Thank You Mama... Till we meet again Mam' Nondumiso Maphazi

Mama Dr Nondumiso Maphazi in ANC colours

 "Yes, sir she has agreed to do the one on one interview with us. It will be in her office, just across the road". Are you sure? asked my then editor- in- chief, Carl Saton Smith.  

 My new diary update for the week, had caught his attention. He had to stop whatever that had kept him busy on his computer to give me his full undivided attention.

Ilizwi's front page

Carl, was still in disbelief that the newly appointed first female executive mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay- Nondumiso Maphazi- had given me permission to feature her in our small community newspaper.

At the time, Dr Nondumiso Maphazi was taking over from Robben Islander, Nceba Faku.
 

Though, I had pitched the idea earlier in our conference meeting. No one really thought much of it that it could develop into a printable story. I mean the idea, was good for a dreamer like me. But in reality of the newsroom, she was too busy and if she really needed coverage. The Herald, Daily Dispatch and the Weekend Post were her obvious go to news point.

Dr Nondumiso Maphazi Picture supplied by the family

But there I was, inexperienced news reporter telling her that one of the most influential woman in Port Elizabeth and probably the whole of the Eastern Cape province has agreed to give us time. No one was prepared for this.

Youth Focus column on Ilizwi Community newspaper

I myself didn't realise the magnitude of what I had done. I was merely obsessed with getting my Youth Focus ideas being published.

With BayFM community radio cast

This time,I had a meeting with the local artists and there were tired of being unotticed in their home town. There were even reports that artist who left Port Elizabeth in persuit for better life in Johannesburg were struggling but ashamed to come back home as they were embarrassed and ashamed that their dreams didn't take off and things were even worse for them in Johannesburg.

Youth Day celebration with Xceedo from Imbizo events

One of the events company based in the city, Imbizo tried to accommodate some like the late Joyous Celebration singer from Port Elizabeth but it was not enough. There was a need for intervention by the city, the mayor and all stake holders. For me then, it was a miracle that Carl had taken me in his wings. With no formal journalistic experience of writing stories.

Few months earlier, I was a security guard, the whole of Port Elizabeth knew me as the female security guard at Coca Cola Perseverance.

 This new role, which I begged after I had over sold myself to him as a freelance Youth Motivator at Nkqubela Fm, a community radio station and someone who was also frustrated and had confronted him that the paper, Ilizwi was not catering for the people living in the township especially the Youth. Carl, first gave me the Ilizwi youth Focus Column. Mainly written in English but had a drop of Tsotsi taal, Fanagalo, slang and street lingo of PE.

Dr Nondumiso Maphazi Picture supplied

Carl thought of running ideas with me before the interview the next day, but there were not much ideas. The Herald and weekend post had done all the possible stories. Including covering the fact that she was once a petrol attended in her youth. But he let me think of ideas that will work for both her and the newspaper.

The day of the interview started horribly wrong. I was late for the normal bus because my mother send me back from the bus stop to change from the sneakers and jeans to something that was more appropriate.

Press briefing of the homecoming  PE Political prisoners with Oom Govt Mbeki

'People don't take you serious Khanyiswa because you do not take yourself serious. First impressions do last you know' those were Ntesh's words

With Zimbabwean singer, Olivia Mtukudzi

The only decent clothing on my wardrope that time was a fur cream winter jacket, a green comoflouge skirt and half leather heel boots all bought on Truworths credit card.

As I crossed the street from the Feather Market Centre to City Hall, I tripped and fell and the heel of the shoe came off. There was no turning back either, already I was about 15 minutes late for the interview. So I limped into her secretary's office. Explained before hand what had happened and still stated my keenes to do the interview still.

Dr Nondumiso Maphazi picture: supplied by family

Mam' Nondumiso was busy, so she didn't notice my late coming. Few minutes later,I was ushered to her huge office which made me even more intimidated. I remember the soft leather chairs, the huge table with the New South African flag at the corner of the table. The framed pictures of South Africa's first black president, Nelson Mandela, the then president Thabo Mbeki and the Eastern Cape premier then, Nosimo Balindlela in her traditional isiXhosa regalia displayed in the room. It was only then than it dawn on me that I had come to interview someone very, very important. 'Sorry mam, I broke my heel as I was crossing the street.

