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Published by tasch, 2020-01-27 06:57:47

Khuluma Mag Feb 2020

Keywords: Khuluma,Mag,Khuluma Mag,Feb,Travel

Photo: R. Schedl

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OPEN-AIR GALLERIES EXPLORE

Cape Town’s fourth International Public Art
Festival takes place in Salt River, an industrial
neighbourhood that’s been undergoing steady
transformation thanks to makeovers performed
on its old buildings. The festival’s theme this year
is ‘Digitalisation’ and will see around two dozen
high-calibre artists, many of them international,
adding their creative visions to exterior surfaces
throughout the precinct. The festival, which
includes guided tours and workshops and the
opportunity to watch the artists at work, is
headquartered at Me’Kasi Kafé, 289 Victoria Road,
and runs from 12 to 17 February. ipafest.co.za

Pictures: Melissa Cucci, Dbongz, supplied he messages conveyed by public institutionalised art. It’s not inclusive for other mediums, plus she still creates
street art play a ‘massive role’ a select few, it’s for everyone.’ massive immersive and interactive
in all communities, he says. ‘Not pieces that span large buildings.
only is it aesthetically pleasing, it adds Then again, nowadays there’s more And as for the artist formerly known
loads of colour to mundane spaces, and than a fair amount of graffiti, graffiti- as Skullboy? Well, you only have to
given the right quality of artists, street art inspired and graffiti-styled art that’s check out his astonishing interior
usually sparks debate and gets people to found its way into galleries. Acclaimed mural in the lounge at the fabulous
engage in progressive conversations that South African street artist Faith XLVII Salsify at the Roundhouse restaurant in
are more informative and educational than who is now based in Los Angeles, has Cape Town to understand just how far
anything else.’ had solo exhibitions in New York and street art has come, and how rich its
Page 33 says she’s interested in London and her socially conscious work possibilities are.
spreading messages of positivity and unity. has evolved into video installations and
‘The world can do with a little more love
and understanding. Painting alongside
Zesta – who has a more humorous
approach – we can at the least hope to
bring a smile to your face.’
Another Joburg artist, who goes by
the name Mars (whose work is pictured
right), says it’s about freedom – freedom
to take back public space and freedom to
express. ‘It’s art for the everyday person
who is not going to galleries, who can’t
afford high-end art or didn’t learn about

kulula.com FEBRUARY 2020 101

G etting into Parliament OOrrddeerr!!
nowadays isn’t difficult.
I don’t mean getting Wild debates and whispered intrigues, salacious slurs,
elected as an MP, although derogatory one-liners and the odd snoring MP, plus
goodness knows that occasional outbreaks of fisticuffs and a flying water bottle
bar sometimes seems set at around or two… Janine Stephen takes us on a behind-the-scenes
the level of a tokoloshe’s ankles. But, jaunt through Parliament, hard hats optional
seriously, you don’t even have to be
a VIP to enter the gates and sit in the slurs thrown in 2008 alone that ranged
venerable rooms you’ve seen on TV or from ‘cockroach’ to donkeys and snakes,
YouTube or wherever you get your dose both dead and alive. Other animals that
of Parliamentary intrigue. have been evoked include rats, hungry
puppies, and a Chihuahua. Calling MPs
Even when in session and when animal names is of course frowned upon
the halls resound with the clicking of according to Rule 63.
expensive shoes and the bells that call
members to chamber, members of the We’re not alone. Parliaments
public are permitted to sit in on debates everywhere descend into anarchy. Insults
and watch our, um, leaders make the may be obscene or politely delivered –
laws that, in an ideal world, govern such as Lib Dem leader Vince Cable’s
orderly lives. declaration that, ‘the house has noticed
[Gordon Brown’s] remarkable
Yet our Parliament is also known for
disorderliness. It bubbles with intrigue,
a veritable West Wing of shadowy and
incomprehensible powerplays. We think of
thuggish bodyguards and blue lights. We
recall the seething wrestling matches of
recent State of the Nation Addresses, of
points of order bursting like popcorn until
the Speaker blows up like Eyjafjallajökull;
of the Red Brigade using their hard hats
as weapons.

There are the awkward tales of a, let’s
just say, ‘well-fed’ MP throttling a pesky
journalist and that historic moment when
a parliamentary messenger fatally slipped
a letter opener into Verwoerd’s pale flesh.

Much of the awkwardness these
days is verbal. Our MPs are a very vocal
bunch, and they know how to swing
an insult. Writer Sarah Britten recalls

102 FEBRUARY 2020 kulula.com

PARLIAMENTARY PUNCH-UPS EXPLORE

kulula.com FEBRUARY 2020 103

EXPLORE PARLIAMENTARY PUNCH-UPS

transformation in the last few weeks – from Stalin to Mr Bean’. And in one farcical PARLIAMENTARY POWWOWS
incident, a Brexit-maddened Labour MP briefly made off with the mace – tradition
decrees that the House of Commons can’t pass laws without it. e beloved Evita Bezuidenhout, former
ambassador to Bapetikosweti and the darling
In 2019, UK Speaker John Bercow spat, ‘Be a good boy!’ at an MP. of politicians across the spectrum, has seen
Over in Australia, a senator involved in a brawl near the Great Hall
admitted to smearing blood on a colleague’s door. And in Lesotho, her fair share of bad behaviour in
a scrum of politicians once got into an interminable punch-up Parliament. e EFF’s anti-Zuma
over mohair regulations. libustering, which began in
2014, ramped things up
All of which begs a few questions: Why would anyone want a notch or six. ‘Who can
to visit Parliament in the first place? Should tourists to Cape forget the rst outing
Town’s Parliament be issued with hard hats and protective of the EFF Teletubbies
clothing? Will children be safe from all the bad language? causing chaos in the
Or what if you find yourself trapped in a room with an endless National Assembly, which
debate? Or – worse still – if you burst out laughing when the MPs then led to the security
start verbally dissing one another? forces storming in disguised
as wine stewards from the Blue
Since, unlike with WWE, Parliament’s events of the day cannot be
predicted, there’s really only one way to find out… Sign up for a tour. Train?’ Evita remembers. ‘Our
Parliament became the number one reality
The standard issue visit whisks you from the grand old National Council of show on television worldwide. Skande.’
Provinces, through the Old Assembly or ‘Apartheid’ Chamber with its green Fear not Tannie E., we are not alone.
benches and into the marble-clad National Assembly, scene of so many recent A visit to parliament ghts.wordpress.com
skirmishes. The other is a specialised art tour and takes in both public spaces shows that skirmishes in the House are
and hidden basements. Other ways and means of visiting: befriend a politician a global phenomenon. It records bust-ups
and score an invite to dine in the members’ restaurants. Or book a seat in the such as the mohair mayhem in Lesotho
gallery for a debate – President’s question time is generally lively. (a Chinese businessperson had somehow
been granted a monopoly on the wool
Children are welcome. While the mites may glaze over at the history, they’ll and mohair industry). In Hong Kong,
love details such as the little earpieces at every seat, which can be tuned to a ght erupted over who controlled the
different languages. Translating during debates must be the hardest job in the microphone and at least one lawmaker
house. The official record – called Hansard, a verbatim transcript – is liberally
sprinkled with ‘[interjections]’, one euphemism for the frequent heckling. was taken to hospital. In South Korea,
a er opposition members blocked
Older children may enjoy snickering at MPs calling each other meetings, the ruling party MPs
‘honourable member’. Tee-hee. used a crowbar to force open
a door. Injuries were
The art tour includes the exquisite 1885-era library, an ode to incurred. And in India,
books complete with spiral staircases and subscriptions to over an MP whacked another
150 periodicals and newspapers... with a shoe.
Besides video clips
It’s fascinating reading the transcripts of early debates from the of the rumpus and sticu s,
first democratic Parliament, especially those of Madiba and the site files incidents using
tags such as ‘Blood’, ‘ rowing
Standard tours of South Africa’s Parliament run weekdays, objects’, ‘Using chairs and
9am to noon. Prior booking is essential, so call 021 403 2266 or
email [email protected]. For art tours, send your request furniture’ and the irresistible ‘Brawl
to [email protected]. To watch a debate from the with stagediving’.
public gallery, contact [email protected].
parliament.gov.za

