Bruce is Caitlyn now! Call me Phetogo.

Can anyone explain to me how they feel when they have been given a coat to wear in the cold when it’s not their size? Is comfort what you enjoy most because it’s the buffer against the cold has been provided? Is the discomfort so intense because of the wrong size? How do you measure the imbalance? Or is that not important because you wear this coat to protect you against the cold.

About a week ago I went out for a chill session with one of my ladies. And this is someone who takes great pride in expressing her roots and revisiting her cultures thought the most uncommon yet mattering mediums. I always find myself intimidated by her true sense of authenticity. Her being able to not just say: what makes her African, but the pride she carries in being a township African child. (being African has nothing to do with the shade of yours skin color) . Rhandzu is her name.

As an emerging fashion designer that wants to establish their own brand, it has been such a challenge to come up with something that signifies individuality, style and inspiration. These are three elements that strongly upholds the brand. I remember at some point in my live I had decided to call it Givado (Give-Ado..) which means to create a big fuss. I have been called Givado for many years and it stuck with me. It’s the coat that has been given to me to wear and I have become comfortable because its embraced. No one really knows how much I despise that name. I carries no essence. The sound of another pretty gay name that creeps me out., It carries overrated western/German elements. But it’s a name I’m known by. There is An African proverb that says “ A men should feel home with their own name only then will they confidently express their Identity”(Remember that I’m African I came up with that tacky line. hahaha) But that is how I feel when Im called Givado!

Then there is my birth name Gift, such a powerful name (for obvious reasons). I love the name but it’s not helping me in any way. Could it be because it’s English? People struggle to distinguish whether Gift is coloured or Black. Gift himself is in the process of finding his identity within Africa( a Setswana young men who cant speak a word of it).

Rhandzu and I taking a walk in Standford Valley

 My friend Rhandzu reminded me why the name Gift has no taboo in it, I love taboo, taboo is what all have and some fear to express. Gift is plain, becoming lame somehow. And I know I am not lame hahaha.

Wait a minute!!! I have been blessed with two very beautiful (so the Setwanas say),difficult to pronounce, trought-cleaning Setwana names. Phetogo, my second name(Change) and Kgakagamatso , my third name(Miraculous) . Why not Phetogo? My growth has been evident, both personally and in my career. More liberating things and activities has become important to me. I know I am repulsed listening to songs that requires

Cafe Majito in Cape Town after a long chat,dance and drinks.

me to bang my head like a rebellious American teen. I can’t stand all this new modern saves tendencies( African young people acting like tourist from MTV in South Africa). Oh well. My growth is really personal and it had disturbed for so many years that English and Afrikaans is all I speak, well and a little bit of Isixhosa(One has no choice but to learn that I Cape town).

I decided to make myself known as Phetogo. Bruce Jenner is now Caitlyn right? (He is just my favourite fab lady now) Phetogo means change, change brings growth right? The birth of something new? Different? Individualistic and inspired but the journey of finding my true self and my authentic African identity?

Rhandzu blessed my clothing label with this name, my name Phetogo. I love it an am very excited to launch an online clothing page.

Will read his again someday Rhandzz and go ‘oh well,thanks “