ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT - The African Mirror

Jan

06

2023

DRC artist paints politicians portraits in plastic

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

CRISPIN KYALA NEAR the banks of Lake Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, artist Patrick Cikuru Cirimwami wades knee-deep through a mountain of plastic bottles, scooping as many as he can carry into a large sack. There is no public waste collection in the area, and the trash that ends up in Lake Kivu often causes breakdowns in the hydroelectric plant, leading to power cuts. But Cikuru Cirimwami's goal is bigger than helping clean up. Later he will melt down the plastic to make a thick liquid which he uses to paint portraits of politicians - intended to…

Jan

05

2023

By The African Mirror

Benin is building a theme park to remember slavery – is history up for sale?

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

THE Marina Project is a vast memorial and tourist complex under construction in Ouidah, a coastal town in the Republic of Benin in West Africa. The country hopes to market itself as a major destination for Afro-descendant tourists in the diaspora. Neighbouring Nigeria and its population of 220 million potential visitors also make serene and diminutive Benin an enviable location for large-scale tourist attractions. Author DOMINIQUE SOMDA, Junior research fellow, Institute for Humanities in Africa (HUMA), University of Cape Town The waterfront development is located at what was the main slave port for the Bight of Benin. From this region…

Jan

04

2023

By The African Mirror

Offering “community therapy”, this artist imagines peace

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

DORCAS BELLO, BIRD STORY AGENCY WHEN Jacob Onoja opens the door to welcome guests into his house in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, the first thing that catches one's eye are the exquisite paintings on the walls. This is an artist who lives and breathes art. "As far as I can remember, I have always loved scribbling, drawing, painting and visualising imaginary things in the sky. I did it in my teenage years, and I still do in my adult life," he said. Onoja only started to paint professionally in 1987 when he opened a studio, the Diadem Art Gallery. To…

Jan

04

2023

By The African Mirror

Musician’s app helps Kenyan creatives sell music and merchandise

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

IN pink trousers and a matching puffer jacket, Grammy-nominated Kenyan musician Bien-Aime Alusa gyrates on stage as he sings to a bank of swaying fans, many capturing the moment on their mobile phones. When the curtain drops on the concert in Nairobi, Alusa keeps making connections and profits through a digital streaming and payment platform, HustleSasa, which he co-founded to help artists recover from revenues lost to the coronavirus lockdown. HustleSasa, which officially launched in November 2021, allows the singer-songwriter and fellow creatives to stream music or sell branded merchandise, concert tickets, food, fashion and other services in one mobile…

Dec

28

2022

By The African Mirror

Afrobeats in 2022: global mobility, election songs, placemaking albums – and Tems

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MORE than Nollywood films, Afrobeats is arguably Nigeria’s strongest cultural export since the turn of the millennium. It is a hugely dynamic music category that incorporates a range of moods, languages, styles, and existing genres. To understand its impact, a cultural connoisseur has equated good Afrobeats music with well-made, smoky Nigerian party jollof rice! Author GARHE OSIEBE, Research Fellow, Rhodes University As suggested, the core of Afrobeats is celebratory pop music originating from Nigeria, West Africa and beyond. In 2022, Afrobeats artists were regular names on the global stage, winning awards, featuring on Hollywood soundtracks, packing out stadiums and even…

Jul

27

2022

By The African Mirror

Africa’s free trade area offers promise for cities – but only if there’s investment

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT, AFRICITIES

THE African Continental Free Trade Area came into operation on 1 January 2021. This is a considerable achievement. The free trade area is now the world’s single largest market for goods and services, when measured by a number of countries, after the World Trade Organisation. It is also the largest in terms of geographic area and population size. If implemented as foreseen by the agreement, the free trade area will unlock significant growth for the African continent. The World Bank has estimated that by 2035, trade between African countries could expand by 81%, boosting output by US$450 billion, raising wages…

Oct

19

2022

By The African Mirror

What is cultural appropriation and why is it so harmful?

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

ADAM HAUPT DIE Antwoord is a South African band that uses hip-hop music to create a style it calls “zef”. Since it first appeared in 2009, Die Antwoord has been criticised for cultural appropriation (using cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative way). It’s accused of copying the lyrics and styles of Cape Town artists rapping in South Africa’s Kaaps language, and of mimicking the visual styles of Cape Flats gang members. Adam Haupt has researched and written extensively on hip-hop and identity. He discusses cultural appropriation and the role of power in interactions between dominant and marginalised…

Oct

19

2022

By The African Mirror

Trevor Noah brought a new perspective to TV satire – as well as a whole new audience

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFTER seven years of hosting The Daily Show on Comedy Central, a hit comedy show produced in the US but with global reach, South African-born comedian Trevor Noah has announced plans to leave and focus on his stand-up comedy. During his tenure as host of the political satire series, which he took over from the revered Jon Stewart, Noah has offered important takes on issues in the US – and the world. Author GIBSON NCUBE, Lecturer, Stellenbosch University Considering that the late-night television satire scene in the US remains populated by white men, Noah has offered unique “black” African insights…

Nov

03

2022

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s dance music craze, amapiano, could conquer the world – if its stars step up

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

THERE'S a lot of hype around amapiano. The South African dance music genre has dominated dancefloors since 2019, spreading from South Africa to West Africa and now to the world. But it’s time to peer through the hype and see if amapiano is able to transition from a cloistered club scene onto a truly global stage in terms of performance strength, conviction and credibility. Kabza de Small, DJ Maphorisa, Major League DJz, DBN Gogo, Lady Du … the list of amapiano stars is growing. Undoubtedly, though, there are concerns regarding the live performances of many. Beyond the gimmicks of slick…

Nov

03

2022

By The African Mirror

From fishmonger to internationally acclaimed artist, the story of Franco Ndiba

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

PATRICK NELLE, BIRD STORY AGENCY THE characters are faceless and anonymous, yet these attention-grabbing outlines, which seem like flip-flopping silhouettes, conjure a lasting image of being one and everyone simultaneously. This artistic fantasy of facelessness stirs the imagination. It leaves the mind roving–in what 39-year-old Cameroonian artist Franco Ndiba calls his world of “Fantasia”. “Through this form of art, I invite you into a journey of discovery, experience and introspection as you peel the attitude, feelings, and perhaps the thinking of the characters in the painting,” he says. Ndiba, whose works paintings are on display at the Annie Kadji Art…