FEBRUARY CV WORKSHOP WITH PENS ALL WRITE AND FRIENDS
Things the blog likes to get involved in >>>
The community of Yeoville and our friends must be credited with the success of the recent CV workshop at the Yeoville Recreation Centre which took place on 22 February 2014. Members of the community who need help putting their CVs together gathered at the centre to talk about ways to look for employment and how to survive what is often a nerve-wrecking interview process. For lunch, healthy sandwiches and juice were served and enjoyed by all. PENS ALL WRITE is grateful to everyone who lends a hand to groups whose desire is to assist and develop their communities.
THAT ‘GOOD SEX, BAD LOVE’ CONNECTION – Blog Vibes – Vol. 5
The soulful subject matter of Blog Vibes Vol. 4 is the cancer in your love life, that recurring addiction, that forbidden fruit in your little love garden, the one that won’t go away. If you’re lucky, you’ve managed to flush that nagging constant out of your life for good. And they are always sorry…
Tarrus Riley – Sorry is a Sorry Word – PLAY SONG
Tarrus Riley – image – bmaradio.com
He’s married, you’re not. She’s a gold-digger, you’re a broke and hopeless romantic. He cheats, you don’t. You’re ambitious, she’s lazy. That sort of vibe. Of course, the heart is usually in the mix of things but it’s that sex bug that’s the big troublemaker.
R. Kelly and Keri Hilson – Number One – PLAY SONG
R. Kelly and Keri Hilson – image – rnbhiphopsoul.blogspot.com
The word ‘NO’ ceases to exist in your vocabulary when he calls. You have a feeling she’s still seeing that guy you caught her with but when you get a text from her, it feels like the morning after winning a jackpot. He’s the reason you relate to Brenda Fassie’s Weekend Special.
Brenda Fassie – Weekend Special – PLAY SONG
Brenda Fassie – image – channelo.dstv.com
You know these things and you convince yourself to “do you, Booboo” and cut the cord…until you bump into this person at a party you attend with your new partner, you lock eyes and instantly, common sense escapes you. That time, Usher comes on….
Usher – You Got it Bad – PLAY SONG
Usher – image – moviesback.com
Dearest darlings, the blog doesn’t have much in the way of advice for you except; enjoy the music and try harder. They haven’t yet found the ‘Lost Scrolls with the Elusive Spell to Forget a Lover, Quickly’. Strength.
Toni Braxton – Let it Flow – PLAY SONG
Toni Braxton – image – hypable.com
“I’M NOT GOING BACK TO THE TOWNSHIP” – Blog Vibes – Vol. 4
Hay’kabi, I’m not trying to lose any of my uptown, English blog followers but do ALLOW us hoodrats to do our thing on this one. This doesn’t happen often. Now that we’ve got that out the way…
To my uptown blog followers… – image – my.opera.com
Some men speak and ja, bakhulumile; we quickly move on. Then there are those who, when they open their mouths, your automatic response is to keep calm, STFU, grab a chair, listen and appreciate. I tell you: Makhafula Vilakazi, real name Matodzi Ramashia, is the latter type of ninja. His voice commands you to sit down, quickly. On Blog Vibes – Vol. 3, I share my bumpy joyride while listening to his juice.
I sat down to Makhafula Vilakazi’s poetic explosion entitled ‘I’M NOT GOING BACK TO THE TOWNSHIP’ last week. The title hit home with me because, hoodrat that I am, I haven’t lived in a township since 1997 and I’m not exactly trying to go back either.
“I am not going back to the township” – image – arts-alive.co.za
At first, I had my doubts when an angelic female voice launched into a chorus of ‘Ngicela sithandane’. I thought: Here we go with those I-love-Africa-Lion-King do’s. Beng’phapha. I was sold when Makhafula started spitting via bo ma: “My name is Glen Dlamini. Glen Magalagala. Glen Madustbin. Glen never clean, never married, never employed, Glen never own a thing. Glen Mavelabashalazele.” This ninja, Glen.
Madiba once said that one should speak to a person in that person’s own language so that the message would go to that person’s heart. Makhafula Vilakazi far exceeds this notion because he doesn’t only speak a poetic language that everyone understands; he speaks of a life that all South Africans who have experienced the township can relate to. His poetry is not sophisticated and filled with clean, neat rhymes; it’s rugged, it’s raw, it’s emotional and passionate. It’s all over the place and yet organised, not too different to the township he has a love/hate relationship with.
Poet Makhafula Vilakazi, real name Matodzi Ramashia. – image – kasitimes.co.za
In the poem ‘I’m not going back to the township’, Makhafula takes us down a familiar township street where people blame unemployment on witchcraft, there’s a tuck shop with green-speckled margarine on sale, drunkards wander about, there is an after-school fight, families live on government grants, BEE colour-blockers run wild in their tight shirts and big bellies and there’s a hood abortionist who does a quick job of unwanted pregnancies. Makhafula highlights a lot of the things that have become the norm ekasi and as such, socially accepted as characteristic of the township. Sadly, not many of these ghetto traits are positive or especially inspiring to young men who aspire to become great leaders, fathers, lovers and brothers.
Izinto zase lok’shini. – image – memegenerator.net
Makhafula Vilakazi has this love and romance gig on lock on track no. 6, ‘Sambrella’. Ladies, when your man drops lines like Makhafula does on ‘Sambrella’, you can be certain of two things; you are a breathtakingly strong and amazing woman and, the poor ninja has learned his lesson.
Makhafula Vilakazi on stage. – image – facebook.com
Makhafula is the spokesperson for all the ninjas who have fallen for the “humble ghetto queen” who “turned out to be a sour, elastic, very wet lie”, men who know the ‘stina’ struggle. In the beginning of the third track ‘Ungipatrekile’, the courtship is cute until u-sistaz develops a severe case of ‘sferbism’ and by the end of the track, u-dude is fuming, kuqhuma abo: “I disregard your capitalist pussy, s’febe ungenzela amasimba.”
On that “Shakespeare, Shall I Compare Thee to a What What… emkhumbini wase Zoo Lake” buzz… – image – Ntokozo Sindane
As for “Samson, uyi-timer elinjani elingagerezi… 1981 waqala utshwala Samson, wabhem’insangu, wakhahlel’i-Ol’lady…ujuthwa omama abangenangqondo…ufike Samson, us’rasele ngabo-Peter Tosh nama-Culture no Peter Tenet…nipheke sonke is’shebo seviki…ngiyak’khuza ung’bheka kabi ngamehlo abovu…Samson bheka…e-Sun City wangena kusanuka ipende…ubizana nenombolo elok’shini…Samson, izolo ngithol’i-belas ukuthi ufile… Lala kahle Samson namehlo abovu.” Sound like anyone you know?
Dear blog followers, get yourself the album – ‘I’M NOT GOING BACK TO THE TOWNSHIP’ and be blown away by the collection of life stories delivered in Makhafula Vilakazi’s dynamic voice. Order your copy by contacting Makhafula Vilakazi directly on Facebook and Twitter.
For your pleasure, the blog’s Makhafula Vilakazi playlist
REGGAE LOVE SONGS – BLOG VIBES – VOL. 2
This Sunday, I’m about “less yada yada” and more fire, love tunes, starting with Jah Cure.
Jah Cure, I wish I was your next door neighbour… – image – bajanreporter.com
Cherine Anderson and Chuck Fender – Coming Over Tonight
Cherine Anderson has one of the most beautiful voices I’ve ever heard. – image – urbanislandz.com
“Make love all night. Is that alright?”
There’s an indescribable amount of sexy when a rudeboy, rugged man sings about love; Bounty Killler. – image – jamaica-gleaner.com
“I need you in my life, not as a memory.”
Alaine and Tarrus Riley – Forever More
YES, YES, YES, ALAINE. – image – amazon.co.uk
“Sometimes I get on your nerves, sometimes you act absurd but understanding is what love’s about.”
Tarrus Riley – Sorry is a Sorry Word
As for Tarrus Riley…er…mm… I’ll keep my thoughts to myself; this is not an XXX-rated blog. *regains composure – image – uganda.gotvafrica.com
“I’m sorry that you’re sorry but sorry won’t do for me baby.”
Tanya Stephens is on that ghettofabulous buzz and looks a dish while at it. – image – iamreggaedaily.com
“For you it’s just a thing, just another little fling but for me, this is heaven and the angels them a sing, it’s a pity you already have a wife.”
