Mzansi Super League (MSL).

Written By Sivuyile Tshalana.

South Africa cricket board should be proud of their hard work into making Mzansi Super League (MSL) a successful tournament. A lot of work went through it, in terms of superb marketing strategies as their advert was easy on eyes and quite enjoyable to watch. MSL advert involved some well-known celebrities nor influential human beings like Tumi Morake, LKG, Jomo Sono, AB DeVilliers, Nina Hastie, Makhaya Ntini, ThandoThabede, etc. Just to name a few as the list was endless and everyone who was involved in that advert really did their best to make that advert a success. The theme song was incredibly catchy and one of the great theme songs that overcome from South Africa. Dj Fresh and Busiswa really out did themselves in making the MSL theme song. MSL came up with a brilliant slogan, “Fast, Fun For All.”

MSL commenced from the 16^th of November and ended on the 16^th of December 2019. Which means there was a full month of MSLT20 cricket that played on different cricket stadiums across South Africa. Twenty-Twenty (famously known as T20) cricket is a 20 0vers fast paced, full of excitement, quick runs scored and many wickets that are takenkind of a cricket. The runs scored and wickets taken by different crickets teams was exceptional done well. Even though some teams might feel they lacked on certain departments during their actual cricket match days. MSL showed case the sort of talent South African cricketers have and put everyone on the map. All those young players that got exposure into playing with their cricket heroes and most of them made the most of their chances give them by their coaches.Every team was made up of fantastic players (bowlers, batsmen and all-rounders) and an excellent technical support teams. The MSL T20 was made up of 6 world class cricket teams and there was only one team that could be crowned the first MSL T20 champions.Namely, Cape Town Blitz, Durban Heat, Jozi Stars, Tshwane Spartans, Nelson Mandela Bay Giants and Paarl Rocks. All these team had amazing support from their supporters across the country.

MSL didn’t disappoint and it lived up to its standards. Surely the organizers should be happy with the way everything transpired. SABC played a critical role in making sure that the MSL T20 cricket matches were broadcasted on television and radio stations. MSL can only go to greater heights next year with more investors and more international players being involved in the tournament. Finally, South Africa got a tournament that the world can look forward to part of each year. These are exciting times for South Africans and their cricket. The South African Proteas selectors will have a good headache when it comes to choosing cricket players to represent South Africa on the world stage. MSL T20 is a force to be reckon with and definitely the success rate will increase as time goes by on years to come.

Congratulations to Jozi Stars for winning the first ever MSL T20.

The Journey Part 26: Festive Season

Written By Sivuyile Tshalana.

I have to say this festive season wasn’t all that in terms of hype and the way I thought I was going to enjoy it. In fact I didn’t really dwell on the festive season, as I was mostly busy throughout the whole December holidays seasons. I’m trying to get my life together and on track with what I want on earth. At the same time I felt that growth has hit me big time as I found no interesting things with December. I tried to going out and having fun every now and then but when the budget it tight its very hard to enjoy your festive season. My finances haven’t been up to date this year. At the same time that didn’t mean I shouldn’t be grateful for life and all the blessings that are going my way this year.

I didn’t really spend quality time with my family as we were scattered along the country and everyone was very busy. Most family members were working and they didn’t really get December holidays in their workplaces. Its understandable though as we need the money in order to look after ourselves and our loved ones. With that being said, I enjoyed spending time with my son. It was the first time we spent quality time on the 25^th of December, as it me and him, just the two of us. I had to prepare Christmas lunch for us and it was an exciting yet challenging task as I wanted to impress my son. We really had a time of our lives, he actually loved the Christmas lunch and he played a role in helping me prepare the lunch. It was a bonding session, father and son moments that were priceless. Sitting with me, catching up and having some incredible conversations. A child doesn’t lie so I like to pay attention when we have conversations so that I’ll what’s bothering him in his life. As we don’t stay together currently, but soon we will be together as a proper family. What amazes me is that he could truly have a conversation with me and being called “Dad” is an unexplainable feeling. Although I’m still learning in this fatherhood industry but bits by bits I’ll get it right. I will make him and my family proud, its just a matter of time.

I also spent some time later that day with my childhood friends, to be honest we got up to no good since they had this idea that its Christmas and we could actually do all with our time. We enjoyed some few drinks and then we went to the nearest pub for some more fun. We came in the morning all tired and no regrets though as we made the most of our night. I hardly have fun but when I do I make sure I enjoy my time outside my comfort zone. I’m glad that no-one got hurt as we all came back in one piece. It was a fantastic day and I can’t really complain as I saw that the best things in life are actually in front me, like literary. I realized that fun differs from person to person but more often than not fun is created by myself as a human being. Each person is capable to create their own fun and it doesn’t really have to involve alcohol and drugs in order to be considered as fun.

My New Year’s Eve was something to remember for the rest of my life. Although I can’t really get into more details but it was enjoyable. When the song of the year played which was Banomoya by Prince Kaybee ft Busiswa and TNS, I danced like nobody was watching. I had to thank the Lord for giving me yet another year to be greater. I feel that 2019 is year for success and happiness all around. Whatever that has happened in the previous year, it is now in the past and in order for us to go forward we need to make peace with our past. The future is in our hands, don’t let anyone fool you into believing you not enough and that you can't make it life. It’s about time we put those brilliant brains of ours into good use.

