R.I.P TATA MADIBA

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It’s not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

 “There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered

“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.

 “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.

Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice. Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.

. “A leader. . .is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, whereupon the others follow, not realizing that all along they are being directed from behind.”

MEET KIMBERLY ELISE

Kimberly Elise Trammel (born April 17, 1967), professionally known as Kimberly Elise, is an American film and television actress. She is best known for her roles in such films a Set It Off, Beloved, John Q, The Manchurian Candidate, Woman Thou Art Loosed,Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, and For Colored Girl

Elise was born as Kimberly Elise Trammel in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Erma Jean (née Johnson), an elementary school teacher, and Marvin Trammel, who owns an executive search firm. She has three siblings. She studied film and acting at theUniversity of Minnesota and earned a BA in Mass Communications. She was married to Maurice Oldham (1989–2005). The couple had two daughters, AjaBleu Oldham (born June 25, 1990) and Butterfly Rose Oldham (born October 19, 1998). Maurice Oldham died from a "massive blood clot" in 2007.

Elise's maternal descent is of the Songhai people.

Elise's first film was Set It Off (1996), in which she played one of four women who resort to robbing a bank for money. Her big break came in 1997 when she was cast in the Family Channel original television movie The Ditchdigger's Daughters, based on the Pulitzer-prize nominated and critically acclaimed 1995 memoir The Ditchdigger's Daughters: A Black Family's Astonishing Success Story, written by Yvonne S. Thornton and Jo Coudert. She received critical acclaim for her role in this film, and in 1997, she was recognized as Best Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries at the 19th annual CableACE Awards. A relative unknown at the time, she conveyed her anonymity upon receiving the award by saying: "Who is Kimberly Elise?" Her performance helped her land a role the next year in Beloved alongside Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover. She is often compared to a youngCicely Tyson, whom she resembles.

Kimberly Elise and daughter

In 2004, she appeared in Woman Thou Art Loosed portraying Michelle, an abused young woman who finally got the help she needed behind bars. This role won her a Black Reel award for Best Actress. She also appeared in John Q, The Manchurian Candidate and Diary of a Mad Black Woman (she won a NAACP Image Award for the latter). From 2005 to 2007, she was part of the main cast of the CBS crime drama Close to Home, playing the Marion County, Indiana (Indianapolis) prosecutor Maureen Scofield. Her character was killed off in the last episode of the series. The series was cancelled on May 2007.

She has since made a guest appearance on the situation comedy Girlfriends, in which she played an HIV-positive woman.

Her most recent film role was in Tyler Perry's For Colored Girls (2010), as the battered wife Crystal. While the film itself received mixed to negative reviews, her performance was praised by many critics. One journalist described her as "the great lost Best Supporting Actress contender of the 2010 season

TIWATOPE SAVAGE BALOGUN

 Tiwa and Tunji "Tee Billz

Tiwatope Savage Balogun Born February 5, 1980, known under the stage name Tiwa Savage, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter,recording artist, and performer. She is currently signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing  and Mavin Records. She co-wrote the track "Collard Greens & Cornbread" on Fantasia Barrino’s Grammy-nominated album Back to Me. Savage is also signed to Sony Music Entertainment. She released her debut album on July 3, 2013. Savage sings in English and Yoruba.

Tiwa Savage was born in Lagos, Nigeria. Her family relocated to London from Nigeria when she was 11 years old. Whilst attending high school, she was a trombone player for her school's orchestra band. When asked about her childhood, Savage's response was "Growing up was very interesting. There were no barriers, I was just free. I had a very healthy upbringing. My parents ensured that I was grounded and I had lovely brothers." After graduating with a degree in Business administration from the University of Kent, Savage started working at The Royal Bank of Scotland. Savage did backup vocals for George Michael at the age of 16 and lent vocals to other musicians such as Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Blu Cantrell, Emma Bunton, Kelly Clarkson, Andrea Bocelli, and Ms. Dynamite among others.^[4][8] Furthermore, she has performed on stage with Sting, 50 Cent, The Black Eyed Peas, Eminem, Robbie Williams, and Destiny’s Child to name a few.^[4]

