PLUS SIZE IS ME...

Today I want to take you through a page in a diary of a woman that is spreading love and positivity in the world through her movement, PlusSizeIsMe. Her name is Lala and I asked her to write a piece to the readers to educate and inform people about being plus size in a world "telling" people what happiness should look like.

Lala is a person just like you and me in an imperfect world but inserting her love to be part of the change the world needs. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder and no one should be judged for who they are and what they look like. God loves us all as we are.

You can follow her on:
Insta - @misscurvylala,
Facebook - Plus Size is ME
Website - http://plussizeisme.com

Enjoy the read and remember to spread LOVE
 

Dear Diary,

I read a quote that goes like this: “beauty lies in the eye of the beholder." What they don’t tell you is that you’re the beholder.”

I’m at a point in my life where I sleep a little more peacefully, my relationships make a lot more sense and my internal battle has quieted down. But before I tell you how I got here, let me tell you where I started.

I don’t remember much about primary school but I remember how I consistently felt. I have proof of it written in this pink/almost red diary (yes I still have it). I remember one day we were on the school bus and one of the boys shouted “everyone who is fat raise your hand!” He then looked at me and said “you’re fat, raise your hand.” I remember how often I cried after school, how I tried skipping meals and how guilty I felt because I looked nothing like the women I praised. Most importantly I remember how emotionally exhausted I was defending myself.

High school came and as I went through it, something significant happened. Something unexpected but long waited for. I was home watching America’s Next Top Model cycle 3 when I saw a plus size woman by the name of Toccara Jones competing as one of the models. That moment changed my life. For the first time I questioned the definition of beauty, my mind opened up to the idea that skinny women were not the only face of beauty. That was the exact moment my body-love/self-love journey began.

I abandoned my comfort zone. I didn’t want to be in it because it was filled with nothing but self-doubt and misery. I did something I never thought I would do. I posted a picture of myself online wearing swimwear revealing my cellulite and stretch marks. There was nothing anyone could say to me or about me that I hadn’t already said to myself. It was liberating because with that picture, I let go of living for the approval of others. I stopped obsessing over fitting into a particular size and started paying attention to curvy women with style who own their bodies. That’s the key you know, OWN YOUR BODY.

The beauty in taking ownership is that there’s no guilt, I’m not apologizing for the way I look, not to anyone and especially not men. I’ve been in relationships before where I felt grateful to the guy for dating me because I felt so unattractive, unworthy and insecure. Anytime he would tell me I was beautiful or sexy I felt sick and annoyed because I was convinced he was just trying to be nice to me. I cried myself to sleep, tormented by the idea that when he wasn’t with me, he was with someone else who was better in every way. 

So I decided to start my own journey, a journey for me and by me, from the inside out. A journey I like to call, self-love. Self- love meant letting go and finding myself. Once I began to understand who I was, I realized I’m worth all that love and respect and if he didn’t know and respect that, then there was no us.

Part of the reason I’m in such a good space mentally is because of the support I have, some of it from complete strangers but mostly from my loved ones. I’ve come to be inspired by women who don’t even know I exist. Who would have thought I’d go from hating shopping because it was a constant reminder of what the world thought I should look like as oppose to what I really look like, to being a part of a clothing campaign for Evans clothing? Who would have thought my role model (Ashley Graham) would have conquered so much? A plus size model (first size 14+ to feat in Sports Illustrated), body activist, motivational speaker and designer?  

I’ve gotten to see, learn and do so much. I’ve started a body positivity movement called Plus Size is ME for plus size women around the world, teaching them not only to accept but love and celebrate their bodies. 

If you keep going back and forth in your mind about whether or not to take those drama classes, TAKE THEM! They are going to give you the confidence you need to do you. Believe in yourself and don't fall short to the pressures of this world because they never stop. If you want to loose weight, do it but do it for yourself. Not anyone else. I remember feeling as if I was alone and how I wished I had someone to talk to, so I created my own podcast series, to address body politics so that young ladies/women would stop feeling like they don't belong. I now celebrate the premier of the second season of my podcast series, for more on it visit www.plussizeisme.com

In case you were wondering, I’m now a plus fashion blogger, body positive activist, and model. 

