Profile of Proffessor Anthony Rippon
Academic, musician, environmentalist
Proffesor Anthony (Tony) Rippon is a man, who in his own words “wears a couple of hats”, one being an ambassador for the Dim-Dep Enviro Blitz aimed at highlighting environmental matters through “edutainment”.
Dim-Dep: Faces of Environmental Success is an ongoing interactive and creative theatre production.
“My role involves promoting legends, those special people that are role models in arts and culture and pro-active in environmental issues,” Rippon said.
His described his friendship and collaboration with Atlas Duma, the founder, author and director of Dim-Dep, as a meeting of minds.
“We share a passion for the arts and both are hoping to achieve a shift towards people understanding the importance of looking after the environment,” Rippon said.
His participation in Dim-Dep happened by chance when in July 2015 he saw a production of Dim-Dep at a small venue at the Play House in Durban.
“I was attracted to it as I both music and the environment is close to my heart and in the back of my mind I saw the potential for a ‘life case study’. At the time I was a full time academic and working on the development of an environmental module,” said Rippon.
He arranged to meet Duma and the two men immediately recognised how much they had in common.
“During that first conversation we realized we shared a passion as musicians and using entertainment as an educational tool. I became involved in Dim-Dep and it ended up as being an awesome experience with the cast growing from about seven to more than 60 and moving to the Opera Theatre at the Play House,” said Rippon.
Rippon’s first role was as an advisor, but he ended up with a small part in the musical as well as composing and writing a song Too Blind to See that was used in the finale.
Rippon also act as a strategic advisor for the Sagiya Foundation – a performing arts, theatre and musical enterprise production, also founded by Duma.
Rippon (60) was born in Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu-Natal and after working for several years in the transport, environmental and tourism industry, he studied further and completed several degrees at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). He received several accolades including a Legends Award in 2016.
He is married to Aneza and has two grown up daughters, Alechia and Marique.
Now based in Pennington on the KZN South Coast he is also involved in academic work, lecturing, coaching, mentoring, facilitating motivational speaking and consulting.
However, his 1st passion is being a musician and promoting the importance of arts and culture’s role in education followed, or rather equaled, by his love and consideration of the environment.
“I believe in edu-entertainment. It is different, inspirational, motivational and healing,” said Rippon.
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