Journal

Dear Me: Victoria Latu

This month we shine light on the uber talented Victoria Latu mother, friend, fierce business woman + curator of the Talking shop blog.We’re inspired by Vic’s tenacious spirit and work ethic, its super refreshing to be surrounded by like minded women who are determined to make a difference + are all for supporting other women. Kick back, pour yourself a glass of bubbly + take a peak at what 35 year old Victoria would say to her 17 year old younger self. 

Dear 17 year old Vic,

You are enough.

Everything you are going through at the moment will pass. Just as everything in life passes, good and bad. The only constant is change. Don’t let that scare you, just learn to enjoy the ride.

Being born and growing up in post communist Russia as the only black girl for towns, meant that you felt like you didn't fit in. But what I find remarkable is that even at that young age, you never had the need or desire to. It’s almost like you naturally liked being different, in fact you didn’t mind the attention one bit. You might have wondered why your hair constantly curled regardless of how many times you brushed those curls out, but it was more of a sense of curiosity, never with a sense of less than. 

And, when you finally moved to Nigeria to live with your dad, you realised that people didn’t consider you black enough. This hurt you and frankly pissed you off more than anything, but you just kept it moving never trying to be anything other than yourself.

You have always been a confident girl. I’m not sure if it was always a real confidence or it was a fake it till you make it situation but now it is intrinsically part of you and I can’t tell the difference. And that’s all that matters. 

I just wanted to say a big, big thank you to the girl you were and all those seemingly little but in retrospect big experiences that you went through and came out the other side stronger and more resilient. Thank you younger me for sticking it out and persevering, never giving up on us.

Thank you, for without you there wouldn’t be this me today.

Love always,

35 year old Victoria. 

 

Dear Me: Sampa The Great

This month we shine light on the uber talented Sampa Tembo aka Sampa The Great, poet + singer-song writer. We admire that she is a voice to so many women with songs like FEMALE + Black Girl Magic. She’s a talented force and we’re in awe of how she uses music to promote social + political empowerment. Kick back, pour yourself a glass of bubbly + take a peak at what 24 year old Sampa would say to her 9 year old younger self. 

Sampa,

They will come a time when you will have to define your own womanhood. 

You being strong and soft.  

You being beautiful and black.

You being smart and funny.

May become a little confusing to some. 

I understand this will make you uncomfortable and you may want to conform for comfort. 

But consider this for a minute,

Perhaps it is that very same deep voice, unlike the high “angelic” voices of your classmates.  That might be the perfect tone to perform poetry and capture the mind and hearts of many. 

Consider that it may be that middle kid syndrome that would drive you to begin the journey to discover what makes you. You ! 

Believe me, there’s only one like you. 

Even when the doors are shut, I hope you will think of this as a redirection in your journey rather than a roadblock. 

You’ll want to give up most times.  Unfortunately you will have to work twice as hard because of who you are. 

I need your belief in yourself to be outrageous!

I need your dream to not have to make sense to anyone but you. I need you to visualise. 

Visualise yourself where you are supposed to be as the first step to manifest this into reality. 

In this picture you were not afraid to show your strength, infact you considered it your woman power. 

Do not let anyone convince you to dim your power to fit in to what is “womanly”. 

Remember, you will have to define this womanhood for yourself. 

I believe in you Sampa. I trust in your dreams and I love you unconditionally.

Be sure to dance off to any negativity and hate that happens to float your way. 

After all, I have a feeling you will be great. 

Love Sampa, 

Dear Me: Kwena Baloyi

To kick start our series we shine light on the uber talented Kwena Baloyi- style therapist + culture curator and all round fashion icon in the making.  Kick back, pour yourself a glass of bubbly + take a peak at what 29 year old Kwena would say to her 17 year old younger self. 

 

Dear 17 year old Kwena, 

You are a brave lady and I congratulate you for being strong at a very young age. It was not easy but you didn't let the circumstances make you fail but instead you used it for the good and for winning in life. As a young woman you needed someone to talk to, someone to listen to you, I thank you for going out to find it because it was not there at home. I just love and appreciate how you never let what was happening or going on at home stop you from doing well + succeeding in life. 

It was definitely hard to grow up so fast but it's doing the most right now for me the 29 year old Kwena, you laid a great foundation and I'll always be grateful. You saw that no one will get you where you need to, you realised that at a very early age and rose against it all, against all the negativity. You saw beyond your circumstances and didn’t blame anyone for what was happening in your life but focused on building a strong foundation and you always believed it was possible. 

As hard as it was, I’d like to thank you for learning how to forgive those around you at such an early age, you learnt how to build walls against what was not building you, for that I love you! You’re a fighter and you always saw good in others, you did well for others even when nobody was doing a thing for you. You’re a pure heart that did for others without any expectations, it’s what’s gotten you here to the great 29 year old Kwena. Because of you, 29 year old Kwena is a game changer and I’m thankful that you snatched up opportunities, you went for it, you are unapologetic and because of you that’s why i'll never allow failure to have a seat at my table.

You used to play with the kids from the neighbourhood, telling them stories, taking them under your wing-looking after them and at that time you didn't know you were laying a foundation to an empire of leadership the 29yrs old me is building now. Ohhh and knowing that without confidence you have no say, that was the best thing you did for us and now I’m here helping fellow kweens to see the value of confidence + self esteem + how that’s needed for survival.

Thank you for being the best, I'm happy and proud of the choices you made, you being your real self, giving people you, being proud of where you’re from and who you are, forever telling your stories of how you survived. Even if people thought why would you share such shameful stories, you knew they were keys to the best life could offer, and also they’ll help others know they’re not alone.

You’re truly a gem and I always say I'll go back to you any time, because you did the most for this 29 year old to be where she is. I'm forever grateful, you are enough and well done.

29 year old me, 

Kwena x 

 

Dear Me: Letters to my younger self from inspiring women

As many of you already know, our latest collection Mpenzi Wangu or Dear Me is inspired by the way in which our past's shape our personal evolution. We decided to delve a little deeper and ask some of our favourite women to take part in a 5 part series titled Dear Me: Letters to my younger self from inspiring woman. In this series we highlight several woman we consider part of our sisterhood to write a letter to their younger self. 

In this collection we ask our sisterhood- and YES this includes YOU, to take a moment to look in the rear view mirror and reconnect with a time when things weren't so certain and there were more questions than answers? We ask our sisterhood to dive within and engage in a personal dialogue. How wonderful it is to reflect on our journey. Did you always believe you'd make it here? Are you there yet? What challenges have you waded through to make it to the horizon? 
Would you pass on that relationship? Say yes to that opportunity? Should you have been kinder to yourself?