If I had something to say to my young self, it would be this:

Beautiful One, yes you.

Wipe your tears and sleep peacefully tonight because life is going to get so much better, far more than you can imagine. Wipe those tears, for tomorrow brings hope and more opportunities.

P.S

You will learn that me loving you means so much more than anyone else loving you. Go to bed now, wipe your tears. I love you.

DISNEY PETER PAN Jnr

Ladies and Gentlemen, Kings and Queens, boys and girls can I have your attention please.

 Since we are celebrating Makhumo's one year anniversary, it brings me pleasure to spoil all of you with competitions and give-aways for the month of June.

The first of its kind for this month goes out to all parents and their little bambinos. I have noticed the strength in parents to raise their little ones especially in today's age and I want to take this chance to appreciate you by doing the little that I can. As an Aunt to my 3 little nephews, I see that strength in my Sisters and I want to let you all know that YOU ARE DOING GREAT AND ARE AMAZING. I believe that family is important and should be celebrated often. So here it goes:

You can stand a chance to win a pair of 4 tickets to the Disney Peter Pan show taking place at The Peoples Theatre from the 6th of June to the 30th of July 2016. So that means one lucky reader will walk away with 4 tickets to watch this amazing show. All you have to do to win these tickets is to give a shout out on your social media pages using both of these hashtags (#makhumoanniversarymonth, #peterpan) explaining why you should win the tickets in one sentence and tag me in on the posts.

Instagram = @makhumotumelo
Facebook = Lebohang Tumelo
Twitter = @Lebotumelo

Join Peter Pan in Never Land for fantasy fun this winter Fly into the school holidays with the ultimate pirate adventure when Disney’s Peter Pan Jr brings its swashbuckling magic to the Peoples Theatre from 6 June to 30 July 2016. Join Peter, Tinker Bell, Captain Hook, Mr Smee, the Lost Boys and Tiger Lily, as well as Wendy, John and Michael Darling as they fire up young imaginations with their amazing adventures in Never Land. Directors Jill Girard and Keith Smith have once again assembled a dynamic cast of experienced professional actors to bring to life JM Barrie’s classic tale of the mischievous boy who can fly – and who stubbornly refuses to grow up. More than 100 years since the play was first staged, the story of Peter Pan remains a much-loved favourite that evokes the ideal of everlasting, adventure-filled youth. Audiences can expect fantastical animated flying sequences and thrilling enacted fight scenes, coupled with the storytelling flair, engaging musical numbers and fun interaction that audiences of all ages have come to expect from the Peoples Theatre, based at the Joburg Theatre in Braamfontein. With a set by Grant Knottenbelt, costumes by Linda Wilson, special effects costumes by Trudie Ströh and choreography by Sandy Dyer, Disney’s Peter Pan Jr is set to entrance and delight these winter holidays. The musical stars Phillip Schnetler as Peter Pan; LJ Urbani as Captain Hook/Mr Darling (the roles are traditionally played by the same actor in musical theatre); Clive Gilson as Smee/Nana (the dog) and the Indian chief; Noni Mkhonto as Tinker Bell; Kayli Smith as Mrs Darling and Tiger Lily; and Samantha Aria as Pirate/Indian/Maid. Phillip is a versatile performer who obtained his provincial and national colours in acrobatics before going to study musical theatre – skills that will no doubt be put to good use in his role as the boy who could fly! He has performed in several professional musical theatre productions and a play he starred in, Onthou, recently won the prize for Best Production at both the Kopanong Krêkvars Festival and the Live Arts Little Theatre Festival. LJ is a seasoned musical theatre performer with credits as lead actor in productions of The Rocky Horror Show, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story and Monty Python’s Spamalot. He was most recently seen starring in Janice Honeyman’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty. Clive is the original triple threat – with experience of ballet and tap dancing, he is not just a twinkletoes but also a dab hand at performing any genres ranging from Shakespeare and comedy to pantomime. Noni is also no stranger to children’s musical theatre, with roles in productions of Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, The Little Mermaid as well as Sister Act at the Joburg Theatre. Kayli is an Assitej Children’s Theatre Ambassador and has appeared in several professional productions, including children’s theatre, in South Africa and Dubai. Peoples Theatre audiences will fondly remember Samantha from her roles in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Jr and Disney’s Aladdin Jr. An array of budding young actors will also be treading the boards during each performance, giving audiences a glimpse of South Africa’s stars of tomorrow. Performance times are Mondays to Fridays at 9am and 11am (during the school term); and on Saturdays, certain Sundays and government school holidays at 10.30am and 2.30pm. To book for Disney’s Peter Pan Jr, call the Peoples Theatre at 011 403 1563/2340 or go to: www.peoplestheatre.co.za, www.joburgtheatre.com, or www.webtickets.co.za. Bridget van Oerle as author. By participating in this competition, entrants agree to the rules set out below.  1. This competition is limited to residents of South Africa. . 2. The competition shall commence on the 8th of June 2016 and will end on 12 June 2016. No entries received after 12 June 2016 will be considered.  3. Mechanics To participate in this competition, entrants must adhere to the following: Give a shout out on your social media pages using both of these hashtags (#makhumoanniversarymonth, #peterpan) explaining why you should win the tickets in one sentence and tag me (Lebo/Makhumo Tumelo) in on the posts - social media pages as mentioned above. 1 (one) winner will be drawn on 13 June 2016. The draw will be handled by the owner of this blog (makhumo.blogspot.com), in Johannesburg. The owner of the blog reserves the right to screen the entrants’ submissions and select a deserving winner at their discretion. The winner will be announced on 13 June 2016 on all social media pages as well as the blog, 4. The Prize: The winner will receive a pair of 4 tickets to the Disney Peter Pan's show that will take place at Peoples Theatre from the 6th of June to the end of July 2016. 5.  How to claim your prize: The prize winner will be notified via Facebook message on the same day as the draw. Upon receipt of the message, the potential prize winner will be required to provide his / her contact number so that they can be contacted directly. If the organisers of the competition are unable to reach the potential prize winner within 24 hours of their name being drawn, for whatsoever reason, including incorrect telephone numbers or inoperative telephone numbers, such winner will be disqualified and a runner up finalist will be deemed the potential prize winner subject to the terms and conditions herein. 6. General The prize is not transferable, and no substitution or cash redemption of prizes is permitted. The prize will not be handed/awarded to a third party, but only to the verified prize winner. By entering this competition you authorise the organizer, to collect, store and use (not share) personal information of entrants for communication or statistical purposes. This Competition is in no way organized, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You understand that you are providing your information to the organizer and not to Facebook. The information you provide will be used for email/sms communications for future Competitions. The winner or participants may be required to take part in publicity campaigns for broadcast or publishing purposes. Winners or participants shall at all times be entitled to decline the above request. Winners or participants that take part in any publicity will not be entitled to any payment or other remuneration for such publicity or otherwise. All publicity and other materials will be the sole property of the organizer and promoter.   The organisers of the competition reserve the right to cancel or postpone the competition at any time. The organizer reserves the right to amend the terms and conditions as well as terminate the Competition at any time. In the event of such termination, all entrants agree to waive any rights that they may have in terms of the Competition and acknowledge that they have no recourse against the organizer, its advertising agencies, advisors, suppliers and nominated agents Any questions, comments or complaints regarding the Competition can be directed to lebotumelo@yahoo.com ONLY. Transport to Peoples Theatre to collect and watch the show are the sole responsibility of the winner. Should winners not be able to watch the show after/before collecting tickets for whatsoever reasons. The organizer is to be contacted 48hours before the booked date.

1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Today I celebrate a YEAR since posting on my blog. Looking back,

I have grown so much through pains, laughter, tears and joy. It has been a wonderful journey thus far and I thank God for the experiences, good and bad. My friend Batsi for encouraging me to make the blog public and always encouraging me to post even when I don't feel like it. I appreciate you tons.

To my family, friends and all my loved ones who have been with me through this journey thus far, I love and appreciate you ALL. You are God sent and I am truly blessed to have you.

Looking ahead, I AM ENCOURAGED to keep writing, motivating and take life as it comes for I know that the forces with me are GREATER than those against me.

I leave you with this for now, more celebrations to come though - #anniversarymonth, #celebrations

RETRENCHED... NOW WHAT? - THE WAIT

The second truth is this; it gets harder before it gets better, but hold on because the end is much more rewarding if you keep pushing.

