The sip from the cup of life

There are times that you come across thoughts that just open your eyes, and the difference is when you grab the opportunity with both hands and make it work; you run with it beyond the finish line. Somebody will have to stop you when you have that passion in your belly and you can see, smell, taste and grab success. Such is the cup of life.

Melusi is my name and changing perceptions is my game

One #selfie a day, keeps the blues away

Colour shot

Painting with colour gives the canvas life.

Good dreadlocks

This is how I want my dreadlocks to grow #me

Clothes maketh the man

It was Tom Ford that said: "Dressing well is a sign of good manners". This is true. Because when you care about yourself you will make sure that you are clean and well groomed.

As a person you will not groom yourself well for other people that will make an opinion about you. Instead you will groom yourself in order for you to be clean and to be in touch with the clean and good you. You know very well that when you look good, you feel good. And ultimately when you feel good you literally will live a bit more positively as opposed to being negative and unfriendly. Fashion is a very broad subject. Fashion does not depend on how much is in your pocket. It does not depend on how expensive your cloth is. It certainly does not depend on the label and price tag that you rock... we are all from different cloths in this wonderful journey that we call life. We are cut from different cloths that come from different opinions, different ideologies, different teachings and most definitely different backgrounds. Some people's background is colourful some is plain white and some is dark and drenched in heavy emotions. What I am trying to say is that, you have a different outlook on life. You have a different reasoning than me and the next person...however...there are universal truths that we know to be truth, for example, that looking good is definitely an attractive concept and state of being that will teach you to respect yourself as well as those around you.

Fashion is in the eye of the beholder. Most importantly, knowing your own style and knowing your own fashion means that you will not fall into the trap of changing every single time that something "new" and/or something "different" hits you in the face. Fashion is the sense that you have that you want to express when you feel it. It is the amount of thought that you put into an outfit that will fit into the situation that you find yourself in. Fashion is unique, it's personal and most importantly...it's real. It can not be forced and it can not be faked.

Keep your colour of taste fresh and you just might feel attractive 24/7.

 

 

 

Me

My veins carry bloodlines from Zulu and Xhosa ancestors. They flow with immaculate history that comes together from the Mpondos ancestors and Xhosa beauties and warriors. The solid and deep history of my Zulu bloodlines bless me from the origins of the 1800s where during the reign of King Shaka, Nguni people were influenced by Zulu people. As isiXhosa was introduced in schools and people thought that the Mpondo people were a Xhosa subgroup, learning isiXhosa as a language and Xhosa heritage from true and pure Xhosa souls makes you realize that life is the best teacher.

I was chosen by God to walk on this earth and I inherit from and represent [for] my ancestors and my parents who blessed me with the name Melusi. I am a leader, I am the shepherd, I am a strong representation of true Zulu and Xhosa heritage. I walk on this earth with my head held high because I have learnt from my past and even though I do not know what tomorrow brings, I know what I want from tomorrow. So if I look past you and I don't agree with what you say; just remember that I am not asking for permission to do what I want...what I have to and what I am destined to do: to be myself holistically and to be the best that I can be!

I use my voice to right the wrongs that you throw at me. I use my voice and mind to change what I do not agree with, and don't be surprised if I do not always succumb to your rules. Change makes me walk a little bit taller and it makes me see my future, not yours.

The dancers of "mfene" make the ground shake and lift the dust to breath its own air in the manner that is only understood by those who believe. "UMdali", "UNkulunkulu", "UVelinqange" allows me to look within myself and not have to explsin myself to anybody.  Ask Winnie Madikizela-Mandela what 1960 was like. Imagine why Oliver Tambo choose who he speaks to...and you will understand that being a rebel is as dangerous as you soldier it. Zabalaza...kodwa unga moshi (rebel...but don't be destructive).

I am Melusi: the son of great ancestors. The chosen one from God to be me and to be proud. It may seem arrogant that I do not want to follow your path, but the pride I have learnt from the greatest bloodlines that is my mom and my dad, lets me be selfish with my freedom and my being! It will not allow me to be ashamed of who I a, but rather to be so proud that I do not have to ask for permission to be me.

So next time you look at me, don't ask me who I am, rather ask what you can say to me.

Dreadlock roots (pardon the pun)

Back in the day, there was a lot of slavery. Africans were slaved and used to conduct heavy and back breaking work. They were even separated from their families to live harsh lives and pretty much, not to have freedom.

 

A lot of these slaves escaped from their harsh conditions and moved to places like Egypt and Jamaica. They were mostly religious people that practiced Christianity and had to fight against the machine of society telling them that what they do or their lifestyle was wrong and that they would never "survive". They wouldn't comb their hair and left it to grow. As it grew it locked, and those with nappy hair/locks were to be dreaded or feared.

 

Living life was difficult and it was a struggle as a slave. There were emotions that were high and a lot of un-easiness and un-rest. When slavery was banned these "were slaves" stayed rebellious because they would not easily forgot what happened to them and how they were treated. They remained rebellious by growing their dreadlocks and made a bold statement that they will never be enslaved again. They celebrated their freedom through this statement that they will do what they want at any time, without having to ask for permission.

 

So next time you see someone with dreadlocks, remember that they're  making a fashion statement but don't forget that there is lot of history and meaning that goes behind dreadlocks.

Cape Town

Cape Town is beautiful. Every time I go to Cape Town, I feel that I have achieved and reached a higher level of being. It is tranquil, it is beautiful it is holistic. It brings me closer to my center. It draws me in and never lets go.