Friends who confess

A couple of weeks ago I was visited by 2 of my best high school buddies - I describe them as "high school buddies" not because that's what they remain but because that's the last place we were all together.

To say I had a great time would be a gross understatement! We spoke about everything; boys, books, girls,  God, soccer, school. There wasn't enough time to talk about it all. Kholiwe Maziya, my annoyingly beautiful soulmate came with a bold confession
"guys I want to be an air hostess"
*cue crickets*
Nolwazi and I gave each other quick looks, hers a little more disdainful than mine, and like the good friends we are proceeded to listen to Kholiwe dream. I should mention that Kholiwe is studying towards her Honours this year in Town and Urban Planning. I see you nodding now you understand why this was an absurd confession!

Never one to steer people off the paths they've chosen in life I figured I'd show some support for my friend by making my own radical confession
"guys I want to work on a cruise ship"
*raucous-est laughter*
everyone was rolling around on the floor, I was a little offended, because why discriminate against the ships?
The conversation quickly spiralled out of control with me asking
"Nolwazi aim for the stars with us how does space sound to you?"

After we'd calmed down Nolwazi tells us about her traumatic World Cup experience. If you know Nolwazi you'll understand why the last sentence is bizarre. She went to a fan park with some friends to watch the South Africa vs France game, when Khune (South African goalkeeper) got himself a red card for some fancy footwork in the box, Nolwazi and herfriends decided to leave...but apparently so did the rest of the South African fans. As they're walking out they get separated by the crowd and Nolwazi trips and falls onto the iron railings. The crowd was merciless as they trampled over my petite friend. When she eventually got to the car she thanked God she was safe and then she cried.

It was fun chatting with my buddies, laughing at and with each other...but as with all good things it had to come to an end. Comfort food, comfort friends.

The shine in my sun

The title of this post sounded so much cooler in my mind but it looks so random and forced in writing...anyway now that that's out of the way...I want to just share my real life heroes with you just because I can.

These are people who touched my life and shaped my perspective. On a good day I call them friends on other days I refer to them by their first, middle and last names.

Behold...My niggas


Anele Tshabalala: Sister, friend, fellow soldier in God's army...she makes being a big sister so easy. She teaches me everyday to be the best me I can be, Oprah's already got being Oprah on lock but the vacancy to be Nono is wide open.

Ayanda Tshabalala: Whoever said you can never learn from little sisters had obviously never met Ayanda. I am yet to come across someone as selfless and giving as she is...how can I NOT be humbled by sharing blood with this person.

Nonhlanhla Ntuli: stagename: Coco She's one of the musketeers. She's wiped so many of my tears and caused so many of my smiles that her heart has been etched into mine. I love this girl so much cause she showed me that giving 100% of yourself means you get 100% back.

Sizophila Khubone: The other musketeer. I've never been good friends with anyone younger than me, but when I met Sizo, our souls did the connecting and our minds didn't stand a chance. Such an amazing woman, the life of the party too. The future voice of South African radio - you heard it here first.

Phethile Khuzwayo: If you want to learn how to achieve true beauty this is the go-to girl. Beautiful spirit, inspired/ing fashion sense and a drive that is awe inspiring...go on with yo self!!!

Buhle Mbonambi: My super stylish friend, so hilarious, so smart (I refuse to take him off the pedestal) He's taught me that life's too short not to have an opinion.

Patiswa Jwacu: She's driven and she's Xhosa...if anyone knows another recipe for success I need them to stop me right now and holla real quick. Dynamite comes in small packages has never been so true.

Babalwa Sobikela: The self-proclaimed diva!!! She's a beauty queen who moonlights as a journalist. Hilarious sense of humour (mainly cause she's so lame) what I admire and try to emulate about her is her drive...Babes knows where she's going and she knows exactly how to get there *takes notes*

Pusetso Tlali: I've known her for a relatively short time (12 months) but she's made a HUGE impression on my life...more so than she probably realises. Putse showed me how to act my age and enjoy my youth thoroughly while my feet are firmly in the fountain of youth before it flashes by (as fountains of youth often do). She's so impressive for her age, so goal-oriented I have no choice but to put her on my Young people to call again in 5 years list.

Thulie Khanyile: My tiny friend, she has the cutest...everything! Thulie's one of those people you forget are in the room until she makes one of her random observations. I found a kindred spirit in her when I learnt we had the same unashamed obsession with Zuluboy! Judge away, I'd still holla at his nappy head

Bahle Makhohliso: Beautiful smile, beautiful spirit...Stevie Wonder's "isn't she lovely" is the closest I can probably get to perfectly describing B!

Luthando Slash Nzimande: He insists he's a poet, the jury's still out on that. Seriously though Slash is an amazing wordsmith (that sounds like such an outdated profession, like King Arthur might have had a wordsmith) because it'll probably annoy him, I'm sticking with it. Such a good friend, so silly...he's like therapy, always what the doctor ordered! Sidenote: he's the one in the middle!

Njabulo Ngidi: we were so young here, before DUT Journalism had it's way with us. I found a brother and a friend in Njabulo. I knew he was a keeper when he made me laugh that first time and then just as easily held an intelligent (by my questionable standards) conversation with me. I will love him (or stalk him) to the ends of the earth! Sports Journalism is due for a makeover and I know just the guy for the job!

Brilliant Mkhathini: We weren't conventionally close (convention is for fools) besides it's my blog I'll claim as many friends as I want. We were sitting in class and everyone who was asked said they wanted to be print, broadcast or radio journalists, my good good friend Brilliant (too much?...okay) said he wanted to be a novelist. It floored me because his dreams kicked my dream's ass...then they picked mine up and taught them to fly.

Khaya Khumalo: Oh Percy, I hope one day he forgives me for the mugshot picture I found. This guy is so intelligent, so funny, so warm...he's just a bag of slowly revealed superlatives.

Those are my heroes. Not for what they've achieved but for what they've inspired me to achieve.