Busy Signal can rhyme his way into any woman’s heart. – image – dancehallusa.com
“But soon as me reach your doorway, big smile pon your face, you lock me down for the whole day.”
Assassin. I agree. – image – soundcloud.com
“She said she wants a man from the island, that’s why she take a liking to I and I… She come to the island when she need romance and weed in abundance.”
I vote for Gyptian. – image – talkinthecity.com
“Cause when you dress up in your two-piece and your short-shorts, baby you really look good. I need to ask you what you use on skin baby, tell me why your skin so smooth.”
Junior Kelly – If Love So Nice
If you don’t know this Junior Kelly track, it’s safe to say your nightlife has been musically lacking. At least, the blog has taken care of that now. 😉 – image – grooveattack.com
“Tell me where all the passion gone? All of the warmth, tell me where is all of the tenderness?”
Hope you’ve enjoyed the second edition of Blog Vibes. Happy Sunday!
CAPE TOWN, ARE YOU READY?
Mother City, your people need you. – image – mrcapetown.co.za
Your donations help the little ones at Abaphumeleli Home. – image – World Changers
Arts Inn Me and World Changers had a great run with the Winter Warmer initiative in Johannesburg and now they are taking their generous drive down to Cape Town.
World Changers showing some love for the Masibathande Services for Elders. – image – World Changers
Abaphumeleli Home of Safety and Masibathande Services for Elders need you to come out and change their world one jersey, one meal, one blanket at a time.
Mama’s Love Crèche faces a lot of challenges in keeping these young children warm and giving them healthy meals. – image – World Changers
Just two days after Mandela Day, World Changers invites Capetonians to the Mfuleni Community Centre for a day of charity, music, fun and games for the whole family. On 20 July 2013, everyone who brings a donation of clothes, food or blankets will get in the Mfuleni Community Centre and enjoy the games without giving the doorman any money while those who forget to bring a donation will pay only R 20 at the door.
World Changers spent a day at the Tumelo Home of the Disabled and Mentally ill handing out your donations. – image – World Changers
A host of traditional board games for adults and jumping castles for the kids will keep everyone entertained. Children will also have the chance to literally run until they drop in the Mini Athletics planned for the day. Arts Inn Me will have a few entertainment surprises that, believe me, you don’t want to miss!
The Winter Warmer Fun Day at the Mfuleni Community Centre in Cape Town on 20 July promises excitement for the young ones via jumping castle galore! – image – celtisjumpingcastles.co.za
Follow World Changers on Twitter and Facebook and find out how you can join them as they change the world. Cape Town, are you up for the challenge?
DEAR TYPO
…and share with their friends. – image – weknowmemes.com
My very first open letter and it’s to you, Typo. I thought I’d never write an open letter until I had something really profound and important to say. Like a virgin, I had it all worked out in my mind that my first open letter would be something truly special, not the conventional complaint-packed variety. But here I am writing a letter to you.
Though you are a product of my own doing, I must tell you: “Tjo, uyang’khipha ebantwini shame!” Okay, sometimes I type too fast and I send without double-checking but really, must I be the butt of so many jokes because you were spotted?
Typo, the last time you cropped up on my timeline, I trended on Twitter! Surely you remember that day. Does ‘Triple HHH’ ring any bells? I thought so.
Need I say more… – image – twitter.com
Like I said, I know that you are the product of my carelessness but nawe you come through offside. My friend was just saying that as he was wrapping up an important letter the other day, you showed up. The intention was to end the letter respectfully with a heartfelt ‘Regards’ but when you got into the mix of things, the result was ‘Retards’. I wonder if the person who read that letter cared to note that ‘t’ is above ‘g’ on the keyboard.
‘Spelling Nazis’ are everywhere but they are available in greater concentration on Twitter. – image – motifake.com
Anyway, I don’t have much time. I need to get busy checking my other work to make sure that you won’t make a guest appearance there.
Typo, I just wanted to ask you to ease up and take a seat. I’ll do what I can to keep you away from the public eye. I’ll be thorough when I proof and edit my work. I’ll read my posts twice before I click ‘send’. I’ll do all that but, I need your help: you need to lay low and let me do my thing. Please.
Regards
Ntk
P.S. I have checked this post to make sure we’re good but if you rock up here, well, imagine the irony…
