By Zoliswa Mdawini The 1862 pop-up restaurant is back to add flavour to your taste buds. This eatery is one of Standard Bank’s initiatives, and it was named after the year this bank was founded. Nic from Nic’s Nest and Chef Vusi Ndlovu, the owner of the Edge restaurant, will be working together to curate the menu for this year. Standard Bank aims to combine culinary and art experiences through this temporary but yearly restaurant. “I’m hoping this is a long-term commitment for future Festivals,” said Nic. People can look forward to a variety of rustic and African cuisine at…
Author: Zoliswa MDAWINI
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By Zoliswa Mdawini The Cathedral of St Michael and St George is one of the oldest churches in South Africa. Last Friday, the Cathedral hosted a lunchtime concert titled Music for Flute and Piano as part of its 200-year celebration. All Makhanda residents were warmly welcomed to enjoy the lovely music at no cost. The concert featured distinguished pianist Professor Catherine Foxcroft and talented flautist Sambesiwe Mavela, who blessed the audience with a selection of harmonious classical pieces. Among the many pieces performed were Sonata in G Major, Opus 1, Number 5, by George Frideric Handel, the Sonata for Flute…
By Zoliswa Mdawini Kingswood College is celebrating the arts this week with a run of vibrant theatre performances by its learners. According to drama teacher Jessie Wright, the Kingswood Drama Department puts on one primary production every year, open to all learners from Grades 8 to 12 to perform on stage and express their creativity. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, originally created by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, tells the Biblical story of Joseph in a lively, family-friendly way. Watching it felt like a full theatre experience I had not felt in a long time. The students fully embraced their…
MUNEYI Profile: 2025 Standard Bank Young Artist for Music By Zoliswa Mdawini and Dideka Njemla Muneyi, a 30-year-old folk music artist from Tshilapfene village in Thohoyandou, credits his grandmother with shaping the music that has won him this prestigious award. Muneyi calls his music ‘folk’ because it’s rooted in African stories, like the ones his grandmother told him around a fire while cooking corn or peanuts. “Folk music is African folklore, our stories about legends or supernatural creatures,” he explained. For him, it’s not just about the sound but about keeping African knowledge alive. “I make folk music, but I…
By Zoliswa Mdawini The Amazwi South African Museum of Literature recently honoured the life and literary legacy of South Africa’s Poet Laureate, Mongane Wally Serote, in a powerful two-day celebration that featured the launch of his latest work and the opening of an extensive exhibition showcasing his contributions to the nation’s literary and cultural identity. The event kicked off with the official launch of Serote’s latest work, Listen, first published in 2024. This epic poem was inspired by the socio-economic challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and reflects on themes of loss, injustice, resilience, and black identity in a…
By Zoliswa Mdawini The School of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) at Rhodes University transformed its second annual academic assembly into a vibrant tribute to storytelling, courage, and the evolving landscape of journalism. Held on May 9, the assembly brought together students, educators, and media professionals for a dynamic exchange of ideas and inspiration. Headlining the event was an award-winning journalist and Rhodes University alumna, Zikhona Tshona, whose powerful speech left attendees buzzing with a renewed passion for journalism. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, titled “Art of New Beginnings,” which featured seasoned journalist Chriselda Lewis, this…
By Zoliswa Mdawini and Dideka Njemla Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, even in his 70s, continues to set stages ablaze with his timeless musical prowess and electrifying performances. The Soweto-born music legend fanned flames of pure joy at the RU120 Makhanda Community Concert in the Guy Butler Theatre last Saturday. The afternoon concert featured a thrilling roster of talent from the Rhodes University Chamber Choir (RUCC) and the Makana Community Orchestra which left the crowd in awe. When Mabuse followed soon after, enthusiastic cheers greeted the saxophonist and drummer who was flashing a huge smile. He stepped forward toward the mic and…
By Zoliswa Mdawini The National Arts Festival is set to electrify Makhanda from 26 June 26 to 6 July 2025 as it unveils a vibrant, “rebellious” programme for its 51st edition. The organisers are promising a cultural explosion that channels the artists’ instincts to disrupt and reimagine. This year’s festival delivers a bold mix of theatre, dance, jazz, and circus. Standout performances include The Cirk’s Malo and the Moon Maiden, a family-friendly contemporary circus, and Cape Ballet Africa’s SALT, a fiery journey through jazz and neoclassical ballet. Izithukuthuku, by Vusimuzi Mdoyi and Phala Ookeditse Phala, blends rhythm and culture in…
By Zoliswa Mdawini It would be hard to find anyone who has contributed more significantly to global freshwater ecosystems than Professor Nelson Odume. Among many other highly respected and influential scientists in the field, he stands out for his ability to translate scientific research into real-world impact. This distinction earned him recognition from the Society for Freshwater Science (SFS) for shaping policy, supporting ecosystem restoration, and boosting public engagement in freshwater issues. SFS is a global scientific organisation dedicated to advancing knowledge about freshwater ecosystems. “It is probably one of the biggest in North America,” said Odume. Among five award…
By Zoliswa Mdawini What a time to be in Makhanda! The RU120 Makhanda Community Concert next week promises luscious sounds to raise our temperature with a lineup headlined by the legendary Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse. The concert is organised by Rhodes University’s Department of Music and Musicology in collaboration with the Makana Community Orchestra to strengthen the university’s ties with the Makhanda community while showcasing our exceptional musical talent. The concert, one of the closing events for the #RU120 celebration, is on Saturday 10 May 10 at 3pm, is at the Guy Butler Theatre. The afternoon will feature performances by musicians…