Letting go..

5 life Lessons I learnt in the Military

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I Lesego Patricia Malatse would ever join the Military. Camo gear, boots of steel and a rifle stripped across my body like an accessory. I've always been the creative type but here I was in a Discipline driven environment, Command and Execute , ask no questions.

I mean growing up we all have a plan. A map of our life;  the destination and the directions. Most of us find ourselves in places our minds couldn't have possibly conceived, you tell yourself at a certain age you would have acquired certain wealth and success but it doesn't work that way. 

I'm grateful for how my life has panned out. I would not trade my experiences for anything else in the world, they have shaped me into who I am. For every action there is a reaction. For every path taken there are lessons to be learned, memories to be made and a lifetime of knowledge to be gained. 

These are 5 life lessons that I've learned, ofcourse there is more but that would require a whole reality tv show, a couple of interviews and a documentary; the blog would not be enough (laughs out loud).

Lesson 1: No man is an island

We all need each other somehow, we are all put on this earth to assist one another in some way or form. Be kind and helpful, you never know when you might need the next person.

Lesson 2: It's all in the Mind

The mind is a powerful tool it controls every part of your body. Your legs don't just decide to move unless the brain sends a signal. If you master your thoughts, you can push yourself to the limit. During training I've had to walk for miles on end,through the rivers, over mountains, during tempestuos weathers . When I joined the force I wasn't particularly fit, took a jog once in a while but I wasn't ready for  the extremeness of it all. I've walked till I felt blisters forming on the soles of my feet,till I couldn't feel my whole body and all the while my mind kept me going. The thought of reaching the destination and the seed has already been planted, you're already there. 

Lesson 3: Respect Time

Time wasted can never be regained. Every second counts, use it wisely.

Lesson 4: There is so much to be grateful for

For the first time in a long time I had to go back to basics. It was during what we call the Field phase, we had to pitch up our own tent to sleep in every night and break it down before dawn as if it was never there. We had limited water and food , no electricity and no cellphones. I used to think I'd never survive without all those things but I was able to make the most of what I had. 

Lesson 5: Take pride in yourself 

The first thing you are taught is how to dress, how to iron your uniform and tie your boots. It's important to look presentable at all times. We live in a world where you are unfortunately judged by the way you look. How would you like others to perceive you? First impressions last. Your appearance can determine if you get that dream job or if you seal that deal with an investor. Look good, walk tall, and always keep your chin up.

 

Count your blessings....

Ma Khumalo:

"And the dinner smells good, no one can tell we don't have enough . A pinch of rajah spices on these vegetables  and it smells like beef curry stew . I haven't tasted meat for 10 months now, the kids have no idea that we are broke. Drowning in debt. I told them their father was diagnosed with some foreign disease. New vegetable diet for everyone. They must hate me. "

Ma Zondo:

"The stew next door smells so good. I'm tired of eating chicken. I know it's cheaper but it wouldn't kill my husband to bring home some beef stew once in a while . Ma Khumalo and her kids are feasting that side, mhmm smells good , no wonder they've all gained so much weight. I wish things were better."

Ma Khumalo and Ma Zondo, neighbors. 

Moral of the story:

The grass is not always greener on the other side!! 

On the Spotlight - Movers and Shakers

When i decided to revive my blog i never anticipated the positive feedback i would receive. I had no plan, all i knew was that i was doing what i loved and it felt good. I wanted to share my thoughts, i wanted to tell stories, shed some love and light. I don't force anything, everything just comes to me, ideas flow and sometimes I'll wake up in the middle of the night and write notes in my phone. Sometimes i will be having a busy day at work and there will be so many thoughts running through my head i will hide in the toilet for 5 minutes to write it all down (don't tell my boss). There are days when i have plenty of free time and i want to write something and i will struggle for hours, then i remind myself that this is my journey , own pace , own target. 

It would only be fitting to start off our business feature with the following quote by Maya Angelou ; " You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal. Instead pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off of you." 

This quote resonates with Mr.George Ringani(26), who managed to turn his passion into his livelihood. I remember back in high school when he used to draw cartoons, I've always thought of him as a nerd but little did i know what a creative genius he was. Graphic designer, a Fashion designer of note, he is on his way up.

In a short interview with George the owner of UNQ apparel this is what he had to say.....

Why the fashion industry?

