FJP 2013 Profile

Name: Kagiso “Isa” Makwana

Age: 20

Born in: Groblersdal, Limpopo

Studies at: University of Limpopo

Studying: BA (Media Management and Communications)

Likes: “I like soccer because it’s refreshing after reading; it’s entertaining and I get to socialise with people”

Hates: “Drinking causes damages – alcohol disturbs the mind and if it is damaged it can never be recovered” 

Text and Pic by Youlendree Appasamy

Ending the 'Race' in Sports

Name: Alfred “ ali alfy” Makhubela
Age : 21
Born: Mpumalanga, Bushbuckridge
Studies at: Tshwane University of Technology
Studying: Journalism
Likes: Music
Hates: “I hate people who look down on others” 

Text and Picture by Sarin Drew

The issue of race in sports is not new to the South Africa, least of all to upcoming journalist, Alfy Makhubela, 21, who believes race and sports can be mesh through development and fairness. Makhubela, a journalism student at Tshwane University of Technology, has a passion for sports journalism and insists that his style can readily encourage sports development among disadvantaged communities.

Makhubela was forced to acknowledge the racial lines drawn clearly on South African sports fields. He drew from his own experience with cricket. He had a passion for the game and was involved in playing in an all-black cricket team despite it being a stereotypically Indian sport.

“There is no problem with identifying that certain races are involved in certain sports,” he said, “Soccer is known as a black sport because most of the players are black. However, the inclusion of most races in sport will be able to change that perspective.” 

“Living in a diverse country, it is important for black journalists to be a part of all types of sports. Sports are all about talent, not about the colour of your skin.” 

Unlike the idealistic banter of most authorities on sports, Makhubela is against the quota system established to ensure equality in sports. “Instead, I would like to see the introduction of rugby and cricket into [black] schools,” he says. “When this opportunity is given to a range of people, equality can happen”

He wants to specialise in profiling athletes in order to encourage equality and insists that, “readers have to know something about players so that they can be encouraged by their role models who have come from unprivileged backgrounds” 

“With my solution, one day we might reach a 50/50 quota naturally.”

Link to Alfie's Blog

FJP 2013 commences

The Future Journalists Programme (FJP) commenced yesterday. Sixteen students from ten universities around the country converged at Rhodes University's School of Journalism and Media Studies to kick start their FJP year with the Autumn School.

FJP is funded by the Open Society Foundation (OSF-SA) and is in its sixth year. It brings together young journalists to come and learn together, bridging gaps in the different journalism curriculum. It also focuses on introducing them ICTs as tools for journalism.

In line with the 2013 Highway Africa Conference, FJP activities will be centered around the umbrella theme "Youth Speaking Truth to Power" to prepare the students for the media debates in September.

FJP runs workshops during three schools (Autumn, Winter, Spring). Each workshop has its own theme which is a subsection of the umbrella theme. The Autumn School, which runs from 23-27 March 2013 will discuss the theme "Development Journalism- citizenship, responsibility and the digital divide." This theme sees students unpack what 'the development agenda' is; how media have framed this over the years; how government could use this area of journalism for propaganda tracing different treatment of the development agenda by various media institutions.

The students are trained by Sim Kyazze, Writing and Editing Lecturer at Rhodes University's School of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS).

FJP alumni, Nompumelelo Mncube (FJP2012) is mentoring the new group, as means to give back to the programme and build on her development as well.

A new dawn for Newcastle Hospice Association

Sphelele Ngubane

Community officials of Newcastle Luthando Hospice Association saw their days of agonising coming to an end on Tuesday, December 04, 2012 when they received a vehicle to use when travelling to take care of the ill at their homes.

A portion of R500 000 the hospice received as a sponsorship from Lotto Distribution Fund in March this year, was used to acquire the brand new sedan.

According to the manager of the association, Ntombi Khumalo, working without a vehicle has been an obstacle that prevented them from regularly visiting the sick people in need of care.

She said now that they have a car, they will be able to help more people and be available when they are needed.

“We are very thankful to Lotto.  This car will help expand our services to the community,” said Mrs Khumalo.

The association which operates near the Newcastle train station takes care of 104 people around Newcastle.  It voluntarily gives help to people who live with disabilities, HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and other diseases.

Khumalo expanded on some of the challenges they were facing when they needed to visit people they are looking after.

“We found it hard to walk to some of the homes, sometimes we would even not find some of them,” explained Mrs Khumalo.

An assistant manager Thembi Maphalala said it felt good when someone was thriving whom she had helped.

“It becomes painful seeing someone suffering and one has no means of helping them but since we’ve been given this car I know we’ll do more,” Ms Maphalala optimistically said.

Ms Maphalala further explained although they had received donations from various instances but financial burden never diminished, as funds are always necessary to keep the hospice up and running.

Soshanguve gogo’s making a difference

Sthembiso Sithole

@SITHOLEEXPRESS

Travelling is often regarded in Soshanguve as something that is done by young people but that will soon change.

Grannies from Soshanguve Block G have started a non-profit organisation called Gogo on Tour, established in May.

 Gogo on Tour chairperson, Thoko Matjokane says she told her two daughters   about her dream to start the organisation.

Gogo on Tour, grannies ready to travel the world.

According to Matjokane, many grannies spend most of their time doing nothing and she wanted to change that by introducing a new idea that will help them to be active.

“After observing how our senior citizens are discarded once they reach the age of retirement, I wanted to do away with one foot in the grave mentality,” Matjokane said.

She added that the grannies would be able to meet peers from other walks of life.

The project targets grannies from Soshanguve, Mamelodi, Atteridgeville and Hammanskraal.

