The 39th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) opens today and, in keeping with the theme of Mandela Day, which we celebrated yesterday, the festival includes a number of films which look at the life of our former statesman. Celebrating Mandela One Hundred is a documentary conceptualised and produced by renowned South African filmmaker, Anant Singh, which … Read more
Last Saturday marked the 27th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, after he had spent 27 years incarcerated. In honour of Madiba we thought that we would talk about one of his favourite drinks, amasi. Amasi, or maas, is a drink made from fermented milk. Some people believe that this traditional Zulu drink came about … Read more
In March last year we wrote about 67 Blankets for Madiba Day, an incredible initiative started by Carolyn Steyn. The idea, first proposed by Zelda le Grange, PA to the late President Nelson Mandela, was to crochet 67 blankets in time for the 1st July 2014. The blankets would commemorate Mandela Day, a day that not only celebrates the Mandela legacy, … Read more
Last Friday marked a year since the passing of Nelson Mandela, the father of democratic South Africa. There has been much discussion about the ‘Mandela legacy’, and how South Africa should protect it, but when you look at the outpouring of love, and the connectedness that Mandela brought and continues to bring across racial, economic … Read more
Last Friday marked the first ‘Mandela Day’ since the passing of Nelson Mandela on the 5th December last year. This day, which acknowledges Mandela’s 67 years of activism, through acts of public service, is now celebrated by more than 120 countries across the globe. Mandela is an icon, someone that the world will never forget, … Read more
I was lucky enough to meet Brenda Fassie shortly before she died in May 2004, so I can personally attest to the brilliance (and the madness) that was the enigmatic Brenda Fassie. In the short few hours that I spent with her I was both in awe and a little terrified of this huge personality. … Read more