104 FEBRUARY 2020 kulula.com



ADVERTORIAL

Fly High and For more information:
Tel: (+27)11 808 0860
Safely in Business Email: [email protected]
Website: www.henleysa.ac.za
Henley Business School will help you
and your business to soar above the rest, by
JON FOSTER-PEDLEY, dean and director

It takes a lot of work and people to fly safely. There are pilots, air
traffic control ground handlers, check-in staff, and even flight crew
feeding you.

They do it so well that you never doubt that you’ll get where
you’re going on time, safe – and with your bags too.
It’s a daily, hourly even, triumph of many moving parts on a
singular mission.

Business used to be like that. It isn’t anymore; corporate South
Africa is littered with catastrophic crashes. Think Steinhoff. Ponder
the reputation management specialists who destroyed their own
reputation – Bell Pottinger. Consider state capture and the criminal
compromising of our SOEs. Then think about all the watchdogs
that failed you and me: multinational auditors, consultants and
legal teams, who really should have known better – and done
better.

Business should be as safe as flying; it certainly isn’t either as
risky or as complex as taking to the air. It should be guaranteed
to get you to the other side without destroying the environment or
impoverishing generations in the process.

The good news is that it can be. It’s what we teach at Henley
Business School Africa. Whether you need bespoke executive
education for your team or a triple-accredited cutting-edge
globally recognised MBA for your leadership aspirations, we’ve got
what it takes.

I understand because I was an airline captain before I got my
MBA and started teaching other MBA students before becoming
dean and director of Henley Business School Africa.

We would like to help you become the best business leader
you can be. We would like to help you run the kind of prosperous
business that builds this country and leaves it in a better state
than the way we originally found it.

If that’s what you want, maybe your new year’s resolution
should be to give us a call to find out how we can help you unlock
the 20/20 foresight you will need to fly safely and well on your
corporate journey.

Mbeki’s question sessions. Or reading Ma PARLIAMENTARY PUNCH-UPS EXPLORE
Adelaide Tambo’s speeches on social
development – you begin to understand Politician-spotting is a primary
the ANC’s original thinking about some attraction – but keep your eyes
of its policies which are unfortunately peeled for smaller surprises.
being poorly implemented today. Knock the marble columns in
the 1885-era NCOP building
On Thursdays, the ANC holds its – some are faux; the Brits
caucus meetings in the Old Assembly ran short of cash. Enjoy the
Chamber – sometimes with the president in surprising warmth of employees
attendance. Throngs of bodyguards, hangers- in Parliament, who delight in seeing
on and staff wait for their release and you can ordinary South Africans in their domain
virtually smell the power. and call out greetings and well-wishes.
There are glimpses of the infamous tea
You will have a chance to take selfies on trolleys and platters provided to sustain
Parliament’s steps, if not hug a politician. parliamentarians (and journalists). For the
Visits take you right into the seat of power – record, politicians seem to be eating more
and humanise it in unexpected ways. fruit these days.
A recent visit offered up two examples. A couple of years
First: thousands of rolls of toilet paper being ago, an old SA flag
unloaded from a truck. Two-ply? Oh yes, the was still on display:
workers grinned. Second, a moment in the it drew gasps
Old Assembly Chamber. Us guests had been of horror from
allowed to plonk our bottoms on the seats some visitors but
opened up good
usually burnished by MPs. As a child discussion
listened wide-eyed to the story of about history.
Dimitri Tsafendas and twiddled Over in the
the microphones upon each desk, National
I surreptitiously slid open a drawer. Assembly was
It was empty, aside from a chewed a rainbow version, flown on Everest by
wad of gum. What could be more Sibusiso Vilane. Somewhere in the archives
human than an important (one hopes), are four fragments of ‘moon
MP disposing of chewing dust’ encased in plastic brought back by
gum like a schoolboy?

kulula.com FEBRUARY 2020 107

EXPLORE PARLIAMENTARY PUNCH-UPS

the crew of Apollo 11 – a gift from US President THE ARCANE AND Illustration: Patrick Latimer
Nixon in 1969. Parliament has over THE BEAUTIFUL
3 800 artworks and antiques.
A contemporary example is Obscure traditions and odd moments from
the 112m-long parliaments around the world.
Keiskamma tapestry,
a handstitched CHOICEST JIBES? The DA’s
testament to reference to former Finance Minister
Eastern Cape
and South Des van Rooyen as a ‘two-minute
African history noodle’ each time he stepped
that winds onto the podium. New
around the Zealand’s banned bad
Old Assembly language includes ‘Blow-fly
Chamber. Look minded’ (1933) and ‘His brains
out for its fat Queen could revolve inside a peanut
Victoria, frontier wars and shell for a thousand years
Nguni cattle. without touching the sides’
Satisfyingly, apartheid- (1949). And one choice
era paintings such as comment uttered (and
a 3m-tall portrait of Hendrik
Verwoerd are now kept deep withdrawn) in Australia, was:
in the political wasteland: ‘You are a wanker, Ted.’
Parliament’s basement.
The Architect of Apartheid’s FUNNIEST ONE-LINERS? Deputy Speaker
domain is climate-controlled Lechesa Tsenoli is rather unpredictable and
and alarmed, rather like one never knows what next he will say when
a prison, and the PM under pressure from MPs. He once collapsed
has plenty of colonial the House into fits of laughter when he said:
company: Jan van ‘Please Honourable Members, you’ve got your
Riebeeck, Jan dipstick in the wrong hole. Absolutely, this is why
Smuts, you are getting a wrong reading!’
and Cecil
John Rhodes. Seeing WEIGHT WATCHERS? Tim Noakes was
invited to SA’s Parliament by the Wellness
a massive rendering of PW Committee to chat to MPs about diets.
Botha’s cabinet stacked out of sight – all
white as snow, grey-suited and male – is a delicious WEIRDEST CUSTOM? New Speakers
reminder of how much has changed. The sour looks of the House of Commons in the UK are still
on previously ruling faces as, say, Nelson Mandela dragged to the chair by MPs. (Back when
stood in the National Assembly and gave his first State
of the Nation Address must have been priceless (‘The Speakers had to report bad news
purpose that will drive this government shall be the expansion to grumpy monarchs, seven lost
of the frontiers of human fulfilment’). Sure, there have been their heads. It was not a job in
hooligans in Parliament ever since it was built. But moments of much demand.)
greatness, too.
DRESS CODE? Wearing
a suit of armour to the English
Parliament was banned in 1313.
Swords too. Next: hard hats?

