Finalists Announced in CLiP's STOMP Awards – South Africa

Finalists in the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLIP) STOMP Awards have been announced.

The STOMP (Stamp Out Marine Plastic Pollution) Awards made a call out in October for South Africans to enter ideas and solutions that could reduce, or eliminate plastic pollution, which ultimately ends up in the ocean destroying habitats, and endangering marine species.

Over 60 entries in five categories were submitted: Technology or Technical Design in which judges were looking for new and innovative design and or technologies to reduce or manage plastic pollution and encourage circular economy thinking; Product Development which were innovative allowing consumers to reduce their plastic waste; Adult Inspire through Creativity and Youth Inspire for any kind of creative art made to inspire people into creating a better place and a Special Recognition Award for Action that recognizes work done to implement cleanups, or projects the mitigate waste, reduce plastic, change behaviours or create awareness on a community level.

The finalists are listed in no particular order:

Technology or Technical Design

Wildtrust – Pyrolysis Machine from Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal

The Mermaid Tear Catcher submitted by Clare Swithenbank-Bowman from the KwaZulu-Natal, North Coast.

Games Tangibl submitted by Jean Greyling from Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape

Product Development

The Big Scoop SA submitted by Alexis Wellman from the Helderberg, Western Cape

Beeswax Wrap submitted by Mica Da Silva from Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal

Patch Bamboo Plasters submitted by Dr Milliea Anis  from Johannesburg, Gauteng

The Mutea EcoPod submitted by Liam Bulgen from Cape Town , Western Cape

Adult Inspire through Creativity

12 Plastic Monsters  submitted by Luke Rudman from the Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape

The Well Worn Theatre Company submitted by Kyla Davis from Johannesburg, Gauteng

The SuperScientists Project by CodeMakers NPO, submitted by Justin Yarrow from Durban, KwaZulu Natal.

Youth Inspire through Creativity

The Future Kids submitted by Rocco Da Silva from the Somerset West, Western Cape

Norman Klutsky Eco-Warrior of the High Seas - Eden College submitted by Jean Van Elden, Durban KwaZulu-Natal

The Oceano Reddentes NPC submitted by Jade Bothma from Western Cape

Special Recognition Award for Action

Captain Fanplastic submitted by Nwabisa Joba from the Cape Town, Western Cape

The Ethekwini Conservancies Forum submitted by Paolo Candoti from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Singakwenza submitted by Julie Hay from Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal

Some of the finalists (as well as some of the entries that did not make it into the finals but impressed the judges) will be in attendance to present their entries at the "CLIP Innovation Conference: STEM the tide of plastic waste in Africa" in Cape Town on 4 and 5 December 2019. Winners in each category will be announced at Conference on December 5.

The Conference, which will be attended by scientists, environmentalists, conservationists, and policy-makers, is co-hosted with the Sustainable Seas Trust, will be looking at STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) solutions to the marine litter problem in South Africa.

"We were pleased with the number and quality of entries submitted for these inaugural awards," says STOMP Project Manager Duncan Pritchard, of Green Corridors, the NPO tasked with managing the awards in South Africa. "The entries were fairly diverse with some truly innovative ideas being showcased. It certainly demonstrates that South African's are thinking about the plastic challenges we face, and are looking at what could be the next world-changing innovation to solve the crisis. That is extremely positive for us going forward."

Commenting on the judging process, Fiona Preston-Whyte, CLiP Country Lead from the UK's Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) which leads the CLIP programme says, "As scientists we were looking for innovative, sustainable solutions which contribute to reducing or preferably eliminating plastic as a waste. The entries are high quality and creative and speak of the innovative spirit of South Africans.”

To view the finalists go to https://www.stompawards.co.za/index.php/vote

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Note to editors:

CLIP is led by the United Kingdom through the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), funded by the UK's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and has partnered with Green Corridors, a Durban based non-profit organisation to roll out the awards programme in South Africa.

Cape Town : Social Justice Documentary "Push" Special Screening and Discussion at Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education in Mowbray, Cape Town during European Film Festival

Media Release

Social Justice Documentary "Push" Special Screening and Discussion 

at Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education in Mowbray, Cape Town during European Film Festival

CAPE TOWN: The social justice film Push by Swedish director Fredrik Gertten will have a special screening at the Tshisimani Centre for Activist Education in Mowbray, Cape Town, on Thursday, 5 December at 6pm.

The film is one of 12 award-winning films screening at Cinema Nouveau Theatres during the 6th European Film Festival, which runs in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town from 29 November to 8 December.

Gertten's documentary explores how the acquisition of urban property by financial institutions is becoming a global trend and making living in cities unaffordable. His previous documentary Jozi Gold precipitated great public interest during its showings at Encounters and the Durban International Film Festival earlier this year and his new offering Push is expected to generate new debate about the very topical housing challenges in this country.

Discussion featuring Leilani Farha, UN Special Rapporteur for Adequate Housing

The screening of the film at the Tshisimani Centre will be followed by a discussion led by Mandisa Shandu, the director of public interest law firm Ndifuna Ukwazi that specializes in urban housing rights.  Ndifuna Ukwazi is leading the campaign to stop the sale of the Tafelberg School in Sea Point, Cape Town, a case which reaches the courts during the last week of November.

Special participant in the discussion will be Leilani Farha, UN Special Rapporteur for Adequate Housing, who plays a central role in the documentary as she investigates the phenomena, which are literally pushing out people from inner cities around the world. Ms Farha will Zoom into the discussion from Toronto where she is based. 

In developing countries such as South Africa the massive housing challenges, the infringement of human rights and displacement of peoples are drawing increasing pushback from affected communities and activist groups working to open access to affordable, well-located land and housing.  This screening and discussion session aligns with Tshisimani’s focus on addressing and finding solutions to injustices faced by the poor and marginalised people of our society.

As Leilani Farha says: ‘‘I believe there’s a huge difference between housing as a commodity and gold as a commodity. Gold is not a human right, housing is.’

The screening and discussion is free and open to all at the Tshisimani Centre, Bertha House, 69 Main Road, Mowbray, Cape Town at 6pm on Thursday 5 December. Enquiries can be made on 021 685 3516.

See http://www.eurofilmfest.co.za/ for festival info, film synopses, trailers, screening schedules and ticket bookings!

The European Film Festival is a partnership project of the European Union’s Delegation to South Africa and twelve European Member State cultural agencies or embassies based in the country. They are: the General Representation of the Government of Flanders, the French Institute in South Africa, the Goethe-Institut, the Italian Cultural Institute, The British Council, and the Embassies of Austria, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. The project is organised in cooperation with Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau and Cineuropa and is coordinated by Creative WorkZone.

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Les Misérables Filmmakers in South Africa for European Film Festival

Media Events

Les Misérables Filmmakers in South Africa for European Film Festival

Cannes Jury Prize-winning French film, Les Misérables by celebrated director Ladj Ly, will open the 6th European Film Festival in Johannesburg, South Africa on 29 November. The festival, which is hosted at Sterkinekor Cinema Nouveau Theatres in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town until December 8, features 12 award-winning films from Europe.

Three visiting filmmakers from Les Misérables, will be in the country, courtesy of VideoVision, to introduce their film and participate in filmmaker workshops in Johannesburg and Cape Town during the festival.

Producer Toufik Ayadi and actors Didier Zonga and Almamy Kanoute are in the country to promote their film, which was recently selected as France's entry to the Academy Awards in 2020. Ayadi, Zonga, and Kanoute will also be in attendance at its first screenings in Pretoria and Cape Town while the workshops provide an additional opportunity for in-depth discussion and exchange. Targeting young filmmakers, in particular, the workshop sessions will interrogate the making of the film and engage local filmmakers about filmmaking processes in general.

