Getting up close and personal with Smish Gararo

 Today we are getting to know the energetic Mandla Mlisane whom I know from Emalahleni FM, trust me I truly am the fan of his hard work.

1. First things first. Who is Smish Gararo? Where did you grow up? How was it like growing up there? Where and what did you study?

Smish Gararo Real name Mandla Ntondo Mlisane, born in Burgersfort Mpumalanga, Grew up in Witbank, Old Coronation. Growing up in Coronation was not easy. Mom only had money for food, I had to start hustling at the age of 16 getting piece jobs as a garden worker during school holidays so I could her help out.completed my Matric in 2011.                            

I dropped out at the University of Johannesburg due to finances restrictions; I then went to Nkangala FET College and Studied Boiler Making for a year though I failed two Subjects.

2. What motivates you to do what you do music? 

I see music as my life, and the day-to-day life of the people around me motivate me to make music. What I have been through in life motivated me to write music that I do thus. I have to relate to everyone who will be listening to my songs coming from a different background compared to mine, and also relate to the ones on the corners begging for food and the ones crying for sneakers from their rich Parents.

3. What are you passionate about? And what are your goals in your job and personally? 

I am passionate about changing the lives of young people. Music is not my passion but is my life, I believe that young people should take over the world, taken serious and be helped to accomplish the ideas they are trying to put into reality. If I could start preaching about mine and make a success out of it, it means everyone can do it. We just have to keep our heads up and never give up no matter how many times we fall.

4. Tell me about the people who deeply influence you in life?

When I grew up, my brother never played any other music genre but Hip Hop music, he inspired me to be the machine that I am today without teaching me anything and. I am now one of the best rappers alive in Witbank because of what he wished I could be one day. No matter how many Rappers or Singers I would bring to our house, my mom would never complain because she knew how much passion I had for my craft.

5. What challenges have you faced in your life and how have they changed you? 

I've been through a lot when growing up; My Dad left when I was only 2-years old. I never had all the things I wished for as child. I have seen people being killed, heart breaks and struggles in the community and disappointments. Food was the only thing my Mom's little cash could offer.

High School was tough for me, I remember when my school shoes had holes and some homie from my kasi whom I've never seen in years gave me his old pair of school shoes. At some point, my instincts assured me that I would end up selling drugs in Coronation as every one of my age ended up doing it for a living. 

But with the grace of God, He made me realize how strong I was by letting me go through all the bad things that were happening in my life. The Struggles made me stronger.

6. Tell me about your big achievement in life.

Launching my 1st album titled “Mission 92” that dropped on 16 June… I invested so much creativity, lyrical content, and the performances will blow you away. This is biggest thing I have ever done in life but I believe bigger things are about to happen.

7. What was your first job? Did you enjoy it? 

Lol my 1st Job...I was a general worker at Black Hill back in 2008, we were modifying sewerage. My duty was to offload a truck full of bricks, you might think it was easy but throwing bricks from the truck to the drain hole for the whole day for R50 a day, was a real hustle.

8. Tell me about the memorable moments you have, that maybe bring you smile, laughter, drama, regrets etc

When I got a "B" on my Matric final year results that was a highlight. I will never forget the day I killed the auditions in 2012 at Emalahleni FM when I got a proper job; finishing my mom's house that was left under construction for 12 years will always be engraved to my heart and when my better half, Maps confirmed that I was going to be a father for the second time, these are the moments I am proud of.

9. When you think about your future, what does it look like?

In 10-years time I'll be giving back to the community, give a better life to the people in need, creating more jobs and minimizing the unemployment rate in the city of Witbank and trust me it will happen. I want to see myself as a special human being that came to complete a mission which started in 1992 16 February. My future will only be the way I want it to be. I will have put in more work so that it will shine.

10. What lessons can you give to a young person embarking on the same journey as you?

The journey is not easy and you can't rely on people, you should do “YOU” and be on your own being. Investing in your craft will take a lot of your time and sometime it will mean not spending time with family and friends.

The achievements of your life will be determined by the level of work you putting in. You plant more seeds, you rip more. I am all about the people who work hard and if you do, you will succeed big time.

Quick Facts

1. Who do you follow on twitter?

Hustlers like Cassper Nyovest and DJ Fresh among others

2. What is that one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Lol it’s kinda a secret, I don’t think that my mom would be pleased to hear about but It’s about going GREEN and being GREEN

3. What item in your closet do you wear the most?

My wrist watch

4. What is the best advice you have been given?

 “Data bundles in your phone will get you were you want, you just have to know how to use them.” 

