ALL RISE…

I would like to thank,

The Almighty God to whom this work is dedicated. You’re so big and wise. It really does feel like I’m catching up to You all the time. Thank you for making me. Life makes sense because of You.

My parents, Dr Leonard Masuku and Dr Elsie Masuku for the finest upbringing a young man could ask for and for introducing me to Jesus Christ. My brothers Ndabezinhle Dumoluhle and my sister-in-law Nontokozo for being the best older siblings a chap could ask for. Nda and Nonto’s gorgeous twins, Mondli and Yoliswa for unwittingly helping me to appreciate that the world does not revolve around me. Y’all are my rock, my inspiration, my support, my faith-feeders, my wisdom, my roots, my love. I consider it an honour to call you family.

My South African family:  Ps Howard Rossouw, his wife Lynn, their lovely daughter- my ‘forensic anthropologist’ sister, Lache (so proud of you!) and my dearest brother, Jabulisa Mncube. You have been the embodiment of Christ’s love in my life ever since I met you. Ya’ll are always rooting for me. What a joy! I love you thoroughly!

My friend and business partner, Lwazi Khoza. Thank you for indulging my whims and off-beat sense of purpose. We’re just getting started. You inspire me to be the best ‘me’ possible. Let’s go get it!

Jo’burg North SDA Church- you have taught me to share my heart, to cry, to praise, to remember to breathe, to value learning, to listen for God’s voice, to live truthfully… I thank God for you. MAD (Make A Difference) Youth of Sandton SDA Church- you are my friends. Thank you for holding me accountable and providing a platform for me to discover and share my talents and spiritual gifts.

My amazing assistant, Josie Winter. You work so hard and have such a generous spirit. I have no doubt God has amazing plans for your life. Thank you for the peace you radiate at the office and for keeping me briefed and organized. I love your photography!

A special thank you to RJ Benjamin, Tamarsha, Karabo Mongatane, Jarrid John, Sibongile Lugube and Riffi for your grace in performing on this EP. Currents of Blackness and MAD Youth Choir, y’all rock! I love you to death my long-suffering backing vocalists: Lindile, Thubelihle, Anele, Titi, Ofentse, Brian, Ndabezinhle, Chad and Sibongile.  An extra-special thank you to my collaborators and production team members on this project: Chadwin Alexander (SMH- We’ve come a long way, you and me… God enlarge you!), RJ Benjamin (Your belief in this project has meant more than you know…), Tripleplay  (Brian, Andrew and Siya, I’m watching the sky…), Sibongile Lugube (Can’t wait for that album to drop…), Riffi (Iwe!), Tabz (Best mixing agent in Mzansi…), Rogan (You are so chilled and wise…) and Graeme, Matthew, Raymond and Chad- you chaps are stellar live studio instrumentalists. Thank you all!

Jonathan Munnik. You totally pimped out our CD cover with original artwork. Priceless. Can’t wait to be able to add more of your fine art to my collection.

I know I’ve left out many, many people who directly or indirectly influenced or assisted the making and eventual release of this work. The last thank you goes out to EVERYONE who’s been part of making this dream a reality, in ways big or small. Not least, the entire cast and crew of the original Hope Project Theatre Production staged at University of Johannesburg’s Sanlam Auditorium in July 2009. And for those of you who just happened by this EP and would like to gain insight into why this movement (The Hope Project) exists, or learn more about how it all began and where it’s going- please visit us at www.thehopeproject-sa.com.  Peace!

–Andile Masuku (Founder and Executive Producer of The Hope Project)

The Hope Project EP Vol. 1- RISE is out NOW!

After much prayer, effort and cultivation, The Hope Project EP Volume 1: Rise is finally out and available for you to own and bump in your ride! 

The Hope Project presents a lovely compilation of 5 tracks executive produced by Andile Masuku and Lwazi Khoza, produced by Chadwin Alexander, RJ Benjamin, Andile Masuku, Clifford “Riffi” Machingaifa- featuring lead vocals by RJ Benjamin, Tamarsha, Karabo Mongatane, Sibongile Lugube, Jarrid John and Riffi.

Melodies to inspire! We’re doing our best to snag a mainstream distribution deal that should see the short-length album reach a music store near you and get the tracks playing on radio. In the meantime though, you can get your copy directly from Zwile Corp for just R60. E-mail: info@thehopeproject-sa.co.za, or call Josie at the office on +27 (0)11 782 1548, or visit us at Nutmeg House, 24 Alida Street, Northcliff, Johannesburg. Discounted bulk orders for schools, churches, youth groups and special interest groups are welcome.

Watch this space for awesome news and features related to the release of this much-anticipated project.

The World Cup? What World Cup?

You best believe that as far as we are concerned, The World Cup is not the most exciting part of being alive this year. We are pumped to grow the scope of The Hope Project in 2010!

We aren’t phased by the gravity of our mission. What with a friend and supporter of The Hope Project, Kaisha Mokwatlo, having just lost a cousin to suicide recently, more than ever we’re inspired to do what we do like we’ve never done it before. God help us! We’re praying for you, girl.

For the moment I can’t give away too much on what we’re plotting, but let’s just say the words like ‘bigger’, ‘MAD’, ‘movement’, and ‘festival’ feature rather prominently. Let me assure you that as soon as the blueprint is ready, you’ll be the first to be in on it.

In the meantime y’all, keep that awesome feedback coming. Moh-fah-yah!

The Inevitable Big Mushy Thank you!

Whoa! It’s been over a week since the inaugural Hope Project! And what a ride it’s been! I would like to officially thank every everyone who has visited our site and offered love and support. Please keep coming back for updates. We’re just getting started y’all! Tons of special stuff in the pipeline.

A super-special shout out to those of you who made it out to the show on Saturday, July 25th. I thank the Father, from whom all blessings flow for you! Thank you for entrusting this dream to me, Lord!

Big thanks to the concessions, sacrifice and passion shown by every volunteer, performer and production pro: starting with our talented vocalists (Lindile Ngcobo, Thubelihle Ngcobo, Nyiko Mongwe and Bongi Mkhonza- you blew our minds!), our guest artists (RJ Benjamin, Jarrid John, Emily Dangwa (you little instigator!), Sibongile Mlotshwa, Adriana Naude-Scholtz and Nono Hove (y’all made it extra special). And the amazing band- Dio Santos on drums (you are a genuine giver- may God return to you a thousand fold), Matthew McFarlane on the guitar, Tlale Makhene on percussion and Jason Green on bass. I commend the phenomenal musical direction provided by my good friend, Chadwin Alexander. It’s been an honour, Sir Chad.

The actors… What would this event have been without the ‘drama’! Sibulele Gciltshana (your humility astounds), Tumelo Sibanda (your super-professionalism is so appreciated) , Nhlanhla Ngwenya (can’t believe this was your theatrical debut!), Ashley Moyo (your time is now, buddy!) and Musa Kalenga (how you found the time, I will never know). You guys were marvelous to watch! Director and Co-writer Zwelethu Radebe, thank you for sharing your ‘old’ wisdom and unique insights with us, and for bringing such beauty out of this stellar cast.

Working earnestly, and often unthanked behind the scenes were production coordinator, Bathobile Dube (your tireless dedication to this cause is legendary), technical director, Allewyn Scholtz (thank God he made you a perfectionist- you tuned us perfectly), Sibusiso Mthiya (backstage management was a thing of beauty thanks to you), Ernest Loveland (you are every production professional’s dream assistant- well done lad!), Connie Bentlage (for all those hours working with Chadwin on a score for our string section- you rock, woman!), our make-up artist, Mbali Radebe (you brought it on with such class!), cast caterer, Lwazi Khoza (wind beneath my wings, friend), volunteers back and front of house staff and runners Anele Ngcobo, Christopher Kapanga and his fantastic family, Norma Tyili (y’all rock like that!) and Nicolene Steyn (you believed from day one!).

A huge thank you to our MC for the evening, Thuli Zulu, the University of Johannesburg, The State Theatre, the amazing people at COACH, UJ Campus SDASM leadership (you literally lifted us up), Parable Magazine, Siyabonga Ngcangisa (you did so MUCH!), the wonderful church families that allowed us to minister to them- not least my home church, Joburg North SDA Christian Church, my amazing head elder Beryl Hook (you are such an enabler!) and Mrs SM Dube (you opened doors for us at UJ). Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To my loving Mum, Dad and awesome brothers, Dumoluhle and Ndabezinhle and his lovely wife, Nontokozo, my gorgeous girlfriend, Smangele and to my Super Six, who have stuck by me through the harrowing uncertainty leading up to the event, through the loneliness of the aftermath and who share my excitement for where we’re going next. I know this isn’t just a gig to you. I love you and thank God for you daily!

