Exploring traditions, arts, and cultural heritage.
If Miriam Makeba is celebrated as the South African vocalist of her time who wonderfully adopted (and truly shaped) global music sounds, and if Sathima Bea Benjamin is celebrated as an innovator who captivated the contemporary jazz scene in Europe and the US. Mdunyelwa, also known as “Mama Kaap” in her hometown of Cape...
Winky D, a Zimdancehall singer who is 40 years old, is very popular in his home country of Zimbabwe. More and more people are listening to him because of the messages in his songs, which criticise oppressive governments and corruption that is built into the system. People have said that his songs should not...
Romantically entwined with the global landscape, South African college campuses serve as an arena for the complex interplay of intimate relationships. Often, this involves what some term transactional sex – a voluntary exchange of sexual services for financial or material benefits. However, delving into the intricacies of the romantic mindsets of South African college...
The death of South Africa’s national ballet hero, Johaar Mosaval, brought the country to a respectful stillness. He passed away this morning, the 16th of August at the age of 95. The Dancer’s Legacy Not only did Johaar bring his fierce passion to the arts, but also his exquisite pirouettes and nimble movements. This...
Strive for Excellence Despite Unfairness As a young person, I learned to protect myself by doing well. Finding solace in accomplishments that went above societal prejudice was important to me as a black, gender non-conforming, gay guy. After learning about the effects of discrimination on marginalised individuals, especially those who share my intersecting identities,...
When the world stopped to honor Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela on his birthday, Artscape took a magnificent step to pay tribute to this global icon. On 23 July, the revered stage hosted a magical production, ‘Mandela – A More Human Face’, that left attendees awestruck. Here’s a look back at an evening filled with beauty,...
What You Really Should Know We all yearn for the raucous support of student audiences at school performances and exhibitions of student art and culture. Angie Motshekga, South Africa’s Minister of Basic Education, has given the all-clear for spectators to return after a brief suspension due to the epidemic. The return of spectators to...
Is it true that stars can appear in the sky suddenly? That’s the story of Ntando Zondi, the little genius who’s swept the stage in South Africa. He’s only 15, but the anticipation surrounding his casting as little Shaka in Mzansi Magic’s ‘Shaka Ilembe’ is already palpable. A Rising Star: Ntando Zondi Ntando Zondi...
A Crisis in the Relief Fund South African artists from all walks of life have joined together to demand that Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa change the eligibility requirements for the R150 million COVID-19 relief fund. Unfortunately, many of the country’s creatives have taken a disliking to the fund that was set...