Have you heard?
I mean, I don't like spreading gossip but the rumour mill has it that in 2024 some of the South African movers and shakers were caught by our lens this past year.
From actors, actresses, pastors, community workers, social workers, doctors, teachers, primary school kids,government ministers, gym instructors etc.
Our current camera man, eight-year-old Sphiwokuhle was all over town. In churches, holiday camps, women's conferences, anniversary celebrations, birthday parties and many other gatherings that has happened around Gauteng.
By the way,he has no colour, age, political association, gender or nationality discrimination. When he sees something good.
He just get on with his job of capturing un edited material for the blog or Youtube, instagram, X and tiktok.
A job he was taught by his late uncle, Xolani Ndabeni when he was just few months old.
Unfortunately for this small registered media company, Ndabeni Kunene Creatives Pty Ltd. We lost Xolani, our first male model of our bead work. Our cheff, photographer, driver and unpaid volunteer of the company last month.
Together we were the footsoldiers of the company, before Covid 19.
Our mobile shop was sort after going to MTN head quarters, Deinfern small business market and many other markets that happened hear in Jozi back then.
As Mariah and Boy 2 Men sang..."And I know you're shining down on me from heaven.
Like so many friends we've lost along the way.
And I know eventually we'll be together"...
His sudden death has taught me never to take anything or any person in my life for granted.
Please listen to the lyrics of the song and apply the same to your love ones this festive season.
I mean, it is still hard to believe his gone.
One minute, I was enjoying his late night calls.
Telling me how much he loved and misses me.
How he was looking forward to show me progress on some of the things he had been up to since we last saw each other.
Literary less than a week from another late night call from him encouraging me his big sister not to worry abd that the business will be up and running in no time.
And studying ministry was a Ndabeni blood thing and should embrace it.
The next thing, I get a call to say he was rushed to hospital three days ago, he had diabetes that was picked up during Covid 19.
To make things more bazaar, I'm told he kept all this from me because he didn't want to worry me all these years he knew.
Anyway, the stalking and the destruction of my property by Small Business Minister, Stella Ndabeni Abrahams and her politically connected crew affected our business.
Mind you we dont know this woman from a bar of soap.
But her insecurities are on another level.
she had been avoiding me since 2012 when I was still interning for Mail and Guardian amabhungane centre for investigative journalism.
I was keen and curious to meet with her then. Even dropped some facebook inboxes to her then.
She made a grand entry in the political scene.
One minute she was an unknown, the next I was told
she had disrespected the late South African anti-apartheid activist and the second wife of Nelson Mandela, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
I mean the courage? Hence everyone was curious to know who was she and where did she come from and my relation with her.
Some who dont know my mothers kids well mistook her for my
big sister, Nomonde.
Both my brother Mandla Ndabeni and her were never into politics. Lets just say, after my late mother stop being active in the ANC, we were just ordinary supporters of the political party.
I on the other hand, was disappointed by the party not able to further my studies. I thought, I was entitled to free tertiary education or a bursary from it since both my parents were active in the party before 1994. I thought the sacrifice of leaving me for prison due to political activities and another flying the country in fear of his life while leaving me behind to be cared by the community, relatives and siblings would win people's compassion and fund my studies through a bursary or scholarship of some sort.
But instead, I together with my brothers and sister we find our way through life. Especially after my mother died in 2016, we hustled alone. Xolani had been affected greately by my mother's long time illness. He was her full time support system from the age of seven years. When my mother still had a post as seargent major at Kimberely Military base. With her gone, he came to stay with me and my son in 2018 to do a drivers license and we were in a process of getting him into a chef school through the money we both made selling beads. I will forever miss him. But also deal decisively with bulies especially with evidence and criminal cases opened....GBV must be addressed and now.
Anyway, while still on the topic of bullies this year.As we were preparing for 2025 school year. I mean, finally this year, I was able to register online for NSFAS and was approved pending availability of funds and registration at Unisa. So out of excitement of finally having prospects of finishing my law studies last week, I went to Unisa Johannesburg.
