When Life Happens: Arts and Culture Festival
Spoken word poet, writer and singer, Nomsa Mazwai wowed the audience with her wise words and her soulful music at Joburg's annual HIV/Aids awareness arts and culture festival, When Life Happens, which commenced on the 3rd December. Nomsa who is Thandiswa Mazwai's younger sister, is just as talented as her sister. One poem that stood out during her performance was called Ebony and Ivory - a poem that mocked our so-called freedom and democracy, highlighted the political turmoil we are faced with here in Mzansi and how the gap between the rich and the poor keeps widening.
Nomsa Mazwai was amongst many artists, choreographers and musicians who took part in the festival - a festival that aims to demystify and educate the youth about HIV/Aids through activities such as contemporary dance, literature, music, visual art and performance poetry. The festival kicked off with a visual arts exhibition at Museum Africa on the 3rd showcasing new talent. Artists exhibiting their work included Phumzile Buthelezi, Happy Dlame, Michael Mhlungu, Yvonne Harvey, Vusi Mfupi, Themba Mofokeng and Mandla Manana. Their work will be on display until 14 December and can be viewed anytime between 10am and 5pm. In addition to this an HIV/Aids focused mural wall on the corner of Miriam Makeba Str and Carr Str in Newtown was created on 4 December.
On the dance front, audiences saw Dada Masilo - last year's Standard Bank Young Artist for Dancer award winner and the star of a dance version of the Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet - performing an HIV/Aids focused contemporary dance show. Her performance was called “Dying, Dying and Dead” and it was a beautiful collaboration with Bafikile Sedibe and Songozezo Mcillizeli. Other acclaimed artists who took part in the dance section were Gregory Maqoma and PJ Sabbagha.
The highlight of the festival was the performance poetry and music gig at The Bassline which saw hip-hop and soul DJ Kenzhero doing his magic behind the decks as usual. Other poets and musicians included alternative music outfit Fifi, Pokah, Nomsa Mazwai, Kabomo and Afurakan. The audience was entertained with all kinds of music ranging from old skool hip-hop to reggae and soul to world music and rap music. It's very impressive to see so many artists throwing their art behind the cause and educating the youth about the risks of unprotected sex especially since South Africa has the largest number of HIV-positive people in the world.
The festival wasn't just about fun though. Reading discussions were also held which lead into an open forum, giving both the audience and the artists the opportunity to air their views and thoughts about the pandemic. When Life Happens runs until 14 December and it was supported by The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative, Museum Africa, Newtown Management District, The Bassline, The Dance Forum, Christina Kennedy and Phindamzala Art Productions.
