Niyabesaba Na! traditional beaded stick

Short beaded stick R150 long one R250

Today's article is inspired by a book I recently read, "These things really do happen to me" by a South African author and manager at Heineken South Africa, Khaya Dlanga.

in this book, Khaya Dlanga explains why Xhosa men and boys carried sticks

The writer - a Xhosa man who spent the early years of his life leaving in rural village in the Eastern Cape- gives an explanation on why his grandfather, Alfred Kaiser Boyce made sure boy or man carried stick, I quote from page 30 of the book, " A stick was a sign of manliness. You could use it to fend off attacks and troublesome dogs. You were never deterred from going where you supposed to, because you were always armed".

walking out of CCMA 23 September 2018

Recently, I attended a court case against my former employer. I took the fight very seriously, so serious that as a build up to the date I would do my primary war cry, Niyabesaba Na! over and over to build confidence and to assure myself I am doing the right thing, not only for myself but for my son as well. With the hope that he will know and  maybe my story will inspire him not to be a coward.

On the day before the seating, I had a chat with God I even called the spirit of  my mother, great grandmother, grandmother to be with me.
 To show I was not  backing  down in this fight. I carried my beaded stick with, a symbol that I am ready to attack and fend off any troublesome dog that might come my way.
 I wanted to win so bad but I was also mindful that the company might win. But I kept going, as evidence from the inboxes, and messages I got from colleagues, former colleagues other people who are still undergoing bullying at work. I was the face and the voice of what they couldn't, cant, wont and would never stand up against this. Instead they would rather suffer in silence and carry on with life as if nothing has happened while the action of their perpetrator chows every confidence they had at work.
The beaded sticks are available in all the colours you would prefer, for orders please whatsapp 0763607744

The story of an African themed Rosary

The first ever Rosary we made was inspired by a leader of my church group.

Soon after I left my previous job, I told everyone I knew I would be beading full time. While wooden and stone beads were my speciality at the time, but it became interested in exploring the skills to more traditional South African bead work. This was also motivated by our clients at the Johannesburg shop. Many would come wanting the traditional Zulu beads nesiXhosa.

When I told the group about my new career change, they gave me ideas of what I could do. The purses initially for the church, heels and my first ever Rosary. This request came from Saagar, a collector of Rosary. I didn't know he had a genuine interest then. I saw how appreciative he was when I delivered them to him. 

This is what he had to say about the African Rosary

Many cultures around the world have beads ingrained in them, however there is a deeper significance than just jewellery. The Rosary for example comes from the Catholic Church. Each bead in the rosary is meant for one prayer. The prayer is usually the "hail Mary" or the "Lord's prayer". A meditator would hold onto a bead and chant the prayer once then move onto the next bead and repeat the prayer. This goes on until all the beads are complete. A very similar practice is found in India for the Hare Krishna devotees. 

I've always been fascinated by the beauty of a Rosary and the Holiness it represents. I've been collecting them since childhood. I've always had the picture in my head of an African themed Rosary. Thanks to you, Ndabeni Creatives, you have managed to make this picture a reality. This to me is an amazing union and representation of my Indian and African roots combined with my love for God and the Christian faith. 

The Gogo getters

Meet our contributors in your jewellery, the team ayiphelelanga #proudlysouthafrican#proudlyAfrican

The woman who taught me all I know about African jewelry, the industry and above all taught how to trust in God

My starring, whatever design I ask, I get la

I will never forget this cold winter day in Johannesburg. 

If I have ever said I'm doing this alone, please know that I was lying. I had  team of these ladies with me. They   taught me many things but the one that stood up was to be proud of who you are, where you come from and dont even be afraid to showcase what you truly about. I wish the government could have taken this skill to our black schools, especially primary level. This is something that anyone can survive by. Especially a black South African, it teaches you your culture, while making money too

don't you just love her neck piece?

