Mega Artists Magazine #3

M A G A Z I N E 

WE ART 

ISSUE#1 

FREE EDITION 

mnce 

Street poet 

(SLAM!) 

DLAMINI 

Cartoonist 

REDDIQAL 

presents 

(Mojita) 

Hazel 

(Picture Perfect) 

AYE! 

(Home is where the he[art] is) 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS: 

TSIKWANE RAPHESU 

ON MUSIC, ART & WOMEN’S MONTH 

+ 

Arlette Franks 

Reneilwe Malatji 

Ms Blu 

VISUAL ART, POETRY, THEARTRE, DANCE, PERFORMING ARTS

Cell: 082 452 6164/078 090 0871 

Tel: 015 295 8410 

Fax: 086 538 3133 

Email: hatlane@webmail.co.za 

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Issue no: 01 

FEATURES 

M A M 

Ntsikwane Raphesu 

Reneilwe malatji 

Arlette Franks 

Ms.Blu 

SPECIAL 

07 

14 

19 

26 

REGULARS 

04 

18 

Poetry 

Cartoons 

07 

04 

14 

AYE 

29 19 

(Artistic Youth Expressions) 

11 

Hazel 

29 

www.megaartists.co.za August 2014 Page 1

Issue no: 01 

EDITOR’S NOTE 

Dear Reader 

It is with great pleasure and sincere gratitude to present 

the first issue of Mega Artists Magazine. Mega Artists 

Magazine is a Limpopo based online quarterly arts 

magazine dedicated to make art accessible to a diverse 

audience. The magazine is free and effortlessly 

downloadable as a PDF on our website, 

www.megaartists.co.za. The magazine reflects 

exclusively on the art and covers diverse art-works and 

mull over important aspects relating to the art industry, 

and the experiences and views of artists in their actual 

line-of-duty. 

Mega Artist Magazine is an exhibition of artistic 

intelligence assembled by creative passionate and 

dedicated individuals. In the beginning this was just a 

dream – though we knew that we were setting ourselves 

for a nerve-wracking mission – our enthusiasm saw us 

through. It took us a month and few days to put together 

everything. 

Obviously our first edition or issue is an experiment, an 

experiment deemed to be a successful continuous 

endeavour. We thank God the all-mighty for granting us 

the strength, focus and his favour. It is indeed a blessing 

to have been able to establish and launch the magazine. 

As mentioned that the magazine is all about art, we decided 

that since we are launching the magazine in August, 

Women's Month, that we feature a Limpopean talented and 

hardworking female musician, Ntsikwane Raphesu as our 

cover page artists. You will notice when you read the article 

that Mega Artist Magazine is not a typical tabloidcelebrity-gossip-magazine, 

but a magazine that aims to 

educate, inform, nurture and develop art and artists, 

particularly in the Limpopo province and of course to 

anyone who can access our magazine around the country or 

world. 

Our first issue is mainly about women in the art and arts 

business. We reflect their contribution in all aspects of art 

forms. In this issue we have book reviews, cartoons, poetry, 

music, etc. We ensured that we put together a clear picture 

of what the magazine is all about. I believe that our lives are 

defined by our artistic intelligence. What we express 

through art is what and who we are deep inside. Mega Artist 

Magazine is blessed to find itself living in such a creative 

area, an extensive community that has a diverse range of 

exceptional talents. We are grateful. 

Furthermore my gratitude stretches to Shima Holdings for 

assembling the website particularly our webmaster Mr 

Stephen Raseona for setting-up the domain and layout and 

Mose Art – particular Danny Modiba for the exceptional 

graphical layout of the magazine. I thank the team and 

contributors – the magazines looks exquisite and 

remarkable – and last but not least our families, lovers and 

friends for supporting us and withstanding all the trials and 

tribulation that led to the success of the magazine. Your 

notably contribution will not go unnoticed. All of you 

played an essential role. To be honest, I am thrilled and 

anxious at the same time and I feel like I won't finish 

writing so I think this marks the end of this editorial article. 

“We Art” 

Enjoy the magazine 

Thank You. God bless you. 

Mega Artist Editor – Jack Ramoshaba 


MEGA POET 

Issue no: 01 

Full Name: 

Stage name: 

Facebook: 

Twitter: 

Home town: 

Current residence: 

street poet 

street poet 

street poet 

street poet 

street poet 

street poet 

Mncedisi Mphitsi Dlamini 

Street Poet 

Mnce Streetpoet Dlamini 

Mnce Dlamini 16 

White river; Mpumalanga 

Limpopo; Mankweng 

street poet 

What is poetry? Uhmm! I can’t really describe poetry because 

everything is poetry. The way a person walks is poetic. It tells a 

story. But I personally think that is a silent freedom of school 

everyone possesses. Through poetry we are able to express 

ourselves. Poetry is more than just words jotted down or 

uttered. Poetry is spiritual. That’s how and where you connect 

with GOD/gods, when writing. You lose yourself in it 

street poet 

street poet 

street poet 

street poet 

poet 

street 

My poetry is defined as “SLAM POETRY”. I address social ills 

and tell stories from the hood. My poetry or ‘Slam Poetry’ does 

not necessarily follow standardized grammatical rules. With 

‘Slam Poetry’ you break the rules and create your own language 

to disseminate your message without being restricted. So it is 

more of a spoken form of poetry than written poetry because when 

you read it you do not get the same authentic expression or effect 

the poet wanted to send across. One can only achieve that through 

listening to the voice of the poet because the voice guides your 

mood swings and build and ambience. 


MEGA POET 

Issue no: 01 

Free Dumbs 

Free dumbs remain crumbs in freedom. 

They rock big chains, 

call it swag. 

I see modern day slaves chained to the western culture. 

