(UPBEAT MUSIC) # La, la-la, la, la, la, la, # la-la, la, la, la-la. # La, la-la, la, la-la. # Copyright Able 2017 (UPBEAT MUSIC) Vlogging, for me, is a fun and creative way of expressing myself. Anyone can vlog. You just have to find what you're passionate about and share it with the world. My name is Chanwyn Southgate, but you can call me VlogChanny. I am 22 years of age. I am a South African Kiwi, and I am proud to be mixed race. I've been vlogging for just over two years about my passion for dance, university life and my love for make-up. (REFLECTIVE MUSIC) Two years ago, I was crowned Miss Africa New Zealand. Winning Miss Africa ` you know, the crown's right here (CHUCKLES) ` it really changed my life. When I joined, I had nothing to do with the African community, but I threw myself into the deep end, and along the way I met some amazing people. When I handed over my title and my responsibilities, I felt like that was a big cut and a huge loss. I regret it now. I've ended up focusing more on my life and my career ` becoming a teacher ` and I've lost connections with all those beautiful African people. What I want to gain is reconnection with the community and kind of, like, my new position or my new place in the African community. I live with my mum, my dad and my two sisters. I came from South Africa when I was 6 years old. Hey, Dad. What's up? Just been feeling a little bit lonely and just been, like, super, like, isolated since Miss Africa. So what are you going to do now about that? I don't know, that's the thing. I don't know where I should start or how to start. What is it that young people like you do... Yeah. ...to communicate with people? I know you all use Facebook and Instagram. Yeah, I normally make vlogs and videos. So how can you use that to, in actual fact, just get in touch with the community again? Mm. Or have a bit of a culture feel or something. Maybe the videos being a bit more appealing to those people that you've made connections with... Mm-hm. ...to reconnect with them. Mm. My fear is what if people, like, especially the audience that I already have, are, like, culture-shocked? I'm not sure if people would watch it; that's what I'm saying. Cos I'm shifting dramatically from what I'm used to making. I think if you add something with the cultural effect, you will still keep your audience. And just explain to your audience that this is another side of you. Thanks for the advice. I feel like you've given me an insight into where I can take my first few steps. Mm-hm. (ELECTRONIC MUSIC) Hey, guys. It's VlogChanny here. I know that you guys normally see me make videos about make-up, but I thought I would do something different and explore my culture a little bit more. So I thought it'd be a good idea to sit down and answer a few questions. READS: What do you miss about South Africa? Well, first and foremost, my family, cos everyone lives there. I miss the music. And my favourite part about Cape Town is going to the markets on a Sunday morning near the beach, which is filled with music, food and dance. READS: What do you like about being a South African Kiwi? I feel as though you get the best of both worlds, but, living in New Zealand, you do get caught up in the Kiwi lifestyle and you can forget about your culture. And, actually, that is why I've decided to make a new series exploring my culture and trying to figure out what is happening with my African peeps. So if anybody wants to get involved, please hit me up on Facebook. (RELAXED MUSIC) OK, so I have some great news ` I have my first vlog interviewee. Her name is Jennifer, and she replied to my Facebook post. Jennifer will be an awesome person to talk to, because she's had a similar experience of feeling isolated when she went to university, and I know that she could help me and offer me some insights. Oh, hey! Hey, how are you? Good. That's good. Thanks for meeting me. Yeah! Coming through. (LAUGHS) All good. All good. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. There you go. Thanks. Thank you. Yeah, so the whole idea is kind of to use the vlog as a way to, like, reconnect back into the community. Right, OK. But, I mean, the query is whether or not people would watch it, kind of thing. Mm. So what do you reckon? Well, I think as long as you're keeping to your truth,... Mm-hm. ...things will be supported. Yeah. But I think, probably, the more pressing question ` Mm-hm. will the videos and vlogs that you're kind of posting... Would you be meeting with the people that you're posting it with? Mm. You know, cos while you're integrating into the community, you'll kind of also need to spread the word physically. Yeah, that's really good feedback. It's making me think about how I could, like, construct it together and put it together. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's a matter of taking that ` what you've built ` Yeah. and kind of pushing it out into the community physically. You're on to something, really. Yeah. (LAUGHS) So it's just a matter of... Yup. ...doing that, you know? So... (BOTH CHUCKLE) So, I was reaching out to you cos I had a few questions to ask you. It could be, like, the introduction to my new African vlog series. Why not? Let's do it. Yeah. Cool. I thought maybe, like, over here, cos the fairy lights are quite nice. OK. So, maybe the first question could be, like, have you ever felt disconnected from your culture or your community? Well, direct answer is yes, I have. What did it feel like ` that isolation? Very lonely. Lonely? Yeah. It's a very... You feel like you fit in here, but you don't. And then you feel like you don't fit in here, but you kinda do. I would also say that it's a learning experience. What would you say to someone like me that is trying to reconnect to the community? I think use all of those emotions and all of the things that you're feeling and all of that, take that away and out of your head,... Yup. ...and actually go out there and reconnect. (ELECTRONIC MUSIC) VIDEO: What does it mean to you, personally, being African in New Zealand? (MUSIC CONTINUES) I know meeting with the community face-to-face is the right thing to do. I might not look nervous, but I once had a really good relationship with my community, and I haven't seen them in a long time. I'm really worried how people might react to me getting back into touch. I'm really gonna have to put myself out there and take a risk. (CHUCKLES) Hey, guys. I'm here with Khelsey. We're on K Road. Tonight we're going to an African fitness dance class with Otis Donovan, who's a professional dancer. And, for me, he's really inspirational ` just the way that he expresses and draws on his cultural ancestries. Like, you can see it effortlessly, the way he performs. Let's go and do the class! (LAUGHS) Cool. (CHUCKLES) Oh my. Hey, Otis! What's going on? (CHUCKLES) How are you? I'm well. I'm well. How about yourself? I haven't seen you in such a long time. How have you been? It's been a minute. It's been a minute. Are you ready for class? Let's get it! I remember the last time I came, you, like, killed me, so... I didn't kill you! You did! (LAUGHS) No, I did not. Actually, killing is not a thing that I do. What you're about to take is called Asa. It's an African fitness class. So we gonna do some sweating. We gonna do some laughing. So let's start dancing. (UPBEAT AFRICAN MUSIC PLAYS) Other side. And down. Yup, down. That's it. That's it. And down. Uh-huh. Let's go. Come on. Uh-huh. One, two and up. Yes! One, two, three. Yep. And up. (CLAPPING) Let's go. Let's go. One! And relax. Good job. (CHUCKLES) I hope you enjoyed class. Hope you had a good workout. If you don't feel it tomorrow, I didn't do a good job. (LAID`BACK MUSIC) How did you feel about today? How was class today? It was fun. Tiring, but I enjoyed it. So, Otis, I was really curious to figure out how do you hold on to your culture while being in New Zealand? I think mainly through dance. Yeah, so I definitely connect to my African roots, or what I believe to be my African roots, cos I don't necessarily know my direct lineage to the continent as an African American. So that's what dance does to me. And it's not just my job; it is also a way that I can communicate with, you know, a variety of cultures or a variety of people. I think I can relate as well, because when I came to New Zealand, like, my school ` we didn't have a lot of Africans. Mm. So, like, I felt like I don't belong. But then when I went to the African dance classes, like, I don't know, like, it's just a really strong connection straightaway. Mm-hm. So, yeah, it is a way to, like, keep me to my roots as well, like, coming from Africa. Yeah. You still feel like you belong somewhere. Like, you're not lost. Mm-hm. Yeah. I'm Niuean, and the culture for us is, like, you know, dancing, right. You guys dance. And with us, we dance as well, and that's how we celebrate. So I love when you invite me to all of these` (LAUGHTER) I honestly love it. Things are always better in a group. It's, like, power in numbers,... Yeah. ...you know? (ELECTRONIC MUSIC) The way that dance has helped Otis to honour and connect with his roots is really inspirational. I know that dance is a universal language that all African youth can relate to. That's given me an idea to use dance in my final vlog, because that will mean bringing more of my community together. That means meeting up with old friends who I haven't seen in over a year. Hey, guys. Hey! How are you? Look who's here. I haven't seen you guys in a while. Oh yeah. How's everyone been? Yeah, good. It