The idea of Geek Culture

Loading player...
Did you know that 71 000 people attended Comic Con Africa in Jo'burg recently? William Shatner was there! So-called “Geek Culture” or “Nerd Culture" is clearly really popular in South Africa. Excitingly, we’re also seeing the rise of local comic heroes like Kwezi and Captain South Africa (who is a woman, by the way!) and the brilliant visual artists who make them. Jessica speaks to Zaid H. Motala, self-described Geek Culture ambassador, about the world of comics, superheroes, gaming, cosplay, fantasy and science fiction.

Links from this episode:

Comic Con Africa
https://www.comicconafrica.co.za/en.html
Comic Con Cape Town
https://www.comicconafrica.co.za/en/media-centre/2019-press-release/comic-con-cape-town.html
Zaid Motala on Facebook, including some hilarious videos:
https://www.facebook.com/ZHMentertainment/
Artist Bill Musuku and Captain South Africa:
https://www.billmasuku.com/rm/
Kwezi Comic Books:
https://www.facebook.com/Kwezicomicbook/
Ray Witcher, Illustrator and Artist
http://raywhitcher.daportfolio.com
ComiXology
http://ComiXology.com
Marvel Unlimited subscription service:
https://www.marvel.com/comics/unlimited
DCUniverse (but currently only available in the US, sorry):
https://www.dcuniverse.com
Crunchyroll for streaming anime and manga:
https://www.crunchyroll.com/
Shonenjump for manga:
https://www.viz.com/shonen-jump

During the interview, Jessica refers to the ugly incident around the Hugo Science Fiction Awards which took place in 2015. To understand what she’s talking about, read more here:
https://www.vox.com/2015/4/26/8495415/hugos-sad-puppies-controversy
14 Oct 2019 English United Kingdom News · Society & Culture

Other recent episodes

Episode 1: The idea of the USSR and the ANC

It's Episode 1 of this brand new South African podcast, the Commute! We all know vaguely that the Soviet Union supported the ANC under Apartheid, and many of the USSR's ideas from the 60s and 70s still permeate ANC's big policy ideas. Jessica van Onselen talks to Professor Irina Filatova…
4 Apr 2018 42 min

Episode 5: The idea of China's 'One Belt One Road' push

Xi Jinping, President of China, just got the go ahead to become president for life when his party abolished term limits. Who is Xi? Should South Africa worry about all those lovely loans it took from China? And what is the not-exactly-well-named "One Belt One Road" initiative announced in 2017?…
4 Apr 2018 30 min

Episode 3: The idea of Bitcoin

South Africa topped the charts in 2017 for Google searches for the word ‘Bitcoin’. What is Bitcoin? Why is everyone so excited about cryptocurrencies? Will I be able to buy my groceries at Woolies using Bitcoin soon? Jessica speaks to Claire Ingram Bogusz to learn more about this amazing new…
4 Apr 2018 30 min

Episode 4: The idea of a (functional?) Arts Ministry

Sometimes it feels like South Africa's Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) is a big nothing-burger. But given South Africa's extraordinary artistic talent pool (Trevor Noah, Black Coffee, Dada Masilo, Andile Ndlovu, Zanele Muholi etc etc etc), why do they seem to suck? Jessica talks to acclaimed playwright Mike van…
4 Apr 2018 30 min

Episode 2: The idea of Vladimir Putin

We know Vladimir Putin likes to pose shirtless while hunting bears, and that he and Donald Trump have something special going on, but how much we do know about the man himself? Jessica van Onselen continues her conversation with Irina Filatova about Putin and South Africa. The books mentioned in…
4 Apr 2018 28 min