To find out the registration process.
My first stop was at the commercial crime court but the service from my fellow sister from Amanda Security company was so bad that I quickly moved to Unisa. Just to be greeted by another bully female. The previous week, I was sent home because the staff at the university could not even answer or have this information because the building had no water. On this day however, there was water and people to help, I was also desperate to use the toilet. The security lady and the access control had no time for me, one was busy on the phone and the other was laughing at the fact that I was so pressed I couldn't stand still and she was enjoying my jumpiness and desperation. She showed me a lift that took me to the basement instead of to the toilets and I was up and down with the lift until I couldn't help it anymore. There was more laughter of amusement when I told them about the accident until a male staff intervened. Both confrontation was more of Titus1:12 description of Cretans. People who lie even when theres evidence right infront of them.
Anyway, I was impressed by the openess of Journey South Africa during their presentation at the Johannesburg Bible College early this year.
The organisation works with churches to address issues such as addiction, sex treatment of the LGBTIQ to mention but a few. I love their openess towards all topics.
Me thinks, more South African churches should work and invite this organisation to their churches. The topics they cover are taboo in some of our churches and by engaging we can stop the cancer of discrimination against anyone...My opinion of course.
In February this year, we find ourselves at a L'Abri conference in Auckland Park discussing spirituality and whitchcraft with qualified medical doctors and Christian faith practitioners. I must say, after getting out of the conference, I wanted to launch a campaign for the witchcraft Suppression Act of 1957 to be brought back.
I spotted the MK guys busy in Alexandra township, they were doing a programme for youth day. I didn't have a phone then but Jacob Zuma's kids sponsored this photo. By the way, Msholozi I am sorry if I have ever been harsh to you while in the Media or general. I had to be out of the media in order to see what you were working with. Sir, I think you did a great job with what you had. You brought in your A game even when the situation was rough. I am looking forward to covering your party's events next year. I hope you don't mind me remaining with the ANC still. I have a personal issue with a minister that I think will be able to solve when I am in the organisation. Besides, I think they now need me and this is the best time to say, witches bow down from an organisation that was formed based on Christian principals. You have caused headache and division.
Talking politics, big up to the Gauteng ANC guys for giving me this free ANC T-shirt and a scarf or headgear. I never got anything for free in the party for years so I was so thrilled that I asked for a picture and the guys even sponsored to take one and send it to my facebook inbox...I mean in the world where people do not want to share a thing let alone a picture taken by their smart phone or iphones. Anyway, thank you guys.
We were off to Rosebank Union Church where we attended the Township Reformation Annual Conference.
Guess, who we spotted, the current Miss Gauteng Teen finalist.
The girl is busy trying to raise R2500 for the competition next year and offers any company willing to sponsor her branding opportunity on the competitions social media platforms. Anyone interested her Instagram page is @Angel.
She also shared her views on the Nigerian Mozambican who pulled off from the Miss South Africa beauty pageant soon after the approar on her nationality. Listen to what she had to say then.
If you thought the 2010 Fifa World Cup fever was over in South Africa, think again. I mean we were still Waka Wakaring in 2024 and brought in primary school children to join in the fun.
As the school had its concerts hounoring the legends such as Hugh Masekela, Micheal Jackson, Destiny's Child, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Freddie Gwala and Mbongeni Ngema.
Before the country danced to Chris Brown last week, we were already setting the mood with my grade two friend, Christine on stage. Watch the video.
We were so honoured to be part of the guests that were invited to a finger snack after the concert and escorted home by the school staff.
The next day, the school had a fundraising event in a form of a family fun day.
The family and community of the school were invited to a bring and braai event where they could socialise with each other on a more casaul and safe environmnet.
Children were also catered for with playing spots while adults could have their breavarages and braaing their meat.
Still on the schools, I also visited the school where I matriculated and met up with the principal that is currently doing amazing work.
