Public Eye
Life&Style FRIDAY MAY 25, 2018
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WEEKLY MAGAZINE
MIP out to scout talent Page 2
Spotlight
The evolving symbol of the wedding dress Page 4
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Friday May 25, 2018
Public Eye
Style Focus IN THE GROOVE With RELEBOHILE TSOAMOTSE
Keep growing your network In our everyday interaction with people, a lot of us fail to utilise or maximise on the power of networking unaware that it actually goes a long way in establishing professional relationships. If done effectively, networking is an essential tool in advancing one’s career or, and one of the many strategies job seekers can employ. I have seen a lot of people never really care to network effectively but will often try and start networking when looking for a job. A lot of people also never really care to pay attention to the benefits of networking until very late in their professional career. I am of the opinion that networking is a skill that all of us should yearn to have, especially the young people who will later in their lives do with the relationships they have made through their different interactions as they grew up. In ensuring that this art of managing beneficial relationships achieve the desired outcomes, it is vital to see to it that networking is done effectively and efficiently. It is evident that there is more to making friends than relationships, with people meeting future employers, business partners and sometimes soulmates. On top of that, networking yields extra results out of the scope of the network. While a lot of us may be skeptical about getting closer to aliens, the little experience I have has taught me that there are a lot of people out there who are open to giving their time in mentoring; advising, as well as assisting in any way possible. Communicating one’s own goals and plans is all it takes to get their attention. Whereas networking itself is about establishing new relationships, it starts with people that one already knows such as friends, family members, co-workers, as well as ex-schoolmates. Staying in touch with these groups and communicating aspirations can work wonders. These groups of people may turn out to being very useful contacts. Strangers can also turn out to be the same people who one may be looking for, ing as well as besociable when out in public talking to new people, instead of people one already knows, often leads to exciting and new relationships. Furthermore, accepting invitations could prove to be a good source of contacts. It is advisable to at least wait for a little while on busy schedules that may ultimately lead to contacts as well. Recognising the importance of networking, it is wise to pay attention to our everyday interactions in establishing and maintaining such mutual relationships.
Current MIP crew RELEBOHILE TSOAMOTSE
M
ASERU - Lesotho is trumpeted as the home of yellow bones who come complete with curvy bodies to die for. Well, at least that is the perception most men in southern Africa get and attest to after a stint in the Mountain Kingdom. The perception - whether correct or wrong - was recently crystallised in the local massive hit Basali, which took the region by storm in 2016. So huge was the song that it perked up the imagination and attention of casanovas – local and beyond – who started flocking to our shores to pursue our Basali. But I digress. This article is not intended to hype about the virtues and beauty of Basotho Basali but is rather intended to pay homage to the hit makers themselves – MIP or more formally Motion In Progress. It is an undeniable fact though that the success of Basali eclipsed the group itself so much that MIP is now a synonym of its own creation. Much as they have tried to reprise this success, their efforts seem to flounder. But they keep plugging away in the hope of unveiling another massive hit, or maybe at least something to rival it. One thing MIP has never stopped doing is backing up its members, helping them realise their talents and reaching their full potential. MIP was first established as Magic Productions studios by hip hop artiste whose real T Mech, name is Thulo Monyake, after graduating with a
MIP out on talent search audio engineering diploma from South African academy, Sae Institute in 2013. Three years down the line, with numerous developments, MIP was founded and shortly into their journey as a team, they released the well-known hit single Basali, which was quickly remixed and created Basali all-star remix. In 2014, they shot a series of videos which included Fong Kong, Sotha, Basali and Ke teng all star remix snippets as well as shooting their debut cyphers in which members would collaborate with other local and international teams to showcase their skills. If it’s not about pushing hard to produce hits, MIPs have always had a number of industry building initiatives such as the Lesotho Television Urban Jam ciphers in 2014 to 2015 putting together acts and rap artistes on one instrumental where they could flex their skills and be afforded a platform on a national scale. The ciphers, rap style whereby lyrics are recited with no particular subject or order, are aimed at helping artistes stretch their skills and offer them a platform to showcase their skills to a broader audience. Growing from the first six members to over 18 artistes by 2016, popular names like Jiji F, J Cob, and Megahertz were part of MIP working on engineering for the rest of its members. 2017 saw the crew downsize while also adding a few new members that are now part of the current MIP. For their popularity and achievements in music, members of MIP were selected to become Econet Lesotho billboard
