Kwamashu Voices

Series produced by NBPC

Caption: Kwa Mashu Voices Series Logo, Credit: © NBPC, 2011
Image by: © NBPC, 2011 
Kwa Mashu Voices Series Logo 

in South Africa's Kwazulu Natal region, a small community arts center thrives, in the township of KwaMashu, the Ekhaya MultiArts Center provides big characters and even bigger dreams.

It has been about two decades since the end of apartheid in South Africa but many of the cultural legacies of the brutal class system still linger. From a township in Kwa Zulu Natal the Ekhaya Multi Arts Center, and its resilient director Edmund Mhlongo, work hard to give the future voice of South Africa a strong foundation. Built in the township of Kwa Mashu Ekhaya (meaning "home" in Zulu) is a strong extra-curricular space that offers the young minds of this township a space to flourish in the art of self-expression. Meet the young citizens of Kwa Mashu in this moving interview series hosted by Ekhaya's VIBE FM youth radio station - from young preachers, singers, comedians, actors, brainiacs, and local DJs - learn the story of a contemporary South Africa; aware of the burdens of the past, for the graceful progression into a bright future. Hide full description

It has been about two decades since the end of apartheid in South Africa but many of the cultural legacies of the brutal class system still linger. From a township in Kwa Zulu Natal the Ekhaya Multi Arts Center, and its resilient director Edmund Mhlongo, work hard to give the future voice of South Africa a strong foundation. Built in the township of Kwa Mashu Ekhaya (meaning "home" in Zulu) is a strong extra-curricular space that offers the young minds of this township a space to flourish in the art of self-expression. Meet the young citizens of Kwa Mashu in this moving interview series hosted by Ekhaya's VIBE FM youth radio station - from young preachers, singers, comedians, actors, brainiacs, and local DJs - learn the story of a contemporary South Africa; aware of the burdens of the... Show full description


10 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
DJ Turner
From: NBPC
Series: Kwamashu Voices
Caption: DJ Turner, Credit: Ekhaya Multi Arts Center, Kwa Mashu
Most parents in KwaMashu want a secure future for their children, to them this means a nine-to-five job in fields they have long understood like te...

  • Added: May 03, 2011
  • Length: 12:13
Kwaito, Township Funk!
From: NBPC
Series: Kwamashu Voices
Caption: L'vovo Derango
Kwaito is South Africa’s equivalent of hip hop. Having developed in the early 90’s as a voice of the youth and brought to the media new forms of sp...

Bought by KZMU Moab Community Radio


  • Added: May 03, 2011
  • Length: 15:09
  • Purchases: 1
Youth in Politics
From: NBPC
Series: Kwamashu Voices
Caption: Youth In Politics, Credit: Ekhaya Multi Arts Center, Kwa Mashu
The democratic South Africa has seen a lot of shift in cultural paridgms. One of the things we have come to accept is the idea of youth in leaders...

Bought by KFOK-LPFM


  • Added: May 03, 2011
  • Length: 15:56
  • Purchases: 1
Living Through the Arts
From: NBPC
Series: Kwamashu Voices
Caption: Pholani Ngcobo, Credit: Ekhaya Multi Arts Center, Kwa Mashu
When he finished his 12th grade level, Pholani could not afford college or university. He applied and was accepted for the Creative Process course ...

  • Added: May 03, 2011
  • Length: 12:57
Madame President
From: NBPC
Series: Kwamashu Voices
Caption: Madame President, Credit: Ekhaya Multi Arts Center, Kwa Mashu
Samukelisiwe ‘Samke’ Mkhize is a young actress in the township of KwaMashu. Her recent lead role as Nobuntu in the production "Madame President" ex...

  • Added: May 03, 2011
  • Length: 14:21
The Gift of Memory
From: NBPC
Series: Kwamashu Voices
Caption: The Gift of Memory, Credit: Ekhaya Multi Arts Center, Kwa Mashu
Sithembile Dludla is a 9 years old girl with a gift of memory. She has done more public speaking than most adults. A devout Christian, who doesn’t...

  • Added: May 03, 2011
  • Length: 15:09
Lucky
From: NBPC
Series: Kwamashu Voices
Caption: Lucky Simayile, Credit: Ekhaya Multi Arts Center, Kwa Mashu
Lucky Simayile grew up during the time of rampant crime in his township. When his father was killed during the political violence, Lucky drifted in...

  • Added: May 03, 2011
  • Length: 15:19
Proudly Gay, Proudly South African
From: NBPC
Series: Kwamashu Voices
Caption: Gay in South Africa., Credit: Ekhaya Multi Arts Center, Kwa Mashu
Having been dismissed as un-African and survived an era of violent attacks upon disclosure the gay and lesbian people have finally come out in the ...

  • Added: May 03, 2011
  • Length: 15:45
Mondli Mzizi the Comedian
From: NBPC
Series: Kwamashu Voices
Caption: Comedian Mondli Mzizi., Credit: Courtesy Ekhaya Multi Arts Center
Mondli ‘Usher’ Mzizi is a young comedian who travels the country hosting ceremonies and entertaining through his comedy. A University of Natal Dram...

  • Added: May 03, 2011
  • Length: 14:28
Forgotten Guerilla
From: NBPC
Series: Kwamashu Voices
Caption: Phumlani Mhlongo, Credit: Ekhaya Multi Arts Center, Kwa Mashu
South Africa’s apartheid violence in the 80’ forced young men and women to sacrifice their youth to join military training in exile. Organisations ...

  • Added: May 03, 2011
  • Length: 14:15