ConverseAtions
Issue 23
May 2021
Dr Nomangesi Judith Ngcakani
Jabula Sleepwear
A Physician, a mom and musician.
- wear happiness -
Lethiwe Mahlangu speaking beauty and her makeup journey
OUR TOP
10
UNPOPULAR JAMS
Music, radio and modeling.
Buying Shares
Tumelo Koko shares his perception on the subject.
WhatsApp Magazine
@whatsapmag
@whatsappmag
CONTENTS 1. Dr Ngcakani taking us through her journey. 2. Storytelling
through
art by R.A. Vuthela. 3. JABULA
sleepwear
by Judith Maphalala. 4. Zukile Festile making a
living
through
gaming. 5. Voice Of A Widow, an
initiative
by
a
widow for widows. 6. Exercise benefits for older people. 7. Buying
shares
is
vital, but first, let's get the basics. 8. Makeup by Thiwe.
STOP KILLING
Cover story
If it’s obscure now, it’s because I must bring it to focus.
S
a mom and a musician known
Tell us about your profession and what inspired you to go for it? "I am a specialist physician, the
as
equivalent of a paediatrician, only
haring
her
inspiring
journey
with us this month is a physician,
Dr
Nomangesi
Judith
Ngcakani, who is originally from
that
King Williams Town. Prior to her
instead of children. I have always
move
had the desire to be a doctor since
to
Port
Elizabeth,
also
known as Greberha, where she
the
currently
serve
age
of
3.
adult
population
Growing
she
doctors’ rooms more often than not.
studied and worked in Durban
My attraction was kindled in seeing
for a couple of years.
the authority of the doctors, their
perceived
wellness
and of
to
a
children,
lives
me
as
sickly
comfortable
exposed
up
her
and
child
the
with
husband
resides
I
the
the their
children. I knew in my childish soul
www.whatsappmag.co.za
that I would love my children to be children of a doctor".
Your passion for music – where does it come from and please share about the previous albums you worked on. Please share about your upcoming album. "My parents were choristers in the Methodist
WOMB STEWARDSHIP, when did it start, what is it’s aim – and what’s the next plan about it?
Church times
and
our
were
singing
family
prayer
characterized
notes
of an idle Facebook conversation
defaulted to listening to music in
about
times of pain, as I would carry
abandon
their
fatherly role to children born out
on
of wedlock. These children end up
whenever
struggling
practically
for
the
basics
of
life
with
my I
I
hymnal
and
who
them.
the
"Womb Stewardship was born out
men
perfect
from
by
then
daily would
all
the
also
chores, relax
-
time.
I
with
composed my first song around
identity. I decided to change the
the age of 3-4 playing with my
narrative and contribute towards
dolls and pots alone, rejected by
a solution to this problem which
my older friends. In 2006, God
has
started
and
further
down
become
population
a
the
norm
groups.
In
line,
in
some
2016
we
singing
recorded
the
again songs
and in
I a
held our first public gathering in
dictaphone and buried them. It
East
never
was in 2018 when I asked God
stopped. We registered WS as an
to give me songs again and this
NPC in 2017 and launched in 2018.
time I would record. I was sitting
Our
work
in Langa Baptist Church in April
with schools in the less fortunate
2018 when Isaiah 54 was read
communities to break these cycles
and that became my first song
as they are most manifest there".
download,
London
immediate
and
plan
we
is
to
-which we recorded in our first album, The Breakthrough, a couple of months later. We launched the album and the
NPC
simultaneously
in
2018
with
We
Will
Worship
performing one of our songs. This album is available at the
digital
platforms.
We
recorded
the
second
DVD
album, Ecclesia at Pentecost in 2019, featuring Ntokozo Mbambo
and
Nqubeko
Mbatha.
This
will
be
released
soon. The last born was recorded in February 2021 and is still going through the final editing processes".
How do you balance your profession, being a mom and a musician at the same time? "The truth is there can never be a balance. I become all things to all my faces as I respond to the different callings of my life. There are times where I need to be a mother more than a doctor. There are times where I am required to be more a wife than a music composer. I walk with those responsibilities with me at every stage of my existence. I’m blessed for working with seasoned musicians who need less and less of me whilst expressing my heartfelt worship correctly and accurately. We have developed systems at home where we can function pretty much without having to be policed and still have the home in an orderly state. I make time to go out with the family for holidays or breakaways where we play together, connect and celebrate the gift of having each other in our lives".