5. What quote do you live by?

The level of work you putting in, will determine your success and time wasted is never re-gained.

Embrace persons with albinism

 Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference at birth. The condition is found in both sexes regardless of ethnicity and in all countries of the world. International albinism awareness day focuses on raising public awareness of albinism and preventing attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism.

Johanna Mhlanga* a mother of a seven year old girl with albinism said that the society should know that even people with albinism are carried for nine months and they live like every other person, "My child is just like every other child, I carried her for nine months and gave birth to her liker every brown kid,"  

Mhlanga said that her child has faced challenges at school, with other kids not wanting to play with her. She had to go to the school and speak to the principal so that they could address the issue at the assembly. " As a mother I fear for my child because some people in the society still believe that

people with albinism can be used for rituals," she said.

                                                                             A Soshanguve community member, Agnes Nkuna said that people with albinism are just like everyone else,"The only difference is the skin color, we are all the same," she said. Nkuna continued to say: "The people who kill person with this condition are killing the society and they should just get a harsh sentence."

I spoke to seven year old Tshepiso Moremi* who said that she was so happy about the day and that people will be educated about albinism. Cute Moremi with the albinism condition urged the society to stop the  discrimination against persons with albinism, " Please respect us because we are also human, do not do whatever you like to us."  

People with albinism frequently face social challenges, as their condition is often a source of discrimination, ridicule and sometimes even fear and violence. Executive director of Albinism Society of South Africa, Nomasonto Mazibuko emphasized the fact that they are not albinos but they are people with albinism. She said: "We educate especially the couples that have children with albinism, we give counselling and hope."  

"South Africa has opened their boarders for everyone, therefore we need to say to our African brothers do not bring this attitude of coming to kill our brothers and sisters."

Mazibuko said that the police need to be more helpful when people with albinism report crimes and not tell them that maybe it was their day to disappear. " Albinism is manageable and people with albinism have constitutional rights to be on earth and we will prove to the world that we are not going to be killed for body parts," said Mazibuko. She continues to say that they are working together with Traditional Healers Organisation to put a stop to the killings of people with albinism. 

*Names of sources withheld to protect the child

Youth Month welcomed in Vintage

Chilling With The Creatives is an artistic movement based in Soshanguve founded by 21 year old Innocent Moreku and Mackson Chirwa (23) . Speaking to Moreku he said to me they are not trying to make money out of this, “Our focus is to reduce illegal things like drugs, alcohol and prostitution among the young, so if we focus on money we won’t be able to clean up the streets of Pretoria.”

They hosted an event on Sartuday, 03 June at Falala community hall, Soshanguve Block F East, welcoming the young month and winter in Vintage. It was basically about, music, food, fashion, art , photography and most importantly socialising. Moraka said that they focus about this event was to create a platform for young artistic individuals. “The has always has been a huge gap between art events that happen in townships and those that happen in town, so we wanted to give people an opportunity to come as they are,” said Moraka.

Fashion lovers, artists, poets, socialites, designers and food lovers came out in numbers wearing their vintage to support this art exhibition. Fashion lover, Tiisetso Mabena said that she attended the event because she loves how people dress up for vintage, “ In events like this one people wear the way they feel and no one judges the other one,” she said.                                                                                       “It is fun, fashion expresses your true feelings.”

I was really impressed to meet a 15 year old fashion designer, Smangaliso Nkuna who said that what he likes about Chilling With The Creatives is that young people get a chance to showcase their talent and get to learn more about what they love. Nkuna who has his own brand, “Masskap” said that his brother was the one who showed him the ropes, and taught him almost everything he knows regarding fashion. He draws his inspiration from the legendary fashion designer, David Tlale,” I love him because he has his own style, and that is what I want to do, I want to be unique,” said Nkuna.

It was my first time attending such an event, but trust me the fun I had is unspeakable. I am definitely attending the upcoming one on the 16^th of June. Moreku said that they want to see Chilling With The Creatives as the biggest art exhibition in Africa and inspiring a lot of people with their work.

Photos by: KenexMedia SA/Thomas Chauke

First Miss TUT Plus Size crowned

Tshwane University of Technology has crowed its first Miss TUT Plus size on Friday, 20 May 2017. The pageant was designed for all the curvy and full figured women and was held at the Soshanguve North Campus student centre. The aim was to give them a chance to showcase their talent and to prove that fat is equally beautiful. Speaking on behalf of Directorate of Extracurricular Development, Phelokazi Gcolotela said: “We decided to organise miss plus size just to be unique, we think plus size women are ignored in the society fashion wise.”                                                                                                       

“We are trying to encourage them to be confident with their bodies.”

