Instruments4kids

Kees Hoogeveen and Saskia Bodemeijer were back in South Africa again to donate instruments for the Instruments4kids initiative. The first stop was Tembisa, to donate instruments to Monk Molelekwa’s Music School. A keyboard, violin, two flutes, a clarinet and a soprano saxophone were donated. Kees expressed appreciation that the school was still running and producing great musicians (Instruments4kids donated instruments to the school in 2005). As a musician himself he said it was inspiring to see the work done at the school and that he felt the instruments were a great investment in the children’s futures.

The next stop was Hillbrow, to the Hillbrow Theatre, where the Methodist City Projects runs a crèche, craft project and a music school. Three violins and a clarinet were donated to the Music School. Saskia was impressed that the music school there often aids students to get bursaries for arts schools, saying it was a great initiative to contribute to.

Kees explained that the Instruments for Kids initiative donates instruments, repairs broken instruments and aids music schools in whatever way they can. It is through The Cultural Development Trust that they are able to access schools in need of assistance and maintain sustainable relationships with them. Music serves as a new perspective and constructive form of expression for children world wide and instruments4kids aims to do just that!

Boi Akih

Boi Akih is coming back again in South Africa for the 3 rd time. Their SA tour is schedule for the 6 th to 31 st March in Capetown.

Noyam African Dance Institute - Ghana (Accra)

Another partner organization Noyam African Dance Institute in Accran Ghana is sending their Business and Marketing manager John Owoo to do an internship on Administration at The Cultural Development Trust for a short period of three weeks from the 25 th February to 17 March 2008.

Kwani Experience

Kwani Experience will soon embark on their European tour, they are jetting off to Holland on the 21st March and will be back in the country on the 16th of April 2008.

Women of Dzonga 2008

"Celebrating women's ageless spirit through music"

Women of Dzonga, returns from The Netherlands and Belgium with the ringing applause of full house audiences. Directed by Portia Mashigo, the production performed to sold out theatres with standing ovations. The Dutch and Belgian audiences were blown away by the performance of these energetic women.

Back in their own country they are going to dazzle the South African audiences in Durban during the South African Women Arts Festival in August 2008.

Marcus Wyatt

Marcus launched his long awaited 3 rd album "Language 12" at the Wits Theatre on the 28th of March 2007. The Cultural Helpdesk assisted him with the marketing and publicity of the album launch.

International Exchange Projects

Mundial Productions, The Netherlands

Mundial Productions has produced Mundial Festival annually for 19 years, one of the biggest festivals in the Benelux for non-western music. The climax of the festival is the 'Slotweekend', takes place on the last two days of this three week festival. More than 80 music groups perform during that weekend offering you a varied repertoire of all musical influences. Mundial Festival is not only a stage for world music: it also a platform for international exchanges that can improve the long term development and understanding of non-western cultures.

Devastators in South Africa; ROCk around the world

The Devastators is a Hip Hop Band, a group of young adults from Gorinchem, Holland . They won last years' edition of ROCk Around The World. ROCk Around the World is a talent contest for performing arts students from vocational training schools in Holland.

The Devastators came to Johannesburg at the end of September 2007 for a week's tour around the country where they teamed up with other young musicians, performed at the Arts Alive Festival and visited projects in and around the country. They engaged with youth from difference provinces in South Africa . The aim was to witness the ways in which youth live as well as to understand the challenges that they are faced with. The main goal of this project was to get the boys home with a story to tell to youth in Holland what they have learned during their time here in South Africa and exchange knowledge about each others cultures. The groups they teamed up with were mostly Hip Hoppers and Rappers who are members of CDT. Some of them had participated in the training programmes.

Marike Jager in South Africa

Two singers, songwriters and guitar players strummed their guitars in Johannesburg (Roxys in Melville, Backroom in Soweto ) and at the Woodstock festival in November/December 2007. The Netherlands born Marike Jager and her band visited South Africa for a one week tour. Whilst in South Africa Marike was joined by a South African rock artist called Steadyrock.

Marike learned to play the guitar while she was travelling the world. She started singing and performing while backpacking through Australia and wrote her first song 'Lizzy' in South Africa . Back in the Netherlands, she quickly took to the stage, soon winning The Student Song Festival in Maastricht, and then, in quick succession, The Sky Radio Talent Search, Studio Brussel's Demo Poll and the Grote Prijs van Netherland 2003 (singer/songwriter category).

