Makoya 16 September 2011

It’s Fresh It’s Real It’s

GO BOKKE!

www.zoutnet.co.za/makoya

September 16, 2011 • Year 6, Vol.15

Tel: 015 962 1008

JIMMY AYO - A Graduate from the University of Survival * By Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho

interview.

Jimmy hails from Lagos in Nigeria.

He came to South Africa in 2004 with a plan of survival in mind. He would purchase handy goods such as necklaces, watches, bracelets and earrings straight from Nigeria to sell this side for a profit, but to his utter disappointment, he suffered countless stones of ostracism from the side of townspeople and villagers who never wished to buy from him because he was ‘Nigerian’.

In South Africa, the noun ‘Nigerian’ means different things to different persons. To others it connotes all badness from fraudster to strange sexually transmitted illnesses. For some, it means someone immensely associated with the evil of drug-dealing.

Yet to others it means a human being like any other.

As for Ayo, his presence in town and The man is resplendent in a longthe villages was dressed with a prickly sleeved white t-shirt, black trousers gown of a drug-dealer who had come to and a pair of genuine leather flat do no good. shoes. He is well shaven, head and Today Ayo thanks one unnamed lady chin – and looks immaculate (perfect) at the KFC outlet in Louis Trichardt, in every respect. And this is none other for her knowledge on the fact that the than the ever jovial Jimmy Ayo, who man hadn’t come into the country for operates an Eskom-supported prepaid troublemaking. electricity store at The Plaza complex She saw in him the businessman where Makoya met up with him for an he was aspiring to become. Then she * By Rhulani Salani

Meet ...

bought some necklaces from him and thereafter would introduce him to others who too bought one or two things, before they as well passed the word on to other prospective clients. From that point onwards, he started moving about and through towns and villages on foot, selling his wares. He came to know the Thulamela, Makhado and Vhembe areas like nobody else.

“Not everyone from Nigeria is bad,” Ayo points out, and you can see he means his words. “Upon my arrival in South Africa, I couldn’t make friends with people who knew I was Nigerian.

That alone made me feel disappointed, lonely and rejected. In my South African life, I don’t like seeing situations where Nigerians group themselves together exclusively, even South Africans, Zimbabweans, Somalis or whatever. we’ve got to mix and interact.”

In 2007, Ayo started buying handbags and hair extension pieces from Jo’burg and selling them. He was no longer making adequate profit in selling earrings et cetera.

“But last year I had to investigate the prepaid electricity vending,” he reveals, beaming with a sly smile.

“There’s this particular lady who would go unnamed. She had the audacity to discourage me from approaching Eskom

It all started when I was watching Idols South Africa! The face of someone I knew appeared, and it caught my attention. Then I watched the beautiful face more intensely and listened to the sweet voice, and I realised that she was amazing. I loved Idols and I started watching it from that day onwards, and it was amazing to watch someone I knew, up to the day she left the show on the group performance level.

The person was Tlou Mashalana, studying at the University of Venda, and who sings in Quiet Storm jazz group, which has just released a fabulous album titled My Worries. The album is being played on Univen radio and other radio stations. All the members of this group are from the University of Venda, and they found each other there. Tlou joined the group after she realised that she was a beautiful singer. At her sister’s graduation party one band which was there invited her to join them and she did. That was five years ago, and in 2006 she went for an audition at Univen jazz, where she found Quiet Storm. This was the group which performed at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz festival in Jo’burg on 27 August 2011. That was a big festival with international artists performing, the line-up being filled with artists from America, Brazil, Croatia and Belgium, all of whom shared the stage with Quiet Storm.

Tlou said that as she was going through the different levels of competition on Idols, she gained experience, exposure, excitement, challenges and that was a beautiful time of her

with my idea. All the same I went up to Eskom offices here in Louis Trichardt.

They referred me to a big office in Jo’burg. After much haggling, I came back with my prepaid electricity vendor machine. I registered the business fully in partnership with my brother who runs a most successful Food City eatery, from whose premises my business operates today.”

True enough, ask anybody in town to show you a place where you can buy prepaid electricity, and you are most definitely going to be directed to The Plaza complex.

Ayo holds a BA in Economics from the University of Ilorin in the Kwara Province.

He says that he sold earrings and bags in the streets shamelessly because he has to survive, university degree or no university degree. Life is all about survival, it’s his realistic philosophy.

