The Constitution Hill Human Rights Festival is back!

By Staff Reporter

The Constitution Hill Human Rights Festival is back on the weekend of the 25th and 26th of March 2023. Gates to this free festival open at 10am, with programmes running into the evening. The event presents two jam-packed days of conversations, exhibitions, art, film, and live performances by Msaki, BCUC and others. 

“This 5th edition of the Constitution Hill Human Rights festival takes place at a time when our country is in crisis and our Constitutional vision of social justice and human rights is being stretched to breaking point. For this reason, the theme of the festival is Seize the Power! Seize your power!” Says Constitution Hill’s CEO, Dawn Robertson.

Each year the festival unites NGOs, social justice organizations, think tanks, media partners, and the public around human rights issues. The event which is free to the public presents one day dedicated to skills building for social justice organisations and two days open to the public offering a market; food stalls; exhibitions; art; showcases; poetry; theatre; film; live performances and a children’s program.

Pre events for the festival include a virtual live stream dialogue on the 21st March at 18h30 – We, the People in Conversation featuring Former Public Protector, Adv Thuli Madonsela and reigning Miss SA, Ndavi Nokeri hosted by the Constitution Hill Trust. Catch it live on Facebook at Constitution Hill SA and the WeThePeopleSA Youtube channel. The festival will be prefaced with dedicated day for NGO and activism organisations’ skills building workshops, hosted on Friday, the 24th of March 2023. 

“Our Constitution foregrounds the collective, the “we”, in its opening words in recognition that without the people acting in solidarity the end of apartheid and the advent of our constitutional democracy would not have been possible. It is also true that the vision set out in our Constitution for South Africa will remain unrealised if we, the people do not collectively seize our power once again towards making the Constitution real.” says Robertson. 

This year’s human rights festival coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). 

This milestone is an opportunity for everyone to recommit to the promise of the UDHR – equality, dignity, freedom and justice for all – and to demonstrate the power and relevance of human rights. 

“The debates, workshops and seminars at the festival are all pointing us to look towards human rights as a catalyst for workable and sustainable solutions for the challenges we face,” said Abigail Noko, Regional Representative of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Open to the public on the 25th and 26th of March 2023 – The festival is FREE and opens at 10h00 with programmes running into the evening on both nights. Constitution Hill provides free, safe undercover parking.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Two ‘Townhall Debates’ one on preparing for the 2024 elections – 2024 our 1994 – How should we show up in the next general election? (Saturday) and how to survive the climate crisis – South Africa’s Climate Crisis: How it will impact you and what we need to do to survive? (Sunday).
• The public is invited to engage in over 50 dialogues; debates and seminars curated by human rights expert and multiple organisations. These programs provide a platform for attendees to learn more about specific human rights issues. Audiences are encouraged to engage in meaningful discussions on the challenges we face as a country.
• The ARTivism programme includes film, music, poetry, bookfair, and exhibitions to create intersectional stories and content addressing issues of migration, climate crisis, gender and racial justice and to further engage each other on issues of Human Rights.
• Special music performances on Saturday the 25th include globally celebrated BCUC; and on Sunday the 26th songbird Msaki and the super talented young stars of Biko’s Manna and Mfundo, who, after going viral on TikTok and have been invited to audition for an upcoming season of America’s Got Talent.
• A Children’s programme. Running daily and led by Play Africa – the first interactive children’s museum in Southern Africa. The program will offer children ages 10 and under equitable learning experiences through developmental play. The children’s book programme promises to be a magical one with inspiring books telling African stories. There is also a host of interactive workshops, theatre and music programmes and fun activities that children can participate in.
• The Activism Village: Over 50 social justice organisations & movements have booked booths in the activism village, on Constitution Square! This is an opportunity to profile their whilst engaging and educating festival attendees on human rights issues.

Twenty-seven years into our democracy, frustrations of ideals not achieved have ignited the next generation of human rights activists with the injustices of poverty and inequality that have fuelled the desire for bottom-up change. The festival programme encourages attendees to interrogate their own beliefs and values and to examine what they are doing to help create a “just” society for all that actively foregrounds economic, political, and social human rights.

The festival provides a safe space where the work of social justice organizations can be recognized and celebrated, and where people can come together to learn about and support human rights activism. The critical nexus of creative cultural expression and the bold and brave storytelling of the artists, filmmakers and musicians is the heart and soul of what the Human Rights Festival is all about – engaging and inspiring audiences on human rights issues through art, film, music and conversation, which flows through to the partnerships and relationships that we nurture.

Hosted on the apron of the Constitutional Court and venues in the Old Fort and Women’s Jail, the Festival will bring together community-based organisations, social movements, non-governmental organisations, and international non-governmental organisations.

Dawn Robertson says the festival aims to build greater awareness and knowledge around human rights and to promote the importance of an active citizenry. It aims to build social cohesion, and tolerance of difference and heal divisions in our communities. 

“In this safe and special space, people will be able to discuss challenges facing our country and the world, and how best we, the people, can coordinate our efforts to bring about lasting and consequential change based on social justice and human rights,” Says Robertson.

On Sunday morning, a 5km Seize the Power, Reclaim Our Rights Protest will take place through the streets of Johannesburg. We welcome children and adults to join the march for their cause and take a stand.

“In this safe and special space, people will be able to discuss challenges facing our country and the world, and how best we, the people, can coordinate our efforts to bring about lasting and consequential change based on social justice and human rights,” said Robertson. “Our Constitution enshrines the human rights of everyone, and everyone is welcome! “

The festival takes place at Constitution Hill. Formerly a site of prisons, where many of our great leaders were incarcerated, today Constitution Hill has been transformed into a beacon of light for democracy and social justice. 

Home of our Constitutional Court, the guardian of our Constitution. Home to a resident artist community, a world-class recording studio and Truth to power lounge, the site is not only a museum but a living and breathing site for social justice, dialogue, debate and contestation.

