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The Breaths of Joburg Exhibition is almost here

BY NKosazana Ngwadla

The University of Johannesburg has announced an exhibition of photographs, text and a documentary on Breaths of Joburg, the public space theatre performance produced in April 2023 by UJ Arts & Culture, the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study and Malmö University. Directed by Jade Bowers, Breaths of Joburg was inspired by three winning texts from the 2022 Set in Joburg writing competition and devised and performed by Lebo Mashile, Tina Redman, Yogin Sullaphen and an ensemble from the UJ Arts Academy.

This exhibition launches a documentary on the project by filmmaker Bonga Nkomo, giving insight into the intentions for the work and how it was realised. The creative team have also curated a selection of photographs from the process and performances, presented alongside graphically treated text in the form of writing from the writing competition, writing from the six post-graduate scholars involved in the work from Johannesburg and Malmö University and audience responses to the work.

Breaths of Joburg is part of a larger public art as research project, a collaborative endeavour between UJ Arts & Culture, JIAS and Malmö University, Sweden, with Alex Halligey as lead researcher for UJ in collaboration with Anders Høg-Hansen and Mikael Rundberg for Malmö University.

The exhibition is part of ASSITEJ South Africa’s Cradle of Creativity Festival and Conference and will be open to the public at the Windybrow Arts Centre from 20-27 August to Saturday, 9:00-16:00 everyday. Entrance is free.

Image and source: UJ

Concrete specialist, Janina Kanjee wins prestigious award

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

SA’s consolidated body for cement and concrete matters, Cement & Concrete SA (CCSA) has recognised Janina Kanjee, a PhD candidate in Civil Engineering at Wits, with the award of her “significant contribution to the advancement of cement and concrete through research excellence in the South African environment.”

Kanjee, 34, researches subjects such as concrete durability, concrete testing and assessment, as well as its rehabilitation and maintenance. In addition to her research record, she has demonstrated her commitment to industry by serving on the CCSA Board and in 2021 chaired the CCSA Young Concrete Researcher conference.

In 2017, she was actively involved in establishing the Wits South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) Student Chapter and, in 2019, the Wits Institution of Civil Engineering (ICE) Student Chapter – the latter a first in South Africa for the internationally-renowned UK institution.

To be considered for the biennial award, candidates must have published in accredited journals; presented at peer-reviewed conferences; have postgraduate supervision, dissertation and paper reviewer experience; and actively participate in industry-related activities in South Africa.

Overall, five candidates were nominated for the award and these are: Dr Alice Bakera from the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Nikhiel Budhai from building supplier Upat SA; Dr Jacques Kruger from the University of Stellenbosch; and Dr Sanjeev Kumar from University of Virginia, USA.

The award adjudicators, Bryan Perrie (CCSA CEO), Mark Alexander (UCT Emeritus Professor and CCSA Board Member) and Hanlie Turner (CCSA Business Development Manager), agreed that Kanjee met all the requirements in an exemplary manner.

Professor Mike Otieno, Head of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at Wits, who nominated Kanjee, praised the judges’ decision adding that her research profile can only be expected to grow in the coming years.

Kanjee says, “I am deeply honoured. My heartfelt thanks go out to the organisers, judging panel, and everyone involved in this journey for their unwavering support, encouragement, and belief in the potential of young researchers. This award motivates me to push the boundaries of cement and concrete research further, to advance our understanding of concrete materials, explore innovative construction techniques, and promote sustainable practices to benefit both society and the environment.”

Images and source: Wits

South Africa’s Dr Sanya Samtani judges Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Geneva

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Congratulations are in order for senior researcher at the Mandela Institute at Wits, Dr Sanya Samtani, who was a judge at the 15th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Geneva, Switzerland, for both the preliminary and Grand Final rounds.

This year’s competition saw students arguing matters relating to the right to health and access to vaccines, cross-border data flows, the application of human rights in armed conflict, and refugee protection, amongst others.

The Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition is the only global moot court competition explicitly dedicated to human rights. It is co-organised by the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, the Academy on Human Rights, Washington College of Law, American University, and the United Nations Human Rights Council Branch (HRCB), at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The Nelson Mandela Moot Court Competition is an annual event in which students from around the world come together in Geneva to argue a hypothetical human rights case.

