South African Football needs to do better.

As evident in my previous post, which I hope you have looked at, I have a genuine love for the game of football. With all the issues in the world having something as exciting as this is a joy. However, like many forms of entertainment there are many issues that I have found. In this post I’ll be speaking on South African football. My love for it, and why I feel SAFA is going to be the death of the beautiful game in this country. So strap up and enjoy the ride.

The South African Football Association is the governing body and ruler of all things that pertain to the football in my country. An association that merged 3 different associations in 1951, the South African African Football Association, the South African Bantu Association and the South African Coloured Football Association. This is the football association that in the least, you would expect to have the best interest of the game and those who answer to it. I have a few questions, what is SAFA doing? When are they planning to take the cries of the South African public seriously? Do they expect us to trust their judgment, to trust them without any question?

I ask because how does a team that was a pillar of hope and excitement for many of us, a team that we all loved and enjoyed, a team with its own identity, how did this team get to this position? Did they think that getting us the World Cup would be enough, the hope for jobs, financial prosperity, did they think that this would be enough? Honestly, how did we get here?

As much as I have all these questions it would be remise of me if I didn’t ask the same of the actual team, and the team I speak of Bafana Bafana. When did the team move to this lacklustre, uninspiring space? When did it seem like the supporters had more joy and pride for the team than those who were selected to play for that team. This is never to doubt the abilities of these players. I know the talent is there, I believe in them individually, the leadership and anchor that is Itumeleng Khune, from the likes of Eric Mathoho, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Andile Jali etc, who are not only veterans of the sport at this point, but athletes who are fan favourites, that people have put their trust into making sure they make us proud.

Now we as supporters could be putting a lot of pressure on them, an unfair amount of pressure that maybe they can never live up to. To be honest I can accept it. Maybe they aren’t as talented as I expected them to be, maybe they aren’t able to mesh well as a team, maybe there are a lot of expectations that they couldn’t live up to. Even with that, it is extremely hard for me to accept it.

When did we stop looking at the talents that our players possess and use that to our advantage? When did we start to look at the influence of the outside world to dictate to us what our identity as a football team is. I know the answer might be we never had an identity, maybe we always looked to South America or Europe, to find our identity.

One of my biggest issues is wondering why our players do not play in other parts of the world? Why did it take Jali to reach 24 to go to Europe, one of the more promising and exciting players in this generation, was just about to enter his prime and moved at that age? Is it because as a fan I believe that maybe our players are extremely good, but maybe not good enough to make it in the major markets? Another point I’m not willing to accept. Listen I haven’t seen us produce a Messi or Ronaldo, but if they aren’t being developed at such a high level how are we able to see if they even have a chance? On the bright side we have: Thulani Serero, Keagan Dolly, Bongani Zungu, Kamohelo Mokotjo etc. who are playing in Europe. So there is hope, the talent and abilities are there.

Even though I have many doubts, I am genuinely disappointed in the entire organization from the top to the bottom. Jesus Christ do better. We want to be excited again when the next Bafana game comes up, and SAFA, when you don’t feed the consumer what it wants and pays for, they will stop caring, stop supporting and all progress will be in vain. I love my country, my team, I grew up in hope that we will get better, and even with all the issues I have hope that we will.

This is part of a 3-part series that I am compiling, next up I will be back on my women empowerment shit. I will be asking questions on why we have neglected Banyana Banyana, they to need our love and support. So stay tuned. Check out my twitter: @_LeratoMadlala, and my Facebook: Lerato Madlala.Thank you for the love, please don’t forget to leave a comment, and share the posts.

Peace and Love. Leh xx

Football is Life... For women to.

The beautiful game, a connecter of different cultures and languages, a sport that connects the world. Soccer. Football. The greatest sport in the entire world. I love this sport, its beautiful, I love being a consumer of the game, from the players, the teams and the game itself.

I started loving the sport because of my family, my uncles but mostly because of my aunts. There has never been a moment where the women in my family have been looked at as less of a fan than my uncles. There has never been a moment where their opinions in regards to the sport have EVER been in question, and that has helped my growing passion and love for the game.

However, as soon as I move into public spaces, where clearly people don’t realise that the views and opinions of women matter, and probably some of the very same women would run circles around them. I move into these spaces and realise not only is my opinion shut down, but it is automatically dismissed. Now naturally, I am usually not the type of person to speak too much about a lot of my passions, in particular at the start of me getting into social media, however I am no longer holding back, and that means a lot more people are going to start getting comfortable, and think that I need their opinions.

I recently listened to a podcast (Inner Hoe Uprising), this had Blerds (Black Nerds), and how women have to continue to prove their worth, and fandom to their male counterparts. A lot of gems were said, however the male guest on the show decided that he would say that for him (or specifically him and his male friends), he would HAVE TO, test women on their knowledge of blerd culture he says he does the same for the men, but that was never in question.

My question has always been, what is the point? Why does someone else have to prove their worth to you? Who made you the authority on fandom? My issue with testing people on something that should bring you joy, is that your stupid questions, and dismissals can suck the fun, and joy from that person. The expectation from me is never to change the mind of people. You only have to fucking understand that people just want to stan for Cristiano or Messi, go to the Soweto Derby, and fan girl for our faves as well.

I have learnt to never take the BS anymore, I will continue to stan, and argue with my uncles about why I think CR7 is the GOAT, I will stay heartbroken forever as an Arsenal fan, and I’m just going to love the game that I enjoy with my family. And if you have any questions about the validity of my fandom, then you can kiss my ass.

Peace and Love.

Leh xx

Strength: A blessing and a curse.

Being a woman is beautiful. I love it with everything in me, I love the way we look, our attitude. All of it. However, being a black woman that is the key. We are amazing, beautiful, caring (too caring), and we have a strength that is not only unmatched, but something we should never have to have.

Let me explain my above statement. The idea of us as women having strength has always been something that we have been taught to be, and hold close. Strength is beautiful and mostly necessary. However, I don’t want to always be strong at the face of adversity. Why must we always be strong when we get abused on the daily? Why is that always the first few points that people come up with when speaking positively about us?

What is the point of this strength when it gets used against us? Honestly, think about it, why can’t this country have a woman President, or a woman coach, why are the women in high positions always disrespected, their authority gets questioned, and usually their abilities gets put into question? I am asking ultimately why are some of the functions of women, according to society, that gets us verbal praise, ultimately gets used against us when we are in high positions?

We are supposed to take verbal abuse from incompetent men, micro-aggressions from white women, taunts and catcalls from complete strangers on the street, physical and sexual abuse, our sexualities being used as a reason to kill us, someone killing us for not staying with them, and period pains (not for all of us but some). Yet running a business, managing a soccer team and running a country is where you all draw the line? Even when we are just as competent (if not more), have the degrees, work experience and better emotional intelligence?

The world is hard enough as black people we have suffered enough, our people are dying, unable to feed themselves and their families, drought, political uncertainty, a lack of resources in general. It is hard to move in a world that you do not believe cares or even sees you. It is hard moving through industries where you not only have to keep yourself fed and healthy, but that you have to work twice as hard to get to the door, yet some don’t even have to do half of what is required to get the job.

Stay Blessed.

Leh xx

4:44 has created a problem.

The father of Hip Hop, the GOAT and reigning King of Hip Hop has blessed us with an album. it is a mixture of some of the typical shit that he provides us with. From bars, to interesting sounds through production, and even his voice, but most importantly this album is a master class.

As I've said above I believe that Jay Z has given us many blueprints (pun intended), from how to stunt masterfully, to clever ways to make people know how aware of the current he is. to his ability to be vulnerable, whilst still making the audience feel like he's still holding back. That is the beauty of the Carters, but specifically with that man.

He spoke about his relationship, the role he played in the hurt of his love. To expressing his love for his mother even though her sexuality would have been a huge problem for some. His inability to understand some of the ways that many people express their wealth publicly (specifically rappers with the money on the ear situation). However, I have a few thoughts on what I feel might be one of my issues with Jay Z, and his financial plan, especially for the black community.

Twitter went crazy as people started listening to album, from people already calling it a classic, to some trying to dissect every aspect of the stories, and teachings he poses to us. As I went through the album, I found myself really feeling uneasy especially when it came to the idea of using the blueprint that has been laid down by white people, and ultimately white supremacy, in pushing us forward, to get us economic freedom. It is ultimately hard to take financial advice from a man reportedly worth $800m. But for me it's the idea of how do we get into the door of operating in the system he's telling us to get into, if that very same system was NEVER made for us to thrive? How do we invest money into our communities when many of us can barely survive?

Even with those questions I fully understand where he is coming from as he said he's giving us "a million worth of advice for 9.99". His advice is valuable, because how many black people are in those places that he is at? There aren't that many, so when one comes back to give us game, we should listen. But just remember to listen, and still give yourself room to critic that game.

Ultimately, all I have to say is take it all in, listen, comprehend the information being given to you and learn. Financial freedom is going to take some work, it won't happen over night. Keep working, keep grinding, and hopefully we will all get there... Eventually.

Peace.
Leh xx

What is the problem with being famous for being famous?

It is almost 2am (South African time), and I immediately got the thought of the "beef" that society has with famous people, who apparently don't have any talent.

Now, I know people are already thinking of Kim Kardashian West, or Paris Hilton, or any of our favourite cast members of the Love and Hip Hop franchise, and in South Africa you can think of Skolopad or Zodwa (whom I love btw), and the way that they get portrayed through the media, as well as on social media.

What is our beef with them? Is it that they are watering down the idea of what being famous is? Are they making a mockery of it? Are they hurting the image of our women? Or are we just mad that they dared to be true to them, have a strategy, implement it, and get some money off their personalities? Are we mad that these women, in particular, had the gall to be who they are unapologetically, without fear or sorrow?

I say "we" because up until I started my journey to being "woke" I realised that their choices do not affect me, and therefore why am I mad? So I delved deep within, and realised that I am not mad at them, I don't even know them. What I am mad at, is the fact that this "society", that I not only benefitted from, but followed its "rules and regulations", is a farce. A farce because the way that society works doesn't take into account the differences, talents and capabilities that people have.

We can't all make music, act or do any of the things that would constitute as a talent. So what happens to those that do not have a traditional talent? The people who have capabilities that can't be measured through the spectrum of a talent, do we just leave them to fend for themselves? Or do we let them be who they are, go along the journey with them, grow with them, and consume the product that they provide us with.? Which just so happens to be THEM.

We can't police people anymore like we used to, we don't have that right. If someone makes a choice that puts us at any risk, we have social media to "drag" them, and let them know. But making fun of them shouldn't be the first trope that we turn to. We all should do better to lift them up, support them and help them change their lives and ours, because maybe, just maybe, we might learn something from them.

Love,
Leh xx

Music Is Eternal.

My love for music dates back to the time where I would hear songs being played at home. My childhood not only brought me to the beauty and fantasy of television shows like Dallas, but also music was a constant.

I was introduced to rap music from my uncles who would make us watch the Up In Smoke Tour, that had the likes of  Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg as headlines, but also the beauty of South African music, that was showcased on the Graceland Tour. My upbringing as tough at it was at times introduced me to music, my first love. Things have changed though, especially in Hip Hop, and this might ruffle some feathers, but I love the change. I've embraced the change, I might not understand or know these artists, but fuck it, I love it.

Part of me starting this blog again, is the fact that I'm hoping to move onto a different phase of my life. I'm finishing school next year, starting my company, growing a platform that has meaning and direction, and ultimately building a future for myself. Now a lot has changed, apart from Beyoncé still being the queen of everything, and the fact that she has two fresh babies to add onto her glory. Musically things have evolved. Migos released a platinum selling record (they also proved to be just like every cis hetero male out there), Kendrick released a body of work that is critically acclaimed., Young Thug decided to release a country-soul-rnb-trap album. I fell in love with SZA and h.e.r. Then Jay Z happened, and the world stopped (at least till Donald Trump or Black men decided to ruin it).

As it is accustomed many think pieces and ill-informed takes were posted (unsolicited off course), that left all of us rolling our eyes, trying not find their locations so they can catch these hands. But part of the beauty of a social network like Twitter is knowing that people are bringing you into their minds, and thus their world. Yes, social media isn't always a reflection of the world, but the ability to get an instant idea of what some people think when an artist, especially one like Jay Z, drops an album. Part of the beauty of Twitter is getting a glimpse into someone's thoughts, which to me is a beautiful thing that we don't appreciate and honour enough.

However, there are some takes we just don't need to hear from. We don't need to hear how you wont listen to any of the new releases because its part of the "sheep mentality", no one needs to hear another reason why you think Black Women need to submit to their men, or that homosexuality is a westernized thing. Nope. Spare us. Let us enjoy and consume what the Lord allowed these amazing entertainers to bless us with.

Even with everything going on in the world, trans black women getting murdered at alarming rates, the SA Government not leading with the people as their primary concern, black men talking about black women as if we are their property, or that we don't matter, I was still able to revel in the glory of Black music around the world. I learnt about Giggs (through Drake's offering), Stefflon Don (through the podcast Gyalcast) and h.e.r (through another podcast The Friendzone). I was pleasantly surprised by Cassper Nyovest's Thuto album, I am enjoying the different offerings from Wizkid and Davido.

Ultimately music is everything to me. It keeps me sane, makes me happy, it gets me to reflect on my life, and where I want to go. Music is my lifeline, and I am nothing without it.

If you haven't heard of any of the artists I've mentioned above, please go and check them out. Support them, show them love, keep an open mind and enjoy yourself.

Peace and Love Always.
Lerato.