Music is the magic that unites all nations.

No matter who you are or where you come from songs solidify your soul.

Be it the hypnotic sounds of House Music, the soothing notes of Jazz or the seductive symphonies of Salsa. There is a musical note that describes your mood and your motion.

Did you know that South Africa was named as the number one country that follows House Music? For those of you that don’t know what House Music is: a style of electronic dance music that originated in the USA during the early 1980s.

House music is centred around a ‘four on the floor’ rhythmic structure and may feature a prominent synthesizer bassline, synthesized or sampled drums and percussion, electronic effects, vocal samples, often with reverb or delay effects.

South African music lovers listen to different versions of House music ranging from International Deep House to Tribal House music. No surprises that we are a growing house hall of fame with more than a hundred DJ’s and house producers that harnomise house melodies for us all to hear.

So the big question is, “Who Are Your Hottest House Dj’s in Your Kasi?”

Translation: Which House Music DJ’s would you like to see electrifying your local dance floor?

We did some research into who the Top 10 South African DJ’s are according to “The DJ List.”  These are apparently the best rated SA House DJ’s. Do you agree?

Check out the Full South African DJ list here: http://thedjlist.com/world/South_Africa/

If you’re favorite up and coming DJ is not listed on the DJ List then is not time for us to make our own list.

This is your chance to nominate your favorite up and coming DJ! Vote for your homie by leaving his/ her name on our comment stream now!!!

Once we have gathered ALL YOUR NOMINATIONS we will create a list of the Top House DJ’s in your Kasi.

The great thing is, you can always add to this list and share it with your friends on Facebook or Twitter.

That is all from the Entertainment Crew, you are just going to have to see where Wandile is Next?

In the next couple weeks we will be showing you the inside look to South Africa’s hottest clubs, shabeens, theatres, streets and all things entertainment!

Feel free to check out the other posts in the Events section of the Junk Mail blog for upcoming events in other regions of South Africa. If you are looking at attending any upcoming events, you might also want to check out the Event Tickets category on the Junk Mail website.

Looking at the nightlife during September 2011…

In the next couple weeks Wandile will be visiting the South African State Theater for the Jazz and music night. This Jazz festival will start on 3 September and will run till the 25 September 2011. Wandile will be reviewing the Jazz show and provide you with his feedback of the event.Wandile will also be making his way to 8gigs launchfor the release for their new album. Stay tuned to the blog for the album review and photos from the launch.

On the 15^th of September, Wandile will be heading to the Zanzu Nightclub for their spring with dignity celebration. If you are looking for some fun why not come out to the club and see if you spot Wandile in action!

The weekend is when the real parties starts and on Saturday10 September Wandilewill be attending the new building launch of the Europa Groove Lounge with their Kings and Queens of the house lover’s festivity.

If you know of some cool events happening in your area which you think Wandile should attend please email him at wandiles@junkmail.co.za and he will be sure to make a short left to this party, event, launch or entertainment zone.

If Wandile can’t be at the event because he is one guy after all, then why not go on behalf of the Junk Mail Entertainment Blog and send us your story and pictures so we can share it with our fans. If you would like to share these entertainment snippets please email wandiles@junkmail.co.za with the full scoop.

If you are looking to attend upcoming events, you might also want to check out the Event Tickets category on the Junk Mail website.

We look forward to showing you where Wandile will be next!

District 9 (read my District 9 review) is set in Johannesburg, South Africa which since it release has earned a cult following. This local movie (although it was produced by New Zealand’s Lord of the Rings director, Peter Jackson) did amazingly well internationally and was a big trend on Twitter.

D9’s main character, Wikus vd Merwe, has become a bit of a local hero. There is a hilarious new website dedicated to Wikus.

Fans can upload picture featuring Wikus. They are usually movies posters spoofs and will have either “Wikus”, “prawn”, “swietie” or “fok” substituting one of the original words in the title.  Go check out the fokken site (www.wikus.co.za).  It’s some funny stuff.

