Editor's Note
Telling extraordinary stories
Issue 10 March 2019 startupafrica.co.za
The Creative Africans
I never grow tired of telling the story of how, at a fragile age, I knew that when I become older – I would, without a doubt, choose the world of creativity.
My journey as a creative has been nothing short of amazing. It all started at a fragile agile, and till this day – I can never imagine myself having followed any other career path apart from the one I chose.
My mom, who studied visual display artistry and was a visual display artist by profession (at the time) came to pick me up at my grandparent’s place and was greeted by a disappointed housekeeper, who informed her of how I had drawn a picture on one of the bedroom walls. Naturally, she panicked and then gave me a piece of her mind.
startupAFRICA’s October 2018 issue was themed “the creative issue”, an issue that was set to unravel and explore creativity on a much broader scale. From jewellery makers to fashion designers – this publication was a soapbox for young and fiery entrepreneurs to share with our readers the story of what sparked their passion in the field of arts. In this current issue, we are revisiting the world of the creatives, the difference though, is that we are chatting to creatives who use photography and art to tell their stories.
I grew up in a family of creatives and a large part of our time is spent, not only creating art but enjoying it. When I was a child, I vaguely remember drawing a picture on the wall of my grandparents’ guest bedroom. And only after completion, remembering that I will most likely get into trouble for doing so. At the time, I was mostly under the care of my grandparents, spending most weekends there because my mom was raising my siblings and I singlehandedly and working tirelessly to afford us the kind of life she felt we deserved.
We decided to wait for my grandparents, who were attending a wedding at the time. Upon their arrival, my mom told them about my rebellious act of art and my grandparents thought it was legendary! While my mother stood there, surprised by their reaction, my gran took it upon herself to bring the silver lining into perspective. (Not quoting her verbatim). “Your children are generally well-behaved – you even know this, so she must have taken up a lot of courage to do this. If she chose to use the wall as her canvas without thinking about grabbing a piece of paper close by, it must mean that she loves to draw… Now you have an idea of where her passion may lie when she’s older. I remember my mom not having a comeback for this one. This story is always such a wonderful retrospect for me. At the time, I was relieved that I got off the hook so easily, but as an adolescent and even now, it made me realise that I am so blessed to be born into a family that believes that passion surpasses monetary success and material items. My grandparents were proud that I had done something that sets my soul on fire, as opposed to stressing over the pristine nature of the house’s walls – that to me is moving. And so here I am today, a writer, an editor, a communication specialist who was lucky enough to follow the career path of creativity and still fall in love with it, largely because the people who raised me believed that if “I do what I love – the success will follow me.”
I am telling you this story because I want to ignite the passion inside of business aspirants who have random bursts of creativity at 3am in the morning, however, are afraid to take the plunge because society makes it seem as though you cannot make a career out of art. This is why our cover person is a photographer known to be a renowned Nigerian household name, Anny Robert, who has been able to evoke strong emotions and tell powerful stories through his work. I hope his story can help business aspirants and entrepreneurs to continue dreaming, irrespective the opinions of those who conform to societal standards. I’m confident that you will enjoy this issue and that it will remind you of how every business was just an idea that has turned into a labour of love. Enjoy!
Anny Robert Creating Magic One Snap-Shot at a time
By Moyo Jolaolu
PHOTOGRAPHER Anny Robert
Anny Robert isn’t just a household name in the world of photography in Nigeria. He has gained nationwide respect for portrait shots that are immediately distinguishable as his. He boasts an enviable clientele list from Nigerian Presidential aspirant, Donald Duke to one of Africa’s most revered Kings, Ooni of Ife to the Forbes’ richest woman in Africa, Folorunso Alakija and internationally renowned fashion designer, Deola Sagoe.
Upon interviewing the widely acclaimed photographer, I had a feeling that I knew what to expect. From my dealings with him in the past, I was all but prepared for his characteristic oblivion to his own genius. Never one to get high off his own hype, Anny ensures that he never takes himself too seriously while leaving the focus on his own personal development as a photographer and consistently measuring himself against global metrics with the best in the business. Headlines have proceeded to tag Robert many things, from celebrity photographer to portrait god, but the Creative is just here to tell us that he is AR always, a signage he leaves on his social media posts as a small reminder to us and himself of his proven consistency since his official debut just over three years ago. I proceeded to get to know the person behind the brand. It was equally important to highlight the parts of his work that has succeeded in setting him apart from other creatives and getting him a recognition that is highly sought after in such a short time span. Born with the birth name Anietie of which Anny is a derivative, the photographer began combating challenges very early on life as he suffered a bad case of Poliomyelitis as a toddler. The result of the infantile paralysis virus can still be seen today as he walks with modified shoes that have to be tailored just for him with one limb slightly longer than the other. When I ask about his limp, he motions that it has become a part of him, a part that to this day, still physically hurts from time-totime. For a young man who steadily has to be on his feet to get the best shots, this is no easy hurdle. It also led me to surmise that perhaps learning to confront his physical handicap so early on, had unwittingly done something for the celebrity photographer that cannot be taught in a book or in an institution.
