A beginners guide to starting your very own veggie patch
By Angelique Redmond There are a multitude of reasons to start a veggie patch, but the one that stands out for me is the idea of fresh, crunchy vegetables that you didn’t have to buy from the shop. So, not only will you save yourself some money, but it’s a great activity for the whole family to get involved in! The old adage goes, ‘You are what you eat’ so why not eat the freshest vegetables around? Getting started Step 1 is quite simple; plot the space you will need for your vegetable patch. Will you be growing it outside in your garden, in a window box or tub? The perfect size for a vegetable patch is roughly 4 square feet or 0.3 meters. Step 2 is where you take a look at what type of soil you are working with. You need to know what type of soil you currently have and what the PH balance of the soil is, neutral is generally a PH of 7, but vegetables grow best in slightly acidic soil with a PH balance of 6.5. If you’re not sure, you can always pick up a soil test kit from a reputable gardening store. If you can’t find a soil test kit here’s two quick ways to test your soil using household ingredients: Scoop some soil into a container. Then, add a half-cup of vinegar. If the soil bubbles or fizzes, it’s alkaline. If there’s no reaction, scoop a fresh soil sample into a second container. Add a half-cup of water and mix. Then, add a half-cup of baking soda. If the soil bubbles or fizzes the soil is highly acidic. If your soil is too acidic you can adjust it with finely ground chalk or limestone often referred to as garden lime, which will raise the PH. Other common soil problems could be sandy soil or soil high in clay, or a patch that doesn’t drain well. To check for drainage issues, water your patch and then check it the next day, if the water is still there, the patch has poor drainage, which is not ideal for a vegetable garden. One thing you can do is add sand to the soil to improve the drainage. What should you grow? Step 3: Deciding what to grow can be quite the process. When I first started my vegetable patch I was quite overwhelmed with all the choices and had to be quite strict and limit myself, or I would have ended up with a vegetable back yard instead of a garden! Decide what you really like and what you will use daily or...
Woza Sisi Exhibition in Collaboration with DOPEstore
Woza Sisi is an ongoing body of work that explores a group of women working as street hairstylists at Kerk Street market, in Johannesburg CBD. Woza Sisi has collaborated with DOPEstore as part of a series of cultural monthly events hosted at the concept store to develop visual arts within the fashion sector. DOPE, which is an acronym for Designer Original Products Enterprise, is a retail store that was founded by Andile Cele in 2009. The store offers premium designed products. DOPEstore strives to work with different creatives in the fields of art, fashion and music. “We feel that art plays a vital role, and its a medium that hasn’t been exploited enough within the youth culture” says Andile. These series of events are aimed at celebrating art, fashion and music. “We are excited to collaborate with young brands or artists in the scene”. DOPEstore feels that Woza Sisi will appeal to their clientele. It exposes hardworking women who execute artistry in a form of hairstyles daily. “Their contribution to street culture is overlooked”. The photography exhibition will also launch Woza Sisi merchandise to be revealed on the opening night, which will be available at the store throughout the duration of the exhibition. Also, two guests will have an opportunity to have their hair styled by one of the street hairstylists who participated in the project. Opening Thursday 5 March 2015 7pm – 10pm 6 March – 31 March 2015 DOPEstore 95 Commissioner Street Marshalltown Johannesburg...
Five reads to cuddle with in this weather
By Lindelwa R 1. I AIN’T YO BITCH – Jabulile Bongiwe Ngwenya “I ain’t yo bitch” I saw this title in the book store and rolled my eyes as I lifted it to read what sordid man-manipulation guide this would be. I was way off – It’s a fiction tale about a young lesbian rapper in the hustle & bustle of Joburg’s hip-hop scene. She is a talented wordsmith in an industry dominated by men who cannot stand to be outdone by a woman, a lesbian woman especially. A sad tale about the struggle of womanhood, doubled with homophobia from those around her and what it took for her to finally come into her own. The ending is a cliché, but I could not have been more fitting. 2. BLACK WIDOW SOCIETY – Angela Makholwa I’ve been waiting to read a thriller about women in an underground mafia-style scheme. It was a slow read; it was how she gradually brought the characters to life in short interwoven scenes that were a good enough to keep the reader’s (my) nose in between her pages. The story is about a group of women who ‘eliminate’ good-for-nothing husbands, rescuing the “black widows” from lives of abuse and manipulation. It unfolds dramatically when the hired gun’s personal life is affected by the paranoia he’s acquired ever since serving the society. Despite the predictable first two thirds of the book, the climax was good enough to allow for the book’s clichéd ending. 3. WHEN RAIN CLOUDS GATHER – Bessie Head I could call this one a love story, about a man learning to love himself. It is set in a village in Botswana during the time of severe drought, a South African takes refuge there to escape from apartheid in near-by South Africa. He must overcome internal conflict while also being absorbed into the drama of the village in which he settles. It’s a tale of greed, selflessness & community; it is intriguing without too much suspense. You won’t put it down until it’s over. 4. FEMINISM IS FOR EVERYBODY (PASSIONATE POLITICS) – bell hooks The mainstream media’s depiction of the socio-political idea is more radical then practical and that is why I felt it was necessary to read a sort of… beginner’s guide to feminism? Yes. She describes the beginning of feminism and the various struggles within – issues of race, class, gender relations and the power of the sisterhood. It feels boring to read but you will appreciate the enlightenment afterwards. 5. GONE – Michael Grant Gone is the first in a series of 6 books. It is a story about a...
