New Website

So after a year of procrastination, my website is finally up and running. For now it just has photo's that I have taken - but more of my work will be updated there shortly. 

Please visit -----> www.stefelino.com 

Flower Time

These beautiful "stone" succulents, or lithops are flowering. They are the size of your thumb nail, yet flower this incredible crisp yellow flower. They constantly split or divide in 2, each time flowering, and multiplying. Supposedly you can save the seeds from the flower - but somehow I have never managed to ever find them! For now I can stare at their beauty and watch them open and close as they sleep and wake up each morning. God is in the details.

Autumn

The first signs of autumn for me is when the Gladiolus's start to bloom together with the crisp golden leaves that start to shed from the giant chestnut tress throughout the city. This to me is bliss, a season of change which should always be welcomed with an open heart. I am going to enjoy every moment of autumn before the landscape does a turn, becoming dry and arid. 

Peter Magubane

Last week was the opening of the photographic exhibition of the legendary South African photographer, Peter Magubane at the FADA Gallery. His photos are of "Child Labour" captured through his brownie camera back in the 1950's. The photo's are of children who, willingly or non-willingly worked for money. As some of the photographs explained, were that boys in the city, generally willingly went out in search of work. They wanted to get away from their families and earn a living for themselves. Why? Most probably because of the genes imprinted within us, the 'man kind' instinct of fending for oneself? 

The boys working on the farms, or coal mines, were almost forced to… Peter Magubane went out in search to capture photo's for his country, through reading Drum, The Times, and Life, he wanted to be apart of history. When searching for these children working, he often offered them a place to stay, a better life than what they were currently living in. Those who did want a "better" life went with him, and he would take them home and feed them with a 1/4 load of bread and a carton of milk. This is the reach and extent Peter went to help these children where possible. 

Ït doesn't matter how expensive the camera, even if it is R20… because its not the camera that takes pictures, it is you. You are the one that chooses what picture you want to capture." Some amazing words for a amateur photographer like myself. This wise, eloquent man is remarkable. Not to forget is how through his photography did he become Nelson Mandela's personal photographer through the apartheid regime as well as through his presidency. 

Some amazing advice from the master himself, "Taking photo's is like a woman giving birth, it pushes you for more, 'I want more of this' is what you say" it becomes the next best addiction. "Today is the day to start working… Work hard - now!"

Faith

I'm sitting on a moss covered bench in a secret garden at the 111 year old St. Peter Anglican Church in Melville. I feel so at peace. The door to the church is locked - that is fine, perfect - I would have not found this secret bench. There is music blaring in the distance - something that would have irritated me much, but the water trickling down the fountain behind me is calming. EXCATLY what I need. It's year end. My head is in a complete spin. Much change has happened, and I think I have finally lifted my heels that are so pain-stakingly digging in the dry earth everyday. I feel close to Him. At home. Beas, insects, buzzing, birds, pitter - patter, vroom... 

The air is fresh from the newly wet garden. So fresh I can smell the jasmine, the voluptuous roses, the soil and some other sweet smell I cannot think of right now... It will come.

Lord I pray for guidance, hope and humility, as I sit blissfully here upon You. 

Tropical Summer

This past weekend was a crazy one. Filled with tons of emotions, fun, laughter & tears. Something that I was not expecting, because all that I longed for was just reading in my bed. It was a surprise to be summoned out of bed by my mom… I took her to one of my (our) favorite pizza places in the whole of Jozi - Ant Cafe on 7th Street, Melville. We shared a delicious Italian pizza, and gobbled it before it even hit the table. The scene inside was just perfect. The moodiness in the air, the light, the time of day, and the atmosphere. We will be back my mom has demanded. And with that so will a bottle of wine beside us :-)

Red Summer Delight

Red Summer Raspberries - I planted these precious plants a year ago and they have just over taken a section of my garden. I'm not complaining because it gives me great satisfaction to wake up every morning, with the sun beating down on my back to pick more than a punnet full of fresh ripe reddish-purplish raspberries. There is nothing better than fresh grown fruits & veggies out your own garden. Surprisingly they are growing so well, despite the smallish drought that Jozi has been experiencing. Well I'm not too sure if you can call it a drought, but we definitely have not has as much rain as in the previous years. Or maybe could it just be in spite of COP17 that has recently taken place? Anyway I have my sweet tasting ripe raspberries which make me all fuzzy inside.

Daisy Delight

Summer is finally here, which brings a sense of happiness and smiles to my face. A very dramatic season in terms of all the different moods it plays out. Tonight is another moody night with silent lighting on the horizon, I sit here on my 'zebra' stripped couch fittingly placed by my bedroom window as I stare into the nights abyss. I should be happy and fulfilled - but I am not... Something is picking at my door - inside I'm scared, hurt, angry and confused.

