moyo Models for Africa 2011, moyo Blouberg ( Eden on the Bay)

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Situated along one of South Africa's most beautiful coastlines, moyo Blouberg ( Eden on the Bay) played host to the third moyo Models for Africa event. This prestigious venue has long been associated with great causes, the first event in Stellenbosch having raised over half a million rand for this year's main beneficiary, SALT

The partnership between moyo and Models for Africa has grown strong over the last five years and it was with great enthusiasm and much planning that the teams from either side came together to honour the people of our nation through fashion, feasting, music and a special brand of fellowship that is beautifully and distinctly African.

From the start, the 2011 function was promising to be something very special. Designers and clothing labels such as Cindy Bam, Nazir off the peg, House of Silk, Babette and Label Femme donated items for a fashion show as well as for auction. A runway was created that winded through the tables of the venue, where any of the 100 guests in attendance could get a closer view of each designer's range. To kick off the evening, there was entertainment on the balcony overlooking the ocean by local Jazz sensation Vuyo Sotashe. An incredible ambience began to build as various guests arrived and were treated to welcome canapés and cocktails. Once everyone was seated, the MC for the evening, Roxi Ingram, took to the stage and gracefully welcomed everyone. Pauline de Klerk, the head of SALT, proceeded to give a speech about the organisation and their work, giving testimony to the impact that caring for families has on our local communities.

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With the fashion show in full swing, dinner was served and each guest was treated to the delicious fare that moyo is famous for. Local musicians Evelyn Hart and Matt Roux provided entertainment in between each course as well as each designer's show, and by the time the auction began at the end of the night, people's appetites for supporting SALT were thoroughly whetted!  The auctioneer for the evening, Jade Mostert aka Dangerboy from 5fm, got on to a fabulous roll and all manner of items were auctioned off to the very generous crowd. From dresses to diamonds, each person was made to feel a part of the exciting atmosphere with the usual bustle of the restaurant downstairs adding to the feel of the room and the quality of each person's experience.

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With a beautifully emotive closing by Roxi and thundering applause for all involved, the evening gradually wound down and was brought to a close. With nearly R80 000 raised for SALT, one can honestly say that there was not a single person who attended who was not impacted deeply by the events of the night. There is something to be said for the flavour, enjoyment and humanity of African hospitality. It is something soulful and not surface-deep, colourful and textured with friendship and life, reaching each and every sense once has - from the ears through to the eyes and down to the heart. It is exciting to know that an event like this one can only grow and be a blessing to all, especially to those who are vulnerable and in need of a helping hand.

 

Bring on 2012!

Africa 101 by Renee Snoyman

To speak of any sacred scriptures in Africa is to speak of what is written in the hearts of the African people

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Lately I’ve been doing quite a bit of research into Africa for a new project we will be launching at moyo in February 2012 (will catch up and update more about moyo Africa project at a later date) internet research can be quite lonely and not very interactive, so when the opportunity arose to attend a series of lectures called Africa 101 in Cape Town – come on Jo’burg where is your Africa 101?- run by The African Arts Institute (AFAI) - www.africanartsinstitute.org.za

I literally and figuratively jumped at the chance (and on a plane) with my colleague Bianca to meet “in the flesh people” who share the same passion and lust for Africa. Our schedule was jam-packed with lectures and discussions in African literature, culture, music, travel and cinema.

I felt that the lectures could have been more successful had they been more interactive and less focused on power point presentation and the spaces were not as conducive or as inspiring as they should have been which got me to thinking ...

Can you imagine if we grow Africa 101 in moyo spaces, where better to learn and explore contemporary African trends, icons and innovations in African music, literature, cinema, dance, theatre and visual arts than in modern sophisticated African ionic spaces?

Imagine “walking through” a music lecture and actually be able to see, touch and chat to the musician playing the instrument, this could be done with poetry, dance, food, art in fact everything. I guess I’m a tactile person and could think of nothing more delicious then experiencing an Africa through my touch,smell,taste and sight bar being able to visit the countries in person.

So what else inspired me?

  1. Iain Harris of Coffeebeans Routes with his fascinatinating ideas in the changing trends of travel in Africa moving from a destination based travel towards urban African experiences, he reckons that people are becoming more interested in meeting and listening to the experiences then in just sightseeing! He has a vision to introduce an African festival and cultural tour.How cool is that travel through African festivals!
  2. Leopold Seder Senghor’s poem  – "The black Women ‘clothed with your colour which is life ,your form which is beauty...”
  3. Mike Dearham – Mnet African film library – the largest African film library in the world.
  4. Also got to find out more about the Arab Spring, Ram Koolhaus, Bisi Sila, Tauriq Jenkins and Brendan Busi ............

Until later :)