KHANYA MJOLI

Being a women in 2016

Khanya Mjoli: women's month edition 

The average young women in 2016 has a lot on her plate. And with trying to handle most of these situations the best way one possibly can comes with plenty of discrimination and judgement from society. Our lives are not our own anymore, social media will turn an individuals life into turmoil for one slip up.  In 2016,most will say, I was discovering myself, I was engaged, I graduated, I fell in and out of love, I started realizing my purpose in life, I made friends for a life time, I had my first child,I got my fist paying job, I knew then, in life  you win some you loose some  and It warms my heart to say that some, including myself, will say I found Jesus and accepted Him as my Lord and savior.

This is the year of happy endings and for some of us- regrets because we all make mistakes but most importantly the year to say “I broke down that wall of fear  and I did it!”. I think young women in 2016 are stronger than they think, more powerful than they imagine, it takes believing in your capabilities to start striving for the best. It is a leap year after all- a year to prepare young women to dominate in the future, to be leaders, entrepreneurs,teachers, ideally to be a recognized role model in society with values, open opinions and morals.

There are obstacles in life,you get through one situation,whether you conquer it or fail, soon enough another will arise and challenge you for  dear life.

Academics have been a challenge of their own. A lot has happened regarding education and the black child,especially. Students have had to fight for their basic right to education,fees must fall was a major hurdles for students,protests all around the country for institutions to drop fees and ultimately make university free for all,financially. Then,Rhodes must fall and the racism at Stellenboch University. During these protests we saw young women at the firing line being leaders,taking shots from rubber bullets.

Much struggles have circulated in the past  year for students, and these situations would have done much damage in their academics. 

I’ve realized that one needs a plan in Uni, one needs to prioritize time, figure out a way in which you learn best and also be determined to rise above all odds and study harder no matter how challenging that module is.

 Having a part-time job is vital for any student in University to make extra cash. In the beginning I did seek jobs but I was unsuccessful and I got to a point where I realized that I’m not just looking for any job I want something a long the lines of what I’m studying for,which proved to be even harder as I am still unemployed. The modeling I do on the side part-time I would say is a stepping stone to greater things in  my modeling career, I take on so many projects with different fashion students and photographers not  because I’m bored but whatever opportunity comes my way I grab with both hands because I love modeling and I don’t know what doors that single opportunity could open for me. I believe in the people I’ve worked with, the likes of DDM, Noluthando Qabo, Albertina Mlunguzi , Davian and Jessie , talents reigns upon them and I can say I’ve been honored to do the little I’ve done  with them because of the potential they have. It’s all about being open to try new things, meeting new people and making  relations.

I think being a young women in 2016 is a challenge, women are trend/fashion focused we all want the finer things in life and the way things are set out I’m worried that we’ll escalate to do anything to get that Brazilian hair,revlon makeup or matt lipstick or a Zara bag or heel. Society has put so much pressure on women in this regard that some feel or are made to feel inadequate if they do not own these items. It’s a pity because we’re beautiful just the way we are, I applaud those that know this and are confident in their simplicity and also encourage those that feel unworthy because they are  fearfully and wonderfully made,our God makes no mistakes.

My ultimate aspiration in life is to be the change that I so desperately want to see in my country and the world in general. I want to see more women empowered,I want to see less children on the streets, I want to see world peace,more children in school getting quality education,more individuals starting businesses of their own and so much more. 

All-in-all Women, you are beautiful,strong and you are a Queen. Treat yourself like it and the rest will follow your lead. 

Applar-The performer Before Discovery part2.

Applar-As a performer. 

Story of an artistic performer, his stage presence is felt by his peers and audience.

 

   

It's a sunny afternoon in some Johannesburg township, it's not just an ordinary day, it's a Saturday afternoon, it's my second weekend visiting Alex aka Gomora, but today I'm visiting a different part of the neighbourhood, Basement tavern is the venue for the usual hip hop performances.

The scene is youthful, great kasi atmosphere, rappers are ready to go in like vultures, Applar introduce me to the rappers and producers that he regards as greats in the underground scene.

We registered our trio performance as the last one among other local rappers on the usual Basement Gomora hip hop programme, the host decide to opens the show with the last registration acts, thats us.

