Yes, ladies, when the doeks are on fleek! You better wrap it up like your momma taught you.
Wear your crown with pride, celebrate who you are and connect with other women who might hold your hand in times of trouble.
These are the messages behind Doek on Fleek, the annual women's gathering which seeks to empower women from all walks of life.
The third annual Doek on Fleek will be hosted at Moses Madiba Stadium in Durban this August with hit maker Busiswa billed to set the dance floor alight.
This is on South African based Women Movement, Doek on Fleek is a brain child of accountant and entrepreneur, Thandi Mavata.
Mavata the 36 year old mother of three is also known as Babes we Doek by the thousands of women who have made connections and life long friendships with other women at the events.
Mavata hails from Port Elizabeth and is now based in Johannesburg from where the event was born in 2016.
"We women go through a lot and there's a perspective out there that we pull each other down and dont support each other. In this event we also encourage women to speak to a stranger to release the burden they carry. It's not a church conference but we do begin each section with prayer," said Mavata.
Mavata says her journey has not been easy as she lost it all and suffered from clinical depression.
She hopes her soon to be released book #ThemakingofstrongWOMEN about how she overcome hurdles will help other women.
*Add details about the book*
She says she was inspired by her late entrepreneur grandmother.
*insert grandmothers quote here*
Doek on Fleek a trending hash tag on social media is this accountants childhood dream of making female empowerment a reality.
"It was meant to be a once off event but after seeing the beauty and interest for the event I decided to look into having it monthly. It's then when it became a passion project for me. I had always been a strong advocate for empowerment . It saddens me that in our society there's a notion that women do not want other women to succeed, and I felt compelled to dispel that by proving that women could indeed stand together and support one another."
The initial focus was to provide women from all walks of life with a platform where they could sell products as a means to provide themselves with financial liberation. And, if you have never been privileged to swaai a doek, lessons are on offer at these events.
Mavata has successfully hosted more than 80 events not only in South Africa’s nine provinces but has spread to Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland the event draws a crowd of up to 7000 people.
Doek on Fleek has "now become a powerful movement. In my quest to empower women I have found that there are many women that share my sentiments."
"I have also started to partner up with ladies who wish to host a Doek On Fleek events in their areas, where I come in and assist with capital and human resources and in this way they are guaranteed to have additional income without risking their own funds."
Here when a woman has her hair in a doek it is a way to show respect to those around her.
"So for me, Doek on Fleek was a way to say to women, let us stand together - all races and tribes - and wear our crowns [doeks] proudly while still showing one another respect. We went with doeks as opposed to African attire because we wanted something that could be inclusive of all women, not only African women."
Her goal is to unite the women of SA regardless of age, race or creed. But she doesn't compromise on men who are barred from these gatherings. It’s not an event but a lifestyle women especially those who need time off. We currently have over 100 000 ladies across the country growing the movement everyday.
Story and pictures supplied and adited by Dineo Matomela
"I even jog with him", giggled the community radio veteran as she reveals some of her secret to a healthy relationship.
You can hear from the tone of her voice and the sudden light on her face that love lives in the Goje house.
It was during my visit home, where this bubbly and powerful character invited me to her radio show,The MG connection.
The show on the Christian radio station, King Fisher FM, also profile up and coming entrepreneurs in and around Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa.
I couldn't help but notice her plus one, welcomed me and my tribe at reception and was keen to wait until his wife was done with the show.
"We really live each day as if it was our last. We've been doing this for the past 14 years, said the madly in love Mrs Goje.
Her facebook posts are often flooded with the pics of the couple out and about. A picture of a young couple enjoying a modern day marriage life.
If they are not seen walking hand in hand at Summerstarand Beach, Boardwalk Casino. These two love birds are billed to speak at church conferences in and around the Eastern Cape.
My husband and I are partners in everything we do. He is also my friend, what I post on facebook is the life I live with him everyday. We not perfect, but we know we both unique individuals that understand and love each other. We just want to make the most of our marriage and capture each moment.
But the ambassador of the health supplement brand, procydin admits she didn't really took care of her body not alone exercise before hubby came into the picture.
"Before I met him,I hardly exercise but now I jog with him every morning. I've also come to love movies because that's what he also love doing,' she said.
The senior pastor at the Potters House celebrated her 19th year in community radio this year. One of the things she enjoyed most about working at a community level is instantly reaching out to those who are in need. " I believe I'm running my own race. I'm in my lane here and I can do more" she said.
Mama Ningi as affectionately known by those who know her is also one of our very first customers when we started publicizing the business last year.
