One of my most craziest and beautiful little sisters

Ladies and gentlemen I present to you Lerato Ellen Thubakgale, my beautiful litlle sister :)

 

Lovely

Extraordinary

                                                                  Radiant

Adventorous

Trustworthy

                                                                       Obedient

CRAZYYYYYYYY

SUPER UBER BEAUTIFUL

                                                               MODEL

GOD'S LITTLE PRINCESS

Baws's soulmate

 

 

 

 

 

 

From my heart

 

I will forever love you

You are kind, sweet and loving

and above all you are crazier than me

 

Caro-on-the-grind

 

Brothers

When I was growing up I was told to stay away from boys because they will break my heart. I did not understand this because I grew up with quite a number of them and I liked them more than I did girls because well we all know that girls are moody. At some point I even saw myself as one of them with regards to being cool. Then I grew up and started developing these awkward feelings of attractions towards some of them, the older I got the more boys I met, the more I realise how similar they were.

With boys everything is simple, what you get is what you see. I do not have a bilological brother but I have gentlemen in my life who I see as brothers. For one they are overly very overprotective of me, I remember this one time I was chilling with one friend of mine and my brother signals with his hand that he does not approve of our friendship. We never talked about it after that but ; I got his message loud and clear. Although I am still friends with the guy: I know that if anything goes wrong; I cannot tell my brother because he does not approve.(lies) I will tell him anyway and he will tell me "Lil sis I got your back just keep me in the loop."

This other time I had a boyfriend and took my time in telling one of my brothers because I had been single for quite a while and I did not know how to break the news to him. When I finally plucked up the courage to tell him he was surprised, but hey! what did I expect. And then he asked to meet him and even shook hands with him. My brother later on told me that he is in my life forever no matter what happens. The relationship did not live to see the light of day but hey! I still have my brother and that is the greatest thing in the world. With him I can totally be the crazy me I know myself to be, I dance with him, sing with him, he makes me laugh and he loves me unconditionally.

We do have our disagreements like  anybody but I would not trade my brothers, uncles, boy-friends, childhood buddies and boys in my life for anything. They brought me joy, love, peace and a whole lot of wisdom when it comes to the opposite sex that I might be attracted to. Above everything they are a part of my life and I love them. yes! I love the men in my life  and if there happens to be a boy that I am attracted to who wants to make me his wife he had better accept that I have these wonderful men in my life and they are not going anywhere.

One calls me princess ; at first it seemed awkward for my brother to address me as such but over time  his action packed approach taught me how a gentleman treats a lady,and  I fell inlove with being called 'Princess." There was this one time when I lived with my aunt and he would pass his place and travel with me to Mabopane Station and ensured that I got into the right taxi. And he would text me the minute I got home asking me if I am okay.

All of these actions have taught me to settle for nothing but the best out of life and to know that I am worth more and should be treated as such. My father is one man who has taught me that no matter what life throws at me I have a family. My uncles are super overprotective and ensure that I am always on my best behaviour. I know that they only want the best for me and out of me.
I take this moment to salute all the men in my life for showng me such unconditional love through your actions, words and life experiences, I am eternally grateful to the women who raised you up.

Tshepiso Hashtag Tailor Motaung.

 Here is an interesting human being who does not want to conform to titles; Tshepiso Hashtag Tailor Motaung.

Tshepiso HashtagTailor Motaung in the flesh.

How would you describe yourself to one who has never heard about you? Who is Tshepiso? And what is Tshepiso all about?

Tshepiso is a creative, born and bred in Pretoria, studied in Johannesburg. Stand up guy next door with a love for anything regarded as different. I would say I am a pretty broad minded free spirited creative. An aspiring all rounder that is what I would like to be called. I like to stay away from labelling myself as a "stylist, photographer & artist", I fell it boxes in a lot of creativity.

 

What makes Tshepiso different: His stance to not be boxed, or his ability to show who he is through his work?

I would say I am more open to new things, which might sound cliché but I feel less people put that in practice. I like to start trends mostly than trying to follow everything that pops up. "Outta the box", if you may...my work speaks for itself as I am not such a "loud or out there" kind of person.

