My year as an FJP

By Wendy N Ngcobo

I remember walking shivering with anxiety as I didn’t remember doing anything that would get me to be called in to go to the office.

“You have been chosen to be on the FJP programme “these were words by my lecturer Mrs. Sobbend when she delivered the good news to me.

Her lips carried on moving but in my mind I was thinking “after months of regretting having taken long to enter this industry, could the wait been worth it “.I was smiling but my eyes were filled with tears that because she saw me smile she was unable to see .I blew my nose not because I had a problem but because I didn’t want her to see that I was actually hiding my tears from being seen.

I was excited and nervous, at the prospect of such an opportunity, that I Wendy Nolwazi Ngcobo was about to embark on this journey, I was going to Rhodes University. I was nervous and excited at the same time I didn’t know which emotion to deal with first. I was going to Rhodes University and will be meeting new other students from  around South Africa who had the same passion as me .I was excited about my journey to autumn school that I packed a week in advance.

Mobile Phones as tools for journalism  is what  our workshop was  based on and there was nothing as heartwarming when on our last day we sat and watched a movie that I had made on YouTube .I’ve continually received positive feet back  on the story I did in the community of  Joza.

I had the amazing opportunity of being involved in the Durban International Film Festival which was an amazing networking platform form for me as an up and coming journalist. This opportunity came after one of our alumni’s Sihle Mthembu motivated us to ‘remove the mentality of being students”,” you are professionals from day one “, he said.

From that point on I have been so confident in introducing myself as ‘a journalist from Highway Africa’ that the poise I have possessed and the mentality of professionalism  has seen me  surrounded by influential people in the media ,in entertainment and in government.

Wendy ,Elethu and Akhona

Words cannot describe how I feel about the programme about the amazing initiatives it continuously   provides for young and upcoming journalist as the lessons we learn at our tertiary institutions, those alone are not enough to prepare one for the task we have at hand as advocate for people.

So to the future, FJP I wish them all of the best  they should take hold of this amazing, once in a life time opportunity.

Cliche topics fail us: drugs and alcohol

By Busisiwe Busenga

Just recently an article was written announcing that the singing sensation and hit maker of the
song "rehab" Amy Winehouse has died. It was no secret that the deceased was addicted to drugs, the interesting thing is that most celebrities get involved with drugs and alcohol and yet they treat it as something that is as normal as taking a bath. Sadly, most teenagers are following the same path, drugs and alcohol are the order of the day for most teenagers, regardless of the health effects it has on humans.

But excatly what measures must be taken, before the perspective of the youth can change. There already has been a number of strategies such as campaigns, adverts and even in the arts, they have all tried to get the message across, that drugs and alcohol should not be tempered with. However in the end it is an individuals personal resoning that can change their attitudes, change their thinking to be more positive.

Maybe it is time that people did an introspection, soul searching and maybe just maybe they will realise how important their lives are and that it is everyone's responisbility to look after their own personal health. But for the sake of the loved one's, because everything they do affects those they love, it would be of great magnitude if they spared them the pain. In this life we only given one chance to live, so live your life in the best possible way and start by loving yourself, then love the person next to you. Topics concerning drugs and alcohol are really starting to get boring, it would be a good change to focus on the good stuff, lets channel our energies to the positive things that really matter. Love is all we need!

What does FJP mean to me?

My main pursuit since I started my university academic career was to do marketing, or even advertising, anything personality related. But having been selected to be part of the Future Journalist Programme my life has not been the same.

Since I have joined FJP my mind has been opened up to new thinking and different ways of understanding who I am. This programme has allowed me to learn about mobile journalism, has given me a platform to write and to believe in the potential within me. I have had the chance to silence the sub-editor who has and continues to live inside of me. A lot of the time I doubt and second guess my ability but within this space which the programme has given me I have gained confidence in my writing. Although I may not be the greatest writer I love the fact that I have been given the opportunity to work through that.