The following is a list of authors who will be participating in the Human Rights Book Fair

1. Leslie Dikeni

Leslie Dikeni was senior researcher at Mistra in the faculty of Humanities. He has an MSc in Rural sociology (university of Wageningen, Netherlands)and was a doctoral candidate at Ecole Practique des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociale (school for advance studies in the Sociale Sciences). Dikeni is a visiting research fellow at the school of public and development management ( university of Witwatersrand) and a research associate at the university of Pretoria. His research interest is the social construction of knowledge and it’s dynamics. Dikeni has co-edited with William Gumede The Poverty of Ideas: The Retreat of Intellectuals the New Democracies and is the author of South African Development Perspective in Question and also Habitat and Struggle: The Case of the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

His fourth coming book working title is called Music Agency and Power.

He is currently a Senior Analyst for Palladian Advisory Services.

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2. Stan Montsho

Stan Montsho is the author of a number of books including: The Tone of a Broken Horn; The Rage Ashes; Diphiri Diphirimisi; Tears in my Hands, Under the Shade of Wisdom, Lonely by the Window, Emotionally Disarmed; Roger and Megabaru e wetša Lerageng. He is also a publisher of amongst others, Love Chambers and Yet We Pray. 

He is a graduate of Wits University, UNISA and AAA School of Advertising. When not writing or executing an idea in the business world, Stan Montsho cooks, participate in road races, watches theatre productions and inspires community upliftment projects, one of which including producing a COVID-19: Kiddies’ Guide in various global languages including, Mandarin, French, Kiswahili, IsiSwati, Shona, Kalanga and RSA languages.

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3. Karen Hurt

Karen Hurt spent her early childhood in Ndola and Lusaka, Zambia. She has warm memories of her mother reading stories to her from books and ‘out of her head’ under the mosquito net over her bed at night. Karen’s family moved to South Africa when she was ten years’ old. Travel and stories have always been an essential part of her life. Karen gets a lot of joy from writing as a way to escape, learn new things, and to stimulate her imagination.

Karen is the winner of the 2013 Golden Baobab Prize for Early Chapter books for her story, 179 Jabulani Street, which is set in Yeoville. This is the first in a series of Daring Duo adventures. Karen works as a writer, editor, educational materials developer and trainer in communications. She especially loves facilitating writing workshops.

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4. Saul Molobi

This former SA’s Consul-General to Italy, who has been serving as this ConHill’s Human Rights Book Fair since last year, is an international business excellence and brand leadership award-winning GLOBAL SPEAKER, AUTHOR, BROADCASTER, CONSULTANT and COMMENTATOR on BRAND AFRICA, INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP and CULTURAL INDUSTRIES with expertise in global marketing (tourism, trade and investment promotion); diplomacy and the development of cultural industries. His areas of specialisation are how a country’s nation brand impacts on consumer and investor decision making. He is the founding Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brandhill Africa™ group .

He’s a Fellow of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Marketing. His highest qualifications are an MSc in Global Marketing (from the University of Liverpool) and an MA in Dramatic Art (Witwatersrand).

In 2022 and 2020 he was nominated as the “World CEO of the Year” by the US-based the World CEO Rankings which in 2022 ranked him as number 16 out of 620 nominees world-wide – making him the second highest ranked in Africa. The World Brand Congress bestowed upon Brandhill Africa the Brand Leadership Award 2021.

He’s a Board member at the Global Centre for the Promotion of International Trade; Pan Africana Strategic & Policy Research Group; and Dr Molefi Sefularo Foundation – which advocates for quality health services for all.

He launched Brandhill Africa Foundation NPC in 2018 to mainstream issues affecting people with disabilities – this was motivated by his experience as a patient at s rehabilitation hospital for a year, seven months of which fully paralysed. After recovering mobility on his right hand, he started writing a book outlining his recovery journey. The book, “Sound and Fury: The Chronicles of Healing” (the Foreword to the book was written by Kgalema Motlanthe, former President of South Africa) was then published by his company in 2020. See his interview on “Morning Live” (https://youtu.be/OnyIXKvDM5s). From January 2019 to December 2020 he presented a monthly slot on Power FM in which he promoted successful people with disabilities who shared their experiences of how they overcame the obstacles. The podcasts are on www.brandhillafrica.com. 

He has adopted a home for children with disabilities in his home village, New Eersterus, Hammanskraal.

He continues to serve as a voice for people living with disabilities in mainstream media. His latest appearance was on SAFM (https://omny.fm/shows/the-view-point-1/tuesdaytakeover-23). He has just been interviewed for SABC 2’s “Activate” and the episode will be broadcast in April.

He has a full spectrum of experience from various backgrounds – having served as Publishing Director at Heinemann Publishers; Group Executive: Trade, Investment & Regulatory Enablement at the Gauteng Growth & Development Agency; Chief Director: Marketing Communications at the Department of Trade & Industry; & Chief Director: Public Diplomacy, Department of International Relations & Cooperation.

A writer, poet, publisher, broadcaster & filmmaker, his latest book is “De/constructing brand Africa: A Practitioner’s Perspective” (the Foreword was written Wamkele Mene, SG: AfCFTA). His other is “Sound and Fury: The Chronicles of Healing” (the Foreword by Kgalema Motlanthe, former SA President). His children’s reader, “Thulani’s Magic Water”, published as part of the Heinemann’s Junior African Writers Series (JAWS), now serves as anchor of his new multimedia project, “The magic series”.

He presents a jazz music programme, “Sunset Serenade”, on Chai FM every Sunday from 17h00 to 19h00.

While serving as the South African Consul-General: Milan, Italy, he also served as a Cimmissioner of the South African National Pavillion at the Venice Arts/Architecture Biennale.

He promotes “Made in Africa” service & product brands through www.jamboafrica.online;  Biashara Services and Products Africa Conference and Exhibition; and the Africa IPA CEO Forum.

As an underground ANC operative and student leader in the mid-1980s, he spent thirteen months in detention.

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5. Buhle Mthethwa

Buhle Mthethwa was born in Midrand on the 14September 2007, she is the youngest and only girl in a family of three.

Buhle started her schooling at Foointeintjie Kindergarten in Birch Acres. She continued with her schooling at Laerskool Mooifontein in Kempton Park. Her insatiable passion is reading. She’s also highly conscientious as she strongly believes in helping others. She believes in the dictum: “mens sana corpore sano” – which means, sound mind in a sound body, and so she believes in regular exercise by playing hockey and netball. Dispelling the myth that those who are creative aren’t mathematically gifted – the same way that art master Leonardo Da Vinci – her favourite subjects are Mathematics and Science and would like to pursue medicine one day.

