afropolitanexplosiv, Author at Afropolitan Explosiv

When Tunzi, Noah and Kolisi become the Yardstick for Black Success

Following the advent of Nelson Mandela as the first democratically elected president of the Republic of South Africa—not Azania—in 1994, something has dramatically changed in the character of the youth,

African Intellectuals Celebrated through Music

After a highly successful showcase in KwaZulu-Natal, the Early African Intellectuals as Composers of Music project ignited the Cape during Heritage Month (September 2019). The project a historical undertaking seeking

Utalagu Exhibition by Durban Artists Amasosha

THE refreshing collective of nearly twenty artist from KwaZulu-Natal known as Amasosha Art Movement presents an exhibition titled ‘Utalagu’ on the 29th of November 2019. The Exhibition takes place at

Kuhutshwe Ngeziginxi Nezimfijoli

Ngomhlaka 14 September 2019, uhlelo i-Artist Talk Series luphinde laqoshwa futhi khona e-Newcastle (KZN), endaweni yokunandisa i-Exclusive Baywash Lounge. Loluhlelo lethulwe i-Afropolitan Explosiv, inkampani edidiyelwa u-Dktl Thokozani Mhlambi, ongumqambi wamaculo

Pan-Africanism & Technology

Technologically Savvy Communication For the past six years Afropolitan Explosiv has created artistic events that bring change to emergent communities of African people who find themselves confronted with new challenges

An Early Music Revival: African Intellectuals as Composers

As early as the 19th century, Africa already had intellectuals who also excelled as composers of music. They took what was a western education and music training and made something

Creating Our Own Myths: A Public Conversation

“When the colonised intellectual writing for his people uses history, he must do so with the intention of opening up the future.” Dr Thokozani Mhlambi opened the conversation by quoting

Reflecting on the Kasi Movie Showcase

My name is Linda Sydney Zwane and let me just share with you my experience of the Kasi Movie Showcase, a traveling film festival hosted by Afropolitan Explosiv: I’d like

Exhibition puts Spotlight on Lobola

Gerald Machona, artist, thinker and DJ, is a fascinating creative generator: manly in his avowel of lobola tradition, gentle in his love for pretty things like flowers and decorated vases,

Sabelo Mlangeni Exhibition on Zion Churches shows in Johannesburg

Growing up, our mother would, on certain occasions, remind us to be home earlier than usual from our childish escapades so that she would not be late ko moletelong. Moletelo or

The Intellectual Practice of Mazisi Kunene & African Languages in the Future

Few today can imagine that when Shakespeare was writing in English during his time, it was not fashionable to do so. During the 1500s educated English people wrote and read

Guitar, Jazz & Spirit in the Creative Imagination of Sibusile Xaba

“The more you realize what your work is on earth, the more you are in tune with nature…” These are some of the pearls that musician and guitarist Sibusile Xaba

Highlights from the Pan African Arts Festival 2018

In celebration of Africa Month, Afropolitan Explosiv announced a call for contributions for its first annual Pan African Arts Festival. Artists submitted across different creative disciplines, including, Music, Poetry, and

Music & the African Archive

Afropolitan Explosiv’s Creative Director, Dr Thokozani Mhlambi, reflects on the ‘Music and the African Archive’ event, which took place in Cape Town in August. On the 22nd of August, a

Ukuthwebula and the Photographic Image

Kholeka Shange discusses the tradition of photography in relation to local ways of knowing in isiZulu. The nexus between photography and ukuthakatha is power. In isiZulu, the term “ukuthwebula” has

Film Culture in KZN gets a Boost

Nanu Mabaso writes for us about film culture in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This is following the shooting of a new movie, called Uncovered, which was shot in Newcastle. by Nanu

#TotalShutDown In Madadeni, KZN & Womxn’s Activism Today

Afropolitan Explosiv joined South Africans, as they marched along the streets on the 1st of August 2018, as part of Women’s Month. A campaign called #TotalShutDown, womxn are saying no

Buhari Wins War on Corruption? Stolen Money in Nigeria

Well it seems like President Buhari of Nigeria is really doing it. He is winning the war against corruption in the West African country. The Nigerian government, through the Economic

Africa: Why Sound Matters?

In many African societies without written records, sound, whether through oral poetry, storytelling and music performance are ways in which we store the past—they are ways in which we remember.

Building Africa-centred Business Models

I believe that what we need is isivivane—an old African tradition which obligated every traveller passing a certain spot to add his or her stone to a pile of stones.

What I Learned from My 600 Pound Life: Enablers & the Enabled

For weeks, I have been watching the reality-tv show called My 600 pound Life. I’ve been fascinated by the stories of overweight people participating on the show. At first I

Discourse on Umona #1: Notes for Climbing the Top

Ukuncoma omunye umuntu, nokufisela omunye umuntu inhlanhla does not take anything away from you. It does not mean uzokuhlula. It does not mean they will have more money than you.

Leading the Future Public Sector

“One of the things I think I can bring to the Presidency is to make government & public sector cool again” Barack Obama Today’s public sector leaders face critical challenges

Africa R&D: Are we Consumers or Innovators?

