TokisoM Writes

I smile a real smile The type of smile that is rare to find in this life we live This smile comes from deep inside This smile was hidden from the dangers of pain and heartache I smile because it feels right I am happy to be alive I am happy to be here I smile a real smile It is not the smile of pretence It has no motive of any thing I am not smiling for you I am not smiling for them This smile is mine It is a smile of true inner joy I smile a real smile I smile because I understand that tomorrow this smile could be gone I smile because I can I smile because I am poor and my smile is all I have I smile because I am lonely and my smile keeps me company I smile because I am hungry and my smile fills me up I smile because I am sick and my smile is my medicine I smile a real smile Oh this smile of mine It brightens my face This smile is wider in my mind and soul It is a personal smile You might see it You might feel it And it might just be invincible to your material eye Lest we forget it i...

The Tokiso I am today is all thanks to her strength, patience and bucket loads of love. Her resilience to keep moving even when life said STOP. When God took the time to create me, I was not only blessed with her beauty but with her elegance, grace and strength.   She is not only my mother (and father), she is my sister, bestfriend and confidant! Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.  ~Oprah Winfrey Her name is Mmagauta; it means Mother of Gold...(Gold = Tokiso...get it) lol I love this woman to bits and pieces!!!

Imagine your mother tells you she has cancer and a few months to live. You are on the other side of the world and there is nothing you can do about it. You worry about your father and wonder how he is going to cope. The illness and death of a mother hangs in the air but the focus is on the father - typical of the patriarchal society we live in!  PHOTO: Ruphin Coudyzer,  Thanks to Market Theatre   Expect all that and more in Death of a Colonialist at the Market Theatre (on until16 October 2011). Jamie Bartlett of ETV’s Rhythm City (David Genero) does an amazing job of keeping me glued to his crazy antics as Harold Smith, the not so normal father and husband. Set in Grahamstown, Harold is a passionate history teacher who gets too excited when teaching the history of amaXhosa. He lives with his very supporting wife and has two children living in Australia and Canada (ran away from S.A bec...

“Can someone please explain fake eye-lashes (or weaves, nails, make-up)?” Unless the owner of this question is planning on trying out the above mentioned items this shouldn't be a conversation. Actually it baffles me that it’s still a conversation – especially between us black women. The argument usually touches on taking pride in your African identity and loving yourself as God made you…blah blah blah! Usually those starting the conversation are rocking the natural look. And probably said person is educated or well read or well travelled or well…who cares what their credentials are. Ain't easy to maintain it like this!!! Like I said it baffles me that women in weaves, make-up, eye-lashes and nails are under attack. Being a black woman is hard enough already! As women we need to start having progressive conversations such as; buying property, starting companies, studying further, aiming for promotions, investments…etc. What I put on my head, fake or not, doesn't cha...

Yes I mean that exactly; you are replaceable! I read in shock Jay Naiidoo’s column in the Sunday Times recently, titled ‘Cracks are showing’. It was a piece talking about South Africa ’s youth being restless too, considering the revolts happening in north Africa and the Middle East . He states “Fifty-two percent of our population are under the age of 25, and conservative estimates tell us half of them are unemployed.” Fact is I’m under 25 and one of the few blessed with employment. Not yet permanent but working in the field I studied in, and when my contract ends I will have work experience and skills that come with having a job. Basically I will have increased my employability. With so many people unemployed it means that should I mess up my current opportunity, someone out there is ready to grab that opportunity. Just like that, my desk can be filled. This brings me back to the title of my blog: “You are replaceable”. Simply just waking up, going to work, doing what’s required and...

I am constantly at war with right and wrong. Doing and saying what is right according to ME is the toughest thing on earth. I am filled with doubt and questions. I can see that not everything fits like a glove as it should. I keep wondering if I am putting myself in a position where I am allowing myself to be a play thing. But yet a part of me wants to not think about it. Emotions aside, the question is “what's in it for me?” Well thus far a lot. But this transaction is becoming a bit of a burden. There comes a time when you have to cut your losses but when is that time. I am patiently waiting for life to happen. I hate suffering. My creator did not place me in this world to suffer. I am meant to shine like a star and touch the sky. I am meant for greatness, I am meant to see the world and not get caught up in societies expectations of how to do things. I am meant soar like an eagle and worry about those other things way later in life, if I ever do. I am patiently waiting for life ...