Dear Media Colleague
Greetings to you
Please find a media invite for the launch of the Dim-Dep Enviro Blitz, an initiative with eThekwini Municipality and Invotech. Many of you will remember the Dim-Dep Musical, Faces of Environmental Success which is part of the blitz. Join us for a media launch on April 24, 2018 at Botanic Gardens. Please RSVP for catering purposes. Details below.
Dear News Editors/Entertainment and Environment Reporters
Dim-Dep launches enviro blitz
April 16, 2018, Durban, South Africa: Members of the media are invited to the launch of the Dim-Dep Enviro Blitz, boasting the famous Dim-Dep Musical: Faces of Environmental Success, as well as other activities with casts and music legends mixing with audiences in townships and shopping centers.
Back by public demand, popular musician and theatre producer, Atlas Philani Duma, brings back his revitalized and re-energized 2015 show, Dim-Dep Faces of Environmental Success which is part of Dim-Dep Enviro Blitz under the umbrella of the Sagiya Foundation. The main sponsors are Invotech and Ethekwini Municipality.
Presently, the cast are in rehearsals and the show will debut in June 2018. However, before that the cast and crew are taking their production on a whirlwind tour for the next two months throughout KwaZulu-Natal where they, alongside side city officials, promote environmental awareness.
The Blitz will involve community activations in high-density areas in townships taxi ranks and shopping centers, followed by community outreach projects, where the community and city work together to clean, preserve, and maintain their areas, along with cast members. The Dim-Dep Faces of Environmental Success will debut in June.
Duma said: “This is an exciting project for the cast. We will spread our message beyond the stage. Members of the public will be able to see us first hand interacting with them, spreading the mantra and our theme: One Life. One Earth.
“What we provide with Dim-Dep is to use social cohesion to bring back people’s conscience about individual and community ownership of preserving our natural resources.
Dim-Dep Musical: Faces of Environmental Success tells the story from ancient times before urbanisation, industrialisation, and how the environment is affected. The full-length theatre production is just over an hour, with lively music, and explosive commentary.
The play will feature bright costumes and vivid sets to enhance the elements already presented in the story, all of which will be put together by beating drums and jazzy songs and music.
Duma continued: “The show is a representation of life on stage, a presentation of societal living in micro form, on stage. Our appeal goes beyond the youth but it also targets adults using drama as an extensive informant, a vibrant entertainer and profound educator.”
Through this production, Duma touches upon universal themes including right versus wrong, and environmental awareness. “We wanted to show that our actions on this earth have consequences. We go beyond the show in our community activations where we educate and make people aware,” said Duma.
Lead cast member Mandla Sibia said while the show started environmental awareness almost three years ago, it was critical to keep the momentum going.
“If children are inculcated with environmental consciousness early enough, the possibility of environmental awareness and the urge to maintain environmental responsibility could be higher than it is. After the show, we continue in our unique way to spread the message of saving the environment.”
Most of the actors are involved with other mainstream and community projects and at every instance have made the clarion call about preserving the environment.
As an edutainment project, the Dim-Dep Enviro Blitz is unique in South Africa and is a refreshing production encouraging us to pull together for “One Life. One Earth”, says music legend Xolisa Dlamini
“Through this production we aim not only to create awareness about the environment but also highlight the importance of keeping indigenous music alive.
The cast comprises Nonkululeko Mchunu, Sibia, Buhle Ngcobo, Nonkululeko Mchunu, Ntokozo Sngqazu Ngcobo Philisiwe Lee Ngamlana, with music by Atlas Philani Duma, Umkhumbane Jazz Ensemble, Madala Kunene, Dlamini, Prof Anthony Rippon etc. under the Musical Director Vincent Mtetwa.
The production is a dual themed production that carries it first theme through conveying messages of conservation of natural resources, while the second theme is the musical history that transforms to international music and cultural revolution.
It also allows young talent to be showcased and offering employment opportunities in the arts field.
Hashtags for campaign: #OneLifeOneEarth #DimDep
Members of the media are invited to the launch of the Dim-Dep Enviro Blitz.
Date: April 24, 2018
Venue: Botanic Gardens
Time: 11-12am
Snacks will be served.
Ends
Issued by FBI Communications on behalf Sagiya Foundation
Notes for Editors
Sagiya Foundation is a performing arts, theatre and musical enterprise production which focuses on delivering a total theatre production and musical enterprise solution to targeted markets. The indoor and outdoor initiatives are Afro-centric and aligned to education and awareness-raising. Sagiya encourages both individual and community development through creative projects that focus on environmentalism and culture, while creating jobs through the projects themselves.