Art is defied by what you know it to be.

I have noticed the subtle yet careful attention you pay to details. What brought about such an attention to detail quality in you?

I guess it is my love for art that inspired that from childhood. I used to practice drawing and painting everyday and the need to perfect each piece motivates that. The graphic design aspect also demands every detail to be in check.

 

Have you continued painting and drawing? Or have the other aspects of your out of the box taken over?

When I get time I get to do a few drawings but fashion and street photography have taken quite a chunk of my time of recently.

 

What does your 9 to 5 job entail?

Actually my 9 to 5 has got nothing to do with creativity but rather paperwork and office duties.

 

How do you balance it all?

I have a 9 to 5 job, during the week, so I travel with my camera most of the time and make sure I look the part daily.

 

And from where do you draw your inspiration?

My mood, people around me, things I hear, global

 

Who are you most closest to?

I am closest to my family and my partner; they support what they would deem "my crazy ideas" Which goes a long way in getting what you want in life; A decent support structure.

 

This is some of HashtagTailor's work

How have you contributed to the art scene of the world?

My contribution has been very minimal according to me as my best work is yet to come, apart from features of my work on several sites, admin work on several pages and networking with some of the best in the industry. The journey has only begun.

I like your positivity, what obstacles or experiences have you gone through that have cemented your positive outlook on life?

I have gone through stages in life where art or my creative aspect had to be shunned aside in order to maintain a decent living to chopping and changing schools to ideas/projects that seemed to work failing....pushing through those kind of situations gives one the knack to carry on trying till you get recognition that substantially reflect your efforts.

How would you like to be remembered? And who do you want to remember you?

I would like to be remembered firstly as an artist and a free spirited innovator who looked at the world with a big mirror in his hands, as what people do eventually reflects in my work. The African continent must remember me....then the rest of the globe.

 

From the heart

Caro-on-the-grind

xoxo

 

THE STRENGTH BEHIND ONE OF TENACIOUS SOUL'S POWERFUL AFRIWOMAN.



Tiisetso Masenge with her fiancee Karabo Kola



A love story

We met during the school holidays of August in 2009 when I visited my family in Winterveldt and He visited his family in Winterveldt from Johannesburg, while He was with his cousin and brother in-law at a local Super market. I went passed him when his brother in-law told him "You said you wanted a woman who is well behaved mo kasi (in the township)"(since most ladies mo kasi were shebeen queens) He approached me and introduced himself, I smiled at him and our hearts were taken away immediately. Our relationship didn't start off with FIRE like most relationships would so the 1st 2 years were a bit tough due to distance so we've been together for 5 years.

We started dating on the 23rd of August 2009 Supporting each other's dreams and goals creates an emotional connection therefore we support each other by encouraging one another, we sit down and talk about whatever idea/dream/goal we have and try to analyze it together. It’s not easy but understanding each other's passion and believing in each other makes us to conquer.

He was about to leave for Cape Town for Basic Military Training and we had already bought promise rings (not engagement) but not wearing them. In the morning on the 4th of August as I was helping him pack his bags he asked for the promise rings and I smiled and asked why he didn't answer me, I reached for my bag and gave them to him and he went on one knee and asked me to be his wife, the future mother of his kids and spend the rest of my life with him.

Tiisetso loves Karabo’s sense of humour and Karabo loves the unconditional love she has for him, her passion on everything she does, her nose, eyes and beauty. Her stance kills him

A story untold yet visibly mind blowing; E N J O Y

Naledi Nokukhanya Chirwa and Martin Harmse

From the heart
Pictures taken by Caroline Masonganye
Styling: The Models' own

 

Creole Music Group from the Embassy of Colombia in South Africa graced South Africa with its presence to celebrate their independence day.

Nothing beats live performances and I was serenaded by sounds from Colombia that ranged from the reggae rhythm to the socca and the calypso. Dancing became involuntary:  

 The 7-member band consists of Orlin Grenard Bent who plays the Guitar. Marlon Acosta Pomare plays the Mandolin. Felix Mitchell Gordon plays the guitar too. Fandor Barker Grenard plays the Maracas. and Leodan Grenard Archbol plays the horse jaw. john Jany DeCatloz plays the percussion and Alex Martinez Pomane plays the Tinafono.

THE TINAFONO: 

THE PERCUSSION DRUMS

THE FULL DRUM SET

FROM THE HEART

Caro-on-the-grind

InOracle's Oracle>>>



'True love does not get old."

 Till this day there is a mural at my house that reads "to love and be
loved is the greatest joy on earth." I never really knew the depth of
these words until one beautiful day in the spring of 2009. When my
eyes gazed upon the face of a stranger. At first sight it felt as
though I had known this being my entire life. I was enticed by his
genuine smile every time I stole a look from him, his Colgate white
teeth flashing before my very eyes made me want to know more about the
stranger that took me to worlds unknown.

Lira's album Soul and Mind features a song that goes "I met him
unexpectedly, something about him appealed to me. I could not figure
it out or even put my finger on it but I liked it." I had to figure
out who this divine being was, so right after the church service I
wasted no time in introducing myself. The conversation got off to a
bad start; he had been listening to music on his phone and was merrily
singing along. I asked him if he can sing he answers 'no' I ask him
how so because I heard him sing. He laughs it off and introduces
himself. A few minutes later we are sitting down and chatting away
like two old friends would normally do after a church service.
Four years later the gentleman I met once upon a dream is still a part
of my life. More real than the figure that had enchanted the living
lights out of me.

Throughout these years I have learnt to create my
own definition of love, and that which it can become for me. To have
grown to find that love is what I make it out to be has become sweeter
than the greatest honey comb bees could have ever created. Life is not
a bed of rose petals but with the love found in those close to me I
have learnt to savour every moment and hold it dear. It is not an
everyday gift to have found love so real and unconditional. And for me
to have been found by such a love leaves me eternally grateful to God
for his incredible grace.

Life is what you make out of it, and through
the good and the bad I have decided to have my big, brown eyes fixed
on the love I have received and that has kept me sane. It has led me
to being a happier person who is not afraid of laughing at herself or
even admitting to her faults.

Love exists all around and spreading a
great dose of it through smiles and hugs to strangers does not cost a
cent, infact it is good for one's soul. The very humble Mother Theresa
once said "the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service
and the fruit of service is peace."

Dearest my perception of love

I have been found by a man who loved me before my very existence.

A man whose rib I was made from.

A man who created me in his image.

A man who had dedicated his life to making me reach my wildest dreams.

A man who does not slumber nor sleep just to look out for me.

He is madly in love with me.

He is the definition of love

He is love

He did it all of me: eternity past.

holy, righteous, marvellous he has made me.

Words fail me as I try to explain to you how loved I am.

He holds me close to his chest and holds me tight at night.

He holds my hand and walks with me everywhere.

He is evidently omnipotent in my life.

He has never diasppointed me.

He is a faithful father.

He is a friend with an accessible ear for all eternity.

He is there for me.

He shapes my character and being daily.

He has pre-destined my existence.

I exist because He is.

The Alpha and Omega.

I saw him save me from the claws of three bull dogs.

I saw him heal my heart problems completely.

I am seeing him heal my mom off of cancer.

He has healed my brother off of a rare form of osteoathritis.

He has never let me go to bed hungry.

He is there for me.

And an all rounded husband who has made me the apple of his eye.

Christ in me.

From the HE-ART of a Tenacious, Huggling StrART Mate

#@Carone91

Sadness

Words build you up and those same words can break you down.

It is true that I decide whether or not to be happy but there are words from your loved ones that can lead you to a road of self destruction and pain. How one says something to you can either build you up or tear you down. It is in the emphasis of these words upon your life that can change your mood. Here I am trying to move past the hurt and pain but lo it is proving to be impossible. Hence I am allowing myself to be in the moment.