We went in and performed "my moment" feat Applar& May-L by King qhusa, after that Applar was featured almost in every song by Alex rappers.

He killed every performance, naoled5 his verse, especially his stage orwsebc5 that couldn't be missed for a life time. 

Applar is art, he is the most electrifying Xhosa rapper and entertainer in the come up scene,  he is Ifani's successor and will carry the Xhosa torch to greater heights.

 His aggressive and full of humour stage presence seems to be a norm to his Gomora peers but to me it's my first time watching his live performance, I am blown away. 

Welcome to Applar, as we focus on the 22 year old not just as a song writer and recording artist only but as a performer and entertainer.

I must give credit to the Alex/Gomora come up music scene, the movement will produce competitive and sustainable world star acts, I visited the scene when "Nomusa" by WTF was starting to surface in JHB and before it went on national level. So you can have an ideal how the landscape of the SA music scene was looking like.

This is an article that is celebrating  Applar's artistic expression, how he tackle his performances, his charismatic approach to how a performer and entertainer should position who him/herself in order to not just be part of the impact but add impact, Applar is now in 2016 June signed to HHS.

Follow Applar on twitter and instargram.  @ApplarSA.

Download his new song "1000 bullets" feat HHS and book him.  

Applar signed by HHS and drop "1000 bullets".

Applar-Before Discovery part1

This week we introduce a rapper that's been making a name for himself in the Johannesburg,Gomora music scene, he is Applar, birth name as Aphiwe Sobekwa, this is a story about a self actualization journey.

SA LUXURY BRANDS-PART2

SA LUXURY BRANDS -PART2.

MAXHOSA BY LADUMA NGXOKOLO.

Maxhosa knitwear is a brand by Port Elizabeth's very own Laduma Ngxokolo, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Btech graduate, his design journey began as a story of innovation, exploration of culture and identity but ended up being a world sensation. With his bold motifs inspired by the Xhosa beads patterns, Maxhosa by Laduma Ngxokolo has been flying the South African flag high in every major and important catwalk, winning international design awards such as Society of Dyers and Colourist among other his big W(wins).

MaXhosa knitwear is made from Mohair, luxurious wool made from Angora goat's hair, Mohair know as the noble fibre, natural fibre, amazing durability and it dyes well. MaXhosa is without a boubt and hesitation one of the most luxurious brands/products off the South African fashion industry.

Buy local, local is luxury too.

SA LUXURY BRANDS-PART1

SA menswear legacy

SA fashion luxury brand

Ephymol by Ephraim Molingoana (Johannesburg,Magnum house,Marshall town,CBD).

Ephymol is an SA Fashion week house hold menswear brand owned by Ephraim Molingoana, brand based in the heart of Johannesburg, Marshall town, the brand as one of the menswear pioneers in SA fashion week calendar. Ephymol carries that African artistic feel and retro element, bold and sharp use of prints and strong tones of pantones.

Here are my favourite images from Ephymol's SA fashion week SS 2016 campaign:

"The collection is inspired by the 60s style, fashion, art social states of that time"-Ephraim Molingoana. 

 Why you should consider all black in your wardrobe this winter!

"Black is modest and arrogant, at the same time black is lazy and easy, but mysterious, but above all black say *I don't bother you, don't bother me"Yohji Yamamoto.

If Someone ever breaks into my house I will run, open my wardrobe as that's where I feel safe, dark and brave, yes because that's where I keep all my black clothes.

If you need few (maybe more) reasons wwhy you should go black this winter, indulge here:

●"Black matches my soul"-Ashley Fern

●"I don't need to brighten up your day"-Ashley Fern

●I can't think too much in the morning, when I must decide what to coordinate with that"-Ashley Fern.

●"Black makes me timeless"-Ashley Fern.

●"In black I never go out of style, relevant in all trends"-Ashley Fern.

●"I'm artistic"-Ashley Fern.

●"Every piece of cloth always looks better in black"-Ashley Fern.

●"Black is elegant, silhouette makes one looks taller and slim"-Ashley Fern.

●"Black is for bad guy, villains"-Italian proverb.

See you next season, no see you in summer, oups black will still be relevant even by then.