Streetwires – South African Wire Art

August 17th, 2010 by admin No comments »

No-one is exactly certain how wire art came about. The most likely origins of this art form are the tranquil hills of Maputoland and Zululand in rural Northern Kwazulu-Natal, in the North-East corner of South Africa.

For many years, due to a lack of resources to buy proper toys, the young herdboys of these regions have been fashioning their own out of discarded coathanger wire, tin cans and whatever else they can get their hands on.

Their ingenuity is quite amazing, and it is not an uncommon sight to see one of these boys steering a fully functional, made-to-scale model car crafted solely from discarded materials, complete with independent axles, fully functional steering column and a keen attention paid to details such as licence plates, headlights and in some cases, optional extras like mag wheels

It wasn’t long before older inhabitants of the area, recognising the uniqueness and marketability of these wire toys, began making their own wire creations and selling them to tourists and visitors to the region, and the vibrant medium of wire art was born.

Today, this genre is a thriving and legitimate art form in its own right, with many ‘wiremasters’ supporting their families by selling their creations on street corners, at craft markets, in shops and selected art galleries.

Products range from working wire radios in a number of shapes and sizes, to CD stands, keyrings, wire picture frames, baskets, vases, wine racks, egg cups, beaded sculptures, in fact the scope and range of wire art products is almost limitless. A common thread running through all these creations, and one which sets them apart from most other art forms, is the fact that the majority of wire art is designed not only with ornamental value in mind but also to be functional in one way or another.

These are genuine, original hand-crafted examples of African art that not only look great, they often also serve a purpose in the home or office.

Streetwires believe strongly in the broad appeal of these unique pieces of Africana, and are proud to bring the medium of wire art to the attention of the international community by giving their deserving local wiremasters an opportunity to display their wares on a global stage.

Streetwires focuses on the unique and dynamic genre of wire art, their Proudly South African project Streetwires is providing the skills, training, support, and raw materials necessary to enable over 100 formerly unemployed men and women to channel their natural creative energies into this vibrant art form.

A select range of Streetwires’ products are available from Urban Africa. Please visit the Streetwires website for more information on their products and their company.

One of the most popular products is a working wire radio. The wire radio is hand made and can pick up most FM frequencies. A unique gift for any music lover or connoisseur of wire art. Each radio has beaded work displayed in the traditional Ndebele pattern and comes with 9V battery.

The bead work can be customised and is the perfect corporate gift as the bead work can incorporate logos, text or company colours. Please email Ryan or Sharon at info@urban-africa.co.uk for more information. Please allow 6 – 8 weeks for delivery.

                                       

Join Urban Africa and win an African Salad cookbook

July 14th, 2010 by admin No comments »

Happy Summer Everyone!

The World Cup is over and in the distance there is still the faint sound of a Vuvuzela (or 12). There is no doubt that much of the focus that was on South Africa over this past month will continue to shine. It’s estimated that just over 1 million visitors entered SA during the June and July something the country never expected. It’s all good news!

Some of you may have noticed we’ve not sent out a newsletter for some time now and that’s because Urban Africa has climbed aboard the Facebook ‘band’ wagon and we plan to communicate all our company news, competitions and so on from FB in future. We don’t want you to miss out so click www.facebook.com/UrbanAfrica  and become a UA Fan, you might like this. And suggest Urban Africa to your friends!

We’ll be entering all our UA Fans (new and old) into a draw at the end of August and you could be the lucky one to scoop a first edition of African Salad, a contemporary cookbook filled with traditional (and wacky) African recipes some handed down through generations. The photos alone awakening this cookbook and it’s likely to spend more time on your coffee table than in your kitchen cupboard!

Good Luck!

Competition closes 31 August 2010. Competition open to all countries.

Competitionstoday.co.uk

Port Elizabeth Artist James Malinga

July 14th, 2010 by Ryan No comments »

Urban Africa Supplier of the Month: July 2010

 

James Malinga – Port Elizabeth Artist

On a trip to South Africa we saw an amazing canvas piece on display in a local shop & intrigued by the dimension it had to it. The colours used were also a lot brighter, more optimistic, than other pieces we’d seen & we asked for more information about the artist.

The owner of the shop told us “James? James Malinga. He’s sold one of his pieces to a man in France you know?”