Both workshops are free but producers, actors and interested parties are advised to pre-register to book their participation. The workshop in Johannesburg takes place at the Rosebank Sterkinekor Cinema Nouveau on 30 November from 10 am to 1pm. Bookings can be made via Vuyiswa Tshangela at 011 7179237 or vuyiswa.tshangela@wits.ac.za. The Cape Town workshop takes place at the Cape Investor Centre on 2 December at 1pm to 3pm. Bookings for the Cape Town workshop can be made via 0785004488 or info@creativeworkzone.co.za.

The European Film Festival runs from 29 November to 8 December at Cinema Nouveau theatres in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town - for more about the festival films, including trailers, visit www.eurofilmfest.co.za

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CLiP'S STOMP (Stamp Out Marine Plastics) Awards – Public Voting Has Started

Media Release

CLiP'S STOMP (Stamp Out Marine Plastics) Awards – Public Voting Has Started

Public voting has started for the inaugural Commonwealth Litter Programme's STOMP (Stamp Out Marine Plastic Pollution) Awards, which was initiated to discover and encourage innovations to reduce and eliminate marine plastic pollution.

Duncan Pritchard, Project Manager of Green Corridors, the Durban-based non-profit organisation tasked with managing the awards programme, reports that over 60 submissions have been made.

"We are pleased with the number of entries we have received in this first year of the awards," he says. "The entries have varied in terms of category, and in terms of the kinds of individuals and organisations making submissions. For us, that is a positive start, as we want to use the awards to inspire South Africans to finds solutions to the plastic crisis."

Entries have been made in five categories: technology or technical design, consumer products, youth and adult inspire through creativity and action and special recognition category for organizations and individuals doing great things to find solutions. "As expected we have had entries from Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, but we have also seen a significant number of entries from the Eastern Cape, and inland areas."

"What is particularly interesting is the number of entries by young people, who are doing significant work in trying to find solutions to the plastic crisis. We have also seen some interesting tech innovations, giving us enormous hope that people are thinking of the future, and this certainly speaks to the overall vision of the awards."

Public voting is open until Friday 15 November, thereafter, a panel of judges will start their judging, with finalists announced on Friday 22 November.

Representatives of the final entries in the Technology or Technical Design and the Product Development categories will be hosted, and their innovations showcased at the CLIP Innovation Conference: STEM the tide of plastic waste in Africa in Cape Town on 4 and 5 December 2019. Other entries will also be showcased at this conference, which is co-hosted with the Sustainable Seas Trust.

CLIP is led by the United Kingdom through the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), funded by the UK's Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

All voting takes place online. To view the entries go to https://www.stompawards.co.za/index.php/vote

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Caption to photo 1603 by Val Adamson:

Marine Environmentalist Aphiwe Notshaya (left) reveals to young eco-warriors, Shridhar Ramlagan, Matthew Jolley, Zoe Paige van Niekerk and Nhlamulo Khosa, how plastic nurdles, small plastic pellets, end up in the ocean and on the beaches affecting our marine life and the environment. With plastic  pollution in the oceans creating major environmental and health challenges, the STOMP Awards aims to encourage people to come up with creative  and innovative solutions to stem the flow of litter into the sea. Entries to the awards are open online at www.stompawards.co.za and close on 8 November. Winners will be announced at the CLIP Innovation Conference: STEM the tide of plastic waste in Africa in Cape Town on 4 and 5 December 2019.

Flatfoot Dance Company Presents “Stand By Me” With The Flatfoot Downie Dance Company

FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY presents “STAND BY ME” with the FLATFOOT DOWNIE DANCE COMPANY

The Flatfoot Dance Company presents its third annual integrated dance programme working with dancers with Down Syndrome titled Stand by Me at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on Tuesday 12 November at 6.30pm.

This landmark once-off performance will feature the unique partnering of the professional Flatfoot dancers with the fondly-referred to “Flatfoot Downie Dance Company”. This unique dance programme is unprecedented in South Africa and is a celebration of the power of dance to shift lives and to negotiate difference and inclusivity.

Flatfoot celebrates its 16th anniversary this year and has - as one of its core values - the practice of dance (in education and in performance) as a tool towards what it calls “living democracy”. This dance programme celebrates community across the divides of race, gender and disability.

This programme began in August 2017 with the visit of Dutch choreographer Adriaan Luteijn of INTRODANS and his collaboration with Flatfoot. The company has continued this work over 2018 and 2019 and this performance is the culmination of this year-long programme.

“Stand By Me will not only move and delight audiences but will challenge the very core foundations of who we think can and should dance professionally,” says Lliane Loots Artistic Director fo Flatfoot. “This dance journey is about learning to stand next to our neighbours and acknowledging their humanity.”

Four Flatfoot dancers (Sifiso Khumalo, Siseko Duba, Jabu Siphika and Zinhle Nzama) partner up with their counterparts, Karl Hebbelman, Charles Phillips, Kevin Govender and Michaela Munro in a dance explosion that is an affirmation of faith, courage and the joy of dance.

Loots, who is the company’s award-winning choreographer, says “creating this work has been a journey into discovering community and into discovering what it means to engage a firm and loving assertion of self and identity. All nine of us in the rehearsal room have been forced to look inward and to find the spaces inside ourselves that embrace the true meaning of ubuntu, and I have been humbled every day by what these eight dancers bring to our process”. 

As two very special curtain-raisers for this evening, Flatfoot will also showcase work it has been doing in its unique 2019 “Junior ADD: Girls to Women” dance programme. In this programme 10 young girls between the ages of 11 and 14 years were identified from Flatfoot community dance programmes run in KwaMashu and Umlazi. “They have been working with the company every Saturday during 2019 for special technical dance skills training as we believe that these amazing girls are the next generation of Durban (and Flatfoot’s) dancers,” says Loots. “They will perform a work choreographed for them by Flatfoot’s Zinhle Nzama called Kivuli.”

The second work called Fire in Me! features four Flatfoot Junior Company members (Mthoko Mkhwanazi, Siseko Duba, Nondumiso Dube and Sbonga Ndlovu). This is an athletic and magical foot-stomping work created for them especially for this event by Flatfoot’s Sifiso Khumalo who continues to grow a technical style that combines his own African dance roots with contemporary technical training.

The season promises, as always, to be one of the highlights on Durban’s dance calendar and this once-off performance is being offered as a fundraiser to help support the Flatfoot Down Syndrome Dance programme for 2020.

Tickets are limited and cost R80 each. To pre-book contactflatfootdancecompany@gmail.com .

Pre-booked tickets can be collected at the Sneddon box office from 1 hr before the start of show on the 12 November.  This is cash payment only as no card facilities are available.

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Search is on for the next great 21st century science, technology and technical innovation that will help reduce and eliminate plastic waste

Search is on for the next great 21st century science, technology and technical innovation

that will help reduce and eliminate plastic waste in South Africa

The search is on for science, technology and technical innovations that will help reduce and eliminate plastic waste, and be the next great 21st century innovation that could change the world, as the UK-based Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLIP), introduces its STOMP (Stamp Out Marine Plastic Pollution) Awards in South Africa.

The awards, which are open to all South African residents, are grouped into four categories: Technology or Technical Design, Product Development, Inspire through Creativity, and Action. 

Finalists in the Technology or Technical Design category will present their ideas or projects at CLIP’s Innovation Conference co-hosted by the Sustainable Seas Trust, titled STEM the tide of plastic waste in Africa, in Cape Town in 4 and 5 December. The winner will also receive a trip to the UK in 2020, to attend the London CLIP Conference, along with winners from across the Commonwealth, where they will showcase their project. They will also receive further research and development mentoring and support from industry experts at South Africa’s  Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

With 90% of marine litter made up of plastics that originate from land and sea-based sources, it is one of the most widespread problems facing oceans, and key to coming up with solutions to this plastic pollution problem, are the science, technology and technical innovators. 

