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, especially from the black community. Now that the world is their oyster, they are told they can be anything they want to be. Or so …
When Tunzi, Noah and Kolisi become the Yardstick for Black Success Read More »
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 to ‘wake up’ the African to their ancient music composition and intellectual excellence; as well as raise awareness of and educate about the birth and …
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 their new home Ikomkhulu Art Space, situated in Durban’s creative hub of Morningside. Amasosha, literally meaning ‘soldier’ in isiZulu, is a term the artists use …
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 kanye nomdlali we-Cello odabuka khona la e-Newcastle. I-Afropolitan Explosiv ibibambisene noMnyango wezaMasiko nobuCiko khona la KwaZulu-Natal. Kulohlelo, yilapho khona u-Dktl Mhlambi kanye nethimba lakhe besethulela …
by Thokozani Mhlambi We have lot of artist-as-loner myths, that seem to imply that the best art is one in which the artist places themselves in isolation, only to emerge after sometime with a masterful musical score or canvass. But that is not the case in the real world. As a classically-trained musician who finds …
Discovering the value of Creative Collaborations Read More »
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 post-liberation in South Africa. But since 2015 we have placed a great deal of emphasis in using technology as a means of fostering this interaction, …
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 of their own. The Early African Intellectuals as Composers of Music project puts a spotlight on this cultural renaissance. Tiyo Soga, who was the first …
An Early Music Revival: African Intellectuals as Composers Read More »
“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 these immortal words by Frantz Fanon. This was at a gathering of cultural innovators that was held at the KZNSA Gallery in Durban, South Africa …
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 to first of start-off by saying that I came into this experience as an AFDA graduate who obtained a BA degree in Motion picture, here …
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, which are some of the artefacts of his latest exhibition. The work, titled Greener Pastures, is a biographical sketch of the experience of being home …
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 umlindelo directly translates to ‘ waiting’, and this waiting occurs when members of a congregation meet at a common place of worship to ‘wait’ in expectance. …
Sabelo Mlangeni Exhibition on Zion Churches shows in Johannesburg Read More »
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 Latin. French was used for legal matters, while Latin was used to write science, philosophy and theology. That is what they learnt. They did not …
The Intellectual Practice of Mazisi Kunene & African Languages in the Future Read More »
“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 shared with the audience. In April 2018, Afropolitan Explosiv hosted Xaba for an Artist Talk Session with members of the KZN creative community. This included …
Guitar, Jazz & Spirit in the Creative Imagination of Sibusile Xaba Read More »
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 Visual art. The festival took place on the 18thof May 2018, at The Creative Hub operated by Afropolitan Explosiv Media, which is located at the …
Highlights from the Pan African Arts Festival 2018 Read More »
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 seminar took place at the South African College of Music, University of Cape Town. Convened by the Black Archives & Intellectual Histories Seminar Series, a …
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 multiple meanings. Amongst isiZulu speakers, this expression refers to a ritual where umthakathi (a noun that has meanings that go beyond witchcraft) uses umlingo to …
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 Mabaso “What a time to be alive in Africa!” I often wondered how it feels like to say this. I must admit, it came to …
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 to gender violence. Singer and womxn/LGBT+ sensation Thandiswa Mazwai, announced the program for the campaign on her Instagram: Marches were held in Pretoria, Newcastle, Cape …
#TotalShutDown In Madadeni, KZN & Womxn’s Activism Today Read More »
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 and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been granted permission by the federal high court in Lagos to forfeit funds held by the former petroleum minister, …
Buhari Wins War on Corruption? Stolen Money in Nigeria Read More »
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. There are forever infrastructures to build, houses to clean, power grids to be put in place; but man does not live on this alone. We …
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. In doing so, every traveller became a part of isivivane with solidarity, common purpose and identification with a good cause. The tradition of isivivane originated …
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 couldn’t understand why. How does a person get this big? And these people, who are hardly obese, surrounding them and that live with them: Why …
What I Learned from My 600 Pound Life: Enablers & the Enabled Read More »
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. You can stay on your lane. Do you. Ukuncoma omunye umuntu does not mean uyazincengela. Yebo impela une-pride, but ukuncoma omunye umuntu is to be …
Discourse on Umona #1: Notes for Climbing the Top Read More »
“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 such as moral regeneration, building a sense of unity in diversity, principled and value based politics, a commitment to national imperatives, and responsibility for a …