What’s your passion and when not busy with anything work what do you do to relax? "I have been blessed with family friends who share the same love for outdoor living like we do. We encourage each other to wellness and so we go for hikes, trails and do exercise sessions together. It helps to have a voice of courage that shakes me out of bed even when I’m not up to it. We share healthy meal plans and the cherry on top, we pray together.
POTENTIAL BUSINESS
R.A. Vuthela creations Telling stories through art is a collective of artists, writers and storytellers from the Eastern Cape and Soweto South Africa called R.A. Vuthela creations – a name which is a combination of Richard, Augustus and Vuthela. These creatives have come together to begin
and
reflect
their
skills
through
the
various
designs they create and sell. Their preferred medium to tell the stories through their art is pencil and water colour, with landscaping, traditional art and still life as
their
preferred
subject.
The
guys
are
based
in
Gauteng and can be found at the Fourways Farmer’s Market every Sunday.
“We
started
in
2020,
during
the
lockdown.
The
lockdown was the catalyst for major change in many people.
The
lockdown
took
us
back
home
to
our
authentic, unmediated selves. Art has always been that
inner
energy
pushing
and
pulling
to
find
expression".
"Our ancestors expressed themselves through various methods;
utilising
various
art
forms;
such
as
beadwork, clay, wood, grass, rock art, hair, and many more. The ceramic became the perfect canvas to share the art with a wider audience".
"The courage to go for it came from a very deep place, like a Force that guides you every step of the way. There’s a Zen saying: “When the student is ready, the Master/
Teacher
will
appear,”
I
think
that’s what happened. If we can learn to sit still in silence, we get the answers we seek and we can conquer our challenges, bringing healing to ourselves and others".
What kind of art do you include on your products and why?
“We
include art that invokes fond memories, that remind of special places and people. This is our way of contributing to the South African Art landscape”.
What is that one product of yours you really like and what is the story behind it? “The potjie pot and milk jugs are the favourite. The potjie pot always remind me of my childhood and the delicious meat that always came out of there”.
Lastly, your highlights thus far?
“This journey has been a long time
coming, as we’ve tried and failed in many business ventures. There is something
specifically
unique
and
fulfilling
about
this
because
it
comes from a place of purpose, sharing and connecting with people via
authentic
stories,
spaces
and
landscapes
that
connect
us
a
people, and this is regardless of your race, culture or background. At market, people who look at the art would instantly connect and say, “but this in the Eastern Cape…” and the conversation starts from there… and this makes us feel like we are achieving our primary objective and meeting our purpose”.
To connect with us, click here:
raewpeels
Jabula
wear happiness Her friends call her J – full name is Judith Nomvuyo Maphalala, who is founder of Jabula sleep wear. Quoting her direct words, “I am one of those (not so?) rare Johannesburg natives, born and raised in the big bad city, which I still call home”. J has a background of Accounting studies under her name.
When did you commence with JABULA SLEEPWEAR and what inspired you to go for it? “At a time when I was in a job I was unhappy in and considering my next move, I was gifted with a piece of wax fabric from an aunt of mine and my immediate thought was “Imagine pyjamas made in this design…”. I can’t tell you exactly what the idea was born out of. It was one of those moments, I think, when inspiration just lands unexpectedly”.
Challenges you faced when trying to get your SLEEPWEAR off the ground and what was your lesson towards those challenges? "Getting scammed out of a couple of thousand rands right at the beginning was a really big lesson. One can’t emphasize how important it is to do your research and vet anyone that you’re going into business with especially when you’re a small business with limited capital".
"Don’t get bought over by the first person who tells you that they can make your dreams come true".
"There’s
that
expression
that
says,
“Doubt
kills
more
dreams
than
failure ever will”. That’s definitely been true for me at different stages of my life, and even with JABULA I can recall the whispers of my internal
audience’s:
“Some
things
are
just
too
big
for
you.”
My
response to that now is "Just Start". I’m learning not to make a home of my fears/ doubts. To live in celebration of whatever talents I’ve been blessed with and instead build a life out of that".
Your highlight in business this far? With a smile she replied, “It’s still early days and JABULA is still making its name in the streets. But the love I have received has really been humbling and affirming. Since launching, I have had people share with me that they have been inspired. I’ve had people ask me for advice and if I can help them get their brands off the ground. It’s been heart-warming”.
