IT took a lot for me to gather courage and blog today.
I mean so much has happened and critics have been on my case on the blog, the grammar and spelling errors in my other posts.
So much had been said to the point that, I my self lost the confidence and focus of why the blog was started in the first place.
First and foremost, it was so that I can continue write African Stories.
Especially positive stories coming out of the hood or black community of South Africa.
The second point was that, I as a beneficiary of many youth empowerment project that were ran in the 90s and saw me benefit from them, I would also go back to centres like, Youth Alive, Teen Out Reach and the Gifted Child Programme and maybe schools around to teach and learn from the new generation how stories are told.
Of course, English is the universal language but growing up in South Africa before our democracy, I always had an attitude towards it and Afrikaans.
Thanks to the legacy of former statesman and hero of the struggle and not to mention both my parents who were active during their time with African National Congress (ANC), I was amongst the first group of black student to be enrolled at Rand Girls High, a formerly white school but when the government got rid of the apartheid policy it took in black students for the first time in 1996.
Apast from that, I also went to one of the premium high schools in Gauteng, Bracken High School prided itself with 100 % matric pass rate during my time and it has continue with this record over the years.
But not only that, it was in this school that I learnt to read and write proper English.
Our English teacher was so creative that she would go as far as letting us watch inspirational film in order to register a point through.
Yes, I was amongst those kids who studied George Owell's animal farm, Mac Beth, Cry the beloved country, The Suit and Boesman and Lena in my English class and I really got good symbols too considering that it was not my home language and I was doing it on higher grade.
What is my home language you may ask?
Well, I am a mixed breed that was manufactured at a time that black people were rebellious towards apartheid as a result I do not have an English ie slave name.
My father is a Zulu man and if you read Trevor Noah's book, born a crime, you will know that Zulus are proud warriors who once fought the colonial armies that invaded South Africa centuries ago with spears and shield.
Of course, they were murdered in thousands but they never stopped fighting.
My mother though is from another tribe, Amampondo which are also associated with Xhosas.
Nelson Mandela and Mama Winnie are also from this tribe.
They are known to be thinkers and they've also tried their luck with the colonisers and lost.
But their approach however was learning the language of the Whiteman so that they will be able to negotiate with them.
Anyway, in the height of apartheid my parents formed me.
I'm still not sure if they were trying to send out a message to the white man that black people are united when the mission was to divide and rule the black nation then.
Anyway, knowing this little history might give you as a reader a reason why, I write the English language the way I do on this blog.
I mean for 12 years, I was very professional.
Oh, no it's not even 12 years.
It is more than that when I count the years at school and my stint at PE Technikon, the creative and journalism qualifications I obtained at Intec College.
Before I embarked on a 12 year long career as a print journalist.
I started at a community newspaper and received a national within six months of being in the game.
I then wrote for The Herald but the stories were also shared by Dispatch,Sowetan and many other titles under the then Tiso Black Star.
Before I left the company, I counted six awards.
Two were regional and the other four were national.
While the other were a team work, my first and my last stories which got national nods were a sole project.
I even went as far as honouring, Mr Drum, a well known journalist who went all out to tell the truth under the difficult banner of apartheid.
Now, if Im so educated and have had the status quo "Black by nature, proud by choice" on my Facebook profile for over a decade now.
By the way, that was stolen from Nelson Mandela.
Why would I be shaken by what other people say about me.
Because of what they say, do I then forget that I grew up surrounded by educated black men who encouraged me to take education seriously.
Of which I did and still do as I enrolled for law at Unisa and did the Social media marketing and Blogging through Shaw academy as well as learning other creative ways of telling stories.
Why can't I then do what I want to do without caring what the other person say, especially if the criticism is not to build you but rather pull you down.
Why can't I be like Steve Biko and just write what I like?
Anyway if you like my work please follow me on instagram:Khanyiswasa
Facebook: Khanyiswa Ndabeni
You Tube: Khanyi Ndabeni
Twitter: @Ndabenik
I'm more than just a writer, I'm an aspiring actress and tv talk show host. I also make and sell African jewellery
As unfit as I am, yesterday I found myself in the midst of those people who take their body fitness seriously.
Yes, the ones that spend hours and hours at the gym inflicting pain on their bodies.
Exactly the ones that will tell you that they are trying to shed off either fat or preparing for a tournament by torturing each and every muscle in their bodies.
Yep, I was among those bunch of health fanatics from Ultimate MMA Fitness in Kyalami on main. Soon after I had enjoyed my amagwinya with a slice of palony, snoek fish and atchaar.
While they were busy squatting and doing all those painful exercises under the instruction of a friend and former EFC bantamweight champion Demarte Pena, I wasn't bothered at all.
Pena,29 is the undefeated multiple division champion who also goes by the ring name, The Wolf but to me it ends there shame. I'm still ok with loosing weight through fasting... Lets just say, I enjoy spiritual pain than a physical pain and God knows why.
But this young father was excited as I was with the launch of his own brand, Demarte Pena which produced among other things, genuine leather boxing gloves that goes with a price tag of R1500, MMA Sparring Gloves for R650, Shin Pads that are selling at R950 and hand wraps that will cost you R250.
I was rather proud as how this fella was making a lemon juice out of the lemons life throws at him.
The World Anti-Doping Agency( WADA) has placed a four year ban on him last year.
"Soon after the ban I opened up the gym. It caters for everyone living in Kyalami and surrounding areas. I also train fighters for competitions," he said.
Pena originally from Angola but based in Johannesburg was alleged to have used banned substance in a fight between him and Irshaad Sayed. Though he managed to convince the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) that he didn't intentionally dope instead the substance was traced back to the approved athletes supplements he was using.
That decision was appealed by WADA but he lost due to other things lack of finances of hiring international experts as a result, he lost the case.
"Yes it was not easy at first to accept but I've learnt to live with it. To be quite honest I enjoy being at home with my family now. When I was competing I didn't have time for them. I was always irritated even by small things. But this whole experience has taught me to enjoy life," he said.
His gym operate weekdays and Saturday while you can purchase any of his items either at the gym or online shop www.demartepena.com
Please read the original story I did on him while working for the Sunday Times two years ago.
This mixed martial arts featherweight champion was once labeled as the best Extreme Fighting Champion in Africa.
"I'm not totally out of the scene as I still do commentary every now and then. I've been fighting for nine years and not sure if I will have the same energy when the four year period is over. But I'm pushing my brand while waiting," he said.
Please note the first pic was taken from his online profile.
Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wwBanYnKs4 to see his gym
Please like and share the story. You can also follow me on Twitter @ndabenik, facebook: Khanyiswa Ndabeni and Instagram: Khanyiswa2. My youtube Channel is Khanyi Ndabeni
https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/sport/2017-07-08-fighter-faces-tough-bout-against-supplement-maker/
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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I mean so much has happened and critics have been on my case on the blog, the grammar and spelling errors in my other posts.
So much had been said to the point that, I my self lost the confidence and focus of why the blog was started in the first place.
First and foremost, it was so that I can continue write African Stories.
The second point was that, I as a beneficiary of many youth empowerment project that were ran in the 90s and saw me benefit from them, I would also go back to centres like, Youth Alive, Teen Out Reach and the Gifted Child Programme and maybe schools around to teach and learn from the new generation how stories are told.
Of course, English is the universal language but growing up in South Africa before our democracy, I always had an attitude towards it and Afrikaans.
Thanks to the legacy of former statesman and hero of the struggle and not to mention both my parents who were active during their time with African National Congress (ANC), I was amongst the first group of black student to be enrolled at Rand Girls High, a formerly white school but when the government got rid of the apartheid policy it took in black students for the first time in 1996.
Apast from that, I also went to one of the premium high schools in Gauteng, Bracken High School prided itself with 100 % matric pass rate during my time and it has continue with this record over the years.
But not only that, it was in this school that I learnt to read and write proper English.
Our English teacher was so creative that she would go as far as letting us watch inspirational film in order to register a point through.
Yes, I was amongst those kids who studied George Owell's animal farm, Mac Beth, Cry the beloved country, The Suit and Boesman and Lena in my English class and I really got good symbols too considering that it was not my home language and I was doing it on higher grade.
What is my home language you may ask?
Well, I am a mixed breed that was manufactured at a time that black people were rebellious towards apartheid as a result I do not have an English ie slave name.
My father is a Zulu man and if you read Trevor Noah's book, born a crime, you will know that Zulus are proud warriors who once fought the colonial armies that invaded South Africa centuries ago with spears and shield.
Of course, they were murdered in thousands but they never stopped fighting.
My mother though is from another tribe, Amampondo which are also associated with Xhosas.
Nelson Mandela and Mama Winnie are also from this tribe.
They are known to be thinkers and they've also tried their luck with the colonisers and lost.
But their approach however was learning the language of the Whiteman so that they will be able to negotiate with them.
Anyway, in the height of apartheid my parents formed me.
I'm still not sure if they were trying to send out a message to the white man that black people are united when the mission was to divide and rule the black nation then.
Anyway, knowing this little history might give you as a reader a reason why, I write the English language the way I do on this blog.
I mean for 12 years, I was very professional.
Oh, no it's not even 12 years.
It is more than that when I count the years at school and my stint at PE Technikon, the creative and journalism qualifications I obtained at Intec College.
Before I embarked on a 12 year long career as a print journalist.
I started at a community newspaper and received a national within six months of being in the game.
I then wrote for The Herald but the stories were also shared by Dispatch,Sowetan and many other titles under the then Tiso Black Star.
Before I left the company, I counted six awards.
Two were regional and the other four were national.
While the other were a team work, my first and my last stories which got national nods were a sole project.
I even went as far as honouring, Mr Drum, a well known journalist who went all out to tell the truth under the difficult banner of apartheid.
Now, if Im so educated and have had the status quo "Black by nature, proud by choice" on my Facebook profile for over a decade now.
By the way, that was stolen from Nelson Mandela.
Why would I be shaken by what other people say about me.
Because of what they say, do I then forget that I grew up surrounded by educated black men who encouraged me to take education seriously.
Of which I did and still do as I enrolled for law at Unisa and did the Social media marketing and Blogging through Shaw academy as well as learning other creative ways of telling stories.
Why can't I then do what I want to do without caring what the other person say, especially if the criticism is not to build you but rather pull you down.
Why can't I be like Steve Biko and just write what I like?
Anyway if you like my work please follow me on instagram:Khanyiswasa
Facebook: Khanyiswa Ndabeni
You Tube: Khanyi Ndabeni
Twitter: @Ndabenik
I'm more than just a writer, I'm an aspiring actress and tv talk show host. I also make and sell African jewellery