Speaking about their involvement in the awards Jerome Andrew, Senior Researcher and Project Manager at the CSIR said, “With the ever-increasing challenges around marine plastic that has a direct impact on the quality of life for the people of this country, and its marine life, we are very excited about the possibilities and potential of some ideas that may come through this initiative. It is our organisational objective to undertake directed, multidisciplinary research and technological innovation that contributes to the improved quality of life of South Africans. So we look forward to seeing the submissions and hopefully there will be one brilliant innovation that we can support in becoming a sustainable solution to the plastic problem.”

‘While we are encouraging people to enter into any category in the awards, we are particular interested from a long-term and sustainable point of view, in those studying, researching and working in the science, technology and technical sectors who are the thinkers and creators that are finding new ideas, inventions and innovations that cut across so many aspects of our 21st century lifestyles,” says Duncan Pritchard, from Green Corridors in Durban, the Project Manager of the Awards. “This a global problem and we are looking for those individuals or institutions in South Africa who may have the solutions the world needs. Wouldn’t that be awesome to have a South African innovation blaze the trail in stamping out marine pollution?”

All categories are important to a holistic approach to dealing with the plastic pollution problem and will be awarded and acknowledged. CLIP, however, recognizes that innovations in the technology or technical design category will be where the practical solutions will emanate. 

CLIP is led by the United Kingdom through the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), funded by the UK’s Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and has partnered with Green Corridors, a Durban based non-profit organisation to roll out the awards programme in South Africa.

For more information about all the categories and prizes or to enter go to www.stompawards.co.za. Entries close on 8 November after which there is a public voting period for one week until 15 November.

European Film Festival for Cape Town, Joburg and Pretoria

Media Release

EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL FOR CAPE TOWN, JOHANNESBURG & PRETORIA

Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town are in for a ten-day feast of award-winning films as the European Film Festival celebrates its 6th edition in South Africa. The festival will be held simultaneously at Cinema Nouveau theatres in the three cities from 29 November to 8 December.  The carefully curated festival is packed with Oscar-nominated and multi-award-winning films from twelve countries including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.  

The Films

Opening the festival is the French film Les Misérables, which won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019 and then picked up Best International Feature Film at the Durban International Film Festival in July. Inspired by the Paris riots of 2005, witnessed first-hand by director Ladj Ly, the film revolves around three members of an anti-crime brigade who are overrun while trying to make an arrest.  It has been selected as the French entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards in 2020. 

Representing Austria, Styx depicts the transformation of a woman sailor when she becomes the only person to come to the aid of a group of refugees shipwrecked on the high seas. Olly Richards (Time Out) says of the film: ‘A vital, highly intelligent movie that is both a first-class thriller and a biting commentary on our current world.’

The highly awarded Girl, from Flanders Belgium, tells the story of 15-year-old Lara who dreams of becoming a ballerina. Lara however was born into the body of a boy, she is undergoing treatment in preparation for gender reassignment surgery and the film illustrates some of the tough challenges she must face, both physically and psychologically, as a dancer, and as a person in transition.

System Crasher is Germany’s choice for next year’s Oscars. This intense journey witnesses the untamed high-energy antics of nine-year old Benni as she swings from sweetness to aggressive wild-child, causing danger and despair to all around her, including the social welfare services trying to help her.

Set against a housing crisis in Dublin, the Irish film Rosie is a riveting account of a remarkable woman trying to protect her loved ones and maintain their dignity when they lose their home. It examines how even in times of crises, the love and strength of a family can endure.

Women are the heroes, villains and victims in The Vice of Hope, a social drama about poverty, African immigration, human trafficking and the surrogacy business in towns around Naples (Italy). But change is coming, at least for the protagonist, Maria, who finds a link to her past, and her future.

My Extraordinary Summer With Tess is a sensitive Dutch coming-of-age drama for all age groups.  It follows a young boy and a girl on their paths of self-discovery as they cross the threshold from childhood to adolescence, and into the realization of the importance of family.

Cold War is a passionate love story between a music director and a singer whose meeting in the ruins of post-war Poland continues across Berlin, Yugoslavia and Paris. A tale of a couple separated by politics, character flaws and unfortunate twists of fate, Pawel Pawlikowski’s sumptuous black and white masterpiece of auteur cinema won Best Director prize at Cannes before earning three Oscar nominations at the Academy Awards in 2019, with five European Film Awards before that.

The outrageously wacky Diamantino is perhaps best expressed by Cath Clark in her review in The Guardian (UK):  ‘If Cristiano Ronaldo fell asleep after gorging on year-old camembert, his dreams could not match the bizarre bonkersness of this enjoyably throwaway romantic sci-fi satire from Portugal about a megastar footballer who falls victim of a government cloning plot.’

Praised as his best work in years, Oscar-winner Pedro Almodóvar’s 21st film Pain and Glory won two awards at Cannes 2019. Starring Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz, this semi-autobiographical narrative tells of a series of re-encounters experienced by a film director in physical decline, and his need to recover meaning and hope. Pain and Glory is Spain’s entry for next year’s Academy Awards.

Swedish documentary Push is an important film for the activists. It follows Leilani Farha, the UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, as she travels the globe, trying to understand who’s being pushed out of the city and why. Commenting on how global finance is fuelling the housing crisis and making cities unaffordable to live in she notes: ‘There’s a huge difference between housing as a commodity and gold as a commodity. Gold is not a human right, housing is.’

The United Kingdom participant in this year’s festival is Official Secrets, directed by South Africa’s most celebrated director Gavin Hood, who won an Oscar with Tsotsi  in 2005. Based on true events, Official Secrets tells the gripping story of Katharine Gun (Keira Knightley), a British intelligence specialist who leaks a memo in which the United States enlists Britain’s help in collecting compromising information on United Nations Security Council members in order to blackmail them into voting in favor of an invasion of Iraq. Following its presentation during the festival the film will go on public release from 13 December.

Festival director and curator Peter Rorvik points out that “a central thread within all the films is the search for a sense of self and meaning in a world where things often fall apart around us, where systems break down, where that search becomes an imperative lifeline.”

The newly arrived European Union Ambassador to South Africa, Dr Riina Kionka, expressed her support for the festival, saying, “The European Film Festival is a showcase of recent award-winning films and provides a snapshot of issues and themes that inspire European filmmakers and audiences. As the many topical stories show, lived experiences in Europe are not that dissimilar from life in South Africa … or elsewhere, for that matter. Film is a cornerstone of our European cultural and creative industries and the rich diversity of European cinematic approaches on show will be a delight to critics and publics alike. Don’t miss out on this smorgasbord of great entertainment!”

See http://www.eurofilmfest.co.za/ for detailed synopses, trailers and links to the screening schedule and ticket bookings.

The European Film Festival 2019 is a partnership project of the European Union’s Delegation to South Africa and twelve European Member State cultural agencies or embassies based in the country. They are: the General Representation of the Government of Flanders, the French Institute in South Africa, the Goethe-Institut, the Italian Cultural Institute, the British Council, and the Embassies of Austria, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. The project is organised in cooperation with Ster-Kinekor Cinema Nouveau and Cineuropa and is coordinated by Creative WorkZone

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Action in Autism to open Skills Transfer and Business Centre

Media Release

 Action in Autism to  open Skills Transfer and Business Centre

Action in Autism, the non-profit and disabled people’s organisation that supports and resource to autistic people and their families, has embarked on a new exciting, pioneering project, the Action in Autism Skills Transfer and Business Centre which will officially open on November 9, 2019.

This Centre will develop and provide skills and employment opportunities for people with autism and associated neurological conditions. The project will officially be launched at a special function on 9 November at the Action in Autism Centre in Parkhill, Durban.

The landmark occasion will include invited dignitaries, the Ningizimu Special School steel band, a musical performance by young people on the spectrum, and the creation of a commemorative artwork. 

“It is great to have such a centre opened for autistic people,” says Aavishkar Sewpersad, who is autistic and has worked at the Action in Autism Centre as a part-time administrator for the past year. “They will be empowered to learn skills that will make them feel valuable in society. Everyone has some potential to do things, all they need is love, guidance and perseverance, and this is what they will get at this Centre.”

