I'm sure some of you across the world are now planning your yearly diary. You setting up goals for the next 12 months and you full of positive energy. Year 2018 hadn't been that good to you, you are so glad it is finally behind you and all the misfortune that happened within that twelve months.
Last year, I had the New Year, New me situation. This year, I'm growing in the new me of 2018
I hope you stick and practice every new thing you committed to be since the beginning of the year. Remember becoming you doesn't happen over night, its a process that you need to practice everyday until you are the better person you have hoped and wished for.
I set that goal last year January, prayed and fasted for the rest of January. I wanted to be happy in life.
2019 I will stretch myself in doing more to improve on 2018's new me
My job had become a dark cage and was full of negativity energy. I didn't see myself growing and instead I was shrinking lower and lower instead of rising in my career as a journalist. I cried everyday when I had to go to work, the environment was toxic and it affected my health.
I endured bullying from a female whom I reported to and no matter how hard I tried to push work at the end I burst out like any other human being would. I'm super excited that I'm not around that energy anymore. It feels so good to be around positive people all the time.
To the new Year 2019
Since I started the beads business and writing here and posting across all media platforms, twitter, facebook and instagram. I've had a huge support and reconnect with amongst other High School friends, childhood friends and new people who should be in my life right now.
You know the kind that have a positive energy and not there to drain you, yes those kinds.
Off we go... Holiday Express train from Durban to Scottburg, North Coast
I was fortunate enough to end the year with three of those amazing female characters. One, Ncumisa Joko who has been my friend for over ten years now. Ncumisa and I met in my home province Eastern Cape and Port Elizabeth city and we clicked from word go. We've been through a lot. Our all female group, Friends for Life had lost and grew apart from some of its members.
But Ncumi and I had never lost touch, in fact she is the one friend, I would call back home when my mother needed to be rushed to a hospital.We planned trips together as a group and Ncumi and I would be the only one still standing and want to get away. Others came with all sorts of excuses but we understood and we also understood that we need to have fun. I first trip to Durban in 2012 was a disaster but today we still laugh at the misfortunes of that weekend. We pat ourselves for doing it, testing my brand new Toyota Etios to the Zulu Kingdom land. Now before I continue with Durban, I thought lets pause a bit and I give you some background information on Friends for Life. I will include pics too from my facebook album.
A framed picture I received as a gift from the Friends for life group.
It was a collection of all our outings and special moments during the time I was in PE. From attending the Fifa World Cup 2010 tournament at a fan Park in St George's Park to girls night out at the Boardwalk Casino and Clubs around. Back then we didnt have cars and relied on Amaphela to get us home after a Karoake Sports bar.
To keep the sisterhood spirit, we bought each other presents when it was our birthday and this is when I also learnt the biggest lesson, Money and friendship can walk some people make it seems it doesn't but it does. My moving to Johannesburg for my career change led to the end or rather the drifting apart of the group. Phumi still calls from time to time especially when I did something and it was on the news or any other progress.
I've learnt earlier on that she doesn't like to share so much about herself and I accepted and left it like that. Nosi got married Ncumi, Phumeza and I attended her wedding, I was asked to speak about her at her wedding, it was tough but I did. Every now and then she would call me. Even the time I started my business she was amongst the first to congratulate me. Nono got a promotion as a nurse and moved to Bloemfontein.
my friend Nosie Mtila-Siwandla got married to Luvuyo Siwandla
Speaking as a friend at Nosi's wedding. I was lectured by the girls on what not to say. Of course we wanted people to see us as supportive friends telling them we did karoake till 3am at the Boardwalk was a No No topic for her big day.
When Nono moved to Bloemfontein Ncumi drove from PE and I from JHB at the time visited her spent a weekend in Bloemfontein with her.
Excuse the picture quality it was during the Black Berry days and you know ke iqunube nge pictures, we were probably going to the Boardwalk for a catch up here
One of my birthday present from the group after I bought my first house in Kwazakhele, Port Elizabeth Township.
COME BACK TO NOW, DURBAN, HOLIDAY 2018/2019 DESTINY'S CHILD HOLIDAY
Friends for life, my friend Ncumisa Joko and I on a Destiny's Child themed #Girlstrip
So when she called me up and offered this trip. I grabbed the opportunity , it was a well deserve break after the trauma I went through last year and I was going to milk every drop of happiness it brought.
As the year 2018 came to an end, we were pumpin' I'm survivor
I came up with the theme of celebrating my 90s all girls group, Destiny's Child. From the word go when we met at the City Lodge Hotel in uMhlanga, Durban the rules were, we are here to have fun. All the moods drama and unnecessary girl's fights were really not worth entertaining and I was glad Ncumisa introduced me to two wonderful ladies, Zandile Centane and Bulelwa Tonny-mthonana Skosana.
