Coloureds of Cape Town

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

"Today I received my degree with a distinction, and as I reflect on the day that has passed, I realise that I owe it all to the little boys from the Flats who believe they are destined to fall prey to gangsterism, drugs and poverty. To inspire them to aspire to be more than just a statistic. I too walked the streets of Lavender Hill, Seawinds and Steenberg every morning, for 45 minutes to get to school. I too lived in those areas where gang violence, assualt, robbery and drug abuse were a normal part of my daily life. For many coloured boys from the flats...like me, a university career was never an option and therefore we choose to live in the now, #yolo. But all that Yolo brings is a few, short moments of laughs amongst friends. Friends who, I can guarantee you, will not be there tomorrow. To my coloured boys, don't seek a sense of false security in the circles that you run in. You are more than what you believe you are capable of. Your worth is not determined by your net-worth." #capecoloured #capecoloureds #vanniekaap #southafrican #capetown #southafrica #southafricancoloured #people #peopleofcapetown #peopleofsouthafrica #southafricancoloureds #humansofcapetown #ambition #goals #achievement #stories #teaching #everydayafrica (at Cape Town, Western Cape)

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

Professor Adam Small, a philosopher, poet, playwright and columnist was born in 1936 in Wellington. He matriculated at St Columbas High School in Athlone on the Cape Flats. A gifted wordsmith of note, he went on to achieve an impressive record of academic qualifications. He studied for a degree in Languages and Philosophy at the University of Cape Town and in 1959, he became a lecturer in philosophy at the University of Fort Hare. In 1960 he was one of the academic founders of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and was appointed as the Head of the Philosophy Department. In 1963 he completed a Masters of Arts (Cum Laude) on the philosophical thinking of Nicolai Hartmann and Friedrich Nietzsche. During the same time period he studied at the University of London and the University of Oxford. In the early 1970�s he was influenced by the Black Consciousness Movement and by 1973, he was pressured to resign from this position at UWC in solidarity with the Black Consciousness inspired student movement. This prompted a move to Johannesburg, where he became the Head of Student Body Services at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). He returned to Cape Town in 1977 and completed a BA degree in Social Work through UNISA and became the Director of the Foundation for Community Work (FCW), an NGO rendering early childhood services, until 1983. In 1984 he returned to UWC as the HOD of the Social Work Department, a position he held until his retirement in 1997. He was awarded his first Honorary Doctorate by the University of the Western Cape, and in 2015 by University of Stellenbosch. Regarded as one of the most eminent writers of English and Afrikaans literature in South Africa, the Department of Arts and Culture awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Literary Award in 2008, and in 2012 he was given the prestigious Hertzog Prize for Literature. Professor Small passed away in 2016 at the age of 79 but we remember and continue to be inspired by his incredible life's work that includes several publications of his poetry such as, "Oos Wes Tuis Bes Distrik Ses", "Kitaar my kruis" as well as his well known theatrical drama "Kanna hy ko hystoe". (at Cape Town, Western Cape)

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

Part 2 of 2 "Deur die beproewings wat ons as gesin moes deur maak het ek geleer om te gee, nie omdat ek geld het nie maar omdat ek weet armoede was ongevraagd. Ek het ook 'n baie belangrike les daaruit geleer dat jy moet nooit jou drome laat verlore gaan nie. Armoede was my onderwyser in daardie tydperk maar ek glo ek is voorbestem vir sukses. My hart se begeerte was altyd om BA kommunikasiekunde te studeer omdat ek 'n nuus aanbieder wou word. Ek het in 2014 gematrikuleer en in 2015 my eerste jaar aan die Universiteit van die Vrystaat in Bloemfontein voltooi. Ongelukkig kon ek nie verder my ander twee jaar van BA voltooi nie want daar was nie geld nie. Ek het nog die Universiteit klasgeld geskuld en het die vorige jaar op 'n lening gestudeer. Ek het toe aansoek gedoen om onderwys te studeer by Cape Peninsula University of Technology maar die kursus was vol vir daardie jaar. Op 19 Januarie die volgende jaar was ek uiteindelik aanvaar by CPUT vir onderwys waar ek die NSFAS beurs ontvang het en dit met oope hande verwelkom. Ek is nou n tweede jaar onderwys student en ek werk vir Pick n Pay as n frontline cashier. Baie mense vra my hoe kry ek dit reg om voltyds te werk en te studeer en my antwoord is dat ek ken my omstandighede en weet waarvandaan ek kom en as 'n mens uithou vermoe in die lewe het kan mens enige iets bereik in die lewe." (at Cape Town, Western Cape)

