Arts and culture

Big year for Aka and Da L.E.S

Since partnering up with Da L.E.S, Kiernan Forbes, whose stage name is AKA, has been headlining more gigs now than ever before, not only for his strikingly unconventional Kanye-esqe style and entourage, but mainly for his lyrics.

Zethu Gqola

News | 9 April 2014

Mamela Nyamza: dancing in Singapore, Cairo and Berlin

Mamela Nyamza started dancing at the age of eight at Zama dance school in Gugulethu in the late 1980s. Today she is a highly acclaimed choreographer and performer.

Pharie Sefali

News | 8 April 2014

Artists and publicists making media synergy

Artists are by nature creative, but many struggle to take their talent to the public. A good publicist might be a wise investment.

Dumisani Dabadini

News | 7 April 2014

Taking art to Gugulethu’s streets

Art came to the streets of Gugulethu at the weekend when the Open Streets Organisation and Maboneng Township Art Experience hosted a march.

Dumisani Dabadini

News | 3 April 2014

Cape Town Jazz Festival workshop in Gugulethu

As the city prepares for the annual Cape Town Jazz Festival on 28 and 29 March, Gugulethu was treated to a preview of what to expect at the event.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 28 March 2014

Evicted Soko African Market traders struggling to get back in business

Two years after eviction from Soko African Market next to Greenmarket Square, former traders say their businesses have collapsed and they are struggling to survive.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 27 March 2014

Postcards with a social edge

Seven women from Makhaza, Khayelitsha, are making a living out of their photography. They take pictures with iPhones, upload them on social networks, and sell the images as postcards.

Dumisani Dabadini

News | 27 March 2014

Theatrical fairy tales come true in Khayelitsha

A variety of theatre troupes showcased their talents in the streets of Khayelitsha with the first instalment of a new festival. It was a promising start on limited means.

Dumisani Dabadini

News | 25 March 2014

Hear me alone: an extract from Thando Mgqolozana’s current novel

Thando Mgqolozana’s literary novel, an otherworldly retelling of the Nativity story, makes a deep, unforgettable impression.

Thando Mgqolozana

News | 24 March 2014

Can you afford to go to a “Ëśfree concert’?

Zethu Gqola went to the Freshlyground performance on Sunday 16 March at De Waal Park. The concert was free, but the experience left her sad and wondering, how free is free?

Zethu Gqola

News | 20 March 2014

Know your copyrights

It is every artists dream to make a living out of their music. But the process of getting paid royalties can be a challenge for some. Artists and producers are often left asking: how do I register? how do I get paid? GroundUp went looking for answers.

Dumisani Dabadini

News | 20 March 2014

A traumatic revenge: an extract from Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho’s collection of short stories

In the vein of Can Themba’s short stories about Sophiatown, Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho writes about life in the townships today.

Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho

News | 19 March 2014

DJ Blanka shares his knowledge with aspirant artists

Music producer and DJ Banzi “Blanka” Mazimela was born in Butterworth and grew up in Dutywa with two brothers. He moved to Cape Town in 1993 to further his studies. In the last 20 years, he has worked himself to Head of Music Production at Soul Candi Institute.

Dumisani Dabadini

News | 18 March 2014

Gugulethu chess rising

Once the playing begins, all that's to be heard is the clanging of pieces and the thumping of clocks signalling that it's "your move". Today, chess took centre stage at the Gugulethu Sports Centre.

Nathan Geffen

News | 15 March 2014

How to succeed in the music business

In a business as tough as the entertainment industry, artist management can be crucial, but the role and importance of an artist manager is often misunderstood.

Dumisani Dabidini

News | 12 March 2014

Childish Gambino ““ Because the Internet

As Donald Glover delivers his second studio album, although not the most exquisite, it definitely shows the comedian-meets-rapper growing mic skills.

Zethu Gqola

News | 12 March 2014