Issue 1 • January 2014
04 Editors Note
Features 05 Kgotso Mokgatle 07 Kwena Molokomme 09 Nomantshali Ninise 11 Kopano Ntsoane
ARTICLES 13 Opinion piece 14 Modern Gaming Entrepreneurship
15 Tackling the Challenges of Social Entrepreneurship 16 The importance of controls & performance assessment in your execution plan
Lifestyle 17 The Zulu film food and Arts festival
ENTERTAINMENT 18 Film Reviews 19 Film Bout: Winnie Mandela VS Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom
20 Music Reviews
2 • The Followthrough Magazine • January 2014
EDITOR’S NOTE I have fallen deeply in love with the trials and triumphs of the entrepreneur. Those of us who were raised by Disney are all too familiar with the tale of the underdog who conquers all in the end. And though we are all a sucker for a good success story, I often wonder about the untold stories: the forsaken tales of the entrepreneurs that haven’t “made it” yet or have failed countless times with no promise of prosperity in the near future. The serial start-up and his “grab every opportunity” companions. Where are they? What’s their story? What can we learn from their journey? I grew up shy, which means that I spent a lot of my time observing, listening and paying attention. When I finally plucked up the courage to speak, I had also mustered the nerve to be curious. I began to question things, probing and interrogating my surroundings. In an alternate universe, this made me extremely popular with my peers, by the way. This curiosity served me well in most areas in my life because it introduced me to many of my current interests. One of which is entrepreneurship (the other is Orca, but that’s a story for another day).
Editor In Chief
Entrepreneurship is a solution to many of the problems that we face in
Paballo, paballo@thefollowthrough. co.za
the world today: poor economies, poverty, dependence, stagnant minds etc. and it is a rapidly-growing concept because of that. I think we are fast approaching an age where entrepreneurship is a norm instead of a glorified deviation from the ‘expected’ corporate career path. Rumour has it that the most successful economies in the world at the moment are those that have the most conducive environments for entrepreneurship. Meaning that the political, social and economic structures are supportive of small business owners. Is that the case in South Africa or do we still have a long way to go? At The Follow Through, our vision is to lock in on those ideas and undress the state of entrepreneurship in South Africa from the perspectives of the SMMEs themselves. We want to tell the unique stories and share the
Contributing Writer Simbarashe Mumera
Contributing Writer Zimangazenkosi Mthimkhulu
Digital Designer Zimangazenkosi Mthimkhulu
interesting facts and findings with you. The dream is to provide a platform
Director
for hustlers, thought-leaders and restless minds to express and learn more
Simbarashe Mumera
about their surroundings. We invite you to hop onto our brainwave and take this journey with us.
Advertising
We have plenty of goodies in this month’s issue, including interviews with
Simbarashe Mumera, simbamumera@thefollowthrough. co.za
entrepreneurs within the cultural space, some opinion pieces and a few reviews of films shown at the Zulu Film & Food Arts Festival that was hosted at the Wits Theatre in Johannesburg, late last year. Get excited! From myself, the new editor, and the rest of the team: Have a happy holiday! Paballo Mosiane (Editor, The Follow Through Magazine)
3 • The Followthrough Magazine • January 2014
The Followthrough 1st floor, Sunset Bay Building, 204B Bram Fischer Drive,Randburg. Telephone + www.thefollowthrough.co.za
Kgotso Mokgatle B82 Productions is an entertainment-based company that focuses on music production and hosting events. We spoke to founder, Kgotso Mokgatle, about the challenges of being an entrepreneur in the entertainment industry
4 • The Followthrough Magazine • January 2014
The Followthrough (TFT): Tell us a bit about you do. Kgomotso Mokgatle (KM): I was born in Pimville, Soweto. When I was younger, I loved playing soccer, but as I grew older, my love for music became more evident. This is what brought about the idea of being part of the entertainment business.
TFT:: How and why did you decide to become an entrepreneur? KM:I got a learnership at COPA SA in Kensington in 2005 to study Live Event Technical Production and SoundProduction. That’s where I met a guy called Graeme Gilffilian from Nisa. He shed some light about how the music industry operates and emphasised that even though it is entertainment, it is still a business that we can make a living out of.
