MystiQ and the birth of Untold Stories

Primrose-based NPO Untold Stories continues to nourish young talent through the performing arts.

It is led by Kholiwe Dlamini and Sonneke Pypers, otherwise known as MystiQ the Mysterious.

The character MystiQ was ‘born’ in Makause informal settlement. This came after she was homeless for six months in the streets of Primrose before finding shelter in Makause.

“I lost my job and I had nowhere else to go. My father did not want anything to do with me so I ended up on the streets. In the streets people used to take my poetry book and rap my stuff,” said MystiQ.

“I remembered that my mother always told me to take my poetry and turn it into music. My debut song was a hit and people loved it,” said MystiQ.

“When I wrote the song I did not imagine myself singing it. But no one wanted to sing it. I did a demo demonstrating how it should be done and shortly after that, MystiQ was born,” she said.

“The idea behind MystiQ is to remain mysterious behind a mask that I wear. I remember one day I was performing in Makause and no one recognised me until I took off my mask,” said MystiQ.

“When I left the informal settlement I told the community I would return to take them with me. When I met Kholiwe, Untold Stories was born,” she said.

“Through the organisation, we aim to nurture raw talent. We are inviting young people in and giving them the tools to grow in their unique individual talents,” said MystiQ.

“People of Makause accepted me with no questions even though I was a white woman. When you shouted people came through to help. When you needed sugar or salt you just went next door and asked for it,” she said.

Dlamini is also the founder of Human Trafficking International, an organisation that stands against human trafficking and advocates human rights.

She said Untold Stories was founded during lockdown when GBV stats spiked.

“At first we wanted to raise awareness about GBV and other social ills that we happening at the time during the 2020 and 2021 lockdown,” said Dlamini.

“We came to realise that young people destroy their future with drugs and society has leant somehow to accept that reality,” she said.

“Through Untold Stories let’s all come together to help these young people unleash their talents and chase their dreams to find their purpose in life through art,” said Dlamini.

On May 2, Untold Stories held its social fundraising event in Primrose.

Dlamini described the event as beautiful and appreciated that people came in numbers to show support.

“We have nine students at the moment and we are establishing a choir. It is going to be a different one from the normal choir setups. We believe the youth can build itself up through art,” said Dlamini.

“The cry for sponsorship is an ongoing request as we constantly need external support. We need stationary, printer’s ink, sports equipment, musical instruments to name a few,” she said.

She said they are planning on introducing workshops that will empower the community with soft skills.

“We already have implemented the sewing project. We looking forward to starting a gardening project. Food and petrol prizes have spiked higher in recent months,” said Dlamini.

To support Untold Stories, contact Dlamini on 061 167 0810 or MistiQ on 062 198 4603.