The Journey Part 25: My Festive Season: The Bad Side.

Written By Sivuyile Tshalana.

It’s always great to see another day in this world. I know I’ll live for a long time and be successful. With that being said I still appreciate every moment spent on earth. I don’t take anything for granted, as I make sure I thank each day I get on earth.Speaking of that sadly I lost two people I knew, one was my childhood friend and the other person was an ex-colleague of mine. 

My mother sent me a message to let me know that one my childhood friend has passed on and it was just before the 16^th of December 2018. He was involved in a car accident whereby everyone died in the scene except him. Since he was badly burnt on his body and all his injuries he sustained made him more sick. That unfortunately led to his death. He died very young as he was in his early twenties. He was really one of those well behaved children in the township, he valued respect as he gave a lot of respect to almost anyone despite their age and status in the community. He loved cracking jokes, I never seen him angry at all as he was always showing us a big smile on his face. Even if he was angry I would really applaud him for hiding his anger to the world. He enjoyed going to church as most of the times I would find him dressed smart and going to church, not only on Sundays but during the week too.He used to shout my name even if I didn’t see him just to greet me and check I was doing at that time. What really stood out for me was his love for people and his family. As he used to do some part-time jobs to support his family. As we grew up we grew further apart as I relocated to another place to do my own things in terms of self growth.I still felt he was good person based on the times we spent together. Although I didn’t make to his funeral due to unforeseen circumstances but may his soul rest in peace.

My ex-colleague died on the early mornings of the New Year and I was informed by another ex-colleague of mines through a call at night on New Year's Day. We had a good working relationship as he was my superior and I pretty much loved working under his leadership. I would be lying if I say we didn’t have our ups and downs at work. I now realize that I was wrong at time for not taking simple instructions from him. We had less conflicts though and more happiness through our working relationship as I respect his experience of working with people. He was a great person, loved smiling as he was truly attracted to happiness and it was easy for us to know if he wasn’t having a good day as he would stay in the office almost the whole day or night depending on his shift. I didn’t spend a lot of time with him but the time we spent together at work was truly amazing. Almost forgot to mention that he was a very outgoing person and was very known in the place where he lived and worked. He had many posts of him and his living it up in certain clubs. He invited me to a couple his birthday parties but I only able to attend one of them. Which was quite a vibe and we enjoyed ourselves as I brought my friend with me. We also once went to a club with him as well as the rest of the night shift staff. We had a great time, even though I hardly went to clubs but I enjoyed myself. Our staff party was also the one to remember as he made his presence felt through his kindness of making sure everyone was enjoying the staff party. He loved seeing people happy I must say and that brought happiness within him. He loved picking my brain every now and then and loved teasing me in a good way though nothing hectic. He will be dearly missed as his family was expecting a lot from him as he died due tuberculosis and he was still in his early thirties.May his soul rest in peace. 

Death do not be proud. It’s always a shocker when you hear someone has passed on whether you that person or not. Death is something that we can never get used, even we know it exist. But I always have hope that death will decrease and people will live their long happy lives on this earth. We here to stay and our lives better and showing humanity to others. As one wise man once said, “each one teach one.”

Our Quick Analysis On Brands: “MoFaya.”

Written By Sivuyile Tshalana. 

Most energy drinks are either bitter or too strong in terms of taste.I then had a chance to drink the first and only South African energy drink called MoFaya. Wow, I’m very impressed with the uniqueness of MoFaya. Firstly, it’s branding is simple yet so easy on the eye. It’s not complicated at all and it oozes that “buy me” kind of attractiveness. It stands out as it has the latest words that are used in the country. The one I had bought was written “Thol' Ukuthi Hey!” and I’ve seen another one written “Vrrrphaaaaa”. These words are home brewed in South Africa like MoFaya Energy Drink.

I also noticed some inspirational words on the MoFaya. It’s written “Set your Ambitions alight! Let your Mind breed a new Fire for Passion & Rise beyond the Ashes of your limitations. Ignite Your Mind with countless Possibilities!” By drinking MoFaya I also felt motivated to do better things in this world. This writing goes pretty well with the energy drink itself. It made me think deeply in my future while I was indulging my taste buds into MoFaya. My thirstiness went away quickly and my body literary thanked me for drinking MoFaya.

The appearance of the MoFaya is like a cylinder, its black in colour with gold and red writings on it. It’s also a 500ml bottle and its super portable.It cost only R10.00 at the stores. The usage of MoFaya is straight forward: Maximum 1 can every 4 hours. Do not exceed 3 cans per day. Not recommended for children under 12 years of age, pregnant or lactating women and persons sensitive to caffeine.

Its one of those greatest products to come out of South Africa. Definitely Africa as a whole should embrace MoFaya as their own brand. Thanks a million to Sibusiso “DjSbu” Leopefor creating MoFaya. This media, author, musician and entrepreneur extraordinaire outdid himself as this is nothing but a genius innovation from him. Long live MoFaya long live.

You must keep at least a 6pack of MoFaya in your fridge. Especially this in this heat. You going to need some MoFaya in your life.