Dr Nelson Mandela. Picture from the internet no accreditation given

Otherwise I would have been here earlier, I am really sorry Mam', I said as I was limping to the direction of a chair she showed me. "It happens to all of us, I had a similar accident in one of the airports, years ago,'she told me the story as she was welcoming and trying to make me feel comfortable.

With Dj Sbu, founder of TS during the Metro FM Music Awards PE school's tour

I actually missed my flight that day," We both broke into a huge laughter as she rely her story to try and comfort me and make me feel at ease. 'Would you like me to send someone to get you another pair of shoes", I politely decline. My security background was that even generous offeres were bribes. I knew this came from a geniune love and concern but politely decline and we continued our informal chat. She was more interested in me. I told her everything about my passion for the youth, art work in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Dr Nondumiso Maphazi

She inturn told me about her plans for the Youth in the Nelson Mandela and her plans to work with the township school and how she was going to use her platform to bring change to the black community of Nelson Mandela Bay.

With the Jeziel Brothers at the Metro FM Music Awards

Everything was a bit informal at the end of our meeting, she had organised all her people to include me in all her work. Back at the office, everyone was waiting in inticipation to hear feedback.

Playing Golf with the then premier, Nosimo Balindlela

A space was already allocated and people were busy with drawing pictures from files. The story was Carl's project. A told him everything from the meeting. I often had to say Mam' Maphazi's response verbartism so not to misqoute her.

That article became a game changer for me and the paper. We were now seen and recognised by the community that we served. People didn't see us as rebelious youth that were just make empty noise and endorsed by the paper.

No, we were noticed and invitations tricked in and tip offs of major stories came in. When the youngsters were planning to distrupt the Umsobomvu Youth Development Agency national cenference held at the Feather Market Hall.

100% isisXhosa Comedy backstage with Nono and Qhamie

We knew before hand that the ceo of the agency, Andile Lungisa who was also the national deputy president of the ANCYL together with Julius Malema as the president will be dragged out of the conference. Wearing his sweet pink suit and sharp pointed BEEE shores to address the Youth Unemployment in the region.

When the American singer, Bebe Winans was coming to town, we were the amongst those waiting to greet him at the airport. The invitation came as far as Johannesburg to attend the Celine Dion Concert with transportation which included return flight tickets. When four Nigerian national appeared in court after a story of a teenage girl that was thrown out of the fourth floor flat in Central. With the Help of the regional ANCYL in the region, High Schools around the city came to a standstil as youngsters marched to the court demanding the suspects not to be given bail. Dr Maphazi's term as a mayor taking over from Nceba Faku saw the metro Fm came to the city for two consecutive years, with that our office was flooded with artist from Ts records.

Maphazi life Memorial is on the 18 June, the Wednesday at Nangoza Jebe and Funeral on Friday the 20 June at Feather Market Centre. I would really like to thank the family and friends of Maphazi for giving me all the pics to use for this article. To everyone who played a role in tracking them after seeing my post on facebook... Thank you, thank you, thank you! Umuntu, ngumuntu ngabantu. Thank you!

