Have nothing to lose with founder of UCGK bishop Edir Macedo

Book launch of another Edir Macedo's book. Getting an autograph from Bishop Pierse Marcelo

Yes, this month we go to church by fire by force baba, we are releasing everything, the blessings, the anointing and the intellectuality of everything that is branded God and his son Jesus.

Nothing to Lose 3 book cover

So this week, we look at Nothing to Lose 3 by bishop Edir Macedo, the founder of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.

                                                   Evangelism with UCKG Park station branch team in JHB CBD

If you follow me on my social media platforms, you will definitely know by now that I am fond of this church.

Love walk at the Johannesburg Zoo with the senior pastors

During the Women's month celebration event in Alexandra Township

Thanks to COVID19 and the fact that most churches in my region were closed while I was desperate and in need of God.

The book launch celebrating the 30th anniversary of the arrival of the church in South Africa. Bishop Marcelo on wife Ms Marcia

The prayers, the word of God and everything that could bring my life back... Yes, you guessed it right, the witches and satanist were having a field day doing an all in one.

Funeral hosted by the church in Alexandra Township

 I'm sure there were even partying saying "Simtholile baba lo clever lo "We've  this clever one baba!

BuBus trip to Soweto

So, in the mists of the dark clouds, I found myself escaping the negative noise at their Park Station Branch where the first words of the assistance, was do not loose your faith my sister.

The Holy ground in Soweto

I was even encouraged to pray non stop for those that persecuted me. As this will bring about my success and shouldn't worry about the distraction but focus my eyes on Jesus.

The Women's gathering in Alexandra Township

Crazzy I know, but there I was in the church known in South Africa as the church that brought rain during the draught of the 90s.

Promoting the holy water 

Some even called it the church that stopped train killings as the evangelists would pray in trains for the killings would stop.

Kids party in Alexandra Township Pan Africa branch

I must say, the church has grown drastically  from the time it set foot for the very first time in South Africa.

                                                         Taking pictures after the heritage event in Alexandra Township

You won't believe this but they first settled in Bezuinhout valley. Their main focus then and still now is on the black oppressed people of South Africa.

                                              At the Holy ground in Soweto

Those people have also shown back their love for the Brazillians and together have build a mega church in Soweto next to Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital where I am told that would be the head quarters of the church in the African Continent.

From the book, you can see that there are many initiatives that the church is involved in not only here in South Africa but in the continent as a whole.

The Founder of the church also the author first arrived in South Africa with a passion for music and dance.

The Funeral service of Mam Vuyiswa 

He owns a Record Television Network and they were amongst the first few whites to enter the township when there was still a myth that people in the township wanted to kill white people.

This book is so rich with love and anyone who want to really exercise their faith should either get one or try attending one of their branches.

Till next time, please follow me on all social media platforms and the beads are back full force for both men and woman. This year we have kids ranges too.

 

We reflect on those eight painful days of September 2008

Rev Frank Chikane's book

Hey everybody, and welcome to the Tuesday Book Corner.

Every Tuesday, will be looking at some books that we need to digest, review or maybe properly look at the message behind them.

picture from M&G internet

As you can see that this week, we going inside parliament with the man of God as we reflect on those eight painful days of September 2008.

The first edition of the book  was published by Picador Africa in 2012. The author, clergy, Rev Frank Chikane gives us  a blow by blow account of damages that the African National Congress 52nd annual Conference held in Polokwane cost the liberation movement and the country as a whole.

Youtube video of me outside the then Malema house in |Sandton and also talking about my personal encounter

This also makes us understand why the current president Cyril Ramaphosa was urging for unity when he took  the presidential office in 2019.

The ANC had become a very strange organization that even I or many of us who grew up in the organization before 1994 could not relate to it nor did we fit in.

Somehow, the conference held in Polokwane managed to breed undisciplined, greedy and impatient cadres. This was so un ANC, I tell you.

That organization had always prided itself with disciplined cadre.

 From the time lawyer, Pixley ka Isaka Seme,journalist, Sol Plaatje, educator, John Langalibale Dube and Izwi Labantu founder, Walter Rubusana gathered  in Bloemfontein to form the South African Native National Congress in Bloemfontein. 

Founders of the ANC were all well educated people Pic from Wikipedia  

It's foundation was always rooted in Christian beliefs or anything that promotes good cause for the people.

Did they have any disagreement, yes they probably had but to the extend of humiliating and forcefully remove a seating president? That was so unheard of.

Through the book, the Rev take us to the events build up of the Polokwane Conference, which he describe as having tested the foundation of our new born democratic state to the limit with great risk of destabilisation and reversal of the democratic gains made.

From the 19/09/2008, umfundisi gives detail encounter as someone who worked in the presidency and exposed to the angry NGOKU!!! squad who were from the post Polokwane Conference.

Like spoilt children, the squad wanted things done their way and done so urgently. 

They didn't want to listen to any other voice of reason. Nor did they see the need to respect anyone.

I mean, humiliating a man who has lived his whole life for the ANC.

The error made by Judge Chris Nicholson was makes you question many things about the country.

Anyway, umfundisi was not revealing much in this book and I think has said some of the things in his follow up book.

 

A Stranger in the mirror by Sydney Sheldon

 

A Stranger in the Mirror by Sydney Sheldon

 

Let the Camera Roll ....Click, Click

Hi there and welcome to the Tuesday book slot again.

As promised, once a month we will be paying tribute to one of the greatest writers ever lived.

 

Getting ready.... At the presenting, acting classes at Talent Coaching Academy

Yes, I am a Sydney Sheldon’s collector and fan.

 https://mubi.com/en/cast/sidney-sheldon

 As you can read this blog or you are someone who has been following me on my social networks, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok you will know by now that the art industry has always been in my heart.

Amazon picture of Sydney Sheldon's collection

Today’s Read; A stranger in the Mirror is a work of fiction, was first published in Great Britain in 1976 by Hodder and Stoughton Ltd.

                                            practising tv presenting skills with coach Nonhle Tema, founder of TCA 

The two main characters- Toby Temple and Jill Castle early days of hustling to get into Hollywood.

Sydney Sheldon -stranger in the mirror. Picture from the internet 

 reminded me of my days when I first started hustling for screen Jobs in Egolihood.

Nelson Mandela Bay Media interviews... Now on uMhlobo Wenene FM

The day I met a dodgy acting agent, who was Zimbabwean national. I am not sure how I found him but I was really active knocking and going to audition places that somehow either someone referred me to him or he approached me after one of the auditions. 

Taking pics with  ladies outside the Camphor Cream TV auditions at the Melrose Arch

The guy was charging R850 for professional screen pics. He was also working with the Generation the Legacy crew and provided them with extras and some of his artist.

practicing for Generation the Legacy auditions

 According to his website some of the famous actors started with him so he was a real deal. So rhere I was trusting him my money, I gave him the R850 trusting he will deliver.

 

TV auditions... having fun outside another tv audition with a collegue

The only thing he ever delivered on was the  audition script  of  Generation the Legacy. I think this was aired on the show before lock down. 

The workshop held by the South African writers Guilt 

No, I didn’t get the part even though I did pitch for the audition at the SABC building in Auckland Park. But I did practise though and even roped in my coach from TCA at the time, Nonhle Tema to help me with the lines.

 

Comphor Cream TV Auditions

It was one of the most confusing scripts ever, I mean if you do watch the clip. It talks about Vutha. The Vutha I know is related to witchcraft.

Dance lessons Johannesburg CBD Mary Fitzerald square in Newtown 

 That is if someone really hates you sends a magic spell that can either burn you physically or your house/ any of your property. But in that clip, Vutha was a disease. Very confusing.

At the 10th anniversary of the Feather Awards

But anyway, I was so active. I went to Talent Coaching Academy (TCA) for presenting lessons, social media lessons etc and acting lessons in their Fourways based school. To sharpened my craft as well as go to countless of TV ad auditions.