Grannies are divided in three categories according to age.  The Silver Group are grannies that are between 60-70 year-old will be given an opportunity to travel long distances as to Robben Island and other neighbouring countries. The Golden Group are grannies from 70-80 years.  They are set to travel locally to museums and the zoological gardens.  The Platinum Group are 90-100 years get a chance to attend big functions such as Mandela’s birthday party.

One of the grannies involved in the organisation, Monica Nkosi said she was in high spirits as she believed that Gogo on Tour would help her to stop worrying about death.

“I think this is a great idea. We will be able to relax and have fun,” Nkosi said.

 Gogo on Tour still needs financial assistance, office equipment, and support with logistics.

Multitasking Gospel singer

Sthembiso Sithole

@SITHOLEEXPRESS

During the day Lulama Kwani is a teacher at Beyond Kindergarten Pre-School in Soshanguve Block XX. After school she is a gospel musician and a preacher.

This 44 -year-old left her job at the Department of Water and Forestry Affairs in 2008 just to fulfil her calling.

Lulama Kwani following her

calling to help the comminity

"I resigned where I worked because God called me to serve Him and preach gospel to the people," Kwani said.

She started singing at an early age and released her first gospel album titled “My first love,” in 2008. In the same year she became a church member at Grace Christian Centre where she managed to touch many lives through the word of God.

One of the reasons she followed her calling was to reach out to the youth.

"There are a lot of things that are happening in this country. Nyaope is having a negative impact on the lives of our children and I hope that things will change," she said.

During her journey as a musician and preacher she finally decided to open a pre-school in February 2011. "I love being with children. I take it as a ministry and my happiness rests in them," Kwani said.

According to her at the pre-school they teach pupils about Christianity.

Nomsa Nawa, a teacher at the pre-school expressed her satisfaction with Kwani.

"She is a good boss who believes in God. Parents and children are happy with her effort towards them," Nawa said.

In the afternoon from 6:00 pm until 12:00 am Kwani usually has practise sessions with her band.  They prepare for upcoming performances. She recently performed at a fundraising concert at Thabang mental home in Soshanguve Block S. 

She said that on 14 December they will visit local orphanages and help raise money for them.

MALEMA HITS BACK

STHEMBISO SITHOLE

I have read and heard most of my friends and fellow South Africans expressing their views about Malema. With others even calling him a fool after yesterday press conference. I personally think and believe that it is a political game that Malema is playing. As you would know and understand Malema has a big influence to the masses.

GOOGLE

Attacking the president and the current ANC leadership is another way to hit back on what happened to him and his fellow comrades early this year.

 I still think President Jacob Zuma used Malema to get the votes from the masses and he made a huge mistake to allow Malema to be victimised by the NEC.

Since when people in a democratic country are not allowed to express their views and why does Zuma  say Malema is taking advantage of the miners?  When Malema addressed University students, it was said that Malema is taking advantage of the students. The fact is and will always remain Malema is in touch with the masses and that is a huge threat to Zuma and his loyal followers.

Responding to comments by some fellow South Africans about Malema deciding to speak about corruption within ANC. I think one should understand that any politician expelled from the party he love and work hard for would do whatever it takes to discredit the current leadership of that party and all those who had a final say to remove him/her.

I wish one day most South Africans would stop, I mean stop including emotions when discussing politics. Remember politics is about critical and radical thinking. Malema made it clear yesterday that he is ready to fight for miners. He added that he see no reason for the army to be deployed at Marikana. It is no secret that there were innocent residents in that area who were shot and injured.

Inspiring Photo Journos

As I set by my desk, in the late hours of the night whilst hoping for a miracle picture to save me for my pending assignment, a great art-like piece by photo journalist Carsten Snejbjerg was my saving grace. "Carsten Snejbjerg?!" I thought to myself. What is he about?! Luckily, there was a fantastic link to his seemingly great snapshots. I discovered that he is an award-winning photo-journo who has published pictures for media giants such as Vanity Fair, Newsweek and Le Monde. His story is a great one too. Upon embarking on a 3,400 km bike trip from China to Vietnam in 1997, he sought to take the challenge of photojournalism in 2000 after the leap of motivation he experienced in Asia. Today, he is a remarkable Danish representative of the dynamic media industry.

Here is a link to Snjebjerg's website which showcases an array of immaculate photography and stories:

http://www.carstensnejbjerg.com/news.html

                                 

                                      Picture by: Carsten Snejbjerg

                                     Inspired by cock fighting which originated as a sport in the Philippines, 16th century

                                         

After viewing Snjebjerg's work, I thought it possible for me to give photojourn a try. Please do note: the cock and the image of the person have no link whatsoever.

                                    

                                         Picture by: Zithobile Zwane & Julia Payle

   

                                         Picture by: Zithobile Zwane & Julia Payle

Sipho Mutsi, ‘the Barefooted Comrade’

By Tendai Sibanda

The  captivating documentary  tells the life story of one of the lesser
spoken, determined and committed  young South African  political activist
Sipho Mutsi  who was prepared to give up his life as a ransom in the name
of freedom, and  to improve his socio-economic conditions  from
the cruel apartheid regime.

Born 1967 in the Free State province,, he was an exceptional thinker from an early age and ahead of his peers, which lead him on to his activist path.

When Mtusi speaks about the political struggle, people take note.. After the passing of the Freedom Charter in 1955he lost interest in his artistic work and became more determined to take his political stance to another level.

In 1985 he was arrested for his political activities and severely
tortured. He died at Odendaalsrus Police station in the Free State, where he had been detained.

His dynamic life story is a reminder of the fallen heroes of the political struggle and a
documentary not to miss out.