Each year a new case is carefully developed, drawing on current global human rights issues – these range from human rights and artificial intelligence, over terrorism and mercenaries, to the right to not be discriminated against on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity.

To participate in the Nelson Mandela World Moot Court Competition students can apply by submitting heads of argument for the hypothetical case, which are assessed by a panel of experts. The best 10 teams from each UN region are then invited to participate in the pre-final, quarter-final, semi-final and final rounds of the Competition in Geneva, Switzerland.

Once in Geneva, teams have to argue the two sides of the hypothetical case, representing, alternatively, both the Applicant and the Respondent before a ‘bench’ of human rights experts. The two best teams advance to the final round, which is presided over by judges from international courts and tribunals.

Image: LinkedIn

Whitney April to open for PJ Morton Live in Cape Town

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Honey-voiced Cape Town born singer representing a new generation of creatives, Whitney April, is billed to perform as an opening act at some key events this coming September and October in Cape Town, notably at the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra Gala (1 September 2023), the Abbotts College open day (21 September 2023), and PJ Morton Live in Cape Town (6 October 2023).

Performing at the iconic Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra Gala, the prestigious Abbotts College and selected as one of two opening acts for the Multi-Grammy-Award-Winning musician and keyboardist in Maroon 5, PJ Morton Live in Cape Town concert, speaks volumes of the talent that is Whitney April.

Making a mark earlier this year with the release of her International Women’s Day anthem, Fighters, which is still as relevant this Women’s Month, Whitney April’s song is a sonic declaration in the league of Katy Perry’s “Roar” and Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” set to empower listeners of all ages and backgrounds – and young women in particular.

Kicking off with a pounding drum beat that also serves as a triumphant call-to-action, “Fighters” hits the ears with affirmations that speak to the challenges of everyday life in the 21st century with a promise that things will get better. “If I made it, you can make it too,” Whitney April proclaims in her bright vocal tone on the commanding Pop anthem that is sure to birth a new generation of confident, inspiring warriors. We’re Fighters and we’re never going to give up, we’re in this together and we will win!

Image: Supplied

South African graduate, Cayla Janse van Rensburg gets accepted at University of Cambridge

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Congratulations are in order for recent South African graduate, Cayla Janse van Rensburg on being accepted to specialise in health data science for her master’s at the University of Cambridge in England!

Janse van Rensburg graduated from the University of Pretoria with a degree in industrial engineering and, in the next step of her academic career, aims to develop models to capture the dynamic movement and spread of infectious diseases in populations.

“With my broad foundation in industrial engineering, I am equipped with the skills required to pursue a master’s degree in healthcare. Hence, my advice is to think outside the box, be creative and make the most of the diverse opportunities available to you,” she said.

Image: LinkedIn

Here’s what inspires author Zahida Wahab to promote literacy

BY Zahida Wahab

I am Zahida Wahab and I am proud to call myself a resident of the Bayview community, which is a vibrant, melting pot of diversity. It is also rich in the spirit of Ubuntu.

This was my first foray into writing Children’s stories. I have always written for adults, so it was both challenging and enriching. I was inspired to write for children after joining Nalibali as a Funda Leader and reading the amazing stories to my learners. My learners also inspired me by demonstrating their love for these stories. It is an honour for me to publish my stories with Nalibali knowing that the publication reaches hundreds of learners across our 9 provinces, promoting literacy and inculcating a love for stories. The knowledge that my stories, Iike all Nalibali stories are published in 11 official languages is really amazing, affording children who are not so proficient in English to enjoy it in their mother tongue.

Having published my stories with Nalibali has given me the confidence to write more stories for children. It has also inspired me to continue to promote literacy and use these and other stories in Nalibali to stimulate young minds, making our children use their imagination and develop a passion for reading and storytelling as I fervently believe that we all have a story within us- a story that needs to be told. The radio story series is also a brilliant way of promoting the love of stories and the art of storytelling.