feels like it's been forever ` like, five years or something. It really has, like... (LAUGHTER) Genuinely, it has. Yeah. It's like we're just meeting a new person, eh? Yeah. (LAUGHTER) What have you been doing, like, recently? I've been busy. Haven't been doing much with the community as well, so I feel quite, like, distant. So I'm trying to, like, reconnect now. Oh, the coffee's here. Wow. So it's just good catching up. Really good for us, like, African people, as you know, just getting together, going to the same events. You know, you don't get homesick. You need to get connected with your people. Yeah. It's gonna make you feel, you know, powerful. You just keep your spirit there. Yeah. You feel connected. Yeah. It just feels like we're home, because we talk about, like, Africa. We talk about the dance. We talk about the food. You know what I mean? Mm. It feels like we're there. Yeah. Now would be, like, an awesome time to, like, reconnect. So on my vlog, I'm doing an African-inspired vlog series. Oh yeah. I have this idea of creating, like, a dance vlog, which will just kind of, like, wrap it up. So, yeah. So I wanna know what you guys think about it, whether you would support me. Yeah. I think it's a good idea. Definitely a good idea. Sounds great. I'm actually so proud of you. I know that you haven't been, like... We all haven't been seeing each other for so long. But, you know, you're thinking about doing good stuff. And I feel like you're gonna be, like, inspiring a lot of people. Yeah. If I'm available, I'll be there, for sure. Yeah. Oh, thank you guys so much, honestly. Being together again has just brought so much memories back and, like, the feeling. (CHILL ELECTRONIC MUSIC) Hearing that I am the one that has been missing out has made me feel really guilty. I know that I have a lot of making up to do. So I'm going to start with meeting with the reigning Miss Africa, Raven. I know I haven't been there for her, but maybe I can be now. Hey, lady! Excited to get your nails done? I've broken one. Oh my goodness. So, obviously, this is primetime for me. So is mine. But we're gonna get matching colours, right? Yeah, let's do matching. I feel like we should do matching. OK. Perfect. Yay, I'm excited. BOTH: Yass! On this side? Yes. OK. (TOOL WHIRRS) Yeah, so I've come to kind of, like, hang out with you to, kind of, reconnect as well. Just been kind of feeling as though I left you in the dark a little bit, and I felt as though I could have supported you more. I don't want you to feel, like, kind of, how I'm feeling as well. How did this all happen? Like, how did you just disappear? Like, what was the story? I felt like I walked away because I wanted you guys to get, like, the optimal opportunity. But then, at the same time, I'm like, 'Man, I should've been there for her.' Or 'I should've asked her how she's going,' kind of thing. I so appreciate you just being real with me about it,... Mm-hm. ...cos that's, like, the hardest thing. It's kind of interesting hearing that that's how you feel, cos I totally wouldn't have expected that. Yeah, I'm just, like, here today to kind of put, like, a hand out there and be like, 'OK, let's reconnect and do something about it.' Yeah. Yeah. I think with you doing your vlog series,... Mm-hm. ...it's so inspiring. You're making a difference,... Mm-hm. ...and that's something that I would love to get on board with. BOTH: Yeah. (ELECTRONIC MUSIC) Hey, guys. So, I am here with Raven. So, I'm the current Miss Africa New Zealand, and what a (SING-SONGY) blessing. (CHUCKLES) Just got my nails did, so I'm very... Mm-hm. (LAUGHS) I really wanna know ` what has been your highlight of being Miss Africa? First thing, obviously, is my family and their reaction. Yeah. They don't even call me Raven any more. They're like, 'Miss Africa ` she is here.' (BOTH LAUGH) Like, I love that. They're so proud. Yup. But at the same time, it's gotta be that whole 'role model' idea. Mm-hm. Yeah. The fact that there are young men and women who look up to me, and I mean, at the end of the day, like, who am I? You know? Yeah. And for people to get that vibe where they're like, 'You do great things.' Like, 'You're so career-driven.' You know, like, 'You rocked it on stage.' Yeah. That's so precious to me. The fact that they even look up to me. Mm-hm. You know? Like, I'm 23, and I have people that look up to me. (LAUGHS) Like, what is this? You know? Like, that's such a cool feeling. And if I'm inspiring people ` hands up emoji. Yup. That's probably the most rewarding and, yeah, exciting part of it. Yeah. Oh, that's awesome. Learning from you and what you've gone through, I now need to, like, establish as well... Yeah. ...how I'm not gonna just recluse into the background. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Thank you so much for coming to catch up with me today. Totally. I mean, when Miss Africa comes around next, I think it would be so cool... Like, obviously, I'm gonna be handing over my crown. Yeah. Be there! Yeah! OK. Challenge. Challenge accepted. Yes! (BOTH CHUCKLE) I am totally vibing looking back at my first vlog series. I have been given, like, amazing feedback, and just the positivity... Someone said ` 'Always entertaining to watch your vlogs. Keep 'em coming, and good work.' Someone said as well ` 'OMG. I wanna be a part of something like that.' And I've got 90 views. But if I do wanna make a bigger impact, I'm gonna have to think about how many people are in my vlogs and the quality. So, I'm pulling out all the stops to create my last killer video for my vlog series. Dance is what I love, and it's a very African way to reconnect with culture. So I'm coming together to create some professional choreography. Hey, guys. It's Channy here. I've got C-J with me. You've seen her in the vlogs quite often. She doesn't actually know, but I've brought her along to help me do the choreography. (LAUGHS) I can film you. No, I need you to help me. We can do it. (LAUGHS) We are down at Silo Park. We're going to meet... Mm-hm. RJ. Here he is. You getting ready? I'm ready. Are you ready? Yeah, yeah. Just have to warm up. The man's stretching. (CHUCKLES) Don't make me. (TRIPLELAN'S 'DANCE FOR ME') (MUSIC CONTINUES) (RELAXED ELECTRONIC MUSIC) It is the last of my African-inspired vlog series. I've got the location sorted. The music is ready to play, and all I need are my friends. I've worked really hard to reconnect with my community. I honestly hope I get the support. I have no idea who's gonna turn up. I'm excited but nervous at the same time. (MUSIC CONTINUES) Hey! (LAUGHTER) I saw your vlog. Oh yeah? Yeah, yeah, it was pretty good. What did you like about it? Just, like, culture, you know? Mm-hm. Getting people together and stuff. You know, I can identify a lot with that as well, especially with you saying that you were struggling with being, like, Kiwi African. And I love how you're putting that out there and, like, saying that you were struggling and, like, confessing to that so it sort of makes it OK for everybody to say that, sort of. So thank you for putting it out there. Like, it really helped. Since you, like, reconnected, I reconnected too. You've inspired me to, like, get back into my roots and find people that I can reconnect with. And, like, it's really amazing what you're doing, and I'm really proud of you. I didn't know that you felt the same way, cos it's a very, like, taboo subject to talk about. And, yeah, I'm, like, really curious ` do you think it's important to talk about the idea of isolation and disconnection? I guess we're all going through it, you know, that struggle and stuff, and, like, you having the courage and the confidence to open up about it, hopefully people can, you know, see that and have their own courage and confidence to talk about it and have that open dialogue. And it's a way to bring people together as well. Like, if you're all going through the same thing, it's just a way to kind of, you know, talk about it and be open about it. I'm so happy and so blessed that you guys are here. So, what's the plan for the last vlog? We're gonna dance! We're gonna express kind of, like, our culture through African dance. You guys ready? (CHEERING) OK, let's do this. (TRIPLELAN'S 'WALAWALA DANCE') Ay, ay. Ay! (SQUEALS) Go, Khels. Ayyyy! And, so, one, two... # Walawala dance. Walawala dance. # Let's dance. Walawala dance. Walawala dance. # I feel so happy that I've completed my challenge. This feeling right now is, like, a sense of relief, and I'm feeling so blessed and so grateful for being given this opportunity to journey through, you know, that self discovery and reconnecting with my community. Making this video series has really helped me face my fears. I can't wait to put it out there for people to watch. (ELECTRONIC MUSIC) I feel so proud that my friends have been watching my vlog series and finding inspiration. This journey was more than just reconnecting; it was about finding my role in my community, to find a way of how I can contribute back. I've decided what that role is going to be. I'm going to continue to film and make vlogs about the African experiences of youth within New Zealand ` like me. There are so many amazing role models out there ` like Otis, Raven and Jennifer, and I feel it's my duty to continue to share our stories. I am so grateful and so blessed being given the opportunity to reconnect with my community and to find my place. Captions by Chelsea Thoresen. Edited by Tracey Dawson. www.able.co.nz Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. Copyright Able 2017