Culture Archives

Courageous Struggle Journalist Subry Govender Publishes Memoir of Resistance and Resolve – a Chronicle of His Anti-Apartheid Battles

10Jan

By News SANo Comments

Culture

Courageous Struggle Journalist Subry Govender Publishes Memoir of Resistance and Resolve – a Chronicle of His Anti-Apartheid Battles

By Special Correspondent: Vereran struggle journalist, Subry Govender ( Image: supplied) Often the story of one individual relating his own life in a particular era becomes the story of the society in which he lived, including that of his fellows during that time - a fact that is expected to come out clearly when former anti-Apartheid activists and struggle era journalists pay tributes and congratulate prolific resistance journalist and activist, Marimuthu Soobramoney (aka Subry Govender) is launching his autobiography, 'Coolie Journalist', before the end of this month. Marimuthu Soobramoney was a founder member of the Media Workers Association of South Africa (MWASA) with other struggle journalists such as Zwelakhe Sisulu and others. 'Comrade Subry' was a ...

Celebrating Motswako A Launch Rooted in Legacy and Identity

12Dec

By News SANo Comments

Culture

Celebrating Motswako A Launch Rooted in Legacy and Identity

By NewsSA Correspondent: 👆🏾Author Katlego Rammusa (right) with former Premier of North West Prof Job Mokgoro. (Image supplied) The launch of Motswako: The Beginnings was a vibrant celebration of heritage, music, and storytelling. Held at Exclusive Books Rosebank, the event welcomed an esteemed lineup of dignitaries and cultural icons, each adding depth and resonance to the occasion. The keynote speaker, His Excellency Mr Mostafa Daryabari, Cultural Ambassador of Iran, delivered a powerful address on the significance of the book and its role in honouring Batswana identity. His reflections on cultural preservation and artistic evolution set the tone for an evening steeped in pride and purpose. Academic and former government spokesperson and journalist...

MIRROR, MASK AND MARGIN: The pretty, petty, and power-hungry phenomenon of young women who bully older women in professional spaces

15Oct

By News SANo Comments

Culture

MIRROR, MASK AND MARGIN: The pretty, petty, and power-hungry phenomenon of young women who bully older women in professional spaces

By Cathay Yenana: Multi-Media Activist Diedra "Deepa Soul" Meredith In glossy recruitment brochures and women’s leadership panels, we often hear about Empowerment, Mentorship, and Sisterhood. Yet behind the slogans, in many modern professional workspaces, a quieter betrayal brews, as younger women target, exclude, and undermine their older female colleagues. It’s a form of gendered aggression few want to name, because it disrupts the comforting narrative of female solidarity. But if you speak to enough women in their forties, fifties, and sixties, you’ll hear it whispered, this new face of bullying often wears lipstick and a graduate badge. Bullying in the workplace has become a multifaceted, often gendered phenomenon. While much research has centred on horizo...

BACK TO THE ROOTS: Chef Mcotoyi revives African heritage cuisine

22Sep

By News SANo Comments

Culture

BACK TO THE ROOTS: Chef Mcotoyi revives African heritage cuisine

By Sitha Maliwa: In the heart of the Boardwalk kitchen, pots simmer, spices fill the air, and tradition takes centre stage. For Chef Mcotoyi, every plate tells a story - not just of taste, but of heritage, identity, and pride. His journey as a chef has been marked by one simple but powerful force: people. Interaction with clients and their feedback have shaped him, sharpened his craft, and driven his evolution. “It has helped me grow and be a better chef,” he admits with quiet conviction. And the timing could not be better. Across the world, culinary trends are shifting. Food is no longer just about presentation or novelty; it is about truth. Diners, both local and international, are searching for authenticity, and African cuisine is answering the call. “People want...

SAFE RETURN: Uncle and nephew back from the mountain, greeted with song and pride

16Jul

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Culture

SAFE RETURN: Uncle and nephew back from the mountain, greeted with song and pride

By Becker Semela: The hills of the Eastern Cape stood witness to a powerful moment this past weekend, as the Stuurman family rejoiced in the safe return of two of their own - uncle and nephew, Thembinkosi and Luncedo Stuurman - who emerged from the mountain transformed, reborn as men through the sacred Xhosa rite of passage. For an entire month, they had stepped away from modern life and into sacred time - answering the ancestral call to undergo ulwaluko, the traditional Xhosa initiation into manhood. What they left behind was boyhood. What they returned with was something far deeper: honour, discipline, and an unspoken strength carved into them by fire, silence, and ceremony. Their return sparked scenes of uncontainable emotion. Traditional songs rang out, women u...