My message to others who would like to write stories for Nalibali is ‘ Go for it!’. Write these stories knowing that children from all over our beautiful country will be filled with amazement and wonder and that your stories will be in Nalibali which is transformative in advocating for literacy and the love of reading. I am honoured to be one of the authors for Nalibali and will continue to write and encourage my learners to not only read but tell stories as well which perhaps can feature in Nalibali too.

Image and source: Nalibali

From South Africa to the world: Vincent Magagula’s incredible journey

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

“Out of more than 1 500 applications received, I was one of 20 candidates to be selected by Accenture, because of my qualification from the University of Pretoria (UP),” says UP alumnus Vincent Magagula, He now works as a Senior Strategy Consultant at multinational Deloitte in New York, US.

Magagula (28) hails from Pretoria and obtained a BCom degree in Investment Management at UP in 2016. He says that working at Deloitte’s headquarters has been great.

“The journey to get there was a long one, and being part of the company has broadened my horizons,” he says. “I’ve had great experiences working on projects that I wouldn’t have ordinarily worked on when I was in South Africa.”

He says his work is challenging and there are hardly any typical days in strategy consulting.

“Generally, we focus on solving a specific problem for a client, which is carried out in a structured project spanning 8 to 12 weeks in most cases,” he explains. “We also meet with the client regularly to better understand their business and work towards a solution. This culminates in providing clients with strategic options that best align with their intended goal”

What excites him about the job is that it is challenging and forces him to think critically and innovatively about how to solve a problems at a global scale.

Support is part of the culture at Deloitte, so while Magagula is being exposed to global leadership with the clients he works with, he is also supported by the higher-ups in that they recognise the hard work he puts in to be at the table.

“I think being South African is a superpower at some of these international spaces,” he says. “The manner in which we carry ourselves, and our sense of humility and being grounded really shines through in corporate environments.”

Thinking back to his student days, Magagula says that funding was his biggest challenge.

“My parents couldn’t afford to pay for my fees as they were making less than R60 000 a year,” he says. “I had to work extra hard be on financial aid through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, but also to secure additional funding. I got two bursaries – the Dell Young Leaders scholarship and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange bursary – which helped to ease the burden.”

He is involved in the UP-US Foundation, an organisation that assists alumni and friends of UP to give back financially in the most tax-effective manner. Magagula is active at a local level with the funding of his alumni chapter in New York.

“More broadly, I want to be a resource to fellow alumni who are thinking of making the transition to this side of the world, and I am contributing financially to the University through the alumni fund.”  

In the near future, he intends on growing within the consulting space.

“I am expanding my passions outside of work to focus on managing musical talent in the New York area,” he says. “Additionally, I have launched an art fund that focuses on bringing contemporary African art to collectors and investors in the US who may not have had the opportunity to really look into the African art market to add to their collections.”

Image and source: UP

Ami Faku the only South African artist to feature in Bob Marley’s posthumous album ‘Africa Unite’

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

History continues to smile on Ami Faku, Vth Season’s award-winning, platinum-selling darling of Afrosoul. After a momentous run of African Collaborations with the greater half of West Africa, she is called to immortalize the Lion fire of the late Reggae Legend Bob Marley. Ami Faku stands proudly as the only singer-songwriter to be featured on Bob Marley & The Wailer’s Pan African and Jamaican posthumous album ‘Africa Unite,’ offering her consoling, soul-stirring rendition of the iconic “Redemption Song”, which Joins a legacy of Timeless Covers that predate it.

Produced by Mike Brainchild, Ami Faku’s “Redemption Song” cover joins the lineage of illustrious artists who have paid tribute to this timeless masterpiece, including Stevie Wonder, Joe Strummer of The Clash, Bono of U2, John Legend, and Wyclef Jean, among others. Each artist has brought their unique interpretation to the song, further cementing its status as a symbol of hope, unity, and freedom.

Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” is significant in music history. The final track on his twelfth album, ‘Uprising,’ the song was written during a time when Marley was grappling with his mortality due to a cancer diagnosis. The heartfelt solo acoustic recording features Marley’s vocals and acoustic guitar, delivering powerful penmanship derived from a speech by the Pan-Africanist orator Marcus Garvey titled “The Work That Has Been Done.”