Issued by
Gil Harper
Strategic Marketing Manager
Sagiya Foundation
For media queries and requests for interviews, please contact:
Farhana Ismail
Tel. 031 2085525
Cell. 0827876987
farhana@fbicommunications.com
FBI Communications
Facebook: FBI Communications
Twitter: FBIComm
under the hashtag #OneLifeOneEarth #DimDep
Instagram: fbicommunications
Author: atlas duma
http://www.sagiyafoundation.co.za Atlas Duma’s Biography (www.sagiyafoundation.co.za)
Official Name: Atlas Philani Duma
Nationality: South African
Age: 50
Languages: English, IsiZulu and IsiXhosa
Occupation: Founder and CEO of Sagiya Foundation
Legacy: Founder of SDDS, Sagiya Records, Sagiya Publishers
Contact Details: Cell: 081 373 8185, Email: atlasduma06@gmail.com
Creative and Innovative Experience:
Founder, Director and Producer of Sagiya Virtual Jazz Festival that was streamed on www.Skyroomlive.com in November 1 to 30, 2020. Responsible to organize and present SAGIYA_KZN International Jazz Day Festivals.
Mr Duma is a founder of Sagiya Foundation, SDDS (Sagiya Digital Distribution System) and SagPRIC (Sagiya Port Radio and Internal Communications). SDDS is a computer system that is assisting South African Artists to compete with the world, heading to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. SDDS is Duma’s solution that will be closing a gap between digital and conventional methods of distribution of music, books, Audio Books, videos, pictures etc. South Africans can be able to have access as end users to upload and download SagTunes, SagVideos, eBooks, Audio Books and Custom Pictures from SDDS and monetise their artworks. Thanks to Invotech Business Incubator for making it possible for SDDS to get Seed Fund for Research and Development of the SDDS patent and the prototype design.
Mr Duma played a vital mentorship role for Lee Philisiwe Ngamlana for Sagiya Foundation to win MYIC (Maritime Youth Innovation Challenge). Mr Duma and Ngamlana are busy creating (Sagiya Port Radio and Internal Communications) SagPRIC Radio as a winning idea that put them in position three among 200 innovators that entered MYIC 2018 competition, hosted by Innovate Durban, TRANSNET and other business partners.
Mr Duma is synchronizing his trading and innovative ideas by use of Sagiya Foundation. The Foundation operates as two legal entities, namely: Sagiya Foundation Pty Ltd for business operations, SME’s EDP (Entrepreneurs Development Programmes). Mr Duma has registered Sagiya Foundation NPO for funding attraction, CSI, Investments opportunities and social development.
Sagiya Foundation Pty Ltd operates by use of three major business operations, such as Sagiya Records, which released prominent artists including Royalson, Gabriel YoungStar, Umkhumbane Jazz Ensemble, Bongani Nkwanyana, to mention but few. The 2nd Unit is Sagiya Publishers, which currently published books, such as “Preparation for University” by Qiniso Ncwane and AP Duma himself as an editor and a co-writer. Other works published under Sagiya Publishers include “Bishop SK Mngomezulu and Lighthouse Bible Church”, written by AP Duma and OJ Radebe. “Kukude Lapho Sivela Khona” is an IsiZulu novel written by AP Duma and published as an eBook.
The third unit is Sagiya Theatre. It produced Izintombi Musical HIV/AIDS edutainment project that was witnessed by more than 6 000 high school learners. Sagiya Theatre produced Dim-Dep the Musical 2015, 2016 and 2018 and released it as DVDs that were distributed to all Ethekwini Municipality Libraries. Dim-Dep Musical 2015 and 2016 were presented in The Playhouse Company Opera Theatre accompanied by classical orchestra, KZN Music legends, including Umkhumbane Jazz Ensemble, Madala Kunene, Prof Anthony Rippon, Neil Gonsalves and Xolisa Dlamini. Mr Duma is an official scrip editor for “King Zwelithini Zulu The Musical”, which was performed in Grahamstown National Arts Festival in 2018.
Mr Duma’s Dim-Dep Musical 2015/2016 introduced Ntokozo “Sngqazu” Ngcobo in professional Theatre as Major Character in a production called Nandi The Musical, thereafter she got casted for Mzansi Magic’s Ifalakhe Movie Series. Ntokozo got nominated through Mr Duma’s Dim-Dep Musical 2016 DVD for SATMA Awards 2016 for her dynamic poetry that she featured in a production. Duma contributed a lot towards her successful launch of her poetry book entitled “Amaloba the Traces”
Atlas Duma as a Musician:
Duma is an award-winning music composer, arranger and a drummer. He possesses a National Diploma in Jazz and Popular Musical from Technikon Natal, currently known as DUT. He also acquired Assessor Certificate on Conducting Outcome-Based Assessment from QED, which is accredited by ETQA, Service SETA and MAPPP SETA, which is now CATHSSETA. Mr Duma is registered as an Accredited Assessor of Unit Standard and Outcome-Based Assessment. He is the drummer and one of the composers in Umkhumbane Jazz Ensemble (UJE), which has signed under Sagiya Records. He is a leader of his band called SAGIYA Afro Jazz Band, which heats major festivals, such as Grahamstown Standard Bank National Arts Festival, Ugu Festivals, Midma Dam Festival, Corporate Functions etc. Duma was a band coordinator and drummer for the first Crown Gospel Music Awards 2012. Performed with Gcina Mhlophe in Nozincwadi Festivals in KwaNgcolosi and in an Opening Plenary for the United Nations Summit in ICC 2017.
Artistic Activities in Tertiary Institution
Mr Duma started to be involved as professional drummer while he was still studying Music at Technikon Natal. At Technikon he established and became a president of a student organization called Technikon Natal Arts Students Re-Development Project (TECHNARP). This organization created a platform for students to discover their performance abilities, exposure and self-confidence that enhanced their performance abilities, academically, artistically and commercially. The musicians that were exposed by TECHNARP include the following: SAGIYA Band, SHANA, Nqubeko Mbatha (Joyous Celebration), Johan Mthethwa (Joyous Celebration) Black Coffee, Shota, Demo, Swazi Dlamini, Xolisa Gqoli Dlamini, Thamela Maskandi Afro Fusion, Zakhele “Zakes Mantwini” Madida. After Mr. Duma’s graduation, TECHNARP continued with his vision under the leadership of “Zakes Mantwini” until the department of music was transferred to the University of KwaZulu Natal.
Music Educator/Facilitator
Mr Duma is a former Music and Dramatic Arts educator in Isibonelo High School (KwaMashu) 2011 – 2012 and in Siyaphumula High School 2014 – 2015
He currently works as a freelancing music facilitator in different music centres, such as Playhouse Company, Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre, BAT Centre and Msunduzi Music School.
He facilitates on musical subject, such as Marimba and percussive ensemble, Drums, Musical Theatre, Rhythm Studies, Ensemble, Keyboard Technics, Improvisation, Composition, Music Business, intellectual Property and Copyright.
Mr Duma’s Record Label
He is the founder and the Director of Sagiya Records, which released professional artists such as:
1. Mduduzi Magwaza “Siyabonga Njnji” – Former Mango Groove Pennywhistle player;
2. Yoyalson (Live in Sagiya Virtual Jazz Concert 2020)
3. Gabriel YoungStar Ft Jeaychroniq, Khaya Dladla and Tudor with a trending single “Indovozi” Gqom.
4. Khombisile Miya with an album “Ungcayi Lweqhikiza” (Maskandi)
5. Umkhumbane Jazz Ensemble with an album “Ezintabeni” (Jazz) SATMA Awards Nominees 2017
6. Nozuko Nguqu with an album “Mavula Kuvaliwe” (Gospel Maskandi)
7. Amabhungu with an album “Amabhungu” (Mbaqanga)
8. Mfazomabikibiki with an album “Abakholwayo” (Maskandi)
9. Masiza with an album “Let us Jive” (Afro Soul)
10. Princess M with an album “Ngiyabonga” (Gospel) produced by Mr Duma but release by another label
11. Amantombazane Asogwini: “Amaqhawe” (Afro Jazz) Produced by Mr Duma release by another label
12. Dim-Dep The Musical 2015 and 2016 DVDs;
13. Ntokozo Sngqazu Ngcobo single “Africa my Africa” (Musical Poetry) SATMA Awards Nominee 2016.
14. Producer of UJE-HHC (Umkhumbane Jazz Ensemble Horn Hang up Concert) – Live DVD Playhouse Co.
Achievements:
1. 2020: Elected by Herbie Hancock to produce and present International Jazz Day Celebration
2. 2020: Elected as the General Secretary and Public Officer of CCA (Cultural Connections Africa) NPO founded by Katherine McVicker from New York.
3. 2019: Received a Seed Fund to establish SDDS (Sagiya Digital Distribution System)
From: Technology Innovation Agency. Through Invotech Business Incubator
4. 2018: 3rd Position in Maritime Youth Innovation Challenge (MYIC 2018)
Presented by: Innovate Durban sponsored by TRANSNET – Durban TPT
5. 2017: Best Community Environmentalist (Certificate) Presented by: Ethekwini Municipality (DSW)
6. 2016: Certificate of Recognition as KZN Music Legend Presented by: University of KwaZulu Natal (Centre for Jazz and Popular Music) and Sagiya Foundation
7. 2002: Best Music Composer Award Presented by: Old Mutual Jazz Encounters.
8. 1997: Best Afro Jazz Band Award (Sagiya Band)
Presented by: Shell Road to Fame
Contact Details:
Organisation: SAGIYA Foundation
Cell (Calls/WhatsaApp): 081 373 8185
Email: atlasduma06@gmail.com
Web: www.sagiyafoundation.co.za