TFT: How did the idea for your business come about? KM: My partners and I were hiring out sound systems and recorded demos in a backyard studio just using a PC and a dynamic microphone. Home studios were very few at the time and people would go all the way to town just to record. When interest started growing, that’s when we realized that we should formalise it so that it can acquire a certain status. TFT: What is most rewarding about your craft? KM: With regards to music, it’s seeing people reacting positively towards your song and encouraging you to push forward. With hosting events, it’s seeing people have fun and wanting more. The feedback always gives you some sort of direction. TFT: What do you find most challenging about being an entrepreneur in your field? KM: Recently, there has been a rise in music and events companies. Some of those entrepreneurs don’t have the passion for it, but just see an opportunity to make a quick buck. The challenge is the flooding in the industry and bad service delivery (undercharging clients) which gives clients the wrong impression of the industry. Many entrepreneurs in the entertainment space are given opportunities based on favours and not merit. The reputation that leaves behind is a challenge for us to overcome. TFT: How can you overcome these challenges? KM: Delivering quality service to our clients, building and maintaining relationships as well is vital for our business. Passion drives everything.
5 • The Followthrough Magazine • January 2014
TFT: What, in your opinion, is the state of the arts and culture industry in the country at the moment? KM: There are good artists out that are not exposed to opportunities and who lack business knowledge and management skills. Commercial radio stations are not giving local artists enough airplay and exposure as compared to our American and European counterparts. Also, there are very few venues that are offered to artists to showcase their craft. Without recreational spaces, we cannot develop as artists. TFT: What role does the artistic entrepreneur have in society today? KM: We encourage and inspire our communities. Our industry is not perceived as formal but we thrive through it. Artists the likes of Arthur, Oskido and DjSbu have shown us that success is possible and that it takes passion, patience and persistence to make it. We must be aware of our surroundings and be clued up about everything on the ground. TFT: The fastest growing economies in the world have a strong culture of entrepreneurship. From your own experience, how do you think the South African economic, political and social environment(s), affect the success or failure of small business?
KM: Tenders have destroyed hard/smart work and have created a culture of self-entitlement. We havedeveloped an attitude of wanting things now and not applying ourselves to acquire them. On the flip side, I see a lot of young people who want to make a difference and they are pushing boundaries. These are people who are not waiting for hand-outs for them to start pushing their dreams.
There are good artists out that are not exposed to opportunities and who lack business knowledge and management Skills.”
Kwena Molokomme Kwena Molokomme identified a gap in the market and formed his business, MLK Media, based on the needs of struggling recording artists. We spoke to him about his experience as an entrepreneur in this volatile industry The Follow Through (TFT): Tell us a bit about you do. Kwena Molokomme (KM): My business provides the complete service package of a recording studio for musicians, which includes recording, mixing and the mastering process. We are also involved in video works (i.e. music videos) which is the capturing and editing of music videos. Although a majority of our income is injected by the entertainment industry, MLK Media also offers these services to corporates, either through radio advertisements/jingles or “mood” music (background music) for television soapies/dramas. Our client base is quite broad with different needs to cater for, but they all have one thing in common: arts and entertainment. This is what MLK Media offers as either a single or dual package of audio and visual products. TFT: How and why did you decide to become an entrepreneur? KM: I once had my heart broken and lost almost everything that I had. Eventually, I had to pick myself up and start from scratch, having to rely completely on myself was a ground-breaking experience. I had always played
6 • The Followthrough Magazine • January 2014
it safe because I had to think for myself, but now I have this ‘nothing to lose’ mentality. In short, that is how I became an entrepreneur. I decided to start my own business because I felt as though I should either choose to use my time to turn my dream into a reality, or use the time bought by someone else to help make their dream a reality. I chose to be selfish and turn my dream into my reality. TFT: How did the idea for your business come about?
KM: I’m doing what I love to do and I’m getting paid for it. I love the arts, but I love art of business more.
KM: I have always liked music. I was a rapper once and worked with artists like Guffy, Jaziel Brothers, Garth Taylor, Lesego, Craig Massive and Ryan Dent, to name a few. I eventually evolved from just being a rapper to being a music producer and working with the likes of Slikour, DjBongz, Deep Level, Skwatta Kamp, Afrotainment and Dj Cleo. After completing my Sound Engineering course, I fell in love with the idea of starting my own recording studio and video works for musicians. I realised that I would be able to gain more clients through brand association and meeting my client’s needs. TFT: What is most rewarding about your craft?
TFT: How can you overcome these challenges?
TFT: What do you find most challenging about being an entrepreneur in your field? KM: I would not call it a challenge, but perhaps a welcomed threat. Technology and its tendency to simplify things is the ‘challenge’. The best example would be Justin Beiber recording an entire music video on a cellphone.
KM: As an entrepreneur, I believe that one should constantly ‘anticipate and dominate’ or be on the
receiving end of ‘adapt and expire’. A business that stands in one place and fails to progress is bound to reach their expiry date sooner than the one that is constantly innovating and progressing. TFT: What, in your opinion, is the state of the arts and culture industry in the country at the moment? KM: Well, in my opinion, the preservation of arts and culture is being done well, but equally as important, the approach of making a living from it, is something that many still struggle with today. This is largely because a majority of publicly successful artists are mostly traditional and have a culture of approaching change traditionally as well. Change is inevitable; we need to trust that progress is too. TFT: What role does the creative entrepreneur have in society? KM: Aside from contributing to the country’s economy, the primary mandate of the creative entrepreneur is to entertain, regardless of what the profit margin looks like. There will always be a need for art as long as people want to be entertained. The artistic entrepreneur will always have a significant, yet seldom acknowledged, role to play in society. TFT: The fastest growing economies in the world have a strong culture of entrepreneurship. From your own experience, how do you think the South African economic, political and social environment(s), affect the success or failure of a small business? KM: Encouraging failure is a common trend amongst the biggest economies of this world. A majority of South Africans, it seems, have lost their sense of ambition in waiting for the government to cater to their every need. I believe that we should encourage independence and participation in the economy without being reliant on the public sector.
7 • The Followthrough Magazine • January 2014
I believe that I can change women’s lives. ”
8 • Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org
Nomantshali Ninise The Follow Through (TFT): Tell us a
es that buyer’s remorse seems normal. It’s
bit about you do.
rewarding to get feedback from a client about a Nubian Muse bra being their
Nomantshali Ninise (NN): Nubian Muse is a business that designs, manufactures and sells custom-made intimate wear for women. This is for a range of
favourite bra.
TFT: What do you find most challenging about being an entrepreneur in your field?
women, from brides to women who do
NN: The manufacturing industry is a
not want to shop at retail stores and
dying industry in South Africa. This makes
women who struggle to find the right size
it difficult to find machinists or seam-
and fit at the stores. I offer consultation
stresses with the right skills to make a bra
sessions for clients before processing the
because most factories have closed down.
order. This helps me to find out what the
It is also a challenge to find the fabrics that
client’s needs are and to educate the cli-
I need for intimate wear. Most fabric shops
ent on size and fit issues when it comes to
don’t sell this fabric. All these factors affect
intimate wear.
my pricing.
TFT: How and why did you decide to
TFT: How can you overcome these chal-
become an entrepreneur?
lenges?
NN: The interest in the business world
NN: I have had to go for a bra sewing
was sparked when I was in university. I
course as a result because the demand
met a self-employed stock broker and had
is growing. I am still trying to find local
a long conversation with him about flex-
or affordable suppliers of intimate wear
ible working hours and doing much more
fabric and I am still sending out proposals
with your ideas as opposed to being in a
to potential investors/funders and govern-
set working environment with too much
ment funding institutions. For now the
red tape. I pursued my business mostly
business is self-funded.
because I want to make a difference in people’s lives and I want my name to be
TFT: What, in your opinion, is the state of
worth a lot more than just as an employee.
the arts and culture industry in the coun-
try at the moment?
TFT: How did the idea for your business come about?
NN: I think the importance of this indus-
NN: I identified the gap in the market by
try is not seen and so it does not get the
chance through friends and family who
credit that it deserves. You see this is
were struggling to find intimate wear that
where international production compa-
felt really comfortable. I then did thor-
nies are the ones making movies about
ough research for three years. This year, I
local icons such as Nelson Mandela.
decided to start my business.
