dancers confront themselves in a deeply emotional work that looks into how society defines us. Kweyama’s much praised African contemporary style is fused with a lyrical poeticism that Flatfoot is often known for. Kweyama’s ability to weave together dancing stories and his reputation for being a “dancer’s choreographer” is again realised in a work that both challenges the dancers but which will also delight and enchant audiences. 

The second half offers Loots’s newest dance theatre collaboration with spoken word poet Ian “Ewok” Robinson. Poetically titled “Last Thoughts” like the season itself, this work is a type of zeitgeist moment of memory, history and future for both Flatfoot but also for all those involved in the work. Alongside the six resident Flatfoot dancers, this collaboration also features two of Durban (and South Africa’s) best breakdancers, Preston “Kayzo” Kyd and Byrone “Bizzo” Tifflin, both of whom have also done numerous collaborations with Flatfoot over the past 10 years.  Seamlessly fusing the BBoyz style of breaking with the lyrical flow and energy of Flatfoot’s inimitable style, Loots’s “Last Thoughts” is a type of Hip-Hop opera that takes time to honour the legacy of ambient influences like Allen Ginsberg, Bob Dylan, and most importantly a long time working relationship with “Ewok”.

Loots’s award winning style of creating layered dance theatre also sees her continue her long time collaboration also with Durban filmmaker Karen Logan, who has created soulful video installations that give “Last Thoughts” an edgy feel and look. 

Referencing Ginsburg’s 1954 poem “Song” and his call to “return to the body where I was born”, Loots’s “Last Thoughts” is, finally her own unfailing belief in the dancing body as the only political truth that we can ever know. As she says, ““Last Thoughts” might seem like a rather dark title for a 10 year celebration but it echoes all sorts of recollections around personal and political rights and re-membering; and for me this is the missing governance and silent voice of our age”.

Flatfoot’s 10th anniversary season, “LAST THOUGHTS” runs from 13 to 16 March with shows at 7.30pm and on Sunday 17 March with a matinee at 3pm.Tickets cost R80 with discount for pensioners and students at R60.  Opening night, 13 March, is a special gala fundraiser with champagne and birthday cake after the show. Tickets for this gala cost R150 and all money raised will go towards supporting the dance education and development work being done by Flatfoot in Umlazi, KwaMashu, Newlands East, and Tugela Mouth.  Booking is through Computicket.

“Last Thoughts” is a proudly Durban celebration of the transformative power of dance, dance education and development and of Flatfoot Dance Company who have spent 10 long years creatively re-shaping their home city of Durban – not to be missed!

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CHANGE OF DATE - NLDTF Arts and Culture Presentation to the Film Sector at the Centre for Creative Arts, UKZN

Please note change of date for this.​

The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund advertised their call for applications for Arts, Culture and Heritage on 03 February 2013 with the closing date being Friday 12 April 2013.  The Arts, Culture and Heritage division wishes to make equitable distribution across the sectors that fall under their mandate.  Over the years that NLDTF has been in existence, the film sector has been an industry that does not seem to be aware of NLDTF funding.   NLDTF wishes to make a presentation to the sector and make them aware of the trust’s mandate as well as compliance requirements. 

The presentation details will be as follows:

Date: Friday 15 March 2013

Time: 09:00 – 12:00

Venue: Centre for Creative Arts Boardroom, Mazisi Kunene Ave, University of KwaZulu Natal

Contact: 031-2602506

All questions around NLDTF within the sector funding will be handled during the session. 

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AFDA Alumni and Students Shine with 24 Nominations at 2013 SAFTA Awards

AFDA (The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance) alumni and students have been nominated for a total of 24 awards in the 2013 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA).

The annual SAFTA awards, which takes place on March 15 and 16, is the premier film and television industry awards under the custodianship of the National Film and Video Foundation. The award's main objectives is to honour, celebrate and promote the creativity, quality and excellence of South African film and television talent, and encourage entrepreneurship and the development of new talent in the industry.