We wanted to know about James and decided to track him down ourselves. We wondered around a market trying to find him and when we did we promptly bought two paintings which we now have framed and displayed at home. We got to chatting with James, who was born in Johannesburg and has been living in Central, Port Elizabeth for the past 14 years. He has displayed his works at the Grahamstown Festival and in local galleries around Port Elizabeth. This softly spoken artist is a true gem amongst men and is very modest about his talents having had no formal art training but “began drawing when I was five. In 1996 I started doing “real art”, I initially started with painting and later moved on to sculpture”.

James invited us to his studio to see some more of his work and we started talking about importing his work to the UK. His paintings are predominantly township scenes, although he also has some landscapes, including one of the Donkin Reserve. He also creates small sculptures, which are made of pine wood and coated with acrylic paint and are of people seen in township areas. Many of them are women carrying parcels on their heads, but he also has sculptures of men pushing wheelbarrows and lawn mowers, as well as sportsmen, particularly boxers.

His artwork is painted on unpretentious board and James uses various techniques to add dimension to his work, like bits of corrugated cardboard.

James’s level of creativity is of a very high standard. We approached him with one goal, to expose him to a wider, global market, which will ensure that his self taught talent as an artist is recognized.

Should you wish to commission any work, kindly contact Ryan or Sharon at info@urban-africa.co.uk.

If you want to find James in Port Elizabeth, South Africa – he can be found at the flea market near King’ s Beach on most Sundays.

Some of James’ work.

Lights, Camera, Kick-Off

June 13th, 2010 by Sharon No comments »

The Word Cup kicked off on Friday with a breathtaking visual spectacular at the opening ceremony in South Africa. Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium rang out to the sound of music and cheering as the 19th edition of the FIFA tournament roared into life.

 

An array of 1,581 artists entertained the crowd with a sequence of African inspired themes. After an aerial display by the South African air force followed by a group of drummers and dancers performed a Welcome to Africa song that included an introduction to all 10 of tournament’s venues. And who could miss the giant dung beetle showing off it’s football skills.

Musicians and artists from the other African finalist countries also had their chance to perform in a joint sequence with R&B star R Kelly singing the ceremony’s show piece song, Sign of a Victory.

 

The opening ceremony concluded with a display of flags from the 176 competing member countries that failed to qualify, surrounding those who did, with voices of children sounding out the names f all the 32 qualifiers and then uniting to form a human version of the official tournament logo.

Local South Africans believe their team, known as Bafana Bafana could lift the trophy – their secret weapon – the vuvuzela.

Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

All Aboard The Gautrain!

June 7th, 2010 by Sharon No comments »

The high-speed Gautrain moves out of testing and into operation between Sandton & OR International Airport tomorrow.

“Viva Gautrain, viva,” deputy minister for transport, Jeremy Cronin, said in handing over the safety permit to the Gautrain operating company last week. “Above all, viva public transport, viva.” Cronin added “…and we’re doing it just in time…” referring to the Soccer World Cup, just days away.

The South African-Canadian-French consortium known as Bombela has kept the R150million incentive offered by the Gauteng Provincial Government to open the Gautrain, in the nick of time, for the 2010 FIFA World Cup which kicks off this Friday.

Initial works for the Gautrain commenced in May 2006 and was being constructed simultaneously in two phases. The first phase involved the section between OR Tambo International Airport, Sandton and Midrand, the second; the remainder of the 80km route is due to be complete by March 2011.

The first phase of Gautrain connects arriving World Cup visitors landing at OR Tambo International to the bustling inner city of Sandton and near by Malbaro, in under 20 minutes. With a single ticket costing R100 (£8.80) which is almost a quarter of what it would cost if visitors were to hire a private taxi, Gautrain will be a welcomed transport alternative.

Much of the criticism is that money is being spent on the rich at the expense of the poor. It does not serve any of the townships of Gauteng where the transport problem is severe and where the majority of the people live. However, the train was never meant to be an alternative to mass public transport – it was intended to reduce pressure on Johannesburg’s overloaded highway system. Figures released by the Gauteng provincial government in 2003 indicated that the project will do little to relieve traffic on the over-used Ben Schoeman Highway (one of the major motivations for the project), as traffic volumes will be higher when the Gautrain is completed and operating at full capacity in 2011.  A national parliamentary oversight body, the Transport Portfolio Committee, held public hearings in November 2005 and subsequently advised Cabinet to scrap or postpone the project. The National Cabinet decided on 7 December 2005 to financially support Gautrain.

