Is South Afria hired out to host world cup?

World On Press

Ian Jindela
It all begun with the announcement of South Africa to host the World cup. The joy fell upon Africa. It captured world attention. The excitement went far as in Gautrain, Soccer city, road construction and with newly build hotels. The call made by FIFA president - Sir Blatter couldn’t resist South Africans. It was a celebration with triumphant ambiance; the world looked upon Africa as swarm. The 2010 as a number became a buzz word to all, even the poor of the poorest overflows with exhilaration. It is now and the world is upon us. Major security measures have been done and dealt with.
A young football fan from a rural disadvantage background whom his dream is to experience live soccer match stadium along other soccer fans, can only dream as FIFA announced the ticketing system. The system that needs educated background to follow - In the village near by there is not even a clinic or safe water to drink. Let alone the bank to apply for the soccer game tickets. His dreams are shuttered. Not even an underground mine worker can access the ticketing system, as it is for the literate ones. His only hope is the SABC broadcast of all channels both TV and Radio.
Meanwhile the resent 9 city and 10 stadiums media tour is a proof that South Africa is ready to host the world class soccer tournament, not forgetting the unfinished mess of road construction. Today the same host country will also host an inaugural FIFA World Cup™ Kick-Off Celebration Concert in June in the township of Soweto. The performance line up has at the moment been dominated by European and American artists. One wonders if this world cup is really in Africa. Mother Africa must be in tears were she is now. What happened to the host country’s dream and passion to partake in the world sporting event? Not only that Soweto is a township and the tickets start from R400 to R1.500. The concert will be produced and organized by a Eurocentric American company. Do we lack homegrown world class producers and organizers for such events? Our country is rich of crafted first class talent and musicians. We hold Grammy award winners and nominees to date. We have managed to host other world class events. During the inaugural of President Obama not a single South African artist participated.
2010 volunteers training held recently held at Sandton Convention Centre whilst the taxi operation decided to go on strike, LOC expected volunteers to pitch for the training that took more than six hours. They came in numbers expecting to be fully catered and taken care. Most of the volunteers who attended were from poor backgrounds. On arrival the food pack which includes 250 ml juice, apple, small packet of peanut, snack simba chips and a dry roll was the order of the day. One could see that the hunger was all over during the training. The volunteers could only survive by water points at the venue entrance. Thanks to the LOC for their hospitality.
This 2010 is no more the dream it’s a reality. I have been on many FIFA and OC related occasions with their five star treatment meals. Our volunteer gets shocking hospitality and expected to smile and welcome visitors at all the time during the world cup tournament. Is our precious South Africa hired out to host the world cup?
Tata Mandela must be in tears with all of these Eurocentric yet American moves in our motherland.
Africa deserves better. They tried to discourage and shake the countries readiness with their fault bomb scare and blaming poor marketing strategy towards the World Cup. What happened to the excitement brought by the Mandela’s? Free Africa for all. Our African legacy has fallen apart. The struggle is not over. Is South Africa worth in making its own decisions to host and organize the event? Are we going to allow the visitor to take control of our house? It is our ball and it is on our shores. What happened to our president’s spirit of “working together we can do more?” How much is to be done before we realize this was not our tournament we were just hired because of the great facilities Africa has. I am a prisoner in my country, set me free. Yes you can! My words are through, my experience since the announcement of the host country for 2010 world cup have been all but nothing for us and about us. Are we free yet? It’s a shame…We have been taken for a long ride. This is a message to the world and awake up call to African son.

Young Botsana takes 2010 Dance Umbrella by storm...

World On Press


Ian Jindela
Picture by John Hogg

Against all odds young Johnny Botsane is determined to make waves in 2010. Young and energetic Botsane hails from Free State and believes nothing can stop him from reaching high. Young Botsane has just return from Europe performing at the world economic Forum alongside our South African songstress KB.

