- 21 hours ago
This episode of Afrimaxx is showcasing innovative solutions - from living on a budget to AI-infused avatars that translate text and audio into sign language.
Category
🤖
TechTranscript
00:06Ever wondered how local needs spark a genuine innovation?
00:11Well, you are in the right place.
00:14Today, we're showcasing practical solutions and what better place to celebrate bold ideas
00:18than right here, high above Johannesburg.
00:22But before we take a closer look at Pablo House, here's what we have for you on today's show.
00:28We see how Lara Klopikovsky found her own unique way to reinterpret used materials as dark fashion.
00:3625-year-old Elie Savatia also has a passion for solving problems.
00:41He has developed avatars that translate text and audio into sign language.
00:47And in Ghana, Vivian Boateng is giving children a better future through dance.
00:52I am Zemi Ngonapagate Mabunzi and you are watching AFRIMAX.
01:11Innovation does not always depend on money.
01:14Many good ideas have been developed on small budgets.
01:17And now Zaheer shows us how to get by on that budget on the not-so-cheap island of Lukoma
01:22in between the super rich and the private yachts.
01:25Located in the far north of Lake Malawi,
01:28Lukoma Island is the most exclusive, beautiful, and expensive destination in Malawi.
01:33You can get a decent Lake Malawi getaway for $50.
01:36But I've always wondered, could you do Lukoma without breaking the bank?
01:41So I packed light, looked local, and set myself a challenge.
01:45Explore this Malawian gem on a budget.
01:47No fancy resorts, no filters.
01:49Just me, the island, and whatever adventure comes my way.
01:54Part of Lukoma's expense is getting here because it's so far away from Nelongwe.
01:58But my quick bus trip to Kata Bay only cost me $5.
02:03From bus to boat, most travellers take the Elala.
02:06Our beautiful, historic rust bucket.
02:09But I laugh in the face of tetanus shots.
02:21Okay, I lied.
02:23My producer actually surprised us with the Lukoma fast transfer.
02:27My budget just took a massive hit, but I'm so glad that I missed the Elala.
02:39Well, Lake Malawi can be so unpredictable.
02:42And the waves got me completely soaked.
02:45But you know, I came prepared.
02:46So I got a change of clothes, and I'm ready to continue the adventure.
02:51Hold on.
02:51The Koragora bus was $5, and the ferry transfer was $25.
02:57That's $30 before I had even stepped foot on the island.
03:01And I'm looking for a taste of island life for under $50?
03:04Hmm.
03:05I better rein it in.
03:10Our home base, Mango Drift.
03:13I was meant to live in the lap of luxury.
03:15Well, that's my entire budget blown on a luxury chalet.
03:20The sacrifices I will make to get a good story.
03:23But, on the bright side, at least the ferry cost was covered.
03:32Hi, how are you?
03:33Fine, and you?
03:34I'm good, thank you.
03:42Champagne drinks on a beer budget.
03:44I'm not sure I packed for dorm life.
03:46But the beds look comfortable, and my things are secure.
03:51And it's all about the adventure.
03:52Right?
03:56Day one and the budget hits me where it hurts.
03:59And no breakfast on an island where everything imported is premium.
04:02I'm going to have to go local.
04:05My survival depends on the new market.
04:19I'm no stranger to the local market.
04:21And the new market is a visual feast.
04:23And food at the new market is fresh and very cheap.
04:27But you have to be sharp, because you don't want to get charged Mzungu prices.
04:31Locals get cheaper.
04:42Breakfast done.
04:43Three dollars.
04:44I'm still on budget and ready to explore the island.
04:55The breakthrough with budget travel is that the best experiences are found in cultural immersion.
05:00And this one might just provide me my lunch.
05:06Malawi has some beautiful baobab trees, and a whole industry has surfaced, making everything from baobab juices and cosmetics.
05:14But some of these trees are so old, they hold important cultural significance and are a part of the community.
05:20They provided good shelter for the elders.
05:26Yeah.
05:27All right.
05:27That's why there are many.
05:28Yeah.
05:29And you see that a lot of groups, Malipenga groups now, on the island, do perform their Malipenga, if in
05:40its order, dances.
05:41Hmm.
05:42And, uh, baobab trees.
05:45Oh, that's incredible.
05:48History lesson free.
05:49And just like most of Likoma's attractions, they cost nothing at all.
05:53Just like Malawi's national exercise, walking.
05:55And if you're willing to stretch your legs a little bit more, you can hike up to the most top
05:59part of the island to get spectacular sunset views.
06:03I came here thinking I was going to be force-fed champagne and caviar, but I found something much richer.
06:10Likoma Island isn't defined by its price tag.
06:13It's actually defined by its people, its culture, and the fact that it's so beautiful.
