Okavango O Moxa – Stiger Sola, HT, Leshie Lovesong | Botswana musicians call fellow citizens to act!
Jun 7, 2019
Our Mission
Through the catalytic power of music, we confront environmental breakdown and humanitarian disaster in the developing world and beyond.
Our Vision
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
Ngope La Musi – Sotho Sounds, Morena Leraba, Pitso Rah Makhula | Lesotho artists sing about erosion
Jun 6, 2019
Our Mission
Through the catalytic power of music, we confront environmental breakdown and humanitarian disaster in the developing world and beyond.
Our Vision
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
In March 2018, the Conservation Music field crew launched a sea-to-summit mobile studio caravan from Cape Town’s drying coast to Tanzania’s melting glacier, forming eco-educational music collaborations and working with and documenting the existing efforts of local NGOs along the way.
We produced a new climate-centered song and music video in each destination, resulting in a compilation of 13 educational songs and videos depicting the local impacts and grassroots solutions of climate change in over a dozen different languages and musical styles.
Our expedition team is experienced with hard slogs and on-the-go media production. We documented every step of the way through social media, newsletters, and blogs.
During and after the expedition, partnerships and local teams are developed and leveraged to ensure distribution through broadcast, online, and multiple face to face platforms, enabling the transformative learning experienced through our production workshops to reach tens of thousands of people’s hearts and minds.
Latest Video Releases from Expedition #K2K
Partners Wanted
Who and What We Need
Artist Partners
We exist to amplify our fellow artists’ voices towards a better world to live in.
If you’re based along our route and you would like to get involved, please get in touch!
Are you a producer, writer, editor, DJ, social media specialist, or another person at a media outlet anywhere in the world?
We’ve already been featured online, on the air, and in print around the globe. Be it individual interviews or missives from the field, please get in touch if you take interest in our story!
Are you a philanthropist, large NGO, corporate representative, famous musician, or otherwise in a position to donate?
We’re raising money to cover expedition expenses, incentives for artists and local collaborators, carbon neutral sequestration, and other costs required to continue our work.
We’re raising money to cover expedition expenses, incentives for artists and local collaborators, carbon neutral sequestration, and other costs required to continue our work.
Malawi is a landlocked country in Southern Africa popularly known as the ‘Warm heart of Africa’ because of the warmth and friendliness of its people. Malawi is defined by its topography of highlands split by the Great Rift Valley and enormous Lake Malawi, it is bordered by Zambia to the Northwest, Tanzania to the Northeast and Mozambique to the South, Southwest and Southeast. Malawi is 118,484 Km2in size and home to 17,563,749 people. The economy of Malawi is driven predominantly by the agricultural sector that accounts for one third of the GDP and nearly 80 percent of employment.
Arts and Humanities
The Malawi people are of Bantu origin and comprise of many different ethnic groups. These include Chewa, Nyanja, Yao, Tumbuka, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde. The official languages are Chichewa and English, however, so many other tribal languages and dialects are prevalent. Malawi shares many musical traditions with its African neighbors of Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique. In Malawi, music is an undisputed part of everyday life. Songs break out spontaneously at home while women are going about their chores, in the gardens, at celebrations, and even at funerals. Malawians have long been travelers and migrant workers, and as a result, their music has spread across the African continent and blended with other music forms. Most of the cultural activities in Malawi involve music and use of natural resources
Environmental Conditions
Malawi is endowed with a diversified natural resource base, which includes some of the most fertile soils for agricultural use in Southern Africa,4,953 native or naturalized plant species, 700 endemic Cichlid species and contains 15% of world’s freshwater fish. However, the natural resource base is subjected to increasing pressure primarily due to agricultural expansion and household energy needs. Tobacco has been Malawi’s largest source of income and has also contributed to declining environmental condition due to curing of tobacco. There is alarming degradation of the environment causing significant loss of soil fertility, soil erosion, serious deforestation, water depletion, pollution and loss of biodiversity. These problems are exacerbated by the high population growth and low level of environmental awareness, which contribute considerably to the vicious cycle of poverty and are compounded by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Leadership
Peter Mutharika is the fifth president of Malawi and the fourth democratically elected. The President of Malawi is both head of state and head of government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. There is a cabinet of Malawi that is appointed by the President of Malawi. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The government of Malawi has been a multi-party democracy since 1994.
Media Profile
The radio is the most popular medium for information and entertainment. There are several radio and TV stations that Malawians tune to and these include the state owned Malawi Broadcasting Station and several other private stations. The media is regulated by Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority. There has been an increase in the usage of internet that most music is downloaded fromhttps://www.malawi-music.com
OUR MISSION
To build a global network of musicians and youth volunteers to deliver environmental education through the catalytic power of music.
OUR VISION
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
Through the catalytic power of music, we confront environmental breakdown and humanitarian disaster in the developing world and beyond.
Our Vision
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
To build a global network of musicians and youth volunteers to deliver environmental education through the catalytic power of music.
OUR VISION
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
Through the catalytic power of music, we confront environmental breakdown and humanitarian disaster in the developing world and beyond.
Our Vision
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
With a population of two million people,the Republic of Botswana is positioned in the center of Southern Africa. It is situated in a sand-filled basin consisting of plains and gently sloping hills that rise into the highlands of its neighboring countries. Botswana is lush with animal life and is home to more than 800 different species of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. Before its independence from British control in 1966, Botswana was one of the most undeveloped, poverty-stricken states in the world. However, since gaining independence, the peace and prosperity of this republic has greatly increased. Botswana is now internationally renowned as one of the most peaceful, stable democratic states in Africa.
Arts and Humanities
Currently, Tswana is Botswana’s dominant ethnic identity. Although English is the official language of Botswana, Setswana is widely spoken in the republic. The culture of Botswana is a mixture of Tswana and English heritage. Traditional music in Botswana is largely based around stringed instruments. Though interest in traditional music and dance declined in popularity during Botswana’s colonial period, it revived after the republic gained independence. This can especially be seen in music on the radio.
Environmental Conditions
Botswana’s climate is marked by months of dry weather. The rainy season is limited to sporadic downpours in December through March. Botswana suffers from cyclic droughts which occur every two decades and frequently last up to six years. As such, very little soil is suitable for cultivation, harvests are often destroyed and livestock frequently die of starvation. Due to drought, the population of Botswana is entirely dependent on groundwater. Although the use of groundwater eases the effects of drought, it has greatly harmed Botswana’s land. Drilling in order to retrieve groundwater is commonplace. Such drilling leads to harmful erosion and desertification. Out of all Southern Africa, Botswana is one of the countries most severely affected by desertification in the Kalahari Region.
Leadership
Botswana’s government is a multi-party democracy. The republic has very little corruption and has a good record of defending human rights. Botswana’s current president is Sereetsi Khama Ian Khama.
Media Profile
Radio is an important medium in Botswana as the circulation of media is limited outside the urban sectors of the country. Botswana has a tradition of unimpeded, public debate via radio. In fact, the republic’s constitution provides for the freedom of expression–a freedom that is generally respected by the government. Satellite pay TV is available in the republic along with the state-run Botswana Television (BTV). By 2011, there were about 167,000 internet users in Botswana.