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

Part 1 of 2 "Ek is oorspronklik van Oudsthoorn, Dysselsdorp in the Klein Karoo maar woon nou in Kaapstad. My omstandighede het my gedruk dat ek moes Kaap toe trek om dit te verander. Somtyds het ek gevoel dat ek te haastig is vir iets om te gebeur en dis daar waar my oë begin oopgaan het, dat ek besef het dis waar teleurstellings inkom. Ek het altyd 'n lae selfbeeld gehad, teruggetrokke en minderwaardig gevoel. Altyd myself bevraagteken hoekom die lewe vir andere lekker is en dit so moeilik gaan met my en my familie. My ma het gesukkel om kop bo water te hou en ons het basies net op staats toelae staatgemaak. Ek moes my matriek op 'n leë maag gaan skryf, met 'n kers sit en studeer in die aande. Daar was 'n tyd waar ek my ma sien huil en waar sy in die aand loop en geld soek om iets op die tafel te sit en daardie oomblik het ek nie meer geweet wie of wat ek is nie. Ek het gevoel om saam met my ma te huil. Ek het na God gebid en by Hom gepleit want die hartseer en moedeloosheid het my oorweldig. Ek was op breekpunt weens verkeerde besluite. In hierdie tuie was my ma se woorde aan my: my kind die foute wat jy gemaak het, bepaal nie wie jy is nie. Ek ken jou potential, ek weet waarvoor jy instaat is. Ek ken die mens wat jy van binne is. Ek ken jou mooi hart, jou sagte persoonlikheid. Ek sien 'n pragtige mens wanneer ek na jou kyk en daardie woorde het my gemotiveer... (at Cape Town, Western Cape)

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

Part 3 of 3 "All the original members of the Philadelphia Rhythms has now passed on but the band is still active and in full swing with some of its members decendents of the original band members. We are fortunate to have interested youth who add a positive and new dimension to our growth as a band. We provide a variety of live musical performances at all kind of events, from Community to Corporate events, Gala Dinners, Social Dancing, Product Launches, Weddings, Birthday or Coctail parties, our band will create the desired atmosphere with the appropriate music. With experience and flexible musicians, our band can provide with music genres like strict tempo ballroom (locally known as langarm) adapted, arranged and tastefully done to the Cape's dance band style, jazz, r&b, pop, disco and party music. We provide for the young and not so young and always strive to get people in the mood to enjoy the experience. As a band we hope to preserve our cultural tradition by documenting our rich musical history on the “Rhythms of Cape Town” which consist of the Dance Band, Xmas Choir and Road bands. A book will be released in the near future documenting the history on these genres to continue the tradition of the band by educating people about our music as it is associated with our ethnicity. The band has always been involved in social enrichment and development and we want to continue this trend by educating the youth who believe that they do not have a culture or that our culture is of a substandard. Our short term goal is to market our music to the broader public as well as tourists, and along the way challenge those stereotypes who think our music is of a low quaint standard. We are in the process of negotiating the use of a venue where we can hold regular functions and also help our communities with fundraising to build their organisations as has always been the case the last seven decades. Lastly, attracting interested young musicians for the production of a theatre show where the youth can showcase, through the music, the icon and legends of these genres." #colouredsofcapetown #capecoloureds #capetown #southafrica #peopleofcapetown #philadelphiarythms #musicians (at Cape Town, Western Cape)

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

Part 2 of 3 During the sixties and seventies the band would play almost every Friday eve, Saturday afternoon (matinee) and eve, with an occasional Sunday picnic, they also travelled as far as Kimberley. However, after the Group Areas Act came into effect, people of colour were prohibited from using certain venues and the band had to move on to performing at liquor establishments, like hotels on the cape flats instead. This lead to a new generation of heavy liquor consuming people and also kept young people from having alcohol-free fun, a culture which has negatively progressed to what we are witnessing today. Playing for a certain fairer racial group would require attaining a permit to perform in whites only areas. Recent years, the band has not been as active as before due to the decreased amount of events taking place as most communities find it difficult to attract support due to unemployment amongst the working class, the custodians of this culture. This also impacted on community organizations that used these bands extensively for their fundraising activities throughout the year." #colouredsofcapetown #capecoloured #capecoloureds #southafrican #capetown #southafrica #southafricancoloured #people #peopleofcapetown #peopleofsouthafrica #southafricancoloureds #african #humansofcapetown #philadelphiarythms #philadelphiarythmsband #capetownmusic #music #bands #trumpeter #musicbands #history #stories (at Cape Town, Western Cape)

