|
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
|
Words and pic by Ulla Kelly
You have a rather glamorous image; is that the real you?
Hehe, I am what I am! I love being a woman and I take full advantage! I have been through many phases, but everything was always as understated as possible to avoid detection (I have always been a rather shy, introverted girl). Then I met my best friend, Steve. Steve loves to dress women ;-) He has the most fabulous taste and a great eye. He introduced me to ME basically and I discovered a latent passion for handbags, shoes and slinky, sexy dresses. No matter what phase I was going through though, I always had a taste that seemed to go against everyone else's and whether I liked it or not, I stood out. And that wasn't always in a good way! I find that I am ALWAYS overdressed for an occasion and it doesn't bother me at all. I dress in a way that I feel most like me and if that happens to look glam then so be it ;-) I am very into simple cuts though. I don't really like frills and fancies. It's more about what suits me and I know my limits. |
|
|
If I'm comfortable then it's working and if I'm not then it's not working and it must go! You will NEVER find me at any evening function, wearing jeans and sneakers! And I am absolutely not a T-shirt girl. I am a woman and I don't see the point of dressing any other way. I am very fortunate to be dressed by Durban-based designer, Terrence Bray who knows my tastes so well. I hardly even have to tell him what the function is and he's already designed the outfit in his head. The man's a genius! ;-)
Who are your favourite divas?
I wouldn't call her a diva but I love Charlize Theron's style. She oozes class out of every pore. She's not afraid to be daring but it always suits her because she is obviously a woman who knows her limits. From her hair right down to her beautiful shoes, she is style and grace personified.
Do you aspire to be one?
Not at all ;-) I can be outspoken if I feel strongly about something but I will never make unnecessary demands. I don't really know how to be demanding! I think one of my downfalls is that I am too soft in a rather unforgiving industry but I don't think there's anything particularly special about me that gives me the right to deserve something more than others. I don't find anything appealing about divas. What appeals to me is class and there is a way to get things done without having to throw your toys, in my humble opinion.
What’s the best thing about having a gay male friend?
Do I have to pick one?! There is never a dull moment. He is the funniest person I know! I have a gorgeous, stylish date for every function and he'll help me pick out the perfect outfit for every occasion. He is a BEAUTIFUL dancer! He is the perfect gentleman. He will hold doors open for me and always let me go first, he'll hold my handbag anytime, anyplace without any embarrassment. He has no problem with buying me underwear and always knows my size ;-) His partner will never be threatened by me! There is no sense that he is trying to compete with me. That is something I have noticed about women. They are very sensitive and can feel threatened even by their closest friends. He is a sensitive soul but he is also practical and instead of letting me wallow, he fixes it. When he sets foot in my house it immediately perks up! He just has an eye for decor and he makes it look perfect within seconds. He pays attention to everything I say and years down the line will remember what I said and buy me something I spoke about when I was 16 years old. I can sit and watch The Notebook over and over again with him and he'll unashamedly cry with me, every time but if anyone threatens me, he will happily stand in between me and them and protect me. I could go on but in short, he is my hero and there is no greater best friend for a girl to have.
You said in another interview, that gay men comment on your shoes - what do they say? What do they like about them?
I'm not sure why but it's a rare thing for me to leave a show without a gale man coming up to me and whispering conspiratorially "your shoes are BEAUTIFUL" ;) I love it because I love shoes and I have very specific tastes when it comes to the shoes I wear. They have to be classy and glamorous. I know I am generalising but I base a lot of my impressions of gay men, on my best friend, Steve and gay men have the most beautiful taste in shoes! So I consider it a huge compliment that gay men love my shoes ;-) In fact, when I go shoe shopping, Steve gets an MMS of all my favourites so I can get his opinion before I seal the deal! That's how much I value his opinion. My favourite pair is a pair he picked out for me and everyone asks me if they're from Italy but they're from Truworths sweetie ;-) They're bright red, my favourite colour and they make me feel like the sexiest woman on earth! I only recently bought flat, slip-on sandals for summer. Up until a few days ago the only shoes in my cupboard were stilettos and one pair of gym sneakers which are over 3 years old. You can see where my priorities lie! Beauty is pain darling!
Have you ever been to a drag show and if you have, what were your impressions?
I haven't specifically been to a drag show but I have been in clubs where there were many drag queens, some so beautiful I had to be told that they were men! One has to admire the kind of work that goes into an outfit like that! One of my favourite movies of all time is Priscilla, Queen of the desert. One of the funniest but also, one of the most thought-provoking movies I've ever seen. It brought a previously taboo topic, to the forefront of people's minds. I think the average Jo just didn't even bother to invest enough time and thought into what a drag queen goes through emotionally. The pressure to conform and the need to be themselves and what they go through while dealing with it, is really traumatic. But the way it was presented, so matter-of-fact and so hilarious, made it accessible to everyone which I thought was fabulous.
Would you consider singing a duet with a drag queen?
I've been asked this question in another interview but it was "would I sing a duet with a lesbian" and the answer remains the same. When I decide to sing a duet with anyone I look only at their voice, their music and their integrity as a person and as an artist. The rest is completely unimportant to me. I have very strong ideas about what makes an artist worthy of being in the limelight and their sexuality and dress sense doesn't feature anywhere in my list of prerequisites ;-)
Do you have any plans to release more Afrikaans songs?
I'm not sure. I write what I feel inspired to write and, if I get the inspiration to write one again, I will. But I can't force a song out and I don't want to try. I'm a big believer in listening to my inner voice and I've always felt that, while I am following the path I am meant to, things will always work out. It's when I try to pressure the universe, when things start to go wrong. I know that I will end up doing what I am meant to do. That's the only way I've achieved what I have.
Most South African artists understandably seem to want to succeed in other countries too; are you going anywhere and if you are, will you promise not to forget us?
I am not going anywhere ;-) I love this country. That's not to say that I won't try and promote my music elsewhere. That's a given. I love to travel and experience new things, but I am also a homebody and I will always come home. I have fans all over the world and living in South Africa doesn't mean I don't give them any attention ;-) I don't forget someone who's changed my life and I keep in touch with all of them via e-mail or Facebook, no matter how busy I am. I think it's important to have a personal connection with the people are helping you to realise your dream.
What kind of impact did it have on your life when you started to manage yourself professionally?
I learnt very quickly, to toughen up! It is very hard negotiating for oneself. I am, by nature, a quiet person and I certainly don't like to blather on about my talents! One of my pet hates is arrogance. But I have had to learn to place a value on what I do and accept that, although I love doing what I do, I also deserve to make a living doing it and I shouldn't under-sell myself. Apart from that there is a lot more running around to do and there is always something to do, apart from the actual singing. I do find the songwriting has gotten the worst end of the deal and I aim to hire someone to help out soon, so I can start focusing on writing again.
You are fast becoming the queen of green on Facebook – and no, I’m not talking about anything illegal – tell us about the Green Celebrities project – are other celebrities coming on board?
Ha ha, queen of green! I think you may have just started something there :) If I am passionate about something, it's hard to hold me back and this is something I feel strongly about. I've been recycling for a few years and have been trying to convert all my friends and family but didn't feel I should enforce it because it was my passion, not theirs. But then I had a conversation with a friend who is a scientist who works very closely with the government. We were talking about global warming and I asked her how bad the situation actually was and she basically told me it was better just to not have children! She said we had 5 years at the most, to turn it around. That scared me enough to make the decision that it was time to make my passion everybody else's problem ;) So I started with the Facebook group, Green Celebrities. And the reason I chose that name is that, I feel that celebs should be responsible. We ARE role models, whether we like it or not. What we do makes a direct impact on the people watching us. I am very aware that a lot of the people who listen to and support my music, also watch my every move and comment on it at any given time, whether it's positive or negative!! It makes sense then, that if I am setting a good example, people will not only take note, but learn from it. I think anyone in the public eye, who doesn't try and make a positive difference is being more than remiss. My hope is that the more celebrities who live "green" the more people will feel compelled to do the same thing. Bona and Angelina Jolie are good examples of celebs trying to make a difference and it gets people's attention! I haven't gotten them to join yet but I am working on it! Meanwhile I have quite a few celebrities onboard and have managed to organise quite a few radio interviews to promote the group so it is growing rapidly.
It's a powerful position to be in, where you can change lives and one that should never be abused or taken for granted. Society these days is all about "me, me, me" and that is even more evident when something goes wrong! Everybody says "what about me?" There are more important things going on and it's not all about "you" anymore. It's going to take a joint effort to fix things. People only seem to acknowledge a person's importance by how many magazines and tv shows they appear in! So I'm taking advantage of that by getting celebrities to start making a change. The thing is that everyone has a role model and they don't have to be on TV to make a difference to someone's life. We undervalue our own importance all the time. There are unsung heroes in everyone's lives, and what they do will impact directly on those who aspire to be like them.
