It's 21:05 somewhere in Africa and 

1.  State prosecutor Gerrie Nel is accusing someone of not being qualified enough to discuss Pistorius’s mental state.

2. Somewhere on the shores of Africa, Castro's body is missing. Thoughts go out to the family and friends.

3. Somewhere in Africa (in South Africa to be precise) South Africans are urged to take part in Mandela Day activities. Okay ? I'm totes not against this day and what it stands for and/or anything along those rosey faint lines

4. Somewhere in Southern Africa Tony Yengeni is pompous.

5. Two years after the Marikana Massacre, the fallen are remembered and forever will be. #RememberMarikana.

6. It's Women's month - whoopee.

7. Too many people are dying in Palestine ! TF Israel?

8. Ogilvy & Mather Cape Town made a controversial ad for Feed A Child - awkward

9. Somewhere in Africa there's a TV show (Interface on SABC 2) that's discussing racism in SA, but there's only two white people being interviewed really - awkward.

Molweni ! Greetings dear friends,

So last night I attended the 12 Rooms Exhibition at CCXIX but before I continue to unfold how the night came to be, my sole purpose of going there was to see the painting of Azola, qha. I was quite ignorant as to what the exhibition consisted of initially, but boy was my mind blown when I walked in.

Driving through the congested street of Albert Rd was a slight challenge - generally because I did not know where the location of the venue was - but with assistance of a lady who clearly pointed out that it was on the the main road (yeah, I know) we found the location.

 I spotted a good amount of old people outside the venue drenched in their "I left work like this" attires holding a glass of white wine, conversing with the next, I figured "hmm, this should be the place."  I entered the crowded space with the intention of just seeing paintings but rather before my sight (excluding the mass people) I saw an opportunity for an adventure - 12 rooms.

Seeing the likes of Kyle Roux’s elegant Art Deco room with a modern cultural touch and Michele Throssell, an interior designer, whom showcased some iconic chair designs and beautifully patterned pillows with her own original wallpaper was enticing. Many other impeccably talented designers and artists filled these rooms with their works and this was all under one roof, dammit !

The ambiance was lekker. 

Free food and drinks and good music; what more could one ask for on a Thursday night? 

Laduma's room, where Loyiso's painting of Azola was situated, brought a somewhat smile to my face. A room filled with oodarkie (black people) I felt this sense of coziness which was latter explained to me that that was the objective. The Rondavel inspired room included complimentary pieces by Andile Dyalvane's distinctive 'Once Off' ngqayi  and Mlondolozi Hempe, also known as 'mlo__creates', showcased his beautiful furniture designs, including the potjie (African pot) inspired chair. 

The evening was intimate and just right and finally seeing the striking painting 'Isidima' by Loyiso , which awkwardly bared resemblance to my outfit, added a pleasant touch to the night.

All in all, it was a well-rounded evening of existing artists and new designs while doing the justice of showcasing the works of upcoming artists. It was greaaaat. 

Sharp.

Greetings fellow human, 

So here it is, the Omo post part two. I realize I told you, Reader, in the last post that Dain would feature. Unfortunately my dear friend had to take a rain-check because he started training today, and I, fortunately took an off day because I care about my well-being - Mondays are not good for my health. 

Quite frankly I was bored, free and I figured heck, let me do it.

Dain will feature in the next one (I can try to promise you that much).

I gave you the basic breakdown of whom the Omo people are - or rather, the two tribes that are most well known - the Mursi and the Surma (Suri) tribe - so uyaqondastanda? If not, click here.

I must say: taking pictures with a camera of an average quality in a dissatisfying - or rather uninspiring location -  with just you, yourself and you is not what I had hoped for, but this is the result. Click here to see the image that inspired today's Omo look.

I figured I should post the song that literally made my head bob / twitch. 

Oboit, trust me, you can look like this everyday.

Greetings fellow human,

First and foremost, a blessed New Year to you and your loved ones (including your pets). 

This past Sunday, I spent the day spoiling myself with the opportunity of doing The Omo People shoot.

Well, initially I spent most of my morning and afternoon snuggled in what I call 'a blessing of a bloody bed', contemplating whether or not I should go through with the shoot. So I decided, with full knowledge of the gloomy, sucky weather in Cape Town, that will I done do it ! 

Tempted by the calamine, gouache and the paint brushes that laid before my very eyes - coincidence? I think not (which, BTW, were the ingredients to create this perfect face) I proceeded. Within 15 minutes, my "make-up" was complete. Disappointed by the fact that Dain, my boyfriend, stood me up, I continued, because I'm kak independent - nxa ! Nonetheless, you'll see Dain in Pt. II.

The Omo People, who are they? You ask. They are, technically, people of the Surma and Mursi tribes whom live in/along the L'Omo Valley (Omo River) on the borders of  Ethiopia, Kenya, and Sudan. So you catch the drift of why Hans Silvester calls them The Omo peeps right? Right. Just to some it all up; the Surma people are generally located in Ethiopia and South Sudan. The Surmas and the Mursis are quite similar in culture. The Surmas generally have a  larger population, according to stats, than the Mursis. 

The African Traditional religious dominated tribe is quite intriguing. Just like the Mursi tribe, 'at the point of puberty most women have their bottom teeth removed in order to get their lower lip pierced. Once the lip is pierced, it’s then stretched and a lip plate is then placed in the hole of the piercing.  Having a lip plate is a sign of beauty and the bigger the plate, the more cattle the woman is worth. This is important when the women are ready to get married.' - Wikipedia. 

Hans Silvester received the opportunity to capture the essence of these beautiful people, not only mentally, but physically. His images have inspired me to (quite frankly) copy the 'look' of the the colourful Surma people (which is what I have tried to depict in this post) because they look so jaas ! 

Click here to see the image that inspired the very first Omo series. Let me know what you think.

Sharp.

relax yourself - breath easy. by tonygum featuring topshop