Excellent read, it was impossible to put the book down...The book starts with the Germaine and Martin’s marriage in crisis after their teenage son, Zuko kills himself in their Johannesburg home. Zuko’s suicide drives a wedge between Martin and Germaine and one wonders if their marriage will survive. As you continue reading the story travels back in time to London in the summer of 1994 when Martin and Germaine first met. Martin is still nursing a break-up from a girlfriend he believed was the love of his life, when Germaine walks up to him in a bar and delivers a cheesy pick up line of all time: “What’s a guy like you doing in a place like this?”
They bump into each other again a couple of nights later, coincidentally, and their relationship takes off from there. They are opposites, Germaine is a headstrong feminist who is not afraid to say what’s on her mind while Martin is more laidback. Nevertheless they get along and they move in together, get married and have a child.
London – Cape Town – Joburg is also the story of a country, South Africa, undergoing change following the 1st democratic elections. When Germaine and Martin decide to move to Cape Town so that their son can be closer to his grandmother and his uncle, Liam, the story of the new democratic SA unravels and we experience the changes through their eyes — the ongoing racism, and the xenophobic violence.
Wanner has a very witty sense of writing and her characters are fun to explore, each one brings a different but much needed characteristic. The ending is almost unforeseeable, and takes you back to the beginning of the book. The book left me feeling that there has got to be more and wondering if Martin and Germaine ever managed to find their way back to each other. Their love story and life story is so inspiring
Zukiswa Wanner has done it again: London – Cape Town – Joburg is a cracking read...
Reviewed by Mpumi Sithole (a client & friend of Afrokulcha)
xoxo
Friday 5 August 2016
A book review - The Polygamist by Sue Nyathi
I had an absolute blast reading this book...I experienced all sorts of emotions, excited and happy for Joyce and Jonasi right at the time when their lives were going so well. Other emotions of shock, sadness, utter disgust. Sue Nyathi takes you in a gripping journey that takes you through the mind of a woman in love, a woman in love with a powerful man, a man who lives a polygamous lifestyle with an unsuspecting wife, who only later realises her marriage has been a sham all along. The story is relatable and candid. You will struggle to divide your attention to other things going on around, it grips you wholeheartedly.
The Polygamist is a story of four women whose lives are connected because of their love for one man, Jonasi Gomora. The story is told through the narration of the four women.
Joyce met Jonasi while waiting for her chauffer back home while they were both still at school. She later got married to Jonasi and is the legitimate first wife. She has four children by Jonasi, lives a luxurious life of driving expensive cars and a wardrobe full of expensive labels. She believes she has the best life and is happily married until Matapa makes an entrance into her life and turns her life upside down. Matapa is younger, ambitious, & smart and goes for what she wants. She wants to climb the corporate ladder working at J&J, Jonasi’s company, but end up climbing over Jonasi and eventually get her big break as an Assistant Director. Jonasi is intrigued by Matapa’s intelligence and of-course sexual prowess. Matapa rocks Joyce’s world to the point of no return, Jonasi even asked for a divorce in order to marry Matapa.
After Joyce and Jonasi’s 17th wedding anniversary party, Jonasi take Joyce on a cruise and rekindles his love for his wife and Matapa goes to China to refocus. Returning back she’s determined to get what she wants from Jonasi – a marriage which Jonasi succumbs to in order to win Matapa back.
Essie is introduced in the story after Matapa’s China expedition but she’s been there all along. She is Jonasi’s first love I believe, but strayed and fell pregnant with someone else’s child. She further has two children with Jonasi and is the one person that Jonasi does not have to pretend when he is with. She is the girl-next-door, ghetto fabulous and grew up with Jonasi and has known him before he was the man he became. Jonasi always goes back to Essie for sadza and to listen to his stories, she knows for sure he always comes back to her and Jonasi has not neglected her financially until he could not manage to.
Lindani is a beautiful young girl whose greatest assets are her body and beauty. She is lonely, sleeps with any available man and is hoping Farai marries her for security reasons. After countless abortions she decides she is done with abortions and will keep the baby she is carrying and rekindles her activities with Jonasi who sets her up in Matapa’s old house believing he is the father of the unborn child. She lives a luxurious life but one that soon comes to an end as she has to care for a sick and dying Jonasi until she cannot handle it any longer. Joyce once again comes through for the father of her children, and Jonasi dies in her arms.
After reading this book you cannot help but ask the question about the legitimacy of the polygamous marriages practice especially in times where the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is so widespread; where men have insatiable appetite for multiple women and not to mention the "Blesser" culture.
