I don't have the grounds to say anything, give any advice or even motivate artists, after all I am just a mere consumer of the arts, I don't have a single streak of creativity in my bone, I don't even know what it takes to become an artist. However, as someone who has got a huge interest in the arts, loves and appreciates the value of arts to humanity, I am humanly speaking - let me please.
When COVID-19 realities hit South Africa and lockdown happened, my family and I were finalising plans for our annual pilgrimage to Cape Town for the Cape Town International Jazz Festival. I was looking forward to seeing Abdullah Ibrahim, who was billed to perform at this year's festival. I was also looking forward to a series of events planned for the International Jazz Day celebrations in the motherland, but it quickly became clear that all that was not going to happen. I am not the one to wallow and cry over spilt milk, so I pressed on and started looking forward, with great hope, if I may add; to The National Arts Festival in Grahamstown (end June beginning July) and the Joy of Jazz in Johannesburg (September) which I thought were still possible.
I am also a huge follower of the greatest artist, My God, the maker of heaven and earth – I love the outdoor, I love nature, I love the wild - how great though art. So we decided with my family that camping would be our portion, after all sharing spaces with others was all of a sudden a risky thing to do. We all know the stringent rules came with Level 5 of lockdown eMzantsi, so a camping trip did not happen either. And we were stuck at home. Now what, I started spending more time with my CDs, I revisited old CDs, listened and listened, I even developed myself a new catalog system for my music, which I am proud of, if I may add. It is now easy for me to know what music is sitting where, I know what's missing in my collection and needs replacing –empty covers, and cases where I have duplicates. Please don't ask me why I am still hung up on CDs in 2020, topic for another day. I have music on my iPod, phone, laptop; and CD pouches.
Month 1 and 2 passed, and month 3; and a craving for live music kicked in, and we started seeing a few shows on various online platforms, which was very much appreciated, but was not quite the same as being out there, bopping and tapping to your favourite track and melody with your best friend. Or having a lekker – nice live scat with your favourite artist. While I consume my music from front to back of the sleeve, I really enjoy live music cause I get an opportunity to gaze into the inner soul of an artist, same feeling I get when I walk through an exhibition and listening to a curator, where possible.
On the 5th of May 2020, I got an email that the National Arts Festival was going virtual, wagwetywa ndlala - famine was annihilated, that was my reaction. I checked up the program, made my own selections and waited for another communication on when and how to buy tickets. But soon I had a complimentary all access pass, which I was able to still use two weeks post the festival, and was further extended until the end of July 2020. This was very much welcomed and a real pleasure, especially if you are used to an annual attempt, and dismal failure to pace behind 300 plus events by over 1 000 artists at 60 plus venues around the small town.
I have attended the National Arts Festival since 2011, when I moved to East London, and the festival had become something that I look forward to annually, so when the virtual festival came, I was really yearning to be out there. Now you have got to have been eRhini (Grahamstown) to understand how much that cold and yet cozy vibe can get under your skin, and becomes something that you want to be part of, year in and year out, irrespective. The DSG (Diocese School for Girls) vicinity, which the main jazz precinct is where I spend most of my time when at the festival. Every now and then I would go to other venues in town for comedy, theater performances with my children – when they decide to bless me with their company, and are not on their own agenda, catching up with their friends that live in Grahamstown. Another biggest attraction there would be the Village Green that sells delicious food that represent our colourful nation, crafts and an opportunity to watch other various fringe performances.
Now, back to the virtual festival. I cannot describe the delight of watching my selected shows from the comfort of my couch, with a remote control in hand, and able to do a double or triple take of favourite performances. The only thing that was missing though on another hand was glass of glue vine and iimbawula (DIY heaters made from tins with holes on the sides to let out the heat) at other venues, but it was just a pleasure to sit at home and every now and then share some of my favourite shows with my son, especially the jazz shows. At some point, one of my boys used to be sad and jealous about my jazz night outs and never understood why he was always left behind, until recently when a few opportunities presented themselves for him to join me on daytime jazz performances, and the novelty has since worn off. So watching some of the shows that he would generally not have seen was a real plus, thanks to the interventions that were presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) or else ngesifile yindlala – died of starvation.
