As unfit as I am, yesterday I found myself in the midst of those people who take their body fitness seriously.
Yes, the ones that spend hours and hours at the gym inflicting pain on their bodies.
Exactly the ones that will tell you that they are trying to shed off either fat or preparing for a tournament by torturing each and every muscle in their bodies.
Yep, I was among those bunch of health fanatics from Ultimate MMA Fitness in Kyalami on main. Soon after I had enjoyed my amagwinya with a slice of palony, snoek fish and atchaar.
While they were busy squatting and doing all those painful exercises under the instruction of a friend and former EFC bantamweight champion Demarte Pena, I wasn't bothered at all.
Pena,29 is the undefeated multiple division champion who also goes by the ring name, The Wolf but to me it ends there shame. I'm still ok with loosing weight through fasting... Lets just say, I enjoy spiritual pain than a physical pain and God knows why.
But this young father was excited as I was with the launch of his own brand, Demarte Pena which produced among other things, genuine leather boxing gloves that goes with a price tag of R1500, MMA Sparring Gloves for R650, Shin Pads that are selling at R950 and hand wraps that will cost you R250.
I was rather proud as how this fella was making a lemon juice out of the lemons life throws at him.
The World Anti-Doping Agency( WADA) has placed a four year ban on him last year.
"Soon after the ban I opened up the gym. It caters for everyone living in Kyalami and surrounding areas. I also train fighters for competitions," he said.
Pena originally from Angola but based in Johannesburg was alleged to have used banned substance in a fight between him and Irshaad Sayed. Though he managed to convince the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) that he didn't intentionally dope instead the substance was traced back to the approved athletes supplements he was using.
That decision was appealed by WADA but he lost due to other things lack of finances of hiring international experts as a result, he lost the case.
"Yes it was not easy at first to accept but I've learnt to live with it. To be quite honest I enjoy being at home with my family now. When I was competing I didn't have time for them. I was always irritated even by small things. But this whole experience has taught me to enjoy life," he said.
His gym operate weekdays and Saturday while you can purchase any of his items either at the gym or online shop www.demartepena.com
Please read the original story I did on him while working for the Sunday Times two years ago.
This mixed martial arts featherweight champion was once labeled as the best Extreme Fighting Champion in Africa.
"I'm not totally out of the scene as I still do commentary every now and then. I've been fighting for nine years and not sure if I will have the same energy when the four year period is over. But I'm pushing my brand while waiting," he said.
Please note the first pic was taken from his online profile.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wwBanYnKs4 to see his gym
Please like and share the story. You can also follow me on Twitter @ndabenik, facebook: Khanyiswa Ndabeni and Instagram: Khanyiswa2. My youtube Channel is Khanyi Ndabeni
https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/sport/2017-07-08-fighter-faces-tough-bout-against-supplement-maker/
Underneath the multi million rand property, the Sunday line up of luxury cars at an affluent suburb of Sandton is a South African led church that cares about the well being of people, family and the country.
Pastor Wilma and Andre Olivier in their Sandton Church in South Africa. All pics taken from their social media pages mainly Instagram.
It doesn't matter what background you from, color, nationality or status in society you will find something that will attract you to stay in this spiritual home.Yes it uses its glamorous state of the art building to lure lost souls and pray long enough that they see beyond the Sunday church event that sees singer and now author, Lloyd Cele amongst its worship leaders.
Idols SA finalist, Loyd Cele lead the worship team every Sunday.
Humanity, humbleness and humility is the order of the day and triumph any pride or ego. But you will still be treated as a VIP from the moment you step out of your car.
Every church service, pastor Andre meet and chat with guest and members of the congregation
Screengrab from the churche's instagram page
"Welcome to Church, enjoy the service, let me help you with your child mam and hop on the cart let me give you a lift inside" are some of the first words you will hear from the moment you step out of your car. The car guards and ushers, some I'm told are doctors, engineers and almost any top profession you can think of.
Since its situated in one of the wealthiest suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa the church attracts members from Africa and all over the world. But its senior pastor, Andre Olivier and his wife, Wilma were once drug addicts from Cape Town.
The church has bought the Kyalami on track. The venue used to host the annual LGBTI event, Feathers.
"When I started this church, I wanted everyone to belong. I remember during our first days, a security guard once came to me and ask if he can come to church. How could I say no to him," Pastor Wilma as she preaches to a fully packed audience of females who have gathered for her monthly girls meeting, Sisters of Africa.
Before the meeting, the ladies are given a free pampering treatment, from massages, spar treatment and a market which often sells ladies clothes that are branded with positive inspirational messages.
last year's cover copy of the Sisters of Africa magazine
Both her and her husband are business minded and have authored numerous books published.
They have collaborated those skills and material to cater for the congregation as they connect over a healthy snack or ground coffee often prepared and sold but the same members of the congregation who have committed their time to volunteer in the church. The church is attached to Hillsong Church.
My instagram pic at sisters. My new friend is @resh1203 on Instagram please follow her.
Rivers Church is a family church and caters for individual spiritual needs of each member of the family. With its children's area, Kids Zone a hit to all the visitors and us single moms. The youngsters have their annual youth summer camp that is praised for boasting confidence and building friendship amongst teenagers.