“I am still looking forward to achieving more things than I have done so far,” he says optimistically. “My wisdom is: Be patient and satisfied with what you have. Never forget to give glory to God even for the small things He’s given you.

You’re never wise in life.”

It’s no wonder Ayo is the man who used to do graphic designing for Nollywood films back in Nigeria of his birth.

life. “I met beautiful musicians, everyone with great personalities, and you get to wonder what Idols wanted at the end of the day. Anyway, the judges were fair, according to me.” She adds that she would love to enter the competition again if she gets chance. She thinks that Idols is about you having that story to tell to the judges; a story that will increase the viewer ratings; being yourself and sustaining your confidence; and to remember that at the end of the day it is just a TV show. As she is still studying, and she finds it very hard to juggle the two, but she tries very hard. “After a year of self-assessment, I learnt that my priorities needed to be straight, and education comes first.

I settle my school work first, but mostly during September and October there are times when there are lot of festivals, and I struggle, most especially because I don’t have a car.”

“Al-in-all Idols did more good than negative to my music career. People appreciate me and I get lot of invitations on Facebook and all that, and at the same time my life just started becoming nonprivate, and it’s uncomfortable to adjust because people take note of every little thing I do, wear and say.”

Tlou advises people that music is not all about money or fame; “you just need to love it and push harder and you will get where you want to be, and for those who would want to enter the Idols competition next time, they should be unique, have good interpretation of music, be themselves and enjoy the experience.”

Tlou Mashalana who participated in Idols SA

September 16, 2011

MAKOYA 2

DIABETES MELLITUS * By Humbelani Chantel Ndou

Advice from our dietician Khangwelo Netshipise These days we have a lot of people suffering from chronic conditions, and one of the most common chronic conditions is Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes Mellitus can be described simply as a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose concentrations resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both.

Persons with Diabetes have bodies that do not produce or respond to insulin.

The following are some tips and dietary guidelines that can help you manage your blood glucose better.

People suffering from Diabetes

Makoya 99 we tell it like it is!

Ri vha vhudza zwo tou ralo!

(Bangakupalula) POEM I AM A ACHIEVER I am an achiever as I grew up I was a dreamer I would wake up and think of the water that flows in the river think that one I will be a achiever I am an achiever Thinking that one day I will be a good poet like Ntsiki Maswai I knew I could make it because I am a believer because Jesus is my redeemer I would wake up and think I will be like my role model Jennifer Matsila I am an achiever As they say if you dream it you can do it I am a leader and not a follower Indeed I was not a dancer But I was always an achiever I am an achiever I will die an achiever because I was born an achiever I will kill the spear and not the fear I am an achiever - By Hulumeni Mulalo (Age: 14 years)

E-mail, post or deliver your masterpieces (photo’s, articles, etc) to us.

Fax: 015 516 2303.

Mark clearly “for attention Makoya” e-mail: • pieter@zoutnet.co.za

should eat small frequent meals with snacks in between to steady the release of glucose into the bloodstream. It is also vital to spread the intake of carbohydrate foods throughout the day.

Foods containing large amounts of sugar should be avoided.

Limit fat intake as a diet high in fat, especially saturated fats, has been shown to affect the body’s ability to use insulin.

Decreasing fat intake can also help with weight loss if you are overweight or obese as it also interferes with the body’s ability to use insulin.

Beverages and foods containing caffeine should be avoided as well. It is also best for Diabetic patients to avoid use of alcoholic beverages as this may result in lowering blood glucose, especially if it is taken on an empty stomach. Till next time let’s all strive for a better health.

For more information contact your Dietician Khangwelo at 084 923 1030 / 071 225 8202. khangwie@gmail.com.

Fashion & Beauty Blog Wanna look good? Feel sexy? Then this is for you... Makoya mag is again venturing into something that’s vibrant, youthful and useful to today’s contemporary lifestyle.

Fashion and beauty has now become an inseparable part of youth, so we have decided to start our very own blog about the latest trends, including everything from seasonal fashion must-haves, hairdos, colour trends, make-up advice, and also turn-ons and offs.

Our blog will be spear headed by our very own leading ladies, Khathutshe Mulaudzi, who is now with Business Day and Humbelani Chantel Ndou, whom our readers are now familiar with ‘coz of her motivational corners, which have not only impacted on people’s lives, but also touched and gave hope to lost souls.

