She has a successful local and international career. Singer and sexy dancer Sanelisiwe Twisha best known by the name Moonchild Sanelly says that receiving her international status came with dreaming about it first and then putting in the work. "South African artists lack research," she says. "When they see me making it abroad, they see envy. I researched and found ways of making things happen for myself. I have a hands-on approach to life. I took my career into my own hands which has earned me so much local and international success." The Bashiri singer says artists need to dream bigger. "You need to dream bigger than just removing yourself from poverty. South African artists operate with ego and don't want to build, hence you see some of their shows overseas empty. I have always seen myself in London and Japan. I once travelled with R100 in my pocket."
OPENING UP ABOUT RAPE
She has in the past shared her experiences as a rape victim. Recently, a social media follower asked why she dressed "provocatively" as this means she does not respect her body. "So sad to think I've never been raped half naked but in tracksuits in my own home!!! Stop being stupid! And Mina I'm myself! Deal with that or leave me alone with your k*k opinions about my body," she responded.
Opening up to ZiMoja, Moonchild says that she was sexually violated by her cousin, uncle, and a former friend. "My uncle sexually harassed me at home. I ran away from there when I was still in Durban," she says. "The second person who raped me was in my bed in Johannesburg. Growing up, I was also raped by my cousin, who used to come from Durban every holiday and molest me. It's so crazy because I didn't understand even as a kid. He made me feel like I was the one in the wrong. He made it seem like it was normal." She feels speaking about the rape ordeals has been empowering to herself and other rape victims and survivors. "It's one of those things I share because we are in spaces and communities where there are no examples and people can't relate. People don't know how I got to where I did, so as a person in the public eye who has been through that, I want to share my story because I am all about liberation and taking back my power. For the kids whose parents don't want to listen or don't believe them. I want them to know, it's not the end."
ALL ABOUT SELF EXPRESSION
She has often been judged for sexually expressing herself, but Moonchild says she only knows how to be real. "I don't know why I express myself the one I do, but it is who I am. I dance the way I do, talk and speak the way I do because I come from a home where I was allowed to speak, have an opinion, express myself and be myself," she says. "All this stuff that is foreign to the public is normal in my house. It's normal to be colourful, and outspoken and to have an opinion and share my feelings. I never grew up being beaten. Doing me is normal. Trolls will always be trolls, they are just bored people with airtime and date."