My son, Siphiwokuhle Ndabeni with an award he achieved after
The youth camp also helps new families who have just relocated from all over the country and continent as the youngster are able to quickly make friends.
activities outside the Kids Zone
Another extension of engaging with the congregation intimately is through a connect groups which runs every fortnight Thursday. In these groups are scattered all over Johannesburg and hosted in members homes. This is where believers are provoked in their thinking of what the Sunday message meant to their lives but also challenged to apply the Biblical principals in their daily lives.
Above is a picture of me on the day I was baptized and Kimantha and Saagar are leading a connect group that I belong to.
A child dedication service taking place
I have been following pastor Andre's preaching for the past two years, I could say he is a firm believer that change starts with an individual before impacting the community,country and the world at large. His time on stage doesn't last any longer than 45 minutes preaching and all his Biblical teachings are practical.
From how to deal with your finances as an individual and business to being the one who influence positive change in the work place or business. His messages are often well researched with him reading across all genre to find quotes of world leaders and ordinary people to tie in with his topic.
The church believe it exist to worship, reach, connect with people all kinds as well encourages volunteering
If you are looking for a spiritual home this Easter, this might be a home for you. Try them
The history of the magnet spiritual sanctuary that draws thousands of multiracial crowd also has a history of humble beginnings and many obstacles including that of neighbours complaining about influx and being accused of preaching the gospel of prosperity.
A meeting taking place at one of the baby classes of the church. Children from the age of 1 upwards have their own classes and teachings are relevant for that particular group.
"It is through giving, I would like to call it sowing that we are able to build this campus and buy the one in Kyalami, Ballito and Centurion. Everything we do, we do it for the people cause we want to win souls for the house of God"said pastor Andre in one of the sermons.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BASED ON MY OBSERVATIONS
1. The fancy building and luxury cars might intimidate you but if you approach any of the members, they will gladly show you the way.
2. If you do stay you will be encouraged to be volunteer in any of the department of the church.
pastor Andre encourages reading. I purchased these at a Sisters of Africa Conference two years ago. American based life coach, Valorie Burton is billed to speak again this year. I'm giving away two tickets. Simply like, share and comment on the article.
3. You will be encouraged to read books not only spiritual books but across all genres so you are aware of what is happening around you and strengthen your spiritual journey.
If you do become a member, there will be times when you are called to pray for the country and its leaders. But that is for an hour once every third month
5.While the ladies have Sisters of Africa Conference, there is a Men's Conference too. This year, Austrailian based pastor and Evangelist, Brian Houston of the Hillsong Church is billed to speak at the conference.
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Yes, the ones that spend hours and hours at the gym inflicting pain on their bodies.
Exactly the ones that will tell you that they are trying to shed off either fat or preparing for a tournament by torturing each and every muscle in their bodies.
Yep, I was among those bunch of health fanatics from Ultimate MMA Fitness in Kyalami on main. Soon after I had enjoyed my amagwinya with a slice of palony, snoek fish and atchaar.
While they were busy squatting and doing all those painful exercises under the instruction of a friend and former EFC bantamweight champion Demarte Pena, I wasn't bothered at all.
Pena,29 is the undefeated multiple division champion who also goes by the ring name, The Wolf but to me it ends there shame. I'm still ok with loosing weight through fasting... Lets just say, I enjoy spiritual pain than a physical pain and God knows why.
But this young father was excited as I was with the launch of his own brand, Demarte Pena which produced among other things, genuine leather boxing gloves that goes with a price tag of R1500, MMA Sparring Gloves for R650, Shin Pads that are selling at R950 and hand wraps that will cost you R250.
I was rather proud as how this fella was making a lemon juice out of the lemons life throws at him.
The World Anti-Doping Agency( WADA) has placed a four year ban on him last year.
"Soon after the ban I opened up the gym. It caters for everyone living in Kyalami and surrounding areas. I also train fighters for competitions," he said.
Pena originally from Angola but based in Johannesburg was alleged to have used banned substance in a fight between him and Irshaad Sayed. Though he managed to convince the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) that he didn't intentionally dope instead the substance was traced back to the approved athletes supplements he was using.
That decision was appealed by WADA but he lost due to other things lack of finances of hiring international experts as a result, he lost the case.
"Yes it was not easy at first to accept but I've learnt to live with it. To be quite honest I enjoy being at home with my family now. When I was competing I didn't have time for them. I was always irritated even by small things. But this whole experience has taught me to enjoy life," he said.
His gym operate weekdays and Saturday while you can purchase any of his items either at the gym or online shop www.demartepena.com
Please read the original story I did on him while working for the Sunday Times two years ago.
This mixed martial arts featherweight champion was once labeled as the best Extreme Fighting Champion in Africa.
"I'm not totally out of the scene as I still do commentary every now and then. I've been fighting for nine years and not sure if I will have the same energy when the four year period is over. But I'm pushing my brand while waiting," he said.
Please note the first pic was taken from his online profile.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wwBanYnKs4 to see his gym
Please like and share the story. You can also follow me on Twitter @ndabenik, facebook: Khanyiswa Ndabeni and Instagram: Khanyiswa2. My youtube Channel is Khanyi Ndabeni
https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/sport/2017-07-08-fighter-faces-tough-bout-against-supplement-maker/
