“It is in our hands” By Mohau Ramashidja With the scarcity of job opportunities at a rising toll in South Africa. Only a precious few manage to escape this plight many South Africans are facing. Age 34 George Mongwayi who lived most of his live on a wheel chair is an absolute maestro when coming to bending wires into recognizable forms. URNEWS.com had an interview with him to find out more about the man. At what age did you start designing wire cars? At the earliest age of 12, that’s when I started playing around with wires. Who came up with the business idea amongst the two of you? Both my partner and I came with the business idea. It was after we had both attended a workshop which encouraged us to use our hands. Where do you get your wire material to design these cars? From generous donors and sometimes we buy it from people How much wire do you use to design only one car? When we create something out of wires we make sure that it is appealing to the eye. One item like the car you just saw can cost R500.00 worth of wire. What is the core drive of this wire business you are into? We make sure that when we design these cars, they come out as we desire them to be. Money comes second and the beauty of the thing comes first. What kind or models of cars do you design? We design different kinds of cars, but most of the time we dwell too much on designing the old models; we find pleasure in bringing back the old school into 21st century. How long can it take you to design one car? I’ll tell you one thing, this is not child’s play; it takes us plus-minus two to three weeks, even a month to finish one car. I don’t mind coming here every day for one thing because I am a perfectionist about what I do. Most people living with disability have given up on life and rely on government grants for survival, what makes you different? To be disabled it does not mean it’s over with your life, accept your disability and know that it is God who is in control of your life. It is then that you will realize that life is more precious to live than to end it in one go. Where do you see yourselves in the coming years? It is going to take us a lot of time to get where we want to be but we will continue pushing, we can’t always wait for the government to do things for us. It is in our hands. Why didn’t you give up on live as a person living under your condition? I want my life to be a portrayal and a sounding trumpet that will say to many people, ‘work hard and use your head. Never underestimate your intellectual capacity and discourage your ideas. Thing about your ideas carefully and implement them. Where do you get your inspiration from? I love what South Africa has to offer in the aspect of culture and nature. Unlike other artists who on one culture; I tackle all cultures to symbolize a united South Africa. What is your wildest dream you wish to accomplish in wire art business? My dream is to design something like the Union Building. I don’t know how many years it’s going to take me but I would love to see myself having designed the building with wires. What new things do you wish to design with wire art? “I want to design things that no man has ever thought of designing. Something like a grasshopper or an ant, even a fly,” after a short laugh he concluded, “at the end the day is art”
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 AUTHOR: JAMES FREY TITLE: A MILLION LITTLE PIECES RELEASED: 2003 SEMI-FICTIONAL RATING: *** (three stars) By Hlonela Lupuwana 30-05-2011 A million little pieces is a highly intense, unpredictable, and instantly engaging story, written in a manner that the reader feel as though the writer is seated across from them as he narrates the events. It’s a story about a drug and alcohol addict, James, who at a very young age is near death and finds substances are all he lives for. James goes to rehab for the first time and recounts his daily experiences ever so vividly, painting a penetrating picture of the words coming out of his mouth. Without fail, during his stay in rehab, he constantly rejects self pity, warmth, intimacy and most importantly refuses to follow the rules. He brings the reader face-to-face with what it feels like to be a junky. The story borders on truth, lies, what others perceive as the truth and what the subject regards as the truth and lies. It’s a very rare, raw and genuine testimony about a life torn to shreds and glued back together. UP: I especially enjoyed the narration, his choice of words and how he put them together. James’ sense of what is true and what isn’t often cross paths. One would label it “lies” forgetting that many a time truth is what is true to you and not how the world sees it. “He undergoes a dental surgery without anesthesia, a nearly 20min long operation without drugs as that is the very reason he’s stuck in rehab. Teeth are yanked out, holes are cleaned and filled and all this time James’ every muscle, limb, brain cell is aware and feeling every piercing, excruciating unimaginable pain. He describes how indescribable the pain was, how he would urge the dentist to carry on when he wanted to take a break, lessen the pain.” This very scene is where he gives “truth” a hiding. Doctors have argued that there is no way anyone could still be alive after such an operation, whereas some have hit back saying pain is mostly a state of mind and one can go through unimaginable pain if their state of mind is not in the present moment. DOWN: The story was mostly centered around James and no one else. I felt he did not give other characters, who may have or may have not contributed to his survival, a chance to shed some light into how they saw James or how his character changed their lives, if at all.
Tips to Beating the Winter Wonders! By Shimmie Peter 25-05-2011 From sunny skies to floating chills, finding the perfect outfit to flatter you in the freezing weather whilestill being fabulously trendy can become a real challenge. There is no need to be a “blanket blunder”as there is more to winter in the company of the latest trends. Winter is aseason that is similar toits range of dark conservative colours but there are other options. It is very rare for people to realizethat the initialsensation of the season is embraced perfectly by well tailored textures with vibrant colours to awaken the senses. Apart from the triple jam colours which are chocolate brown, grey and dark green. This winter will not be the same as it will consist of yellow, purple and pink to spackle you up leaving you rejuvenated. Ladies: Boots and winter coincide with each other. There arelittle twists courtesy from the designers similar to the “boot-up” boots to lace up ankle boots these are best worn with leggingsor skintight jeans. One could accessories it with a bold belt and a coat to create a new perfect look. You could make your options broader by including sweatpants. There is no need to compliment your active wear with expensive sneakers that will transform you into a man. To flash more of a feminine look, a pair of wedge stilettos will add height and sheer sophistication. No more plain mosaicand floral patterns scarf’s this season. Gents: The men’s range has changed from boys and their toys to men with egos and sense of pride. Ultra marine, maroon and grey are recommended but men can go brighter seeing that we are still a hangover from the Yellow T-shirts of last year’s football fever. Why one if two can do? Hoodies and trench coats complement each other extremely well with slim fitted jeans and lace up boots. No more scarf for men and hello, to “snoodies!”Throw over a tight cardigan, pair of denim jeans and weigh your options between boots and sneakers. The time for thewind to pierce through the skin is coming up. There is no need to worry about what to wear instead worry about bad hair days, coffee and soup spills By the way, in case your hands get cold go for gloves not mittens. Eat warm, well and healthy meals and remember looking good is not an option it is the only thing you would want to aspire to.
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