Our Botswana Portfolio
OUR MISSION
To build a global network of musicians and youth volunteers to deliver environmental education through the catalytic power of music.
OUR VISION
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
Through the catalytic power of music, we confront environmental breakdown and humanitarian disaster in the developing world and beyond.
Our Vision
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
The butterfly-shaped country of Zambia is perched on a high plateau in south-central Africa. This country is named after the Zambezi River, which winds through most of the land. Zambia is dissected by swamps, river-valleys and lakes and is etched by the ancient crystalline rocks and that grace its plateaus.
Arts and Humanities
The major languages in Zambia are English (the official language), Bemba, Lozi, Nyanja and Tonga. The arts are a major part of Zambian culture as music, dancing and singing are often connected with security, health and prosperity. Music is used in tribal rituals, celebrations and for entertainment. The most widely used musical instrument in Zambia is the drum. Other popular instruments include, horns, bows, pipes, flutes, bells, rattles, xylophones and the kalimba, also known as the mbira, thumb piano, or African piano.
Environmental Conditions
The temperature of Zambia is generally favorable for human settlement and agriculture. Two-fifths of Zambia is environmentally protected and the country is known for its large variety of mammals. However, wildlife has been depleted in recent times due to human activities outside the parks and poaching within. For example, the Illegal poaching of horns and tusks has virtually eliminated rhinoceros from Zambia and has greatly reduced the number of elephants. As one of Africa’s most industrialized countries, Zambia suffers from air pollution and acid rain. Additionally, inadequate water-treatment facilities pose great health risks to citizens of this country, which has one of the fastest growing populations in the world. Zambia currently has a population of 13 million, two-thirds of which live in poverty.
Leadership
Unlike most of its neighbours, Zambia has remained relatively free of war and upheaval and has a reputation for political stability. In January of 2015, Edgar Lungu became the sixth president of Zambia and gained a new term in August of 2016. President Lungu’s greatest challenge has been Zambia’s poverty and a slowing economy.
Media Profile
Radio is Zambia’s main source of information. State-run radio and television dominate the media sector in Zambia in terms of availability. However, private television and radio stations have grown in number and popularity in recent years. In fact, according to BBC, there are currently “scores of local radio stations” in Zambia. By 2014, Zambia had 2.3 million internet users.
Our Zambia Portfolio
OUR MISSION
To build a global network of musicians and youth volunteers to deliver environmental education through the catalytic power of music.
OUR VISION
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
Through the catalytic power of music, we confront environmental breakdown and humanitarian disaster in the developing world and beyond.
Our Vision
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
Through the catalytic power of music, we confront environmental breakdown and humanitarian disaster in the developing world and beyond.
Our Vision
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
In March 2018, the Conservation Music field crew launched a sea-to-summit mobile studio caravan from Cape Town’s drying coast to Tanzania’s melting glacier, forming eco-educational music collaborations and working with and documenting the existing efforts of local NGOs along the way.
We produced a new climate-centered song and music video in each destination, resulting in a compilation of 13 educational songs and videos depicting the local impacts and grassroots solutions of climate change in over a dozen different languages and musical styles.
Our expedition team is experienced with hard slogs and on-the-go media production. We documented every step of the way through social media, newsletters, and blogs.
During and after the expedition, partnerships and local teams are developed and leveraged to ensure distribution through broadcast, online, and multiple face to face platforms, enabling the transformative learning experienced through our production workshops to reach tens of thousands of people’s hearts and minds.
Latest Video Releases from Expedition #K2K
Partners Wanted
Who and What We Need
Artist Partners
We exist to amplify our fellow artists’ voices towards a better world to live in.
If you’re based along our route and you would like to get involved, please get in touch!
Are you a producer, writer, editor, DJ, social media specialist, or another person at a media outlet anywhere in the world?
We’ve already been featured online, on the air, and in print around the globe. Be it individual interviews or missives from the field, please get in touch if you take interest in our story!
Are you a philanthropist, large NGO, corporate representative, famous musician, or otherwise in a position to donate?
We’re raising money to cover expedition expenses, incentives for artists and local collaborators, carbon neutral sequestration, and other costs required to continue our work.
We’re raising money to cover expedition expenses, incentives for artists and local collaborators, carbon neutral sequestration, and other costs required to continue our work.
Malawi is a landlocked country in Southern Africa popularly known as the ‘Warm heart of Africa’ because of the warmth and friendliness of its people. Malawi is defined by its topography of highlands split by the Great Rift Valley and enormous Lake Malawi, it is bordered by Zambia to the Northwest, Tanzania to the Northeast and Mozambique to the South, Southwest and Southeast. Malawi is 118,484 Km2in size and home to 17,563,749 people. The economy of Malawi is driven predominantly by the agricultural sector that accounts for one third of the GDP and nearly 80 percent of employment.
Arts and Humanities
The Malawi people are of Bantu origin and comprise of many different ethnic groups. These include Chewa, Nyanja, Yao, Tumbuka, Lomwe, Sena, Tonga, Ngoni, Ngonde. The official languages are Chichewa and English, however, so many other tribal languages and dialects are prevalent. Malawi shares many musical traditions with its African neighbors of Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique. In Malawi, music is an undisputed part of everyday life. Songs break out spontaneously at home while women are going about their chores, in the gardens, at celebrations, and even at funerals. Malawians have long been travelers and migrant workers, and as a result, their music has spread across the African continent and blended with other music forms. Most of the cultural activities in Malawi involve music and use of natural resources
Environmental Conditions
Malawi is endowed with a diversified natural resource base, which includes some of the most fertile soils for agricultural use in Southern Africa,4,953 native or naturalized plant species, 700 endemic Cichlid species and contains 15% of world’s freshwater fish. However, the natural resource base is subjected to increasing pressure primarily due to agricultural expansion and household energy needs. Tobacco has been Malawi’s largest source of income and has also contributed to declining environmental condition due to curing of tobacco. There is alarming degradation of the environment causing significant loss of soil fertility, soil erosion, serious deforestation, water depletion, pollution and loss of biodiversity. These problems are exacerbated by the high population growth and low level of environmental awareness, which contribute considerably to the vicious cycle of poverty and are compounded by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Leadership
Peter Mutharika is the fifth president of Malawi and the fourth democratically elected. The President of Malawi is both head of state and head of government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. There is a cabinet of Malawi that is appointed by the President of Malawi. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. The government of Malawi has been a multi-party democracy since 1994.
Media Profile
The radio is the most popular medium for information and entertainment. There are several radio and TV stations that Malawians tune to and these include the state owned Malawi Broadcasting Station and several other private stations. The media is regulated by Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority. There has been an increase in the usage of internet that most music is downloaded fromhttps://www.malawi-music.com
OUR MISSION
To build a global network of musicians and youth volunteers to deliver environmental education through the catalytic power of music.