 

At the Glamour event

I remember an audition in Alexandra Township where after I have revealed to the casting director that I left journalism and now at school doing the law and focusing on building the business. 

At the GQ event

The young director was so intimidated by my presence and embarrassed that I responded to their job advertisement that she sent me out on a story out in Alexandra Township.

in Sandton with the Adze Ugah Fillm workshop classmates

 Now the rudeness and show off came thinking I was desperate for a job as a journalist.

extras at the Ifalakhe set

 But I politely responded that, I have done my fair share of investigative journalism for Ilizwi, The Herald, Mail and Guardin’s AmaBhungane Centre and the last paper, The Sunday Times now I was really looking for something light.

A role on Ifalakhe

She kept making blunders after blunders trying so hard to prove her superiority. Which I was really not there for and at the end of all the rudeness. She told me I was going to get a call. They never did and I was ok, not sure if I was going to fit in their production.

 

Actor spaces event

Anyway, back to the book. It was hard to put down the 348 pages of the 37 chapters in two days. I could have finished the book earlier if I had lights on and Kuhle didn’t disturb or demanded attention from me.

 

Being interviewed by Naija TV on a play xenophobia directed by Adze Ugah

True to the critiques, the story of triumph of two stars who turned into tragedy. Sheldon has a way of writing about greed, lust, love, jealousy and ambition.

 

MCing sister Christine's bridal shower

The book keeps the reader turning the pages from page one till the last page. 

                                  Dr John Kani and Mr James Ngcobo had phenomenal woman at the market theatre

Through Tony’s ambition to be a star. The author does give clues to any artist that you can fall but rise up again and become a superstar.

James Ngcobo and Dr John Kani's phenonal woman

As a parents there are also some lessons that one can draw from Tony’s mother. 

At the market theatre where  Dr John Kani and Mr James Ngcobo put up a show, Phenomenal woman

That is to take an interest in what your child is doing or interested in and constantly affirm him/her. Toby’s mother married a hopeless writer whose business only succeeded once the mother took full control of it.

 

At the Saga workshop

In this book, both the male and female characters have German backgrounds. So we get a glimpse of the Germans are and their lifestyle which is not far from who we are as Africans. There are many similarities in their religious beliefs, and an African way of raising a child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's look between the rainbow and rain with Philip Frankel as we head to the Marikana massacre anniversary

 

Let's look between the Rainbow and the Rain.

 

Working at Coca Cola perseverance as a security guard

Between the rainbows and rain with Philip Frankel

Then I worked at the Alexkor diamond mine in Alexander Bay as a guard

Welcome back to the blog, thank you again for following Book Slot on Tuesday.

 As previously stated, this is not necessary a book review column but rather a slot that I have created for those who want to get into gear with reading.

Getting a certificate for participating in some community programme on HIV/AIDS

 Here we go as far as scrutinizing the book in a positive way as well as look at the lessons, skills we can learn from each author or characters in the book.

It does not matter who you are, your educational background or what type of books you are interested in.

Here we share knowledge, travel through books, meet people and learn about the other people’s hobbies, cultures, religion, sport and also draw some similarities with us etc.

 

We are all about promoting the culture of reading and a platform to share books that are already out there.

Age is not a restriction here, bookworms from any book club, booksellers, high scholars, students, pensioners and even primary school kids can participate.

 If you have an interesting book, which you have read and would like to share what you have learnt or what we must know about, that too is welcomed.

Just bear in mind that everyone views this blog. Therefore, articles or books that are inappropriate for the public will not be published including comments that promote hate speech etc.

With that being said, today’s book is Between The Rainbows and the Rain: Marikana, Migration, Mining and the Crisis of Mordern South Africa. Published by the Agency for Social Reconstruction in 2013.

Yes, we travel to the mining town of Marikana in the North West province, just approximately two hours’ drive from Johannesburg.

