PERFECT WEEKEND

Banele Khoza, visual artist

Banele Khoza teleports to Paris and back

On my perfect weekend I would wake up and there wouldn’t be a cellphone anywhere near me. I’d start the morning by writing in my journal, jotting down all the things I feel grateful for, and then I’d add my accounts of interactions with friends, acquaintances and spiritual friends.

Still in bed, I’d read one chapter of each of the books on my bedside table, where I have about 20 books, including The Power of Now, The Five Agreements, The Wisdom of Sundays, The Seat of the Soul, Year Of Yes, Less, Mom & Me & Mom. I’ve been looking for books that help me understand myself and help me gain courage to tackle challenges that seem out of reach.

I’ll have a late breakfast. A favourite breakfast companion is Bernard, my friend who stays in an apartment two floors down from me. We recently started eating out, but in the past few years we’d make meals at my place or at his. I enjoy fresh juice and salads — Bernard always wants great coffee. After all this I like to paint, it is my meditation.

My favourite kind of afternoon involves lunch with Papi, Sihle, Hloni and Zaza, my new-found family. We get to share love stories, encounters, daily hurts and ideas about mindful living.

The ideal evening would involve teleporting to Paris and going to my favourite restaurant to order shrimp curry, followed by cheesecake and pistachio ice cream. I’d eat dinner with a dear friend then end up at a bookstore where I’d browse for hours and find that perfect book to add to my library. Another option would be to spend the weekend with my friends Rabele, Mabatho, Lerato and Vusi somewhere on the Indian Ocean just having a jol. Their lives are my inspiration, they really know how to be present. Then I’d teleport back to my bed in Pretoria — my home and studio are my favourite places to be.

Before bed I read or watch cartoons. It’s always joyful to end the night with humour. I’ll write down a prayer, call or text my mother and tell her that I love her in the midst of all the busyness of my life, and then I’ll fall sleep.

The Trenery Guild x Banele Khoza partnership will launch this month.