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
09 July, 2011
NOW THE YOUTH SPEAKS
The presentation by Gerad Boyce on the youth voices in South Africa was quiet good but as a youth among the assembly I was left with so many unanswered questions. In that manner he emphasized on two distinct point that the youth of today are a generation of crisis but in the discussion the presenter was not able to make an introspection in the different situation that the youth of today are facing.
From such concerns and questions, I realized that young people are often confronted by a plethora of issues and questions about HIV, AIDS and sexuality to which they need answers. However, I believe that the presenter could have highlighted the issues that the generation is facing.Gerad mainly focused on the quantitative approach ignoring the facts that when referring to a large number and for it to be meaningful and authentic it has to have the qualitative approach.
Gerad also brought the limelight a very important point on the consensus that young people are different in comparison with the class of the `76`.Looking back at the presentation made by Elinor Sisulu she emphasized on the fact that the emergency of the I CTs has transformed the lives of young people which therefore if African are the set of group that has a low percentage of these ICTs and have a high percentage of high expectation, I believe that the youth of today can use these ICTs to change the crisis they are facing and live a better life.
By Portia Makore
From such concerns and questions, I realized that young people are often confronted by a plethora of issues and questions about HIV, AIDS and sexuality to which they need answers. However, I believe that the presenter could have highlighted the issues that the generation is facing.Gerad mainly focused on the quantitative approach ignoring the facts that when referring to a large number and for it to be meaningful and authentic it has to have the qualitative approach.
Gerad also brought the limelight a very important point on the consensus that young people are different in comparison with the class of the `76`.Looking back at the presentation made by Elinor Sisulu she emphasized on the fact that the emergency of the I CTs has transformed the lives of young people which therefore if African are the set of group that has a low percentage of these ICTs and have a high percentage of high expectation, I believe that the youth of today can use these ICTs to change the crisis they are facing and live a better life.
By Portia Makore
Perceptions of life satisfactions amongst youth!
Youth voices in South Africa: An echo in the Age of hope is one of the presentations that lacked cause and effect at the National Arts Festival . Gerard Boyce is one of such man who engages in research in bringing the so-called concrete generalisation. He underwent a basic research, but according to him is an applied research.
The research had findings that were in contrast with one another. In his statistical figures; that ranged within the satisfaction with service delivery where he found no significant difference. All miniature captured really showed a stereotyped ideology (random conclusions) where he conducted a quantitative approach in his research. One of his nonsensical conclusions was that all African youth are very enthusiastic towards their future whereas the next figure showed that they are behind times too much.
In that regard, the researcher failed in the first step where he aimed on describing the blind relationship between classified groups. The finding did not deliver the facts but his assumptions and non-attestable hypothesis. Phenomenon under the study was supposed to be objectively conducted under the qualitative design where information can be linked. Hence, participation rather not on-looking observation could have helped in the matter.
He has failed to explore and come up with all connotations of the main problem. The point of digital divide blacks and whites, proved the future orientated group which is coloureds and whites. It really showed that they are the ones who know what’s in store for them.
By Moses Moreroa
The research had findings that were in contrast with one another. In his statistical figures; that ranged within the satisfaction with service delivery where he found no significant difference. All miniature captured really showed a stereotyped ideology (random conclusions) where he conducted a quantitative approach in his research. One of his nonsensical conclusions was that all African youth are very enthusiastic towards their future whereas the next figure showed that they are behind times too much.
In that regard, the researcher failed in the first step where he aimed on describing the blind relationship between classified groups. The finding did not deliver the facts but his assumptions and non-attestable hypothesis. Phenomenon under the study was supposed to be objectively conducted under the qualitative design where information can be linked. Hence, participation rather not on-looking observation could have helped in the matter.
He has failed to explore and come up with all connotations of the main problem. The point of digital divide blacks and whites, proved the future orientated group which is coloureds and whites. It really showed that they are the ones who know what’s in store for them.
By Moses Moreroa
WAS HE WELL PREPARED?
Going to a talk to listen to what other young South Africans have to say about some of the issues surrounding them you would have all sorts of expectations. Well, I expected a whole lot more than what Gerard Boyce, a PhD student at UKZN had to offer at the Think Fest session. His research was more quantitative than qualitative. Oh well, Nyx, our trainer was more than willing to tell him that. Ouch! Bruised the guy’s ego though! And Nqo our coordinator couldn’t stop talking, the dude could not even attempt to answer her. HIGH FIVE LADIES!