Without realising it, the young creative had learnt to build tenacity pretty early on-a critical skill required for the success of any one human being. As I mentally scan his studio, I take in the lights, the benches, and the folded fabric from a designer that would be worn the next day by models who will get to experience the signature Anny Robert portrait shot. It then occurs to me to ask about this niche that he has so excellently built for himself. The king of portraits mentions it was never on purpose to make himself out to be a portraits photographer, but, it was a result of accidental good work. The creative loves the challenge of working with different faces and connecting with them on a level that they oftentimes have no idea they’re expressing. He describes his view from the lens and how he gets to experience the transition from budding insecurities to becoming comfortable in front of the camera and how different faces tell different stories. It is this love for connection that has earned him his trademark today. Another unique trait that you’re sure to find in the AR staple, is the cleanliness of his work: an attribute he is incredibly deliberate about, he describes, from angles to colours. He mentions the temptation to try out different ideas as the intrinsic creative that he is, but he also mentions the importance of branding and the need to understand that he has built a body of work that people have come to know and love him for, straying away from that might be detrimental to the business behind the lens.
"FOCUS ON YOUR FOCUS" A word of advice he’s is quick to offer to his interns and aspirational photographers who seek his mentorship from time-to-time. On encouraging growth in this space, the photographer urges his fellow creatives to get out of the confines of their own head and to also learn to appreciate the work of competitors, not from a place of envy but from a place of appreciation that is healthy and promotes collaborative effort. He also indicates that the business of photography in Africa, particularly Nigeria, still has a long way to go with regard to the appreciation for the arts - from artists to photography; he finds that there is, in some cases, still the need to educate potential clients and consumers at large on the amount of work that goes into creating the content produced and to uphold the creative’s work in the same regard as if he were a more conservative worker such as a lawyer or a chartered accountant. Robert is also bent on paying it forward; the 28 year old began conducting one month long internship programmes in January in order to pass on his wealth of knowledge to young aspiring photographers. In January alone, he received more applications than he could handle in which he took the learners through important principles in photography, especially key areas he has been able to over time, learn for himself and harness. ‘There’s no such thing as too much knowledge’, he opines. ‘The more people know, the better we would be not just as a community, a society or a country but as a continent’, he motions. ‘We need to stop the bad habit of hoarding knowledge in a bid to prevent the next person from doing better than you, it has stunted our growth as Africans for too long’, he adds.
He goes further to speak on how the world is moving to become largely driven by content and we are arriving at a point in our generation where millennials are going to be the voices of Africa. The key, he says, is to develop the quality of our content so that it becomes worth exporting to Europe and other developed parts. Anny is committed to driving conversation that changes the narrative that Africa is obsolete or does not have the requisite talent that can be globally recognised.
We go on to end off the interview with a word of advice for the aspirational entrepreneur. He mentions the need to stay focused and heavily set on one’s focus. ‘Focus on your focus’, he jokingly quips. In a world where largely driven by social media, it is very easy to become depressed with the idea that the world is moving further than you are. Do not give up, he says. Theyr’e all faking it till they make it. The more we strive for excellence in our varying spheres as creatives, he adds, the more the narrative changes, and the more we move Africa forward, he concludes. I have to say that I couldn’t agree more.
Education Technology transforming the African classroom By Rita Kufandarerwa 18 months ago, I came across a weird job title - “Instructional Designer”. Perfunctorily, I perused through the job description and everything took the colour of confusion. Terms like “online learning” “learning management systems” and “E-learning portals” dominated the job description script. To my astounded relief I was offered the job and I was welcomed as the new Instructional Designer - the weird job that opened my eyes to the possibilities of Education Technology or Ed Tech. Education technology is the development and application of technological tools to enhance education. Coupling education and technology will yield positive results for the general learning development of mankind - it will be remiss for Africa to miss it. Creatively digitising textbooks One of my first tasks was to write scripts for academic textbooks. The rationale behind this daunting task was to transfer academic texts to a medium that most learners have access to video.
In addition to accessibility, video is a medium that most learners prefer. The cognitive theory of multimedia learning states that people learn deeply from pictures and sound than from words only. As we created fun learning videos for academic texts, I realised the potency of vision and sound. Conventional textbooks lack the cognitive stimulation of video and sound in learning environments. Video is a substitute for banal textbooks that most learners might not have access to and the use of technology can simplify the migration from text to video. Blogs and Wikis and Socratic pedagogy Absorbing thick volumes of texts is futile if the learner cannot engage in critical thinking. That is the crux of the Socratic pedagogy. Our education system is one that has been shunned since time immemorial. The African education produces the intellectuals who have endless titles and laureates but cannot think critically.
Tools such as blogs, journals and wikis provide virtual platforms for training material to be delivered in a way that enables interaction and critical thinking. Technology and the internet are a conduit for developing learning material that embodies the Socratic pedagogy− an effective educational strategy for developing social and intellectual skills. Bespoke education technology and cognitive abilities We have different learning abilities and at certain cognitive loads, our information retention capacity declines. Humans can process a finite amount of information at a time. The use of online learning platforms allows the learning audience to take breaks and go back to studying at their convenience. Because of different learning capabilities, delivering educational material should not take one umbrella approach - t has to be custom made to suit a learner’s cognitive abilities. Technology allows instructional designers to develop bespoke learning materials that are suitable for learners with varying cognitive capabilities. Educational tech tools initiate custom teaching, learning methodologies and experiences. With modern gadgets and interfaces, learning can be initiated based on needs, preference and availability. Cutting the cost of education and facilitating long distance learning One does not forget the genuine panic attack of losing a textbook after buying it for a considerable amount of money. The consequences of losing a textbook include an insurmountable academic exclusion that one cannot protest against. The use of electronic books obliterates this hurdle that comes with using hard copies. The use of electronic books closes the academic exclusion gap that confronts the African education system. Electronic books are economically accessible as printing costs are eliminated. The technology of electronic books contributes to environmental sustainability and reduces pollution. Africa is heavily polluted and some textbooks that are made from non-biodegradable materials contribute to environmental degradation. Some colleges and universities led the way in providing long distance learning, a workable solution of bridging the education gap. Education technology tools are useful in facilitating long distance learning. Where learning material has to be posted using unreliable postal services, it can be availed at minimum cost or no cost at all using electronic means.