Buhle is an author of the “Big Fat Naughty Cat”, a book she wrote at the age of nine and was published in October 2017 followed by an acclaimed launch two months later in December. At that tender age, she was determined to change the trajectory of literacy and instill the culture of reading amongst her peers.

She developed a passion for reading because some of her friends could not read properly. She helped them through her spare time mostly after school using the books from the library.

This led her to decide on writing stories that her peers could relate to in order to inspire them to learn to read and to enjoy reading for pleasure. Her goal is to write books for young children so that they can start reading at an early age. She has started a book club at home and has received support from her teachers and the Headmaster, Mr Jorrie Jordaan, who also contributed to the “Foreword” to the “The Big Fat Naughty Cat”. She hopes a Good Samaritan may come forward to help her reach many more kids in her drive to inculcate a culture of reading among her peers.

Following the successful launch of her debut book in December 2017, Buhle made it to “The Top 10 of South African Heroes”. More accolades, recognition and support followed. In January 2018 Cell C sponsored a special print run for Thabaneng Primary School in Orlando West where she donated 1000 copies of The Big Fat Naughty Cat. This was part of the Cell C’s “Act of Kindness” programme. 

Furthermore, Miss South Africa, Ade Van Heerden, distributed donations of her book with the author herself. She is the recipient of the African Authors Award and the  recipient of the Gauteng Women’s Award “Girl Child Category”. She’s a consummate motivational speaker who encourages her peers to believe in themselves, have self confidence, and read as much as possible so that they could be knowledgeable about their environment and the world they live in.

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6. Abdul Mogale 

Abdul Mogale is the President of the National Writers Association of South Africa (NWASA), Thembisa born political activist who rose through student politics, through to the civic movement, the trade union movement, and the broader Mass Democratic Movement in South Africa. He is a Liberation Military Veteran from the ranks of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the military wing of the African National Congress.

He is the author of Warriors, Kings, and Queens of Africa, which takes the reader back in time on a journey invoking the spirits of the departed heroes so as to immortalise them in print and speech around wood fires in evenings, as well as in classrooms, lecture halls, and around dinner or coffee tables. 

Abdul Mogale has played a pivotal role in the writer’s movement and is the current Treasurer of the National Writers Association of South Africa (NWASA), having previously served as the Deputy President of the Congress of South African Writers (COSAW). His works were previously published in different newspapers such as the New Nation, trade union magazines, and publications such as Botsotso among others.

Abdul is a farmer and a businessman, with vast experience in Local Government, having served as a public representative for fifteen years, from 2000 to 2016 in the City of Ekurhuleni, becoming its first Chief Whip of Council in 2001 and later serving as the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development, through which he championed the adoption of the Aerotropolis Strategy as a key strategy for Economic Development for the City.

His academic achievements include amongst others a Diploma in Journalism, Certificate in Local Government Studies, and Certificate in Management Studies.

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7. Sibahle Madliwa

During its Inaugural National General Council in March 2021, the National Writers Association of South Africa (NWASA) awarded different Awards to deserving recipients. Among them was Sibahle Madliwa, a “tweenager” (a concept as coined by neuromarketer, Martin Lindstrom) author aged thirteen, who was awarded the Rising Star Award for her book, Piki in Fegypt. Furthermore, she was acknowledged as the youngest member of the NWASA.

At a special event held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sandton on Sunday, 10 October 2021, Abdul Mogale, President of the NWASA, took the advantage of the school holiday break to present Sibahle Madliwa with her long overdue certificate for the Rising Star Award.

The occasion was graced by Sibahle’s elated mother, Thando Madliwa, friends and several young children who see a beautiful role model in Sibahle. The event took place right after the church service at Church in Sandton, led by Apostle Sam Fidelis who blessed Sibahle for using her talent to send a powerful message on climate change to the world.

In her own message to parents, Sibahle’s mom urged other parents to encourage their children to read and write. She shared the fact that her daughter wrote Piki in Fegypt when she was only nine years old. This was her second manuscript although she has not yet published the first one. Her next manuscript is now ready to be sent to her publisher and the cash award of R5 000.00 from NWASA will contribute towards covering some of the publishing services costs thereof.

The NWASA President called on well-wishers to support Sibahle with the publishing of her new book and the purchasing of a laptop which are estimated at R30 000.00. Ssali Publishing House has committed to make a generous contribution of 25% discount on the cost of the publishing services the company will provide.

NWASA’s President has a special mission to see one hundred writers under the age of 16 years published, and to establish libraries in rural villages during his three-year tenure, as announced during his Inaugural Address earlier this year. 

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8. Unati Mgandela

Unati Mgandela was born in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.

She obtained her Bachelor of Administration degree from University of the Western Cape in 1998. In 2006 she completed a Management Advancement Programme at WITS business School.

In 2011 she completed her Diplomatic Training from the Diplomatic Academy at Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

She went further to study her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at Milpark Education in 2015.

In 2018 she received a certificate of “Women in Power Leadership Programme” from Duke Corporate Education in Partnership with Black Management Forum.

She is an alumnus of the Africa Ventures programme – A leadership Development Programme offered by Common Purpose Africa.

She is very passionate about benevolent work. She was appointed as a Common Purpose Advisory Panel member in 2019.

In 2020 she initiated a mentoring platform called “Meaningful conversations with Unati “where +_15 women get access to prominent individuals who give them advice about day to day issues like the importance of financial planning and importance of having a tribe of women supporting you- to name but a few.

In 2021 she was appointed as a trustee of the Mhakazi Trust, a charitable trust which supports development initiatives for orphaned children and youth in KwaZulu-Natal.

She has recently started a shoe drive – an initiative that will see her supplying school shoes to indigent environment to ensure that there are no kids that are segregated because of their circumstances.

She co-authored her first book with Stan Montsho (a renowned author), the book is titled Imiphumela Yobulumko/ Maungo A Botlhale (which means the outcomes of wisdom).

She is a senior Public Affairs Specialist at Discovery Limited.

