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.