National Auditions for Aspiring MCs to host Awards Ceremony

Dynamic young presenters are invited to audition to MC the Finals of the 2014 ACT | DALRO | Nedbank Scholarships Awards.

After a countrywide series of auditions due to take place in June, the sixth annual ACT | DALRO | Nedbank Performing Arts Scholarships will culminate in a Final performance, allowing the six finalists the opportunity to showcase their acting, dancing and singing abilities to a live audience and an independent panel of judges. Performed in the format of a variety show, the showcase of their talents needs to be brought together by a charismatic presenter into a seamless performance for the audience and judges to enjoy. The finalists will be competing to win one of three performing arts scholarships, with a combined value of R315 000. The event, hosted by UJ Arts & Culture at the University of Johannesburg, will take place on 13 October 2014.

“Deciding to audition means that you have already completed the most daunting step,” says Altovise Lawrence, host of the 2013 Scholarship Awards Finals. “Being awarded the chance to be the ACT Scholarship Awards MC for 2013 was the opportunity for me to push myself to the limit. It was a gift and I was given a chance to showcase my talent on one of the biggest stages in my career thus far. The most important lessons that I walked away with was that it requires a team to see a vision through - that I do not have all the answers and that as people, it really makes a difference when we listen more.”

“The ability to captivate an audience and take them through a journey that keeps them engaged is increasingly becoming a highly sought skill and career path. As a bank for all, Nedbank is committed to providing such opportunities to young and talented people who want to make their dreams happen” explains Maseda Ratshikuni, Head: Nedbank Cause Marketing. “We have been so impressed with previous MCs of the Scholarship Awards, that they have been approached to take on further work for Nedbank and other corporates.”

Auditions for the person to fulfill this role of ‘dynamic host’ will take place around the country on the same dates as the auditions for the Scholarships themselves. There is no registration fee, and interested candidates can apply in writing, to Rahiem at rahiem@act.org.za, who will supply audition material and details. Closing date for the MC registrations is the 13th of June 2014.

Auditions will take place:
Saturday, 28 June: Durban, hosted by Stable Theatre
Monday, 30 June: Cape Town, hosted by The Stage in Bellville
Wednesday, 2 July: Port Elizabeth, hosted by the PE Opera House
Tuesday, 15 July: Johannesburg, hosted by UJ Arts Centre
Wednesday, 16 July: Johannesburg, hosted by UJ Arts Centre
Saturday, 19 July: Nelspruit, hosted by Church Unlimited (R40 Baberton Rd.)
Saturday, 26 July: Bloemfontein, hosted by the Scaena Theatre at the University of the Free State


For more information or to register for participation in the Scholarships programme, please visit www.act.org.za.

Music & Politics

They say the mind is a terrible thing to waste - yet when you utilize it to the core, they limit you. You can't do as you please, there are rules to follow. You can't say what you want - hell even I was told in a heated argument, that even freedom of speech has limits.

So does that say we need to be sheep and just follow?
For years musicians have broken free and spoken out, sung and campaigned for what they believe in. Does that make them unpatriotic for standing up against their country? Let’s look at that word...What Does It Mean to Be Patriotic? You are loyal to your country and you love your country - in plain English - love and devotion to one's country.

So does it mean when Bra Hugh spoke out against apartheid - he didn't love his country or Kanye's now famous outburst on live television of "George Bush doesn't care about people"

Well this is not to talk about who you should vote for (in future) or not vote for, but highlight that maybe when you step on to many toes – one will retaliate. Yasiin Bey - formerly Mos Def has been barred from going back home. It is unclear why he would not be permitted to re-enter the country. United States citizens retain their citizenship even if they leave the country, unless they renounce citizenship, or commit an act of treason.

Bey has canceled his U.S. tour after being denied entry into the country of his birth. The "Mathematics" rapper has been living in South Africa for some time now, has been barred by "immigration/legal issues,” according to a statement on the Boston Together Music Festival. In recent years, Bey has been increasingly critical of U.S. policies, in July 2013, Bey teamed up with the human rights group Reprieve to reenact a force-feeding such as the ones endured by hunger strikes jailed in Guantanamo Bay.

In the graphic video, Bey can be seen begging his team to stop the demonstration and breaking down in tears. Bey told Rolling Stone Magazine in March that he had found a peace in South Africa that he couldn't find in the country he once called home.

Days before the South African elections, iFani was also caught in the mix of politics when the Eastern Cape native wasn't allowed to perform at an ANC rally because he was also booked by the DA.

The late great Michael Jackson couldn't have said it any better in "They Don't Care About Us". Turn it up as I sing along.

Tell me what has become of my rights/Am I invisible because you ignore me?/Your proclamation promised me free liberty, now/ I'm tired of bein' the victim of shame /They're throwing me in a class with a bad name /I can't believe this is the land from which I came /You know I really do hate to say it /The government don't wanna see/But if Martin Luther was livin'/He wouldn't let this be, no, no.

The Catch Up