Independent Women
It seemed the memo was well received even when we had forgotten to press the sent button to all girls. We all had the same goal to have fun and Durban was the city to be. It is not called Banana City for nothing. Through #girlstrip I was able to see how big is Dj Tira's entertainment empire in Durban. We broke our new year at the Fact is Durban Rock Music festival. Dj Tira had booked some of the cream of South African entertainers to break the year. We also attended the famous hangout spot in Durban, eYadini. A lot that we learnt about the city of KwaZulu Natal and the people and culture.
Naughty were we, we asked a straight guy to take us this pic. Poor guy from Limpopo was battling to control himself. We were catering to him... Let me cater 2 U says the song.
Us Eyadini on the 30th December 2018... Imean "Ladies leave your men at home, the club is full of ballers and their pocket full of grown And you fellas leave your girl with her friends cause its 11;30 and the club is jumpin' jumpin'
We were fortunate enough to meet up with people who were eager to show us around and even went to the the most famous pub, eYadini. The Fact Durban Rock festival was proof that Durban is the entertainment capital of South Africa and Durban rumours are, no other artists regardless how big they are would do anything in Durban without pulling in Dj Tira. I'm not sure how true this is but hey, the guy is hugein Durban.Even water bottles were branded, talking about someone who can mark his territory. I mean, the guy performed in the early hours of the morning. He screamed Happy 2018 three times in 2019 yet I forgave him. Who was I anyway I was with the masses trying to watch him perform and he was on stage doing what he knows he can and being himself at the same time. I take off my hat for him cause the event had billed almost everyone who is the best on stage, I'm talking Dj Black Coffee, Aka, Busiswa, Nasty C, Babes Wodumo and Somizi on the main stage. The line up was so lit we couldn't keep up ourselves especially after we didn't sleep the previous day.
At the fact Durban Rocks New Year's Party
So with the theme of Destiny's Child in mind, we had fun. Celebrating being an independent woman, The writing is on the wall,Destiny fulfilled, Charlie's Angels, Destiny's Child, 8Days of Christmas
The Writing is on the wall... emmulating Latavia Roberson, LeToya Luckett, Micheal Williams, Beyonce and Kelly Rowland
With the videos available on the internet and with what we have we celebrated all the themes that the all girls group celebrated.
Bootylicious...We lookin' Sexy, lookin Fly.
From our body's, insecurities and independence and the celebrity status the girl's had we went all out to make sure that we represent the 90s Rn B group, thank God we could even take pictures next to the two Lamborghini's that were on display outside the Gateway Shopping Centre.
We had to live up to the celebrity status....the car I'm driving... All the ladies!!
Of course the GateWay Magazine Boot was what we needed, cover magazine right?. The group appeared in numerous magazines for winning many awards including the the Grammy Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and many more.
Ncumi and I have been friends for ten years now
All the songs of the group were in our mind when we took pictures from bills bills, Nasty Girl, Bug A Boo, my favourite track survivor, Girl, Jumpin' Jumpin', Independent Women, Cater 2 U, Cater 2 U .
Kelly can you handle this? Beyonce can you handle this? Michelle can you handle this? I don't think you can handle this
With that in mind we were all over Durban recording all our moments and like any celebrity, we posted on our instagram, twitter, facebook account with the #Girlstrip and also crediting all the places and everything we used.
Kuthi Huuu!!!!
I think Samsung and Savannah should add me as their ambassador, all that free advertisement I gave them. In fact all the brands including the holiday destination, uMhlanga and Durban tourism . Some of the girl's discussion we had I posted the videos in my facebook page. Please follow me in all social media platforms.
Us eYadini dancing like we are crazy. The video is on my facebook account: Khanyiswa Ndabeni
But all in all we had the fun we wanted to have as girls. I mean the scenery was great we even went canoeing at uShaka Marine World and everything was, as my friend would say, Soooo relaxing. I really enjoyed the dress up that came with the trip.
Durban rocks
Durban had a lot to offer, like any other tourists we wanted to consume it all. All the fun, the scenery the beaches and the spicy food from Durban. Also I was introduced to the other side of Durban. The side that you do not often see on a three minute promo of the place in a TV commercial or a video.