Anyways, from what he presented there he mentioned that race seems to be driving differences between people more than the age differences. I agree and disagree to this statement because you will find that people of the same race share the same views about some issues but sometimes the issue of class affects the way people think and drives the differences between citizens.
“Youth has more hope in the future, whereas older people have less hope in the future.” Well I might agree to that, old people do have a doubt in the younger generation and its future. “Africans are not satisfied with life now, but have high hopes for the future for the future” What does this conclude about “Africans”? And anyways, what is his definition of “Africans”?
In his research he states that in the great expectations, Africans have high expectations about the future. In digital Divide, Africans have far less access to Information Communication Technologies than any other races. Does this mean that by hoping that the future will be better, the “Africans” are hoping that the digital divide gap will be bridged?
By: Sesethu Malgas
Anyways, from what he presented there he mentioned that race seems to be driving differences between people more than the age differences. I agree and disagree to this statement because you will find that people of the same race share the same views about some issues but sometimes the issue of class affects the way people think and drives the differences between citizens.
“Youth has more hope in the future, whereas older people have less hope in the future.” Well I might agree to that, old people do have a doubt in the younger generation and its future. “Africans are not satisfied with life now, but have high hopes for the future for the future” What does this conclude about “Africans”? And anyways, what is his definition of “Africans”?
In his research he states that in the great expectations, Africans have high expectations about the future. In digital Divide, Africans have far less access to Information Communication Technologies than any other races. Does this mean that by hoping that the future will be better, the “Africans” are hoping that the digital divide gap will be bridged?
By: Sesethu Malgas
Opinion on Gerard Boyce talk at think Fest
Gerard Boyce, an economist student doing his doctrine at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal gave a presentation this morning in Eden Grove, on the topic of Youth attitudes in regards to SA identity, democracy, life satisfaction. He used a qualitative method for his study. His presentation also showed that youth attitudes are related to perception of life satisfaction.
His study showed that the youth’s attitudes towards voting were not huge, that the youth were disinterested when it came to those matters. I believe the apathy which the youth have towards voting is because we feel no one takes us seriously but this does not mean they will not vote although this may not be the truth for most.
Young people are a youth in crisis! I believe the youth are in crisis in terms of how we identify with who we are in relation to the older people.
His study used the categories of African, Colored, Indian and White. My question is, how do we define African? Anyone could have identified themselves as African, especially the youth.
In his presentation I noted that national pride, amongst our youth is quite high amongst the youth. Could this be due the recent events that have taken place in S.A.? I think events like the 2010 Soccer World Cup can be the reason it is high, although the voting is low it shows that the youth believe in our country and what it can be.
The study showed young people have more great expectations about the future and are more hopeful. This for me is a great link up to the national pride which was touched on. With that said the youth are hopeful because and have great expectations due to the fact that although there has been suffering endured in the past so with time we hope it will get better.
The qualitative study he used was not appropriate in regards to its agenda. It was a study about the youth but it felt like it was without the youth’s true opinions. Forums and discussions would have helped his study/findings.
In my opinion the youth are misunderstood and there are very few individuals to partake or engage with the youth, many things are based on assumptions.
By Nokwazi Khumalo
His study showed that the youth’s attitudes towards voting were not huge, that the youth were disinterested when it came to those matters. I believe the apathy which the youth have towards voting is because we feel no one takes us seriously but this does not mean they will not vote although this may not be the truth for most.
Young people are a youth in crisis! I believe the youth are in crisis in terms of how we identify with who we are in relation to the older people.
His study used the categories of African, Colored, Indian and White. My question is, how do we define African? Anyone could have identified themselves as African, especially the youth.
In his presentation I noted that national pride, amongst our youth is quite high amongst the youth. Could this be due the recent events that have taken place in S.A.? I think events like the 2010 Soccer World Cup can be the reason it is high, although the voting is low it shows that the youth believe in our country and what it can be.
The study showed young people have more great expectations about the future and are more hopeful. This for me is a great link up to the national pride which was touched on. With that said the youth are hopeful because and have great expectations due to the fact that although there has been suffering endured in the past so with time we hope it will get better.
