A LOST PEOPLE?

Photo By: Palesa Mohlamme

                       
Finally June 16 vibe has settled down, now I can speak my mind. How did you celebrate June 16? For sure you were drunk as ever ne? Not me though, I was enjoying my family's company and almost forgot it was a public holiday. I have been checking out the June 16 memorial arch at my hood. Funny enough the place is not fully equipped with information about the 1976 protest, the only original thing they have from 1976 is a dustbin lid used by students protecting themselves during the protest.

The documents displayed at the arch are copies and the originals are at the University of Wits. But why the hell don't we have the original copies here? I mean, after all its our history and what's written in those documents is what happened moo Kasi. I read the documents written by the Student Representative Council of Soweto and I quote, "June 16 shall be known as The Student's day. Prayer meeting shall be arranged by students and parents. A moment of silence from early hours in the morning till 9 am. On June 16 parents are requested to pledge solidarity with their children. Workers requested two days off from 16-17 June. Shops and business shall be closed on the 16th and half a day on the 17th. Shebeens must be closed from 13-19th June. Suspension of all sorts entertainment from the 16-19th June. Taxi services to have a moment of silence in the morning and no services rendered by Pucto drivers. And hostel people to align themselves with people of Soweto during the mourning period".

I tell you this because most of you don't know this and therefore the meaning of June 16 has lost it's essence. We commemorate the day by getting drunk and filling parks and pubs. Have we really given up on our "history"or are we just plain oblivious? What happened in June 16 taught me that, the Youth is supposed to be resistance, we are not supposed  to be comfortable with everything going on around us and we should question things.

You know, the only history we know is Black people have always been the victims of history. The only information that is given to us makes us feel less worthy of ourselves and I think that's why Black ladies do weaves, bleach their skin and speak english so well mara mother tongue, Dololo!. Why don't we ever question what happened to the Black history before colonial period? why do we define ourselves through colonial history and apartheid? Is that what we really are vele?  Outcast and victims of history? And what's worse about this is we have to pay for knowledge ya mahala at our so called Hector Peterson museum. This seriously pisses me off. Our schools are not educating us about Black Excellence, Black Pride and Self love.

Instead you have to search and dig up true heritage and origin of African people. And even when you research such info, you come across white authors. I don't understand why does a white person has to write about Black history, My history, after all this proves that what you know as history has been filtered and manipulated.  Lets tell our own stories guys, snap out of it and stop being passive with everything! Queen Elizabeth decided to have a White Wedding and now its supposed to be my culture. what is White Wedding moo Black culture? No wonder you have so many divorce. What is divorce anyway moo Black culture? OOOh Shame re rata dintho wa tseba! Bo Khulani ba bua nnete ha ba re VUKA DARKIE! when I say Vuka Darkie I'm not talking about being an entrepreneur but I'm talking about knowing yourself, Be aware with yourself and Love and Respect yourself. I must confess that I feel lost that I don't know my true heritage, raw history written by a Black person. Are we really a lost people? #MishMash

Local is lekker

Creativity at its best. photos: Palesa Mohlamme 

After the SABC announced that they will provide 90%of local content, it got me and most people excited. Locals attended a panel talk held at Soweto, Jabulani, and they discussed the impact of promoting local content and young people from the creative industry were motivating their peers to do what they love, and love what they do.

(Co-Founder of Arts and Craft) Trigga was the host at the panel talk

Indeed local is Lekker!

(Left) Thabo Mdluli, the founder of Fab 5 Media.

It is very important for us as young people to engage in constructive conversations and always question things. The panel speakers included, Fry pan the owner of RHTS online store, Sfiiso Xabashe a social entrepreneur, Nthabiseng a social entrepreneur, Mambila Magaza an MC and businessman, Afrika owner and fashion designer of Originally Kasified Clothing, and Lebugang Mnisi a theatre performer. The panel spoke about their achievements and positive stories in the township that deserves recognition.

Beautiful handmade jewellery by Afrophik.

Tshepo Lefoko Phetlhu co-founder of Soweto Arts and Craft.

Fresh local fashion by Afrophik.

Look at the guy posing at the back.