It was so reviving to be there and talking to some of the former pupils. Please click on this link to learn more about the school.
I also had a chance to re unite with my favourite twins. I swear, when I'm rich enough I will buy these guys Massarati's, Lamborghini's Mc Lauren's etc.
The Putu brothers are doing amazing community work. I am so looking forward to working with them again next year, in the mean time. Please click on this link for their work to date. PSst.. their story is not finished
Can you believe that woman are behind most GBV cases in South Africa?
We do need more platforms to actually address this amongst us woman with the hope that this will help us get rid off our insecurities, spirit of lack and build a better country for all.
This I learnt at the annual Women's Convention conference held in Midrand Christ Church.
According to an Muhau, an organisation formed during Covid19 GBV cases spiked during the Lockdown.
This surely means that South Africa need more programmes that uplifts woman and operated by women who trully mean and do work that uplifts women and the church is a good place to make sure that such programmes for women are implemented.
The spirit of competence and pulling each other down is really not working for the country.
Pastor Sfiso Twala invited us to his business expo held at his Kingdom Mandate International (KMI) church at 3rd Avenue Alexandra Township. There are more stories you will here from that big white tent next year in this blog...watch the space.
One of the brother's from Africa and a colleague at JBC was kind enough to forward me this picture taken at an Africa Day event held near Alex. Thank you Mike and lots of love.
Have you ever visited the Rosebank Union Church in Nelson Mandela Drive? I think I will frequent them next year just for their coffee and pastor Richard's teachings.
These guys seems to have something to celebrate everytime.
My son enjoyed their winter holiday camp with an Inside Out theme.
We got down at pastor Sithole's 40th birthday Celebration.
I'm yet to meet someone who will throw a better party than Mama Marjorie Manganye, you will read more about her and Itlhokomeleng next year.
There's more stories that you wil read about the works of Bab'Linda Twala in Alexandra Township and the kassie itself.
You cant separate Bab'Twala from some of the community development there, he is so intertwined with the township and Im finding my way to decently tell the stories there.
Of course more stories are coming up about Johannesburg Bible College as I finish my ministry courses with them.
Come next year, we will be bigger and better.
For now please enjoy the season with your loved ones.
If around region E area on 31st December.
GNF is having a cross over night.
Check out the snippet on what to expect.
FEW years ago, just before the Covid 19 lockdown.
I had the pleasure of meeting up and be part of a small acting workshop group that met every Sunday afternoon at the workers museum in off Mary Fitzgerald Square down town Johannesburg.
Back then, I was preparing and focusing on going full time on my art.
By then, I had done everything that I thought would please amongst others, my father who was against the idea of me becoming a full time artist and making a living out of it as my childhood dream.
I had ticked all the boxes to prove not only to the public but to myself that I was educated enough to make and maintain myself through art.
Through working as a domestic worker, security guard and later print journalist.
I had earned all the experiences needed to manage, budget and use my money wisely.
So financial savy that, when I started my beads business, I had no car instalment as the Toyota Etios 2012 model payment was long over even before I purchased my second property.
My surburb flat allocated at the back of the fluent surbub of Melrose Arch, a five or ten minutes drive to Sandton Mall and a walking distance to Alexandra Township together with my son were the only huge responsibility I had then.
I was so prepared for the future that even in my wardropethrough out the years,had special clothes for that audition job for a TV presenter/ talk show hosts or a role of a classy businesswoman on the biggest South African Soap Opera, Generation the Legacy.
I could speak at least seven South African languages then and the magazine and TV had trained me enough on what to expect.
So me being with this crew on a Sunday was a step closer to my dream world.
One of the sister, I met at Melrose Arch Camphor Cream advert auditions told me about these classes which were offered for free for any inspiring actor.
But the lady forgot to tell me that the person giving them was a Nigerian national.
I'm not sure if she had kept that information from me deliberately, knowing how I will act towards the information.
