05 July, 2009
This guy's got some wild air about him!
The least thing to say about the Osadia Event, that took place earlier at the Village Green Fair, is that it was kinda "RAW"!
A Vintage Clothes Stall at the Village Green
*cough* second-hand *wheeze* someone else's old drawers *ahem*
Did you hang up your boots or gloves?
Andre Arendse: Former Bafana shots stopper couldn't stop the journos. Pic: D-Bongz Meeting Andre...
I have always been the type of gilr who loves the beauty of football, so you can only imagine my excitement at the realisation that one of my favourite old time goalkeepers was going to be breathing the same G-Town air...Fest how I do love you!!
I have had the opportunity to meet Andre Arendse, wow..what a pleasure. He was holding a talk called Game Plan: 2010 for all those who are looking to start businesses over the 2010 World Cup period. He is incredibly charasmatic, articulate and funny, basically everything I would have imagined. He had a multi-media presentation which was nothing short of cool, it made me realise once again just how the 2010 World Cup will be for this country. I even asked him some technical questions about the Bafana Bafana strikers 'cause I'm a GoGirl lol...
Heres hoping we have an amazing 2010...
I have had the opportunity to meet Andre Arendse, wow..what a pleasure. He was holding a talk called Game Plan: 2010 for all those who are looking to start businesses over the 2010 World Cup period. He is incredibly charasmatic, articulate and funny, basically everything I would have imagined. He had a multi-media presentation which was nothing short of cool, it made me realise once again just how the 2010 World Cup will be for this country. I even asked him some technical questions about the Bafana Bafana strikers 'cause I'm a GoGirl lol...
Heres hoping we have an amazing 2010...
04 July, 2009
Green Red and yellow binnies
The National Art Festival is an opportunity for the Rastafaries to showcase their colurful clothes
Heating Up Chilli Grahamstown
Kesivan Naidoo and his band The Light chilling after an electrifiying performance at the Standard Bank Jazz festival on Friday night 3 July 2009.
Serious,passionate and enthusiastic as always
FJP participant Jeffrey Sishinga on a his way to SA fm' mobile studio. 
How sweets it is to see such harmony
Ladies and jents of Fjp 2009 rocking the Rhodes university for the second time by reviewing
Audiences Anxiously Wait For A Perforance Outside Fiddler's Green To Begin
Any minute now... Now? Now?!
A Street-Performer Display Amazing Feats of Strength using His Teeth
And that's why you should brush your teeth twice a day!
Students of Rhodes University in co-operation with the Arts festival
Being a student at the Rhodes University is a privilege as talent from all over the world is brought home during the Grahamstown Arts Festival. Departments such as Drama, Fine Arts, Journalism & Media Studies and Music get a chance to do more practical work of their respective courses.
Students from Rhodes are of the view that the festival brings break from studies as it takes place immediately after exams. One of the Drama students Buhle Ngaba stated that the “Art festival defines the essence of Grahamstown; bringing people from local, National and International level together. I also get new skills and inspiration from watching different dramas from the festival”. Another student Katayi is of the opinion that Grahamstown is usually quiet but gets busier and interesting during the Festival.
The Art Festival is regarded as a benefit to mostly everyone, from the students, the university itself, the Hoteliers, street vendors, restaurants to mention but a few as they get more patronage by visitors. People also tend to spend more money during this period because there are a lot of beautiful things to buy ranging from art works, hand craft, clothes, show to see, different kinds of food and so on. Prices of things are usually on the high side. Speaking with one of the students Bongiwe who said that “once you see one or two performances, you will actually want to see more, so you spend more money”
However, foreign students say they face some challenges, like the difficulty of understanding South African accents when speaking with them, and vis-Ã -vis which in a way distort communication. They also comment on the right hand drive used in South Africa which is the opposite in their country, they find it not easy driving hired cars and also crossing the road.
More so, students from different universities seem to be more vigilant about their bags and properties during this festival because they read about cases of robbery in festivals.
“The most important of them all is the exchange of indigenous art from different culture, which makes people appreciate other works of art other than their own, this breaks the barrier of differences amongst us. Art is seen as a medium of communicating using its different forms.” said one of the student.
Since Grahamstown is regarded as a small town, during the festival students come across different people from diverse societies, sharing talent, ideas and creativity amongst each other. The use of English as a medium of communication has broken the gap of differences amongst students. Grahamstown is also seen as a meeting point of art, culture, religion and many more.
Scholars say they look forward to having great fun in the festival stating that they waited behind after their holiday just to enjoy themselves in the festival, meet people, make friends and also take the opportunity to do some shopping. Meeting celebrities from all over and just having a wonderful time.
Written by: Zukiswa Sidzumo &Peter Okosun
Students from Rhodes are of the view that the festival brings break from studies as it takes place immediately after exams. One of the Drama students Buhle Ngaba stated that the “Art festival defines the essence of Grahamstown; bringing people from local, National and International level together. I also get new skills and inspiration from watching different dramas from the festival”. Another student Katayi is of the opinion that Grahamstown is usually quiet but gets busier and interesting during the Festival.
The Art Festival is regarded as a benefit to mostly everyone, from the students, the university itself, the Hoteliers, street vendors, restaurants to mention but a few as they get more patronage by visitors. People also tend to spend more money during this period because there are a lot of beautiful things to buy ranging from art works, hand craft, clothes, show to see, different kinds of food and so on. Prices of things are usually on the high side. Speaking with one of the students Bongiwe who said that “once you see one or two performances, you will actually want to see more, so you spend more money”
However, foreign students say they face some challenges, like the difficulty of understanding South African accents when speaking with them, and vis-Ã -vis which in a way distort communication. They also comment on the right hand drive used in South Africa which is the opposite in their country, they find it not easy driving hired cars and also crossing the road.
More so, students from different universities seem to be more vigilant about their bags and properties during this festival because they read about cases of robbery in festivals.
“The most important of them all is the exchange of indigenous art from different culture, which makes people appreciate other works of art other than their own, this breaks the barrier of differences amongst us. Art is seen as a medium of communicating using its different forms.” said one of the student.
Since Grahamstown is regarded as a small town, during the festival students come across different people from diverse societies, sharing talent, ideas and creativity amongst each other. The use of English as a medium of communication has broken the gap of differences amongst students. Grahamstown is also seen as a meeting point of art, culture, religion and many more.
Scholars say they look forward to having great fun in the festival stating that they waited behind after their holiday just to enjoy themselves in the festival, meet people, make friends and also take the opportunity to do some shopping. Meeting celebrities from all over and just having a wonderful time.
Written by: Zukiswa Sidzumo &Peter Okosun
03 July, 2009
Fringe is the new 'main' at festival
‘Fringe’ is the latest buzzword at the National Arts Festival, which has returned to Grahamstown for the 35th year this year.
Ongezwa Mafunda who stars in Umzali Ngumzali, a play from Walter Sisulu University told FJP that she is interested in because it helps her scout for new talent. Her show focuses on a young who turns against her mother after she being brought up in penury.
National Arts Festival CEO Tony Lankester said the Fringe serves as an open platform and a “stepping stone” for upcoming artists. Of this year’s 600 productions, 450 are in Fringe by far the largest part of the festival. Like the Main programme, Fringe also has a sumptuous serving of physical theatre, music, theatre and drama. The fringe is also said to have been beneficial in the apartheid era, as it gave stage to protesters to express their views without too much restriction.
The showcase of well-known and aspiring performers has always been categorised into the ‘Main’, whose performers are vetted, invited and paid for by the National Arts Festival; and ‘Fringe’, which attracts those whose only link to officialdom is filling a registration form, paying a refundable registration fee, and paying a venue fee for their productions.
