Come Saturday 19 May will the lean years wait over for Moroka Swallows? or Orlando Pirates be celebrating their unprecedented second treble in a row?

By Tendai sibanda

The last day of the 2011/12 Absa premiership season on Saturday 19 May is quickly approaching us and what an interesting day it looks to be. I love soccer and it flows in my veins. I have to say how exciting it is that the destiny of the league tittle will be once again decided on the last day of the season. Will history repeats itself, Orlando pirates find themselves in this situation as last season were they clinched the tittle on the very last day of the season, facing the very same team Golden Arrows whom they beat 2-1 at Orlando Stadium. But this time around they have to do it away from home which makes it a very breaking point game.While Moroka swallows have a tricky away encounter against  Mazitzburg United who broke Ajax Capetown hearts by holding them to a draw while a victory by the Capetown side will have handed them the league crown in the expense of the Bucaneers.

The last day of the season keeps the anticipation levels highly especially if you are a supporter of either Orlando pirates or Moroka Swallows. As it stands now at 29 games the race is between the two Soweto giants and it is of no doubt that it makes for such exciting end of the season.

Its days like Saturdy 19 May, i realise how much emotional attachment i have for this beautiful game as famously dupped by  the greatest player this word has ever seen Pele. He once famously said football is not like war, it should be played with smile. Some teams like Mamelodi Sundows have just thrilled the fans with their breath taking touches and attacking flair all season long.

With just one game to go before the league rounds off and the curtain closes. We have the Absa premiership tittle heading either of the Soweto giants Orlando pirates who currently stands on 55 points and Moroka swallows on 53 points. Orlando pirates takes on Golden Arrows away while Moroka Swalows have Maritzburg United also away. Neither of the teams are going to be willing to squander these games. With Orlando pirates ahead on 2 points could they actually hang on to the top and successfully defend their titte or will the history books be re written by Moroka swallows. For now we dont have answers, come Saturday 19 May the answers will be provided.

It does not end with the Soweto giants there are also some mouth watering ties and dog fight battles for the top 8 finish to go with and thats what makes it even more interesting. The third and fourth place is to be decided between Supersport United on 51 points, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer chiefs  on  both 49 points. However chasing on their tails is Free state stars on 48 points who will also relish   a chance in finishing on the top four position. As it stands if either of the third or fourth placed teams draw or lose and fifth and sixth teams win their games this could be a tricky finish to the season.

The last decider of Saturday 19 May's season end is also the relagation battle between Jomo cosmos, Santos and Black leopards. Black leorpards 14 on the log are on 25 points and can ease their woes if they can hold their nerve and cruise to the last 2 games by regestering outright victories. Leopards had had a tough season back on the PSL and their median season following many years battling in the lower ranks not made easier by their commintment on the CAF cup on the African stage. Santos who lie 15 on the log on 24 points and they welcome fellow strugglers Jomo cosmos home which is certainly going to be a tough match of the 3 games. They will be hoping to regester a win and relish their survival hopes in the elite ranks through the psl promotional play offs with the two teams which finish second and third in the national first division leagues (NFD).Jomo Cosmos on 18 points are rooted at the bottom of the log which can be certainly the end of their campaingn in the psl and they should be preparing a life in the NFD. With them playing Santos away doesnt make it any easier , but one will excpect Jomo and his men to give out  a gallant fight and bow out bravely.

What a tense and entertaining season it has been. I certainly didn't think all will be decided on the last day. I am not sure anyone could have predicted the twists and turns of the season at all. Heading to the christimas break Sundows looked on poll position to go all the way and clinch the league tittle. In the second stanza they have blown away that and as it stands now they are out of the picture and they have themselves to blame for this. It is yet another frustation for  Motsepe's highly assembled squad with only the nedbank cup final set for 26 May against city rivals Supersport United to play for presenting them with a chance to finish with silverware or risk another season with so much promise but ended on empty hands.

Its a different story altogether to some teams. Moroka swallows have pulled together really well and proved everyone wrong considering that last season at this stage of the season they were involved on th dog fight battles of relagation. Fast foward that ,now are sitting  right up there with the top teams standing  a chance to outset Orlando pirates and pip them on the tittle on the last day of the season. Gordon Igesund and his side deserves to be appauded for sterlling performances this season.