TFT: What role does the creative entre-
TFT: What is most rewarding about your
preneur have in society today?
craft?
NN: I believe that I can change women’s
NN: The creative entrepreneur is a healer
lives. I notice that clients are initially not
in society. They force people to reflect
aware of the discomforts of wearing an
and confront the things that they go
ill-fitting bra, for example. When I probed,
through daily. An example of this is Trevor
I found that clients are so used to compro-
Noah. Through his stand-up comedy, he
mising when it comes to lingerie purchas-
addresses sensitive topics such as racism.
9 • Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org
Nomantshali Ninise discovered her passion for design and flare for business after she left her steady job in corporate to start her own business. Nubian Muse is a lingerie design company that caters for women who appreciate the idea of custom-
TFT: Some of the fastest growing economies in the world have a strong culture of entrepreneurship. From your own experience, how do you think the South African economic, political and social environment(s), affect the success or failure of small business?
NN: Firstly, it is almost impossible for entrepreneurs to get funding from government institutions and most entrepreneurs do not have the money to contribute to the business before starting. A lot of South Africans have brilliant business ideas but do not have the capital they need to make it happen. The South African economy is ready for small businesses, but there is not enough support to keep this vital growth tool within the economy. With enough funding, a business like Nubian Muse can easily reach more people in in and beyond our borders.
Kopano
Ntsoane
Using gaming consoles to aid learning programmes in less well-resourced schools is the brilliant brainchild of Kopano Ntsoane and his partner Boitshepo Mokiba. We chatted to Kopano about the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur in the
T
creative space he Followthrough (TFT): Tell us a bit about
TFT: How and why did you decide to
KN: I had the idea in high school, but I
become an entrepreneur?
was not motivated or informed enough to start a business. I came up with the idea
you do.
KN: I grew up in an entrepreneurial set-
when I saw an article in a newspaper on
Kopano Ntsoane (KN): Modern
ting. My late father was a businessman
how video games are a bad influence on
Entertainment is a movement more than
who ran his own taxi business, a vegetable
children because they promote violent
it is a business. Our involvement in career
shop and many other businesses as well.
behaviour. This is when I fell in love with
development and information technol-
Entrepreneurship is all I have ever known.
the idea of creating video games that have
ogy for learners is poisedto revolutionize
After finishing school, I worked for about a
an impact on the way that young people
the access to technological education in
year and didn’t enjoy it at all.
think and act.
South Africa. We implement and facilitate
In 2011, I decided to start my own busi-
To me, it became about creating more
access an educational programme called
ness with Boitshepo Mokiba(my business
positive and education-driven video
Modern Learning that is offered using
partner). Since then, we have dedicated
games with less violence and more edu-
video and computer games in primary
our time to improving ourselves in the
cation. We recognised that video games
schools. The aim is to improve their abili-
entrepreneurial space.
do have an impact (positive or negative)
ties in spelling, reading, writing, typing,
and used that as a vehicle to drive change
and more. We believe that video games
TFT: How did the idea for your business
in the way that young people think these
have a lot to offer in education.
come about?
days.
10 • Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org
TFT: What is most rewarding about your craft? KN: The most rewarding part about what we do is that we improve the quality of education for learners. We encourage engagement and interactive learning in a fun way. The reception has been great, the learner’s love our programme and parents want to buy the video games. This kind of feedback opens up growth opportunities in our market. TFT: What do you find most challenging about being an entrepreneur in your field? KN: There is a skills shortage and because of that, we often find ourselves outsourcing game developers. If we could develop this skill ourselves, we could probably become a great contender in our industry. Another challenge that we face is that some of our customers cannot afford our programme, but are in need of it. We have tried to solve this through creating a model that allows for alternative payment terms. TFT: How can you overcome these challenges?
