Kgomotso le Roux performs at Dr Sello Galane's Pula Festival of African Music

The Rain Dance

 

JOHANNESBURG, SA: On 15 September 2017 at 8pm in the Opera State Theatre Venue, I will cross the iron curtain to sing, dance and play my mbira with the phenomenal Dr Sello Galane. His Pula Festival of African Music is celebrating its 17th year celebration of Free Kiba Music featuring voices of women.
 

“I wish to profile musicians who essentially preserve African indigenous sounds through the mbira, kora, kudu horn, drums and other indigenous instruments. We do not produce a tribal sound. We produce an African genre,” said Dr Galane who humbly considers these instruments as phenomenal, standing victoriously on the world stage. This festival comes at a time when South Africa is experiencing a drought. Dr Galane’s amazing ensemble will indeed bring good rains that nourish our beautiful land the day after the show.
 

I value the music and dance lessons I learned in Venda when I was in my 3th year of majoring in ethnomusicology through the Witwatersrand University in 2006. After serving at IKS Consulting & Promotions for 7 years as the managing member, I resigned so that I can focus on managing Khwela Factory and awaken our company’s first story told through clothing and textile called Unoyiwawa. 

Unoyiwawa is one of the songs in my upcoming album that is centered in a theme of healing and inspiration. The songs I will perform are from this album that is due to be launched in November 2017. Unoyiwawa Dashikis for children (attached) will be available for sale at the show for R400 each. A portion of the funds are donated to the Home of Hope Community Centre’s Arts and Science Programme.
 
The Arts and Science Programme grew from offering music and visual art classes at Amazing Grace Private School in Randburg to integrating music, dance, visual art, storytelling and science. The Home of Hope Community Centre is a non-profit organization and a public benefit organization that seeks to assist primary and high school learners whose families are experiencing severe financial and social challenges by providing them with educational and nutritional support in Soweto. 
 

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ORDERS FOR CDS (R150) AND DVDS (R195) CAN BE PLACED FOR DELIVERY WITHIN 7 DAYS TO KAMRECORDS3@GMAIL.COM

The Power of Learning Languages through Music

The lovely sound of a class of 21 grade 2 learners at Amazing Grace Private School singing a Zulu and French song I wrote titled "Abangani" is the reason why I get up everyday and be thankful that I can serve people through music. I couldn't agree more with Suzana Zaraysky.

Why Parents Should Consider the Importance of the Arts in Academic Learning

Khwela Music and Visual Arts Classes

We have partnered with a number of schools in Gauteng for our 2017 programme. We look forward to teaching learners composition, mbira, singing, percussions and visual art starting from 23 January. Contact us if you would like us to provide classes at your school!

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.