The funny part about words is that putting them into action is harder than saying them and it really should not be like that. Here is to a more positive outlook into everything I am told and hear along my walk of life. Constructive criticism is meant to built me up into a better person and more than anything I am to do just that. Here is to positively controlling my outlook on life.

Do not forget to smile :)

From the heart

Caro-on-the-grind

SHHHHHHHHHHHH

Silence is reminiscent in the call for peace as I await my turn in the taxi drama taking place.

I rest my unspoken words of disgust in the truth found in being the bigger person.

My heart is calm as I wrestle with whether to flee or bear it out.

I awake to find that it was just a dream.

Once upon a dream emotions scared me but as I rise to acknowledge and embrace my dream.... duty called

Life is unpredictable as the day you and I were given birth to

Lending a helping hand:

This is not your typical rich boy meets poor girl type of story. Here we focus on a feminist passionate about bridging the gap of gender inequality. Success driven, Top Image Beauty Care and Massage Therapy company owner, Tiisetso Masenge. In her success story she has stood by women who have less than her, lending them a helping hand.

She saw it fit to start a group called Women In Charge to make sure that these young women led balanced lives. "My mission is to teach young women to stand firm in all situations/challenges, through the word of God and also help them to become better citizens in life. "She is both a friend and helper to these young women. And she makes sure that they know that she is always available, with an accessible ear.
Her inspiration towards starting Women In Charge;
She is passionate about her fellow sisters' wellbeing in all aspects of their lives. The young women she helps are between the ages of 16 to 20. They meet every Saturday at 14h30 at First Winterveldt Baptist Church in Winterveldt. Real life issues she has had to deal with in these young women's lives;
There have been specific instances where she has had to deal with certain issues with her group such as relationships. Some of these girls are dating guys who are way older and more matured than them. Some of the consequences are teenage pregnancy. "Others have been raped and have not recieved counselling and, there will always be heart core issues such as family problems regarding mother-daughter and father-daughter relationships. She finds solace and inner strength in the Lord to deal with these young women's issues.
Despite having started a support group, her company works with female cosmetologists and promotes a healthy lifestyle amongst companies, while empowering young women to be who they want to be in life. The main aim/the ultimate goal of her company;
Tiisetso's company deals with both the public and private sector of government with regards to the Health and Wellness of employees. "I have always wanted financial freedom and I do not like to be limited. Most of all I wanted to change young women's lives by creating employment for them and I wanted to have an input in South Africa's economy.
Tukisho Mankoe has worked at Top Image Beauty Care and Massage Therapy. Tukisho describes Tiisetso as one who reminds her of Alicia Keys's song 'Superwoman' because in whatever she does, she puts in over a hundred of her time, money and dedication. Tiisetso is kind, fun and loving but she is easily angered by lazy people. This is evident in her line of work. She believes in the saying "You are the master of your fate." Her optimistic and hard working self has ensured that her company, and Social Responsibility Initiative group remain grounded in putting women first. She has dedicated her time and energy to other people, other than her family, happy and having a grand peace of mind.

Oracle Verse Prince



Oracle verse prince is sheltered by his older brothers Karabo Kola on the left and Masingita Mzilikazi Masiya on the right. Picture taken by Kgaugelo Emmanuel Kganaygo.

Orapeleng Ohra'kill  Kola is famously known on Facebook as Oracle V.P. (Verse Prince). He is an upcoming hip-hop mogul whose roots traverse the streets of Protea Glen and Winterveldt. He grew up here and there, and now safely tucked in the Capital City of South Africa, Pretoria.

I for one wondered how he got his name and he said of it: "’Oracle’ was found in the dictionary by my brother, Karabo when we were looking up words for research for a school project. When he saw the words ‘Oracle’, he excitedly suggested that I use it as my alias. ‘Oracle’ means ‘wise adviser’. I liked it and got attached to it. The latter part, Verse Prince, came through when back in the days I didn’t know what to call myself on Mxit. We used to have multimix battles there and I would always drop heavy rhymes. Since my verses were of high regard, that fact qualified me as royalty, hence ‘Verse Prince’".