models and brand ambassadors. The crew is on yet another music initiative aimed at scouting talent and promoting unity among fellow artistes. They will collaborate with other local producers, labels and their artistes in a bid to push their music further. MIP have organised a series ciphers in which different groups and artistes battle it out while also flexing their skills on a platform. The cipher will kick-start with MIP members having their own cipher as they express their rap skills through a video or music audio. The ciphers will then be made public by the end of June. The series of the cyphers is a followup to the 2014 to 2015 Urban Jams Cypher that saw MIP partner with Lesotho television Urban Jamz in an effort to put together acts or rap artistes as well as teams from different areas on one instrumental where they could flex skills and be afforded a platform on a national platform. MIP lead artiste, Thulo Moyake, told Pubic Eye in an interview earlier this week that his movement, MIP, wants to work closely with a series of producers and their artistes in an effort to promote unity among the urban sector of music. He pointed out that they would like to partner with anybody that feels they have something to contribute. “We would like to partner with a large part of our industry from district to district, anybody that feels they have something to contribute towards the growth of the initiative,” he said.
Wodumo’s family denies fiancé JULIA MADIBOGO JOHANNESBURG - The family of gqom artiste Babes Wodumo has asked for privacy as they deal with the star’s abuse allegations by her former boyfriend and record label boss Mampintsha. Babes Wodumo, real name Bongekile Simelane, previously confirmed that Mampintsha punched her and broke her leg during their relationship.
Speaking to Sowetan yesterday, Babes Wodumo’s father, Bishop Welcome Simelane, asked that his family be left in peace. “I have not been sleeping day and night. We are getting calls from everyone. Even the papers are calling me from all over the country. This thing is hurting me. I would like some peace of mind. Please give us privacy,” he said. Metro FM afternoon show The Drive with Moflava and Masechaba Ndlovu broke the story of Babes’ alleged abuse at the hands of Mampintsha, whose real
name is Mandla Maphumulo, last week. During his reply to the allegations on the show, Mampintsha claimed he had plans of marrying the Wololo hitmaker as they are “engaged”. Bishop Simelane has since denied this. “There is no such thing. We don’t know him as a family,” he commented. In the Zulu culture, a boyfriend is not recognised by the woman’s family as an official partner until he has paid lobola or two families start lobola negotiations. -Sowetan
Public Eye
Friday May 25, 2018
Style Focus
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Grilled pork ribs Ingredients: 2 slabs of ribs (spare or baby back) 2 tablespoons dry rub Glaze or sauce (optional) Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 4 ½ hours
Motion Pictures Association of Lesotho President, Mpho Letima
Chinese Film festival explores ways to grow Lesotho industry Maseru – The second edition of the Chinese Film festival last Friday was poised to help local film producers appreciate how film contributes to social growth and economic change, as well as how it has grown to become such a ubiquitous art in other countries globally. With film having become such a uniquely powerful ubiquity within human culture, the direct economic impact of this powerful tool is clear and its effect to the wider economy is significantly undeniable. As an example, a study conducted in the UK in 2009 found that the flow-on effect from film (that is, the use of services and purchase of goods by the industry) is thought to be that for every M16 spent on film, there is a M21 benefit. This makes the sector worth harnessing to grow economies. Motion Pictures Association of Lesotho (MPALE) President, Mpho Letima, said this while addressing those present at the Second Chinese film fest held at ’Manthabiseng Convention Centre last week. The film fest, co-hosted by both the Chinese Embassy and MPALE, has facilitated cultural exchange in which Basotho study Chinese language before going to China for studies and visits to enhance their understanding of film as a tool for social change while horning their skills in film production for local consumption. The well-attended event
had, among those in attendance, ministers Motlohi Maliehe, Mamotsie Motsie, Samonyane Ntsekele as well as the European Union ambassador to Lesotho, Christian Manahl, as well as many local filmmakers. The film fest was China’s edge to enhance the cultural and People-to-People Exchange between Lesotho and the People’s Republic of China. Letima noted Lesotho has a lot to learn from China as a formerly oppressed country that has managed to take a leading role in the film industry to promote cultural appreciation among Chinese people and other communities. Letima said MPALE remains committed to ensuring market readiness and to pitch destinations of interest within the film industry, pointing out that the government through the department of culture also needs to be commended for responding to their efforts to make creative endeavours a key economic sector. She commended the ministry for walking the talk with them adding that their challenges include lack of infrastructure, as well as the requisite copyright law that needs updating. Private Secretary in the ministry of tourism Motena Tsolo noted MPALE needs a financial boost to achieve its goals of marketing the country through film noting that cinema has undoubtedly become a powerful vehicle for culture, education,