The blog promises to touch base

Small jobs marketplace SKILLS ON OFFER: 1. I’m Khangale G from Lwamondo , l have grade 12, Computer Literacy , Code 10 Drivers Licence with (PRDP). 076 520 5563.

2. Murivhami Fulufhelo frm Nzhelele Tshituni I have Grd12 computer dploma,busy with safety and frstaid.076 922 9909.

3. I M Mabuli Shelly from Gundani,I have grade 12,computer diploma,Educare N6.Security EDC,cooks 101.072 348 8372.

4. I’m Muleba Vhengani Fulufhelo. I live at Itsani am looking for a job. I Have Grade 12 Drivers license computer diploma computer literacy two. 079 743 4682.

5. Nemukula Nkhetheni 4rm Sibasa. I have grd 12,IT certificate exp 4 teatching IT,sales consultant,Adm.HR 073 216 2393.

6. Silimela Takalani frm Tshakhuma I hv grd 11,computer diploma,call centre,security officer EDC am looking 4 a job 074 238 9166.

7. Mr Khakhu Vhudzanani,age 24,grde 12,compter dploma,civil engineering n2’n3’n4’n5’n6,frm makhado(L.T.T),contact no@ 076 742 5118/084 339 4658 8. I’m Prisca Davhana 4rm ha Rathidili (Louis Trichart).I’m looking 4 a job,I have Grade 12 ,Business Administration, Computer Diploma and Fire. 076 473 7314.

9. I’m Nkuna Lufuno.from Mulenzhe Village, I hv grd 12. Certificate on cooking ,catering and decoration.084 975 9944.

10. Rofhulufhela Muhanelwa, from Tshidzini, Grade 12 and one year Call Centre Agent Certificate. 076 279 0045.

11. I,m Slyvia Sivhaga I live at HA-munzhedzi. I’m markerting a job. I have security officer&compitency firearm and computar diplomar cetificate&. 071 118 8658.

12. Mutele LT, frm Ha-Mutele, IT diploma,Vip certificat e,Certificate in elementary fire fighter,certificate in Project management skills.072 476 6705.

13. Mutavhatsindi Tshifhiwa from Hamutsha have grade12 ,HRM N6 certificate,computer literacy ,and cleaning certificate.my contact no: 072 993 1568.

14. Mr Khakhu Vhudzanani,4rm Makhado(L.T.T),age 24,grd 12,computer dplma,civil engineering N2’N3’N4’N5’N6,Contact @ 076 725 118/084 339 4658.

15. Layani Shihlangu 4rm Shikundu,I have grd 12 with Accounting $ Economics and Computer diploma.073 950 3898.

16. Makheda P. Percy frm Lwamondo, I hv grd 12,N4 certificate, W @ R seta, code10 drivers licence.082 391 9172.

17. Im Nemukula Nkhetheni 4rm Mubvumoni Tshaulu my cell no:073 216 2393. I hav grade 12.IT(technician).exp IT lecture,cleaner,sales consultant.i want any job.

079 308 8991.

How does the small jobs marketplace work?

For only R2, simply sms the words MAKOYA JOBS, your name, where you live and what skill or need you have to 34995.

One last point of note: this is not a vacancy page for established business. We will assist these businesses with a proper vacancy advert if you want, but this initiative is rather an attempt to help those who are unemployed, but who do still have skills of some sort or another that they can use.

on everything that the youth of today want to hear about, and it aims to reach affluent, style-conscious urban and rural youth and to be a visually stimulating fashion and lifestyle publication with the purpose of making you feel more than adequate about yourselves. The two ladies will be speaking with various relationship experts, fashion doctors, beauticians and will play around with everything to ensure that you guys get the best out of the blog.

“We aim to reach a relationship that is unbreakable with our youth readers, and you’re gonna be blown away and we make a promise to our readers that they will become glued to it with no regrets or so on.

All we can say is watch the space and prepare to be blown away ‘coz these two beautiful ladies mean BUSINESS and NOTHING LESS.!”

