• The African girl child as  discussed in my previous post is faced with issues of race, gender and power. These issues are at the forefront of what my dissertation will look to address. Race dealing with colonisation and the African aesthetic, gender dealing with traditional African gender roles and the representation of these within an African feminist narrative, lastly I will look at the aspect of powerlessness that the African girl child experiences within a society that is in favour of patriarchy and how the proposed centre can empower her on her journey to becoming an African woman.


    Speaking of race and aesthetics, I  found this interesting video of Panashe Chigumadzi talking on new self-identity for Africans.  Worth a watch!





    From The TEDx Johannesburg, TEDX Talks you tube page:

    Panashe Chigumadzi makes the case that stereotypes can be frustratingly hard to shake off, sometimes even for the very people they victimise. Africans especially, suffer from a 300 year old negative colonial narrative that has shaped not only how the world sees them, but in many ways also how they see themselves. 


  • The following info-graphic is one that will be added on to as the year progresses. The graphic illustrates who the African girl child is and what factors affect her and ultimately the design of the African Girl Child centre.



  • It's March 2015 and this is my first post.

    I've been a little consumed with getting to grips with my Masters year in Interior Architecture. Now that I feel like I have a grip, albeit a little uncertain,  I can finally share.

    My project for this year takes on a more Afro-centric approach, seeking to represent Africanism .
    My specific focus is on the African girl child who is considered to be at loss and at a lesser standing in society.

    This proposal was initiated due to the realisation that there are various organisations catering to the
    African girl child but there is no single place for the organisations to converge and network.
    The study proposal will look to identify the African girl child, who she is, and her traditional roles and how these traditional can be redefined and how she can be empowered.

    Empowerment can be given in a variety of ways; this proposal seeks to look at how Interior design can act as an agent in the design of an environment that empowers the African girl child. Empowerment is the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights.

    The chosen site for intervention is the Old Pretoria Fire Station on the corner of Bosman and Minaar
    Street. Following are some images of the chosen site.





  • The benefits of studying away from home is that you get to physically go to another place for a holiday, a big change from the past few years of studying and living at home.

    So, here's to tea catch-up dates, reading to my heart's content and listening to endless family stories of all the things that happened when I was away.

    It's so good to be home.

  • Currently working on a project that I'm looking at greening internally in a new, unusual way. The "greening" is to be educational and something that the visitors to my Biomimicry Discovery Centre can make. Currently loving these potless gardens which are inspired by Kokedama (moss ball).



    More at here


  • I sincerely hope I am not the only one who feels this way but of late the weeknds seem to be so short and somehow just merge into my Friday and Monday,e specialy on weekends that I have to work through.
    I'd like to say it gets better but I have heard stories...that is all I can say.


    Enjoy what is left of it.
    xo

  • So it's February 2014 and I am realising that I have not blogged since November 2013. Between all that time I finished my BTech Interior Design at NMMU, went on a lengthy holiday to Tanzania with the family, moved to Pretoria and started studying honours in Interior Architecture.

    It's taking a lot of adjusting but slowly AND surely I will adjust. Taking it all as an adventure (especially when the trusty GPS leads you the wrong way into a one way).
    Grateful for the opportunity to further my studies, expand on knowledge and fall inlove with design a little more each day.

    Here's to a new city, new university, basically new everything.

    xo







  • Loving the emotional quality that comes through these gesture images.






  • Finding myself more and more fascinated by geometric patterns. Here are some images that I'm loving that have made use of geometric patterns be it literal or as inspiration.








    Click on the images to direct you to their sources.


  • Friday evening mellow music love. Something to keep the morale high.

  • Some Biffy Clyro to get Monday started :)



  • Came across this chair while trawling the interweb.
    Love the shape and the nesting feature it has for the stools.

    Oh design, how I love thee.




  • In about 35days 13hours 11minutes and 30 seconds it will be my final design exam.

    Shortly after I present I will be found doing this:


  • Looking at interesting ways and planters that will help to bring a little more greenery into my designed spaces.
    Stumbled across these cuties, thought I would share.







  • Been looking at inspiration for my twin niece and nephews room redecoration mini- project and came across this image. I find the colours used in the image to be quite feminine without making us of the typical bright pinks, red and yellows.





  • For the morning tea and coffee lovers



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