I am ... someone who craves peace and quiet, but am prone to outbursts of chatter and childlike behaviour.

Where were you born? In Gcuwa, famously known as Butterworth.

Where do you live? In Oranjezicht.

Who do you share your house with? My two children, Zazi and Phalo, my partner, Hessel, and our housekeeper.

How did you get into your career? After moving to Jozi city and immersing myself in the underground art scene, I wrote songs a cappella. Roshnie Moonsamy of Urban Voices saw me performing and recommended me to Gallo Record company. The rest is history.

I write the best songs when ... I'm feeling unsure of myself.

What prompted your move to Cape Town? I followed the object of my heart's desire and found it a wonderful place to raise children.

How was your experience of living in Joburg? Joburg will always be my first love because it is where I found myself as an artist. It's a true African city. A lot of people who live in Jozi are very driven. They have come to dig for gold. I liked that sense of urgency; of purpose in the air. Jozi is full of strong, passionate, determined and intelligent black people.

Do you think it's important for South African artists to get international exposure? All people have something unique to offer. Yes, it is important for local artists to get recognition.

What's the best crowd to perform for? An emotionally receptive one.

What is the best piece of advice you'd like to leave your children with? Take yourself seriously in equal measure as you do not.

What's the most memorable performance you've ever done, and why? Performing with Busi Mhlongo in Kirstenbosch in 2008. She taught me a lot with her ease on the stage, and I found myself worshipping her. Also one of my earliest shows at the Bat Centre in Durban, where I was performing in the audience and we were all dancing together.

What's your favourite building in Cape Town? There are too many reminders of colonial rule here, but I love the natural landscape of the Cape. My family and I go hiking a lot.

What's the ugliest thing about Cape Town? As I am black, I cannot deny the racism. It's in the air. It's entrenched in the psyche of the white people, and the black people of Cape Town have internalised it to a point that they are apologetic about being black. Yes, I said it.

What is the most memorable moment you've had in Cape Town? For our first-year anniversary, my partner booked us into a lovers' getaway spa for a weekend. I've never been so pampered.

What's your greatest extravagance? Books.

I'm predisposed to ... moodiness.

I can't go a day without ... my BlackBerry.

If you inherited R100-million, what would you do with it? I'd leave it in the bank for a few years to accrue interest, then I'd use it to build school libraries across the country. I would leave R20-million in the bank for my children's future.

What CDs are you listening to? Fela Kuti, Buika, Salif Keita, Miriam Makeba.

If your house caught fire, what would you save? My children and my partner.

What are your creature comforts? Reading, and TV (a guilty pleasure).

What are you reading? Between the Assassinations by Aravind Adiga.

When I go out at night ... I make sure to shake it loose with my friends.

I collect ... people. I lure them with promises of good food, good wine, good music and stimulating conversation. I'm looking for brains to pick in my search for understanding.

My friends and I like ... to talk. When we get together our aim is to talk politics, love, spirituality, kids, society, fears.

Who would be your dream collaboration in a song? Buika, Asa, Salif Keita and Toumani Diabaté. They move my soul.

What would you do if your daughter decided she wanted to straighten her hair? Oh hell no! Only at an age when I can't tell her what to do anymore. Hopefully by then my teachings will have stuck.

Perfect happiness is: A hug, a kiss from my children, from my man. Taking a deep breath of fresh air when you reach the mountain top. It's the little things.

I met my partner ... In Joburg, through a mutual friend.

If money could buy happiness ... we'd live in a miserable world as most people in the world are poor.

Little Black Book

Buzz Café, Gardens 0214262797

My family and I like going there. Its logo isa monkey face, so we call it Monkey Buzz. It's great for kids as the waiters don't get irritated with them when they play (my kids can be very loud). Their health drinks are superb. My favourite is the green gaia with a shot of ginger. They have great smoothies for kids too, making all of us feel less guilty when that Mexican burger finally comes. Great space, great food and great service.

Hiking

We enjoy hiking and there are many wonderful trails for families and also for the more physically fit.

>via: http://www.timeslive.co.za/lifestyle/article662869.ece/My-City--Cape-Town---S...

Tagore, Trill Road, Observatory tagores42@gmail.com

For live underground jazz music, we make a turn here. It's a tiny venue that can only fit about 20 people. It has a very rustic atmosphere. Artists play there for the love not the money. It's a very free space.

The Grand Café and beach, Granger Bay 0214250551

For sundowners we like The Grand at the waterfront. It's right on the beach, so you can take off your shoes and feel the sand between your toes.