C A R EER CORNER

By Lesedi Milanzi

Bursaries related to Somatology and Institution contacts (2012) - Continues from p4 • John Deere Educational Trust Bursary Scheme (31 October 2011) Bursary enquiries: John Deere Educational, Bursary Depot, PO Box 32597, Braamfontein, 2017 • SAWISE Hope Scholarship (30 November 2011) PO Box 34085, Rhodes Gift, Cape Town, 7707, Jacquie.greenberg@uct.ac.za, www.sawise.org.za • Ekhuruleni Metropolitan Municipality Bursary Scheme (30 September 2011) Enquiries: Tel: (011) 861-2440 / Corporate ETD, P.O. Box 4, ALBERTON, 1540. www.ekurhekeni.gov.za • Gauteng Department of Health Bursary Scheme (30 September 2011) Development & Employee Wellness, Bursary Section, Private Bag x085, Marshalltown, 2107,www.gov.za • The Faculty Officer, Cape Technikon PO Box 652, Cape Town, 8000. Tel. (021) 460-3176 • SA Institute of Health and Beauty Therapists and SA Association of Health and Skincare Professionals, www.saahsp.co.za PO Box 318, Pinegowrie, 2123. Tel (011) 787-8709.

• Department of Somatology. Durban University of Technology PO Box 1334, Durban, 4000, Tel: 031 373 2408, sharlf@dut.ac.za • University of Johannesburg Doornfontein Clinic, Health Training Centre Tel: +27 (0)11 559 6525, somaclinic@ uj.ac.za, www.uj.ac.za

September 16, 2011

MAKOYA 3

An Assessment on the Literary Work(s) of

* By Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho

DAVID WA MAAHLAMELA

Born in February 1985, on the 22th day, David wa Maahlamela is a unique voice in the African poetry sphere. Upon completing his Grade 12 in the early 2000’s, he found himself having no funds which could help him in furthering his studies.

So, as he now tells Makoya, each morning saw him go through the University of Limpopo’s library doors with

a backpack of tshikhafuthini (lunch box) slung on his shoulder.

He didn’t huddle by the corner with a shadow of drowsiness and self-pity over his eyes. Instead, outof-school wa Maahlamela consumed literary texts and even explored the library shelves for other subjects as a means of expanding his intellectual capacity.

Even though he was no student at the University of the Limpopo, he didn’t slack from seeking advice and help from literary greats and academics such as the late Professor John Ruganda, who then motivated his reading and mentored his writing.

Today as we speak, youthful wa Maahlamela’s name is modified by colourful adjectives and dutyrelated titles. Published poet; short story writer; performer, literary practitioner and so forth.

He is also in great demand from soon-to-be-published writers, established authors and publishers alike, after he had penned a thoughtful, critical introduction on Ntsiki Mazwai’s poetry book, Wena.

Prolific, progressive and longsuffering poet and publisher Vonani wa ka Bila has been an associate of wa Maahlamela in the sense that Ruganda was, and he lauds the young writer for his long road as an artist.

“Maahlamela’s poetry takes care of the Pedi idiom sparingly,” affirms wa ka Bila. “The poet works very hard in chiselling his craft and his poetic voice has matured. His courage is his strength to write without restraint.”

Wa Maahlamela’s presence in, and contribution to the world of arts is confirmed by the numerous national and

international awards he has won. The most recent one is the PanSALB Multilingualism Award, for contribution to South African oral and written literature; and here the documented compilation that had him scoop the award was in Sepedi (Northern Sotho).

As if that was not enough, in 2005 he published his first poetry book under the title Moswarataukamariri.

In the same year he attended the International Society of Poets’ Poetry Convention and Symposium in Washington, USA, where he also brought home an award.

Wa Maahlamela doesn’t compromise; in his poetry he calls a spade a spade – something which is the aspect of true poetry leaning on poetic licence. One point needs to be put straight, though; It’s a wrong conception that right or correct poetry must be rude or vulgar. In poetry, there’s neither wrong nor right. And that’s exactly the trait wa Maahlamela seems to have passionately fondled with. He neither disrespects nor fears the powers that be. Perhaps this is the reason why Sunday World (2 July 2006) wrote this of him: “He no longer fears death because he has already managed to engrave his innermost in the mind of the universe.”

In a rather sombre, long poem

entitled “May Day” he points out that the workers are off work to take to the streets in a rise-our-salary demonstration.

The alarming feature of this toyitoyi is that, for the poet, “the madishas and vavis (bosses of work unions) are getting paid / to celebrate this day”. It is yet in this poem where wa Maahlamela demonstrates his knowledge and skill on literary applications. He berates that there would be no peace of mind among workers, employers and work union bosses, “as long as the truth is still the sun / that demands expensive spectacles to look at”.

On that line, the abstract (truth) is made to carry features of the “sun” which one can see. This odd comparison, in poetry, is called metaphor.

