The Unapologetic God. Black. Youth Movement!

By Palesa Mohlamme

I love Soweto because we get to be inspired, ignited and fed infinite wisdom by young people in the township. I was intrigued by God Black Youth Movement, because it's not everyday you get to hear young Black people owning their throne and recognizing their real power. Founded in 2015 by Thando, Oshun and Siphelele, the holy trinity from Central Western Jabavu,  provides teachings and thought provoking knowledge to young people and they also sell Afrocentric books to the locals as well.

Founding members of the movement 

The philosophy behind God. Black. Youth is about knowing oneself and celebrating the God that you are. I really think it's a stepping stone for Black Youth to gain and have the necessary confidence and tools to knowing oneself.

Food for thought.. 

 For a change, this is a movement that doesn't preach agreession towards white people or anything about race for that matter.
Its a platform whereby you celebrate being Black without being apologetic about it, being conscious about your spirituality, state of mind, and surroundings. The movement keeps on moving as they have been joined by more followers and later this month they will be opening their new store at Mofolo, Soweto.

Beautiful crystals also sold at the store! 

Authentic indeed..



They also host Sipher, poetry and MC sessions just to name a few every first Friday of the month. Alternatively, you can expand your schemer by checking out their Afrocentric books and buy some authentic God. Black.Youth T-shirts for R100. Having to interview and knowing more about the movement has been an elightenling and eye opening experience for me. Please check them out on Facebook- God Black Youth. Stay tuned for more exclusive content #MishMashReload

Township Social Hub At Its Best

By Palesa Mohlamme

Born and raised in Soweto Lehlogonolo Mangope is  the founder of Township Soweto Hub,  which focuses on township development and sustaining township economy by investing in young people and small businesses.  It acts as an umbrella to unleash opportunities and platforms for local business. 

Letlhogonolo Mangope founder of Township Social Hub

It was founded in 2017 with the aim to provide avenues and opportunities for entrepreneurs and young up coming artists. "Township Soweto Hub unleashes small business and it equips young people with necessary skills and confidence to partiparte in the local economy", said Lethlogonolo.

Ladies enjoying the vibe

The movement held their first launch on 15 December and it was a successful turnout as Mish Mash got to speak to some of the artists and entrepreneurs at the event. 

Songstress Karabo and T-Lay

The initiative emphasizes on utilizing and having access to services offered by local businesses in the community. Some of the local artists attending the event includes, T-Lay Dj & producer, songstress Karabo who also appeared in Idols last year, rapper King Tony and M.C FishXv. 

Unfortunately, Township Social Hub is not necessarily supported by local stakeholders in Braamfishcher and local businesses. Therefore, Mish Mash would like to advocate supporting local businesses and making each other rich as Black people.

Magents.. 

Lets make each other rich




Lets support Black businesses and make each other rich as a People. Mish Mash woukd like to commend Township Soweto Hub on paving thth e way for young people and unleaching endless possibilities  for local businesses. #MishMashReload

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