ANIMAL INSTINCTS?
An opposition MP famously said
Margaret Thatcher acted ‘with
the sensitivity of a sex-starved
boa-constrictor’. Thatcher herself
made a rare joke when she quoted Monty Python’s
‘Dead Parrot’ sketch at the Liberal Democrats
after they released a new logo (a bird).

108 FEBRUARY 2020 kulula.com



THE ENFANTS

110 FEBRUARY 2020 kulula.com

THE UPSTARTS EXPLORE

TERRIBLES THE RULE- BREAKER

Meet this year’s Standard Bank Young Artist Award winners, He’s known to electronic music fans around
the world as Spoek Mathambo, but his real
each of whom is breaking the rules to find a distinctive voice name is Nthato Mokgata. He’s been around
long enough to know that rules are made to
be broken. He says that even genres like rap,
hip-hop and various kinds of electronica have
their own dogmatic rules – and Mokgata
has been fortunate to have been able to
break them. ‘I have been very excited to
escape those shackles and be quite free and
constantly spit in the face of the rules when
I make music,’ he says.

Mokgata coined the term ‘Township Tech’
to describe his experimental electronic
sound, and his performances incorporate
videos, artwork and stage design. ‘I’m
a multi-disciplinary artist and I throw myself
in different directions to explore ideas,’
he says.

He’s also an intellectual with ambitions
to change how African music is defined and
ghettoised by narrow definitions. ‘I have been
an outcast throughout my musical career
because of not adhering to any particular
school. It makes it hard to box me, and
things that are hard to box are hard to sell.
I’m on a quest to expand the possibilities of
what African music is and what world music
is,’ he says.

His music has taken him around the
world, and exposed him to how other people
view the continent and what they expect
African artists to sound like. He says the
world’s ideas about African music are
distorted. He believes African music can be
anything he wants it to be. ‘I want to defy
genres and find commonalities and different
forms that inform each other and create
new forms,’ he says. ‘Most people are trying
to make the “most real” rock ‘n’ roll or the
“most real” hip-hop and the “most authentic”
anything, but I’m trying to escape that – to
go anywhere I want, to be open-minded and
collaborate with anybody.’

kulula.com FEBRUARY 2020 111

PAINTING OUTSIDE kulula.com
THE LINES

Today his work appears regularly in South
African art shows, and he’s exhibited in
Chicago and Miami Beach and has attended
art residencies in San Francisco and New York.
But visual artist Blessing Ngobeni says his
creativity was shaped by a traumatic past.
His work blends painting with mixed media
collages featuring magazine advertisements
and newspaper articles. Each makes
a statement about social injustices, historic
oppression, enslavement of the mind, or
criticises the political elite for self-enrichment
and the abuse of power.

Ngobeni knows about abuse. He came from
a broken and abusive home, and at age 10,
fled to Joburg. As a teenager, he was jailed
for robbery, and he discovered art
in prison through the Tsoga (Wake Up)
Arts Project.

‘We all live and breathe politics in South
Africa and the whole purpose of my work is
to speak a language that’s not spoken out
there. To tell those that are representing
black people or society at large that to be
in power doesn’t mean you won the lottery
ticket. They think they can abuse their power
and not use money as it’s supposed to
be used.’

Sometimes, his art is what you see in it and
what your mood is looking for, he says. ‘My
work shows almost every feeling that
a human being can experience, from anger to
sadness and confusion to happiness. When
you look deeper into the detail, you find
something that you don’t necessarily see in
the full image.’

His own troubled background inspires
him to help others when he can, and he
introduces young artists to the industry by
staging workshops and group shows, plus
he sponsors the Blessing Ngobeni Art Prize.
He’s also bought a chicken farm that employs
people from the local community to make
their future brighter too.

112 FEBRUARY 2020

THE UPSTARTS EXPLORE

TONGUE-TIED AND FABULOUS

Dancer and choreographer Lulu Mlangeni says it’s easier to express herself through movement than with words. ‘I always
find it difficult to express myself verbally because I’m not a vocal person, I’m a movement person,’ she says.

Winning the Standard Bank Young Artist Award is another in a string of accolades for Mlangeni. Back in 2007, she won
a Dance Umbrella Award for Most Outstanding Female Dancer in Contemporary Style, and in 2010 she won the second
season of television’s So You Think You Can Dance?. She’s performed in various parts of Africa and in Europe, Russia, and in the
Americas, and she spent a productive decade with Vuyani Dance Theatre, working up from a trainee to become the company’s
creative assistant. Eighteen months ago, she decided to pursue a freelance career. ‘That was the craziest thing I’ve ever done
because I didn’t know where I was going to go or what I was going to do, but life took me to places and I met people and I’m
happy that I went independent,’ she says.

Mlangeni believes that dance is a vehicle for healing, and since South Africans are so traumatised, she feels that dance can
be used as an expression of the unsayable that so many people in our country are going through.

She is especially committed to the cause of women – a thread, she says, that runs through all her work. ‘I stand for women’s
empowerment,’ she says. ‘I stand for freedom.’

And as difficult and challenging as her work sometimes is, it’s immensely captivating, because she puts her entire being into
what she does on stage. ‘I have got a presence, I have got life – on stage I give it my all and dance as if it’s the last time that
I’m dancing.’

kulula.com FEBRUARY 2020 113

EXPLORE THE UPSTARTS kulula.com

BREAKING DOWN WALLS

Jefferson Tshabalala has long kicked against
mainstream theatre, savagely describing most shows
as ‘dull, absolutely dire, and low-budget mediocrity.’

But he’s now infiltrating that mainstream from
within. ‘We’re doing what we want to do on our terms,’
he says. His focus, though, is primarily on getting
more bums on seats – particularly people from
the townships.

‘There’s still a vulgar assumption that black people
don’t go to the theatre,’ he tuts.