I will need more than Moses’ stick to lead them from mental 

slavery. 

Like I was captured by the eyes of the dying world I’m the 

world’s last vision. 

On the psycho-path; 

writing history on the walls they built to cage us; 

walking through the valley of shadows of death holding 

hands with time; 

may the blowing winds sweep away the footprints 

death follows them 

our tongues tied by words we never said 

Eyes are lonely skies, dark clouds limit our vision 

tell the sun to shine through these shut eyes and dry the tears we never cried 

because tears never cried cannot dry 

we are dying....... 

we are dying beings breathing life into the nostrils of death 

just because they can’t detect the fingerprints of the hands of time on us 

Now they tell us that we die from natural death 

Hold on African child 

the sun never sets, it’s just the earth that keeps spinning on it’s axis 

we are not foreign to pain 

we fore-reign in the rain 

when the rain bows 

our naked eyes will wear the coat of many colours. 

Like the moon, I brave the night 

to shed light to newborns 

I know they will shed my blood and crown 

me with thorns because they are scared of the truth. 

They even reduced the Volume when Tumi spoke of Yvonne 

White people....how could they love Mama Africa’s womb 

yet hate her children?? 

It does not make sense right! 

They gave us identity books as if we never had identity in 

the first place 

Because true identity comes from within 

I have seen so much pain with my naked eyes 

from street kids window shopping food to brothers getting 

born again in the blood of another brother behind prison 

walls 

‘live’ bullets losing their lives in human bodies 

cops trying to erase governments’s mistakes with rubber 

bullets 

screams of a rape victim shook me awake from this ghetto 

dream 

for a split second, I heard Sarafina screaming, singing.... 

“freedom is coming tomorrow” but last night, my people 

cried their eyes out in the ghettos 

They never lived to see tomorrow 

How do they expect us to be stars when they don’t give us 

space 

look I tried to follow Christ but I lost his footprints when he 

walked on water 

Will God understand? 

We are even scared to pray 

we say silent prayers 

because the devil eavesdrop 

but the silence kills us 


Issue no: 01 

ILLUSTRATION BY: moseart © 


MEGA ARTIST 

Issue no: 01 

Ntsikwane Sophy Raphesu is a South African 

full time Afro-Soul female song-writer, singer 

and actress. Her musical contribution 

earned her the title, “Limpopo's song bird”. 

She was born and bred in a small township 

called Solomondale outside Polokwane in 

Limpopo. She debuted on the professional 

music scene in 2007 when she was casted 

as the lead singer for an industrial theatre 

road show for a big retail company. Coming 

from a musical family had a huge impact on 

her career path and similar to most artists her 

love for the arts sprung when she was still a 

child. Ntsikwane's first debut album was released in 

2007 and was titled 'Wonderful'. Recently she released 

her second Afro-Soul album titled 'The Soul 

Experiment'. MAM chatted with Ntsikwane to find out 

more about her career and her perspective on 

female representation in the music industry. 

“ ” 

“I believe in letting my music 

speak for itself, no need to 

lace it with sexual innuendo.” 


MEGA ARTIST 

Issue no: 01 

How is your current album doing? 

My current album is doing well. It’s getting a lot of airplay 

on public, private and community radio stations such as 

Thobela Fm, Capricorn Fm, GT Fm and many other 

community radio stations. It has been received well by 

my audience. 

W h o d i d y o u w o r k w i t h ? 

I worked with Oneness Mashala, whom I co-produces 

the album with. I also worked with local session 

musicians Thendo, Ola, Tshepo and Lethabo. 

What song(s) of yours are you most proud 

and what song(s) you wished to have never 

recordedand why? 

I’m proud of every single song on this album. A lot of 

blood, sweat and tears went into creating them. 

What influences your music? 

My music is mainly inspired by life situations, my own 

or what I see happening around me. I also draw a lot of 

musical inspiration from other artists such as 

Anita Baker, Zonke, Gregory Porter and many others. 

Any living musician would be in 

your dream band? 

I don’t really have any musician that I want in my 

dream band. I work with musicians who have a 

certain touch on my music. I have to connect with 

them. But on piano I would love to have John Legend 

in my band. 

What do you like most about your 

profession? 

There’s a quote that says “Medicine heals the body. Music heals 

the soul.” The best thing about my profession is that we heal 

people where it matters most, in the soul. I also love meeting 

new people and seeing how the music affects them. 

Do you think the public and critics expect too much 

from you? 

I’ve always walked my own path. I never let people’s expectations affect 

me because that will affect how I do my music. 

Describe your family members musical interests or 

abilities? 

My family all love music. My brother is a DJ, my dad is a pianist. 

How do you handle mistakes during 

performances? 

I just brush them off. And if the audience noticed that I made 

a mistake, I just laugh about it. 

People think is non-stop partying out there, is it 

true? 

Not at all! A lot of hardwork goes into music. You can’t be 

partying all night and expect to have a great voice 

and performance the next day. 

What is the most unbelievable 

rumour over printed about you? 

Luckily I have never had any rumour 

being printed about me. 

Describe the moment you felt like 

giving up? 

It was last year when the recording of my 

CD was taking longer than I anticipated. 

But luckily I managed to get myself 

together and make it happen. 

Where do you see 

yourself five years from 

now? 

I want to be an African artist and not a 

South African artist. Would like for my music 

to be known on the continent and foremost 

then later expand to European countries. 

Tell us about other projects you are 

involved in? 

I’m involved in a project called “The Black Tie Initiative” 

we collect formal wear for under privileged learners to 

wear to their matric farewells.. 

continued next page.... 