The qualitative study he used was not appropriate in regards to its agenda. It was a study about the youth but it felt like it was without the youth’s true opinions. Forums and discussions would have helped his study/findings.
In my opinion the youth are misunderstood and there are very few individuals to partake or engage with the youth, many things are based on assumptions.
By Nokwazi Khumalo
My opinion on :Youth Voices in SA Echoes in the Age of Hope
By Wendy Ngcobo
One of the criteria that sparkled in the discussion that was run by PHD student Gerald Boyce was how happy the black youth were with democracy and the way things are run in South Africa. In my view that was not a correct account of the youth at large.
Young people are not happy with a lot of things that are happening and concluding that they are over a research that was done with 10 people is a bit shocking. Having just come from the Municipal elections it was discovered that young people did not bother to vote in these elections. Now I am not a researcher but they did not need to do a research or evaluation .It was the young people themselves speaking out ,simply saying they are not ‘happy’ with the way things are run in South African.
And this is not to say this is a recent account, but they have not been happy for along time only they have been trying to find measures and ways to make their voices heard.
The democracy issue in my view goes beyond race because to perceive that the black youth are happy with what they have now is not an accurate reflection of every one that considers themselves to be a young person in South Africa.
I am young person in this beautiful country of ours and feel Mr Boyce should consider engaging with us on an advanced approach because then he will have a realistic analysis on what I as a young person really think about the political structures and about the democratic structures in our country .
Alive in colour
Bursting with colour, his paintings are a reflection of the charming personality he possesses. He greats me with a smile and asks if I need anything. I casually decline and ask if I can do a profile on him. The stall is swarming with art loves and can hardly get a moment to engage with him long enough to ask a question.
This is Benjamin Furawo, originally Zimbabwean a painter with a talent for projecting everyday life in still art that one could almost connect with. ‘Painting one art work can take thirty minutes to two days depending on the mood of the day’, he says. He paints everyday and says ‘my uncle is the reason I paint, he strongly influenced my love for painting’.
Although he has faced many hard times such as his friends enduring xenophobia, to him being unable to find water paint to do what he loves and makes a living off. Although he loves being in South Africa but he still feels that he needs to explore his options. He plans on going to Germany at the end of September.
In every painting he gives his all and he wants to be remembered for the passion he portrayed in every art piece. ‘ I want people to appreciate my painting, that’s all’, he says. He casually tells me how he gave someone the same morning one of his art works for free. ‘I do it for the love not the money’.
by C Pumla Luthuli
This is Benjamin Furawo, originally Zimbabwean a painter with a talent for projecting everyday life in still art that one could almost connect with. ‘Painting one art work can take thirty minutes to two days depending on the mood of the day’, he says. He paints everyday and says ‘my uncle is the reason I paint, he strongly influenced my love for painting’.
Although he has faced many hard times such as his friends enduring xenophobia, to him being unable to find water paint to do what he loves and makes a living off. Although he loves being in South Africa but he still feels that he needs to explore his options. He plans on going to Germany at the end of September.
In every painting he gives his all and he wants to be remembered for the passion he portrayed in every art piece. ‘ I want people to appreciate my painting, that’s all’, he says. He casually tells me how he gave someone the same morning one of his art works for free. ‘I do it for the love not the money’.
by C Pumla Luthuli
What FJP means to Sibulele
For me this programme, which is greatly close to my heart, is not only just a networking opportunity but it is stepping stone for me to broaden my horizon in the field of journalism and media. When I found out I was accepted into the programme, Nqobile knows exactly how I reacted. I saw this as a prospect for me to enhance my likelihood of gaining employment in this ever competent field of reporting.
For FJP the F should fall away as the programme allows me to be a journalist now not just in future. I know that my participation in the programme will open doors for me as it has with previous participants.
Particularly the winter school, it has provided a glimpse into the busy and crazy life of a journalist. I long so much to be part of that world and the programme is the key for me to be there.
Based on the connection I had created with the participants and coordinators of the programme during autumn school, I began to see FJP as more of a family than anything else. I have shared so much with the journalists in this programme. They have touched my life and I hope I have touched theirs too in some way or by some means. As mentioned, the benefits I will reap from my involvement in the programme are extraordinarily rewarding since the programme is renowned by many media institutions and newsrooms because of the amazing training it provides which also supplement my academic curriculum.