The defending champions Orlando pirates in the first half looked liked they will surrender their tiitle on a silver plate. In the second half of the season they have bounced back on style and it takes such a strong character by players to achieve this. As things stand now they look on the course to regester their second successive unprecedented  treble with Golden Arrows the team standing between them and  success . In the past two seasons they have been slowly stamping their authority on the local soccer and at present moment no one can deny that they rule the local scene.

Jomo Cosmos, Black leopards and Santos fell apart and have given a few shocks. Jomo cosmos with two wins all season.The fight for the top was pretty much between Orlando pirates, Mamelodi Sundows, Supersport United, Kaizer chiefs , Moroka swallows and high flying Free State Stars whole way through. Ajax Capetown, Amazulu, Maritzburg United and Bloemfontein Celtic suffererd a bit this year they are not near what they were last season. Mamelodi Sundowns came out firing but subdued towards the end and Ajax Capetown, Maritzburg United just fired their way out after selling their best players following their unprecedented seasons the previous year.

As a soccer lover, i have enjoyed the thrilling displays and battles on the field of play this season. 19 May is almost upon us, i hope all the Mzansi football lovers enjoy the last action and day of the season .Remember its not over until the final whistle will be blown. If Orlando pirates  lose and Moroka Swallows wins on the day they will grab the chance to be crowned the Absa premier soccer champions following a  long lean years.

All the round fixtures 19 May 2012, kickoff time 15.00 across all the matches.

Home teams drawn first

Black Leopards vs Ajax Capetown

Bloemfontein Celtic vs Supersport United

Golden Arrows vs Orlando pirates

Kaizer Chiefs vs Amazulu

Mamelodi Sundowns vs Free State Stars

Maritzburg United vs Moroka swallows

Platinum Stars vs Bidvest Wits

Santos vs Jomo Cosmos

Five top scorers in the league so far                            The league table

1. Siyabonga Nomvethe ( Moroka swallows)   20             Team                         Games   Points

2.Eleazar Rodgers          ( Santos                 )  12             1. Pirates                    29          55

3.Edward Manqele         (Free State Stars    )  11            2.Swallows                 29          53

4.David Mathebula         (Moroka Swallows )   10           3.Supersport Utd        29          51

5. Katlego Mphela          (Mamelodi Sundowns) 10          4. Sundows                29          49

                                                                                        5.Kaizer chiefs            29          49

                                                                                        6.Free State Stars       29          48

                                                                                        7.Bloem Celtic            29          41

                                                                                        8.Amazulu                   29          40

                                                                                        9. Ajax Capetowon     29          40

                                                                                        10.Platinum Stars         29          36

                                                                                        11.Maritzburg              29          34

                                                                                        12. Golden Arrows      29          32

                                                                                        13.Bidvest Wits           29          30

                                                                                        14.Black Leopards      28          25

                                                                                        15. Santos                  29           24

                                                                                        16. Jomo cosmos        28           18

Future Journalists Programme: Opinion Article on Secrecy Bill

Future Journalists Programme: Opinion Article on Secrecy Bill

Opinion Article on Secrecy Bill

By: Kgowa Tiragalo                                                                                                                  According to section 16 of the constitution of  South Africa, every citizen of this country has the right to freedom of speech. Media also as a structure of the society are entitled to freedom of expression. Section 16 further states that people have the right to information and it is up to the media to get that information and disseminate it.

As it has been said that all the rights go with responsibilities,so I think it is up to all journalists to act responsibly whenever they are performing their duties to avoid to violate that right to information.To install cameras in someone's house,be it government official without that person's knowledge is unethical and hat journalist could be sued for that.

The newly in-process Secrecy Bill will only bring confusions amongst the citizens of this country and restriction to information for journalists.It is well-known that South Africa has the highest corruption rate in the world and most of it in the government by the government officials.In a democratic country the goverment must be for the people.

How can it be that the goverment that has been elected by the people have secrets? People need to know everything that has to do with their goverment and it is the duty of the media to inform them.The media will not be able to perform their duties if  the goverment is not willing to dish out the information that needs to be given to the people.

The media must not be seen as the enemy of the goverment but the mediator between the goverment and its people.If the media are censored then there will be no developments in this country and the rights of people and the media to information would be violated by the goverment.I am against this new in-process Secrecy Bill. 

 

MY VIEWS ABOUT THE SECRECY BIILL 

STHEMBISO SITHOLE

@SITHOLEEXPRESS

The Protection Information Bill has made every South African citizen and the world at large talking about the proposed bill.