The main programme is attractive because mainly because performers get three-year contracts to create new works and perform them at Festival. Gamakhulu Diniso, Sepoko Summit playwright and actor said the main and the fringe act as a left and a right hand of the festival, as a whole we have the freedom to cook new things and face challenges to the extreme. He said he was happy to remain on the fringe in order to main his sense of freedom.
The fringe’s other advantage is that many of those who are involved in it are about making Grahamstown more entertaining. For years too, the fringe has provided upcoming artists with projects like Writing Beyond the Fringe where four artists write stories that are then translated into different languages. This helps give create an international platform for writers, not to mention the hard currency payments.
For 2009, four writers were asked to reflects on the theme, ‘Remapping the World’ and they will read their works several times during the festival.
“Fringe is the platform for the upcoming artists and they perform no matter how many people are in the audience because you will never know who is watching,” said retired arts journalist Adrienne Sichel.
· Reporting and writing by Lwando Helesi, Hunadi Ralebipi, Samukelisiwe Makhubo, Bongani Mthethwa.
Ongezwa Mafunda who stars in Umzali Ngumzali, a play from Walter Sisulu University told FJP that she is interested in because it helps her scout for new talent. Her show focuses on a young who turns against her mother after she being brought up in penury.
National Arts Festival CEO Tony Lankester said the Fringe serves as an open platform and a “stepping stone” for upcoming artists. Of this year’s 600 productions, 450 are in Fringe by far the largest part of the festival. Like the Main programme, Fringe also has a sumptuous serving of physical theatre, music, theatre and drama. The fringe is also said to have been beneficial in the apartheid era, as it gave stage to protesters to express their views without too much restriction.
The showcase of well-known and aspiring performers has always been categorised into the ‘Main’, whose performers are vetted, invited and paid for by the National Arts Festival; and ‘Fringe’, which attracts those whose only link to officialdom is filling a registration form, paying a refundable registration fee, and paying a venue fee for their productions.
The main programme is attractive because mainly because performers get three-year contracts to create new works and perform them at Festival. Gamakhulu Diniso, Sepoko Summit playwright and actor said the main and the fringe act as a left and a right hand of the festival, as a whole we have the freedom to cook new things and face challenges to the extreme. He said he was happy to remain on the fringe in order to main his sense of freedom.
The fringe’s other advantage is that many of those who are involved in it are about making Grahamstown more entertaining. For years too, the fringe has provided upcoming artists with projects like Writing Beyond the Fringe where four artists write stories that are then translated into different languages. This helps give create an international platform for writers, not to mention the hard currency payments.
For 2009, four writers were asked to reflects on the theme, ‘Remapping the World’ and they will read their works several times during the festival.
“Fringe is the platform for the upcoming artists and they perform no matter how many people are in the audience because you will never know who is watching,” said retired arts journalist Adrienne Sichel.
· Reporting and writing by Lwando Helesi, Hunadi Ralebipi, Samukelisiwe Makhubo, Bongani Mthethwa.
Village Green Moves Show From Town to RU Campus
The National Arts Festival’s Transnet Village Green Market has moved from Fiddlers Green in the centre of Grahamstown to Rhodes University campus. The new digs are more spacious and promise a “family-friendly” environment and a bigger sales platform for South African crafts makers and vendors.
According to Festival CEO Tony Lankester, the move to the Great Fields Complex at was prompted by the need to “turn the Craft Market into something bigger”; one capable of competing on an international scale. Lankester said that the previous location at Fiddlers Green was “shabby, rundown and cramped [with] nowhere to move”. Rhodes University partnered with the Festival organisers in order to open up the campus to the townspeople ensuring that “everyone comes to Rhodes as equals”—an issue that was apparently emphasised by Rhodes Vice Chancellor Dr. Saleem Badat. Lankester admitted however, that there had been a lack of communication between the organisers and the community about the move.
This was on the backdrop of a meeting which was held on 16 June by members of the community, who were disappointed about not being kept in the loop. The community was only notified of the change through recent advertisements. Khaya Thonjeni, a member of the Grahamstown community, said that there was a perception in town that people would lose their festival income with the Market’s relocation to the more leafy Rhodes campus. Townspeople are “more comfortable [with] where it was, because Rhodes has a way of doing things,” Thonjeni said.
Luvuyo Booi, a young casual also expressed his unhappiness about the relocation and said many people such as himself faced constant harassment from security personnel when they are on campus. He said that at Fiddlers Green in town they could “move around freely like everybody else” but on campus they are treated with suspicion and in constant fear of arrest. Booi said move also made it difficult for him to earn an income as he used to wash cars near Fiddlers Green, which is impossible on campus.
Not everyone is so despondent of course. Dylan McGarry, a street performer and puppeteer said that the move was “good for street theatre” because the Great Field Complex provides a big field and stands for the street performers. He said that the positioning of the old venue was not “very equitable” but it was “less segregated at the centre of town” therefore there would need to be more publicity to bring the town’s people onto campus, who still “don’t feel they have access to Rhodes University”.
The Village Green Market is one of the most popular aspects of the Arts festival and seems to have found a comfortable new home on Rhodes campus.
- Reported and written by Chwayitisa Futshane, Colin Wardle, Ongeza Ndlakuse and Jane Mathebula.
01 July, 2009
Festival goes to prison
By FJP reporters
“The Arts festival is really powerful, touches different people magically and changes attitudes,” said Tony Lankester, CEO of the National Arts Festival held in Grahamstown annually. Last year, Lankester and his people donated over R200.000 worth of tickets to groups and people from around Grahamstown and the Eastern Cape.
Community outreach has played a major role in sustaining interest in the arts especially among the more isolated parts of Grahamstown like age-old homes, the TB Clinic, the Old Provost Prison and Joza Township. Lankester told an FJP press conference yesterday that they help build bridges through Art Reach, which takes productions and artists to audiences who cannot get to Rhodes and surrounding high school venues.
The festival also uses the Phezulu Project, a programme that assists street artists (Buskers) to create and maintain their craft. The project is headed by Richard Antrobus who used to perform with the First Physical Theatre Company and now teaches Buskers the more technical forms of theatre.
“We want people to feel that this is their festival,” Lankester said.
Reported and Written by Zukiswa Sidzumo, Masebe Qina, Lucky Mdletshe and Amanda O Mathe
“The Arts festival is really powerful, touches different people magically and changes attitudes,” said Tony Lankester, CEO of the National Arts Festival held in Grahamstown annually. Last year, Lankester and his people donated over R200.000 worth of tickets to groups and people from around Grahamstown and the Eastern Cape.
Community outreach has played a major role in sustaining interest in the arts especially among the more isolated parts of Grahamstown like age-old homes, the TB Clinic, the Old Provost Prison and Joza Township. Lankester told an FJP press conference yesterday that they help build bridges through Art Reach, which takes productions and artists to audiences who cannot get to Rhodes and surrounding high school venues.
The festival also uses the Phezulu Project, a programme that assists street artists (Buskers) to create and maintain their craft. The project is headed by Richard Antrobus who used to perform with the First Physical Theatre Company and now teaches Buskers the more technical forms of theatre.
“We want people to feel that this is their festival,” Lankester said.
Reported and Written by Zukiswa Sidzumo, Masebe Qina, Lucky Mdletshe and Amanda O Mathe
Is Fringe the new 'Main'?
‘Fringe’ is the latest buzzword at the National Arts Festival, which has returned to Grahamstown for the 35th year this year.