So to cut a long enough story short, I am living green and I am encouraging not only my fellow celebrities to do the same but for everyone to join the initiative. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Details of how to join Green Celebrites:
On Facebook (just search for the group Green Celebrities)
On my Ning social network: www.greencelebrities.ning.com
Or they can email: greencelebrities@melanielowe.co.za with a request to be added to the group and they will receive updates that way. I know some people are blocked at work with social networks so I made this option available too.
Myspace or Facebook; which is more active?
For me, it's Facebook. It just worked out that way. I have a Myspace page and it's a great way to get your music heard worldwide although I also have a fanpage on Facebook which has all my songs and music videos as well. I take advantage of every social network out there though because there are so many and the more people I can reach the better. I like that you can choose who your friends are on Facebook, before they get to see your profile, so I can be selective ;) Bad experiences with a few crazies have made me wary! The internet is a great tool for networking and advertising and I take full advantage of all options!
Tell us a secret …
The thing about secrets is that...once you tell them, they somehow lose their appeal as a secret! I could tell many, and there's no question it would cause quite a stir! But there is a time and a place for everything. In my opinion there is no greater appeal than mystery and I love nothing more than to keep everybody guessing. But you never know what the future will reveal if you pay close enough attention... ;)
Heartfelt thanks to Ulla and Melanie from Gayspeak! |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
| MANFIELDS TRIP |
|
|
|
From Jaco at Manfields
“Good morning Guys
Thank you all for an absolutely unforgettable weekend.We enjoyed the weekend as much as you did.
From us as at the Manfields team, we would like to thank each and every one of you for your contribution to a fantastic time at our place in the bushveld. Without you guys, Manfields will only be another farm with a name attached to it with NO “SOUL”. You are the Soul of Manfields when you are here and when you talk to your friends about your experiences here.
A special thanks to Coenie for all the arrangements and the block booking.
You guys will always have a special place in our hearts. We also want to thank you guys for the financial support. After all, it’s your money that builds this resort day by day. We will not stop building until we have what you guys need.
Over the last year Manfields has grown a lot. For those of you who have been here in the beginning when we opened the resort, I’m sure you can see the huge difference already.
Over and above all – thank you for your friendship. Great friendships are what Manfields are all about at the end of the day.
Thank you for all the gr8 e-mails and photos that we received this morning. They will soon find their way to the Manfields website too. It really makes us as Manfields’ owners and staff feel that all the effort that we put into this new development is appreciated.
Thanks for your patience during our development phases.
Thank you - is all we can say.
We love you all in a very warm special bushveld way … ;-)
Regards
Jaco & André
Wim – (our Kitchen Mechanic)
Gerrie- (our Barman)”
Bookings are going fast for the December holidays, so book now. There are now ten cabins en suite and three tents-on-deck, as well as ample camping sites. See www.manfields.co.za |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
| |
 |
|
An exciting new online gay bookshop launched at Joburg Pride this year. Indigo Gay Books is a team effort by Michelle Kneisel, Michelle Mee (the two Michelle’s that brought us Ultra Violet Book Café and Ultra Violet Lesbian Books) and Eugene Mouton.
Indigo Gay Books, in association with Ultra Violet Lesbian Books will have a book stall at Pride, showcasing a variety of genres: romance, erotica, memoirs, science fiction, photography and poetry (to name just a few).
|
|
Pastor Philip Liebenberg, the author of Daar’s ‘n gay pastoor in my kop will also be at the launch of Indigo Gay Books and will be available for book signing and will also be available to answer any questions about his book. He will be available from 13:00.
Indigo Gay Books and Ultra Violet Lesbian Books have a bit of history, starting with the emergence of Ultra Violet Book Cafe in Melville in 2002 – a bookshop, in Second Avenue, Melville that catered for the entire Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender community. The shop moved from Melville to the Roosevelt Park, where it was run as an online bookshop, with a monthly open day. The shop eventually closed in 2005.
Even back then, they had an online shop that took orders and supplied books to people all over the country. In May 2008 the bookshop was re-launched as an online lesbian book shop called Ultra Violet Lesbian Books. Ultra Violet Lesbian Books is going from strength to strength and it was decided to launch an online book shop for gay men, Indigo Gay Books.
Indigo Gay Books aims to be a one-stop book shop. Most mainline book shops do not seem to cater for their gay clientele and only stock a limited number of gay themed books, but Indigo Gay Books aim to change this, by providing an easy, convenient, one-stop shopping experience- at very affordable prices.
You can visit Indigo or Ultra Violet at following online locations:
Indigo:
www.indigogaybooks.co.za
Ultra Violet:
www.ultra-violet.co.za |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Gay Cape Town , Gay Travel Packages - PINK TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE!
South Africa`s leading gay travel websites namely www.capetown.tv , www.hotpinkdeals.co.za , www.sleepwithus.co.za and www.drivewithus.co.za cover every aspect of gay travel. We welcome all visitors, from within South Africa and from around the world, to our comprehensive online travel service. We offer luxury accommodation, spectacular gay-friendly venues , gay safaris , gay adventure packages, helicopter to yacht cruises, luxury car hire-and much more . We cover the entire gay-friendly spectrum and, as you will see from our website, what we can offer is growing every day. This year our company is celebrating eight years of service to the community and international travelers. For further information please contact us info@capetown.tv . Don't just Dream it: live it! The Hottest in Gay travel - www.capetown.tv - the best Cape Town Accommodation right here. |
| |
| www.hotpinkdeals.co.za |
|
Party recommendation: |
|
MCQP 2008 - Lights, Camera, Action!
Where: Harrington Street, Cape Town (Outside Assembly)
When: 20 Dec 2008 @ 20:00
VIP Access - Early Bird R400
General Admission - Early Bird R200
See www.mcqp.co.za |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
ACCEPTANCE SPEECH DELIVERED AT THE PINK BALL IN CAPE TOWN FOR THE PRIDE HERO AWARD
More than three years ago, I walked into a restaurant in the Menlyn Shopping Centre in Pretoria. The next day I told the reporter who broke the story into the media, that I enjoyed a last evening out. I further told him that I don’t think that I will be able to show my face in public again.
On the 13th of August this year, on the last day of the court case between the Dutch Reformed Church Moreletapark and myself, I again found myself in the Menlyn shopping centre; walking into a restaurant. It was the same restaurant that I walked in more than three years ago. I was able to show my face in public with no regret. With no shame. |
|
The three years in between was in no uncertain terms an easy period in my life. My employer, as the court later said in its judgement, unfairly discriminated against me.
They did not discriminate against me because I am a Christian; they did not discriminate against me because of some or other paraplegic condition. No. They discriminated against me, because I am of homosexual orientation, and they believed that this condition could be cured.
I was therefore reduced to my sexuality: never mind the quality of my work, never mind my professionalism, never mind my person as a whole. Just sexuality.
I want to state in no uncertain terms, that this case was not a fight against religious freedom or against the Christian Church. It was a battle against an employer and their discriminative practices.
Being gay does not disqualify you to have a job. Being gay does not disqualify you to be in a long term relationship. Being gay does not disqualify you to have religious believes.
My life is nothing of glorious status since the judgement was read as some may think, and I will not begin to delve into the issues that I struggle with daily, a summary or broad discussion is all that is needed to visually see the variables that need to be expressed and then dealt with. When I pictured my life growing up I thought that the perfect dream come true would be simple, to be able to settle down and to have a steady job, to be able to instil into others the things that you yourself where taught and that you learned to be able to give yourself whole heartedly to your spouse and to your family.
Therefore, I just did what was necessary. I decided not to sit in a corner and let it happen to me again – I decided to give face and voice to discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation.
But, in the words of Antonio Porchia: “A door opened to me, but I am faced with a hundred closed doors”. Let us therefore take hands as family, and break down this unspeakable divide, as we did with apartheid. It was never necessary for me to raise my voice – I only had to improve my argument.
Therefore, ladies and gentleman, it is a humbling honour to stand here tonight and receive this recognition. I am truly moved by this gesture.
I would like to dedicate this honour to two very special people in my life, and that is my legal team James Spies and Ronel Tolmay. Without their insight, passion, patience and persistence, none of this would be possible. A heart felt thanks to them.
Olive Schreiner wrote in 1883 in a Story of an African Farm: “I do not ask for wisdom, not human love, not work, not knowledge, not for all things I have longed for…only a little freedom from pain!”
Don’t allow anyone to take away your human love, your work, your knowledge and all the things you’ve longed for. You do not deserve pain.
A last word: do not only believe and build your hope on this judgement, but take responsibility for your own freedom.
Thank you.