KN: The arts and culture industry in South Africa has grown throughout the years and is still picking up. TFT: What role does the creative entrepreneur have in society today? KN: Artistic people are naturally innovative characters; their role to develop innovative ideas that could make life easier for others. TFT: The fastest growing economies in the world have a strong culture of entrepreneurship. From your own experience, how do you think the South African economic, political and social environment(s), affect the success or failure of small business? KN: I think that entrepreneurship is the key to economic growth for any country in the world, and for South Africa, we still struggle to match our education system with the global standards, which affects our contribution to the economy. The government has the responsibility to ensure that constant change becomes the norm in South Africa. The social environment is affected by entrepreneurship which is something that our political structures should also have a hand in influencing.
KN: These challenges can be overcome through constantly developing ourselves through short courses for game development. Another solution is getting corporates to pay for the programme that we offer schools adopted through the CSI initiatives. The bigger companies can help us market our products to their beneficiaries. TFT: What, in your opinion, is the state of the arts and culture industry in the country at the moment?
11 • Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org
Artistic people are naturally innovative characters; their role to develop innovative ideas that could make life easier for others.”
OPINION
PIECE
An opinion piece by Managing Director of Bigger Ads: Sello Moloto concerning issues of Employment
By Sello Moloto, M.D. Bigger Ads
H
igh Youth Unemployment
Unqualified Youth and Qualified Youth
Well in the current state of the new generation the Government does not create jobs period in an any given day modern Economy, I think based on the current opportunities available they cannot be enough forall of us, the are number of factors contributing to this: early High school dropouts, lack moral modeling often young children brought up in dysfunctional families, current high crime condition, HIV epidemic.
Well both sectors are proponents of creating employment, the are a number of Agencies that funding ideas and business plans that are having growth perspective and can create jobs in the economy, And believe both sectors must have a common ground where they meet and exchange ideas, to maximize the level flow of skills and intellectual ideas so that no one must belong to a certain class of economy, or be classified as coming from the formal sector or informal sector defined by academic or economic background.
The key role towards a progressive economy is that every sector needs to be involved, because a direct solution won’t make every issue towards high unemployment go away, institutions’ like churches, NGO,s Private sector needs to come on board to give a vast progressive solution.
There must be a place where Poor, Rich, educated, illiterate, former inmates ,visionaries, businessman, to meet and team up to achieve a common goal, I n creating a third world economy in Africa with enough opportunities for all.
12 • Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org
A look at the birth and evolution of the gaming industry, and possible future innovations.”
Modern Gaming Entrepreneurship By Zimangazenkosi Mthimkhulu
There was a time when the live gaming industry was quite exclusive to a few high-end gaming stores like Galaxy World, in malls, theme parks, carnivals and fairs. Everything from ring rides to simulated driving games and more. The transition and rise of videogames in traditional street shops had its heyday in the late 90’s, but with the rise of the home console era, the high ender’s have had to reinvent themselves while the diminishing smaller traditional market began to fade into a forgotten oblivion. Enter the new millennium by which time the 3rd edition of the Sony Play Station was standard with competitors in the form of Wii and Xbox to name a few. At around the year 2010, township entrepreneurs began to see the great opportunity in bringing that experience to the streets of the destitute ghetto. Today a number of entrepreneurs have made it big by bring13 • Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org
ing together the Play Station experience and merging the high-end and traditional TV game styles into one business. Boosted by knowledge of start-ups, with tenacity and vision, the modern gaming entrepreneur has found a niche in the township where a need was found and answered. Lastly, even the IT arena is hounding in on the latest gaming craze courtesy of the mobile phones advancement to the smartphone era, where App development is the latest ‘in-thing’ for programmers. The ability for one to create an app game to be made available in international appstores is one opportunity that doesn’t show signs of letting up anytime soon. There’s no telling where to from here, but in curbing unemployment the future still looks bright with promise of more opportunities.