Learning analytics With the advent of technology, data analysis is now the anchor of decision making and provision of information. Education is no exception to this important development in technology. Learning data can be used to drive decision making. The African education system can benefit from learning analytics. Learning analytics are used in assessing and evaluating student engagement, traction and learning output - a task that is almost impossible in manual terms. Through learning analytics, learning systems can be used to facilitate the way education is remitted by teachers and experienced by learners. The futuristic African classroom The future classroom without technology is unimaginable. High tech platforms and tools can change the entire traditional approach to education if we embrace it. Technology provides teachers and learners with a new and enhanced way of interacting during the learning process. Adopting technology in our education system will transform our learning experiences and produce multi-dimensional professionals that our continent has always sought after.
FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD THAT YOU SHOULDN’T MISS…
1
OSUN-OSOGBO FESTIVAL When – Sometime in August Where – Osogbo, Nigeria This festival is one of the most remarkable festivals in the Nigerian Calendar. It is usually one week long and it celebrates the Orisha goddess who is otherwise known as the goddess of love and fertility. It is one of the most important religious festivals in the traditional Yoruba religion. There is usually a joyful mood in the air. If you’re travelling for the festival, it is advisable to plan ahead, as accommodation in Osogbo can be scarce.
CALABAR CARNIVAL
2
When – Sometime in December Where – Calabar, Nigeria This festival is one of the most popular carnivals in the Nigerian Calendar. It is usually about a week long also and it aims to celebrate tourism at its finest. There are usually costume display parties, parades and musical performances. If you intend to travel for the festival, it is advisable to plan ahead, as accommodation can be scarce. Also, go with your peers.
3
CHALE WOTE FESTIVAL When – Sometime in August Where – James Town, Accra This Festival is West Africa’s largest Independent public-arts Festival, with an estimate of over N10,000 people. The festival pays attention to street art inclusively, with live street painting, art installations, spoken word, live music, etc. The festival aims at reclaiming the past and building a new African future with African ideas.
NOTTING HILLL CARNIVAL
4
When- Sometime in August Where – London This is not the biggest party in London or in the UK, it’s arguably the biggest party in Europe. It’s that time of the year when every Londoner and foreigner lets their hair down and parties. The Carnival is filled with about two days of energetic performances, jaw dropping costumes and parades. The exciting part is that there’s a children’s part of the carnival for the little ones too
5
NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL When – June, July. Where – Grahams Town Out of all the Art Festivals in SA, the National Arts Festival stands out and is famous for being one of the favourite gatherings of artists from all over the world. This event is one of the best in the country. With a no restraint rule, you will get to see some of the most incredible art pieces here.
CAPE TOWN JAZZ FESTIVAL
6
When – March Where – Cape Town The Cape Town jazz festival is one of the most prestigious jazz festivals in SA. It is the first largest jazz festival in the world and musicians from all over the world comes together to bring the best of the genre of music.
The Brains Behind the Genius startup, Tapsnapp By Baradi Moletsane
TAP SNAPP
I caught up with Vije Vijendranath, a lifestyle documentary photographer, who happens to be the brains behind the startup Tapsnapp. Launched at the start of 2017, Tapsnapp is an online platform that connects photographers with customers. Essentially, clients looking for photography services select their requirements, the type of shoot they want and their budget – with that information, Tapsnapp promptly suggests a list of possible photographers based on their requirements and budget. Think Uber meets photography. Brilliant, right?
CREATIVITY IS A FORM OF EXPRESSION THAT ALLOWS YOU TO CONNECT
Why is being a creative important to you? Being creative allows me to express myself freely, especially about my dreams and desires. Creativity has no limits, except what is possible. Creativity is also the only form of expression that allows us to connect with others without boundaries. Can you tell us more about the kind of work you produce? My work entails applying the style of documentary photography to the lives of people, whether it’s a simple birthday party or an extensive traditional wedding. One of my most fulfilling experiences is working at a wedding and
documenting the story of a couple, being in their homes on the days leading up to their wedding, as they prepare for their big day. I love that I get to document the trials, buzz and craziness, along with all of the ups and downs. I also love that I get to live through the excitement that they cannot contain. It gives me great joy capturing such human emotions for which the couple and their families would cherish for years to come. What makes your blood boil? Photography as a business has been out of reach for so many talented creative artists who long to express themselves.
The industry is certainly not democratised, as it only caters for a select few, who have access and privilege to get to have a livelihood through this. What is heartbreaking as well is that photography isn’t inclusive, thus we see so many “Western” images being used to market and sell products for African consumers. It’s simply an authentic representation of Africa, and it is an insult to African consumers who deserve better. Who in your line of work inspires you? I’m inspired by local and international artists who have defined the way I taught myself the art of photography, e.g. locally I’m inspired by David Goldblatt and Zanele Muholi. On the international side, I love Jonas Peterson, as well as Steve McCurry. Give us a quick flash of your five year game plan… I’m on a mission to digitise and democratise the photography industry for the African economy. I want to connect with African photographers throughout the continent and allow them to have a space to express themselves and help them to be become accessible to the world.