SUNNINGHILL’S NEW JEWEL: Tasty Nation hits the spot

9May

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Culture

SUNNINGHILL’S NEW JEWEL: Tasty Nation hits the spot

By Zee: This week, Tasty Nation set Sunninghill ablaze - and no, it wasn’t just the Peri Peri sauce heating things up! The highly anticipated grand opening of Tasty Nation's first-ever quick-service restaurant took the vibrant Chilli Lane Shopping Centre by storm. Influencers, food lovers, and the local “it crowd” gathered in full force, ready to taste what all the buzz was about. And guess who was invited? That’s right - me, myself and I. Yes, your girl Zee was there, and she’s here to spill all the delicious details. From the moment Zee stepped through the doors, it was clear -Tasty Nation is the real deal. The space is pure magic: a stunning mix of modern township chic meets minimalist elegance, making it the perfect backdrop for a meal that’s more than just ...

BEYOND CHARTS: The importance of cultural context in music appreciation

8May

By News SANo Comments

Culture

BEYOND CHARTS: The importance of cultural context in music appreciation

Music is supposed to be a universal language, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural divides. However, the way we perceive and appreciate music is often influenced by our cultural backgrounds and personal experiences. My exploration highlights the critical importance of understanding the cultural context in which music is created and consumed. By examining the intersection of culture and music, we can deepen our appreciation for diverse genres and begin to look beyond mainstream hits, but begin to embrace the rich tapestry of global sounds. Cultural context encompasses the beliefs, practices, values, and social norms of a particular group of humans. It shapes the themes, instruments, and structures found in music. For instance, traditional African music often employs polyrhyt...

WHO ARE WE? There are few questions more dangerous, more urgent, and more necessary than this

27Apr

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Culture

WHO ARE WE? There are few questions more dangerous, more urgent, and more necessary than this

By Mota Moto: An African warrior (Image: Facebook) We are the children of broken homesteads, the grandchildren of the dispossessed, the inheritors of unfinished wars. Our ancestors walked through fire, and many were consumed by it, so that a sliver of freedom could find its way to us. The path we walk was paved with unimaginable sacrifices. The blood of martyrs, the tears of mothers and starving children, the broken backs of workers, the poor, and the silent hopes of the oppressed have laid this road. Yet, for all that was given, for all that was taken — what have we become? In the name of peace, humanity accepted bitter compromises: entire nations organized into systems, religions, ideologies — each demanding obedience not to human dignity, but to doctrine. In this way, peopl...

ECHOES OF OUR PAST: Cultural and music preservation in modernity

11Apr

By News SANo Comments

Culture

ECHOES OF OUR PAST: Cultural and music preservation in modernity

By Cathay Yenana – Media Specialist /Broadcaster/Business Owner We live in an era defined by rapid globalization and technological advancement, and the preservation of cultural heritage, particularly through music, has become a vital discourse surrounding identity in modernity. Music serves as both a reflection of cultural identity and a means of connection across generations. So, as we delve into the complexities of modern life, it is essential to recognize how music acts as a bridge between our past, present, and future. The relationship between music and cultural heritage is profound. As renowned ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax asserted, “The music of a people is the most intimate expression of their identity.” This idea speaks to the heart of why music preservation matte...

CULTURAL INCLUSIVITY: Tshwane’s groundbreaking policy for traditional healers

7Apr

By News SANo Comments

Culture

CULTURAL INCLUSIVITY: Tshwane’s groundbreaking policy for traditional healers

By Sitha Maliwa In training: Kwandokuhle (right) and friends, Mathangane and Baphilise, going through the training process to become amagqirha (sangomas). In a significant step toward cultural inclusivity, the City of Tshwane has introduced a pioneering policy that grants employees special leave to undergo ukuthwasa - the intensive training required to become a traditional healer. This move has sparked widespread discussion and garnered mixed reactions, with supporters hailing it as a necessary recognition of indigenous knowledge while critics question its potential impact on the public service sector. The policy’s announcement has been met with enthusiasm, particularly from the Traditional Healers Organisation (THO) and individuals like Mfundo Lee Marasi, a traditional he...