Now you know that I'm retrenched, lost a friend, single, broke and staying at my Mother's house. Have you ever went to the doctor or any medical profession, had a check-up or medical procedure done and on the second visit; you are asked to wait in the waiting room? All by yourself, waiting for the results of your health? Well on this part of the post; that's what I went through. Waiting.

My business partners and I decided that we had learned our lesson from failure, we picked ourselves up and planned the next event. We had paid the artist after all so he needed to deliver. We went back to the drawing board, wrote down everything that was required to host an event, planned, researched, asked and sourced sponsors because at that time, none of us had money to fund the event. After doing our research, we were told that in order to host an event in any public space (community hall, stadium etc), the event must be approved beforehand by the SAPS 6 months prior to the event. Yes, you read right. 6 months for someone to say yes the event can go ahead before we meet with stakeholders concerned like the health and safety department, security, architectures, water, plumbing, electricity. The works.

We thought it was a joke (no seriously, we did). How can an approval take 6 months? So we followed "protocol" and moved our date to the next following month hoping that everything would be approved before the event took place. We confirmed a venue, and waited the approval in order for us to go ahead. The approval came alright, after much follow ups of calling and sending emails. It came 2 days before our event and they told us that it wasn't approved because we sent the request late. By late they meant that we sent it a month before the event took place which means that they had to rush their protocol in order to approve our event and they weren't having that. So again, another disappointment, another failure. We then decided to really follow protocol this time as we realized that they were being serious about the approval taking 6 months. We sat and wrote our year plan down, applied all the necessary procedures we had to in advance.

At this point in time we had meetings to attend to with sponsors and my car didn't have petrol. (I was the only person with a car at this point that we could use). By not having petrol I mean not a single drop, not even in the reserve tank. That was the first time since I bought my car that I had ever experienced this. I have had my petrol light come on but never to a point where there was not even a  drop left, not even to go pour petrol. I remember my brother suggested we walk to the meetings and it wasn't like a 5km walk. No, it was a long ass distant walk. This marked the first time in my life that I had ever walked that distance. I'm proud to say I put my running shoes to good use.

My beast at the back with no petrol. Had to run to a meeting :)

  Meetings with sponsors went well, they loved our presentation. So we are still in the process of sorting out the venue and receiving approval.

My pregnant sisters at this time of their pregnancy were the bosses at home. They were running the show and we couldn't tell them any different because of "the fragile state" they were in. I mean, these ladies sucked pregnancy for all it had. Coupled with financial problems at home and the event not succeeding, it became too much and my body felt it.

So in the middle of it all I decided to meditate daily in prayer and read the bible. I remember I took out my "husband to be" list of what he has to look like and the characters I wanted him to have as a friend, lover, husband, father, leader and businessman. *I know it's weird for me to take out a "husband to be list" in the middle of what I was going through but it was the only escape I had for a future I was hoping for.* I read it and tore it into pieces. Not because I was angry or anything but it was because while I was meditating, I realized that while it is a good thing to write down a list of the kind of person you want, it wasn't a good thing to live for it. By living for it I mean focusing your eyes on the man of your list and not letting God do His part. He heard you when you told him your list but you have to trust that He will send you the right person and be open to know that that person might not be everything you want from your list. 


So I started to focus on working on myself, reading inspirational stories of women in the bible like Rebekah, Ruth and the Proverbs 31 noble woman whom I aspire to be. I started to follow Meagan Good and her husband Devon Franklin as they mirrored the road I have chosen to take and their journey has given me great courage to trust in God and to let go. I have heard that their book "The Wait" is worth every penny especially if you waiting on God. I am yet to read this book. (Should you feel the need to buy it for me. I will not say no (hahaha) unless if you have alterior motives then stop right there). Jokes aside though, from the previews I've read online, the Instagram images of the book and watching videos of the couple. I recommend this book to everyone who is celibate and waiting on God.

I wanted (and still do want) to know and understand what it means to be a wife and what is required from me because many times we as women (some of us) want to be a wife but yet we do not understand what it means to be a wife. I also wanted to understand what a husband is and what role he plays. I associated myself more with the Proverbs 31 woman because she isn't just a wife and a mother. She is also a business woman who works late till the night and wakes up early to feed her family, a woman who is wise and noble, sews clothes for her family, gives to the less fortunate but importantly. Her worth is far more than rubies.

