Tag Archives: african fashion

04Jun/16

Lindi Roaming the Streets | Soweto Street Culture Arts Festival

Lindi Roaming the Streets of The Soweto Street Culture Arts Festival

June 4, 2016Art & Design, Creative, Culture, Fashion, Lifestyle, News, Videosafrican culture, african fashion, Crossing African Borders, Lindi Roaming the Streets, Lindi Roaming the Streets of The Soweto Street Culture Arts Festival, lindi tshitlho, South Africa, Soweto Street Culture Arts FestivalLindi Tshitlho

In this edition of Lindi Roaming the Streets, Lindi explores South Africa’s Soweto Street Culture Arts Festival.

#AfricaMonth

“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but, if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” ‘

Maya A.

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SOWETO STREET CULTURE ARTS FEST

The Soweto Street Culture Arts Festival #SSCAFest2016 is proudly South African with authentic local street culture, live Contemporary Jazz & Hip Hop music, Literature, Art & Independent Film screenings.

Here, visitors can experience authentic street culture, fashion, music, stalls, gourmet, colour festival and so much more! The perfect way to experience Soweto and socialize with all of the artists.

VILAKAZI STREET in Soweto, South Africa is well-known for its rich history, particularly for its place in the struggle against apartheid. Given this, it is one of the main tourist attractions in Joburg, and the country.

‘Talent Over Everything Sessions’

‘TOES’ is a hip hop based duo consisting of musicians Thabiso Thabethe and Prodigenius. The band blends alternative folk music with rap to create a unique hip hop sound and style. Their music is influenced by artists such as HHP, Freshly Ground, and The Parlotones.

The band originated in Winterveld (Sgandi), South Africa in 2014, when this dynamic team started off by performing concerts in Prodigenius’ father’s backyard. This developed into door to door music sessions, music mobs on the streets, performing on trains in Winterveld, and around Pretoria. TOES is currently performing music from Thabiso Thabethe’s 9 track EP tiled “SHEBAH” and The Genius Touch’s 10 track EP titled “Kastom Kult,” both released in 2016 independently through hard copies and Soundcloud.

‘Zimbabwe Showing Flames’

LYNOL BROWN

This multi-talented young man born in Gweru Zimbabwe was named after legend Lionel Richie. He is an Afro Contemporary artist with a mixture of Pop and Afrisoul.

“Copying denies collaboration as it is a trade amongst artist. It also affects musicians and lead to them forgetting they are the product.” When he arrived in SA, he realised that he’s going to represent his identity and culture. His main aim was to send a clear, outspoken message understood by all.

“Copying kills the potency in the art.”

Ringo Madlingozi and Oliver Mtukuzi better watch out for the tremor approaching!!!

“You’ll never go anywhere nor be recognised if you do not want to learn. Team effort is success, and with our different skills the world is just an oyster. Learn to stand your ground and take yourself seriously in order for people to. Believe in your craft and be unapologetic about it, and most importantly give and receive.” His advice to people is to wait for your time, stick to what you do best and let it manifest as our fruits have different seasons.

“Happiness is what keeps me going.”

Many thanks to the @THEBOXSHOP for hosting this prestigious event…

DEAR AFRICA…

‘MY SCARS’

“The more difficult the process to become whole again;

The pain may fade but scars serve as a reminder of our suffering, and make the bearer all the more resolved and never to be wounded again.

So as time moves along, we get lost in distractions, act out in frustration, and react with aggression giving into anger and all the while we plot and plan as we wait to grow stronger, and before we know it, the time passes. We are healed, ready to begin a new…”

‘MAMA AFRICA’

BY MANTALA NKOATSE

A seed like myself only needs to develop into roots

Feel the breath of Mother Earth in my Habitat; give a Shelter to Bugs or Sparrows.

I need to feel Mother Earths tears in my habitat, Let her Sunshine nurture my lungs.

I need to grow, I need to be an example of strength, I need to be a firm stem.

I need to be like Green Leaves Clothed in Mamas Favourite Green dress, I need to be Chlorophyll.