The showcase of well-known and aspiring performers has always been categorised into two The Main, whose performers are vetted, invited and paid for by the National Arts Festival; and the Fringe, which attracts those whose only link to officialdom filling a registration form, paying a refundable registration fee, and paying a venue fee for their production.
National Arts Festival CEO, Tony Lankester, said the Fringe serves as an open platform and a “stepping stone” for upcoming artists. Of this year’s 600 productions, Fringe has 450 shows, by far the largest part of the festival—and includes physical theatre, music theatre and drama.
- Reporting and writing by Lwando Helesi, Hunadi Ralebipi, Samukelisiwe Makhubo, Bongani Mthethwa.
Festival has not felt credit crunch!
The 35th annual National Arts Festival (NAF), taking place between 2 and 11 July in Grahamstown will sustain the city’s economic stability regardless to the global recession according to CEO, Tony Lankester. He was talking at a press conference arranged for the Future Journalist Programme yesterday.
The Rhodes Conferencing Office Manager, Carolyn Stevenson-Milln confirmed that over 4000 locals will be hired as temporary workers in Halls of Residence around campus. Rhodes normally rents out its residences to tourists and festival goers, and Milln said their rent helps keep the students’ residence fees low.
Lankester told the FJP press conference that the success of the festival has kept sponsors aboard because of its unrivalled capacity to generate profit.
Standard Bank has always been there for the festival, and it has upped its sponsorship up to 2011. Their CEO says Jacko Maree told the press recently that “the festival has always been a platform for freedom of expression and, in the corporate and financial world. “We know that a free society is the best environment for our business to grow,” Maree added.
Reporting and writing by Andile Dube, Jeffrey Shisinga, Sophiane Bengeloun, Anele Ngwenya.
The Rhodes Conferencing Office Manager, Carolyn Stevenson-Milln confirmed that over 4000 locals will be hired as temporary workers in Halls of Residence around campus. Rhodes normally rents out its residences to tourists and festival goers, and Milln said their rent helps keep the students’ residence fees low.
Lankester told the FJP press conference that the success of the festival has kept sponsors aboard because of its unrivalled capacity to generate profit.
Standard Bank has always been there for the festival, and it has upped its sponsorship up to 2011. Their CEO says Jacko Maree told the press recently that “the festival has always been a platform for freedom of expression and, in the corporate and financial world. “We know that a free society is the best environment for our business to grow,” Maree added.
Reporting and writing by Andile Dube, Jeffrey Shisinga, Sophiane Bengeloun, Anele Ngwenya.
Village Green relocates to Rhodes campus
Festival in big venue move
By FJP Reporters
With the National Arts Festival in its 35th and what promises to be its biggest year, the ever-popular and growing Transnet Village Green Fair has relocated to a bigger venue. In keeping with international arts and crafts trends, the Village Green Fair has relocated to the Great Field Complex on Rhodes campus, a larger and more people friendly venue.
According to National Arts Festival CEO Tony Lankester, this move promises to provide a new “family-friendly environment” that will accommodate more stalls for adults and amusement outlets for children. Organisers also hope to attract more international arts and crafts distributors.
Other new features at the new venue include plasma television screens in the new beer garden and Amazing Stage, a platform for Fringe performers to stage snippets from their work. It will also feature a new ticket office, a restaurant, an all-new Cuervo Music Room, and Wi-Fi access for those with laptop computers.
Additionally, the former Church Square Container Village has moved down to Fiddler’s Green, the former Transnet Village Green Fair grounds, promising a uniquely Street Theatre- laden African Arts and Crafts experience.
Reported and written by Chwayitisa Futshane, Colin Wardle, Ongeza Ndlakuse & Jane Mathebula
By FJP Reporters
With the National Arts Festival in its 35th and what promises to be its biggest year, the ever-popular and growing Transnet Village Green Fair has relocated to a bigger venue. In keeping with international arts and crafts trends, the Village Green Fair has relocated to the Great Field Complex on Rhodes campus, a larger and more people friendly venue.
According to National Arts Festival CEO Tony Lankester, this move promises to provide a new “family-friendly environment” that will accommodate more stalls for adults and amusement outlets for children. Organisers also hope to attract more international arts and crafts distributors.
Other new features at the new venue include plasma television screens in the new beer garden and Amazing Stage, a platform for Fringe performers to stage snippets from their work. It will also feature a new ticket office, a restaurant, an all-new Cuervo Music Room, and Wi-Fi access for those with laptop computers.
Additionally, the former Church Square Container Village has moved down to Fiddler’s Green, the former Transnet Village Green Fair grounds, promising a uniquely Street Theatre- laden African Arts and Crafts experience.
Reported and written by Chwayitisa Futshane, Colin Wardle, Ongeza Ndlakuse & Jane Mathebula
18 June, 2009
FLu's, Exams and the Confed Cup
I find it so interesting how everyone is just sick around about this time every year. Personally its the first time that I'm actually sick with the flu, however I must say it is fun being sick because you get away with murder. You can do or say something stupid and your excuse can be it's the medication that's talking.
On another note the exams. I would like to believe that I am fortunate that Bongani and myself don't write exams, however I must state our department applies the continuous assessment programme in order for us to apply the theory. In the beginning I found it hard to adjust from the usual exam mentality to the constant handing in of assignments that require you to apply everything you have been taught, something that I wish was emphasized more properly.
The Confederations Cup is amazing to watch. I thought that South Africa could not pull it off, but the matches I have being seeing lately make it interesting enough for me to buy a ticket for the world"That's if i get a job!?" When I saw the opening ceremony I felt a sense of pride in South Africa and Africa as whole. I think that as South Africans we spend most of time looking at the negatives and the realities of the situation and little on the positives and possible outcomes. I think the world is waiting in anticipation to see what Africa can other than the constant civil wars and crime stats that they hear about from the media. I believe the media is partly to blame for the way we view situations around the country. Last night's soccer S.A vs New Zealand made so proud that it erased all the prior failures.
I hope that as future journos we can realise that we hold society in our hands, that we can often determine how people think and respond. Let us use that power to better this nation.
On another note the exams. I would like to believe that I am fortunate that Bongani and myself don't write exams, however I must state our department applies the continuous assessment programme in order for us to apply the theory. In the beginning I found it hard to adjust from the usual exam mentality to the constant handing in of assignments that require you to apply everything you have been taught, something that I wish was emphasized more properly.
The Confederations Cup is amazing to watch. I thought that South Africa could not pull it off, but the matches I have being seeing lately make it interesting enough for me to buy a ticket for the world"That's if i get a job!?" When I saw the opening ceremony I felt a sense of pride in South Africa and Africa as whole. I think that as South Africans we spend most of time looking at the negatives and the realities of the situation and little on the positives and possible outcomes. I think the world is waiting in anticipation to see what Africa can other than the constant civil wars and crime stats that they hear about from the media. I believe the media is partly to blame for the way we view situations around the country. Last night's soccer S.A vs New Zealand made so proud that it erased all the prior failures.
I hope that as future journos we can realise that we hold society in our hands, that we can often determine how people think and respond. Let us use that power to better this nation.