Lastly, share what's in store and price ranges: JABULA has launched with four women’s pyjama sets, prices range from R650. Sleepwear items are also available separately from R300
To connect with us, click here:
MALUME PLAYGROUND HIRING PACKAGES
Package 1 PS4 console 2 gaming controllers FIFA21 & 2 games TV & console stand All for R100/hour You can also add: 32" TV for R100 (flat fee) Any 3 games (only available games) for R50 2 Controllers for R50* Package 2 Xbox One console 2 gaming controllers FIFA21 & 2 games TV & console stand All for R100/hour You can also add: 32" TV for R100 (flat fee) Any 3 games (only available games) for R50 Controllers for R50 for 2 0785083915
info@malumeplayground.co.za
GAMING CENTRE The Malume Playground initiative is a brainchild of Zukisa Festile, a young entrepreneur who was born in Kariega, formerly known as Uitenhage, that is where he is operating.
“I started Malume Playground in 2015 back then I used to call it Magic Finga Games a name I got from my previous hustle. Back then I had just moved into a family house after my uncle passed away and my friend happen to have just bought a second hand PS2 console (when most people were into PS3 or PS4 if you're lucky). We then started to play PS2 while we used to play PES13 the whole day if we were not working, sometimes we would play till the next day. The young boys will watch us with enthusiasm as we are playing, so as we were both working sometimes our shifts crossed, mostly I'll be alone, playing one player as we only had and knew PES only. One time I was alone practicing and one kid asked to play, I jokingly said it's R2 if you want to play, the boy ran inside with his friends and paid the R2 for a game. The next day all the kids in my area were in my house with their R2 for a game, that’s where I saw a need, I saw a gap and I saw a business opportunity”.
“So I asked my friend if he can sell the console to me so that I can charge these kids to play, he refused to sell it and said " it's an old thing brother use it but as long as I don't pay when I want to play(jokingly)".
POTENTIAL BUSINESS
MALUME PLAYGROUND
And that's when and how Magic Finga Games
now
started
with
then
bought
I
a
Malume friend’s a
PS3
Playground
console. from
From
another
mutual friend in 2017, when I started to take
it
serious
research
and
and
after
found
I
out
did
some
in
other
countries gaming is a big thing”.
"From starting with a friend console to owning 5 consoles with a room designed for gaming only". Your services and premises? “We are in Esport gaming but the dream is big that's why I didn't want to box myself into Esport gaming only. At the moment we have Malume Playground that's based in Uitenhage Kwanobuhle, where kids to adults come and game at. We offer variety of games to choose from like FIFA21 (which is the most played game at the Playground), we also have Call Of Duty, God War and Uncharted to name a few. We also hire out our services to events like birthdays, church functions, schools, work functions, fundraising, esport events, brand/product launch and any type of events.
Highlights?
"Building a home for the Playground, previously I used to
use my house for gaming now I have a place called Malume Playground, yes it may be at home; in the back yard but building it from scratch and filling it with these games is my biggest highlight".
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Voice Of A Widow An initiative by: Akhona Ndlungwane
Meet Akhona Ndlungwane who is the founder of “Voice Of A Widow”, born and bred in Bloemfontein. Third of five girls and sadly one of them is late. Akhona obtained her matric from Ndema high school and completed her Public Management Diploma at CPUT Cape Town.
“I
got
married
during
my
third
year
in
Cape
Town
University
of
Technology and seven years later I became a widow. I then later relocated to Port Elizabeth to be with my younger sister who sadly after 2 months of my arrival passed away. I am a mother blessed with two daughters Kungawo and Alunamda. I am a born again Christian and strong believer in Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. I am a woman that lives with hope for things not yet seen, Faith”.
“August 2019 I started an initiative called the Voice Of A Widow reason being a lack of moral, emotional, financial and legal support during my mourning period which became my motivation to start this initiative. I see this initiative as a platform for widows, divorcees and just
women
themselves.
who I
see
have it
as
encountered a
voice
for
loss
in
many
general culturally,
traditionally silenced women in their journey of loss".
to
empower
socially
and
What are your intentions by running this amazing initiative? “With this initiative I also hope and intend to help widows or women find themselves again after loss and remind them of who they were before
marriage
be
it
sport,
academics
or
social
life
just
to
reconnect with their dreams and ambitions. I firmly believe that by empowering widows, you also empower their children and family at large with an assurance of a home and stability. Woman, your loss is not your end, keep walking. Widows you are the windows of hope”.