By the time the trip ended, we were so exhausted ourselves from all that fun. We partied, played and spoke of men like always and yes we were kids ourselves for four days. But was it worth it? All hell yheah!! I could do that fun all over again with the same people. Credits to my girls for the fun
Ncumisa Ncusta
Zandi Mazet
Tonny Toni
Khanyi Ndabeni
Food is always delicious when shared with friends
Please if you enjoyed the review and would like me to write any travel review for your company, please e-mail me on khanyindabenik@gmail.com
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The beads business will be operational mid January.
Also in this blog you will see more famous faces that we will talk to. I will be writing about the beads business too. Until next time. Chow
Her smile is so welcoming that one immediately feels at home with her and strike up a conversation.
But do not be mistaken, behind that beautiful smile lies scars of hurt, abuse, disappointment and any other pain that might be experienced by any ordinary female South African today.
If you talk about being raped,bearing and raising a child from that horrible and painful experience, mama Nandi who played Nandi Sibiya on Zone 14 has gone through that. She believes by portraying such characters on either a theatre play or on screen she deliver a message that she hopes will help another women seating at home watching the drama, telenovela.
my groupie moment with mama Nandi
At 68 years, and more than four decade in the South African entertainment industry, Mama Nandi can relate to some of the female characters she has portrayed. She says some have either gone through what she has gone through in her own personal life.
"Through those experiences I am able to suggest and come up with ideas to the director about the elements of what I think we should add in a character. If the director is open to my idea then I add it on to make the character more real. A recent example was that of Dolly in the telenovela Isethembiso airing on weekdays on Mzansi Magic.
Mama Nandi on Sticks and Stones. Screengrab from You tube
Yes Dolly is a mother and takes care of her children and all the house chores. But we forget, mothers also have a life. They go for shopping, outings and some are working and even owning a businesses. I don't feel a women should be box to just a house wife and looking after children. Women do more and should be seen on television to be doing more too.We shouldn't be just box in the house as if she doesn't have a life, said Mama Nandi who is so passionate about her craft that recently on Isithunzi she went bald headed playing a character of Nolwazi an women who had just returned from her home country South Africa from exile in Zimbabwe.
On Isibaya pic Youtube
Oh, yes, she can change her voice too to a skill she mastered doing a children programme but matured it and gave it a bit of hoarseness on season season 6 of the Mzansi drama, Isibaya where she plays Gogo Mkhiti.
She is grateful for all the roles she was able to play both on screen and theatre today as in the past South African Black actors were not allowed leading roles in any production.
"If you get cast at all in any film or drama your role will be that of a maid as a female or a gardener if you are a male. If the role needed a black leading character a white person would take that role and they would paint their face black. We were powerless to act then until 24 years ago but I wont say we are totally free as black people in South Africa."
On Roots
It was through her mother, Violet Nomvuselelo Nyembe's unavailability in a 1970s theatre play that bagged her first role in a theatre production. Since then she has never looked back and did both screen and plays. She has portrayed the character of struggle heroine Lillian Ngoyi in Treason and the grandmother to Kunta Kinte, Yaisa in the American drama series Roots. The film Yesterday, where she plays a role of a sangoma was nominated for the Oscars.
On Isibaya screengrab from youtube
"I don't think the South African government has paid much interest to the arts and craft industry. I thought maybe by now this sector, government would have made effort to invest in the artist and making sure that we have the basic benefits such as medical aid etc. We really need those things. Times are even harder for artists if they don't get jobs or told they are too old to be used as ambassadors,"
If not rapping with his grandchildren or bonding with her daughter who is a sangoma. She is rehearsing for Isithembiso. She is also working on many personal projects that she would rather reveal when they are at an advance stage not now.
Hope you enjoy our chat with Mama Nandi. Please follow us on twitter @ndabenik, facebook Khanyiswa Ndabeni and Khanyiswa2 on Instagram
Soon you will read about Isidingo's new director Motlatsi Mafatshe as well as GP MaOrange aka Israel Matsekezulu both have confirmed to feature in this blog.
Till then hope you have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year. Drive safe if you travelling anywhere. Till next time .
I'v been wanting to write about the Global Citizen Festival Mandela 100 event for a while now.
But every time when I try to pen down the color of electrifying entertainment music event, my mind get clustered with the scenes of the tragic end of crime mar that result to a mental block.
Pic from Quiteria& George instagram account
For a while my mind battled to write about the greatness and the world class entertainment experience which later saw poet Ntsiki Mazwai twitter comments addressed concert attendees almost getting her account suspended.
As much as what happened was bad, I and my friend Dineo Faku, a reporter at the Star and MAC resident trainer, Mokgadi Shogole were part of the victim of what happened that night. I didn't want the article to focus on that and forget that for hours I enjoyed and dance in celebration to see two of the most powerful and famous black women in the world were in the same same stadium with me.