I need to gain beauty from my petals, I the seed; want to become a Flower!

I want to make butterflies smile as I take my duties of Brightening the World.

For the World needs to be mothered before it turns an orphan.

Dear mama Africa; I need my Great Gran Children to Enjoy the Pleasures of your beauty like my ancestors did before they died.

I don’t want to fear War that will leave my habitat in draught, I don’t want to see my Petals wither, chasing butterflies away.

I don’t want to fear the Sparrows that will be left homeless. I don’t want to fear anything.

I want to be in nature, I want your picture to inspire me to emancipate my mind. I want to relish on your ground after I’ve turned an ancestor.

Mama Africa, I want your beauty to remain timeless

Now, Dear Mother! Hear my cry when I call upon your name. Forgive my sins for I have polluted your breath with smoke and I let the World disturb your music, created by birds and the Ocean.

Forgive me for I have demolished some of the habitats to gain the pleasures of my material self, I have realized that the World is not as Important as you are because you gave birth to the World.

Mother, without you there’s no more me, or birds or butterflies or trees or the ocean

Dear Mother Africa. Stay Strong and quench my strength with your mountains, inspire my beauty with all that you are, provoke my emotions with your ocean. Mama Africa, please keep clean for the sake of your legacy.

Alive with possibilities is what we are!

10May/16

Lindi Roaming the Streets of The Social Market in Pretoria

May 10, 2016Art & Design, Creative, Culture, Fashion, Lifestyle, News, Videosafrican culture, african fashion, Lindi Roaming the Streets, Lindi Roaming the Streets of The Social Market Pretoria, lindi tshitlho, South Africa, The Social Market PretoriaLindi Tshitlho

In this edition of Lindi Roaming the Streets, Lindi explores South Africa’s The Social Market Pretoria.

“The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed. Being black is not a matter of pigmentation – being black is a reflection of a mental attitude. Black Consciousness is an attitude of the mind and a way of life, the most positive call to emanate from the black world for a long time” ~ Steve Bantu Biko’.

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This young lady spews Consciousness.

She labels herself as a socio-artist for the reason that she does her social work through art. This 23 year old was born in the dusty streets of Alexandra (Johannesburg, South Africa), a one square mile township filled with music, art, and the reality of nature’s life. She discovered a poet in herself at the age of fifteen, when she was introduced to Hip-Hop. In 2011 she became a part of a global girl activism movement; The V-girls and has been an art-activist since. She was inspired to host intellectual dialogues in her community as she saw the need for discussions in her community. Her highlight of 2012 was when she performed for an opening speech of the South African President, Mr. Jacob Zuma during the Alexandra Centenary Celebration. Her first book, published by Diaspora Publishers (2014), was titled “Psychological Cripple,” with the help from a beautiful soul named Barbara Mhangami-Ruwende.

Mantala Nkaotse

#BLACKGIRLSROCK

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Born of South African/Zambian decent and the influence of fine arts within the family, he started photography straight after high school. “Oh haha, did I mention that this was done with an iPhone?”

Ron Ndlovu’s passion for photography gradually became hunger, which led him to refrigeration and other odd jobs to save up for his dream. His first baby was a SONY NEX F3, a small entry level camera which did the job.

Through his regular posts on social media he was spotted, and did small gigs at kid’s parties and lifestyle shoots which later developed into a series of NOIR shots. This became his niche and led to the birth of GreyScale.

At an amateur stage, he did charity to large scale events, learning the ins and outs of the industry.

This multi-talented young man takes time to consult with up and coming musicians helping with song writing and production. “Secretly, I too can hold a note” he reckons…

“The world is black and white, but every story has a shade of grey”

@jay_dundidit

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“Let’s just be who we really are”

Is that even possible in the conformed world we live in? Is it???

Well, these young geniuses from Venda (Limpopo Province) South Africa have flipped the stereotypes to what we call “CULTURE”. The Social Market Pretoria started in September 2014, whereby a platform for young entrepreneurs was created, to uplift and showcase their work in an inviting atmosphere of color, fashion, music, artistry and, most importantly, freedom of self-expression.