and leisure. “In order for Lesotho to be like China, we need to accompany our dreams with investment,” Motena said. Minister Maliehe said his ministry is working closely with MPALE to grow the film industry pointing out that the creative industries have been marked for potential assistance to boost the country’s economy. Chinese ambassador to Lesotho, Dr Sun Xianghua, expressed hope that Basotho would show interest in studying filmmaking in his country. In ancient times, Basotho largely used storytelling both as a form of archiving, and for passing on information to next generations. Storytelling through folktales that were told to children by elders at night provided both entertainment and education. However, with the advances in technology, Basotho’s storytelling approach has changed. With filmmaking, television and other forms of modern entertainment foreign content has taken over what youngsters consume which is no longer based on Basotho tradition. Different initiatives were brought alive in an effort to take care for the dying arts and improve storytelling in the country with Morija Arts and Cultural Museum being one of these great establishments. Since its establishment,
it has not only been about collecting material artifacts but also archiving historical records, traditions and stories on paper or photographs. The museum also seeks to restore the tradition of storytelling in the country. Bare ene ere literature festival is also an initiative aimed at keeping and promoting the art of storytelling. Literary enthusiasts who believed it would reignite the culture of storytelling, reading and writing, especially among the youth, brought it to life. However, storytelling and other forms of arts continue to face challenges, especially inadequate funding to keep their ideas alive. The Chinese Film Festival, first launched in 2016 as a cultural exchange programme between Lesotho and China as well as mentorship to filmmakers, has sought to find local film producers and give them an opportunity to visit and study in China and enhance their grasp and appreciation of film to help Lesotho grow hand in hand with MPALE. Despite the challenges facing arts in the country, MPALE remains committed to promoting the film and television industry and the association’s formation in 2014 was a bold commitment by men and women who believed in the might of film above and beyond camera lens to take storytelling to greater heights.
Servings: 4–6 Unlike a steak or hamburger, you can’t just throw a rack of ribs over some hot coals and grill it (unless you enjoy tough, dry ribs). Authentic BBQ ribs are slow-smoked over charcoal and wood. Once you learn this proven technique for succulent smoked ribs, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to make perfect ribs, every time. 1. Skin and rub the ribs. After rinsing the ribs in water and patting dry with a paper towel, remove the skin-like membrane located on the bottom or “bone side” of the ribs. Slide a dinner knife underneath the membrane between the bones at about the second or third bone from the end, then grab the membrane with a cloth and peel it off of the ribs. Using a heaping tablespoon of rub per side, sprinkle it evenly on both sides. Do not apply sugarbased sauces at this time. 2. Prepping your cooker for smoking If you’re using a kettle-type grill, use an indirect technique like the snake method to set up your grill. For backyard smokers, set it up for a long smoke. 3. Smoking the ribs Smoke the ribs at 225°F to 250°F for four to five hours. You can baste or mop the ribs occasionally if you like, but don’t open the grill too often. Maintaining a steady temperature is the most important thing. Opening the grill causes wide temperature changes. If smoke starts to die down, add more wood chips. 4. Glaze or sauce the ribs. If you want to apply a sugar/ tomato-based glaze or sauce to the ribs, do it in the last 1/2 hour to prevent the sauce/glaze from burning onto the ribs. 6. Rest and cut. When it’s time for the ribs to come off the grill, first let them rest and cool down for about 15 minutes so that they’re easier to handle and slice. When it’s time to slice the ribs, cut between the bones using a sharp knife. -Kingsfood
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Friday May 25, 2018
Public Eye
Style Focus
How traditional and Western wedding trends are changing
In not-so-ancient times Meghan Markle's white wedding dress would have symbolised purity and virginity
’MAPALO NKHELOANE
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by Queen Victoria in the 19th century and while that might have been a trend all nations followed, it is currently not powerful and dominant as before. Who would have ever imagined that one of these days we would see brides walking down the aisle in blue and white gowns, brown and other colours?
