Rant and Rave: Maya Angelou – A teacher, a friend and an inspiration

 Love is a condition so powerful; it may be that which pulls the stars in the firmament. It may be that which pushes and urges the blood in the veins. Courage: you have to have courage to love somebody because you risk everything – everything.” 

Maya Angelou 

The sadness that filled my heart yesterday when I found out about Dr. Maya Angelou’s passing, I cried so hard my colleagues thought I was going to have a panic attack. I’m at a loss for words, I feel as though I have lost a mother, a teacher, a confidant, a source of inspiration and a whole lot more.
Mama Maya’s words saw me through some crippling moments of confusion, embarrassment and self-doubt, but they also propelled me forth into self-love, passion and the pursuit of happiness.

This is my word of thanks to God, for her life and her work. I may not have known her personally, but I am glad to have lived in the same time as her and I am glad I got to experience her sparkle.

Rest in Peace Mama Maya, I still hope that one day our souls will collide. 

 

Artist of the month - Napo Masheane

 

I remember the first time I heard a Napo Masheane poem, I may not remember the contents of said poem but, I remember her. Boisterous and proud, this woman spoke real, tackling with great ease issues that live constantly within every woman’s realm of thought. She penned some of my favourite stage performances, with titles such as “My Bum is Genetic, Deal with It”, “Hair and Comb” and “Fat Lady Sings” being amongst my all-time favourites. Her work speaks in an easily understandable, gravely familiar voice and sings the praises of women all the while shouting the importance of self-love and self-appreciation all these wrapped neatly in a humorous tone.
Her poetry does the very same thing and some of my favourites include “Fat Love” a beautiful love song to the odd one out my favourite verse reads;



The girls of Mollo: The woman in me

    
 

Napo and the Fat Black girls



This is the Genetic bum you've heard may a story of



The cast of Hair and comb



"They named you fat to own your pride
And lied
So that you can die
To break your stride
And called you not good enough"

She has penned two Anthologies titled “The Caves Speak in Metaphors” and “Fat Songs for my Girlfriends”

This phenomenal playwright, poet, director, producer and performer is not only a tremendous talent but, also a genuinely great person, I am of cause highly bias when it come to her, seeing as she was my boss for just over a year and as far as bosses go, she was the best.

For more on Napo follow this link http://www.iwebserv.net/#!__napo-masheane