Moneoa, our musical gift.

New kid on the block, Moneoa.
www.myspace.com

Local radio stations have been playing a lot of local music lately and while listening to Metro FM a while ago, I heard Shugasmakx's new song 'take it easy'. It sounded so great and it featured a girl with a very nice, soothing and angelic voice. I liked the song because of the girl's voice.
 I got to hear this voice in another song with words like 'I love more than you' and later in another fun, but sad song titled 'isibanxa'. That voice reminded me of the late TK, but it belonged to the talented KZN girl, Moneoa Moshesh. Popurlarly known as a dancer, Moneoa is now an incredible recording with a great musical future ahead of her.

South Africa should be proud to have such amazing talent and we all should be able to support it. This time last year, we had Zahara, could Moneoa be the next Zahara and take all the awards home at next year's SAMAs?  I think she can, but only if we support her music. www.myspace.com/moneoa

Make music the main ingredient for braais!

It is Heritage month and next week as a lot of South Africans will be gathering with friends and families in celebration of Heritage day, music is always the source of entertainment while people chit chat about life events. South Africa is famous for being a braaing nation that loves its meat, there sure will be a lot of people sitting back and enjoying meat in the flames on Heritage Day. While enjoying the spring and sunny day of the public holiday, do not forget to jam to the sounds and beats of locally brewed music.

Above: Eddie Zondi, a radio DJ who has a compilation CD of
the best songs fit for a layed back braai.
Picture founf at www.metrofm.co.za

Whether you are a House Music, Kwaito, Hip Hop, Jazz, or Classical music fan, it doesn't really matter, just as long as you keep it local and definately lekker. Nothing completes a braai meal like a playlist of good music playing in the background. Music from the likes of Eddie Zondis and Simphiwe Danas will make a perfect selection of braai music for the feast. So while laying back and enjoying that saculant steak, be sure to listen to the best of home brewed music because Local is Lekker! 

South African music for heritage month

The weather is nice and trees look alive again.  It is the wonderful month; September. South Africans celebrate Heritage day on the 24th of September every single year and this year will be no different. This is the month to speak our languages, wear our bright traditional attires and eat our organic, healthy foods.

 There already are a number of celebrations planned, but I would love to hear more local music being played on the radio and on television this month. We are rich with musical talent that makes us proud to be African. We have gifted musicians like Stimela, Phuzekhemisi, Mahotella Queens, Johnny Clegg and many others who sing beautiful African music. This month, let us be proudly South African and play music that is written in our 11 languages and embrace our culures and heritage.www.sahistory.org.za

The Joy of Jazz

The wonderful feeling that we get from listening to music, especially the type of music we appreciate. I have said in my last few blogs  that South African women are very lucky to have handsome artists llike John Legend and Anthony Hamilton, come and perform for them. This week, we are all very lucky to have musicians who cater not only to young people or females, come to perform for us. The Standard bank Joy of Jazz festival is taking place this weekend in Newtown, with the opening tonight.

 Lovers of Jazz music can go see their favourite Jazz musicians do their thing on stage.International musicians include Earl Klugh and Clarence Carter, local artists include Caiphus Semenya, Thandiswa Mazwai and there will be a special tribute to the legendary, Miles Davis. August was a great month for the South African music industry and we are sure ending it in a great, jazzy way. We look forward to a great September!www.joyofjazz.co.za

Soul is here!

New-age soul singer, Anthony Hamilton

Oh, how I love being a woman! South African women are being appreciated so much this year, with many international acts coming to perform for us. We were blessed to have Grammy-winner, John Legend perform for us last week. This week, we are going big again.

We have the soulful, amazing, one-woman man, RNB artist, Anthony Hamilton blessing us with his talent this week. His songs are forever playing on our local radio stations and that has created a huge fan base for him in South Africa.

 We all know him for songs such as 'Pass me over', 'Lucille'and the wonderful remix he did for 2Pac's 'Dear mama'. The weather is beautiful, love is in the air and music still keeps the world alive so, be sure to check this amazing artist out this coming weekend. www.myspace.com/Anthony Hamilton

The legend is in South Africa

Award-winning RNB star, John Legend

We have just started an awesome month, August, which means a lot to the people of this country. Women's month is all about love, music and all things nice. We have a lot to celebrate as women and as South Africans. It is at this time of year where women of South Africa are celebrated and should be celebrated and shown major respect. Women are usually celebrated through music and as usual, celebrations are in order for this year's Women's day.

There are a lot of celebrations to look out for this month, but one that I am excited about is the John Legend one. With the cold weather we're having in Johanneburg, John Legend is what every woman needs right now. He has songs that will keep us warm for days! Supporting acts for this show are Mi Casa and the lovely Metro Fm presenter and SA Idol judge, Unathi Msengana. Let's go and support this event. Also look out for him as he makes an appearence on SA Idol this week. www.myspace.com/John Legend

Women of power, women of song

women marching to the Union buildings, Pretoria, in 1956

August is Women's month and we, South Africans, remember the bravery of the women of 1956, who took to the streets and marched against the Pass law that the then government had against them. Since then, women have been motivated to speak their minds and stand for what they believe in.

In this day, women suffer different forms of abuse, they are killed by their lovers, little girls are raped by their fathers, children go to bed hungry, mothers die of HIV and its related illnesses... what is amazing is that, the women who took part in that 1956 march were united through music and  even in this day, we have women who stand tall and enrich lives and fight for their emancipation through song. We have women like Simphiwe Dana, Ntsiki Mazwai, KB, Zamajobe, Tu Nokwe and many others who use their voices to reach out to the world and make lives of people better.

This is the month to celebrate our political icons and musical icons who have helped shape the future of this nation and won democracy for the women of this generation and future generations. Like they say, wa thinta'bafazi, wa thint'imbokodo. Let's celebrate the women of this nation through music.
www.sahistory.org.za