Arts and culture

Amakrwala

Young Xhosa men are welcomed back by the community after spending a month undergoing initiation and circumcision in the open veld in Philippi. It was on a Friday and mostly older brothers and young children cheered on the three young men at New crossroads, Nyanga. The women waited patiently at the family home, preparing food and peeling vegetables, while the elders chatted and drank African beer waiting to share words of wisdom with the new men.

Masixole Feni and Hugo Bobeheman

News | 21 August 2014

Do big electronic dance music festivals spread the love?

From Miami’s supercharged Ultra Music festival to Rocking the Daisies, Cape Town has become home to some of the highest grossing music festivals in the country. Our music journalist, Zethu Gqola, takes a look at how, if at all, four of the biggest festivals have benefitted struggling communities in and around Cape Town.

Zethu Gqola

Opinion | 20 August 2014

I am a sex worker …

Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) has staged a photo exhibition at its head office in Observatory, Cape Town, aimed at the ignorance and prejudice that comes with being labelled a sex worker.

Simbonile Mkwambi

News | 20 August 2014

Women who beat the odds: Khayelitsha’s Nokuthula Sibaba

Thanks to a successful woman, people in Khayelitsha don’t have to go to a mall to buy pizza - they can go to a pizza stand in Litha Park.

Pharie Sefali

News | 20 August 2014

Women who beat the odds: Masiphumelele’s Kwa aunty

If you live in Masiphumelele you will know Nongoloza’s Braai Place, or Kwa aunty, as some call it. You probably know the owner and she probably knows you too by name.

Zintle Swana

News | 18 August 2014

A guide to get free legal music

Zethu Gqola wonders if with high levels of poverty and most people unable to afford legal music downloads which cost up to R20 per song, are illegal music downloads really morally wrong?

Zethu Gqola

News | 13 August 2014

Zimbabwean musician bounces back with AfricentiQ band

Zimbabwean Afro-soul music artist Shamie Mabvudzi will release his first video for 2014, Haruwe, on 13 August. He has established his own band, AfricentiQ, made up of five men and one woman. Mabvudzi is also launching a website this month, which will enable people to buy and listen to his music, see the latest news, interviews and tour information.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 12 August 2014

“Why I became a bodybuilder”

The Western Cape Bodybuilding Union held a competition in Bellville on the weekend of 9 and 10 August to select athletes to represent the province nationally in Port Elizabeth. The divisions ranged from under 15 to heavyweight athletes.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 12 August 2014

Department of Coffee opens new branches

Muffin runs, a pop up shop, a new range of coffee beans and now training volunteers to be baristas -- Khayelitsha’s first coffee shop, the Department of Coffee (DOC) is growing and showing no signs of slowing down.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 11 August 2014