Business Rapport journalist Dineo Faku and I wearing our traditional jewellery
Knowing how the international community already have a perception that South Africa is a crime country, I really didn't want to write another piece that will dent the image of the country further. Or provide further reasons for people to believe crime in the country is out of control of which it is not.
Our new black Massai ring with a Ndebele pattern belt
I dreamt of interviewing Beyonce Knowles and Oprera Winfrey during my career as a print journalist, I never thought that dream I would be a little bit closer to reality when I attended the concert that also saw my favorite story teller and comedian, Tyler Perry, Hip hop mogul Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran, Eddie Vedder, Femi Kuti, Pharreal Williams, Chris Martin, Usher and Noami Campbell, Gayle King and D'Banji in one stage.
Cassper Nyovest understood quite well he was on another league hence he had fans eating in the palm if his hands.
The trendsetter and Mr #FillupFNBstadium put on a show that left everyone talking and local artist such as Sho Madjozi gave the best performance but still keeping it real.
Everyone who graced the stage, from the mc and host of the Daily Show, Trevor Noah, to South African based tv and radio personalities including Anele Mdoda, Nomzambo Mbatha, Pearl Thusi, Bonang Matheba, Dj Black Coffee performing along side Ursher earned the stripes of being part of the initiative celebrating 100 years of our former president Nelson Mandela.
Thanks to the Patrice Motsepe Foundation and Mandela House amongst other organizers we were treated to a world class entertainment.
What was also good about the event was that it was not just about entertainment but also uplifted locals.
Music icon Beyonce close down the show with a local Quiteria and George design(see picture above) she also shared the stage with a group from South Africa doing a rendition of Halo.
My friend and I earned our ticket through volunteering for Viacom and boy did we not enjoy the show put together to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 100 years. The former statement was praised by speaker after speaker with the queen of talk show, Operah Winfrey sharing the her story of being invited by Nelson Mandela for Christmas in Qunu.
Operah who at the time was renovating her home said she spent ten days with Mandela. One of their conversations sparked the idea of the talk show host building the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. The event raised over R100 billion,
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Line up of the Nelson Mandela 100 Global Citizen Festival
Leaders know when to quit and leaders know when they need to train others.
Nonhle Thema teaching me a lot including business branding
That's what I had in mind when I found myself registering at Nonhle Thema's Talent Coaching Academy (TCA). To be quite honest, I didn't really know what I really wanted to do but since I had more time in my hand and business was not that busy these past two month, I saw myself at the school in the affluent suburb of Fourways, Johannesburg.
Thema recently opened the art grooming school and among other things she coaches include presenting for TV,acting,social media coaching school and business branding.
Lets be honest who best to learn these skills from but a person who has walked the path before you? It might not be similar but hey, it doesn't hurt to live a little and gaining new skills at the same time right.
TNA Class of 2018
Nonhle has credible credentials which include being a business woman herself, a former global ambassador for the hair product, Dark and Lovely global replacing Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland. She has traveled the world as a presenter at Channel O and went on to present numerous shows interviewing international celebrities such as P.Daddy, Chris Brown and Rihanna. A daughter of veteran actress and former beauty queen, Cynthia and author and journalist, Derrick.
So here I was on Saturday with a group of other aspiring actors, models, presenters in a class taught by Nonhle herself. The school is still new so I guess that's the other reason she can give each student individual attention. They discussed everything from the correct seating posture,walk, always smile and what her students were up to the past weekend. From the on go, I'm introduced to her love for God and stresses about why she believe teaching is her calling. She draws from her life experiences to demonstrate what God can do for you and what he can do too if you forget him along the way. Her classes have positive vibes.
"You love this thing right? So enjoy it, this is you. You are living your dream don't be afraid of it" she tells one of her students.
I gather from the conversation that Nonhle trained other well known television presenters Multi Choice shows before embarking on opening the school.
She goes beyond just coaching talent but also the business side of being an artist and one of the skills you will surely see being implemented soon in this blog and in our social media pages.
She is warm and patient and allows her students to be themselves and encourage them to follow other celebrities on social media.
Besides being at the school, she plays Evodia on the Imposter and attend to mom duties.
We still not sure what path this girl is going to take after this I might be an actor or tv presenter one day who knows. We don't know, only God knows but since Nonhle has joined the scores of other women who are praying for my success, I'm hopeful that the future is bright, like my name Khanyiswa.
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The eagle has not fallen, it has gone to rest for a little while.