A contemporary dancer and choreographer, Johnny Botsane recently performed his toil titled “My Place” at the recent stepping stone dance umbrella, held at Wits university Arts hall in Johannesburg. My Place is a production comprises of 6 dancers from Sasol in Free State, ZAPAC Dance Company. It is a contemporary dance piece about Africa created by Young Botsane. Young Botsane is inspired by his dream of a young girl who was lost and later finds a place. The production celebrates human body by depicting wild physical movements. A world class calabash of African contemporary fusion mixed with soulful movements. It is a dream about young girl lost and shattered with no hope met with a young boy and led her home. Back to her roots in Africa were she belongs. A celebration ceremony is held to honour and welcome her back. The production in its sense also celebrates the come back of our African hero’s from exile. It also connects prodigal sons and daughters back to motherland Africa. Dancers with their unique and wild moves, depict the story in a very exceptional technique. During the making of the production young Botsane connected with the cast so they can deliver such enormity recital. This is shown throughout the performance. My Place kept the Dance Umbrella audience wowed and the choreographer was humbled by the audience response as the production was against the dance giants like Moving into Dance Company and Eastern Cape trio.

FNB 2010 dance umbrella this year celebrated 20 years of contemporary choreography and dance with performances and work by Nelisiwe Xaba, Boysie Cekwana, Andile Sotiya, Vincent Mantsoe, Dada Masilo, Steven Cohen, and Elu, Alfred Hinkel, and Athena MaMazarakis. Artistic director and Choreographer Gregory Vuyani Maqoma believe dance umbrella will remain an important platform for creators and dancers for another 20 years. It has grown from being a South African premiere that focuses on dance development and has become a platform for achieving international arena for the artists and the rest of the continent.

Camagwini in association with Kwathole Inc

World On Press


Performance and appearance call
Artist overview

Kwathole productions present to you the ethno afro soul princess of World Music. Camagwini pictured here has just come back from her world tour with brand new offering titled Emandulo “ancient days”. The album has received two nominees at this year’s South African Music Awards, best female and best African contemporary album. During her world tour she has share stages with the likes of Angelique Kidjo, Puff Johnson, Tania Maris, Asa, Busi Mhlongo and Hugh Masekela. Around the world and in South Africa her vibrant live yet soulful performance has been astonishing. Her stage presence is unforgettable with a taste of African Cinderella. Her performances and music videos portray a seasoned traditional healer, usually decorated with colourful beads, a long beaded pipe, luscious dreadlocks with bald hairstyle, a painted face and no shoes on her feet. Each and every colour in her image has a significant meaning. Camagwini is rich in culture and proudly African.

Camagwni born in South Africa, Eastern Cape at the birth province of Nelson Mandela, is an afro soul Nubian songstress and composer. The name Camagwini reflects Africans’ connection with spiritual divine intervention and ancestral worship. Her real name is Siphokazi Buti. She obtained the name because of her ancestral calling as a young spiritual singer. Camagwini is a breath of fresh air in the South African music scene. Camagwini’s song writing skills portray her as an orator and a culturally relevant young artist whose compositions show an uncompromising attitude and conviction to her Xhosa and true African heritage. Camagwini writes and brags about African beauty of the soul and shades of blackness, and who finds solace in African (s)heroism and black pride whilst challenging those who lack rhythm in their black souls, poses serious introspection to skeptical musicologists who thought new age song writing lacked depth and inspiration.


Camagwini’s music influence and her comfort in soulful interpretations of Afro-traditional comes from observing, participating and interpreting Xhosa folklore songs performed by elderly women of her village in the rural Eastern Cape and transported by migrant workers to the city of Port Elizabeth where she grew up in the township of New Brighton with her grand mother. The music of Camagwini is described as World Music.


The Album Emandulo “Ancient Days” is taking South African fans and festivals by storm. Her music interprets past and present of South African road to freedom. It also celebrates the comeback of our African leaders from exile. The album is an Afro-soul dish spiced with various elements from the world’s leading musical ingredients, i.e. soul, Afro-jazz, classical, Maskandi, Xhosa traditional and even Indian Bangra music: it is a fusion of everything beautiful about sound. Recorded in South Africa and featured Pops Mohamed,Kunle from Nigeria, Black Coffee and Imithente. It appeal to young and old and is beautiful crafted with a unique artistic direction. The humble ethno soul songstress is willing to spread her wings and fly again this year.


for bookings contact:

Ian Thanduxolo Jindela
Publicity and artist bookings
South African
+27 738447848
kwathole@gmail.com
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