Not wanting to be a backup singer, Savage enrolled at Berklee College of Music and graduated with a degree in professional music at the age of 27. While reminiscing about her experiences there, she said "When I came to Berklee and saw a lot of the younger students, their drive and their passion, it recharged my batteries...[They're] not thinking, 'I'm going to save about $10,000 before I move,' no, 'I'm just going to get my backpack and move.' I needed that fresh air, that atmosphere. I kind of felt like a 19-year-old." Speaking on the challenges musicians face during their transition from backup to lead, Savage said "It's a whole different ballgame. Doing backgrounds, you just turn up at the gig and if it gets a bad review, it had nothing to do with you. If you're the artist, you take a lot of stuff personally." Tiwa's business background has helped her fully understand the scope of the Nigerian music industry. Speaking about her business background, she said "It's helping me now with my band, when we get contracts, when we have to pay people, when we have to be professional in dealing with people...Sometimes when people see that you're educated and you know what you're talking about, they don't really want to mess with you, swindle you or something."

In 2006, Savage participated in UK's X-Factor and made it to the final 24 while attending the aforementioned music school.^[8] While participating in UK's X factor, she had difficulty dealing with the limelight. "You have to always realize that people are watching. When I got the bad news that I wasn't getting through [to the final 12] it was a really painful time. But you still have to learn how to hold that until you get home. Because you don't want to just let everything out. People admire you and want to see that you're strong; they don't want to see you breaking down" said Tiwa.

In 2009, Sony/ATV Music Publishing signed Savage to a music deal. The deal solidified her to write for Babyface, Kat Deluna, Fantasia Barrino, Monica and Mýa, among others. She has received songwriting credits for her contribution to Monica's soul-tinged ballad, "Catch Me". Moreover, her collaboration with Fantasia on the song "Collard Greens & Cornbread" earned the American recording artist a grammy nomination in 2010. Savage wrote Jaicko’s "Oh Yeah" featuring Snoop Dogg, Kat Deluna’s "Push Push" featuring Akonand David Guetta, and performed background vocals on Whitney Houston’s album "I Look to You". She was featured on Flavour N'abania's "Oyi Remix". In December of 2011, she co-hosted Season 2 of the Nigerian Idol alongside IllRymz. Moreover, she made her film debut with Joke Silva and Ireti Doyle in the stage adaptation of "For Coloured Girls". Tiwa became the first African female artist to be associated with the Pepsi brand after signing an endorsement deal with them. Savage has been involved in many youth empowerment and breast cancer screening projects across Nigeria. She said "I’ve met with a lot of organizations and already put up something to fight breast cancer. Very soon, screenings will start especially for young girls. I also visit the motherless homes quite often but I don’t put it in the press because I don’t want to expose those kids.".

Tiwa... Traditional wedding dress

2010-2013: Once Upon A Time

Savage networked with Berklee alumni Keith Harris, Derek Pate, Scott Coleman, Radar Ellis, and Darien Dorsey while attending the school. During her interview with Brenda Pike, she said she collaborated with Chuck Harmony, Warren "Oak" Felder, and producer So Sick (Da Grin), among others. Moreover, she said her debut album will include records in her native tongue as well as R&B, Soul, and Pop records. On July 3, 2013, she released her long awaited debut album Once Upon a Time to the Nigerian public. The album was released on iTunes a day before the Nigerian release. During an interview with Vanguard Nigeria, Savage said

“

This album [Once Upon a Time] is straight from my heart and it’s something that I’ve worked so tirelessly for. A lot of people wondered why it took me so long a time to drop my own album. That’s because we had to go through a lot of legal processes to clear some of the samples that we used, and that took us some months. Also, we wanted to work with notable producers outside the shores of the country like Oak who produces Rihanna. So, we had to work around his schedule and waited for them to have our time. But this album is something that I really took my time with because I didn’t want it to be the usual Nigerian album that contains just party tracks from the beginning till the end.

”

When asked why she named her album "Once Upon a Time", Tiwa said "Once you hear 'Once Upon a Time', you know it’s story time. My life has been an amazing story and I wanted to reflect that on my album. Also, I wanted to motivate other upcoming artistes that, once upon a time, I was a little girl living at Isale Eko and I dreamt of doing this, and here I am doing it. So, I want their ‘once upon a time’ to turn into reality. It’s a 19-track album." 