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

Part 1 of 3 "Our band, Philadelpia Rythms band was initially formed back in 1947 by my late grandfather, trumpeter Mr. Arend Hendricks. As a young man, Arend and his peers were schooled in the various orchestras which operated in and around Cape Town since the first half of the 20th century. One of which was Joe Murry’s orchestra that he and his childhood friend John “Joepies” Thomas formed part of. He then later decided to venture on his own forming the Philadelphia Rhythms dance band with the assistance and input of renowned banjo player The Banjo Man, John “Joepies” Thomas, and some young talented musicians which would become household names in their respective communities. They focused on producing a unique and distinct sound and developed their own signature sound that their followers grew accustomed to and easily identify with. This was the start of the Cape’s Dance Band era, with a variety of new dance bands coming into existence. In 1971 Arend retired due to ill health and his son a saxophonist, Gerald Hendricks took over. My grandfather spoke fondly of the good old days. As you can imagine there were many, such as having the privilege to play weekly at various venues in and around Cape Town prior to the Group Areas Act. In 1947 the band was invited by the Cape Town City Council to perform for King George and Queen Elizabeth during their tour of the country. In the 1950’s they recorded various well known songs under Arend’s leadership namely, Sunshine of Your Smile, Song for India, There goes my Heart, Hey There, With These Hands, to name a few... #colouredsofcapetown #capecoloured #capecoloureds #southafrican #capetown #southafrica #southafricancoloured #people #peopleofcapetown #peopleofsouthafrica #southafricancoloureds #african #humansofcapetown #philadelphiarythms #philadelphiarythmsband #capetownmusic #music #bands #trumpeter #musicbands #history #stories (at Cape Town, Western Cape)

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

"I write all the time. Sometimes I even get up during the night to write. I always carry a notebook and pen with me so I can jot down important notes or ideas. I have a lot to say about most things. I could give my opinion on almost anything and writing gives me the opportunity to express these opinions in a safe and creative way. It also helps me relax and explore the world around me. I write to capture precious moments in my life and share my experience with others...it helped me cope through the most difficult times in my life. I also read a lot of Afrikaans literature especially those of my favourite authors, Marita Van Der Vyver and Antjie Krog whose work has actually inspired me to become a writer. My own work includes poetry contributions to numerous literary journals including, Commonline Journal (US), Botsotso and Poetry Potion. Getting my writing accepted and published in print was the most amazing feeling but that was just the beginning for me. I'm currently working on a novel, a personal story about fear and courage, loss and love. I would like to see my writing in other prestigious SA literary journals but getting published in South Africa is extremely difficult, especially for new writers like myself but I am up for the challenge because my ultimate goal is to make a name for myself as a South African author." #capecoloured #capecoloureds #southafrican #capetown #southafrica #southafricancoloured #people #peopleofcapetown #peopleofsouthafrica #southafricancoloureds #humansofcapetown #ambition #writer #poet #poetry #stories #everydayafrica (at Cape Town, Western Cape)

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

Update on a previous post... "I just came back from Croatia in Europe where we had a soccer trial at Hajduk Split, a professional football club in Croatia. For 3 weeks we were training with Hajduks under 19 and 2nd team which was quite challenging, a totally different environment than what we have here. I'd say the level of players and training over there is definitely much higher than here in South Africa. Still it was an amazing experience. Soccer is my passion...I've been playing it since I was 5 years old. I have always dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player but as I grew older I've come to realize that you can't play soccer your whole life. You need to have something to fall back on if your soccer career is finished or if you get injured and cannot play anymore. So, following a lot of soccer trials here, in the USA and Croatia I have been very fortunate to get a scholarship through my academy, The Ubuntu Football Academy. In two weeks I'll be off to Corban University in Oregon, USA where I'm going to study Business and Leadership Management the next 4 years. I'll still pursue professional soccer but at the same time work towards getting my degree and just try to fulfil my destiny whatever it may be."#colouredsofcapetown #capecoloured #capecoloureds #southafrican #capetown #southafrica #southafricancoloured #photography #portrait #portraitphotography #portraiture #streetphotography #nikon #nikonphotography #photographylife #southafricancoloureds #humansofcapetown #goals #soccer #soccerlife #goal #ambition #stories #hpsaportraits #african_portraits #everydayafrica