OUR VISION
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
Often called “The Kingdom in the Sky,” or, “The Roof of Africa,” Lesotho is a landlocked country completely encased by South Africa. This mountainous kingdom is comprised primarily of highland plateaus, causing many villages to be isolated–reachable only by light aircraft, horseback, or on foot. The Kingdom of Lesotho has a population of 2.2 million people.
Arts and Humanities
The people of Lesotho speak primarily Sesotho and English. The Sesotho language has an extensive written body of literature as it was one of the earliest African languages to emerge in written form. Thus, music, dance and literature are often combined in traditional Sotho performances. These cultural productions often weave the retelling of ancient folktales with chanting, singing, clapping and high-kicking dances. Stringed instruments, whistles, rattles and drums are just some of the instruments that grace traditional Sotho performances.
Environmental Conditions
Lesotho is a developing country. Thus, the survival of its people is heavily reliant on its natural resources. The highlands that comprise most of Lesotho are environmentally harsh. As such, the lowlands of this alpine country have very limited agricultural space. Lesotho is heavily dependent on South Africa. The Lesotho Highlands Water Project (“LHWP”) was fully initiated in the 1990s. The primary purpose of LHWP is to transfer water to South Africa. Although proceeds from this project account for 75% of Lesotho’s budget, as a result of recent droughts, the country has seen its crops wither as its water is transported to South Africa. Due to uncontrolled grazing and rushing surface water, much of Lesotho has been stripped of its natural grass cover. Desertification, soil erosion and soil exhaustion are major problems in Lesotho. Additionally, unlike in South Africa, the game and wildlife indigenous to Lesotho is sparse.
Leadership
Lesotho’s head of state is King Letsie III, but the monarch has no executive or legislative powers. The prime minister of Lesotho is Pakalitha Mosisili I. Mr. Mosisili’s Democratic Congress formed Lesotho’s second consecutive coalition government.
Media Profile
Lesotho’s most popular entertainment medium is radio. Residents of Lesotho can receive domestic stations as well as TV and radio broadcasts from South Africa. Radio Lesotho is the kingdom’s only national station. However, commercial and private radio broadcasts are on air as well. Media freedom is generally respected in Lesotho and private press is allowed to voice opposition views. Of the 2.2 million residents of Lesotho, there were less than 84,000 internet users by December of 2011.
Our Lesotho Portfolio
OUR MISSION
To build a global network of musicians and youth volunteers to deliver environmental education through the catalytic power of music.
OUR VISION
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
With a population of two million people,the Republic of Botswana is positioned in the center of Southern Africa. It is situated in a sand-filled basin consisting of plains and gently sloping hills that rise into the highlands of its neighboring countries. Botswana is lush with animal life and is home to more than 800 different species of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. Before its independence from British control in 1966, Botswana was one of the most undeveloped, poverty-stricken states in the world. However, since gaining independence, the peace and prosperity of this republic has greatly increased. Botswana is now internationally renowned as one of the most peaceful, stable democratic states in Africa.
Arts and Humanities
Currently, Tswana is Botswana’s dominant ethnic identity. Although English is the official language of Botswana, Setswana is widely spoken in the republic. The culture of Botswana is a mixture of Tswana and English heritage. Traditional music in Botswana is largely based around stringed instruments. Though interest in traditional music and dance declined in popularity during Botswana’s colonial period, it revived after the republic gained independence. This can especially be seen in music on the radio.
Environmental Conditions
Botswana’s climate is marked by months of dry weather. The rainy season is limited to sporadic downpours in December through March. Botswana suffers from cyclic droughts which occur every two decades and frequently last up to six years. As such, very little soil is suitable for cultivation, harvests are often destroyed and livestock frequently die of starvation. Due to drought, the population of Botswana is entirely dependent on groundwater. Although the use of groundwater eases the effects of drought, it has greatly harmed Botswana’s land. Drilling in order to retrieve groundwater is commonplace. Such drilling leads to harmful erosion and desertification. Out of all Southern Africa, Botswana is one of the countries most severely affected by desertification in the Kalahari Region.
Leadership
Botswana’s government is a multi-party democracy. The republic has very little corruption and has a good record of defending human rights. Botswana’s current president is Sereetsi Khama Ian Khama.
Media Profile
Radio is an important medium in Botswana as the circulation of media is limited outside the urban sectors of the country. Botswana has a tradition of unimpeded, public debate via radio. In fact, the republic’s constitution provides for the freedom of expression–a freedom that is generally respected by the government. Satellite pay TV is available in the republic along with the state-run Botswana Television (BTV). By 2011, there were about 167,000 internet users in Botswana.
Our Botswana Portfolio
OUR MISSION
To build a global network of musicians and youth volunteers to deliver environmental education through the catalytic power of music.
OUR VISION
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
The butterfly-shaped country of Zambia is perched on a high plateau in south-central Africa. This country is named after the Zambezi River, which winds through most of the land. Zambia is dissected by swamps, river-valleys and lakes and is etched by the ancient crystalline rocks and that grace its plateaus.
Arts and Humanities
The major languages in Zambia are English (the official language), Bemba, Lozi, Nyanja and Tonga. The arts are a major part of Zambian culture as music, dancing and singing are often connected with security, health and prosperity. Music is used in tribal rituals, celebrations and for entertainment. The most widely used musical instrument in Zambia is the drum. Other popular instruments include, horns, bows, pipes, flutes, bells, rattles, xylophones and the kalimba, also known as the mbira, thumb piano, or African piano.
Environmental Conditions
The temperature of Zambia is generally favorable for human settlement and agriculture. Two-fifths of Zambia is environmentally protected and the country is known for its large variety of mammals. However, wildlife has been depleted in recent times due to human activities outside the parks and poaching within. For example, the Illegal poaching of horns and tusks has virtually eliminated rhinoceros from Zambia and has greatly reduced the number of elephants. As one of Africa’s most industrialized countries, Zambia suffers from air pollution and acid rain. Additionally, inadequate water-treatment facilities pose great health risks to citizens of this country, which has one of the fastest growing populations in the world. Zambia currently has a population of 13 million, two-thirds of which live in poverty.
Leadership
Unlike most of its neighbours, Zambia has remained relatively free of war and upheaval and has a reputation for political stability. In January of 2015, Edgar Lungu became the sixth president of Zambia and gained a new term in August of 2016. President Lungu’s greatest challenge has been Zambia’s poverty and a slowing economy.
Media Profile
Radio is Zambia’s main source of information. State-run radio and television dominate the media sector in Zambia in terms of availability. However, private television and radio stations have grown in number and popularity in recent years. In fact, according to BBC, there are currently “scores of local radio stations” in Zambia. By 2014, Zambia had 2.3 million internet users.
Our Zambia Portfolio
OUR MISSION
To build a global network of musicians and youth volunteers to deliver environmental education through the catalytic power of music.
OUR VISION
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
Angola is a large, southwestern land with a population of 24.3 million people. This vast country is home to a wide variety of landscapes–boasting semi-desert shores, rugged southern highlands, bustling northern cities and a thinly populated rainforest interior. Although Angola is one of the major producers of oil in Africa, it still bears the scars of a 27-year civil war that devastated the country after its independence.
Arts and Humanities
The official language of Angola is Portuguese, but many Angolans speak Bantu languages along with Umbundu, Kimbundu and Kikongo. Angolan culture is a mixture of Portuguese and African traditions and music has a central role in Angolan life. The drum is often highlighted in Angolan music. Other noteworthy instruments are the mpungu, a trumpet, and the hungu and mbulumbumba, types of gourd resonated with a musical bow. Sadly, the civil unrest and resulting poverty that has ravaged Angola has provided little opportunities for musical professionals. In fact, the Ministry of Culture has had tight-fisted control over Angola’s production of commercial music since the country’s independence. However, despite these barriers, the informal sectors of musical expression have blossomed and flourished in Angola. Contemporary Angolan music weaves traditional African sounds with influences from Brazil, Cuba, the Caribbean and the United States.
Environmental Conditions
Angola is home to many species of fauna customarily found in Africa’s savanna lands, such as lions, elephants, and zebras, along with a rich variety of birds and reptiles. Until the late 1800s, portions of northern Angola were blanketed by a lush rainforest. However, much of this rainforest has been drastically diminished by logging, agriculture and subsequent desertification. The country’s climate has a considerable dry season and its land is frequently afflicted by droughts, particularly in the south. As such, Two-thirds of Angola is now covered by savanna (scattered trees and grasslands) and deep deposits of infertile sands. Its biodiversity has been gravely threatened. Additionally, because of Angola’s inadequate infrastructure and swelling population, food and potable water are scarce, particularly in rural areas.
Leadership
Angola has suffered a long history of political unrest. After Portuguese colonial masters withdrew from Angola in 1975, rival independence movements fought for power up until 2002. Decades-long separatist conflicts still simmer in Angola. Abuses against civilians have been alleged by human rights groups. Jose Eduardo dos Santos has been in power in Angola since 1979. President dos Santos has a strict control over all aspects of political life in Angola.
Media Profile
The internet has become the primary medium for expression in Angola and in 2014, there were 4.3 million internet users. However, In 2015, President dos Santos called for stricter regulation of social media to crack down on political activism and dissent. Radio is now the most influential form of media outside the capital of Angola, but, the state controls all media nationwide. The state-run Radio Nacional de Angola (“RNA”) is the only radio station that offers programs in indigenous languages. Although RNA is the only broadcaster that has almost national coverage, private stations operate in cities and the Angolan constitution provides for the freedom of expression.
Our Angola Portfolio
Coming soon… “Natureza” by Banda Progresso, brought to you by the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project.
OUR MISSION
To build a global network of musicians and youth volunteers to deliver environmental education through the catalytic power of music.
OUR VISION
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
Conservation Music Galvanizes Mambanje, Zimbabwe to Support Conservation
In early September, Conservation Music (CM) headed to the Mambanje village of Zimbabwe for the next leg of Expedition #K2K. We were invited by the African Bush Camps Foundation (ABCF) to build awareness and conversation within the community by focusing on deforestation, poaching, and ABCF’s Mobile Cattle Boma Initiativethroughout the creation of this month’s eco-educational music production, “Hayilondo Teni Nyika Yedu” meaning “Let’s Conserve Our Nature.” As the project developed, we integrated the musical talent of several local villagers and students from the primary school’s marimba band. Check out more of CM’s stories and videos on National Geographic’s OpenExplorer platform. If you would like to contribute to Expedition #K2K, please visit our Patreon page, where you can schedule monthly donations of any amount.
The immersion into the small, isolated community of Mambanje was a sure change from our previous month spent in Livingstone, Zambia. Our travels in between took us over the iconic Victoria Falls bridge, into forests of Baobabs and through the gateway town of Dete, leading us to Mambanje and the Main Camp of Hwange National Park. Without stores, petrol stations or grocers in sight, we settled into the small community of which we called home for the next month. We were housed in teachers’ cottages at the Mambanje Primary School, allowing the crew to rest off the journey and prepare for the next day’s village council meeting.
The following morning the community welcomed CM as we introduced the movement and detailed our specific plans in the village. Many intrigued musicians connected with us, stimulating the process of finding collaborators for this month’s eco-educational music production. We first linked with a local singer named Tatenda, who also goes by Tormeta. He then introduced us to his grandfather, Machaingwe, who hadn’t picked up a stringed instrument in years, yet was able to surprise the crew with his highly skilled talent once we handed him a guitar. The engagement we were seeing already was extremely positive and free-flowing, all good signs for this month’s production.
That afternoon, the village Lion Guardian Polite showed us the mobile bomas, which are movable shelter systems used to prevent cattle hunting by lions and hinder the ensuing human-wildlife conflict. The mobile bomas hide cattle from being in plain sight of predators, while also reflecting moonlight to discourage the predators’ approach. Since the animals are kept inside the bomas, their concentrated presence benefits the land by breaking up compacted soil and fertilizing it with their urine and feces while restricting grazing to one area at a time. The bomas are systematically relocated throughout the land, leaving behind fertile plots while tending to new ones. After Polite showed us the bomas, he lead us to a nearby kraal, a traditional wooden shelter system. These are unfortunately more transparent and accessible to predators. Without local grocers, the community relies heavily on their livestock and local food sources, making these shelter systems a very important life aspect. Unfortunately, cattle attacks from large predators lead to reactions of poaching, which is an issue that we are trying to highlight and further develop solutions to. Learn more about the importance and effectiveness of ABCF’s Mobile Cattle Boma Initiative.
Connecting with Mambanje’s Primary School
Before heading back to the village to write the song, we headed to Main Camp Primary School in Hwange National Park to visit the student marimba band. To our surprise, the five youths in the band had already started composing a rhythm and melody, which we used to form the skeleton of our eco-song. The Marimba band played their parts individually, allowing us to record pieces to bring back to the village to compose further. Before heading back, we gave a short presentation to explain the CM movement and the power that music has to help change the world.
Developing an Eco-educational Song with Local Musicians
Back in Mambanje, we started piecing together the song’s structure with Machaingwe on guitar and bass, then conducted a series of meetings where we further composed the lyrics with Tormeta. Local teacher Rebecca helped us with lyrical translations so that Tormeta could hit every major theme of the song, allowing him to develop very memorable and relatable lyrics. In no time, we had tracked the rhythm, lead, bass guitars, a Zim dancehall riff, and drums played by Polite’s wife Zanele. The song was naturally developing into a high-energy, locally styled composition.
As we moved into the recording phases of the production, we worked with Machaingwe on both the guitar and bass pieces. Despite his 20-year absence from stringed instruments, writing and recording with him was a breeze. Tormeta joined his efforts as they collaboratively worked out the keyboard recordings for the Zim dancehall bridge. Zim dancehall is a popular local style of music that utilizes upbeat percussive elements and synthesized leads, with heavily auto-tuned vocals. With the music flowing, it was finally time to record Tormeta’s vocals. A local family graciously shared their homestead with us, so that we could record in a quiet setting. The peaceful experience was followed up with sharing some tea and bread.
Over the next few days, we continued to meet with other community members, who contributed backing vocals to the track. A few students added vocals for the chorus and an exciting dance performance, which we filmed for the music video. We prepared for the next coming days, which were set to be full of location video shoots throughout the village and surrounding areas.
Filming Location Shoots to Highlight Local Environmental Issues & Solutions
We kicked off the location shoots with Tormeta by heading to a nearby dried river bed within a heavily deforested area. We continued to film Tormeta’s parts in front of a few riverside gardens, which we included to highlight the illegal practice and how it leads to soil erosion. As we moved along, we captured more shots in the nearby mobile bomas. A few exciting final additions to the video were filmed during our visit to Hwange National Park, where we were able to shoot amazing footage of elephants, giraffes, baboons, kudu, wildebeests, and lions. Our focus for the day was on obtaining footage of lions, which we were graced with towards the end of our time in the park. On the way out we came across a pride of about fourteen lions lounging in the middle of the road. This wildlife footage is an essential aspect to our music video as key points in the lyrics pertain to pressing human-wildlife issues. We ended the location shoots on a high note and headed back to the village to wrap up our project so that we could screen it to the community prior to leaving.
Community Screening & Educational Discussions
With the song and video finalized, we held a community event consisting of several live performances of the song, integrated community discussions on the topics, and a debut screening of the music video. The crowd continued to expand throughout the night, as the music lured in members of the community and created a platform for conversation on conservation, health, and other sustainable development priorities. We were extremely pleased with the turnout and interaction from the villagers as they asked questions, learned, danced, and sang along.
Instead of leaving on the scheduled departure, we surprised the community by staying for an additional day. This impulsive decision led to a few amazing developments, as we recorded several more musical contributions from community drummers and a mbira player. Our additional time in the village also granted incredibly empowering interviews with Polite, Machaingwe, and Tormeta. The month spent in this village, and amongst these beautiful people, was a success as we brought together people from all over the world to learn, discuss, and take action on our shared environmental problems.
After our extended stay, we departed from the village and headed to the city of Maun in Botswana to visit with old friends and take part in the Okavango Delta Music Festival. Our time in Maun is set to be a week long, before heading off to start leg eight of Expedition #K2K in Harare, Zimbabwe with the one and only Oliver Mtukudzi.
Get Involved & Donate
Expedition #K2K is our third iteration of long-term fieldwork, and it is by far the most exciting. To learn more about CM, and to stay connected throughout the mission, please subscribe to our Newsletter below, check out our blog on National Geographic, and follow us on Facebook,Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. For live updates from the field, be sure to check out our page on National Geographic’s newest digital journalism platform, OpenExplorer. If you would like to contribute to Expedition #K2K, please visit our Patreon page, where you can schedule monthly donations of any amount.
Conservation Music is on a mission to produce and promote musical media that educates listeners and viewers in conservation and sustainability, with an emphasis on rural developing communities, and to serve as a platform for similar efforts. Currently, the organization primarily collaborates with musicians throughout Southern Africa, catalyzing songs in local genres and local languages regarding local conservation issues in countries like Lesotho, Botswana, Angola, and more.
After years of soul-searching and months in the African wilderness with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, musician and geographer Alex Paullin combined his foremost passions and founded Conservation Music, a non-profit aiming to foster a global culture of sustainability using music as the messenger. Throughout his life, he aims to expand the Conservation Music movement globally, in hopes that his lifetime will see and hear songs of conservation being sung throughout the world.
Our Mission
Through the catalytic power of music, we confront environmental breakdown and humanitarian disaster in the developing world and beyond.
Our Vision
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
Field Notes: Expediton #K2K – Okavango Delta, Botswana
Jul 31, 2018
CM Highlights Transboundary Water Issues in the Okavango
Following a thriving month in Pretoria, South Africa, Conservation Music (CM) headed to Botswana to combat transboundary water issues in the Okavango Delta for Expedition #K2K. We gathered artists from Gaborone and then headed to Maun, where we set off in mekoro (traditional canoes) for a four day wilderness expedition. This deep immersion into the local environment and culture made for a great month of eco-production and education. Take a look at Episode 9 of CM’s Webseries: On The Beating Path, which shares highlights from our field work, allowing you to trek with us throughout the entire experience! Check out more of CM’s stories and videos on National Geographic’s OpenExplorer platform. If you would like to contribute to Expedition #K2K, please visit our Patreon page, where you can schedule monthly donations of any amount.
Redefining Music as an Educational Tool with Local Artists
In Gaborone, we linked up with our new friend Stan who hosted us for the first week. He commonly hosts backpackers and travelers alike, yet his hospitality served great purpose for CM, as it allowed us to ground into the community and establish a core group of local musicians for the eco-song collaboration. First, we met with Tomeletso Sereetsi, a big name in the local scene who revolutionized the four-string sound by incorporating unique jazz chords. Then Tom recommended Gaone Rantlhoiwa, a local female singer with an unbelievable voice and wide array of styles. With our two main artists on board, we moved smoothly into the composition phase. The production crew sounded the melodies and rhythms, while Tom and Gaone wrote the lyrics. Inspired by the Okavango Delta’s transboundary water issues, the lyrics naturally called to bordering countries to preserve the delta’s diverse presence of life.
“I believe music is a really powerful tool. It’s the one thing I know that really unites people. It makes it easier for people to be receptive to messages because we all don’t like great talkers, so people talk all the time but people don’t listen… With music it’s really great because people are bound to listen and bound to enjoy the message. So it’s a tool that really should be used for community mobilization and community education. I think we should be doing more and more of that; using the power of the arts to bring people around issues and talk about them. I’ve seen this happen even in my own music…people are more likely to discuss issues that are taboo when the issues are in a song. It can be a beautiful ice-breaker! Artists have this artistic license and they can say stuff that most people don’t usually say and listeners can then talk about it because it is in the context of a song. They don’t realize they are talking about issues, they think they are just discussing a song. So I think music is a really powerful vehicle that we should be using more than we are actually doing right now.” ~Tomeletso Sereetsi | Gaborone, Botswana
As we moved forward into tracking, Tom linked us with Leroy Nyoni, an amazing sound engineer at Village Sound Studios. Leroy not only helped us with recording the song, but also added a back beat with incredible drumming. Field crew members Jake Taylor and Chris Volosevich, rounded it out with a few of their own bass and electric guitar phases. As the crew finalized tracking, CM Founder Alex Paullin flew to Canada to participate in a Summit Series entitled “Cultivating the Globally Sustainable Self” for a few days, where he discussed environmental sustainability with academics and practitioners from around the world.
With Alex back in the field, and production progressing, we geared up for the ten hour drive north to Maun, a city just outside the Okavango Delta. Upon arrival we settled into the Old Bridge Backpackers lodging, where we met with Matthew Merritt, CM’s Outreach Manager from the United States. Matthew spent two years in Lesotho with the Peace Corps, and now recruits for the Peace Corps, while volunteering for CM by inspiring stakeholders, sponsors, and partners to join the movement. Integrated into his six week backpacking trip through Southern Africa, Matt hopped aboard CM’s field crew for a few weeks to help with this month’s project. His experience in the field greatly benefited CM, and is one that he will carry back to the states. Connect with us to learn how to become a remote volunteer for CM.
Poling Into the Delta’s Wilderness
Early the following morning, we loaded into safari vehicles, linked with our guides, and headed towards the delta for four days of video shooting, cultural exchange, and nature immersion. After a two hour drive, we arrived at the launch station and transferred into mekoro, which are traditional canoes that we used to travel to each campsite. With production gear, instruments, an off-grid solar studio, volunteers, and artists in tow, we loaded seven mekoro and set off for our journey. As we weaved through the narrow waterways, we encountered herds of elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, hornbills and many other bird species. After long days of poling deep into the bush, we set up camp, recorded delta-inspired vocals, and filmed location shoots for the music video. At night we filmed more vocals by the fire, which was intentionally built large to keep the animals away as we slept. We shared delicious food, stories, and various improv jam sessions with the guitar, ukulele, and djembe. Tom and Gaone even had the chance to debut their song in Setswana, a Bantu language closely related to Sesotho, to an audience of local guides who then provided feedback and stimulated further discussions on the future of the delta waterways. It is such a reward when the educational ability of music can be seen first hand.
“The conversations held around the fire following the song were groundbreaking. It was then that we discovered that while the guides and polers had spent their whole lives on the delta, they were unaware that the water originated in Angola. It wasn’t until they heard the song that they asked questions about where the water came from and what was happening to cause the waters to lower. This was the reason we were here; to bring environmental education to rural communities in need. It was iconic and something I will never forget.”
With each rising sun, we set out by foot on guided safaris to explore the area and seek out wildlife. We encountered mixed herds of giraffes, zebras, antelope, ostriches, and elephants. The elephants made for the most memorable experiences as we witnessed a herd of over fifty travelling together, as well as unknowingly trekking into the wrong territory and getting false charged by one from the side. Luckily, everyone walked away safely with a humbling reminder of nature’s power. We followed up with supplementary filming, including shots for Gaone’s location shoot and a few ad-libs from Tom. On the last day we set out for one last shoot to wrap up filming before heading back to Maun.
CM’s Lesotho Chapter Lands a Grant
Earlier this year, our first local chapter Conservation Music Lesotho was built by local volunteers. Led by four women, the chapter landed its first grant this month, which will directly support local screenings of CM content to further educate students and rural citizens around the country. This is a landmark achievement for both the local chapter and the CM movement at large. Each step further proves that our scalable vision for a global network of self-sustaining chapters and implemented partners is viable. We are very proud of our local chapter and excited to see what the future holds!
Spreading Awareness
We landed back at the Old Bridge Backpackers lodging and connected with our good friends Helene Forward and Stiger Sola Molefi. Helene is a multi-talented artist, who also owns the Old Bridge Backpackers. Stiger has been performing in and around Botswana for decades and it’s always an honor to spend time with him. Together, we composed and recorded the song’s finishing touches, as Helene added flute and fiddle and Stiger closed out the track with his four-string guitar. With the month coming to a close, Helene allowed us to perform at the Old Bridge Backpackers, where we were able to share our message and collect some gas money for the road to Zambia. The performance was a beautiful memory to end on as we jammed with Helene and other new friends beneath a fig tree on the Thamalakane River. This month was packed with fulfilling work, intense wilderness expeditions, and countless memories. After we said our goodbyes, we hit the road for Livingstone, Zambia, where we were set to take on leg six of Expedition #K2K. Stay tuned for more stories!
Expedition #K2K is our third iteration of long-term field work, and it is by far the most exciting. To learn more about CM, and to stay connected throughout the mission, please subscribe to our Newsletter below, check out our blog on National Geographic, and follow us on Facebook,Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. For live updates from the field, be sure to check out our page on National Geographic’s newest digital journalism platform, OpenExplorer. If you would like to contribute to Expedition #K2K, please visit our Patreon page, where you can schedule monthly donations of any amount.
Conservation Music is on a mission to produce and promote musical media that educates listeners and viewers in conservation and sustainability, with an emphasis on rural developing communities, and to serve as a platform for similar efforts. Currently, the organization primarily collaborates with musicians throughout Southern Africa, catalyzing songs in local genres and local languages regarding local conservation issues in countries like Lesotho, Botswana, Angola, and more.
After years of soul-searching and months in the African wilderness with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, musician and geographer Alex Paullin combined his foremost passions and founded Conservation Music, a non-profit aiming to foster a global culture of sustainability using music as the messenger. Throughout his life he aims to expand the Conservation Music movement globally, in hopes that his lifetime will see and hear songs of conservation being sung throughout the world.
Our Mission
Through the catalytic power of music, we confront environmental breakdown and humanitarian disaster in the developing world and beyond.
Our Vision
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
As a global community, it is our responsibility to take care of one another and the planet that we all inhabit together. Over the past six months at Conservation Music (CM), we have continued to empower music as a tool to spread this message across the globe and radiate a sustainable beat from the motherland, Africa. Join us on Expedition #K2K, as we trek from Cape Town, South Africa to Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, to create thirteen globally-inspiring eco-songs and music videos with local artists in local languages.
Expedition #K2K is our third iteration of long-term field work, and it is by far the most exciting. To learn more about CM, and to stay connected throughout the mission, please check out our blog on National Geographic, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. For live updates from the field, be sure to check out our page on National Geographic’s newest digital journaling platform, OpenExplorer. If you would like to contribute to Expedition #K2K, please visit our Patreon page, where you can schedule monthly donations of any amount.
Expedition #K2K
Year after year, as we trek through Southern Africa’s environmentally threatened areas, our voice grows louder and our mission spreads further. Messages of climate change, land management, water scarcity, and tree planting spread from the hearts of local artists and NGO’s. Here are a few of our latest stories and eco-productions from 2018:
Cape Town, South Africa
In late February, we finalized administrative work in the United States and then flew to Cape Town, South Africa to kick off leg one of Expedition #K2K. Our first project aimed to raise awareness on Cape Town’s water crisis, an issue rapidly heading towards #DayZero. Learn more about the issue by heading to the Day Zero Dashboard. Throughout the production, we worked closely with local artists to record eco-song and music video, “Day Zero.” Our new friend and owner of Africa Sun Studios, Philip Pells, graciously shared his home, studio, and sound engineering expertise for the production of the track. Tune into Episode 5 of CM’s Webseries: On The Beating Path, as we recap on March and take you through the drying Theewaterskloof Dam, a hopeful Philippi Township, and the rebounding Platbos Indigenous Forest. (Read More on Leg 1)
CM’s eco-production, “Day Zero,” featuring Jack Mantis Band, Gershan Lombard: KhoisanBoy.Man, and Chuma Preshy Mgcoyii, was recorded this past March to raise awareness on Cape Town’s water crisis. After three years of catastrophic drought conditions, Cape Town was hit by intense flash floods. As the conditions continued to get worse, Mmusi Maimane, of the Democratic Alliance political party, announced that #DayZero would be pushed past the end of 2018. Their plan is to desalinate ocean water, a practice which can cause significant environmental damage. CM encourages decentralized grassroots solutions to these issues. As Cape Town’s population continues to grow, the people will need to continue their grassroots action to ensure a better future.
Tlokoeng, Lesotho
In early April, CM kicked off leg two of Expedition #K2K with a 12-hour drive from Cape Town, South Africa to Maseru, Lesotho. A few weeks prior to our arrival, Lesotho’s climate swung from harsh droughts to historic rain and hail storms, highlighting exactly why we are here. Our focus for the month resided in the rural village of Tlokoeng, where our music theme was set to raise awareness on “Rural Water Challenges,” a project in partnership with Conservation Music Lesotho and Professor Tsepo Mokuku from the National University of Lesotho (NUL). The second leg concluded in the village, with a community screening of the eco-production and a brief impact evaluation to compare to the pre-evaluations taken earlier in the month. Our final days were filled with unity, as we all gathered to celebrate a successful song and music video, one that the Tlokoeng community can be proud to share with generations to come. Take a visual leap into CM’s fieldwork by checking out Episode 6 of CM’s Webseries: On The Beating Path. (Read More on Leg 2)
CM’s eco-production, “Metsi A Rona” (“Our Water”), featuring members of the Tlokoeng village community in northern Lesotho, was produced to share true stories of Tlokoeng’s deep history of droughts and harsh storms. We were assisted by Conservation Music Lesotho, Professor Tsepo Mokuku from the NUL, and several local artists. In this production, people living in Tlokoeng tell their own stories in their own way, using Famo music to highlight their rural water challenges. The music video was shot atop a nearby mountain, once home to the Batlokoa people who lived inside its giant caves. We wrapped up the shoot in the valley below, surrounded by sorghum, maize, rivers, and dongas. We are so grateful to have spent such quality time in Tlokoeng, and are eager to return and continue our collaboration with the community!
Pretoria, South Africa
For the month of June, CM headed to Pretoria, South Africa, to complete Leg 4 of Expedition #K2K. Through the month, we worked with Greenpeace Africa and Projekt 23 – Greening Our Communities to spread environmental awareness throughout the cities, create eco-music, and educate the younger generations to build brighter future. In recent years, the water infrastructure in Pretoria has aged to the point of irreversible leakages and contamination. With growing stresses from population increases and mining activities, this issue has become more urgent than ever and poses a massive threat to the future of the northern communities of South Africa. Assisted by a wide-range of talented artists, we created the eco-song, “Protect Our Water,” to inspire action regarding socio-political disputes about the distribution and protection of dwindling clean water resources. Take a visual dive into our fieldwork by watching Episode 8 of CM’s Webseries: On The Beating Path. (Read More on Leg 4)
CM’s latest eco-production, “Protect Our Water,” features the students of Tlakukani Primary School, Xolani “Haikuu” Mhlanga, Thabiso Thabethe, Tribute “Birdie” Mboweni, accompanied by instrumentalists Albert Craftsman, Taelo Mpatsi, Gally Ngoveni, and Thulani Sithela. The track was recorded at Haikuu’s house in Pretoria, South Africa, and the Oakfields College Lynnwood Campus Studio. The music video was shot on location at Haikuu’s house, Slovo Village, the #DefendWaterGreenpeace Africa mural in downtown Johannesburg, and Pretoria National Botanical Gardens. This song was produced to inspire action regarding issues surrounding clean water resources. In recent years, the water infrastructure in Pretoria has aged to the point of irreversible leakages and contamination. This is alarming, considering billions of Rand are required in order to curtail this crisis. The population in the Gauteng region is growing by the thousands each month, adding further stress to the infrastructure. Additionally, according to Greenpeace Africa, the major South African mining companies aim to utilize more of the already decreasing water supply for their new mining initiatives. The need to address this issue has become more urgent than ever and poses a massive threat to the future of the northern communities of South Africa. In this production, the artists from Pretoria share stories and warnings of the inescapable water crisis to come and urge listeners to increase and sustain their awareness, so as to prevent their beautiful landscape from becoming more desolate and arid.
Next Phase
As we moved into the second quarter of 2018, the team wrapped up a strong leg five in Botswana, and heads to Zambia to begin leg six. For the month of July in Botswana, we worked with Tomeletso Sereetsi, a big name in the local scene, and Gaone Ranthloiwa, a local female singer with an unbelievable voice and wide-range of skill. Together, our goal is to build awareness around trans-boundary water issues in the Okavango Delta, by calling upon Botswana and its neighboring countries to come together to preserve the delta. With music and environmental projects on our minds, we had to remain aware for the large wildlife that live about the locations we camped and recorded footage in. Stay tuned to hear more about our eco-music production, work within the communities, and close experiences with elephants and hippos!
Get Involved & Donate
Expedition #K2K is our third iteration of long-term field work, and it is by far the most exciting. To learn more about CM, and to stay connected throughout the mission, please subscribe to our Newsletter below, check out our blog on National Geographic, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. For live updates from the field, be sure to check out our page on National Geographic’s newest digital journaling platform, OpenExplorer. If you would like to contribute to Expedition #K2K, please visit our Patreon page, where you can schedule monthly donations of any amount.
Conservation Music is on a mission to produce and promote musical media that educates listeners and viewers in conservation and sustainability, with an emphasis on rural developing communities, and to serve as a platform for similar efforts. Currently, the organization primarily collaborates with musicians throughout Southern Africa, catalyzing songs in local genres and local languages regarding local conservation issues in countries like Lesotho, Botswana, Angola, and more.
After years of soul-searching and months in the African wilderness with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, musician and geographer Alex Paullin combined his foremost passions and founded Conservation Music, a non-profit aiming to foster a global culture of sustainability using music as the messenger. Throughout his life he aims to expand the Conservation Music movement globally, in hopes that his lifetime will see and hear songs of conservation being sung throughout the world.
Our Mission
Through the catalytic power of music, we confront environmental breakdown and humanitarian disaster in the developing world and beyond.
Our Vision
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
Field Notes: Expedition #K2K – Pretoria, South Africa
Jun 30, 2018
Exploring Climate Issues in Pretoria
For the month of June, Conservation Music (CM) headed to Pretoria, South Africa to complete Leg 4 of Expedition #K2K. Through the month, we worked with Greenpeace Africa and Projekt 23 – Greening Our Communities to spread environmental awareness throughout the cities, create eco-music, and educate the younger generations to build a brighter future. In recent years, the water infrastructure in Pretoria has aged to the point of irreversible leakages and contamination. With growing stresses from population increases and mining activities, this issue has become more urgent than ever and poses a massive threat to the future of the northern communities of South Africa. Assisted by a wide-range of talented artists, we created the eco-song, “Protect Our Water,” to inspire action regarding socio-political disputes about the distribution and protection of dwindling clean water resources. Take a visual dive into our fieldwork by watching Episode 8 of CM’s Webseries: On The Beating Path.
For this leg of Expedition #K2K, we moved into the headquarters of X Factor Crafts and Nosh Food Rescue, owned by our friend Hanneke. This brilliant conservationist and homesteader invites backpackers from all over the world to her house, where her lush gardens provide for homemade teas, oils, kombuchas, and tinctures. We couldn’t be happier with our accomodations for the Pretoria leg of the journey! Check out more of CM’s stories and videos on National Geographic’s OpenExplorer platform.
CM’s Crew Brings Life to a New Collaboration
To gain clarity for this month’s eco-song collaboration, we headed to a nearby park to meet with longtime friend, conservationist, talented singer, and Founder of Projekt 23, Tribute “Birdie” Mboweni, and her music director, Thulani ST Sithela. Together, we envisioned the song’s composition and then split ways, so that we could trek to Winterveld to meet our longtime friend Thabiso Thabethe and invite him to join the song. With need for one more vocalist to join the trio, Thabiso linked us to Xolani “Haikuu” Petrus Mhlanga, a multi-instrumentalist, rapper, filmmaker, and producer, who also graciously allowed the collective to use his garage as a session space in Waterkloof.
On June 6th, World Environment Day, we met with Greenpeace Africa and Projekt 23 – Greening Our Communities at the Tlakukani Primary School in Mamelodi, for an educational workshop on the importance of water conservation. The day began with eco-education games, followed by a lesson in defending water by Greenpeace Africa. Conservation Music rounded out the day by allowing the students to write and record their own part for this month’s eco-song collaboration. Birdie guided the students through their part, leading to the creation of a beautiful chorus.
Our next session was at Haikuu’s place, where we could feel the momentum of the project building as we gathered musicians to write and compose the instrumentals for the track. Thabiso and CM Founder, Alex Paullin, exchanged ideas and riffs, as keys player Taelo Mpatsi laid down accompanying melodies to further flesh out the tune. Haikuu was also incredibly excited to add a rap verse and lead guitar melodies to the eco-song. For two weeks, we spent time at Haikuu’s studio, rehearsing and recording the majority of the track. Thabiso and Haikuu helped us integrate essential guitar strains, while bassist Gally Ngoveni laid out the low end. We met Gally earlier this year at MTN Bushfire, and are grateful to reconnect, as well as add his talented touch to the song. Next, we headed to Oakfields College Lynnwood Campus Studio, where we recorded Thulane ripping through drum takes, and even providing some backing harmonies.
Alex Paullin Takes CM to Germany for Refugium
As we continued to work on the eco-song, Alex geared up for a symposium at Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt in Germany. There he would offer a series of lectures and workshops, while producing a new #CrowdStudio track with a group of refugees and music students for the yearly Refugium Music and Arts Festival. Prior to Alex’s departure, we welcomed in Jake Taylor, CM volunteer and multi-instrumentalist, for the next two months of the expedition. Jake’s presence set an amazingly new dynamic and level of production to the group. With an expanded crew, we headed to a local cafe to watch Gershan Lombard: KhoisanBoy.Man, an artist featured in our “Day Zero” song, perform before he set off for a tour around Europe.
CM Location Shooting for “Protect Our Water”
After Alex returned from a successful trip to Germany, we wrapped up tracking and began shooting for the production’s music video. We started with Thabiso’s part at a dried out river in the Slovo Village of Winterveld. This location exceeded our expectations and we are eager to show you more from this golden hour.
For the second location shoot, the collective ventured into the city of Johannesburg to film Haikuu’s rap verse. The set lies in front of a Greenpeace Africa#DefendWater mural, which was painted to raise awareness about water as a human right. The backdrop set a heavy tone for this production and highlights the severity of South Africa’s water issues.
For the third and final shooting location, we headed to Pretoria National Botanical Garden with Birdie, who put on a moving performance for the video. The serenity of the botanical gardens, coupled with Birdie’s colorful outfit, made for some unforgettable footage that will bring this production to the next level.
Wrapping Up the Production
Our final recording session for “Protect Our Water” was with our good friend Albert Craftsman, who blessed us with congas, djembe, udu, and rainstick from his percussion arsenal. His additions brought motion and cohesion to the song and rounded it out so that we can enter the final mixing and mastering stages.
Before trekking onto our next project, Haikuu graced us with a rap verse for the expedition’s #CrowdStudio track, which will continue to grow over the remainder of the expedition. We also want to give thanks to Mount Skylight, a crew that is creating a short film and donating 5% of the proceeds to Conservation Music. Check out the teaser! With production from leg 4 behind us, we wrapped up post-production on both songs and videos from Pretoria and Eichstatt, and then set out to Botswana for leg 5 of the expedition to create a song pertaining to transboundary water issues. We hope you stay tuned for future updates on Expedition #K2K.
Expedition #K2K is our third iteration of long-term field work, and it is by far the most exciting. To learn more about CM, and to stay connected throughout the mission, please subscribe to our Newsletter below, check out our blogon National Geographic, and follow us on Facebook,Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. For live updates from the field, be sure to check out our page on National Geographic’s newest digital journaling platform, OpenExplorer. If you would like to contribute to Expedition #K2K, please visit our Patreonpage, where you can schedule monthly donations of any amount.
Conservation Music is on a mission to produce and promote musical media that educates listeners and viewers in conservation and sustainability, with an emphasis on rural developing communities, and to serve as a platform for similar efforts. Currently, the organization primarily collaborates with musicians throughout Southern Africa, catalyzing songs in local genres and local languages regarding local conservation issues in countries like Lesotho, Botswana, Angola, and more.
After years of soul-searching and months in the African wilderness with the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, musician and geographer Alex Paullin combined his foremost passions and founded Conservation Music, a non-profit aiming to foster a global culture of sustainability using music as the messenger. Throughout his life he aims to expand the Conservation Music movement globally, in hopes that his lifetime will see and hear songs of conservation being sung throughout the world.
Our Mission
Through the catalytic power of music, we confront environmental breakdown and humanitarian disaster in the developing world and beyond.
Our Vision
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
Shubert began using music for wildlife conservation the same year Conservation Music started its journey. A true kindred spirit of ours, Shubert is an activist, an artist, and an organizer rolled into one effective individual. Conservation Music is very excited to have him onboard as co-founder of the incredibly promising Conservation Music Tanzania.
Our Mission
Through the catalytic power of music, we confront environmental breakdown and humanitarian disaster in the developing world and beyond.
Our Vision
A global community that stewards the Earth, in which the memorable, emotional, and unifying power of music contributes to the balance between humankind, nature, and society.
Environmental Conditions
Environmental Conditions
Overview
Environmental Conditions
Overview
Environmental Conditions
Our Musical Nonprofit For Conservation
Alex Paullin
Our Musical Nonprofit For Conservation
Our Musical Nonprofit For Conservation
Alex Paullin