The Polygamist is a story of four women whose lives are connected because of their love for one man, Jonasi Gomora. The story is told through the narration of the four women.
Joyce met Jonasi while waiting for her chauffer back home while they were both still at school. She later got married to Jonasi and is the legitimate first wife. She has four children by Jonasi, lives a luxurious life of driving expensive cars and a wardrobe full of expensive labels. She believes she has the best life and is happily married until Matapa makes an entrance into her life and turns her life upside down. Matapa is younger, ambitious, & smart and goes for what she wants. She wants to climb the corporate ladder working at J&J, Jonasi’s company, but end up climbing over Jonasi and eventually get her big break as an Assistant Director. Jonasi is intrigued by Matapa’s intelligence and of-course sexual prowess. Matapa rocks Joyce’s world to the point of no return, Jonasi even asked for a divorce in order to marry Matapa.
After Joyce and Jonasi’s 17th wedding anniversary party, Jonasi take Joyce on a cruise and rekindles his love for his wife and Matapa goes to China to refocus. Returning back she’s determined to get what she wants from Jonasi – a marriage which Jonasi succumbs to in order to win Matapa back.
Essie is introduced in the story after Matapa’s China expedition but she’s been there all along. She is Jonasi’s first love I believe, but strayed and fell pregnant with someone else’s child. She further has two children with Jonasi and is the one person that Jonasi does not have to pretend when he is with. She is the girl-next-door, ghetto fabulous and grew up with Jonasi and has known him before he was the man he became. Jonasi always goes back to Essie for sadza and to listen to his stories, she knows for sure he always comes back to her and Jonasi has not neglected her financially until he could not manage to.
Lindani is a beautiful young girl whose greatest assets are her body and beauty. She is lonely, sleeps with any available man and is hoping Farai marries her for security reasons. After countless abortions she decides she is done with abortions and will keep the baby she is carrying and rekindles her activities with Jonasi who sets her up in Matapa’s old house believing he is the father of the unborn child. She lives a luxurious life but one that soon comes to an end as she has to care for a sick and dying Jonasi until she cannot handle it any longer. Joyce once again comes through for the father of her children, and Jonasi dies in her arms.
After reading this book you cannot help but ask the question about the legitimacy of the polygamous marriages practice especially in times where the prevalence of HIV/AIDS is so widespread; where men have insatiable appetite for multiple women and not to mention the "Blesser" culture.
A review by Mpumi Sithole (a client and a friend of Afrokulcha)
xoxo
∙ flag
Friday 22 July 2016
How to start a bookclub
Are you an avid reader of books and have been wanting to join a bookclub? Have you thought about starting one? Here are a few tips on starting your own bookclub.
1. The people (members)
First things first, people make or break the success of a bookclub. Start with a core group of 2 or 3 friends who are like minded and have a similar interest in books. Ask these friends to invite other book readers or lovers of books not just friends unless they are friends who read. Remember this is a bookclub not a stokvel or social club, it must be people who will read books and review them.
2. Number of members
People who love reading meet in all types of places. At bookshops, at parties or just by striking up a conversation in a train or a bus. So finding 10-12 people to join or become a bookclub shouldn't be so difficult. Remember you need a larger number of people in order to have enough people in attendance at each meeting as not every single people is always available. If you have 10-12 members, you are likely to get 7-8 members attending at each meeting
3. Where and how often?
Ask yourself what is a convenient place to meet? At a home, restaurant, libraries, clubhouse etc. pick a place that is quiet as noisy places don't Forster good discussions and pick a place where you will feel relaxed. You can alternate hosting the bookclub as members. How often do you meet? Choose between monthly, every 6 weeks or every 2 months. Remember that it is not easy for some to finish reading a book in a short period because of life's commitments getting in the way.
4. Admin and communication
Every bookclub needs to have a way of communicating. Today's whatsapp world has made it easier as you can create a whatsapp group with a secondary option of using email. Give your book club a name - a form of identity.
5. Set ground rules
Clear ground rules of the bookclub, informs members on expectations. These ground rules should cover the following areas: how to choose book club hosts? What should the host provide (venue, food, drinks?), how long should meetings be? What happens to late comers (punctuality)? What happens to members who don't attend meetings? What happens to members who don't read the required book quota? Be sure to write down all the ground rules for future members enrollment.
Remember: Bookclubs are meant to be fun, just like reading is. It is important to have a modus operandi on how you pick book titles and how you present reviews & discussions in order to get the
most out of your bookclub gathering. Talk as members and see how you want to run your bookclub.
