FREE MP3: isiZulu Love Song 'Uthando Lwakho' Available for Download NOW

The song Uthando Lwakho was written by myself in the latter part of 2014, I had assistance from close friends with pronunciation. I was inspired to write this song for my friend Toya D who lost her mother when she was young, she wrote a song for her mother which allowed me a chance to really grieve some of the losses I've experienced in my life. 

This song was also one of the main thematic pieces in "7 inch Stilettos" by Thabiso Radebe and played a role in generating emotion during the show when his mother passes away. 

The song speaks of broken love, love that cannot be.

This is the Feedback that i have had from the initial hearing:

Thabiso Radebe
Actor | Director | Playwright
"Uthando...love. This song is very emotional. I feel that it draws so much depth, and touches ones emotions, it talks about the love that each one of us wants to experience. That love which lasts forever... but at the same time it questions whether that love could exist... It is an amazing song and I'd rate it '5 out of 5' since it's a unique Zulu love song, amazing Sandy."
Star rating: 5 out of 5

Kyleigh Lazarus
Radio DJ | Style Guru
"Beautifully composed song... and I give it a 5 star rating. Maybe because of my loss, and the way I felt whilst listening to it. Very, very moving Sandy. You're incredibly talented. So 5 star it is!"
Star rating: 5 out of 5

Sandy Nene
Celebrity Blogger | Durban Journo | Lifestyle & Fashion Guru
"I was impressed that you know how to sing in isizulu. It is important now that artists learn to come out of their comfort zones in order to reach a larger audience. Looking forward to the rest of your albums. You are a talented musician."
Star rating: 5 out of 5

Lucky Malinga
Singer | Young Mbazo Member
"Tjo my friend this song is a hit! I love it - 100 out of 100. I love it so much, that I put you at #1 on the charts!"
Star rating: 5 out of 5

Claire Winstanley
Actress | TV host Expresso Morning Show SABC3
Wow... That just made my trip home from work ! It's somehow manages to be powerful and comforting at the same time... Like a big hug - my kind of love song! Happily a 4 (Only saying 4 because u just said u still need to tweak it - need to leave room for improvement)
Star rating: 4 out of 5

Katelyn Williams
Expresso Morning Show SABC3 | Food Blogger The Kate Tin
"Sandy this is hauntingly beautiful!  I obviously give it 5. This song is brimming with a depth and emotion that transcends any language barrier. Goosebumps stuff!"
Star rating: 5 out of 5

Steve Fataar
Singer | Guitarist | Member of The Flames
"Remember... I'm biased

The Lyrics: 

Uthando Lwakho, 

Uthando Lwami,

Uthando Lwethu... 

Ngunaphakade!

Ngiphakamisele phezulu 

sthandwa,

kuze kukhanyi 

llanga… Llanga... llanga…

Link for FREE mp3 Download:

http://www.reverbnation.com/sandybigara/song/21570967-uthando-lwakho-original-by-sandy 

FREE MP3: Download my NEW Single "Forever" NOW!

Forever

This is my newly mastered single "Forever" also called Per Sempre, it was only fully completed this last week.

In 2008 I lost a baby via miscarriage on Christmas day, I named her "Heart" and wrote a poem about her, I did not know I was pregnant when we lost her. 

In 2013 I started to play around with a song about loss, and Forever happened. I was pregnant at the time with my son Samuel when I recorded the music for the song in December 2013. I recorded preliminary vocals for reference. 

In early February of 2014, a week before my 1940's historical theatre musical opened, I lost Samuel at 15 weeks pregnant. Recording this song helped us to grieve, my children 4 and 6 have sung it on and off all year - in the beginning it was painful to perform it live, but as time has progressed it is easier and easier. 

In November of 2014 the previous version of this song was one of the major thematic pieces in "7 Inch Heels" by Thabiso Radebe at the Catalina Theatre, a play about loss. 

I have shared it with very few people and the response has been the same: emotion and shared experiences.

Here are the lyrics:

Forever / Per Sempre

Copyright © Sandy Bigara www.sandybigara.com

Softly moving… hiding deep within me.

Lost in time, this dream is fading out again…

Life has a way of taking those who should remain…

Father find a way! This dream is fading out again!                      

Heart you left us!

Cuore si’so-no anda-ti,

Resta’con me’il mio’a-more!

Tu’sei vivo nel mi-o cu-ore!

           

Heart you left us…                   

Heart you left us…

           

Heart you left us!

Cuore si’so-no anda-ti,

Resta’con me’il mio’a-more!

Tu’sei vivo nel mi-o cu-ore!