Marike has just released her first album 'The Beauty Around', and has opened her own record label 'Morning Coffee Records'

Steady Rock, born Durrell Ivandro Jadir Jacinto in Mozambique in '78 from a family of musicians, spent most of his life in the street. This forged the fiercely independent and self-reliant personality of a survivor. Steadyrock's first album is due to be released in February 2008. Steadyrock started writing songs when he was still in high school, inspired by seeing his uncles performing during the 80's in Maputo . He subsequently studied music to gain solid fundamentals for his passion.

Marike Jager and Steadyrock gave back to the South African community by giving a workshop in Soweto at Umbuyisa School of the Arts & Culture. On her last day in South Africa Marike Jager gave a stunning performance for street kids at the Hillbrow Outreach Theatre which was received very well by the kids and they all had fun!

Mundial Development

Since 2004 CDT has yearly identified a SA group suitable to participate in the Mundial Festival development programme in June. Through this participation they improve their skills as they perform every day for 3 week, get exposure as they are seen by tens of thousands of people and network as they share the stage with 80 performers from all over the world. Furthermore they have the chance to be invited into another Mundial project, Mundial on Tour.

In 2007 Kwani Experience was selected to participate in this programme. Kwani Experience is a young, hip, incredibly talented group of musicians; young enough to not have the political burden of the past that weighs on their shoulders. It gives them a fresh feel and makes them just part of a world community. They spent 3 weeks in the Netherlands giving workshops and performances around the Netherlands and Belgium . The highlight of the tour was 16 & 17 June where more than 80 music groups performed. They gave an electrifying performance to an enthralled audience that did not want to leave the outside arena even though it was raining. They had to do an encore of at least 3 songs before the next band could come on stage.

CDT/Mundial Global Partnership Development Projects

(These projects have all been executed free of charge as the CDT contribution to Partnership Network while Mundial Productions paid for the logistical cost).

In June 2007 Nzali Jordan and Maria Kint stopped over on route to the Netherlands in Nairobi for a short but intensive training/coaching session with James Mungo, the Administrator of the Sarakasi Trust in Nairobi . The stop-over minimised the cost of travel and the director of Sarakasi Trust hosted Nzali and Maria at her house.

In October 2007 a staff member from IBISS Rio de Janeiro in Brazil came to do a 3 week internship with CDT. The objective was to learn how to set up an effective Arts Management office in Rio de Janeiro to help IBISS with professionalizing the youth groups that they have trained in the Arts sector. IBISS uses Arts and Culture programs to help street children and 'child soldiers' that are used in the drug wars to rehabilitate.

At the request of Mundial Productions in the Netherlands CDT has developed project 'Application and Report forms' to be used in the Global Partnership Network.

John Owoo, the Financial Director of Noyam from Ghana and Koudbi Kouala, Director of Benebnoma in Ouagadougou , Burkina Faso are both scheduled to come to CDT for training and a fact finding mission in 2007. Due to time constraints on their part it has been postponed to February 2008.

Morija Festival in Lesotho

The last few years the Morija Festival struggled to get adequate funding (funding is scares in Lesotho ) and they had to re-think some strategies on getting more festival attendees. CDT was asked to participate in some Strategic Planning Session regarding these problems. The outcome was that the main festival was postponed to April 2008 while in October (the usual date for the festival) only a schools festival took place. As we could combine it with the visit of the Devastators to SA we were still in a position to assist in a very practical way.

Dutch Jazz Connection

The Dutch Jazz Connection together with the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Fonds for Podium Kunsten and the Cultural Helpdesk put together a series of jazz workshops and performances. The workshops took place at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria , Zimology Institute in Elandsfontein, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa Arts Foundation in Tembisa, Hillbrow Outreach Theatre in Hillbrow and University of Cape Town in Cape Town.