As a direct result of the judgement in this particular case, a lot of people contacted me to share their stories, and I realised that they are also faced with closed doors: the financial implications of litigation can be very costly. I therefore decided to start the Equality Trust as a direct result of what happened to me, and is still happening to others. If you would like to get involved or contribute to this fund and to ensure that this does not happen to another person, please contact me at equality@24.com.
Johan Strydom.
(See also: www.news24.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PINK UBUNTU
Jou ma se pride!
The Annual General Meeting for Cape Town Pride was held at The Loft on 11 October 2008. I do hope the poor attendance of this meeting is no indication of the level of interest in Pride amongst the Cape Town LGBT community.
Eighteen people attended this very important meeting regarding Pride and I do not understand why. Pride is the one event that unites the LGBT community and brings us to the attention of the wider community. Thousands of people benefit from Pride. Where were they? Where were the other organisations who claim to represent the LGBT community?
Despite the disappointing attendance, one could feel the enthusiasm for Pride and all its accompanying events from the members of the Board who were present.
Ian McMahon chaired the meeting for the last time. Glenn de Swardt takes over from him as chairperson of the Board. Other changes to the Board include three resignations and three new members.
Brian Kruger, the festival director, gave a quick summation of the financial situation for 2007 and 2008, as well as a preview of the difficulties to be faced in securing corporate and other sponsorships for 2009, in the current difficult economic climate.
Gunther Dippenaar gave a quick run-through of some of the events that took place after Pride this year, including a movie club premiere and the protest against Jon Qwelane.
Mention was made of the fact that queer politics will have to be addressed in the year ahead, in order to get more LGBT organisations involved.
Pride is where and how we place ourselves “out there”. Let us all be there!
- By Shiralee Beeslaar |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Hierdie teater het sy ontstaan gehad as gevolg van die behoefte wat daar tans in Pretoria en omgewing bestaan om ‘n platvorm te skep vir opkomende kunstenaars, waar hulle kan optree sonder enige verpligtinge. Talle van die huidige teaters is buite die bereik van nuwe kunstenaar as gevolg van finansiële omstandighede. (huur van teaters is onbekostigbaar, en hulle verpligting om dan te verseker dat die vertonings tenvolle uitverkoop word, maak dit buite bereik van talle goeie opkomende kunstenaars.)
Die teater se groot doel dien as gemeenskapsprojek deur die bevordering van kunstenaars hetsy, Sang, Instrumentaal, Drama ens en tesame met die Studio as opleidings sentrum ge-oog merk om werkskepping te bevorder. |
|
Hierdie projek word ten volle ondersteun deur die “Akademie vir Ligte Musiek van S.A. (ALMSA)”.
Die stigter, Mnr Dries Petzer het 17 jaar ondervinding in die musiek bedryf. Hy is was voltyds betrokke by die “Akademie vir Ligte Musiek van S.A.(ALMSA)”, wat gegradeerde eksamens afneem in Ligte musiek landswyd. ALMSA is enig in sy soort ter werêld wat gegradeerde eksamens afneem in Ligte musiek.
Hier het hy tot die besef gekom dat daar ‘n ongelooflike aantal talentvolle persone (potensiele kunstenaars) is wat nooit die geleentheid sal kry, om as volwaardige kunstenaars te ontwikkel nie, en ook nie die geleentheid gebied sal word vir optredes in teaters nie, om sodoende hulleself bekend te stel aan die breë publiek nie. Hulle sal sodoende ook nie die geleentheid kry om dalk in die toekoms hulle eie CD’s vry te stel nie.
Die naam van die teater is afkomstig uit pragtige idiome wat in die Afrikaanse taal voorkom. Hierdie idiome sal gebruik word as temas vir elke vertoning en gekomineer gaan word met musiek. Bv “As die kat weg is, is die muis baas” dit word nou “As die kat weg is, is musiek baas….”
Die huidige perseel huisves tussen 40 en 50 gaste per vertoning en dus gaan daar ‘n meer gesellige en huislike atmosfeer geskep word. Vertonings vind plaas op Vrydae- en Saterdae-aande, asook Sondagmiddag etensuurkonserte.
Gaste wat Saterdagaande se vertoning bywoon, kom vroeër bymekaar en kuier saam die middag deur sport te kyk en vleis te braai, en daarna die vertoning later die aand te geniet.
Die kostes aan die vertonings beloop tans R110.00 per persoon, en dit sluit ‘n maaltyd in.
Kunstenaars ontvang ‘n nominale vergoeding aangesien hulle ook uitgawes het, onderandere vervoerkostes ens. Die doel is om vertonings bekostigbaar te maak vir die publiek. Die duur van die vertonings is in die omgewing van 1 tot 1½ uur. Hierna word daar rustig gekuier en die gaste kry dan die geleentheid om met die kunstenaar gesellig te verkeer en hom/haar beter te leer ken.
Ondervinding het bewys dat teatergangers nie altyd die hoë kostes van die kaartjies van die bestaande teaters wil betaal nie veral in die huidige ekonomiese toestand maar wil tog graag vertonings bywoon. Vir hierdie redes verkies talle persone om hierdie tipe vertonings by te woon en te ondersteun, veral omdat dit dien as ‘n gemeenskaps projek.
Kunstenaars wat reeds by ons optree is het is onder andere Izak Davel (ook beter bekend as “SCAB” van Egoli ). Hy is ook ‘n oudleerling van ALMSA. Izak het ook sy Graad 8 Sangeksamens by ALMSA voltooi. Hy het ook onlangs sy debuut album vrygestel.
Tesame met Izak het Hendrik Britz wat ‘n panfluitspeler is opgetree. Hendrik het geen formele opleiding ontvang in panfluit nie. Hy speel absoluut op gehoor en het homself geleer om die panfluit te speel. Hendrik het reeds sy eerste CD vrygestel genaamd “ Pie Jesu”
Die teater word tans gehuisves te Van Nikkelen str 37 Elarduspark.
Kursusse wat onderandere aangebied gaan word by die studio is:
Musiek klasse: Instrumente: Klavier, Klawerbord, Kitaar, Viool Trompet, Sang, Musiek Teorie, Dwarsfluit, Panfluit. Ander instrumente sal op versoek aangebied kan word. Die sillabus van ALMSA sal gevolg word aangesien dit nasionaal erken word deur die Onderwys Departement. Klasse sal aangebied word deur opgeleide personeel in hulle vak gebied. Ons beoog om onder andere Charl du Plessis te kry vir die Klavier onderrig. Hy is tans deeltydse dosent verbonde aan die Universiteit van Pretoria en die begeleier van Nataniel.
Drama Klasse – Hierdie klasse sal aangebied word deur Daleen Joubert & Phillip Davel (Die broer van Izak Davel) sal nou betrokke wees in die drama departement met Choriografie. Hy sal ook betrokke wees met die produksie van ‘n musiek blyspel wat beplan word. Hierdie produksie sal in die teater aangebied word. Beplanning is dat ons hierdie produksie later dan ook in ander teaters, ander skole en lokale landswyd kan gaan aanbied. Sodoende kry ons leerlinge meer blootstelling aan die bree publiek.
Kuns Klasse – Klasse word aangebied in alle vorme van verf kuns (alle tipes). Die klasse sal aangebied word Me Annatjie vd Walt. Haar werke is in verskeie publikasie van die “Daan Retief” uitgewers se kunsboeke gebruik. Sy het ook ‘n werkskepping projek in Wakkerstroom behartig, waar persone opgelei is in glas kunswerk. Hierdie projek was deur die Departement van Mannekrag gefinansier. Hierdie produkte word wêreldwyd versprei.
Naaldwerk – Die afdeling word behartig deur Me Lidia du Toit. Sy bied op ‘n gereelde basis kursusse aan vir die Departement van Mannekrag.
Blomme Rangskikkings – Hierdie opleiding sal waargeneem word deur ‘n persoon wat reeds hierdie tipe klasse aanbied vir bloemistes. Ons is tans in onderhandelings met ‘n instansie om die nodige persoon aan ons beskikbaar te stel.
Besigheids Bestuur – Aangesien ons oogmerk werkskepping is, is dit van kardinale belang dat ons leerlinge ook Besigheid Bestuur opleiding ontvang. Hierdie afdeling sal deur ‘n persoon van UNISA of die Universiteit van Pretoria aangebied word (Onderhandelings is tans aan die gang om die geskikte persoon te bekom). Hierdie kursus sal ook aan reeds gevestigde besighede bemark word vir hulle bestuurs personeel).
Ander kursusse word vir die toekoms beplan sodra ons gevestig is, onderandere: Modelwerk, Tuin uitleg, Rekenaar klasse, Pilates & Joga klasse, Dans, Porselein klasse ens.
Die teater sal ook as uitstalling perseel op ‘n permanente basis vir hierdie afdelings dien. Hiermee kan persone hulle produkte ten toonstel en verkoop, en sodoende finansies vir hulself ginireer.
