We are what we do

I am a photographer. That's who I am, and I am what I do.

Photographers' are known to be free-spirited, imaginative and creative. I love photography because it allows me to explore all of the above. I can explore and imagine the world, or even smaller object, through the lens, creating my perspective of the image I see. My passion for photography allows me to be a completely different person, away from the daily me.

I do however have a preference in the photos I take. I like detail, the organisational trait in me, where any simple object can be defined by a minute aspect. This intricate beadwork in lace on this stunning wedding dress for example.

Raisa Hathey for Riaz Hathey Photography

Then, I enjoy those romantic moments that tell a story, as the saying goes "a picture is worth a thousand words". These images I capture are intended to be breath-taking, allowing the viewer to be in awe or speechless whilst knowing the tale behind it.

Raisa Hathey for Riaz Hathey Photography

Lastly, I utterly love seizing those precious seconds of oblivion, where the object (usually an inanimate object) is completely unaware and soaked up in their thoughts and actions. I try to portray the beauty of natural movement. Often these are the moments that take precedence over any other picture.

Raisa Hathey for Riaz Hathey Photography



Death on Social Media

Is it appropriate to share the death of a loved one on these social networks? Well, we share birthdays, engagements, weddings and every other possible occasion in our lives so why not death?

I was recently thrown into total disbelief when I was invited to a Facebook group called “In loving memory of…” I was invited in the early hours of the morning and did not quite take note of what this group was all about. Now when invited on a FB group, any post/change to the group is emailed to you, so as you can imagine my inbox was flooded emails of confusion, disbelief and condolences.

I then decided to have a look at what was going on. The person said to have died created the group. Confusion ran wild through posts and comments and seemed to cause a lot of stress. Luckily having recognized a “mutual friend” I discovered that it was indeed the person mentioned and who’s profile it was had in actual fact passed on. It was his brother who had created the group almost immediately after his death.

But, is this morally correct, to spread such devastating and heart-breaking news on a means of social networking?  

We are afraid of the wrong things

We are we afraid of being ourselves. We follow trends and find comfort in conforming to the craziest concepts of individuals that we will never meet. We feel the need to “fit in” and behave like those around us. We are scared that if we stand up for who we believe in and express our own personal taste that society will look down and even worse shun us. We are afraid of the wrong things.

I believe that we born for a purpose; one that only we know, subconsciously. But, it can only be discovered through being true to who you are. Many of us follow a belief system that is often a way of life, however that should not be an obstacle in becoming who you truly are, as both can be accommodated. I believe our existence here is that of a deep one. Each one of us feels a pain or rather passion toward something; and it is that exact passion that drives you to explore you.

For myself, I do not know my ultimate purpose on this Earth is yet, but I know that I am getting closer. I know that I am not afraid to stand up and be different, from what I wear to what I say. I also know that my random passions are somehow linked to who I truly am and is a key to why I am here. For example, speaking for those women who cannot speak for themselves; I see myself helping them in ways that I am not yet aware of.

Be not afraid of the “wrong things”, as society might have it. Yet “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those that matter don’t mind and those that mind don’t matter!” ~ Dr Seuss.   

Muslim Marriage Bill

What does this mean for me as a young Muslim Woman? Well, I’ve tried researching articles that relate to this specific topic but have unsuccessfully only found ones that date back to 2009. It has since resurfaced as the Bill is days away from being promulgated. In order to really criticise and comment on this topic I would like to know more. I will later again, once I can find the documents, blog and perhaps give a little in-depth understanding. For now however, I would like to explore what this could potentially mean.

I was watching Morning Live this morning when they showed an insert of a woman, fully covered in Niqab (Veil), in a situation that is Un-Islamic to say the least. I do not know her name but will for the sake of this blog call her Sara. She had married a man, who later married another woman.

In Islam Polygamy is allowed, however for specific reasons only; reasons of which again I will fully research and provide insight. I can however soundly say that when in polygamist marriages the husband is required to fully respect each wife and treat them exactly the same. No preference of any kind should be given to any wife at any given time. The husband is compelled to provide equally for the financial, emotional and physical needs of his wives. If he cannot do so then polygamist marriages are not recommended, besides taking into account the initial reasoning.