In this period of praying, meditating and hustling. I felt like I was in the doctor's waiting room, waiting to hear any news or word from God because at that point; nothing seemed to be functional in my life. It is still, quiet and dark in this room. I don't know if I'm going or staying, if I'm doing the right thing or not and if I should go right or left. In the middle of all this I receive a call that my keys are ready for collection for an apartment I applied for last year. This came as a shock because I'm in no space to add on to my responsibilities. So I decide to rent it out. It makes perfect sense to do so. I remember the day I went to see the final product, collect keys and clean it. I fell in love with the place. A blessing. When I was down to nothing, God was up to something and it was just perfect. Beautiful, just for me and just like Abraham and Jacob when God gave them land. I named my apartment "God Has Blessed" because he gave me this apartment when I had nothing and didn't do anything to see it through. I had actually forgotten that I had applied for it.

I looked for tenants but no one could occupy the space and I was running out of time as the first payment was coming up. And just like that, God worked another miracle. The UIF money came. When I was minus a lot of money in my bank account, people calling for their money every single hour of each day. When I had not even a cent to my name and had given up on the UIF money. God opened up heaven and had mercy on me. I paid all my debts, the calls stopped, I could help my family and myself, my car was serviced and had petrol. At my lowest, my God showed Himself.

I'm happy to say that my family is closer than ever. I have 2 more nephews to add to the list (which makes it 3 in total. For now). A miracle for my older sister because she just had her first baby at 35. I remember my Aunt told me that you're never late. God's timing and the world's timing are 2 different things. She also told me that when I'm in the waiting room, when its dark and all windows and doors are closed. When there is no sound and you can't hear The Lord's voice. To keep on waiting, trusting, taking everything to God in thanksgiving and to never loose faith and hope. That He will finally speak, and when that moment came. What a glorious thing it will be.

So although things are unfolding slowly, I'm still in this journey with God. I'm now freelancing with hope that this is only the beginning of greater things to come. God has more in store for me. I'm in a position where I can help others by sharing my journey with them and encouraging them. I haven't met someone yet but I trust God's timing. Until then, I will enjoy and delight in what He has blessed  me with.

What I take from this lesson is this: Never run away or fear the journey. Even when it feels like you are walking through the shadow of death,  He is with you. When you have no thanksgiving or worship words. Thank you is enough. It may not feel like it is, but it is enough. Make sure you talk to people, that you are surrounded by people who love and support you and not crash you down. I am very grateful to everyone who stood by me on this journey because when I only had "thank you Jesus" come out of my mouth and nothing else. They stood by me in prayer, praying for me and I wouldn't have made it without them

So I'm still in the waiting room but a window is open. I see my surroundings, I hear children laughing, opportunities arising. I feel the sun on my face and I'm filled with joy. This journey hasn't ended yet but I have hope for things to come.

RETRENCHED... NOW WHAT? - THE BEGINNING

The first truth you need to know is this, it gets better with time.

Hear me out.

Thing is, I have been in this situation before so I know it gets better with time. I started with this post last year a few days after I was retrenched. I wanted to capture every emotion I felt and motivate myself for the road ahead.

The first time I was retrenched was in 2012. I volunteered to be retrenched. Why? I wasn't learning, growing nor being developed to enhance my skills and creativity. I thought to myself, "I'm better learning and growing than being stagnant".  So I left the "comfortable" (the salary) without any plans. I mean I had no plans at all. All I knew was that I was meant for bigger things and should I have stayed for comfort-ability sake, I would have never known nor discovered the greatness within me. So I took the risk.

Now, I don't encourage people to leave their jobs for self-discovery without plans. Especially if you have responsibilities such as family, children, debt and such. When I left the company I was 24 years old without any responsibility. No family of my own, no children, no debts. That's why I could afford to take the risk.

Three years later I'm retrenched, again. This time I didn't choose it, which makes it more difficult to accept as I never expected it. I didn't volunteer for it, it just happened. What is more difficult this time around is that I have much more responsibilities to care for than before.

