National Arts Festival takes Football route

World On Press
Ian Jindela

The 36th annual Grahamstown National Arts Festival kicks off in Football style. Minster of Arts and Culture Ms. Lulu Xingwana officially declared the Grahamstown National Arts festival open, at the prestigious ceremony held in Grahamstown Settlers Monument on June 20. The minister also handed over the hand crafted soccer ball with colorful Ndebele beads to the festiva in support of the rural development projects. Minister Xingwana, Eastern Cape Premier Nomvula Kiviet and the festival Chairman blow their Vuvuzelas in support of Bafana Bafana during the opening ceremony.

Take a U turn to the Eastern Cape and experience live entertainment- whilst zooming out from the soccer fever. This year’s G’town fest runs until July 04 and promises to be the great and with the heavy line up of craft, music, comedy drama, theatre, jazz and exhibitions to keep festival goers warm this winter. National Arts Festival takes Football route. Football Football on its world premiere a multi-country co-production which uses dance, theatre, video, music and digital technology to celebrate the art of football, (pictured above). The Football Diaries- a one man show that gives an insight into an athlete’s experience of space, time and emotion. In celebrating soccer in Africa, the street theatre will host the Giant Match.

Still celebrating the World Cup, Sibikwa Dance and Music Company have a lineup of colorful 48 cast members of dance, music and drama productions spiced with the sounds of Mozambique. Sibikwa offers proudly South African experience in music, dance and drama. Visitors can also experience traditional food tasting. Shows opens from 20 to 23 June at the Recreation centre the home of Sibikwa at Grahamstown. The Johannesburg east based Sibikwa last night took the G'town Festival by storm with their contemporary dance production “ The Eye of the Storm” from the cast the cast young devoted Thapelo Kotlolo from east of Johannesburg who is at the G’town festival for the first time described his performance as exciting extra ordinary and a festival for all. Grahamstown National Arts festival has a lot to offer in colorful African melting pot of arts. Visit www.nationalartsfestival.co.za for more information.

African Urban Zulu songstress dies.

World On Press


Ian Jindela



Busi Mhlongo on Wednesday 15 June succumbed to her brave battle with cancer. South Africa woke up with the sad news of passing on of the great Diva and songstress Busi Mhlongo. Busi had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment when died on 15 June 2010. She died at King Shaka Hospital in KwaZulu Natal. In just few days after the death of Nelson Mandela’s 13 year old great granddaughter Zenani Mandela who was in a car accident with Winnie Madikizela Mandela on their way to the FIFA Kick of Concert held in Soweto on the 10 of June.

Busi Mhlongo an icon and a mother to young musicians will be remembered for her endless love of music and powerful voice. Busi Mhlongo, born in October 28, 1947 died June 15 2010, born as Victoria Busisiwe Mhlongo, was originally from Inanda in Natal, South Africa; Busi Mhlongo was a virtuoso singer, dancer and composer whose music defies categorization. Her music seen on her face and dance moves captured all. Drawing on various South African styles such as mbaqanga, maskanda, marabi and traditional Zulu, fused with contemporary elements from jazz, funk, rock, gospel, rap, opera, reggae and West African music she produces a fresh and exciting sound. Her infectious music and singing style have a universal appeal and her lyrics carry powerful and poignant messages. In the 1960s, she adopted the artistic name Vickie, only later she became known by Busi Mhlongo.

The first South African music Benefit concert was held by South African Broadcasting Corporation to celebrate Busi's birthday and raise fund for her hospital bills, President Thabo Mbeki was one of the Honorable guests. On The 21st May 2010 Ngwenyama Holdings a company owned by Swazi Prince Makhosini Dlamini announced A Tribute Concert to Busi Mhlongo at the South African Playhouse on May 30th.
Musicians pour out their condolences, Camagwini the Nubian Afro singer recalls Busi Mhlongo as a warrior and a great singer, she has learnt a lot from her music. Camagwini was amongst artists who were invited by Busi Mhlongo last month to pay tribute in a song though Busi Mhlongo could not make it to the organised tribute concert, her spirit lives on.

The President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma sends his condolences and described Busi as a veteran for struggle. “Her love for music kept the flames of hope alive during our country’s struggle for democracy. Her music encouraged and influenced a range of contemporary South African artists. She inspired the nation and let the world know of South Africa’s quest for freedom. She ensured her compositions defied categorisation and emphasised the universality of the human race “Added Jacob Zuma.
She will be remembered with her hit songs such as Babom’ncane, Ntingi Ntingi,Hamba Phepha lam,Intoni na and many. Her spirit lives on through the sound of the voice that she has left us.

World On Press




World cup opens with Sport for Peace.
Ian Jindela

The UN (United Nations) on June 8 hosted Sport for Peace Gala night prior to World Cup kick off-attended by President Jacob Zuma of the Republic of South Africa; The Secretary General of the UN Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation-Achmat Dangor; The President of Russia; President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company Mr. Steve S. Yang; Her Excellency-Honorary Guest speaker Graca Machel and other 400 international guests. The event was held at the historical women’s prison-Constitutional Hill in city of Gold.

The World Cup kicked off and the UN highlighted the important of sport promoting peace and development on African continent. The UN embraces Africa of hosting the biggest tournament and kicked of with the Sport for Peace project in Africa for Africans. Sport for Peace will ensure quality and clean environment, reducing hunger and diseases through different projects. According to the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban World Cup will push for the Millennium development goals. The millennium development goals were adopted by 189 nations at the UN Millennium Summit. Leaders from rich and poor countries committed themselves to a set of eight time-bound targets to end extreme poverty by 2015. South Africa adopted these goals and form blue print to all efforts to meet the needs of Africa’s poorest. Mr. Ben’s remarks at the Gala night “If we work together we can score a victory over poverty. We can defeat ignorance, discrimination and want. We can ensure every man and woman, every boy and girl has an opportunity on the playing field of life”

The President of the Republic of South Africa, Jacob Zuma welcomed the guests and promised a successful World Cup. His Key message was on education and introduced 1 Goal education projects. 1 Goal Education for all is an initiative linked to the FIFA World Cup 2010 to ensure that very child has the opportunity of an education. Already 8 million people have joined and signing up to the campaign. The aim is to use the power of education to change life, 1 Goal is co charred by Queen Rania of Jordan, FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu. President Zuma believes education is the only means out of poverty. It is the only way to break perpetual, vicious cycle of poverty which condemns the children of the poor to re-live their lives of their parents.

In his video speech the former President Nelson Mandela pointed out education as the great engine of personal development. “Educating all of our children must be our main priority. Building a better South Africa the continued interest of education on our children must be at heart. No child should be denied education” stated former President Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela. He will be celebrating his birthday which marks Mandela International day on July 18.

The Honorary guest Graca Machel spoke on behalf of International advocacy for women’s and children’s right. She focused mostly on education in Africa, especially gender education. Most countries in Africa deprived young girls of their right to education. Meanwhile drop outs in schools on African continent has decreased. 31 percent out of 48 percent schools improved since 2002 and 2007. She then provided long term education and universal assets as a solution to better education in Africa. During International education summit in 2002 a promise was made to each country attended to present its education plan up to date the promise never delivered by the summit. It will be a shame if this 2010 World Cup will not deliver its promises concluded Mrs. Graca Machel.

END OF ARTICLE