In South Africa, employment for people with disability hovers around a paltry 1%. Included in the many reasons for this persistent problem are high and often unrealistic entry requirements, insufficient support and accommodation, and unfair workplace discrimination. “Following the guidelines derived from both our Constitution and the Employment Equity Act, No 55 of 1998, Action in Autism believes that the creation of a Skills Transfer Centre for autistic people will contribute towards finding practical, customised solutions to this dire unemployment problem for people with disabilities,” says Liza Aziz, the organisation’s Chairperson. “Autistic people have great potential to enrich any workplace through their unique perspective, their neuro-diversity and problem solving skills, their dedication, dependability and hard work.  It is their right to contribute to society, creating more inclusive working environments, a diverse market economy, as well as a more inclusive and humane society.”

Most people with autism are confined to home once they leave school. The vast majority are unable to access employment, in addition, these scarce job placements have only been available to those who have low support needs and are diagnosed with level 1 autism. The proposed skills transference centre will kick-start and accelerate autistic people’s entry into the formal economy and will include a modified workspace, a calming or downtime space, supervised, visual work schedules, skills assessment and training from an experienced Occupational Therapist, facilitators from specialised fields to provide expertise and skills transfer, and a work-integrated learning environment for ease of movement into the market place and maximum skills development.

Dr Adam Mahomed, benefactor and long-time friend of the organisation, funded the modification of the Skills Development Centre with the services of Natal Construction, and the organisation continues to work hard to secure further donors to equip and sustain the Centre. If anyone would like to contribute to this new initiative, or for more information about the Centre Opening, the programme and how the organisation can support adults with autism, please contact the Centre on 031 563 3039, or email info@actioninautism.org.za. 

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Commonwealth Litter Programme Announces STOMP Awards for South African Innovations that will help reduce and eliminate plastic waste

Media Release

Commonwealth Litter Programme Announces STOMP Awards for South African Innovations that will help reduce and eliminate plastic waste

The Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLIP), the international science and outreach programme working in partnership with governments, universities, NGOs and communities in countries across the Commonwealth to take action on plastics entering the oceans, has announced the introduction of its STOMP (Stamp Out Marine Plastic Pollution) Awards in South Africa.

The STOMP Awards form part a nationwide activation ahead of the Cape Town “CLIP Innovation Conference: STEM the tide of plastic waste in Africa” in Cape Town on 4 and 5 December 2019. The conference, which is co-hosted together with the Sustainable Seas Trust, aims to practically address STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) solutions to tackling and preventing marine litter. Entries to the STOMP Awards will be showcased at the conference and all entrants are invited to register for this free conference.

CLIP is led by the United Kingdom through the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), funded by the UK’s Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and has partnered with Green Corridors, a Durban based non-profit organisation to roll out the awards programme in South Africa.

"Up to 90% of marine litter is made up of plastics, originating from both land and sea-based sources.  This makes plastic pollution one of the most widespread problems facing our oceans today. If we are to tackle this issue, urgent, coordinated and effective action is paramount," says Thomas Maes, principal marine litter scientist of CLIP. "We are working collaboratively with countries across the Commonwealth to try to find tangible and practical geographic and environmental solutions and are using these awards as a means to galvanize solution-based thinking around the issues of plastic pollution and in particular how it impacts on the oceans.”

The STOMP Awards recognize and reward individuals, civil society organizations, interest groups and youth that are taking action and making an impact on the reduction of marine plastic pollution in South Africa. 

“These Awards create a fantastic opportunity for individuals and groups to come together to act, create and innovate with a common purpose,” says Thomas Maes. “We aim to educate and communicate to a wide range of communities, the urgent need to change behaviours around the use of plastics, and to bring tangible and actionable opportunities for change to the forefront.”

The awards, which are open to all South African residents, are grouped into four categories: Technology or Technical Design, Product Development, Inspire through Creativity, and Action.

Technology or Technical Design category is recommended for (but not limited to) students and researchers in the science, technology and engineering fields, who are working with new and innovative design and or technologies that will help reduce or manage plastic pollution and encourage circular economy thinking. 

The Product Development category is also open to South African registered small to medium micro-enterprises who have consumer products or services that are innovative and allow consumers to reduce their plastic waste.  

The Inspire through Creativity category is divided into an adult (17 years and older) and youth section (16 years and younger). The aim here is to encourage people to use creative arts, artwork, photography, short films, dance, sculpture, graffiti, advert campaigns or any other art form to inspire people into creating a better planet.  It is hoped that the creative work can live as a legacy to future generations to inspire them not to revert back a world without concern about the environment.

A Special Recognition Award for Action Category recognizes individuals, schools, civil society organizations or informal groups for the work they do in implementing cleanups, or developing and implementing projects to mitigate waste, reduce plastic, change behaviours or create awareness at a local, community level. 

There are a variety of educational and experiential prizes for the winning entrants ranging from business development support to resource libraries. Representatives of the final entries in the Technology or Technical Design and the Product Development categories will also be hosted, and their innovations showcased, at the CLIP Innovation Conference in December with the winners announced during the conference. The finalist entries in the Inspire through Creativity and Special Recognition Award for Action Categories will also be showcased at this conference where the winners will be announced.

Entries are now open and close on 8 November, and must be made online via www.stompawards.co.za.   There is a public voting period for one week from 8 to 15 November.

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SPAR KZN Schoolgirl’s Fast 5’s Netball Midlands Tournament Voortrekker High School: Saturday 5 October

SPAR KZN Schoolgirl’s Fast 5’s Netball

Midlands Tournament

Voortrekker High School: Saturday 5 October

Wrapping up the inaugural SPAR KZN Schoolgirls' Fast 5’s Netball tournament, St Anne’s College claimed the Midlands title at Voortrekker High School on Saturday 5 October.

In a low scoring, high action final, St Anne’s met The Wykeham Collegiate. Wykeham got the game underway, but St Anne’s intercepted their first charge upfield. Basketing the first goal, after two attempts on both ends, Jamie Rowe from Wykeham Collegiate nailed her shot after a floated pass from the wily centre, 3 minutes and 7 seconds had ticked away of the first half.

The Wykeham Collegiate dominated the first half with the scoreline, just after 6 minutes, being in their favour 4 - 1. St Anne’s clawed their way back with Jodi Lee and Shannon Armstrong both getting their names on the scoreboard as half time approached. The score sat at 4 – 3 as the girls took a breather midway through the game.

After their half time chat, St Anne’s levelled the score shortly after the second half started. Armstrong was on song in the second half finding the middle of the hoop for her team, edging the score up to 4 a piece, and then after two unsuccessful attempts on both ends, she earned her team the lead for the first time in the game.

Julie Trodd from TWC then landed the equaliser on the opposite end, following up on a shot that agonisingly spun around the hoop and popped out. Three more attempts on either end didn’t budge the scoreline, including a 2 point that glanced the lip of the hoop by St Anne’s.

Rowe reclaimed the lead for her team with another 1 point but the lead was short lived as Armstrong was allowed some space and with her eye in, levelled the score for St Anne’s again. With time running out, Armstrong calmly fired in another 1 point, with the score being 7 in favour to Wykeham’s 6. In the dying second, The Wykeham Collegiate quickly responded as they ran the ball up in their last gasp attempt with the ball flying tantalising goal-wards but the pressure shot fell short as St Anne’s celebrated.

A visibly ecstatic Coach for St Anne’s, Londeka Zuma stated, “Look I am shaking, what a game. So exciting! Wykeham Collegiate was an amazing team to play in the final, but our defence won us the game!”

Their day started on a winning streak where they took on Epworth in their first pool game, bagging their first win 10 – 2. At the conclusion of the pool games, St Anne’s had netted 62 goals, and topped the leaderboard with 15 points, Epworth finishing in second spot and earning themselves a place in the semi - finals.