“We like everything about this movement, to us it’s like a beautiful African sunrise. One of the many signs of a very much alive African youth – the future not only looks beautiful, but also business minded and fierce in its expression.”

@seezor_sizzles

@maitele_wawe and @thifhe_sliq

“We saw a demand for a space in Pretoria where people with the same artistic, creative mind set could meet up and enjoy good music and company while being themselves,” says co-founder Maitele Wawe. Creating a social economy in the capital city, the market provides a platform for budding entrepreneurs to sell their products in a fresh environment.

From thrift stores to the latest hair products and the tastiest gourmet food, it’s all there to be explored.

“The difference is the nonconformity of the fashionistas that gather every first Sunday of the month, rocking crazy beautiful outfits that left us feeling as though we were flipping pages from a 3D fashion catalogue.”

Before the Social Market, Pretoria had very limited spaces for creatives to come together and share ideas. Since its birth, word has been traveling across social media networks that the Social Market is the place to be.

@THESOCIALMARKET

Pretoria has always had an inscrutable nature about it, particularly where art and creativity is concerned. The social market is a brilliant concept thought of by a vibrant collective of creatives who want to not only build and preserve culture and fashion in Pretoria, but also want to empower other young people, creative or not.

Champions aren’t made in gyms. They are made from something they have deep down inside them – a desire, a dream, and a vision. They have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.

This trio is what we refer to as the FASHION REBELS!

“The challenge about success is keeping quiet about it”

15Apr/16

Lindi Roaming the Streets of Johannesburg, South Africa

April 15, 2016Cultureafrican culture, african fashion, Johannesburg, jozi, Lindi Roaming the Streets, Lindi Roaming the Streets of Johannesburg South Africa, lindi tshitlho, South AfricaLindi Tshitlho

In this edition of Lindi Roaming the Streets, Lindi explores South Africa Fashion Week in Hyde Park Corner of Johannesburg.

“Only those who go too far can possibly know how far they can go.”

This for me goes hand-in-glove with fashion; better yet “freedom”.A form of expression, driven by the act of fearlessness… To a point where ones’ story is told through their ageless soul of adventure, sparking the skills of simplicity, authenticity and serenity.

“As I strut my short long legs on the streets of JOZI.

”Happiness that derives from the hope that inner-peace as invincible as my imagination lives on. Nothing is more creative, nor destructive than a brilliant mind with a purpose.

That “misunderstood” old man, who wakes up in the morning just to play his keys on the corner of Juta and De Beer Street. Not because he wants anything from anyone, but because this misunderstood genius feels that he has more to offer, than the lads driving past him in big cars with flashy rims and a fat bank account.

I’m talking about “uMama” who wakes up with a smile knowing that the woodwork she sells at Braamfontein on a Saturday will be enough for a weeks’ meal. The same woman, that sold handmade spoons and dishes for her kid’s Varsity tuition. #FEESMUSTFALL

The term rétro has been in use since the 1970s to describe on the hand new artefacts that self-consciously refer to particular modes, motifs, techniques, and materials of the past. But on the other hand, some people (incorrectly) use the term to categorise styles that have been created in the past. Retro style refers to new things that display characteristics of the past. It is mostly the recent past retro seeks to recapitulate, focusing on the products, fashions and artistic styles produced since the Industrial Revolution, of Modernity. The word “retro” derives from the Latin prefix retro, meaning backwards, or in past times.

Well I would like to refer to this as the “New age Evolution”

“Imagination is the air in the mind”

Stepping out of the conformed definition of freedom is one of the most knotty challenges one can face, but for me this requires tact of some sort, merely because anyone who lives within their means, suffers from a lack of imagination.

“Live on Fashionista, Live on!!!”

Phiwasen Nxumalo wearing “The Bubble Dress” | Photographer: RJ Harper | Hair & Makeup: Aveda | South African Designer: Phiwasen Nxumalo for House of Diva… Under the African Sky

Below: Lamshisa Sibanyoni wearing The Bubble Dress & The Mnisi Sisters (Royals from the Kingdom of Swaziland)