Foot In the Mouth Syndrome Maybe?

Blackface  used in performance

Thandi Bombi

Foot in the Mouth Syndrome is an illness that may not actually exist but tends to get the everyday individual cringing from time to time. This is when an individual says or does something that they regret, something considered insulting, stupid or hurtful. The reason why this illness is of great concern is because of the way things are received by the people who hear it. Initially this illness was associated with double meaning blunders and silly mistakes but a binge of ignorance has resulted in an increase of this usually harmless disease taking more away from individuals than anything of the sort should. 

Not sure where this is going?

The latest way people enjoy the concept of Blackface

Two white students photographed in domestic worker outfits and smeared with black paint have been on headlines all week and since been kicked out of their campus residence at the University of Pretoria.

#Blackface

There is a country wide uproar on whether or not this picture that is making its rounds is actually a form of racism or blatant ignorance that has landed two students out of residence and in the public eye.

In post-apartheid South Africa one would assume that it is within the interest of everyone to respect each other’s differences and practice a form of cultural sensitivity. The idea of blackface is particularly offensive to people of colour because it is associated with a form of theatrical make up used by 19^th century performers to represent a black person. This make up was used to contribute to the stereotypes of the happy- go- lucky “darky” on the plantation. This form of discrimination was ruled out in the United States by the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s.

That is just one of the many possible reasons why this image could be considered offensive. The main problem about this whole saga is that we do not actually know the context of this picture so we will never know its true intention.

The only thing that is certain is whether or not these girls were portraying an ‘innocent’ joke or projecting their racist beliefs, any person over the age of 18 who is South African and aware of our political past should really know better.

The country is desperately trying to move to a time where all races live among one another equally. The first step was to abolish racial oppression. The effects of that period of oppression however, have left huge gaps between upper, middle and lower income homes. If someone ignores that this is still a sensitive issue they are probably going to end up with a huge foot lodged in the back of their throats.

To the girls with foot in the mouth syndrome…

Get well soon.  

Cricket Legend Retires

Jackson Malatji

Jacques Henry Kallis (born 16 October 1975), a South African cricketer has agreed on Wednesday that his dream of playing in next year's Cricket World Cup was "a bridge too far". He retired from international cricket and will not be playing in the ICC Cricket World Cup that will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand over Feb-Mar 2015.

Kallis’ decision follows his announcement on Christmas Day last year that the Boxing Day test against India at Kingsmead would be his last. One of the best all-rounder in the world, Kallis has been a real ambassador for SA cricket and a real legend of the game, " King Kallis" as he’s known by his fans chose the right time to retire, like all great men he had the audacity to accept that he is now past his peak and for that he will always be saluted.

 He holds the brightest records in all of cricket, having played 166 tests in which he scored 13289 runs, among them 45 centuries, at an average of 55.37. He also took 292 wickets. In 328 one-day internationals, he made 11579 runs at 44.36, had 17 hundreds, and claimed 273 wickets. Kallis appeared in 25 T20 internationals, reaching 50 in five of them and taking four wickets once.

“I realised in Sri Lanka that my dream of playing in a World Cup was a bridge too far,” Kallis was quoted as saying in a Cricket SA statement. “I just knew on that tour that I was done.”

“I am not retiring from all cricket as I have a two-year contract with the Sydney Thunder and, if possible, (I would like) to help the Kolkata Knight Riders defend the IPL (Indian Premier League) title we won earlier this year.” He added.
He scored five runs in three innings in the rubber, and did not bowl because of a back problem. As a matter of facts, he made just one 50 in his last 10 ODI innings. Though his form has been questioned recently,he is unquestionably the greatest South African cricketer of all times. It is not just his statistics that make this claim but the facts that he has represented the Proteas at 5 World Cups and was named Man of the Series when the Proteas won their only major ICC title at the 1998 ICC Champions’ Trophy. He was also named South African Cricketer of the Year in 2011, having previously won the inaugural award in 2004 and was also selected for the ICC Test Team of the Year for 2011 and again in 2012.