As a theatre-maker he knows that isn’t true, since
he’s sold out 1 000-seat venues with his comedy
shows and live events. It’s true that many people
don’t go to theatre, though, and his aim is to get more
adults and young people to embrace theatre-going as
a regular activity.

Tshabalala writes, produces and directs plays,
game shows and sketches which are influenced by the
TV shows and concerts enjoyed by the demographic
he’s chasing. He writes specifically for them in Scamto
or Ringas – urban lingos that meld many different
languages into one.

Then he takes his shows out to find an audience,
rather than expecting the audience to come to him.
‘Theatre needn’t only exist in a theatre,’ he says.
‘We have taken it to them by going into someone’s
house and performing in their living room!’

His first foray into showbiz saw him produce
a poetry slam at R20 a ticket. Recently he staged
a slam where the prize money was R20 000, so
things are scaling up nicely.

He’s also been instrumental in transforming
stand-up comedy from ‘whites only’ into
a multicultural affair. ‘I’ve always said if we can
do it in the language people understand, it’s going
to resonate more, and it’s happened,’ he says.

Tshabalala is now a resident artist at Joburg’s
Market Theatre through his new company Ub’Dope
(slang for ‘brilliant’) Designs. The deal is symbiotic:
the Ub’Dope team has access to professional
stages, technical equipment, fund raising and
marketing teams to support it, while the theatre
gets the injection of fresh energy that Tshabalala
brings. And that means new audiences thanks
to the popularity of his events that span music,
comedy, poetry readings and free lessons
for actors.

114 FEBRUARY 2020





THE UPSTARTS EXPLORE

Words: Lesley Stones, Pictures: Courtesy of Standard Bank Young Artist Awards FIRE STARTER

Saxophonist Sisonke Xonti seems such a calm, thoughtful person that it’s a shock to hear him describe his playing style. ‘I’m fire. I’m
raging fire!’ he grins.

‘I’m a very controlled person, but when I put my mouth to my sax, it’s a different story and my playing can be wild. I’m not a very good
talker so I miss out on opportunities to express myself around people, and the sax is an outlet for me.’

As a boy in Khayelitsha, he wasn’t a genius at all, he says, until he discovered music. His first gig was at a jazz club in Athlone when he
was 15, in a youth community jazz band. He was too young to even be in the club, really, so after he played, he had to leave immediately.

Xonti says he probably didn’t choose the most obvious path. ‘Jazz isn’t the most commercial music – and it’s not easily accessible for
the listener,’ he says. ‘But somehow we make it work. There’s a community of listeners who buy our music and come out and support us.’

In fact, he’s almost perpetually in demand these days, and working on an album of his own. He’s played on countless records and
performed with many great musicians including Jimmy Dludlu, Lira, Hugh Masekela, Feya Faku and Freshlyground.

He believes these are halcyon days for jazz artists. ‘In the past six years, there’s been an upsurge with young jazz artists recording
more than at any other time in history, and I happen to be a part of many of those people’s journeys, helping them make their music and
recording with them,’ he says.

He may be like wildfire when he’s playing, but Xonti says the reality is that he’s benefitted tremendously from being ‘a nice guy’.
Because, he says, ‘the nice guys get the gigs’.

kulula.com FEBRUARY 2020 117







AN UNCONVENTIONAL CONVENTION DISCOVER

DISCOVER
People. Ideas. Things.

Words: Keith Bain, Picture: Sarah Jane Goodman MOVE IT OR LOSE IT

Not only an inescapable vessel for our thoughts
and emotions, the body is the most important tool
we have, a physical marvel that enables us to
experience what the universe has to offer. For the
organisers of Moving Humans, the key to improving
that experience is expanding the body’s capacity to
engage with the world through movement and self-
expression. The two-day ‘convention’ is a journey of
self-discovery in the form of workshops, talks and

immersive experiences in which you can try
out and develop a variety of
skills – from martial
arts, tricking and
partner acrobatics,
to parkour, dance,
slacklining, unicycling

and poi. Pick your own adventures as you play, learn
and discover the joys of moving your body in often
unexpected ways – there are around 25 workshops
from which to choose, plus time to connect with
others, express yourself and chill out with other like-
minded folks who share your curiosity about your
body’s potential. It’s happening at Camps Bay High
School and costs R900 for a weekend pass, or R500
per day. 29 February–1 March, quicket.co.za,
movinghumans.co.za

122 135 143Art on skin
Upstart entrepreneurs Mother City’s mobster museum

kulula.com FEBRUARY 2020 121

Gangsters have them. Prisoners, sailors, circus freaks, and prostitutes have them. But so
do lawyers, doctors, teachers, policemen, firemen, soldiers, housewives, grandmothers, and
celebrities. Even writers have them. What happened? Wondering when and why tattoos lost their
taboo credentials and took over the mainstream, Bianca Coleman gets under tattooing’s skin

122 FEBRUARY 2020 kulula.com

WHEN TATTOOS CAME OUT DISCOVER

one are the so-called old days when tattoos were associated with rebellion and rock

stars. These days, everyone and their aunt is flaunting a full sleeve or a half-neck

covered in patterned glory. The art and skill of tattooing are celebrated all over the

world at international conventions such as the one coming to Cape Town next month.

And TV series like Miami Ink and LA Ink did their bit to expose a once underground,

half-renegade culture to a far wider audience – but not necessarily in a manner that

was beneficial.

‘Those shows were good for the industry, but

also bad in a way,’ says Tamar Thorn of Good

Things Tattoo in Woodstock, Cape Town. ‘The

damage was making it too accessible for too

many people. It watered down what tattooing

would have been if they had not aired; it watered

down the mystery.

‘It’s at a tipping point now where it needs to

become unfashionable again, and for shops to

close. Tattooing needs to go back underground for

the wave to break and come back, so there will be

another wave in 10 years’ time.’

Everyone is feeling it.

‘Discovery stuffed it up for us and made it more

mainstream with Miami Ink,’ agrees Derek Baker

of Metal Machine, a tattoo parlour in central

Cape Town, who has been tattooing since 1991.

‘I'd prefer it to be slightly more underground. South African
‘The way tattooing has progressed, we no International
Tattoo Convention,
longer have a tradition. Apprenticeships were V&A Waterfront,
how you earned your stripes. You don’t learn it Cape Town,
anymore. Everyone wants instant gratification,’ 27-29 March
he gripes.

Tattooed people get asked a lot of questions

by those without ink, and are frequently pawed

in public. Here’s a tip: it’s highly inappropriate to

touch or pull clothes aside without buying the

tattooed person a drink first. This does happen,

as does the question ‘where else do you have

tattoos?’ Frankly, that is between me, my lover,

my doctor, and the lady who does my waxing.

