Watch:

You can check out more of Thomas’s work here.

Interview with Spoek Mathambo from one small seed on Vimeo.
 

Watch the trailer for the documentary “Future Sound of Mzansi” – Apartheid’s Electro Afterparty
 

Listen to the sound of FANTASMA

Spoek at CT World Music Festival, image: Loyiso Mzamane

Spoek, Eagle Awards, image: Loucas Polydorou

Spoek at CT World Music Festival, image: Loyiso Mzamane

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Run Jose from Dave Meinert on Vimeo.

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Watch videos and read more about Sónar Cape Town on one small seed HERE

Etereas / Animation Shortfilm from Flaminguettes on Vimeo

Credits:

Director: Daniela Villanueva, Mara Soler
Dancers: Brecken Rivara, Tiana Zoumer
Production: César Moheno Plá
Camera: Pamela Albarran
Music: Julian Placencia – ‘Teen Flirt’
Animation: Daniela Villanueva, Mara Soler, Alejandro Caballero, Marco Garfias, Fernando Sica, Luis Núñez

source: Vimeo

Speaking about the footage, Savage states:

The video tells the story of a young girl who misinterprets something she sees and inadvertently causes tragedy to ensue. We wanted the visuals to have a theatrical quality, taking place in a black void representing her view of the events, almost as though the action was taking place on an empty stage.

As a child, South African-born Cheri MacNeil spent 11 years studying at a small primary school in the north of Johannesburg, not far from what was once an isolated farm called Lilliesleaf. Growing up, she knew nothing of the nearby settlement, but it was within these grounds that, on July 11th, 1963, a dry-cleaning and flower van parked beside a thatched cottage and disgorged a squad of armed policemen. They’d received a tip off from a neighbour’s son about unusual comings and goings, their suspicions further aroused by the fact that these involved both black and white individuals. It had taken them a while to locate the place: initial reports spoke of a place called Ivon, and it was only after searching the area that they found an old, weather-beaten sign from which three letters were missing. It had once said ‘Rivonia’, the name of the suburb in which they stood.

Dear Reader, image: www.dearreadermusic.com

That day, police arrested 19 members of the African National Congress, the underground organisation run by Nelson Mandela – who had already been imprisoned – which sought to overthrow the ruling apartheid government. It was a pivotal moment in South Africa’s history. Cheri MacNeil later learned that these events had taken place around the corner from the building where she had for so long been educated.

This is the story that gives the latest DEAR READER album its name. Rivonia was released on April 8th 2013 through City Slang. Unlike other records written by white musicians and inspired by South Africa, DEAR READER’s Rivonia banishes broad, crowd-pleasing political strokes in favour of a specifically human outlook. At times troubling, at times deeply moving, Rivonia is unafraid of raising more questions than it answers, and achieves this within the context of a collection of magical, dramatic, heartfelt songs.

MacNeil explains:

That sign, with its faded lettering, makes me think about history as a whole, and how the versions we have must all have bits that have weathered away and gone missing, and how we’ll never know the whole truth about anything. There are so many different realities overlaid on top of one another, but each of us only has the version we know.

LINKS
Official Site
Facebook
Twitter

Dear Reader, image: www.dearreadermusic.com

images: Marcus Maschwitz, source: Stereo Sanctity

STREETS OF FIETAS from ben jay crossman on Vimeo.

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Responses are void of pageantry which creates for a documentary that is authentic and without hype. Crossman’s passion is to capture as well as create, and through this video he does exactly that. Part III has yet to be released but it is greatly anticipated. Be challenged, shocked, and educated as Crossman transports us to the Streets of Fietas.

STREETS OF FIETAS part 2 from ben jay crossman on Vimeo.

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STREETS OF FIETAS part 3 from ben jay crossman on Vimeo.

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Ultimate X 2012 from one small seed on Vimeo.

 
All the action will be going down at the V&A Waterfront’s Gateway Canal, where you can expect over 6,000 extreme sports-loving spectators to attend the day-long event. The festival – now in its fourth year – opens at 10am and close at 8pm, followed by an extreme concert at Cape Town’s hottest nightclub The Dragon Room on Harrington Street with top local DJ’s and bands playing into the night.

Markus Museler (Old School Productions), owner of the event, had the following to say about Hunter eXtreme’s involvement.