 As a budding media scholar, I have read and heard what the ANC ruling party has to say about the bill and why they believe it should be included in our constitution. I share the same sentiment with Youth for African Media for their views and hard work about what many regarded as a secrecy bill.

YAM is a student organization aimed at promoting good governance, access to information and fighting against any attempts to thwart media freedom and the rights which are enshrine in the Constitution.

The ANC government is trying to hide information from us South African citizens about the things that are taking place internal and external. That is why they even went an extra mile to propose that one might face a 15-year jail sentence if found to have acted in contravention.

The issue of the matter is that, this bill is not in the public interest but it is taking South Africa in the dark era of Apartheid. This means that no one will have access to government matters, including the misuse of fortune.

That is way I was and still one of those in the forefront against this secrecy bill.

On the 19 October 2011 I was one of those who celebrated the Media Freedom day.  FACEBOOK:

“Power to MEDIA FREEDOM, Power. Viva media houses viva. Today I am celebrating MEDIA FREEDOM DAY. Please join me by posting your comments, expressing your views about this proposed secrecy bill. Power to journalists and their editor’s power. Expose corruption, Expose!"

Are we really a racism free society?

In light of the recent racial remarks (Jessica Leandra, Tsidi Thamana and Ken Sinclair) made I think we as a society really need to realise that racism is not dead, we are just sitting on a potentaily hazardous situation which is slowly begining to brew.  Just because the country became a democratic country through over 60% of the country voting a black government into power and those in power having shaken hands and agreed with the previous government  that racism would be a thing of the past doesnt mean that the scars of racism and aparthied have healed . We need to adress the very core of the issue and figure out why 18 years into democracy people still have the very mind sets of these three aforementioned individuals. 

What Jessica, Tshidi and Ken have said is nothing short of what a huge number of South Africans are thinking on a daily basis.  I would like to commend them for having spoken out - however hurtful their remarks are and have been to a greater number.  We as a society need to quit this attitude that things arent what they are or that we are not aware of the factors surrounding our society and instead fight against them by understanding what it is that makes us think and feel the way we do about each other. 

Who knows, perhaps half of you reading this are thinking "finally someone understands how i feel and they have the guts to say it" perhaps you are thinking I am just an over opinionated young woman and I dont know what I am talking about, whatever the case may be, I strongly believe that we are a far cry from a racist free society.  The sooner we realise and accept that, the better.  Then maybe, just maybe we can attempt moving towards healing the nation.  As a young black Cape Townian, I understand what it feels like to be sidelined because of your skin tone; well, that’s a subject for another day so for now, I think I will just end off by saying: it is of no use to pretend that all is well and good and that we are a loving and unified society – we are not, we are far from it.

Peace and Love

A

World press freedom day

An appeal to the masses,  media practioners, politicians, economist, stake holders and all fellow journalists we have a mandate to advocate for press freedom. Enough is enough with the stringiest laws that muzzle the press. Out with the repressive media laws that protect the politicians, the government in their malpractices and human rights  abuse.                                                                                                   Fellow journos, the struggle continues lets advocate for free media, lets free the whistle blowers, lets free the fourth estate. I learnt with great amusement when my fellow collegue Crispo Ncube  stated that " a country that enjoys freedom of press is the country that enjoys the fruits of democracy" True are his words we cant talk of democray when the media is silenced. Freedom of speech, freedom of choice ,freedom of movement freedom of press should define democray in a democratic state.

The power of press should  not be limited, journalists should be goverved by objective mind, ethics code of conduct, the willngness to investigate facts, accontability, trustworthy and truthfulness. Fellow journos lets not neither rest nor relax and pretend everything is well. We have to speak up our mind, voice our concerns, live, eat, breath and sleep press freedom until it is completely  achieved . The masses we need you ,alone we cant conquer, your support is vital. Lets be passionate, stand up and fight for press freedom it serves our interests and its the watchdog .The press freedom is important it transforms our societies and information is power.

Our communities, societies are governed by individuals obsessed with corrupt minds, who are nepotistic and mis manage resources for self enrichment. These practices are draw backs for economic development. Such issues needs to be exposed . It is possible if everyone is involved , united with a purpose ,showing support to all those measures , movements that advocates for press freedom.

 Journalist are used as a tool of conveying and serving the interest of  the public. All oppressive measures should  be fought  against to ensure that press freedom is achieved. We can not talk of press freedom when journalist are harrassed and inprisoned worldwide for no apparent reason.

Media needs voices ,it is part of those plattforms that are key to the development of democratic societies. Unless press freedom is achieved the battle shall not stop.

Together we can make it, we need voices.

Freedom day celebration at UFH

All students of different political organizations came together to celebrate freedom day, and putted aside their differences. One of the speakers Comrade Nokreshe said “today we are celebrating freedom on the names of those who fought and died for it”.

The apartheid veteran went on to say “what we fought for has not yet been achieved”. Therefore it is the duty of the youth to be educated in order to out root the corrupt leaders. He went on to say in order for democracy to be a success there is a need for anti-corrupt leaders, and further advised the youth to seek education in order for South Africa to have educated future leaders. 

The main speaker Adv. Dali Mpofu further emphasized on the fact that freedom day is the celebration of those who laid their lives on the line for a brighter future; therefore freedom day is the celebration of democracy and the struggle of those who paid with their lives for freedom. He went on to say, the youth needs to find out “what needs to be done”.

He then advised the youth, that if they have an idea of what they want to achieve they can achieve it regardless of what people are saying and made an example about the past-youth which people thought they were loosing their mind for their determination to fight for freedom.

منسقة برنامج صحفيي المستقبل لفضاء الحرية : البرنامج دعم لقطاعي الصحافة والاتصال ومجابهة لتحديات حرية الاعلام

محمد صالح العمراني

اكدت السيدة نكوبيل بيثلوزي سيبيسي  منسقة برنامج صحفيو المستقبل ان اهداف عمل البرنامج الذي يعقد اشغاله حاليا في تونس هي تشريك طلاب الصحافة في هذا البرنامج عبر تقديم تقاريرهم  عن اعمال الملتقى الدولي لحرية الصحافة، الى جانب اثره الايجابي في دعم وتطوير قطاعي الصحافة والاتصال ومجابهة التحديات التي تقف عندها حرية الاعلام .

وقالت السيدة سيبيسي التي التقيناها  بمناسبة مشاركنها باحتفالات اليوم العالمي للصحافة الذي يوافق الثالث من ماي من كل سنة  والذي يبدأ اشغاله من الثالث الى الخامس من ماي الجاري بنزل البالاص بقمرت بعنوان حرية الاعلام تساعد على تحويل المجتمعات. ان برنامج صحفيو المستقبل الذي يندرج ضمن مبادرة Highway Africa

واعتبرت السيدة نكوبيل بيثلوزي سيبيسي ان اختيار تونس لاستضافة برنامج صحفيي المستقبل في اطار مشروع اطلقته منظمة اليونسكو تحت مسمى" المجتمع المفتوح" سيكون مناسبة لتشريك طلاب الصحافة في هذا البرنامج عبر تقديم تقاريرهم  عن اعمال الملتقى.

واكدت منسقة البرنامج ان هذا المشروع ذو مغزى تجريبي اذ سيسعى الى منح طلبة الصحافة  " فرصة العمل الصحفي التجريبي كما سيمنحهم فرصة للتبادل الثقافي على نطاق عالمي ولذا فهو يعد فرصة نادرة للطلبة لبناء شبكات حياتهم المهنية وتطوير مهاراتهم الصحفية "

وأضافت منسقة برنامج صحفيي المستقبل ان  المشاركين في هذا الملتقى يمثلون جامعة رودس من جنوب افريقيا ومعهد الصحافة وعلوم الاخبار من تونس والمركز الفرنسي للدراسات وتقنيات المعلومة بالسنغال وجامعة القاهرة المصرية وايضا جامعة ولاية اريغون من الولايات المتحدة الامريكية واخيرا جامعة قطر .

كما اشادت باهمية التعاون بين  منظمة اليونسكو و افريقيا الطريق السريع وذلك لما له اثر ايجابي على دعم وتطوير قطاعي الصحافة والاتصال ومجابهة التحديات التي تقف عندها حرية الاعلام .

 وذكرت سبيسي ان منظمة  Highway Africa شاركت السنة الفارطة في المنتدى الافريقي لقادة وسائل الاعلام الذي احتضنته تونس وكذلك شاركت بمؤتمر في دولة مالي .

La liberté de presse, c’est la solution!