Nowadays Basotho women incorporate a touch of Seshoeshoe cloth and other cloths on their white gowns, usually one that matches with the groom’s tuxedo or just the blazer. Research shows that wearing a pure white wedding gown symbolises goodness, innocence,
purity and virginity (and only a woman marrying for the first time could wear it). In other words it is considered to be the colour of perfection but wouldn’t we have seen this at the UK Royal wedding? A wedding dress is one of the most important items to a bride on her wedding day; most women say anything can go wrong on their big day but definitely not their wedding dress because they say it is what everyone present at the occasion will remember them by. “The ring, hair style and others matter but the wedding gown takes the first priority,” says a 26-year-old Palesa Mokhothu who tight a knot last month. According to Basotho, only a woman who is getting married for the first time and has no children is allowed to wear a white gown on her wedding day but looking at how things happen now, one would say that was then and this is now. Everything has evolved and people are no more as stereotyped as before. Palesa adds: “I was getting married for the first time and I wore white with a touch of royal blue simply because it was the theme, not because I am a divorcee, have children or am a lefetoa like they normally label older women who have not yet gotten married.” Another woman, Liepollo Paseka, says she got married in 2000 and was only 19. She says if it was up to her she would have won a wedding gown of her favourite colour, maroon. “Today’s generation is lucky
because they get to choose what they want to wear on their big day; back then you would be forced to wear strictly a white gown if your wedding is western and a Seshoeshoe if it is a traditional one,” Liepollo elaborates. Culture also plays an important role in choosing a wedding gown. A woman who wedded last year, Itumeleng Sojane, told Public Eye that pure white was not her ideal colour for her wedding gown. She says the reason she chose to mix white with a touch of a royal blue Seshoeshoe cloth was because she adores her culture as a Mosotho woman so she thought it would be lovely to include it on her gown. “Look at the Indians for instance, they do not wear white gowns on their wedding day but would rather wear gold, blue, red and other colours but white. So why can’t we?” Itumeleng says. Designer Ginny Morkel says light ivory is quite popular but mostly when a bride has already had a baby. She also indicates that Seshoeshoe is brought in mostly when a bride’s whole theme is traditional. Ginny says in other cases ask for a touch of a certain colour to match the theme colour of the wedding. “My opinion is that the bride should try on different options, follow their own hearts as to how they feel in a dress, they will know immediately that this is it and not be influenced by the bridesmaids as well as friends they take with them when looking for a dress; after all it is their big day,” Ginny says.
