Where there are Rhythm and Hymns there are bound to be Signs of A Struggle

Mattafix

I just have to say that I am the Biggest fan of Mattafix... I have been loyally following the group since 2005, since I heard 'Big City Life' for the first time, and for a good reason. You know as you grow up trying to find yourself, sometimes you feel like no one understands, you're lost in the world, or you are an emotional mess, the songs from Mattafix were like that inner voice that made you realise that you are not alone in this.  They might not be pop artists, and might not even be well know to many (which is a unbelievable, and such a shame), but they write music that relates to most.

Their deep and thought provoking lyrics are accompanied by well laid out acoustic/electro/soul/pop/ reggae instrumentals and that leaves you bobbing your head back and forth, and even want to dance to some degree....The point is to let you reflect while soothing you with their eclectic sound.

Unfortunately Mattafix is in hiatus, there are many varying reasons why this might be, and I wont dwell on them because just hearing that they were no longer put me on a downer for a moment and a bit. So, instead I will share some of their music and reminisce...

Passer By from 'Signs of a Struggle'

Angel on my Shoulder from 'Rhythm and Hymns'

I recently purchased a copy of Marlon Roudette's latest album, Matter Fixed. I was quite excited and saddened at the same time because its a solo album. I was rather happy though, and still in a Marlon cloud from listening to each one of his songs that I have on repeat. The sound is a bit different, but the lyrical content is still very meaningful, relatable, but more personal....

Honestly, one of the best albums of the year, but hardly anyone knows of it! there were only 9 copies in Musica they don't even stock them at Look&Listen, and it took the manager a few minutes to actually locate where they had hidden them.

Marlon Roudette

This is one of the track from this album...

Riding Home from 'Matter Fixed'

I was going to go into the depth of their music, but I think the music speaks for itself, plus I'm not going to pretend to understand what place they were coming from when they wrote their songs. Everyone relates with the words or the music differently, as it should be.

I believe that Mattafix's music will always be relevant and timeless. Do yourself a big favour, give them a listen... you'll thank me later ;)

Whats your favourite tune?

Trip to Mauritius

I recently went on a trip to Mauritius, and it was needed.  Its an Island of wonder and beautiful surprises. Thought I'd share some images from the trip, there surely will be more to come, these are just the few that I've edited thus far.... 

the sun is beautiful, no matter where you are in the world*

Camera Phone Installations

I just realised that I have accumulated a lot of pictures in my phone. I do take a lot of pictures, but who doesn't these days. I don't really like the quality of my camera phone, but some pictures I must admit came out stunning. This is a collection of some of my favourites. Some of these are random, but hey....

A beach full of Sardines, in Hout Bay

Robben Island in the distance

Table mountain in the distance from a Limo, while riding around Tableview

Full sun in Camps Bay

The water in CT is too darn cold, so I'd rather admire the tiny algae on the rocks

Another long day, waiting for the green light. This is what I get to see everyday in Newlands the Shadow of Table Mountain

'Dont mind if I do rest up on this flower' said the butterfly. Didn't move for a whole day

While waiting for a vacant toilet, the lights caught my attention

Another beautiful sun, waiting to see the sunset in Signal Hill

Navy Fest anyone?..us before boarding the German vessel in Simon's Town

A beautiful sunset in Signal Hill. Like always

Sharing is Caring........ :)

A Hope and A Dream

In April I was invited to volunteer at  Camp Hope. A weekend long camp for kids with disabilities. I was given the opportunity to interact and help out with kid who were blind or partially sighted, as a Buddy. A Buddy is there to help in the organisation of the camp, plan activities, meals, and also being paired with one of the kids for the whole weekend.

It was quite an emotional, fun and fulfilling time spent with these kids. Most of the have been lived with their disabilities their whole lives, so they were self sufficient. And because they were aged between just 5 and 16 years, there was a lot of energy going around.

I was assigned to take care of one girl, Naledi, I ended up taking on a few more kids who seems quite happy with me... These are some of them

I took care of Naledi

Laticia, a sweet child, she helped take care of her friends

AB, the mischievous

When you successfully climb up the wall, you feel like you can conquer anything. This exercise was meant for both the Kids and the Buddies. It is much tougher than it look. Well done to all the kids for completing the challenge

 There were fun and games too. the jumping castle seemed to be the most popular

 

 The Hout Bay Rainbow Dreams Group Came in one evening to sing for the kids, and later they join us for supper, where we had to eat in the dark, blind folded in respect of the blind kids. My food mysteriously went missing before I could even put a fork in...

The kids and their respective buddies were divided into groups, and we were the Monkeys. A fitting name for us, as we had very energetic kids. We also had the youngest of the whole camp, Simphiwe the little monkey, only five years old. Each group had to come up with a skit for the talent show. We were surprised when the Monkeys wanted to sing and dance to Justin Beiber's Baby song...

One of the evenings we had a serious drumming session, for a straight hour or so everyone was jamming to the beat, some of us had percussion instruments, I had the cow bell to play. The sounds of music was so magical no one wanted to stop, but alas it was bed time and we had and early morning filled with fun activities ahead of us.

