Happy New Year

Time moves. Time flies. Time is moving fast. Time waits for no one. Time leaves people clinging on false hopes. Time grants people hope. Time encourages and discourages. Time breeds doom and destruction. Time breeds life and happiness. Time is yesterday, today and tomorrow. And whilst too many people were working very hard yesterday to better the today; most of them are now disillusioned as their hard work could not beget fruits – and the tomorrow is not guaranteed. To some people, the future appears to look bleak. Life got its own disappointments.

There are many people who live their dreams today. They are enjoying the fruits of the hard work that they have pulled through on the yesterday – and the future (the tomorrow) appears to look bright. The wise beings says that time comes for everyone. And when the right time finally arrives, everything falls into place.

And time heals. Time awakens the giant within. Time is cure for pain. Time is tenacious. Time unveils ones strength in the midst of adversity. The wise ancients say that there is always a bright light at the end of the tunnel. And that patience is the best virtue. But one should not slumber as time waits for no one. And time flies.

This moon marks the beginning of the year 2015. It also marks the drawing of new plans; new strategies; new goals; new logic and systematic disciplined approach towards the pursuit of new goals. There are only eleven moons left – and time flies. One should not procrastinate as time waits for no one.

The Amalahle Ashushu blog would like to wish you – honourable readers - a joyous and productive year. May all your wishes be fulfilled; may all your dreams be realized; may all your goals be attained; may all the moons ahead be filled with laughter and happiness. For a change, I was at V&A Waterfront on the evening of the 31^st – and I started the New Year over there. I witnessed the magnificent show of fireworks. It was a new experience for me, and I’m hopeful that few things will change for better this year. On that note: Happy New Year! 

Written By:

Amalahle Ashushu

Ndatenda         

The Afrikan Hip Hop Caravan Concert in Makhaza

It’s still hip – to the hop – hip hop – it don’t stop! The Soundz of the South (SOS) Non-Profit Organisation had organised the first concert of Afrikan Hip Hop Caravan tour 2014 - and they hosted it at Makhaza Wetland Park on Saturday (the 8^th of November 2014). The concert was heralded by the Afrikan Hip Hop Conference - which they hosted at Hubspace in Harare, Khayelitsha - on Friday (the 7^th of November 2014). 

They invited couple of underground music sessions such as 7750, Top Deck, Heads ‘n Raps, Gumba Entertainment, Pass the Mic and EloHIP. Each session was scheduled to have a one hour cypher. There were couple of artists that were invited to perform. The concert was schedule to commence at 12:00 PM; but it delayed for over two hours. 

It started with the open mic cypher by various artists; then the concert commenced officially with the opening by EloHIP. The line-up consisted of Tate, Dimitri, Dirty Twins, Freedom Warriors, Heads ‘n Raps, Pharmacist, Ground Floor, Top Deck, Gumba Entertainment, Inkanyamba and others. There were many artists on the concert and some of them could not perform due to time constraints – the concert dragged on until the evening. 

For more information regarding further Afrikan Hip Hop Caravan concerts – please visit: https://www.facebook.com/soundzofthesouth?fref=ts

Hereunder are some of the pics taken at the concert, courtesy of Amalahle Ashushu and Onele ‘Owza’ Omen:

Ithongo Lam

Hip to the Hop – Hip Hop – it don’t stop! That is the slogan in the street these days. You will often hear those phrases when you attend the underground rap music sessions and shows. But on Saturday, the 25^th of October 2014; those phrases ceased to exist at Rent Office in Delft South; for only that day. They were replaced by new phrases that went like “Aah! Zanzolo!”

Zanzolo (the member of the spaza rap group ‘UzwiKantu’) was launching his single ‘Ithongo Lam.’ The single Ithongo Lam is the promo for his upcoming full length album which would be titled “Umafungwashe.”

According to Zanzolo, the title of the album has been inspired by his mother who is the first born daughter to his maternal grandparents; and also his daughter, who is his first born. 

The show was scheduled to commence at 12:00 PM; but it delayed for nearly four hours. It commenced with the open mic at 15:48 PM. Then it officially started few minutes after 16:00 PM, upon the arrival of Snax – the host.

Zanzolo was supported by the likes of Solitude, Tshova no Ntsikane, Siba, Iphanda laseKasi, True Reflection Crew, Tsviel The Prince, Pharmacist, SLK and the list goes on. He entertained the audience with traditional Xhosa dances when he was performing his Ithongo Lam song. He also wore the traditional Xhosa attire during his entire performance.

The show was the success. Snax asked Tsviel The Prince to come back and close the show with one more song.

Written by:

Amalahle Ashushu

Ndiyabulela

Pictures, courtesy of Amalahle Ashushu.