ARTSCAPE NEWS

ARTSCAPE NEWS

ICONIC 80TH BIRTHDAY FOR “BOETA MAAN”

Who is Boeta Maan, you may ask? Who indeed…Suffice to say, that he is an icon…in Cape Town, in the country and internationally. And that is why the stars came out to croon, serenade, recount and even humour this iconic personality on the music scene.

Omar “Boeta Maan” Adams was lauded at Artscape recently to celebrate the amazing milestone of his 80th birthday. The sold-out concert was a special tribute by his well-known equally acclaimed sons, Emo and Loukman Adams while a host of entertainers he had  mentored channelled some of Boeta Maan’s beloved classics alongside new and fresh talents.

Boeta Maan, also affectionately known as YumYum took to the stage too, to the delight of the audience. In her tribute to Boeta Maan, CEO Marlene le Roux applauded his legacy of the countless opportunities he had afforded especially to youth from historically disadvantaged areas as they traversed the path to local and international success.

His legacy equally extends to his mesmerising stage presence and of course the countless contributions to the performing arts and to musical theatre in particular. We say “shukran” (thank you) to him for his immeasurable legacy, as well as his sons and family that shared this love letter to an icon of a man with us.

ARTSCAPE WELCOMES NEW CFO

It is with great pride that Artscape announces the appointment of Yonela Schaupp as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The appointment became effective on 01 December 2024. Ms Schaupp has more than 20 years’ experience in the finance field, more than 15 years of those years were specifically in the public sector with five years in a senior position. She holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science, Diploma in Financial Information Systems and has three years signed-off audit articles with SAICA. In 2019 she appointed as the Finance Manager at Artscape and at the onset proved to be a valuable member in the Finance department and as part of the Artscape management team. Ms Schaupp was the acting-CFO when the previous CFO was off sick and upon his retirement. She becomes the first female in the history of this internationally-acclaimed institution to hold this position, indeed making the appointment a historic one.

SPOTLIGHT ON ACCESSIBILITY AT LIVEABLE LAUNCH

On 21 January, Liveable Universal Access Consultants proudly hosted the launch of its new home at Artscape. It was an evening filled with inspiration, innovation, and heartwarming moments that truly celebrated the vision of a more accessible and inclusive world.


A Night to Remember

The event was brilliantly hosted by Kurt Schoonraad, whose humor and energy kept the audience entertained and on their feet throughout the evening. Guests were welcomed to explore cutting-edge accessibility products showcased by Liveable’s partners before the formal proceedings began.

Partner Highlights:

  • Vaniti House displayed their sleek and accessible grab rails.
  • InUWell offered on-the-spot health checks with their innovative Abbey Health machine.
  • Loop Taxis showcased their initiatives in accessible transportation, with their drivers set to receive disability inclusion training by Liveable.

And many more…

Wine for the evening was generously sponsored by Deetlefs, adding a touch of elegance to the celebration.


Key Moments of the Evening

The event began with a powerful opening speech by Dr. Marlene Le Roux, who emphasized the importance of dignity in services for persons with disabilities. Her words set the tone for the evening, reminding everyone of the vital role we all play in creating an inclusive society.

Tarryn Tomlinson, the visionary behind Liveable, then unveiled her dream of a Liveable world – one where universal access is a given, not a privilege. Her inspiring address left the audience with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to inclusion.

A standout moment of the night was the presentation of the Iron Chef Award to Chad Payne, a young culinary arts student with a disability who has defied the odds. Despite the challenges of being in a wheelchair, Chad’s determination and passion have led him to a successful career at Tintswalo. The award, a beautifully signed plate by Cape Town’s top chefs, was presented by Xen de Jongh from IRoc.


Special Guests in Attendance

We were honored to have distinguished guests join us, including:

  • Councillor Carl Pophaim, Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements.
  • Councillor Minnie Petersen, Chairperson for Rural and Social Development.

Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration between government, private sector, and advocacy groups in driving the universal access agenda forward.


Looking Ahead

While the launch marked the beginning of a new chapter for Liveable, it’s only the start of many more exciting developments to come this year. Stay tuned for future launches, workshops, and initiatives that will continue to drive accessibility and inclusion.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, supported us, and believed in our mission. Together, we are building a Liveable world for all.

Follow us on social media for updates, events, and ways to get involved!
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WHY OUR CHANDELIERS ARE ALWAYS LIT!

A bit of trivia you may or may not have known about the chandeliers that proudly hang in Artscape’s chandelier foyer: The Chandelier Foyer is lit after its biennial spruce up by Artscape’s dedicated maintenance staff.

This meticulous process involves replacing about 800 globes and can take up to ten days, requiring scaffolding of around five metres. The Chandeliers that welcome you in the Opera House were imported from Murano in Italy. They are made up of multiple cubicles and were commissioned specifically for the building as a one of a kind. Fixed with steel rods, it still shines bright today.

HISTORIC ALBUM LAUNCH FOR RAP GROUP

Never-Bee-Afraid (NBA), a rap group from Onseepkans, a  small settlement on the banks of the Orange River in the Northern Cape Province launched its first album at Artscape.

Made up of twin brothers Ronaldo & Rivaldo Jaar and cousin Reegan Olyn, they’ve been writing, rhyming, and dancing together since childhood. Called “Is’ie Meer Safe’ie,” they hope to share their music and culture with the world and inspire young people from Onseepkans and beyond to take a big step forward.