Mollo wa Ditshomo Master Class #2

Hocus-Pocus Works in the Global & South African Creative Industries

South Africa is facing extreme pressure with the Fees Must Fall Movement. Once students graduate in the arts from tertiary education institutions, how aware are they of the industry they have chosen as a career? The Master Class #2 will demystify that with no sugar coating.

IKS Consulting & Promotions has teamed up with Mollo wa Ditshomo, a 40 artist member youth Cooperative based in Soweto, and the Institute for African Innovation.

At the Funda Community College on 26 November 2016, they will host the Arts Master Class #2 as a follow up to the introductory Master Class that took place on 22 October 2016.

This panel discussion is a much needed intervention in an industry where many artists resort to self-destructive tendencies due to the depression arising out of struggling to make a living using their craft.

Many accomplished creative industry businesses lack an interest in youth social service and are mostly interested when there is financial gain.

Issues of magic, deception, money, addiction and idols will be addressed in the following program:

Session 1 (12:00 – 12:50)	Introduction on artists, celebrity life and magic – 20 minutes presentation and 30 minutes panel reaction
Break (12:50 – 13:30)	40 minutes lunch
Session 2 (13:30 – 14:30)	Realities of industry, four 10 minute inputs on (1) employment opportunities; (2) pay and protection of rights; (3) gender and race discrimination and (4) ownership, laws and politics. Inputs will be followed by a Q & A
Break (14:30 – 14:45)	Tea and water
Session 3 (14:45 – 15:30)	Identifying, understanding and finding solutions to root causes (look at society, a look at the industry and a look at the artist)

"Knowledge is power."

Awakening Funda Community College Heritage Day on 1 October

Funda is known as an iconic community college with a thriving fraternity in visual arts, music and dance with African philosophical education underpinnings.

It was a beacon of the arts in its heyday when I studied there in 2003. It spawned creative industry activists and intellectuals like Motsumi Makgale Makhene, Nomsa Manaka, Charles Sokhaya Nkosi, Tlale Makhene, Steven Sack, Sydney Selepe, Charlotte Shear, Sibongile Khumalo, Molefe Makananise from the Blackjacks band, Rolihlahla Mhlanga, Bukhosi Nyathi,  Mhlanganisi Masoga, Arthur Mafokate - many top musicians and visual artists.

Before the term incubator was conceived this was a hotbed of African arts, talent and thought in the embodiment of "umuntu ungumuntu ngabantu". On 1 October 2016, Funda, after experiencing a tough time in recent years, is on the rise again. The board, administration, Mollo wa Ditshomo and Dikeledi Molatoli took the bull by the horn and tamed it.

Some of the murals and artworks will take any Funda alumnus back to a time of African cultural renewal, an institution of stature standing next to Baragwanath Hospital, Lesedi Clinic and taxi rank as you enter SOWETO.

Be part of the rising #blackartistichistory, be part of #BringBackFunda, be part of #culturalrenewal, #afrikanarts, #proudlysowetan, #proudlyafrican #artsinfrika #artistsinafrica #arterialnetwork #musicinafrica #proudlysouthafrican.

IKS Team (Kgomotso le Roux, Austin le Roux, Marlin Boutcher, Ryan Mukhoni and Angelina le Roux) setting up for our Khwela Arts Classes Programme demonstration

Angelina le Roux, the youngest member of IKS enjoyed making 2 friends that day.

Bee my Mom Mamas with information on the first Montessori school in Soweto based at Funda

Yummy goodies after the soulful lunch that was served following Poet Laureate - Keorapetse Kgositsile's master class.

Sibongile Khumalo and her beautiful daughter, Ayanda Khumalo as fans devour the moment

This feather mural by a Funda student brings the feathers back together so that it can breathe life into its desired destiny.

Select authentic indigenous instruments on display @ the IKS Consulting & Promotions stand with the mbira nyunganyunga, mbira dza vhadzimu, marimba with calabash resonators and rain stick

A packed poetry session led by Prof. Willie Kgotsitsile, with young Afrikan writers engaging and challenging our Poet Laureate

Prof. Keorapetse Kgositsile, Motsumi Makhene and master dancer from the Tsonga dance group of Thembisa  

Works that make you want to go back for another peaceful moment of internalisation

These murals illustrate "iFunda as iFunda ngabantu"

Register for 2017 Khwela Arts Classes

For more information, send an email to kgomotso@iksconsulting.co.za

When IKS and Urban Voices asked the mountain to come to them...

Happy South African Heritage month! although this happened in 2013, if this had happened last night, how would you imagine it?

From an insider's perspective, one can testify that the African Rootz Rhythm Concert was so rewarding yet highly challenging! For one, Urban Voices and IKS managed to pull it off with virtually no funding. Thanks to the Drakensburg Promotions and Catz Pyjamas, this was an incredibly memorable event.

Tau ea Matsekha were supposed to perform as a trio. They decided, at the last minute, to bring 12 performers. Their act was graceful, elegant and truly inspiring.

  

Have you ever heard of someone beat-boxing on a flute? Yeah, Wouter Kellerman displayed the extension of the flute that night :-)

When Bheki Khoza stepped on that stage and played the first bar, the audience travelled back into the 70's during the days of Miriam Makeba and Dolly Rathebe...

Tlale Makhene was asked to perform for longer. Thank goodness he was prepared. He then went into a trance that sucked Sibongile Khumalo right in. Tlale and Mme Khumalo's impromptu performance was out of this world!

Diviners are a blessing to some and a curse to others who chose to see it that way. Blondie Makhene and daughter Latoya Makhene, both traditional healers and singers, made it rain this night.

When Phuzekhemisi got on stage, everybody got up! An audience member testified that she was healed that night.