She Wears Shwe shwe

Blue on White

  I popped into my favourite shwe shwe shop this week just to see if there was something new that  I needed to adopt  and bring home and there was something very exciting and very new.

A  new summer range of  blue print on white - the reverse of the normal white print on blue.  I tried to contain myself and not squeal too loudly with delight.

These patterns are so fresh and pretty, and perfect for new summer colours. I think they will make the loveliest kiddies dresses - will have to warn my niece that is about to get a dress foist upon her again soon.

In the first picture is the traditional blue next to the new white pattern.  And the second picture is a very dainty circle pattern. 

We had a community meeting last night with tables highlighting all the various activities happening in our area and we used all these new pieces as table cloths on the tables. We used some red shwe shwe for the catering table and the cloths made such a lovley impact in the otherwise drab hall.

Parading in the Park

Through this blog and nudging myself to go up and speak to people who are wearing shwe shwe I have made a few friends in the suburb that I live in.

 People who I normally would not have conversed with, who now smile and wave as we pass.

One of them is a lady  I often see in the local park whom I photographed years ago when I started She Wears Shwe Shwe. 

 

 I had my camera with me with week taking pictures for a meeting with City Parks when she walked past and waved, so I took a quick shot of her as she walked through the park.

Inspiration

The last few weeks have made me less enthusiastic about people in general. Somehow this has made me more enthusiastic about people in my life who mean something, as those  on the periphery who mean less to me sadden and disappoint.

On Saturday I went to the Prize Giving function for the Alexander Education Committee, a public benefit organisation that my Father in law is the director of and I was so touched and so inspired by the amazing work that this organisation does.  In providing a better education and support for motivated students they have changed the lives of so many children. 

The speeches that the pupils gave were heart warming and life affirming. 

I was tasked with taking some photographs and after the event met the parents of one of the Matric pupils, who made a wonderful speech and walked off with many trophies.  His parents were there and were as proud as any two people could possibly be. The mother was dressed in a beautiful shwe shwe dress and head scarf, and after I took a few group pictures of her and her son, and the other matric pupils who performed so well she let me take a picture of just her in her dress. 

I think she was feeling extremely gratefully and emotional and surprised at my discussion of shwe shwe all in one, because when I spoke to her about her dress she offered to give it to me, but  I pointed out that  she should keep  it to remind her of the special day and that I had enough shwe shwe of my own hanging in my cupboard.

How lovely to be inspired again by amazing people changing lives in quiet, but huge ways.