Hashim Amla who is now the first South African non-white captain said Kallis left a great legacy that many young cricketers could follow. The 31-year-old batsman has some big shoes to fill because he takes over from Graeme Smith, who stood down in March after holding the post for more than a decade. Smith was captain for more Tests than any other player in the history of the game and achieved the best record among all captains with 53 wins – ahead of Australia’s Ricky Ponting with 48.

"Jacques is a legend; sportsmen like him only come around once every five decades," Amla said.

"He is an astute professional who always gave 100 percent for his country and I believe a lot of youngsters coming up can learn a lot from the way he shaped his career.

"He will be sorely missed in the dressing room and in the slips where he was a trademark figure.

"It has been a pleasure to have shared the crease with him on a number of occasions, and I wish him well for the future. He has earned his break."

De Villiers said Kallis' experience and tactical nous would be missed in the Proteas' environment, along with the professionalism and humility with which he went about his game.

"His value and statistics on the field speak volumes, but his presence in the change room and willingness to teach the youngsters was immense," he said.

"He has played a big role personally for me since making my debut for South Africa in 2004, and he is a huge loss for South African cricket.

"It's unfortunate that he won't be making the journey with us to the World Cup, but we will definitely carry his resilience and professionalism with us out on the field."

 “On behalf of CSA and all our stakeholders, I would like to sincerely thank Jacques for his huge contribution to the game of cricket and wish him only the best as he moves on from the international playing arena.” Said Cricket South Africa (CSA) Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat

An amazing journey he had, Kallis will always be a giant of the game in SA and the world, and it is to his credit that he has been big enough to walk away without, as far as is known, being pushed. Building up to next year’s World cup, who is going to fill the BIG shoes of “King Kallis”. SA play their first game of the World Cup against Zimbabwe in Hamilton on March 15. Looks like Faf du Plessis is likely to replace Kallis at No3 in the batting order, but that decision does not have to be made right now, only time will tell.

The effect of strikes in the South African economy

Wandiswa Ntengento

 South Africa is a nation that boasts a rich history of political independence and cultural diversity .This is the same country that faced racial division, political oppression and social injustice during apartheid. However,this social war ended and a rainbow nation was birthed.

Even though South Africa has been emancipated from the apartheid regime, it still faces massive socio-economic ills. These factors have evoked uprisings in several sectors in the labour industry.

In the past months a number of strikes have plagued the country and caused a decline in the rand. In January hundreds of mineworkers downed tools demanding a monthly salary of R12 500 a month from mining giants, Lonmin and Anglo American Platinum. After lengthy negotiations AMCU members closed a deal with the platinum producers and signed an agreement. However, the strike had cost the platinum mining industry a loss of R24 billion in revenue.

According to the City Press, a total of 99 strikes were recorded in 2012 which almost half of them were unprotected or illegal strikes characterized by violence. Labour Director General, Nkosinathi Nhleko says that strikes over the period involved over 240 000 workers and had cost the economy 3.3 million working days.

 Nombuyiselo Njongisa, a government employed street sweeper describes the state of South Africa:

"South Africa is in a stationery mode because there is less progress happening. Government  and business owners are more concerned about themselves and what they can gain from the system rather than listen to the very people who voted them in power. The views of the people are no longer heard hence the uprising."  

This come after more than 200 miners were involved in a bloody shoot out with police in Marikana near Rustenburg in 2012 which left 34 miners dead and 78 wounded.

 

Economist at the Free Market Foundation, Jasson Urbach  provides a solution for strikes in South Africa in an article  titled The nature, causes and outcomes of strike action in SA:

"Government must start to think once again about ordinary poor South Africans - black and white. It will need to weigh up the risks of taking on vested interests against the risks of increasing unrest and disquiet among poor unemployed South Africans. The government must make up its mind as to whether in tackling unemployment it should look at the big picture that includes the unemployed or cater for the interests of the already employed.  The future of the country depends on this."

