UKZN Pioneers On Campus Indigenous Healthcare

By Nqobile Buthelezi (FJP Reporter)

Changing mindset about indigenous knowledge,  University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) has employed the services of a traditional healer to complement its student counseling centre. The healer’s presence brings holistic balance to the tranquil campus of Howard College.

Makhosi Mkhize works at UKZN as a student and staff indigenous consultant. This is through the university’s three year pilot study to provide a holistic health care system, one that embraces both western counseling and the seemingly misconceptualised and underrated traditional healing system.

Dean of Students, Dr Bheki Ngcobo, who facilitated the services of a healer says  “It is not a matter of being pioneers in this regard, but that of witnessing probable solutions to our students’ problems” 

Elaborating on the genesis of the study, Ngcobo explains that while appealing after exclusion, some students reported experiencing poor concentration span, intense migraines, fatigue, panic attacks, insomnia, exhaustion and visions  resulting from demands from ancestors to become sangamas, symptoms which in western terms would have been deemed as anxiety disorders. However, resorting to indigenous methodology, it was discovered that these are sometimes culture-based syndromes, as they have been aptly named, and help could be attained through traditional means. “We care for our students and if it entails them seeing a sangoma, then so be it” says Ngcobo. In doing this, the university believes it is taking care of students who are the integral body that makes the institution what it is.

Makhosi does not only divine and give treatment but also writes report letters to the psychological councilors at Student Counseling in order for both consultants to know the way forward in resolving particular cases. “I am very lucky to be in such a place” says Makhosi. “Although some skepticism of my work may still remain, this course will prove worthy for those who will be touched by such an experience. It will bring holistic fulfillment” Makhosi says.

Being within a university, stress has literally become the people who occupy the space. Therefore Makhosi often works under strenuous conditions as she counsels students with grave emotional, physical and mental problems which weigh much more on her as she also carries the burden on a spiritual level. What is remarkable though is the calmness and clarity she maintains,“induced by the beauty and cleanliness of (her) work place” Makhosi emphasises.

Students and staff have since consulted with the sangoma, results of which have shown an improvement where students’ grades are concerned. “We greatly appreciate Makhosi who restores spiritual balance on campus” says third year student who has seen Makhosi and chose to remain anonymous.

The collaboration of western and traditional or otherwise alternative methods of healing is not meant to hurt but complement each other and provide solutions where the other fails to perform. In doing this, society has bridged the gap of misunderstanding, misinformation and passing judgement. UKZN embarks on a commendable journey to provide workable solutions to lessen its society’s differences!

Lebo Mashile… living art!

Lebo Mashile doing what she does best.... expressing herself

By: Nqobile Buthelezi (FJP Reporter)

An acclaimed poet, actress, producer, life skills facilitator, corporate events MC and television presenter, Lebo Mashile has taken the South art and television  industries by storm. Mashile made her debut in the Johannesburg arts scene seven years ago and her profile has strengthened ever since. Also a published author and an independent record producer, it is her inquisitive mind and love for social debate that have mapped her into the list of South African thought leaders  . Her charismatic mood, love for people and art have seen her build a hybrid identity that South Africans have grown to love.

In the midst of all the fame and accomplishments, wordsmith extraordinaire, Lebo Mashile remains down to earth and true to her devotion, that of being an artist and expressionist. “My ambition in life is to make beautiful art and ultimately, to own myself as an artist” says Mashile. Beautiful art is indeed what Mashile has produced, asserting her the NOMA Award for African Publishing and the City Press Woman of Prestige Award. Mashile has also been named as one of the top women in South Africa by the Mail and Guardian two consecutive years.

Apart from going around the globe speaking poetic rhyms, the wordsmith is at home “watching a lot of bad TV, reading, talking on endless phone calls, hanging out with friends and shopping at Woolworths” she says. It is also difficult to miss her easy going comic side. “I love Spongebob and to a certain extent, his idiosyncrasies remind me of a part of myself” Mashile confesses with a knowing smile.

Mashile appeared in Neville Engelbrecht’s play, The Quiet Violence of Dreams, which made its debut at the 2008 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Playing Mabatho, the sole female character in the production, she delivered phenomenal acting skill that confirmed her versatility as an artist. Adapted from the late Sello Duiker’s novel, the play deals with sensitive issues of homosexuality, drugs, childhood trauma, mental instability and love. Mashile took the role as she saw it fit to discuss such issues as they have greatly affected our country in recent years. “We live in a hypocritical society dealing with spirituality, class, recently xenophobia and interracial relationships, so the play is bound to make a stir in society” says Mashile. 

