The Masked Woman

I was born in Roodepoort South-Africa. Professionally known as MystiQ the Mysterious. I grew up on a farm with my mom, dad and younger brother just outside of bela- bela on Kromdraai, in a small town called Leeupoort, near Thabazimbi.
From a very young age already I loved music and remembers how my mom used to sit with me by our organ, "do, re, me, fa, so, la, ti, do- my mom used to sing while teaching me the basics." playing on hearing only – I developed my own unique style and sense of music – till today I play on hearing and compose my own songs.

Farm life was different than growing up in town, and I travelled to school by bus, All members of the family with their own tasks that was to be completed at scheduled times. At age 14 I started High school in Bela-bela Warmbad Highschool. I wrote matric in 1997 through correspondence, Success college Pretoria, as my parents was unable to afford my schooling and transport to school and back, My days were incredibly long – having to get up at 4am to catch a bus at 6am in Mabula to be at school at 7:30am – afternoons we got the bus back only at 15h00 to get back home only at about 17h00, then it was still homework study and chores. So Correspondence was the best way for me to write my matric at the time. I skipped standard 8 and 9 having to do all three years in one – I'm proud to say that although my marks was not the best, I was the only one that year to pass my senior certificate and the youngest at age 17. I then perused life in Germiston Gauteng first as a cashier at Spar and then became A nursery school teacher. "I have always been drawn to kids"

MystiQ the Mysterious started 4 years ago. My journey was long and hard, deep scars was left. And although so much pain and heartache was endured i’m grateful, life has thought me a lot. It taught me how to survive, how to be strong and be a better version of me. It helped me see my purpose, and why all I endured was a more a blessing than a curse. Whatever life deals on our road we must keep trying never give up, You see, even a bird falls down but gets right back up and try again!! Rock bottom is where MystiQ was born, And with the knowledge I have now, and finally remembering the blank years of my life, I am thank full that my late mother Hannetjie Duvenhage who taught me the skills of life and love, showed me the way and how to deal with struggle and deception - the lies, the anger, the failures and the survival.

“Thank you mommy for all you have showed and taught me. I hope that I can see the world as you did and face it as strong and brave as you.” Due to very traumatic circumstances, Very hard choices had to be made , leaving was the best way, not only for my survival but my kids safety. Unfortunately the system turned on me being poor and A monster won, causing me to loose my kids for 5 years. (Almost 6)I hardly had contact with them. But this too was part of my purpose. Although that 5 years and the milestones in my kids life's was lost forever, I never stopped trying and never stopped talking to them - When 5 years passed my boys started coming to me on their own and eventually they both reached 16. Today my boys are 21 and 18 and
back in my life. They assure me all the time that they know how much I loved them and that I was doing that I thought was best for the both of them at the time. Their sister 'My adopted step-daughter' Moved to Cape town with her new born baby, helping me stay in contact with her brother's when I had no home to return too. It was hard being separated from my kids. I always made sure they knew how much i miss and love them, assuring them we will re-unite one day. "My single a mother's heavy heart" for my kids, is about this event in my life. Years I lost will never be replaced - Time is the most valuable gift anyone can give you. At least I know that what I taught my kids in the time I had with them made imprints on their hearts that helped
them survived. I was a good mother - I always put my children before anyone or anything else. They knew what to do when they felt scared or alone. " Just close your eyes, mommy is there, now hug yourself real tight. - Mommy loves you!" - I never made their dad bad, I always tried best to assure my kids their dad loved them regardless, and what he was doing is a mistake - and we all make mistakes. Today I am helping and advising where I can with abused and traumatised kids and mom's. Even men who lives with abuse. My life has purpose - the pain I endured was to teach me to help those souls who wants to give up.

The music industry is full of amazing, talented, and great artists who have their own personal touch to make their art stand out of the rest. There were hundreds of hardships every day in My life and I had to always stay tough, even when I gave up, At that time my writing was something that kept me going, then I realised my mom was right (She always told me I could do this) and slowly, my poems began to turn into raps and
songs, and then I began to bring my story to life.

I have taken control of my fate with my passion for the arts, and music, launching A career as a musician, youth leader and motivational speaker. With my combined talent as a creative art and graphic designer, singer, songwriter and prolific writer, my artistry has been described as captivating, diverse, and astounding. I am so inspired by the power of music, and want to bring emotional change. “Music speaks to us at a spiritual level, therefore, using music, we can impact people’s lives. At the most basic level." I
has suffered many incidents of trauma but continued my struggles and never gave up. “I write from my personal experiences. But with equal importance. I like to use music as an outlet to help people who are experiencing various social and emotional issues and trauma every day in their life, not just in South-Africa but across the globe. Today I live with chronic conditions that makes life hard but I will continue to try changing this world until I die, saving one soul at time Music is medicine for the soul and with music I have Rising from the dead, standing tall smiling, reaching my destiny!!!! With other souls that lost their way, Many
souls, all wanting to just be someone, reaching our destiny! Finally! “As musicians – we bring entertainment, healing, love and passion to a world that desperately needs it!”