U sal merk dat die kursusse wat ons beplan om aan te bied toe gespits is op werkskepping. Alle sillabusse wat gebruik word tydens die opleiding, sal amptelik erkenning ontvang deur een of ander Staat Departement. Die gevolg is dat ons leerlinge volwaardig gekwalifiseer is en beroeps ge-orienteerd sal wees.
Die bestuur van die teater word behartig deur Dries Petzer en Karen Grobbelaar.
Musikale Groete
Dries Petzer “
Van Nikkellen str 37
Elarduspark
Pretoria
Kontak Besonderhede vir bespreking : (072) 390-7865
Kontak Dries - www.segoedteater.co.za |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Encapsulated by solid rock faces, it provides a tranquil haven for the city dweller to unwind. Lush scenery and natural beauty merge to create a place of style and comfort. Mutango Lodge is set amongst beautiful Boekenhout trees at the foot of the Bobbejaansberg.
The chalets, all with en-suite bathrooms are secluded and designed to invite nature in to do a bit of therapeutic bath time pampering. For those cold winter months, under floor heating is standard in all villas.
At Mutango Lodge you will find idyllic surroundings and personal service to accompany perfect peace in every season. On hot summer days, guests can take a refreshing dip in the pool or simply relax in the shadow-dappled gardens... |
|
|
For the more adventurous, Mutango offers natural abseiling tracks: allow our professionals to guide you through 52 exciting, separately graded tracks. Name your adventure, we’ll create it!
For the nature lover, Mutango Lodge is a bird watcher’s paradise. Located inside the Diamond Birding route, it features over 350 indigenous bird species, bringing vibrant life to meandering trails across the estate.
To top off your day, make your way up to our caves and absorb the breathtaking sunset at the end of the day. This is brilliantly accompanied by the cry of the Fish-Eagle in this Clivia Haven called Mutango Lodge..."
See: www.mutango.co.za |
| |
COMPETITION! |
|
One couple can win a weekend away to Mutango Lodge. All you have to do is go to their website www.mutangolodge.co.za and answer this easy question: Name two activities which are on offer at Mutango Lodge? E-mail your answers to: wbvd@law.co.za with "lodge" in the header.
Closing date for this competition is 28 November 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
AMANDA STRYDOM – STATE OF THE HEART DVD OPNAME
Ek is so bly ek het gegaan. Kosie Smit (die producer) het ons gul ontvang en ons het na die tyd Miss M ontmoet - en daar sê sy toe ek my self voorstel: "Haaaai aarde! Uiteindelik liefie! Ag dis nou lekker om jou te ontmoet!” en ons druk en als.
Ek het skoon gebloos! Babie en Jandré ook voorgestel.
Dit was 'n eer! Ons het elkeen CD's gekoop - Babie beide State of the Heart (haar heel eerste vollengte stuk wat sy geskryf het) en Kerse Teen die Donker en ek die Kerse ene.
|
|
Ons het oppad terug op die laannng pad van Roodepoort na Pretoria daarna geluister. Dis absoluut ‘n moet vir enige versameling en ek oordryf nie.
Rain (snit 3) is definitief my song van die jaar!
Amanda-hulle is besig om al haar stukke op DVD op te neem, om, soos sys ê, “dit vir die nageslag te bewaar, want ek word nie jonger nie – ek is al amper ‘n bas!”. ;-).
State of the Heart was die eerste van die reeks en die res sal volg. Skaf dit aan - dit gaan nog digitale Afrikana word.
|
|
OPTREDES VIR NOV. EN DES.:
27 November: Tramonto Country Lodge,George : 044 870 7150
6 Desember: Ken McKenzie Auditorium ,Drakensberg Boys Choir School : 036 468 1012
20 Desember: Bravo fees,Mosselbaai
26 Desember: Potter's Place,Jeffreysbaai : 042 293 2500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Amanda en Gerard van Maasakkers
|
|
|
|
Amanda het goedgunstiglik die onderhoud aan ons beskikbaar gestel wat gevoer is met Gaykrant, die oudste gay publikasie in Nederland, waarin sy o.a. haar lewe, Suid-Afrika, haar groot gay ‘fanbase’ en Johannes Kerkorrel se dood bespreek.
Op verzoek van Gay Krant ontmoet de Brabantse singer/songwriter Gerard van Maasakkers voor de derde keer in zijn leven de Zuid-Afrikaanse zangeres/kleinkunstenares Amanda Strydom, die op handen wordt gedragen door onder meer Hans Schiffers en Stef Bos.Voor één keer keert Van Maasakkers terug naar zijn ouwe vak, dat van interviewer. In een ruimte van Koninklijk Theater Carré – waar zij per se wil mogen roken, en hij per se niet - vraagt hij haar naar haar artistieke kracht, haar land en daarin de toekomst – van onder meer haar forse gay following.
|
|
TEKST: Rits de Wit
FOTO: Geert van Tol
Gerard: “Ik heb je twee keer zien optreden, in Stellenbosch en in Oss. Wat me opvalt is dat jij mensen steevast in vervoering brengt. In Zuid-Afrika was het publiek divers, ouders met hun volwassen kinderen, met hun vrienden; je raakte ze allemaal. Heb je daar een verklaring voor?”
Amanda: “Eh, nee. Haha!”
“Zal ik het eens proberen?”
“Alsjeblief, schat.”
“Of je teksten nou gaan over een mens alleen of over het grote politieke verhaal van Zuid-Afrika, er is altijd hoop.”
“Ja, alsjeblief! Als je de hoop verliest, verlies je alles. Ik woon in een verscheurd land, dat steeds opnieuw geboorte moet geven aan zichzelf, waar mensen elkaar haten alleen omdat ze anders zijn; blank, zwart, gay of van een andere religie. Als ik op het podium sta vind ik het belangrijk om mensen te raken, even te genezen of weg te voeren naar een andere wereld waar het mooi is. Maar waar ook de realiteit leeft. Want ik vind het belangrijk om over wezenlijke kwesties in mijn land te zingen. Wat overigens bijna altijd universele onderwerpen blijken, want als ik in Nederland zing, reageren mensen op hetzelfde.”
“Ja, dat vind ik zo opmerkelijk. In Zuid-Afrika snap ik het, maar in Nederland… ja, hier ook wel een beetje; het publiek selecteert zichzelf, mensen die openstaan voor jouw verhaal, die komen luisteren. Maar in Zuid-Afrika werkt het veel krachtiger, veel meer van onderen; in Stellenbosch zat ik met tranen in de ogen omdat ik voelde dat de mensen om me heen hoop hadden. Maar nu is president Mbeki afgetreden; wat krijgen jullie daarvoor in de plaats?”
“Dat weet ik niet, en dat is moeilijk. Maar je moet hoop blijven houden. Het volk begrijpt nog niet dat het de macht in handen heeft. De democratie is nog zo’n kleine baby; de mensen vatten nog niet wat de kracht van stemrecht is. Maar dat komt goed. Ik maak me momenteel vooral zorgen om de jeugd, die zich niet verbonden voelt met dat wat de eerdere generatie heeft bewerkstelligd. Voorvaders als Mandela, Oliver Tambo, die zich hebben opgeofferd om te zorgen dat wij vandaag vrijheid kunnen genieten. De jeugd kijkt alleen maar naar Amerika. Luistert naar Amerikaanse muziek, wil rijk worden en snel ook. De jeugd - blank én zwart - wil alles hebben, maar niks investeren. Rijk wordt in Zuid-Afrika trouwens steeds rijker, arm steeds armer. Die kloof is enorm. Alle beloftes die in 1994 (Mandela werd democratisch gekozen tot president, red.) zijn gedaan, wat is ervan geworden?”
“Iedereen een stenen huis, bijvoorbeeld.”
“Ja. Hoop op een betere toekomst, voor iedereen. Maar de balans is zoek. Het land concentreert zich op de World Cup 2010, er wordt geïnvesteerd in vliegvelden, in een spoor van Johannesburg naar Pretoria, terwijl er nog genoeg mensen zijn die honger hebben, zonder elektriciteit zitten, water moeten gaan halen met een emmer. Terwijl er mensen overlijden in ziekenhuizen omdat het personeel zit te slapen of niet is opgeleid. Maar ik wil de hoop niet opgeven. Ik wil een kaars zijn die in het donker brandt. Dat zie ik als mijn plicht.”
“Een plicht, oké, maar hou je het ook vol? Het is het wel waard: als ik in Zuid-Afrika kom, denk ik telkens: als het goed komt met dit land, is het een van de prachtigste plekken op de wereld om te wonen.”