Finish this sentence: The kind of work I do is meant to… Inspire and instill a visual language that helps you connect authentically without barriers of language or location. There’s a quote that says “Creativity is the highest form of intelligence.” Do you agree with this? If yes, please tell us why? I don’t agree. I believe that creativity is the highest form of human expression. This is assuming what we currently define as intelligence which is the process that allows us to possess consciousness and selfawareness.
In no more than three lines, tell us about your family‌ I’m a father of three, one daughter and two sons. I married the woman of my dreams, who I must say, made me her Instagram husband and is my muse in all her photos. My kids are naturally creative, especially when my middle son uses his poop to draw on the wall. Are you a hunter or a gatherer? Hunter. How are you making the world a better place with what you do? My aim is to create awareness about the beauty of South Africa through local eyes, which allows for real stories to be projected. In turn, this creates the right perception of how life happens here. Good advice in one phrase? Practice what you preach.
Modesty in the Modern Age
Fashion blogger Aqeelah Harron-Ally talks beauty, fashion and business as a Muslim woman
From fashion tips and beauty tricks to dressing modestly as a married Muslim woman, 29-year-old Aqeelah Harron-Ally is one of South Africa’s first fashion bloggers who has genuinely stood the test of time. What started in April 2010 as a simple fashion blog, Fashion Breed was a platform for the young fashion and makeup enthusiast to document her interests, activities and travels.
Witnessing everything from her graduation to her marriage as well as her achievements, the blog held up a mirror to her life. Almost nine years later, the blog and accompanying social media accounts have become a full-time business for Harron-Ally who routinely shares relevant and thought-provoking content
with her audience totaling over 85,000 and counting. In 2016, Harron-Ally introduced her followers to her YouTube channel where she also uploads fashion and beauty tutorials. Describing herself as fashion-forward and well-travelled, it was her very travels to over 30 cities around the globe that directed Harron-Ally to develop and nurture her faith as a Muslim woman.
"I LOVE AND EMBRACE MY STYLE"
And it is from those experiences that she developed the popular YouTube series titled ‘Cover, Girl’, which offers styling tips and advice for women of any faith wanting to dress modestly or conservatively yet still remain highly fashionable and on-trend. “While I am not in hijab, I felt I wanted to cover my body more, and as someone who really loves fashion that was really hard at first. But now I love and embrace my style, and through this series I aim to help other women who are starting to cover up to feel the same way,” explains Harron-Ally. “There isn’t nearly enough content online for the girls ‘in the middle’, so to speak, and I wanted to change that. Despite being so niche, it hasn’t held me back in any way and my followers equally consist of modest-dressers and women with an unrestricted sense of style.” Very much a believer that one should seize every opportunity given to them, Harron-Ally is not only a fashion guru, and professional makeup artist but also an entrepreneur. Once again following her passion, together with her content creator-photographer husband, Abdul Malick, they have released their own custom-made Lightroom Presets called ‘Fashion Breed Filters’, which can be purchased on shopfashionbreed.com and installed into the free Lightroom app. The duo is also in the process of adding a collection of e-books to Shop Fashion Breed, offering guides to modest-dressing as well as digital content creation. Harron-Ally says of her business venture: “We're asked every day how we edit our photographs, and this is a big part of that, so now our followers can create the same colour-graded look on their own image.” With a Media, Film, Writing and Drama degree from the University of Cape Town under her proverbial belt, and after acquiring a makeup qualification from the Smudge Makeup Academy, Harron-Ally gained all the necessary tools of the trade to command her strong online following. With a skillset that covers fashion, beauty and travel advice to lifestyle writing, editing photography and makeup, to TV and radio appearances, it’s no wonder why she’s become so popular with not only her followers but brands alike who appreciate her ‘real girl’ perspective. Social Media and digital information for Aqeelah HarronAlly: Facebook: www.facebook.com/FashionBreedblog Instagram: www.instagram.com/fashionbreed Blog: www.fashionbreed.co.za YouTube: www.youtube.com/fashionbreedvideos Shop: www.shopfashionbreed.com
MOKGALE MD AND MASTER OF MANY TRAITS The startupAFRICA team was fortunate to have a one on one with Peformance Poet-MC, Donald Mokgale, who has been recently been appointed as Managing Director of Posterscope SA, an ‘out of home’ digital company. With 11 years’ experience in media and advertising, Donald has been instrumental in setting up the Ghana Posterscope office as well as rebooting the Posterscope Kenya business model. In his new role, Donald will be responsible for managing the SA Posterscope team and business to growth and profitability.
What you do for a living?
Who in your line of work inspires you?
Well, I was recently appointed as the
Nobody really does what we do, but I draw
Managing Director of Posterscope SA, an
inspiration from Neo Soul artists like
Out Of Home digital company. In addition, I
Moonchild, D’angelo, Jill Scott, Anomalie,
am a performance poet-mc for corporate
PotatoHead People and poets like Black
events, weddings, award ceremonies,
Thought, Loaded Lux, Nas, Joshua Bennett.
funerals and gala dinners. Give us a quick flash of your five year Why is being a creative important to
game plan…
you? We want to release an album, secure It is important because I cannot fit in rigid
contracts for all the corporate events with 5
environments nor in non-creative roles.
blue chip companies, as well as diversify into the Insurance space.