Until August 16, 2012 nothing was knowing about this mining town. It made a dramatic historical announcement to the world when police, live on TV cameras shot miners with live bullets.

If you are from South Africa or even if you are reading as a none South African, here is my little investigation and experience knowledge about the (SAPS).  

 

Book cover of Between the Rainbows and the Rain by Philip Frankel

This is just from my experience as an investigative officer, experience journalist and a member of South  African community.

Though South Africa was declared a none racial, none sexist country etc after the 1994 elections.

 https://www.timeslive.co.za/amp/sunday-times/news/2015-06-21-marikana-widows-labour-of-love-for-slain-husband/

 The police department is still not yet transformed.  Like many white establishment that resisted change or take orders from a black men in authority.

 

 It ended up being rid of clever blacks and remained with a workforce of those that only took orders from Baas and never questioned anything for fear of victimization and being without a job etc.

 

This in my view has created a lot of miscommunication and errors or someone intentionally exercising his racist action while the blame was the top official, a black deployed minister of police or black workers.

 

With the other levels of the department not taking any responsibility. With fear having paralyzed some of the officers, some cases and orders are  ignored.

 

But to get back to our book, Frankil, writes as a sociologist of both the mining and South African developments from before the end of apartheid.

In the book, we learn that most mining companies in South Africa violate the principle that was agreed with  traditional authorities  i.e mine workers should originate from 50 km of the shaft. This was probably done to prevent other things like worker’s exploitation and human trafficking which Philip states in the book.

“Miners are so debt-bondage that it is impossible to pay off the traditional or secular network in a single lifetime no matter what rewards he or she derives from years of labor in the mine. In these cases, depending on the inhumanity of the creditor, accumulated debts can be transferred to another member of the family who will then be held hostage in what has become  a trans-generational system of exploitation”, that is from page 88 of the book.

On of the stories I wrote for the papers on Marikana

He also writes about how Johannesburg based, West African syndicate that are not only involved in the loan-sharking to miners and other urban people, but also racketeering, drugs and small armaments are also in.

So young women, a mixture of rural South Africans, Zimbabweans and Mozambicans who have been hijacked by gangs while seeking transportation to the urban centers are forced to commercial sex.

They are raped, beaten or forced into drug addiction that will ensure their dependence on the perpetrator.

The other topic that Phillip explores in his book is that most miners do not successfully articulate their grievances and mines normally or notoriously manipulate the causes of death by safe conditions.

I don’t know about you, but me after reading this book. I feel there was indeed a third silent, feared force behind the Marikana Massacre.

I think it is also time to reflect on Cyril Ramaphosa’s input in the mines. Not forgetting the other elements like the loan sharks and labour brokers which lives the miners with little money to send home.

Let’s also look at the bursary schemes of miners including those that are fallen. Then after let us discuss the historical day with all angles covered….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take a hope journey with Bassie's book.

 

Caption: Stealing a selfie moment with Bassie at The Herald Miss PE held at the Feather Market Centre in 2009. Bassie was the MC on the night attorney Di-Ann Qoto won.

Helllloooowwww ...there!!!!!!! Welcome to South Africa's  women's month. 

Pic from SA History online.. The faces of the 9th August March

I  don't know about you, but I still can't believe that  it is  exactly 69 years since the women, across all racial groups in the country marched to the Union Building in Pretoria.

Yes, the over 20,000 women lead by Mam' Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn

Picture from SA History on line.. The brave faces behind the famous historic march of 1956

I don't think J.G. Strijdom who was the prime minister then was expecting the unity and the courage of these women who were sick of the oppressive pass laws.

At the launch of Bassie-My Journey of Hope in Sandton in 2019

So in the unity spirit amongst us women uniting and passing on the baton, I thought why not do a close look on the  book, Bassie-My Journey of Hope. 

                                              Miss&Mr Freshett Nelson Mandela Metro University 2019

This was released by Penguin Random House  in 2019. 

