Flagship projects
2019
Early African Intellectuals as Composers of Music project
The project was 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 journey that has been travelled by compositions of the past while finding a place for them to be recognized and enjoyed in contemporary Africa. The project unfolded through a rich combination of intellectualism and creativity, kicking-off with Panel Discussions, which took place at the Urban Futures Centre for the KwaZulu-Natal component and at the Kitchen, in Woodstock for the Western Cape component. Panel Discussions were then followed by Exhibition Concerts, which took place at the Killie Campbell African Library in KwaZulu-Natal and at the College of Music, at UCT.
The cast for the performance included students from UKZN’s opera school and UCT music department, plus special guest features of leading musicians South African musicians.
Partners: Luthuli Museum, Killie Campbell Africana Library (UKZN), Urban Futures Centre (DUT), The Kitchen Eatery, Archive & Public Culture (UCT).
2019
Goethe-Institut (German Funding Agency)
November 2018 – April 2019, Project to co-ordinate 6X Artistic Events in Amajuba District.
Partners: Luthuli Museum, Killie Campbell Africana Library (UKZN), Urban Futures Centre (DUT), The Kitchen Eatery, Archive & Public Culture (UCT).
2018
Showcasing Creative Entrepreneurs in KwaZulu-Natal
2017
World Premier of Isililo Esamboza Umhlaba
A tone poem for female voice, saxophone, violin, viola and double bass, performed by members of the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, in Durban, September 2017. ‘Isililo’ is a national lament, usually following bereavement. In this extract, it is King Shaka who has lost his mother, Nandi. While in great gloom, Shaka sleeps and Nandi visits him in his dream. World Premier of “Isililo Esamboza Umhlaba” a Tone Poem set for 5 musicians, September 2017. Based on extract from epic poem, uNodumehlezi kaMenzi (Emperor Shaka the Great) by Masizi Kunene, UNESCO Africa Poet Laureate.
Marco Marazzi (Italy): viola Simon Milliken (United Kingdom): double bass Roberto Palma (Italy): violin Maxine Matthews (S Africa): saxophone Nobuntu Mqulwana (S Africa): female voice.
2017
Kasi Movie Showcase
This was a national project, about taking film screenings to communities in different parts of Mpumalanga, KZN and Free State.
Local Government Partners: Dr Pixley ka Seme Municipality, Thabo Mofutsanyane Municipality, Amajuba District Municipality.
2016
KZN International Festival for Black-centred Film
This was film festival spearhead and implemented by Afropolitan Explosiv, which took place in Amajuba district. We managed to get the Newcastle Local Municipality’s Tourism Office to get involved in the project. This gave us access to the youth film-makers and community leaders. We were then also able to solicit the funding of the KZN Film Commission, a provincial agency for promoting film in the region.
The cast for the performance included students from UKZN’s opera school and UCT music department, plus special guest features of leading musicians South African musicians.
Local Government Partners: Local Government Partners: Newcastle Municipality, Emadlangeni Municipality.