Can you tell us more about the kind of work you produce?
Finish this sentence: The kind of work I do is meant to…
We perform poetry and music items for corporate events as entertainment, which
Provoke thought and impact lives in ways
often takes place in the first service. We
one has never experienced before.
also custom write content for these events and lastly, we re-write company values into
There’s a quote that says “Creativity is
art pieces in order to launchrelaunch to
the highest form of intelligence.” Do you
staff/stakeholders. A strategy of using words
agree with this? If yes, please tell us
to add value to organisations in a creative
why?
fashion. Yes this is a valid argument although it What makes your blood boil?
cannot be empirically proven. If it weren’t for creativity, we would not have SiyaXusa, or
Idiocy, non-critical thinking, mediocrity, the
businesses like Airbnb or Uber. Creativity is
inability to recognise value in creativity and
what enables disruption to happen in
disrespect.
varying industries.
In no more than three lines, tell us about your family‌ My family is incredibly supportive of my talents, they believe in me more than anyone else and they give me the confidence to keep doing what I do.
Are you a hunter or a gatherer? Definitely a hunter, without a shadow of doubt!
How are you making the world a better place with what you do? My content is well thought out and is intended to inspire, give hope, provoke thought about socially relevant issues and drive conversations. This holistically helps to improve people who make up society and who make up the world.
Good advice in one phrase? Do not settle, you’re still breathing.
The Full Circle Force The startupAFRICA team managed to have a good conversation with Cindy Smeda and FD Majiet – who run a high energy, big thinking, results-orientated and dynamic below the line agency, which thrives on moving businesses and brands forward. With a team that prides itself in handcrafting unforgettable experiences to bring your brand to life – from conception to execution, Full Circle is surely making moves in the industry.
When was Full Circle established?
Anything you want to add?
Full Circle Experiential was established in
As a progressive business, one of the
2015 on a couch by two women with bold
fundamental pillars is to empower
dreams to do big things.
employees to have an open dialogue which speaks to collaboration, growth
Which clients do you work with?
and success.
The Foschini Group, Sun International,
Savers, Engen and Shoprite Checkers
Questions for FD & Cindy What is your designation?
Holdings to name a few.
We are the game-changers and
Volkswagen Group South Africa, Spec-
trendsetters in our field. We have a
What does a typical day at Full Circle look like?
hands-on approach to our business and believe in being multi-talented,
Marketing is notorious for its unpredictable
especially in an ever globally changing
hours, and at Full Circle residence it is no
market. We at Full Circle don’t mind
different. It’s a 5am start for the Directors of
getting our hands dirty to get the job
the business, with a high-powered Sweat
done well.
session before we kick off with a pit stop team catchup each morning. The daily hustle
A few words that best describe you?
then begins with creative brainstorms, client
FD: A tenacious, innovative and
meetings, live events and remembering to
passionate power house.
grab a bite to eat somewhere in between.
Cindy: A fierce, driven, visionary with balls of steel, in-love with the hustle of
B
iggest project you have worked on?
life.
We have worked on projects big and small.
man activation. Our goal is that no matter
What do you love about the work that you do?
the size of the project, we believe in
Cindy: There is nothing more satisfying
delivering quality excellence.
than seeing one’s vision come to life.
From a 1000 people conference to a two
From a few words on paper to a full on
What are the agency’s plans for the near future?
production. FD [adding to Cindy’s response]: There’s
As a female-owned brand, we hope to
also a wonderful sense of joy in the
continue to empower and uplift, as well as
coming together of great minds to
create a culture of transformation and
create something spectacular, as we
redefining best practices within advertising
work as a team.
world. Part of our goals and aspirations are to form a global alliance and collaborate on an international scale.
What are some of the biggest challenges that you face in your line of work? Cindy: Gender inequality. In South Africa, we are still faced with more inequity issues in the workplace than anywhere else in the world, where women of colour need to work harder and have to continuously prove themselves to remain in the playing fields. What makes your blood boil? FD: Business etiquette and a lack of regard for the way one treats others. At the end of it all, we are all still human and our goal in this life is to work in harmony with each other, with the philosophy that is there is enough shine for everyone.
WE HELP YOU GET WHAT YOUÂ NEED IN LIFE.
Advice to the 13 year old you about (her) career goals? Cindy: In a world where certain careers are prized over others, know that you are enough. Your hopes and dreams are valid! There will be challenges, but nothing that you can’t overcome. FD: Live life to the fullest and do what you love. Embrace failure, because it means you took a chance in facing that risk in the hopes of realising your dream is most rewarding.
KOKETSO MOLAOLWE 7 QUICK QUESTIONS
YOUR CAREER DESCRIPTION IN A SENTENCE?
WHAT IS THIS CHAPTER IN YOUR LIFE CALLED?
I run a management consulting business,
All or Nothing!
I am a board game and ‘IT Solution’ developer, additionally, I am an author, speaker and social commentator.
AS AN ENTREPRENEUR, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MAKE WHAT YOU DO STAND OUT? All our products are developed for a local context with an international standard.
IF YOU WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVELUTIONALISE THE INDUSTRY THAT YOU WORK IN, WHAT WOULD YOU DO? On management consulting: stop the imposition of international practice without appreciating the local context by big consulting firms. On gaming: make gaming have a bigger formal foot print in our education system.
THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE YOU? Purposeful, Perseverant and Patriotic.
LASLTY… As Africans, in order to have
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST SACRIFICE YOU HAVE MADE TO KEEP BUSINESS GOING? I took a 50% salary cut from my previous employer to make time for my business.
TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOU THAT PEOPLE DON’T KNOW… I am an introvert.
internationally exportable products, we need to create products that meet global needs wrapped up with of our local flavours, traditions and culture.
LAFEDE DESIGNS
The best way to tell loved ones how you feel about them By Jabulile Zwane
Here’s a catch up session with founder of LaFede – Chantelle Beaukes, a creative and designer who prides herself in making bespoke and soft toy characters and home objects. “Don’t let failure steal the joy from what you do. Embrace it, learn from it and come back stronger…” Chantelle advises to all entrepreneurs who aspire to turn their creative work into magic. Why is being a creative important to you? Being a creative is a way to live a life that embraces originality and uniqueness. It’s a way to evoke conversation, encourage interaction and inspire others to dream freely. Can you tell us more about the work you produce? Once upon a daydream I imagined a place, where the objects around me weren’t just all the same. A place where my imaginings could become a little human’s best friend, while being intriguing to the “adult” eye. A place where everyone could dream about adventure, enjoy endless hours of play and talk about how being different is absolutely perfect.
What makes your blood boil?
There’s a quote that says “Creativity is
Bullies and people being treated unfairly.
the highest form of intelligence.” Do you agree with this? If yes, please tell us
Who in your line of work inspires you?
why?
Donna Wilson is a great inspiration of mine
I agree, we often think of creativity as making something, but it’s so much more
Give us a quick flash of your five year
than that. At the core, creativity means ‘to
game plan…
grow’ while constantly learning and re-
- Launch new exciting collections at Local
learning, improving in our work and
Handcrafted artisan Markets –
relationships. Growing within ourselves is
Kamers/Makers and Sanlam Handmade
the epitome of intelligence in my opinion.
Contemporary Fair - Expand beyond our local borders into
In no more than three lines, tell us about
International Independent Retailers
your family…
- Publish my little characters story in a book
I’m wife to my best friend, we’ve been
- Employ and Train at least three
together for 18 years, and we have two
employees
beautiful children.
- Fill homes and hearts with original LaFede friends
How are you making the world a better place with what you do?
Finish this sentence: The kind of work I
By creating timeless, soft toy characters,
do is meant to…
with personalities, for the young and old.
Inspire imaginative play and evoke conversations, regardless of your age.
Good advice in one phrase? Don’t let failure steal the joy from what you
.
do. Embrace it, learn from it and come back stronger
South African Artist Raises Funds for Endangered Wildlife South African (British-born) artist Sonny, recently wrapped up his hugely successful To The Bone project that saw him complete a global mural tour and sold out solo exhibition in New York, all in the name of raising funds and awareness for endangered wildlife. The symbolic close of the project was in the form of a $15500 (R215,000) personal donation by the artist– a percentage of his To The Bone artwork sales – to Project C.A.T., a collaboration between Discovery Communications and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) which aims to ensure a healthy habitat for future generations of tigers by helping conserve nearly two million acres of protected land in India and Bhutan.
Most well-known for his enormous and exquisitely detailed street art, Sonny recently undertook a year-long global mural tour of epic proportions. The worldwide tour was largely self-funded and saw him (together with Tess Cunliffe, Project Manager) execute ten large-scale street art pieces in such far-reaching destinations such as Amsterdam, Canada, Russia, New York, Miami, London, Ireland and Johannesburg. Through the tour, Sonny has brought some of the world’s most iconic and endangered animals into unexpected environments around the world. His grassroots creative journey brought city dwellers eye-to-eye with these animals, allowing an opportunity for
reflection and conversation, while rekindling a long-forgotten connection to the wild. The artist’s creative vision was supported by a variety of wildlife organisations such as IFAW - International Foundation for Animal Welfare (murals in NYC, Russia and London) Far Eastern Leopards (mural in Russia), and Project C.A.T (mural in NYC). The mural tour saw its completion in New York in May 2018, with the opening of Sonny’s first and highly-anticipated solo exhibition of his canvas work along with a series of hand painted sculptures. The sell-out show explored the landscape of the fast-approaching demise of our world’s wildlife and how this is intrinsically tied to humanity’s own ability to thrive. The exquisitely powerful artwork brought people face-to-face with the profound beauty of a wild world on the brink of extinction. The pop-up exhibition in SoHo featured music by DJ Moma of Everyday People and saw people lining up for hours around the block to view the work. A series of limited edition prints were also available and now feature in the homes of well-known wildlife supports such as Gisele Bündchen, Eddie Vedder and Ilya Lagutenko.
Umuzi – an academy for creatives to soar with the cranes BY BARADI MOLETSANE
Meet Odi, the creative star leading Umuzi Cape Town, a company that prides itself in supporting un(der)employed youth to access high value creative (and digital) careers. Umuzi is designed to pay young people to learn the skills they need in order to compete and excel in the creative economy. With evident hard work and determination, the academy’s alumni pivot on their talent and abilities in order to create authentic representations across various media platforms.
UMUZI
When asked what he’s doing to make
create visual content for brands,
this world a better place, he answered:
agencies etc. The Film and Media
“If you ask my mother to do a bit of
sector is growing rapidly but not
Maths magic, you can calculate that
enough people share in that growth.