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 example, the National Research Foundation has set as its target: R&D can be defined as those activities a business may involve itself in without any …
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 disturbing that blackness as a state of being is perpetually on the run? It is forever suspended between captivity and freedom – yes both in …
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 and development agencies. You have an obligation to your community, a “what can I do?” A “what can I bring that is of value?” Only …
“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 & Speaker. Orignally from Empangeni (KZN), Khaya now lives in Johannesburg. He is also a motivator of rural communities and youth to pursue accounting as a …
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 ngenxa yokweswela ulwazi. Eqinisweni asizange thina njengamAfrika sizihluphe emvakokuba sesithole inkululeko ngo 1994, ukuthi sike sibheke kabanzi indaba yemvelaphi yethu. Uma uthi uyabheka ucwaningo ngemvelaphi …
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 committed, the moment you get upset, you’re out of the door. Why? Because you have never felt obligated in that relationship, your involvement was purely …
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 mountains that make us inaccessible. We must not seek praise all the time. Instead we have to have the courage to make unpopular decisions today. …
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 the case. The fact is, when you are a fresh graduate entering the work place, you have little to no exposure that is practical to …
Internships: Career Advancement or Exploitation? Read More »
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 of socio-political context. The rise and fall of a professional is dependent on the ability to dance with a diversity of emotions, relationships and connections. …
Building Legacies: How Passion meets Skill & Talent Read More »
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 – with the following words: “There is an odd sense of predestination. It is strange how strongly I feel it. But I shall leave before it …
Universities in Crisis: Why Minister should do Nothing about it Read More »
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, The Life of Pablo. The Life of Pablo was previewed early in February on livestream on Tidal, with over 20 million viewers. The album has …
Kanye West & Kirk Franklin Collaborate: Losing Religion? Read More »
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 million views on youtube. And has gotten music fans talkin’ politics again. The video for ‘Formation’ depicts visuals from Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it …
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 waved at a few neighbours passing by. I certainly knew all the curious kids. My assumption was that everyone would say if something strange was …
Jaded Comrades/ Ineffective Citizen : communities beyond our present state Read More »
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 new government was “constrained by concerns for economic stability”. Yet weren’t government’s deals the main cause of subsequent economic instability, including the half-dozen currency crashes …
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 ‘analysts’ that I also tend to despise. I’m not convinced that our voting system for a party as opposed to a constituency is most preferable. …
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 we now play, as no longer victims of an external force, but as human beings with certain responsibilities. The burden of responsibility is simply not …
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 a match, when it hits a rock it ignites to produce light, your actions to overcome these challenges are the match, your soul is the …
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 the future. Prof. Premesh Lalu, Director Centre for Humanities Research University of Western Cape Something, I believe, needs to be said about the appropriation of …
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 laid up for you. And that your confidence in the key messages of Afropolitan Explosiv may give you the courage to step up in this …
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 and tweaking of product builds strong brands, that can be resilient even in the face of the toughest competition. Branding and Marketing Won’t: Cut-Short the …
5 Things Branding and Marketing Won’t Do For Your Business Read More »
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 success of the stokvel movement is largely undocumented. It is indeed a story of our history we have yet told. A story of social bonds, …
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. They cease to describe their world, which they must both co-habit by reasons of history, using the same short-hand formulas they once used to refer …
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. Art, Creativity then becomes merely entertainment, fitted with the power to provide a ‘magical’ escape. Serious business, being in the office or factory, is what …
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 man to earn the equivalent salary that he would earn in a year. If the gap persists, a South African woman would never catch up …
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 for the group since 2008…In just five stocks — Disney, Time Warner Inc., Fox, CBS and Comcast Corp. — almost $50 billion of value was …
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 myself, would shout “amen” at the top of their lungs like it’s a Sunday in the South if we heard someone in the media utter those words. …