Wykeham Collegiate got their ball rolling with a win in their first pool game where they trounced St John’s D.S.G 17 - 1. At the conclusion of the pool games, TWC had wins throughout, with 15 points alongside their name and an incredible 87 goals scored. Host team, Voortrekker A were second on the log and met St Anne’s in the first semi – final.

St Anne’s dominated their first semi-final with the score at half time sitting on 6 – 4. In the second half they doubled their score, with a drought on the end of the host school, barring a sublime 3 pointer floating in by Tamika Baker taking the score up to 12 - 7. Baker was acknowledged during the prize giving for knocking in three golden 3 pointers during the day.

Umpire for the Day was Ntuthuko Zondi representing TWC.

The foundation has been set for the successful format in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls' Fast 5’s Netball with a total of 46 schools participating in the four regional tournaments. The first four winners that have their names engraved on the trophy are in the first SPAR KZN Schoolgirls' Fast 5’s Netball are Hillcrest High School – Durban Regional; Creston College – Southern KZN Regional; Tholokuhle High School - North Coastal Regional and St Anne’s College – Midlands Regional.

Dates and venues for the second year of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls' Fast 5’s Netball will be announced early in 2020. For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.

Results: 

1 St Anne’s College, 2 The Wykeham Collegiate, 3= Epworth School, 3= Voortrekker High School A, 5= St Nicholas School, 5= Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High, 7= Voortrekker High School B, 7= St John’s D.S.G., 9 = Maritzburg Christian School, 9= Russel High School, 9= Wartburg Kirchdorf School

ENDS

Award-winning documentary, “Buddha in Africa”, coming to the Garden Route

Award-winning documentary, “Buddha in Africa”, coming to the Garden Route.

Buddha in Africa, the award-winning documentary that follows the intimate story of a Malawian teenager growing up in a Chinese Buddhist orphanage in Africa, by KwaZulu-Natal Midlands based filmmaker, Nicole Schafer, will screen at this year’s Knysna Film Festival (29 Oct -2 Nov)

This powerful documentary was recently awarded “Best Documentary” in the International Panorama ‘A Window onto the Future’, section of the Visioni dal Mondo International Documentary Festival in Milan.  In July the film was awarded “Best South African Documentary” at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF). DIFF is included as a Documentary Feature Qualifying Festival by the Academy of Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences, which means that Buddha in Africa, automatically qualifies for consideration for an Oscar nomination.

The film had its World premiere at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in April, and opened the Encounters Documentary Festival in Cape Town and Johannesburg in June where it received a Backsberg Encounters Audience Award.  It was also in the official selection at this year’s Sydney International Film Festival in June.

Director/Producer Nicole Schafer says, “I am so excited to show “Buddha in Africa” in Knysna and revisit this town that has played such an important role in my development as a filmmaker.”

Nicole Schafer is no stranger to the Garden Route. Besides for having familial ties in the area, her first documentary The Ballad of Rosalind Ballingall, about the unsolved mystery surrounding the disappearance of a 20-year-old University of Cape Town student into the Knysna forest in 1969, was filmed and shown in there in 2006.  She submitted the film towards her MFA at the University of Cape Town and was awarded distinction. Today Nicole is based in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands where she heads up her production company Thinking Strings Media.

Dates & Times:

Wed 30th Oct 2pm - Premier Hotel Resort (George Rex Drive)

Fri 1st Nov - Turbine Hotel (Thesen Island)  Filmmaker in attendance for Q&A

Sat 2nd Nov - Il de Pain Restaurant (Thesen Island) Filmmaker in attendance for Q&A

Ticket Bookings:

https://www.knysnafilmfestival.com/tickets-passes

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/buddhainafrica

www.thinkingstringsmedia.com

Trailer Link Facebook:

https://facebook.com/buddhainafrica/videos/2409166019303775

PUBLICIST

Versfeld & Associates

Email: sharlene@versfeld.co.za

Website: www.versfeld.co.za

World Youth Wildlife Summit 2019

 CONSERVATION ‘BIG GUNS’ AND CELEBRITIES SET TO WOW DELEGATES AT WORLD YOUTH WILDLIFE SUMMIT

South Africa’s celebrity adventurers and explorers Sibusiso Vilane and Kingsley Holgate will join the conservation sector’s ‘Big Guns’ at the 2019 World Youth Wildlife Summit this coming weekend near the Kruger National Park, which will also commemorate the 10th international World Rhino Day on Sunday 22 September.

200 youth delegates, teachers and community leaders from 16 countries will descend on the Southern African Wildlife College, for an intensive four-day programme led by 30 of Southern Africa’s most experienced conservationists who are giving freely of their time to share their knowledge and skills. 

International delegates include students from the African Leadership University in Rwanda, community youth from the Serengeti region of Tanzania, San delegates from Namibia, representatives from eSwatini and Mozambique, a pupil from Eton College in England, as well as Taiwanese, Bangladeshi, Greek, Norwegian and Vietnamese delegates.  Students from the Tshwane University of Technology and youth from rural communities bordering Kruger National Park and game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape will also attend. 

Sibusiso Vilane started out as a game ranger before becoming one of South Africa’s most celebrated adventurers, best known for being the first African to summit Mt Everest and reach both the South and North Poles.  Yet conservation and working with young people remain close to his heart. “I feel very strongly that young people should be engaged and involved in conservation and understand the poaching crisis and global wildlife crime issue, because it is their heritage that is being lost,” he explained. “I believe that they do not want to inherit an environment that is so polluted and has no wildlife.  They are the future custodians of this heritage and therefore they must take the lead.”

Humanitarian explorer and Land Rover Ambassador Kingsley Holgate, widely known as ‘the most travelled man in Africa’, says that on all his expeditions, conservation and working with the youth are key elements.  Currently on a Zambezi-Congo expedition east-to-west across Africa, Holgate will return briefly to South Africa to attend the World Youth Wildlife Summit.  Speaking by telephone, he said, “I’ve seen the decimation of Africa’s wildlife first-hand.  It is unacceptable that a rhino is still slaughtered every 9 hours and 20 000 elephants still fall to poachers’ guns every year. So wherever possible on our journeys though Africa, we provide humanitarian support to field rangers and people living on the borders of wildlife parks, to help build good relations between conservation agencies and their community neighbours. 

“Empowering young people about the escalating wildlife poaching crisis through our Rhino and Elephant Art conservation education programme is also very close to my heart,” he continued. “This year’s World Youth Wildlife Summit is absolutely and critically needed at this time, when, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, more than one million species on Earth are facing extinction.”

Vilane and Holgate will be joining conservation leaders that include globally respected South African wildlife vets Dr William Fowlds and Dr Johan Marais; Maria Diekmann, an African Pangolin specialist from Namibia; Ivan Carter from Zimbabwe, well-known for his wildlife TV series, Carter’s W.A.R;  and Bupe Banda, female head of Zambia’s National Community Resources Board.  Don English, head of the Kruger National Park’s Intensive Protection Zone section and the acclaimed all-women Black Mambas anti-poaching unit will also interact with the delegates, along with 23-year-old  Nadav Ossendryver, founder of the award-winning ‘Kruger Sightings’ YouTube channel and recently nominated as one of Africa’s future leaders on the Forbes Africa ‘30 Under 30’ list.

Other high-profile guests who will attend the Summit include David Young, Chargé d’Affaires for the US Embassy in South Africa and senior executives of SANParks.  John Scanlon, former Secretary-General of CITES and now Special Envoy for the African Parks group will join the Summit by video-link, as will Bonne de Bod and Susan Scott, producers of the internationally acclaimed South African wildlife documentary, STROOP – journey into the rhino war, which will be broadcast on DSTV on World Rhino Day, Sunday 22 September.

