IamSeries: Olwethu Bandezi

Olwethu Bandezi, 23 yrs. Magazine founder, 
writer, neo-cultularist and creative

I am part of Coolab, which is a creative collective that aims to execute ideas that we feel should exist in Durban. Coolab is the product of marrying out different projects, mine being Brandr Magazine; an online lifestyle magazine. I also serve as a member of Life Long Learning, which is an N.G.O aimed at promoting learning across all ages through creative workshops such as the TED talks screenings. Currently I live in Glenwood, by Entabeni Hospital.

What Project/s are you currently involved in? Brandr Magazine, Ted Talks , Cosi Cosi Pop Up Cinema, Fork Knife and Glass, and I also contribute in MindMap-SA. 

What is it about Durban that still gets you? The fact that Durban is so hard to impress; good ideas and strategies fail all the time in Durban. The general approach of dazzling Durban becomes useless and requires you to really look at creating genuine content to win her attention and sustain it. It has been noted how faithful Durban can be to you when she has fallen for you / your idea. 

What lifestyle would you say you / your work fits into? I am obsessed with the word ‘Sustainable’, with the understanding of its meaning – something you can handle. So my lifestyle is mainly based on what I can afford, not just monetarily, but emotionally.

 Your work philosophy is? I am a very faithful worker. Projects or work that I execute the best are ones that I have been able to align with some emotional value and therefore am attached to. 

Do you believe in Sub-cultures? Yes, subcultures still exist, however I am one to believe that a subculture stops being such the moment it becomes popular. 

What is your antithesis? Most probably one who is made mostly of all my bad habits. 

Define your marque of crazy? One that believes they are non-conformists. 

Why do you create? Because I seem to be able to, and have been granted the chance to so, “I must”. 

Your own footprint on this planet is? Made of all the peers I speak highly of in private. 

What will still be worn in a 100 years? Dreams and fears are a sure thing to still be worn. Materialisticly, possibly hats. 

What song is currently playing in your life? I had to think about this very hard, but its a remake of Nina Simone’s song If You Go Away. 

What is your cool about? Cool? I don’t think I am in any way cool. Cool in this instance is purely based on what I like or am impressed by. 

What do you refuse to wear? Anything that exposes how big my tummy is, anything that resembles tights, ties usually don’t work out well with me either because I have a short but big neck. These things cause me a huge deal of discomfort. 

What skills do you have? I am mastering thinking critically, I write, and I am also learning to master how to wait.

check out the video here

IamSeries: Russel Hlongwe

Russel Hlongwane, 25 yrs. counter culturist. I'm a son, brother, uncle, lover, spiritualist, artist, super-soul and a novice of life. Occupation is in shipping, but I am an avid arts administrator at every other moment.

I am a member of Onexus Music Support, which currently hosts Music Business Workshops at a Music Academy in Oakford. I also serve on the board of KUMISA (Kwa-Zulu Natal United Music Industry of S.A), a municipal initiative aimed at regulating the province’s music industry as a whole. In addition, I am a member of the Coolab Creative Collective, a think tank. The project closest to my heart is the Fork, Knife & Glass. I'm currently refining its ethos and experience. I'm communal living in tranquil Glenwood.

What is it about Durban that still gets you? Nothing gets me now. I’m used to this city, so I simply smile at Durban’s inertia. 

What lifestyle would you say you / your work fits into? My lifestyle fits into creative culture and individuals of heightened aesthetics. It is important to note that I’m very conscious that my lifestyle promotes sustainability. 

Your work philosophy is? Generally - Create for the sake of creating, not to be remembered through your creation. My personal philosophy - "material life is an illusion, all but an illusion". 

Do you believe in Sub-cultures? My life is built on sub culture. A better question is "would I ever believe in pop culture?" And my answer would be a loud NO! 

What is your antithesis? Carbon copy ideas and bandwagon trends. 

Define your marque of crazy? It's a question that is dual. My first response is – my marque of crazy (detestation) - participating in mundane life with questioning. The flip side of this - my marque of crazy (brilliance) - breaking ground even though ‘’they’’ don't understand your objective. 

Why do you create? I create because I was created. I depend on creation, we all create everyday (unconsciously) and due to this I’ve grown conscious of what I create. I create because I can and it’s my responsibility to create in order for the planet earth to rotate. 

Your own footprint on this planet is? The Fork, Knife & Glass – dinner club. 

What will still be worn in 100 years time? Deodorant – gosh, I hope. 

What song is currently playing in your life? Gill Scott Heron - On Coming From a Broken Home. 

What is your cool about? 

Doing me to a point where I question myself if what I'm doing is still normal? In general terms, my cool is the ‘’uncool’’. 

What do you refuse to wear? 

Retail threads. 

What skills do you have? 

I have the skill of a wordsmith (MC), the skill of charm and the skill of loving and learning.

Hare Aum

for more check out iamOrganichuman.

IamSeries

iamseries is about individuals that are looking at different forms of expressing their creative nature and are making waves in industries, spaces and networks they work under. These individuals are neither recognized in the broader space in South Africa due to that they are doing things that seem unconventional in terms of the orthodox idea of profession.

These Individuals are active in their immediate spaces recreating the meaning of their spaces and finding new paths to grow these spheres in South Africa.

iamseries looks at these individuals according to the personal and inspirational. what inspires, where it stems from and how they construct further from there.

I look at my immediate to create from there. I am inspired by what is out there to create,inspired by need etc. These are the ideas that iamseries looks to debunk as a way to interrogate innovation in different spaces without over exposing the elements that make up the whole.

this series is put together by iamorganichuman and is the first of many.

Skafftein

Skafftein

“Christmas is not everyday” a phrase that a lot of people who grew up in the South African Townships will know very, very well. This phrase basically means that not everyday is the same and that each day will not come bearing gifts ….so with that being said and the festivities looming over our heads like lametta tinsel in a supermarket, we apologize for keeping your taste buds under house arrest and yes we come baring gifts, gifts for today that should last you a few days of delicious digging into the heart of South Africa’s creative culture. Click away!

BIG FKN GUN

Ever heard of BIG FKN GUN? Pronounced…well I take it you get the point, they are an MC and Dj/producer combo who have quite a different take on every day topics topped off with an interesting digital sound that puts all tommy fkn guns back to the safety of their safes. Check out a recent video by Spoek Mathambo featuring Okmalumkoolkat and Solomon from BFG, also load your arsenal with more of their tracks right here. 

Twitter: @Solomon_BFG , @Soulfaktor

TED^xSoweto

Charity begins at home. Well in this instance this event is one that was founded in 1984 in the U.S of A under the now world-renowned name TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design). TED features great minds that present their solutions within the research and practice of science and culture around the globe, this global movement touched our soil and presented our future leaders and innovators with the opportunity to share their views in the most engaging and innovative ways…here is the low down on the TED^xSoweto.

Twitter: @TEDxSoweto

The Olympics

The Olympics are a Pretoria based indie rock band that was assembled in 2011. Their bio boasts the following statement  “The Olympic’s infectious beats, melodic choruses and intense live performances are destined to transform South Africa’s commercial music landscape”.  Check them out and make your own mind up…I know I have. Check out their Video for their single "The Wait" here.

 Twitter: @TheOlympic

MoonChild

There’s not so much I can say about this particular artist except that she bares insane skills and takes her self-expression very seriously, she is no fluke by any stretch of the elastic and if you are one of those picky diggers of picky talent then this right here is your pick. Check out Moonchild’s Single Rabubi.

Twitter: @Moonchild_SA