06:20I'm still under budget, and I've earned an incredible story.
06:24I bet you didn't think I could stay in budget.
06:26And since I'm heading back tomorrow, I think I'm going to go out for a glass of wine.
06:31I'm sitting here taking in the gorgeous views and bold art that make this Batik Art Hotel a vibe.
06:37Now let's unpack how Pablo House came to life.
06:41How did the look, feel, and concept of this place come about?
06:44Yeah, when we first built Pablo House, we just brought everything that we had from home.
06:47We really just tried to, like, play to keep the look and the feel, you know, sort of accessible to
06:53everyone, so it's not overly polished.
06:55Things that you would touch, like the door handles and the fabrics and the linen, and to keep that as
06:59luxurious as we could.
07:02The South African Broadcast Commission was built just around the corner.
07:05So the neighborhood naturally populated with artists and directors and actors and creatives.
07:16We decided to take our art home, and we pitched it to our first gallery, which was Kalashnikov Gallery, to
07:21come and curate the full space.
07:23We'll collaborate with other different galleries, a foundation, a print studio.
07:28You know, sometimes we'll do all female South African artists.
07:31Sometimes we'll do contemporary art.
07:33Thank you so much.
07:33I really can't wait to see more of this space.
07:35It's so incredible to know that there's such a personal touch behind the story as well.
07:39Some innovations happen on a small scale, yet have a huge impact.
07:44As an example of an animal shelter in Cape Town, South Africa shows.
07:48That's where one of the city's leading designers held a fashion show for dogs.
07:53And you could adopt them.
07:55Let's have a look.
07:59What do risky dogs, thrifty clothes and high-end fashion have in common?
08:03Let's find out how in Cape Town, catwalks filled with dogs are turning Tears into couture.
08:10Whenever a dog goes up, I'm going to be very nervous for that dog, but I'm going to be happy
08:14for that.
08:15This novel fashion show is a fundraiser for the Tears Animal Shelter, which rescues and rehabilitates animals.
08:22It's taking adoption and fundraising to a whole new level.
08:31So the idea of the fashion show was to actually give the dogs a different type of atmosphere.
08:36So to put them in the glitz and glam, imagine that they are going into their forever homes.
08:41And this came from an idea of giving the dogs the future that they want and manifest in the future
08:47that they want.
08:52Hosted in the opulent grounds of the historic Ruit Constantia Wine Farm, the shows were completely sold out.
09:02Designers donated four of their creations to be auctioned and all revenue went to support the shelter's work.
09:10Lara Klawikowski, one of Cape Town's top fashion designers, leapt at the chance to support the cause.
09:17I was thrilled when Tears approached me to be part of this project because it would mean that I could
09:24do what I love,
09:25design amazing clothing out of very unusual materials and start with almost nothing and create something spectacular.
09:33And then it had the added benefit that anything that's sold and any money would be donated to Tears
09:40and they could use it to take care of all the stray dogs and help them do the work they
09:45do.
09:46That's just amazing.
09:50I think that's a really creative way to raise funds.
09:54And the fact that it's all upcycled and it's for these dogs and for this charity,
10:00I think that it's a very fun way to, you know, contribute to a great cause.
10:14The concept behind the show was for designers to select items from the Tears thrift store
10:20to create beautiful clothes that would be auctioned to raise funds.
10:26This dress, this printed fabric used to be an old duvet cover.
10:32And this was a men's shirt, which I've turned into a little top.
10:39So this was made from a scarf, which I've fused just to give it a bit more stability and lifeguard
10:47pants.
10:48So this dress was made from many items from the Tears thrift shop.
10:53There was this men's jersey and then I cut up two men's jackets, maybe about five items from the thrift
11:03store.
11:05And of course, the dogs needed their own designer outfits.
11:09That was my good name.
11:10And I think if they've got a colour match lead, then it'll look beautiful.
11:15It took eight weeks of painstaking words to create these incredible outfits.
11:20So she's wearing this and then Pretzel is wearing this.
11:26Usually it's a little bit easier if I'm using off cuts of other people's designs because those fabrics are still
11:33new.
11:33They're just off cuts.
11:34But working with these secondhand clothing items made it a bit difficult because there was a lot of frail fabric
11:41in parts of the clothing.
11:44So that was a bit of a challenge, making sure that at the end of the day, the design is
11:49a quality product that I would sell as a designer, even if it wasn't part of this project.
11:56And the results speak for themselves.
11:59I was so shocked that it was a duvet cover because you wouldn't be able to guess that it is.
12:05So I think it's so creative and genius, actually.
12:12It was a dream assignment for Laura.
12:14The concept dovetailed perfectly with her entire design philosophy.
12:19My whole philosophy is that we need to limit waste as much as possible.
12:24And I've tried throughout my 15 year brand build.
