Originally from the Eastern Cape, Bongeka Qhanga moved to Khayelitsha, Cape Town as a child. She trained at the Shala Cape Town School of yoga and obtained her RYT200 in Yoga teaching in 2021 and is currently obtaining her RYT300 yoga teaching certificate. She is a part-time Yoga instructor at the Bridges for Music in Langa. Recently she partnered with Ikeja Wireless to bring yoga to the most vulnerable children in the townships and Cape Flats. This initiative is called #yogafridays which aims to provide a safe space for children to learn mindfulness-based tools. Bongeka also has a small business called Ubukho Institute, which is the umbrella organisation for her offerings. She obtained a diploma in Music Performance at UCT in 2014.
Born Aphiwe Menziwa, Qhama Musiq is a multi-talented artist from Khayelitsha, Cape Town, who has made a name for himself as a singer, songwriter, actor, and more. With a passion for creative expression and community development, Qhama Musiq is a true polymath, using his talents to inspire and uplift those around him. As a performer, Qhama Musiq has captivated audiences across South Africa with his dynamic stage presence. He has acted in notable productions like "King Kong: The Musical" and "Passage," showcasing his impressive acting range. His music is a melodic narrative, blending genres and narratives that mirror the cultural richness of his roots.
Bongeka and Aphiwe founded the Khayelitsha based NPO Thembisa Ratanga. Thembisa Ratanga is situated in the informal settlements of TR section. The organisation offers “a safe space in a not-so-safe place” for kids and neighbours from the neighbourhood. Using education, art and sport as tools for community development and self-empowerment. Their current space of operation has been dubbed “a Waterfront in the township” where they host a variety of programmatic activities including yoga for kids, live music and poetry sessions.
We recorded this Episode with Bongeka and Aphiwe at Thembisa Ratanga. It is at once hope-filled, a time to breathe and a timely reminder to be comfortable within ourselves in a troubled world. We speak about their spirituality, yoga and what brings them hope. A key theme that continues to flow through our conversations this season is the idea of coming home to ourselves, and this time with a particular focus on coming home to our bodies. This is not in juxtaposition to our question of the season about changing systems but rather part and parcel of answering that question.
Follow Bongeka’s work via the Ubukho Institute Instagram page
Follow Aphiwe, or Qhama Musiq on his Instagram page
Follow Thembisa Ratanga via their social pages: Facebook, Instagram. They are currently fundraising towards expanding the dream and operations of Thembisa Ratanga. If you are able, please consider contributing towards the rehumanising work they are doing beautiful by donating via Backabuddy or PayPal.
The music in this episode is composed and arranged by Rashid Epstein Adams / Arkenstone, and Qhama Musiq.