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Today, I write this article beaming with pride.
One of my biggest customer, the EFF has done exceptionally well in the sixth general elections. It garnered 10.79% with a growth of 6% from the last elections.
If you have been following the South African politics, you will know that this six year old kid made a dramatic entry in Parliament.
Often clad in red overalls and maids uniforms. It offers South Africans ideologies that encourage black people to celebrate black culture and embrace their African heritage.
These red ants sting has been felt by the current governing party.
Our former president, Jacob Zuma would have probably took the "pay back the money" as a joke if these former young lions of the African National Congress didn't stay consistent with their demands.
Who can forget the current land debate that saw the Freedom Front Plus move up the leader of the ballot paper to take the fourth spot on the list.
https://media3.picsearch.com/is?c00LmWyUeam_NRVn8h_hLMKtmbj58-nwa5SoS_-wWro&height=341
These elections painted a very gloomy picture about the African National Congress.
The ANC once loved Nelson Mandela party of 1994 was no longer representing the interest of its people, majority being black people.
Corruption, greed and arrogance are amongst other things have seen people loosing faith in it. Leaders such as the secretary general, Ace Magushule have been reported to have ran the Free State Province to the ground, yet he was voted as secretary general. I know it was a unity exercise amongst loyal Zuma supporters but the public cannot look beyond the recent published book about how far his dirty fingers had gone to vote for it, hoping businessman and former trade unionist and Nelson Mandela's umbrella man, Cyril Ramaphosa will turn things around.
How he will do this, we still don't know but the division was still felt just after the elections when ANC election campaign head, Fikile Mbalula with Magashule.
Anyway the generation of voters are now watching service deliveries in all parties.
The EFF headed by the former ANC youth League leader, Julius Malema came with a vibrant energy in parliament. Almost everyday fighters were visible on the streets. In Johannesburg alone, I have seen them help evicted families in court.They have become a political party that ordinary citizen feel it address their needs.
The leader, Malema often commands attention in his speech and everything that comes out of his mouth captures the attention of a black child.
The party leaders has made education something fashionable to a point that no one remembers Julius Malema was once a a drop out matric student and having failed woodwork at school. In one of the youtube videos he jokes about not being fit enough to run the country having failed woodwork alone. Today he is a farmer, a politician and I'm not sure what else.
What is also attractive about the brand is that it speaks to everyone in the black township except for the older generation of men. Maybe it is because the leaders had find it difficult to reason with the elders in the ANC and since others were raised by single mothers, they respect women. Infact, they said it in parliament that the first person to become president from the party will be a woman.
Parliament member, Makoti Khawula is that aunt of yours who always ask question like any other township aunt. Now will have more young people interested in parliament with the addition of the fees must fall protesters.
Its supporters are majority black, underprivileged, rejected and now trying to build on what they have by licking on the wounds left by the bad administration of the country over the past 25 years.
My start up business was also a test if the three South African parties do support small businesses. With them, it was so clear to the point our beads were worn at their 5th anniversary celebration in East London and at the Rand Easter Show recently.
I'm not sure what you as a reader think of this brand but you can share your views on my social media account:
Facebook: Khanyiswa Ndabeni
Twitter: @ndabenik
Instagram: Khanyiswa2
You Tube: Khanyi Ndabeni
Whatsapp: 076 360 7744 for orders.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DZxI3SbxMw&t=34s
https://t.co/r2ZyaTbADy
(https://twitter.com/ndabenik/status/1126112035467681793?s=03)
AS most of our followers know, last week we-the Ndabeni Creative team- honored an invitation to dress this year's contestants of Mr and Miss Freshettee in Nelson Mandela University, Eastern Cape South Africa.
How the SLK Group company and Mhimhi Connections came to know about us is another story for another day.
But the director Mhimhi Mbondlela Mayolie's invitation was more of an instruction for us to come home.
"Do business at home Khanyi.
We looking for people like you, who are in Johannesburg but can exchange skills home while eating too.
Come see your family and friends, we love you" those were some of her kind words during our first telephonic conversation.
Of course, she knew my mother and maternal family of the Ndabeni clan who are all over the Eastern Cape.
The trip came at a time when the company celebrated its first year of operating under a registered name, Ndabeni Creatives.
Mhimhi Connection has been part of the organizing team of the annual university event, for the past four years.
This year the organizers celebrated the life of German fashion designer, Karl Lagerfeld.
https://twitter.com/MadibazRadio/status/1122230781886308352?s=19
Mhimhi wanted the models to be accessorized with South African and Kenyan(Maasai and) and the modern wooden beads wear, these are the items we specialize with.