Crazy vibes after the panel talk.

Beautiful ladies enjoying local talent.

I really enjoyed engaging with like mined people and I hope this won’t be the last time for young people in Soweto to engage in constructive and mentally stimulating conversations. The panel talk was organised by the Soweto Arts and Craft and Fab 5 Media. Outside the panel talk, social entrepreneurs came in numbers to show off their local products and handmade crafts. And yes, it was refreshing to see more ladies doing it for themselves.  #MishMash

A burning society

A burning society. photos: Palesa Mohlamme

Members of the African National Congress (ANC) from Molapo organised a protest against the Councillor of ward 34, Mr. Shimmane Motlamme.  Out of frustration and anger residents expressed that the community does not benefit from economic opportunities in the township. They claimed the people who mostly benefit from projects at ward 34 are the people who reside outside ward. One of the issues raised by community members is corruption, maladministration and nepotism.

Residents barricaded the streets with burning tyres and stones blocking cars to enter.  But you know such behavior must be suppressed quickly before it blows out of proportion, right?. The police made a grand entrance with a helicopter monitoring around the area and cars of SAPS and Metro Police.  Then I realized how easily intimidated the residents were,  they were smooth talked by a so called “deploy from the regional office” sent by the Councillor. 

Angry residents before the police came.

Mind you me, there was supposed to be a community meeting arranged by the Councillor but when he heard that shit is real, he decided to bring another poker face as a negotiator. There was not much of negotiation though because we know how we are so hungry for power and influence. People are always looking out for themselves yet they still pretend to represent your views and working for the people. The poker face exchanged numbers with the so called community leaders and till today as I write to you that nothing has been done about the community’s concerns. What a waste of petrol and matches.

Smooth talker getting the residents attention.

At the same time, candidates for the local elections are said to be appointed by the internals of the organisation and not the community.  You know, I have registered for the local elections but I realized afterwards that what is the point of voting while the whole system itself is a problem. Are we really solving the problem by voting or are we choosing to work 40 hours a week just to put bread and butter on the table. Basic food on the table guys! Its horrific when you think about it. 

Police monitoring the area.

What is the point of voting because we will still have greedy people leading us, perhaps there are other realistic ways to look at it. Most people who are into your community forums and what not, have showed me that they are only looking out for themselves. They want to make people to step down from their comfortable positions because they want the same power, glory and greed.  It’s just a continuous pattern. Who am I to judge bathong! But come to think of it we allow such things to happen to us, especially the older generation. They guard and protect their own monster, hence we still have Jacob Zuma as president.  #MishMash

Rocking Fresh

Motel Mari gave an astonishing performance at the Soweto Arts and Craft fair and it got crazy when the unconventional brides gave us an unforgettable show. The brides danced around with a bottle of Vodka and cigarettes, and they were drunk as ever. Yoh! that's a classic performance if you ask me. This reminded of the "unconventional wedding"that I day dream of, one thing for sure I want to party my ass off on my wedding night, probably party the whole weekend (Lala vuka). Because it is a celebration of a new beginning with your lifetime Best Friend. Yoh! my family would definitely go crazy on that.

But overall me and my friends had an awesome time and I got to capture dope pictures at the fair. Today I don't really feel like talking much but I would love for you to relax and indulge on the fresh and awesome pictures. #MishMash

Motel Mari Killing it at the Soweto Arts and Craft Fair.

Fresh Artists giving a fresh performance

Pretty girl go gets drunk. Photos: Palesa Mohlamme

Sure, winter is coming but rocking PJs on a night out....eehhh I don't think so!





Magents enjoying the vibe at the fair.

Taking a break from behind the camera to the spot light, Why not?





We definitely danced the night away. Photos Palesa Mohlamme

On the next issue more constructive and political issues will be on the spot light and most importantly legendary captions on #MishMash.

Malema visits Jabulani

Chief in Commander addressing the people.

EFF Commander in Chief (CIC) Julius Malema graced the people of Jabulani, Soweto with hope and promises. On a breezy and cloudy afternoon a hoard of EFF "Fighters"gathered next to Soweto theater as they anticipated to listen to their leader address the people. As we all know on the 3rd of August 2016 local government elections will be taking place and its more likely to see familiar faces of our politicians in the townships. Malema claimed he will go house to house in Soweto to listen to the people and respond to their problems.

