SAMA nominated drummer Tumi Mogorosi and jazz vocalist Gabisile Motuba have teamed up to create a project that encompasses their unique approach to jazz, which they have titled Sanctum Sanctorium. This is the first album that the married couple has worked on together, it also features some global collaborators too!

We caught up with the duo that forms Sanctum Sanctorium to find out what we can expect from their upcoming performances and album:

What led you to fall in love with Jazz music?

Gabi: My love of music began at an early age with my father playing his jazz albums on Sundays. It was a family ritual. That’s how I discovered Miles Davis and Abdullah Ibrahim.

Tumi: My love of music began at home and within the community of jazz. Listening to the teachings of Herbie Tsoaeli, Andile Yenana and Feya Faku shaped my love for the genre.

Married and working together, how did it all start?

Gabi: Tumi and I have been working together since his debut album Project Elo, where he had asked me to co-write and sing on the track Thokozile Queen Mother. I have always been very fascinated with his drumming and his approach to music as a whole.

Tumi: I  have always been interested in Gabi’s approach which is a very melodic intensity which is contrasted by an innocence not associated with intensity, so I would imagine when combined with the way I see drumming it can take on a dynamic form.

How would you describe the album Sanctum Sanctorium?

Sanctum  Sanctorium is speaking to the ‘holy or sacred’ ground which music and art allows. It also refers to our own personal space where we are allowed to create freely and honestly. Sanctum Sanctorium is a name that best describes, what we thought, is the mood in which premises the state of consciousness that opens possibilities of reaching new heights of the creative outpour. It’s a sacred space of sorts.

What can people expect from your concerts over the next few days?

People can expect a very intimate and sombre setting for the music. The music is very sensitive and peaceful and allows one to really reflect. Our band will consist of: Tumi Mogorosi on drums, Gabi Motuba on vocals, Malcolm Braff on piano, Keenan Ahrends on guitar and Sebastian Schuster on the bass.

Who are you currently listening to?

Gabi: Susanna Baca, Concha Buika and Kendrick Lamar
Tumi: Terrence Blanchard, Phillip Tabane and Susanna Bacca

You can catch Sanctum Sanctorium in concert this weekend at the following venues:

Thursday, 17th November 2016 – Miriam Makeba Auditorium/Concert hall, UNISA, Pretoria – R150

Friday, 18th November 2016 – Music Room, 8^th Floor, WITS University, Johannesburg – R150

Saturday, 19th November 2016 – The Chairman, Durban  – R150

Tickets for these performances can be purchased here.

With November coming to a quick close, we at Grazia could not miss the opportunity to write up a #MovemberManCrush list (yes, more than one!) of some of our favourite celebs dawning beards that have us swooning at every glance!

Here they are ladies….eat your hearts out!

SK KHOZA

A photo posted by Sthembiso Khoza (@skcoza) on Oct 11, 2016 at 12:27am PDT

LEX LEO

A photo posted by LEXLEO™DR SMILE®RAPHAËL M (@drsmilelexleo) on Nov 2, 2016 at 11:31pm PDT

THAPELO MOKOENA

A photo posted by Thapelo Mokoena (@mokoenalive) on Nov 14, 2016 at 10:18pm PST

CHRIS JAFTHA

A photo posted by Christopher Jaftha (@chrisjaftha) on Nov 3, 2016 at 12:01am PDT

SHONA FERGUSON

A photo posted by Connie Ferguson (@connie_ferguson) on May 29, 2013 at 1:21pm PDT

As a student in my third year at the University of Witwatersrand who’s currently interning at a well-known media publication, the #Feesmustfall movement has had its pros and cons. Having participated last year, I decided that #FMF would miss me this time around so that I could focus on my job and my academics.

Don’t get me wrong, I agree with the movement…to a certain extent. I think it’s rather sad that in 2016, 20 something years post-apartheid, black students (and yes, I say black because let’s face it, most kids marching those streets are indeed of the melanin nature) have been placed in a situation where fighting for education has become a very real thing. It doesn’t make sense to me that we’re fighting a battle that was fought years ago to prevent the current situation we are faced with.

I think my biggest concern regarding everything is that regardless of me actually being out there on the streets or in the office typing away, the general safety for students was at risk. Not knowing if there would be class today and if there was, would we be safe? It’s no secret that the overwhelming police presence on campus definitely caused an uproar from parents, students and lecturers. Knowing that you could wake up and get ready for class with the intention of just getting through the day and ending up with a gunshot wound or even worse…It’s definitely not the best thought to have before shut-eye the night before.

It’s always a beautiful thing to see people stand together in solidarity when staring adversity right in the face but once all is said and done, I have to ask: is it worth it? Is this campaign even going anywhere? People have died and many more injured. The government does not seem to be budging in terms of meeting the demands made by students. It’s a noble cause but it’s all ended in a mess. I also can’t help but wonder what will happen to us students and our academics? 5/6 week of no lectures is a significant amount of time!

I suppose there is a little truth in the saying ‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions’ but how many more students  have to endure injuries or even die before anything is done?

Words by Mawatle Mpuru

It seems as though 2016 is the year that will go down as the biggest political upset in recent history following America’s failure to vote for their first female president.

On South African shores, while we certainly knew the end was nigh for former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s term in office, it was nonetheless disappointing to see a much-loved figure vacating office, especially at a crucial time when the state of South African politics leaves much to be desired.

 There are many similarities the supporters of both women can draw between the two. Hillary was seen as a fail-safe against a potentially disastrous Donald Trump presidency that could possibly mean the reversal of women’s reproductive rights among other things, while Thuli was  a necessary buffer for a Jacob Zuma presidency few can deny has been less than desirable.

#GoGetYourGrazia  to read what Sandiso Ngubane has to say about politics in the world and the legacies that the women within them leave behind.

“I’m consistently asked how I keep a foot in two contrasting worlds – one in the entertainment industry, predicated on wealth and indulgence, and the other in humanitarian work. To me, it’s less of a question of how can you do this, and more a question of how can you not? Below I share my candid thoughts on this very topic…

“Despite the contrast of my two worlds growing up, there was a powerful commonality: both my parents came from little, so they made a choice to give a lot – buying turkeys for homeless shelters at Thanksgiving, delivering meals to patients in hospice care, donating any spare change in their pocket to those asking for it, and performing quiet acts of grace – be it a hug, a smile, or a pat on the back to show ones in need that they would be alright. This is what I grew up seeing, so that is what I grew up being: a young adult with a social consciousness to do what I could, and to, at the very least, speak up when I knew something was wrong.”

Covergirl Meghan Markle is more than just a pretty face on a toned pair of legs (yes, we all noticed). On her site and blog titled How to be both, Meghan explores the ups and downs that come with being within the Hollywood atmosphere as well as wanting to do more for the community.

 #G0GetYourGrazia to read more about this gem of a woman and her new and exciting relationship with the prince! Let us know if you think she’s well suited for Prince Harry, if so, then why? if not, then why not?