Besides, we are all about creating the culture of reading amongst us South Africans and Africans  especially with the group that the like of Bassie speak to.

We really need to know about our story, gone are days where someone else told our stories and there was a broken telephone situation or sensory of information.

                                                           Miss Gauteng finalist 

This is a book that every beauty pageant girl in South Africa should have. Bassie is the face of the post apartheid beaty pageant queen.

Pic from the Bassie book launch in 2019

 I mean the girl, GXHEBE!!! the big sister was rolling with the president of the country then, Nelson Mandela and the relationship lasted until his last days and even after his passing, Bassie continued to be a child that can give the family all the support it needed from a child.

Nelson Mandela's Memorial Service held at the FNB stadium with US president then, Barack Obama speaking at the memorial service

During the disorganized memorial service where important people that needed to be properly credited and given a chance to  pay their last respect to the men were not given the chance.

Nelson Mandela's funeral service in Qunu

To Mam' Operah Winfrey, thee mother of talk shows having to pose for a selfie before they will get an accreditation to the funeral.

As much as she spills everything, I'm only assuming out  of disgust of how we (South Africans) have

 quickly forgotten where we come from and the respect that was instilled in us by our parents just flew out of the window as soon as we heard and given the word, rights.

Bassie Book Launch 2019(I think pics were taken from her instagram account or I took them, not sure)

In her book, she also pays a tribute to Mama Winnie Madikezela Mandela. The two last met in hospital.

Footage from 

 The old lady gave her a bit of a lecture on how she needed to pass on the baton i.e train other youngsters to be in the position she is currently in.

With Alexandra Townships upcoming beauty queens

In the Book, Bassie also introduce you to the other side of her.  The normal South African woman who

 also suffered physical  Gender Base Violence (GBV) under her then boyfriend and boxing icon, Dingaan Thobela.

Alex Community Unites during a GBV case held in Alexandra Magistrate Court in 2024

She is also a religious who puts God first in almost everything she does. A woman who suffered the painful loss of eight babies while yearning to be a mother.

 A woman, whom despite being a public figure still loves her husband a former Metro FM jockey, Romeo Khumalo. She had a chuff life indeed but you can see that Bantu Education really worked on this one.

Some of the lessons learnt from the book:

1.The money and friends can work. If all parties respected each other when it comes to money

2. She interviewed Micheal Jackson during her top Billing years, the interview was done in a musical shop. Not sure why but if you are MJ's fan like me, in one of his Youtube documentary, the child's star reveals how fame didn't allow him to do little things like grocery shopping and has been yearning to go to shopping malls.

Mam Doreen Morris picture from internet

3.Questions to ponder on or would really make you want to know more on is the question.

 If Miss SA was Mam' Doreen Morris's brain child, how did it end up with the Weils family and Sun International?

With Miss World 2014 Rolene Strauss

Sistas need to give us clearity before black people start toy toying the event. She is in a better position to provide us with clearity.

https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle/2015-03-29-its-reigning-queens-at-the-miss-sa-pageant/

Former Miss SA Liesl Laurie after her crowning

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2018-01-24-miss-universes-mom-cant-hide-her-excitement-as-demi-leigh-returns-home/#google_vignette

Her husband Romeo used to host the Romantic Repertoire only on Metro FM 

 

Let John Tovey show you how to be a star in your own Kitchen while entertaining

Caption: Me in my kitchen in 2018 before the body cooperate vandalized it.

Welcome to another Tuesday book scrutiny slot.

 As we close off the month of July, I thought why not do that with some  food to say bye bye July and hello to women's month.

Caption: Baking in my stove before my property was vandalized and the new built in stove destroyed by the  body cooperate members of the building.

Yes, I love food. All sorts baking and cooking for consumption and entertaining  people. The first ever person who made me fall in love this art of making food was my father. 

That one complimented every meal I produced for him when I was a little girl.