n what has been hailed as the wedding of the year and a ringing admission that the British monarch is changing, Prince Harry on Saturday married AfricanAmerican actress Meghan Markle leaving royal watchers agog and wondering how this will impact age-old royal traditions. Not only was the wedding a mixture of African-American culture and British pomp - an epoch definer in that Meghan is older than Harry, black and a divorcee, but it appears to have captured watchers’ imagination by its informality. While the glitterati that attended the wedding at Windsor read like the ‘who is who in the arts and sport’, it will also be remembered for the bride’s striking beauty, poise and charm. Additionally, the chemistry between the couple was as electrifying as Meghan’s flowing - modern, elegant, timeless, and appropriate - gown designed by the House of Givenchy of Paris. The dress, which has variously been described as one of the “most iconic bridal gowns of all time”, and was in the making for nearly six months, also incorporated references to all countries in the Commonwealth in the design. While the wedding was era defining and the dress mesmerizing, it however, somewhat endorsed the traditional in that it was white and bucks the increasing trend where brides are settling on colourful outfits for their nuptials. It is quite obvious that there is a change in trends as far as wedding gowns are concerned. White is slowly reaching the non-it-thing stage. The white wedding gown was made popular Tswana traditional wedding gown, left, and Sotho traditional wedding gown, right, are a modern fusion of Western and African concepts for wedding dresses
Public Eye
Friday May 25, 2018
Style Focus
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KUBUNG GUEST GUEST HOUSE HOUSE KUBUNG AROUND NALELI CENTRE AROUND NALELI CENTRE
Security cameras installed around the place
Sir Schaba
Bid to protect artistes work REBOHILE TSOAMOTSE
M
ASERU - Lesotho’s music industry has over time failed to thrive not because there is no talent but because local artistes copy international acts and their style of doing things. Despite there being an increase in the number of upcoming artistes, only few artistes cut it in music across Lesotho and internationally. Upcoming artistes therefore need to remain original and comfortable in their culture if they want to earn themselves a name in the music industry. It was on this basis that Lesotho Music Rights Association (LMRA) on Tuesday last week held a session about copyright and online content protection in Lesotho. The session brought together industry stakeholders: artistes/upcoming artistes, producers, Djs, associations and music fanatics. The session, headed by Lesotho Music Rights Association president Sechaba Mohoqo together with Radio Dj and hip hop artiste Chocolate Soul, laid bare the harsh state about music in Lesotho. The most advocated position was that each artiste must invest their time in quality music. Chocolate Soul and Mohoqo advised those present about on the state of copyright laws in Lesotho and how artistes can take ownership of their creations through copyright protection stating that creators of the work are sole owners of the work and can decide who else should have ownership of it. The duo also emphasized the importance of copyright laws and the need for artistes to know about copyright laws so they are able to take full rights of their creations adding that it was important for artistes to have agreements outlined once they work with other people especially
through collaborations. During the question and answer session, Mohoqo speaking as the President of Lesotho Music Rights Association also known by his stage name Sir Schaba said his organization was formed with the mandate of protecting artistes copyright interests. He outlined the Copyright Order of 1989 Order 39 together with the government Gazette Regulations of 2015 recognise the LMRA as the organization responsible for fighting for artistes right in reference to their artistic creations. “If we could work collectively as artistes, our voices will surely be heard by those responsible because the 2015 government Gazette on the regulations governing the Copyright Order of 1989 recognize LMRA as the collective body on behalf of all artistes,” he said. The regulations were put in place through a government gazette in 2015 which stated that there should be a body on behalf of the artistes of which the government would recognise to represent artistes. Such body is also responsible for the management, collection and distribution of royalties for the artistes. Mohoqo pointed out that his organization remains committed to assisting artistes in promoting and protecting their musical work adding that LMRA liaises between its members and third part parties such as ministry of tourism, environment and culture, ministry of law as well as ensuring that its members’ musical works is properly utilized. Lesotho Music Rights Association is an association of music authors, composers, artistes, performers and music publishers that deals with the promotion and protection of musical works and was founded in the year 2007. The association is also intended to protect artistes' copyright.