“Ja! Het zou het paradijs kunnen zijn! Maar er is nog zoveel werk te verzetten. Elke keer als ik mijn land verlaat vraag ik me af hoe het zal zijn als ik terugkom. Nu is Mbeki er ineens niet meer, en Trevor Manuel - minister van financiën - evenmin, terwijl die zijn werk heel goed deed. Wie en wat komt er nu? Ik weet het niet. Wat ik weet is dat ik in- en uitadem. Dat ik mijn stem heb. Dat ik kan zingen. Dat is niet het antwoord op de grote problemen in mijn land. Maar wel mijn inbreng, mijn medicijn. En ik heb het voordeel dat ik mij begeef onder muzikanten; een soort mensen - zo blijkt telkens - dat nauwelijks of geen vooroordelen heeft. En dat is maar goed, want de nieuwe apartheid - tussen arm en rijk, tussen hen die eerlijk hun plicht doen en hen die zich met corruptie ophouden - kan ik niet verdragen.
Mijn moeder kan dat fantastisch relativeren. Nu ik in Nederland ben, moet ik elke dag even verslag doen aan haar. ‘Ma, ik heb hier heerlijk geshopt en fantastisch gegeten. Maar ik maak me zorgen over wat er aan de hand is in Zuid-Afrika. Ik heb op CNN gezien dat Trevor Manuel heeft bedankt, en andere ministers.’Gisteren smste ze me terug: ‘Maak je geen zorgen over Zuid-Afrika. God is in beheer, en als je terugkomt is Evita Bezuidenhout* president’. Haha, dat zou mooi zijn, ja.”
“Het lied Foto 1974 op je nieuwe cd gaat over een klassenfoto. Wie van die klasgenoten – met ‘muurblomme en seksbomme, die bang gays in die kas’- zou je nu nog kunnen vertrouwen? Er zijn immers veel witte mensen die de Apartheid weer terug willen. Die het verschrikkelijk vinden dat er zwarten in de regering zitten. Zie je dat? Ken je dat?”
“Ik zie nog steeds de blinde haat, ja. Maar ook zo duidelijk de andere kant, het wonder van de versoening. Dat zie ik aan de kinderen die nu samen naar school gaan; zwart, wit, bruin. Een vriendin vertelde me pas dat haar dochtertje van school terug kwam en tegen haar zei, over een klasgenootje: ‘Mama, wist jij dat Timbi zwart is?’ Kijk aan, dat is onze toekomst.”
“Mooi, maar dat zijn over tien jaar de kinderen waar je het net over had, die allemaal alleen maar snel rijk willen worden.”
“Ja, mogelijk. Wat ik bij hen mis is een zeker patriottisme, zoals wij dat hadden toen ik kind was. Die trots. Zoals ik die nu weer voelde met de Paralympics. Terwijl wij met de Olympische Spelen maar één medaille scoorden, boekten we met onze gehandicapte Bladerunner Oscar Pistorius en zwemster Nathalie du Toit - they call her the Flying Fish - grote successen. Met geen arm of met geen been, zij zijn Zuid Afrika’s trots. Dat is zo symbolisch voor dit land, dat - ondanks dat het gestremd is – kan opstaan. Het is met moeite geboren, en leert met moeite lopen. Maar het léért. Zo is ons land een van de eerste waar het gay-huwelijk mogelijk is. Twee weken geleden was ik bij de huwelijksplechtigheid van twee van mijn vriendjes. Wat een lieflijke gebeurtenis was dat. Op een grote lodge buiten Johannesburg in een lapa – vier palen met een rieten dak - , alles versierd met strikjes en linten en de mannen zo deftig in hun zwarte pakken. Ik zong Summertime. Het was zo’n mooie sfeer. Zelfs de ex-lover van de een was erbij. Hij stond – net buiten het rieten dak – met een zakdoek. En een camera. En met een heel groot glas Scotch, haha.”
“De situatie voor gays is een stuk verbeterd. Kan ik in Zuid-Afrika nu hand in hand lopen met mijn vriend? In Nederland doe ik het niet.”
“In Kaapstad, ja. In Johannesburg, ja. In Bloemfontein, voorzichtig. Het is nog in proces. Er zijn nog steeds veel mannen en vrouwen die niet uit de kast komen. Die soms wel met hun partner samenleven, maar toch niet out zijn.”
“Zoals jouw collega Johannes Kerkorrel, toch? Hij was een van de eerste Zuid-Afrikaanse zangers die ik leerde kennen. Ik zat in de auto en hoorde hem op de radio Onder in mijn whiskyglas van Koos Kombuis zingen. Ik was diep onder de indruk. Sindsdien heb ik hem gevolgd. Terwijl hij een dappere voorvechter was, zoals jij, durfde hij toch niet voor zijn geaardheid uit te komen. Wat zegt dat over een land, denk ik dan.”
“Hij was gay, ja. Hij was van the love that dares not mention its name. Maar na verloop van tijd – en toen was ik heel trots op hem – he came out. Openlijk. De laatste jaren van zijn leven leefde hij openlijk met Dimitri, zijn geliefde. Hij heeft heel veel pijn gehad van zijn vorige vriend, Karel, die zelfmoord pleegde. Ik heb veel met Kerkorrel gepraat, zelfs nog twee weken voor zijn dood. Hij was erg bedrukt, hij had enorme financiële problemen en ook hij wilde niet meer leven. Zijn dood was voor mij verschrikkelijk. Het gerucht dat hij vermoord zou zijn, is onzin. Het is een romantisch idee, daar houden mensen van, maar het is niet waar. Hij heeft zijn eigen leven beëindigd. Niemand kon hem helpen. Op zijn computer had hij aan zijn nieuwe cd gewerkt en die is toen gecrasht; niets kon hij meer terugvinden. Dat was de laatste druppel. Opmerkingen als ‘morgen komt het vast allemaal goed’ kon hij niet meer horen.”
“Daar hebben wij in het Nederlands een woord voor: dooddoeners.”
“Dooddoeners? Zijn dat mensen die zelfmoord plegen?”
“Haha, wat mooi, nee! Dat zijn... nietszeggende argumenten. Maar je hebt een mooi lied voor Kerkorrel geschreven. Jij schrijft, net als ik, vaak verhalen over de enkeling. Daarbij denken mensen die niet goed luisteren dat het alleen over die ene persoon gaat.”
“Ja, terwijl er altijd méér is. Het is altijd een schets van iets universeels, van een maatschappelijk verschijnsel, dat je tussen de regels door kunt proeven. Jij voelt dat sowieso aan, Gerard. Omdat ook jij kunstenaar bent. En daar heel sensitief in bent.”
“Zoals ik mij liet raken door jouw Vrou By Die Spieël; over een vrouw - zoals wel vaker in jouw liedjes – die zichzelf vergeet, ondanks wat ze is. Toen ik je dat live hoorde zingen was ik moe en had ik de avond ervoor veel gedronken, misschien dat het daardoor extra hard aankwam; alles om me heen vergat ik. Maar het blijft een mooi compliment voor jou.”
“Ah ja dankie! Ja, die ‘vrou by die spieël’ heeft een bochel. Ze woont alleen in een flat, met uitzicht op de Kentucky Fried Chicken, de gehandicaptenschool en de Pick’n Pay-supermarkt. ’s Avonds schenkt ze zich een glas in en gaat ze naakt voor de spiegel staan. Ze begint te dansen. Hoe sneller en passievoller zij danst, hoe rapper haar bochel verdwijnt. Alles wat donker was, wordt verlicht. Morgen, denkt ze dan, ga ik een rooie jurk kopen.”
“Die zin, ja. Het hele lied, maar specifiek die zin! Zo van: ‘ja, nu ga ik het doen’. Hoopvoller kan het niet. En dan geen fletse jurk, nee, een rooie.”
“Inderdaad. Het is iets universeels, zo van: wat jou ook terughoudt, wat je ook als last ervaart, zodra je er licht bij laat, het positief bekijkt, krijgt het een kans.”
Wat heeft bijvoorbeeld bij jou licht – en daarmee een kans – gekregen?
Amanda: “Het zingen in mijn eigen taal. Ik heb in Amerikaanse musicals, Engelse toneelstukken en televisieseries gespeeld, ik wilde een internationale ster zijn en Engels was de internationale taal. Het Zuid-Afrikaans vond ik de taal van de onderdrukker, de Zuid-Afrikaanse muziek bestond uit boerendeunen en van die vreselijke vertalings van Duitse schlagers. Ik wilde iets classy doen met mijn leven. In 1994 ontmoette ik jullie Stef Bos. Na afloop van een voorstelling van mijn State Of The Heart. Hij was het die me overtuigde om mijn eigen teksten te schrijven en deze op het podium te brengen. In het Zuid-Afrikaans. Ja, I fell in love with my own language.”
Klopt het dat je ook verliefd bent op Gerards muziek?