COVID-19 has brought a lot of devastation across and has drawn a huge line between those that can survive and continue with their lives post, while others have been left to pick up the pieces of the life that was. It is rather sad for the latter and we can only pray and hope that the leaders of the world will continue to readjust their thinking and various policies for positive and sustainable solutions for billions who can hardly make ends meet as this very moment. We are so interconnected as the world so much that the next pandemic is likely to hit again and we need to swiftly progress to adopting new ways of doing things, and that includes limiting our movements, while relying more on technology. I recently I heard a line somewhere that says “we need to make digital a default position”, and I totally agree, it is a must. What would happen when we are hit again by something similar or worse? An excuse that says “we are not able to operate remotely or virtually” can never hold for any business, post COVID-19.
My everyday life revolves around my boys and clients in my coaching and marketing consultancy. Lockdown realities forced me to move most of what I would generally do face-to-face with my clients to virtual platforms. I am grateful some of my clients were receptive to that change because then I was able to do some work online, and when not busy with clients I continued to modify my business operations for virtual fit, and I am still learning in other cases. Recently I learnt about Google My Business, and how I can design my own website using free online templates, so the challenge is on.
South Africa has adjusted its risk management strategy to level 1, and the reality is that the arts fraternity is still going to be negatively affected as the allowable numbers for mass gatherings are still low. My marketing hat says, small and niche is going to be the norm, not because the law dictates, but because COVID-19 has taught us that we all ought to be responsible for each other's protection. Going back to crowded spaces is not going to happen anytime soon for some. Herein lies an opportunity for small art events and activities that are targeted at small interest groups versus trying to attract huge numbers. Having an online presence also would be an added benefit. There is also room to drive exclusivity in this case, and a play on the laws of demand and supply as a pricing strategy.
COVID-19 has challenged most people to think out of the box, and like in most cases, great ideas and solutions have come out of crisis situations. My coaching hat says we are all masters of our own destinies, with a little bit of collaborations, cheering each other and collaborations on our unique talents and special creative abilities - combined with just a little consideration and understanding for every human's need for safety and protection, a bit of consumer market research, the right technology and a well targeted social media mix, we can all be powerhouses in our own rights. Recently I watched Ntsika in collaboration with Dumza Maswana on a virtual show on Facebook, that was awesome to watch. Ntsika also showcased his fashion designer / stylist while he was at it, again another marvel to watch. Bou Bou of Boubou Design, the Senegalese artist who is a current online sensation blew my tops the first time I saw him and I am certain we have plenty of such unique abilities hiding somewhere that need to mushroom. Amazimba ethu aphantsi, makuyiweni - our wheat is all over the floor, time to pick it up.
Sporting events are more than moments of competition, national pride, and entertainment. They are economic activities that can stimulate tourism, create employment, support local businesses, and generate revenue across multiple sectors of the economy.
Umntwana womgquba a term traditionally used in the Nguni language that means “born out of wedlock,” but nowadays it is used to emphasise that one is born kwisintu. As lontwana, I look back on my own adventures: sometimes I pat myself on the back, and sometimes I wish I could redo them.
Each September, South Africa turns its attention to the rich cultural tapestry that defines our nation. Heritage Month is a time to honour the traditions, languages, histories, knowledge systems, customs and creative expressions that have been passed from generation to generation, while recognising that our heritage is not confined to the past.
My first encounter with heritage at the Mandela Bay Development Agency was, appropriately, somewhat uncomfortable. It began with cleaning. The Gale Monument, the Horse Memorial and the Queen Victoria statue became my first practical introduction to the business of preserving history.