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Friday May 25, 2018
Public Eye
Style Focus
Elusive search for the next Tšepo Tšola . . . Basotho star artistes through the ages RAY MUNGOSHI
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ASERU Since the peerless Tsepo Tsola and his l a rg e r - t h a n life Sankomota dominated the airwaves towards the close of the last century, Lesotho, for all its creative fervor, has failed to produce an artiste to inherit the ageing maestro’s mantle. Tsola aka the Village Pope has endeared himself to his army of fans across the length and breadth of southern Africa and beyond by churning out hit after hit in a career that stretches back to the 1970s. Super group, Sankomota was formed in 1976 and consisted of Frank Leepa (guitarist, vocalist,
arranger, composer), Moss Nkofo (drummer), Black Jesus (percussion), Moruti Selate, Tšepo Tšola (lead vocalist, composer), Pitso Sera (guitar), among others. Leepa - The Captain started the band then called Anti Antiques in 1976 while at school before changing its name to Uhuru and then to Sankomota. In the decades spanning 1980 to 2000, Sankomota rivaled some of the big
hitters around, namely; Osibisa, Hot Stix Mabuse’s Harari, Ray Phiri’s Stimela, the Soul Brothers, Mahlatini and the Mahotela Queens, Salif Keita, Yusuf N’dour, Izintombi Zesi Manje Manje, Fela Kuti and his son Femi, Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited, Sam Mangwana, Les wa Nyika, among others. With hits such as Bakubeletsa, Madambadamba, Exploration A New Phase, Akubutle, Disposable Hero, Lehlapahlapa, Papa, Ho Lokile, Stop The War, and Look To Thee, Tsola and Sankomota cleared a space for themselves on the high table of Africa’s finest. Despite hailing from a tiny, rocky outcrop imbedded deep in the stomach of giant South Africa, the group stole a march on its rivals with stinging lyrics exposing the evils of war, inequality, human rights abuses, poverty, disease and hunger. Tsola has since regaled us with tales of his love, extolled religion and faith, lamented his failures and bemoaned widespread deprivation in his native Lesotho. He, more than anyone else in the 50 years that Lesotho has been independent, has done more to add some gloss to the country’s not-so-rosy image. An image tattered in no small way by enduring insecurity, political instability, disease and poverty. But now that his star is on the wane, Basotho are crying out for a new “pope” to grab his musical cudgels and keep the embers hot. This is not to suggest that Basotho’s creative nous and instincts have dissipated, because they haven’t. A number of pretenders to the Pope’s throne have emerged over the years, only to slink back into the crevice they had crawled from. Some with a bit of staying power such as famo music doyen Puseletso Seema, Apollo Ntabanyane, Rabotso Le Semanyane, the inimitable Mosotho Chakela and Mahlanya have tenaciously promoted this genre of Basotho music across the region. Today, it is not unusual to hear famo music blaring out of taxis across South Africa, an escape route out of penury for most
Basotho, including artistes. Though blighted by the spectre of violence which flares up intermittently among rival groups - identified by the specific colour of their seanamarena blankets - famo is to Basotho what reggae is to Jamaicans. Famo’s origins can be traced back to the shebeens of migrant Basotho mine workers in 1920s South Africa. It experienced exponential growth in the late 1960s when Tau ea Matšekha made up of Forere Motloheloa and Ntabanyane became the first artistes to make a living out of this brand of music. The duo honed their musical talents in the teeming shebeens on the mines and made names with albums such as Peete Kea Falla. Later successful artistes included David Sello Motaung’s Tau ea Linare in the 1980s. In recent times, however, Chakela has dominated famo music, having performed at the Macufe Mangaung African Cultural Festival (Macufe) and Morija Arts & Cultural Festival. In 2006 Chakela was awarded a South African Traditional Music Award for best musician in the famo music category. With such a rich history of composing artistes and worldrenowned singers, music pundits are now wondering why Basotho are struggling to produce another Tsola or Seema or Leepa. Former contemporary dancer Nkalimeng Rathulo attributed growing disinterest among young people in pursuing music and the arts to poverty. “Basotho are poor. There is no money in this country. Who is going to spare money to buy a CD or download music on I-tunes,” she retorted when asked why she had quit dancing. She said her dancing troupe – which used to perform at public functions around Maseru – disbanded owing to poor remuneration. “The rewards for our effort were miniscule. We would get a measly M300 or so for performing for hours. It just wasn’t worth the trouble.” Lesotho Music Rights Association president Sechaba Moqoko - who is also a DJ and producer – however believes Lesotho’s music industry has failed to improve because most artistes get into music for the wrong reasons. He said a lot of upcoming artistes are into music not because they want to sell records but just want to become “celebrities” and enjoy the perks that come with the status. He bemoaned the fact that most young singers today are mere copycats. “They try to be other people. If we want to get things right, we have to be ourselves as much as we can and stop trying to be Americans.” This is likely to rile new entrants into the industry who masquerade as R&B singers or hip-hop artistes and parrot the