I found myself drawn to it, it wasn’t something I planned for or always wanted to do interestingly enough. I first began doing graphic design, which was cool at first but never gave me that much needed satisfaction that fashion does. Funny enough, I can say I was intimidated at first when I started my fashion label but as I went along I felt (and still do) this burst of energy that comes with it that gives me a high I don’t wish to come down from. It’s a part of me and a form of art I strongly defend when pressed against the wall. It’s an industry typically identified with females, true, but I will proudly be open in saying, I enjoy creating ladies wear more than I do creating menswear. I personally find ladies wear more versatile and fun to work with, and it makes perfecty sense as to why women dominate the industry more than guys do.

How long have you been operating?

The label along with its mother company have been in inception for almost 3 years now. The mother company being, the UNQ Group (Pty) Ltd and the label UNQ with its sister label aimed at the feminine market, Streetchic.

I hope to achieve

4 things mainly: Recognition, building a strong pool of talent, changing and killing off the negative perception the industry is getting and giving back all my knowledge and skills to those that yearn to do what I do.

What being a young African entrepreneur means to me

It makes me proud, not only that but fuels me with a burning desire to show off my skills to the rest of the world as to what Africa and young Africans are capable of, including within the fashion industry.

Myself in 3 words

Passionate

Hungry 

Driven

What I have to offer? What makes me different?

I’m currently a one-man-army, doing the designing, photography and marketing of the brand. I partnered up with a seamstress to help me cut and sew my designs and I have a few people on call for help in modelling my creations. The label’s DNA is all about Self-expression and individuality, the uniqueness that lies within an individual, hence UNQ which is short for Unique.

I think what has drawn me to UNQ is the fictional character "streetchic girl". A young woman of character and style, her life's journey is documented through social media accounts such as Instagram. She goes through the everyday struggles of life , women from all walks of life can relate to her. She is a sister, a daughter and that crazy friend we all have. She is in all of us. Streetchic makes the brand so relatable and Unique (no pun intended). 

    

We wrapped up the interview with a little bit more about UNQ's "IT" girl Streetchic 

How did you come up with the concept "Streetchic "

I’m always drawn to sophisticated women. Women who know how to control the heel. Women who stand their own ground, who have the world “bow down” to their un-uttered commands. That’s the woman who inspired the whole essence of Streetchic to be born. But I’m not talking about some fictional woman here but the woman you see in the street, the woman you see at the office or at the mall, that’s a woman that has the word “streetchic” just roll down my tongue. But not only is it aimed at women but also the feminine guy. I am planning to create a Streetchic line aimed at guys, or rather the guy with a feminine touch to his style. The soul and essence of the Streetchic line conveys feminism with edge. This also shows in the clothing designs, not just the light stuff but also the medium and heavy-weight, blending all the elements together to bridge the debate on equality.

 

Who is Streetchic girl? 

She’s the epitome of chic (Stylish). She’s the woman I best described what being Streetchic is all about. She’s open minded, fun, bubbly, and can be easily mistaken as “crazy” if you spend the rest of your day with her. Other than her love for fashion, she loves life, travelling, nature and people. She has strong views on life, an advocate for feminism, health and wellbeing, youth development, and something you can never separate from her, her love for Coffee. I won’t lie in saying this individual goes through what all girls go through but I get to understand, with the hope of opening other guys minds, what most girls go through as she goes along in life. It sounds crazy, but as much as I give and breathe life in this girl on a daily basis, I get to learn a lot about her in return, which allows me to gain some understanding on certain issues women go through. There’s a complete death of ME as George when I’m her, if I can put it like that. 

Mister UNQ handles himself in such a professional manner, he takes himself seriously and that is evident in his work. He sends neat detailed emails, I had to sit up straight while reading them, for a second i thought he had his own personal PA. I've thoroughly enjoyed this interview and I hope you've been inspired by his Journey. From Atteridgville to the runway and then to the world; It is only a matter of time.  

86 Khoza Street
Atteridgeville, Pretoria
083 328 5980 (Cell/Whatsapp)
(012) 373 5016 (landline)
Email: Georgeringani@gmail.com / Unqgroup@gmail.com

Let's support local!!

For colored girls...

For colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf (1975)

Honestly i had no idea it was International Women's day till i opened my Instagram account. I was having a normal day,minding my own business  well in fact my boss's business when I should have gotten a day off to pamper myself.
In celebration of this glorious day i share with you a monologue by the Lady in Brown from the above mentioned play. Most of us know this as the movie starring Janet jackson among other beautiful and talented ladies. This is a play by the amazing playwright Ntozake Shange, a poet and a self- proclaimed black feminist well according to the internet but in my opinion ; She is an extraordinary human being, a phenomenal woman.

•
LADY IN BROWN  

dark phrases of womanhood of never havin been a girl half-notes scattered without rhythm/ no tune distraught laughter fallin over a black girl's shoulder it's funny/ it's hysterical the melody-less-ness of her dance don't tell nobody don't tell a soul she's dancin on beer cans & shingles this must be the spook house another song with no singers lyrics/ no voices & interrupted solos unseen performances are we ghouls? children of horror? the joke? don't tell nobody don't tell a soul are we animals? have we gone crazy?
 i can't hear anythin but maddening screams & the soft strains of death & you promised me you promised me . . . somebody/ anybody sing a black girl's song bring her out to know herself to know you but sing her rhythms carin/ struggle/ hard times sing her song of life she's been dead so long closed in silence so long she doesn't know the sound of her own voice her infinite beauty she's half-notes scattered without rhythm/ no tune sing her sighs sing the song of her possibilities sing a righteous gospel let her be born let her be born & handled warmly.

Happy International women's day. Be kind to yourself. Love yourself, flaws and all.

Keep going

I think we've all been through that embarrassing moment, when you lose balance and just fall flat on the ground. People will react differently; others will laugh in your face and make u feel like an idiot ; others will tell you sorry but won't help you up and then you find those that help you up, dust you up while secretly laughing at you. Human nature. I feel like that's how we approach life, every time we lose focus and fall.
We go about life so carefully afraid we might miss a step and end up on our knees. We are afraid of being wrong, afraid of making mistakes.
What if I fail? What will people say? I don't want to be laughed at. Mhmm everybody wants to laugh but no one wants to be the joke.

So there I was today, taking a morning jog ; honestly just a walk, my lazy self prefers walking on Sunday mornings , any other morning for that matter. As I was minding my own business I tripped, it all happened so fast I was lying flat on my ass. Usually I would have got up faster  than superman and dusted myself off before anyone could see me. But I just sat there , feeling a burning sensation on my cushions like I had just been kicked. I laughed at myself. When I finally decided it was time to get up I noticed an old man running my direction, he laughed with me and said "Keep going, you're on the right path".
I swear the universe is telling me something.

Lesson:
Don't be afraid of falling. You can always get up and keep going.
Don't be too hard on yourself. Laugh at yourself and you will never be bothered by those who laugh at you.

Love and light to you and yours. Xoxo

Photocred: Me

On the Spotlight- Movers and Shakers

As a black child growing up i was encouraged to get an education, get a good job and retire peacefully for the rest of my days. I was convinced that such is the order of life. The education system in my view encourages us to be good employees as opposed to employers. We are constantly being taught to follow certain rules and systems of learning and living, there is no space for creativity and leadership. I think that's why most of us are good at our jobs but suck at real life issues. We can solve for x , it has been programmed in our brains but we fail dismally when it comes to the day to day challenges that comes with life.
Entrepreneurship has always been a part of my life; our local spaza shops, supermarkets,street vendors selling sweets and cigarettes and the random guy on his bicycle selling chicken feet and gizzards.
 A career in the Arts is still frowned upon in our communities; as if we are all destined to be Doctors and Lawyers.
The township is different now, over the years young people have emerged from dusty street corners to becoming prominent business figures. Breaking all the norms and making a success out of passion.

On the spotlight today:

Meet Kgatale John Seemela affectionately known as Sello or Cjo. A 35year old male from the township of Tembisa in the Gauteng Province. The owner of Cjos Florists, oh yes even men sell flowers. His passion for flowers was sparked when he visited a flower market and got exposed to the ins and outs of the industry. He says that he hopes to change the perspective that flowers are only associated with funerals and he hopes to spread love and romance in his community. He went on to add that owning a business requires less sleep, family time and more of work. So yes, its true that hustlers don't sleep. I hope this story has inspired you to get up and get moving!!
I urge you to support local initiatives like this one. Cjos details will be added below.

If you are a mover, an influencer, business guru in the making and want to feature on my blog send me an email to malatselesego@gmail.com

Business Address : 587 weaver Street Difateng Section Tembisa
For more info like the page Cjos Florist for more info.

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