MEDIA AND VENDA CULTURE IN LIMPOPO : by Thokozani Shongwe

Culture is the arts and manifestation of human achievement regarded collectively. It is the ideas, actions and social behavior of particular people or society. Thus, it drives with the characteristics of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion cuisine, social habit etc. Limpopo is a wild life destination with lot of game and nature reserve including the Northern Kruger National Park. Apart from game viewing and birding, it is a home to remain of ancient culture as an integrating Venda culture.

According to a Sowetan story which was widely reported on by other media outlet, the Venda lobby group welcomed Hlaudi  Motsoeneng to Thohoyandou with the gift of a cow and calf before lining up girls from which the Chief Operating Officer of SABC could pick his wife of choice. The girls were around ten and they paraded for him to choose. He chose the one he liked. Sowetan featured a picture of Motsoeneng with his choice, 23 year-old Venessa Mutswari. Thus, Venessa denied that she was given to anybody as a present and it is not Venda culture, she clarified that she was just an usher nothing more or less.

In generally, to some other people these allegations could be true, depending on the average of understanding the Venda culture. Moreover it is not possible that or for woman to be offered as a gift. However in due to some of Venda customs, it may be believed to be possible by general people. For example, they still practice planned marriage. In specific ceremonies, the Vhavenda king gets to choose a wife, but in these situations the woman is usually from a royal family and the marriage has already been discussed and not everyone would be aware that they have discussed it, especially if one is not a Venda.

The media plays a major role in contrasting the whole South Africa even the world into a single village, for we tend to know what is happening through the media. However, in the case of Motsoeneng, the media have wrongly intervened on this matter. The journalist translated or interpreted what happened on that event inappropriate, and they went for painting without interviewing both victims. By so doing, they jeopardized Mutswari’s marriage because she is engaged.

South Africa is a multicultural country where all citizens exercises their culture freely, and not undermine others culture. In other words, it is key to know others culture. The media plays a major role in portraying various cultures. However, on the case of Motsoeneng and Mutswari, media’s intervenient ruined their lives. Furthermore, South African media intervene much on the failure and not success of culture.

Illegal initiation schools have turned the circumcision culture into "something criminal" By Sisonke Mlamla (@Sisonke_mlamla)

The Xhosa culture, well known for its traditional circumcision and initiation custom ‘’Ulwaluko’’, has been attributed with various successes to the Department of Health such as lowering the risk of Sexual Transmitted Disease, educating young males for manhood responsibilities and also justifies young men to partake in male activities such as tribal meetings.

Tragically due to vulnerability, some males are forced to undergo the ritual without the awareness of their families while some are led by the influence of peer pressure, drugs and alcohol abuse. It would be inappropriate to say these are aware of the consequences of partaking in the custom.

The custom itself has been dark-lined with casualties such as abuse of initiates in certain villages hence arousing questions such as, “Should the practice be discontinued”? Should it be taken over by the Department of Health? Recent reports by the Eastern Cape Health department (2014-07-08) revealed that since the beginning of the winter initiation season, the deaths of initiates has risen to 25.

Two weeks back in one village outside Mbizana, Madiba village, an initiation school was allegedly attacked by a group of other initiates from another tribe. Thirteen boys escaped uninjured, and the initiation school was burned down. What is happening to our African Cultures? Is it substituted by modernism?

Spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said ‘’the parents of the initiates were to blame for some of the problems experienced, because Parents allowed criminals masquerading as circumcision experts to circumcise their children. The parents also denied health workers access so they could examine the boys, now Illegal initiation schools have turned the circumcision culture into something criminal’’He also said "In one instance, a young boy died a day after his father refused him access to a health worker. That parent must be held accountable."(www.news24.com)The chairman of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders, Nkosi Ngangomhlaba Matanzima, is reported as saying "this is shocking, what are we not doing right?"

The circumcision crisis is seen by some as a battle between modern and traditional practices, or cultural versus health rights. This is not helpful. This is a matter of life and death and as such it places a duty on the Government to intervene and requires the Traditional Leadership to effect the necessary changes that will enable initiation practices to continue under safe conditions.

The not-so shameful age of women

Lynn Butler

Women protesting for their rights. Image: LIFE

  
Since our existence, man is symbolised to conquer and be superior to a woman. We (our society) are taught to believe that we live in a universe where the man is often seen sitting high on a pedestal. Eminent leaders namely presidency’s and spiritual leaders such as Jesus Christ and God are a few examples of how women culture had to always revolve around mankind. 

Women are sometimes often known as the secondary sex and through the ages women have struggled to oppose this presumption. The long tradition has been for males to protect females. Evolutionist, Charles Darwin revealed that a major plank of evolution theory was the belief of intellectual and physical inferiority of women. The uprising towards women equality has been a slow and growing progress, here is a short summary of when women achieved remarkable benchmarks levelling with the opposite sex:

• 1702 - The reign of Queen Anne.  The 1707 Act of Union made Anne the first ruler of Great Britain.
• 1840 - Catherine Brewer becomes first woman to receive a bachelor’s degree, from Georgia Female College (now Wesleyan College).
• 1848 - The world’s first women’s right convention held in New York, July 19-20.
• 1849 - Amelia Jenks Bloomer publishes and edits ‘The Lily’ the first women’s rights newspaper.
• 1850 - The first woman graduated under police guard.
• 1855 - Lucy Stone became the first woman on record to keep her own name after marriage.
• 1855 - The University of Iowa becomes the first state school to admit women.
• 1872 - Susan B. Anthony is arrested for trying to vote.
• 1877 - Helen Magill becomes the first woman to receive a Ph.D, a doctorate in Greek.
• 1878 - The Susan B. Anthony Amendment granted the right for women to vote.
• 1900 - Women competed for the first time in the Olympic Games. Hélène de Pourtalès, a sailor, was the first female Olympian champion.
• 1903 - Marie Curie wins the Nobel Prize for her work on radioactivity and the discovery of radium.
• 1917 - Jeanette Rankin of Montana becomes the first woman elected to US Congress.
• 1918 - Women over the age of 30 given the vote in the UK.
• 1920 - 19th Amendment gives women right to vote in the US.
• 1932 - Amelia Earhart becomes first woman to fly solo across Atlantic.
• 1938 - Fair Labor Standards Act establishes minimum wage without regard to gender.
• 1955 - The first lesbian organization in U.S., Daughters of Bilitis, is founded.
• 1963 - Valentina Tereshkova becomes the first woman in space when the Vostok 6 orbits the earth 38 times.
• 1974 - The world's first woman President was Marma Estela 'Isabel' Martinez Cartas de Peron of Argentina, after her husband died Isabel served as president.
• 1980 - The world's first elected woman President was Vigdis Finnbogadottir of Iceland.

Former President of Iceland Vigdis Finnbogadottir.

Image: Cocnoticias

In the 21^st century, a woman is now looked upon as an equal in some forms or another. Unlike in previous decades, women of today are more independent and self-efficient.  However, women of modern society are still struggling today for equal rights, recognition and independency. 

For the past century, the movement towards uplifting women’s rights have drastically changed the world. It will be interesting to see what the situation will be in the next century and hopefully it’s for the better.

Celebrating a lifetime Legacy : BY SANDISO NDLOVANA

Today marks the first time the country celebrates the birth of Tata Nelson Mandela without his presence. He may have passed on but his spirit shall forever remain in the lands of South Africa. He was not only a father to the Mandela family but a father to the whole nation. The man whom among others brought this country freedom, he shall be celebrated forever.

Now it all in the hands of the generation he fought for, and we are the generation indeed. Freedom brought lot of opportunities for the nation, especially youth. We are the youth that is free from oppressors, the youth that their voices can be had. When Tata chose peace over revenge; he dreamt of a generation that will walk free in its own lands. It seems we living a dream of a wise man.

The government in it capacity tries to improve our lives in many ways, education in particular. It is true that we are receiving a much better education then our parents did. Yes it not the best in the world but with a pure positive mind, it is a tool for a better life. If a man that the nation is celebrating today was able to obtain that much education during the apartheid era. Than freedom should be enough to strengthen our wings and so we shall fly higher. As a young person I feel in this special day let me weigh myself educational. As Mandela himself encouraged education in one of his famous quotes “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.