We are very excited that Hunter’s eXtreme has joined the Ultimate X family and will be working alongside us to help grow action sports within SA. Through our involvement in and exposure to related events from across the globe, we are also confident that 2013 will be our most extreme spectator experience to date.

Kyle Hecht Ultimate X 2012

Watch 25 of the country’s best riders as well as international competitors such as Alastair Sayer (FMX), Greg Illingworth (BMX), Louis Taubert (Skateboarding) and Aaron Hadlow (wakeboarding) transform the Gateway Canal into an extreme sporting paradise with death-defying stunts and record breaking attempts, all for a piece of the R100 000 in cash prize and the prestigious title of the Hunter’s eXtreme Ultimate X Gold 2013 South African champion.

Mike Silver, of experiential marketing partner Stretch, said that this year’s festival would be bigger and better than ever before.

‘Ultimate X has grown massively both in terms of numbers attending and on site experience. Through a national media campaign in partnership with Hunters eXtreme, the 2013 edition will see mass awareness created about both the event itself and action sports in SA.’ He continues

We expect to smash previous numbers with new features including multiple international riders competing, staging of the inaugural Ultimate X Gamer competition presented by Mountain Dew and the Inner City Muscle Car Show. (Silver)

Hunter’s eXtreme is all about social stamina and making the good times last longer, which is why partnering with this event suits the brand perfectly (Ben van Der Merwe, Junior Brand Manager of Hunter’s SA).

‘Keeping our consumers refreshed is one thing, but supporting an event that promotes an active lifestyle whilst encouraging people to live life to the fullest is very exciting platform for the brand and we’re delighted to be able to assist in bringing fans the ultimate in extreme sports entertainment.’ (van Der Merwe)

Nick de Wit & Alastair Sayer – Ultimate X 2012

This year, Hunter’s eXtreme Ultimate X Festival will be giving back to the community through its Reach for a Dream initiative. The event aims to fulfil the dreams of four extreme sport-loving children from the Reach for a Dream Foundation by giving them and their families a full VIP experience on the day.

Important Information:

Pre-bought tickets from Computicket cost R100 and include free entrance to the after party. Tickets are also available at the gate at R120 for adults and R50 for children under ten years old (children under four years old get free entrance). Gates open at 10am and close at 8pm.

Visit the Facebook page ULTIMATE X 2013 Presented by Hunters eXtreme for daily details and updates. For more information please visit the site or follow them on Twitter

Competition

The Hamper:

2 x UX tickets – R 320
6 pack Hunter’s X energy – R 60
Hunters X Limited edition water bottle – R180
Hunters X – Torch R 120
Unit Clothing package – R350
DC Shoes package – R 350
Fox package – R 350
Volcom package R 350
UX Sticker pack R 60
Red bull Bulletin Magazine – R 40
Dirt nurse MX bike cleaner – R 250

How to Win

Only ONE person, 18 years and older, can enter. To win, simply follow these three steps:

• Join ULTIMATE X 2013 and Like one small seed on Facebook

 

• Follow BOTH Ultimate X and @onesmallseedSA on Twitter, remembering to include a link to this post.

 

• Leave a comment below, telling us something extreme – recent/past/someone else’s story – whatever!

 
The winner will be announced Wednesday, 13 February at 17h00!

source: Ultimate X

 
A closer look at Langa…

Langa is a photographic essay, centred around day-to-day life in one of South Africa’s oldest townships. A subtle investigation of an extreme socio-economic crisis, which affects the residents of Langa on a daily basis – the story of indefinite struggle and survival. An in-depth glimpse into ‘The Forgotten Township’ – largely abandoned by government, the skeleton of Langa is slowly decaying, as unemployment and crime increase and living conditions become more hopeless.

However, the heart of Langa still beats strong – with a sense of humanity and community that will rival any suburban area of Cape Town. Circumstances, which would undoubtedly cripple most leafy suburban residents, fail to break the core-spirit of Langa’s people. It’s this ‘keep on keeping on’ attitude that makes the men and women of Langa some of the strongest and resilient people in the country.

'Makwebu does Elvis' - Saturday’s in backyard, Brinton Street

'Decaying lot' - Old Flats quad, neglected, battered and forgotten.

'Sunday haircut' - Anele under the scissors, before church service

'Bush Mechanic' - General motor-service, New Flats Courtyard

'Sunday Evening' - Outside the Rastafarian shed

source: Luke Daniel Photography
photographs: Luke Daniel