WELCOME TO THE MDANTSANE WAY MAGAZINE

Mdantsane is a unique, vibrating, eclectic, African place. Follow us on a pilgrimage to Mdantsane to discover the street culture, fashion, food, people, music, homes, taverns, humor, businesses, history and what's hot in the second biggest township in South-Africa, located close to the city of East London in the Province of the Eastern Cape. Join us on this journey while we capture the spirit of this amazing place for you in the here and in the now. We are going to introduce you to many individuals, artists, musicians, groups and associations.
They are the HEROES OF DAILY LIFE. They are the people who create, innovate and improve their life and their stories deserve to be told. This is a place for only good and positive stories of humanity, that will send out a message of courage, endurance and strength to the world through their pictures and words.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Medium To Rare

If you are a Vegetarian or a Vegan you might want to skip this post.


But if you love and appreciate meat like many African people do, then the meat section of the Hi-Way market might just be right for you. Not everybody can afford meat and a meal with a hearty tasty piece of meat, a stew of tribe cooked with spices and vegetables is simply and purely considered happiness. And it is.


Every morning the tables are topped up with fresh meat




And there is no lack of intestines as well. For the tribe and liver lovers this is the place to get it.


You can buy every desired part of the animal, inside and outside - if available of course.
All the delicacies that have crowned European butchery tables many years back and that can not be sold anymore nowadays, because of diseases like BSE and Mad Cow disease, can still be found here.


There is never shortage of company


Some ladies work together


and are helping each other with cleaning and cutting the meat into portions, dealing and selling to costumers and every other task that their business entails.


And to safeguard the money two are always better than one.


Others however prefer to work alone


and have their shop space and time to themselves.


You can also order from the ladies if you are looking for something specific like a whole cow head.
They will get it from the farmers that supply them.


This meat when nicely cleaned and prepared is really good, Pelisa explains.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Sololo Jah Mafu


We met Sololo Jah Mafu today for the first time. 


He crafts beautiful leather sandals and bags. Everything is handmade and hand-stitched.
And his smile is as infatuating as his products. 


He sells his products on the Mdantsane Hi-Way market.


We love his products because they have that real handmade unique look. 
They have soul !


Solo is one of many talented artists in Mdantsane.


With more support and more capital we could imagine him develop a line of great leather accessories for men and women. What South Africa needs is more support for the individual craftsmen and artists. 
There are many programs for crafts associations and groups but very few for individuals.


Sololo Jah Mafu is another example of someone who has developed a skill and is able to take it to another level. And we hope he will.


People are active and innovative in Mdantsane!


Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Twenty Five For A Bag - Winter Vegetables




This lady is selling delicious looking fresh vegetables on the Hi-Way central market.



Everything needed for a good warming winter soup like carrots, potatoes, onions, green pepper  and cabbage can be found here and bought cheaper than in town.





with one of her friends keeping her company.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

New York City Style




Getting Ready For The Day


Madam is preparing her table at the market and she is getting ready for some big sales today.
And the wind is the last in line to hold her back !
You can take my word for that.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Fresh Fruit Is Good For You


A small mountain of oranges is getting packed into bags at HI-Way, the central market in Mdantsane.



Release It Into Song


There he was, sitting alone on a bench in the back of a church whose walls were painted in a bright orange.


The only man who was watching about 20 elderly women who where celebrating a late Mother's Day in June.


Coming closer I could see his face. 
I have always believed in coming closer.
I have always believed that the simple fact that you decide to come closer enriches your life.


When humans get older their faces become like paintings conveying a little bit of the spirit that has lived and is still living in this body for a whole life. Even if we ourselves don't like our changed physical appearance when looking in the mirror, as an artist I think it is beautiful. Over time our faces become alive.


I can not tell you how many times, while working on this book, I would have loved to pause and stay a little longer and hear someone's story right through to the end. 
Even when just catching a glimpse of someone on the street I often feel like saying to that person: I would like to listen to your story from the beginning right to the end - if you would like to talk. 
I can not count how many times I had that wish in my life. Often you can pause and listen but many times you have to move on. 


I really do not know who he is and I had not the time to get to know him.
But I have this beautiful photo of his face which is like a painting of life itself

Monday, June 6, 2011

The Palace - Get Your Hair Done Girl


" The Palace" is a very, very chic up-market hair and nail boutique in the modern Mdantsane City Mall. 

The opening of the multi-million-rand Mdantsane City Mall, one of the largest shopping centers in the Eastern Cape in April 2008, changed a lot the life of the inhabitants of the township. 
It brought a new chapter for Mdantsane transforming it from a housing development where people still had to commute to East London City center to buy things they needed, into a self-contained suburb with it's own amenities and entertainment facilities.


It seems like it is really fun to have your hair done here.




I mean who of us ladies would not like this ?


Getting spoiled like this I wanted to say ? hmm ?


What is most in demand ?  Joining hair ! 
Extensions !


LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails