That was a question I was asked on Fathers Day last year.
At the time I was still drunk on the word received from my church.
I had honoured an invitation from my Bracken High School friend, Nalo.
The girl who decided to shortened my name from Khanyiswa to Khanyi.
So to accommodate all the white speakers who found it difficult to pronounce the swa, the last three names of my full name.
So there I was in Soweto, at this different kind of church where R60 offering is collected at the gate.
Before you could see the different evangelists, prophets,apostles and pastors of this different church took to the show grounds to wow congregants with their car spinning skills.
The Bible was the line up of BMW 320 or BMW 3 series E21 cars renamed to Tezza, MA. ERA, Izinyoka nyoka and Skudunga.
These cars to wow the crowd as they spin on the field until all tires were damaged or the sport referee calls them out as soon as he spot danger.
When watching the sport live, you can't help but clutch your teeth and cross your fingers that the driver doesn't loose control and he come crushing on the bob wire fence.
According to Floyd, one of the participants and name the sport as a BEE sport.
The sport is costly.
He bought his BMW E21 as a second hand for R40 000.
He has his own mechanic and has spent almost R100 000 on just maintaining it.
One of the courageous ladies, Phumzile from Protea North in Soweto said she loves the sport as it helps her release stress.
Phumzile aka Lady P first saw the sport at the South African hip hop star, Pro Kid's memorial service.
"I fell in love with the adrenaline rush that it brings. From that day on, I bought myself a car and whenever I want to release stress.
I climb on it".
Car spinning is not a new sport but it is a growing sport in the black community.
Every Wednesday and Sundays there are sessions held all around Soweto with competitions held in Durban and Cape Town.
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They are probably one of the many unsung heroes of the black community.
But for decades now, twin brothers -Thabo and Mpho Putu- had been grooming and supporting many gifted children from the previously disadvantage communities to excel and and make a impact on others.
Their aim, is to see these kids grow up to become leaders in various fields including art, politics, sports and other areas that will later benefit South Africa.
Through their early 90s programme, Gifted Child Development Programme (GCP) they have produced the likes of Kwaito kingpin Kabelo Mabelane who became one of the members of music group TKZee, SABC3 Isidingo's new director and actor Motlatsi Mafatshe and the current Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, Mmusi Maimane.
It is no surprise that in some households they are called deputy fathers as they provide the father figure and guidance to many youth especially those from single parenting homes.
I too have felt their extended fatherly love in the 90s.
When the South African government opened white schools to accommodate black students, these two brothers went all out raising funds that saw me become part of the first black students at Rand Girls High in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
It did not end there, together with teacher friends, Humphrey Mogale, Paul Dlamini and Ben Setlhatlhole volunteered to teach us English, mathematics, science at PACE High School in Soweto.
An exercise that was suppose to prepare us for Model C schools.
In those days some of us had never had a chance of being in the same room with white children nor did we know how a science laboratory looked like.
While the five days camps at Rocky Valley and Stoney Ridge was a nice holiday away from home but also had spiritual and educational programmes to boast our confidence and believe in our dreams.
Our 1993 educational trip to the SABC Auckland Park where we met and interacted with the much love newsreader then, Noxolo Grootboom sparked an interest in me of gathering news.
I listened with interest as she told us that she started as a receptionist and later groomed for news.
Not knowing later in my life I will become a print journalist for a community, regional and national newspaper with five awards (national and provincial) to my name.
"We strongly believe in prevention," said Mpho as we set down for coffee at Seatlle in Rosebank.
"Better give the child everything they need so they do not end up doing crime. Make them believe that everything is possible and they can be anything they want to be. Ours is to give them that kick start".
Both are teachers by profession but also run their own community church, Orlando Baptist church and Mondoer Baptist Church.
Both churches have youth ministry every Friday.
They still advocate and lobby for exchange programmes and have traveled to countries like America, Ethiopia and all over the world.
Just recently, they were able to facilitate for more than 800 students who wouldn't have had the opportunity of studying at a tertiary institution.
"For us this has been our life purpose and calling. Hence we've never stopped and instead we continuing with the work and growing in all areas that we have served," said Thabo.
They have a collection of MBAs, degrees and masters.
You can imagine the embarrassment I felt when I had to tell them, I'm still trying to complete my law degree at Unisa,i didnt even reveal I was hustling for a TV job over and above the journalism and creative writing qualifications on my belt.
I mean, as one of the loud mouth playful student.
I did feel a bit embarrassed by the little effort I had put on my education. But felt a light burden been lifted off as they encouraged me in all the projects I'm currently doing.
I met the brothers at Teen Out Reach Christian Club. At the time, my father had just returned from exile with nothing and they were helping him to rebuild his life. The club was formed in the 1970s and is one of the living legacies of Rev Frank Chikane and Pedro Raboroko.It was formed to continue the work Steve Bantu Biko's black consciousness movement.
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 recommend Ndabeni Creative with every bone in my body
We haven't spoken for over 18 years, but when my Bracken High School and Youth Alive friend, Nalo FancyFace Jivhuho heard about our start up, she showed us love. This club dj and female car spinner is seen wearing our screw simple wooden piece at a wedding in Orlando, Soweto. This is what she said about us... "I purchased my beads from Ndabeni Creatives, from day 1 she was hands on, she asked me to choose my preferred colours and sent different samples for me to choose from.
I'm so happy and cannot wait to wear my black number that I bought from her as well.
I recommend Ndabeni Creatives with every bone in my body🏾🏾"
At the time I was still drunk on the word received from my church.
I had honoured an invitation from my Bracken High School friend, Nalo.
The girl who decided to shortened my name from Khanyiswa to Khanyi.
So to accommodate all the white speakers who found it difficult to pronounce the swa, the last three names of my full name.
So there I was in Soweto, at this different kind of church where R60 offering is collected at the gate.
Before you could see the different evangelists, prophets,apostles and pastors of this different church took to the show grounds to wow congregants with their car spinning skills.
The Bible was the line up of BMW 320 or BMW 3 series E21 cars renamed to Tezza, MA. ERA, Izinyoka nyoka and Skudunga.
These cars to wow the crowd as they spin on the field until all tires were damaged or the sport referee calls them out as soon as he spot danger.
When watching the sport live, you can't help but clutch your teeth and cross your fingers that the driver doesn't loose control and he come crushing on the bob wire fence.
According to Floyd, one of the participants and name the sport as a BEE sport.
The sport is costly.
He bought his BMW E21 as a second hand for R40 000.
He has his own mechanic and has spent almost R100 000 on just maintaining it.
One of the courageous ladies, Phumzile from Protea North in Soweto said she loves the sport as it helps her release stress.
Phumzile aka Lady P first saw the sport at the South African hip hop star, Pro Kid's memorial service.
"I fell in love with the adrenaline rush that it brings. From that day on, I bought myself a car and whenever I want to release stress.
I climb on it".
Car spinning is not a new sport but it is a growing sport in the black community.
Please follow us on the various social media pages:
Facebook: Khanyiswa Ndabeni
Instagram: Khanyiswasa
Youtube:Khanyi Ndabeni and here is the link with this article https://youtu.be/QXQ67xYqZEE
Twitter: @ndabenik
