I am out of the closet...

#IntwasaArtsFestival City Hall car park with my big sister and our men

As a youngster growing up in the township, I was introduced to Tshibilika Ekhaya Music by my father, who happens to be a cross border transport operator, commonly known as “uMalayitsha.”

He would play music by Ndolwane Super Sounds, Mokis Connection and Clement Magwaza at full blast on his car radio and the truth is at the time I was not impressed at all.

No, let me rephrase that. I was beyond exasperated because THAT type of music was associated with people with a strong rural background and in my naivety I did not want to be identified as such.

You will agree with me that growing up we all tried to fit in with the IT crowd and since Tshibilika Ekhaya Music was not the type of music that appealed to urban youths, I was petrified of what my mates would think of me.

As my father’s car was the family’s means of transport whenever and wherever we travelled, I inevitably got to know the music of groups like Ndolwane word for word but that is not something that I would have admitted to anyone though.

Fast forward to the present and I am grown up and not that much concerned about what my peers think about me.

I am no longer a closet Tshibilika Ekhaya music fanatic.

I unashamedly dance to Tshibilika Ekhaya Music and will proudly and loudly request my all time favourite track Uhluphile by Ndolwane Super Sounds at parties.

It has always been my wish to see Ndolwane Super Sounds in action but just like last year, I failed to catch the group live at the recent Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo because they performed early in the evening when I was still tied up.

While I was sad to have again missed out on seeing Ndolwane live on Thursday 24 September, performances by Jeys Marabini and Clement Magwaza quickly wiped away my disappointment.

I was wowed!     

Clement Magwaza in action

Marabini’s performance this year was a big improvement compared to what he dished out last year.

Someone must have whispered in his ear that at shows people want up tempo music that will keep them on their feet and keep the crowd on their feet he did.

After Jeys’ performance Clement Magwaza then took to the stage and all of a sudden the atmosphere became electric.

The crowd surged closer to the stage and those that did not were not doing so out of indifference but because they wanted to create space for themselves to do the kokotsha dance.

I could not help but feel proud at the way that people were showing appreciation for their own music.

OH-MY-GOD!!!!! Let’s just say that my year was officially made.

Magwaza is that type of artist who takes to the stage and the crowds do not know whether to dance or to just stand and watch them do their thing.

The brother man and his band gave a scintillating performance and I could not help but scream my support as he worked the crowd with his “Sebenza Tsotsi” chant.

Clement Magwaza's dancers pose for a photo after their set

It is sad that as Zimbabweans we look down upon our own artistes and only get to appreciate something when it comes from outside our borders.

For instance, our Tshibilika Ekhaya dancers have for ages been doing what the Americans now call twerking and just because we are now seeing the dance moves on international television it is now fashionable for girls to be able to twerk.

 Our local artistes need all the support and the first step is to realise that we have our own unique sounds that we should learn to appreciate.

No one but us will make stars out of our artistes and the sooner we realise that we stand a better chance of breaking into regional and international markets by showcasing our own blend of music the better.

Photo journalist Fortune Muzarabani, one of Clement Magwaza's dancers, veteran journalist Lovemore Dube and Ndux Malax Junior 

On Saturday I saw Ndux Malax Junior in action and while he did play yesteryear hits by his late father, I do believe he has created his own sound judging from the way the crowd reacted to music from his own catalogue.

Thanks to the Intwasa team for affording our artistes a platform to strut their stuff to large audiences and judging from the way that all kinds of people were getting down, I am sure I am not the only one who came out of the closet.....  

 

Signing out

KOKOTSHA UMAKOKOTSHA,

KOKOTSHA UYAKOKOTSHA......

God Is Love

Emma

Intwasa Fashion Explosion

I have always been a fashion fanatic and even when I was still at primary school I loved all things fashion.

I remember my grandmother, who worked at Beverly Building Society, always looked so immaculate, well dressed and her nails and toes were always well manicured.

This is the lady who made me fall in love with well kept nails.

My mother’s love for fashion must also have rubbed off on me. She knew and still knows trends and she can tell you about an upcoming trend before it hits the market.

These two ladies were a great influence on me and as a teenager I was always up to date with the latest fashion trends.

This made me popular and the envy of most of my peers’ kkkkkk, now you all know why they mad at me Lol.

Anyways, let’s fast forward to the weeks prior to the Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo when I heard about the Intwasa Fashion Show.

A fashion show in my city!!! Gurrrlll it was on!!!!!!

 I have always envied those fashion shows like the New York Fashion Week (which I am still going to attend one day, even if its the last thing I do), so needless to say, I was super excited that I was going to attend my first ever fashion show.

Those who know me know that I am never late so the fashion show was no exception. Got there early with a friend Lucy, and we were given the warmest welcome at the door and made our way to our seats.

So...., I know from watching all the fashion shows on the E entertainment channel that if you having the front row seats then you the IT!!!!!! Woooooooo SHEEMMMM we were told to sit at the second row not the front row.

Well, second row isn’t so bad, kkkkkkk.

Then we were presented with the drinks menu and asked to choose and it was for free, uhmmmmm not bad, I thought to myself.

People started trickling in and they were dressed to nines I kid you not.

I loved the fact that the show started on time.

The MC for the evening was the charismatic Gilmore Tee and he did an amazing job together with Jermaine who was on the 1s and 2s.

Multi – talented Mbo Mahocs was one of the fashionably late celebrities and boy oh boy, she was my Best Dressed for the night.

She was a vision in a white jumper and gold single strap heels.

The designers showcasing did not disappoint with some drawing screams from the crowds.

Yes, screams.... that’s how we do it in Bulawayo, if it’s great and we love it, we scream!!!!!.

And what I loved the most about the show is that some of the designers had come all the way from South Africa and they had just show cased at the Durban Fashion Show.

The models were so lovely and they did their best to do their fierce Naomi Campbell walk.

I must admit though that a couple did take a tumble on the catwalk but I am sure even the big names on the international modelling scene have tripped once or twice.

Some of the models in action on the day were our sisters and brothers from Botswana.

The evening was all glitz and glam, and I loved every moment of it.

 But I must say my favourite moment was when one of the designers came up to me and said she loves my blog.

I WAS HUMBLED.

Thank You So Much.

Among the prominent personalities who graced the fashion show was the ageless Sarah Mpofu, ZBC presenter and hostess of Up Close and Personal Nyasha Mtamangira and the reigning Miss Earth.

God Is Love

Emma

SPRING BEAUTY SECRETS!!!!

Spring is upon us and boy oh boy is it hot where I am, personally I love the rainy season and winter, this season just brings out the worst in  me.

Ok so hygiene is of utmost importance during this season, its hot and people are sweaty and musky and this is the best time to fall in love with bathing and taking great care of our bodies. Ladies the only part of your body that is allowed to have hair is your head.

I know shaving and getting rid of unwanted hair can be a drag especially for my working ladies ,but you can pick out weekends and get the deed done. I find it easier to do it while in the shower or just before you take a bath. The armpits need to be squeaky clean ladies, now there is just no excuse on this one, nobody wants to see hairy armpits especially when its hot!!!Smelly armpits are just the worst.

Oh and those hairy legs that our great great parents thought were cute!!!!!well they were back then hunnies  a thousand years ago. Do not think you cute with your legs trying to compete with King Kong kkkkkk.

And its not only the ladies that need to take care, even the men need to get with the program. Smelly armpits are a turn off and a NO NO!! If you know that your feet can be tricky then I suggest you invest in a good foot powder and change and wash those socks as often as possible.

Lets   enjoy spring and keep ourselves clean and fresh, these are some of my spring must haves.

God Is Love

Emma