YOUNG BASADZI-the evening that was...

So - Friday evening went extremely well(despite all the nerves)… with good wine, great music, excellent company and really extraordinary Poetry of our Times.

The Inhlansi drummers, Lynn the dancer, Eric the comedian & singer and all the poets(Gugu, Cindy, Dineo, Thembiso, Phumzile, Mari Pete, the 2 Mbalis, the 2 Ayandas…) – had us all mesmerized. Mandlakayise, owner and manager of the venue reminded me of the legend, Moses Taiwa Molelekwa on piano. Words will never be enough to thank everybody that just invested their energies in making the evening what it was.

Although the publication : ‘I Write…’ was not available, we were inspired by Khosi Xaba, (just published ‘These Hands’) AND Myesha Jenkins (member of the Feelah! Sista) who both came down from Johannesburg joining us for the evening. They brought in a whole lot of experience, maturity and class to the event.

I left for home at 1am on the Saturday morning, feeling blessed to have been in the presence of such talented and gifted people. YOUNG BASADZI PROJECTS aims to explore more avenues in pursuing this dream so big.

So once again – we move forward, with more determination to just showcase the best of what South Africa women have to offer.

Please feel free to email us on basadzi_inc@ananzi.co.za

YOUNG BASADZI - these fears, tears and the blues...

So YES - most mornings I wake up in a state of clarity, purity and harmony-'sattva' in karmic terms - my mind races with such light energy as Young Basadzi plods on even stronger and more determined.

I give thanks to God now and then, I often wonder if I do it enough to keep all of my fears away.

'A horrific car crash kills Sello and Adel Tebello Mokhosi in the remote Harrismith. A daughter, member of YBP unable to comprehend the whole freak accident, dies inside…'

'A 15 year old girl is raped and a horrified sister, founder of YBP can not believe how this could happen as she believed that her sister still had so much to offer. So she dies inside…'

'A member of a recently formed women's forum - was found on the side of the road preaching to a homeless mother at corner of Argyle and Stanger Roads, Durban that she had the equation to a better fulfilling life - she had to be taken into psychiatric unit at Sterkfontein Institute for the Disillusioned. She dies inside…'

'A certain believed-to-be-soulmate gentleman goes off, gets married and has 10 children - a distraught young lady, member and founder of a certain women's group who thought she was over this, realizes that she wasn't - she dies inside…'

I can not predict what lies ahead - I sometimes am terrified that I could wake up one morning and… and things could be different. That I might not want to go all the way with the journey ahead----- now that is a scary thought!

But until then - I guess I just keep moving, positively with little room for these fears, tears and the blues. After all, there is MUCH work to be done…

Please feel free to email us: basadzi_inc@ananzi.co.za

YOUNG BASADZI - 'beggars and choosers'

There is still much work in progress with a week to go before the Poetry Evening, planned for the 25th February in DURBAN, which is why you have not seen any new messages up.

I would like to just share an experience with you. In getting ahead in this world of the arts – as a new organisation has presented me with loads of challenges, some more exciting than others.

And perhaps I should just mention the encounter with one of the more established companies. In giving my opinion about the content material to be published by themselves, I came out a little too demanding as I was specific about my needs.

'Beggars Can't Be Choosers' ? I was reminded.

Despite the awkward situations and all of that, I knew and believed that I was doing the right thing. In any case, the lesson learnt: 1) respect, honesty, and integrity GO A LONG WAY 2) do your best, and never lose sight of your goals and 3)starting out does not necessarily mean that you have to accept everything.

AND in life, we have the right to be selective - I am sure even beggars make their choices somehow - you are a beggar until you choose not to be.

And so my advice for the day is: TO SPEAK OUT - in voiced truth, you might realize that your 'role models' do not necessarily share the same ideals/values with you.

So we need to look INWARDS and towards the self - we need to believe in this role model inside, and we might not need to look elsewhere.

Please feel free to email us: basadzi_inc@ananzi.co.za