MEGA ARTIST 

Issue no: 01 

“Women in the music industry primarily serve a purpose and that purpose 

is often at the advantage of the male eye. Women are almost always sexualised 

in the media, more specifically the music industry.” MAM asked Ntsikwane 

to share with us her perspective on ‘Female representation in the music 

industry’. 

What is you take on female representation 

in the music industry? 

I think the female representation in the industry is balanced 

when it comes to ‘In front of camera’ work. But behind the 

scenes there is still a lot of work to be done. There are few 

women in production, management, directing, editing etc. 

These areas of the industry are still very much dominated 

by males. We really want to encourage women to study in 

these fields in order to increase the number of women 

working there. 

What is your take on female musician using 

sexuality and femenity as empowerment tool 

in their art? 

I feel that using sexuality takes away from the core of the 

art and reduces the artist to just a sex symbol instead of a 

talented artist. I believe in letting my music speak for itself 

no need to lace it with sexual innuendo 

Do you feel female musicians have a 

difficult time breaking through and getting 

the credit they deserve? 

I actually feel that female musicians do a lot better in the 

industry than males. If you listen to the music that’s getting 

a lot of airplay now, it’s actually women who dominate 

locally but internationally it’s a different story. 

There are few women musicians from 

Limpopo residing in Limpopo. What makes 

them leave the province? 

I think they leave because there isn’t really an arts industry 

here, so they are not able to sustain themselves in Limpopo. 

And this can be corrected if government, arts organisations 

and private sector work together to create a kind of arts 

precinct in Polokwane or in every big town in Limpopo, 

where artists can lease office space at a subsidised rate and 

be able to run art galleries, studios or theatres . 

Do you believe in the traditional role for men and 

women? 

No I don’t. And I’m not saying that women should now take on 

traditionally male roles or men should take over traditionally 

female roles, I think everyone should do what needs to be done 

without letting the perception of traditional roles get in the way. 

Your message to all the women in the art? 

Let your art speak for itself. Never compromise who you are or 

use your sexuality to get ahead in the industry. Do the work and 

the rewards will follow. 

What is your main focus right now? 

Right now my focus is on promoting my current album “The 

Soul Experiment”. 

If you are technologically savvy and like good music you 

can buy Ntsikwane'smusic online at iTunes, Amazon and 

CD Baby. If you want a hard copy contact Ntswikwane at 

082 393 5316 or email ntsikwane@gmail.com.Ntsikwane is 

also on Twitter (@ntsikwane) and Facebook (Ntsikwane 

–Limpopo Song Bird). Listen to her music on 

https://www.soundcloud.com/ntsikwane 

Services Offered: 

Club Deejaying | 

Music Production 

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For more info contact: DJ Subzero @ 0828445884 

email: abi88records@gmail.com 

facebook: SubzeroSAAbi 


Issue no: 01 

ILLUSTRATION BY: moseart © 


MEGA PHOTOGRAPHY 

Issue no: 01 

HAZEL 

“ 

Where we come from is a basis of who we are today and so 

photography is the reflection of our backgrounds, our today’s 

life experiences without words constructed to rebuild the stories 

that live within us as individuals. Photos speak in volumes. 

Photography is language of its own and allows all eyes to an 

understanding of their own. 

” 

Hazel Tobo, also known as Fasaha Mshairi was born in 

Tembisa and bred in Polokwane. She has been a writer 

since 2004 and has since grown into the arts of poetry and 

photography. 

Five Beginner Photography Tips 

1. Each time you spot a subject, snap a shot and then 

move in closer for a better shot. Having your subject 

almost fill the frame helps your viewer understand and 

appreciate your photo. Also, details are often more 

interesting than an overall view. Keep moving in closer 

until you are sure the photo will successfully represent 

your subject. 

Fasaha Mshairi 

2. If it is at all possible that your subject may move, bolt, fly 

away stop smiling or just get tired of waiting for you to take 

the picture, shoot once right away. Practice getting quicker 

and quicker to the draw. Do not worry about taking too 

many pictures and do not wait until you’re absolutely 

certain all the knobs and buttons are in their correct 

position. “Shoot First, Ask questions later.” 

3. Discern what you really interested in and centre your 

efforts on getting the best photo of this subject. Then be 

sure to keep anything that would distract out of the picture 

to remove unwanted elements. The easiest way to do 

this is to watch your borders - the edges of the view you 

see through the camera’s vew finder. 


MEGA PHOTOGRAPHY 

Issue no: 01 

Hazel Tobo - Google+ 

Hazel Fasaha Mshairi Tobo 

@Fasaha_Mshairi 

Hazel Tobo - YouTube 

4. Practice shooting with different apertures and monitor the 

results afterwards to learn how depth-of-field affects your 

photo. You will find a that a smaller depth-of-field (and 

smaller f-stop#) focuses all the attention upon your 

subject. You will find that a greater depth-of-field (bigger f- 

stop number) will make everything from here to eternity 

appear in focus. This will help make those landscapes 

fascinating and lovely. 

5. It is good to see what kind of light you are working with. 

Which way are the shadows falling? Unless you want a 

silhouette effect. Where your subject is black against an 

interesting backgrounds. It’s generally best to shoot with 

the sun behind you. 

http://www.betterphoto.com 


Issue no: 01 


MEGA BOOK REVIEW 

Issue no: 01 

Reneilwe 

Malatji 

“ 

The fact that I write in English and I am a second language 

speaker of the language is a challenge to a certain extent. I 

indulgently insist on writing this foreign language the way I 

speak it and at times that does not resonate with the editors. 

That creates a struggle on how much of my African English 

should go in and how much of it should be panel beaten. 

” 

Reneilwe Malatji was born in Modjadji Village on the 14th of 

November 1968. She grew up at Turfloop township where the 

University of Limpopo is situated; in the Northern part of 

South Africa. While she was growing up, her father was a 

lecturer of Education at the university and her mother a 

school teacher locally. 

She completed her BA degree, post graduate teaching 

diploma and a senior degree in Education at the same 

university. She then served for 18 years in the department of 

education as a teacher, subject advisor and subject specialist 

in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. The quest to 

become a writer impelled her to go back to school at the 

mature age of 40 to study the craft of writing at Rhodes 

University 2010 and 2011 respectively. 

She worked as a citizen journalist for Grocott’s Mail 

newspaper in 2010. She co-authored Tyhini, a literary 

magazine published by the Institute of English Studies in 

Africa. Love Interrupted, her collection of short stories is been 

published by Modjadji books as we speak and it is due to 

come out September. Malatji taught ELT part-time students 

at Rhode University from 2012-2013. She worked as a 

Manuscript Reviewer for UNISA press. She is currently 

lecturing Contemporary English Language Studies at the 

University of Limpopo. Reneilwe took from her busy 

schedule to share with us the experiences she endured while 

writing her book “Love Interrupted”. 



How did your interest in writing 

originate? 

I started writing when I was in Secondary School. I had 

notebooks in which I wrote stories that my grandfather told 

me. I never imagines myself being published as I did not 

know anyone who was. I thought books were written by 

people from perhaps Mars. To me that was an unreachable 

star 

Do you have a specific writing style? 

I don’t think of style when I write. I just tell stories. 

What inspired you to write, “Love 

Interrupted”? 

The world around me inspires me. 

How did you come up with the book title 

or choosing Love Interrupted amongst 

other stories? 

The title Love Interrupted erupted from the simple notion 

that love cannot be forever bliss or perfect. It’s impossible 

for love to run smoothly without being interrupted every 

now and then. The interruption is crucial and it in-fact 

validates the love. Love would not be fulfilling if it ran on a 

flat level without bumps. If everyone was to love one 

another perfectly every day without any form of hassle then 

love would lose its significance and worth. We attach so 

much value to it simply because it is tricky and complex. 

The thread that runs through all the stories is love that is 

interrupted in one way or another. To me Love is the true 

meaning of our existence and being on earth is about the 

struggle to restore it when it is disrupted. 

What is the message the book carries? 

I resent prescribing the message of the book to anyone. I 

think the message of the book lies in the readers. Different 

readers acquire or retrieve different things from it. What I 

do is just tell contemporary stories and give readers an 

opportunity to reflect on their everyday live. 

How much of the stories in the book are 

realistic? 

Well my stories are all conjured even though most of them 

come from what I observe and hear from the world around 

me. I never write things as they are. I cook them mixed up 

and add spices and herbs and whatever. Or rather you may 

say that I put make up, earrings and high heels after 

surgically having given them a facelift. 

Writing this book, are experiences based 

on someone you know, or events in your 

own life? 

The stories are not based on anyone specifically. Let’s just 

say they are based on the lives of contemporary South 

Africa Society and no one in particular. That is why the 

characters are so diverse...black, white, rural, urban, 

married, single and so on. 

If you had to do it all over again, would you 

change anything in your latest book? 

No I won’t change anything. I would rather strengthen the proof 

reading. 

Do you have to travel much concerning your 

book(s)? 

Well I travelled throughout SA promoting my book and hosted 

nine book launches country wide. When I went for my holidays in 

Ghana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Uganda I made time 

also to promote the book in those countries. I managed to do some 

readings and sold copies. 

What was the hardest part of writing your 

book? 

Killing my darlings. Taking out what was not necessary and 

relevant. 

Did you learn anything from writing your 

books and what was it? 

I learned a lot about the craft of writing. I also learned that the book 

is not in the first draft but in the rewriting of the many draft to 

come. The first draft is just like when an artist collect wood to 

create a sculpture and rewriting is the actual carving of the 

sculpture. It take time and solitude to chisel, sandpaper, wax and 

polish the sculpture. If you don’t go through that process then you 

will submit what equals a lump of dead wood and expect the 

publisher to invest their money and effort on that. 

If you had to choose, which writer would you 

consider a mentor? 

It’s not one writer’s work specifically that influenced my work. It 

was many writers to be honest. Amongst many others I would list 

Zakes Mda, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Bessie Head, Tsitsi 

Dangarenga, Anton Chekov and Maugham Somerset. 

What book are you reading now? 

Paula Coelho, The Alchemist. 

What are your current projects? 

I am working on writing a book and two more collections of 

short stories . 

Do you see writing as a career? 

No I don’t see writing as a career. I see it as a life. 

Continue next page..... 

Issue no: 01 



Issue no: 01 

Is there anything you find particularly 

challenging in your writing? 

The fact that I write in English and I am a second language 

speaker of the language is a challenge to a certain extent. I 

indulgently insist on writing this foreign language the way I 

speak it and at times that does not resonate with the editors. 

That creates a struggle on how much of my African English 

should go in and how much of it should be panel beaten. 

Who is your favourite author and what is 

it that really strikes you about their work? 

I have many favourite authors. Maya Angelou and 

Chimamande Ngozi Adichie are some of the outstanding 

ones. That is because they always succeed in transporting 

the reader into the world of their narrative. When you read 

their text you feel like you are in fact in that world. You feel 

and experience what the characters go through. 

Do you have any advice for other writers? 

I would advise them to invest time and hard work into their 

work and also to consult with those who are more 

experienced. And most of all to read a lot. 

Do you have anything specific that you 

want to your readers? 

I would like to express my gratitude to all the humbling 

positive feedback I have received from most of them and 

also to the many who reviewed my work. 

Do you ever have writer’s block? 

No I have never experienced a writer’s block, but there were 

many instances where I doubted myself. 