Thanks to my  Sunday school teacher from Naledi Assemblies of God, Mam’ Lizzie Mogale, I also ventured into baking  and as if  was working in some classy Sandton restaurant, I had to serve her guests with a tray with all that fork and knife and water or drinks served with a sorcery plate.

 Youtube on the day I visited Mam’ lizzie Mogale at her house in  Protea North Soweto. Only to be told she's late.

 While the boarding school I attended, Rand Girls High in Braamfonteing Johannesburg. I learnt how to set up tables like they do in the Rosebank, Sandton restuarants.

You Tube video of green market lady showing his cooking skills. 

You know the ones  with different knives for this and that. Where the fork should be placed between the different dishes starters, main meal and deserts …. blah, blah blah.

Caption: pictures of cooking books I have collected through the years.

So whenever I pick up a cooking book I am reminded of my beautiful colorful childhood.

Time will just go back to the days of either cooking for my father or helping my aunt, Nomathemba in Alexandra Township set up her many Sunday dishes.

 

Her and friends who worked either as domestic workers or cookers at the affluent Sandton restuarants would share dishes like you are watching an announced  cooking competition with the competitors in a healthy and developing cooking club.

 

 

Youtube video at the Alexandra township Museum

So I knew who made the best fried cabbage, who preferred it cooked and spiced with the white pepper spice.

 I copied from the them the different kinds of making a beetroot salad.  The traditional grated with onion and vinegar for taste.

 

The diced and then dressed up with chutney source and the ones that are just done with Mayonnaise. As well as copying how to make the traditional Chakalalaka salad, with chillie and without chillie.

 The plain traditional Coleslaw salad or add raisins or apple.

 

 

The traditional Coleslaw salad pic from internet

While I was staying with my aunt, I was still in Primary school then, she taught me the basic food preparation.

 Weekdays were my turn to cook while Sundays, she took over as the senior woman of the house.

My dishes were very simple, especially in a house headed by a traditional Sotho man who preferred Pap in his main meals.

So every day I cooked pap, with minced meat on Mondays, Tuesday Pap with fried Ox Liver, Wednesday Pap with steak, Thursday Pap with fried Boerewors, Friday Pap with beef, Saturday Pap with tinned staff either  bull Brand or fish.

A picture Idea of my dishes

As you can see, it is true that in Johannesburg meat is the real deal hence the Eastern Cape say Apho inyama ingapheli kuphela izinyo lendoda. Coming from the Eastern Cape, these people made me enjoy pap and eating it with my bare washed hands instead of using a spoon.

While my weekend visit to my father in Protea Glen Soweto, I would grasp almost every recipe for scones, biscuits etc as the Christian woman loved entertaining guests and her house from Monday to Sundays were always frequented by different church people.

 Others from Assemblies of God and Faith Mission. Saturday mornings were her evangelism day for children so she would also gather kids from our street after a session of Biblical lessons and games. We would have a meal together before dispensation. So you see, I’ve always been a food lover. I may have lost interest in cooking over the years but the love of food has always been there.

 I’ve always collected and bought cooking books but never really had a chance of trying all of them.

Entertaining with Tovey- How to be a star in your own kitchen is one of the books I bought during the many Sunday Times book sales.

The paper had a slot to review new books at the end of the year,they gave journalist a chance to buy the books reviewed throughout the year.

John Tovey, a former theatrical company owner and now operate the Miller Howe Hotel in the Lake District.He has appeared in many Television and Chat shows, runs gourmet competitions and cookery courses at the hotel. He likes going on cooking tours of South Africa and the United States.

In this book, Tovey whose hotel- the Miller Howe- was singled out for its ultimate accolade of tureen, pestle and moratar and bottle for best table, best hotel and finest wines in the Good Food guide of 1978 and 1979. Want to build the confidence of those who love to play in the kitchen. In this book he compares the preparing food as the art and the kitchen the same as the theater where actors need to practice and polish their skills as well as be ready to deliver that excellent piece to their audiences. He describes the interpretation of the recipe being the same way as the actor interprets a part.