“

This album [Once Upon a Time] is straight from my heart and it’s something that I’ve worked so tirelessly for. A lot of people wondered why it took me so long a time to drop my own album. That’s because we had to go through a lot of legal processes to clear some of the samples that we used, and that took us some months. Also, we wanted to work with notable producers outside the shores of the country like Oak who produces Rihanna. So, we had to work around his schedule and waited for them to have our time. But this album is something that I really took my time with because I didn’t want it to be the usual Nigerian album that contains just party tracks from the beginning till the end.

”

On November 23, 2013, Tiwa and Tunji "Tee Billz" Balogun held their traditional marriage at the Ark in Lekki.

323 Entertainment/Mavin Records

Savage established her own label imprint, 323 Entertainment with her manager Tunji "TJ Billz" Balogun whom she got engaged to on February 5, 2013.^[5] In as much as she likes writing for other artists, she finds writing for herself more rewarding. She said "I have political songs like ‘Middle Passage,’ which is about the struggles of African men in a foreign country". When asked about her experiences with relocating to three different continents, Savage said "Living in all three places—in Africa, in Europe, and now the United States—it's really opened my eyes. I'm really accepting of a lot of cultures. I feel a lot older than I am, because I've seen a lot. A lot of poverty in Nigeria, but people still smiling when they don't even have water...I kept saying to myself that when I made it I was going to invest millions and I just realized I have to do stuff now. People always say, when I make it...If you don't discipline yourself now, you're never going to do it, even if you do get millions." Tiwa helped raise money for an organization that builds schools in her hometown. Savage joined Don Jazzy's Mavin Records in 2012 after the label she co-owns teamed up with the executive producer. She was a featured artist on the record label's first compilation albumentitled "Solar Plexus".

The Nigerian music industry

When Savage stepped onto Nigeria's musical landscape, she didn't know what to expect. Moreover, she received a lot of ridicule and hostility from people who believed she wouldn't make it. She said "a lot of people tried to discourage me from coming home. They told me that people who came before me were not really welcomed home, and that it is even worse for a female singer. They even said there was no way I could be on the same stage with the likes of Tuface, Wizkid and many others. I got discouraged somehow." Savage didn't allow people's negative connotation of her discourage her from doing music. She released her debut single "Kele Kele Love". The song made its way to the top of several Nigerian music charts. Tiwa's sultry tones, pulsating dance moves, and electric stage presence immensely propelled her to the top of the Nigerian music industry.

OOOOOOH SO SWEET

" I thought I would start my speech by addressing you as the new family of my daughter. But I think it would be inappropriate because now that she is married, you are the family for her. Believe me; I don't have a problem with that. I, in fact, want my daughter to have you as her priority now. It's time for us to take a backseat in her life. We would happily accept it but would surely request one thing- please keep her happy!
I am more than sure that you will keep her very happy. She will perhaps be happier than what she used to be here. But like all fathers, I obsess over my daughter's happiness which is making me say this over and over again- please keep her happy! She never was and will never be a burden for me. She is in fact the reason why I breathe and smile. I am getting her married because this is what the law of nature demands. I am helpless in the face of our culture and therefore sending her to your home. She was the happiness of my home and will now light up your home. I am giving my world to you. Please make sure it remains beautiful. I am giving away my princess to you. Please make sure she stays as a queen. 

I have raised her with my sweat and blood and now she is wonderfully perfect. For all the care, love, beauty and warmth my daughter will bring into your lives, I just want her happiness in return please keep her happy! Image if at times you think that my daughter has said or done something wrong, feel free to scold her. But handle her with love. She is very fragile. If at times she feels low, be with her. She just needs a little bit of your attention. If at times she feels sick, show her some care. It's the medicine that works best for her. If at times she fails to fulfill a responsibility, feel free to chastise her. But empathize with her. She is still learning. 

Do understand her, please keep her happy! I don't mind if I don't get to see her for months. I don't mind if I am not able to talk to her on a daily basis. I would be more than happy if she doesn't remember me much. But, my only motive in life has been my daughter's happiness which is now in your hands. I beg you, please keep her happy. 

Dear son-in-law, these words may not mean much to you now but if you are lucky enough to father a daughter someday, you will appreciate them better when you will find every beat of your heart shouting "Please keep her HAPPY."

Don't you wish you will get one like this someday or probably go back in time if you are already married?

JAMAA NI MAMA, MAMA NI JAMAA, JAMANI MAMA!

"My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through.