9. Siyavuya Mabece

Siyavuya Mabece is a social, fun- loving and talented 11year old girl who is passionate about creating friendships and helping others including her siblings.  

She was born in Johannesburg,  South Africa on the 4th of February 2012 and is the 2nd of four children in her Xhosa family with Eastern Cape origins.

Siyavuya is a developing leader who loves to uplift others through performance on camera, on stage and at family events.  She has featured on a number of South African advertisements and has earned various cultural awards at her schools. 

She is the author of Enough! Stop Bullying! This is a book encourages kids to stand up for themselves against Bullying and also equips them with tools that could help them put an end to bullying.

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10. Thabiso Sikwane

Thabiso Sikwane is a mother, a seasoned talk-show specialist, former ambassador for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, beekeeper, owner of a swimming school business and story teller with a passion for rewriting our stories of our history to include the woman’s voice which has been stifled. 
 
Thabiso was motivated to pen “Modimo o a go rata” after being constantly frustrated by the lack of diversity in children’s books which has been a topic of discussion for many years but is changing too slowly. It is Thabiso’s aim to help younger children have a wider variety of great books to choose from, especially those that deal with the day to day reality of the world so that all young readers get to see themselves reflected in the books that they read. Thabiso wants to give all children a sense of belonging in helping them understand that if they may be different, it is okay and to empower them to let their uniqueness shine regardless of the colour of their skin, background  or abilities.
 
Thabiso truly believes that each family’s strength comes from within and that it is critical to build the family with the inclusion of children. She is committed to helping build the core of each child. Thabiso is further determined to give power to children in order to raise their self-esteem so that each child can recognise their ability to be productive and respectable in their families, communities, the country and the world.

11. Tshidi Monkoe

Tshidi Monkoe is a free-spirited and open-minded woman whose purpose in life is to heal and teach others through her life experiences.
Known for her self-published book, titled Prison Love, Tshidi’s entrepreneurial journey began long before she became a best-selling author. In 2010, she made a decision to resign from her 9-5 job as a Sales Executive in
the Conference and Training industry, and established a catering and events business. The objective was to host workshops and seminars for corporate, government and SOCs. The catering business grew as she catered for the Ekurhuleni Municipality as well as the African National Congress in preparation for the Mangaung Conference. She has also catered for various companies in the private sector.

Tshidi has a National Diploma in Food Service Management, which she acquired through the University Of Johannesburg’s Hotel School. She however had a scant passion for the industry; it has always been something to fall back on. She has also dabbled in the mini taxi business, having had three vehicles servicing the Vosloorus area. On the side, she sold bunny chows (kota/sphatlo), fried chips and snacks from the garage of a family doctor.

CURRENT ENGAGEMENTS

Tshidi is a sought-after motivational speaker, a qualified Relationship and Wellness Coach, NLP Coach, NLP Practitioner, lyricist and a self-published author of a best-selling book titled Prison Love. She also established two organizations; a private company specializing in catering as well as a non-profit organization with the objective of providing support for women whose partners have been incarcerated. When she is not writing, or making a difference in people’s lives, Tshidi enjoys reading the word of God, listening to music and spending time with her two children.

PARTNERSHIPS

• Tshidi has partnered with Women Are Healing Foundation. The foundation has psychologists who assist queens to heal from wounds – physical and emotional – of Gender Based Violence, as well as offer them ongoing support.
• Intercape Luxury Charters: For the month of August, Intercape offered Tshidi reliable, dependable and safe mode of travel as she traversed the country promoting her book as well as for her speaking engagements.
• Will speak at the African Women In Trade Conference in October. African Women In Trade is a gathering of African women, entrepreneurs, economic contributors and stakeholders including government, corporate, investors and students who account for the largest population in the country. The conference promotes entrepreneurship and offers a platform for African entrepreneurs to network.
  ACHIEVEMENTS
• In June, her book was reviewed by the Virtual Reading Club facilitated by the National Reading Coalition, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education. This was in support of the Read To Learn Campaign.
• Prison Love was selected and recommended by the Gauteng Department of Education to be used in high schools.
• Tshidi has supplied the City of Tshwane Municipality and the Department of Arts and Culture in the North West for their libraries.
• The book has also been selected by the Department of Arts and Culture in the Northern Cape, the Eastern Cape and the Free State.
  Last year Tshidi facilitated a panel discussion at The Book Fair hosted by the University of Free State, Free State University of Technology and Sol Plaatjie University
• Tshidi managed to get her book on the shelves of Exclusive Books stores without a distributor
• The book is also available in Botswana, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
  Speaking Engagements:
• 2017 – The Department of Education Pretoria North Region (Women’s Month Celebrations)
• 2022 – Steve Tshwete High School
• Olivenhoutbosch Primary School
• AgriSETA

WORK IN PROGRESS

• Translating Prison Love to Southern Sotho, IsiZulu, IsiXhosa and French to follow.
• Setting up a YouTube Channel
• Corporate Coaching and Speaking.

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12. Keneilwe Magula

Keneilwe Magula was born and bred in Mahikeng, North West, but currently living in Johannesburg with her family. She’s a wife and a mother of 3. She has a Diploma in Information Technology, B.Tech (IT) and MBA degrees. She has extensive experience in the ICT industry. She’s a Certified Life Coach, Transformational Speaker, Author and a Philanthropist. She’s also a Seasoned Entrepreneur.

13. Stacy Fru

Stacey Fru is the current face of the African Union (AU) and International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) 2021 International Campaign for the Elimination of Child Labour #EndChildLabour. She is a South African International Multiple Award-Winning Child Author and Activist. She is 16 years old and wrote her first book, “Smelly Cats”, at age 7. She has since dedicated a portion of her life to reach out, to inspire and edutain people of various ages across the world. One of her books is available in Braille and Daisy formats.

She runs The Stacey Fru Foundation that reach out to donate books, food, computers and other items to children and care homes across South Africa. Through her foundation, she also honour other African children who are impacting their communities by awarding them during “The Annual African Children of the Year Awards” held every November in South Africa.

