Dusty Runway

Still I Rise You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? 'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise. Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops. Weakened by my soulful cries. Does my haughtiness offend you? Don't you take it awful hard 'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin' in my own back yard. You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I'll rise. Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs? Out of the huts of history's shame I rise Up from a past that...

His real name is Themba but some know him as Van Gogh and some as Third Eye and it all depends from which artistic view you know him from. Like his many names so are his talents and passions. A slam poet, musician, Baller, Writer, Skateboi, Dungeon rapper. His favourite quote is "Love is a natural force that binds all events and makes them useful for mankind to follow on the belly of mother EARTH". Will be interviewing him soon. (We had this photo shoot on a drizzly Saturday, getting together and finally doing it took ages the pics above proudly shot and directed by both I and 3rd Eye himself)

*Summer Rain* Songs have been written, poems recited about summer rain and still it never gets old, there’s just something about the rain in summer whether it’s a rainy day that make you long for a cup of hot chocolate or whatever you hot beverage of choice is, it all comes together and it’s a great excuse to indulge in soul food..Drop the lettuce please. Rainy summer nights are one of the greatest gifts of nature a lot can happen, peaceful sleep or getting hot and heavy with isthadwa sakho (your loved one). The beauty of the sun shining through gentle summer rain is a moment in its own so with all the global warming talk, take a moment to fully be present in the moment, fully appreciate and enjoy the rain never mind your hair. It is all good. So let the rain fall down, let it wash your sanity away just once!

Did the stadium on Saturday Soccer City or FNB not sure, ladies really go all out or maybe I'm just being a 'plain Jane' but why are we wearing high heels to a soccer match?? It is not even like we were going to be sitting in those VIP booths or whatever they are called (sigh) I just don't get it. The Soweto derby took place and mind you I am an Orlando Pirates fan who was with 4 Kaizer Chiefs jersey donning fans. Who went on and on all the way to the stadium about how they were going to 'teach us a lesson or two' and thank you Jesus that I did not let them rope me into their trash talking, because they subsequently did teach us thanks to Musona the Kaizer Chiefs striker who scored two goals and Daine Klate of Orlando Pirates who scored the opening goal for the wrong team OWN GOAL! Dammit! The last goal of the match was netted by Nigerian Ezenwa Otorogu and that wasn't even consoling. Had fun though and I'm seeing more and more white faces at soccer mat...

In all that happens you realize that change is constant and many before me have said this it is the inevitable truth that we all share. Whether it is soul, body or even spiritual change it is going to happen with or without you. You can be the master of it or just wait for spill over effects, you can either choose to embrace it or ignore it but whatever you do, know this; no one can go back and start a new beginning but anyone can start today and make a new ending. It is in change that one should find comfort in when life transpires, it is in knowing that nothing and no one lasts forever not the people, not the situations not even who you think you are. My dad always says, “Konke kuyandlula” which translates to everything passes, so look at your sorrows, struggles as only temporary refinement devices that prepare you for your successes and blessings. Because any change, even change for the better is always accompanied by drawbacks. Plus I just think life would be very insipid without c...