On stage, Mashile surely is a woman who grasps and transports the audience to a time and place that only her words can detect. Off stage, she is young, full of life and is happy to live within the inspiring world of art.

uDaba is proud of their languages

Dineo Pule and Sakhile Moleshe of local band uDaba performing live at the Cuervo Music Room during the National Arts Festival

Dinilohlanga Mekuto -fjp reporter

uDaba (Burning Issue) is a five piece group.The members of the group are Dineo Pule and Sakhile Moleshe (Vocalists),Phumelele Lavisa (Lyricist),Sibusiso Mnyanda (Poet) and Luyolo Lenga (Guitarist/Instrumentalist).

The members met in 2005, and formed uDaba a year later.Dineo has been in the music circles for sometime,having worked with Simphiwe Dana.Phumelele and Luyolo are members of a Xhosa hip hop group called Izithunywa Zohlanga (The Tribes Messengers).

When I asked them what brought them together Phumelele said “Our love for music and African languages brought us together”.The group currently perfom their songs in isiXhosa because “Our languages help us know who we are and we find it easier to express our views in a language we were brought up in,though I am Sotho,I grew up in the Eastern Cape speaking isiXhosa” said Dineo.

The group has had perfomances in cities like Johannesburg,Cape Town (Obz Fest),East London and at the Chimurenga Workshop at Rhodes University.

uDaba is currently working on a documentary called Royal Shadows ( a production which looks at the lineage of the Xhosa kings and kingdoms.In December they will be working with uMadosini at a show in Cape Town.When asked what their goal was Phumelele said “We want to grow in our Art and would love to extend our music beyond our borders to touch and inspire the youth of Africa”.

Officials differ on results of arts festival

Gilly Hemphill

by Ernest Mulibana and Yandiswa Tembani (FJP reporters)

The 2008 National Arts Festival has been great compared to the festivals of the previous years. Gilly Hemphill, the Director of The Famous Idea Trading Co - responsible for publicity during the festival - confirms that this year’s festival has been great. She said “it’s been an amazing festival”.

Hemphill thought high petrol price was going to be a challenge when it comes to the attendance of the festival. However, she said that “this year’s tickets sales are up”. Most of the people who attended 2008 National Arts Festival are young people.

Furthermore, Tony Lankester, the CEO of the festival says “Despite the economic downturn we’re seeing that ticket sales are slightly higher than the numbers for 2007, both in terms of rand value and number of tickets sold”.

He further says “this is good news for the arts. It shows that, even when times are hard and there is greater pressure on disposable income, audiences are still prioritising theatregoing and making space for it in their budgets,” he said. 

According to Hemphill, this year’s festival was not a platform of expressing what artists do not like about the government. It has been a platform of arts. Hemphillsaid, “Shows have changed what they talk about…and people are not angry in the theatre anymore”.

When asked if the National Arts Council has reached its expectations, Hemphill says “absolutely, we are very happy with how festival went”. From 87 venues in which festival shows were taking place, R50 million was generated within 11 days of the event. This is a great improvement of the Grahamstown economy.

Speaking on behalf of the National Arts Festival, Hemphill says that in 2010 the festival will take place for 18 days not 11 days as usual. She added by saying that activities will not only be taking place in Grahamstown, but also in other parts of the country. 

Moreover, they will be also part of the National Arts Festival. The National Arts Council is trying to rebrand the festival and therefore the logo will have to change.

Contrary to what HEmphill had said, Jennifer Rowland, manager of Visual Arts and Craft in the Eastern Cape provincial government, said that “this year’s attendance has dropped. This resulted in a strong negative impact on the marketing of our craft brands”, says Rowland.

This festival was made possible by the SABC, Standard Bank, National Lottery, Eastern Cape Provincial government and National Arts Council as sponsors.

Pics: Ernest Mulibana

Oliver Mtukudzi graces NAF

by Mudiwa Mupotsa

Audiences are set to receive a powerful performance from Oliver Mtukudzias he takes the stage at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.