Par: Sihem Rekik

Comment pourrait-on s’exprimer dans un pays où la censure est routinière ? Comment les individus pourraient-ils s’affirmer avec une liberté d’expression entravée ?  Pourrait-on avoir des exigences sociales dans l’absence de la liberté de la presse ?

L’article 19 de la déclaration des droits de l’Homme stipule que tout individu a droit à la liberté d'opinion. A la lumière de cet article, la presse libre et pluraliste contribue à l’évolution des peuples et à la transformation des sociétés, reflétant des opinions diversifiées et permettant à des voix ensevelies de s’élever. En effet, les médias indépendants et responsables  enrichissent le débat public, expriment les aspirations des citoyens et peuvent même être un moyen de pression sur les gouvernements pour tenir compte des préoccupations des peuples.

Pour illustrer ces pensées, nous pouvons nous référer aux répressions policières qu’ont subies les manifestants lors des célébrations de la fête des martyrs en Tunisie et qui ont fait l’objet de l’actualité des médias tunisiens et étrangers. Cette couverture médiatique massive a incité le gouvernement à revenir sur sa décision, portant sur l’interdiction des manifestations à l’avenue Habib Bourguiba.
De toute évidence,  la Journée mondiale de la liberté de la presse nous permet de réfléchir à l’efficacité des médias libres et indépendants et à leur apport aux peuples qui aspirent à une société juste où la liberté et d’égalité sont respectée.

Comment pourrait-on s’exprimer dans un pays où la censure est routinière ? Comment les individus pourraient-ils s’affirmer avec une liberté d’expression entravée ?  Pourrait-on avoir des exigences sociales dans l’absence de la liberté de la presse ?

L’article 19 de la déclaration des droits de l’Homme stipule que tout individu a droit à la liberté d'opinion. A la lumière de cet article, la presse libre et pluraliste contribue à l’évolution des peuples et à la transformation des sociétés, reflétant des opinions diversifiées et permettant à des voix ensevelies de s’élever. En effet, les médias indépendants et responsables  enrichissent le débat public, expriment les aspirations des citoyens et peuvent même être un moyen de pression sur les gouvernements pour tenir compte des préoccupations des peuples.

Pour illustrer ces pensées, nous pouvons nous référer aux répressions policières qu’ont subies les manifestants lors des célébrations de la fête des martyrs en Tunisie et qui ont fait l’objet de l’actualité des médias tunisiens et étrangers. Cette couverture médiatique massive a incité le gouvernement à revenir sur sa décision, portant sur l’interdiction des manifestations à l’avenue Habib Bourguiba.

De toute évidence,  la Journée mondiale de la liberté de la presse nous permet de réfléchir à l’efficacité des médias libres et indépendants et à leur apport aux peuples qui aspirent à une société juste où la liberté et d’égalité sont respectée.

Comment pourrait-on s’exprimer dans un pays où la censure est routinière ? Comment les individus pourraient-ils s’affirmer avec une liberté d’expression entravée ?  Pourrait-on avoir des exigences sociales dans l’absence de la liberté de la presse ?

L’article 19 de la déclaration des droits de l’Homme stipule que tout individu a droit à la liberté d'opinion. A la lumière de cet article, la presse libre et pluraliste contribue à l’évolution des peuples et à la transformation des sociétés, reflétant des opinions diversifiées et permettant à des voix ensevelies de s’élever. En effet, les médias indépendants et responsables  enrichissent le débat public, expriment les aspirations des citoyens et peuvent même être un moyen de pression sur les gouvernements pour tenir compte des préoccupations des peuples.

Pour illustrer ces pensées, nous pouvons nous référer aux répressions policières qu’ont subies les manifestants lors des célébrations de la fête des martyrs en Tunisie et qui ont fait l’objet de l’actualité des médias tunisiens et étrangers. Cette couverture médiatique massive a incité le gouvernement à revenir sur sa décision, portant sur l’interdiction des manifestations à l’avenue Habib Bourguiba.

De toute évidence,  la Journée mondiale de la liberté de la presse nous permet de réfléchir à l’efficacité des médias libres et indépendants et à leur apport aux peuples qui aspirent à une société juste où la liberté et d’égalité sont respectée.