In celebrating Mandela day I wish the youth to move from the circle of blaming and pointing figures at the present leaders for everything that goes wrong in this country. Yet we are the very same people voting for them. In my opinion we are those leaders in waiting. Let’s one learn from the great man’s work and fight for the future. The little opportunities we have can definitely take one to better life. In his words “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do”.

 The time is now for each of us to embrace Madiba’s legacy. As we go out today to do different things spending 67 minutes in community services celebrating his birth. Let it be known that we are not doing this for Madiba anymore but for ourselves. Tata made the nation see the significance of loving one another. The how that love is shared across the country really depends in one’s heart.

In loving memory of Tata Nelson Mandela, celebrations are all over the country. However I hope we are all filled with the same idea of celebrating this day accordingly

All you can do in Madiba month : By Bongani Mtshwene

It is that time again folks, the 18^th of July is the late former president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela’s birthday; this date was declared Nelson Mandela International Day by the United Nations in November 2009. And in so doing, the UN has recognised Mandela’s values and his dedication to service of humanity and promotion of world peace.

Year after year, South Africa and the world celebrate Nelson Mandela month and 67 minutes for Mandela. These initiatives are dedicated to honouring uTata’s life and deeds through individual power to make a change in the world around us.

The ideology behind this is to build a global movement for positive change, raising awareness and promoting Mandela’s values – fighting injustice and practicing reconciliation.

But what can one do to commemorate the ideas of this visionary on this day?

A good place to start is at the fast growing Mandela Day Marathon. The marathon is run from Pietermaritzburg to Howick in KwaZulu-Natal. The number of participants has grown exponentially since its inception in 2012, from 1500 to 5500 in 2013. A good way to get fit, meet new people and celebrate Madiba’s legacy.

If you’re not much of a sportsperson you could simply donate blood. The South African National Blood Service has urged South Africans to donate blood on Mandela Day as part of their “Time to Serve” campaign. Spokesperson Vanessa Raju says the best way to live the Mandela legacy is to help save a life, and I guess it should be fairly rewarding to take time out of your life to save another.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has also empowered many South Africans to go out to local townships in a work effort to help those in need. One can help at orphanages, old age homes or simply by cleaning up the environment amongst other things.

Another initiative that has been making waves is Caring4Girls, where one can donate sanitary towels to underprivileged girls. One can help raise funds for these girls by donations which can be done online at www.imbumbafoundation.org/donate/

If you find yourself done with all these activities and you feel like taking a break, you could go watch Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom. This epic biopic will be screened for free throughout July. This will mark the Mandela Month celebrations and will also serve as a treat for all South Africans.

 www.mandeladay.com is fantastic website that offers information about volunteer opportunities for taking action and inspiring change, one may visit this site to get access to dates, venues and times to do better for South Africa.

These are only a handful of things that can be done to celebrate this awesome leader’s memory and legacy. All these acts of humility also need to be promoted outside of Madiba Month and 67 Minutes for Madiba. As South Africans we need to have Madiba’s ideals of peace, reconciliation and equality run through from the smallest of children to the elderly of citizens in this country.

I feel many companies use this month to make profits in the name of “campaigning for Madiba” and many people become desensitised from doing good because of this. The time for apathy is long gone, the time for racism is phasing out of the present and into history, it’s time we completely closed that chapter and move onto more of a utopian one.

Let us pay it forward by advocating for this visionary’s ideals and celebrate his memory by doing good for others.

Like the great Madiba said: “It is in your hands to make of our world a better one for all”

Happy Nelson Mandela Month!

For the love of art

Mailula Refilwe

Art and Craft  at the streets.

I‘ve always wondered why people give up fascinating careers to become artist, performers, musicians and the likes.  For once it never appeared to me that, following your heart can be so great and exciting. But to my surprise, that all changed when I became part of the national arts festival.

This is not because I was part of the media, or that I was a part of the future journalism programme.  It’s simply because of the love of art. For the good work others do.  For the passion reflected in the artists’ work.
 