South African audiences were graced by no less than 3 bands and 2 solo artists from the Netherlands . On their way to the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, they stopped over in Pretoria , Johannesburg and Cape Town . Performers: Jeroen van Vliet Trio, Yuri Honing Trio, Jongens Driest, Ronal Snijders and Mike del Ferro. They teamed up with the following South African Musicians: Marc Duby, Mlungisi Gegana, Herbi Tsoaeli, Zim Ngqawana and Rob Watson. The Dutch Jazz - Grahamstown connection will run for 3 years.

Nkosinathi Cultural Productions

After their successful performance in and around South Africa, this group has also been awarded an opportunity to travel to Holland. They will be performing their high energy Pantsula Dance an exciting rendition of “Waza 2010” soccer dance; fused in to their hip gyrating Pantsula Dance. This will be in Tilburg at the 2009 Mundial Festival, from the 27th May till 23rd June 2009.

Thol’ulwazi

This is an exciting African Dance Group from Thembisa and they will be off to Holland on their second Mundial Tour with their blend of indigenous South African dances. They were on tour in May and June 2008 and will be flying back to perform during August 2009.

Mundial Development

Since 2004 CDT has yearly identified a SA group suitable to participate in the Mundial Festival development programme in June. Through this participation they improve their skills as they perform every day for 3 week, get exposure as they are seen by tens of thousands of people and network as they share the stage with 80 performers from all over the world. Furthermore they have the chance to be invited into another Mundial project, Mundial on Tour.

2004 - Basadi le Meropa, six young women that drum, play marimba's, sing and dance.

2005 - Isintombi zesi Manje Manje, (meaning 'the Modern Girls'), a group of older women (4) and men (4) who were famous for a short while in the 60's but are deemed to be out dated in current SA. However their performance is very vibrant and popular in rural areas with tourists and in many countries around the world.

2006 - Tidal Waves, an African Reggae Band from Mamelodi. 4 Rasta guys who write and play their own music in an African Reggae style. They had a chance to be invited to be invited into another Mundial project, Mundial on Tour which took place in June last year and the tour was a success in such that Tidal Waves has been invited again for another 2 weeks tour in May 2007.

Hind in South Africa (2006)

As part of Mundial's Exchange Programme they brought the well know Dutch singer 'Hind' with her Band to SA. 'Hind' was one of the 'Idols' finalists and became very popular. She is also an ambassador of 'Vluchtelingen Werk' (Aid for Refugees) and of mixed Dutch and Moroccan descent. She therefore had strong ties with Africa and was eager to team up with young South Africans. CDT teamed her up with 2 young women, Nosisi, singer in Kwani Experience and Bianca, also an idols finalist. Nosisi and Kwani Experience represent the first young black musicians that have not grown up under 'apartheid' and are therefore less scarred and more part of a world platform of young musicians. Bianca is from a 'Coloured' background and sings in English and Afrikaans. CDT organised their highly successful performances, at Devine Lounge in Rosebank, Bassline in Newtown , Tings 'n Times in Pretoria and 1 in Tembi sa Township for HIV/AIDS orphans.

Kwani Experience (2007)

Following up on the exchange programme with Mundial, Kwani Experience was invited to participate in Mundial on Tour which took place end of May to mid June 2007.

Women of Dzonga

Following on the previous programme the girls from Basadi le Meropa and the 4 women from Izintombi zesi Manje Manje were invited by Mundial Productions to participate in Mundial on Tour. CDT has been asked to produce a theatre show featuring these women. The result was 'Women of Dzonga' a Shangaan word meaning "South" celebrates the joy and strengths of black women of all ages in South African society and the challenges they come across in the 21 st century. Three generations of vibrant women with ages ranging from 19 to 60 showcased a programme with a variety of dance and music. With a range of styles reflecting the present South Africa in which these women grow up and live today. The production toured The Netherlands and Belgium and received standing ovations in all 17 theatres.

Via Del Mondo Festival

Taiwa kids are a group of six children from Tembi sa Township in Johannesburg South Africa . They are from a foundation called 'Moses Taiwa Molelekwa Arts Foundation' (MTMAF). This group has been working together since 2004.