Khanyi Dhlomo owner of Ndalo Media
It will gather its strength soon and it will fly again. Please be patient and allow it to recover from all the trauma and pain it has gone through.Allow it to heal and gather strength. Ngu Khanyi Dhlomo lo, I know she will return. Tell her enemies to enjoy the feast because the party wont last long. For now, she needs time and space to restrategise so she can comeback wiser and stronger.
Yes whether you like it or not Khanyi Dhlomo is/was whatever you call it one of the leaders in the media industry.
I write this with a very heavy hard, after learning of the news that all her titles that produced excellent quality in telling black South African stories will be shut down.
Destiny Magazine, Destiny man and Elle under "Ndalo Media will be no more from next year going forth" it is reported that Khanyi told her staff this week.
I admired sisKhanyi as a child and saw my career path going to the same direction as hers.
As a young girl and later a print journalist, I followed Khanyi Dlomo's career as a newsreader on SABC. She later became the editor at True Love and later building Ndalo from scratch after she studied at Harvard Business School.
Latest title I have bought from them, always loved how they tell black African stories
Soon after leaving my work, I kept myself busy by reading some of her titles. It had introduced me to two women who were in the arts and craft industry full time, Ntozintle Accessories and Keke beads.
I would like to believe that these two women are doing well in their business, with Keke having the honor of even dressing American singer Janet Jackson, in the video of Made for Now. I haven't met these two women personally but I first read about them in Destiny Magazine. The publication is excellent and treated black stories with the respect they deserved.
All pictures taken from the internet
The past few months a lot had been reported about Ndalo Media's financial problems. Screaming headlines of staff salaries not being paid, Khanyi Dhlomo company in a financial crisis and many more you can google them. News after news the stories kept coming as if someone had been waiting for her downfall and finally this week she handed it to them on a silver plate. As a small business owner, I cant even imagine what Sis Khanyi is going through. I often wondered in situations like these doesn't government step in and offer an emergency fund or assist with the running until the real problem is identified. People say print is dying I still say it can still be revived using new fresh ideas but not loosing its originality to draw people to the magazine.
pics supplied
Over and above what it was selling Khanyi has interviewed a lot of influential people include the president, Cyril Ramaphosa and wife. Cant the president of the country help in this situation? Cant the current minister of communications, Telecommunications and Postal services, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams do anything about this? I'm just asking as I do not know how these things work. I personally wouldn't want the title to shut down, but if there's nothing coming in what do you do? You cant keep people in the company? How are you going to pay them? When there's no money the working environment also suffer no matter how hard you push to get things going, you will be judged by where you are seen at? Who you happened to be seen with? What were you thinking to start a black magazine in South Africa at the time? What happened to the money? She misused the money are some of the things people are saying about her now. Not knowing how hard it was for her to keep things going and maybe other titles just made it to the printers.
I don't know Khanyi personally but I doubt if she is those that are reckless with money. I can only imagine the last few days had been like for her? Probably was praying for a miracle from anywhere so she could pay the people's salary. She probably went through all the options that were available before her and it was hard to accept the only solution staring back at her was to close down. If the message was recorded as the reports say, meaning she was even more ashamed stand inf front staff and tell them the bad news. It was probably difficult for her to look at them in the eyes and say "this ship is going down and as a captain, I cannot save it, tough luck. I have failed you by employing and promising everything in your contract" not exactly the same harsh tone but I just imagined Khanyi with her politeness, kindness and everything beautiful about her breaking down when delivering such heavy news during the festive season.
This is when you need someone like Anele Mdoda (she has a human heart in interview and I'm interested in the well being of Khanyi) to probe all the questions you want answered on the closure and knowing what this woman was going through the build up to the announcement. Did she for see it coming? What efforts she made before that headline about her not paying the printers? Does she feel betrayed by the person who leaked that story? If she knew about, was it her last cry for help? People of her calibre are not crazy about media attention, so if she knew and was OK with the story being leaked, it was probably her last cry for help. Can she be helped?
Being an entrepreneur is not easy.
The hustle is real and corruption is everywhere even when you get a legit tender cool drink which cost thousands to millions of rand is always wanted and demanded from you. This leads some of the people who had invested in their project not getting a cent from what they thought was a boast from government.Instead some are swimming in debt cause a greedy government official wants a chunk of what government has given you before you could even pay service providers. You cant help but wonder if Destiny close down, what other titles left and how soon are we going to follow the same path?
Sis Khanyi, I wish there was a way or something I could do but please know, you and your staff are in our prayers. #Iwillnotrejoicewhenanothergreatwomangoesdown
Ndalo Media pioneered by Khanyi Dlomo is reported to be closing down.