Research and Development (R&D) is a word often used by governments and research agencies, but really it is a business phrase, rather than an academic one. In South Africa, for

Reflections on Race from a Global Perspective

A meditation on the difficult issues of race and racism. by Dr Litheko Modisane Author of award-winning Renegade Reels: The Making & Public Lives of Black-centred Films Is it not

Community, Protest and the New African Today!

Nothing beats community. Every good business or creative idea has as its lifeblood the communities whom it must serve. The passion to change our communities is not only for NGOs

Equal Opportunity: On the question of Language

“The education struggle was firstly a matter of trying to bridge the language gap and then trying to bridge the content gap,” writes Khaya S Sithole , Chartered Accountant &

Iziyendane: Early Afrikan Scientists

Iziyendane, abagayi bensimbi. Kulenyanga lapho sibungaza ezamasiko nezomdabu ngicabanga ukuthi kubalulekile sike setshise lokhu: Ingabe ubAfrika bugcina ngemvunulo nendlamu na? Cha. Akulona iqiniso leli. Kodwa imvasa sizithola sesigxila kulezizinto kakhulu

Accessing the Power of Commitment

Commitment is to say something, or do something no matter what. Commitment builds character, because it allows your life to be driven by connections rather than feelings. When you’re not

Leading Today for Tomorrow: a lesson from Shaka

The main challenge we face as leaders is that we remain in-tune with the pulse of the communities we serve. We therefore must not build ourselves fortresses on the high

Internships: Career Advancement or Exploitation?

I never understood why internships don’t pay or pay too little. Until I was an intern and later had my own intern(s) to mentor that I realized why this is

Building Legacies: How Passion meets Skill & Talent

Delani Mthembu Facilitator | Dynamic Leader | Reverend Managing Director of Landelahni Leadership Development Life is by nature an art and a science influenced by intuition, relationships and the mastery

Universities in Crisis: Why Minister should do Nothing about it

Our universities are in crisis – here’s why Minister Blade Nzimande should do absolutely nothing about it. 20 years ago, Marguerite Poland began her seminal work – Shades –

Kanye West & Kirk Franklin Collaborate: Losing Religion?

Gospel singer Kirk Franklin, whose latest album Losing My Religion was released in November 2015 in South Africa, has been criticized for collaborating with Kanye West in his new album,

Beyoncé and the New Black Feminism

Queen Bee has done it again! She dropped a surprise new single, called “Formation,” last week, a day before her American Superbowl performance. The song has already received over 20

Jaded Comrades/ Ineffective Citizen : communities beyond our present state

For two days we had no running water. I had lived in my community of Madadeni for 6 months now. I knew some of the guys on the street, and

12 Plagues from Mandela’s Economic Legacy

In his 2005 book and a more recent article, former official in the Presidency in South Africa and now academic Alan Hirsch justifies neoliberal compromises on the grounds that the

Post-colonial Teething Problems

I’m generally individualistic, however I’m not oblivious to our political engagements or predicaments. Being non affiliated to a party, I’m happy that I can become one of the so called

Citizen-Comrade: An Open Letter to the People

Citizen-Comrade: a term made up, recognizes a dual imperative: Comrade recalls a shared past, and the brotherhood we formed in defying the oppression of apartheid. Citizen recognizes the new role

Purpose is Revealed in your Struggle

Your life’s purpose is revealed in your struggle. The areas that have presented the greatest of challenges in your life are the areas where your life’s purpose lies. Just like

What is the University for?

This is a question asked by Prof. Premesh Lalu, as he challenges us to look at universities as spaces for inventing the unprecedented, by fashioning communities that are open to

4 Character Traits Every Leader Must Have

The following characteristics are observable in some of the world’s most dynamic leaders of our time, our hope is that you would grow in the leadership role that has been

5 Things Branding and Marketing Won’t Do For Your Business

Any branding and marketing exercise must stand on the back of good solid innovation in the product that is being sold. The time invested in the process of discovery, research

iStokvel: Where do they come from?

Stokvels are an investment instrument born and bred in the township. The earliest cases of the stokvel-kind of association are from the 1910s in the gold mines of Johannesburg. The

Future Generations, Conflicted Pasts

When old friends resolve their differences and restore their relationship, reconciliation has occurred. Once this has happened they do not go back and count one anothers’ faults and weaknesses.

Towards a Creative Economy

The Creative Spirit looms large over all African ways of life! But as soon as we speak of “growth”, we go back to the same old European formulas of industrialization.

Why Women Earn less than Men

The South African gender pay gap is estimated, on average, to be between 15%-17%. This implies that a South African woman would need to work two months more than a

TV is on the Decline

According to Bloomberg, “Ignited by a plunge in Walt Disney Co., shares tracked by the 15-company S&P 500 Media Index have tumbled 8.2 percent in two days, the biggest slump

I’ve had enough of the Kardashians!

How many people do you know that would agree with the following statement? “I’ve had enough of the Kardashians…I’m sick of this family! (They’re) a non-story!” I believe most of us, including

Posts by: afropolitanexplosiv

Follow Us on Social Media

Recent Posts