I couldn’t resist but take more and more pictures of the magnificent work that was being portrayed at the stalls and streets.

As  for the shows, I can't lie, others where as if  they never  bothered to rehears. They were just making unnecessary movements on stage. Nonetheless,  from all the shows that I’ve watched, the one that really stood out and took my full concentration is the theatre play called Protest. It got me wishing that I was part of the cast. The roar I made when they engaged us (the audience) into the play was phenomenal.

From these eleven days of amazing shows I can proudly say   kea leboga (thank you) national arts festival, for rejuvenating my soul.

 

 

Lira made my festival great

Thembani Onceya

It has been unusual performances happening on the streets, halls are all used for stage performances and there are young kids who are trying to make money by being statues all over the town.

IRhini/Grahamstown is always packed with artists who came from all over South Africa to sell their work, expose their products and to also network with each other.

Lira signing autograph at the Settlers Monument. 



This is the 40^th anniversary of National Art Festival and I am the participant of the Future Journalism Programme. So I had an opportunity to attend few productions and to write reviews for Cue newspaper. The first show I attended was ‘Prince Senie- the curse of Logoza’ which was an expression of music, dance and monologues. The show got me excited to watch more. Then I went to watch ‘Kwa Nongqongqo’ which is the story of two prisoners who dream about life outside the prison bars.  Both of these productions were my reviews and were published in Cue newspaper.

This was not enough; I thought the festival in town does not mean people have no festival in the township. Then I went to Fingo Festival, where I saw the local talent and the majority were Grahamstown performers. The festival was happening at Raglan Road in Kwa Jackie market square. There were young kids, youth and adults having entertainment from many different artists.

It wouldn’t be what it meant to me until; I went to Lira’s show at Guy Buttler Theatre hall in Settlers Monument. I am speechless about her performance. I don’t have words to say.

 

   



My FJP winter experience

 



Upon my arrival in Grahamstown I had mixed emotions, a part of me was excited and looking forward to the programme yet the other part was sceptical due to the cold weather in the town.  I didn’t know what to expect and before I knew it, the programme itself warmed me up and the organisers didn’t disappoint in keeping the fire burning.

After having a good rest on Monday 7^th, I woke up looking forward to watch the first show which I was assigned to the following day, titled Abadala First.  Wow, I have to admit that for someone who is not into stage drama like me, this particular show was a definite start to trigger my enthusiasm because it helped me to look forward to watch other shows.

 

The content of the play was original and profound yet easy to relate to as it contained a strong human interest angle.   I enjoyed the fact that it was not only entertaining but it was also educative and informative.  It expanded my mind into a lot of issues that we leave in the mist of in society, most of them which we do not pay attention to or rather afraid to talk about.



A chilled musical performance on the street

 

 

 

 

Furthermore it was a humbling experience to observe the beauty of art in the National Arts Festival, I’ve learnt a lot and I’ve seen a lot of interesting and talented people who are also passionate about the work of their hands.  I also enjoyed the diversity of cultures which was expressed in different ways, and I couldn’t have asked for more, it was total bliss.

 

 

All art forms in Grahamstown

                       

noxolo nhlangothi

Right from the first day of my arrival Grahamstown did look different, from the hectic traffic of cars, people and the busy night life I knew the National arts festival was going to be interesting. It is definitely different from most that I have seen. This united almost everyone from musicians, actors, comedians, dancers and different business owners who all came together and contributed.

The first show I saw “speak sign love” only had one line in it, I only had to keep focus and follow the plot and review, for a play that had limited dialogue it was good. The fact that I had a working partner that has had a bit of experience helped me learn a lot faster than I normally would alone. And then there was a comedy show by Dalin oliver which for me was really well prepared, the guy is very funny even talks to his audience like they are all his best friends after the show.

one of the free shows at NAF

Free shows were also there even when you just walk up or further down the street. Then there was my biggest challenge which I think is the highlight of my training process, putting together radio news report and going around for stories was a bit challenging since I was not used to walking up to people and just ask for their stories. Reading news for the first time was the scariest feeling but I gained a lot of new knowledge, all my trainers were patient and great.