Samanthole Arts Foundation

 The five-time Grammy Award-winning acapella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo was  founded by the late Joseph Bhekizizwe Shabalala in 1959. He initially named it Ezimnyama (The Black Ones) and later christened it Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Ladysmith for his hometown, Black for the local black oxen that were the strongest in the area, and Mambazo, the Zulu word for axe, as a metaphor for the group’s sharpness. The band is still going strong 63 years after its formation. The band is the epitome of black excellence and proof that legacy and family tradition can  stand the test of time. When Shabalala senior retired in 2014, four of his sons: Thulani Shabalala, Thamsanqa Shabalala, Sibongiseni Shabalala, and Msizi Shabalala remained in the band alongside the oldest band veteran, Mdletshe Albert Mazibuko, who has been with the band since its inception. The other four members are Abednego Mazibuko, Sabelo Mthembu, Mfanafuthi Dlamini, and Pius Shezi. With their agile bodies and mesmerizing voices

April has been a fantastic month for the South African visual arts sector, with two significant events snagging my attention. The University of Johannesburg bestowed a well-deserved Honorary Doctorate in Arts and Design on one of the most accomplished sculptors, Dr. Noria Muelelwa Mabasa. Meanwhile, Senzeni Marasela, a visual artist who works across different media, combining performance, photography, video, prints and textiles, won the K2 Global Art Award in Germany. These two incredible women are the pride of the African contemporary art landscape. I admire and salute them for their dedication, commitment, and contributions to the visual arts sector. Their accomplishments serve as an inspiration to future generations of creative artists on the continent and around the world. World-renowned sculptor Dr Noria Muelelwa Mabasa 📷 From UJ Facebook  I must, however, voice my discontent about the manner in which Mme Mabasa’s accomplishment has been communicated in both mass medi

The Head and the Load by William Kentridge is currently showing at the Joburg Theatre. Those who are familiar with the Joburg Theatre's Nelson Mandela Theatre will be surprised to be ushered past the auditorium's normal seating into what looks like the backstage of the theatre. Audience members are made to sit on the rostrum as if at the stadium. The title of the piece is inspired by the Ghanaian proverb, "The head and the load are the troubles of the neck." The lyricism, rhythm, and musicality of African languages are full of wisdom and humility; hence, the title builds anticipation and suspense for the potential audience. Poster of the production. Source: The Head and The Load Facebook Page The opening of this tapestry of artistic festivity is punctuated by the phalanx of dancers, actors, musicians and singers performing along what looks like a 500m riverbank, with the audience watching from across the bank.  The stage is the longest I have seen in length, suspend

ANY EVENT that exposes the youth to cultural and creative industries products and experience especially in far-flung and neglected areas is crucial in instilling confidence, opening new worlds, shaping personal identities of the learners and exposing them to new career options. The event, part of the Motlamogadi Bioscope, an initiative of the Chepapeism Movement was held at Gerson Ntjie Secondary School in Ga Mothapo village, a few kilometres from the University of Limpopo, Mankweng Campus. The principal and staff were incredibly welcoming and engaging on the activities of the day at their school. Motlamogadi Bioscope poster Courtesy of Khehla Chepape Makgato.  The Motlamogadi Bioscope comprising screenings, workshops and panel discussions went a long way in cementing the complex marriage between entertainment, audience development and skills development.  In its format, the programme served the larger social function of reviving and promoting the culture of public film con

African Classical Poetry and Contemporary Dance came to interact with each other at the Polokwane Auditorium at Library Gardens, presented by Botho Arts Festival 2023 in partnership with the City of Polokwane. This two week-long basket of theatre performances is curated by its artistic director Mashupe Phala. Friday the 24th February 2023 evening was not only a night of theatre but of visual art exhibition too. The precinct of the city is doing its best to present a dose of art festivities at no entry fee to the general public. Both the evening events are funded by the National Arts Council of South Africa through the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.  The evening started with a group exhibition at the Polokwane Art Museum titled Anti Bullying Exhibition coordinated by Frans Phooko and Jonas Mailula, whose artworks are part of the show. The exhibition was opened by the city of Polokwane’s arts and cultural desk exper

Moses D. Rasekele presents Khebhebhe Arts Project  We are excited to announce the upcoming Khebhebhe Drama Festival! The festival takes place in the land of The Rain Queen Modjadji, Bolobedu, Kgapane on the 4th of March 2023.  A shot from Training session at Kgapane Youth Centre January 2023. The Khebhebhe Drama Festival is the continuation, culmination and final component of the much anticipated Khebhebhe Arts Project, a project which consisted of three phases: (1) Auditions and Training, (2) Rehearsal and Creation and (3) the Khebhebhe Drama Festival.  We auditioned 412 aspiring youth artists and 25 were selected. We then put them through an intensive and rigorous multilayered training programme in dramatic arts by the industry expert leaders. They have since been divided into five groups and are creating theatre productions drawing from and inspired by the knowledge and various skills attained from the training that they received.  We are now waiting with gre

Motlamogadi Bioscope Screening Press Release  18 January 2023 Immediate Release Public Invite and Call for public participation Khehla Chepape Makgato presents the Motlamogadi Bioscope  Screenings We are delighted to bring people closer  and together for social engagement through the Motlamogadi Bioscope screenings which are earmarked to take place in the Limpopo Province’s Capricorn Region from 03 February 2023 to 03 March 2023. The project is a 5 week long project of screenings and discussions of two productions, namely  Sesasedi sa Tsodio by Rangoato Hlasane and Man Alone by Roelf Matlala. The series will take place every Friday weekly over five weekends. The screenings will be followed by panel discussions by experts in the Film and cultural sector. The screening are about opening the doors of learning exposing opportunities that are in the arts and cultural sector while catalysing the culture of film consumption in our communities. &