Most of all, have a blast!
xoxo
*Nonkululeko is the founder & member of the Bookclub Rockstars.
1. The people (members)
First things first, people make or break the success of a bookclub. Start with a core group of 2 or 3 friends who are like minded and have a similar interest in books. Ask these friends to invite other book readers or lovers of books not just friends unless they are friends who read. Remember this is a bookclub not a stokvel or social club, it must be people who will read books and review them.
2. Number of members
People who love reading meet in all types of places. At bookshops, at parties or just by striking up a conversation in a train or a bus. So finding 10-12 people to join or become a bookclub shouldn't be so difficult. Remember you need a larger number of people in order to have enough people in attendance at each meeting as not every single people is always available. If you have 10-12 members, you are likely to get 7-8 members attending at each meeting
3. Where and how often?
Ask yourself what is a convenient place to meet? At a home, restaurant, libraries, clubhouse etc. pick a place that is quiet as noisy places don't Forster good discussions and pick a place where you will feel relaxed. You can alternate hosting the bookclub as members. How often do you meet? Choose between monthly, every 6 weeks or every 2 months. Remember that it is not easy for some to finish reading a book in a short period because of life's commitments getting in the way.
4. Admin and communication
Every bookclub needs to have a way of communicating. Today's whatsapp world has made it easier as you can create a whatsapp group with a secondary option of using email. Give your book club a name - a form of identity.
5. Set ground rules
Clear ground rules of the bookclub, informs members on expectations. These ground rules should cover the following areas: how to choose book club hosts? What should the host provide (venue, food, drinks?), how long should meetings be? What happens to late comers (punctuality)? What happens to members who don't attend meetings? What happens to members who don't read the required book quota? Be sure to write down all the ground rules for future members enrollment.
Remember: Bookclubs are meant to be fun, just like reading is. It is important to have a modus operandi on how you pick book titles and how you present reviews & discussions in order to get the
most out of your bookclub gathering. Talk as members and see how you want to run your bookclub.
Most of all, have a blast!
xoxo
*Nonkululeko is the founder & member of the Bookclub Rockstars.
Tuesday 28 June 2016
The first 10 days of #100daysofAfricanReads
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter under the name: Afrokulcha
The #100daysofAfricanReads campaign
Share, repost, retweet if you like.
For the love of Africa, for the love of reading.
xoxo
African Book Recommendations for July. #100daysofAfricanReads
Cosy up with these following books this July 2016 as you enjoy a little bit of Africa. A few books picked from our bookstore at www.afrokulcha.com.
1. One of the best autobiographies ever written (well, according to us). It has all the juicy stuff from music, booze & drugs, quick divorces, flings & sex, and ooh so many fun & games. What an amazing life he has lived. One book you can't afford to live without reading!
2. This fiction novel by Zukiswa Wanner is a lovely light read which will leave you smiling from ear to ear. The typical men of umzansi revealed, there are 3 types of men which you find in SA and their story is one you will laugh, nod your head to and certainly enjoy!
3. This Steve Biko's book will remain the one book every South African must read, especially every black person in the world.
6. Everyday we are amazed about how this book recommends itself. We guess the title has something to do with it. We haven't heard one person who didn't thoroughly enjoy it.
2. This fiction novel by Zukiswa Wanner is a lovely light read which will leave you smiling from ear to ear. The typical men of umzansi revealed, there are 3 types of men which you find in SA and their story is one you will laugh, nod your head to and certainly enjoy!
4. Without his knowledge, we have nicknamed this author "the cat with nine lives" 😆 Read about his story, of cos you might recognize all the characters mentioned in the book because he broke their story in the news. Find out why he has nine lives like the cat!
5. When we talk about overcoming life and it's challenges, when we talk about strong women, izimbokodo! This book will leave your heart crushed but smiling for God has a plan for us all.
7. We couldn't decided which of Angela Makholwa's book to recommend first. Why? Because she writes like a pro. When we read her books, we felt like a friend was telling us a juicy story that we couldn't wait to hear. All based in South Africa, great for lighter reading for first time African fiction readers.
Happy Reading!!
xoxo
Friday 17 June 2016
The love of reading - A poem
***The Love of Reading***
You. You look like my next love poem.
The next syllable standing in the line
of inspiration. The iambic pentameter
to my heart beat. The depth to these
words. It’s all You. It’s True.
You. You feel like the next clause to my
smile. The breath captured in September
The book read in March.