10 June, 2009
hellllllloooo eeevvvveeerrryyyyooonnneee
wow! exams fever got high of me.
how's everyone guys. how many of us noticed that we spent most of time reading what we know when preparing for our exams? stress realy got hold of me during the exams preparations,but thank God he never leave nor forske me. i made it ,though some of my semester marks were misbehaving(lol if you know what i mean, and above all i cant wait to see you guys. forgive me for my previous behaviour, i was stressed with books,but this time i promise you guys you will have the whole of jeffrey(the me, myself and i)
how's everyone guys. how many of us noticed that we spent most of time reading what we know when preparing for our exams? stress realy got hold of me during the exams preparations,but thank God he never leave nor forske me. i made it ,though some of my semester marks were misbehaving(lol if you know what i mean, and above all i cant wait to see you guys. forgive me for my previous behaviour, i was stressed with books,but this time i promise you guys you will have the whole of jeffrey(the me, myself and i)
09 June, 2009
9 months no houses for tornado victims -Grahamstown
It was in early October 2008 when the mini tornado hit Grahamstown; a number of residents, especially in Vukani location were left houseless. Early this year they were provided with two room –tents and promised to be in their houses by the end of March 2009. Elections came and passed in April 2009 and still the houses were not in place as promised. Attempts to speak with the officials failed a number of times due to their unavailability. In an ever changing Grahamstown weather I personally witnessed that the tents are not in good condition. They have holes and the winter freezing wind just blows in, they are small as you can hear from the audio accompanying this article. Sad enough residents do not even know who their councillor is, they are only depending on the coming of the officials when they like to do so. The hope is on the new government if they can deliver something different for these residents.
Only listen the first part of this podcast which is relevant to this article otherwise you can listen to the rest for interests' sake.
Simphiwe Kanityi 08
05 June, 2009
E Class is saying hello to all Future journos.
E-Class from Durban University Of Technology are saying hello to all the Future Journos and they wish you all the best with your exams. Guess what guys they want me to come back with more lovely pictures of all of you.
E-Class under the tree of knowledge. From Left to Right: S'boniso Biyela; Bongani Mthethwa; Zakhele Xaba; Simphiwe Makhanya and Simphiwe Ngubane.
03 June, 2009
Mandela day
I have just listened to what the president of South Africa had to say when addressing the nation today. Same noise as always, same promises as his predecessors used to do but one thing is for sure we need to give the man and all the elected ministers a chance before we could start criticising. Of all the things he was saying there, I was so delighted when he made mention of the fact that from now onwards our icon's birthday will be honoured in a very special way. I am talking by the one and only Tata Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela the man I so greatly admire. The 18 of July of each and every year will be a Mandela day where everybody will be expected to at least spend 67 minutes of his/her time doing good things for the benefit of the others (Apparently Mandela was a politician for 67 years). Cheers for now!
02 June, 2009
Time flies hey. I cannot believe we are only left with 10 days before the commencement of the confed cup. For the first time on the African soil the tournament will be staged in Mzantsi thanks to tata Mandela and the LOC,Ah Rholihlahla and all the people who made it possible. For the first time in as many months I have some form of confidence in the boys this time around. I think they will make us proud. The best player in the country is part of the squad remember so I've got every reason to feel the way I do. Good luck guys as the exams are happening left,right and centre now.
Exams
Hey guys! This is just a quick good luck messsage for the exams. We dont write exams but that does not mean we are just chillin'. Things are tough, assignments and test have become our daily bread. I comfort myself by saying it will be over soon.
Goodluck people, but Im sure youll do well!
Much love
ongi
Goodluck people, but Im sure youll do well!
Much love
ongi
Hi guyz! I have'got the feeling within maself that you must be wondering ukuba where I've been hiding. No I'm not my fellow people its just that the work has been much and its been a little difficult.How are you guyz coping? How is winter? It is very cold in East London and I am scared of swine flu ha ha ha.....
25 May, 2009
Mbeki brings African Unity to Rhodes
We live in a country where by it is important to reinforce academic and democratic ideals and one of the most important ways of making that happen is by taking the time to reflect on our continent and the its history. Do we really unite as Africans or do just prefer to section ourselves within our ethnic groups? This was the agenda on the tray for South Africa’s former president, Mr Thabo Mbeki who gave a speech at Rhodes University about African pride and integrity.
This was an event to start off the Africa week programme which has been planned by students. “They had the courage to summon me here”, Mbeki said with a smirk. It’s the things like this which make one proud to be part of a space of youth with more than enough bravery and initiative to see how far they could make things happen. I would like to thank the students who organised this event- we truly are fortunate to have them amongst us otherwise there would be a time when I'd wonder if I would've ever seen Mr Mbeki.
Besides the exited souls outside the Rhodes theatre thinking,” gosh, I get to see him”; I was particularly proud at the behaviour of my fellow students. No singing of ‘struggle’ songs outside and no spontaneous dance acts. No, “comrades, comrades settle down”. (Thank you) Before he came in, the crowd around was wondering whether he was going to pull a ‘Julius Malema’ or not- i.e. was he going to show up? Unfortunately, phones were to be switched off. But I played the ‘dangerous journo’ and sneaked in a couple of pics. Although they were not the best of quality- they’ll do! I’ve also posted a video which I hope you’ll be able to see.
Mbeki walked onto the podium, looked at the crowd and as he started speaking; his quiet and effortless charisma surrounded the theatre. His slow pauses in between his words kept us in suspense as we waited for the ‘next best quote’ from him. All eyes were in wonder because in actual fact, he was everything we expected him to be and he wore a seemingly familiar grey suit. Breaking the ice; he told us about his new cell phone which he’s been ridiculously trying to get used to- reminds me of my dad!
“It is important to recognise that South Africa is part of Africa. Africa has been forgotten”, he began. Do we as a country associate ourselves with the continent or are we just sitting in our corner? This can cause so many problems for us as a people. Before even touching on the continent of Africa; it was quite annoying to find a couple of students who felt that somehow, Mbeki should’ve addressed the speech in IsiXhosa. Now, I asked myself,” but what about me? - I’m Zulu”. Mbeki even asked, “Is there a Xhosa society?” and all the super-exited students screamed, “Yeah- oh Yeah”. He then promptly asked, “What is that?” That is the question we need to ask ourselves, why is there no African society? It’s ok to realize ones pride in their language, but to be convinced that the crowd should know isiXhosa- which is only one of the official languages- is just stirring up a debate of disaster. The truth is that more than half of Rhodes students are not Xhosa and by an implication that one needs to spoken in one of the mother tongues to be African, many of us Zulu, Sotho, Venda and even English students were offended. Its thoughts like this which causes assumptions of exclusion by South Africans in relation to the continent.
On the issues of development, Mbeki went on to talk about what the youth can do ‘from the grass-roots’ in order to change what is happening. “Don’t make an excuse of being a ‘normal’ person unable to do anything- just to avoid making change”, he said. We need to understand that Africa is not incapable of helping itself. If anything, we have the right organizations and unions; however, Africa always feels that it needs to seek help from other continents i.e. Europe for help. Mbeki says that we need to make an effort and refuse to be defined by the rest of the world.
After the speech, the question and answer session started and the most distinctive issue was that of HIV/AIDS. A woman in the crowd asked Mr Mbeki to explain his earlier comment about the disease not being an issue in South Africa. His diplomacy was more than pleasing as he explained the issues of the disease and its importance. “They said I must not say anything”, he joked. “But the issue of the disease being an immune virus is important” he continued. He meant that in other words, we need to find solutions to strengthen the immune system of our people as health and education are the most important issue in Africa. He ended saying that, “We would respond better if we understood the questions”. Meaning that we need to ask questions as what the problems are so that we can face the issues in a better way.
I wish that this did not sound like a report, but there are so many things which were important about Mr Mbeki’s address that there is no other way of saying things better than he had. There was a large amount of unfortunates that missed this historic event. It’s as if he didn’t come to Rhodes to redeem himself as a political image; but rather to move on up and lead a legacy of leadership.