FJP has opened my eyes, has made me see media studies and journalism in a way that I had not seen it before. Sometimes when I think about what it is I want to do I am confident to say I an considering journalism because I have realised that like with every other career option there are many options and I sincerely believe that I will find my niche within the industry.

I thank FJP for selecting me and putting me through this once in a lifetime experience, the peers who I have had the chance to interact are all different and are individuals that have been able to add value to the person that I am. FJP has afforded me the space to socialise and make contacts that will be around for a lifetime.

Lastly being able to come to the Grahamstown National Arts festival, is something I have always wanted to attend and be apart of and being in this programme has done that for me so I thank FJP for everything they have done for me and all I can say is to the future FJPs , FJP is a wonderful group to belong to and I promise your life will never be the same after you have joined, the people you get to meet and the things you get to do and be involved in, will awesome fun yet educational and will equipt you with skills that you can use for the rest of your life.

By: Nokwazi Khumalo

FAREWELL NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL



SIPHO HARRY ORIO



This is sadly my last day in Grahamstown and my last day at the National Arts Festival, it was fun, it was memorable, I had the best time exploring, attending shows, shopping around the market, meeting new and exciting people and not to mention important people. I learnt a lot during these eleven days, I learnt hard work, team work and dedication and pesistence. my fellow FJPs, especially Akhona Valashiya who was my mentor and my Festival guide, FJP Co-ordinator Nqobile Buthelezi and FJP trainer Nyx Mclean were all great, I got along very well with everyone and now saying goodbye is so sad. I look forward to seeing the FJPs again in September at the Highway Africa Conference and having a lot of fun again. 

                                                          By Akhona Valashiya

Youth voices in South Africa

The youth are becoming extremely important participants in the politics, social structures and systems, etc. in South Africa. They are the future leaders of tomorrow hence they should be able to voice out on the issues and this is what the talk from Gerald Boyce was suppose to be about, in his attempt to do this he has committed a few faults. Therefore the amount of participation was a lot less limited to what it could have been.

The talk covered topics such as the young people’s interest in voting or the lack of it rather. The youth has lost interest in voting, most of them see it as being an insignificant thing, that it does not make a difference if they participate or not. This is very misleading and it will affect the youth in the near future, we all know that in order to make a change one has to get involved and take the initiative and let their voices be heard and if they do not exercise this freedom of voting, then they are inhibiting other possibilities.

Mr Boyce presented his talk on the youth voices in a rather unconventional way. He used data that was systematically presented, therefore discouraged any involvement from the audience, more so from the youth, seeing that the talk was about the youth and its issues as South African citizens.

In his presentation he paid so much attention on race and I think was totally exaggerated, fine we have not passed that stage yet, were all people are free from racial discrimination but this did not make his arguments and findings anymore valid. I think that the speaker should have been more open to engagement from the audience. He could have presented his talk in a more qualitative method and focused on the current issues affecting the youth.

By Busisiwe Busenga

Youth in Africa

Considering the research done by Gerard Boyce and his organisation, they certainly missed a lot of angles in context of what youth’s behaviours and attitude really mean. Their research tends to take a more quantitative angle to the study of people’s attitude, a field that would better understood on a more qualitative stance.

This is because qualitative methodologies tend to delve deeper into the reasons why people behave the way they do, instead of grazing over them, and relying on numbers and generalisation that tend to be the main feature of quantitative research. Attitudes vary between individuals and the way people express their thoughts differs from place to place, and within different social or economic standings.

For one to understand the youth, they have to be involved in talks with people who represent them, and with what is happening in this present life. South Africa has come a long way to address the issues of inequality between people, and to a larger extent people between the different race groupings that are there. This means that to understand young people, one has to go into deeper issues than just differences in skin colour. There are even differences in attitudes within same racial groupings.

