THE PUNNY-SHER

The BAT Centre and the Punny Monkey presents Kamz Govender. 

The 1 liner King of Durban takes the stage for his first solo show called The Punny-sher.

Kamz Govender has travelled all over South Africa with SCC Comic of the year Calvin H Goldstone.

The Punny-Sher can be seen at the BAT Centre on September 21 and 22, 2018, at 20h00. Tickets R80 @Quicket or R100 at the door.

The BAT Centre Trust is situated at 45 Maritime Place in the Small Craft Harbour in Durban. For more information contact 031 332 0451 or visit http://www.batcentre.co.za

FRANCO'S GREATEST HITS!

(One of Franco Frescura's anti-apartheid works. Photo courtesy of gallery)

FRANCO'S GREATEST HITS! The Graphic Art of Franco Frescura will be opening at The Phansi Museum on October 6, 2018, at Phansi Museum at 10h00. All are welcome and entry is free.

The exhibition will feature the political graphics of Franco Frescura, mostly drawn in the 1970s and published in the student press, the Council of Churches, and SPROCAS.

The exhibition will be introduced by Lesley Frescura, Franco’s wife and sometime uncredited collaborator. Lesley was also formerly involved in human rights through her work with Amnesty International South Africa, the Black Sash Eastern Cape, the Human Rights Trust in Port Elizabeth, and the Lawyers for Human Rights in Pretoria.

Over the past 20 years, the role of white activists in the struggle against apartheid has been largely overlooked by modern historians. Because of the secretive nature of their work, many of its details are either unrecorded or have been lost to State censorship, and the contributions of such people as Neville and Jenny Curtis, Horst Kleinschmidt, Neil Aggett and David Webster have not been fully documented.

Drawings, on the other hand, are hard documents that record many of the ideas, actions and events of that era which the Apartheid police failed to obliterate and the bluster of politicians has pointedly ignored. Although the drawings in this exhibition are the work of one person, behind him stand many members of a non-racial South African community that included students, trade unions, women’s groups, academia, church groups, development professionals and human rights NGOs, together with their families, friends and supporters.

Although Franco eventually joined the ANC underground in the early 1980s, his work in the field of rural indigenous architecture also continued to undermine the precepts of a racist, bigoted patriarchy whose minority rule ran counter to all ideals of a South African democracy. It was through his graphics that he was able to demonstrate how it is possible to oppose an all-powerful military-industrial establishment without resorting to violent action. These drawings thus stand as a visual testimony of the struggle against apartheid ran that deep within the communities in South Africa and who sacrificed much in its opposition.

The exhibition runs from October 6 to 20, 2018. Phansi Museum is situated at 500 Esther Roberts Road, Glenwood, in Durban. Contact Fran Saunders on 031 206 2889 or email admin@phansi.com or visit www.phansi.com

DIGBY & THE LULLABY AT RHUMBELOW

(Rouchelle Hubsch & Darren Peens)

If I could see them perform again this week I would be in front of the queue. (Review by Keith Millar)

It may be a bit unusual to review the same act twice within one week. But after been absolutely blown away by this duo at the Hilton Arts Festival last week-end, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity of seeing and hearing more of the enigmatic magic of these very special artists.

What is more, one has to offer as much support as possible to the effervescent Roland Stansell and his wonderful Rhumbelow Theatres. His efforts in keeping live theatre alive in Durban, often against the odds, are colossal.

My wife, and the friends who accompanied us last night, never having seen Digby & The Lullaby before, may have been a little sceptical after hearing me bang on about how impressive and enjoyable the show had been.

So, it was with a little trepidation that we headed for the Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo last night.

However, at the risk of repeating myself or raving too much, I must say that perhaps I enjoyed the second dose even more than the first.

Firstly, Rouchelle Hubsch (vocals and keyboard) and Darren Peens’ (guitar and vocals) style of Indie Folk music is beautifully moody, gentle, intimate and hugely listenable. And, I repeat myself, Hubsch (which is the German word for pretty - which is most appropriate for this lovely person) is blessed with one of the finest singing voices I have ever heard.

Secondly, it is their presentation which makes them stand out from the rest. They create an intimate, tender and sincere ambience which brings a happy smile to the face. It is interesting to see the audience being drawn in and becoming part of the warm feeling of goodwill.

One huge improvement from the Hilton show was the wonderfully atmospheric lighting provided by Michael Taylor-Broderick. Using just eight lights to create a mood that was entirely complimentary to the performance. Masterful work by the lighting guru.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Hubsch and Peens last night and it must be said they are delightful people. Every bit as genuine and warmhearted as their music.

So, in conclusion, let me say that if I could see them perform again this week I would be in front of the queue. And as for my sceptical wife and friends? Suffice it to say that we left the theatre all feeling a little bit as if we were walking on a cloud. – Keith Millar

THE JONATHAN ROSS SHOW

(Jonathan Ross)

ITV Choice (DStv 123) will screen The Jonathan Ross Show on September 22, at 21h30.

This week on The Jonathan Ross Show, the host is joined by Martin Clunes from lavish new period drama Vanity Fair and Doc Martin; the breakthrough athlete of 2018 and fastest woman in Britain, sprinter Dina Asher-Smith; multi-platinum selling singer and heart-throb Josh Groban and the irrepressible and unpredictable Keith Lemon. 

Plus, multi award-winning musician Hozier performs.

APPOINTMENT OF INTERIM CEO

The Board of the National Arts Council of SA, has advised the Minister of Arts & Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, of their decision to appoint current board member, Zolani Mkiva as the Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective September 25, 2018.

Current CEO, Rosemary Mangope has been placed on special leave to face disciplinary charges. This follows a Gobodo investigation instituted by the department of Arts and Culture.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Mr Mkiva, for stepping up and showing willingness to assist us at this time of transition. Our mandate is clear; it is to develop South Africa’s arts sector and creative industry and promote excellence in the arts. Mr Mkiva understands this, and has the support of the Board”, commented Advocate Hartley Ngoato, Chairperson of the Board.

Zolani Mkiva is an internationally acclaimed heritage practitioner and cultural activist. He is a well-respected policy maker who employs indigenous knowledge systems in carrying out his role. He comes from a family with a lineage of oral traditional poets and regiments of African Royalty.

He holds a BA in Social Science from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), an Honours in Developmental Studies also from UWC, and Finance Management from UCT Graduate School of Business. Zolani Mkiva was part of the founding council members of the National Heritage Council, and served two full terms.

As an organic intellectual, Mkiva has also authored and published books and papers. In 2008, he was appointed as a Government Advisor on Traditional Affairs, working directly with the National Minister responsible for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. During his tenure as Government Advisor, he managed to turn around a number of areas in the traditional affairs landscape. He was very instrumental in the establishment of the new national department of Traditional Affairs, formulating its strategic plan and structure. Recently, he similarly, availed himself as the Interim CEO of PACOFS, an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture.

Zolani Mkiva said he was humbled by the Board’s request for him to steer the ship at this time. “The Arts play a critical role in advancing social cohesion, and it is incumbent on the National Arts Council to develop and promote our artists. Our immediate challenge is to restore the confidence of all our stakeholders and fast track the disbursement of funds to the arts sector. I will count on the board’s support to ensure that we stabilise the National Arts Council and roll out the implementation of our new strategy” said Mkiva.