Latest news with #CastleMilkStout
The Star
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Thandiswa Mazwai on the power of music and the celebration of African heritage
As May celebrates the beauty of African culture and heritage, acclaimed musician Thandiswa Mazwai reflects on her enduring commitment to African culture highlighting the profound role it plays in her life and music. With Ancestors Day earlier this month leading the charge, Mazwai tells Saturday Star that embracing her cultural heritage is more than just remembrance; it is a lively revival of the African people's stories, music, and spirit, which is rooted in every aspect of her artistry. "For me, celebrating history means more than remembering the past - it's about reviving the stories, sounds, and spirit of our people. It's about using music and tradition as powerful tools to reconnect with who we are and where we come from," she says. In a collaboration with Castle Milk Stout, the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA), and the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL), Mazwai says they aim for Ancestors Day to achieve official recognition as a National Day of Commemoration in South Africa. The music sensation explains that this initiative, sparked in 2021, seeks to raise awareness about the importance of honouring ancestors nationwide. 'Castle Milk Stout and I have been partners for many years, grounded in a shared commitment to celebrating African culture and heritage. Together, we are amplifying the call to give Ancestor's Day the national recognition it deserves,' she emphasises. With this month, infused with the essence of heritage, she says it is also a reminder of the importance of daily celebration. 'Heritage is a living, breathing thing and should be engaged and celebrated every day. A dedicated month is pivotal, as it helps draw attention to some disappearing cultures and cultural practices. Ancestors are lineage. It is important to have some knowledge of what one's bloodline has endured and survived and what they may have invented. As stated in one of my songs, 'andihambi ndedwa'. The award-winning musician also reflects on her three-decade journey in the music industry, during which time she has had the privilege of working with iconic figures such as Hugh Masekela, Busi Mhlongo, and Miriam Makeba. 'I have been in the industry for 30 years and worked with many of my heroes. People like Hugh Masekela and Busi Mhlongo, who were not only mentors but dear friends. Also great legends like Miriam Makeba. I have been truly blessed.' While discussing her creative intentions, Mazwai elaborates on the distinct desires guiding her recordings versus her live performances. 'The intention of the recording is different from the intention of the live performance. One hopes to create peace and healing while the other hopes to inspire exuberance and a sense of freedom. But all of it hopes to inspire pride and self-worth for the African child.' [email protected] Saturday Star
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Thandiswa Mazwai on the power of music and the celebration of African heritage
As May unfolds, a month that serves as a vibrant ode to African culture, heritage, and ancestral legacies, acclaimed musician Thandiswa Mazwai takes centre stage, reflecting on the vital role these elements play in her life and artistry. As May unfolds, a month that serves as a vibrant ode to African culture, heritage, and ancestral legacies, acclaimed musician Thandiswa Mazwai takes centre stage, reflecting on the vital role these elements play in her life and artistry. As May celebrates the beauty of African culture and heritage, acclaimed musician Thandiswa Mazwai reflects on her enduring commitment to African culture highlighting the profound role it plays in her life and music. With Ancestors Day earlier this month leading the charge, Mazwai tells Saturday Star that embracing her cultural heritage is more than just remembrance; it is a lively revival of the African people's stories, music, and spirit, which is rooted in every aspect of her artistry. "For me, celebrating history means more than remembering the past - it's about reviving the stories, sounds, and spirit of our people. It's about using music and tradition as powerful tools to reconnect with who we are and where we come from," she says. In a collaboration with Castle Milk Stout, the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA), and the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL), Mazwai says they aim for Ancestors Day to achieve official recognition as a National Day of Commemoration in South Africa. The music sensation explains that this initiative, sparked in 2021, seeks to raise awareness about the importance of honouring ancestors nationwide. 'Castle Milk Stout and I have been partners for many years, grounded in a shared commitment to celebrating African culture and heritage. Together, we are amplifying the call to give Ancestor's Day the national recognition it deserves,' she emphasises. With this month, infused with the essence of heritage, she says it is also a reminder of the importance of daily celebration. 'Heritage is a living, breathing thing and should be engaged and celebrated every day. A dedicated month is pivotal, as it helps draw attention to some disappearing cultures and cultural practices. Ancestors are lineage. It is important to have some knowledge of what one's bloodline has endured and survived and what they may have invented. As stated in one of my songs, 'andihambi ndedwa'. The award-winning musician also reflects on her three-decade journey in the music industry, during which time she has had the privilege of working with iconic figures such as Hugh Masekela, Busi Mhlongo, and Miriam Makeba. 'I have been in the industry for 30 years and worked with many of my heroes. People like Hugh Masekela and Busi Mhlongo, who were not only mentors but dear friends. Also great legends like Miriam Makeba. I have been truly blessed.' While discussing her creative intentions, Mazwai elaborates on the distinct desires guiding her recordings versus her live performances. 'The intention of the recording is different from the intention of the live performance. One hopes to create peace and healing while the other hopes to inspire exuberance and a sense of freedom. But all of it hopes to inspire pride and self-worth for the African child.' Saturday Star
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Thandiswa Mazwai on the power of music and the celebration of African heritage
As May unfolds, a month that serves as a vibrant ode to African culture, heritage, and ancestral legacies, acclaimed musician Thandiswa Mazwai takes centre stage, reflecting on the vital role these elements play in her life and artistry. As May unfolds, a month that serves as a vibrant ode to African culture, heritage, and ancestral legacies, acclaimed musician Thandiswa Mazwai takes centre stage, reflecting on the vital role these elements play in her life and artistry. As May celebrates the beauty of African culture and heritage, acclaimed musician Thandiswa Mazwai reflects on her enduring commitment to African culture highlighting the profound role it plays in her life and music. With Ancestors Day earlier this month leading the charge, Mazwai tells Saturday Star that embracing her cultural heritage is more than just remembrance; it is a lively revival of the African people's stories, music, and spirit, which is rooted in every aspect of her artistry. "For me, celebrating history means more than remembering the past - it's about reviving the stories, sounds, and spirit of our people. It's about using music and tradition as powerful tools to reconnect with who we are and where we come from," she says. In a collaboration with Castle Milk Stout, the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA), and the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NHTKL), Mazwai says they aim for Ancestors Day to achieve official recognition as a National Day of Commemoration in South Africa. The music sensation explains that this initiative, sparked in 2021, seeks to raise awareness about the importance of honouring ancestors nationwide. 'Castle Milk Stout and I have been partners for many years, grounded in a shared commitment to celebrating African culture and heritage. Together, we are amplifying the call to give Ancestor's Day the national recognition it deserves,' she emphasises. With this month, infused with the essence of heritage, she says it is also a reminder of the importance of daily celebration. 'Heritage is a living, breathing thing and should be engaged and celebrated every day. A dedicated month is pivotal, as it helps draw attention to some disappearing cultures and cultural practices. Ancestors are lineage. It is important to have some knowledge of what one's bloodline has endured and survived and what they may have invented. As stated in one of my songs, 'andihambi ndedwa'. The award-winning musician also reflects on her three-decade journey in the music industry, during which time she has had the privilege of working with iconic figures such as Hugh Masekela, Busi Mhlongo, and Miriam Makeba. 'I have been in the industry for 30 years and worked with many of my heroes. People like Hugh Masekela and Busi Mhlongo, who were not only mentors but dear friends. Also great legends like Miriam Makeba. I have been truly blessed.' While discussing her creative intentions, Mazwai elaborates on the distinct desires guiding her recordings versus her live performances. 'The intention of the recording is different from the intention of the live performance. One hopes to create peace and healing while the other hopes to inspire exuberance and a sense of freedom. But all of it hopes to inspire pride and self-worth for the African child.' Saturday Star
Daily Maverick
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
130 Years of Brewing Quality for South Africans who Understand a Great Tasting Beer
You can tell a lot about a country by its beer. Great beer is defined not just by what's on tap, but by how it's brewed, the origins of its ingredients, the expectations it carries, and the pride in every pour. South Africans have long understood what makes a truly exceptional beer – not because they were told, but because they've lived it, celebrated with it, and helped shaped its legacy over generations. At SAB, we've spent 130 years trying to live up to that standard. There's a myth that beer is simple. After all, it only takes a handful of ingredients: water, barley, hops, maize, and yeast. But anyone who's brewed knows the truth — that the simplicity of beer is deceptive. Great beer demands discipline, instinct, and deep respect for process. It's equal parts science and soul. Let's start with the ingredients. Water gives beer its body and balance. Barley adds texture and sugar for fermentation, while hops bring bitterness, aroma, and preservation. Yeast works quietly but powerfully — transforming grain into alcohol and unlocking flavour. And maize — often misunderstood — isn't a shortcut. In South Africa, maize has long been part of the local beer profile, lending crispness, drinkability, and a flavour profile that aligns with our climate and palate. What elevates these ingredients is where and how they're sourced. At SAB, 95% of what goes into our beer is grown locally. That's not just a statistic — it's a choice. A choice to invest in South African farmers, in local supply chains, and in an economy that needs industries to show up with both capital and care. We work with researchers and breeders to grow barley suited to South African conditions. We cultivate hops in George. And we source maize from farms that have supplied us for generations. Quality is the throughline. It's what turns raw materials into an experience. In our breweries — seven across the country — we test water dozens of times a day. We discard entire batches if flavour profiles fall outside a narrow window. We brew to standard, not shortcuts. But beer is more than the sum of its parts. It's culture. It's the ritual of it. The first sip after a long day. The shared bottle between friends. The memory of a brand your parents drank. The pride in tasting something familiar, even when the world feels unfamiliar. South Africans don't just drink beer. They expect something from it. That it be consistent. That it be well-made. That it speak to who they are — whether that's through bold flavour like Castle Milk Stout, crisp balance like Castle Lager, or new expressions like Castle Double Malt or Corona Cero. This, for us, is where innovation meets tradition. We've created new products to meet changing tastes — South Africa's first non-alcoholic beer in Castle Free, the world's first Vitamin D-infused alcohol-free beer in Corona Cero, and a new standard in lager complexity with Castle Double Malt. But we've never chased trends for trend's sake. Everything we brew must still pass the ultimate test: does it meet the expectation of a South African who knows what a great beer tastes like? And if it doesn't — we start again. 130 years on, we remain students of beer. Of how it's made, of who drinks it, and of what it represents. Because beer isn't just refreshment. It's a marker of quality, a signal of trust, and a product that — when done right — brings people together without saying a word. That's what we've been chasing for over a century: not just good beer, but good brewing. It's a pursuit that never ends. DM