Rhodents frequently display their disapproval for the programme labelling it as racist and discriminatory, I have defended the programme from those untransformed views and portrayed it the way it truly is to the students. Philosophically speaking, the programme gave me wings to fly to my future. That is what the Future Journalist Programme mean to me.
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
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
Shoelace Rockers
This up and coming incredibly talented band consisting of four band members are originally from the Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth.
Shoelace Rockers, previously known as ‘Untitled’ are a group of friends who share a love for music. The band however broke up as they had lost a band member but soon after rekindled their musical romance we now know as the Shoelace Rockers.
They all first met each other at the Arts centre in Port Elizabeth and have been friends ever since. Xola who is the drummer has a passion for jazz music and finds his inspiration there within. James on the keyboard lays his interest in hip hop music and is also a drama major. Vuzo, who studies music, is on the guitar. Lastly, Ndumiso a music major, who is on vocals and base guitar.
The name of their band symbolises oneness. The figurative idea of a shoe without a lace implies that there is no sense of togetherness hence the name ‘Shoelace’. Naturally, there are disagreements within any band but the Shoelace Rockers would not have it any other way. “We’d rather make a band with friends and encounter conflicts because they would be resolved quickly instead of with people who do not have an understanding of each other”.
Shoelace Rockers soul band are hoping to release a single soon and build up a reputable fan base. In time, they will be hitting centre stage with South Africa’s greatest.
By Duschanka Hitzeroth
ZENZO MOVES UP THE LADDER
ZENZO MOVES UP THE LADDER
Zenzo Moses Gambisa was born in Zimbabwe on October 25 1984. He started schooling in Zimbabwe until 2004 when he moved to South Africa following his father, James Gambisa a professor at Rhodes faculty of Environmental science.
In 2005 he enrolled at Rhodes to study towards the Bachelor of Pharmacy, and unfortunately, Moses failed his first year. Moses a true believer of the philosophy that everything happens for a reason is quite happy that he failed that year. It served him with an opportunity to be able to stay here in South Africa after completing his degree and be able to look for a job here. This was possible because his father, professor Gambisa was granted citizenship a year ago.
But in order for Moses to be allowed to practise as a pharmacist in S.A he had to get some recommendation letters for the Home Affairs department. He said that this is such a small letter but it cost him a year to wait for that letter. Finally he got it early this year and is waiting for his internship in a government’s provincial hospital which promises to come through in August.
Due to this situation his mother also was forced to leave her job in Zimbabwe to stay here and support her son while he was trying to find a job.
Zenzo Moses Gambisa was born in Zimbabwe on October 25 1984. He started schooling in Zimbabwe until 2004 when he moved to South Africa following his father, James Gambisa a professor at Rhodes faculty of Environmental science.
In 2005 he enrolled at Rhodes to study towards the Bachelor of Pharmacy, and unfortunately, Moses failed his first year. Moses a true believer of the philosophy that everything happens for a reason is quite happy that he failed that year. It served him with an opportunity to be able to stay here in South Africa after completing his degree and be able to look for a job here. This was possible because his father, professor Gambisa was granted citizenship a year ago.
But in order for Moses to be allowed to practise as a pharmacist in S.A he had to get some recommendation letters for the Home Affairs department. He said that this is such a small letter but it cost him a year to wait for that letter. Finally he got it early this year and is waiting for his internship in a government’s provincial hospital which promises to come through in August.
Due to this situation his mother also was forced to leave her job in Zimbabwe to stay here and support her son while he was trying to find a job.
LESS REFLECTION ON TODAY'S YOUTH
YOUTH VOICES IN SOUTH AFRICA: ECHOES IN THE AGE OF HOPE. By Gerard Boyce
LESS REFLECTION ON TODAY’S YOUTH.
I feel that the youth is not well understood and heard.The older people expect the youth to mimic their actions when they were youth. That is not possible given the opportunities and the circumstances we face today.Another issue is the kind of challenges we face today are totally different from what the experienced.All that they had to worry about was freedom and a better life for all, but today we face many issues like, HIV/AIDS, Unemployment, climate change and also trying to bridge the gap between the previously advantaged and disadvantaged.