Forever…                            

…Per sempre…                  

[Ending / Italian Translation]

Heart you have gone

Stay with me my love

You are alive in my heart - Forever!      X2

And the link for free download: 

http://www.reverbnation.com/sandybigara/song/22326830-sandy-bigara-forever-per-sempre

CRAFT KIDS: Make a Lasting Memory for Christmas!

My 6 year old daughter sketched a Reindeer last night, and after scanning the image into my PC I had an idea for our tired looking front window.

We spent about 3 hours doing this.

You'll need:
A4 white paper for printing the images
Santa and a sleigh
Get your kid/kids to draw a Reindeer each (even if they are funny looking) scan and copy the number of reindeer that you need. Make sure to mirror flip the ones that will flay 'backwards' in the zig zag.
One A4 piece of coloured paper per reindeer x number of reindeer.
One A4 piece of coloured cardboard for the back layer x number of reindeer
Glue
Glitter
Sticky tape
Wool / 2m shoe lace / string
Scissors

The process:
Create 'characters' by adding hair styles etc to each reindeer,
Colour in the pictures using roll-ups,
Glue the highlights and add glitter,
Cut out.
Stick onto the coloured paper and cut out again leaving a bubble border.
Stick onto the coloured cardboard and cut out again leaving another colour bubble layer.
Thread wool/string etc through the reindeer, criss crossing through a small puncture near the chest. Use sticky tape to fasten the 'reins' correctly.
Then, using sticky tape, adhere to window.

Enjoy!
Regards,

Sandy Bigara
www.sandybigara.com

THEATRE REVIEW: There!Lays Ubuntu at The Catalina Theatre by Musa Ntuli

I had the absolute privilege of doing photography for There!Lays Ubuntu Written and Directed by Musa Ntuli performed courtesy of Sakhiwo Arts & Skills Development Centre last weekend.

I was expecting something sad, thought provoking… but I wasn’t prepared for the feast that would be laid before us as an audience, original music sung in traditional African style, accompanied by keyboard and drums. I would have preferred to see the musicians on a more elevated and lit up stage area – their part in the play was also important.

 The choreography was not simple by any means, the passion and zeal of the cast was palpable, they were enjoying, truly enjoying the experience on stage. They were 100% behind the message that they were sharing – a rare thing to ‘feel’ emanating from the stage. Lighting design was by freelance Lighting and Sound Technician Mancane, and I felt that the lighting supported each scene visually (even though I leaned on the spot light and got moaned at! Thankfully it wasn’t on at the time!!)

To see such a full and robust cast was refreshing – the lead characters were realistically portrayed with no hysterics or TV acting, real gritty emotion displayed in real life situations.

One of the lead actors really stood out to me, Monde Zondi who plays the role of Skuva a young gangster with a sad and troubled past. Besides being an exceptionally beautiful human (hunk!) he was passionate in his portrayal and is definitely someone to watch out for!

The plot unfolds throughout the play, with unanswered questions clarified by the last scene, with the central plot similar to a traditional Shakespearean tragedy – the final death scene left me quiet and with a feeling of depth.

In this play, we see Death personalized as a character, and how he infiltrates peoples lives within a community, in the context of Ubuntu.

In Short

Show: There!Lays Ubuntu

Where:Catalina Theatre

Date: 14-23 November 2014

Times: 7pm daily and 3pm Matinee on the Sundays.
Tickets: Available at all Checkers or Shoprite stores in KZN, or online click HERE.

Price: R80pp (Spur and John Dory meal options on computicket)
Brought to you by Sakhiwo Arts And Skills Development Centre ‪

MARKET: Hingham Nursery Christmas Market

Hingham Nursery 

Christmas Market

28th November

8am till 6pm

Free Entry

(Top of Clematis grv, off Rinaldo, which is off Umhlanga Rocks 

Drive at the top, or Chris Hani/North Coast rd at the bottom.)

Info: tinkerbelldv@gmail.com

**restaurant**

**generous portions**

**kids playground**

**pet friendly**

**wheelchair friendly**

What a wonderful way to start your weekend... :)

There will be lots of Christmas goodies to buy from the Hingham decor shop, as gifts, or to spoil yourself!

Classy Candles and Function decor hire will be displaying clever idea's on how to decorate your christmas table and there will be some beautiful christmas decorations for sale.

The Tea Garden will run as normal until sunset, and as an addition: we will be selling our famous salad dressing, onion marmalade, biscuits etc.

Bring the whole family, and come and have some fun at Hinghams!

Please share to help us make this a successful event.
Regards,

Sandy Bigara
www.sandybigara.com

ACTIVISM: Save Newmarket Stables, FleaMarket, Berea Rovers Rugby Club, and Cyril Geoghan Cycling Stadium

Join Save Newmarket Stables on Facebook and become involved in saving this venue and the other TWO clubs that will be affected. 