You can get Love Interrupted at 

Exclusive Books and Bargain books. 

If it’s not on the shelves ask them to 

order it for you. You can also 

download it online or get the e-book 

version from www.kalahari.com and 

other sites. 

To establish yourself as expert in a field. 

In an era of increasing specialization, and a daily explosion in 

knowledge, experts have clout and authority. So if you want 

to be at the head of your field, you need that book – especially 

if you’re a consultant or something similar, who’s hired 

because of your expertise. And then you’ll probably need 

another book in a few years’ time. But let’s worry about the 

next book later. 

To become a professional public speaker in your field. 

Public speakers – the paid ones – still need a book to point to, 

to establish their bona fides. The only exception to this is 

celebrity status from something remarkable you've done. If 

the status is sufficiently strong, you can just have people talk 

to your agent when they call. But watch out – last year’s 

celebrity status fades quickly, and then you'll need that book. 

Even (former) President Clinton has had to write books to 

keep himself in the public eye. 

To satisfy your inner need to get it down on paper. 

It may be ego, it may be explanation, it may be just wanting to 

leave a record of your passing through this world of woe. But I 

happen to think that writing a book to make a personal 

statement is a perfectly good idea for book writing. 

To create a public persona and personal brand in order to 

succeed in your field of endeavor. 

It used to be loyalty that bound employer and employee 

together. Now, loyalty is passé, and you need an edge for 

getting that promotion, or making that smart lateral move, or 

jumping to another organization. I’ve seen too many great 

workers cast aside because of politics or because of a sudden 

shift in the business. They’re left in career limbo and may 

never get back to where they were. A book is the beginning of 

a personal brand and a public persona that will keep you in 

demand. 

To create marketing oomph. 

I've seen a number of friends and clients write their way to 

marketing success with a book that catapults them into the 

inner circle of consultants, companies or service providers. If 

you’re a small organization, a book can help you compete with 

the big players. If you’re in a crowded field, a book can help 

you stand out. And so on. 

I believe all of these reasons are good ones to write a book. 

A combination of several reasons makes even more 

compelling an argument. Each one of these reasons will 

suggest different marketing strategies and roles for your book. 

That’s why it’s important to get clear from the outset why 

you’re writing one. 

On the next issue, we'll talk more about what to do next, after 

you have decided on writing a book. (Forbes.com) 


Issue no: 01 


MEGA CARTOONS 

Issue no: 01 

moseart © moseart © 


MEGA ARTIST 

Issue no: 01 

” 

It may be useful if we ‘KLAP’ dumb 

people and most politicians over the head with 

ART and wake them up forever. 

” 

Where was Mrs. Franks born? 

In Johannesburg; 8th January 1957, same time as my 

unidentical twin sister... 

How was your upbringing like? 

I experienced suburban and farm life, ballet(my mother) 

and horses(my father), with 5 sisters... 

What kind of a child was Mrs. Franks 

like, during her youth? 

Hmm, my nickname was ‘PREOCCUPIED’...I was 

always busy doing something or the other, especially 

things I could do by myself, reading, making, sewing, 

drawing, out with the dogs or with the horses. 

Would you please tell us and other people out 

there, what skill in the ART realm do you 

posses? 

I design/sew (self-taught)/mixed media / product development 

(eg. small crafts / permanent outdoor seating) I am a good teacher 

and affirmer of creativity, especially in/among youth, using the 

arts. 

In which category of visual artists would you 

say you fall under? 

Fine Arts. 

What other artistic skill do you know or would 

you want yo know? 

I regret not knowing more about graphic and digital art. 


MEGA ARTIST 

Issue no: 01 

What does “Visual Art” mean to you? 

Hehe, anything man made and largely hand made, that can 

be seen/touched/displayed (or utilised). 

Did you ever go to an ART school and 

would you say going to an ART school is a 

must for any ARTIST? 

After finishing school I did go to Wits Art School. I have a 

BA Fine Arts Honours from Wits, It is preferable to attend 

some kind of arts school/art training, even if not fully 

accredited or full-time, the artists’camaraderie, the 

opportunity to do group/shared works, to share 

ideas/themes/materials/crits etc, are all very useful and 

helpful. Getting into the ‘art diques’ of who’s who and 

what’s what can be very useful to one’s own artistic career, 

but many artists achieve greatness through being selftaught, 

so art school is not always essential . 

Some of us, Artists, who grew up in the 

township, have never seen or came across 

a female visual artist till later years in life. 

What would you say are some of the 

challenges female artists meet along these 

artistic path? 

Hmm, this is are tough and many loaded questions to 

answer. Partly it’s the age-old expectation that (black) girls 

should be at home/make babies/do the domestic work/the 

planting, etc and look after the family and children; some 

black women artists actually worked as domestics or were 

the children of domestics. Most people see the arts as 

frivolous/useless.not part of the general economy and thus 

girls, as well as boys, are often not encouraged to take this 

route. Musical arts are seen as a little better, because the 

potential for fame and celebrity is quite great. Many people 

seriously believe artists are crazy, which of course means 

they need to be respected or listened to or supported, In the 

western World women artists have also been downplayed; 

few women ever achieving the immense success or fame of 

male artists, and this is not necessarily because their work is 

not as good, just that they are female. This century I think 

we may finally see women artists - including black women - 

achieve ‘equality’ with men artists, but there are still many 

rural/disadvantaged/underexposed parts of the world and 

Africa, where while they may acknowledge women as great 

crafters, will still not be quite so comfortable with/about 

women artists as they are with/about men artists . 

Does South Africa have the right artists to 

take on the world? 

Yes, definitely. In all the arts, not only visual arts. 

What would you say is the ‘Achilles Heel’ of 

visual art in South Africa? 