I am a born story teller...Thank you Mr Richard H Nosworthy and WGSA

I am a born South African story teller. Even if I am not paid or work in a commercial set up, I will tell stories not even aware that what comes out of my mouth is attention grabbing to slow the production of any group work. Whether people believe the stories I tell to be true or not. I have really outgrown that stage of trying hard to convince them. But I do still trying hard almost everyday to hone my skill. But from when I was young, story telling has been around me and has been the only or major way to get my attention or teach me something. Whether these came in a form of a family evening gathering under tree and fire wood down in Engxongweni in Port St John's Ceskei in the early 80s. Or watching and imititating the Chinese movies starring Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and other 90s Chinese movie with the line "You killed my mother and father, now I've come to kill you" at the Port Elizabeth township bioscope. Or better yet, spending my evening at my aunt's house in 3rd Avenue Alexandra Township watching and learning all kinds of story telling platforms from action movies, drama, comedy, soapies, romantic to reading different genre of books and ended up being a collector of amongst other favourite authors then, Sydney Sheldon an American screenwriter. Inspired by him, especially his novel Rage of Angels- a novel released in the 80s about a female lawyer who beds both powerful politicians and dangerous gangsters- I wanted to study law as it is said story tellers are best lawyers in the world...LOL!*Winks*. But anyway, driven by my passion to try other platforms of story telling that would open doors for me for screenwriting or writing. I saw myself in Mafatsane Hall, Evaton,South Africa. Attending a Scriptwriters workshop hosted by Writers Guild South Africa( WGSA) with the late Mr Richard H Nosworthy the main tutor. The week long free event was organised to benefit writers from the previously disadvantaged community. That is creative writers in South African who cannot either afford training or access to information about the industry due to their financial background. The guilt also protect the writers rights as many of them in South Africa are freelancers and do not get royalties on work repeated on other platforms of media in the African continent. The guilt was established in 2009 and aims to train more local writers in their South African vernacular language and also helps with their business education planning. They work with International Affiliation of Writers Guilds (IAWG) and American Guilt and had been instrumental in getting writers included in the South African Film and Television Awards. Mr Nosworthy was a very paient man as he encourages most of us to believe in ourselves. Knowing that I was a writer for print, he wanted me to know that the very same words written must know be acted out on stage, tv, through music, film or animitation. "The must be a reason why you telling the story," his words as I battled to polished my short film, Holly Gangsters. The film was a test of our knowldge gained from the workshop and if selected stood a chance to be entered in the Muse awards with the overall winner announced at the SAFTAs of that year, 2019. Anyway,I think due to Covid19 WGSA is still to issue me with the certificate and results of the film. Being a passionate writers of what is now going on in South African churches. Especially after my mother's death. The film, Holly Gangsters focused on a family of a woman seeking justice after a man of "God" and congregants conned community members and preyed on those desperate for long term illness healing. Based on my experience and a series of articles that I have written while with main stream media. Mr Nosworthy helped bring the emotions of trust and disgust as I reveal how the grieving family is expected to pay transportation and accommodation for one of their leaders to conduct the service. The family was also not getting anything from the R10 000 funeral burial plan taken by the deceased in the church. Even though, she had constantly paid monthly fees for years. Close members of the family revealed how in the last days the church discouraged her from taking her medication and instead should rely on the water and salt the church was offering for healing.

Stainglass Ifalakhe must return on our screen

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.

A Jubilee Sunday for Alex as Fieldband lift up six national trophies

Hey guys, Hope you enjoyed the last read as I have enjoyed bonding with Alexandra Township these past two weeks. I mean, one of the Sundays.

Moa and son bump into a colourful, jubilant community of Alex last Sunday in high spirit as I visited the old man of kraal.

I was curious to know what was happening and couldn't resist but get on to taking pictures and videos of the beautiful display. I mean, I was home and there was work. You don't really need to ask for permission but do what you are known for around the world.

So me, missed my planned Sunday church services because God says start with him, family and the rest will follow right.

So there I was that Sunday morning following the Fieldband who were touring the township and showing off their victory celebration.

The first stop for the group who had beaten other band teams from as far as Eastern Cape and Western Cape at Wanderers Stadium, was the 1912 house in second avenue.

Here, Bab'Twala and his girlfriends were waiting to give the guys some blessings. Yes, the man and the Gogos were so ready and proud of the kids achievement.

I mean six trophies? He even organised a nice curried stamp freshly made by Devine Foods. I don't know how he read my mind, but I last ate a delicious curry meal like that in Woolhope High School back in Malarbar township of Port Elizabeth. But anyway, while I was admiring Bab Twala's work and consitancy for so many years.... I mean through his frika Tikkun, a non-profit organisation that man has put lawyers, chartterd accounted,businessman through school from their creche stage right up to their career stage. as I was waiting with the grannies outside the tent.

