LONG PEN NO INK

Long pen no ink. It has been a minute since I last painted the Amalahle Ashushu blog page with words. I have not pushed the pen much even in poetry. I had a hectic schedule (working and studying). However, the moon of December became a roller coaster. It left me on both - the good and the sad note; whereby I passed all the modules that I attempted, but lost both my job and my biological father. I am yet to write a poetic prose in memory of my biological father, where I shall be as honest as I was when I was speaking in his funeral – with words untamed. Remember, in poetry; we put emphasis in honesty; and we do not care what others say to judge us.

This moon (January) marks the beginning of New Year for 2016. We do not know what the year has in store for us. However, we ought to be optimistic. If one has no hope, then one has no will to live. I wish all the Amalahle Ashushu blog readers - a joyous and a prosperous year. May all your plans be accomplished. May all your wishes be fulfilled. And never lose humanity in the midst of adversity. A strong human being is the one who hold on to virtues whilst facing life challenges.

I scribbled a short spoken word verse as an ode to my half sister ‘Somila’ and my beautiful sisters out there. I felt I should share it right here. I titled it: “THE TASTE OF MODERNITY”

Hereunder it is:

THE TASTE OF MODERNITY

Sister I see you

Mini skirts

Beautiful legs

Beautiful thighs

Big round

Beautiful eyes

And beautiful lips

Ripping the pants

Of seasonal trends

From natural

To cultural

To conventional beauty

Tight dresses and make up

Hair dress and hairdo

Artificial nails

Manicure

Pedicure

Earrings and extensions

Eyelashes

Mascara

Faces of fashion

Ready for action

Mass media

Globalisation

Acculturation

Popular culture

The taste of modernity

See, we are moving with times

And no one can slow down

The clock of modernity

It moves with rapid pace

Like a rabbit race

Time is against everyone

As you skate through the ice of modernity

Never forget that natural beauty is filled with tranquility

And black is big

Bold

Bountiful

And beautiful

Rebel Sistah Cypha

Soundz of the South is organizing Rebel Sistah Cypha which they host at Mofolo Live House in Harare Township, every first Saturday of the month. The first Rebel Sistah Cypha was on Saturday, the 1^st of August 2015. Ngcwalisa was the host with the soothing voice. Aesthetically, the cypha was filled with splendid talent, from the likes of Matsidiso, Lara, Black Isis Tafari, Sistah Anela, Mic Substance, Milliah and others (I forgot their names).

Mic Substance was very impressive with her versatility. She moved from spoken word to singing – to rapping. What a talented soul! I recall hearing her voice in some of the spaza tapes between 2008 and 2011 - when I used to listen to too much spaza raps; she used to bark on the mic like a feminine puppy. But now, I envy her. I’m officially her fan.

Black Isis Tafari is an ancient. Sistah Anela does not disappoint, vocally. Lara got too much anger in her poetry. She was swearing right through. I had a little conversation with her, and I told her that the tone of her poetry is filled anger; she told me that we are all angry with the system in varying ways. I could not agree with her more. Millz is versatile too. All the poetesses that hit the stage were very deep with a lot to say.

For more information regarding Rebel Sistah Cypha, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/soundzofthesouth?fref=ts

Written by:

Amalahle Ashushu

Ndatenda

Rest in Peace Masta P

They say that death is an uninvited guest. I DO NOT know Masta P. I met him through the Rastafari Poet by the name Zealot at EloHIP Unplugged Sound Poetry Session in Nazeema Isaacs Library Hall, early 2012. He came across as someone who is very talkative. He spoke extensively about conspiracy theories and black consciousness. I noticed that he haboured deep hatred towards Caucasians. He told me that Caucasians are cloned – and if you are to shake hands with them, you won’t feel their hands because they do not have blood.

I met him again towards the end of July 2013 at EloHIP Poetry Based Art Sound Session at the basketball court in Makhaza (opposite Desmond Mpilo Tutu Hall - adjacent to Makhaza Centre). I made my debut performance that day - and I flunked due to stage fright and lack of rehearsals. He encouraged me to practice continuously and also to improve my confidence.    

Even though I do not know him very well, the news that he passed on came as a shock.