The only part I got was that, he was the director of of Isibaya, a popular drama series that was airing on Mzansi Magic daily,it was quite big on our telies then.
His name he did tell me, but out of arrogancy, I thought he was either Vhenda or xhitsonga or Pedi.
So there I was in the workers museum every Sunday amongst other inspiring actors some who had done a bit of TV work while others were still hustling to get in.
The guy was so nice. Coming to his work shops made me forget my troubles with the big Sunday national newspaper then.
Lets just say, it had some attachement issues and I was just enough with being bullied for a salary.
The bullying had made the passion for writing and reporting on national stories on print vanished. Instead, I was looking at the other means of telling and documenting our African stories.
Coming to the acting workshop though was a therapy, it reminded me of the 90s British sitcom, Mind your language which aired on SABC1 but this was an African version of it.
The Mr Brown was this Nigerian guy, with students from all over the township of Johannesburg. He spoke English, his students could hear him but others find it very hard to express themselves in the language.
As a reader, you need to understand how apartheid affected especially the black men's education system in order to know and enjoy how these young actors reacted.
But the nicest thing, the master was patient, no one had wrong answers in the class. Some answers were right but not for use in the current moment, they were prophetic answers.
His work ethic made me forget one of my my life rule ie....Stay as far away from Nigerians as possible especially when have no back up.
Sorry Nigeria but in
South Africa, Nijas are notorious for many things ie abduction of girls and forcing them into prostitution.
As a journalist, one of the most inhumane brutal stories ive ever done was that of a small body of a teenage girl thrown out of the fourth floor building in Central Port Elizabeth.
The three Nigerian men who were well built and more masculine than her were trying to force her to take drugs.
This was a high school girl from New Brighton, a member of an Apostolic church and the only child her mother had.
Nor will I ever forget the humiliation, dissappointment and betrayal of Nolubabalo "Babsie"Nobanda from Grahamstown.
She was well educated, came from a well off family what she did didn't add up with her character according to what I picked up from relatives and friends.
But like all stories, there was a Nigerian man behind her betrayal.
I interviewed her family soon after her arrest and dumped the SA drug mule in Thailand. Her story read like something in the movie and yes, there was a Nigerian brother played with her innocense. He didn't care of the pain, humiliation he had caused to not only the family but the community and South Africa at large.
Trust was already broken even if you met a nice one there was always that...."But you are Nigerian my friend, I dont trust you"
Anyway, the guy heading the workshop was generally nice had his coworkers from the drama coming in to talk to us or help him out.
I remember one of the event he took us to Sandton convention centre to present our short theatre play on xenophobic, it was so nice I even twitted about it,
Khanyiswa Ndabeni🇿🇦 (@ndabenik) posted at 9:14 am on Sun, Nov 17, 2019:
Nigerian artist, @iam_kcee and I were preaching the same message at the @RiseupNija an event aimed at uniting Africans and saying no to Xenophobia https://t.co/eS8nlVdJKk
I was sold to the whole Idea, with little knowledge of what the root course of the so called xenophobic attacks.
But I was all over preaching no xenophobic and even gunned an interview with NijaTV. Telling the whole continent and the world how we needed to stop the hate and start loving each other.
Lets just say, ugal was already running with the vision with no direction.
But the little information from the stiries i picked up and read while doing full time print journalism.
To be quite honest, it is only now when I think of it.... Were South Africans really xenophobic or were bullied by our own African brothers out of everything they had.
No one dared to really listen to the voice of SA then, it is only now through drips and drabs that we seeing the real cause.
Bullies have been at it and got away with it for a long time while even the good guys were painted with the same brush.
As Africans, what happened to our communal set up. Why would a fellow country men keep quiet when another is doing wrong as this affects the image of everyone from that country.
Black leaders, do they stop to lead and guide their people once their outside their homestead?
Im saying this because I've seen for myself that some of the incidents could have been avoided had a leader rose up and told their people to stop it.
I am a South African, but sometimes. I do not understand why South Africans are slow to act sometimes.
Especially on the things they love to watch on their television screens. For example, a just a few years ago.The country was treated to the most outstanding 13 episode TV drama, Ifalakhe on Mzansi Magic.
The drama had twitter buzzing, crashed facebook pages and walls and had everyone glued on their TV screens that October.
Not only to watch the premier of the drama but me as I made my debut as an extra actor.
Yessss!!!! baby, I wasn't gonna make my television appearance a secrete, no matter how small some people thought it was, to me this was a huge step.
You can only campare it to your 1st birthday party if you are a milestone celebrator like me.
So everyone who knew me, was glued on the screen from the first day waiting for my appearance.
I'm talking national newspaper journalists and editors ie your Sunday Times, Sowetan, Business Day,City Press etc. Everybody who knew me back in Port Elizabeth, Alexandra Township, Alberton, Bracken Downs, Soweto knew about my screen debut.
I was not responsible for their expactations though, but this was big to me and worth going all out on self PR.
If you wondering what the buzz of the story line was led me fill you up from the press release of Mzansi magic website.
Ifalakhe is the story of the powerful Okuhle tribe who wage war against the Khanya people killing their women and children. What makes the situation even more complex is that Khombindlela, the Okuhle king, finds his tribe on the brink of suffering harsh repercussions.
It is true, Ifalakhe was jaw dropping, never seen before story of raging kingdoms, power-hungry kings and their deceptive kin. The spectacular series ws set to enthrall viewers as a dramatic succession of events ensues due to an epic clash between two formidable nations.
Ifalakhe season one was created by Stained Glass Productions the story of the powerful Okuhle tribe who wage war against the Khanya people who have been raiding their cattle and killing their women and children.
What makes the situation even more complex is that Khombindlela, the Okuhle king, finds his tribe on the brink of suffering harsh repercussions from a prophecy that hangs over his head.
This prophecy not only threatens his lineage of the rule of his true heir but also gives him an unnerving task of ensuring it does not come to fruition – heavy indeed is the head that wears the crown!
“The series was set in pre-colonial Southern Africa, which adds a rich texture to the story and makes for, what we feel, is brilliant television,” says Mmamitse Thibedi, Director from production house, Stained Glass. “We’ve worked hard to create an intricate, intriguing plot that highlights the adverse effect of multiple twisted agendas and manipulation of power from the kings themselves and also from characters such as the king’s wives – who have their own selfish ambitions,” she adds.
Starring Bheki Sibiya, Bheki Ngcobo, Chris Radebe and Sthandwa Nzuza the cast of this 13-part drama series focused on ensuring that the authenticity of all the characters is preserved and that the narrative of the era rings true.
So that's what the story was about, the main actors were there but we as the extrass were there too.
From the day we were on set, we became part of the series, we took pictures to be used later when the drama is on air. So we can have prove that we too were on set.
Truth be told, we were the diamonds that came in small packages.
People were used to the main actors and every night they were curious to see us... the no body's who were also in the set and contributed in making the drama alive.
I mean, I had no TV from the day I auditioned for the show until the last episode. But every Sunday, there was a reminder on almost all my socials about the show so that it can generate the necessary or needed viewership.
I think everybody assumed from the posts that I had a big tv role. I mean, I was coming from a national newspaper, The Sunday Times so they didn't know you start small in other areas.
I've always wanted to try acting since primary. But I had to work on my plan B and C of life first before venturing into art.
Reading from past stories and experiences of other South African artists, I had to invest in myself first. Get a drivers license, other qualifications, buy a property and a car, live a normal life before you can take on TV or any public role.
Being an extra on Ifalakhe came at a right time, I was ready knowing how the journalists and everybody will react during and after. Hence I think Stainglass should have another season, yes, isiXhosa sithi into emnandi iyaphindwa guys.
The production company shouldn't leave its viewers hanging, let alone its actors especially its extra special actors. We want Ifalakhe the return baba.
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