“We are hugely proud that 20 of our graduates or alumni have been nominated in various categories, three of our current students have been nominated in the three student categories and one student has been nominated in a professional category.” says a delighted Garth Holmes, Chairman of AFDA.

The Alumni nominations include:

Amanda Lane for Best Director of a TV drama series - 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls, 

Richard Lukunku for Best Actor in TV drama series for his role as Phaka in Mshika Shika, 

Xolile Tshabalalala for Best Actress in TV drama series for her role Noma in 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls.  

Brent Quinn (who is AFDA’s Head of the Film in Johannesburg) for Best Writing team of a TV drama series for Soul City, 

Tom Marais for Best DOP / Cinematographer of a TV drama series for Soul City, 

Quinn Lubbe  and C.A. Van Aswegen for Best Editor of a TV drama series– Hartland, 

Gerrida Venter for Best Production Design of a drama series for 90 Plein Street, 

Marna Heunis for 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls and Larissa Peters for Zone14.

Leroy Gopal for Best Actor in TV comedy Ses’Top La, 

Best Ensemble in TV comedy – Ses ‘Top La – Black Brain Pictures cc (Luke Rous, Tumi Masemola, Owen Swanson and Mandla Ndimande), 

Greg Heimann and Koen Kriel for Best DOP/Cinematographer of TV soap – The Wild, 

Thomas Gumede for Best Actor in a feature film - Otelo Burning, 

Trevor Calverley for Best Cinematographer of a feature film - Material, 

Jackie Lotz for Best Production of a feature film – Zama Zama, and 

Mia Zwiegers for Best Costume Designer in Zama Zama.

AFDAs 3rd and 4th year crew have also been nominated for best student films these include:

Miklas Manneke, (whose film Kanye Kanye is also up for a student Oscar), Jade Galbraith - AFDA Johannesburg for E-lectricity, 

Rudi Steyn, Martina Della Togna, Gianfranco Human (who is Dean of the new AFDA school in Durban), Sarah Muhoho – AFDA Cape Town for Lyfstraf, and 

Etienne Fourie, Robyn Oetle – AFDA Cape Town for Die Windpomp.

“This brings the AFDA student film nomination tally to 19 out of a possible 21 nominations over the past seven years, which AFDA has won five out of a possible seven times.” says Holmes. “We are all delighted that our student Kyle Stevenson (AFDA Cape Town) has been nominated for Best Short Film in the professional category for There Are No Heroes, a remarkable accolade for this young film-maker. We wish them all well and look forward to the Awards.”

For more information about AFDA contact Mandy Day on 021 448 7600 or mandy@afda.co.za or go on www.afda.co.za.

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AFDA Durban (The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance) to host Open Day

AFDA Durban (The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and live Performance) to host Open Day

AFDA (The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance) Durban will host an Open Day on Saturday, 2 March from 10am to 12noon.

This is the third AFDA campus to open in South Africa and was officially opened  by Mayor of eThekwini Cllr James Nxumalo on February 11 with an enrolment of 63 students. 

The AFDA Durban Campus is situated in Glen Anil, Durban North, and boasts a strong line up academic staff drawn from the film and live performance industries. Franco Human, an experienced producer and film maker, is Dean, with film-maker Richard Green Head of the Film School, director, actor and playwright Rajesh Gopie, Head of the Live Performance School, and scriptwriter and film-maker Janet van Eeden, as production course administrator and script writing lecturer. 

At the open day students will be shown around the warship-themed campus, given introductions to the curriculum and course work and on how to apply and there will be a chance to discuss potential job opportunities and career options in entertainment.  There will also be an opportunity to view students’ films and to meet and chat to current and past students.

Prospective students can contact Durban-based Marketing Officer, Milena Gevers for more information on milenag@afda.co.za or call 031 569 2252. For more info about the school go to www.afda.co.za

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