South Africa Mourns Miriam Makeba

Johannesburg, Nov 13 (Prensa Latina) South Africa President Kgalema Motlanthe mourned the death of the nation’s musical mother singer Miriam Makeba, governmental sources reported Thursday.
Motlanthe highlighted in a document the contribution of Makeba to the fight against the regime of racial segregation in the continent through her music and her unshakeable commitment with the humanitarian issues.
"Her spirit will continue alive in the hearts of all and we will continue celebrating her person for the significant contribution to the formation of a better South Africa and world to live in", the President stated in the declaration.
The farewell ceremony will take place on Thursday, until funeral processions are held, and her body incinerated.
Official buildings and the South African embassies will be with the flag at half-mast, to honor the worldwide known as the mother of modern South Africa, "Mama Africa".
Makeba, 76, collapsed Sunday after a concert against racism in Italy. She later died of a heart attack in hospital, the news filled thousands of people everywhere of the planet with dismay.
The singer, legendary voice of the African continent and who gave voice to the anti-apartheid struggle, was also a Cuban citizen.
"Miriam Makeba used her voice, not merely to entertain, but to give a voice to the millions of oppressed South Africans under the yoke of apartheid".
"Miriam was an indefatigable African patriot who used her immense talent in the service of her people and the struggle for freedom and democracy not only in South Africa, but in the continent as a whole".
Fellow African musical giant Youssou Ndour mourned her death as a loss to the world's music.
"It really is a great loss for Africa, for African music and all music," he told a radio station. "She was somebody who did a lot for Africa, and in general for black people. It is a great loss."

Malumane Carol "All that glitters is not gold"

What did you want to be when you were a child?
A Super model
What makes your blood boil?
I hate to be kept waiting especial by a man
Who is your inspiration and why?
My mom, she is always there for me and tells me what’s right and wrong
How do you feel to be part of a growing team?It feels great and motivating
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be a celebrity?
No!
How do people treat you when they see you?
Like every body else but some expect more
Do you have any secret ambitions?
Yes!
What’s your least favourite thing about yourself?
I am very friendly and quiet at the some time
What are you afraid of?
I cannot stand Snakes and Frogs
Don’t you feel threatened when another DJ has to cover your show for two weeks, don’t you feel your listeners will drop you?
No! I don’t at all
What would you put in your personal ad?
Soft on the outside and harder than a rock inside
What do you never travel without?
My shoes, cell phone and my pink bag
If your house burnt down and you could save three things, what would they be?
My bed , that’s where I go when I’m down and don’t feel well
If we could make three wishes come true for you, what would they be?
To be little taller, drive ML 65 and respect
What message would you like to send to those who are struggling to succeed?
Never give up, and don’t be fooled by people telling you that sex can give u what u need especially at work!!

Dj Amaza

Years in the industry: Eight years

Slots at Umhlobo Wenene: Friday and Saturday nights; “Weekend Night Fever” (10:00pm-01:00am) and Saturday mornings; “Local top 30” (10:00am-01:00pm)

Passion: Love for music and love for my people.

Likes: When I have made someone happy as I am always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need of it when able to do so.

Dislikes: I hate it when other people use others to get to the top and when others stand in the way of others success.

Word you hate the most: Is “can’t”, I strongly believe that it should be seen as an abbreviation for “can try” because people that use this word tend to stagnate and if there is still such individuals we will fail to grow as a nation.

What does radio mean to you: Radio presenting is not just a job, but my love for music was apparent from the age of nine; when other kids took their pocket money and bought playing cars, I saved mine and made a collection of music CDs.

What drives you: I’m driven by passion and dedication, so if one wants to have fun while learning a thing or two they must tune in between 10:00 and 01:00 weekends for the musical, vibrant, interactive and educational shows!

South African DJ Suspended After On-Air "Interview" With Jesus

Mail & Guardian Online is reporting the suspension of a South African presenter (DJ) for an on-air skit where he interviewed Jesus Christ.
Gareth Cliff was taken off the air for two days after numerous complaints from listeners of station 5fm.
According to its website, "5FM STEREO is a commercial and English-medium entertainment, music and information radio station targeted at an informed audience in the 16-34 ...[and] broadcasts 24-hours daily in the main urban areas of South Africa."
Cliff later apologized to listeners saying the "interview" was meant to be a parody of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ" and meant belittle any religion.
In the skit itself, Cliff played both interviewer and Jesus through a common recording technique used often in Radio.
Mail & Guardian Online quotes Nick Grubb, 5fm Programme Manager as saying, "We believe that the segment was inflammatory, and could have been interpreted negatively by a large portion of our listeners. Whilst Gareth is often irreverent and controversial, he merely overstepped the mark this time."