If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep.

When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl?

When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through.

If I occasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you.

And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked.

When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love.

I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter."

NATAMANI KUWA MDOGO JAMANI UUUWIII

HER NAME IS.........NHLANLA NCIZA

Nhlanhla Nciza,March 15, 1978  Born in the North West in a town called Schweizer-Reneke, but now living in Johannesburg

What your secret diet?

Breakfast I normally have boiled eggs and a fruit. My lunch would be chicken salad and my supper would be fish and vegetables. It changes a bit every day, but around that. In-between I drink a lot of water.

Who would you most like to meet – dead or alive?

It’s not really the person I would like to meet but more like someone I would like to sit down and have a conversation with, and that’s Winnie Madikizela Mandela. I have only just met her and that was it, but to sit down with her that would be awesome.

Can you describe yourself in three words?

Reserved. Not shy. Easy to approach.

 Married to TS Records executive Thembinkosi Nciza: You lost your only child in a tragic car accident two years ago. It must have been the toughest time of your life. Can you remember the moment you were told about her death, and your reaction?

I was home. I remember that I was feeling very tired that day and I went to bed. I remember hearing the phone ring three times and I ignored it. And then TK [husband] started calling, and I think I answered him the third time. He said I had to go to the hospital because Zinathi was involved in a car accident. He sent Sanele [TS Records manager] to come and pick me up.

We were in a different district because we stay in Jo’burg, northern Jo’burg, and the accident happened in Ekurhuleni. I remember sitting in that car and feeling like it was taking forever to get to hospital. On the way, I kept asking TK how she was doing and he couldn't give me a straight answer because he said he was also trying to get there.

When we got to hospital, you know this thing you see in movies, we were put in a small room. When the nurses came and I was asking how she was doing, they would not give a straight answer. They would say ‘we have to wait for the doctor’ or something like that.

Finally when the doctor came in, and started speaking, I couldn't hear what he was saying. He was in front of me, and he was telling me what he was telling me but it’s like I was blocked, it was like something came out of me. I just went somewhere, because I couldn't hear what he was saying. There was a moment where I just froze and I couldn't move my arms or legs, it was just too much, it was overwhelming.

How much has that tragedy changed the way you live?

People always say that you need to live your life to the fullest every day, and that you need to tell people that you love them every day. But when something like that [loss of a loved one] has never happened to you, you just say it. But once it happens, you know the real meaning of saying that thing, you really know what you are talking about when you say: ‘Fine, we had an argument this morning but I love you, have a good day’. That’s important, whether it’s with your parents or your friends. Life is too precious, don’t waste any moment getting angry with someone and spending a day without talking to them.

Mafikizolo has seven albums to date. Which one is your favourite and why?

The first album was called ‘Mafikizolo’, followed by ‘Music Revolution’. Not a lot of people know those two. The third one, which had the hit ‘Lotto’, was ‘Gate Crashers’. Then came ‘Sibongile’, ‘Khwela’, ‘VanToeka Af’ and finally ‘Six Mabone’. ‘Six Mabone’ is in my opinion the best we ever did simply because of what we were writing about now, I think we got a bit deep writing about serious issues. I think it’s a beautiful album.

How much song writing do you do?

Now quite a lot. When I was with Mafikizolo, not much, but when I went solo I started writing more. I think with Mafikizolo I was comfortable, Theo is a song writer so I was like ‘ah he’s gonna write songs, I am a lead singer so I will just sing’. That’s one of the things that I have learnt that once you get out of the group, and do your own thing, you grow, you learn to become your own person.

What’s your favourite musical instrument?

The guitar. Acoustic guitar. I do play a little.

What’s the nicest thing ever said to you by a fan?

They are always nice to me, and many appreciate that they never read bad things about me.

What’s your idea of a sexy man?

Basically my husband. He is very ambitious, he’s driven. He is a very sensitive person, he listens to me. And just the things he taught me also, things that I learnt in our relationship about how important communication is and things like that. I think that kind of a person, a person you feel at home with and a person who doesn’t judge you even when you have gained a little weight, they will always make you feel good about yourself. A person like him, so I have my ideal man [Laughs].

What’s the scariest thing you have ever done?

Being a mum, a first time mum.

What's your least favourite thing about yourself?