T ackling the
Challenges of Social Entrepreneurship By Simbarashe Mumera
W
ith its 20th independence anniversary approaching, South Africa, like any other nation, has a fair share of social challenges. Some of which have persisted for a while now, among them, vast inequality, crime, a problematic educational system and high unemployment rates. The Impact Hub Johannesburg
members are working, in their own unique ways, on addressing some of these issues. They are building businesses and organisations that aim to address social needs from the grassroot level right up to the complex issues of society. Solving these problems, however, comes at a cost and with major challenges, especially when starting out. The members of the Impact Hub are not an exception and in light of that fact, on the 3rd of December 2013, together with visiting MBA students from the London School of Business, they hosted a session on addressing some of the major drawbacks in social entrepreneurship. The session, which began with a fact and fiction on South Africa, saw a trove of timeless advice following out in an attempt to get more solutions. One of the major issues identified is the lack of interest in the field from the investment sector. This is mainly due to the difficultly of quantifying the return on investment on social projects. On the members’ side, it was difficult to come up with value propositions that will appeal to corporates and funders where your objective as an organisation is not to maximize shareholder value. To further compound this problem is the lack of support at the entry point or base line of startups and social entrepreneurs. The visiting MBA students shared their knowledge and wisdom on how the social entrepreneurs can refine and build substantial business cases even with such a background. I. Social entrepreneurs should always self-reflect and avoid being part of the problem. It is important to realize that in as much as social organisations are about driving social change, they must be managed in a way that does not perpetuate the problem. Social businesses should fight against a culture of getting things for free. Entrepreneurs must aim for financial sustainability and by all means, try to generate funding internally. II. Given the challenges of founding and building social businesses, entrepreneurs can start byspecialising in areas of primary expertise, for example in marketing, and build credibility to enable engagementwith other industries.
III. To think long term, use the opportunities they may have to duplicate models and ultilisethe mentorship facilities at their disposal. IV. To ease on human resource needs, entrepreneurs can fully explore options such as employing students and exchanging equity for labour. To note, because access to finance is difficult, they need to bring human capital on board without expending much capital. V. Getting grants may be difficult and that is why entrepreneurs need to explore other options for finance. These may include building two layer business models that have on one part a purely philanthropic organisation and on the other, a for profit business that helps reduce the financial strain.
14 • The Followthrough Magazine • January 2014
T he Importance of Controls & Performance Assessment in your Start Up By Simbarashe Mumera Entrepreneurs have a tendency to conceptualize a lot in terms of the direction that their business should take and also in coming up with the ideas that should be adopted, but easily fail focus on the execution. It’s easy to throw ideas around, talk a lot about the things you would want to do and how your business can change the status quo whilst little or nothing is actually being done. Establishing systems that ensure that your team is driven, delivers on execution plans and making sure you are able to achieve the next goal on your ‘to-do’ list is very important. One way that helps you to focus on the execution, is to establish control and performance assessment tools. Control is the aspect of your business that get things done. It is the dominance and power to demand and get results from people and systems within your business. It is essential that as an entrepreneur, you put it in place the ability to ensure that goals are set and achieved within the set time. Consistency and efficiency are vital. At every moment, ensure that your business takes the right action (it’s easier said than done). This type of sway should be established at every level of your business, from the minute aspects to the big and grand. Establish authority and power even on the things that you do on your own. You will be surprised at how often these external factors feed into your business. Not paying attention can cost the business in many ways. Establish controls mechanisms. Information and measurement tools that you can put in place to achieve
your business goals. Have systems that allow you to attain information on every single aspect of your business: your workforce and how your clients are doing and responding to trends in the market. Have behavioral constraints that guard against hurtful actions and promote good performance through accountability. Build into your business controls that socialize people into patterns of good practice and demand completion of tasks. Lastly, measure performance and progress at each opportunity you get. Again, do this even at a personal level as a manager of a business as well. Assess systems, mechanisms and your human resources to see if they are operating at an optimum level and achieving the intended targets. Have the ability to cut off or penalise the elements that are not matching up the standard; nurture those with potential and reward the winning ones. All this takes discipline, first, in establishing the aforementioned in your business and secondly, in following through. Taking restraint on the adverse actions that are identified and prohibited by the system may not be that easy, but at the same time upholding or doing the things it demands takes a lot of effort on your part. Needless to say, the system itself should be well-developed, thoughtout and implemented properly.
15 • Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org
All this takes discipline, first, in establishing the aforementioned in your business and secondly, in following through.”
The Zulu Film Food and Arts Festival By Paballo Mosiane
Home-grown films in indigenous languages are rare to find and seldom given a platform for exhibition.”