Orapeleng is an artist in his own right who owns a graphic design company, Optic Crafts Inc. His graphic design company has made logos for young and upcoming business people like Tiisetso Masenge of Top Image Beauty Care and Massage Therapy and Tonic Lekgau of 1st Note Productions. He is also part of an art movement called He Art Exhibitions founded by his older brother, Masingita Mzilikazi Masiya. He also is an ambassador of the daring clothing label, Venting Fabric.

Through Plutonium Records and the management of New Color Productions, he is soon to drop his mixtape aptly titled, Not Yet Titled. With the release of his first official single on 01 June 2013 titled Hustle, he has grown in acclaim as music lovers continue streaming and downloading his song on www.reverbnation.com/oraclevp. Join the movement.

Not confined to the box of a rapper, he sings, designs and recites poetry. An all round artist in his own right, he is retracing the strokes of the brush of genius that God has weighed the canvass of his life with and to say his future is bright would be a great understatement.

A man with a plan, he left high school in 2011 to pursue further his artistic interests. This did not impress his peers' parents as he would be seen as a bad example to their children. Through resilience and his family's support, he stood by his decision. Two years later, he is starting to reap the rewards.

His music is well received amongst his peers, as was seen on the 25th of May at the FashMuEtry Concert held at First Wintervedlt Baptist Church where attendees recited word-for-word the hook to Hustle which then had been purposefully leaked before its official release.

If anything, the process of how he got his names clearly explains how he is a man passionate about that which he does. South Africa's hip hop scene should brace itself for a breath of freshly brewed mint tainted air as far as this young man is concerned.

SILENCE

THE SILENCE THAT CREEPS UP ON ME...

In the midst of budding,young journalists buffles me. Scares me even. I crave to have a decent conversation with my phone safely put away. No Black berry ping getting in my way. Oh! How I long for a retreat from the Social Media's chains. But! lo I am addicted to that which I complain about. My life would be a little bit out the ordinary without a constant unnecessary 'lol' to boil my blood. But above my addiction to constantly be fed by the Social Media's mates. I long to retreat. To silence my opinions, views and experience. To be as trusting as a child and allow my instincts to take over that which I know to be true about me...BOOT CAMP AWAITS..I surrender

SingletonVille

SINGLETONVILLE IS THE FUTURE

Words pierce and hurt more than a beating
>> I hate the state that my heart and I are in

>> sad, lonely, tearful, and heartbroken.
>> I miss home, I miss my bed

                                                     >> I am learning patience and long suffering
                                            >> Selflessness and denial to self.
                                    >> I am learning selflessness and cheerful giving.

The one that got away

There is a post on the wall at my house that reads 'to love and be loved is the greatest joy on earth.' Christ came to die for our sins, the cross could not contain his Superior power and the grave could not hold him.

He came to give us unconditional love that is unfailling. He is the perfect lover without fault, he is the one that got away. He is in heaven yet he remains omnipotent. He sticks closer than a brother.

I am Caroline Christ
from the heart
xoxo
Caro-on-the-grind.

NOT with a fizzle but with a BANG! First post in 2013

Tears voluntarily flow out of my eyes
Touching my chubby cheeks
and finally resting as they meet on my chin
dripping down on my clothes like Aaron's oil flowing from
his bead down his entire body.

Love betrays me when I least expect it to.
The pain it causes me is recurring
It's sharper than a double edged sword
Deeper than the earth's crust
Begins beneath the ocean's bed rest.

The wise runneth from it
and only fools such as I fall in love
Only to be left alone and desolate
with streams of painful inectia flowing
out of her belly.

I have summoned all the strength left in me
to carry me through to a healing place, one more time
to be my saviour just this once, again.

I bid farewell to you, and now its for real.
I cannot take another heartache
nor can I afford to be in such pain.

It has been said that it is better to have loved and
lost than to have never loved at all
I say none is better. none
In the end pain reigns my entire body
Pain. unexplanaitory such assumed love to be.