Age ain’t nothing but a number

One day you will look back and see that all along you were blooming.”

- MORGAN HARPER NICHOLS O

Ssometime last week while I was in a kombi, this young girl comes in talking on the phone. I say girl because she looked to be around 16 years old. I normally wouldn’t pay attention to a person’s conversation, but what drew me to her was the fact that she was talking about school, saying ufundza nebantfu labadzala.

Now when I say bantfu labadzala I’m actually putting it lightly, her exact words were “ngifundza nabogogo nabomkhulu efana’’

Now what intrigued me most is when she mentioned the name of the school, I know this school was initially built as a centre where adults who couldn’t complete school for whatever reason are accommodated to complete their education.

It also targets high school students who did not do well in subjects and want to upgrade in order to increase tertiary education eligibility.

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So I was like vele wena ufunani esikolweni sebantfu labadzala, that’s none of my business though. The whole entire time this girl was emphasising how she’s in class with bogogo who should be at work, which made me think she was talking about people in their late 30’s maybe 40’s even.

Akusibo bogogo labo but then I was considering the age gap kutsi that’s why she said they should be at work not in her class.

During the conversation ke she said: “Benginalomunyeke in class ngicabanga kutsi she’s my age mate, cambelela mngani how old she is.”

Haaa, immediately after that my already big ears were burning with anticipation because I was extremely curious to hear how old labogogo are.

I tell you I almost fell out of my seat when she replied: “Una 24.” I kid you not, that’s what she said. She thinks 24 is gogo level. How much more tsine who are past 24 years old, shotsi we are ancestors now.

I feel for our generation, just when we were starting to come to terms with the fact that sengitsi‘bantfulabadzala’, we were just accepting kutsi masoya ekhaya awusaphatsi ema chips but you carry serious things, now we get promoted (singakaceli) to gogo status, life is not fair.

This made me realise kutsi yati vele sesibadzala, whether we want to accept this or not. There are people who look up to us, who want to be like us, so maybe we should try showing them the way just like we were helped to discover ourselves and guided by our brothers and sister.

Whether you like it or not, you are somebody’s role model, make sure you impact positive things on them so they grow to be responsible citizens.

And even if you are still discovering yourself, no pressure mntase, your big break is on the way. After all, age ain’t nothing but a number. Signing out, GogoZiwe.

Tdecks will always get you in that weekend mood here on DJs Corner. This weekend I thought I should just turn up the tempo a little bit high to complement your groovy weekend.

Making sure that I give you another local flavour is part of that complement.

On our DJs Corner this week, I am proud to present you URCOUSINPHAYO, an Afro-tech DJ that has played in various events including Afro Capital and the No Wrong way Ballentines tour, which were both in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

(SA).

He has also played at Emthunzini also in SA, in an event that was named Best of Eswatini.

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We had a chat with him about his career as well as aspirations in the industry. During the informative session the versatile spinner opened up to us narrating that he had admired music for a while.

“Well I’ve always been a music lover but one particular person that made me fall in love with House music and the career is DJ Kent through his Friday radio mixtapes, which were called Ultimix@6 back then,” the DJ said.

It is also worth noting that URCOUSINPHAYO is not only a DJ but a bookworm that has completed classes in a higher institution.

“I recently finished my Law studies at Nelson Mandela University. I am also a clothing brand owner called ‘SKOON DRIP’. I have other business avenues that are still in the pipeline and in due time they will be introduced to the public,” revealed the DJ.

When probed on where his inspiration comes from, he cited a few local spinners who have made an impact in the local industry.

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“I love to draw inspiration from myself but I would say I love DJ Fantacy’s versatility. That guy can play almost anything. I also love how DJ Big Boi remains consistent regardless of whether he is booked or not. He will always have something for his fans,” he said.

He went on to divulge some of the problems that are associated with the local industry.

“I feel like every DJ or artist in the country is facing challenges such as exploitation and lack of bookings or platform. I personally don’t enter into spaces that have the potential of undermining me and my craft. Furthermore, there is nothing that beats marketing yourself well and networking with the right people. Your network is your net worth after all,” said the DJ.