Mirela Lazar, experte en SIC « Les journalistes tunisiens devraient définir les repères de leur nouvelle liberté »

Par: Marwa Ben Abdennebi
Mirela Lazar, experte roumaine en SIC était parmi les intervenants du colloque organisé par l’Institut de Presse et des Sciences de l’Information sur les médias publics et les transitions démocratiques organisé quelques jours seulement avant la journée mondiale de la liberté d’expression. En partant de l’expérience des médias roumains après la chute de Ceausescu, DR Lazar donne une lecture des conditions à fournir pour que le paysage médiatique tunisien réussisse sa mutation.
Mirela Lazar considère que l’initiative organisée par l’UNESCO quant à la célébration de la journée mondiale de la presse est une occasion pour encourager les médias tunisiens à travailler pour la démocratie, à assurer leur rôle de catalyseurs dans les relations entre les pouvoirs publics et les citoyens.
Tout comme la Tunisie, les médias roumains ont connu une période transitoire qui a découlé de la chute de Nicolae Ceausescu. A ce sujet, Mirela Lazar suggère que « les journalistes tunisiens devraient définir les repères de leur nouvelle liberté avant l’achèvement de cette période de flou politique sinon ce serait trop tard ». En outre, elle a rapporté qu’il faut assumer l’expérience acquise durant toutes ces années de dictature afin de porter un regard critique sur le passé et en tirer profit.
« Les traces et les archives de l’ère révolue doivent être précieusement conservées car ils font partie de l’histoire. Nous sommes condamnés à vivre avec le passé, même s’il laisse de profondes blessures. L’assumer c’est se donner les meilleures chances de construire un avenir différent» souligne-elle.
Interrogée sur sa vision de la liberté de la presse, Mirela Lazar a indiqué que celle-ci va jusqu’où va le droit de chaque individu de recevoir une information correcte, dans la transparence. Elle signifie « une attitude responsable, respectueuse des droits de l’Homme et des lois ».
En ce qui concerne la régulation des médias, Dr Lazar estime qu’une autorité de régulation peut garantir l’exercice de la liberté de la presse à condition qu’elle soit soustraite aux influences politiques et aux pressions des différents intérêts économiques ou professionnels.

Youth- use Social Media, says Qatar

By: Al Jazy Al-Nasr

 

Social media usage is spreading like wild fire among young people of Doha. According to ictQatar statistics, FaceBook is the most popular social media platform in Qatar and it is the second most used website after the search engines.

Most young men and women in Doha own an account on a social media website and actively use at least use two social networks. These platforms are usually used to discuss the latest news, whether in or outside of Doha; to update friends with latest stories and use multimedia to show the world what is around them.

Recognizing the importance of new media in democratizing states, Qatar motivates young people to use social media and to learn how to use it as means to connect to the outer world. Moreover, the country encourages youth to major in journalism and is trying to build a strong future for journalists for 2022. These ideal journalists of the future are those who are new media savvy and therefore must adapt to utilizing new media technologies to report.

Noticeable, however, is that a large number of youth do not discuss politics on a daily basis on these online platforms. Social media, sadly, remains a space for social interactions, and does not translate to a robust political space for deliberation on issues of governance and freedom- much to the dismay of government’s trials to implement this culture of speaking truth to power.

Source: http://www.ictqatar.qa/connect/QDML_en/index.html#/17/zoomed

We can make learning institutions a better place, Students stop this behaviour.

 It is no  longer a saga that we have to be successful and  put arrest the use of drugs and alcohol in tertiary institutions as it has reached an infrigement point.

We need to fearlessly  face it with unparalled stance, with one  mind and one voice. The horendous and peaching effects of drug and alcohol abuse need to be adhered to. Students engage themselves in drugs and alcohol abuse almost daily. It is the responsibility of all the management and students themselves to embrace and deal up with the fight of against drug and alcohol abuse. Whatever the challenges this must stop. This calls for serious examination and identifying the right lifestyle. Students need to be warned of the dangers, inherent in drug and alcohol abuse and the impact it has to their education.

It is becoming a trend at tertiary institutions to find students in drinking sprees instead of attending classes. Drugs and alcohol has a serious adictive insistence. The fight against drug and alcohol abuse is difficult with people around the globe subjective to it. In making an attempt to conderm this behaviour leads those to be on  the wrong side of the coin.

Parents sacrifice everything by sending their children  to school with the hope that their daughters and sons are getting education, not knowing that they are actually having a good time with freinds at bars and night clubs. Drug and alcohol abuse leads to ground for sex to many. Girls when drunk are at risk of being gang raped or sleep with some one unprocted and this can end up with them contacting HIV/Aids and other sexual transmitted deseases (STI's).