Respect the personal space please, and look

Other frequently asked with your eyes, not your hands.
questions include ‘are they
real?’ and ‘does it hurt?’ Not at Other frequently asked questions include ‘are
all, Susan; they are licked on
by baby unicorns they real?’ and ‘does it hurt?’ Not at all, Susan;

they are licked on by baby unicorns. Several

needles pierce your skin at between 50 and 130

times a second. You bleed. Yes, it hurts.

kulula.com FEBRUARY 2020 123

here is a giant misconception that tattoos are addictive.
‘This irritates me,’ says Thorn. ‘Addiction comes from
a place of feeling completely disconnected and lonely;
addictions are destructive. Maybe society sees it that way
when people have what they think are too many tattoos.’
My first tattoo, when I was 21, was by the legendary late
Jimmy Adams, who also gave Baker his first ink (and who in
turn, tattooed Thorn with her self-drawn star sign when she
was going through a Goth phase; both of them have inked me extensively).
‘I got my first tattoo when I moved to Cape Town in ’87, ’88 with old Mr Adams.
I had a panther with a snake – a classic,’ recalls Baker.
Adams’s shop was on a corner in Woodstock. The windows were covered with
tattoo flash (generic tattoo designs) on paper, curled and yellowed with age. An
infamous sign said, simply, ‘If you don’t, you’re chicken,’ which no doubt pushed
many an undecided client into getting their rose, or swallow (which Adams would
freehand in about 10 minutes for about R20 back then).
A little old man with a walking stick sat outside: the bodyguard. ‘Adams had been
in that shop from the early to mid-’50s if I remember correctly,’ says Baker. It’s
Canopy King now.
While tattoos have become the rule rather than the exception,
there are still some taboos, and still a whole lot of judging going on.
Anyone with significant ink will tell you how they are viewed differently
in summer when it’s all out on glorious show, and winter when it’s
covered by woollen knitwear, rendering you all but invisible.
‘It’s not just South Africa. When I’m in a small town in Bavaria,
I still get looked at,’ says Baker. ‘Worldwide, it’s more accepted
but you’re not going to get a corporate job. It will get there eventually,
but not yet.’
Baker has a reputation for being, shall we say, outspoken, but
underneath that tough exterior beats a conscientious heart. He won’t
tattoo things that are drug-related, or white supremacist. Even if
he does call butterflies ‘penises with wings’, he says he’s super
conservative in his approach. ‘Being tattooed does not need to destroy
your future. Some jobs and careers do allow it, but others don’t. I care
about your life. It took me 24 years to have my own hands tattooed.’

Linked by ink: Tamar Thorn (above)
of Good Things Tattoo (top right)

in Woodstock, got her Goth-phase star-
sign tattoo from Derek Baker (right).
Both tattoo artists miss the days when
tattoos were more underground

124 FEBRUARY 2020 kulula.com

WHEN TATTOOS CAME OUT DISCOVER

Thorn’s clients are generally serious ‘Instagram has brought everyone to the same playing field,’ observes Baker.
about their tattoos. The pieces are ‘Where things change is how we adapt and add a different style to things already
large so if you’re covering a huge area happening. I want to go “backwards” to more traditional Japanese tattooing because
of skin, you’re not going to be blasé it looks good, it lasts long, and I love doing it.’
about it, she says.
Penelope Frog, a piercer who worked at Metal Machine for many years, knows how
‘We’re very strict, and to the best limited tattoos used to be – limited images, limited colours, limited talent. ‘Now, oh
of our ability we do our research. If wow! The talent out there is insane!’ she says. ‘Whatever design idea you can dream of,
someone comes in with a photo of there is the talent somewhere to execute it flawlessly into your skin. The internet and
a tattoo, we’ll always try to change social media have played a huge role; in the ’90s we relied on flash sheets bought from
it up a bit, or make it more personal. artists at other shops and in other countries. We relied on tattoo magazines to see what
We don’t like copying. the world of tattoos had to offer.’

‘And if they come in with an idea
which we know they’re going to regret,
because they’re young and haven’t
thought it through, then we advise
against it.’

Driving tattoos ever deeper into
everyday life are online platforms like
Pinterest and specifically Instagram;
people follow artists, they follow
shops, and make informed decisions
based on this.

‘If they come in with
an idea which we know
they’re going to regret,
we advise against it’

TRENDING TATTOOS

With trends ranging from ignorant tattoos (humorous, cartoon-like or graffiti-inspired
images) to the now-outdated tribals and one-liners that are almost cartoonish in their
simplicity, or the super-realistic high art with bold, bright colours, where do we go next?

‘Because your soccer mom is getting a neo-traditional half sleeve with beautiful lady
face and a fox at 40 years old and she’s rocking that, I think the taboos or extremes are
now blacking out arms, inking eyeballs, and tattooing faces like crazy,’ says Thorn. ‘We get
a lot of requests for blackouts. The extremes are going to become the mainstream – black
lines down their arms, blacked out forearms, patches of solid black, following body and
musculature; a rebirth of tribal but a more extreme version. The attention these tattoos
attract is going to be the cool thing. Either that, or micro tattoos – the other extreme.’

Baker has a client who is going straight in for black arms. ‘It’s actually super traditional
Japanese; it’s not new. It’s centuries old,’ he says.

kulula.com FEBRUARY 2020 125



WHEN TATTOOS CAME OUT DISCOVER

attooing has changed from something seen as
seedy and criminal to a common accessory
for many to have, says pin-up gal Cashé
Kidd-Collocott (below), who has always loved
the intricacy and details of tattoos. ‘There is
something so beautiful about tattoos and the rich
history involved.’

Lindi van Aswegen (right) got her first tattoo
at the age of 15 (with parental consent). ‘I’ve
since had that tattoo covered up and discovered
insanely talented artists in Cape Town where
there is a plethora of tattoo artists whose art is
next level,’ she says. Burlesque performer Sophia
Von Syren doesn’t think there are many tattoo
taboos left. ‘People must do what they want to
do and what makes them happy and live with the
consequences. It’s always a risk getting hands,
face or neck areas tattooed, especially if you’re
going to have a job in the corporate world. But
if not, you might get away with it. I personally
wouldn’t easily tattoo my face, and as a dancer

I’m not too keen on tattooing my legs

right now.’

Then there are the downright awful tattoos –

misspelling and bad grammar in general, wrong

Pictures: Bianca Coleman, Moonlight Studio, Good Things Tattoo, iStock.com, Supplied translations of Chinese symbols (kanji), and

inferior work. The saying ‘good

tattoos aren’t cheap and cheap The saying
tattoos aren’t good’ should be ‘good tattoos
your guideline. aren’t cheap
and cheap
‘Decorating your body with ink tattoos aren’t
is similar to cutting and dying good’ should
your hair or dressing a certain be your
way. It’s just more permanent!’ guideline
says Van Aswegen.

Penelope Frog believes it
comes down to personal choice.

Her philosophy is: ‘If the person

wearing the tattoo is happy with

the tattoo, don’t say anything negative about it.’

Thorn isn’t quite so forgiving of heinous art.

