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
Barely a year ago, she was an extra playing a character of a slay queen in the South African Telenova, The Queen. Little did she know that in a few months time, she will land a job as a presenter in one of the biggest township television station.
New kid on the block, Bokang Lebina
Bokang Lebina,24 couldn't contain her excitement when her form of being a presenter on Soweto TV was approved. For a week, she will be presenting Kasi Vibe, a music show on the station based in the famous township Soweto on Vilakazi Street, Orlando West.
Bokang visiting the Trending SA studio with mentor, Nonhle Thema and class
The talented youngster, was one of the South African, upcoming talents that was mentored by veteran tv presenter, Nonhle Tema. But her love for TV and arts had always been there when she was growing up. She has appeared as a guest presenter on the children's programme, Yo-TV and a commercial Nik Naks advert. "I've always been a creative person. My grandmother taught me how to sew when I was young. I wanted to be a model too but I was told, I was too short for it. But I have never pursued my dream even after completing matric at Mondeor High.
Go getter Bokang Bouncy Lebina
Though her strong background is that of an actor, landing a cameo role on Mzansi Magic's drama The Qeen. This after she couldn't continue financing her studies in advertising at Boston Media House, Bokang felt polishing her skills in what she also love wouldn't be a problem.
Guest presenter on Kasi Vibes
"I guess when you truly love something, you go after it. This is also what I would advise young and upcoming artist to never give up. If its something you truly love. Work hard have patient and faith and also show interest too but never give up," she said.
Bokang is one of the aspiring presenters who are mentored by Nonhle Thema
With the entertainment being so pretentious Bokang says she hope she is able to bring her unique self to the table.
This an advise she got from American TV host Steve Harvey when he had a group of high school students who were confused on which field to take for college. "The one Thing you do every morning when you wake up and the last thing you do before you go to bed will lead you where you want to go". For Bokang who describe herself as being shy but outspoken those words sparked the fire in her.
Busy in rehearsing for her role as a new presenter
"I was always comfortable in my own skin.I will come and promote self love because the industry is full of pretentious people. Some pretending to be something they are not because they think people love what they do. People will love you as you as you are. I also dont place value in material things hence I'm able to grow at my own pace in the industry," she said.
TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BOKANG:
1 She can sing and think she is a good singer at it too
2.She makes her own clothes
3. She's very shy and hates attention
4.She is a good cook with the interest of going to a culinary school to learn more about food
5.She's funny
6. She spent some time in Lesotho during her childhood years
7.She has never had fake nails
8.She makes her own wigs
9. Doesn't really like make up
10. She is a homebody and enjoys her own company
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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.
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