Her books include Smelly Cats (Published in 2015); Bob and the Snake (Published in 2016); Smelly Cats on Vacation (Published in 2018); Where is Tammy (Published in 2019); Tim’s Answer (Published in 2019); and Middleburg East (Published in 2022).

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14. Thamsanqa D. Malinga

Certainly, a voice to reckon with in the public intellectual space, Thamsanqa D. Malinga is a sought-after commentator on hot political issues for top local Television News. A Columnist, published author, internationally published essayist, radio content contributor, Malinga has followed and written on local politics since his teens while fascinated by South Africa’s negotiations for democratic transition in the early nineties – the Congress for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA). While in high school he wrote letters to newspaper editors, and a year after matric with no experience but a desire to contribute to the social discourse, he foraged into freelance journalism – accordingly started an interest in chronicling and commenting on social ills.

Malinga has been a passionate writer since the age of 13 and wanted to pursue a career in journalism. His love for writing has never diminished, to this day, he frequently contributes opinion pieces in various publications such as BizCommunity, Independent Online, TimesLive, Mail and Guardian and is often featured on City Press – VOICES Section. He is also an Opinionista on Daily Maverick.

Thamsanqa D. Malinga reputes himself as an avid reader, social commentator, township loyalist, spare no holy cows pen slinger with a penchant for debate.

“BLAME ME ON APARTHEID” is his debut nonfiction treatise which was released in October 2020. The title “BLAME ME ON APARTHEID” is a tongue in cheek way of saying the condition of the black man needs to be blames on Apartheid as it cast him out to a peripheral space and made him a non-being.

His follow up book, A DREAM BETRAYED, another non-fiction and collection of political essays is currently in print and due out at the end of the first quarter of 2023.

Thamsanqa D. Malinga tackles subjects on the politics of the country. On the business side he masterfully tackles Corporate Communications and related subjects as a Director of Mkabayi Management Consultants

Malinga is also passionate on issues of Mental Health among black men and the youth.

15. Jolene Raison 

She is a poet, children’s author, Linguistics Lecturer and English tutor. She has spent a lifetime fishing for stars! She weaves their light into books and articles. She  splashes their sparkle across her English language and literacy classes. She distils their magic in into workshops on poetry and education. She is an active member of ZAPP (The South African Poetry Project), a research group that promotes poetry in schools by promoting indigeneity and instilling knowledge, understanding and a love of poetry in young learners. She is passionate about working with children and young people, helping them explore the kaleidoscope of possibilities the world holds, develop their potential, and see themselves for the eternal, magnificent beings they are. She has a handful of magical papers that are my passport to a myriad of adventures: a TESOL cert, a Bachelor of Arts in Languages, a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Linguistics, and she will shortly be graduating with a Master of Arts in Linguistics. 

16. Dr Nomsa Mdlalose

Dr Mdlalose, is a folklorist, researcher, writer, storyteller and social entrepreneur. She is a published author of a number ofchildren’s books, academic articles, poetry etc. and has been telling stories for many years in South African and internationally. Mdlalose is the founder of the storytelling company, Zintsomi and a founding member of Kwesukela storytelling Academy. She provides storytelling training and designs storytelling programs for companies and individuals. And provides mentorship to community groups and individuals in art as well as in business skills. She has over 20 years of experience in storytelling, creative writing, writing and publishing. And holds a Storytelling Masters Degree from Tennessee State University in the States and a Doctorate Degree in Folklore from Wits University where she specialised inAfrican oral Literature and Linguistics.

Dr Mdlalose is the winner of 2015 Imbokodo award in the promotion of African languages and storytelling. Has sat in the literature panel of the National arts council of South Africa, Freedom Park council and currently a board member for the Southern African Folklore Society. 

She drew her initial cultural knowledge from her mother, S’bongile Dlamini who has a gift in African spirituality and healing.

17. Goodwill Motimele

Mabonchi Goodwill Motimele is a black South African male who has published in Sepedi and English. He has written more than 50 books that range from language, poetry, drama, novel, short story, folklore and children’s books, some of which are read in South African schools. Several of his books have been translated into other indigenous South African languages like Setswana, Sesotho,isiXhosa and isiZulu.

He is the winner of 27 awards, among them Maskew Miller Literary Award 2007 for The Boy with the Guitar, African Heritage Literary Award with Bana ba Mpa, PANSALB Multilingualism and Nation Bulding Award, Sanlam Prize for Young Literature with Ke a hwa, ke a ikepela. He is mainly writing for children and youth.  

18. Frank Horley

I was born in Kenya. I illustrate and write.

My first illustrations were for the first edition of Okot p’Bitek’s widely-acclaimed Song of Lawino and Song of Ocol. Song of Lawino was first published in 1966 by the East African Publishing House, followed by Song of Ocol, both songs being published together in 1967, and reprinted four times before being published by Heinemann in the world-acclaimed African Writers Series (AWS) in 1984. (There are several editions currently available, without my illustrations, including an edition issued by the Waveland Press in 2013).

In 1971 Courtier Fine Art in London published a limited edition of S. T. Coleridge’s masterpiece The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, with my illustrations and calligraphy. The edition soon sold out and is now a collector’s book. This edition is in black and white, but my original conception was in full colour including gold and silver, after the medieval manuscripts that inspired me. Four sets in full colour were completed, one of which included calligraphy.

I have written and re-written, drawn and redrawn Kijana many times, usually in times of change and stress. Kijana was first published by the Graphic Club of South Africa in Johannesburg in 1974 and issued as a limited edition of 250 portfolios silk-screened by Fred Schimmel.                    

Now, in 2021, coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have produced a new version of Kijana, consisting of two editions with the same text but two similar sets of illustrations, binding both editions myself and limiting the editions to 49 copies of each. (I am considering the possibility of Kijana as an inter-active ebook).

“Frank Horley’s art is low-key in line and colour, but charged with emotion and imagery. He is an artist-poet whose art has freshness and great luminosity…” – Dennis Godfrey, The Star 1974

“The stories, which draw their inspiration and metaphor from African life while owing nothing to folklore, are allegorical, reflecting the teller’s concern about the gradual disappearance of primitive Africa. The pictures are superbly executed with a clean, rhythmical line and hauntingly beautiful,” – Raeford Daniel, Rand Daily Mail 1974

Shortly after the first edition of Kijana was published, a prominent family commissioned me to paint a mural in their bathroom in Johannesburg depicting J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic saga of Middle Earth, The Lord of the Rings. I painted in acrylics on wood, completing the work in 1979. It is my only painting. 