“This is going to be an authentic African-led Summit for youth leaders, which will delve deeply into the causes of wildlife poaching and the illegal international wildlife trade that costs the world over US$20 billion each year,” said Summit Director, Francois du Toit from Project Rhino.  “It will also discuss other critical issues that are contributing to the decimation of our iconic ‘Big 5’ species like the rhino, elephant and lion; for example, human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss and the need for communities to benefit from the wildlife economy.

“It is high time that Africa’s – and the world’s – wildlife is recognized as more valuable alive than dead,” he continued.  “According to the latest study by the World Travel & Tourism Council, global wildlife tourism generates five times more revenue than the illegal wildlife trade.  In Africa, 3.6 million people are employed in the wildlife economy, which creates 40% more full-time jobs than the same investment in agriculture.  It has twice the job creation power of the automotive, telecommunications and financial industries and provides more job opportunities for women compared to other sectors. 

“Our overriding aim is to provide the youth delegates with the knowledge and tools they need to become influencers and wildlife ambassadors in their home countries and communities, and take the lead in speaking out on behalf of endangered species and habitats that are in serious threat of extinction in their lifetime.”

ENDS

Word count: 894

Newsworthy elements:

[if !supportLists]·        [endif]200 national and international delegates attending the 2019 World Youth Wildlife Summit in South Africa 21-24 Sept

[if !supportLists]·        [endif]South African celebrity explorers: Sibusiso Vilane and Kingsley Holgate

[if !supportLists]·        [endif]World Rhino Day, Sunday 22 September 2019

[if !supportLists]·        [endif]Rhino poaching and international wildlife crime

[if !supportLists]·        [endif]Kruger National Park

[if !supportLists]·        [endif]Southern Africa Wildlife College

[if !supportLists]·        [endif]SANParks

[if !supportLists]·        [endif]US Embassy in South Africa

[if !supportLists]·        [endif]Broadcast of STROOP – journey into the rhino war – internationally-acclaimed South African wildlife documentary

FOR FURTHER DETAILS, PLEASE CONTACT:

Sheelagh Antrobus, World Youth Wildlife Summit 2019 media relations

On-site Email: sheelaghantrobus1@gmail.com

Tel: +27 82 4327466 (Whats Ap is best)

Maritzburg Dance-Makers honoured with 2019 JOMBA! Eric Shabalala Dance Champion Award

Media Release

Maritzburg Dance-Makers honoured with 2019 JOMBA! Eric Shabalala Dance Champion Award

The 2019 JOMBA! Eric Shabalala Dance Champion Award, in honour of the memory of Eric Mshengu Shabalala who tragically passed away in 2011, was given to two Pietermaritzburg dance-makers Bonwa Mbontsi and Tegan Peacock, at the 21st JOMBA!Contemporary Dance Experience on 5 September.

Speaking at the award hand-over, Artistc Director of JOMBA! Lliane Loots said, “ The award is given not only in recognitions of performance or choreographic excellence, but also more profoundly and more importantly, it is given in recognition of dance practitioners who have worked tirelessly to help grow a culture of dance and dance training in KwaZulu-Natal – who have supported the growth of dance as an art form at both community and regional level.”

“This year the award is being given to two incredible dance champions. These amazing individuals work have spent dedicated years of there still young lives being part of an incredible re-surgence and re-growth of dance in Maritzburg, being a powerful nexus for contemporary dance in KZN. Most significantly that have not done this only in their own work, but have found a way to create a bigger sense of community and of sharing spaces and resources to grow dance – this is what this award is honouring.”

Bonwa is a graduate of UKZN, Pietermaritzburg, where he obtained a BA degree in Psychology and Drama & Performance Studies, with a specific focus on dance performance and choreography. He has worked with choreographers and dancers, PJ Sabbagha, Fana Tshabalala, Shanell Winlock and Craig Morris, taught at Maritzburg College for four years and co-founded ReRouted Dance Theatre.

Specifically to the award, he runs an outreach youth development work in Pietermaritzburg and Melmoth in association with J.A.W. (Justice and Women). In 2018 he founded the Bonwa Dance Company, which has strong outreach and dance development programme called the Super Troupers that prides itself on its integrative approach to dance education, performance opportunities and youth empowerment.

Tegan started her dance training in Classical Ballet and a BMus (dance) degree at the UCT’s School of Dance. In 2013 she relocated to Pietermaritzburg where she helped to co-found contemporary dance company, ReRouted Dance Theatre. Both individually and with her collaborators, they have choreographed and performed on numerous arts platforms around the country, , and won a 2016 Standard Bank Ovation Award at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival for BIRD/FISH.

Tegan conceptualised and held the first ReRouting Arts Festival in Pietermaritzburg this year. The festival is a site-specific multi-disciplinary arts festival that uses alternate public spaces around the city. The festival aims to create unique audience experiences, build bridges and create dialogue between different socio-economic and cultural demographics while promoting a culture of art and dance within the city. “It is this phenomenal and courageous act of opening this PMB festival space for dance and dancers is what we honour,” said Loots.

In accepting the award Bonwa Mbontsi said, “It's a blessing and an honour to receive this prestigious award, I'm so proud to be standing on the shoulders of giants like brother Eric Tshabalala. In the (outreach) work (I do) I have found how powerful dance can be in creating personal change in these in these young individuals’ lives. Through time and through the ages, great thinkers have urged us to dance creatively through life…I appeal to everyone in this challenging time of change to dance together (to find solutions to these challenges and provide an antidote for some our social ills).”

Tegan said, “I would like to thank Jomba, the Centre for Creative Arts, Lliane (Loots) and the organising committee for the honour and recognition you bestow upon us this evening. Your unwavering support of dance and local artists is unprecedented and truly valued in KwaZulu-Natal.  I am in awe of the work that you do and grateful for the privilege of learning and growing under your watchful gaze. I believe that the evolution and sustainability of dance will come from the creation and growth of community more than that of individuals working in isolation. As such, Jomba and similar spaces, along with the varied dance work that is taking place, are critically important in developing a culture of art within the city and its people.”

-ends

Notes from Lliane Loots Speech:

In selecting recipients, the Jomba! committee look for those gifted individuals who have gone above and beyond – often without funding – to dedicate themselves to the cultural industry and to put KZN dancers and dance on the national and international map. We are also mindful of KZN dance practitioners who have supported the Centre for Creative Arts and the JOMBA! platforms by taking advantage of the free workshops and for tirelessly bringing work to the Youth Fringe and the JOMBA! Fringe platforms. This too is an indication to us of a desire to grow dance.

Past recipients of this prestigious award include Jarryd Watson for his work with the Wentworth Dance Movement, Sifiso Khumalo for his dedicated work in growing the Flatfoot Dance Company’s dance education and development programmes. In 2013, the award was given jointly to Byron ‘Bizzo’ Tifflin and Preston ‘Kayzo’ Kyd - two dancers who still continue to grow a community of dancers. In 2014 the award was jointly given to Jabu Siphika, Julia Wilson and Zinhle Nzama. They are especially honoured for the dance development work they are doing though FLATFOOT DANCE COMPANY with young girls and women in KZN and with using dance to address a society fraught with difficult gender politics that often makes the lives of young women so challenging. In 2015 the award was given to the inimitable Ntombi Gasa of Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre for a lifetime of growing dance in this province through her teaching, choreography and dance administrations. 2016, 17 and 18 saw three of KZN most amazing dance practitioners honoured; Musa Hlatshwayo, S’fiso Magesh Ngcobo and Mduduzi Mtshali.

Cape Town’s Yaseen Manuel wins Pick of the Fringe Award at JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience In Durban

Cape Town’s Yaseen Manuel wins Pick of the Fringe Award at JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience In Durban

Cape Town dance-maker Yaseen Manuel received the Pick of the Fringe award for his work “Maktub” at this year's JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience Fringe event at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on Thursday, 4 September.