Tell us about the VOAW event and the work you been doing out of the event? “Voice Of A Widow event happens annually it focuses on
loss.
platform
From that
experience
I
know
accommodates
that
widows
there's to
hardly
meet,
or
talk
never and
a
get
empowerment be it emotionally or financially. A space where they share the experiences and lessons. The event is not closed only for widows though, I've extended the Invitation to Divorcees and any other woman that has lost after investing their all into a relationship and it still failed, example a case of having a child in a failed relationship this takes a lot from a woman, single parenting leads many women to depression, you need supportive environment like this to meet people of your journey and learn. I've also extended the invitation to anyone that have lost a parent or sibling or even friends and colleagues that were close to them, it's loss. I've also started selling t-shirts for my other project called “Education for Child of A Widow”, money made from this buys things needed for school by children of widows. Year 2020 I assisted about five children with smart phones, remember they couldn’t go to school due to lock down so these devices helped with research and they’ve done very well".
To connect with us, click here:
Fitness
Purpose Fitness Fusion
:yb uoy ot thguorb
Benefits of exercise for older people: There is this myth that most older people has - "thinking it's too late", and they are too old to start exercising. Staying healthy has no age, it can be done without lifting weights and can be done at home or in your nearest park or recreational facilities. Some think of costs, but remember to think out of the box - not all exercise will require you to pay.
You are never too old to exercise. You can start with light walking and other gentle activities.
As you grow older, an active lifestyle is more important than ever.
Regular
exercise
can
help
boost
energy,
maintain
your
independence and manage symptoms of illness or pain.
Not only is exercise good for your body, it's also good for your mind, mood, and memory.
FINANCIAL LITERACY
Buying Shares The DO's and DONT's of
So, you have an investment account set-up but, you have no idea where to begin picking one out of the 400+ stocks on the JSE. I am assuming
you
already
investing
account.
If
have not,
a
brokerage
here’s
an
account
article
on
or
how
some to
kind
choose
of a
stockbroker (article).
This is how I identify and analyze the companies I invest in:
First of all, don’t copy and paste other people’s methods. This won’t help you in any way, and in some cases it can lead to you losing your money. For example, I have seen people investing in a certain stock just
because
their
friends
on
are
doing
so,
what
a
dangerous gamble.
What should you do instead? Identify companies to put on your watch list: Look at the products and services you use on a daily basis, which companies do they belong to? Are you reading this on an Android phone? Then maybe add Google to your watch list. Do you always buy Colgate instead of Aquafresh? Consider looking at Colgate. A lot of people will say yes to this one so I’ll ask, do you have a Capitec account? Then look at them as a potential investment option.
Which companies do you see around you constantly? When you see Tsogo Sun buildings across the country, let that pique your interest in Tsogo. Let the hustle and bustle of Rosebank Mall call your attention to Hyprop Investments. Read
through
Easy
Research.
Even
without
an
Easy
Equities
account, just Google “Easy Research” and their blog will pop up. They
discuss
the
details
and
operations
of
many
interesting
companies - you will find gems in there.
Once you’ve gathered up a watch list of potential companies to invest in, analyze each of them and decide whether or not you want to invest. Here are some factors you can look at when deciding whether to invest in a company or not: Is the company overvalued or undervalued? It’s undervalued when what you would pay for the actual company is more than the current price of the company. Debt. How much debt are you willing to accept in a company? Profitability. Is the company profitable, and do you think it will stay profitable in future? Growth. Is there potential for the company to grow? Can they afford
to
invest
in
growth?
Is
there
room
in
their
industry
for
growth? Management. Do you trust their management? What experiences, qualifications
or
accolades
do
they
have
that
will
benefit
the
company? What is their track record? Dividends.
Does
the
company
have
a
consistent
and
growing
dividend history? Answer
the
above
questions
then
decide,
also
you
can
download
SIMPLY WALL STREET app as it analysis most of what I have covered. Article by: Tumelo Koko from Afrika Kesho
visit our site or social contacts:
www.duishcorner.com
MAKEUP
MAKE UP BY Our makeup artist this is the amazing Lungile Lethiwe Mahlangu. A strong
young
woman
who
is
originally
from
Mpumalanga
Kwaggafontein A (KwaNdebele), but currently she is residing in the north of Johannesburg where she runs here makeup business.