“Jazeker! Het is zo mooi en intiem. Het verhaal van die zoon en de boerderij, Achter de schuur, dat vind ik zó prachtig. Gerard had me gevraagd om op zijn nieuwste cd, die nu net uit is, een liedje van hem te zingen in het Afrikaans, maar ik vind zijn accent, het Brabánts, heel moeilijk te vertalen. Wat Gerard doet met zijn liedjes, dat is wat ik ook probeer te doen. Het is poëzie, het is zo’n fijn gebruik van woorden. Ik luister vaak naar je, want, Gerard, zoals jij hoop hoort in mijn muziek, zo geef jij mij troost.”
*een creatie van cabaretier Pieter Dirk Uys |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Gayspeak het maar min gedigte geplaas in die verlede, maar hierdie twee het my onlangs getref en beide debuteer hier met die toestemming van die digters. Hannes Greyling is nog bitter jonk, ‘n student aan TUT, en Kabous Verwoed is alreeds ‘n bekende naam in die bedryf. Die een gay, die ander straight, maar beide gedigte verdien vermelding. |
| |
 |
|
Rooiwyn - Hannes Greyling
Ek wil rooiwyn drink en vir jou gedigte lees
Jou vertel van my droom om langs jou te wees
In 'n Vrystaatveld onder miljoene sterre.
Ek wil saam met jou luister na die somerreën
En jou trane wegvee, een vir een
As ons saam stap deur duisende jakarandabloeisels.
Ek wil my kop op jou bors rus en luister
as jy vir my jou liefdesbeloftes fluister
my vertel ek is die een uit honderde wie jy begeer.
Ek wil my spieëlbeeld in jou oë vasvang
In jou stem hoor dat jy na my verlang
As ek jou met my laaste sente bel.
Ek wil rooiwyn drink en vir jou gedigte skryf
Maar my wyn is op, en my pen is leeg. |
| |
|
|
|
|
Hier - Kabous Verwoed
Hier waar niemand
ooit verder as die branders kyk nie,
hier waar niemand
ooit van die teer afwyk nie.
Hier gebeur selde iets nuuts
en hou dit selde op.
Hier vergaan alles
op ‘n belooide
platgeslaande manier.
Hier het die oomblik
soms blou kolle aan haar bo-arms
en dra sy soms in die aand
haar donkerbril.
Maar dis okay.
Dis beautiful op ‘n sad way.
Hier.
Hier waar die woedende son
iets van reën suggereer.
Hier waar die loeiende sirens
van ongeluk en dood
ook hoop, verlossing
en ‘n sterile eindpunt belowe.
Hier het ons nie eintlik ‘n uitsig nie
maar ons sien alles,
glo min
en vertrou niemand nie.
Hier is waar ons bly,
en ek ken dit hier.
My droombord
het nie genoeg letters
om hierdie droom raak te vat,
of die idee van hier
te omsingel nie.
Hier is ons veilig.
Omring deur doringdraad bly ons hier.
Doringdraad my engel.
En die ding van doringdraad
wat jy moet weet,
is dat dit na alle kante toe sny.
Selfs hier.
Waar ek jou van voor af kan liefkry. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
DOWWE DOLLA - Nov 25
Dowwe Dolla is celebrating her 10th year of performing, having finished a three-week-degree in medicine at the University of Cuba. She is now back in South Africa to cure our ill country! (She took such good care of Fidel Castro that he retired.) Due to all the strikes in the medical sector, Dolla is now in charge of the Binnewand Hospital: the only doctor on duty in the Emergency Unit to have majored in the first 4 seasons of 'Grey's Anatomy'. This is also a great opportunity for Dolla to doctor ESKOM's little problems, and she gives out tips for what to do in the dark! As always, Dolla has her finger on the pulse of our land (even though that pulse has moved a little south). |
| |
|
|
 |
|
LIZ MEIRING - Dec 9
It would be a lie to say that Lizz Meiring is anything but talented. This versatile entertainer is not only an actress on stage and screen, but also a vocal artist, writer, journalist and public speaker. She may have started her career 24 years ago, but this workaholic hasn't slowed down. With 306 stage and 257 television productions under her belt, Liz was awarded for her work with the 2004 Ster-Kinekor /Nu Metro Spotlight Award for the Best Television and Film Actress of the past Decade. Her one woman show, 'Elke Ander Duim 'n Dame', was released on DVD last year, while Her most recent stage production, 'Sing', recently debuted at the Promusica Theatre in Roodepoort. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Cradled in the heart of the heart of the Randpark Village Centre in Randpark Ridge, La Bella Donna Skin and Beauty Clinic is the perfect escape from the hurried pressures forced upon us in today’s emphatic lifestyle. A serene salon that caters for all your beauty and de-stressing needs. Our facilities not only include your standard nail, massage and waxing facilities, but also a sun bed and several slimming facilities. Above all, our male and female therapists will ensure that you leave our salon feeling pampered, relaxed and completely rejuvenated. We also provide customised bridal party packages, couples treats and cater for corporate company needs. The perfect gift to give the perfect management team. So give us a call and come experience relaxation at its very best on 011 791 6348. |
| |
 |
| |
| COMPETITION! |
|
Question: Apart from nail, massage, waxing and sun bed, what other treatments does La Bella Donna offer?
Send Answers to: z_cronje@vodamail.co.za Subject: La Bella Donna Competition
First Prize: R300
Second Prize: R200
Third Prize: R100
Services to the value mentioned above or off any treatments. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
(by Ulla Kelly)
Who is Heidi Van Kleef?
A small town girl who dreams of becoming a broadway star. She has made the first step and relocated to the City from a place called VanKleeffsdorp (a small town in a small independent country called Purnania). She writes home to family and friends about the glamour and glory of the entertainment industry, but everything in the city is not what she thought it would be. She keeps a daily diary of her experiences and files the letters she writes back and forth to her hometown, which will be launched in blog form soon. In the meantime, you can track her down on Facebook. |
|
|
|
First of all, given how frequently labels can expand and change these days, is "drag queen" even still a politically correct/applicable term?
Well if you are one, then it is proper to refer to you as such, the same with when someone at work or at home is being a real prick. Personally I prefer drag artist. Heidi is not the artist, but rather the art piece. I find it fascinating the greyed-out boundaries between the artwork and the artist when it comes to playing Heidi.
Not all drag queens are queer ... are you?
I like boys! In the morning, - the afternoon and evening. And yes, regardless of whether I am in character or just at home or at my day job. I am currently single and will probably stay that way for a while until Karen Zoid’s husband, guitarist and manager - Don Reinecke realizes our connection.
If you're queer, how connected do you feel to other groups within the LGBTQI community?
I’m a lesbian magnet, have always been and I still don’t have any idea why.
Transgender people I look up to for their courage.
Gay men (me being one), I’d like for us to set higher standards in some collective areas in our lives.
Bi-sexual people I’m trying to understand along with Ricky Martin.
Intersex people all deserve lifetime achievements awards, even if it is just for staying alive in this damn place we call the world.
Not all drag queens are transgendered ... are you?
No. But I do believe that gender and sex are two very different things (without trying to sound too clever.)
How did you get into it initially?
It was a crazy idea me and a friend had for the New Year party of 2006 at Ramp Divas. Watching myself transform as the wig and make-up came on, was a scary and yet exhilarating thing. What has always been a fanciful dream in my younger years has now come true and it finally occurred to me that a lot of the things I wanted to accomplish in this lifetime as a creative could be done through this medium.
Is it purely a performance thing for you, or do you wear drag at other times?
Are the two mutually exclusive? Is being on a stage a prerequisite to calling yourself a performer? If that’s so then no, I go out as Heidi to enjoy a good party and attend occasions such as Gay Pride (something that is very close to my heart.) I have actually never performed on a stage before but watch this space as something great is in the pipeline. I’m still young and as that song says “breathing is easy”.
What level of phobia do you experience from the general public and what form does it take?
None. I don’t know why but no straight person has ever snickered or said anything derogatory to me. As for the gay community, a young-dumb-and full of cum 16 year old made this unmentionable remark to me in a club one faithful evening. They threw him out and I went outside to hear why he is so sad. I think in general people reflect back to you your own comfourt/discomfourt with who you are.
What makes it worth doing it anyway?
I don’t know, it just kind of is worth a lot of shit. It relieves stress and in a way it acts as a mask for my shy nature and the ironic thing is that some people can be themselves more completely by wearing a mask. We all where masks, I mean look at that sex orgy scene in a huge mansion in the movie eyes wide shut.
Being a bit of a pleb myself, when I think of famous drag artists, the ones that spring to mind first are Eddie Izzard, Pieter Dirk Uys and Barry Humphries. What do you think of them?
I haven’t seen much of Eddie but I hear that he is funny.