The trip however, came with a huge challenge, 600 kilomtres away from Port Elizabeth and about seven hours away from Johannesburg. We experienced a breakdown.
Yes we managed to get to Port Elizabeth and deliver on our promise but the car however left me with a lot of questions for both Toyota South Africa in terms of service and the road assistance function of my insurance company, Dial Direct.
Yes, as per her instructions, we met almost everyone from the family. Our first stop was at my mother's grave to check on the tombstone and say few words to her.
The family,the AmamPondo tribe was also thrilled to see us and were proud to see us promoting culture across all South African tribes.
This, and the coverage of cultural topics among st some of the university students scored us a radio interview with the MG Connection, a show hosted by Eastern Cape based female pastor Ningi Dlamini from the Christian radio station, King Fisher FM.
We were also fortunate to connect with friends from the second largest radio station in the country, uMhlobo Wenene Fm.
Where we were once hosted on the award winning show, Khanya Gqiyazana
by presenter, Lulu Haarmans (Christmas Day)and former journalist now author, Mafa Bavuma(youtube link of umhlobo wenene).
As someone who has lost touch with the developments in the entertainment industry, but it was good to have a chat with(pic of the group) the newcomers and hip hop group based in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Also amongst the judges of the event sponsored by Absa and Madibaz radio was Miss Sundowns.
Not only did we have an opportunity to dress models, we were thrilled to meet up with some of the Njoli Rastafarians who are also in art and craft and showed them how to use the King's Beach Summerstrand Sunday market to showcase their work.
On the business front, proud to announce that Africandrumbeat, a traditional dance group based in Port Elizabeth will be wearing our staff and our items will also be available at Blakes in Traduna Mall.
https://youtu.be/OLfG_q3vC68
Please follow us on
twitter: @ndabenik
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https://youtu.be/OLfG_q3vC68
More pics from the trip
Wear your crown with pride, celebrate who you are and connect with other women who might hold your hand in times of trouble.
This is on South African based Women Movement, Doek on Fleek is a brain child of accountant and entrepreneur, Thandi Mavata.
Mavata the 36 year old mother of three is also known as Babes we Doek by the thousands of women who have made connections and life long friendships with other women at the events.
Mavata hails from Port Elizabeth and is now based in Johannesburg from where the event was born in 2016.
"We women go through a lot and there's a perspective out there that we pull each other down and dont support each other. In this event we also encourage women to speak to a stranger to release the burden they carry. It's not a church conference but we do begin each section with prayer," said Mavata.
Mavata says her journey has not been easy as she lost it all and suffered from clinical depression.
She hopes her soon to be released book #ThemakingofstrongWOMEN about how she overcome hurdles will help other women.
*Add details about the book*
She says she was inspired by her late entrepreneur grandmother.
*insert grandmothers quote here*
Doek on Fleek a trending hash tag on social media is this accountants childhood dream of making female empowerment a reality.
"It was meant to be a once off event but after seeing the beauty and interest for the event I decided to look into having it monthly. It's then when it became a passion project for me. I had always been a strong advocate for empowerment . It saddens me that in our society there's a notion that women do not want other women to succeed, and I felt compelled to dispel that by proving that women could indeed stand together and support one another."
The initial focus was to provide women from all walks of life with a platform where they could sell products as a means to provide themselves with financial liberation. And, if you have never been privileged to swaai a doek, lessons are on offer at these events.
Mavata has successfully hosted more than 80 events not only in South Africa’s nine provinces but has spread to Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland the event draws a crowd of up to 7000 people.
Doek on Fleek has "now become a powerful movement. In my quest to empower women I have found that there are many women that share my sentiments."
"I have also started to partner up with ladies who wish to host a Doek On Fleek events in their areas, where I come in and assist with capital and human resources and in this way they are guaranteed to have additional income without risking their own funds."
Here when a woman has her hair in a doek it is a way to show respect to those around her.
"So for me, Doek on Fleek was a way to say to women, let us stand together - all races and tribes - and wear our crowns [doeks] proudly while still showing one another respect. We went with doeks as opposed to African attire because we wanted something that could be inclusive of all women, not only African women."
Her goal is to unite the women of SA regardless of age, race or creed. But she doesn't compromise on men who are barred from these gatherings. It’s not an event but a lifestyle women especially those who need time off. We currently have over 100 000 ladies across the country growing the movement everyday.
Story and pictures supplied and adited by Dineo Matomela