At the end of the camp the kids were given presents, certificates of attendance and were given the opportunity to write tiny messages of hope, put them in helium balloons and let them fly into vast blue sky......

To the Point and Beyond!

There are so many sides to the Western Cape. And its always good to take it easy and explore the less human side of it. Recently, my brother and I took a trip to Cape Point, a place that neither of us has seen over four years at least. The drive was truly really about the journey, as we drove for over an hour passing time and again awe striking places, and admiring some amazing views. We started off going along the winding, mountainous,  Rhodes drive through to Chapman's Peak drive, to catch a glimpse of the town of Hout Bay on a cloudy afternoon.

We got to Noordhoek, and I must have taken the wrong turn, because instead of heading towards Cape Point we ended up driving to Silvermine (still on my list of hiking trails to do). Seeing that there was really nothing but road and bushy hills, we decided to just go on for a bit, while taking in the scenery. Then only, after a while, we made our way back on route to where the two oceans meet. We drove through Simon's Town (they have great  places for fish and chips, and a toy museum that has caught my eye)... through Boulders Beach eventually making it to the Cape Point National Park.

We gradually made our way to Cape Point after taking a detour to see the less explored parts of the park... after all we were in no hurry. We did not manage to go and see Diaz point and Vasco da Gama's cross though, for another day.

We ate at the famous Cape Point Restaurant, where I had to try their famous seafood curry dish, it was really tasty but I was disappointed that they served it with plain Tastic rice. While eating our meals, we had some baboons for an audience, I felt bad as their stared while we ate, but as we all know, you 'Do Not Feed the Baboons'.... you can take pictures instead.

After a hearty curry, and my brother's butternut soup, we then proceeded to see the rest and most populous part of the Park, meeting and chatting to random, friendly foreigners, trusting them with holding my camera as we posed for photos. Besides trust, I also learnt that you cant really tell where a person is from by their accent, when an Asian man asked me to take a his picture and I asked if he was from Japan judging by his accent, he corrected me and said America.

Asian-American guy

After enjoying our walk along the peninsula, we then proceeded to the Cape of Good Hope, for an alternative, but still spectacular view. We drove for a bit as the waves crashed close to the road. Then got blockaded by ostriches on our way back.

The southern most point in Africa, Cape of Good Hope

Appreciating the sweet ride that brought us this far, thanks V.

Instead of going back home the way we came, we made our way through some of the most beautiful small towns of  Misty Cliffs, Scarborough, and Kommetjie, along the shores as the sun was setting and lighthouses beamed (glad we got lost again otherwise would have never discovered these places). Then we made it home in time for some tea and rusks...

A Toffie for All

This past weekend of the Cape Town Jazz festival, I attended the Toffie Pop Culture Festival, which is hosted at the Cape Town City Hall, once every year. Though I missed out on the tickets to the Jazz fest, I was quite happy when I landed up being invited to attend Toffie, which was worthwhile.

Toffie, like the Jazz fest, is a three day festival. It showcases contemporary pop culture, design, music and everything else that is hip and happening with art today. This festival was not only for the community of artist and creatives but it was also user friendly for anyone with curiosity, kids, and those who are just there to hang out. There were workshops and seminars for students and professionals, and those willing to pay a couple of hundreds; while exhibitions, and artisanal stalls were open to those on a budget. 

The festival had the best venue in the city, the Cape Town City Hall, a building opened in 1905, not only a well aged building, but also historically inclined. It is most famous for Nelson Mandela's first public speech only hours after he was released from prison on the 11th of February 1990. The grand size of the City Hall ensured that all exhibitions would be housed comfortably, while the thick walls and intimacy of each room made it easy to absorb the individual exhibits without distractions from others. There was even room to hold jumping castles for the young at heart.

Team Switzerland had a collage of posters, and Team South Africa had a stall on display

There were displays by notable international artists. There were themed exhibitions where students were given the opportunity to showcase their potential. There was also a design competition, where 6 teams from Spain, South Africa, Netherlands, Switzerland, UK, and Argentina had to showcase their creativity. There was a market in the middle of all of this, where one could buy clothes, sit down to eat or chill out in the balcony while admiring the view of the city. All the electronic beats play in the background by the in-house DJ.

Team Spain showing their ceramics, while Team Netherlands' display shows their relations to South Africa

What I absolutely enjoyed about the experience is the very relaxed atmosphere, people were ready and willing to mingled and make new acquaintances. The food was amazing, and the crafts where local and affordable. The occasional bump-in with a few friends was surprising and welcome. An interesting observation, most if not all people who attended the festival where either from around the country or international, no one was from Cape Town. Speaking to one of the organisers, Adele, she jokingly said that events like this are a good space and opportunity for outsiders to meet and feel at home.

Boycott by David West

A stall selling locally made bags

Revolution stand, sells skateboard decks that  represent local artist  for 'Music Saved My Life' by Verb

Going Camping? One of many artist display their concept of camping

Something to do with shark attack prevention, thought it was a cool display of surfboards

'Faces' by Paul Ward

The jumping castle room. When you were done jumping you were rewarded with ice cream

The Toffie Festival, though only in its third year, is potentially one of Cape Town's events of note.

For more information about Toffie, click here