Arts and culture

Cape Town World Music Festival a great success

This past weekend (18-19 July) saw the first ever Cape Town World Music Festival take place at the City Hall. The successful event brought artists such as Thandiswa Mazwai, The Brother Moves On, Beatenberg and more, all on to one stage.

Zethu Gqola

News | 24 July 2014

The mountain is not for gays

For many South Africans, the practice of traditional circumcision is vital for males if they wish their community to regard them as men and no longer boys. For most it is a significant experience, but for some it can be unbearable.

Pharie Sefali

News | 23 July 2014

Support local music: Get these excellent new albums

The past two weeks have been an exciting time for all music lovers, with album releases of many genres making their way onto local airwaves. You can support local artists and listen to their fresh new sounds by buying their work. Below are five exceptional albums you definitely need to get your hands on!

Zethu Gqola

News | 17 July 2014

Growing vegetables in the oddest place

Thabani Marhanjana is growing a vegetable garden in an unusal place - on the roof of a two-story building in Makhaza, Khayelitsha.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 15 July 2014

Framed: a film to explore the West’s fascination with Africa

About ten years ago, an anthropologist from South Africa and a documentarian from the United States began to set in motion a film that would explore what they see as the West’s obsession with “rescuing” Africa.

Joy Shan

News | 14 July 2014

Changing how township tourism is done

Siphiwe Ngwenya, founder of the Maboneng Township Art Experience, has set out to change the standard way tours to the townships of Cape Town are run. Maboneng, which means ‘place of light’ in seSotho, runs annual festivals in townships as a means to generate income for locals.

Yazeed Kamaldien

News | 24 June 2014

Khayelitsha Film Festival a “great basis to grow from”

The second day of the first Khayelitsha film festival at the Khayelitsha’s Hubspace, fragrant with freshly popped corn, was attended by members of MOSAIC, Equal Education, Treatment Action Campaign, and Social Justice Coalition.

Katy Osborn

News | 18 June 2014

Khayelitsha gets its first film festival

When Harare Square’s Hubspace first opened its doors to the Khayelitsha community in April 2013, it was touted as a unique space for entrepreneurs to gather, share ideas, and take initiative. As a World Design Capital-linked social enterprise, the office space has sought to foster a culture of conversation and creativity.

Katy Osborn

News | 13 June 2014

Jozi: A Novel : a glimpse through a scratched looking glass

Jozi: a novel is the debut of Swaziland-born journalist, lecturer and editor, Perfect Hlongwane. It is a gut-wrenching tale of loss, anger, love and death in the new South Africa.

Joshua Maserow

News | 12 June 2014

Langa DJs for Glastonbury Festival

Two DJs from Cape Town’s Langa Township have been selected as part of the world famous Glastonbury Festival line-up for 2014. It is a great sign for aspiring musicians in townships across South Africa. DJ Fosta and Thibo Tazz discuss what is about to be the biggest moment of their music careers.

Zethu Gqola

News | 10 June 2014

Building family memories in Manenberg

Parents and their children stood in line to be photographed as a family last Friday in Manenberg. For some it was their first family portrait ever taken.

Pharie Sefali

News | 10 June 2014

Shades of exploitation in Tshuma’s Shadows

Zimbabwean writer Novuyo Rose Tshuma has set her first collection of short stories in Bulawayo and Johannesburg.

Joshua Masherow

News | 3 June 2014

You too can learn the Khoikhoi language

Sounds of the Khoikhoi language fill a hall at the Castle of Good Hope where classes to teach South Africa’s first indigenous language are held every weekend.

Yazeed Kamaldien

News | 29 May 2014

Striking miners come to Cape Town

North West province mineworkers striking for better salaries are lobbying with the power of film to gain support for their cause countrywide.

Yazeed Kamaldien

News | 29 May 2014

The DJ and the boob job

Cape Town’s Kyle Brinkmann, who goes by the stage name Das Kapital, has been featured at most of SA's biggest music festivals. But it was when he entered a competition to win breast augmentation surgery that he really got everyone's attention.

Zethu Gqola

News | 28 May 2014

Kaprino’s Express hosts live music

On Friday night, musicians Saalim Ismail, Itu Kubeka and Jarrad Racket shared their music at an intimate dinner with family, friends and fellow entertainers at newly-opened Kaprinos Express in Green Point.

Dumisani Dabadini

Brief | 15 May 2014