To sum up this evaluation, wa Maahlamela is a poet who doesn’t brag about his artistic abilities and strengths, or even his glittery achievements. Fellow published poet, Moses Nzama Khaizen Mtileni, has this to say about him: “David’s live performance is electrifying, his written word – especially pieces dealing with our dire socioeconomic conditions – sobering”. Mtileni also acknowledges with wonder the poet’s commitment to promoting Sepedi through his creative works.

Youth in Business - By Rhulani Salani

Not only do they have similar surnames, they also share the same goal. Chester Mudau and Awelani Mudau stated very clearly that they are not relatives, but they have been friends ever since their teenage days.

They decided to take their friendship to another level by becoming business partners in 2009, and they opened Expulsive IT solutions, which deals with networking, IT sales, the internet, and computer repairing.

They were both born and bred at Muldane. Chester matriculated in 2006 at Sam Mavhina Secodary School and enrolled for an IT course at Nicoflora Engineering in 2007 which completed in 2009.

Now he is studying System Support Analysis at IT Business College.

Awelani passed his Matric in 2003 at Tshivhase Secondary School and enrolled for Business Management at the University of Kwazulunatal and also studied IT at PC Training. * Where did you get the idea for this business?

We started taking business seriously after we had attended an Umsobomvu youth fund meeting. The organisation encourages youth to start their own businesses, and it also provided information about SIDA. So we took it from there, and we register with SIDA 2009, the same year that we opened Expulsive IT Solutions. * How did you finance your business when it started?

To be honest, it was not easy, as we didn’t have any money. We had two computers between us, so we sold one and used the money to pay rent for the place where we are working from. The remaining money was used to do the rest of the work. Fortunately a goodsamaritan man, Mr Mudau TW, donated a photocopy machine. The business started running from there, and it has been running very well in such a way that we managed to buy some machines and computers to make our business grow. * How was your first year in business?

It was not easy because we both

didn’t have any experience in business.

Though we were new in this business, we encouraged ourselves and our goal kept us strong. Also our marketing strategies are what made us who we are today. We used word of mouth at the start, but now we are using facebook, and the website (www.expulsive. co.za). * What are your strengths?

The spirit of not giving up, no matter how hard he situation is. Time management, when its time to do business we mean it, and we work very hard and forget that we are even friends. We can both work as team, and we don’t do things individually, because we can end up losing the meaning of the partnership. * Any area of improvement?

Of course we have some areas that we need to improve in our business, and we don’t want to see our business ending just around Venda. We want to open Expulsive IT Solutions around the country. We will work as hard as we can to become known all over South Africa.

Chester M

udau

au

d Awelani Mu

September 16, 2011

MAKOYA 4

C A R EER

By Lesedi Milanzi

SOMATOLOGY Somatology is the science that deals with the physiological and anatomical study of the human body. This field of career and has acquired a professional recognition from the South African Association of Health and Skincare Professionals (SAAHSP). ). I held an interview with a 26 year old professional who is working in this field, Phumudzo Mapheba-Ramasindi.

At the moment Phumudzo holds a managerial position at Moloko Strathavon hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg. She Went to Maebani primary school and completed her matric at Kutama secondary school.

She then studied in Cape Town at Cape Technikon, where she completed a 3 year National Diploma in Somatology.

“In high school I was not sure what I wanted to do, but I have always been very fussy about my skin, and I always wanted to make sure that my skin was looking good. One day I was having a conversation with a friend of mine and that’s where I discovered that there was a career like this one. This was during the time when I was still in high school. I decided that I wanted to do something related to skin care, and I did more research on this field, namely

CORNER

- with Phumudzo

what it’s all about, where and how long it would take me to get a qualification, and so forth. When I completed my diploma I went to work on a cruise ship where I worked for Steiner (a beauty company, based in England). Steiner has a contract with a cruise line company and they recruit graduates from beauty school to go and work on cruise ships.

They used to do presentations at our school and that’s when I got the opportunity to apply for training with them. When my training application was approved I had to do the training courses in London. Immediately after my training I joined a cruise ship that was on a world cruise, and I went to Europe before crossing over to America and then the Caribbean. The best experience was when I was allocated a world cruise tour in 2009. I flew to Los-Angeles and that’s when I travelled the whole world.