Going back to Sara; her husband, being married to two women, has not provided for her like mentioned above. He comes and goes as he pleases and threatened to leave her should she stand up against what he is doing. She has attempted approaching Muslim Authorities for advice however sadly not being helped. This is where the Muslim Marriage Bill comes into play. This Bill is meant to then protect women like Sara against the situations they find themselves in, especially if Muslim Authorities fail to do so. In South Africa there are so many Schools of Thoughts within the Muslim Community and it is sad to see that certain unfortunate situations like the one above cannot be solved due to the indifference.

Similarly with this Bill, a number of Muslim Authorities share different views and the current controversy is that the Bill is being pushed without sufficient consultation from all parties, as the Bill would need to coincide with Sharia (Islamic Law).

Coming back to how this affects me, well the only solution I see is that I become more knowledgeable than I currently am on the Quran and that I know what is expected of me, my family, future husband and children because conflicts such as these will continue whilst women like Sara suffer.

Fish Falling from the Sky!

Ah the smell of rain, how refreshing. Tiny little drops of water falling freely onto every imaginable surface. I look up; the skies aren’t too grey so it isn’t that gloomy. I glance back down as I step into the forming puddles wetting my toes through my sandshoes. I love walking in the rain; it gives me a sense of wondering child-like play. Oh and my favourite is dancing in the rain, care-free and knowing that even if you end up soaking wet with the sniffles it was all worth it!

I’m smiling just thinking about the immense beauty of raindrops when I look up again, almost as if to thank the clouds. Suddenly I see something dark and gradually growing bigger as it comes closer! What in the name of heaven is that I ask myself? As I strain my eyes I realise this object is coming straight at me! I jump to avoid this lump of some sort. SPLASH! Into a puddle it landed. I bend down and take a closer look. I cannot believe what I see; a fish! A fish? Falling from the sky? But how?

That’s when it dawned on me...we’re living in an ever-changing world where the impossible becomes the possible, a world where conversations can be held simultaneously across continents, a world where fish fall from the sky!

Politics is a dirty game!

So will this year’s Municipal elections make much of a difference? On tonight’s ETV Prime Time News there were two stories that deeply irritated me. First is that of the Death toll of infants in the Eastern Cape due to lack of hygiene and an increase in HIV and AIDS. Cecilia Makiwane Hospital nurses have reported that they have run out of toilet rolls, soap and cleansing materials. When approaching government authorities, they were told there is no money. Is that not pathetic?? Due to the ignorant attitudes of authorities, sixty infants died in two months. My sympathies go out to the grieving mothers.

The second story that caught my attention was that of Shabir Shaik having assaulted a journalist. Shaik was released on medical parole. Whilst ironically playing golf last week, Shaik saw a journalist documenting the fascinating sight of a man too sick to be in prison but healthy enough to be on a golf course when he decided to launch an attack on the journalist. What strikes me is not the assault but the audacity. Audacity to play golf! As if his life was normal, with no criminal charges and fraudulent activities. The justice system has certainly been taken for a ride.

With just these two stories in one news bulletin, my faith in South Africa’s democracy and governmental authorities needs to be restored and restored fast if my vote is what they need.  

The Colour of the Wind

The colour of the wind is indeed dependant on the mood of Mother Nature. Just as people and their emotions, wind too through Mother Nature can display emotions.

Take for example Happiness; the colour yellow is usually associated with it. Yellow translated in terms of nature would bring about a warm breeze indicating that Mother Nature is at peace the current state of affairs.  Now should we get sick, green immediately comes to mind. The wind then naturally displays violent mix –matched patterns which seem to torment us. Walking and even standing still seem impossible to do. Mother Nature’s message clearly suggests that somewhere, something is upsetting the natural way of life. This is often the case now; people overlook the weather and wind patterns of today. However these are all messages from the higher powers that things are not what they are meant to be. Lastly if we look at anger, many of us turn red in the face with fury. Wind and Mother Nature too take their anger out on us. It’s sad but true. Cyclones, Tornados and Storms are all an example of this. Mother Nature is outraged at the attitude of Human Beings and their lack of respect towards the natural environment.

Wind is most certainly dependant on the mood of Mother Nature and explicitly demonstrates what it is feeling.