‘I don’t even pretend to like bad tattoos anymore,’

she says. ‘I say outright it’s garbage, who did

that? They should have their hands cut off.’

kulula.com FEBRUARY 2020 127



THINGS WORTH HAVING DISCOVER

MINGLE / BROWSE / BUY

CONNECT & COLLECT

STRNEOAWMING Bad boy rapping

There’s swearing and there’s attitude and
there’s a whole lot of good-natured vocal
hooliganism on Boland Bad Boys, Vol 1.,
the debut album by Cape Town rapper
Middelvinger (which translates from
Afrikaans to ‘middle finger’, although his
real name is Jéan Labuschagne). In the
rapper’s own words, ‘This is feel-good
music with some crazy rhymes. It’s
a blend of that old-school ’90s and early-
2000s style production with a modern
college hip-hop feel to it. It sounds like
the beat-up system in the Conquest we
used to drive around Stellies and sell
weed in.’ Labuschagne started rapping
as a teenager and went on to play drums
for such rock bands as Dead Lucky
and Goodnight Wembley. It’s his street
reputation, however, that earned him
a spot on Fokofpolisekar’s 2006 album,
Swanesang – it includes the song ‘Bel Vir
Middelvinger’ (‘Phone Middle Finger’),
a nod to the rapper’s weed-dealing days.
Middelvinger also mixes with that other
mischief-making musical hooligan, Jack
Parow. ‘Me and Parow go waaaaay back,’
he says, ‘to like high-school days when
we all used to hang in Onrus for school
holidays.’ The first single off the 18-track
album is ‘Weskus Boi’ which features
Parow and Andrew Davenport (of
Thieve) and has one hell of an earwormy
chorus. Other collaborators on the album
include Mango Groove’s Claire Johnston,
rock legend Francois Van Coke and gqom
kings Distruction Boyz.

kulula.com FEBRUARY 2020 129

Shimmering stones Garden Route, 8–9 February
George Old Car Show
The Valentine’s Day hard-sell is unavoidable at this The central display for the 24th edition
time of year, and while there’s tat and schmaltz in of this vintage car show will be bakkies
spades, some traditions never lose their lustre. We’re – space for 40 LDVs has been allocated
talking about diamonds, of course, which are the adjacent the main arena where some
focus of two Shimansky-crafted jewellery pieces of the oldest and rarest bakkies you’ve
you might like to consider giving to the lady of your ever seen will be displayed. Organised
dreams. There’s the Two Hearts diamond ring with by the Southern Cape Old Car Club,
its classic-yet-modern design, timeless elegance vehicles on display will include a 1937
and classy simplicity, and the My Girl Lucky 8 Ford V8, a 1946 GMC, 1948 Studebaker,
pendant, which features the first patented diamond 1954 International, 1957 DKW, a 1957
cut to originate from South Africa. shimansky.co.za Ford Ranchero, 1958 Borgward, 1960
Chevrolet El Camino, 1960 Austin
Sustainable style (Baby), 1969 Morris, 1973 Dodge, and
– for fans of the truly vintage –
Cape Town upcycle brand Sealand a 1925 Chevrolet, and two Ford Model
was last year awarded the Sustainable Ts (from 1915 and 1929). Some of these
Accessory Award at the inaugural Twyg are vehicles most people never knew
Sustainable Fashion Awards. Innovative existed and will quite probably never see
products include its new Recycle range again. There will also be a Ferrari Club
manufactured from Recover, a woven exhibition featuring 17 supercars, an
fabric made of a blend of recycled plastic auction by Traders Auctions and a special
bottles and recycled cotton waste. The exhibition of muscle cars. scocc.co.za
result is a selection of highly durable,
great-looking bags that come in jet (black),
pebble (navy blue) or coral (orange) and
are available at Sealand’s Cape Town
store at Dock Road Junction near the V&A
Waterfront, or online. sealandgear.co.za

Surround sound

These DIXON MS-441 Bluetooth
headphones are great for insulating you
from ambient environmental noise for
a more immersive listening experience.
Their full-bodied audio combines deep, solid
bass along with sustained treble on higher
notes and tones – great for listening to music and
podcasts while on the go, or for when you want to
be immersed in the soundtrack of whatever you’re
watching. They feature multiple audio inputs, have
soft, comfortable, adjustable earcups, and are flexible,
lightweight and durable. cashcrusaders.co.za

130 FEBRUARY 2020 kulula.com

THINGS WORTH HAVING DISCOVER

xxxxxxxx

Flavoured ferment

If you still haven’t tried kombucha (a probiotic fermented tea that’s considered useful for
gut health and can be combined with all kinds of fruits and other natural ingredients to
create wondrous flavours), then you owe it to your taste buds to give it a go – it’s superbly
thirst-quenching, has multiple health benefits,
and is an excellent replacement for alcohol
among teetotallers looking for a more grown-up
mouth-feel. Another good reason to try it is that
Cape Town kombucha brand Happy Culture
has launched two new flavours. Its Cherry CBD
flavour is lip-smackingly fruity and infused with
premium quality CBD oil, while citrus-flavoured
Zesty Energy contains guarana and ginseng for an
energising pick-me-up without the sugary, artificial
rush of standard energy drinks. happyculture.co.za

Joburg, 14–15 March Rule-breaking red
The Wedding Expo
There’s something a bit spooky about For its 80th anniversary, Stellenbosch
hosting a wedding show precisely one month wine estate Delheim has released
after Valentine’s Day, but – hey – life’s short, Iconoclast, a Shiraz-driven Cape blend
so let’s get on with it. Happening at Sandton that – in name and spirit – pays tribute
Convention Centre, this extended sales to the late ‘Spatz’ Sperling, a South
pitch from everyone and anyone involved in African wine industry pioneer. Spatz, who
the wedding industry will try to flog flower passed away in 2017 at the age of 87, did
arrangements, table settings, venues, and much to challenge industry conventions
even honeymoon packages. There’ll be and helped transform winemaking
fashion shows showcasing bridal trends, legislation in the days when there were
wedding planners hoping to get your business, few independent estates. Iconoclast is an
and a chance to sit down with jewellery atypical four-cultivar Cape blend. With
designers to start creating your engagement Shiraz (hand-harvested from a single
ring. wedding-expo.co.za, quicket.co.za vineyard block of 20-year-old bush vines)
as its star, it’s rounded off with Cabernet
Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Pinotage
(usually the main component of a Cape
blend, but this is a rule-breaker, after all).
The logo takes inspiration from Spatz
too. He was never seen without his hat
and his Jack Russell, Nelson. A 2012
vintage, only 2 100 bottles of Iconoclast
have been produced. delheim.com