A wise mind is what’s needed in today’s world of music. It’s no longer a matter of how many hits one can possibly put together or how potentially you can become the next big thing. No, how the industry operates has changed all together, which can supposedly be blamed on how easy it has become for anyone to make music and release it independently. But wait… How many of you out there have that wise mind that can command you to implement good strategies for introducing your brand? One guy who has over the years managed to find means of introducing new names under his label is DJ Mbuso. Two years ago, the brother brought a concept album of two musical doctors; ‘House Prescription’ with Mbuso himself and the then unknown front man by the name of Dr. Duda. It was obvious to me that for Dr. Duda to penetrate the market heavily, he’d needed more than to just release a project with DJ Mbuso. With so many hits on the project, it emerged that Duda was actually not only talented behind the decks; he also had a sharp ear for music production.Once the first leg of ‘House Prescription’ was out and doing the rounds throughout the country - receiving massive airplay, Duda’s name started getting associated with other hits that were coming out from other house compilations. By then, his name was already familiar in the house music cycle. Even though I do not claim that he is the hottest DJ or producer at the moment, the strategies that Mbuso and his team have used to introduce Duda to the masses were really impressive.It’s been almost three years now since people got introduced to Duda’s name… After successfully jotting down a couple of songs on ‘House Prescription’ Vol. 1, the brother has now realised the ‘House Prescription’ concept fully and is pursuing it all by himself. And what one is hearing on this release sounds like another musical medical dose that might make house lovers OD.Even though the local house market is at the moment at its peak and there are just so many hits coming out every day, Dr. Duda’s offering is one that will hopefully accelerate more energy to the masses until the world crosses over to 2009. There are some well prepared doses on the project such as, ‘Duda’s World’, ‘Mpumalanga Swing’, ‘Pretoria Funk’, ‘Winter Nites’ and ‘Night Waves’. Marking the success of the Durban Sound, if you are going to release an album and don’t spice it up with a Durban feel, let it be said that you will not be entirely offering the sound that may push your success. Take it from guys like DJ Clock - new born in the house music that is already making noise. Also not to be counted out is Dr. Duda’s Durban Sound on the song, ‘U Yoshada Bani?’ It is clear to me that when it comes to Durbs sound, you can never go wrong bosswww!Though Duda was assisted by Mbuso to fully have his own piece of pie in the music game, it is impressing that the brother has also compiled songs made by up and coming producers. That’s a very good spirit to license songs from unknown artists because if we really want to make the local industry better, those already making it big should be willing to assist should they recognize talent.

Dj Pepsi

After being silent for quite sometime, Oskido’s younger brother, Nkululeko 'DJ Pepsi' Mdlongwa has done it again. Like his brother, the DJ has released a house installment, giving it the title, ‘Royal House Collection’. Hela, welcome to the Royal House Mense!
Even though the practice of licensing foreign house songs is still much alive locally, it is impressing that local house guns have seen the importance of including locally produced house tunes in their compilations. Like many other local DJs, Pepsi didn’t go wrong, together with the local underground house producer guru, Wandile ‘Master Wakes’ Zandeka, they have included a number of songs on this release. And guess what? One of the songs making noise at the moment is, ‘Pepsi’s Revenge’ [The Wakes Mix]. The tune has been doing the rounds on radios and you know moss, once the commercial radio stations start pumping a particular song, the rest is bound to follow.
With the cost of living gone mad, of people have become quite selective when it comes to the music they want to buy. And the same goes with recording labels who no longer sign artists that have not made a name for themselves. It is no surprise to me that Pepsi is one of the lucky few who Universal Music have chosen to invest in. A bonus is that Pepsi comes from the Mdlongwa family which includes the big dog Oskido and the up and coming and very promising young blood, Bobstar.
Apart from the local tunes that Pepsi has had a hand in, the project also features songs made by other music maestros from different parts of the land. The album features thirteen songs which vary from commercial to soulful deep tunes. There are some really killer vocal songs like, ‘Love Forever More, Amen’ that flows well through the veins. There is also one chilled tune that is promising to make some noise titled, ‘Medusa’.
As for this album’s sleeve, well, what can brother Phash says? Like I always preach, how the sleeve looks says a lot about what the album has to offer. This boils down to taking every single aspect of the project seriously. So they say, before you expect anyone to take you seriously, you gotta ensure that you are serious with yourself first. And in regard to this, brother Pepsi has done his best to make sure that everything is in order before this project could be released. Good one

Dj China

As some of you might know, Mbuso parted ways with SoulCandi and has established his own independent label, Phezulu Records. Starting afresh, House Kollectives mixed by DJ China is the first installment coming out of this independent label. Being so in touch with all the work that Mbuso has done in the past, my anticipation was overwhelming and I was convinced that this album was going to be the real Phezulu representative. But some of the songs proved to be otherwise! The first track, Double Trouble done by Bongani and Xolani Msongani is for me another re-produced Revolution song, The Anthem. Putting these two tracks on the play, I realized that both songs sound the same. The difference will be of course that the twins' song – ‘The Anthem' was released in 2004 and ‘Double Trouble' this year. As a result of this, I am disappointed that an independent label lead by Mbuso could simply allow itself to be associated with copycat songs. I don't know if it is a remix or new version of the old Zulu song ‘Bayethe' but nevertheless, the song was not done right. Again, ‘Rhythmic Motions' is another track that lacks the real feel, but what seems to be another problem in this song is the usage of the wrong instruments.Starting with ‘Pearl-Blackwhole' – track seven on the album, the producer did some real magic. As soon as the track opens, you can tell that it is one of those mellow songs that flows on the river banks. With the aggressive bassline, soft keyboards and percussion – this song is a good remedy for party goers! Ayoooo! Ong'ketsang… ‘Feelings' by Terrance Mathe promises to dis-prove those who undermine locally produced house. Though there's nothing much happening on the track, the very few instruments on play are solid. Again, I find this song unique because the producer played around with the beats in a very interesting style. Coming up with fire! ‘Dancing in China ' produced by Kentphonik, is a hit and is going to shine! Honestly I'm beginning to feel the presence of the Kenphonik team. The three boys are not making Mickey Mouse music and they seem to be on a mission to rule the local house scene. Hier die mense are just on the right track and I can tell that they're aiming high! With thirteen tracks, this release has nice and bad songs… Who knows, it might do well in the market.