To the rest of you who said it wasn’t possible, suggested that perhaps the dream was too big or unrealistic; to those who came to the show to see a flop or looked on in curiosity when you could have been of practical assistance. To those who demanded that we make it ‘worth your while’ in order to take part when heaven knows you could have sacrificed just a tad to help out. THANK YOU! God isn’t finished here. Please don’t hesitate to approach us in the future if there is some way you can be of service. We bear no ill will. I pray that Hope will overcome every negative notion, banish every selfish spirit and inspire those who mistakenly think there’s stuff God can’t do for or through them. Ironically, God’s boundless provision would not have shone through as clearly to me without the angst.

If I somehow forgot to thank you for something you contributed I apologise. May God richly bless you!

Finally, our plans going forward include a studio recording of the original Hope Project soundtrack and taking the show to other parts of Gauteng and to Cape Town later this year. We look forward to your continued support and can’t wait to see you all there! Pray for us! Moh-fah-yah!

We Be the Gig to Be-at!

Still not sure whether you should be at The Hope Project this Saturday evening? We’ve just been recommended as the gig to be at this weekend by Studio83 Magazine. Hola back!

Hope PR-oject in Full Swing!

It’s been a busy several days as preparations for The Hope Project intensify. The PR machine is in motion, with live media appearances on SABC International on Monday, 13 July; Umhlobo Wenene FM  on Saturday, 19 July; Lesedi FM on Friday, 17 July and on UKhozi FM’s huge afternoon drive-time slot this Monday, 20 July. It’s been crazy and we love it!

We appreciate the amazing support of SABC’s Siyabonga Ngcangisa, whose influence has been wind beneath our wings. A big thank you to the producers of every show that’s plugged us, and their enthusiastic hosts!

If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, listen out for ticket giveaways whenever we’re on radio, call in and you and a friend could be joining us this Saturday at UJ Sanlam Auditorium for FREE! Moh-fah-yah!

Lesedi, Are You Ready?

Catch The Hope Project’s lead actors, Sibulele Gcilitshana and Tumelo Sibanda in an interview on SeSotho radio station, Lesedi FM (87.7 – 106.6 MHz) this afternoon, Friday, 17 July. To listen in online visit lesedifm.co.za  Moh-fah-yah!

It’s All Hope, Baby!

The Hope Project would like to thank His People Wits for answering our call to arms. Thank you for letting us share with you this past Sunday night! Praise and worship with you was fantastic! And thank you Pastor Carol for that timely Word- we are totally channeling the Gideon experience and claiming our God-potential. Impossible is NOTHING! Hope has taken over!

Many thanks for the humbling support we have also enjoyed from the following congregations thus far: Joburg North Christian Church, Sandton Church, New Life Church, Bosmont Church,  Golden Harvest Christian Church, Kelvin Church and His People Parktown North. More fire! See you at the show!

Please remember that students get 50 bucks off and pay only R100, and so do scholars under 16 and adult groups of 5 or more. Get your tickets at Computicket NOW, y’all!

Performance Teaser on DSTV- Dates and Times

Head’s up, Everyone! The Hope Project hits One Gospel on DSTV this week on Tuesday at 7pm with repeats on Wednesday at 10am and Saturday at 4pm. Check us out and give us feedback right here. We’d love to hear from you.

The Hope Project gets “The Kalenga Touch”

Things are bound to get interesting as The Hope Project director, Zwelethu Radebe, casts M-Net’s Musa Kalenga in an intriguing support role. 

Zwelethu warns that the part calls for a giant departure from the super-suave, amicable nature of the executive producer and host of DSTV’s The Kalenga Touch. If I give away anymore details I’ll be walking the plank y’all, but we all should anticipate great things if the on-going success of Musa’s talk show is anything to go by.

For more on Musa visit http://www.facebook.com/musa.kalenga and catch THE KALENGA TOUCH on DSTV 115, every Saturday at 10am and 7pm, and on Sunday 2am CAT.