Editor’s Note
The consequences of load-shedding really became apparent to me last week when I went to Woolworths to get some groceries. While perusing the summer fruit, a man whom I’ve never met before sidled up to me and said conspiratorially: “Having a bad hair day, are we? You look a mess! Hairdryer not working? Couldn’t do your makeup in the dark? I know, I know ... load-shedding!” Before I could even formulate an outraged response he’d shuffled off.
In her weekly column, Aspasia Karras references Dr Mongane Wally Serote, who said, and I brutishly paraphrase here, “We need to regenerate the energy of our continent”. This constant load-shedding is doing the opposite — but there is light in the darkness.
Much of this issue of LifeStyle is about the creative energy of South Africans — and this is what Serote was actually talking about. Sanet Oberholzer and I interviewed the performers who will take to the stage for Joburg’s first BLK RCK Festival, which has been created to celebrate local artists who go against the grain exploring blackness in the alternative music scene.
Sunday Times alumnus Jackie May is also doing something alternative. Under the banner of her Twyg platform she’s hosting the fourth — and best so far, she says — Sustainable Fashion Awards in November. We spoke to her about the judges and what she hopes to achieve with her talented entrants.
For our entertainment page, Tymon Smith interviewed the creators of African fantasy series Blood Psalms, filmed in SA in indigenous languages and set to be a huge international hit. On our arts page we look at local artist Yolanda Mazwana, who is eliciting interest with her otherworldly female figures. Then there’s celebrity chef Zola Nene and self-taught Sinoyolo Sifo, the cooking husband, who share recipes from their recently published cookbooks.
For our more serious lead feature, Mila de Villiers spoke to three creatives about their research into the suburb of Fietas, once vibrant and colourful, before it fell to rack and ruin.
All this talent shining a light in the darkness should cheer us up a bit — and if you need some more inspiration, I have two words for you, “candles” and “braai”.
For comment, criticism or praise, please write to nagela@sundaytimes.co.za