Most believe that we do not appreciate the freedom that they fought for .We is simply wasting it away on unimportant things. For example: the now popular hip hop culture, one may not decide to go the academic route but venture a career in hip hop, the adults will never accept that as something that one may make a real living out of it.
The talk today did not really reflect on the youth today. I do not believe that a study conducted on people less than a hundred will depicts what a million people think and feel about certain issues. I also feel that the study was not so much engaging with the youth in general, it just felt like perceptions of one-sided thinker.
In terms of race, I think that the youth have the same issues about related issues. The only problem would be on the socio-economic classes. For example looking at black and white youth, in as much as they both may know what Facebook is, but they both don’t stand equal chances to accessing it.
LESS REFLECTION ON TODAY’S YOUTH.
I feel that the youth is not well understood and heard.The older people expect the youth to mimic their actions when they were youth. That is not possible given the opportunities and the circumstances we face today.Another issue is the kind of challenges we face today are totally different from what the experienced.All that they had to worry about was freedom and a better life for all, but today we face many issues like, HIV/AIDS, Unemployment, climate change and also trying to bridge the gap between the previously advantaged and disadvantaged.
Most believe that we do not appreciate the freedom that they fought for .We is simply wasting it away on unimportant things. For example: the now popular hip hop culture, one may not decide to go the academic route but venture a career in hip hop, the adults will never accept that as something that one may make a real living out of it.
The talk today did not really reflect on the youth today. I do not believe that a study conducted on people less than a hundred will depicts what a million people think and feel about certain issues. I also feel that the study was not so much engaging with the youth in general, it just felt like perceptions of one-sided thinker.
In terms of race, I think that the youth have the same issues about related issues. The only problem would be on the socio-economic classes. For example looking at black and white youth, in as much as they both may know what Facebook is, but they both don’t stand equal chances to accessing it.
PhD candidate "explores" youth attitudes
Economics doctorate student from the University of KwaZulu Natal, Gerard Boyce, hosts a talk on youth attitudes based on a research done by the South African Social Attitudes Survey. This debate provoking presentation was held as part of the Think!Fest initiative. The presentation explored youth attitudes with regards to their nationality identity, democracy, life satisfaction, governance and popular myths growing amongst the youth.
For my part, the statistics presented were too general and did not account for individualism amongst the youth. Young people were often packaged as being a homogenous group that share the same views only marked by race. This is not the case. Though racial differences do mark a difference but it is more culture and class, which are determinant factors of the ways of living, than race that truly shape our views and lives. The stats failed to account for that. The stats brought forward for the most part were a study about the youth without the youth. This is a true reflection of society of how frequently the better privilege speaks for the less privilege. Men usually speak for women, physically-able speak for the disabled; whites speak for the blacks and in this case old people speaking for the youth.
Young people are often presented as being disinterested and unconcerned. He mentioned that 1976 is used as a benchmark to compare the born-frees to the young that took up to the street for the Soweto Uprising. This is an unfair comparison as the challenges faced by the 1976 youth and the contemporary youth differs markedly. Overall, the presentation was sloppy but did provoke a lot of debate and was largely questioned.
By: SIBULELE MAGINI
By: SIBULELE MAGINI
Youth Voice in South Africa- Echoes in the Age of Hope
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the June 16 Massacre, what does that mean to me as a youth? How does the blood shed play significance especially as a young African youth?
I believe that the talk’s focus on the quantitative research in regards of attitudes of the youth was of contradiction. This is because attitudes can never be stable; our surroundings either in term of political, social or personal activities influence us, positively or negatively. The evaluation of race was also of contradictory in that democratic race was evaluated in terms of the apartheid regime’s notion. One thing not clear was the fact that race was determined in African, White, Indian etc, are we not all Africans regardless of our skin colour? Gerard Boyce also mentioned that the Class of 2010 has been labelled ‘Generation Disappointment’; he could’ve at least tried to explain the reason of labelling them.
Socio-Economics is one factor that I’m not knowledgeable on, Gerard did not also give a proper explanation with regards to that. As a young person, I wanted to come out of that talk well informed about issues relating to the youth. His survey dwelled much on the government and democracy than on real issues that the youth deal with on a daily basis. Boyce was again not clear on the gender the surveys where conducted on. On a positive note, the talk was an eye opener.