Newmarket Stables is over 95 yeas old and could indeed be as old as Greyville Race Course- 1897. 

Funds from the LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB, ETHEKWINI and HOY PARK are being used to close down Berea Rugby Club, a major contributory club to the KZN Sharks Rugby Team. Close down the NEWMARKET STABLES AND RIDING SCHOOL, a non-profit organisation and a heritage site, with over 100 years of history, catering to disabled riders and able bodied riders making is affordable for Durban and surrounding areas chilsdren to learn ride. 

We have over 90 children a week that come to the facility to learn to ride. This is the only facility in the Durban area. It is also the training centre for the Kwa-zulu Natal Pony club (affiliated to the British Pony Club) and it is also a venue for training and development shows including the South African Schools Equestrian Association which is a development organisation for Juniors, young riders and Pony Riders. 

Approximately 11 horses may need to be euthanized to make way for LIVERPOOLS SCORER PLAN, and more than 40 horse will be required to be sold, moved or euthanized. 

More than 15 black males will lose their jobs, some of which have worked for the Centre for more than 40 years. 

The Cyril Geoghan Cycling Stadium, a legacy and property, left to the municipality for the exclusive use of cycling / equestrian shows, will be ignored despite the intentions of Mr Cyril Geoghan (deceased). 

All this despite the fact that the NEW MOSES MABHIDA stadium, with all the required facilities and more, is 500m away and is barely used – this begs the question, were is the money really going? Whilst Liverpool pumps funds into a local municipality in order for them to, without discussion, investigation, consultation, unilaterally close three clubs of various sporting activities FOR SOCCER. 

Furthermore, the Metro Police mounted unit, based at the Newmarket Stables, will also be closed down (and the Friesian horses they use, moved no doubt out of the greater Durban). This unit patrols the greater Durban and surrounding areas were vehicle have limited and no access like our beaches and is much needed in a country where the crime rate is so high. 

Nelson Mandela said: "Sport has the power to change the world…it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers." So why now does some sport have more power than others...

PERFORMANCE: Sandy Bigara at Hinghams Nursery Tea Garden this Sunday

VINTAGE BLUES & LOVE SONGS (Piano & Vocals)

Sandy Bigara - www.sandybigara.com - will be conducting her monthly performance at Hingham Nursery Tea Garden (top of Clematis Grove, off Rinaldo rd, which is off Umhlanga Rocks Drive at the top, or Chris Hani rd at the bottom near N2 to Gateway)

Sandy's CD "A Night To Remember" will be on sale for R100.
In the spirit of #‎LoveYourBusker‬ please don't forget to bring cash tips for your performer and any bags of small dog or cat pellets for the Healthy Mongoose Feeding Program.
Booking is essential. To book your table either under the thatched boma or in the playground area, call Danielle Venter 0768123886.

Email tinkerbelldv@gmail.com if you have any special requests
(This charming #‎Durban‬ restaurant has a #‎playground‬, lots of shaded seating, has #‎wheelchair‬ access and wheelchair friendly toilets, the venue is also #‎PetFriendly‬)

Reviews:
The Taste Detectives http://tastedetectives.co.za/hingham-nursery/
Sunday Tribune http://tinyurl.com/Review-pg4-SundayTrib-20July
The Durban Journo http://www.durbanjourno.co.za/2014/09/in-spotlight-with-sandy-bigara-hinghams.html

Sandy will be performing new songs this Sunday... Honouring those who fell in WWII - hit songs of Vera Lynn, Doris Day, Nina Simone, Dinah Shore, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn... Such as My Funny Valentine, Stormy Weather, I loves you Porgy, Cry me a River, Misty, Bewitched, Let's face the Music and Dance, Don't eat the Daisies, Que Cera Cera, and some of her original love songs as well, there may be some classical songs too. :)

Regards,

Sandy Bigara
www.sandybigara.com

POLITICS: Death of KZN Councillor Ken Denysschen

Democratic Alliance media statement by: Sizwe Mchunu, MPL – DA KZN Leader, Greg Krumbock MP – DA Mooi Umgeni Constituency MP

7 November 2014
Release: Immediate

The Democratic Alliance is devastated by the tragic and needless death of one of its most beloved public representatives, Councillor Ken Denysschen. Councillor Denysschen was electrocuted while erecting posters ahead of the Mpofana elections scheduled for 26 November.

Ken Denysschen was a councillor in the Mpofana Municipality where he had served with distinction since his election in 2011. He was a very rare person indeed, someone who had a great love of life and infected everyone he met with his boundless enthusiasm and bright hope for the future.

He was a virtual icon in the North Midlands area, being utterly dedicated to the community and getting to know scores of residents through his unrelenting service in the Mpofana Ratepayers and Residents Association, support of community associations and more recently as a councillor.