As I waited univited to the event, the granies shared powerful stories on how he automatically became the father of some household. Giving the widows food and the necessary support after they were almost kicked out of their homes. The celebration day coincided with their day of collecting clothes and food parcels. I did take some great pictures of the event that day, but unfortunately the ones saved for this blog were erased from my phone together with all the other material.

Hence you see some of the image material is collected from my social media pages. But one of the highlight of the day is in this video below. This women just spoke to my heart and I knew I was home... Please watch Explainer: She is basically expressing her proudness in the children.

The term used is not the vulgar term, here it describes how everything is going to be lit after all the preparation she will do to enter the competition. Anyway, chow for now and please do follow us on all social media platforms.

Raising an army of responsible black fathers

While everybody is riding on some #menaretrash hashtag. I had a previlege of being shown around what my fellow brothers down in my home town, Port Elizabeth were doing. Oh! man, did I find gold, diamond and pearls all in one packet from my hood or what? A perfect love story that will send you weeping this father's day week. Yes, this week I thought let me warm your precious hearts a little with this great love and work done by my fellow black brothers ie uMhlobo Wenene Fm youth programme presenter Sizwe aka Slyso Saliso, Bantu Mtshiselwa,Sebenzile Zalabe and Luvuyo Star Nyembezi. I thought I should share what these guys have been up to since the news of the arrival of their bundle of joy in this world. The kind of men that we do not often read about or hear their good deeds until around this time of the year. But this team make you believe every word South African eighties pop star, Ricarddo Groenewald sang on his hit song, I Love you daddy. If you thought Will Smith's just the two of us hit was meant for the Americans, think again. This fatherhood quartet are the brains behind #BlackFathersStandUpZA a movement that aims at opening conversations around fatherhood especially in the hood where majority of households are ran by single mothers. According to statistics South Africa, 61% of the children born in the country last year were fatherless. Meaning no details of the fathers were recorded at the time of birth and the same percentage did not live with their father. "The first day I hold my boy, I had butterflies in my stomach. I couldn't believe that this thing I had anticipated for so long was finally here. Forget circumcision but from that day forth, I truly became a man," said Saliso whose personal instagram account will have any single lady melting and dreaming to be that perfect wife. He has filed almost every bonding moment he has shared with his now twelve year old son. Slyso also shares his life lessons through his love for music with son and the range varies from the old school R n B to actually watching Micheal Jackson's This is It together. "I've been there from day one bought car seats for her mother and changed many dippers. It is so beautiful to watch him grow really. These four brothers-one I met in primary school many years ago, the other other three through my work as a community newspaper journalist in my town- are here to change the game and provide more visibility on fathers that are present in their children's life. Through their daily experience they want to open up discussions as well as influence other male figures to be present in their children's life. Oh boy! do they practise what they preach? A scroll down their personal account you will be floaded with pictures and videos and some poetry adorable poetry."My life was never the same. I'm far from a perfect father but that does not stop us from being in love" Campaign manager, Bantu Mtshiselwa,says everything was started out of frustration from the society especially the black community. Tshiselwa, who was raised by a single mother and is familiar with what the fatherless children are going through said. "We also wanted to highlight that there are fathers who are present in their children's lives and create a debate and a support system for them. But not forgetting to motivate others to take part in it as well", he said. The aim is to breakaway from the tradition of what role men must do domestically and understand everyone whether the child was planned or not should take responsibility for their action. " Impregnate a woman can be scary,think of it like causing an accident. There are those drivers who will say shit, what have I done and start running. Then there are those that say, ok this has happened and how do we make the most out of it. How do we enjoy this blessing...It is a blessing and an everlasting love". The initiative comes into two folds, community talks and online campaigns. The first on is spreading the message by holding regular community gatherings to converse and to engage on this problem to find solutions together as men. On our gatherings we invite a panel of experts on legal matters, on psychological effects and we include traditional community leaders to engage and teach the audience on the consequences of being an absent father for the community as an entity. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kK8_e8dfrswMXZZP6jeI7D7sWfwpttvH/view

Yesss gal, the doeks are on FLEEK!

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