There could be a few. Lack of a buying audience and viewership; 

and lack of show-spaces that are affordable and fair for artists. 

Traditionally it has been whites who have been the showers and 

buyers of art, the white population has shrunk over the past 

twenty years, while the populations of arts practitioners has 

grown, with a shrunken market, few artists find they can make a 

living from their art. Black people have to become appreciators 

and buyers of South African art products. The other problem is 

show spaces - few and far between and usually very expensive 

for artist (galleries taking up to 50% of selling prices) - so few 

artists get to show their work regularly, or in many different 

galleries/venues, Perhaps the biggest Achilles Heel is the 

Department of Arts and Culture and the provincial departments, 

who seem over 20 years to not have achieved much in either 

expanding audience/buyership or creating more and easily 

accessible spaces where artists can regularly show their work at 

affordable/fair rates. Ofcourse, the new Achilles Hell may even 

be censorship - the new Minister has said that anything he thinks 

is ‘derogatory’ WILL NOT BE ACCEPTABLE. 

We have seen a couple of your latest 

ARTWORKS and We must say, they look 

more “Politically inclined” and we being 

visual artists we sometimes ask; What does it 

take to be a more ‘Militant artist’(no nonsense 

artist) and how can Art in general help build 

our nation to be more conscious of their 

political, social or economical life? 

Hmm, I didn’t set out to be politically inclined, it turns out I just 

am that way! Nkandla made me stand up and want to say 

something, so my source material became photos/stories etc. in 

the newspapers and it is impossible to avoid politics once one 

becomes embroiled in ‘the news’, I find myself, wanting to pass 

comment on all the incidences/characters and so I make them 

into collaged/mixed media artworks. I add my particular brand of 

humour/satire and the rest is up to the viewer. People squirm and 

giggle and say my works make them re-think what they thought, 

so I guess in a small way I am making some people more 

aware/conscious of our socio-politico life. I think one has to paint 

from one’s heart - if you fell it, then paint it, the ‘it’ may be nature, 

or still-life, or portraits, or fantasy or socio-politico-commentary, 

heheheh. 

Are you not wary of the implications you 

might land in, due to the political artworks? 

Yes and No. So far a lot of people have said I’ve taken risks; a lot 

of galleries have gently turned me down by pretending they are 

already too full; a few admitted they did not want to potentially 

alienate government. The works reflect on true and offensive 

incidences/personalities in our real lives - the material comes- 


MEGA ARTIST 

Issue no: 01 

from newspapers - I don’t actually invent too much, what I 

add is associations and humour, so even if it’s a very heavy 

story, there’s a dash of laughter, if we can’t laugh at 

ourselves, laugh at our politicians, then surely life is just too 

damn heavy all the time. Also, I have never yet exposed the 

genitalia of anyone - just doesn’t interest me nearly as much 

as their faces/heads and hand! Every so now and then I try 

and be a simple decorative artist - I fail everytime, as the 

satirical real-life incidences and personalities come 

creeping back in to be commented on! I am not very well 

known and not showing my works in very well known 

galleries - that alone may ‘protect’ me from some crazed 

politician becoming offended at one of my works, I’m wary, 

but I’m not going to not show at every opportunity I get. I 

will take my chances and continue to be honest to my own 

brand of art/humour. 

How can ART be used as a revolutionary 

tool in the society? 

It may be useful if we could ‘KLAP’ dumb people and most 

politicians over the head with art and wake them up forever. 

The best revolution we could use art for is for awareness 

and healing therapy, people are traumatised, anxious, 

despondent, angry, frustrated, art can help people achieve 

creative solution seeking to achieve some inner 

peace/glow/satisfaction. We need more healing than we 

need so called ‘revolution’. Art in every school, in every 

class from pre-school to Matric, that would be the most 

bestest revolutionary tool of all! 

What is a revolutionary artist according to 

you? 

Hmm..someone who uses unusual materials / content 

/expression and / or someone who puts important messages 

into his/her art that help awaken awareness on big 

social/political/economic issues. 

You were in Limpopo for quite a while, how 

is the artistic atmosphere around those 

parts? 

Art is everywhere; artists are everywhere; but they are 

starved/starving, so growth and development is not 

h a p p e n i n g , o n l y ‘ s u r v i v a l i s m ’ i s . T h e 

province/Government seems utterly unable to understand 

the importance or significance of the arts and utterly unable 

to implement anything that has helped change 

people/artists lives for the better. In all honesty I found 

myself telling people to leave Limpopo if they wanted to 

pursue their arts - to return once they have made it 

elsewhere - then Limpopo will recognise them. 

Do you think government is responsible for 

the growth or reduction of Art in South 

Africa? 

In Limpopo the artists are responsible for their survival if 

their arts. Government is responsible for government events that 

have almost nothing to do with the development of the arts - there 

is no connect between what artists do and need and what 

government does and provides, so yes, government is responsible 

for obstruction of art. 

How can government improve in making ART 

accessible to the people and the world ? 

Put money in to regional arts hubs that are well run and even 

occupied by local arts NGO’s/projects etc. and service a wide 

area around them. Hubs should include raw materials sold at 

lower prices to artists; and display/depots for finished 

goods/market place. Hubs can also share/transfere goods 

between them, hubs can be places where training / workshops / 

exhibitions /showcase / performances etc. can be regularly held - 

growing audiences and growing excellence, it means 

government will have to stop spending on itself and its many 

parties and events, and start supporting creative hubs that in turn 

are helping to support tens and dozen hundreds of artists. Hubs 

could have tea-gardens etc. and each one could become a tourists 

d e s t i n a t i o n . H u b s c o u l d b e m u l t i - f u b c t i o n a l - 

library/theatre/film/craft/bookstore/fashion/music etc. Hubs 

could also show off all the unique cultural diversity south africa 

offers. 

