Gwen Ansell

Gwen Ansell is a freelance writer, writing teacher, media consultant and creative industries researcher. She is the author of various books, including the cultural history ‘Soweto Blues: Jazz, Politics and Popular Music in South Africa’ and the writers’ guide, ‘Introduction to Journalism’.

A place called home: Jazz and the new normal at the National Arts Festival

Friday Gwen Ansell - 8 Jul 2020

Several jazz offerings at the virtual festival focus on journeys and identity

Dialectic Soul: Rhythms of reason for revolutionary music

Friday Gwen Ansell - 12 May 2020

Drummer Asher Gamedze’s approach to making music is through a collective process bringing together not only each band member’s response to ideas but also their skills

Billy Monama: stringing together South African guitar history

Article Gwen Ansell - 6 May 2020

The guitarist’s book, Introduction to South African Guitar Style: Volume One is due to be published at the end of the year

Vuma Levin initiates his cycle

Article Gwen Ansell - 3 Feb 2020

The guitarist is growing into his groove, with a new concept album launching soon

A repository for jazz historians

Article Gwen Ansell - 13 Dec 2019

In the face of dwindling writing about South African jazz, bassist and composer Carlo Mombelli’s new offering is a repository for future historians.

Parsing Kabila through rumba

Article Gwen Ansell - 1 Nov 2019

‘Chimurenga Chronic: Who Killed Kabila II’ sees memories of the past battle the future

A requiem for African identity

Article Gwen Ansell - 9 Feb 2018

It is a feat to have a Mass that draws from a rich but distorted past to create a new musical canon

The making of Bra Hugh

Article Gwen Ansell - 23 Jan 2018

Listening through that half-century of disks, the nature and scope of the trumpeter’s achievement becomes clear. Masekela had two early horn heroes.

Beauty in struggle

Article Gwen Ansell - 12 Jan 2018

Jazz and the fight for freedom were central to his life and poetry

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What the lives of two SA music giants tell us about culture under apartheid

Article Gwen Ansell - 13 Jul 2017

For those who love and listen – really listen – the legacy of both men will live on equally in the music they made

Fantasy fails to enchant

Article Gwen Ansell - 17 Mar 2017

“A mage’s name is better hidden than a herring in the sea, better guarded than a dragon’s den.” — Ursula K le Guin: A Wizard of Earthsea

Step out of the grooves of those who robbed you

Article Gwen Ansell - 9 Mar 2017

New and welcome is McKinley’s meticulous marshalling of evidence to prove the point.

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Press Releases

Special Reports

Brand South Africa’s statement in response to allegations of corruption

special reports - 11 Aug 2020

The Board of Trustees and the Management of Brand South Africa have undertaken to investigate any allegations presented against it

Special Reports

Grants for the production of Covid-19-relevant medical and pharmaceutical products: call for proposals

special reports - 11 Aug 2020

Winning innovative projects may be supported with a grant expected to range from €50 000 to to €200 000 depending on whether your initiative is for- or non-profit

Special Reports

WiMSA shines a light on the future of women in mining

special reports - 7 Aug 2020

Men in mining must begin to take it upon themselves to support the development of women in the industry

Special Reports

Department of Public Works and Infrastructure reveals second gender-based violence advocacy artwork

special reports - 7 Aug 2020

The men and boys of South Africa are important role players in this mission to ensure that women are respected, protected and treated equally

Special Reports

Empowering the voice of women in leadership to enable full participation in their roles in leadership and decision making

special reports - 7 Aug 2020

Sibanye-Stillwater has 13% female representation in its workforce and is actively working to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Special Reports

Surviving the tobacco ban

special reports - 7 Aug 2020

Nicotine is given as the ‘likely’ reason for lower Covid-19 infection rates but authorities still stress the health risk of smoking

Special Reports

Smokers hold thumbs for cigarette ban to be lifted

special reports - 7 Aug 2020

SATTA is worried about the impact of the ban on its own members activities and how the ban is helping black marketeers to make millions of rands illegally

Special Reports

Covid-19: Outlook on the economy, politics and labour

special reports - 5 Aug 2020

Old Mutual had experts unpack the effects of the pandemic and provide practical tips on how to deal with the financial impact of job losses and salary cuts