The song’s profound meaning urges listeners to “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds,” a message inspired by Marcus Garvey’s call for mental liberation and empowerment. Over the years, “Redemption Song” has been recognized as one of the greatest works of Bob Marley, resonating with audiences worldwide and earning its place in Rolling Stone’s “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

“Every now and then a song drops that encapsulates the signs of the time. Redemption Song by Bob Marley can’t be more timely then now. Ami Faku was selected by the Marley Family and shines on this timeless song. It’s almost spiritual and pre-ordained that Ami Faku’s voice and energy lies beside Bob Marley’s iconic voice. Shares Benza , Chief Opportunity Creator & Culture Investor at Vth Season.

As ‘Africa Unite’ releases to the world, Ami Faku’s rendition of “Redemption Song” will undoubtedly impact the profound tapestry of Ragge and Afrobeats as she weaves her soulful magic into this immortal melody.

Image: Supplied

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Dr Job Mwaura on African Peace Network Individual Research Fellowship award

BY Job Mwaura

I’m thrilled to announce that I have been awarded the prestigious African Peace Network Individual Research Fellowship (APN-IRF), supported by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC). I traveled to Botswana to receive the award and attend a one-week methods workshop. It’s an honor to be part of an esteemed group of researchers contributing to Africa’s scientific body of knowledge.

My current research, titled “Ethical Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence in Public Order Management: A Multidisciplinary Approach”, seeks to bridge the gap between technology and ethics. In a world increasingly reliant on Artificial Intelligence (AI), it is crucial to create frameworks that guide ethical AI usage in various spheres of public life.

My research investigates how we can leverage AI to manage public order while adhering to ethical guidelines that respect human rights, civil liberties, and socio-political realities.

With a multidisciplinary approach, I aim to collaborate with various stakeholders in AI, law enforcement, ethics, and sociology to comprehensively understand the issues involved in utilizing AI in public order management.

The journey ahead is filled with curiosity, intense learning, and a commitment to contribute to the ethical advancement of AI. I am incredibly excited about the potential positive impacts this research can have on our society and look forward to sharing my findings and experiences with you all. Stay tuned!

Image and source: LinkedIn

Relebogile Mabotja celebrates 20 years in the arts and entertainment industry

BY Nkosazana Ngwadla

Multi-hyphenated, multi-award-winning media personality and businesswoman, Relebogile Mabotja, celebrates 20-years in the arts and culture industry this month. Having left an indelible mark across various sectors of the arts as an actress, musician, TV and radio presenter, musical director, executive producer, voice director and more; there’s no stopping the powerhouse that is Relebogile Mabotja.

I’m “still me”, recollects Relebogile Mabotja upon reflecting on her journey. “I started out hungry, passionate and loving what I do, and 20-years on, it’s the same ethos I carry with me in everything I do.”

She adds: “I must be honest though. I never envisioned a 20-year career in the industry, especially not as it is right now. I hoped it would work out, but I could never have dreamt my career would have panned out this way and it’s truly humbling to be celebrating 20-years at the height of my career.”

Starting out as a 17-year-old triple-threat stage performer on Fame – The Musical and now enjoying an illustrious career on screen, behind the scenes and in multiple executive positions, Relebogile Mabotja’s two-decade vocation speaks volumes of her talent, work ethic and consistency.

Celebrating her 20-year anniversary in Women’s Month is a perfect alignment for Relebogile Mabotja as most of her career has been paved by other women championing her, mentoring her, and opening doors for her. “I’ll eternally be grateful to all the women in my life who have held me down and lifted me up whenever I needed a shoulder to cry on, advice on navigating the industry, or being my biggest cheerleaders.”

There’s a lot coming up for Relebogile Mabotja, but for now she’ll just be taking this in and celebrating this important career milestone over the next couple of months.

Connect with Relebogile Mabotja online for more on her 20-year journey, catch her every weekday on 702 ‘Afternoons with Relebogile Mabotja’ from 1pm – 3pm, and look out for the new season of Unpacked with Relebogile Mabotja coming back to S3 soon.

Images: Supplied

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