The students came out in numbers to support the event, and the organisers were truly humbled and happy to receive a positive turnout on their first annual. “We have received so much support and we are happy, we are definitely going to make it an annual thing,” said Gcolotela.

The ladies had a change of different outfits, showing off their booty; they went from wearing all black, to swimsuits and dresses. The event was graced with the presence of Miss Mamelodi Sundowns National, Rose Khumalo and Miss Mamelodi Sundowns Northern Cape Nthabiseng Mlangeni who we judges alongside TUT FM’s Sibusiso Mahlangu and Smangele Ngwenya founder of Woman you are enough. Among other performances, TUT students got a chance to showcase their talents, from singing, dancing and rapping.  

Final year Softwear Development student, Khanyisile Nkamana was crowned TUT Miss Plus Size, with Mmapule Itumeleng a BTech Language Practice student being the second princess and the first princess being Nokukhanya Myeza.

Expressing her happiness Nkamana said: “It is a very overwhelming but humbling feeling; to be crowned such a tittle in the first event is exciting.” Nkamana said that she did not expect to win because she had a stage fright and she is a shy person. “I just have a problem with a crowd,” she said.

To those who have always body shamed her, Nkamana said : “I hope they see me now, I hope they see this big booty and what it does.”

Passion for music drives TUT student

Nothing is as refreshing as seeing a young person pushing their passion with all that they have. You know a lot of successful DJs and award winning artists will tell you that they are where they are because their dreams started in a small room they used to record their music or in a varsity residence.

23 year Mthokozisi Mbokozo known as MthoDaDJ who studies Business Communication at the Tshwane University of Technology said that he fell in love with music when he was doing his grade 12 five years ago at Bonginhlanhla Senior Secondary School. “I knew nothing about music but I watched videos on how to produce music,” he said.

Mbokodo grew up in Nelspruit, Kadaantji. He said that he was a very active kid who used to participate in everything at school and would perform in every event. Growing up was not sweet all for him coming from a disadvantaged background. “I remember that I once had to work part-time jobs just so I could be able to buy myself a computer to do my music,” said Mbokodo.

What was challenging for him when starting music is that people were not impressed with his music, he was criticised a lot and with others saying he will not make it, “Some were saying that the industry is tough I used all the negatives to my advantage,” he said. He continued to say that it is hard for him to get promotions and a record deal as an artist. Mbokodo currently uses a bedroom studio to record his music. I asked him how he balances his music and studies and he said that his studies come first and music follows as a hobby.

He said that he has always wanted to do music, and he studying BC because he loves being in an advertising agency. I asked him why he is not studying sound engineering, and he said: “I love music but I do not want to depend on it alone, I wanted something I could fall back on.” Mbokodo said that his parents were sceptical about him doing music, “They were not really supportive because they wanted me to focus on my education and my hobbies should follow. “He however said that they are now supportive.

This bubbly and energetic young DJ has a total of five songs to his name, he said that it is too early for him to be talking about an album but he wishes to have one. He draws his inspiration from the legendary DJ cleo. Mbokodo’s dream is to see himself as a successful DJ and producing for different music genres.

Fun facts

·         Favourite song: Mobi Dixon ft Beritta- Ezizweni

·         Celebrity crush: Minnie Dlamini

·         Star sign: Gemini

·         Dream car: Ford focus St

·         Embarrassing moment: When I failed my first Public Relations test

Let it be child protection week everyday

Child protection week 2017 was launched on the 27^th of May and will be running till the 2^nd of June. The aim of this week is to raise awareness around children’s rights and mobilising all sectors of society to care for and protect children.

In this week it is in our power to make sure that the children are free from abuse, violence and neglect and give them safety, security and protection. We know that children are trusting and are unable to fight for themselves or even speak up when being abused.

What saddens me is that we have parents who do not care about their childrens’ where abouts. A child should not spend more than two hours without their parents knowing where they are, what are they doing and who are they with. I am saying this because in most cases the people that rape and kill the children are the people close to their families, because everyone thinks that they can trust them.

We have heard talks that “It should be child protection week every day” trust me I do agree with that, why do we only need a week to protect and care for the kids? It is in this week only that we find the police giving us tips on how to make sure that our children are safe, this is the only week we hear the department of social development giving long speeches about protecting children, what about the rest of the year? It has to really stop. 