However according to some estimates, the Gautrain project could employ as many as 18 000 people over the next 20 years and generate business activities worth up to R3.6-billion per annum.

Sources: Mail & Guardian, SA; Wikipedia; Southafrica.Info         

Can this new product stop baggage theft during the WC?

May 16th, 2010 by Ryan No comments »

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional globe trotter, it’s more than likely that you’ve thought about securing your luggage against theft. And it’s probably something many travellers will be thinking about as the World Cup kick off beckons, less than 30-days away.

Although baggage pilferage has decreased dramatically since a crack-down by ACSA (Airports Company South Africa) and airlines in 2008, everyday about eight bags are still reported stolen at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Items that are most reported stolen are laptops, portable CD and MP3 players, iPods, wallets, cash and expensive clothes and shoes.

SAA has tried cling-wrapping bags over the last two years, but apparently this has not worked. Tebogo Tsimane, head of SAA’s Airport Operations, told IOL last month: “Cling-wrapping bags with tough plastic simply resulted in bags disappearing completely. It had no effect.”

Now it’s hoped that a new innovative product called Bbagzz will provide the missing link in the theft chain.

Bbagzz is a South African company that has designed a cost-effective solution to baggage pilferage and tampering – a durable plastic enclosure that seals luggage entirely. Bags are numbered and branded so that, unlike clear plastic wrap, they can’t be replaced after tampering, and it would be very time consuming for thieves to break the seal. The bags are also easy to identify on the carousel so any evidence of pilferage will be apparent immediately, allowing travellers to report it immediately.

World Cup organising committee spokesman Rich Mkhondo said last month that the LOC was working with police, airlines and ACSA to prevent pilfering. In addition, SAA will deploy undercover agents to the baggage-handling areas during the World Cup.

As an additional precaution, always keep valuable technological items such as laptops, portable CD and MP3 players, iPods, as well as wallets and cash, on your person.

Zuma: Sierra Leone good for investors

May 9th, 2010 by Sharon No comments »

“South Africa has a unique opportunity to be a locomotive for change and development on the African continent,” Zuma told a gala dinner at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre. “It’s because of this that we encourage our business community to seriously consider investing in Sierra Leone,” he said. Zuma congratulated the people of Sierra Leone on their achievement of bringing peace to their country.

He said that last Friday’s Freedom Day celebrations added to the excitement and encouragement that proved that Africa was doing things differently. “For decades the African continent has been regarded by many as a lost cause due to instability, underdevelopment, poverty, disease and corruption.”

“The sceptics time and time again relegated the African continent to insignificance. But we are proving them wrong,” Zuma said. Sierra Leone is still feeling the effects of a conflict that killed 100,000 citizens and displaced over 2 million people. Recovery has been slow, and seven years later, the legacies of both the civil war and the preceding decades of poor governance continue to hamper Sierra Leone. But a variety of factors are finally combining to create a new sense of optimism about the country’s future. In a visit to Sierra Leone in April 2009, Tony Blair, British Prime Minister during the civil war, reported that the outlook for Sierra Leone was now the most positive that he had ever seen.

President Ernest Bai Koroma of the All People’s Congress (APC), who took office on November 15, 2007, deserves much of the credit for the country’s progress. A former CEO, Koroma promised to run the government like a business, and he has followed through on that vow. In a major step, he has begun requiring performance contracts for cabinet ministers. These contracts aim to decrease corruption and levity in government by incentivizing efficiency and good performance. If this method works, Koroma can potentially revolutionize approaches to good governance across the continent. In January 2008, he appointed a woman named Umu Hawa Tejan Jalloh to the hugely powerful role of Chief Justice, the head of Sierra Leone’s judiciary. Justice Tejan Jalloh is only the third woman in Africa to be appointed to run a judiciary. Her appointment indicates a society-wide commitment to equal female participation that places Sierra Leone at the vanguard of sub-Saharan African nations on issues of gender equality.