This was an event to start off the Africa week programme which has been planned by students. “They had the courage to summon me here”, Mbeki said with a smirk. It’s the things like this which make one proud to be part of a space of youth with more than enough bravery and initiative to see how far they could make things happen. I would like to thank the students who organised this event- we truly are fortunate to have them amongst us otherwise there would be a time when I'd wonder if I would've ever seen Mr Mbeki.
Besides the exited souls outside the Rhodes theatre thinking,” gosh, I get to see him”; I was particularly proud at the behaviour of my fellow students. No singing of ‘struggle’ songs outside and no spontaneous dance acts. No, “comrades, comrades settle down”. (Thank you) Before he came in, the crowd around was wondering whether he was going to pull a ‘Julius Malema’ or not- i.e. was he going to show up? Unfortunately, phones were to be switched off. But I played the ‘dangerous journo’ and sneaked in a couple of pics. Although they were not the best of quality- they’ll do! I’ve also posted a video which I hope you’ll be able to see.
Mbeki walked onto the podium, looked at the crowd and as he started speaking; his quiet and effortless charisma surrounded the theatre. His slow pauses in between his words kept us in suspense as we waited for the ‘next best quote’ from him. All eyes were in wonder because in actual fact, he was everything we expected him to be and he wore a seemingly familiar grey suit. Breaking the ice; he told us about his new cell phone which he’s been ridiculously trying to get used to- reminds me of my dad!
“It is important to recognise that South Africa is part of Africa. Africa has been forgotten”, he began. Do we as a country associate ourselves with the continent or are we just sitting in our corner? This can cause so many problems for us as a people. Before even touching on the continent of Africa; it was quite annoying to find a couple of students who felt that somehow, Mbeki should’ve addressed the speech in IsiXhosa. Now, I asked myself,” but what about me? - I’m Zulu”. Mbeki even asked, “Is there a Xhosa society?” and all the super-exited students screamed, “Yeah- oh Yeah”. He then promptly asked, “What is that?” That is the question we need to ask ourselves, why is there no African society? It’s ok to realize ones pride in their language, but to be convinced that the crowd should know isiXhosa- which is only one of the official languages- is just stirring up a debate of disaster. The truth is that more than half of Rhodes students are not Xhosa and by an implication that one needs to spoken in one of the mother tongues to be African, many of us Zulu, Sotho, Venda and even English students were offended. Its thoughts like this which causes assumptions of exclusion by South Africans in relation to the continent.
On the issues of development, Mbeki went on to talk about what the youth can do ‘from the grass-roots’ in order to change what is happening. “Don’t make an excuse of being a ‘normal’ person unable to do anything- just to avoid making change”, he said. We need to understand that Africa is not incapable of helping itself. If anything, we have the right organizations and unions; however, Africa always feels that it needs to seek help from other continents i.e. Europe for help. Mbeki says that we need to make an effort and refuse to be defined by the rest of the world.
After the speech, the question and answer session started and the most distinctive issue was that of HIV/AIDS. A woman in the crowd asked Mr Mbeki to explain his earlier comment about the disease not being an issue in South Africa. His diplomacy was more than pleasing as he explained the issues of the disease and its importance. “They said I must not say anything”, he joked. “But the issue of the disease being an immune virus is important” he continued. He meant that in other words, we need to find solutions to strengthen the immune system of our people as health and education are the most important issue in Africa. He ended saying that, “We would respond better if we understood the questions”. Meaning that we need to ask questions as what the problems are so that we can face the issues in a better way.
I wish that this did not sound like a report, but there are so many things which were important about Mr Mbeki’s address that there is no other way of saying things better than he had. There was a large amount of unfortunates that missed this historic event. It’s as if he didn’t come to Rhodes to redeem himself as a political image; but rather to move on up and lead a legacy of leadership.
21 May, 2009
The count-down begins...
Am i the only one thats noticed that June is right next door. Granted June means its exam time but even better than that...FEST and yes drumroll please, we are all gonna be back together again r u not as excited as I am.
I'm so stoked to see everyone one again but right now ofcourse I wish you all the best for the upcoming exams work hard folks becuase we aint getting to Third year without getting through this year.
Le dulce Vita
See you all soon soon.
Mcwa
C
I'm so stoked to see everyone one again but right now ofcourse I wish you all the best for the upcoming exams work hard folks becuase we aint getting to Third year without getting through this year.
Le dulce Vita
See you all soon soon.
Mcwa
C
19 May, 2009
My views towards "birthdays"
We just voted trying to make a change. Now Let take for instant.My birthdate is on june 13 this coming month,so i wouldn't mind if anyone who knows me can buy me a gift,wherether belatest or what as long as He or She will supricse me with a gift at the end.So I think it great thing to share a birthday cellebration by contributing somehow.I am expecting something to people who know me on my birthday.belatest it will be fine by me."Your coorparation will bring a change,let do practical not theory".A change begins at home.
08 May, 2009
Taking back the Night...
This day the 8 May 2009 marks the fourth anniversary of the Rape judgment which gave Jacob Zuma freedom on a silver platter and denied justice to Kwezi "the rape survivor". Tomorrow Jacob Zuma becomes the president of the Republic of South Africa, a truly sad day in SA history. But TONIGHT, we took back the night! With all this in mind, today also marked a very important day on the Rhodes calendar "the 1 in 9 campaign", where over 400 hundred students participated in the biggest movement yet on campus.
From early this morning over 200 women had their mouths tapped shut, including yours truly, to represent the 8 in 9 rape survivors who remain silenced by an injustice society, where rape is made 'okay' because we refuse to ackowledge that it is a plague affecting our country. Your mother, your sister, your niece, your brother and nephew are all potential victims including yes, me and even YOU. Rape is no longer just my problem or yours, it is OURS. So today we broke the SILENCE and we marched in the early evening and took back the night.
"I said NO!", "My Vagina says NO!", "My Vagina is Pissed off", "Real men don't rape".
Enough is enough!!!
From early this morning over 200 women had their mouths tapped shut, including yours truly, to represent the 8 in 9 rape survivors who remain silenced by an injustice society, where rape is made 'okay' because we refuse to ackowledge that it is a plague affecting our country. Your mother, your sister, your niece, your brother and nephew are all potential victims including yes, me and even YOU. Rape is no longer just my problem or yours, it is OURS. So today we broke the SILENCE and we marched in the early evening and took back the night.
"I said NO!", "My Vagina says NO!", "My Vagina is Pissed off", "Real men don't rape".
Enough is enough!!!
05 May, 2009
can we please pick this bone.
Hello everyone. I have a bone I will like us to pick. The topic says, what do we call a 50 year old person who does not show the characteristics of maturity? I think it will be best if you can first tell what does mature person do. While still on that line, what difference can you show or tell between a boy and a man. These are the topics that we discussed in our university during our social gatherings at student Christian organization (sco)
28 April, 2009
THIS FREEDOM WE HAVE TODAY SOME PEOPLE DIED FOR IT.
Yesterday we were celebrating Freedom Day and some people put their lives on the line for us to have that freedom. Maybe its time we look back and take the good things those people did for me and you to enjoy this freedom today. We can look at the Youth of 1976, they did not have this freedom we have today but they fought for what they believed in and they did it. The mistake that we do as the youth of today is to think that the struggle is over. I truely believe that even if have freedom but we can not say the struggle is over. How can we say its over if we have the high rate of unemployed young people? How can we say its over if we are dying from Hiv/Aids? How can we say its over if we have the problem of drugs abuse and violence in our schools?
The youth of 1976 fought against the apartheid government, we have to make ourselves employable. They had to wore baraclavas to protect themselves from the teargas, we have to wear condoms to protect ourselves from Hiv/Aids. They had to fight the usage of Afrikaans in native schools, we have to fight the usage of drugs and violence in our schools.