The prestigious award, providing him with support and a platform to present a new work at next year’s JOMBA!, was awarded by a committee comprising 2018 Standard Bank Young Artist for Dance and well-known South African dance-maker Musa Hlatshwayo, veteran dance writer and critic Adrienne Sichel and Prof Ketu Katrak (Department of Drama, University of California [Irvine] USA).

The work “Maktub” (meaning “our destiny” in Arabic ) was inspired by a line from an Islamic reading that one of the very first messages  was revealed through the “necklace of Yemen”.  “I took this idea and directed and choreographed it into a journey of man having no purpose on earth and trying to find what faith could bring us ,” explains Manuel. “Once the message through the necklace is revealed it helps find a pathway, a purpose for religion and understanding God’s intention for man.”

Manuel who only started dancing at 18 years, is a dancer and choreographer who aspires to tell his stories through movement drawing on this own spiritual and personal life’s journey. He currently works independently, but has worked extensively with the Cape Town-based Jazzart Dance Theatre and Unmute Dance Theatre, performing a variety of dance styles.

 “I am really grateful and honoured to have received the award, especially as it opens up the opportunity for me to dig further into my exploration of the work. It has also made me realize that if you do things with love and intention as you tell your story, you are able to find who you are as an artist – and great things can come from this,” he says.

Next up Manuel will perform at the Baxter Dance Festival opening on 26 September with a collaborative production "Unraveled” and will also perform “Maktub” at the fest with Sifiso Khumalo of the Flatfoot Dance Company on 1 and 2 October.

-ends

Buddha in Africa - for Hilton Arts Festival

Media Release

Award-winning documentary from KwaZulu-Natal Midlands at Hilton Arts Festival

Buddha in Africa, the award-winning documentary, by KwaZulu-Natal Midlands based filmmaker, Nicole Schafer, will screen at this year’s Hilton Arts Festival next weekend (14 and 15 September).

This powerful documentary that follows the intimate story of a Malawian teenager growing up in a Chinese Buddhist orphanage in Africa, was recently awarded “Best South African Documentary” at the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF). DIFF is included as a Documentary Feature Qualifying Festival by the Academy of Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences, which means that Buddha in Africa, automatically qualifies for consideration for an Oscar nomination.

The film had its World premiere at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival in April, and opened the Encounters Documentary Festival in Cape Town and Johannesburg in June where it received a Backsberg Encounters Audience Award.  It was also in the official selection at this year’s Sydney International Film Festival in June.

The film has its European Premiere coming up at the Visioni dal Mondo International Documentary Festival in Milan over the same weekend as the Hilton Arts Festival (14 Sept) and will also show at the Unicef Innocenti Film Festival in Florence in October to commemorate 30 Years of the signing of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Knysna residents can also look forward to seeing the film at the Knysna film festival at the end of October.

First-time feature director, Nicole Schafer, says: “Its been hugely rewarding to see the different responses the film has generated amongst audiences locally and internationally and I am encouraged by the conversations that have emerged around the film. I am also overwhelmed by the incredible support we have received from local audiences with full houses for nearly every screening to date.”

The film is an international co-production with Momento Films in Sweden and Paris-based documentary sales company, CAT and Docs is representing the film internationally. AfriDocs is the African broadcast partner.

Nicole Schafer is an independent documentary filmmaker from South Africa and founder of Thinking Strings Media based in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands. Her long-term vision is to support the production of creative documentaries and content in the province. The company also provides services in video production and editing. They are also in the process of organizing the Umbono Film Festival aimed at the youth in partnership with Michaelhouse School and the Michaelhouse Community Partnership Trust.

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/buddhainafrica

Website:www.thinkingstringsmedia.com

Trailer Link Facebook:

https://facebook.com/buddhainafrica/videos/2409166019303775

Screening dates & times: Hilton Arts Festival, Hilton College, KwaZulu-Natal

Sat 14th 5:30 pm, CFI Lecture Theatre (Director in attendance for a Q&A) 

Ticket bookings: https://www.hiltonfestival.co.za/events/buddha-in-africa/

Sun 15th 10:00 am, Lecture Theatre B  - Durban Film Festival Programme (Free Admission)

ends

------

BUDDHA IN AFRICA

HD Documentary: 93 min (South Africa/Sweden) 2019 

“Best South African Documentary” Durban International Film Festival

Opening Night - Encounters South African Documentary Festival

World Premiere - Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival

Sydney International Film Festival

SYNOPSIS

Enock Alu, a Malawian teenager growing up in a Chinese Buddhist orphanage, feels torn between his African roots and Chinese upbringing.  Once the star performer with dreams of becoming a martial arts hero like Jet Li, Enock, in his final year of school, has to make some tough decisions about his future.  Will he return to his relatives in his home village or study abroad in Taiwan? Set against China's expanding influence on the continent, Buddha in Africa provides a unique insight into the forces of cultural soft power on the identity and imagination of an African boy and his school friends growing up between two cultures.

Bio (cont)

Nicole Schafer (1980) has lived in Malawi where she produced award-winning stories for Reuters pan-African magazine show Africa Journal.  Other production credits include South Africa’s leading investigative programme Carte Blanche, Lonely Planet TV’s Six Degrees and Sport Traveller broadcast on Discovery Channel.  She has an MFA degree in Film and Television production from the University of Cape Town.  Her thesis film, The Ballad of Rosalind Ballingall was shown at the Frijbourg Film festival in 2006.

Last weekend of JOMBA! Durban, SA

Last weekend of JOMBA! 

Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre

Durban’s much-loved Flatfoot Dance Company with celebrated dance-maker Fana Tshabalala, and legendary Vincent Mantsoe and Lulu Mlangeni feature this weekend (6-8 September) at the close out to the 21st JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience Festival at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre at UKZN.

Fana Tshabalala, is the featured UKZN Mellon Foundation Artist-in-residence who has collaborated with the Flatfoot Dance Company in “amaVendors”, as they explore the journey of women and men who wake up every day to sell in the streets to provide for themselves and the loved ones.

Tshabalala will present his solo “Man”  inspired by the ideal kind of “Man” within society and how the roles and responsibilities have changed throughout  the years -  a new type of “Man” is emerging - gentle, sensitive, caring - a “Man” not afraid of express his feelings. “In light of the current situation and conversation in the country focused on the complicit and explicit role men play in the scourge raged against women and girls, this should make for an interesting piece  to watch and for discussion afterwards,” says Artistic Director, Lliane Loots.

Considered to be one of the founding fathers of South African contemporary dance Vincent Mantsoe, returns with the world premiere of his new work “SoliiDad, an abstract journey to oblivion”. This is a deeply personal journey into the very nature of being. Taking its impulse from Lao Tzu’s comment that, “a good traveller has no fixed plan, and is not intent on arriving”, Mantsoe’s exquisite solo is a journey into, and survival of, loneliness.

Mantsoe is set in a double bill with Johannesburg based Lulu Mlangeni –a young up and coming dance maker that is taking the country by storm. She will present her duet called “The Encounter” and it is a brave and unflinching contemporary journey into African spirituality and belonging. “The Encounter” is a dance duet that explores the timelessness of human spiritual ambivalence. 

Flatfoot and Fana Tshabalala perform on Friday, 6 September at 7.30pm and Mantsoe and Mlangeni on Saturday, 7 September at 7.30pm and Sunday, 8 September at 2.30pm at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, UKZN.

A free workshop will be conducted by Mantsoe, (who spends his time between France and South Arica teaching, choreographing and doing masterclasses) on Friday 6 September at 4.30pm at the UKZN Dance Studio. Booking is essential via jombafestival@gmail.com 

The JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience is presented by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts with support from the eThekwini Municipality.

Tickets: R80 (Student/scholar/pensioner/group booking of more than x10): R60

Tickets available on Computicket.

-ends

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball North Coast Regional Empangeni High School: Saturday 31 August

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball

North Coast Regional

Empangeni High School: Saturday 31 August

After a vibrant day of netball, the Nseleni’s compact team from Tholokuhle High School took the top honours in the first North Coast Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball hosted by Empangeni High School.