I certainly believe as much as young people need to be heard and given the platform to express themselves, even the older generation needs to be given a chance to grasp this ever-changing world. If the older generation is given a chance to migrate from the ancient world into this modern one, they would, by no chance find it complicated to let the younger generation play a part in learning and embracing new technologies. Young and older people are working together for change.

By Bhekimpilo Dungei

Is the Arts a dying industry?

The arts industry has certainly changed over the years. Arts has evolved from the days of carvings on stones and wood, paintings created from powder paints, to the more digitalised kind of art that features currently in the mordern world


1) “Yes, the arts are going down. The market is bad and there is no appreciation for our work. We come from far, Zimbabwe to South Africa and then there is no support. People create art and nobody supports. “
- Shakespeare


2) “Art is art, we sell different items. There is no one big place for artists to display their work, we are all separated. Art is about knowledge and yet there are no buyers. I will not come to Grahamstown again, it is expensive to travel so far and make no profit.”
- Fewawi




3) “No, arts is not a dying industry. I personally previously had no understanding of the arts but with all the book launches and artists that have been active in the festival, I see art alive. There is now a passion that I as a regular Festival goer have not seen in years. I feel though, that the structure of the fest should not have been changed. It’s now at Rhodes when it was previously at Church Square; the vibe of fest and the arts has since changed and not entirely positive.”
- Devon Cobus




4) “Yes it is dying; the arts are not like before. There used to be crowds of people but since the location of the fest has moved from town to Rhodes, the interest for Arts has changed.”
- Sabatha Smangwine





5) “Yes, there are fewer people interested in the arts.
No, the price of art has increased. If there was no demand, it would be cheaper.”
- St Andrews School, Grade 8



6)“Organisers are turning the arts into a flea market. We as artists are driven in different directions. God is art, art is bigger than us.”
- Andile Paswa






7)“No, art is very much alive. It cannot die, only the ideas of art die. “
-Seko Mbambeni






8) “Yes, I believe there is no formality in the industry, it’s just a haphazard thing. Connected people take initiative and exploit the less privileged who are just trying to make an honest living. Artists are struggling; local buyers feel that the market is over saturated. There are a lot of changes in Grahamstown, it is a small area for artists and there is not much activity to draw in clients.”
- Jonathan Pfumbwa


Some believe people have turned art into more than a way of sharing their skills and their creativity, but as a money-making sector, which is what is killing it.As much as art is a creative form of expression, it is still a means of financial stability and reliance. However, the price of exhibiting your work is not affordable for all artists therefore not all of them get sufficient opportunities to excell and achieve from their work. Art has to be appreciated, and people need to be given equal opprotunities to display and showcase their work, irrespective of what field or type they are in. Art is more about moulding our imaginary world into a reality, that we can share with everyone else.


By Duschanka Hitzeroth & Bhekimpilo Dungeni

FOOD ON THE GREEN

The Village Green Market at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival is a place where festival-goers can go to relax, shop and most importantly, eat. But with all the different food stalls there are to choose from, festinos are spoilt for choice. We asked stall owners to tell us why people should choose to eat at their stalls.

“It’s the real deal - authentic, thin-crust, wood-fired Italian pizza. And it’s quick.”

                                                                                        La Pizzeria

“Quality, friendliness and price.”

                                                                Bob’s Menu           

“Fresh ingredients and food made with love.”

                                                                Eeet Panini          

“Value for money, best-tasting and we work for charity"

                                                                          Grahamstown Rotary Kudu Burgers

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        “It’s cheap, it tastes good and it takes less than 2 minutes to make"    

Dragon Pearl Chinese Food

“It’s healthy, happy, karma-free vegetarian delight”

                                         Atma cuisine (Hare Krishna stall)

“It’s fresh and people like it because it’s different and from overseas.”

                               Damascus Fast Food

“Decadent and delicious.”

                                                Greek Sweets

“It keeps a balance if you party a lot – it’s a booster.”