By that time, I was doing massage, manicure and pedicure, waxing and facial therapy. I then received a special contract and I only concentrated on Facial therapy which is my specialisation and my personal favourite, as I am more of a skin treatment specialist as compared to the other fields” Phumudzo also indicated that a career

in Somatology offers multiple working opportunities, and this is evident from the path she has travelled. “I have changed spectrum in my career, from a more hands-on approach to the management side of things. With an academic background in Somatology one can qualify and become a nailexpert, massage therapist, skin care therapist or even combine all those depending on where you are working.

For those who are business orientated you can also start your own salon or go as big as opening your own spa, gym or health clubs. Some also venture into working with plastic surgeons and dermatologists (at beauty clinics), and even as make-up artists for television productions.”

A National Diploma in Somatology is also offered at institutions such as the University of Johannesburg and the Durban University of Technology. In the 3 years of study you do subjects such as Applied Biological Sciences, Anatomy and Physiology, Aroma and body Therapy, Diathermy (Epilation), Facial Therapy, Reflecology Level, Biotics, Reflexology, Socio-Psychology, Soma-techniques etc, so this requires a love for biology amongst other subjects.

The course incorporates both theoretical and practical training before one goes on to do one year inservice training. However an academic qualification is not only limited to a national diploma but one can go as far as acquiring a B-tech (Somatology degree) which is adding one more year to the program. “I love working with a wide variety of people, which can be a bit challenging because people like good results, especially if they are paying a lot of money for it, but good communication skills, empathy and tact comes in handy with this type of a career.”

We hope this will help someone out there who is also considering a career in Somatology or other related fields and we would like to thank Phumudzo for making time to chat to us.

- See page 2 for details on Bursaries related to Somatology and Institution contacts for 2012

Promising shades for talented singer from Madombi-city * By Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho

Lufuno “Bocca” Mathabele (25) is a young artist from Madombidzha, a dusty village outside Louis Trichardt.

His beginnings are quite fascinating, and it is the love of music that drives him to go ahead, even when things sometimes seem not to favour his means.

Bocca’s genesis began in the Word of Life Christ-centred church, where he sang for the combined youth choir under the late Pastor Mmbulaheni Mmboi.

“In 2008 I was at school in Pretoria doing a qualification in agricultural management,” he muses on; “at that

space I wrote four songs but couldn’t record them then. When I came back home I struck a musical relationship with the much-talented Panana.

Unfortunately Panana passed away before we could record my songs.

And that saddened me gravely.”

It was only in March 2011 that the ambitious singer met with, and got to know fellow aspirant artists such as Shony Mrepa, Mgino, Rabza, Mlatiro. Their relationship grew and the bond was strong enough for them to start working together, only as fellow artists who were brought together by mutual love for the music.

“By that time I had written several songs,” he tells; “and I could now record four songs at the home-based Shony Mrepa Production. The other four songs were cooked at Rabza’s.”

Bocca’s recorded songs have not gone beyond the contours of Madombidzha stores and supermarkets. All this is because of a lack of well-established producers, who might give him the benefit of doubt by taking his music seriously and publishing it widely.

“I carry with me a clean demo recorded on quite effective instruments,” he says. “Anyone willing to assist me could listen to my songs, and see if there’s quality or not.”

He strongly believes that his work is worth it. Perhaps it is the reason why Makhado fm are giving him frequent airplay. His vibe-wise, love song “Arali na nga Vhuya” is already an anthem. In this song he speaks about this lovely lady and implores her to come back into his life. He vows to love her wholeheartedly and give her the tender care she deserves.

“Music is the core of my life,” he says. “Through it I can communicate thoughts and feelings. But I also see it as a way of earning a living.”

Speaking of “earning a living”, Bocca runs a small spaza shop at his home.

He is also continuing with his studies through Unisa, as a part-time student.

When asked as to what it is that he hates most, he jumped to the answer; “Backstabbing,” he says; “if you’re a pal and you’ve issues with me, come straight and tell it to me!”

He describes his music as hip, streetwise Afro-pop, and, surely, listening to his music is like being caressed by a friend who knows your needs.

Bocca’s family is proud of his endeavours, and are showing confidence that he will eventually succeed in his dream of becoming a professional musician.

Provided the artist finds an

insightful producer and/or recording company, he could well soar into the music industry, as his zeal and talent are not to be quenched easily.

“I know I’ll one day make it,” he says finally.

Bocca can be contacted at 074 795 3519.