Attending a public meeting or information table with him was a humbling experience, as he seemed to know every single person there and they, in turn, had the utmost respect and appreciation for Ken's never-ending efforts on their behalf.

As a public representative, Ken Denysschen fought a brave battle as the lone DA councillor in Mpofana trying to root out corruption and improve service delivery. He was just beginning to achieve a measure of success when his cruel death cut short his work.

The heartfelt condolences and empathy of the DA in KZN, and nationally, go out to Councillor Denysschen's close family, his two sons and daughter, who we will visit today. May God be with you and comfort you in this very difficult time.
Regards,

Sandy Bigara
www.sandybigara.com

FAMILY: Teaching about Consequence - Tidy vs Untidy

My children, 6.5 and 4, use our lounge as a play area. My home office is there and they have always played near to me.

They play incredible games, very involved, and very messy. They turn the lounge into so many amazing places for adventures together - I love listening to them giggle, talking in 'american' accents and having a ball.

The outcome each time this year has been a lounge that is DESTROYED. And ME cleaning it :/ we have no Domestic Assistance and my Husband and I share the workload.

So this weekend I watched them thoroughly mess the lounge. Before I would have felt defeated and sad, moaning about the mess. This time however, I spoke to them gently and said "Whatever you do, you must undo later. The lounge will be neat by the time you go to bed." And they agreed - messing even more.

I then marshaled them for almost an hour while they tidied the room - I assisted in folding blankets with them, and guiding them when they had a little tiff etc. Kel 4 struggled, but I watched how Savanna stepped in and encouraged her sister to help by working alongside her. By the end of the hour they were very proud of the neat room. I had to take photos of them. They were that proud.

Monday - the lounge stayed clean the WHOLE day (a first!!)

Tuesday they started a 'museum' and brought through toys - moving the bigger couch cushions off of the couches and onto the floor - to create different sections of the museum - then they watched a movie and dragged their blankets and bed pillows into the lounge... They also opened a big tub of crayons and koki's, and drew lots of pictures on A4 paper... By 5pm the lounge was beyond destroyed. I couldn't walk straight across it.

I had finally climbed into bed a bit later not feeling so well, so Daddy oversaw the clean-up. I listened to them moving things, packing things away. Lots of giggles as their Daddy lifted them up inside their blankets and carried them to their rooms.

In 30min the lounge was tidy. Not perfect - but very tidy. Each couch even had little decorative cushions on it :)

I'm very keen to see where this leads... Hopefully teaching them to realise that for every action there is a reaction.

What do you do if your kids totally mess up a room or two in your house?

:)

Have a great day xx
Regards,

Sandy Bigara
www.sandybigara.com

THEATRE: There! Lays Ubuntu Sakhiwo Arts at Catalina Theatre Durban

Please Note: This article is written in support of Sakhiwo Arts And Skills Development Centre using information found online.

"Nobody is Born Dead, but life gives birth to death"

Brought to you by Sakhiwo Arts And Skills Development Centre, catch THERE! LAYS UBUNTU at the Catalina Theatre from 14 November - 23 November, 7pm daily and 3pm Matinee on Sundays. This play is relevant to all communities and will facilitate healthy dialogue regarding morality and cultural changes in modern times.

"Ubuntu is a belief in a universal Bond that connects all humanity"...

A heartfelt and emotional musical, based on the lost or rather dead morals and customs of Ubuntu evident in the lifestyle of the young adults and youth of the modern era. Tickets are R80 per person, and available on COMPUTICKET.

"UBUNTU IS LIFE"...however, looking at the 21st century, Ubuntu is nothing but a statement used to manipulate, to get people to obey,… or shut the fuck up...”

In this play, we see Death personalized as a character, and how he infiltrates peoples lives within a community, in the context of Ubuntu. Musa Ntuli is an award winning actor and director from Durban, South Africa, known for his well scripted and perfectly polished work, Musa is a dynamic force to be reckoned with. He is directly involved in the leadership of the Sakhiwo Arts And Skills Development Centre and this fledgling company already has a shining future.

"Morals and customs have died in the race of life. Man is driven by the will to dominate, the will to attain what the world will retain when they die. Man is living so fast… to die hard! As death takes over…" 

The Sakhiwo Team recently walked away with numerous trophies and awards at the Isigcawu Drama Festival! Their hard work and devotion to their craft is inspiring.

  

In Short

Show: There!Lays Ubuntu

Where: Catalina Theatre

Date: 14-23 November 2014

Times: 7pm daily and 3pm Matinee on the Sundays.
Tickets: Available at all Checkers or Shoprite stores in KZN, or online click HERE.

Price: R80pp
Brought to you by Sakhiwo Arts And Skills Development Centre ‪