Umuzi has already unlocked over 7
Umuzi here to bridge that gap.
billion Rands in lifetime earning potential with the 400 alumni we have
We have built a large network of
produced”.
brands and agencies that are hungry for authentic representation in the
Why is being a creative important to
content that they produce for their
you?
campaigns. We train those who have
I believe creative expression is one of
traditionally been the misrepresented
the most crucial parts of any healthy
subjects to become the credible
society. On a personal level, it allows
authors of their stories. Together we
us to develop our identity and accept
offer a variety of professional
others’. As a collective, it helps us to
production services - photography,
explore ourselves and develop a
film, art experiences, artist
shared identity. I think it’s important
representation etc.
that creativity is more accessible in a country like South Africa if we want to
What makes your blood boil?
move towards a more unified nation.
When people cut in line. And I think more generally, when people act like
Can you tell us about the kind of
they deserve better than others or
work you produce?
when they believe that they’re more
There are millions of talented
important.
storytellers among our un(der)employed youth who can’t access creative careers. On the other side of the spectrum, there are millions of Rands in opportunities to
Who in your line of work inspires
There’s a quote that says
you?
“Creativity is the highest form of
There are two digital storytellers
intelligence.” Do you agree with
whose work I have liked for a long
this? If yes, please tell us why?
time: Chris Milk and Michel Gondry.
No I don’t agree. I don’t even think we really know what intelligence is, but
Give us a quick flash of your five
we do know that there are many
year game plan…
different types of intelligence. I don’t
We currently have an alumni of about
believe there is a universal hierarchy
400 young people, 80% of which have
that places one form of intelligence
high value jobs in the industry. This
above another.
number will keep growing and our alumni will keep progressing in their
In no more than three lines, tell us
careers in order to take on more and
about your family…
more senior roles. In parallel, our
My mother is a Maths genius, my
agency will keep developing to
father taught me the importance of
become more and more credible. So in
balance in life and my brother is one
the next five years, our network and
of those annoying people who is very
our portfolio will grow to a point where
good at everything they do!
we can make a real change in the industry and ideally start affecting the
Good advice in one phrase?
purpose of content in South Africa.
Get enough sleep.
Finish this sentence: The kind of work I do is meant to… change people.
UMUZI
SOUTH AFRICAN PHOTOGRAPHY’S LUCRATIVE TURNAROUND
WRITTEN BY SEAN O' TOOLE, ART JOURNALIST, ON BEHALF OF INVESTEC
Local art collectors have wised up to the fact that photography is a worthwhile acquisition, catching up to the international appreciation of South African talent. In early 2018, Aspire Art Auctions and Strauss & Co, two rival South African auction houses, settled an uncertain fact when they sold important photographs by David Goldblatt for handsome five-figure sums. The results were achieved in the months before the celebrated documentary photographer's death in
June, at 87 in June, and marked a stunning turnaround for a medium that has long been shunned by South African collectors. The extent of the reversal is worth dwelling on. In 2011, two important photographs by Goldblatt fetched middling sums at Strauss & Co auctions. A 1980 photo of a Boksburg couple dancing under the watchful eye of a dance instructor fetched R77,980, while a 1985 photo of a fifteenyear-old detainee with
both his arms in plaster casts achieved only R38,990. Both photos were vintage prints, a crucial factor in determining a photo’s value. Seven years later at auction house, Strauss & Co’s maiden contemporary art auction in Cape Town, Goldblatt’s 2007 colour photo portraying an extensive landscape at Nqondwana, near Port Edward, sold for R329,672. The work is part of an edition of 10 duplicate prints.
A few months later in Johannesburg, Aspire sold a 2003 photo of depicting life on the urban fringe of the City of Gold for R318,640. Local collectors finally warmed to Goldblatt, who in 1998 became the first South African to hold a solo exhibition at MOMA, New York. In March 2018, Aspire sold The Night of the Long Knives III, a vivid fantasy portrait made in 2014 by Athi-Patra Ruga, for R295,568. Two years ago, Strauss sold Pieter Hugo’s 2007 portrait of a man standing beneath a Lagos flyover with a chained baboon for R125,048. It helped that Hugo’s portrait was explicitly referenced in the 2011 music video for Beyoncé’s song 'Run the World (Girls)'. Like Goldblatt, Hugo struggled for a long time to find a local market for his confrontational colour portraits. At the 2006 auction of Brett Kebble’s estate in Cape Town the audience laughed when three of Hugo’s photos of people with albinism went on sale. The photos sold for R2,000 each. Works from this series remain unpopular, but in November 2018 his group portrait Hyena Men of Abuja sold at Aspire for R375,540 to an American collector. Persuading local collectors to get behind photography has been the undoing of dealers. In 2009 Warren Siebrits closed his adventurous gallery space on Jan Smuts Avenue in Johannesburg, citing a lack of interest in photography as major reason.
