Jamaica50 Celebrations

August 12, 2012 by Kiki

While our beloved President Jacob Zuma and Nigerian President visited Jamaica to celebrate Jamaica’s 50years of Freedom, the Jamaicans in South Africa were not to be left out. I remember soon after I got the invite my mind went spinning back n forth as I was trying to figure out who I was going to take with me since ‘MR’ was going to be at work. I needed someone close to me but at the same time it had to be someone that would really enjoy the Jamaican feel, its people, the Reggae Music and the Jamaican food. Then my gal Lela came to mind because she was all Rasta at some point and also her crush was going to be there so I thought, let me make her dream come true. Lol

So last Monday off we went to the official residence of Jamaica in Pretoria where we were entertained the Jamaican style. This was not one of those common celebrity filled events. Actually there were only 2 or 3 SA famous faces that I saw. It was very exclusive, mostly filled with Jamaicans and Diplomats. It was more like a lunch amongst a group of friends & family or should I rather call it a family cookout.

Those who do not know, Jamaica was the first country to get behind South Africa in fighting against the apartheid system. Which makes sense why Msholozi took it upon himself to travel to Jamaica to represent SA at the celebrations. Jamaican’s High Commissioner to South Africa Mrs Norma Taylor Roberts and also SA’s Trade Minister both gave speeches about how important that particular day was/is to both Jamaica and South Africa’s relationship. We also had to sing National Anthems of both countries. Including the ‘unofficial’ Jamaican National Anthem, One Love.

After all the formalities and the important stuff, it was time to eat, socialize and dance. Having had the opportunity to party more than once in both countries I’d say when it comes to having fun South Africans & Jamaicans are twins.

The food was amazing. It was real Jamaican food prepared by Jamaican chefs that flew to SA for that particular event. From Rice and Peas, Jamaican Patty, Green Boiled Banana, Bammy, Dumplings, Jerk Chicken, Callaloo, Ackee Saltfish to deserts like Gizzada, Rum Cake you name it, it was all there. *side eyes* Lela for almost giving some of us a heart attack by asking if she can dilute her Oros at home using Coconut Water? I’m still in shock.

Here are a few pictures that I took. Just sharing my experience with you guys.

The guys at the gate playing some music to welcome the guests.

Her Excellency Mrs Norma Taylor-Roberts. (Jamaica’s High Commissioner)

Shorna Kay with Jamaica’s High Commissioner to Benin.

Jamaica 50 Ambassador Stevel Marc. Who also gave a goodbye gift to Shorna Kay courtesy of Blackberry for the amazing work that she had done.

One of the coolest guys that I’ve ever met has to be Gugu Zulu.

Tryphene (in a jumpsuit) who chose to come and celebrate in SA than Jamaica. She said she will be heading back to JA in September.

I also spotted Andy the Admiral. Do you remember him from The Phat Joe Show? He had a slot on Y with Jah Seed where they played some Ragga tunes. I’m not sure if they are still on air. I stopped listening to Yfm donkeys years ago.

Lady in black is Hewitt Wilhel, she is based in Pietermaritzburg. I am telling you, two minutes around her and you have an Aunt. Such an amazing and crazy woman.

Stevel Marc with the HOT Portia.

I don’t know this guy’s name but I think his tie was so cool. He said he bought it in Kingston. You know when you have a looong chat with someone and you realize after you’ve parted that you don’t even know their name? Yep! That’s what happened with him.

And then Lela said after spending the entire afternoon in the company of her crush, she still needed her destiny to be fulfilled by taking
a pic with him. She promised me her 2kids and all her shoes for making her day. I am still waiting. Lol

Here is a picture of me too.

My plate of food.

I had to take a pic of this cute lil gal. So nunus

We really had a great day. The weather was very friendly too. Happy Independence Day Jamaica. The Jamaican athletes did very well at the Olympics in London too, what a way to seal that Freedom.

By Kiki Marli

So uLela spent the whole day in the presence of Stevel, breathing the same air that he was breathing and even got to take a picture? I’m besides myself with jealousy! I’ve got that man on my bbm (the fan what what) I never chat to him though, his hotness makes me nervous. all I do is zoom in on his display pictures.

It looks like it was a lovely day indeed. that boiled green banana though, imnandi?

I’m almost embarrassed to ask but Kiki, why can’t Lela dilute her Oros with coconut water? We’re on the same page here Lela.

lorrelai on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 2:41 am

Whuuu the Jamaican athletes bayaphapha shem, but I love that they can back ukuphapha kwabo up. Those guys are machines! They killed that relay…. I’ve never seen anything like that before.

Uthando on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 3:07 am

Seriously Kiki I like your style of writing, I actually picture the whole thng and I get a very clear picture. Keep u the good work Ms, pls note that I luv your shoes kakhulu.

Lol at Lela tltltltltltltltltltl.

I luv Stevel’s website iyaphila shame

soul sista on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 4:38 am

Nothing beats a man in a well tailored suit hotness indeed!

@Kiki & Lela you were beautiful too ladies.

Miranda on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 4:54 am

@Lela, Izinwele zakho zinhle sisi,on the real,what do they call it. I am cutting my hair in 6-8 weeks…What do I say when I get to the salon??

bongi on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 6:21 am

I’m blogging from the phone, but after reading i got a clear pic, kinda felt like i was there, strange i know…and i can only view the pics from my work pc…kiki yu r really good. I’m so emotional eish life nhe..

Monei on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 9:09 am

I am so curious abt the food. sounds like a great time was had! siyakubongela Lela, lol! bbut why is it so expensive to go to the caribean islands! why o why o why!!!!

Monei on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 9:10 am

@bongi, is it not ur duromines affecting u? i hope u’r eating properly now.

i’ve always wanted to go to jamaica, esp to learn how to dance like sean paul’s dancers.

Neria on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 9:17 am

Moment of silenece for Gugu Zulu…..Amen!

Neria on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 9:17 am

*Silence*

Mathaz on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 9:22 am

@Lela you really look beautiful hey…love the short hair.

Lela on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 9:58 am

Lorelai, apparently it’s some healthy water, good for ur heart and what not as per Stevovo. The only thing i loved about that water is sharing a glass with Stevel, the water tastes bad nje. So mina i thought i’d still get the health benefits but dilute it with oros.

Thanks for the complements guys, my hair is just plain short hair, i go to that guy lapha eskwatta camp n cut it for R20 n die it maself or i do all of that at some salon in Soweto for R50, so there isn’t really a name for it,lol.

Smatsatsa on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 10:21 am

Lela!!! You looked so radiant and happy!! … #Teamkatiembhedeni

Kiki on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 10:28 am

Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, this brought me out of silentville……… “The only thing i loved about that water is sharing a glass with Stevel”

#DoneWithMe Lela you’ve got it bad shem. SMH

Lela on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 11:15 am

Hahahahhahha Smatsatsa all ma friends say im glowing im sure this protein is really doing me good. Lol Bongi it’s true mos.

LadyMillion on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 11:29 am

Now im hungry! o’O

Lela on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 11:32 am

Hahahahhaha Kiki im telling u i thought i was dreaming when he said he doesnt mind my lipstick on his glass hehehehehe amaphupha ayafezekiswa yhazi!

Ntombi Yomzulu on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 11:51 am

Qina edolweni ntombazane@Lela heheheh, uthixo uyakuzewa ukukhala kwethu

sxylin on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 12:01 pm

hahahahaha @Lela beautiful indeed; love the short do! is it the new man thats responsible for the glow! hahahaha love the hair, colour suits you; bendizoqela nam’ ijerk chicken ave ndiyithanda!

sk1 on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 12:47 pm

Mara Kiki umrobhile uLela her foto ayibonakali kahle , i love her short her , wish i can cut mine too

sk1 on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 12:48 pm

tjo hair vs her …. aluta , b4 @sxylin gives ma a red pen …

chilled sweet lemonade on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 3:03 pm

hi kiki do you have Jamaican roots?

Cnglema on Mon, 13th Aug 2012 5:55 pm

finally there’s an article on JC that features ma biggest white crush ever-Andrew Kasrils!(crawls back to silentville with a smile) Lela nice hairdo iyeyepeni(cheap) injalo.

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Jamaica50 Celebrations

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