Photos: Palesa Mohlamme

Young and old people were part of the crowd that waited impatiently to get a glimpse of the CIC, and when mother earth blessed us with rain, finally the man of the moment came to address the people. Residents expressed their adversities about house title deeds, lack of service delivery and dissatisfaction of the current councilor at the area just to mention a few. But I ask why don't we ever see political leaders way before elections or long after then. I hear people talking good about their leaders but where are they when we need them the most?

Residents raising their concerns

It so happens for us to be there for them when they need our votes. I guess we also should expect President Zuma to grace us with his gratifying presence. Get this though, I am not paid by a white person to write what I like. I am a child from the township and I know first hand the struggle that we face as Black people, and I get to wake up to it every morning and everyday of my life. So I know what I'm talking about. We need honest people. We need to stop fighting amongst ourselves and rather build each other for the better. We need to teach ourselves how to fish so that we can survive and sustain ourselves le sechaba sa rona.Yoh! I just got carried away there. Moreover, its heart breaking to see our politicians making meaningless promises to our elders and the youth, anger is brewing within us and its brewing bitterly and faster than expected. But who am I to judge anyway, maybe, Malema might teach us how to fish?  #MishMash

Reaching Greater Heights

Clothes For Charity organised an event at Food Zone, Rockville, and the aim was to raise social awareness on giving back to the community and contributing to the social development in our townships. Clothes For Charity is a non-government organisation (NGO) and it relies on public funds or charity to function and they donate clothes to orphanages and organisations that deal with homeless children. Thabo Mbongeni Mdluli from Protea Glen is the founder of Clothes For Charity, the organisation consists of other nine amazing young people, who believe the Power is in our hands to make things happen! They organise events to spread the massage of giving back and supporters donate clothes in order to attend the party. I attended their last event on 12 December 2015, and I must say that it was an awesome party. #Picnic4Hope

Photos by: Palesa Mohlamme

Gifted Child gave an amazing performance 

(From left) Man-K Ramela is one of the founders at Charity for Clothes.

Fans giving support.

Magents..

Veronica Khoari is also one of the founders at Charity for Clothes

Good Heart Foundation ladies doing it for themselves!

Ladies having a picnic for hope.

Furthermore, I would like to congratulate the whole crew of Clothes For Charity for their exceptional work and a positive impact on the society. I would also like to also encourage young people to be role models and mentors to the young kids out there, and promote Ubuntu in our society. I hope more epic parties will continue this year and more people will support this initiative. For more information about the organisation check them on Facebook as: Clothes For Charity - Charity Drive.  Stand up Soweto, Stand Up!

Elevate

My favourite place to relax and unwind is at Soweto Theater. Believe it or not it was my first time attending theater, so I came across to the Creatives, Art lovers (Like myself) and Artists. I love taking my camera along with me where ever I go so that I can capture every moment and spread the love. Beautiful Batho join me as I unfold my captured moments and embracing my world. Welcome to my world!

Photos by: Palesa Mohlamme

Local Artists at their Best, Beautiful painting indeed.

Izingane Zoma gave an astonishing performance at Soweto Theater






During my visit at Soweto Theater I had an opportunity to see Izingane Zoma performing, and like we always say, "Local is lekker". Lets support local artists!

A day in a life

I had the privilege to meet the most  "influential person in the world", according to Times magazine. And I must say that she is the most amazing public figure that I have ever met. She is humble, calm, elegant, sophisticated and a very kind woman. I had an opportunity to share a room with her and take photographs of her. Indulge and enjoy photographs of Advt. Thuli Mandosela.

Photo by: Palesa Mohlamme

Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela at Aurora Girls High at Zola, Soweto.

Mish Mash at its Best

Random Late Night pics

Photos by: Palesa Mohlamme

What I love about photography is I get to embrace and manifest myself. More and more epic pictures will be posted and who knows you might see yourself in my blog.  Love and Peace...