You. You are the plural to us. The
punctuation to my disappointments. The one
word that the dictionary cant define. Yes.
You. You are the chocolate stain on this page. It
Cannot be removed. Its your smile. It’s your eyes.
That Plant yellow roses in swimming pools.
You. You look like my next love poem.
You. You are my mattress made of books. The
Author of many worlds. The scribe to
the language of my lips. The rhyming scheme
to my joy. You. You are the next line I shall read.
A poem by Nompumelelo Mthethwa written for Afrokulcha
xoxo
Afrokulcha launches African bookstore
Afrokulcha is an online shop that provides an African shopping experience to the discerning buyer. Afrokulcha was established with the sole purpose of bringing African products made by Africans to the world! The idea was formed with the stance of reclaiming our African heritage and showcasing it. The afrokulcha fashion line grew extensively and became what afrokulcha is now know for: an African fashion line that caters for everyday African fashion for men, women and kids.
Afrokulcha has now expanded to a literary focus by offering an online bookstore. This online book shop offers an interesting and informative buying experience. It allows you to buy books suited to your interests, while relaxing at home, at anytime of the day or night.
Whilst online book browsing and buying is indeed transforming the way readers and an author come together, Afrokulcha seeks to change the difficulty of finding African Authors in normal bookshops. Afrokulcha offers a huge variety of authors and titles, not only the popular ones but also the lesser known ones for the avid African reader.
Afrokulcha will be hosting a 100 day campaign to promote African authors and their books. This would be a digital campaign where authors, their books and reviews would be featured. As part of this campaign, African readers are encouraged to post pictures of them reading their favourite African author’s book.
Special features over the next 3 months will be done, and will be communicated in due course
xoxo
Saturday 16 April 2016
The new age of mixing prints!
Historically, mixing fabric prints in a dress or outfit especially African print was taboo. Now we live in a time when mixing any prints is considered acceptable and in fashion.... but please!! ... Remember the basic rules of mixing prints. If you don't know where to start, use this basic example below shared by garner style.
Style options vary widely from formal, traditional and modern, to whimsical and trendy. Stick to prints that work well within your chosen style. This is however a breakable rule! Afrokulcha ventures into mixed African prints in a regular basis. Here are some of our designs focused on mixing prints.
Style options vary widely from formal, traditional and modern, to whimsical and trendy. Stick to prints that work well within your chosen style. This is however a breakable rule! Afrokulcha ventures into mixed African prints in a regular basis. Here are some of our designs focused on mixing prints.
Be sure to visit our online shop www.afrokulcha.com to buy these gorgeous dresses made with love.
xoxo
Friday 15 April 2016
Afrokulcha partners with KISS clothing brand for kids.
It's been just over 2 months since Afrokulcha launched the kids fashion line by KISS clothing. KISS is an afrothentic fashion line that was founded & conceptualized by Mrs Sindi Rathlogo and it is proudly South African. KISS focuses on both adult and kids fashion. It is currently sold on the Afrokulcha online shop www.afrokulcha.co.za
KISS kids clothing are made for everyday wear for boys and girl. A variety of styles are made from your Sishweshwe fabrics to your traditional African print fabrics.
The time has come for our kids to not only see their parents wear traditional clothing but to also find value in what it is to be authentically African. Through fashion, we teach our kids to embrace their African tradition and to change their mindset on what it is to be African.
Start the journey of discovery with your kids now and it will be the best lesson you will ever teach them.
xoxo
We love to see happy clients!
As the Afrokulcha slogan goes "Gorgeous things are made at Afrokulcha" , the people who wear Afrokulcha are equally gorgeous. See for yourself:
Need I say more?? We love our clients!
xoxo
Monday 1 February 2016
As we reminisce about the Africa Fashion Show Geneva
In 2015, Afrokulcha had the honor to participate in the Africa Fashion Show Geneva and its was fantastic!
For the 3rd time, Crucible Events offered another exclusive platform where designers from Africa could showcase their talent and network with their international counterparts, media, fashionistas, government officials as well as buyers.
For the 3rd time, Crucible Events offered another exclusive platform where designers from Africa could showcase their talent and network with their international counterparts, media, fashionistas, government officials as well as buyers.
Afrokulcha presented its everyday African inspired fashion for men and women through the two fashion shows and also displayed our products at the AFSG expo.
On display at the AFSG expo were rich collection of African art and exquisite accessories including jewellery, shows, bags and other product.
The guests loved Afrokulcha's clutch bags and afroprint pumps.
AFSG we will be back!
xoxo
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