Western Cape celebrates 20 yearsRain and cold could not dampen the spirits of thousands of Numsa members and their families who attended Numsa’s 20 year anniversary in Cape Town in MayThese photos say it all:
I breathe, walk and eat music
When Mkhangeli Matiwane is not working at VW he plays the guitar for hip-hop group, Shades of Blackness, in Port Elizabeth. He has shared the stage with Freshly Ground and Trompies. In 2004 he was in Japan where he played with local artist Toyatashi. He spoke to Ayanda Billie.
How were you introduced to guitar?Vuyani Nodikida introduced me when I was still battling with acoustic guitar.
How old were you at the time?When I was 16 my father bought me an acoustic guitar and a chord book as a present. I will never forget the day – I still know the time, day and the weather.
How far do you think you will go with music?I breathe, walk and eat music. As long as there is a beat in my heart, music will be present.
How did you hook up with Shades of Blackness?I met some members of the group Dumile Dubula, Fanisile Mgibe, Thobela Fibi and Dumile Manxoyi in 2000. We formed a reggae group calling Burning Youth Reggae. After some time I hooked up with Dumza and was taken up by hip-hop – that was the birth of Shades of Blackness.
You have been performing in Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and surrounding areas. What excites you most at such moments?I believe that music is the food for the mind, soul and body. If I’m the part that can fulfil those three segments of my people, that alone makes me swim in the river of pure happiness. To our people responding to our music, to shout, chant and clap hands to our rhythm that itself is a sense of love from them. I’m happy to see people smile, laugh, dance – that is an act of God.
What can we expect from Mkhangeli in the next 10 years?I will not rest until I have my own studio in the township where I live in Motherwell to record and nurture new talent. It cannot be wasted. The purpose of art is to teach and inspire others. In these years that are coming I will teach, inspire and play music all the way. Afrika sabela uyabizwa.
Labour slots continue on community radio stationsDon’t forget to tune in to labour slots on community radio stations around the country. See below for details. Tell us what you think of these slots:
Name of station
Frequency
Time of labour slot
Teemaneng (Kimberley)
89.1FM
Tues 9.30 – 10.30 amWed 8-9pm
Riverside (Upington)
98.2FM
Wed 7-8pm
Zibonele (Khayelitsha)
98.2FM
Tues 8-9pm
786 (Gatesville)
100.4FM
Tues-Wed alternating 8-9pm
Atlantis
107.9FM
Mon 8-9pmWed 12.30 – 12.50am
Valley (Worcester)
88.8FM
Thurs 6-7pm
KC (Paarl)
90.1Mhz
Thurs 6-7pm
Eden (George)
90.1Mhz, 103.6Mhz, 87.8Mhz
Tues-Thurs 8-9pm
Maputaland (Jozini)
107.6FM
Sun 13.30-14.30
Indodonsuka/Icora (Eshowe)
100.4FM
Mon 7-8pm
Imbokodo
96.8FM
Tues 7-8pm
Newcastle
103.7FM
Tues 6-7pm
Greater Lebowakgomo
96.0FM
Wed 7-8pm
Moletsi (Polokwane)
98.6Mhz
Thurs 6-7pm
Univen (Thohoyandou)
99.8Mhz
Sun 7-8pm
Zebediela
89.7FM
Wed 7-8pm
Mokopane
100.0Mhz
Tues-Thurs 12-3pm
Mohodi (Manhata)
98.9Mhz
Sun 11-12am
Botlokwa (Dwarsrivier)
89.3FM
Tues 8-8.30am
Morotele (Themba)
106.6FM
Mon 7-8pm
Mafisa (Rustenburg)
93.4FM
Wed 7.30-8.30 pm
Vaaltar (Taung)
93.6FM
Thurs 8-9pm
Lethlabile
99.5FM
Fri 11-12 am
Vukani (Cala)
99.9FM
Thurs 9-10pm
Takalani (Aliwal North)
98.2FM
Thurs 6-7pm
Khanya (Butterworth)
106.1FM
Thurs 6-9pm
Unitra (Umtata)
97.0FM
Thurs 6.30-8pm
Graaff-Reinet
90.2FM
Mon 5-6pm
Nkqubela (Zwide)
97.0FM
Mon 7-8pm
Unique (Burgersdorp)
90.0Mhz
Tues – Thurs 11-12am
Bushbuckridge
88.4FM
Wed 6-7pm
Barberton
104.1FM
Mon 6.30-7pmThurs 6.40-7pm
Greater Middelburg
89.7FM
Tues 7.30-8.30pm
Kangala (Ekangala)
92.8FM
Thurs 12.30-1pm
Free State (Qwa Qwa)
100.3FM
Wed 7.30-8.30pm
Naledi (Senekal)
103.9FM
Thurs 9-10pm
Mosupatsela (Botshabelo FS)
107.4Mhz
Mon-Fri 1.30-3pm
TUT (Soshanguve)
96.2FM
Thurs 6-7pm
Thetha FM
100.6FM
Wed 6.30-7.30pm