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
facebook: khanyiswa ndabeni
Instagram: Khanyiswa2
Whatsapp for orders and bookings: 076 360 7744
You Tube: Khanyi Ndabeni
https://youtu.be/OLfG_q3vC68
More pics from the trip
I kicked off the year on a very high note for my business.
I mean, last year we started the craft business and we didn't know if people will accept us and the product, but look at us now. Through the ups and downs we still standing.
Star FM presenter, Nthabiseng Mkhwanazi
Since 2018 didn't swallow us, then, we need to make the best of 2019 and let more women in South Africa and the world to know who we are and what we are about.
What a good way of introducing yourself to the women in the North West province in South Africa,by being invited to a radio magazine programme, Moving Forward, hosted by the beautiful and energetic Nthabiseng Mkwanazi.
Boom Shaka, screengrab from the internet
From the time we were in the car, my aunt and I were busy jamming to the old school Kwaito she was dishing on her show. On our way to her studio, I found myself waving Thobela to every stranger passing by our car. My aunt and I were already in studio with this woman and her listeners who were sending birthday wishes to their loved ones... Talking about radio being a theatre of the mind... Anyway there was such warmth even when meeting up with her. (Please check out my radio interview with her on my facebook wall, khanyiswa ndabeni). My trip to the province was to show my blog readers from Germany, USA and Ukraine what we ordinary South Africans are about. With my Samsung Galaxy Note 8 gadget I was able to share videos of my trip to this mining town. I still say Samsung should add me on their list of ambassadors, I've found myself praising them even on air.
Free airtime nhe? But at least they acknowledged us on facebook and even liked our live video showing you guys around the mine township. Yes, Klerkdorp is a gold mine town. Majority of the black community are from the Eatern Cape and Lesoto and their either employed as security guards, miners,domestic workers few are teachers, nurses and policemen. So here we were with this lady who has interviewed the stars.
Nthabiseng the go getter
I mean who were we? The girl has interviewed many Stars during her four year radio career. I can name award winning singer and Afro Soul singer, Amanda Black and Lady Zamar.
Nthabiseng with Lady Zamar, pic supplied
I mean this star in the making literary comes from the dusty streets of Khuma location(Please see the tour of Khuma extention 6 in my facebook wall, khanyiswa ndabeni)
Nthabiseng with news anchor Masabata Sekgonyane
And being raised by a single mother, Dikeledi Mkwanazi didn't stop her from trying to make her dreams of being a plus size model, a TV presenter on Platinum North West TV and presenter on Star FM. Her women's show, Moving forward reach listeners as far as the Free State. Produced for women, the show touches on social issues, relationships, marriage health and home remedies as well as motivational topics.
With Lady Zamar
Apparently radio found this gorgeous lady and not the other way around. But she also see herself grow in the entertainment industry but doesn't want to forget her community in the process.
Trying her luck in playing a guitar
Her other skills include acting and poetry.
We at Ndabeni Creatives don't know what the future holds for this young lady but we can be certain that the sky is the limit for her.
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 g
ood to h
ave 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
facebook: khanyiswa ndabeni
Instagram: Khanyiswa2
Whatsapp for orders and bookings: 076 360 7744
You Tube: Khanyi Ndabeni
https://youtu.be/OLfG_q3vC68
More pics from the trip
