by Zandile Makhubu
It is as cold as Eskimo country in Johannesburg, and the Inkanyiso crew is out and about in Rosebank Mall as we spot a group of vibrant singers and talented dancers. This Youth Day celebration marks a year since the group started, and it has been a special journey that has created an amazing dance family.
Baloi Bammino dancers outside Africa Market, Rosebank Mall.
Photos by Zandile Makhubu (2013.06.10)
As we celebrate youth month, it makes me very proud that, though not always visible, some aspect of our democracy – what the Youth of 1976 fought for – can be seen in the spirits of these performers, singing their hearts out, and stomping their feet proudly with a range of dance styles reflecting the diversity in the Botswana culture. From Mohlakeng Ext 7, Randfontein, Baloyi Bammino Cultural Dance is performed by a group of young men and girls who come from different backgrounds and different corners of life.
Dressed in traditional attire, braving the cold weather of Johannesburg, they put on a world class performance that drew spectators from their shopping duties to take a moment to experience true culture firsthand. The young ladies would make any parent proud, wearing traditional skirts elongated at the back, complemented by brown tops decorated with beautiful, colourful patterns, and colourful head bands. For their part, the gentlemen have on traditional underwear that represents strength and the true nature of their background and cultures. Their stomping feet move in sync with the rhythmic sounds of the background drums and the chanting of the group, their dance styles often resembling the movements of wild animals.
Olebogeng Mosehweu, founder of the group, speaks of the pride that he has in his group and how far it has come, the purpose of the movement and the influence it has on people who watch them. “We started this group because we felt the need to keep children from the streets, to provide that glimpse of hope for their future”. Members are not recruited, but come forward voluntarily to be a part of the group. They are not making any money nor are the members paid. They perform in various shopping centres – where they are sometimes not allowed to perform due to prior arrangement not having been made – in the hope that people who watch them will throw money into a woven basket, to at least help with getting more equipment, and food on the table for the group.
Performing once a week at the mall of Rosebank, these beautiful young minds aspire to tour overseas so that they can educate people from around the world about the indigenous dances of the Botswana culture. The intergenerational dialogue of this group is inspiring because the older folks are able to shape the younger minds, teaching them the values of their culture, and how to preserve it through the performing arts.
Previous articles by and featuring Zandile
2013 Feb. 14: Hello, my name is Zandile, and I am in love with a woman
and
2013 June 1: Zandile’s 21st birthday photos
and
2013 June 3: The Strength of Love and Acceptance
and
2013 April 20: Inkanyiso online reaches +100 posts and more than 26 000 views within 3 months
inkanyiso.org 
2013 June 11: Double Trouble
by Thulielove Gifted Hands Sodumo
I have always been optimistic because really I have never had any reason not to be.
It has always been like a driving force in my life and it worked alot of times and sometimes it didn’t but still there was always something to learn and be my optimistic self again, kind of like ”you cant keep a good woman down”.
As stated it worked alot of times but not in the relationships department, it has always been a difficult one hey.
If you think getting a woman is hard when you are ”normal” and have no disability or ailment then think again cause you my friend you are blessed beyond measure.
It is like double trouble *lol*
like no man you cannot be disabled and be a lesbian in my case (pansexual) but I will use lesbian because I am sort of, kinder one and because I will be talking about the side of me that desires and lusts over women.
Anyway I was on some other lesbian group and this girl had posted… ”guys do you think we have disabled lesbians?”.
I wanted to jump off my chair and slap her silly for being that ignorant and shallow.
A part of me wanted to troll and be nasty but then I thought of my own shit and my own difficulties dating women. I thought she really was genuinely asking because I am starting to feel like the only disabled woman in the world who’s attracted to others, because many disabled people lack the confidence of saying ‘hey I am disabled and a lesbian’.
I get them, society is quick to shut and marginalize people, because we live in such a vain and shallow world it’s hard to come out, because many women look at you and think sex. As much as lesbians always deny this and act like they really not that into sex, they are!
They look at you and think three things:
1: she never get’s horny so how in the world we ever going to fuck.
2: she must be invalid and I cannot take that much responsibility.
3: she’s emotionally damaged therefore she comes with alot of issues and garbage.
I have had women say shit like ”wow I didn’t know sex with you was going to be like that considering the fact that you in a wheelchair.”
It used to hurt me, I would feel so insulted and automatically want to defend myself and start shit but I have since learnt to smile, take it as a compliment because not so many women are exposed to such things.
Once I had a friend tell me ”yho you are double trouble, lesbian and disabled, which one to pray for first?”
..another ignorant one, poor thing.
I mean who gets to be lesbian?
The skinny and tall?
The chubby?
The rich?
Who?
I mean my God who gets to be in a lasting and happy relationship with a woman because it sure feels like double trouble alright from where I am standing oh no no, where I am sitting.
My optimistic nature gets defeated really because sometimes the logic behind some things is hidden and a mystery to me.
Then by luck or natures silly humour a lesbo approaches you and wants to take you on a date but she’s not your type (aha! Yes! We do have types too, we are human after all).
Then you feel like you need to settle because shame she is different unlike that yummy sexy lady you wanted and she ignored you so hard until you pinched yourself and even slightly doubted your existence.
You go on a date with this brave, not so goodlooking lady and you appreciate and admire her only to find out she’s a bigger asshole because after all this she expects sex from you on that first date.
Yes!
You are horny but not desperate because you haven’t been screwed for maybe months or years lol.
Yes!
It would’ve been lovely getting screwed until your numb ass can’t sit on your chair for long because of your swollen clitoris and your painful vagina from all the mindblowing sex, but heavens please!
She then tells you once you refuse to give it up.
”I was doing you a favour” what the fuck?
So see?
The unsettling part is a pain in the ass because people there get all ass-holly.
I know out there there are disabled lesbo women who are appreciated and loved, pampered and fucked till they are blue. (oh how I’d love that)
that have partners who’d do anything for them, who sees beyond the chair, the crutch etc.
God bless y’all may it never change the world needs more of you.
And then there’s the vain and egoistic ones who dismisses you without even finding out one thing about you, or they interested but scared of what the society will say…
Previous articles by Thulielove Gifted Hands
2013 April 3: Reflecting on InterSexions
and
2013 April 4: Gender blind