Pieter Dirk Uys is an absolute legend for what he has done through his films, books and theatre productions. I will forever hold him in high regard as setting the standard for drag ARTISTS. Not only does he have the talent to transform physically but I think his real art lies in the character he created and the things she could say that he couldn’t because of the tight media censorship in the apartheid days. As a small town princess I could only wish to serve under the most popular white women in South Africa, Miss Evita Bezuidenhout.
Humphries? Is that dame Edna? Edna scares me although I love her work.
Educate me please - give me some other names to google.
Rupaul, Miss Bunny, Miss Understood.
Favorite film about drag queens?
To Wong Foo (thank you for everything, Julie Newmar)
Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which falls more under the collective queer genre of film.
I asked some friends what questions they'd like me to ask:
(Question from a Swedish goth) What eyeliner do you use?
At the moment I’ve got a Revlon waterproof that is really fucking hard to get off!
(Question from an accountant in the Cape) Where do you get your lingerie?
Truworths men hot pants- it perks up and pushes down..
(Question from a Joburg dyke) What deodorant do you use?
Tommy Girl
Is the you in drag totally separate from the you out of it?
No. This subject gives me sleepless night s as it is and for the purpose of not sitting in this interview while seasons come and the poles gradually melt in to obscurity, I will not attempt to explain what I cannot completely grasp and articulate at the moment. Maybe by asking a question similar to this the answer might become apparent. When Brumilda Van Rensburg plays Louwna in Egoli does she see herself as separate or as completely immersed in the character of Louwna? You have to wonder should someone bump in to her at a stop street whether they would apologize to Brumilda or Louwna.
If you see the two as separate, do you have a preference for either one?
It is important to know who you are before you can be what you are not and visa versa, it’s a proverbial journey and travel truly does exhaust me.
As a South African, do you think you face challenges that don't exist in other countries or are different there?
I don’t understand this question, do you mean… (?) <pause> uhm South Africa is a really nice place to stay in and stuff… (does that answer your question?) <nervous shuddering giggle> I don’t know, it terms of being open and honest about real things, not skirting the issues (if you’d pardon the pun) – SA has a long way to go. Yes we have come a long way in acting like the perfect rainbow nation, now lets be it and not be so token uptight about things.
Got any groupies?
Not yet but a few more of my friends have now made it ok to get dressed at their places and not all of the legends drag queens are maintaining the standard indifference to my face anymore. Getting there slowly…. Oh and I almost forgot, a loyal follower of mine created a facebook group called the official Heidi Van Kleef Fan club. She does a lot of things to try and draw my attention but she has become somewhat of a liberty lately. I tolerate her.
Where can potential groupies see you?
Mostly on Facebook for now and at the odd charity event. My blog will be coming out soon but all information in regards to that will be advertised on Facebook. If you happen to bump in to me at a club, please do the hug thing it’s good for all of us!
(See more of Ulla’s excellent photos and interviews on her blog – www.getyourqueeron.wordpress.com ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| HALLOWEEN PARTY AT LEGENDS |
|
| |
|
| Pics by Pieter Henning and Corné van Vuuren |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Many game-show contestants have learnt that it’s not that easy to boost your bank balance with a seven-digit amount.
They've failed to choose the R1 Million suitcase from the schmodels in Deal or No Deal, their recall of primary school learning material turned out to be too poor in Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader? and for 14 weeks they haven't been able to tap into the minds of South Africans on Power of 10.
But the tables have turned. Last night (Sunday, 2 November) 24-year old Dustin Carr, a recruitment agent from Bryanston in Johannesburg (one of the Legends Posterboys and a finalist in Mr. Legends – Ed.) became M-Net’s first game show millionaire in eight years on the Power of 10. |
|
The previous R1 Million winnings were paid out in 2000 when David Paterson from Port Elizabeth climbed his way up the money ladder in the channel’s first game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
In Power of 10 contestants have to answer five questions about the way South Africans responded in a nationwide poll which was executed by the research company Ipsos Markinor, with the show in mind.
According to Carr, he didn't enter the game with a particular strategy. “My cousin Jessica, who supported me in the show, and I did our homework about the population breakdown in South Africa, and hoped that it would be enough. Luckily it was!” he says.
Carr adds that he never thought he would win so much money: “NEVER! I had no intention to go for the Million Rand question. There was just something that made me do it. It's all quite surreal. It's just really jump-started my life. What 24 year old can say he has a Million?”
And his plans for the money? “I will finally be moving out of the folks’ place. I am buying an apartment, 80% cash and the rest on a bond, a new car and MAJOR shopping spree, and of course I’ll save a little, that's if there is any left,” he says.
A summary of how Dustin won:
• On the first question worth R1000 - Dustin seemed unsure of his answer to the poll question “What percentage of South Africans said they watch four or more hours of television a day?”, but much needed advice from his cousin Jessica De Klerk granted him safe passage to the next level of the game.
• On the second question, “What percentage of South Africans think women should be more responsible for birth control than men?” Dustin looked to the studio audience for the go-ahead on his guess. Dustin thought it was all over as he resolved to look the other way, as the answer 72% was revealed - which fell within his 30 point range.
• By the third question, which is worth R100 000, Dustin and Jessica seemed to be at different ends fo the spectrum as they couldn't agree on an answer to the question, “What percentage of South Africans believe that ministers of religion should not own expensive cars or houses?” Dustin answered 61% and it fell within his 20 point range.
• At the fourth question, Dustin developed a case of the shakes before host Mark Pilgrim asked him the R 1 Million Rand question, “What percentage of South African men said if they had a son who wanted a girl’s doll they would not buy him one?”
At this point how the game works as follows: if the contestant has the right answer the graph will not reveal the exact percentage, instead an exploding graphic reading R 1 Million will appear on the screen, but if the contestant gets the question wrong the exact percentage will be revealed.
With his cousin Jessica screaming “go for it”, Dustin referred once again to the studio audience and despite his mother’s prior warning not to go for the million, locked in his million buck answer of between 77% and 87%.
Power of 10's on M-Net on Sundays at 18h00. This first season ends on Sunday, 9 December 2008.
www.tvsa.co.za See the whole winning moment here: www.youtube.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| CENTURION TEATER NUUS |
|
 |
|
Die afgelope week is daar baie gepraat en geskryf oor die geweldige afname in teater-kaartjieverkope wat vir baie teaters 'n groot krisis is. Tot dusvêr was ons baie gelukkig agv so baie getroue ondersteuners van Centurion Teater – baie dankie!! 'n Mens kan nie van brood alleen lewe nie en die opbouende en inspirerende ontspanning wat musiek en toneel bied is “brood”-nodig, veral wanneer die ekonomie wêreldwyd probleme ondervind. “Happiness is a place between too little and to much”.
Die einde van die jaar kom met die spoed van 'n afdraande pad nader, maar gelukkig is daar nog wonderlike vertonings om na uit te sien voor ons teater ook vir die vakansie sluit.
NAVI REDD: 18 NOV - R120
JAK DE PRIESTER: 19 + 20 NOV - R120
JANNIE MOOMAN: “Kersfees vertoning” 21 + 22 NOV - R120
LA DIVA: "Kisses, Feathers and Jingle Bells" 26 NOV - R90
STEF BOS: “Stillewe” 27 - 29 NOV - R150
NATANIEL: “Egg whites and Angel Food” 1 - 6 DES - R150 (bykans uitverkoop)
Alle vertonings begin om 20:00 tensy anders aangedui
Besprekings en Navrae: (012) 664-7859
Wil u op ons E-pos lys wees? Besoek ons webwerf www.centurionteater.co.za |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
“Dear Hearts and Gentle People
Goodness, it’s been ages since my last letter to you all. Ek het al begin onttrekkingsimptome kry!
Daar het so baie gebeur sedert my laaste brief – die vrugtebloeisels het gekom en gegaan, Johannesburg is weer groen, die Jakarandas is weer pers, ek het by ‘n paar feeste gaan sing en jippieeeee!!!! My first DVD has been recorded and printed.
Agter Glas, die show waarmee ek en Janine vroeër vanjaar die Kanna by die KKNK gewen het, is nou beskikbaar op DVD. Danksy Sondag Koerant, Matt Matthyser en Jorrie Jordaan se finansiële bystand kon ons die show opneem soos ek dit graag gedoen wou hê. Andre Calitz van Blixem Produksies en Marius Brouwer van Pop Planet het ‘n lewendige opname van die konsert gemaak en my hart swel van trots met die eindproduk! Dis ongelukkig nie in winkels beskikbaar nie en as enige iemand een sou wou hê, laat weet net en ek gooi een in die pos vir jou!
I now have my own cooking page in a national newspaper! Sorry, sorry for the souties, as it is in Afrikaans. Willem Pretorius, editor of Sondag has given me the opportunity to write for his paper. Check it out every Sunday in the paper or on my website.