I trust people easily. Some people are able to tell when a person comes in, that this kind of a person is up to no good. Some people are able to read people that quickly, but I’m unable to do that. People take advantage of people like that.

What are you most afraid of?

I am most afraid of losing people that I love, losing people that are close to me. I’ve been through that. If you have never been through something like that, you never think about it. But once it has happened, you are like ‘please this shouldn’t happen’. I don’t think I would be able to go through what I went through with my daughter again.

If your house caught fire, and you had a chance to retrieve one item, what would that be?

That would have to be my daughter’s pictures, my daughter’s album.

How do you start your week?

My typical Monday involves waking up around 6AM and going to the gym, followed by breakfast. I try by all means to eat healthy which is something I have been doing for the past three months. It’s hard especially when you travel.

After breakfast, I begin a round of phone calls to my managers starting with Phiwo [Mafikizolo manager] and my [clothing] designer to plan the week ahead.

What was the last book you read?

It’s been a while since I read a book. But I read a lot about what I do, so I read fashion magazines. There is this new one, Elle, that has been launched in South Africa, it’s like your Vogue but an African one. What’s amazing about it is it’s also touching base on how young designers are being developed, so it’s something that interests me other than music.

I launched my clothing label NN Vintage in 2007 and it’s been doing great. In September I will be doing a fashion week, the Mpumalanga Fashion Week, so I’m very excited about that as well.

What would you not travel without?

My cell phone.

If one artist was to perform at your party, who would get the call?

Right now I would say Adele. I like her music, I like her voice.

If you had the power to ban one thing in the world, what would that be?

Smoking. One reason for this is that I lost my father-in-law to lung cancer. It’s unfortunate that when it was discovered it was too late. I do think smoking is harmful to one’s health.

If you were to be 18 again, what would you do differently?

I think I would have fun more. Because of my parents, I was always at home, not going out, not going to parties. I would go to parties and have fun more, live a little. My friends had fun, I suppose at that time I was trying to protect myself and I was trying to grow up like my mother did. She used to tell me stories about how she only had one or two boyfriends before she got married. So I was kind of trying to live like my mum.

Which artist has given you the most valuable advice?

It has to be Bro Caiphas Simenya. I worked with him when I did my second [solo] album. Obviously in South Africa he is a legend. He has worked with Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and other great international stars. He is amazing.

So when I worked with him, I became only the third South African to do so after his wife and Judith Sephuma. Working with him was an honour.

I remember he said, because the company was running against time to release the album and they were trying to push, he wasn’t happy with the songs he did and he wanted to redo the songs, to start from scratch. He told me ‘you must never take something out to the people that you are not sure about’. It’s not about the deadlines, he said, but the kind of quality that you want to take out to the people, so I think as a musician that’s important.

If you could be invisible for a day, what would you get up to?

Oh my God [Laughs]! I would want to spend moments with Julius Malema and see what he gets up to. I just want to get into his mind when he is alone and understand his thought process.

What are your memories of going through school?

I was a kid, and I enjoyed being a kid. You know when you get to your senior years of high school, as a girl, you look cleaner and more well put together, with me it wasn’t the case. After school my friends would polish their shoes and look all put together but I was just the opposite. I would go back home barefooted sometimes, I was like that.

But one thing about me is that I always loved arts. When there was Miss High School or whatever event, I would perform, do the Boom Shaka songs. I was always in the entertainment committee.

What other career choices did you consider?

When I was young I was influenced by what my dad does. My dad was keen on education, but unfortunately he didn’t become what he wanted to become which was to be a lawyer. He tried to point me in that direction, even if I wasn’t going to be a lawyer I would have a legal job. After metric, I told him I wanted to get into music, and he said ‘you must go and study it if that’s your choice’, which is what I did.

What’s the worst job you ever had?

It was working where my mum works, at a retail store. I think that’s the worst job ever. Big up to my mum for doing that job for years! Every day I was dealing with difficult customers and missing out on a lot of things. When I finished my Metric, I didn’t go to university immediately, so I worked for a year in-between.

I worked there every day, including Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. I would stand the whole day, only getting home at around 6PM, it was terrible. Sometimes I felt like a zombie, or a robot, because of the tedious routines. Customers would come in, try on different clothes, change sizes, and I had to rearrange the clothes in their proper sizes after they are finished. I had to do that the whole day. It was just not ideal.