Should every artist be patriotic ? 

Hmmm? I guess so-noting that sometimes the most patriotic 

things we can do is really criticise our government/country.. 

Why is it that some of our ‘High Class’ citizens 

only purchase art that comes from foreign 

countries and not from the local exhibitors ? 

False understanding that ‘the best comes from overseas’. It’s an 

inherited problem, probably because long ago, the best indeed did 

come from overseas. The problem is that SA has never really set 

up making the best of everything right here - we export raw, and 

import finished products, serving the misperception that ‘the best 

comes from overseas’. 

Can an artist make a living on art alone ? 

Very rare, in any age, but almost every artist could probably help 

teach in a classroom, which does mean S.A. could employ artists 

part-time in schools, a win-win scenario for everyone. 

Where can we get your latest work, or updates 

about your exhibitions? 

Through my email, franklyhectic@gmail.com or my 

photos/albums on facebook. 

...And for anyone looking to buy your work? 

Through my email, franklyhectic@gmail.com. 


MEGA ARTIST 

Issue no: 01 

Can you please close our women’s month 

issue with a quote for all the women out 

there. 

This is by Coco Chanel: “The most courageous act is still to 

think for yourself. Aloud. (I guess this is a little like what I 

do with my paintings.) 

What motivational words can you give to all 

visual artists reading this now?. 

If you love doing art, just do art as much as you can, look at 

other art, artists, art galleries, art books, art on the net and 

do,do,do art. 

“All the artworks were inspired by my desire to reflect and comment on true - life sociopolitico-economo-events 

or incidences (eg. Marikana), situations (eg. an SADC 

committee meeting, or poor women) and leaders in South Africa (Zuma being a major 

muse, whose photo is frequently in the press, so lots of material to work with, hehe). 

Recurring symbols is/are the teapot, the banana, the elephant. Symbols which I have 

tried to apply to explore and express absurdity, danger and power. Most of the works 

take many hours, some of them days and weeks. All the works are mixed media - 

collage and acrylic paint and vanish on canvas, framed by myself in a thin frame that 

creates a white - line border around the work.” 


Issue no: 01 

ARTWORK BY: 

ARLETTE FRANKS © 


MEGA ARTIST 

Issue no: 01 

REMEMBRANCE 

Born: August 06 1928 

Died: February 22 1987 

Mega Artists Magazine takes time to 

remember revolutionary artists. Artists 

who by their work, a movement or style 

of thinking and acting has started. A 

synopsis of their background is 

compiled, to bring light to our readers, 

about this Mega Artist. 

paintings are of iconic celebrities and objects, 

such as Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, John 

Lennon, Campbell’s soup(pictured below)and 

many more. 

On this August Issue, we cover the father and 

originator of POP ART, Andy Warhol. Born on the 

6th of August 1928, Andy(birth name Andrew 

Warhola) was a leading figure in the visual art 

movement known as pop art. His works explore 

the relationship between artistic expression, 

celebrity culture and advertisement. After a 

successful career as a commercial illustrator, 

Warhol became a renowned and sometimes 

controversial artist. Warhol’s art encompassed 

many forms of media, including hand drawing, 

painting, print making, photography,silk 

screening, sculpture, film and music Some of his 

SOURCE: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Warhol 


Issue no: 01 

ILLUSTRATION BY: MOSEART © 


MEGA BUSINESS 

Issue no: 01 

$ 

BUSINESS WITH 

Phuti Ramafemo affectionately known as Ms.Blu is a proud 34 year old 

single mother. She is a self-accomplished entrepreneur – proud 

founder of Poetic Joint, an art organisation specialising in promoting 

and organising events. She was born and bred in Polokwane Limpopo 

Province. She grew up in a village called Bloodriver just outside 

Seshego. Her passion for music and poetry compelled her to establish 

an organisation that represents the art of music and poetry. MAM 

interviews Ms.Blu to tell us about her career-path as a promoter and as a 

self-made brand. 

Tell us about Poetic Joint. 

It was established in 2012 by Phuti Ramafemo who 

had a passion for the entertainment industry and ended 

up pursuing it as a business. Now that is where the hip 

hop, poetry and jazz session started taking place and it 

gave artists a platform to showcase their talents and 

brand. As the business grew, she brought in two more 

members on board, Nkeisi Matshuisa and Kgabo 

Phihlela. The team is made up of a dynamic of young, 

creative and enthusiastic professionals, with vast 

experience in Events, Media, Marketing and IT. We 

rely almost entirely on the strength of our team and 

management. 

How do you manage with promoting 

Poetic Joint and yourself as a brand? 

It hasn’t been easy. In fact it is a difficult mission 

because I can’t separate myself from Poetic Joint. I 

would literally be lost without my team. I have a PR 

lady ,Ms.Shaz Amor , she literally keeps me on tight 

leash and puts me back on track when she notices that 

my focus is getting out of hand(I see you my lady) 

Do you need qualification and what studies 

should one consider to become a promoter? 

I have found that there is only so far self-acquired skills can 

take you. One needs some basic education in the field they 

have chosen. One can take a six months course to get the 

basics right and the rest will fall in place. 

What does an entertainment promoter do? 

I basically deal with finding venues, booking artists, 

budgets, sponsorships, interviews . The list is endless. 

What kind of events do you promote? 

I promote anything from corporate functions (Seminars, 

Power Breakfast, Networking sessions, street events 

(Poetry and Hip-hop). I try not to limit myself to one sphere 

of events. 

You’re not only a promoter; you're a manager 

and a mother as well. Are there enough hours in 

a day to do what you have to do? 