Besijabulile Maponya Precinct Market

Beku MNANDI!!! beku lit! This past weekend e VW Soweto. Our  day at the market in Pictures. No caption just letting pics do the talking

If likes were converted to money, SAs hustlers would be rich

Me and my brother, Xolani Ndabeni off to sell at MTN head office

I would be lying to you if I say I started my businesses because I felt the need to solve something.

To be quite honest, initially I crafted for fun and they joy of  helping  my friend, Cynthia who had a stall  in town then. 

I became a partner when I could see she needed financial help with her business. At first, I would borrow her money needed and she would pay it back with interest of course. This went on for two years. Yes I played with the idea of starting a business whilst employed as a full time journalist, but upon consulting and doing research on my own. It was rather a bad idea to start a business and not be there physically to run it.

But this crave was fulfilled when I was bullied at work and left with no option but to resign.

At the time, I had many things I wanted to do, like write my book and other South African stories. But I knew I wasn't well equiped  for those project yet. Art and Craft or rather beading for me at the time was going to provide money for the basics, ie food everyday, my child's school fees etc. I felt the  company I had worked for had  wronged me and I needed to challenge it using other means as my voice within the company was not heard.

 But I didn't want to starve while doing that, I wanted my two-year-old  to continue getting all the things he was now used to. I didn't want him to suffer because all of sudden grew some balls. No! It wasn't going to happen.

So I started the journey of being a hustler, it was and still is not an easy road to travel.

 On social media, hustlers like myself portray an image that everything is good, we even posts messages of encouragement on our timeline and our followers get so inspired and motivated they treat us like their idols. Little do they know that we are suffering in silent. 

Our products are of the highest quality you can find hence we count thousands of likes and attract followers. But  dololo money coming in. Majority of South Africans will never support us. You get belittling remarks from your fellow white South Africans in the market. While your own black people would rather buy a Chinese imitation at a higher price than to buy your product.

This is a struggle that is probably behind the mental breakdown of Sbu, the young entreprenuer behind the brand a men's socks brand, Skinnysbusocks.

  Like many, he probably thought he had ticked all the correct boxes for his dream to fly. Maybe in his township and around the people he grew up with, he was a role model. Probably had the media eating from the palm of his hands with his mind blowing idea for these socks. But what happens when the sales do not stream in like the hype created when it started? What if we fail in our endeavors? After all we are humans, yes we want to support the vision of creating more employment in the country. Hustlers do not want to be part of the unemployment stats. To some like me, you opt for business for survival during the tough times. With our background, we take the leap of faith even when we are not financially schooled on how to run it. Now I'm not saying that was a case with the owner of Skinny Sbu Socks. To be quite, I know little about him except for the information shared with me during The Hook Up Dinner (THUD) session in Maboneng yesterday.

But this left me wondering, if Skinny Sbu Socks were this high quality( I bought myself two pairs) why was he struggling? Surely there was a market and he has done his part researching his idea before spending thousands in it.

Skinny Sbu, like all the other hustlers in South Africa needed the support from of his people, from his family, church, area of the township he lived in and South Africa as a whole.

We need an aggresive way of telling people that we are here, if you buy from a South African brand you creating a job for another South African. You contributing to the growth of the economy. We need to go to churches, clubs and everywhere that there's gathering and preach the gospel of buying locally produced goods.

I for one do not know where this hustle will take me, but I spread the message where ever I go.

PS CATCH US ON MAPONYA PRECINCT MARKET THIS SUNDAY AT VW SOWETO GROUNDS

The love and support from friends keeps me going

Asanda and Mbali Kani at a wedding in Johannesburg. Asanda is wearing the Xhosa beaded scarf and blue and white necklace from us.

If  two of the world's most richest men, Bill Gates and Mark Elliot Zuckerberg were assisted by friends to build their wealth.

Then, I would like to believe that I am on the right path and have chosen friends carefully over the years in order to build my business empire.

The marketing of the beads business is strongly  driven by people whom I have known for years and those around me now.

From its inception back in 2015, this was  when my Zambian friend, Cynthia  and I used to buy time by creating simple patterns of wood necklaces, bracelets, earings to more complicated pieces that makes a dramatic entrance, to the ones that add that African thing to a classy outfit.