Solo shows for photographers Santu Mofokeng and Jo Ractliffe had generated negligible sales. Six extremely rare prints by Roger Ballen offered by Siebrits at an art fair in Johannesburg also failed to attract buyers. This run of events led Siebrits to conclude that local collectors were “prejudiced against photography,” possibly due to their unfamiliarity with the medium and its rich history. “Photography is largely succeeding abroad,” said Siebrits. It was a view shared by Cape Town dealer Michael Stevenson. In 2009, Stevenson exhibited Goldblatt’s In Boksburg (1979-80), a photographic essay that dwells on life in this former whites-only municipality east of Johannesburg. Key works from this essay have seen buyers at Strauss & Co and Aspire auctions in 2017 and 2018 pay between R125,000 and R295,000 for individual photos. By contrast, Stevenson’s 2009 selling exhibition failed to attract any South African buyers. “South Africans have a very limited view of how extraordinary the realm of photography is, never mind how many extraordinary photographers they have in their midst," said Stevenson at the time. Price has long been a point of conflict between dealers and collectors. Local collectors have historically likened photos to works on paper and expected prices to show parity with lesser-priced prints and multiples. Instead, works by Ballen, Goldblatt, Hugo and Zanele Muholi are typically offered in euros and dollars sums and priced upwards of R75,000 per work.
“Photography is not associated with status,
photography in their scope of choices.
even though the prices are not what would
Specialist photo collectors, though, are a
appeal to an entry-level collector,” said
rarity. “You can count them on one hand,”
Federica Angelucci, a director and specialist
said Tony East, a director at Goodman
in photography at Stevenson.
Gallery.
There are other factors hampering the
Photographic exhibitors not to be missed at
uptake of photography as a collectable.
the 2019 Investec Cape Town Art Fair
Scarcity is a key marker of value, but many
• Billy Monk Collection
photographers do not strictly limit their
• THK Gallery
editions, often printing new editions in a
• Sitor Senghor
different size when there is a run on a
• Goodman
particular work. All of which has left the market cautious – and historically wide open to bullish photo enthusiasts like advocate Tony Rubens and designer Garth Walker. Both the Goodman Gallery and Stevenson confirmed that the majority of their local clients collect broadly and include
Through Naomi’s lens This career has transformed my life Twitter: @NaomiEstment Instagram: naomi_estment Facebook: @NaomiEstmentPtyLtd LinkedIn: Naomi Estment YouTube: Naomi Estment Website: naomiestment.com Online Courses: courses.naomiestment.com
If you’re a business woman who has big plans in the entreprenural space but the thought of being in front of the camera scares you, fret not… Naomi Estment, a highly experienced personal branding photographer, videographer and trainer, is working tirelessly to assist visionary female entrepreneurs to show up and shine in personal branding photos and videos. As a result, the lens guru has made it her mission to push these women to discover the joy in this process of tapping into their power to play big in the world, you don’t want to miss what she has to say…
Why is being a creative important to you? For me, being creative is the ultimate joy and the fastest route to fulfilment, especially when I’m in the flow of inspiration, much like when I have a camera in my hands or when I’m writing and creating content for my online courses. It is in those instances that I feel guided by a purpose greater than my own.
Who in your line of work inspires you? Marie Forleo is the biggest inspiration behind my online courses, which I’m particularly passionate about because of their potential to serve so many more people than I can with photos and video shoots. Marie is a leading USA-based online business coach, who has been named by Oprah as a thought leader for the next generation. I’m so grateful to have won a scholarship to her phenomenal online B-School program in 2016, which boosted my business tremendously. The exceptional production values and quality of her video content is truly inspiring.
photos and videos, and to discover the joy in this process while tapping into their power to play big in the world.
There’s a quote that says “Creativity is the highest form of intelligence.” Do you agree with this? If yes, please tell us why? I prefer this Albert Einstein quote: “Creativity is intelligence having fun” because of how fabulous it feels to be in creative flow. There’s a natural ease and grace in the experience, which feels as though you’re being inspired by a power and intelligence far greater than your own.
Give us a quick flash of your five-year game plan…
How are you making the world a better place with what you do?
Within the next five years, my goal is to enhance my expert status and expand my reach locally and internationally, through social media and blogging, targeted Facebook advertising, affiliate marketing and relevant media articles, as well as publishing my non-fiction book Rock That Lens: How to shine on camera and make it count! The objective is to generate sufficient, leveraged income from my online business to create location independence and alleviate the pressure of providing mainly time-for-money services in the form of in-person photo and video shoots.
The African proverb “If you educate a man, you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a nation” resonates strongly with me. By empowering visionary female entrepreneurs to present the best of who they are and what they offer to the world, I believe that my work serves their best interest and that of their prospects, as well as the greater good.
Finish this sentence: The kind of work I do is meant to… help visionary female entrepreneurs to show up and shine in personal branding
Good advice in one phrase? Learn to shine on camera and make it count!
Can you tell us a more about the kind of work you produce? My photo shoots, video shoots and courses are geared to transform my clients’ relationships with themselves and the camera. My passion for this work stems from pain. I have a severe squint, which you won’t see now because I wear contact lenses and have learnt to control it as an adult. Because of this, I hated the camera, so much so that I didn’t keep a single photo of myself before I turned 25. Photographing and filming hundreds of people since 2004 has transformed my life and taught me that every one of us can shine on camera, when we know how to.
What makes your blood boil? Copyright theft makes my blood boil. This happened to my husband Dave, when a so-called photographer in the UK stole some of his stunning wildlife images from our website, cropped off the watermarks, claimed them as his own in an article he submitted to an online magazine and posted them for sale on his website. By total chance, I noticed the images when the magazine shared the article on Facebook. Dave confronted the culprit and demanded that he remove the images immediately from all of his content. He also notified relevant parties of the theft.