So we can not say the struggle is over yet the only difference is that we are fighting the different battle today.
The youth of 1976 fought against the apartheid government, we have to make ourselves employable. They had to wore baraclavas to protect themselves from the teargas, we have to wear condoms to protect ourselves from Hiv/Aids. They had to fight the usage of Afrikaans in native schools, we have to fight the usage of drugs and violence in our schools.
So we can not say the struggle is over yet the only difference is that we are fighting the different battle today.
27 April, 2009
Are you Free or are you Dom...
The 27 April 2009, marks 15 years since the first democratic elections in South Africa. So technically if our democracy was a person, she would be celebrating her fifteenth birthday, having just entered the dreaded stages of puberty. Recognising how immature we all were at that tender age, perhaps we should give props to South Africa, for showing a lot of maturity as indicated by the April 22 elections.
Now moving on from my favourite subject POLITICS, I hope you all have a superb FREEDOM Day. Spend it catching up on school work I would advice, after all the right to quality education was one of the many freedoms which was fought for in years gone by. "Me, myself, personally" (Jeffrey, 2009), much work must yet be done before I'm finally in the groove of this new term.
While I am on the subject of work, kindly log onto www.rhodesmusicradio.co.za and listen live every Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday MORNING between 7 and 9 to your girl Cee.
Till next time.
Now moving on from my favourite subject POLITICS, I hope you all have a superb FREEDOM Day. Spend it catching up on school work I would advice, after all the right to quality education was one of the many freedoms which was fought for in years gone by. "Me, myself, personally" (Jeffrey, 2009), much work must yet be done before I'm finally in the groove of this new term.
While I am on the subject of work, kindly log onto www.rhodesmusicradio.co.za and listen live every Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday MORNING between 7 and 9 to your girl Cee.
Till next time.
25 April, 2009
X marks the Spot...
I waited four days before I finally did this because I wanted to see what South Africa thought first, before I made my comments. Yes, I am talking about the most fulfilling moment yet in my short life, marking my X on the ballot.
I am barely 20 years old so I had yet to partake in my universal right to have my voice heard. The only truth I knew when I cast my vote, is that my decision was made to protect the values that I believe South Africa still stands for.
We had had so many a heated discussions during the Program based entirely on the then upcoming elections that it was part of the fuel which energized me as I cast my vote. At that moment, I truly believed that a change was dawning on this country, that the vice grip that the ANC has had on the country was finally abating and that I could finally call South Africa a democratic country with a viable opposition party(s). That the ANC garnered 66% of the vote but very importantly, missed the highly contested 2/3 majority, surely reinvigorated the hope and belief I have in this country. The people had spoken.
Granted the ANC won an outright majority, but what I see as encouraging is that there were still millions of South Africans, who put their faith in an opposing party and for that I thank all South Africans.
Democracy is an ongoing process and every society defines the boundaries of democracy differently and I strongly believe that South Africa is slowly on the way to establishing a truly democratic society. My one little vote represented my one screaming voice, but I can see that together, someday our voices will make someone LISTEN. Once again I thank you South Africa for casting your vote and making your voices heard.
I am barely 20 years old so I had yet to partake in my universal right to have my voice heard. The only truth I knew when I cast my vote, is that my decision was made to protect the values that I believe South Africa still stands for.
We had had so many a heated discussions during the Program based entirely on the then upcoming elections that it was part of the fuel which energized me as I cast my vote. At that moment, I truly believed that a change was dawning on this country, that the vice grip that the ANC has had on the country was finally abating and that I could finally call South Africa a democratic country with a viable opposition party(s). That the ANC garnered 66% of the vote but very importantly, missed the highly contested 2/3 majority, surely reinvigorated the hope and belief I have in this country. The people had spoken.
Granted the ANC won an outright majority, but what I see as encouraging is that there were still millions of South Africans, who put their faith in an opposing party and for that I thank all South Africans.
Democracy is an ongoing process and every society defines the boundaries of democracy differently and I strongly believe that South Africa is slowly on the way to establishing a truly democratic society. My one little vote represented my one screaming voice, but I can see that together, someday our voices will make someone LISTEN. Once again I thank you South Africa for casting your vote and making your voices heard.
23 April, 2009
FJP students in the media!
FJP students published on City Press online
Jeffrey Shisinga, one of our FJP 2009 participants from University of Limpopo has had his election pics published on City Press online! Check it out: http://jv.news24.com/City_Press/Gallery/Home/0,,galleries-48-7564,00.html.
Anele Ngwenya, FJP 2009, and Simphiwe Kanityi, FJP 2008, also had their voting experiences published on the City Press website:
http://jv.news24.com/City_Press/Elections/0,,186-2483_2505166,00.html.
Dj in the making
Justice Mduduzi Nyalunga, a student at University of Zululand and FJP participant 2008, is in the Top 10 of a Dj competition to become Gagasi 99.5fm’s new dj! Each week two people will be voted off over the next 6 weeks, starting this past Monday.
Please support Justice by smsing "Dj 7" to 39068. Smses cost R1.50. You can vote as many times as you like. Also see the finalists, including Dj7, on http://www.gagasi995.co.za/competitions_Vodacom.htm and keep up with the competition. Justice will also be co-hosting the 12:00-15:00 show tomorrow so listen if you can and support a one of our own! You can listen to the show via their website by clicking on Listen Live.
Those of us who know Justice also know how much he loves radio. Justice did live daily reports from the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown for SABC radio station, Ligwalagwala FM, last year. WELL DONE to him for making it into the Top 10 of the competition.
Well done to all the FJP students!
Jeffrey Shisinga, one of our FJP 2009 participants from University of Limpopo has had his election pics published on City Press online! Check it out: http://jv.news24.com/City_Press/Gallery/Home/0,,galleries-48-7564,00.html.
Anele Ngwenya, FJP 2009, and Simphiwe Kanityi, FJP 2008, also had their voting experiences published on the City Press website:
http://jv.news24.com/City_Press/Elections/0,,186-2483_2505166,00.html.
Dj in the making
Justice Mduduzi Nyalunga, a student at University of Zululand and FJP participant 2008, is in the Top 10 of a Dj competition to become Gagasi 99.5fm’s new dj! Each week two people will be voted off over the next 6 weeks, starting this past Monday.
Please support Justice by smsing "Dj 7" to 39068. Smses cost R1.50. You can vote as many times as you like. Also see the finalists, including Dj7, on http://www.gagasi995.co.za/competitions_Vodacom.htm and keep up with the competition. Justice will also be co-hosting the 12:00-15:00 show tomorrow so listen if you can and support a one of our own! You can listen to the show via their website by clicking on Listen Live.
Those of us who know Justice also know how much he loves radio. Justice did live daily reports from the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown for SABC radio station, Ligwalagwala FM, last year. WELL DONE to him for making it into the Top 10 of the competition.
Well done to all the FJP students!
22 April, 2009
Voted today!... Yes I did- indeed
Today, I voted for the first time ever- there were no nerves at all until my dad called me and put on his ‘do-this-or-else’ voice, “Anele, make the right choice!”. That’s when he advised me to vote for a certain party in order to get what I want for my country. As the queue shrunk a bit, I thought to myself; what kind of a difference would I be making by voting.
I don’t think many young people know that; although we are tiny little particles- we still make up a dense vote towards our country- so that we can contribute to the maintenance of democracy and human rights. Young people, as educated as we are, do not consider the change which could occur by our vote. There was a guy in front of me who hadn’t registered or had his ID- he said he was not aware that we had to go through ‘all of that’ to vote. My argument is that this kind of lethargic behaviour is exactly what will bring our country to ruins.