Annarie Paterson, who designed my website, is busy making it a bit more user friendly and Robert Hamblin, who takes all the pictures for my cooking page, is updating the website on a weekly basis now. Liewe land, ons is so ywerig aan die gang ek maak myself bang!
James Ndweni, Agnes se man is besig om vir my ‘n badkamer te bou sodat ek nie meer in die kombuis hoef te ‘top en tail’ as die gastekamers vol is nie. Ek het hom die eerste twee dae gehelp, vyf pond hamer in die hand, totdat ‘n muur op my geval het. James het toe gevra dat ek eerder net moet kyk hoe hy werk, want sê hy: “If something bad happens to you, we are all fucked!” Agnes het ook mooi gevra ek moet seblief ophou om “man’s work” te doen. Nou skryf ek maar......
Ons het die laaste twee maande baie min ge-kos-en-konsert en sal nou in November bietjie opmaak daarvoor. Sondag 2 November het ek en Janine afgeskop met ‘n deurmekaarspul uit ou shows.
On Sunday 9 November we did Agter Glas. Unfortunately the 16th and the 23rd (when Gayspeak will be visiting! – Ed.) is already sold out. Yippee!
But luckily you can still book for 30 November and 7 December. On both these occasions we will be doing a mixed grill from previous shows.
Our doors are still open every Monday evening for sundowners and ‘pot-luck’ and you are more than welcome to come and have your Xmas party here with us on the hill on any other day.
Ek hoop ons sien julle almal voor die einde van die jaar.
Goed gaan.
ECZ” |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
(by Tracey Sandilands)
I had the good fortune to attend InterPride 2008 in Vancouver this year, courtesy of Pride Toronto whom I was representing at the conference. InterPride is the international umbrella body that Pride festivals the world over can join for support and networking. At this point neither of the South African Prides are members, although some years ago Cape Town Pride did belong.
InterPride 2008 was held at the Marriott Pinnacle Hotel in downtown Vancouver. After traveling for 32 hours to get there, I arrived at midday on Wednesday 22 October, just in time to take a walk up to the Robson Street shopping area to find some lunch. At the Cactus Club Café owned by one of the Iron Chefs of America, I tasted yam fries with a garlic dip, which was divine. |
|
Later that night at the hotel I represented Pride Toronto at a cocktail function for the scholarship attendees. InterPride has a scholarship fund that enabled attendance by 16 participants from Prides around the world who could not afford to come otherwise. One of the scholarship attendees was Chesterfield Samba, Operations Manager of GALZ (Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe), who got a standing ovation wherever he went just because he managed to be there. Zimbabwe held a Pride parade this year on the grounds of a school and had approximately 800 participants – a real feat under the circumstances in that country.
The conference began the following day, and a series of workshops alternated with various InterPride plenary sessions. The content of the sessions was the usual AGM business such as election of board members etc. One session that had a profound impact on me was the workshop on human rights, where we viewed films of human rights issues still facing LGBT people in various countries around the world. LGBTs in some parts of Eastern Europe such as Belarus and Poland (Warsaw) are finding it particularly difficult to live and behave openly and are persecuted continuously.
On Thursday night we partied in Vancouver’s Davie Street, the unofficial gay village, from where we were able to walk back twelve city blocks in the wee hours without a problem. South Africans can only dream of being able to do that!
What impressed me the most about InterPride was the sheer magnitude of the Pride movement globally. Only around 30% of Prides belong to InterPride, which nevertheless has 19 regional bodies. Canada, for example, belongs to Region 7 as well as to the Canadian Pride movement, which is known as Fierte Canada Pride and comprises approximately 28 of the 67 Canadian Prides that are held each year.
As with most international events, the conference attendance were dominated by Americans, but there was an interesting mix of people from countries in Europe, including Iceland and Sweden, and even representatives from Tijuana Pride in Mexico were there.
A variety of international events are in planning stages. Fierte Canada Pride’s regional AGM will be held in Montreal in March 2009. A successful bid was submitted for InterPride 2010 to be held in Long Beach, California, to follow InterPride 2009 which is to take place in St Petersberg, Florida (USA). Stockholm and London competed for the chance to hold World Pride 2012, and London won the bid - mostly due to the fact that the Olympics will be held three weeks after World Pride and the eyes of the world will be on London, providing an unequalled opportunity to obtain media exposure that can benefit the cause of LGBT rights globally.
The highlight of the conference would have been the presence of Martina Navratilova, but this was unfortunately cancelled due to financial constraints. However, the experience of being in Vancouver, meeting my future colleagues and making friends from Prides all over the globe was nevertheless incredible.
The return trip took 34 hours of traveling, including a six-hour stop over at Heathrow, so for the sake of spending three and a half days in Vancouver I traveled for 66 hours in total. But it was worth it!
Links:
www.interpride.org
www.london2012.com/index.php
www.fiertecanadapride.ca
www.pridelondon.org |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
| WRAPPED 18 OUT NOW! |
|
MEET MR AND MR DINK
The Dinks, also known as the double income no kids household, have plenty of money to spend on themselves and their favourite brands, with the economic downturn mainly passing them by.
These plentiful pink rands are explored in the spring edition of Wrapped, with the magazine delving into the purchasing power of gay households and how marketers need to be tapping into this sector, who still have money to spend despite the economic hurdles South Africa has been experiencing.
Publisher Morne Ebersohn says with Wrapped now firmly entrenched in the South African magazine market, the magazine can be found on many a coffee table throughout the country.
“We have been very happy with the growth of the magazine and integrity of the content, which continues to give readers pause for thought and explores issues which are pertinent to all South Africans.”
Wrapped writer Christian Wagener reveals some shocking truths. While South Africa is seen as a tolerant country, many gay men still face prejudice from the one area where they seek acceptance, their families.
Ebersohn says the magazine would rather open dialogue on sensitive issues than skirt around topics. “Our readers are educated professionals who not only enjoy but deem it essential to stay in touch and are very trend aware and socially sussed.”
Other topics explored in this spring issue include the associations between vanity and appearance, regular travel articles, an interview with Prime Circle and how to look younger.
Currently on sale nationwide at CNA and Exclusive Books, Wrapped is the only ABC audited gay publication.
A digital TV channel was launched earlier in the year, which serves as an extension of the magazine’s content and can be viewed at www.wrappedmag.com, together with highlights from the magazine. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
TAKE PART IN THE FIRST EVER
“SOUTH AFRICAN GLBT CONSUMER SURVEY” 2008 |
|
PINK RAND TO BE RESEARCHED IN SA
Pink Advertising will be conducting research into the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual community (GLBT), the first such research to be undertaken in South Africa.
It is estimated that worldwide the GLBT community makes up 10% of the market and it is a known fact that this sector is both affluent and influential and one that increasingly attracts targeted marketing by companies eager to capitalise on pink buying power.
Wrapped publisher, Morne Ebersohn, explains according to the 2006 Gay Press Report, the total buying power of the GLBT population in the United States (US) was $641 billion in 2006, proving this is a market sector not to be ignored.
“This GLBT survey will not only reveal interesting facts, but will be a very useful research tool to be used by marketers. Already we know that in SA these individuals are trendsetters, brand conscious, loyal and have ample disposable incomes, many part of a double income household with children.”
While initial research will be to establish the size and value of the GLBT market, it is envisaged that in future focus/interests groups will be established to measure different aspects of the market such as automotive, banking and finance, fashion, travel and so on.
Ebersohn says the brand loyalty of the GLBT population, more so than their mainstream counterparts, has led advertisers to focus on this market segment, with advertising spend having grown three times the rate of straight consumer magazines over the past 10 years in the US.
“South Africa is no exception. Research conducted by In2bOut, a division of Hot Salsa Media who launched the first benchmark research conducted in South Africa in 2001, found that gay consumers are more aware of whether companies they buy from have instituted gay positive policies, such as same sex non-discrimination and domestic partner policies.”
He says a “surprise-finding” was that lesbians, who are often over looked by marketers, were found to earn (as a whole) more than gay men and heterosexual men and women.
Recently Cape Info Africa, a travel and tourism centre dealing strongly in the GLBT community and with a comprehensive database, has been approached to assist with marketing products and services to this community, from companies such as Investec Bank, Old Mutual and FNB.
“Already companies like Cape Town Routes Unlimited have identified the value of the this community in tourism and initiated a pink strategy, alongside the Wine and Golf strategies, to increase the market share of tourism to Cape Town, indicative of the value of this specific market.”
Ebersohn says to reach the GLBT community the research will be advertised at the Gay & Lesbian film festivals in Cape Town and Johannesburg, in Wrapped magazine, on gay online websites and blog sites and using various data bases.
For further information go to www.wrappedmag.com |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
| |
|
| |
|