“I started doing makeup in high school, and when I started I wasn’t good at all but through baby steps and exposure to online tutoring I started with an eyeline, which is a very basic and easy one to learn. Then as time went by I fell more in love with makeup, especially when I started working in retail for extra cash – where I also need to look good as I engage with customers every day. So I then worked as a makeup artist & retail sales for Lancôme, my makeup skills then shaped very well to a point that I started seeing a business opportunity in it”.
What does beauty mean to you? “Beauty to me is how you feel as an individual
being
comfortable
in
your
own
skin
whether
you
have
makeup or nice clothes or generally feeling like yourself being you at your own comfort zone”.
Which brands do you like using and you would recommend? “I have plenty of makeup brands that I love. When I started makeup It was the brand I was working for Lancôme, then I got to experience other brands like “Clinique black Up”
to
name
a
few,
they
offer
a
variety
of
shades that fits for winter or summer even for oily and dry skin”. I also love Revlon , L’Oréal , Essence , Maybelline and Beauty Treats - those are
my
go
affordable
to in
brands price
as
because well
they
and
are
super
very
clean
when it comes to makeup”.
Your WOW moments thus far, touched a well-known’s face maybe? “My greatest moment was when I got a call to do a makeup for a wedding. It was a big project that I manage to do alone and it has gain me more clients. So far I haven’t yet touched any famous face yet but I’m hoping soon that will happen in gods timing”.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? “In
5 years I see myself
having my own makeup studio that’s one thing I’ve been longing for and definitely doing master classes like your Mihlali Ndamase and Aghogho Bee known as “imakeyoubeeliv”.
Lastly, do you think the GBV fight is tackled well in our country? And if chance given what law would you place for victims to feel heard? “GBV is a very serious issue in SA & I don’t think anything is done to change what’s happening, we have more voices and hashtags but no action is done. Honestly, I don’t know which law I can place but I know there is no justice served in our country”.
To connect with me, click here:
Radio Presenter
"Challenges are nothing but growth opportunities". - Asanda Duze
Born
and
Asanda
bred
lived
in
for
Mdantsane the
last
20
East plus
London years.
and
Gauteng
"Opportunities
is
where
came
in
between those years soaring wings overseas. New York most definitely played part with its own experiences I’d never trade in for anything in this world. A place of refuge is where I’m now at, ploughing back all the years collected treasures #Charity begins at home", she said.
Asanda Duze matriculated in East London high school then headed to Cape Town Varsity College doing PR and Tourism diploma. After a year gap she furthered with her three years Media Studies at Boston Media House, Johannesburg.
Please share what you do and the station you work for?
“Serving
God is what I do, as it was even a blessing to be given opportunities or platform like Wild Coast 98.6 fm and other things I do are still on the pipeline but yes I am doing what I love most”.
When did you start with broadcasting and why you chose radio? “Well, I actually started with Wild Coast not so long. It was about time to make that impact in people’s lives and radio couldn’t be a better medium platform”.
So If you were not on radio currently – what would you be doing and why? “I
suppose
that
comes
with
understanding of where one is at in life. Going
into
media
then,
turned
to
be
totally different reasons of what I’d now go and do. Today is all about anything and
everything
however
way
of I
positive
know
impact,
how.
in
Sharing
lessons learned on this journey call life is
what
I’d
always
do
at
any
given
moment”.
Your highlights since you started as a radio presenter? “When
the
first WhatsApp text from a listener came in saying, “I’m tuned in until the end of the show” -that really warmed my heart”.
And that WOW moment that made you say YES I am on the right path? “I always have those WOW moments whenever I walk into the radio station I work at right now – see when you walk into a place and feel this was long set aside for you, that place of belonging we all yearn for?”, she laughed.
Tell us about your show, what is it about? "The about
making
positive
impact
and
looking
at
Connect Show is
life
with
different
perspective. Positives are all around us always".
Lastly, how is your relationship with your listeners?
“Supposedly
the listeners and I are still on building relationship phase as the show and myself are fairly new on the station. So I appreciate it when my listeners introduces and express what they like about the show”.
Inspirational Stories
MADODA NDLAKUSE Storyteller
Meet
Madoda
daughters
Ndlakuse,
who
is
a
a
multi-talented
remarkable
proud
storyteller.