“The masterpiece, which was painted piece by piece with acrylic paint on wood panels, shows insight into Tolkien’s imaginary world… By painting each wall a different season with its own colour scheme, Horley very neatly put the main events in the book into a symbolic ring… To honour the sphere of Tolkien’s work, inspired by Celtic folklore, Horley uses painting conventions that we can recognise from medieval manuscripts. Perspective is not three-dimensional as in Post-Renaissance art, but two-dimensional. Foreground, middle-ground and background are shown vertically on top of each other… as in the scenic progression above the sword-crossing  protagonists and the duel between the Black Prince and the Lady Eowin in the main battle scene… But Horley also puts his own mark in this painting to show his connection with Africa by including different animal motifs…” – an extract from Bettie Lambrecht’s article for Vermaak in 2001. 

The Story of Christmas, published in 1980 by the Brenthurst Press, was the result of a collaboration between me and the children of the Montessori Pre-school in Johannesburg. Together we read the story of Christmas from the “New Testament”; the children were asked to draw angels, then to illustrate the story with their own drawings. I collected these drawings, copying and collating them to create a narrative of the Nativity. The final drawings were shown to the children and their comments were included in the book. The Story of Christmas was shown at the International Exhibition of Children’s Books in Vienna in 1982.

In 2000 I completed and published An African Alphabet, a collection of four interlinked alphabets – a conventional alphabet with letters based on African design, a textual alphabet, and two pictorial alphabets that include references in several African languages – 

‘Frank Horley has composed a love poem to his continent in just 26 letters’ – Rina Minervinini, Sawubona 

‘Lateral thought produces a visual alphabet for all Africans’ – Maureen Isaacson, Sunday Independent.

‘The story of the rebirth of Afrika… it adds such words as happiness, joy, abundance, wealth, freedom and development to the vocabulary of the Afrikan dictionary. It challenges us to liberate these words from the chains of colonialism’ – Saul Molobi, “Foreword” to An African Alphabet.

An African Alphabet is a work of compelling visual imagery – text and illustrations combine to introduce the alphabet in various African languages. The subtle yet vivid images range across cultures and the natural world, stimulating readers to think and reflect on the world around them and become creative through language – Andries Oliphant

In A Small Garden, published in 2008,my intention was to depict a prehistoric and contemporary Africa, setting 37 original drawings of flora and fauna that mirror digitally printed sand drawings, between an adaptation of the origin myth from Genesis and a random collection of contemporary newspaper headlines. Each book was individually printed and bound, the edition being limited to 42 copies.

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19. Karabo Nkoli

Karabo Nkoli became one of South Africa’s youngest produced authors at the age of 14 in 2016 with his debut book, Whispers Of Life. In 2022 at the age of 20, he released a non-fiction, current affairs book titled “Conscious In Crisis” with a foreword by Dr Mamphela Ramphele, which recently won an award on 31 July 2022, African Honoree Authors’ Award for awakening nations, which is a book that bares the wounds of rape culture in our country, exploitation of young women by blessers, neo-colonialism of countries and the continent as a result of China’s growing influence in Africa through questionable loans with exploitative agreements, the state of violence and killings in schools. He also launched this book on 22 October 2022 where the main feature of the launch was the State Of The Youth Address whereby where he spoke in depth on the challenges young people face challenging the notion of putting focus on the youth only during June which is declared as Youth Month.

20. Ndivhuwo Vhuatsha

Ndivhuwo Vhuatsha is Award winning author who is the CEO, founder of Laughtorison Holdings which operates in the IT sector and Business Services. Ndivhuwo has over the years developed a reputation as a solutions man and he is known for his ability to solve problems, especially those encountered by the many business owners who use his consulting services.

A keen learner and an optimist at heart, he believes that there is nothing that can stand in the way of a person who has a positive attitude and a willingness to do the necessary work. Ndivhuwo is experienced in the fields of Accounting, Auditing as well as Business Consulting and these diverse skills have allowed him to help numerous businesses and entrepreneurs to ascend to greater heights. His IT skills in particular have been widely praised and have even garnered him an award. But the most rewarding aspect for him has been being able to help businesses establish markets online so they can take advantage of the available opportunities in this modern tech era. Author of Two books : The Praying Entrepreneur and Poverty Escape Plan.

21. Kalenga Augustine Mulenga

For Kalenga Augustine Mulenga – aka K.A. Mulenga – writing is a passion. He started writing when he was 10 years old and his passion was reignited by his 11-year-old son. “Writing runs in my blood as my late father was a journalist and the first black editor of the Zambia Daily Mail and my late brother was a poet.” To date, he has self-published 31 children’s books. They are available on Amazon and also on his website and various other platforms. He is a prolific writer and love writing children’s books with a positive message while also making them laugh and be entertained. 

He has completed his memoir, Makeni Homeboys, and has a publisher agreement for his middle-grade novel which is due to be released later this year. He has written three short stories and published occasional blogs.

His short story, “Striving To Be Number One”, won a Creative Writing Contest in April 2021.

Three of his books, Donk and the Stubborn Donkeys, Chuck the Cheetah, and Will and His Best Friend Whale have been # 1 Amazon Bestsellers in different categories. 

Chuck the Cheetah has also recently been nominated for a Coppa Book Award in the Children’s Books category.

22. Ntando Makwela

Ntando Makwela is a motivational speaker; entrepreneur, Play Your Part Ambassador and author. In his book, The Dynamic Kid, Ntando has challenged the stereotype that the youth are not contributing positively to the world by constantly chasing new opportunities. As a strong supporter of entrepreneurship. not just for job creation but as an important path for the youth during the 21st century, he has taken a gap year to build his business. This ? vear-old author is adamant that any persor can find their purpose at a young age. As a speaker, Ntando equips his audience with skills and techniques to change their lives as he inspires them to take control of their destinies and become their utmost best. He shows them how to build a tailor made system using practical approaches based on his own experience and success. This multi-award-winning dynamic speaker has done what many only dream of and continues to stretch himself to be the best he can be.