Introducing the Power of 50
The Umuzi Team recently announced that the applications for the Power of 50 Programme 2015 intake are now open. This is a great initiative to empower young creative minds into taking part on something meaningful that can change their lives forever. The Power of 50 is a one-year tertiary programme preparing young people to become active economic participants in the creative industry. (www.umuzi.org/the-power-of-50). The successful candidates receive a monthly stipend to cover their basic expenses. They gain real work life experience by working at a creative agency, skills training by working on live client projects, masterclasses by industry experts, opportunities to network with the creative industry whist building a strong portfolio of work. Apply at www.umuzi.org/apply Aspiring ekasi creatives face a daunting gap to professional employment in the creative economy. Umuzi bridges this gap. The Power of 50 is a successful model of collaboration between Investec Bank, who make this possible by funding the programme, The Creative Circle, who facilitate the internships with leading creative agencies, Vega and Da Vinci, who help us to deliver the formal skills...
The age of custom-made: Pretoria designers thrive
New life has been injected into creative businesses in Pretoria since The Brooklyn Design Fair opened its doors at the Brooklyn Square parkade in Pretoria. The Fair takes place on the first Friday of every month from 16:00 until 21:00. And the locals are loving it! In response to the demand for custom-made and non-mainstream living, The Brooklyn Design Fair opened its doors on Friday, 06 June 2014 at the second floor parking at Brooklyn Square, Pretoria. Conveniently, entrance to The Fair is free of charge. Filled with beautiful design, tantalising refreshments and live entertainment, The Fair aims to give young entrepreneurs, local traders and small business owners the chance to showcase their work at a regular pop-up event. “Our goal is to create a platform where our vendors can generate leads, orders and sales,” says Beninca Steyn, one of The Brooklyn Design Fair founders. “Through The Fair we encourage Pretoria residents to be proudly local and support local businesses.” “The Brooklyn Design Fair creates a space for likeminded designers to showcase our products to the Pretoria public with an appreciation for contemporary design,” says P.G Needham, creator and owner of Needham Leather Goods. Inge-Marie Kleynhans, owner of FanFairyTastic, a children’s party and entertainment company, adds that she has not missed a single event; “The Fair has given me wonderful exposure, which has in turn generated countless add-on opportunities for my company.” The next event on Friday, 07 November 2014, themed the NovemBEER & Wine Fair, will offer a variety of craft beer, in addition to fine wine, food, fashion and design. Corlie Schoeman, Cleilap ceramics owner, says that there is only one thing she will change; “The Brooklyn Design Fair should take place more often, at least every second week, because I absolutely love it!” For more information about The Brooklyn Design Fair, please visit www.brooklyndesignfair.co.za or find it...
T.O.M.S launches cool new store with free public concert
As one of South Africa’s most established music shops, TOMS (The Only Music Shop) a household name of musical equipment, celebrates over 35 years as leaders in their field with a massive day-long celebration at the brand new Rivonia branch on Saturday 1st November. With a star-studded line up of artists performing for the public, TOMS will be throwing this fun-filled day to make customers aware of their new location, after relocating from the gridlocked Sandton CBD to the easily accessible Rivonia. The new venue, now housed at the Rivonia Crossing 2 Shopping Centre in the Sunninghill/Rivonia area, is a stunning location for the store. TOMS have put considerable resources behind creating a world-class store that is both ergonomic and impressive for existing customers as well as whole new generation of musical fans. The launch day concert is the first step in public engagement. With stars like Daniel Baron, Newton’s 2nd Law and 1st Project confirmed for the line up. The day will be hosted by MC and DJ Nick Explicit at the new store with a throw-up stage set up. The activities will start at 9am and continue throughout the day with in-store specials, give-aways and product demos to keep music lovers entertained and informed. Food and drink will also be on sale. Come join TOMS for a fun day of music and entertainment as they celebrate yet another successful milestone in the companies rich history....
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