The RMB Latitudes Art Fair is coming back to Jozi, and just in time before we Fall into the Winter. From the 24th to the 26th of May 2024, Shepstone Gardens will transform into an art lover’s paradise. The fair is touted as ‘not just any art fair’; it promises to be a journey through the vibrant world of African contemporary art, and you’re invited.

Take a stroll through a lush garden surrounded by art, and witness marble halls, secret gardens, and even sculpture pavilions. There’s going to be a bit of everything – exhibitions, talks, films, you name it. It’s somewhat of a treasure hunt for art lovers, where every corner promises a new surprise.

Our fair is designed to foster a deeper connection between the art and its audience

Lucy MacGarry, the co-founder and director, has envisioned a fair that redefines the art-viewing experience. ‘We’re moving beyond the conventional gallery space,’ she says. ‘Our fair is designed to foster a deeper connection between the art and its audience, set against a backdrop that’s truly African. It’s a place where the art community comes together, offering equal opportunities for all participants.’

The fair’s curation reflects its commitment to showcasing the diversity and talent of African artists. The talks program will feature distinguished international speakers, sparking conversations that highlight the significance of African contemporary art on the global stage.

Carolynne Waterhouse from RMB speaks about their dedication to the arts: ‘Our support for the creative economy is a testament to our belief in the transformative power of creativity. It enriches our lives and contributes to economic growth and community development.’

Accessibility is a key aspect of the fair, as Roberta Coci, another co-founder, points out. ‘We aim to create an inviting atmosphere where everyone, from avid collectors to those new to the art world, can engage, learn, and find art that resonates with them,’ she explains. And for those who can’t attend in person, the fair’s offerings are available on the Latitudes Online platform, making it possible for art enthusiasts worldwide to participate.

Go ahead and mark your calendars for the RMB Latitudes Art Fair at Shepstone Gardens, from the 24th to the 26th of May. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit latitudesartfair.com.

In a surprising twist of events, Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola put pen to paper and signed a top-secret cybercrime cooperation protocol agreement. Cue the suspenseful music! This agreement is set to revolutionize the investigation of cybercrimes, making it a win-win situation for South Africa and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

But wait, there’s more! Lamola didn’t embark on this mission alone. He joined forces with none other than French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna. 

Now, what does this agreement actually do, you ask? Well, it’s not just a fancy document for show. It’s a practical way to boost the relationship between South Africa and France, all while arming the SIU with some serious cybercrime investigation skills. They’ll be on par with global standards so that no cyber criminal can outsmart them(wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

Lamola himself acknowledged that cybercrimes are a cause for concern. They’re like sneaky little thieves, wreaking havoc beyond the borders of our beloved country. But fear not! With this cooperation in place, our skills will be supercharged, and we’ll be able to tackle a whole bunch of cybercrimes. Our cyberspace will become the Fort Knox of the digital world, and if anything fishy happens, we’ll be there to investigate, Sherlock Holmes-style.

Not only that, but International Relations and Cooperation Minister Naledi Pandor chimed in too. She believes this agreement will help us fight corruption like true superheroes, all in line with the National Development Plan. But the fun doesn’t stop there! The benefits might extend to other countries in the southern African region and even beyond. It’s like a global cybercrime-fighting coalition in the making!

So buckle up, folks! With this newfound collaboration and superhero-level skills, are we on our way to creating safe digital spaces for all?

 Stay tuned for more thrilling adventures in the world of cybercrime, where justice always prevails!

Are you tired of scrolling through playlists trying to find the perfect song for the moment? Look no further, because Spotify has got you covered! Their new feature, DJ, is here to make your music experience even more personalized.

This AI guide knows you and your taste in music so well, it’s like having a personal DJ in your pocket. It will scan the latest releases, sort through your old favourites, and even resurface songs you haven’t heard in years. The DJ will then deliver a stream of songs picked just for you, complete with commentary about the tracks and artists in a voice that sounds so realistic, you’ll think you’re chatting to a real-life music fanatic, or maybe listening to an episode of a Dissect podcast.

If you’re not really feeling the vibe that your playlist is serving you, just tap the DJ button and it will switch it up. The more you listen and provide feedback, the better its recommendations get. It’s like having your own personal music concierge!

SO HOW DOES IT WORK?

So how does this magical DJ work? Spotify uses its personalization technology to give you a lineup of music recommendations based on what they know you like. Then they added generative AI technology, which is put in the hands of their music editors to provide you with insightful facts about the music, artists, or genres you’re listening to. And the cherry on top? They even brought in a dynamic AI voice platform to bring the DJ’s commentary to life with stunningly realistic voices from text.

WHERE TO UNLEASH THE DJ?

Ready to have your own personal AI DJ guide your music journey? Good news! The DJ feature is now available in English for Spotify Premium users in the U.S. and Canada (Try using a VPN 😉). Here’s how to get started:

1. Launch the Spotify mobile app on your iOS or Android device and head to the Music Feed on Home.
2. Look for the DJ card and tap Play to start the personalized music experience.
3. Let Spotify take over and curate a lineup of tracks with insightful commentary on the artists and songs, tailored specifically to your taste.
4. Feeling like switching it up? Hit the DJ button located at the bottom right of your screen to explore different genres, moods, and artists. It’s that easy!

So what are you waiting for? Let the DJ be your guide to discovering new music and connecting with your favourite artists on a whole new level.

Yesterday was a good day for Daveyton as we saw Retrofontein apparel validate their dream of launching a walk-in store for their brand. Since 2012 this brand has been available for purchase through pop up stores and some e-commerce sites but mostly through word of mouth, cash in hand and the use of instant cash sending facilities, which demonstrated Kabelo Tsoka’s relentless desire to get his brand on the backs of many dreamers and believers alike.

We’ve seen this brand grow from an experimental clothing brand to a staple for people who have their stories deeply rooted inside the township’s core, with a dream to grow their branches beyond the invisible ceilings in the sky.

The store took a gruesome 6 months to accomplish and came with a lot of valuable lessons, but the important question here is why did Kabelo not stick to the e-commerce game and avoid the so-called dying industry of brick and mortar (In this case a recycled shipping container) outlets?

“As much as I’m also working on an e-commerce site, I opened a physical store because most people In the East (Ekurhuleni) are still not there yet, I feel my brand needed a space nyana to create a dope brand experience and to make the brand easily accessible to the people. I just want to create the trust first before I can make my online store live, most customers prefer to physically touch the gear before they buy it”

At first search, Daveyton comes off as a violent township filled with nothing but teenage pregnancies and ashes. Colloquially known as Vutha , meaning “to ignite”, this township was dubbed “the first black township with electricity”. Daveyton has a very rich history in politics, rebellious soccer stars, culture-shifting entertainers and has had its fair share of gangsterism, crime and all the social ills that plague communities that have been forced into a dark corner to stay separate from the affluent communities (Then, white people) during the apartheid era.

Decades later after South Africa became a democratic country and black people shared equal rights in this land, a ray of light and divine hope pierced through the darkness to give a new meaning/narrative to Daveyton. This light and narrative came in the form of a league of forward-thinking entrepreneurs such as Kabelo Tsoka the founder of Retrofontein Apparel, a premium streetwear brand that now has an iconic store which sticks out as a vibrant structure and business in this township’s architectural landscape. What can the youth learn from such a development?

“More than anything, this taught me, patience bro, so the youth needs to be patient, follow your dreams and try by all means to make it happen because, at the end of the day, it’s YOUR dream”

Kabelo admits that he faced many character defining moments and one of the biggest challenges was getting the funds to make it happen as well as staying clear of naysayers who didn’t believe that launching his flagship store was a good idea…after all, it’s his dream, why would he let anybody else dictate it?

The store is located at 5039 Mocke street, Daveyton and is open from Tuesday’s to Fridays between 10:00 – 18:00

Check them out on the socials below:

Facebook

Instagram

Kaffein Magazine went to check out Riky Rick’s Cotton Club Records  pop up in Braamfontein, Johannesburg and cover the beauty in its apparent spontaneity, we came packed with good energy, curiosity and a whole lot of Oreos and refreshments for what looked to be an interesting afternoon.

I first came across Riky Rick’s music when he dropped his Love and marriage beat tape, (I could write a whole review on this gem but you can download it here), it was then that I opened my eyes to his worldview on music and his unique form of artistry, never would I have imagined seeing his creativity grow and overflow through our screens, radios, phones and into the hearts of so many types of people on so many levels.

The vibe

Riky dropped the artwork for the event a day before – in classic pop up fashion – and the kids did what they had to do, to show love and support for their hero; and of course to get in line with the hope of getting their hands on the limited merchandise.

The streets were flooded with people watching the day’s entertainment, socializing and showing off their brown paper bags and threads. Every now and then people would come out of the store in their new hoodies and beaming smiles, while the anxious were systematically allowed to enter the store.

A hand full of die-hard supporters had already lined-up outside the shop as early as 08:00 am on a sunny winter’s morning and Boss Zonke showed his genuine appreciation and love by buying them some coffee to keep them warm and in good spirits. He was dressed in his Cotton Club Records Super Distressed hoodie which he mentioned on Instagram as his pick of the litter, blue jeans and classic gold Tims. In sharing the spirit he let his true fans tag his Tims, another solid gesture that displayed his character…to those of us who are usually a screen away from any of his representations. The producer/artist also spent quite a bit of time having fun outside with the fans, taking pictures and touching base with people he knows.

At the end of it all he let as many people as possible into the store and celebrated with them. He sold out his new merch  in a few hours but left no one excluded with his presence.

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Merch

• The store had fresh cropped gender neutral hoodies with bleached hues of soft blues and a pink “Cotton Club Records” logo. Bringing out a free spirited air about this piece.

• Another option was a hoodie with bleached shades of browns mainly Raw Umber and hints of Tan. This item gives off a militant feel to the range as it is reminiscent of a desert storm trooper’s uniform.

• The SUPER DISTRESSED is similar to the above and has a heavily worn out, rugged edge to it, with splashes of dark greens and browns, the logo is in black and appears to be wearing out.

The downfall of the day was the clashing music and entertainment from next door which made the experience a bit jarring for me and made such an awesome day seem like a clash of hip-hop egos, although there’s videos of the man of day hanging out next door and supporting their work too.

All in all It was a refreshing pop up store that disrupted the way day to day business gets handled in Braamfontein and gave power to the streets. A strong message of self belief and community was shared with the audience…reminding us that we can all make our dreams come true if we put our minds to it. Check out the speech below:

Check out the gallery below: