Dr Siphamandla Sithebe addresses Grade 10-12 learners at the Hip Hop Science Spaza.Hip Hop and Science Combine with Explosive Results
SAMA award-winning rap artist, iFani, recently jetted into Durban for a music event with a difference – the Hip Hop Science Spaza!
Grade 10-12 learners from Chesterville and Umlazi engaged in practical science activities and then turned new knowledge into rap songs. The event culminated in a hip hop battle for the best science rap. The surprise ingredient was iFani, the hottest name in South African rap who this year won a SAMA for best rap album and who is, incidentally, also a Computer Scientist.
Being the International Year of Crystallography, the workshop started with a lesson delivered by Dr Siphamandla Sithebe, an Organic Chemistry Researcher and Lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Learners then developed rhyming lines and raps working with Jive Media's Creative Director Hilary Kromberg and KwaZulu-Natal-based musicians Rooted Souls.
The two-day workshop was filmed for “Hectic Nine-9”, the popular youth show on SABC 2, and was featured during National Science Week from 2-9 August 2014.
‘This is a really great initiative, which I am involved in through my research-based community outreach work,’ said Sithebe. ‘The Hip Hop Science Spaza was really educational and uplifted a lot of students. My goal is to get the University more involved in future.’