kulula.com FEBRUARY 2020 131

DISCOVER THINGS WORTH HAVING

Drinkables

Reading rockstars Hoodwinking Tempering teens Detecting djinn Words: Keith Bain, Pictures: Supplied
humans
Legendary guitarist and From Penguin Random House, Djinn Patrol on the Purple
songwriter of The Who, Pete We are, to put it bluntly, being Megan de Beyer’s new book, Line is the brilliant debut novel
Townshend has written a novel mined for data. Everything we do – by Deepa Anappara. It takes three
that endeavours to probe the every decision (click, like or swipe How to Raise a Man – friends – and the reader – into
deep questions about what it is left) is monitored and abstracted A Modern Mother’s Guide
to be an artist or a rock ‘n’ roll into an algorithm whose function is to Parenting Her Teenage the darkest, most dangerous
genius. It’s called The Age of to better and better understand us Son, isn’t just about tempering pockets of a vast and sprawling
Anxiety and uses a very thin at a fundamental and frightening any hooligan antics in the male Indian city as they search for their
veil to ruminate on the vagaries Gen Z in your life, but how missing schoolmate. While young
of life as a musician and band level. The problem is that we’ve to intentionally and smartly Jai relies on the detective skills
member who really tries to been hoodwinked into believing manage youngsters who are he’s gleaned from TV shows, he
push the limits of creativity. that the technologies we think we full of paradoxes and can be takes his friends on an adventure
So there’s lots of navel-gazing rely on are there solely to service downright confusing. The book that turns increasingly sinister as
and introspection while digging our expanding needs. The truth, is about how to be the centred, more children start to go missing.
under the skin of rockstardom’s as Shoshana Zuboff argues in her capable, compassionate adult And while the reality of the city
book The Age of Surveillance your growing teenager needs – its sights, smells, and inherent
seemingly inherent Capitalism, is that our devices you to be, and offers insight into horrors – are vividly captured, the
hooliganism, paradoxical genius, understanding teenagers and suspenseful mystery deepens
(and there are an increasing the development of masculinity.
ambitiousness and ego. It’s number of them to which we as rumours fester that the
a wordy attempt to figure out are tethered) are parasitically It draws on both western missing children are victims of
what it all means – the wild psychology and eastern soul-abducting djinn. As fantasy
times, the sex, drugs, alcohol predating on us, siphoning philosophy for a more holistic and reality collide in terrifying
and relentless love of music – information, data and details that ways, the brave young heroes are
put together in a format that are in turn converted into myriad framework providing transformed in a story that’s as
Townshend in fact hopes will be ways of selling us more things we a very practical guide to help unforgettable as it is astonishing,
turned into an opera. It has that think we can’t live without. We now you survive your teenage son its significance heightened by
exist, Zuboff argues, in an age of the fact that it draws on real-
kind of epic ambitiousness. endless surveillance, whereby data with your sanity intact. life disappearances that have
is the primary currency and we
happened in Indian cities.
appear to be giving it
away for free.

132 FEBRUARY 2020 kulula.com





BRAVE IN BUSINESS DISCOVER

It takes a special kind of person to
see a solution where others see only
a problem, to invent a way to do things better,
or create new services we can’t live without. We
meet a couple of home-grown entrepreneurs
who’ve taken the leap into the unknown

kulula.com FEBRUARY 2020 135

DISCOVER BRAVE IN BUSINESS

W hile Africa needs innovators alike with the title of his book, Betting are forced to look at problems and come
to kickstart the economy on a Darkie, an autobiography about his up with solutions instead of just being
and create jobs, most people journey from rural Mthatha to becoming passengers on other people’s ideas.’ Fiery
analyse the obstacles, do the the CEO of three major companies – words, but he isn’t finished. ‘As South
sums, compare the big risks to the small Microsoft South Africa, Africans, we are not solution-oriented.
rewards, and quit dreaming. Those who MTN South Africa, and
push through are worth celebrating, along now Altron. We wait for things to be done
with the training schemes and mentors ‘There’s a need for for us. People from other
who help them light the fuse and launch. entrepreneurs in our countries come here and
country and our see the opportunities
Like William Kamkwamba, the continent because and start businesses,
Malawian who built a windmill from scrap the chances of a while the locals are
at the age of 14 to generate electricity company like mine unable to come up
for his home, working from plans he increasing the with that. That’s
found in a library book. He went on to number of people an unintended
attend TEDGlobal on a fellowship, had it employs is very consequence of
a movie made about him, and worked on unlikely. It’s more likely the government’s
other projects for his family compound, to reduce the number to message that it will
including solar-powered lighting, a water become more competitive,’ build houses for you and
well with a solar-powered pump and an he says. Jobs of the future will be
irrigation system. created by bright thinkers in Soweto solve your problems for you.’
There simply aren’t enough of or Khayelitsha coming up with ideas to Fortunately, not everyone is
these goose-bump-inducing stories, resolve their challenges, he says. But waiting for handouts, though, and the
although Africa should be a hotbed of South Africa is less entrepreneurial than entrepreneurial spirit is driven by folks
entrepreneurship because it’s a hotbed other African nations because black who go out and do it for themselves,
of problems. ‘The difference in South economic empowerment has quashed often taking others on the journey
Africa and Africa compared to the rest self-sufficiency, he believes. ‘BEE has with them.
of the world is that here we have many had negative unintended consequences
more problems, which means we have because entrepreneurship isn’t top of
even more opportunities for people mind when you can just jump into an
to come up with creative ideas,’ says existing enterprise because of the colour
businessman Mteto Nyati. ‘Unlike of your skin. In other countries, people
elsewhere, where the problems have
already been met with solutions, this is
still a land of plenty.’

If Nyati hadn’t gone into business, he’d
have made a great boxer, because he can
floor you with truths that punch as hard
as any fist. He’s upset blacks and whites

136 FEBRUARY 2020 kulula.com



BEYOND NORMAL ‘Having been on the journey, I’ve realised Excelling in one core skill isn’t enough,
that an entrepreneurial buzz is vital and because running a business requires
‘I don’t think I’m normal – I think I’m not everyone has it in them. It takes really financial savvy, bookkeeping skills
crazy,’ laughs Melusi Ngwenya. crazy people to go for it and persevere, and other admin-oriented know-how.
Being crazy is partly what makes him because you get rejected more than you get Ngwenya needed a helping hand, and
a fabulous entrepreneur. yeses. So you need to be driven and have a fortunately, he got two. One came from
bigger vision and not get excited by instant a three-year mentoring programme with
Solving problems by inventing new satisfaction, because building something business incubator Raizcorp, and the
products or better ways to do things takes with substance takes time.’ other came from Comair, which sponsors
the sort of vision, flair and fire within that the Raizcorp training for several people
most people don’t possess. It’s a gift, or every year, and then recruits them as its
perhaps a curse, if you spend years chasing suppliers if possible.
a dream only to see it fade away. The true
entrepreneur doesn’t care. They shake off With a frightening 55.2%
the hurt, the rejection and the bankruptcy, unemployment rate among 15-to-24-
and start again. year-olds in South Africa, it’s obvious
that people have to create their own
Ngwenya (33) is the founder of Dlloyd opportunities. ‘You need to take the
Creative Enterprises, a small but growing plunge and go with it, and understand
company that provides barcoding, that it’s okay to fail because it means
labelling, digital design and printing you tried and might learn from your
services. Ngwenya was a planner for an failure,’ Ngwenya says.
international clothing company when
he realised he could use his skills and Not always an easy ask considering the
experience to work for himself. He now many risks associated with embarking
employs two staff members and two on a solo venture that would terrify
interns and aims to start selling into Africa most of us.
in the next five years.