The excitement rippled around the court during the finals as Tholokuhle took on hosts, Empangeni High School in an action packed, fast flowing game that ended on 15 for the visitors and 11 for the home school, Empangeni.

In total 38 attempts were shot at goal, with 26 of them successfully finding the middle of the net. On-song Goal Shooter, Magubane Ntokojo netted all but four of her team’s 15 points while her hard working opponent on the opposite side of the court, Zethembiso Buthelezi was the only name to feature on the Empangeni’s scorecard.

Empangeni started the game, firing the ball out of the middle and straight away took the play up into Tholokuhle’s circle. After two ‘freshies’ floated beyond the net, the local team settled their nerves when Buthelezi opened up their team’s account with just over 90 seconds on the clock. Buthelezi put the second point on the board soon after, while Tholokuhle had two near misses on the other end.

Midway through the game, there was nothing separating the two teams with the scoreline level on 5 a piece. Nonjabulo Nhlengethwa fired in her first goal of the second half for Tholokuhle. The second half was a phenomenal adventure as play swiftly bounced between the two nets, with only 3 attempts going awry, as the shooters fired off goal after goal. 16 goals were scored in the 8 minute second half, with a whole lot of action in between. As the sands of time drained away, Ntokojo floated her final shot of the day, as the action paused with all eyes watching the ball neatly enter the goals as the whistle blew as the players erupted into joyous celebrations.

Leading up to the two semi-finals, Empangeni High School were victorious over Richards Bay High School with a 9-4 victory, while Tholokuhle dominated their game against Khombindlela High School with a 14-4 win.

Pool A was abuzz with goals, with 164 goals being netted. Empangeni finished on top of the log with 61 goals scored, Khombindlela High finished second with 51 goals, St Catherine’s were third with 28 goals, Sunnydale Secondary School fourth with 19 goals and Izibuko Secondary School with only 5 goals. Pool B had Tholokuhle in first with a total of 43 goals scored, Richards Bay High School second with 38 goals scored, Felixton College managed an impressive 30 for their third place in the pool, followed by Aquadene Secondary School in fourth and Richem Secondary School with only 8 goals.

The day started off with a refreshing light drizzle after the wonderful rains on Friday. The weather warmed up as did the action on the courts. Heading into the finals, the players had to contend with the wind that picked up and whipped across the court.

This is the third tournament in the inaugural SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball, with the final game tipping off in Pietermaritzburg at Voortrekker High School on Saturday 5 October.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.

Results

1 Tholokuhle High School, 2 Empangeni High School, 3 Khombindlela High School, 4 Richards Bay High School, 5= St Catherine’s, 5= Felixton College, 7= Sunnydale Secondary School, 7= Aquadene Secondary School, 9= Izibuko Secondary School, 9= Richem Secondary School.

ENDS

I heart Market Moves to The Hay Store at the Point Waterfront Next Market – Spring Sale - 7 September from 9am to 2pm

Media Release

I heart Market Moves to The Hay Store at the Point Waterfront

Next Market – Spring Sale - 7 September from 9am to 2pm

Durban’s iconic hip and happening I heart Market has a new home at The Hay Store at the Point Waterfront and will celebrate its new location with a sizzling Spring Sale on Saturday, September 7 from 9am to 2pm.

“Situated in Durban’s evolving Point Waterfront, on the corner of Albert Terrace and Camperdown Road, the Hay Store is innovative urban warehouse which is exactly what we need to take the I heart Market to the next level,” says owner Anna Savage. “We are creating a welcoming community space that will be filled with fun activities and unique experiences, great food and retail therapy with heart.”

The market recently had to move from the Moses Mabhida Stadium following an unexpected high rental hike. “I realized that with this change of venue we had an opportunity to embrace the change and start implementing more experiential aspects to the Market that we had been wanting to do for a while, but were not able to do, due to venue constraints,” says Anna. “We are very excited about the move. The Waterfront has a lot going for it – Ushaka, great beaches, the North Pier at the entrance of the harbour has just been opened, The Vetchs promenade extension will be opening in the future, and there are interesting neighbours like Robsons Brewery, The Chairman Jazz Club and Ciao Bella Restaurant.”

“Our previous venue was so unique that we realized that we needed to look for another venue that was equally unique but completely different at the same time. And we have some interesting ideas which we will plan and roll out over time.” 

The Hay Store is a creative space with ample outdoor areas. The craft area will be housed inside the aesthetically pleasing industrial columned warehouse and seating and eating will be set up outside in a paved courtyard space. This first market here in September will focus on its annual Spring Sale, where shoppers can hunt down some great bargains.

There is plenty on-street parking with car-guards, and uShaka parking is directly across the road with a pedestrian gate access. It is also on the People Mover route, and can be reached by bicycle or walking from the  Promenade. 

For more information go to iheartmarket.com.

Creston College wins Southern Regional of SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball

Southcity Christian College: Saturday 24 August

Creston College claimed the first Southern Regional title in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball that took place at Southcity Christian College on Saturday 24 August.

Creston stormed into the final where they met Suid Natal for the second time, having both played in the opening game of the tournament, the score went 6 to 4 in favour of the local team. The two teams then closed the tournament after two feisty semi-finals, where they took each other on in two 8 minute action packed halves.

Goal Shooter for the winning team, Joanelle Herman had fantastic stats in the crowning game with a higher success rate than her counter part on the opposite side, netting 6 of her team’s 7 goals. Majority of Suid Natal’s attempts agonisingly skirted along or bounced off the rim with only 3 finding the centre.

At half time, Creston completely dominated the scoreline with the scoreboard showing 5 – 1 to Creston. For the first 4 minutes and 19 seconds of the second half, the hard working scorer on the sidelines didn’t have any work to do as the game flowed between the two goals with no one able to float the ball into the net.

Creston broke the goal drought with two quick fire goals, taking the scoreline up to 7 - 1. As the clock wound down, Suidies finally managed to penetrate the strong defence and net two goals with the final whistle blowing at 7 - 3 to Creston.

Leading up to the finals, explosive and impressive Ixopo met their match in the first semi final where they took on Creston. In their first run on the court, Ixopo managed a fantastic win against Creston earlier in the day, with the score favouring the travelling team 6 – 5. In the semi, the towering frame of Raine van Tichelen in the Goal Keeper’s spot would have none of the sneaky low passes and bulls-eye perfect goal attempts as she swiftly moved in the circle blocking most of Ixopo’s attempts. Creston’s Herman again did her job, netting 4 of the 6 goals scored for her team. The pocket rockets from Ixopo were only able to sneak 1 shot in with the goal line ending on 6 – 1 in favour of Creston.

In the second semi-final, Suid Natal came up against host school, Southcity. From the first whistle the game ping-ponged between the two posts, with both teams moving the ball rapidly up to their attacking players, and then quickly finding themselves in defense mode. At half time there was nothing in it with Suid Natal slightly ahead on 8 – 6.

After their half time pep talk, the visiting team put their head down and determinedly defended like queens, not allowing the hosts to have any constructive time in the circle. Suid Natal earned themselves another 3 points, while Southcity were unable to shoot any points. The final score was 11 – 6 for Suid Natal, giving them a ticket through to the final.

Umpire for the day was awarded to Bronwin Day-Garden from Southcity.

This is the second of four regionals in the inaugural SPAR KZN Schoolgirl’s Fast 5s challenge. Creston College join Hillcrest High School as the first school to have their name engraved on the brand new glistening regional trophy.

This coming weekend, (Saturday 31 August) the tournament heads up to the north coast where teams from around the Empangeni and Richard’s Bay area take part in the Northern Regional at Empangeni High School.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.

Results

1 Creston College, 2 Suid Natal High School, 3 Southcity Christian College, 4 Ixopo High School, 5 Marburg High School

ENDS