By: Khutso Mabokela
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the June 16 Massacre, what does that mean to me as a youth? How does the blood shed play significance especially as a young African youth?
I believe that the talk’s focus on the quantitative research in regards of attitudes of the youth was of contradiction. This is because attitudes can never be stable; our surroundings either in term of political, social or personal activities influence us, positively or negatively. The evaluation of race was also of contradictory in that democratic race was evaluated in terms of the apartheid regime’s notion. One thing not clear was the fact that race was determined in African, White, Indian etc, are we not all Africans regardless of our skin colour? Gerard Boyce also mentioned that the Class of 2010 has been labelled ‘Generation Disappointment’; he could’ve at least tried to explain the reason of labelling them.
Socio-Economics is one factor that I’m not knowledgeable on, Gerard did not also give a proper explanation with regards to that. As a young person, I wanted to come out of that talk well informed about issues relating to the youth. His survey dwelled much on the government and democracy than on real issues that the youth deal with on a daily basis. Boyce was again not clear on the gender the surveys where conducted on. On a positive note, the talk was an eye opener.
By: Khutso Mabokela
For the love of art
By Wendy Ngcobo
Sunali Pillay is a 22 year old Fine Arts student at Rhodes University, who does henna application during her spare time.
Mendi is the application of henna as a temporary form of skin decoration done to Indian brides. Sunali was only 12 when a bad job that was done on her hand for her uncle’s wedding. This inspired her to practice her designs on friends for months.”You see people do it, but you develop your own style", said Sinali. This she does with delicacy and flair as she’s had many years of practice.
After a stint which she did for a year in Journalism the following year she tried English and Philosophy.
Sunali then wanted to ‘stray’ as did her parents who studied but ended up doing something different.
Her mom studied English and Drama but she is a businesswoman who owns her own company, her dad a trained draughtsman owns a Landry company. This inspired her to ‘wander off ‘on her own which she did while in the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Ireland.
Until she founded comfort in the field of art.
‘I’m happier now”,she said because I’m doing something I love “.
Youth identities and future attitudes
By Bongiwe Tutu
As the youth of South Africa we are people who have come into a world that has undergone a great deal of revolutions and transitions in government policies. An immense amount of tension and fear was instilled in a number of people, oppression, poverty, fear and lack of hope for the future. Looking at our brief history with the Apartheid regime in Africa, World Wars in the Northern States followed by the Cold War. These are the things which called for change. A change which came at a time when we; the youth of today were born. That was during the 1990s when the country implemented Democracy and there was a great deal of national unity amongst the people.
This change enabled some of the people who were living in poverty, to be able to grow out of it and develop better futures for themselves and their families. However, a large number of the African people weren’t able to move out of poverty because they were never well off during apartheid. Issues of social welfare; poverty, poor education, poor infrastructure, unemployment and crime ravelled around and thus caused the divisions in our people. These are the divisions which we grew up into and we are therefore living through the consequences of our countries past.
With the new technological advancements coming in every single minute of the day, developing machinery that can do things quicker and easier, there is a less need to have workers and so the division is increased evermore as the unemployment and poverty rate increases. These technologies increase globalisation and so our identities are hindered as our cultures are under the scrutiny of Western trends and lifestyles which are depicted as the ideal ways of living life. Beyond this, there is the youth which is under the pressure of keeping up with all these technologies and trends taking place, being on a social network and putting your name out there to “chat” with people all over the world, trying to live like Jay-Z, and busy “Keeping up with the Kardashians”. So our identity becomes a puzzled box where many find it difficult to embrace in their own talents and personalities.
However, not everyone has access to these technologies or information as they are living under different circumstances and that is how divisions lighten up. You can see the differences in our youth by looking closer into class and racial standards; however, the stronger signifier of divisions which affect our attitudes and identities is class. Race is not an issue unless you are living in poverty. So, you have amongst us those who are in well off class standards, educated, happy and hopeful, and those who are living under the hindrance of poverty who might end up engaging in crime as they have a hopeless attitude for their futures and in need of social welfare. That is how the notion of individualism comes in where most of our youth break out of their social barriers and strive to change their lives as they are hopeful for their future. So the onus is on you, you can either grovel and roam around your disadvantages or try to make something out of yourself. There is so much out there for us, take a stand and make history.
08 July, 2011
Artists at Fest...
