VC’s Cultural Evening – feast of the senses

NMMU Vice-Chancellor Prof Derrick Swartz is joined by Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching  and Learning Prof Denise Zinn (left) and Lorraine Lawrence

“If it is true that a nation’s character is defined by the stories it tells about itself to the world, then ours surely could not have found more eloquent and amazingly talented voices than in the stunning performances of Gcina Mhlope, Steve Newton, Mahesh Narotam, and our awesome students. Such a rare feast of all the senses!”

That’s as Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University boss man Prof Derrick Swartz captured the essence of the annual Vice-Chancellor’s Cultural Evening – and we couldn’t have put it better ourselves.

An evening that traditionally celebrates the arts in its many forms, this year told a wonderful story of ourselves – as a hurt, confused, diverse, enthusiastic, talented, vibrant and ever-hopeful people.

That hope, “that hope in our eyes”, was captured in the opening poem by Gcina Hlope, who was every bit the dynamic storyteller as I’d hoped she’d be.

The audience immediately warmed to her, with her easy interaction and ability to pin-point home truths.

And there were more home truths and opportunities to reflect on all that makes us who we are, with the poetry, acting, singing, music and performances that followed.

I particularly like the “potato vendor” student and her humourous monologue on living the values (it’s just her pursuit of excellence in dusting her potatoes that attracts customers not the witch doctor’s muti), along with the sultry sounds of our jazz musicians.

At one stage, the entire well-heeled audience was on its feet dancing to Miriam Makeba’s click song … yes, it’s the kind of event that makes you want to celebrate. And yes, the VC’s Cultural Evening is a highlight for the 150 people in attendance.

This year the event was hosted at the Boardwalk Conference Centre and as plush as it is, there are many who prefer the artistic haunts of the city’s historic heart – the gallery or the athenaeum. Hopefully, with the refurbishment of Eendrag on the university’s Bird Street Campus, we can match the artistic performances with a more suitable backdrop and take this special evening back to Central. But that’s just me …

While this blog is unable to share the auditory benefits of the 5 November event (we are working on this and other additions), here are a few visuals of those who were fortunate to attend.

Melvin Syce and Willeen Syce

Lungsie Mhlantla and Kaya Mhlantla

Naydene de Lange, Willeen Syce and Melvin Syce 

Loshni Govender

David Blignaut, Hilda Israel and Nicole Ho Chong 

Silas Nkanunu, Sonja Tifloen, Mandla Madwara and Mzi Mangcotywa

Michael Barry, Merilyn Barry, Jacqui Lück and Gerhard Lück

Evatt Knoesen, Ilze Olckers and Adv Shauib Rahim 

Yanga Lusasa and Zizipho Matandabuzo

Madibaz Radio ... all abuzz

Madibaz Radio is now on air! See link below.

The music might not always be to my taste, but I am not the target market … and that’s alright because there’s a new vibrancy in the air at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University! Its name is Madibaz Radio.

The new team quietly went on-air last week so as to explore any technical difficulties before officially launching the new in-house radio broadcast station.

But the whisper was far louder than anyone anticipated and before the week was out lively interaction was evident via the university’s many Facebook pages and Twitter handles and of course, on air.

And fortunately, the technical gremlins are all pretty much under control.

The other gremlins are less technical … they are those “slips of the tongue” and the inappropriate use of language and various other terminology … but nothing, assures Madibaz Radio manager Sakikaya Makapela that cannot be rectified.

This is, after all, still the pilot phase.

“We’re working hard at getting a balance,” says Saki.

That balance extends to music choice, mix of programming and hours of broadcast.

Week 1 in the pilot phase is already sending a clear message … today’s students are still awake at 10pm and so Madibaz Radio is hoping to offer its listeners an extra two hours of entertainment.

“The place is abuzz,” says Saki, a former NMMU journalism student himself.

“We have 80 students already involved in the radio station but the requests have been pouring in from other students too.”

In fact, as soon as Madibaz Radio started its own Facebook page requests from would-be presenters, producers, music compilers, sports and news readers, technical and marketing staff poured in …

Those numbers accelerated when Madibaz Radio quietly went on air at 8am last week Tuesday.

This is hugely satisfying to hear for it means NMMU students are happily getting involved in a voluntary capacity – giving of their time and talents. There’s no money to be made by the Madibaz Radio staff. There’s just the satisfaction of being part of the new station, of something new, of something special.

Oh, and, of course, it also offers students the opportunity to hone skills in preparation for work in the real world.

“The majority of the students have been placed in roles that complement their areas of study, more especially those from the Department of Journalism, Media and Philosophy,” says Saki, adding that the community radio station hosted training workshops in partnership with SABC prior to going on air.

The new station which airs from 7am through to 10pm (but hopefully till midnight soon) is also attracting commercial support.

“Numerous advertisers have been calling in to enquire about the station’s rate card and the like. We’re hoping to convert these enquiries into proper sales soon.”

