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.
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
ONE of the things I like about the internet is that it can allow you to create and own anything out of nothing.
In most instance, the only equipment you need is your cellphone and data and you will be on your way to become the next billionaire like founder and ceo of facebook, Mark Zuckerberg who started facebook in college.
As a sucker for small beginnings, I found myself eating out of the palm of this businessman, Steve Schwartz at the #Madex 2019 Expo held at the Sandton Convention Centre today and yesterday.
Steve and his son Corbin Schawartz created platinum Gold, an online radio station that is currently boasting of 400 000 listeners in just under two years going on air.
The radio has a listenership of 80 percent local audience while the other 20% is global.
Steve has worked in the cooperate sector for close to 30 years. But when his son came up with the idea of starting an online radio station, he quit his job and decided to help him. Bringing all the business knowledge he has acquired over the years.
"What I like about this is that, we have a total control of the information we put out there. Our aim is to build and pump good news about South Africa that is often do not get coverage in the traditional mainstream media,"said Steve.
"As you can see we are mobile and can do cooperate events and exhibition.What is also interesting is that we have had interviews with international business man,some came on a business but wouldn't otherwise be accommodated in the mainstream media.
Him and his son are the main brains behind the content of what goes on on air. What people like most is the accessibility of it all and has attracted advertisers due to its instant connection and response to people's need.
"Today people are on their phones. They want things that will inspire them through out the day. What they are currently fed is not positive enough, that's where we saw a huge gap says Marius van Blitlon who also assist in the business.
The internet has become a platform for radio growing internationally but in South Africa there's a slight growth, it is not there yet but we slowly seeing the shift", said Steve.
So if you want growth and some positivity for the day, please tune in to this Ekurhuleni based station.
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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
"I even jog with him", giggled the community radio veteran as she reveals some of her secret to a healthy relationship.
You can hear from the tone of her voice and the sudden light on her face that love lives in the Goje house.
It was during my visit home, where this bubbly and powerful character invited me to her radio show,The MG connection.
The show on the Christian radio station, King Fisher FM, also profile up and coming entrepreneurs in and around Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa.
I couldn't help but notice her plus one, welcomed me and my tribe at reception and was keen to wait until his wife was done with the show.
"We really live each day as if it was our last. We've been doing this for the past 14 years, said the madly in love Mrs Goje.
Her facebook posts are often flooded with the pics of the couple out and about. A picture of a young couple enjoying a modern day marriage life.
If they are not seen walking hand in hand at Summerstarand Beach, Boardwalk Casino. These two love birds are billed to speak at church conferences in and around the Eastern Cape.
My husband and I are partners in everything we do. He is also my friend, what I post on facebook is the life I live with him everyday. We not perfect, but we know we both unique individuals that understand and love each other. We just want to make the most of our marriage and capture each moment.
But the ambassador of the health supplement brand, procydin admits she didn't really took care of her body not alone exercise before hubby came into the picture.
"Before I met him,I hardly exercise but now I jog with him every morning. I've also come to love movies because that's what he also love doing,' she said.
The senior pastor at the Potters House celebrated her 19th year in community radio this year. One of the things she enjoyed most about working at a community level is instantly reaching out to those who are in need. " I believe I'm running my own race. I'm in my lane here and I can do more" she said.
Mama Ningi as affectionately known by those who know her is also one of our very first customers when we started publicizing the business last year.
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Today, I write this article beaming with pride.
One of my biggest customer, the EFF has done exceptionally well in the sixth general elections. It garnered 10.79% with a growth of 6% from the last elections.
If you have been following the South African politics, you will know that this six year old kid made a dramatic entry in Parliament.
Often clad in red overalls and maids uniforms. It offers South Africans ideologies that encourage black people to celebrate black culture and embrace their African heritage.
These red ants sting has been felt by the current governing party.
Our former president, Jacob Zuma would have probably took the "pay back the money" as a joke if these former young lions of the African National Congress didn't stay consistent with their demands.
Who can forget the current land debate that saw the Freedom Front Plus move up the leader of the ballot paper to take the fourth spot on the list.
https://media3.picsearch.com/is?c00LmWyUeam_NRVn8h_hLMKtmbj58-nwa5SoS_-wWro&height=341
These elections painted a very gloomy picture about the African National Congress.
The ANC once loved Nelson Mandela party of 1994 was no longer representing the interest of its people, majority being black people.
Corruption, greed and arrogance are amongst other things have seen people loosing faith in it. Leaders such as the secretary general, Ace Magushule have been reported to have ran the Free State Province to the ground, yet he was voted as secretary general. I know it was a unity exercise amongst loyal Zuma supporters but the public cannot look beyond the recent published book about how far his dirty fingers had gone to vote for it, hoping businessman and former trade unionist and Nelson Mandela's umbrella man, Cyril Ramaphosa will turn things around.
How he will do this, we still don't know but the division was still felt just after the elections when ANC election campaign head, Fikile Mbalula with Magashule.
Anyway the generation of voters are now watching service deliveries in all parties.
The EFF headed by the former ANC youth League leader, Julius Malema came with a vibrant energy in parliament. Almost everyday fighters were visible on the streets. In Johannesburg alone, I have seen them help evicted families in court.They have become a political party that ordinary citizen feel it address their needs.
The leader, Malema often commands attention in his speech and everything that comes out of his mouth captures the attention of a black child.
The party leaders has made education something fashionable to a point that no one remembers Julius Malema was once a a drop out matric student and having failed woodwork at school. In one of the youtube videos he jokes about not being fit enough to run the country having failed woodwork alone. Today he is a farmer, a politician and I'm not sure what else.
What is also attractive about the brand is that it speaks to everyone in the black township except for the older generation of men. Maybe it is because the leaders had find it difficult to reason with the elders in the ANC and since others were raised by single mothers, they respect women. Infact, they said it in parliament that the first person to become president from the party will be a woman.
Parliament member, Makoti Khawula is that aunt of yours who always ask question like any other township aunt. Now will have more young people interested in parliament with the addition of the fees must fall protesters.
Its supporters are majority black, underprivileged, rejected and now trying to build on what they have by licking on the wounds left by the bad administration of the country over the past 25 years.
My start up business was also a test if the three South African parties do support small businesses. With them, it was so clear to the point our beads were worn at their 5th anniversary celebration in East London and at the Rand Easter Show recently.
I'm not sure what you as a reader think of this brand but you can share your views on my social media account:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DZxI3SbxMw&t=34s
https://t.co/r2ZyaTbADy
(https://twitter.com/ndabenik/status/1126112035467681793?s=03)
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.
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.
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 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.