If you haven’t watched the movie yet, go see it on the big screen to enjoy the full effect of the visual spectacle. It would be lekker fokken stupid to just watch some bad copy of the movie on your computer.

You will probably want to buy the  DVD too, because it would be lekker to watch it again.

Pictures from The Swietie Man

Today is “International day of non-violence”. It is also a national holiday in India. There are quite a few famous birthdays today, the most important probably being Mahatma Ghandi.  If you check out Google, their custom logo today is a kick-ass Ghandi logo.

Ghandi’s life was incredibly eventful and is hard to sum up in a simple blog post.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, Kathiawar Agency, India.  As a world icon he is best know for his practice of non-violence.

During his stay in South Africa (1893- 1914) Ghandi encountered discrimination due to Apartheid. He was originally to stay in SA for one year only, but extended his stay to help Indian people in South Africa to fight for their civil rights. In 1984 he co-founded the Natal Indian Congress.

In 1915 Ghandi Returned to India where he was responsible for India’s struggle for independence from the British. He started an ashram in Kheda

He was address by the Indian people as Bapu (Father) and Mahatma (Great Soul).

In his struggle against the British was based on the concepts of non-cooperation, non-violence and peaceful resistance.  He criticized both the British oppression and reactionary violence by the Indians.

On 10 March 1922 he was arrested for sedition (incitement off rebellion, treason, agitation).   He served 2 years out of a 6-year jail sentence and was released due to appendicitis.

On 12 March 1930 the Salt March from Ahmedabad to Dandi commenced in protest of the tax on salt.  The British arrested over 60,000 people. The government decided to negotiate with Ghandi.  In March 1931 Lord Edward Irwin signed the Ghandi-Irwin pact, agreeing for the British to release the prisoners and for the Indians to quit their civil disobedience.  Ghandi was invited to attend the Round Table Conference in London as the representative of the Indian National Congress.

Lord Willingdon (Irwin’s successor) embarked on a new campaign to subdue and control the Indian nationalists.

In September of 1932 Ghandi embarked on a 6-day fast.  In May of 1933 Gandhi held a 21-day fast of self-purification in aid of the Harijan movement.

Three  unsuccessful attempts were made on Ghandi’s life in 1934. In 1946 their was a 4th assassination attempt and on 20 January 1948 there was a 5th.

When World War II broke out he insisted that India would not help the British unless they were granted independence.  On 9 August 1942 he was arrested again and he was once again jailed for two years. He was release on 6 May 1944 due to ill health. At the WW (II) the British announced returning the reigns to Indian hands. Ten thousand political prisoners were released from prison.

India gained independence On 15 August 1947, but at the same time Muslim-majority areas were partitioned to form Pakistan.

Ghandi was shot on 30 January 1948, Gandhi was shot during his nightly walk by Nathuram Godse, who was executed with hi co-conspirator on 15 November 1949.  The 30^th January is celebrated in India as Martyr’s Day.

Ghandi left a lasting impact on the world.

Some of his principals were:

• Non- violence
• Vegetarianism
• Faith
• Brahmacharya (spiritual and practical purity)
• Simplicity.

On an entertainment note:

The role of Ghandi was portrayed by Ben Kingsley in the movie Ghandi (1982). The film was written by John Briley and Directed by Richard Attenborough.

Other Birthdays on 2 October

1890: Groucho Marx (Comedian)

1895: Bud Abbott (Abott and Costello)

1936: Johnnie Cochran (OJ’s attorney)

1945: Don MacLean (American Pie)

1949: Lorraine Bracco (Actress)

1951: Sting  (Gordon Sumner)

1968: Jana Novotna  (Tennis player)

1970: Kelly Rippa (Actress)

Source: Wikipedia, Brainy History.

“Die Lewe is ‘n Kaaskrul” is a South African comic/web-comic in Afrikaans Kaaskrul plays on words with illustrative graphics. It is also available in English as  “Life  is a Cheese Curl”. I find the website very amusing. While I was abroad, I enjoyed receiving the Afrikaans jokes in e-mails from friends.

Check out the site for yourself, ek sê: kaaskrul.com