Most important to me as a student is an indication of the negative impact of drug and alcohol abuse has on those who induldge on  it without considering the consequences they face. Under the influence of drugs and alcohol people are likely to suspend their behaviour temporary and easily manipulable to give in into sexual demands especially when the environment permits it. Some people had been heard saying they prefer taking few bottles of beer before sex for optimal enjoyment.

It is pointless to say that drug and alcohol abuse can threaten and derail the progress of a prospective student in education as it is there for everyone to see. As a student the rate at which drug and alcohol abuse is at UFH, has left me worried and doubtful whether the future is bright for the young minds of this country.

It is an indisputable fact among academics, that drug and alcohol abuse has eroded the future of one of the most promising candidates as alcohol , drugs  and sex became their ultimate goal rather than their primary focus on education and their future. It is painful to see students who are less fortunate and from disadvanteged backgrounds adopting the trend, destroying their careers and wasting an opportunity to utilise and lift their families and societies they live in.

HIV/Aids, drugs and alcohol phenomenon and its effects are endangering the students life. The point of departure is that it deprives the country of the much needed skilled labour and draws back the economic development.

I have noted with great concern that students from disadvanteged backgrounds are the ones on the forefront. I learnt with great astonishment when one student at UFH broadly stated to me:
        
       " my parents are poor, my grandparents and my forefathers were poor and there is no way
              i can be successful and i have never enjoyed life like i do now that i am at UFH"
                                     
                                another student shared similar sentiments
                    " my family is tough on me and there is nothing i can do to break this chain"

My question is does life of drugs, alcohol and sex  what students call life enjoyment?
Students become comfortable with this type of environment and use it it as an excuse to remain in mediocrity. This is absolutely wrong, who are they fooling? nobody but their self. Alcohol and drug abuse is a freedom of choice it can't be inherited, but as a student if you allow your self to sour and allow your mind and faith to be clouded by this chain of drug and alcohol abuse, you are killing yourself, future, family and the country at large.

The family success, societies we live in and the country succeess begins with students being responsible enough and its high time the students break this tendency of alcohol and drug abuse. Believe me education is fair and gives us whether poor or rich an  equal opportunity to rise and shine, but the ball is on the court as we students to take or leave it.

It is up to we as students to make  a choice. A choice of life without drugs and alcohol abuse for the good of our future or a life with drug and alcohol abuse to a miserable future.

Now that you have read this article,gauge yourself, redeem yourself its never late till death, find yourself encouraged and start working harder and and you can do better than anyone else.

Students rise above all odds the country needs you all.

First day of Newsroom activity - A Great Success!

PHOTOS BY: Mohamed Iyadh LABBEN

Secrecy Bill: Questions and Answers

Unesco World Press Freedom Day Conference, which takes place from 3-5 May 2012, will be yet another opportunity for journalists and media practitioners to re-evaluate their roles in the media industry whilst South African lawmakers are currently meeting in committee to discuss, clause by clause, various aspects of the Protection of Information Bill being championed by the government. Dubbed the ‘secrecy bill,’ this proposed piece of legislation is making journalists and civil society activists increasingly nervous that their professional quest for the truth will become a highly risky endeavour if the bill is passed into law. Nqobile Sibisi, the Future Journalists Programme coordinator, answers some questions on the importance of press freedom and why the ‘secrecy bill’ threatens the values of South Africa’s Constitution.






Why do you think people all over South Africa rallying against the Secrecy Bill?


Well, because it goes against everything that South African's fought for to realise our present democratic stance. When you look at South African history, the press- a radical free-voiced press for that matter, operating under the most difficult of situations, was crucial to the annihilation of apartheid, and ensuring policy decisions take to account the plural voice of the people. This Protection of Information Bill, often dubbed "Secrecy Bill", will see to journalists being jailed for up to 25 years for revealing information, which ANC authorities argue would be otherwise 'classified- in the national interest.' The contradiction is baffling, since media reports those very matters in the national interest, which inform policy decisions through consulting with the South Africans citizenry. So why should media be censored and jailed for informing the citizenry of issues they have the right to know of.



In terms of academic research, what are the upsides of having the bill?


I am not an academic, but the positives is that I can immediately point out are:

(1) It has reignited passion from the citizenry's side to keep watch of government; has demonstrated and encouraged the unity of our people, including civil society, who have realised the power of their voices. Our government knows now that as democracy goes into its second decade, it cannot think even once that the people have forgotten the power of their opinions, freedom of expression, the right to know matters of the state and decide the fate of the country as a collective.