                                    Oh So Peachy Smoothies and Food           

 As most stall owners pointed out, festival-goers can expect a variety of food on The Green but all made with fresh ingredients, prepared quickly and at competitive prices. Stall owners are also friendly, welcoming and always willing to offer help or just to chat.  We couldn’t possibly recommend one over the other; our best advice: try them all!

By Akhona Valashiya and Devaksha Vallabhjee

Small Minds

Money Maker- gets black people intrigued,

Conserved cultural walls collapse, cracking in anticipation,

They flock in numbers to watch sexual participations

Flash backs of Mouche- puppets, invincible characters,

Blacks in the audience minority, whites majority.

Heartbreaking realisation, blacks cannot use imagination

Can’t watch shows that encourage mental stimulation.

Sipho's Brain-storming session

The FJP's were bouncing ideas and brain-storming after attending the Think!Fest talk on Bridging Literacy and Digital Divide by Elinor Sisulu, they were discussing digital / class divides in the South African Education system. Sipho was among them as the 21st FJP 2011 sharing his views with his peers and telling the other FJP's that the digital / class division will never be bridged if there are still children who don't have proper schools in South Africa.
by Akhona Valashiya                                            
                                                                                            

EVERY DAY LIFE

Almost lost in thought but concentrating on work.

They do it every day with renewed passion each day.

Cold, wet or warm life to them goes on,

They should be away playing,

Circumstances force working.

Looking at them is almost heartbreaking,

 Their life remains a mystery if you don’t know their history.

BY AKHONA VALASHIYA

They lie serenely in the coffers of my heart,
Like thorns stitched perilously on a tree branch.
They slice open my brain like a butcher knife,
Like rain perforating into the depths of my life.
Paint striking pictures in the mainstay of my eyes,
Truly they are my memories.

Poem by Bhekimpilo Dungeni

Super Tyra

Growing up she used to live in a one-bedroom apartment with her brother and her mother. Over the year she has made herself a brand has become a house hold name. She is a super model, who has a top-rate reality show called Americas next top model, a business woman involve in many ventures and on top of that has the looks to accompany her intelligence and business savvy, and has a cutting style which sets trends all over the world. “She is 10 kilograms heftier than the typical model, and she relishes debunking the glamorous illusion of supermodel.”- Her name is Tyra Banks, and with all that said her present success is inevitable.

This is a woman who inspires me to not just be, but be the best that I can be and be successful no matter what circumstances you have been faced with. On top of that she does not conform to norms and stereotypes set by people. Having become successful she has not become big-headed. She gives back and has not lost her roots of where she comes from.

What I would like to be remembered for in the future just like Tyra is being a women of many strengths and being good at what ever she embarks on. At the same time I want to be able to be remembered as a successful individual who never forgot where she comes from and to give back to the community I grew up in and other worthy causes.

Professionally I want to break stereotypes whether in the work place or in the projects I pursue individually just like Ms Banks. I want to also be a revolutionist in changing the thinking of those around me, exposing them to different ideas.

Hard work pays and just like Tyra and everything she has now acquired, she has worked long hours and very hard for what she has. The future me will carry the ethic of hard work and apply it in all I do for as long as I live because it does pay off.

I want to become an international figure who is known and recognised for her intelligence and has used it to her advantage. Like her I want more and have drive but most of all I want to be remembered for having humility even when I have become successful.

By: Nokwazi Khumalo

heroes of our lives

Heroes of our lives

Ever had one of those days when you want to jump for joy, when your excitement was so much you could hardly contain it? Then there are those days when you feel like the world is on your shoulders, when you find it hard to even breathe. But we are human and these emotions are inevitable. However there amazing people who are able to inspire, motivate and bring back the spirit of living and happiness in the lives of others. Maya Angelou is no exception; she is one of the many heroes who make life worthwhile.

Maya Angelou is an African American, born in 4 April 1928. She has dedicated her life to helping others and motivating people. She is a well known poet, civil rights activist and author amongst other things. Her best known contributions to literature are her series of six auto biographies. She also served as a Northern Coordinator for Dr Martin Luther King, she also taught at the Wake Forest University since 1991.