Ntando has shared staves with International
speakers; entrepreneurs and founders such as Marcia Sula, Founder of Global Women; CEO and Chairman of Discovery, Adrian Gore; and others. He has spoken in platforms such as Success Resources. inspired over a thousand learners from various schools around Gauteng Province. In 2018, he built a Sling-4 plane with 27 teenagers in a period of ten days, during the “Molo Africa- Cape2Cairo” journey. He is also a “2019 Man of Valour” award recipient.
His philosophy is simple, you can do anything that you put your mind to.

23. Luthando Mzimba

Luthando Mzimba, the founder of MLDI HOLDINGS, is an Executive Coach, Industrialist, Forester and Author. His book, “A Young Man Who Refused To Die” is about instilling success qualities and character necessary to attract success.

Luthando founded MLDI HOLDINGS in 2015. This holding company has a number of subsidiaries including SOKAPASE FOREST DEVELOPMENT (Pty) Ltd – a 300 ha Eucalyptus forest in SOKAPASE A/A, Mnquma Local Municipality, Ngqamakwe, Eastern Cape.

He is very passionate about a self-discovery, self-mastery, leadership mastery and prosperity.

24. Kgaogelo Motlalepula Mojela

Kgaogelo Motlalepula Mojela was born and bred in the dusty streets of Diepkloof, Zone 3, the place popularly known as ” Ghost Town”. Kgaogelo has been a teacher for 35 years. She started her teaching career at Namedi High School, teaching Accounting, Business Studies, and Economics. She studied further and obtained a Diploma in Special Education/ Remedial Education. She also taught at Mezodo Technical College, as a Remedial Therapist, and later moved to Cotlands Baby Sanctuary and was placed at Park Senior Primary School, as a Remedial Education Specialist. She also taught Business Studies at Sandown High School and moved to Forest Town Special Needs School in Forest Town. She then became the Head of the Department in the Intermediate Phase at Hope School. She is a preacher, and a motivational speaker, who imparts hope and healing to her audience as she shares openly about her life experiences.

Kgaogelo holds a B.A. degree, majors in Psychology, and Philosophy; B.Ed/Honours in Educational Psychology; Bachelor of Theology degree; Master of Business Administration(MBA) in Human Resources. A Certificate in Christian Counselling, Secondary Teacher’s Diploma, and  Diploma in Remedial Education.

She is currently the Ambassador for the Jack Welch Management Institute, for the  Students Advisory Alumni Board member. ( SAAB).  2023. She has just completed her second book, The Master’s walk.

25. Tshimangadzo Mufamadi

Tshimangadzo Mufamadi is a teacher by profession, and he wrote those books with the aim that those books could support teachers and parents as they can read and share the message with their learners/children. 

A young man who hailed from Ha-Mashau village outside Elim says it took him two years to finish those books. “It took me a lot of time and a lot of energy when compiling those books. Writing and editing is not a child play. When you look at the final product of those books, you must know it is a lot of hard work,” said Mufamadi.

The title of his first book is called Tsumbanḓila, This book is highly recommended for learners from grade 4 all the way to grade 9.

Asked why he wrote Tsumbanḓila book, he said learners from grade 4 to 9 are struggling to answer the questions that they have asked, they don’t know how to read and write, he think this book will help.

26. Thembisile Dlamini

Thembisile Dlamini was born and raised in Soweto. An undiscovered artist who approaches the ideation and creation of children’s books from a new perspective. As the lead writer of The Adventures Of Enhle”. Which is a children’s book about a young South African girl who embarks on a conquest to help retrieve the village’s stolen artifect, a story that was co-written by her and Santo Dos Santos. The story is not only educational but also jam-packed with fantastical adventures. It teaches kids about gardening and the different kinds of plants in our country. The book is a part of a series that will keep the reader engaged for a very long time.”

27. Nthele Motsepe

Although Mapungubwe Relics is his first book, Nthele Motsepe is no tenderfoot in the world of writers. 

Motsepe cut his teeth in writing at Tshwane University of Technology, where he spent three years in journalism class. After graduating, Nthele had a brief stint at The Citizen, before he worked as an investigative reporter at Sowetan, later Sunday Sun and City Press, over a period of ten years.

In 2010 he joined the government communications machinery, where he was exposed to roles such as speech writer, spokesperson, a media liaison strategist, among other managerial roles, at different times in different state departments. 

Away from the daily deadline pressures of the cutthroat journalism world, Nthele found time to diversify his – obtaining a Public Management Degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Labour Law, among several other qualifications. To quench his journalism thirst, Nthele dabbles in ghost writing.

As a journalist, Motsepe was charged with an apartheid-time crime called “Criminal Defamation” and convicted by the Nigel Magistrate Court in 2019. This followed a series of investigative stories in which he documented alleged collusion between a white farmer who had unleashed a reign of terror against black people around Vereeniging; and the man’s friend, a white magistrate, who was a complainant in the Criminal Defamation matter.

On appeal in the North Gauteng High Court, Nthele was joined by fifteen local and international pro free press organisations, like the PEN International, SANEF, Freedom of Expression Institute, World Association of Newspapers, and the Mail & Guardian Centre for Investigative Journalism, who participated in the matter as amicus curiae.

The full bench overturned his conviction and sentence, thus putting an end to a charge which had an icy chill on many investigative journalists’ spines. For the record, this is a reported case, and at the time of publishing Mapungubwe Relics, the ANC and media colleagues were joint in efforts to have this charge ultimately repealed by the Constitutional Court.

28. Dr. Nozizwe Glenrose King ka Ndhlovu

Dr. Nozizwe Glenrose King ka Ndhlovu is the founder and Director of Mind to Build the Nations, a multilateral organization that mainstreams economic development through policy reforms, that facilitate the integration of the continent. Dr King is inspired by helping and empowering others, through systemizing, solving problems, and writing reforms that impact human development. She passionately pursues her goals through advocacy, influencing governmental policy, and championing human development.