(2) Media has been in a way alerted to the fact that information we publish must be attained through the right channels in the ambit of the law, and this goes for global media. For example, it did not help our situation when Rupert Murdock's News of The World was caught-up in that scandalous saga of tapping phones and doing underground dealings to acquire information. Such covert processes, which quite frankly infringe on our subjects' or source's freedoms, jeopardise our credibility as the Fourth (and I also include the Fifth) Estate. We as the media, in our practice, need to be guided by our own industry ethics and principles of journalism, otherwise nobody else will take us seriously.


In light of Freedom Day, where we honour and celebrate men and women who have fought against freedom abuses, what does the Secrecy Bill mean for the ideals of freedom in South Africa?"

Irrespective of the justification from government, the secrecy bill infringes the notion of freedom. We wouldn't have celebrated Freedom Day this coming Friday if it wasn't for a brave, vocal, fearless press, so the our authorities need to think about that. I'm concerned and afraid though, that the world has moved to this high-intel society where governments deal greatly in stealth-missions, coupled with a proliferation of conspiracy information from an erray of sources online (media and citizen journalists alike- who try to make sense of the situation), so it is increasingly getting more difficulty to sift what is real and truthful information and what is not, and what authorities are hiding or not hiding..Truly, we live in interesting times! But with all that said, the freedom of the press, is still crucial!.



Anything you would like to add, that you deem is relavent?

Highway Africa's Future Journalists Programme (FJP) is taking a group of 25 multination 'future journalists' to the Unesco Press Freedom Day Conference in Tunis, Tunisia, next week. These students from universities in S.A/U.S/Tunisia/Senegal/Qatar/Egypt, will form the newsroom reporting this conference from 1-6 May as part of a meaningful experiential learning offered by HA, Unesco and the Open Society Initiative (OSI). In the process, the students will be addressed by global media heads, Unesco media directors, learning of the crux of Press Freedom, what they should watch out for, how the press should handle pressure from oppressive governments and a whole lot more. And, I am yet to hear of any major celebrations in South Africa for the 21st anniversary of World Press Freedom Day- 3 May, which all began with the Windhoek Declaration 21 years ago in Namibia. We need to be guided by our own industry ethics and principles of journalism, otherwise nobody else will take us seriously.

Future Journalists go to Tunisia!

Highway Africa's Future Journalists Programme (FJP) is taking 28


multi-national Future Journalists to Tunisia to attend the Unesco World

Press Freedom Day Conference, which takes place from 3-5 May 2012. The theme for this conference is New Voices: Media Freedom Helping to Transform Societies.





This project is sponsored by the Open Society Initiative (OSI) and the

students will form the OSI-FJP Youth Newsroom which will report the

proceedings of the conference. These budding journalists have been sourced

from 6 countries, namely;



- South Africa (Rhodes University)



- Tunisia (Institut de Presse & des Sciences de l'Information

-IPSI)



- Senegal (Centre d'Etudes des Sciences et Techniques de

l'Information -CESTI)



- Egypt (Cairo University)



- United States of America (University of Oregon)



- Qatar (Qatar University)









The project seeks to give journalism students meaningful

experiential-learning and cultural exchange on a global scale. It is also a

rare opportunity for the students to build their career networks in the

industry with their international counterparts whilst still at school.





The Rhodes FJP team departs for Tunis this Sunday, 29 April, and consist of

Highway Africa FJP Coordinator, Nqobile Sibisi ; FJP Assistant Coordinator

Anele Ngwenya; PDMM students Lincoln Van Der Westhuizen, and Duduetsang

'Dee' Makuse.





The newsroom will be managed and run by FJP and young people; Nqobile

assuming chief editor role, working with two lecturers and fellow editors

from IPSI and Oregon. Anele will head the design wing of the newsroom,

whilst Lincoln will be in charge of producing podcasts and Duduetsang

producing television material.





The youth newsroom will produce three print papers, one purely online

edition, and all content will be cross pollinated on various spaces online.





All content online can be followed on the different FJP/HA platforms:



Blog: www.zajournalist.blogspot.com



Twitter: @FJPtweets



Hashtag: #pressfreedom



Facebook: FJP Coordinator



YouTube Channel: FutureJournos



Website: http://www.highwayafricanetwork.com