Most notable, however, is Koroma’s focus on the economy. He is committed to weaning Sierra Leone off of its dependence on foreign aid, especially British aid. He inherited an economy with a 70 percent unemployment rate, and even today over 50 percent of people live on less than US$1 per day. Koromo’s government hopes to ensure economic self-sufficiency for the country. While this is a large task, the process has already begun with the creation of a nine person board to advise the government on foreign investment as well as the introduction of a 3G mobile phone network. In the longer term, Koromo has also spoken of potentially shifting his country’s relatively socialist economy to a more free-market system.

Sierra Leone currently attracts only 4,000 tourists per annum. But with an enthusiastic government and attractions that include unspoiled beaches, mountains, rich cultural history, and diverse flora and fauna, there is little doubt that Sierra Leone can once again become one of the world’s most sought-after travel spots. Lonely Planet magazine named it one of the world’s top 10 travel destinations for 2009, offering proof that the country’s efforts are producing dividends.

Sierra Leone appears to have a brighter future thanks to the work of President Koromo. In the coming years, the government of Sierra Leone faces the delicate task of balancing the rebuilding of the country’s tourist industry with the care of its citizens’ essential rights and needs. On the whole, however, Koroma and his staff not only mean well but are placed to take their country toward a prosperous future.

South Africa: 16 Years of Freedom

May 3rd, 2010 by Ryan No comments »

US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has congratulated South Africa on the progress it has made in the 16 years since it attained freedom.

Thousands across the country on Tuesday marked the country’s first democratic elections by celebrating Freedom Day. “On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I congratulate the people of the Republic of South Africa as you celebrate the sixteenth anniversary of your democracy.

“The April 27, 1994 elections were the culmination of decades of struggle and opened a new era of equality and opportunity in South Africa,” said Clinton. She said South Africa’s story serves as an inspiration to people around the world who are yearning to be free.

“Your progress is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of democracy,” she said.

Clinton said the partnership between South Africa and the US is rooted in shared values and common aspirations.

“Our two countries share the goal of ridding the world of discrimination in all its forms, promoting broad-based prosperity and opportunity, and supporting democracy and the rule of law,” she said.

Clinton added that the two countries had much to learn from one another and that there is a lot to accomplish together. “The US-South Africa Strategic Dialogue that we launched last month provides a framework for meeting our common challenges,” she said.

98 Days to Go Until The World Cup!

March 4th, 2010 by Sharon No comments »

President Jacob Zuma has arrived in London yesterday and has already met the Prime Minister Gordon Brown who commented that Zuma was leading South Africa with “great distinction” and that “over the last 15 years South Africa has restored its rightful place in the international community”. The countdown to the cup has just entered double digits, but is South Africa ready and do those travelling to the country know what to expect?

I’m a born and breed South African and have called London my home for 5 years now, we are so settled here that both my fiancée and I are starting the process and applying for British Citizenship!

South Africa is a hugely diverse country: more so culturally and economically. You also have to tap dance around 11 official languages, but English is the most widely used, so fear not. How safe is South Africa, I hear you ask? As safe as you make it, is my reply. Don’t walk in isolated areas at night. Don’t wear your expensive Nikon SLR camera around your neck. Carry enough cash to get you through the day, not the entire month. In the wild, animals tend to stay in packs and we’d advise that travelers do the same.

Public transport is not as evolved as it is in Europe and if you’ve not booked a rental car, it advisable to do so. What’s that? You can’t drive! Contact your hotel and ask them to recommend a driver during the duration of your stay.

And whatever you do – make sure that you support local artisans in South Africa. It’s a country with a deep, rich history and if you can’t fit enough in suitcase – visit Urban Africa when you return!

World AIDS Day

November 28th, 2009 by Ryan No comments »

World AIDS Day 2009

World AIDS day is observed on 1st December 2009. Show your support for The Topsy Foundation and other similar and worthwhile causes who take a stand and make a difference in the world to those who are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

At the Beadwork Project, Shukushukuma Beaders, local woman are taught the different beading techniques needed to make designs incorporating both traditional and the modern. This includes guiding the woman through the production process and understanding the associated costing and marketing, in a drive towards entrepreneurial independance for the woman.

The Topsy range of beaded products were exclusively designed by well-known Johannesburg artist Christine Fischer.  

The Topsy products are hand made by the Shukushukuma Beaders in South Africa. 

Visit http://worldaidsday.org/ for more information on World AIDS Day.

Buy a Beaded Red AIDS Ribbon

Beaded World AIDS Day Ribbon