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

One Uppers

Well i think a lot of us know of one or live with one or you are one, One Uppers for those who dont know what they are let me break it down for you.


One uppers are those type of people who always have to be at the top or always have the last say or they just have to be the coolest or the IT!!!!!!!! Like they usually are mostly found in ladies but since alot of guys now have female tendencies well.....................lol


In ladies this is that one girl who is always trying to out do you or out talk you. I know as you read this you already have a name that popped up in your mind kkkkkkk. Like you will be sitting chilling with your girls and then one of them says she loves your hair and the one upper will ask whats it called? "Brazilian hair darling" you answer then BANG!!!!thats lovely but Brazilian hair is so last season  l prefer Malaysian hair the one upper will say kkkkkk girl please take several sits.


I always find it annoying when someone is trying to be a one upper at my expense, but I thank the good Lord for my smart mouth you come for me I will come for you in seconds lol, but for the unfortunate ones that are soft and easy targets of one uppers dont worry I got your backs yall kkkkkkk.


I have alot of  one uppers around me andd they have helped me master the art of responding to them. These type of people are annoying but I think more so when its a guy. "Just bought my wife new brazilian hair and its darn expensive" then the one upper goes "Well my wife's got a brazilian on top of a brazilian" kwaaaaaaa like what the heck dude lol.


Anyways guys try to understand these boring people and just laugh them off,kill them with kindness and bury them with success.

God Is Love
Emma

JOURNEY HOME TO PREMIERE ON WORKERS DAY

JOURNEY Home is a movie written and directed by Vincent Ngwenya and stars the multi-talented Paulla Paloma Ndlovu as ex-convict Thando who is trying to mend her ways.

Paulla Paloma Ndlovu

The movie also features veteran actress Sarah Mpofu Sibanda who plays Thando’s mother Msimango.

 Ngwenya described the movie as a moving story about an ex convict’s efforts to mend her ways in an unforgiving society.

Vincent Ngwenya

“Journey Home is a touching story of a girl who returns home from jail a changed person to discover that nothing has changed much at home, she strives to correct that which she can and accept that which she can’t,” Ngwenya said

Sithandazile Dube and Paulla Paloma Ndlovu

The movie was initially scheduled to premiere on 25 April at the Bulawayo Theatre but the launch was later moved to the first of May at the same venue.

Cast: 

Paulla Paloma Ndlovu as Thando, Sarah Mpofu Sibanda as Msimango, Donald Phiri as Msobho, Sithandazile Dube as Detective Dube, Patrick Mabhena as Jack, Percy Soko as Mandla, Va'nessa Ziyambi as Libahle, Rebecca Ngwenya as Luyanda and Yengiwe Ngwenya as Mamlangeni,

Writer/Director Vincent Ngwenya.

Yengiwe Ngwenya

“What scares me the most is not the journey I am about to take, but where the journey is about to take me” – Journey home.

God Is Love

Twitter: @EmmaNxumalo

Injured Oba takes up coaching lessons

TOTAL CONCENTRATION - Tarumbwa (in red jacket) and Mkhokheli Dube 

INJURED Highlanders Football Club striker Obidiah Tarumbwa was among thirty coaches who attended the recent Level 2 football coaching course which got underway on 13 April and ended on 21 April at Milton Junior School in Bulawayo.

Tarumbwa shields the ball away from Tsholotsho defender Thando Ncube

Tarumbwa picked up a thigh injury during Highlanders’ Castle Premiership encounter against Tsholotsho on 29 March and was ruled out for six weeks.

Other well-known footballers that attended the same coaching course include Chicken Inn striker Mkhokheli Dube, former How Mine striker Sizalobuhle Dube, former Chapungu forward Mbulelo Dube and former Bantu Rovers midfielder Fortune “Fokoza” Ncube.

Oscar Mazhambe takes coaches through a theory lesson

Veteran coach Gibson Homela conducted the course and was assisted by Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Association secretary general Oscar Mazhambe.

Homela urged the coaches not to be idle after completing their studies but to go out and implement what they would have learnt.

“I was impressed with the quality of coaches in this class because they were very keen to learn and not shy to ask questions so that they could understand better.

“My advice to them is that they should not wait to be employed by teams to practice coaching but they should be prepared to volunteer their services so that they put into action what they learnt in class and develop as coaches,” Homela said.

The Warriors and Zimbabwe Saints legend advised former top – flight players to be patient and to start their coaching careers at the grassroots and not be rushed into coaching at the highest level.