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

"I have a job in retail which I really don't enjoy but it's an honest income and a big help to my family. My real passion though is music and my goal is to be able to make a living at it...to become a rapper/ hip hop artist like my role models, artists like Youngsta, Eminem, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. I write my own songs about my own experiences and I've actually recorded about 8 or 9 songs. I have new music too that I want to record and hope to release but it's difficult because everything costs money. I perform at house parties when I get invited and I did a gig at Vacca Matta night club in Tygervalley once. I love performing so even if I can perform for free at any show whether it's just for the community, I would do it happily just to see how everyone else enjoy my perfomances and off course to get exposure. Right now my little sister is my biggest fan, she has the greatest faith in me and I just want to make her and my mom proud. You have no idea how much I love music, MY music espescially because I can tell my story through it." (at Cape Town, Western Cape)

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

Part 2 of 2 "I am currently in the running to have my book traditionally published with an international book publisher and require your help. If you could please vote for me by following the link below and clicking on the heart, I would appreciate it. My book is also available to purchase on Amazon. I would like to giveaway two copies of my novel for those of you who voted. Please respond done in the comments after you have clicked the 💙 and I will choose a winner in 24 hours." TJ Rudolph https://www.newwrinklepublishing.com/between-heaven-and-earth-2/ #colouredsofcapetown #capecoloured #capecoloureds #southafrican #capetown #southafrica #southafricancoloured #people #peopleofcapetown #peopleofsouthafrica #southafricancoloureds #humansofcapetown #inspired #ambition #writer #novelist #youngadultfiction #stories #everydayafrica (at Cape Town, South Africa)

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

Part 1 of 2 "I recently wrote and self-published my first novel. By day however, I work in local government, dealing with finance related queries and requests. By night, I moonlight as an author of classic romance novels. I started doing ‘serious’ reading when I was ten, stealing my dad’s psychological thrillers to read when everyone was asleep. Years later my love for romance novels developed. Last year I re-read one of my favourite novels Pride and Prejudice, and I felt compelled to try and write something just as beautiful. Four months later, I had written a young adult novel about forbidden love between a human teenager and an angel, who was sent to earth to protect it. The book titled ‘Between Angels’ is the first in a trilogy and I hope to finish the second one by the end of the year. While writing Between Heaven and Earth I read a lot of young adult books for research, because it is the genre I am writing in. What I found when reading these novels was that there were a lot of sexual connotations in them. Scenes one would not deem suitable for teenagers. I also realized that sometimes these books put the youth of today under a lot of pressure to associate love with sex and I wanted to do something different. Although I never intended on this novel having a certain “hidden meaning” it ended up being a classical love story, like the ones I read growing up, where the premise is true love and nothing else. I have been pleasantly surprised and encouraged by the positive feedback from critical consumers who read hundreds of books a year. Being self-published means a lot of hard work in terms of marketing, which I don’t always have time for. Going forward, I hope to pursue my dream of making a career from writing, and maybe even get a movie deal from it." #colouredsofcapetown #capecoloured #capecoloureds #southafrican #capetown #southafrica #southafricancoloured #people #peopleofcapetown #peopleofsouthafrica #southafricancoloureds #humansofcapetown #inspired #ambition #writer #novelist #youngadultfiction #stories #everydayafrica (at Cape Town, South Africa)

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

"I grew up in Bonteheuwel but moved to Fracreton 27 years ago where I lived with a very good family who took me in as one of their own. I saw a great need in my community to help the fight against all the social ills such as violence, gangsterism, unemployment and poverty, so in June 2015 we started a NPO, the Factreton Community Development Organisation (FACDO) to help those in need of help. We feed people at the Kensington and Maitland Day Hospitals and also about 300 children at WD Hendricks Primary school on a weekly basis. We provide shoes to kids that have none. Recently I was employed by New Horizons Labour recruitment agency as a Recruitment Supervisor and I have employed 40 rehabilitated youth in and around our area. We get our donations such as food, soup, clothes, toys and sweet treats from residents in Kensington, Goodwood, Parow and Mitchells Plain but are hoping to get sponsors from businessess as well to enable us to help and do more. One of my proud moments was making a difference in the life of one person in particular. She is a disabled lady who we helped by making Christmas really special for her and her young son and we also helped sending her boy to school. It's moments and achievements like that which make what we do so rewarding. There are ten of us in the organisaton who volunteer our time for this cause...we give so that others can prosper and believe that you can make a difference in the lives of others." 📷 supplied by Ricardo Van Niekerk #colouredsofcapetown #capecoloured #capecoloureds #southafrican #capetown #southafrica #southafricancoloured #people #peopleofcapetown #peopleofsouthafrica #southafricancoloureds #african #humansofcapetown #goals #ambition #entrepreneur #stories #everydayafrica (at Cape Town, South Africa)

