A couple of weeks ago I met Mannini, the Sotho woman who was my muse for a day, in the CBD. We've been bumping into each other for over a year now, after a mutual friend introduced us at a poetry event. Mannini is a gifted poet, and has a soft beauty and a wicked sense of humour. Spending part of the day with her was a pleasure. The first photo happened quite by chance as we walked past the Poskantoor (this is one Afrikaans word I like) Thabo started flirting with Mannini, explained he was from Joburg, and just jumped in on the shoot without being asked. We agreed he added something special to it. We then made our way to the Waterfront - not my favourite place, but we both had business there. I was tracking a book (which I unfortunately did not find), and Mannini needed some pretty shoes. After throwing a hissy fit at the bookstore counter, we left with me in high dudgeon, (probably embarrassing poor Mannini) and went to find her shoes. We found them, plus the delightful hat in the last picture. The pretty woman in the second and third photographs is Miriam, whom we call La New Yorkaise. She was so beautiful and gentle, and scored so many style points, turning towards us with a smile when I exclaimed "Wow she looks good!" Thanks Mannini and Miriam. It was a special day.