Well, I am not a parent yet, but when I decide to have kids I want them to grow up in an environment that has really low or zero crime. I want them to grow up in a nurturing household, living a happy life without me having to worry about them being abused by some stranger. The safety of our children should really be our priority as parents, yes I included myself there. You know what they: “It takes a village to raise a child.” I want to teach my kids not to accept anything from anybody, especially strangers.

It is within the children’s safety to know their full names, age, and their parents’ cell numbers. Do not allow your children to accept gifts from strangers or engage in a conversation with them. Do allow them to play with other kids though.

How can parents make sure that their children are safe?

·         Know where your children at all times.

·         Know their friends and places they visit.

·         Never leave them unattended in a public place or vehicle.

·         Listen to your children, especially when they tell you they do not want to be with someone or go somewhere.

·         Teach them they have a right to say no.

·         Teach them to kick, resist and scream when strangers take them by force.

Let us protect our children because they are the future.

Report child abuse call: 0800 055 555

The colorful Nguni culture on Takkies

Melody Mazibuko of Soshanguve Block H is a young dedicated entrepreneur who is a great example of a true hustler. She never allowed her situation to define her; however she rose above her difficulties and managed to survive against all odds. Mazibuko paints tekkies in all the Nguni colours and she has managed to make it a successful business.

This 28 year old said that she started her painting business out frustration after being academically excluded from the University of Pretoria. Mazibuko said that when she was academically excluded she was told to go and find herself, and she eventually did, hence she felt good when painting and writing. She said that the only way she could make money was painting, but it was not moving until she tried something new with her mom, Ntombikayise Skosana. “My mom has always been a painter, she used to paint on the walls until one day I pitched an idea that we do something together,” said Mazibuko. “People loved what we did, and we have been enjoying since then.”

Mazibuko who was born in Embalehle, Mpumalanga defined herself as a talkative person, fun, loving and very artistic, she said: “I love expressing myself, whether in an artistic way or writing.” Her friends have named her ‘MelodyYaTshwane’ which means the verse of hope and the tune of reason.

Mazibuko was sceptical about the business, thinking that people won’t like her paintings, especially on tekkies. “I had internal battles up until I decided to try and she what happens. I remember posting a picture of my painted tekkies on Facebook and waiting anxiously for likes, and to my surprise I got more than a thousand likes,” she explained.                                                                                                                   

“Orders started coming in and we could not sleep that night.”      

She has painted tekkies for clients in Cape Town and even in Germany. Mazibuko said that what sets her apart from her competitors is that she is doing this out of love. She said that her dream is to have an art institute around Pretoria, specifically in a township and have different artists showcasing their work in a corporate setting.

DJ Sbu introduces his own radio station

Can I just say that Sibusiso “DJ Sbu” Leope is a perfect example for hustle and hard work? He has really shown the youth of South Africa that you can achieve anything with hard work and just dreaming big. He thrives on giving back to the youth of South Africa and gives motivational talks to disadvantaged schools.

This former Metro FM DJ launched his own online radio station, Massiv Metro FM on 02 May 2017. What makes Massiv Metro so unique from other online radio stations is that it targets taxi commuters and will offer them free WI-FI to have access to the internet. We all know that he was axed on Metro FM after he promoted his own energy drink during the radio station’s event, MoFaya which seems to be doing very well at this point. He started the energy drink an few years ago; he has at some point taken to the streets to personally sell it to people passing by the streets of Johannesburg.   

I love that he has fresh and new talent from Varsities and community radio stations. This guy just keeps on breaking boundaries and inspiring the world. It is said that the radio station will feature Kaizer Chiefs ex star Jabu Mahlangu as a sports presenter.

DJ Sbu has a number of projects in his hands such as leadership 2020 and giving back to communities. He used to be on radio and he now owns one now that is so inspiring. He is hosting the morning show 5-9am weekdays, Daluxolo Jalmeni from Link FM and Sonia Mokheseng from Thetha FM 9am-12pm, Fats and DJ Mgedeza from Jozi FM 12-3pm. Thembi Seete, Celeste Ntuli and Zola 7 host “The 5 Hour Drive” 3-8pm.

He has also announced the release of his second book, Billionaires under construction: The mindset of an entrepreneur.  Leope is follows Thabo “Tbo Touch” Molefe and Gareth Cliff who have also been on radio but now own online radio stations.