As we celebrate World AIDS Day

As we come out victorious

My name has been denoted into a three-letter word slash a four-letter word. An acronym of bigger words that is dreadful to pronounce. I do not know how they do it, to say my name in such conviction, with a stern voice and without fear of what I am.

I have come into this world and people did not know who I am, until my first victims were too weak to speak nor to be in control of their own bodies, for I have defeated them internally. They dubbed me the long names the two various stages one becoming longer than the other one. They gave me these names for they say I attack first from the inside and if you are not aware I strike on the outside, I wanna be seen. What would have I called myself if I knew I was gonna be this popular years and years after I surfaced. I would have given myself a name to be fear for ages, I would have given myself a name never to be said, it would be a fable that I exist.

Ukuphila

This is where it all started

Uk’thul’ ebandleni, iNkosi ngisay’ philela, angikaboni lutho okungangihlukanisa neNkosi. Ngicela iNkosi ithel’ umusa

These were the words I grew up with.

Week after week, Sunday after Sunday, every church service.

Young as I was, starting from the youngest to the oldest, till the Priest has the final.

Bathi “phila mntanami”,

Reality of Growing Up

Growth

Have I become a pay cheque slave, where I have been institutionalised to work from hand to mouth? 

The corporate world which most of us dream off when growing up is not as glamorous as shown in the Hollywood movies; big cars, glass house on the mountain peak, a dog to keep you company and a partner to talk to once in a while. Such life is only true in movies; we are told if we want to live the best life envisioned, we should go to school, work hard and pave our way to success. True, education is a fundamental tool in society, it equip us with necessary skill to survive in our daily lives. In institutions such as schools we learn all sort of valuable skills, from the social development to our educational development, in social development we learn how to interact with other people from the various social groups and background, we get to learn who we are and our function in society. This is a path of self-discovery, as we get to know and understand ourselves with the various social vulnerability we enquire along the way. We develop our cognitive within these institutions, our level of interaction varies from that of those who didn’t have the opportunity to be part of such an environment, our level of maturity varies from institution to institution. 

The Power we Possess

My Success Story

How do you define success? Is it the big car you drive, is it the mansion you live in or a lump sum of money in your account, or even the job you're doing.

A stranger in my land

A Perfect Misfit

I have walked through these valleys before yet they seem so foreign.

The terrains have changed to something I do not recognise anymore.

My mind knows I have been here before yet my body reject everything of its existence.

I have been here before, happy, filled with laughter and less worries, yet thus land is so foreign.

I cannot seem to recall the language spoken, I am tongue tied as i try to converse with the natives, my people, those of my kind.

Taking Charge

The Modern Woman

We are living in the modern times where society has advanced, and evolved into new ways of thinking and doing things.

The feminist theories have existed through time, which encourage and empower women to be who they are and freely express themselves within their context and rights. Feminist believe in women empowerment, it can be argued that they are not dethroning the male of their glory but only lifting their flag up high and doing what is right for them and those around them.

The Flag of Womanhood

The Flag of Womanhood

It has always been said and believed that women should always be humble, bazi thobe in front of the male specie. Bangazi khupuli but always be submissive to their man.  

“Mmangwane o tshwara thipa ka bohaleng”

The Transitional Period

The Period of Hope

I was born during the transitional period within South Africa, where most people in society were not sure what the future holds for them. I was born during the times where so much skeptics within South Africa, people doubting this new road to freedom. White people migrating from SA, black people rejoicing at this new world they will be living in. Children born in the early 90’s were given names such as Nkululeko “freedom” as parents believed a child shall follow their name, and the nation shall follow accordingly. Amongst the names were names of the great leaders, Nelson, Oliver, Walter, Govan, as parents were so emancipated by this democracy, the freedom of being able to give a child a name they want. Some of the names resembled the events which were at hand, such as Vote- Born on the 27 April 1994, Amandla born February 1990, Sinethemba born in 1991, Nompumelelo born in 1992. These are some of the names which brought hope to our parents with a slight of doubt within them as they did not know what the future hold for them. 

Todays' Youth

The XYZ generation

Young, Wild and Free, is the motto we all roll with lately. We are living our lives for today, making all reckless decision without a consideration for tomorrow. We are so blinded by the Hollywood glamour, the Americanised society that we all feel so accustomed to. When one is different from the rest, they are automatically outcast as they represent the older generation with no cool acronyms to define their existence. We are the XYZ generation, the generation, which feel that the world owes them, that they are the perfect gift to humanity.

I Am Freedom

How do you define yourself within the context of being free?  20 years of democracy.

I Am Freedom

T-Angelz Creations

By: T. Sibiya 

My Prince Charming

How Does one know when they have found their prince charming.

Every girl dreams of the day they find their prince charming, the day they will be whooped off their feet, and suspended in mid-air with the one they love. As our eyes meet jitters of knowing you have found the one. Glowing in smiles as every second pass through the stares, assurance that he is the one. That defining moment of butterflies in the stomach when a simple touch takes us to a thousand miles, a fairytale love. That kiss which awakens sleeping beauty, that dance which captures the prince, saved from a tower of misfortunes and the cruel queen which is the world. That defining moment when we know he is the one, through the touch, electrical exhilaration exchanged through every fingertip. That defining moment where our voices become one, speaking the same language, having the same dream, that moment that penetrates through your heart at every breathe. That defining moment.

The Love of a Mother

The Essence of a Woman

She is the essence of love

She is the core of zealous love

She is the core of hardship

She can endure every pain

A woman, that’s what she is.

The one Who got Away

The one who got away

In life we go around kissing so many frogs in hope to find our prince charming. 

There is always that one boyfriend or girlfriend that we think we messed up our chances with them. Every time when I think of this person my heart skips a beat, and tend to get the ‘first date jitters once again. What’s more tormenting to this experience, is having that particular person living in the same area as me. Every time we bump into each the spark arises, but that’s all there is to it. I’ve learnt to live with my pain as the one who got away is now a billion miles away from me, let history rest.