Even though the Arts & Culture industry in South Africa is one of the fastest growing industries in the country at the moment, many local artists still find it difficult to captivate and connect with the audience. Home-grown films in indigenous languages are rare to find and are seldom given a platform for exhibition. The vision of the Zulu Film & Food Arts Festival was to introduce original films that represent indigenous culture and languages to a wider audience. The two-day event was hosted at the Wits Theatre and The Bioscope at the Maboneng Precinct in downtown Johannesburg on the 6th and 7th of December. Project Coordinator, Khosi Zulu, describes it as a“platform to communicate the news that these films exist. We hope that through this, a thriving industry will be created where the demand for local language films will be met by a supply of quality films produced locally.”
Hostesses clad in traditional Zulu reguilia, trays and trays of traditional food and home-made African beer, added to the look and feel of the event. Guests were treated to isicathamiya music and dance on the opening night as well. The film festival was a celebration, amongst other things, of the heritage and cultural-diversity that is often forgotten and overlooked, especially a big city like Johannesburg. More than ten short films, varying in genre, were exhibited over the two days, including the official first screening of the suspense-drama film, Sho’t Left about a cash heist involving a taxi owner of the same name. Stars from the film were available for taking pictures with fans and autograph-signing after the event. The event was a huge success and promises to bring more local flavour in the years to come.
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the FILM
REVIEW By ZIMANGAZENKOSI mTHIMKHULU
The past year has seen the best of good and bad films, sequels and epics. This feature reviews films from the zulu film festival and other stand outs from the 2013 fall and some classics
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1.
The Adventures of Bhamuza
An interesting highlight of the festival was this short film. A disclaimer at the beginning of the film certainly did not sell the film short of class. A comic/kung fu-styled comedy film about an amnesiac hero who rediscovers himself, while saving his lover from power hungry rivals of days past stars an all star cast. Sound lags and an unexpected ending were the only issues with the film but it was well received by the audience. 4/5
2.
Shot’left
The feature presentation of the Zulu film festival was the first public screening of this locally produced short film thriller based on a planned heist gone wrong when a loot of R8 million exchanges greedy hands. The film is mostly narrative and the ‘whodunnit’ style accompanied by impressive film quality and the presence of the cast really put the film on the spotlight. The film was hampered by projectile glitches at the screening but otherwise was a film well done. Rating: 3/5
3.
THOR: The Dark Worlds Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston and Anthony Hopkins
The Asgardian God returns after the theatrics of the first instalment and Avengers. A dark evil than any could have imagined re-emerges and puts Thor to the ultimate test forcing him to sacrifice all in order to save the universe. And all that he loves. A stellar cast, visually mind-blowing effects (as expected of Marvel studio’s) and a fitting sequel. All good for Hero fans. Rating: 8/10
4.
GRAVITY Starring: Sandra Bullock and George Clooney
A moving melodramatic film that has dazzled critics and audiences for its dazzling beauty and horror as it explores the endurance of a lone surviving astronaut caught in a debris shower as she struggles to make it back to Earth from space. The film manages to make a lengthily but captivating story that left me in awe. The strong duo of Sandra Bullock and George Clooney do the film quite some justice and it has to be one of the best films of the year. Rating: 7/10
5.
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS
6.
STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS
Starring: Tom Hanks Lauded by critics, this biopic about a cargo ship being taken hostage by Smali pirates is based on the true story of Captain Richard Phillips and does not fall short of excellence in all regards. Though i’ve seen better films this is one to definately add to your collection of must sees. Rating: 4/5
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldahna, Simon Pegg, John
Cho A Grand highlight of the year and fitting sequel to the reboot by J.J. Abrams, the crew return to take on the legendary one man army Kahan who is out to the destroy their organisation at all costs. Amazing visuals and good plot. Rating: 5/5
7.