In 2005 the Taiwa kids were invited to participate in a children's festival Via Del Mondo in Holland organised by the Mundial Productions. The participants at the festival were children from Brazil , India and South Africa aged from 10 to 18. The 3 week long festival involved small performances at schools, libraries and workshops on percussions, cultural dances and music. The children led and conducted all the workshops themselves. The three groups (SA, Brazil and India ) choreographed a dance piece with the Brazilians playing the music which they performed as their finale during the festivals which were held in Belgium , Breda , De Haag and Tilburg . The Taiwa kids also worked on a dance piece together with a dance school from Tilburg which they performed at a festival in Breda and Tilburg. The Taiwa kids developed a tremendous sense of confidence because of this initiative. The experience has of coming from Tembi sa to Holland brought instant growth to them.

Some Dutch musicians who had been collaborating with the Cultural Development Trust through past exchange projects, collected musical instruments and donated them to the MTMF. This was an added bonus to the trip experience. Late 2006 a Dutch film maker came to South Africa to shoot a documentary of the Taiwa kids/MTMF to try and help them raise funds for their organization.

Morija Festival in Lesotho 2005 & 2006

The Morija Arts and Cultural festival was first held in 1999. The main objective of this festival is to bring people of different views and backgrounds together to celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of Lesotho at the beginning of the 21 st century. The intention of the festival is to provide a show case of Sesotho culture, reviving certain aspects of it which are waning, boost tourism and to encourage craft sellers and small scale manufacturers. It is an opportunity for Basotho of all ages and backgrounds to demonstrate the richness of their culture and at the same time to experience the culture of neighbours and residents of Lesotho. An event not to miss, the annual Morija Arts and Cultural festival is a contemporary display of the richness, diversity and vibrance of Basotho culture and Lesotho 's heritage over the past two centuries. An important part of the festival is that over 3 days schools from around the country get invited so that the children can interact, learn about their culture and at the same time about other cultures. The kids are very excited to meet and learn foreign cultures as they live often very isolated in rural villages high in the mountains.

For the past few years the festival has been growing inviting a lot of artists from South Africa . The Cultural Helpdesk has been very much involved with the festival. In 2005 we managed to book 3 items at this festival: Louis Mhlanga and band, Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje and the Moving into Dance Junior. In 2006 we booked two items at the festival: E-quad from the Netherlands and Zamambo from South Africa.

Joni Mitchell Project 2005

Tutu  Puoane from SA but currently living and studying in Holland and Mete  Erker from Holland brought a programme of Joni Mitchell songs. They  performed at the prestigious Oude Libertas Summer Festival and at 4  other places in Cape Town and Pretoria . They furthermore gave  workshops in Kayelitshe and Gugulethu. A great success which had some  continuation in the Netherlands afterwards.

Spring Concert Series 2006

In September Cuhede in collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Embassy launched the Spring Concert Series. This Spring Concert Series consisted of the following tours:

Boi Akih
This duo consisting of Niels Brouwer (guitar) and Monica Akihari (vocals) from the Netherlands performed an extremely successful Concert Tour in the Western Cape . 6 performances were well attended in Stellenbosch, Distell Wineries, Voorkamer Fees in Darling and Obz Café in Cape Town.

E-quad
This young band representing the widely known 'Dance Scene' from the Netherlands performed 7 times in a totally different circuit around SA. They wooed audiences in some clubs in Pretoria , Johannesburg and Cape Town and 4 performances at major Festivals in Morija Lesotho and Macufe in Bloemfontein . E-quad was joined by two of best South African musicians, Louis Mhlanga and Marcus Wyatt. Following up on this tour Louis and Marcus were invited on a two weeks tour in Europe with E-quad in June 2007.

The Cultural Development Trust in collaboration with Keleketla! Library (South Africa) and Tilburg Cowboys (Holland)

The bonfire of the vanities was a late 14^th century practice in Italy that called for the burning of all objects that ‘brought one to sin'. The bonfires of this mid renaissance period resulted in the burning of many books, paintings and musical instruments amongst other things.

The Bonfire of the Vanities, hosted by the Cultural Development Trust in association with the Keleketla! Library is a bonfire with a twist, encouraging the development of art, music and literature through collaboration, exchange, discussion and participation.  The project comes to a head this February at the Drill Hall, Jhb. Community outreach projects, a youth prisons project, poetry exchange, visual art exhibition and music session are all part of the bill.

 

For more information contact:

info@cuhede.org.za

Molemo Moiloa on 084 892 0610

Or Malose Malahlela on 073 548 9441

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