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

"I decided to become a Health & Life coach because I struggled with health and weight issues myself and after years of research, studying and working on myself, I managed to lose 30kg's and got rid of my health issues as well. I started as a group fitness trainer, then studied basic nutrition and exercise and worked as a weight loss coach at a small Gym. I then decided to study Holistic Life and Health coaching through the Natural wellness Academy and started my own business - Enturi Health & Life coaching as I wanted to help other people with their health and weight issues as well. It has been hard work, but hearing my clients positive feedback and seeing their great results has made all the difference. I have also started a free mentorship program for young adults between the ages of 20-24 who want career guidance, health or weight loss coaching or if they want help to start a small business. If you are interested please contact [email protected]. My services are offered via Skype so that I can be at home with my daughter, as I also home school her." #colouredsofcapetown #capecoloured #capecoloureds #southafrican #capetown #southafrica #southafricancoloured #people #peopleofcapetown #peopleofsouthafrica #southafricancoloureds #african #humansofcapetown #goals #healthgoals #lifecoach #healthcoach #LifeandHealthCoaching #entrepreneur #stories #everydayafrica (at Cape Town, South Africa)

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

"I was in high school when I started drawing and sewing things on my school clothes. I became even more interested in designing and creating new things by sewing patterns with needle and thread on my clothing. When I found out that I could do that with a sewing machine, I got more creative and started making things like cuff pants, crew neck tops and hoodies. I had someone that made the clothes for me at times but then I figured I could make it myself even though I had never studied fashion design, I just had a knack for it... A gift from God. People started recognizing my creativity and asked me if I wanted to sponsor them with my clothing line for their shows and I eventually sponsored my clothing about 7 times to different fashion shows locally. I had problems with funding, still do but that's not stopping me from what I want to become. Now I have my own small clothing business and I have my own product and I provide good service where clothing is concerned. I design my own style and I sew the garments together myself which I really enjoy. The type of clothing I make now is formal and casual, sometimes funky and is produced under our own label "BERON69 (customdesignclothingline) ". I will be launching my very 1st fashion show on the 28th January 2017 at the Joseph Stone Auditorium in Athlone which is super exiting. I am fortunate to get sponsorship for the show from my former employers, Park Inn on Radisson. Eventually I hope to open up my own shop and a factory to distribute my clothing brand. That would also enable me to provide employment for people. I'm still new at this and haven't done that much but I'm self-motivated, encouraged and supported by others which make me believe that my crew and I have a successful future ahead. If you trust and believe you can achieve anything." #colouredsofcapetown #capecoloured #capecoloureds #southafrican #capetown #southafrica #southafricancoloured #people #peopleofcapetown #peopleofsouthafrica #southafricancoloureds #african #humansofcapetown #goals #ambition #fashion #fashiondesigner #fashiondesign #entrepreneur #stories #everydayafrica (at Cape Town, South Africa)

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

"I was 11 years old when my older brother was stabbed to death on his way to the shop just down the street from our house. He played the guitar really well and belonged to a band called 'Tait' at the time and played for artists like Mynie Grove. On the day of his funeral I promised everyone there that I was going to follow in his footsteps and at the age of 13 I got my first guitar and taught myself to play. I started writing lyrics and composing music as well. I was fortunate enough to attend good schools because my parents wanted me to achieve the best and they supported me when I wanted to follow my dream. So I studied Drama at the University of Stellenbosch and became a Drama teacher. I work for a Speech & Drama company that gives me 5 primary and 1 pre-primary school to teach at. It is really fun to work with the little ones and build their confidence at such a young age. I am also writing musicals where I combine music and drama to build awareness of certain issues in our communities. As a director now of my own work, my biggest desire is to direct, help my community and reach out to others...Hopefully I can start my own Drama school soon with Applied Theatre to bring about change and in doing so honour my brother's memory." #colouredsofcapetown #capecoloured #coloureds #capecoloureds #southafrican #capetown #southafrica #southafricancoloured #people #peopleofcapetown #peopleofsouthafrica #southafricancoloureds #african #humansofcapetown #goals #ambition #drama #stories #everydayafrica (at Cape Town, South Africa)

[colouredsofcapetown-blog]

"A letter to the gangster...sometimes words can be a powerful weapon to fight back with." #gangsterismmustfall #capeflatsgangsters #capeflats #poetry #poem #poems #southafricanpoetry #gangsterismmustfall #enoughisenough #life #capeflatsgangsters #capeflats #capetown #southafrica #southafrican #capetown #southafrica #southafrican (at Cape Town, South Africa)