So now what do I do!

Some people might look at me being retrenched the second time around as my fault. Call it karma, for choosing it the first time. Truth is, you can never protect yourself from retrenchment and the decision of the first retrenchment has nothing to do with what happened the second time around.

In the midst of all the emotions I went through, I couldn't post anything on my blog because I didn't have any wise, encouraging words to write. I was in a horrible, dark place mounted by responsibilities that I couldn't handle. How did I survive it?

Here's the story, here's my journey of the past 3 months.

I was called in the MD's office for a meeting they had scheduled. Before this, they had prepared us for the worst that "could" happen and I thought I had myself ready for whatever would come. Little did I know, how unprepared I was for the journey ahead. So I walked into the office with confidence. My hair game was on fleek, so was my dress, heels, make-up and even my walk. I'm talking everything about me being on fleek, including my emotions (yass).

 A few minutes later after the pleasantries I was told I was retrenched. This wasn't hard to take in as I had prepared myself for whatever would come. Now don't go thinking that I had myself prepared for retrenchment because I "must've" failed at my work responsibilities. I mean, that's the main reason people get retrenched, right?

Wrong! I had prepared myself as I had had an unsettling feeling about how everything was unfolding. I knew everything about me and my work was on point but I couldn't shake the feeling off that I was going to be retrenched. You might say "God" was preparing me for it. Hence the confidence. People think that when you serve The Almighty Lord, that life is a bed or roses but that's not even close to the truth, and yet again that's a topic for another time :). Let's stay focused on this topic at hand.

So after the meeting with the MD,  I went back to the office, gathered my colleagues around and broke down the news to them before hearsay had a chance to spread the word. I then got on the phone and told my loved ones. My family was shocked and overwhelmed by the news. It was a bit too much for them to handle as I was the only breadwinner at home at the time. (Little did I know how that would change, for the better of course). So on the last day of work, I didn't say my goodbyes to clients and suppliers. Mainly because I'm horrible at goodbyes. They are sad and dramatic (hahaha) but I also knew that they would be in great hands and that everything would be taken care of.

I walked out the office with my head and hopes up. It was the beginning of greater things (coupled with bumps here and there) but I didn't want to focus on the negative. Little did I know that I required more faith and hope for what was to come.

See apart from being retrenched, I went through an all rounder heartache. I lost a friend who committed suicide because of depression. My then boyfriend and I went our separate ways. I moved back to my Mother's house which is something I hadn't done in years - the longest I had been home was a week. The money I received from my employer wasn't enough to last me, which meant that my debts and responsibilities costed me two arms and all legs to keep up with every month. 2 of my siblings became unemployed (retrenched too) and my only sibling who had a job, was pregnant. At this point in time, all of my Mother's children were home, under 1 roof with less money that could support all of us. It wasn't a weekend thing that we do once a month (be together at my Mother's house). It was all of us, together, longer than a week with all our tempers and characters. No amount of preparation could assist me in what was to come.

I remember when I arrived home, I even took a picture. That's then reality hit. It felt like it was over before it began. Like I had gone all the way back to start afresh and as much as that sounds exciting now, it didn't then. It was terrifying, overwhelming and scary but I wanted to capture that moment as a reminder to myself of the journey ahead. As a reminder of where I was and what God and I would accomplished along the way.

With all the emotions I went through, the one thing I didn't want to do was to drown in those emotions and let them deter me from where I was going and the plans I had for my future. I took out the 3 papers from my bag and put them where they belong, on the wall. I then gathered my business partners to motivate and give them a vision. I did as much as I could to get their mentality shifted from poverty to riches, from weakness to strength and from nothing to something. So we started by exploring our surroundings (mentally and physically) to see what profit we could make out of it. We made a tropical bar that we decided to use for our very first tropical event. I even had my nephew join in on the fun. Start them young hey (hahaha). He had fun though :)

It all started out great, my business partners and I accomplished and learned many things in the process. We excelled, we were strong, a team, one unit. We secured an artist, killed our marketing and got everyone talking about the event. I believed in it so much so that I used my retrenchment money to support the event. Big learning mistake that was. See what happened was our event was cancelled on the day of the event.

That day in particular wasn't just the day we were to make history, that was also my birthday.

The pain of the "loss/failure" was too much that I cried a lot, and that's history for me because I don't like crying. It makes your eyes red, gives you a headache and I'm not for that. It's too much honey, too much but on that day. It was like a waterfall, I couldn't stop nor control the tears.The disappointment tore me to pieces. I couldn't smile, I wasn't happy nor excited about anything. It was the saddest birthday I've had so far.

The good side of it is that it taught me my first business lesson; research goes a long way. Not just any research, proper well done research. The one that covers everything, even things you don't think are important. During the planning of the event I had prayed, my mind was focused on it and all I wanted to hear from everyone involved in the project was positive things only. Heck, even my finances were focused on this event but one thing I didn't do right, costed me everything. It took me all the way back to the ground, on the floor, crying. I remember my business partners put an apology poster on our social media to inform people that the event was cancelled. I hated that poster from that day because I felt like I had failed my team and I.

The next coming days were dark. I lost weight, I couldn't be positive. I couldn't motivate anyone, my negativity rubbed off on my business partners and family members, not because I wanted everyone to feel what I felt. It was because I couldn't manage nor control how I felt. I'm not saying I was too much to be around. I just wasn't positive.

BURN THE FLOOR: FIRE IN THE BALLROOM...

Get ready to rock to sizzling production of Burn the Floor.

Before there was Dirty Dancing… Before there was Saturday Night Fever… Before ballroom dancing became cool with reality TV… There was the real deal - the dancers tearing up the dance floor, in an “international style” competition since 1920.

International style competitions involve five Latin American dances and five classic ballroom dances. From this competition came a theatre production so fabulous, so hot that it’s called Burn the Floor. Only the fanciest foot moves and tidiest twirls make it on this stage … and they’re coming soon to South African stages. The countdown is well and truly on – Burn the Floor: Fire in the Ballroom starts its South African run at the State Theatre next month.

The original concept of the theatrical dance production grew from an electric display of ballroom and Latin dancing at Sir Elton John's 50th birthday party in 1997. It was there that the ballroom dance world was opened up to producer Harley Medcalf .His first edition of Burn the Floor was launched in 1999 and revolutionised the image of dance.

By 2016, it has evolved, and the new South African run of Burn the Floor: Fire in the Ballroom has a theatrical rock angle. Think Santana, Janis Joplin, Christina Aguilera and Led Zeppelin. There are no Tiny Dancers here. It’s something about the way you look tonight. It’s hauling out your blue moves. Described as “gloriously sinful” it promises to put dance competitions as you know them to shame.

Catch it at the below theatres:

The Opera Theatre of The South African State Theatre in Pretoria from April 27th to May 15th; 

The Baxter Theatre at the Baxter Theatre Centre in Cape Town from May 19th to June 5th; and 

The iZulu Theatre at the Sibaya Casino in Durban from June 8th to 19th.

Choreographed and directed by long-time Australian Latin champion Peta Roby, the international cast of dance champions includes the sensational South Africans, Johannes Radebe and Kylee Brown.

Born and talent nurtured in South Africa, Johannes Radebe started dancing at the age of 7. He is the current reigning South African National Ballroom and Latin American Champion and is a season dance trainer for the TV production Strictly Come Dancing SA. Johannes recently became a very recognisable figure in South Africa when he and his celebrity partner, Capetonian Leigh-Anne Williams, were the runners-up in the 2015 season of the TV show.

Kylee Brown was born in Pretoria and started dancing at the age of 8. Kylee is the undefeated WDC South Africa Under 21 Latin Champion. In 2011 she won the Under 21 WDC World Latin Championships and the highlight of her dancing career to date was winning the Under 21 Open British Latin Championship in Blackpool in 2012.

Burn The Floor: Fire in The Ballroom is brought to South Africa in 2016 by Dance Partner Productions, in association with The South African State Theatre and Bernard Jay. Step lively if you want to see it - tickets for the South African tour in 2016 are now on sale at Computicket.

Tickets are now on sale at Computicket, visit www.computicket.com.

Follow the tour on facebook   Burn the Floor SA Tour : Fire in the Ballroom / twitter @OfficiaBTF #burnthefloorsa