Not only did these people spread the word about what I and the team do. The moment I announced I was going to do this business full time and  showed them what I  and the team can do, they gave me ideas of how they would like their items. This breaking our traditional way of designing a piece.  It is these people that suggested the idea of partnering with local bead artists.

Amongst those that trusted us in the early days were former entertainment journalist at the Sunday Times, Gabi Mbele. Our very first dramatic net piece was worn by her at the BET awards earlier this year.

My connect group leader, Saagar Gokul planted the idea of making a Rosary then R branded purse by other members in my connect group. These were meant to be submitted to our resource centre at Rivers Church but stopped pursing the idea when I learnt they were other women already supplying and providing training in beadwork at church.

But I sold the R online and people asked for other alphabets, the shoes, t-shirts, takkies and hats were ideas mostly generated by friends. Through them, I met other strangers, one a Nigerian man who planted the idea of stone bracelets for men. I'm pleased to say we now make these message of piece bracelets for ladies too.

Friends from back home in Port Elizabeth were also very supportive of this new found hustle and constantly got messages of support from them.

Due to the friends I have  kept and the people I came across over the years, I survived the first difficult three months of an entrepreneur's life. With them on board, I would like to believe that I have built a solid foundation for this business to fly.  My  favourite saying  is "if it is not made in South Africa or Africa, then it is not us"

Communications Manager for VIMN Africa, Gabi Mbele at the BETAwards2018

Nelson Mandela University Media Mananger, Zandile Mbabela

The R purse was initially made for a presentation for resource centre  at Rivers Church and it is now a demand 

My connect group leader, Saagar Gokul, a collector of Rosary asked us to make him a beaded unisex Rosary. 

Come Dine With Us at Maponya Precinct Market

Come Dine With Us at Maponya Precinct Market

Do you need a safe secure place where you, family and friends  can seat and relax  on  Sundays?

Why don't you join us at the Maponya Precinct Market in Soweto every Sunday.

This new hot hang out spot, not only boast of big space for you to enjoy amongst other things live music and a place for children to play. But visitors will be spoilt for choice on items on the market and both Toyota and VW will have their cars on display for you to choose your dream car.

The Ndabeni Creative team will be on site with all of our products- from your traditional South African beaded jewellery, the ancient stone hand made necklaces and bracelets, wooden beads jewellery etc. You will have a chance to ask any questions you have on our products as well as give you advice on how to wear our items.

 Traders that will be with us this Sunday include, Nobuhle Hub.

Nobuhle Hub is a South African beauty and hair care online store. It provide quality virgin hair from across the world at affordable prices. Their  hair ranges from Peruvian, Malaysian  Brazilian and Indian hair. At the moment they  only stock high quality grade 10a hair from various countries abroad.  The hair comes in bundles, closures and wigs custom made for customers unique hair needs. The  hair quality last for over 2-3 years if maintained well.

Currently, Nobuhle Hub only operate through online channels such as Instagram and Facebook. It uses courier services to send  hair to places as far as Limpopo and Bloemfontien.

Another new and young trader is Naledi Goottsch from co- founder of Berry-Ledi  crafted Gin.

In 2016 Naledi met James Chirwa, co-founder of Berry-Ledi Gin, and gained the knowledge and experience of making gin. Through that Berry-Ledi, the first flavoured gin, came to be by the first gin in South Africa to be owned by a Black female. 

Their first product, Pine-Ledi  first went to the public at the AVA Gallery First Thursday last month.

Other traders include  the T-shirt brand, Welcome to Soweto and the direct selling perfume company, Inuka.

Maponya Precinct Market is  over looking the struggle heroine, Winnie Madikizela's Orlando House, it is also a five minute drive to Maponya Mall a walk to famous Vilakazi Street where two noble prize winners, Bishop Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela lived. You can also visit the Hector Peterson museum which is a few streets away.

We cant wait to see you there on Sunday