We hope so too for the sake of Madibaz Radio, whose mandate is to become self-supporting within three years.

But what we especially hope is that those who are part of the Madibaz Radio volunteer team will find the experience as enriching as your listeners.

To hear more tune in via our web link http://video.nmmu.ac.za/jw6t/madibaz.html

Well done team Madibaz Radio!

Take the goose bump test with the NMMU choir

Our singing ambassadors

I challenge anyone who has never watched a performance by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) choir NOT TO GET goose bumps!

I challenge you to sit there po-faced, unmoved and goose bump-free.

It’s near impossible.

Well, it is for me and I have watching them perform the same songs in various venues, time and again, over many years and have never remained untouched.

For me, it is goose bumps every time.

Why? What makes them so special?

Personally, it’s something to do with the mastery of their music mix, their vocal range and sheer enthusiasm … somehow it fills me with a sense of hope, of joy and pride all at the same time.

But why take me at my word?

Take the goose bump test.

You can do so this Saturday at the NG Church in Summerstrand where a special 20-year anniversary concert is being held to celebrate the rich history that this special choir has enjoyed. The present 50-odd members will be joined by their predecessors for the performance as they’re coming to town for the reunion party weekend; starting on Friday at 6pm. Tickets are R70.

If you can’t get to the special concert because you live outside of the Eastern Cape, then watch the choir’s hit flash mob sensation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iIFqHMOE1g and the choir’s tribute to Nelson Mandela on in 94th birthday http://ow.ly/AW0Yd

Both videos are YouTube hits.

Why?

I think it’s because they pass the goose bump test. People watch them, are moved by them and want to share the feel-good energy of our multi-cultural choir.

Their tribute – Asimbonganga set on NMMU’s South Campus – to Nelson Mandela has attracted more than 55 000 hits, while the flash mob staged at Greenacres Shopping Centre in Port Elizabeth has more than 350 000 hits.

However, there’s nothing like watching them live.

Ask the 10 000-plus Chinese audience who witnessed them at the 12th Chinese International Choral Festival in Beijing last month. They didn’t understand a word of their English, Afrikaans or isiXhosa lyrics, but that didn’t stop them from jumping to their feet at the end of the performance or joining them on stage as they danced.

They took the goose bump test and failed.

But methinks they’re in good company, don’t you?

If you’d like to know more about the choir or the concert/reunion this weekend, contact 041-5044371.

Jika ... it's a fact

Music group Mi Casa is coming to NMMU

Yes, it’s a fact, South Africa’s coolest band is coming to Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. That’s Mi Casa, a trio of talented musicians, who are going to share their special brand of swing at a concert to close a successful Diversity Month at the institution.

But did you know, in line with their hit song, Jika, which is Zulu for the truth or a fact, that the band’s lead singer is an Eastern Cape man?

Yes, J-Something may have Portuguese ancestry, but he grew up in Port Alfred, just down the coast from us, and attended school in Grahamstown.

He’s a Graeme boy, who matriculated in 2006.

And perhaps more interesting is that the suave-looking Joao da Fonseca (aka J-Something) was a brilliant sportsman. That’s what they remember. That, and his ability to sing gospel songs.

He played cricket and rugby for the all-boy’s school’s first team.

“He was captain of our first rugby team,” recalls fellow Graeme schoolmate Hlumelo Ncopo, who was a few years behind Joao, and now works for NMMU.

Joao da Fonseca was an excellent sportsman

Another NMMU student who was in grade 8 when the lead singer was in matric, and is now studying Human Movement Science, also recalls his excellence on the sports field.

“He was a brilliant centre,” says Seve.

Music had featured, yes, but not with the force of J-Something’s one-time athletic ability.

Interesting how that happens.

It’s interesting how we people remember in a certain way and are understandably surprised when they do not turn out as we anticipate and are certainly not, as in this case, leading the top music group in the country!

I don’t suppose the Stellenbosch University BCom Marketing graduate hadn’t contemplated life on the music stage either … but destiny has a way of getting in the way.

Legend has it that Joao, and fellow musicians Moshe Kgasonae (Mo-T) and Sipho Mphahlaza met at a roof top party late in 2010 where they put on an impromptu performance …

“The sheer improbability of the group’s existence … three musicians landed up being in the same place, at the same time, with such incredibly strong music chemistry … “ says their promotional material.

Jika or no jika, we’re thrilled that Mi Casa is coming to:

· NMMU’s Vodacom Indoor Centre on South Campus at 7pm on Wednesday 27 April

If you’d like to be there to watch the one-time school sports star and his musical friends, tickets are R10 to staff and students (with your official card) and R20 to the public. These can be obtained from the SRC Chambers on South Campus or at the door.

If you’d like to know more, contact Sesethu on Sesethu.gqomo2@nmmu.ac.za