#Insight

  "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

  "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

Palesa Manaleng was born in Polokwane (Limpopo) she was raised by her Grandmother, and later moved to Witbank in Mpumalanga to stay with her parents. “I am a qualified journalist and I love writing short stories, I have actually been published by the Johannesburg Reveal Books.” Says Manaleng On 10 September 2014 Manaleng had a cycling accident that changed her life. It was her normal day off; she had just joined eNCA and was there for two weeks in the new job. “I went for a run and I came back, started cleaning and I looked outside and decided to take Dolly (bicycle) for a ride around my block, I was going down on a very steep hill and I was going fast and I realized that my bricks were not working, I couldn’t brake and I hit the pavement, and flew at the palisade wall.” says Manaleng She dislocated her spine, broke two ribs, fractured a shoulder and sustained a head injury and she was paralyzed at the scene. Manaleng’s life changed, she is a complete paraplegic as she may neve

"Mzwandile Mathonsi".   Mzwandile Mathonsi of Zwandyy fashions is an up and coming fashion designer. Born and bred in the dusty street of KwaMashu north of Durban and later moved to Inanda with his family. Mathonsi says he was inspired by the women around him in his family to be in fashion as he felt that he wanted to make them look and feel good. In 2014 he entered a mentorship programme sponsored by the Ethekwini Municipality called the Durban Fashion Fair (DFF) mentorship programme which selected only 10 designers to go and study fashion in Italy Milan for two months. “It was quite a great platform to be part of, as I got to learn more about fashion, more especially at looking at fashion as a business” says Mathonsi. “I now design using global methods instead of using something that will only appeal to South Africans that how studying in Milan opened my eyes to see the world.” Says Mathonsi. His target market is for modern women who enjoy looking good, and he doesn

  "Ntobeko Buthelezi fitness and personal trainer." Image courtesy of Ntobeko Buthelezi Ntobeko Buthelezi (23) of Indalo Muscular; a fitness personal trainer and model from Newcastle KwaZulu Natal, he recently launched his own product that helps in losing weight, burns belly fat within a few weeks improves skin tone speeds up metabolism and relieve constipation. "Image of Ntobeko's product that was recently launched." Image courtesy of Ntokozo Buthelezi “My passion for the gym started in 2014 when I entered a pageant competition and I didn’t make it because my body was not in shape.” Says Ntobeko He is a personal trainer and the equipment he uses is different from the normal gym equipment, he uses old damaged bus and truck wheels to train his clients and do all sorts of outdoor exercises. Ntobeko says “The equipment I use is different because I only deal with the stomach, squats, toning abs and it works for me and my clients.” From here Ntobeko want to be

  "Nthabi Mokgosi doing one of her motivational talks." image courtesy of Nthabi Nthabi Mokgosi the brains behind the YouTube channel RealTalkWithNthabi, is a mover and shaker who was born and bred in Mahikeng (Tsetse village) in the North West. Nthabi is a public speaker, a web and graphic designer by profession, and an entrepreneur. “IL Designs started when I was 22 years old, I love designing and used that as a way to start my company, I started offering the service to students and later grew the brand to various clients and brands, also IL Designs gave birth to Entrepreneur Puzzle which is an online magazine for entrepreneurs to elevate their businesses” Says Nthabi RealTalkWithNthabi her YouTube channel, she says it was inspired by her own story of life growing up from a village with no much opportunities, “I now have a channel under this brand which inspires the world to be the best versions of themselves, I see it as the next Oprah Winfrey show as I engage the audi

  Sonke Mazibuko (28) has just released a hit song Angikhathali. Sonke was part of season 9 (2013) Idols and made it to the top 3. "Sonke's single was released on the 7th of August 2020." Image courtesy of Sonke Mazibuko Sonke says he took a risk by entering Idols competition and didn’t know he would make it that far in the competition. “I took a risk and I sang Michael Buble’s song home and I got three yes’s and one no and from there I just took it off and I told myself it now do or die.” Says Sonke He didn’t know that he would make it that far, but he learnt a lot with regards to the music industry. "Sonke Mazibuko on Season 9 Idols in 2013." Image courtesy of Sonke Mazibuko Being voted out on Idols, Sonke didn’t have any plans but he took every gig that came his way as he now had great exposure. “My song was inspired by love, because I am all about love, wherever I go I spread love and I will be doing more of love singles.” Says Sonke With the strict

"Hope Motau at Thobela FM studio." Image courtesy of Hope Motau Ngwanamakwa Koketšo Hope Motau of Thobela FM once had an interview with #Insight on his days working for TUT’S Department of Journalism as a TV student assistant and as a freelancer for Talk Radio 702’s Eyewitness News for close to two years. The Ga-Mathabatha (Limpopo) born radio host Motau says “I have always been passionate about radio and journalism and my journey started back in 2010 when I studied Versatile Broadcasting, continued to do a National Diploma in Journalism and a B-Tech in Journalism from TUT.” On his journey working as a freelancer for Radio 702’s Eyewitness News he was working there as a journalist covering stories for both radio and online platforms, and that how he got an opportunity to work for SABC’s Thobela FM. "Motau back in the days as a freelancer at Radio 702." Image courtesy of Hope Motau Motau says “In 2018 Thobela FM advertised posts for new presenters and producers, I we

Insight recently had a chat with communications officer of Black Child Foundation Thamsanqa Ngubeni. The foundation is based in Newcastle KwaZulu Natal. A project that was formulated by Sicelo Ndwandwe in 2017 and he is also the chairperson of the foundation. Ndwandwe decided to look for people who are making a difference in the community of Newcastle and he started off with a team of ten members but now they are currently six as others decided to pursue other business interests. "The BCF Members, from front Zamayengwayo Magwaza, Sicelo Ndwandwe & Nomfundo Mazibuko. Back row Thamsanqa Ngubeni, Thabo Madi & Sifiso Buthelezi." Image by: BCF The foundation has been in existence for three years and it is a non-funded organisation as they don’t have main sponsors but rely on local business people for assistance when they have a certain project to pursue. Ngubeni says “The foundation comprises of different projects such as the Kasi2Kasi colour run as their healthy lifes

Dear #Insight readers, I have decided to relaunch my Blog on the First of July 2020 as more and more readers were left devastated when I stopped publishing stories and profiles this was because of my studies that I had to focus on. but do not despair I will be bringing you fresh new content and you can also advise me of the content you want to read about. Thobela Wiseman Sibiya