Another year, another trip to SA
It’s been a year since my last journey home. A year of living out of a suitcase – flying between Los Angeles and Toronto with the occasional stint in Vancouver. I must enjoy it. As my fifth grade teacher Mrs. Andrews once said to me: “ A rolling stone gathers no moss”. My first thought was, “ Who needs moss?!”
Without all the excitement of the World Cup I had a lot more time to spend with family and to reconnect with friends. First stop was Joburg and it’s all too familiar icy winter weather. I know, I’ve lived in Canada, I shouldn’t complain – but without indoor heating, -5 C is a different experience entirely. I was glad of the fuzzy slippers tucked in my carry on – a last minute thought that proved indispensable. While in Joburg I attended a birthday dinner for a friends Mom and was privy to the most enthusiastic,melodious and cacaphonous rendition of Happy Birthday - in multiple languages, joined by an entire family dancing and a bullhorn – that I had ever seen. All that and we hadn’t even gotten to the cake. It was heart warming; my cheeks hurt from smiling. Many thanks to the Lerole family for having me join in such a close and personal celebration.
The next day a dear friend let me tag along while she did some community outreach work at the Thusong Youth Centre in Alexander. There was a brilliant young Pantsula dance group of 6 boys performing, to Beyonce’, for a completely enraptured audience of adorable, face painted kids - 3 to 13. The choreo skit was akin to a passion play. A young man knowing truth tries to convince his friends, they turn against him and he falls. He is resurrected and the rest is all triumphant joy. I was taken aback at how much energy these young men had for their performance – going full out for their young audience. I imagined the hours spent practicing in a back yard or living room, carefully working out every move. It was inspirational and reminded me that there are no circumstances under which it is not possible to make art.
Later that evening, now joined by new friend we were invited to a traditional Zulu wedding. Although we had missed all the traditioanl ceremonies and service – we arrived just in time for the best part of any celebration –the food. Music blared from the tent, especially brought in for the occasion and keeping the most honored guests warm and fed. The house overflowed with relatives and friends, woman bringing food from the kitchen and empty plates back. The whole neighbourhood had been invited and the revellers spilled from the tent and the house out into the streets of Soweto. No one complained about the noise, because they were out enjoying it themselves. Or too busy eating and toasting the happy couple. We met our hostess, were introduced to the makoti (bride) and then found some chairs and handed plates and once. I had already made a turn around the buffet table with all the lovely bean and beetroot salads, beef stew, and samp, hot pickles and sweet pumpkin, when our hostess looked at me with mock disapprovement and announced, “ Is that all you are going to eat? You insult my house”! I needed little more persuasion and went back for a second helping. After dessert and beer and cookies, phew! No wonder the guests lingered. They most likely couldn’t get up for the great hospitality they had enjoyed.
I been back for less than a week and already I felt like I had never left. Then again, it seems to always feel that way. Those first few days back summed up my hopes and dreams for every trip home. Family love, innovation and creativity, community, music, food and celebration. Yes there are dark things all around us, tough choices and difficult situations but it doesn’t take much to create a bit of happiness, to rise above, even for a moment.
Mea Culpa
Okay, so let’s just get to it. I’ve been a bad blogger. I haven’t added a new post since April?! Terrible…. After having received a stern talking to from my most tech savvy Aunt about the dangers of leaving a site unattended, and always one to heed advice from knowledgeable elders ( although not by much), I am re inspired to write and share my little piece of the planet with the virtual world.
So, what’s been happening? Let’s see….There was LA, and all that comes along with Pilot season and an entire city full of artists and creatives. Yay. Then another much needed trip back to South Africa. Double yay. As well as a stint in Denver and LA shooting Season 2 of “Sex, God, Rock n’ Roll” with the extraordinary talent that is Stuart Davis. (How more ‘yay’ can a girl get ?)
But more on all that later…promise.
There, see? That wasn’t that hard.
Now…what’s for breakfast?
xK
Reel Artsy
A quirky little guest post I wrote for the movie, film and fashion site Reel Artsy…..check out my latest piece on my favorite subject…SA!
Direct Link:
www.reelartsy.com/2011/04/guest-post-5-favorites-by-kandyse.html
- Africa Fashion Week,
- durban film festival,
- food,
- South Africa
More pics from Africa Fashion Week Launch Party
Hob nobbing with top designer David Tlale, the talented and always dapper Kwela Tebza Boys and all the Jo’burg glitterati. Hosted at the FIFA Exhibition Hall in Sandton City.
- 1Goal,
- Africa Fashion Week,
- David Tlale,
- FIFA 2010,
- Kwela Tebza,
- South Africa
A Cause I Care About: 1GOAL
Education for All
Kandyse at the 1GOAL booth at the Africa Fashion Week Launch Party in Johannesburg, South Africa
From the 1GOAL website:
“Today, 72 million children in the world are denied the chance to go to school. These children could be our next generation’s leaders, sports stars, doctors and teachers. But they face a lifelong struggle against poverty.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Since 2000, 40 million more children are in school. Education beats poverty – and gives people the tools to help themselves.
1GOAL is a campaign seizing the power of football to ensure that education for all is a lasting impact of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Raising our voices all over the world we believe that, together, we can make education a reality for the millions of boys and girls who remain out of school.
Kandyse signs her name on a chalkboard in support of 1GOAL
“This is our chance to show not just out-of-school children, but our own children, that when we make a promise, we keep it. With your help, we could have billions of fans cheering not just for their teams, but for one team: 1GOAL. This is our moment to shine; we can bring millions of children in from the shadows of ignorance, and light up their lives with the legacy of education.” ~ Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah Co-Founder and Global Co-Chair, 1GOAL
You can help make education for all a reality.
1GOAL is bringing together footballers, fans, charities, corporations and individuals to lobby and achieve our ambitious aim of education for everyone. By joining the 1GOAL team, you can strengthen the campaign’s voice and give us the best possible chance of success.”