Not in this lifetime, my time is beyond limited and running a 

tight schedule is really a must for me. That is why I get a 

little frustrated when I’m late for a meeting or someone 

doesn’t honour an appointment. 


MEGA BUSINESS 

Issue no: 01 

How much money it would take to get a 

promotion business off the ground and how 

much did you have when you started? 

Well, believe it or not I started my business (both of 

them) without any capital. I basically just invited my 

poetic friends to my house for a chillas and BOOM! 

@Poetic Joint was born. It is possible to start a 

business without capital though having money to get 

one’s project off the ground would be great, that 

doesn’t mean you can’t start. I learned that from 

Kholofelo “TheWyGuy” Pholafudi(Thank you sir). 

Who offered you the opportunity to 

promote the bigger shows/event? 

Diau Madisha better known as Spacemunna gave us 

the first big break in the hip-hop industry by allowing 

us to coordinate his Limpopo Mixtape Tour the final 

showdown. That was amazing. 

Was it the biggest paying account? 

Wakeup! Woman if I should say so myself 

Describe your most best and bad 

promotion events? 

I had my best and worst at @Poetic_Joint. 

Do you feel like you are in competition with 

the male counterparts? 

At first it was like that then I realized that I can actually 

learn from them. So I began aligning myself with the 

likes of Psychotic, Spacemunna and many more. 

Do you think females have different skill 

from males in this business or women are 

the best organisers/promoters naturally? 

Not really, though we use our power of persuasion 

better than men. 

What are some of the misconception 

about women in your field? 

That we are tough, when the real truth is that we are 

as gentle as jelly but don’t let that be the reason not 

to take us seriously. 

Do you sometimes feel like you are undermined because 

you are woman? 

Oh Yes, all the time, there was an event we once handled for 

a client everyone got a budget except us, we were told to 

work with what we had. I remember I wanted to pull out but 

the professional in me wouldn't allow me. 

What is the biggest challenge? 

Finance is the biggest challenge, especially when one starts 

to take their brand more seriously. Been taken serious 

doesn't come cheap. Corporate identity is expensive but 

worth it. 

You have recently promoted events outside 

Limpopo. Are you moving to Johannesburg? 

For growth purposes I have decided to move to the city of 

gold, but that doesn't mean we are abandoning our home. 

Our calendar allows us to run the business in Gauteng and 

still take care of home. And this would not be possible 

without a great team behind me. 

What is the challenge to do such business in a 

province like Limpopo? 

The challenge in our province is on whom you know more 

than what you know, I have been a victim of hosting an 

event and no one pitched because I didn't have key players 

in the province as guests. That almost destroyed my morale. 

What are you working on for the future? 

My main focus now is Linda Yende's Wakeup! Woman, I 

recently secured a contract to coordinate all book related 

events. 

How do people get in touch with you? 

People can contact me on my personal mail 

itsmsblu@gmail.com or direct line 0721205996 during 

business hours. 


MEGA ORGANISATION 

Issue no: 01 

rtistic 

YouthExpressions 

Artistic Youth Expressions is an organisation aimed at growing the essence of art, music and poetry in 

Mokopane and providing individuals an opportunity to express themselves through performing 

arts. Artistic Youth Expressions (AYE)was established in July 2013 and was officially launched on 

th 

the 19 October 2013 at Micasa 2, a local restaurant in Mahwelereng. It was established after 

recognizing a desperate need for a positive alternative to the excessive use of drugs, alcohol, criminal 

activities and other anti-social elements which have mushroomed in the area. To date AYE has 

eighteen official members. 

The main objective of the organisation is to empower the youth of Mokopane to become decent 

people with respect for themselves and other community members. Tom Revenus, the co-founding 

member of AYE said art is the alternative solution to decipher community challenges. “We are doing 

this through art that has clean content. Furthermore, we are focused on uniting the youth in our 

community.” AYE is the only organisation in Mokapane that offers a platform for the youth to 

express themselves artistically and because of this , the organisation has relished a rapid growth 

since its inception. 

Tom said they are looking to recruit new members, particularly high scholars. “For one to qualify as 

an official member of the organisation one has fill in an application form, which has to be returned 

with a joining fee (R30 for young adults/R15 for high scholars). When you are member of Artistic 

Youth Expressions you are privileged to a platform to perform at every session that we host, 

furthermore you get the opportunity to tour different parts of the country and also the world, which 

is something that we are planning to do in the long run. This year we are planning to tour different 

parts of the country and grow as an organisation.” 

Like most arts organisations, finances constraints are the main challenge, these makes the 

organisation to operate with a limited budget when organising shows. “The most important 

resource is money because if we have money, we can purchase a high quality sound system 

and recording equipment and rent premises or build a mini-theatre. We would also be 

able travel to different location in the country”. AYE fund the organisation from 

members own pockets and work together with other organisations like , MoAfrika 

Vision Trading, Self-Marketing Schemes, Rhythm n' Poetry and JC Reignsto put 

shows together . 

th 

AYE just recently hosted its first annual event and event on the 9 of 

August (Women's Day) at Rattle Cage. “The community has shown 

a lot of support for what we are doing for community, which has 

seen us been invited to events to render items” Tom said. 


SPONSORS 

Cell: 076 993 8959 

email: info@shimaholdings.co.za 

Facebook: shimatrading 

Twitter: @shimaholdings 

site: www.shimaholdings.co.za 

Cell: 071 546 5142 

Fax: 086 628 4807 

email: artmose89@gmail.com 

Facebook: Mose Art Studios 

Twitter: @mose_art 

Cell: 060 605 8033 

address: 524A Mankweng, Polokwane, 0727 

email: ramoshabaone@hotmail.com 

Facebook: Jack Rams

Mega Artists Magazine #3

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