Nozizwe began her humanitarian quest in 2001 at GAPSA as a Programs’ Director. In that position, she spearheaded the development of the organization’s annual plan, oversaw the efficient management of her division, mentored and trained staff, and managed project budgets. Those early experiences refined and amplified her managerial skills into a well- defined capability for organizational excellence that set her apart from her peers.

Her career progressed through several more organizations with ever-growing
responsibilities, including HIV/AIDS Master Trainer for Stakeholder Unions at Old
Mutual, Wellness Consultant at Afrox, Master Trainer for Soul City, Certified
Master Trainer for Bridges of Hope, and Master Trainer for Face-it Africa on Social
Justice. Dr. King has set her sights on the much larger ambition of regional and continental integration projects and leveraging her influence for women’s empowerment with Mind to Build the Nations. In 2015 she established a PSETA accredited Kings University in South Africa.

Her vision is to reimagine the African Continent as a self-governed, sustainable
model for Agenda Africa 2063 and beyond. She is attaining those lofty goals
through participating in strategic policy influencing task teams and economic development forums. She is a celebrated author, she has penned and published to-date, and published several notable books, including: Seven People You Will Meet on Your Way to the Top, Unshaken in shaken Times,
Becoming Unstoppable, and The Great Reset of Africa.

Dr. Nozizwe Glenrose King was born on 9 June 1975 in Dobsonville, Soweto. She has
earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychological Counseling at the University of
South Africa, Master Degree in Theology and a Theology and Ministry Doctorate (ThD) from Missionary Chapel Seminary, and numerous leadership certificates.

King is an international conference Speaker, Author, Life Coach, Training Consultant, and Qualified Learning Assessor. She is former Policy Head of the South African Chamber of Commerce. She further hold a BA degree in Social Science and Masters in Social Science from California University FCE, and Doctorate in Philosophy by publication, from Ballsbridge University. She has published 7 books and still counting. Her latest book, the great reset of Africa, has been seconded in into the political library at the University of Johannesburg.

29. Lydia Jali

“I am a Neurolanguage Coach, registered by Efficient Language Coaching, Accredited by ICF. As a Neurolanguage Coach I encourage brain-friendly language learning, where we apply an understanding of neuroscience and how the brain works to help you learn languages better for a long-lasting fluency.

“I trained and practiced as a Young Engineer Instructor. IsiZulu is my mother tongue language of which I proudly passed with distinction in matric. I am passionate about transferring the language skills to others especially to kids. My experience as a Kids Radio Presenter and producer gives me an advantage in understanding and working with children.”- Lydia Jali

OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

ONE-ON-ONE COACHING

Tailor made programme for individuals who want to learn IsiZulu for conversational purposes, personal development, business communication and intercultural relationships. We also assist school students who need guidance on their IsiZulu language learning journey.

The age groups for coaching ranges from foundation phase, 6 years to adults who are committed to transforming their life by learning a new language.

GROUP COACHING

Our group coaching programme consists of a minimum of 5 coachees and a maximum of 15 coachees in a session. We do school group sessions for schools who are interested in introducing IsiZulu language skills. Our group sessions are interactive, fun and involve challenging tasks that move you in the direction of achieving your goals. The age groups for coaching ranges from foundation phase , 6 years to adults who are committed to transforming their life by learning a new language.

SIYAKHULUMA READING CLUB

Reading aloud to children helps them to experience the pleasure of stories. It also stimulates their imagination, and develops their language, curiosity, and knowledge. Whether you are reading aloud to your own children or a group of children in your class or reading club, here are some tips to help you all get the most out of your reading time together. Join our Online Siyakhuluma Reading Club every Thursday where we read one of our Nalibal’ stories.

ACTIVITY BOOKLETS

We offer four activity booklets. These booklets are engaging activity books in IsiZulu encouraging language learning in a fun and brain friendly manner.

To order these booklets send us a WhatsApp (+27 61 455 4307) or email us admin@neurofunda.com

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PROGRAMME

The following is a programme for discussions:

Adult Literary Sessions

Saturday, 25 March 2023

• 10h00-11h00: Stan Montsho
• 11h00-12h00: Thabiso Sikwane
• 12h00-13h00: The Dynamic Kid – By Ntando Makwela

LUNCH BREAK

• 14h00-16h00: Celebrating South Africa’s Literary Heritage – By Bridge Books
• 16h00-17h00: Motivational Writing – By Andisa Coetzee & Rito Cuma 

Sunday, 26 March 2023

• 10h00-11h00: Tshidi Monkoe – reading from her book, “Prison Love”.
• 11h00-12h30: De/constructing African Renaissance – Dr Nozizwe King (“The Great Reset of Africa”), and Saul Molobi (“De/constructing brand Africa: A Practitioner’s Perspective”)
• 12h30-13h15: “South African Development Perspectives in Question” – by Leslie Dikeni

LUNCH BREAK

• 14h00-15h30: The role of music in curriculum development – By Real African Publishers/Billy Monama

• 15h30-17h00: The opportunities and challenges of publishing in South Africa – Joyce Mushi (facilitator), presenters are Portia Tshogoane, Saul Molobi, Lerole Mamabolo, Busi Ngwenya, Brian Siqauke, Enock Shishenge, Busisekile Khumalo, Siyafunda Online and Breda Munanai

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Children’s Literature Series

Saturday, 25 March 2023

• 10h00-11h00: Welcome and children’s readings – by Siyavuya Mabece and Sibahle Madliwa
• 11h00-12h30: Karen Hurt introduces her book, “179 Jabulani Street”. Reading from the same book by Sophie Mjwara and Libby Lloyd.
• 12h00 – 13h00: Reading from her book, The Adventures of Enhle – by Thembisile Dlamini

LUNCH BREAK

• 14h00-14h45: Dr Nomsa Mdlalose
• 14h45-15h30: Thabiso Sikwane
• 15h30-17h00: “African Alphabet” – Frank Horley 

Sunday, 26 March 2023

• 10h00-10h30: Reading by Sibahle Madliwa
• 10h30-11h00: Reading by Siyavuya Mabece
• 11h00-12h00: Reading by Ntando Makwela
• 12h00-13h00: Saul Molobii

LUNCH BREAK

• 14h00-16h00: Readings by Stan Montsho and Unati Mgandela