likes of Eminem, Kanye West and others. Critics however snigger at this stance saying the musicians are more likely to end up on the scrapheap of music than soar to international celebrity status. This argument is borne out by real evidence which shows that African singers who reach iconic status play indigenous genres, including afro-jazz. The likes of Zimbabwean mega star Oliver Mtukudzi at one time came perilously close to slipping into oblivion when he experimented with foreign music in the early 1990s while singing in English. He only achieved super star status after reverting to singing in his native Korekore language and stayed true to afro-jazz. Although Moqoko may be right that some upstarts are not driven by money, he is unlikely to curry favour with some locals who accuse promoters of underpaying them. Murmurs of discontent have become a perennial refrain around LETOFE and other sponsored concerts, as local artistes moan the derisory fees they earn when compared to international stars. In 2016, local artiste Leomile severely criticised the only local Music Awards organisers Ultimate FM saying she was peeved with being treated like a doormat. The muso’s chagrin against organisers stemmed from the widely held perception that local events and promotion managers are biased in favour of international artistes over local ones. According to the songbird, this biased and unfair treatment emerges when it comes to financial rewards where local artistes get meagre financial rewards when those coming from outside the country are highly favoured and draw inflated financial rewards. Leomile censured the Ultimate Awards team after they failed to live up to her expectation in terms of payment for services for the Ultimate FM Music Awards event. Penny-pinching organisers had failed to raise a miserly M3 000 for her to cover basic costs. Local artistes, according to the songster, are normally considered or classified as “freebies” while international acts are paid huge amounts of money and treated with considerable dignity and respect. A peeved Leomile shocked her supporters and fans when she pulled out only a day before the November awards. The awards are seen as a national occasion to applaud, support, appreciate, acknowledge and collaborate to shape music growth in the country. There is no guessing however that the local music business is likely to remain mired in the doldrums for a long while until a number of factors - such as musicians reverting to indigenous genres, and more money and professionalism being injected into the industry – align.
Public Eye
Entertainment
Friday May 25, 2018
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Friday May 25, 2018
Public Eye
Strange Focus
Strange World
Hawaii eruption: ‘Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes, is showing herself’ Sky’s Hannah Thomas-Peter gets close to Hawaii’s Kilauea and finds a breathtaking, primal scene, oozing fountains of molten rock. Some of the best pictures of the Mount K lauea eruptions and lava flows have come from the air, so we decided to take a helicopter to the southern coast of Hawaii’s Big Island.Our pilot Casey Allen flew us close to the lava pouring in to the sea. He was careful to stay upwind of a huge plume of toxic steam, or lava haze. The haze is produced when molten lava reacts with sea water to make hydrochloric acid and tiny shards of glass.Despite this, it was a breathtaking, primal scene. Lava oozed through the bright green rain forest into the ocean, fissures fountaining molten rock in the distance, ash clouds hanging on the hazy skyline.Mr Allen said: “When you live on an active volcano, this happens.”Yes it’s disconcerting, for sure.” From high up you really get a sense of the scale of these vast lava flows. They’ve simply carved through the land, some of them merging, some of them moving at 300m per hour. On the ground, this volatility is creating new problems by the hour. Lava is advancing on a geothermal power plant next to the evacuated area of Leilani Estates. Efforts have been made to use cold water to reduce the risk of lava mixing with the chemicals inside
A guys car broke down. He pulled over to the side of the road.Luckly there was a farm near by.He asked the farmer if he could help. The farmer said “sure just let me get my horse, Bruce. So they hooked the car up. The farmer called out to his horse,giddyup Sonya! The horse did’nt move. Giddyup Tonya! The horse did’nt move. Giddyup Bruce! The horse moved. So when they got back they fixed the mans car. The man said thank you and then asked the farmer why he called different names.” Well” the farmer started, “Bruce won’t do anything if he knows he’s the only one doing it.”