Tomorrow is a new day and with it brings the light that I seek on a daily basis. Something that fills me with life, together with all other living organisms out there that roam this beautiful place.

Lord bring into the light what is in the dark, protect me and let my light shine.

A Red Affair

Therere is nothing better than a nice cup of plunger coffee. Red is a colour that I have in my bedroom - do not ask me why, I guess it just happened, but maybe it's because of the warm and love I get from it?

Lost Love

There are things on life we can never predict. Some come as shock, other with joy and surprise and some with great deep sadness. But such is life - this is change is one of the most beautiful actions in life. You can either ignore it or run with it. Running with it as fast as your legs can carry or go. However not everything seems crystal clear, so baby steps are needed at first - I'm crawling at the moment, with uncertainty of what is around the corner, but at least I'm in the forward motion, slowly in Gods care and grace. Slow, careful, so I can hear and appreciate his every move - for me, for MY LIFE. Time will pass and like the egg, the circle of life will continue, majestically, beautifully, uninterrupted as it has been doing for millennia.

Lord I pray for wisdom and understanding - and I pray for the strengthening and renewing of my mind. Amen.

Change

I was sitting romantically by myself watching the drama of this boring coffee shop that I so much love and hate. CHANGE: is what it's suppose to be! Change is good so I'm told... Change in seasons, change all around me. Change, change, change with pocket change. Together with it comes a form of resistance! GET OUT! Now, where's the exit? Follow the signs! Think and tap into that creative energy that looks, looms within you - that is screaming; softly, gently! L.O.V.E

Ranlords

Ranlords is a club on the 22nd floor in a building in Braamfontein - amazing views over look a world class city of Jozi. Egoli. Joburg. No matter what you call it, joburg is finally opening its arms and pulling people back into a lost cultural atmosphere. Ranlords was designed by award winning Joburg couple Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens. A job well done, especially when you visit the males urinal!

Doo Bee Boobies

Probably one of the best shows I have seen - Doo Bee Boobies is showing at the Joburg Theatre till the end of the month, and is a must see if you are looking for fun, witty and hilarious comedy about 4 drag queens in a cabaret! I give it a 10/10. I didn't stop laughing once!

Winter

Winter is here - there are 3 things I love about winter; 1) the crisp perfect blue skies, 2) the crispness in the air the tingles your skin and 3) the amazing sunsets that mark the close of each day. There are only a few weeks left till the longest night of the year, and I can't wait!

Where Fashion Meets Architecture

This is the exhibition that we have been working on. Izuba Inafrica Architects whom I work for (a small 3 person firm, including me) designed the layout of this incredible space in down town Johannesburg, Arts on Main in the Maboneng precinct, is a 'newly' renovated derelict building that still contains its rustic history through time with touches of contemporary inserts. The launch of the event was last night, and hit off with a bang together with limitless supply of fermented potatoe juice made into those devil cocktails called Cosmopolitans and olive dunked Martini's. Well done to all who were involved!

Random signs...

Got to love the random signs that are put up around a city! This one is in Rosebank.

Concrete

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Who knew that watching concrete being poured could be so 'hot'. Also never
knew that it would splatter everywhere either...

Are we sustainable?

My vote has been cast, and I feel amazing as this was my first election ever that I have voiced and exercised my democratic ballot. I rose early on the morning to get a head start. Whilst standing in line it made me think of whom the people were going to vote – sadly I did not see as many youths there as I would have liked. I came across a word a while back. Kakistocracy. This is a government in which the worst forms of people are in power. I may not be necessarily judging here, but it made me think about all the service delivery protests and other scandals that are currently happening around the country. This is why we have a democratic (elected) government. I can only hope the youth of today (also known as the Y generation) used their right to vote and lead a better South Africa. Isn't this what it is all about? We need to work together and become a sustainable nation with the development of all community irrespective of race, colour, creed or religion. This is why we the youth, the Y generation need to respect each other, stand up for what we believe in and vote. Right now we are a consuming society that needs to start thinking about the brighter future (on all fronts) that is on the horizon. We need to sustain (to support, keep going, maintain, uphold what is valid – stand true to who we are...) what we have and become leaders of our future. For if it is not us, then who will it be? Just some food for thought.

Swoosh

There are something's I miss like playing around with my camera at random
moments through time. There is however one thing that I do not miss, and
that is standing in the dark, inexperienced, lonely, afraid. Now I am a
warrior of light... the light which I shall try to seek - constantly &
forever.

Lovely Sunday

Picture Perfect - Had a lovely Sunday with my friend at Arts On Main market. The weather was perfect, the atmosphere and everything else that came with it! Even the deliciously cold bunny chow was mouth watering. I love nothing more than being in the city, and watching clear blue skies roll out 'thunderous' white clouds.