The New Thing
NewsAn ongoing series exploring new spaces for radical culture in South Africa.
Mandla Mlangeni directs rehearsals of the Native Groove Collective, March 2013. Photo by Steve Gordon.
Out of the silence, the crevices, cracks and forgotten places of Cape Town, comes the thing that is jazz. Lindokuhle Nkosi listens to the language of traditions, improvisation and healing, as channelled by some gifted young South African protégés in the realm of sound. Audio accompaniment by Boeta Gee.
The pretence of cultural hubs in the “world class” metropolis of Johannesburg and its sibling Pretoria belies revolutionary models for live performance that are at a remove from the path of “gentrification’s death march” and benevolent corporate sponsorship. Kwanele Sosibo knows and goes where boundaries are broken and new tings flourish.
*Capital Arts Revolution in action (top to bottom): Phemelo Selo; Sibusile Xaba; Kholofelo Mphago; Itumeleng Mogorosi; Gabisile Motuba (Photographers: Reatile Moalusi and Emmanuel Munano)