Oliver Mtukudzi

The first performance is at DSG Hall, at 19:30 on Friday 4July. The man nicknamed ‘Tuku’ by his fans will be performing some of his favourite songs, “they are my favourites, if they were not my favourites I would not be performing them,” he said.

Audiences may also have the chance to listen to unreleased tracks during his performance depending on how the evening goes, “I am not the type of artist who prepares a list of songs to deliver. I play the first song and see where it goes from there,” said Mtukudzi.

The show will thus be truly driven by the crowd. Tuku spoke about how the crowd energy is what keeps him going and helps him deal with the stress of being on tour, “it’s nothing to do with the place [in the world]. It’s the relationship with the people. Never mind the place in the world where you are- the stage is the best place to be,” said Mtukudzi.

Despite his short stay Tuku has had the chance to experience some of what the National Arts Festival has to offer, seeing the Tucan Tucan show on 3 July at 19:00.

He spoke about how as an artist he is experimental and believes in collaboration with other artists and when asked if he had any favourites spoke with true diplomacy, “the problem with these artists is that they are all so unique and different- what this one has, this one doesn’t. I end up comparing them to myself, they have a lot of what I don’t have [laughs]. We are all so different,” he said.

The Festival performances are not all fans have to look forward to. Tuku starts production on a short story written by Watson Chimbodza in the next few weeks, has an international tour coming up and has no plans to discontinue producing music any time soon.

Repeat performance Saturday 5 July 22:00 DSG Hall.

Pic: Mudiwa Mupotsa

SA Artists pay tribute to icon Letta Mbulu at NAF

by Mudiwa Mupotsa (FJP reporter)

Sibongile Khumalo at the sound check the night before the Letta Mbulu Tribute performance.

On Friday 4 July at 20:00 at the Great Hall at Rhodes University, a host of artists are coming together to pay tribute to Letta Mbulu as part of the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.

This honour comes as aresult of her achievements throughout her varied career, including hit record such as There’s Music in the Air and Free Soul and work with international artist Quincy Jones.

Artists performing in this tribute include Sibongile Khumalo, Ringo Madlingozi and Mimi Ntenjwa. The entire performance has been directed by Sibongile Khumalo, with her hand picking all the musicians. “I wanted Ringo from the outset and I also wanted a younger voice,” Sibongile said. This comes in the form of Mimi.

Other young musicians were also asked to take part. Nicola Schrire, a young horn player chosen for the performance spoke about her experience, “It’s just so much fun to play and to listen too, and there’s so much fun and love in the music.”

Themba Mkhize 'in the moment' as he rehearses.

All the artists seem to be feeling positive about the performance they are offering and happy to be honouring such an important figure in South African music. The proposal to put this together was put forward to the Board of Directors of the National Arts Festival, Grahamstown who happily accepted it. “[I'm] thrilled. I’m excited. I was already excited when the proposal was accepted by my colleagues,” said Sibongile, who is also a member of the board.

Themba Mokoena, one of the artists chosen to take part in the tribute performance.

Letta Mbulu herself will not be able to attend the show but according to Sibongile, is very excited about it, “Letta is very happy. We would not be doing this if it wasn’t something she was comfortable with.” With all the buzz and energy surrounding the preparation, it looks set to be a truly inspiring show.

Repeat performance Saturday 5 July 20:00. Unfortunately tickets for tonight and tomorrow are all sold out.

Pics: Mudiwa Mupotsa

Talent not held back by disability

by Thandanani Mhlanga (FJP reporter)

Siyasamkela Toli is a 27 year old painter from Cofimvaba in Transkei. He and two other friends have formed a partnership that’s seen them draw crowds daily at the National Arts Festival, Village Green in Grahamstown.

What sets them apart from other artists is not only their incredible talent but that all three of these men have some form of disability. Toli and his partners, Zolisa Dyosini and Thomson Langaliseki, all met at the Vukuhambe School for the Physically Challenged in 2002 and matriculated in 2006.

The National Arts Festival was the first time they have ventured into the commercial side of their art. Up until now, they had done it for the shear enjoyment. “We didn’t think we were good but it was better than staying at home, we want to make something of our lives”, says Dyosini.

They were accompanied here by a driver, Victor Mntonisi who seems very protective of them. When I ask him if people are more inclined to buy their paintings because of their disabilities he says, “People buy because they know a disability is hard to live with.