He
father
was
of
born
in
two the
notorious dusty streets of Mdantsane in East London, Eastern Cape. Due to circumstances that one will read about in his autobiography should he decide to publish it he lived in different places. He lived in King Williams Town, deepest rural areas of Ngqamakhwe where he became a chorista and choir conductor. His Mdantsane aura never escaped him because he became famous for his Pantsula moves while still in Ngqamakhwe.
He
moved
inspired
to
him
Mdantsane
Port to
still
Elizabeth
write echoes
in
poetry. his
grade The
famous
10
and
streets poem
his
of
titled
English
Njoli,
teacher
Kwazakhele,
“uNosipho”
which
articulate the notorious life of PE central. Dopla the storyteller as popular known showed interest in literature at a very young age. Mr Ndlakiuse has been involved in literature and literacy development since early 2000s, he played a major role in the arts development not only in Port Elizabeth where he is currently based but in the entire Eastern Cape province. His ethical work speaks volumes.
His involvements & achievements includes: 2016-2018:
Perfomed
Storytelling
Festival
Storytelling alongside
at
Dr
Puku
Gcina
Mhlophe, Dr Sindiwe Magona, Nompucuko Zakaza, Charmaine Mrwebi, Babalwa Kona etc 2016-2018:
Presented
Programs
at
various
Conferences and Festivals like Litasa, Karoo Literary
Fest,
Grahamstown
Wordfest,
Litfest,
Mandela
Bay
Literacy
Week,
Mandela
Bay
Arts
Fest,
Book
Cultural
Festival,
National
Book
Fair,
Bizana
Week
and
most recently did a Storytelling perfomance in Durban at the NOZINCWADI STORYTELLING FESTIVAL organised by Gcinamasiko Heritage. On the 22 February 2021 - he released his two new isiXhosa books – a poetry collection called Iingcinga Zendoda & short story collection entitled Mhla latsh’ iBhayi
From the aforementioned achievements and involvements Mr Ndlakuse remain committed to change the literacy and literature landscapes in the Eastern Cape, his unchanged love for isiXhosa language and other languages proves his rooted passion of language development. His love
for
follow
children
him
on
and
social
child
development
media
can’t
help
is but
unmatched, love
and
those
admirer
who the
relationship between Dopla the storyteller and his daughters Onez and Mila. His facebook timeline is filled with short stories, literature work and
opportunities
and
the
famous
Onez/
Dopla
short
well
written
entertaining stories. The ultimate goal for this language practitioner is to build Early childhood development centre and host Mandela Bay Storytelling festival. To connect with me, click here:
Fashion Explosion Model
Lihle Mgwetana
Meet
and
get
Mgwetana,
an
to
know
aspiring
Lihle
model
Lihle
went
primary
to
Spencer
school
for
her
lower
from Nelson Mandela Bay who
grades
is 21 years old. She grew up in
Khumbulani
the
Veeplaas
finished her matric at Lwazilwethu
with people seeing a potential
high school. After matric she went
model body from her, and been
to MSC Business College for her
asked
Public Relations studies.
dusty
streets
when
of
will
she
2018
when
modeling
until
entered
the
Explosion
competition
Her
winning
resulted
her
NMB
that to
try
FB.
competition taking
her
modeling journey as serious as it
should
be
by
creating
her
portfolio, attending shoots and events in the modeling industry in her city.
high
moving school
to and
she
Fashion on
before
Mabija
Need a fresh and professional portfolio?
Contact us: 073 936 8256
What are the highlights of your modeling journey thus far? When
this
one
person
found
my fashion sense (style) very interesting and wanted to use my
images
company".
for
his
German
What inspires you as a person? Perseverance: life is not easy, every one of us has their own story. Life knocks us down and drives us backwards at times. But when one decides to pick themselves up and move forward towards their dreams and goals, I find that inspiring.
Being in the EC does it have a negative or positive impact in your modeling career? Yes I do feel EC has a bit of negative impact, I feel like EC lack resources/opportunities and If I were to move to WC or Gauteng my modelling career would change for the better
Given an opportunity to travel what places would you like to visit? Wow, I would go for Cape Town, Johannesburg and the beautiful New York.
To connect with me, click here:
ARTIST PROFILING
SIHLE SOMANA
L
ALSO KNOWN as
et’s get to know the incredible musician by the name of Sihle
Somana, stage name – Irvh. Sihle was born and bred in Port Elizabeth also known as Gqeberha, Eastern Cape and still resides in the same city.
When did you start with your music and what inspired you to go for it? “I started making my own beats and writing songs in 2016 but quit all that late 2016. I was then drawn back into doing music mid 2018 when I started doing covers with my acoustic guitar and posting them
up
on
as
this
was
much
more
therapeutic
than
anything I had tried. Music allowed me to express myself while having fun with it. It was not until late 2019 where I got into writing again, performing my then unreleased songs on Nelson Mandela University stages and it is safe to say the people that commented on my cover videos are what inspired me to go for it. I knew that me not going for it would be a spit on their faces because they had so much faith and belief in me. I doubt I would have recorded any song if it was not for them”.
Kind of music and genre you do? And share about your recent EP: “I’m quite versatile when
it
comes
to
genres.
If
a
melody provokes some emotion in me then I will write on it. I will respond to the melody and tell it what it wants to hear. I believe that me having a broad taste in music is what lead to me being able
to
genres
do be
Hop/Trap
so it
Pop,
or
instrumentals
many
even I
different
R&B, the
had
Hiphouse
unofficially
released in 2019, I literally listen to everything. If it’s fire then I’m
Share about your nomination on the 041Awards and how you do you feel about it? “I’m not one to pay much attention to the noise I have been making thus far in this P.E
music
industry
constantly
as
obsessing
I
am over
achieving the bigger goals I have set up for myself, this nomination
bumping it on blast.
had me shocked for a while and it The EP is titled “My Dark, Twisted Asylum” for a reason. I unpack on topics we tend to avoid talking about. listener through
I
expose who the
myself
might
same
to
be
stuff
the
going
that
I’m
dealing with by telling my stories
has hardly sunk in even now. The MAMA award nomination was one thing,
but
“Gerrarra
041
Best
Newcomer?!
here
man”,
he
exclaimed.I am grateful for all the love
and
support
I
have
been
receiving.
from my own personal life on the darker songs included on the EP so as to say, “you’re not alone. Sikhala sibaningi.” The EP has a lil something
for
every
type
Nominee for
041 BEST NEWCOMER Awards To vote SMS 041 Irvh
of
listener so please do check it out.
Let's connect here
To 35029
Book Recommendation
Destiny Shift
By Asanda Tshabalala
This incredible body of work is written by Asanda Tshabalala who is an author to many upcoming books, an entrepreneur and motivational speaker from Pretoria, Gauteng.
He spends his time doing motivational talks and radio interviews to motivate young people and introducing his amazing book.
"I wrote this book to help young people under- stand that they are responsible for their lives. God created us to be free agents, which gives us the power to choose. If God had created us in such a way as to compel us to do or to be anything that was not of our choosing, we should not have been individuals, we should have been machines".
"We need to learn and understand that our choices or decisions have consequences. More-over, sometimes, it is not witchcraft or black magic that holds us back, but it is ourselves through the decisions we make".
"In
this
book,
I
share
three choices that have helped me become the person These
I are
am
today.
the
choices
that shaped my life from being township
a
regular boy
to
impacting my country".
To sum up the conversation about the choices he made and what triggered him to write down this book this is what he said, "Is it not fascinating that we are born without our permission, or at least made to choose where we want to be born?".
"Growing up in the township can either be a blessing or a curse. What you become exposed to can make you either better or bitter. Many people I grew up with were unfortunately consumed by the negative environment and sadly ended up bitter and hopeless. As for me, I was not happy with the kind of lifestyle I was exposed to and as a result, made up my mind right there and then that I will make better choices and decisions so that my children are not born in the same environment".
"The house you were born into is not your choice, but the home you will die in will definitely be your choice. Being born in a shack is not your choice, but dying in the same shack will definitely be your choice. Youthful Choices that affect your ending".
To connect with me, click here:
WHATSAPP MAG TOP 10 1. King Joe - Dead or Alive (Remix)
Click on the song and listen
2. The Goonz - Flexible
3. Irvh Ft Nayo Jones - My dark twisted assylum
4. uFezekile - Always Thinking About You
5. Staticflo - Thirstday
6. Azi Ft Tisha Q - I.Y.A
7. Dangatye Ft Zain SA - Ngaske Siyive
8. Neo Beats - The South West Story
9. Alter Kay - Who Dat?
10. Khokho Madlala - Ngiletheni
Playlist Influenced by: Prince Masuku
CLASSIFIEDS