When we vote, it’s as though sigcina icala ( doing it for the sake of freeing our conscience) and we don’t understand that disadvantaged people fight for so much more- water, lights, health care. We can still get our birthday BMW’s- because our middle class parents can work for that but somewhere out there- there is a person drinking dirty water.
As young, educated and politically aware people, we should get in line and make the right decisions- not because we feel like it but simply because it’s the right thing to do so that the next young person can get electricity to read a book.
I don’t think many young people know that; although we are tiny little particles- we still make up a dense vote towards our country- so that we can contribute to the maintenance of democracy and human rights. Young people, as educated as we are, do not consider the change which could occur by our vote. There was a guy in front of me who hadn’t registered or had his ID- he said he was not aware that we had to go through ‘all of that’ to vote. My argument is that this kind of lethargic behaviour is exactly what will bring our country to ruins.
When we vote, it’s as though sigcina icala ( doing it for the sake of freeing our conscience) and we don’t understand that disadvantaged people fight for so much more- water, lights, health care. We can still get our birthday BMW’s- because our middle class parents can work for that but somewhere out there- there is a person drinking dirty water.
As young, educated and politically aware people, we should get in line and make the right decisions- not because we feel like it but simply because it’s the right thing to do so that the next young person can get electricity to read a book.
Thumbs up!
I went and voted today and I have the inked thumb to prove it.
Woke up this morning...
I woke up not all that excited to go and vote. Sure the novelty had worn off, but it was more the dilemma of who do I vote for. But that is not the point. The point is that I did go and vote some time after 1pm.
I was not going to do the whole waking up at 4am and camping outside of the Rhodes University Theatre (which is where I voted). I value my sleep much too much. After watching all the political leaders and fellow South Africans voting around the country on the various TV channels (local and international), I finally took the not so long walk to the voting station.
Short walk to a long queue
I was pretty relaxed about it, not expecting a long queue at all as I had voted here before and never stood in a queue. I remembered literally popping in and popping right out. Imagine my shock when I arrived and could not see the back of the queue from the front of it. It was going to be a loooong day. I contemplated going back home and coming back 10 minutes before closing time, but a friend I had not seen in about two years, who is now studying in Port Elizabeth, was in town for the day to vote and convinced me to "just get it over with". Easy for her to say when she could see the door from where she was, but she had a point and I made my way to the back of the queue. This is not the kind of queue where your mate can squeeze you in and you crack a joke to diffuse the daggers in the eyes of the people behind you.
As I stood in the line (as we call it in SA) I regretted not bringing a book or my ipod or my phone's hands free at least to free myself from the torture of listening to 'funky' first years talking about cool things and boys. I mean let them talk on but I'll skip it any day. I'm getting old, deal with it.
X marks the party
But I finally made it to the promised land, had my ID scanned and received the little ticket with my ID number on it. Then moved on to the guy with the 'push-back' hair style who crossed out my name on the list. Then it was off to the inking lady, followed by the two ballot paper ladies who handed me my stamped provincial and national ballot papers. Off I went into the booth where my cross was made, after a moment of taking all of it in and what it meant for me and my country. Out the booth, into the boxes they went and with that my contribution to democracy and the future was made. Exhale.
Show me your thumbs up!
I was saying to my sister over the phone tonight that voting is just the first step in us becoming more responsible and active citizens. I think the reason I stood in a longer queue than I had previously, was because South Africans have finally woken up to living out "the people shall govern" and all the political drama has reminded us that we cannot govern on our bottoms. We must get up, go and do something. It's up to us to ensure that our votes mean something by holding the people we voted for accountable to their promises.
So, did you brave the queues and maybe even the cold, as many South Africans did, and voted? Let's see your thumbs up! Take a picture of your inked thumb and post it on the blog.
Sharp sharp!
Moagisi
pictures and comments for elections 2009
Iam Jeffrey Shisinga student at university of Limpopo turfloop campus. I am currently doing second level for a degree in media studies. these are the pictures and comments that I got from the people who were in the poll at university of Limpopofor the 2009 general electins. the first two are phoshoko Donald and japhta Lebese raising their hands , who are the anc party agent. this is what they said ,"currently here at turfloop the elections are going smooth ,we are sure that Anc has already won because we have lobbied many students during our campaign" The second picture is for all parties agents monitoring the polls as you can see they are inside the hall where people are voting. the lady from the right is Mphahlele Meryjane , who is the party agent for cope this is what she said, in history of south African politics cope is growing rapidly , so we are sure that also the results are going to be like that(growing rapidly). The third picture is the masses of students who were still on the Que tho go and vote. amongst them is Caiphus Senona who said that " we do not want manual voting in the future we would prefer the electronic system like SMS and face booking.because people are intimidating us". there was a group of students who were wearing Anc t-shirts standing near the Que where people were queuing .
by Jeffrey Shisinga
by Jeffrey Shisinga
21 April, 2009
students from different university
these are the media studies students(2nd level) from ul,uj,uct, fort hare, mango suthu buthelezi and rhodes. we were attending the programme called future journalists programe held at rhodes university, from the 4th up to the 10th of april 2009. it was a fun and a eriendly way of exposing us(students ) to the top profession of media industries.
FJP- The Fun Times
Pictures are memories captured in a second, minute or in a hours or hours. They often tell the truth without saying much. They also tell of good times and special times. Times that can be forever cherished even when time passes by.
15 April, 2009
Elections campaigns are waste of money!
For me all this campaigns for the up comming ellections are now the waste of money,the reason why I am saying this is because if you look all the billboards aside of the road, it only about political party especialy ANC(am not taking side am neutral) But it clear to everyone that posters of JZ are all over and that limits the space of advertising for the 2010 for the comming world cup and other important ads that can be put on boards.No offence to anyone!
10 April, 2009
SOME WISDOM
Some wisdom has just came to me.
In this world there are the people who will forever search for something that will give meaning. Then there are those people who are just passer by's. You then have the Domineering ones that believe that they will some day control the world. Then you have people such as ourselves.
I was not the spirit of goodwill or teamspirit but it was the spirit of UBUNTU and the spirit that even though we are all uniquically made there is something common, something that binds us, something that some many philosophers have explained and will try to explain and no amount of DNA or links or blood line will prove that it is the heart and mind the unites us all into one ball of candy floss.
What i have witnessed here is something spectacular and irreplaceble and NO! not the song but the truth that will forever be memorable even after the years have passed. Now i know it may not make sense i don't even get what im saying im just merely delievering the message that wonderful people are not just made by there backgrounds but the way one chooses to face the worlds challenges.
Take time to reflect because not everyone gets that opportunity.
In this world there are the people who will forever search for something that will give meaning. Then there are those people who are just passer by's. You then have the Domineering ones that believe that they will some day control the world. Then you have people such as ourselves.
I was not the spirit of goodwill or teamspirit but it was the spirit of UBUNTU and the spirit that even though we are all uniquically made there is something common, something that binds us, something that some many philosophers have explained and will try to explain and no amount of DNA or links or blood line will prove that it is the heart and mind the unites us all into one ball of candy floss.
What i have witnessed here is something spectacular and irreplaceble and NO! not the song but the truth that will forever be memorable even after the years have passed. Now i know it may not make sense i don't even get what im saying im just merely delievering the message that wonderful people are not just made by there backgrounds but the way one chooses to face the worlds challenges.