It’s difficult for them to work jobs where they have to lift heavy things, but these kids are here everyday doing the best with what they have,” said Mntonisi. The results of the hours they spend on their paintings are truly impressive. What is more admirable however is that they refuse to ignore their disabilities but instead use it to inspire others.

Before I Left I asked Dyosini if they want to be known as painters or as disabled painters. He gave me a puzzled look as if the answer should be obvious he said. “We don’t mind being known as disabled painters, because that’s what we are,” he said.

Pic: Thandanani Mhlanga

Political Commentator Xolela Mangcu

By Buhle Mbonambi (FJP reopter)

Political commentator, Xolela Mangcu, launched his book To the Brink: The State of Democracy in South Africa, at the Wordfest during the National Arts Festival.

The Zimbabwean crisis is currently topping the agenda at the African Union summit in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. This comes amid a growing call for negotiations and a power-sharing deal in Zimbabwe.

“The problem with Mugabe is that he didn’t deliver the goods”, said Mangcu. “The moment he saw that the people were being restless, he chose to put the blame on the West. What we don’t realise is that we are also the west, because we have the same mindset, ideas, and the way we conduct ourselves.”

Mangcu also said that violence was becoming part of South Africa’s political life, where dissent and criticism of government often met verbal attacks. He said the violence of the past three months - starting with the xenophobic pogroms - has its roots in apartheid oppression.

“Anybody who questions the way government works is racist and if you are black, then you are a coconut,” said Mangcu. “We saw this incited violence in May when we heard ANC Youth League leader, Julius Malema and Cosatu leader Zwelinzima Vavi threatening to ‘Kill for Zuma’ ” he said.

“In Zimbabwe, this banal violence worked for Mugabe. I personally would have laughed at you if you’d told me that South Africa will be in crisis mode today.” 

Pic: UKZN Press http://ukznpress.book.co.za/blog/2008/01/17/book-launch-to-the-brink-by-xolela-mangcu/

Fashion at the Festival: Get with the look

by Dinilohlanga Mekuto (FJP reporter)

Art comes in different forms and styles,fashion is one of those art forms too.I went around the village green in Grahamstown asking people about their dress style and what vit says about them.

                         

Divan Viljoen,21, from Pretoria

“My Grandpa Shoes are for comfort and I wear leg-warmers because its cold”

 

 

 Ayanda Kole,17,from Cape Town

“I just want to look cool”

 

 

Siba Jongolo,18,from East London

Mbali Nkwali,20,from East London

Xolisa Mayapi,17,from  East London

                 “We know whats in and whats not”

  

Megan Ross,19,from East London 

“Vintage with a hippy-twist”  

 

 

 

 

 

 Rise Buka,20,from Durban

Busiswa Gqulu,20,from Durban

“We dress for comfort and we like to look dignified.”

 

  Thozamile Ntingi,34,from East London

 

“I’m simple and I like the Jamaican flavour,I mix up a lot of different styles.”

 

 Pic:by Dinilohlanga Mekuto

Pantsula for Life

Ukona Jelwana (FJP reporter)

Gone are the days when isiPantsula dance was only for males. Girls are also taking to the stage, keeping the fast paced rhythm of the pantsula dance and giving the boys a good run for their money.

Three girls, Silindokuhle Diko (15), Anela Makayi (15) and Sanelisiwe Dyasi (16) from Mdantsane Township in East London, form part of the dance group called Pantsula for Life.

Pantsula for Life, which was performed at Bots Marquee at the National Arts Festival, is a drama and dance show produced by the Soweto Arts for Change. It’s directed by Bongani Linda and Choreographed by Pheleni Mzimela and Jabu Dube.

The show includes ten innovative young dancers, seven males and three females, and intertwines drama, singing and poetry with isiPantsula dances, making it vibrant and enjoyable to watch. One of the girls, Diko, said that she enjoys pantsula dance because “it is challenging”.

These girls were on point and they did not slow down for anything. “I believe we have to be on par with the guys, in that way we don’t give them room to second guess us,” said Makayi.

Where to from here?
The girls started dancing in 2005, and this is not where it ends. They formed as part of the Fringe programme of the festival and hope to one day be part of the Main Programme. With their drive and determination, their dream might come true in the future.

Video: Ukona Jelwana