Coaching the coaches

Full list of coaches that took part in Level 2 coaching course:

Gift Dlamini, Admire Musimudziwa (Sigombe Primary), Dingumuzi Phuti, Jane Mkhwanazi (Mgombane), Johnson Chauke (Likhamyiso Primary), Mbulelo Dube (Mthombothemba Primary), Donemore Dube, Farai Mapanzure, Sizalobuhle Dube, Njabulo Dube (Bulawayo), Devison Mukwenya (Baines Primary), Anele Nyathi (Zimbabwe Saints), Vusumuzi Moyo (FMH Academy), Antony Dliwayo (Real Stars), Evans Netha (Luveve Juniors), Obidiah Tarumbwa (Highlanders), Leonard Sibanda (Zim Leopards), Dumisani Ncube (Black Boots), Chengetai Manjengwa (St Columbus), Patience Dube (ZRP Rockers), Ayanda Sibanda (Inline Academy), Peter Dlamini (New Lobengula Rovers), Average Sitemere (Matebeleland North), Chrispen Kunzekweguta (North Stars), Nkosilathi Nkomo (Ajax Hotspurs), Fortune Ncube (Entumbane), Gilbert Mpandare (Shabanie), Mkhokheli Dube (Chicken Inn), Dumisani Mnkandla (Bantu Rovers) and Dalubuhle Maphosa (Entumbane).

God Is Love

@EmmaNxumalo

The Perfect Tehn

Zimbabwean music is on another level l tell yah. I am so totally in love with our music right now. From hip-hop to dancehall every genre is on steroids.

This artiste that we are profiling today is a house-hold name and you cannot talk about Zimbabwean music and not mention him. His hustle is insane and his lyrics so on point.

It is none other than Tehn Diamond, an award winning hip-hop artiste who is one of the best rappers in the country.

    

  So Tehn Diamond when did your music career start?

Professionally, I'd have to say my career started in 2008 with the release of my first mix tape, #SOTG1 - Higher Learning. Creatively, my career started in 2006, when I started writing raps consistently. Both those moments considered though, I'd have to say that from a financial perspective . . . my career only just kicked off this year, not because I wasn't making money before . . . but because I wasn't treating that money the way a good entrepreneur would. I was still just a rapper, with rapper thoughts and rapper goals. Get paid, get to partying. Repeat. 

    

  How has the journey been so far? The negative and positive sides of being a musician?

The journey's been amazing so far. I've been fortunate enough to meet tonnes and tonnes of incredible people along the way. I've made friends who've become like family, I've enjoyed the love & support of my growing fan base. I've travelled; I've made good money & even better music. More than anything I've gotten to really explore who I am, and what I believe in along the way. It's been one of the most incredible growth experiences for me. For me, that's all the positives. I've probably missed a whole lot of them.

The only negative would be that once this journey is over, I don't get to do it all again. Other than that, I just try to stay with my eyes on the prize and my heart happily on my sleeve.

   

  

 Your song Happy has over 36 000 You Tube views and it received a lot of air play on Channel O, does this mean your music is doing well outside of Zimbabwe?

Not necessarily. It just means that there's still a whole lot more work to do. There's videos out there clocking millions of views, I could never look at a few thousand and think I'm really making a dent. I mean, it's a great start, but the mission is to always be improving and building upon the foundations we've already set. I see that 36 000 and I see a challenge, one that I feel we're going to be able to surpass easily.

     

  What are you currently working on?

My goals for the year. To make inroads into the regional market with the release of my debut solo album, The Perfect Tehn. To generate revenue of $100 000 through my label & media company, I. Am. Tehn. | Media & Marketing. And to successfully host a sold out local hip-hop show at The HICC in December. That's where my heart, mind & soul are at these days. Those three goals.

Mind you, aside from that , I'm starring in a feature film. But that's more of a childhood dream being realised, finally. I won't say too much on it just yet, but expect to be surprised.

      

Ok, so a lot of ladies
 would love to know
 the answer to this one:
 are you in a relationship?

Yes I am.

    


Who is your role model?

I have several role models really, or rather, mentors. The most prominent ones for me being, Fela Kuti, Steve Jobs, Shawn Carter & my father. My father more than anybody else has equipped me with a good grounding in hard-work and just basic common sense. Traits I never fully grasped or applied until I really started listening to the old man's wisdom, he's my hero. Between the constant love & motivation from my mother, and his hard-hitting truths . . . I don't believe failure can even be an option. I was raised by these two angels, to raise hell until we reach heaven. I'm ever grateful.

     

  If you had the chance to do it all over again, would you still choose the music industry or another profession?

Music was never something I chose, music has always been who I am. So if I did it all over again, and didn't do music, that person wouldn't me. Not anymore, not without the music.

     

 To a young artist struggling to get into the industry what advice or tips would you give them?

Never give up. Always be growing. Always be learning. Ask questions. Make moves. Never give up.

Twitter:@TehnDiamond

Website

www.iamtehn.com

Pics courtesy online

God Is Love

Twitter: @EmmaNxumalo