Take time to reflect because not everyone gets that opportunity.
how do u tell the whole class that you are not selected
if god says yes then relax and wait for your turn. guys i want to share with you, the discouragement i went through before i got here at future journalists programme. it was friday afternoon i was attending media class @ 15:50. when mr muswede( media lecturer) came to class and he announced that myself and nadi are selected to attend the future journalists programme at rhodes. remember it was thursday and by friday @ 8:00 i was expected to bring my cv to prof mmusi's office. heeee the following day when i went there i found the secretary and she said to me, "i dont no you so i cant fax your stuff(cv)". i didnot have money to go off camp and fax my stuff. so i begged, beggedand begged. finaly she said bring. when i thought that the breakthrough has arrived. she looked at my cv and said, "i dont think they will take you". for my suprise according to what i have read from the paper that was sent to us by the fjp's coorddinators, it said, just supply us with students(2) that you think are more deserving. it was not for her to judge. believe it or not i stayed few days being hurt in my heart, because it was announced in front of everyone in class and yet someone's telling you that i dont think they will take you. mind you every student keeps on saying to you , aah man you realy deserve it. how do you then explain to them(students)?
The fun we've had!
Ongezwa
Today is the last day for us here at the Future Journalist Programme Workshop at Rhodes University. It is a sad day but it’s ok. Some of us miss home and some don’t. But we keep telling ourselves that we will see each other in June. That’s pretty close if you think about it. I remember when we first arrived, it was strange. We didn’t know each other but after a day or so things changed. We were no longer strangers but a team.
I, for one, didn’t know what to expect or what was expected of us but within no time I felt comfortable. The camp was my first camp, it was my first time away from home, and I have never had to spend days with strangers. The outcome for me was great. Teamwork, friendship, patience, confidence and trust are just a few of the things that we learned from the Team Building Camp at Umlambo. As we got back from the Camp we did a lot together and shared our life experiences. That for me has made me realise that there’s more to life and also that nothings impossible. This programme has been a real eye-opener for me and probably the whole group.
Today is the last day for us here at the Future Journalist Programme Workshop at Rhodes University. It is a sad day but it’s ok. Some of us miss home and some don’t. But we keep telling ourselves that we will see each other in June. That’s pretty close if you think about it. I remember when we first arrived, it was strange. We didn’t know each other but after a day or so things changed. We were no longer strangers but a team.
I, for one, didn’t know what to expect or what was expected of us but within no time I felt comfortable. The camp was my first camp, it was my first time away from home, and I have never had to spend days with strangers. The outcome for me was great. Teamwork, friendship, patience, confidence and trust are just a few of the things that we learned from the Team Building Camp at Umlambo. As we got back from the Camp we did a lot together and shared our life experiences. That for me has made me realise that there’s more to life and also that nothings impossible. This programme has been a real eye-opener for me and probably the whole group.
What destroys/build my community?
I would like to write about the community where I come from, what seems to be destroying and building it. I live in a township called Zwelitsha in King Williams Town.
We have a Head office of the South African Police Service, Department of Education and Home Affairs. All these that I have just mentioned helps to build my community by creating jobs, using the community radio”Izwele2 fm” informing the unemployed first before post are advertised on newspapers.
We as a community benefit largely. In terms of crime, the restructuring of Head offices has played an impact in lowering the crime rate in most of the areas. Previously the Head office of SAPS was in Bhisho. We have a community executive that is progressive and works together with the police. As a community we are always briefed and warned about any particular event that will be taking place in the community, for example “ electricity, water, meetings etc”
What basically destroys my community?
Firstly let me highlight that my community is Xhosa Orientated .Mostly children lack education...They don’t have respect for anyone and I personally think it’s because they don’t go to school. During school hours they go taverns or sheebens, alcohol is sold to everyone, regardless of your age. Unless of course you are about 9, 10,11etc
The billboards that are mostly hanged and grab attention are the ones that destroy our youth. For Example: “ABORTION IS SAFE”. For me it promotes unsafe sex and increase of HIV/Aids. I think we can use those billboards for informative and entertaining projects, i.e. “warning on cholera, how to use water etc”. Everyone just seems to be living for the sake of living, no dreams or goals. I feel that something must be done as I truly believe that our future lies in our hands.
We have a Head office of the South African Police Service, Department of Education and Home Affairs. All these that I have just mentioned helps to build my community by creating jobs, using the community radio”Izwele2 fm” informing the unemployed first before post are advertised on newspapers.
We as a community benefit largely. In terms of crime, the restructuring of Head offices has played an impact in lowering the crime rate in most of the areas. Previously the Head office of SAPS was in Bhisho. We have a community executive that is progressive and works together with the police. As a community we are always briefed and warned about any particular event that will be taking place in the community, for example “ electricity, water, meetings etc”
What basically destroys my community?
Firstly let me highlight that my community is Xhosa Orientated .Mostly children lack education...They don’t have respect for anyone and I personally think it’s because they don’t go to school. During school hours they go taverns or sheebens, alcohol is sold to everyone, regardless of your age. Unless of course you are about 9, 10,11etc
The billboards that are mostly hanged and grab attention are the ones that destroy our youth. For Example: “ABORTION IS SAFE”. For me it promotes unsafe sex and increase of HIV/Aids. I think we can use those billboards for informative and entertaining projects, i.e. “warning on cholera, how to use water etc”. Everyone just seems to be living for the sake of living, no dreams or goals. I feel that something must be done as I truly believe that our future lies in our hands.
Valuing your tradition, culture and language.
I am a Zulu woman. I have the body of the body of a Zulu woman. Umhlanga was something I went to before I did the sin in the Bible and what is wrong in my culture (losing my virginity.) The first words I learnt to say were mama, baba meaning mommy and daddy in my Zulu language. Because my parents wanted us to go to schools that they thought were schools of better education I was sent to a private Afrikaans English school. This did not change the fact that I was a Zulu girl who did her rituals. A girl who knew her language very well. I learnt the Boers and the English way of living, I was forced to forget my language and learn theirs. But one thing I never forgot was, I’m still a Zulu girl. My dad always told us that as soon as we leave the school gates we tune into what him and my mother taught us. That is what has made me value my culture and language till this day. Go on as much as you like that times have changed, but as far as I’m concerned your identity is formed by these aspects of your life. Knowing your roots, your family history is a very important thing. I have nothing against English, my point is that, speak the language threw your noise but don’t forget your language. Don’t forget who you are, where you from. This is to young people who want to forget that they have they own culture, language and traditions. But are quick in following and telling you more about other people’s cultures.
when days are dark........are few!
One might probably be wondering why on earth this guy (the writer) will say something like this. Please take a deep breath and calm yourself down. I’m about to share with you the reaction that I got when days were dark in my life. I used to have many friends; rich, poor, classy and the ‘neutral’ you name them . But my friend, listen carefully to what I’m about to share with you.I was doing grade 8. We (together with my friends) used to go and hang around in the bushes looking after cows. One day I got stuck in the river bed, because it was rainy season. What happens then must be the only question that is roaming around your mind right now I guess! Yes stuck in the river bed, I could even imagine it now as I’m telling you this my friend. Every one of them and I mean all of them were looking at me and laughing. I tried to show them how much it was hurting in that muddy place, but none of them took me seriously.Next to that river bed was the hole, where a legavaan (creature looks like crocodile) used to stay. Imagine it now my friend stuck in that hole and no one sees what you see in the hole. What do you do then my friend? I know it’s my duty to let you know what I did. Unfortunately I couldn’t help myself. It was deep. I had to get someone who will pull me out of the hole coz it was deep. Guess what happened to my so called “favourite friends”, they eventually ran and they left me there, inside the hole. If it was not for the messiah who was passing by, you or should I say yourself would not be reading about something like this.
by jeff.
by jeff.
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