12:29Over the years, this approach has become extremely attractive since everyone's become more eco conscious.
12:35And my work has become more valuable and more appreciated and celebrated.
12:40And going forward, more people will become more inclined to buy items like this instead of the new fast fashion,
12:48which is so detrimental to the environment.
12:51And what's the story of these adorable dogs?
12:54And how were they chosen to step into the limelight?
13:01This was a very difficult process with all the dogs that we do have.
13:06All of them deserve the exposure that we get out here at these events.
13:10Dogs that walk the best on lead and were friendly enough with the people were the dogs that fortunately made
13:15it.
13:18The joy the dogs got out of being in the green area and not being in the kennels, it just
13:23gives you that joy and that accomplishment that you're doing something for the dogs.
13:28Each dog got to walk the ramp and strut their stuff.
13:34And then there was the auction.
13:37Let's have a walk and you decide what you want to spend on this dog.
13:41It was a huge success and is now on the events calendar of Cape Town Fashion Week.
13:46Thank you so much. It's all yours.
13:49The response from the public has been amazing.
13:51From people wanting to volunteer, to model, to hold dogs, to just be there for the dogs.
13:57The community has backed us from the start and we're entirely grateful.
14:02Very happy, very excited and I'm so happy that my design sold.
14:06It was lovely to see it at a distance where I could just take it in as the audience is
14:10taking it in and just appreciate it from afar.
14:16Now we're back to Pablo House where food isn't just tasty but a vibe.
14:20Bold, fresh and full of soul.
14:23So I've been wondering, if Pablo House were to be a dish, which dish would it be?
14:27I would say it would be red shakshuka that we have in front of you here.
14:32It absolutely looks beautiful.
14:33Can you maybe tell us what a shakshuka is?
14:36It's cooked, Mickey Eastern style.
14:40In our secret red shakshuka sauce.
14:44Now a shakshuka is really a bold move.
14:45What was the idea behind bringing it onto the menu?
14:48It's because we're a restaurant inspired by cuisines all over the world.
14:54So the shakshuka, it came from a Mickey Eastern influence to us.
15:00Now, of course, some innovations are related to technology.
15:04And in the best case scenario, they're the driving force for inclusion.
15:08But at least that's what Elie Savatia thought when he used the possibilities of AI to bridge the gap between
15:14the deaf and hearing community.
15:15It's easy.
15:16It's easy.
15:20It's easy to go.
15:21You feel boring, look after him.
15:24Your eyes look like you're like.
15:28Your eyes look like you're out.
15:29Missy sell something you're here.
15:32Your eyes are.
15:33It's easy.
15:36Can I go away?
15:37It's easy.
15:42If you're leaving your eyes it's easy,
15:48what if your voice was never heard not because you didn't speak but because no one knew how to
15:56listen that is the reality for nearly a million kenyans but 25 year old elizabeth here is changing
16:04that with ai and avatars we're going to help you make your spaces accessible to the deaf community
16:11is our technologies with a suit and a pair of gloves eliz started capturing body data that would
16:18help in automating 3d avatars to build his software that translates text and audio into sign language
16:26eliz journey in tech started when he faced a challenge communicating with deaf students
16:32during a volunteer mentoring session this challenge ignited his passion to bridge the communication gap
16:40and given the magnitude and how important it is especially in this day and era his vision
16:47expanded into top 360. today eli is engaging a team from the deaf community to try out his software
17:00so
17:07so
17:15so
17:19so
17:28so
17:33so
17:40so
17:42so
17:42so
17:42so
18:01we are primarily
18:02we are primarily interested and very passionate about sign language access and the deaf community relies on interpreters
18:12to access to access to access the world who again are expensive not accessible in most cases
18:19i think at a minimum a friendly rate you'd get from an interpreter to charge you for an hour is
18:24$25
18:25so what we are doing as signbus is saying that um how can we more efficiently affordably
18:32make sign language accessible but now instead of human interpreters use technology to bridge that access
18:41tup as well we can't clear enough to access to access to your students who are used for the health
18:58increase in the Driverown
19:00so without the access to access the access to access to access to access the access to access the access
19:08for the access to access to access to access to access to access.
19:11also the Google Accelerator, which is a big one as well.
19:14And just recently, we've been named winners of the Royal Academy of Engineering,
19:21Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.
19:23It's the largest engineering honour in the continent.
19:30From a spark of empathy to a beacon of innovation,
19:34Ellie Savartia's journey is a powerful reminder that true inclusion starts with listening.
19:41And ensuring voices, once on hard, are now connected with the world.
19:48In Ghana, we meet Vivian Boateng, a passionate mentor who helps young children transform their energy
19:55into artistic expression at Vivi's Dance and Theatre Academy.
20:01Imagine growing up in Ghana and seeing your culture dance as boldly as ballet.
20:06At Vivi's Dance and Theatre Academy, that dream is real, and it is changing lives.
20:12I've been with Vivi's Dance and Theatre Academy for the past five years,
20:15and these years of being a student here has been the most effective years of my life.
20:19I've made new friends.
20:21The teachers here are best at what they do, and I've learned to build my confidence on stage.
20:27So a couple of years ago, we had this production, She Wrote With No Cape.
20:31Usually I take foreign dance lessons, that's the contemporary, ballet, acrobatics, hip-hop.
20:38But this production, the traditional dance was infused in there,
20:42so it exposed me to a traditional dance, and I felt so Ghanaian.
20:47Step inside the studio, and you can almost feel the hope in the air,
20:52and children moving with the confidence they didn't walk in with.
20:55At the heart of it all is Vivian Boateng, a woman determined to show that Ghanaian children
21:01can shine through art that reflects both the world and their heritage.
21:04I see dance as not just teaching steps or technique, you know, or choreography,
21:10but I see it as a way of empowering young people to fully express themselves,
21:16to own their voice, and to own their space.
21:18Vivian's turning point came in 2012, when she started teaching ballet
21:22after studying theatre arts at the University of Ghana.
21:25She saw something powerful.
21:27Children transformed when they dance.
21:29That was when she knew dance could do more than entertain.
21:33It could build confidence.
21:35I remember after my first child, I decided to pursue my master's degree.
21:43And in that moment, I was already teaching ballet at a ballet school,
21:47and I'd seen how, you know, dance was, you know,
21:50transforming the lives of these young ones that we were teaching,
21:53and these were, you know, rich people's kids.
21:56And I thought every child needed to experience this.
22:00By 2016, she took a bold step and founded Vivi's Dance and Theatre Academy,
22:06a place designed specifically to help children express themselves
22:10and discover pride in who they are.
22:12Ballet, I felt was not enough.
22:17As people would always say, it is not Ghanaian.
22:21I'm a storyteller.
22:22I'd love to see how we bring movement to life on stage and telling stories.
22:27I always knew that we had to, you know, open it up and bring other dance genres in
22:32so that we can have more versatile performers.
22:41But the path wasn't smooth.
22:43Accra was a city leaning heavily toward Western art.
22:47Parents trusted ballet, but hesitated when Vivian insisted on pairing it with Atoa,
22:53drumming, and Ghanaian storytelling.
22:55Converting families that local culture was equally graceful became an uphill battle.
23:01But with limited finances, keeping the academy alive was a daily act of faith.
23:06Yet Vivian refused to compromise.
23:09She pushed forward, even creating scholarship slots
23:13so children from less privileged homes could join.
23:16To her, every child deserved a chance to feel seen, supported, and capable.
23:22Thus, resilience is what turned a small dream into a movement.
23:26Getting people to believe that the dance and theater, or just performing arts in general,
23:34it's not just about acting and dancing, but it's also about personal development.
23:39Because I've seen how children have turned, you know, have become so disciplined,
23:43disciplined to time, become resilient.
23:46It's a challenge, but I think we are winning because many more parents are beginning to see
23:51how it's transforming their children's lives.
23:53Today, the academy stands proudly as a trailblazer.
23:58Vivian became ABT certified in 2021,
24:01mastering the American Ballet Theater National Training curriculum,
24:05while still centering Ghanaian identity.
24:07Her academy also became the first in Ghana,
24:10and among the first in West Africa to present students for the acrobatic art exams.
24:15We have, I think, about six of our teachers who are certified.
24:18We always work on, you know, building the technique before we present the students.
24:24And so far, the results have been all distinction.
24:27And we've presented about 100 students in their acrobatic exams in the past three years.
24:34Children can come in here and they know that we can train professionally
24:38and go to any part of the world and represent ourselves and our country,
24:43and we'll be doing something authentic.
24:47Vivian's dream doesn't end with certificates or applause.
24:50She envisions a Ghana where children grow up,
24:53seeing their cultures powerful, worthy, and world-class.
24:56We'll tell the stories of all the children here who have been transformed over the past 10 years.
25:01And then if it touches somebody's heart,
25:03for them to also, you know, contribute to the legacy projects
25:06so we can reach more and more children and young people.
25:10So it's really a big part of what we're doing the next decade.
25:15Here, dance is more than a movement.
25:18It's identity.
25:20It's pride.
25:21It's healing.
25:22And most of all, it's a future in motion.
25:28Our trip to visit creative minds who turn local challenges
25:32into globally inspiring innovations comes to an end
25:35as we say goodbye from Melville, Johannesburg.
25:38Until next time, do catch us on our socials.
25:52We'll see you next time.
Comments