I captured one of his performances with my 7.2 megapixels second hand digital camera. Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIwYYD5PeuE

Written by:

Amalahle Ashushu

Ndiyabulela

“Who want to kill this beat?”

The SOS Struggle, Hip Hop n Poetry Session is on - every Sunday in Makhaza Wetland Park. In fact, the session resumed in the beginning of this quarter. I couldn’t make it there due to certain commitments. I went there on Sunday, the 22^nd of March 2015. The session was packed into capacity with hip hop enthusiasts.

The performers filled the park with energy, wit and entertainment. Khayelitsha is blessed with massive talent. This time around, they have competition for two beats prizes. For each beat, four rappers would lace rhymes on top of it – then the winners would compete as finalists - and a finalist winner would walk away with the beat. The beats are produced by M’Zet. He is asking: “Who want to kill this beat?” 

For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/#!/soundzofthesouth?

Hereunder are the pics, courtesy of Amalahle Ashushu:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year

Time moves. Time flies. Time is moving fast. Time waits for no one. Time leaves people clinging on false hopes. Time grants people hope. Time encourages and discourages. Time breeds doom and destruction. Time breeds life and happiness. Time is yesterday, today and tomorrow. And whilst too many people were working very hard yesterday to better the today; most of them are now disillusioned as their hard work could not beget fruits – and the tomorrow is not guaranteed. To some people, the future appears to look bleak. Life got its own disappointments.

There are many people who live their dreams today. They are enjoying the fruits of the hard work that they have pulled through on the yesterday – and the future (the tomorrow) appears to look bright. The wise beings says that time comes for everyone. And when the right time finally arrives, everything falls into place.

And time heals. Time awakens the giant within. Time is cure for pain. Time is tenacious. Time unveils ones strength in the midst of adversity. The wise ancients say that there is always a bright light at the end of the tunnel. And that patience is the best virtue. But one should not slumber as time waits for no one. And time flies.

This moon marks the beginning of the year 2015. It also marks the drawing of new plans; new strategies; new goals; new logic and systematic disciplined approach towards the pursuit of new goals. There are only eleven moons left – and time flies. One should not procrastinate as time waits for no one.

The Amalahle Ashushu blog would like to wish you – honourable readers - a joyous and productive year. May all your wishes be fulfilled; may all your dreams be realized; may all your goals be attained; may all the moons ahead be filled with laughter and happiness. For a change, I was at V&A Waterfront on the evening of the 31^st – and I started the New Year over there. I witnessed the magnificent show of fireworks. It was a new experience for me, and I’m hopeful that few things will change for better this year. On that note: Happy New Year! 

Written By:

Amalahle Ashushu

Ndatenda         

The Afrikan Hip Hop Caravan Concert in Makhaza

It’s still hip – to the hop – hip hop – it don’t stop! The Soundz of the South (SOS) Non-Profit Organisation had organised the first concert of Afrikan Hip Hop Caravan tour 2014 - and they hosted it at Makhaza Wetland Park on Saturday (the 8^th of November 2014). The concert was heralded by the Afrikan Hip Hop Conference - which they hosted at Hubspace in Harare, Khayelitsha - on Friday (the 7^th of November 2014). 

They invited couple of underground music sessions such as 7750, Top Deck, Heads ‘n Raps, Gumba Entertainment, Pass the Mic and EloHIP. Each session was scheduled to have a one hour cypher. There were couple of artists that were invited to perform. The concert was schedule to commence at 12:00 PM; but it delayed for over two hours. 

It started with the open mic cypher by various artists; then the concert commenced officially with the opening by EloHIP. The line-up consisted of Tate, Dimitri, Dirty Twins, Freedom Warriors, Heads ‘n Raps, Pharmacist, Ground Floor, Top Deck, Gumba Entertainment, Inkanyamba and others. There were many artists on the concert and some of them could not perform due to time constraints – the concert dragged on until the evening. 

For more information regarding further Afrikan Hip Hop Caravan concerts – please visit: https://www.facebook.com/soundzofthesouth?fref=ts

Hereunder are some of the pics taken at the concert, courtesy of Amalahle Ashushu and Onele ‘Owza’ Omen: