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It is never too late; I repeated Matric four times

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"Bathandwa Kosani on his way to school". Photo Supplied Meet Bathandwa Kosani who repeated Matric four times. He hails from a small town in the Eastern Cape called Ngqushwa. This young man doesn’t believe in giving up or settling for less, in 2019 he did his grade 12 and unfortunately he didn’t make it, “I was facing challenges on my studies as I fell ill and was in and out of hospitals and I couldn’t focus at school.” Said Kosani He moved to Johannesburg in 2020, his family was supportive; they encouraged him not to be negative as they believed failing means that you will do better next time. Kosani wanted to return to school full time when he got to Johannesburg but his family said he should rather write his supplementary exams as he is old, he had just turned 20 years old. He failed his supplementary exams in 2020 and that when he decided to move back to Eastern Cape so that he can go back to school full time. “I told myself that I need to have my Matric Certificate so
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“Do fashion because you love it, be passionate about it and then you will reap the rewards.”

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  #Insight recently caught up with Durban fashion designer Mzwandile Zwandyy Mathonsi. Zwandyy recently participated at the 2022 Durban Fashion Fair showing of his new range ‘African Happy Dolls’. Asked as to what inspired the range “I wanted to embrace the new modern African women. Modern women who have not forgotten their roots.” "Durban Fashion Fair 2022, the African Happy Dolls Range." Pic: Supplied Zwandyy said he was mostly inspired by our ethnicity but wanted to give it a more European look whilst it had our African ethnic fabric. “I have been busy with private orders, also embarking on a new journey which is supplying retail stores. I am also supplying three boutiques which include the Durban Fashion Fair Boutique in Umlazi.” Said Zwandyy. The Durban based designer said he will forever be grateful to the DFF mentorship program which saw him jetting off to Italy in 2014 to learn global fashion trends. He said he started a year ago to supplying shops and there is a hu
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SAMA Award winning gospel group Vuma Zion takes Soweto by storm

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The Award winning Zion gospel group Vuma Zion was established in 2004, and their first album was released in 2005. Speaking to it co-founder Mukelani Mkhonza he says “I wanted to take and showcase Zion music in theatre and Delight Production SA made this to be possible.” In 2017 the group won a South African Music Award for their album ‘Samson aphi Amandla wakho.’ Inspired by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Mkhonza also was passionate to fulfill his dream of taking Vuma Zion into theatre. “I want to celebrate Zion music through drama, dance and poetry.” Says Mkhonza Over the previous weekend they held their second annual show at the Soweto Theatre and the public response was enormous as they also weren’t expecting the kind of support they received. The show was held over two days the 18 th and 19 th of March with it 27 cast members. " Vuma Zion live at the Soweto Theatre." Image supplied “In South Africa I would love to collaborate with Ladysmith Black Mambazo because Zion m
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We want to make a difference in every girl child

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Sanitary towels are a necessity in every girl child when they start to go on their menstruation cycle. Not every girl is lucky enough to afford them and others end up using newspapers or a piece of clothing. #Insight had a chat with Sandile Nkosi, born and bred in Madadeni, a township situated in Newcastle North of KwaZulu Natal. "Sandile Nkosi, The founder of the Sanitary Pads Drive" He together with his team that constitute of four other members started a sanitary pads drive in order to donate to needy individuals who need this basic necessity. “I wanted to initially start a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO), as I was still waiting for the processes to get it registered I thought that I should start a Facebook Page and start some kind of a sanitary towels donation drive.” Says Sandile. Sandile says immediately after he opened the sanitary pads drive page, more and more people started engaging with him as they were interested in this initiative. “Me and my team hustled f
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It a God given talent

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  Emmanuel Morema. Picture: supplied Up and coming artist Emmanuel Tshepo Morema who hails from Moime village in Limpopo found his outstanding drawing ability while doing Grade 7. The 25 year old says he didn't go to any art school to perfect his exceptional drawing skills however it a natural ability.   "I have drawn Tito Mboweni, King Monada, Sho Madjozi and Casper Nyovest to make reference to a couple of acclaimed individuals I have had the chance to make picture off."   "Morema with a drawing of Casper Nyovest." Picture: supplied Morema earns enough to pay the bills out of his ability and he says most of the time it difficult to get hold of people as they are a few who like or have confidence in art.   "I normally use Facebook and Twitter to advance myself, and if I am lucky people share my work on their social media platforms and I get gigs in that manner and was featured on SABC morning live last year August." Morema want to pass his skill
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Lala NgoXolo Gee Six Five

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  "Gee Six Five." Image supplied #Insight would like to join the millions of South Africans who are mourning the untimely passing of Mrs ON Selepe better known as Gee Six Five. The 65 year old Newcastle resident had just released her first hit single Obani Lababantu which made waves across the country and on social media platforms. In 2018 she completed her Master’s Degree at the age of 63 and was pursuing a doctoral degree at the time of her passing with the University of KwaZulu Natal. Gee Six Five had been in self isolation after receiving positive result of Covid19 on Monday and she passed away on the early hours of Wednesday morning due to Covid19 complications. #Insight would like to send condolences to the family, friends and the Regina Coeli Catholic Church in Madadeni. By: Thobela Sibiya
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Be strong, keep going & remain humble

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  "Thandeka Sibeko" Photo supplied. Thandeka Sibeko of Social Market Movement Events (SMM) which has just celebrated four years in existence, was born in Glencoe and later moved to Newcastle in 2007 to live with her dad and siblings in Northern KwaZulu Natal. She has a qualification in Human Resources, a Digital Marketing Certificate and a Content Market Certificate. “I am a self-taught events planner which is why I started SMM Events as I started exhibiting in markets in Bloemfontein.” Says Sibeko. After completing college in Bloemfontein, she moved back to Newcastle. She decided to introduce the social market in order to uplift small and upcoming business entrepreneurs while creating a social experience. “The social market in Newcastle was born in the year 2016, yes I did have hiccups as any other businesses but I already had a five-year plan that is why I have managed to keep it going.” Says Sibeko. She says that when you love something and you are passionate about
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