Her services are of immense importance to the whole of American nation and she does all this with a lot of tenacity, love and passion for people and the arts.
Maya Angelou is an inspiration to many because she does her work with passion and has received numerous awards for her incredible work including being named women of the year in communications, nomination for best supporting actress and she also has a tony award under her belt.

I want to apply her qualities into my everyday life. Aspiring to be journalist I think it is important for me to do my journalism work with outmost passion, tenacity as she does. Adapt her style by producing the kind of journalism that does not only inform but also touch people’s lives. Be able to make an impact that will make the world a better place as she has done.

My favourite quote from Maya Angelou “My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry, to get work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return”

By Busisiwe Busenga

My Father.My Hero

Vanished like dew. You never got to say goodbye. I look at the life I’ve had to live, and I see how you taught me, without even saying a word. Heroes are hard to find, and here I stand wondering if I have a hero I can look up to. Philip MfokaMdelwa Nkinika Dungeni. You are my hero

I remember the day you threw me, playfully in the air, and, like a loving father, you forgot to catch me before I hit the ground. Instead of picking me up and comforting me, you ran out of the room, one hand clamped around your forehead, and the other clasping your mouth, as if to avoid laughing. You had messed up, but you did not flinch. With that, you taught me to pick myself up and get back on my feet. I cried, endlessly, wrapped around in mum’s hands. I guess it was just a fulfilment of one of your favourite quotes. ‘…At times one has to laugh in the face of tragedy,’ you used to say. I laugh every time I think of that.

Every time, I think of the wise words you shared with all the people around you. Even though you would come home sloppy drunk sometimes, your love for people could be felt by everyone. Never mistreated us. You showed us love as a family, and were there for us, even though your stay in this world was so short-lived, unfortunately.

I look at other children who never got the chance of having a father figure in their lives. You taught me how to cook, and grill pork at the tender age of nine. I cherish the few years I got to spend with you. These memories help me to carve a bright future for my self. Like your brother, Cephas, always says, ‘The word ‘forget’ does not exist in my vocabulary.’ I guess I will never forget you for being the person who you were. I would love people to remember me as an activist, a man and a fighter. But most of all, as a human being.

By Bhekimpilo Dungeni

MY HERO

EMINEM/SLIM SHADY

Marshall Bruce Mathers II born 17 October 1972 better known as Eminem or Slim Shady is a rapper, record producer, actor, lyricist and a father of two beautiful girls.

Eminem practices an art of writing, in a informal way that most people would not consider inspirational but his writing is what inspires me to be a better writer and for that he is my hero. He expresses himself and describes situations by telling stories through his music (rap), the creativity of his writing give life and colour to words, something not even academics and professional writers can do. This outstanding artist inspires me to write; every time I listen to one of his songs I know I want to be a writer. He inspires me to be the kind of writer who can write history on a napkin. I want people to remember me when I’m gone as a person who made academic thinking fun and interesting and the kind of person who got people to think and speak about issues they did not know they could think about.

by Akhona Valashiya

The Market

People, people, people, and more people. Huge tents towering. Lost; I feel I am drowning in a desert of art, soaked to the skin with artefacts. Paintings, sculptures, jewellery, beads and the air thickly-percolated with a tasteful, mouth-watering aroma of chocolate-flavoured muffins, freshly-baked biscuits and sweets from the caravan confectionary. “Where is my kind, I wonder? Where are they in the midst of all this commotion? Do I belong here?”

I am a nomad through these oddly-coloured tents. I drag myself through this foreign world around me. My tail, wiggling, attracts so much unwanted attention. They come all over me with weird smiles pasted on their glowing, pale faces, patting my head and neck as if they have known me for years.

I would rather be in my cosy kennel than be part of this excitement. Everyone seems to be wound up about something. They walk around like the world has just turned all beautiful again. Like these paintings and artefacts whisper sweet words. Words that go straight to their inner being, flowing through their veins, until they clamour at their hearts that they may buy them and take them home.
I long to be taken home too.

By Bhekimpilo Dungeni

festival and the arts

Art fever All around the Grahamstown Festival

Word is already out and people are buzzinng with excitement and much anticipation for the Grahamstown National Arts Festival. People from all works of life have come in numbers to experience this incredible event. Regardless of the winter chills, the event has not only attracted audiences but also a lot of artists who are keen on showcasing their artwork in order to impress and put their names out there... A lot of talented individuals have been able to step it up and execute their best work. This artwok of a wired statue, of which at first glance stunned me because i thought was a real person but in actual fact is a typical example of the talent that can be found in and around the festival. This wired person is representing the jazz festival which is taking place at this year's Grahamstown Art Festival.

By Busisiwe Busenga

WE GET THE MESSAGE

There we are, hitch-hiking, trying to find a way to the MONUMENT, way up the hill in RU, it is windy and freezing cold. Nokuthula and I are going to computicket to find out about the ticket sales for the Festival. You must wonder how that went. Lol...a computicket employee told us they are "NOT allowed to talk to the media" and sent us to the Festival offices. Makes you wonder: Are WE, the media taken as the 'enemy'? OR are they just NOT authorised to speak to us?

Down the monument we went, and yes we found the Fest Office. We talked to the CEO, Tony Lankester,curiously asking him about the Festival ticket sales. He politely told us they cannot give us that kind of information YET, he can only distribute it halfway through the Festival...REASON BEING: Either way the media can negatively affect the ticket sales. How? You may ask yourself. Oh well, If the ticket sales are sky rocketing and we publish that they fear the sales may drop. Again, if the ticket are not selling and we publish that, they fear that people may lose interest and consider the Fest borring and decide not to come.

Well, we guess we are going to have to wait just a little bit more to find out more about the ticket sales. Makes you really wonder thou: HOW ARE THE TICKET SALES GOING?

Keep wondering...maybe, just maybe we might get the answer for you in NO TIME at all.

By Sesethu Malgas

Profile- House of Pirates

A simple walk around little teacup Grahamstown might land you onto African Street, one of the longest streets in the town. On African Street, lies the House of Pirates, simply called Pirates, a newly established food and drink joint, which has become the hub for growling happy-students, live entertainment and chill-out place for the ever energetic Grahamstownians.
Established two years ago in 2009, House of Pirates started as a ‘party-thing’ for a couple of guys in one of their residence rooms at Rhodes University, making pizza. Since then, their idea has been established into a social-defining joint on African Street, making it one of the liveliest and most happening places in Grahamstown. Pirates is where ‘the hip, happening, cool kids’ hang!
Pirates has certainly stood the test of time, having provided a cool spot for Festinos for three National Arts Festivals already. Yet again, the Festival promises to be a blessing to the owners of Pirates, namely Chris Marshall, Daniel Hocutt, Geoff Waugh and Karim Dhanani. “Grahamstown is a very small town and it is usually during festivals like this that business booms and we are able to cover up for the other periods of time when business low,” said Dan Hocutt, one of the owners of House of Pirates.
With PG-rated pizza names and so many specials that run through the better part of the day, House of Pirates is certainly a place to enjoy a chilly Grahamstown night. There’s no chance to freeze in the cold at the outside eating area as ground- fires get setup ‘the Pirates style’. As for the inside eating- lounge area, a homely fire-place and ample heaters ensure that that precious Gin and Tonic goes down well. So Pirates remains that place where you can reminisce on the day’s festivities with great company, lively music and delicious pizza!
As for yummy specials, “Happy Hour is also one of our best specials, where a customer can buy one Mojo and get one free, and it this special has sold a lot, with over 120 Mojo’s sold during the Happy Hour yesterday,” said Hocutt.


By Bhekimpilo Dungeni