My Wife a Chicken
it, but there is concern that soon there might be another dangerous gas to contend with, and possibly more evacuations. At a pop up community centre next to a national guard road block, locals gather to exchange information, pick up supplies and get a hot meal. Volunteer and local resident Lililoe Kahalepauole said there were so many “mixed emo-
tions” in the community. Yes it is scary, she said, but also magical, because “Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes, is showing herself. “Flowing lava is a beautiful sight. It’s beautiful.” Ikaiku Marzo helped organise the centre. He’s been tracking fissures and new activity since it began.He said it was sad to watch people lose their homes and have to leave
their pets behind in the rush to get out. But he emphasised the strength of the spirit of this place. He said: “The people of Puna are strong. We will rebuild. We will not leave.” Before anyone can rebuild, the disruptive volcanic activity has to end. But the earthquakes, eruptions and lava flows continue. It seems K lauea isn’t finished yet.
Horrific footage shows pigs being beaten on a British farm The owners say they are ‘shocked’ and the workers involved have been sacked. Rebecca Williams, news correspondent Shocking undercover footage has emerged, which shows pigs squealing in pain, as they are abused at a farm owned by one of the country’s biggest producers. The campaign group, Animal Equality, placed hidden cameras at Fir Tree Farm in Lincolnshire, following a tip off. The graphic footage shows pigs being kicked in the head repeatedly, hit with gates and jabbed with pitchforks. One animal appears to be so unwell that it is unable to move. It is loaded into the bucket of a tractor, dumped into a pen and squeals in pain as it is repeatedly hit. The pig was said to have been left without veterinary attention for 48 hours, at which point it was shot. The Godfrey family, who own the farm, along with the company Elsham Linc LTD, have now dismissed the members of staff shown in the footage.They told Sky News: “We are shocked by the actions of those involved as their abhorrent behaviour does not represent our business. We are a family run farm where the care and
Dumb Horse
welfare of our pigs is paramount. “We have been able to identify the four individuals in the film and following an immediate investigation their employment has been terminated”. Some employees were pictured swearing at the animals, as they joked about the abuse.The government and the RSPCA are now investigating. Reacting to the footage, Professor of animal welfare at Cambridge University, Donald
Broom said: “These animals have certainly been caused a substantial amount of pain by several of the actions which we can see in these videos, so they are being directly hurt by the people and this is something that is against the law in the UK. “We used to be the leader in animal welfare, and in recent years haven’t been. We have been one of the countries which is pulling back the rest of the European
Union, rather than promoting it.” Farmer, Helen Browning has an organic pig farm in Wiltshire, which Environment Secretary Michael Gove visited just a few weeks ago. He has pledged to restore the UK as a leader in animal welfare, but this latest footage has raised questions about where the pigs that make our bacon come from and how they are being treated. n supermarkets labelling
A man runs to the doctor and says, “Doctor, you’ve got to help me. My wife thinks she’s a chicken!” The doctor asks, “How long has she had this condition?” “Two years,” says the man. “Then why did it take you so long to come and see me?” asked the shrink. The man shrugs his shoulders and replies, “We needed the eggs.”
can often be unclear and only 40% of the meat sold in British supermarkets is produced in this country. When pork is imported it is very difficult to know how pigs have been treated abroad and whether farmers have upheld high ethical standards. Helen’s animals are all kept outdoors, with plenty of space. She insists that consumers need to know more about where their meat is coming from so that customers can make informed choices in supermarkets. She said: “You can see if something is organic. O urs are organic pigs and you can sometimes see free range or outdoor bred, but actually nothing tells you about perhaps the less attractive side, so nothing will tell you if pigs have been in farrowing crates or kept indoors. “Most of us buy free range eggs now because it’s clearly labelled whether they have been barn reared, they’ve been in cages or they’ve been free range. We need the same for pigs.” Co-op is the largest supermarket chain to promise to stop using pork from pigs that have been kept inside their whole life in its own-brand products. That will come into effect from July and is something that only Waitrose is currently committed to.