As an artist what do you think of the festival?Joseph Chifamba of Chif African Jewels “It is well organised and gives us an opportunity to market our products and also gives us a well needed bonus”.
Nomonde Madlalisa of Handmade Collection” It started very good except for the weather on Tuesday. Wednesday things picked up. I even have orders for people from the UK”.
“It’s a good way to express our work to the people and to get recognition. It is a privilege and great exposure and a better chance of commission”. Mind Shana of Fine Artist
What do you think artists think of the festival?
“Think artists see this as an opportunity for them to showcase their talent for those who haven’t received recognition”. Jostine Len responds.
Quickfire:
Artists at fest…
… need to be strong ( Belinda Henwood from Norrie Da Silva)
… keep it real ( Shomon Daniel, performer and singer songwriter)
… are either drunk or tired or both ( Mark Sampson )
… is sitting on floor ( Liam Magner, from Neon Anthems )
… are pirate merchants ( Gary Thomas )
… make out with other artists at fest. ( Cobus Van Heerden, from Neon Anthems )
By: Megan Deane & Khutso Mabokela
Load Shedding @ The Arts Festival
The National Arts Festival taking place in Grahamstown seems to be a huge issue of concern to the Grahamstownians residence in terms of load shedding issues that are on going. The Makana Municipality seems to be unable to cope with the amount of energy that is in demand throughout the 11 day Festival.
Here below is what some people had to say about the load shedding at the Festival
Moses fro
m the blockhouse coffee shop: “we couldn’t sell coffee and the food we sell need to be warmed so it affected sales, we were not warned about the power cuts.”
Prarochna from Computicket:” we couldn’t sell any tickets, cause on Tuesday we made only two hours worth of sales for the whole day. We asthe staff basically we were busy doing nothing and the s cause we had to close our doors .Some shows were cancelled as the following we had to re-instatements for the shows.”
Sharon Meistre from the art gallery at the Steve Biko building: “the all day power cut on Tuesday affected us quite badly, couldn’t’ see any of the art work properly, the room was dark. Some people still come but it was almost like showing your art work in a dark place.”
Anonymous from the Grahamstown Pharmacy:” when we have a power failure can’t do anything. People with emergency cases and prescription have to wait until power comes back and some get frustrated because it is not a nothing to wait for important medication. We did not get warned about the power cut which was very very bad for business.”
Anonymous from the beauty spa:“we know that because ofthe Arts Fest in Grahamstown there two a lot of electricity being used. When customers come, they need electricity to do their nails and unfortunately the customers lost out because of that. That is money lost for our business which we can’t get back.
Person from the Laundry business:” it is very difficult to run a business without electricity. They happen to often for our liking, to run a business like this is without it is impossible. No one ever tells us about them, general attitude is what we can do.”
The Person from Kodak Express shop:” our jobs are on the line because there is a laser that needs electricity to operate and our boss has already replaced it once and if the electricity cuts again, he will have to close down the shop because that is how expensive it is. I’m sure they can deal with this better.”
The Person from the accessory shop: “power cuts definitely affected us because, we lose all our information on the till slips and can’t do cash up it is incredibly dark in here so people can’t see anything. Can’t see the art works.
It seems like the Municipality has been unable to cope properly with the demand of power throughout the festival. will this happen again come The Festival in 2012? we wait in anticipation!
by Thabiso Sihlali & Nokwazi Khumalo
The Amazing Arts
The National Arts Festival is undeniably an incredible place to meet talented people with amazing hand crafted work. During the hype of all the festival activities I meet up with Joseph Chifamba who owns the Chif African Jewels. He sells his work at the Village Green and is originally from Zimbabwe. Justice started his crafting at an early age and has not stopped ever since.
He crafts beautiful rings and bracelets which come in a range of colours. His work will definitely catch your eye from a distance. Joseph says it is his first time at the Arts Festival and feels blessed. He stipulates that business has bloomed enormously and the recognition that he was always yearning for has surfaced.
The name of his company says it all; as the pieces he creates have an African feel to them. “I couldn’t have asked to be anywhere than at the festival, I consider it as a bonus to my business” Says Joseph. For others this might seem like just any ordinary festival but to him it’s more than that, it is a life changing opportunity. Joseph says that he will forever be grateful.
By: Khutso Mabokela
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