RAISING THE BAR graduated some 13 000 businesses from to expand her
its high-touch Prosperator programmes business.
Headquartered in Sandton and with – some 500 businesses are currently And then there’s
offices across the country, Raizcorp’s supported by such programmes. Its reach Phumlani
obsession is with entrepreneurship and now also extends to Tanzania, Angola Mngomezulu
growing entrepreneurs. It offers world- (pictured right),
class incubation and acceleration and Zimbabwe. Locally, Raizcorp has owner of Persntge
programmes for entrepreneurs helped change the fortunes of Brand Engineering,
and provides scale-up Pertunia Mtsweni (pictured a brand development agency
equity to entrepreneurs left) who – with support from that focuses on entrepreneurs and helps
who are growing their Comair – has turned her them develop a network of support for
businesses. It also provides dream of being a business strategy, design and other activities.
entrepreneurship education owner into reality. Her Barely out of his teens, Mngomezulu
to school children and SMME business, Cleaning has been earmarked for mentorship
provides assistance to Made Easy, offers household by Comair’s marketing management
governments and developmental team in order to further develop his
agencies to set up entrepreneurial and commercial cleaning in the skills while tapping into his keen
infrastructure at a country level. Raizcorp Witbank area. Comair furthered her entrepreneurial capacity. raizcorp.com
currently operates 13 incubators, and has vision by funding the purchase of carpet-
cleaning equipment that enabled Mtsweni

138 FEBRUARY 2020 kulula.com

BRAVE IN BUSINESS DISCOVER

TIME TO CELEBRATE to understand yourself better and
understand your value proposition,’
While failures are considered part he says.
of the learning curve, one key to
entrepreneurship is learning to recognise Originally Battonage designed wine
the successes. And pausing to celebrate lists for restaurants and advised them
those successes is also crucial, says on cellar management. Now Mputa
Khuselo Mputa, a sommelier who has is developing an app called Pocket
evolved into an entrepreneur with his Sommelier to connect consumers to wine
own wine consultancy, Batonnage. estates to learn more about their wines
‘We hardly ever celebrate all the small and buy from multiple suppliers. ‘It’s
achievements, but every small win is become a completely different business
a validation of your creativity. It’s a long, to what it was and it’s not what I thought
hard slog, but when you execute for I’d create. It’s now a technology business
a client and they recommend you to to serve the wine industry,’ he says. That
other clients, that’s where the little will allow it to expand nationally, or
celebrations are. It’s a validation of your perhaps globally, creating jobs for geeks
vision every time, and that allows you to and support staff as it grows.
continue going forward.’
This kind of growth is essential.
Mputa also received huge support It’s believed that only 15% of South
from Raizcorp and Comair, and African startups survive to create
the guidance he received changed sustainable jobs. Which means that going
the direction of his business. ‘The it alone – with or without the support of
programme is a fantastic tool for an institution like Raizcorp – requires
entrepreneurs because it has a very a leap of faith and, yes, perhaps a bit
introspective approach, so you start of crazy.

Words: Lesley Stones, Pictures: Supplied, iStock.com PRETTY FLY FOR A SHY GAL personal, nancial and strategy guides and training, they didn’t take me seriously.
set goals for yourself. I started practicing by Now they have a level of trust in my
e determination and drive to become an going up and speaking to people and pushing business because there’s something I have
entrepreneur don’t always appear instantly. myself out of my comfort zone,’ she says. now that I didn’t have before – competence
Sometimes you have to work on yourself and con dence,’ she says.
as well as working on your business plan. Ngubane was also afraid of failing, until she
realised that the future is what you make it. It’s hard for African entrepreneurs to
e big hurdle facing Pretty Ngubane ‘We all have to play our role to get to the place raise the money to grow, she says, but that
(pictured right) was shyness, which is we want to be. I can reach out for won’t stop the best. ‘You can’t say “I can’t
a big impediment when you’re trying assistance, but the only person do anything because I need money to
to sell yourself and your tourism services who can help me reach my start something”. I started my business
to strangers. destiny is myself.’ when I had nothing – only a salary that
I needed to live on and I used that to
Ngubane (29) owns PSN Travel Frenzy, Now she’s con dent register a company. As individuals,
which markets small-scale venues and that PSN Travel Frenzy
tours in KwaZulu-Natal, but shyness was will be sustainable, and nobody owes us a thing. As much as
preventing her from making sales. instead of being rejected we need nancial assistance, it will
by the tourism services she come when the people with the power
She overcame that thanks to training wants to work with, they’re to assist us see that we have something
from Raizcorp, with the three-year tuition approaching her. ‘Before this
fees funded by Comair. ‘I was very shy and worth supporting.’
I couldn’t talk but with Raizcorp, you get

kulula.com FEBRUARY 2020 139







LIVES INTERRUPTED DISCOVER

discov
Words: Keith Bain, Picture: Christian Imraan/Red Bull Content Pool er something n

ewTHWARTING THUGGERY

Unlike the cinematic depiction of a criminal underworld in
Knuckle City (page 41), the reality of gangsterism in South
Africa is no laughing matter. Gang-related violence and
crime on the Cape Flats continues to be a major scourge,

driving the statistics that have earned Cape Town its
ranking as the most dangerous city in Africa. The
apparent allure of thug life is a major stumbling block

for young people – among communities embroiled in
the endless cycle of turf conflicts, children as young
as 12 are joining gangs that set them up for

a life interrupted by drug-use, street conflict, prison
and death. Determined to make a difference is
Khayelitsha-born-and-raised social entrepreneur

Wandisile Nqeketho (pictured). He established
the 18 Gangster Museum which puts gang
recruitment, activity and consequences into
context – the point being that youngsters should
be made aware of the kind of hell that awaits them on
that path. Occupying a repurposed shipping container
in Mandela Park, Khayelitsha, the museum includes an
exhibit on the realities of gangsterism and prison life – it
also contains a simulated jail cell. Visits are guided by
reformed ex-offenders who candidly talk about the impact
of gang membership and time on the inside on their own
lives. Visits to the museum can be booked online and
combined with various tours of the township. 18gm.co.za.

kulula.com FEBRUARY 2020 143



Photographs: Sven Kristian, OlgaLIS/istockphoto.com aknhdualunmswGaoeonrtlotihnies.criod.dzale:
TmhoeremyoWoruehayletoaauvmteaIbk?eeh, tinhde.

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