NOW YOU SEE ME Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, James Franco, Michael Caine
A personal favorite and one of the most spectacular, original films of the year with a sequel on the way. A group of street magicians are assembled together to create a super unit that amazes the world. Agreat cast and even greater story and visual awesomeness. Rating: 5/5
FILMS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2014:
12 YEARS AS A SLAVE | DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES | NOAH | ROBOCOP | THE WOLF OF WALL STREET |
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FILM BOUT Winnie Mandela vs Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
By ZIMANGAZENKOSI mTHIMKHULU Two major films made the rounds this year pitted against each other in a bout for the best retelling of South African Apartheid history through the eyes of two veterans who played major parts in bringing change to the nation. One focuses solely on Nelson Mandela’s story based on his biography “Long Walk to Freedom” and the other tells the late statesmen’s story from the perspective of former wife & revolutionary: Winnie Madikizela Mandela”.
WINNIE Starring Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson and Oscar nominee Terence Howard respectively in the titular roles of Winnie Madikizela Mandela and the Late Nelson Mandela based on the biography: “Winnie Mandela: A Life”, the 90-minute biopic focuses on the story of the struggle stalwart and pays homage to her contribution to the struggle, from simple wife to controversial revolutionary. Though panned by most critics South Africans may relate well to the film’s historical importance and not to mention Howard and Hudson’s Oscar deserving performance. A film worth seeing. Rating: 3/5 19 • Designfreebies Magazine • www.designfreebies.org
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom From the opening scene of this epic film you know its going to big. Starring Idris Elba and Naomie Harris in the titular roles, this film tells Nelson Mandela’s entire story in 2 and a half hours focusing on his early life til his inauguration as the first black president of a democratic South Africa, The film is riveting, moving and highly tipped to garner a mass of academy awards. A true and honourable tribute to the legacy of the Late stalwart of peace this is a timeless epic that will move you to watch and remember again and again. Rating: 4/5
MUSIC REVIEW
Britney Jean
PHENOMENA
BY Britney Spears
By Audiomachine
Britney Spears latest pop effort in years is described by the artist as her most personal album yet. The neon album title suggests a play of Michael Jackson’s great hit title “Billy Jean”. The album is a comeback for the X-Factor judge and on first listen is awash with potential commercial hits led on by some controversial singles and music videos. Starting off with auto-tuned club-bangers and ending on calm ballads that somehow do the singer a little vocal justice, the album is a fairly good offering though not a memorable collection. Rating: 3/10
Since I Last Saw You By Gary Barlow Gary Barlow’s solo career took a serious dive 14 years ago and only recently, reeling off an epic comeback with “Take That” and now a British national icon, the former X-Factor Judge finally decided it was time to return to the spotlight with a new solo album. Interestingly “Since I Last saw You” pitted for a chart war with Robbie Williams trailblazing “Swings Both Ways” and has fared quite moderately. The album featuring a range of genres from country to pop and ballads show a matured Barlow. Songs that stood out include “God”, “Face to Face” featuring Elton John and the therapeutic “dying inside“ make this album one of the highlights of the year. Rating: 7/10
EXISTENCE By Audiomachine From one of Epic music’s most respected names comes a brand new public release titled Existence. One of the finest albums I’ve heard this year so far with a number of strong singles that will have you listening for months. Rating: 9/10
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This latest follow-up industry release features the singles Ice Phoenix, Red Sorrow and Blood & Stone (to be featured in the film: 300 – Rise of an empire next year). Brilliant album from start to finish. Rating: 10/10
A MUSICAL AFFAIR By Il Divo Il Divo has proven to be one of the finest crossovers of our time, and after their last release “Wicked Game” the group soon began work on their epic new release “A Musical affair” earlier this year, featuring the talents of a host of artists (including Nicole Scherzinger, Barbera Streisand). The album has a number of well known hit renditions that the quartet has done justice as expected: A Perfect gift for the festive season. Rating: 10/10
ROBBIE WILLIAMS: SWINGS BOTH WAYS By Robbie Williams Basking in showbiz glory following the success of rejoining “Take That” plus his commercially successful album “Take The Crown”, Robbie had to do it again when he announced a follow-up to his epic album: “Swing When You Winning” (2003) and he did not disappoint. Featuring a host of guest artists, original songs, (“Shine my shoes” and “Go Gentle” - dedicated to his newly born daughter), the crooning popster has no intentions of slowing down in proving to all he’s still got it all at 40. It made no.1 on itunes, had a deluxe edition and a live DVD recording to be made available soon. Rating: 9/10
AVA I L A BLE
I N
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