Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Soweto_ JHB
Ok in this case I feel like illustrating ones feelings on a peace of paper is nonsense. The idea of trying to live and document your life at the same time.
Its possible. Because who said it has to be an every day affair. After all it is just a hobby. So this is an update after a long silence from me. I'll be illustrating my thoughts in words. Words documented in this script:
I'm in Johannesburg/SA. Finally. Residing in Soweto_Dobsinville. Scrary for my tastes, but worth it in every single way. See! Being on a quest for success, somehow you don't choose your route. Its chosen for you. And so is mine. As always I believe.
So its like my 4rth day here. Never been here before. But very excited at the same time. And this place is dry. Because I recall that all I have been thinking about is drinking some water. And yes I did get myself a cup of hot chocolate at Mc Donalds_ Calton Centre. I had fun today. For some awkward reason. I was called for a job interview. Oh, and job interview only because I want money. In fact I need moola. So the idea is_ I've arrived. Then_ what do I do! Do I stay at home (my aunts house) or do I go out and get a job!_ the answer is quite obvious. So yes I am looking to be employed! Yes by another person. And yes I know that sounds stupid but I need money. And now a days you work to earn money! No! You don't ask your parent! Especially if you are 28 and far far from home. You work_ and yes you work your ass off! For now that is. So I'm willing to slave for another man for now. Just so to sustain living here in this New Jerusalem.
The day I arrived I was nervous_ that Big City effect I guess. But now I feel fine I think. Am a bit nervous still_ I'll explain_ see! JHB is quite a sensation for a young rural boy like me. Yes I got my so called education, and chose to be a fashion designer_ with quite an eye for detail. Basically I'm good. And ask me why I'm not famous yet! Its because: every pot takes its time to cook. So for me, its only a matter of time. I won't say much, will just leave it to time to manifest. As it is_ today was my first time out to the Big City. With all the cautions I got from people. Telling me that Joburg_ as notoriously called_ is dangerous. Thugs all over! But no, it wasn't like that at all. Its kind of normal. To me I guess.. Saw the big city in another eye. Perhaps its because I was looking good! As always:
See! This place is not as I expected! Especially the City Central. Every1 who has been here said its the coolest place on this side of the planet. No! Its not! No, not at all. I want to stay and experience Soweto. I want to live here amongst the poor. Here people are simple. Not hidden by the luxuries. A hungry man appears as he is. A happy man is as he is. Troubled youth as they always are. Tangled in drugs are my fellow young and elderly brothers.
Pity them not though. Because_ here is were I'm aught to be. And besides. I grew up in a Suburb are anyways. And now I'm discovering my self in the township of Soweto. I know so much history about this place. Has so much potential too. Ok! Wait let me clear that: see whenever I see people_ I see hope. I see a future for those willing to claim it. Those that don't end up dead here. Don't be fooled. This place is dangerous. To all who claim it as their own. I'm happy to be amongst my Zulu side of the family. So many cultures quizzed into this rubble of dusty streets! Better yet_ Joburg has a better side to offer. For those that dare to dream. Like every place in the planet. It has its fortunate few. And the rest.. So here is where all my attention is. Surviving and conquering. Claiming every breath to be my own. I'm here in Soweto.
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
Friday, 19 April 2013
thoughts on the Youth day
Youh Day,thoughts:
Youth day, what about it? Which youth? Black youth is in the streets, begging for food and coins. Black youth is unemployed, educated or not. Black youth is in jail, some retreat to whoonga, unsafe sex, or alcohol. Many are answering calls in call-centers, preparing meals for whites in restaurants or packing groceries for BEE wives at Woolworths. Black kids are busy impregnating each other in school premises, during learning time, the teachers couldn’t care less their busy on BBM and Facebook. They are undertrained and underpaid anyway. White youth has all the facilities, opportunities and resources. Their schools are over resourced, have well-trained and sufficiently remunerated teachers who care deeply about their intellectual and leadership development. So, what is youth day in South Africa, a deeply racially divided country that continues to disadvantage its majority to appease a well-defined few? As my departure to Europe slowly nears, I am thinking about the state of my nation, the hopes of my people and my probable message to the world about post-apartheid South Afrika. I couldn’t have chosen a better day for this necessary mental exercise.
I will jet off this country a very bitter young person, like Lewis Nkosi back in 1961. The post-94 south afrikan state has been a dismal failure. My people remain dispossessed, marginalized and exploited, today with full complicity of our supposed liberators- the afrikan national congress. we have heard all sorts of excuses for the anc's reluctance to liberate black people, while its elite has moved very fast to serve itself and join white capitalism in arrogant consumption. Our people go hungry; there are no schools, no jobs, no roads, no new cities, and no new universities. New forms of shacks have been built for our people, far below the standard of the matchboxes Verwoerd gave us, and we are blackmailed to celebrate this as service delivery. Meanwhile the anc produces a multi-millionaire out of every tender or bee deal. Education ranks amongst the greatest failures of the anc regime, something so critical for success of reconstruction and development. Like the typical post-colonial afrikan state, the anc has used state power primarily to serve itself. The only difference between the anc and Idi Amin/Mobutu Seseko is that it’s looting takes place within the context of 'constitutional democracy' but in principle (lack thereof) they are one and the same thing. Under Amin there were no regular elections, no human rights, no constitutionalism and no other democratic pretensions; there was just plain looting and instant killing of any dissenting voice. The anc gives us the popular vote, enshrines the bill of rights in the constitution and talks about participatory democracy. But just like Amin, the ANC loots, runs the country as its investment arm. Public servants live like royalty, detached from the people, with massive pay and benefits, without any sense of accountability. State institutions are in disarray, run by corrupt, incompetent and arrogant party deployees.
White racism is on rampage, the ANC doesn’t care, as long as it gets it taxes from white capital and thereby able to create another Khulubuse Zuma or Kenny Kunene. More and more black people are exploited, evicted, mistreated or killed in white farms; the anc turns a blind eye. Black people, our culture, identity is insulted in various media platforms in a variety of ways by various white public figures and instead of firm and decisive intervention, the anc ducks and dives, all the time. We are called monkeys, told to be grateful to colonization, our parents are forced to drink urine; the ANC watches on. Whites consolidate their wealth, blacks get poorer. Anc’s response? Job creation. On land reform: we are told we must buy back our stolen land from white racists, if they are willing to sell it back, at market prices. This is from the anc’s very own mouth, our supposed liberator. We are told these are all necessary moves for maintaining growth and wooing foreign investment. What we are not told but we still know is that it is growth for white capital, it is investment by foreign white capital to exploit cheap Afrikan labour and make monstrous profit.
The anc has made south afrikan blacks the laughing stock of the world. We are touted as a miraculous, vibrant, successful tender democracy in a continent of endless governance and political failures. But where is success in black communities? How many of our people are homeless? What of the state of public health facilities? How many black kids die at birth? How many black people die from curable diseases because of neglected, unresourced public health centres? Mrs Grootboom died without a house, even after the highest court in the land had ruled in her favour. Andries Tatane was killed for protesting for delivery of basic services: water. Anc-made tenderpreneurs like Khulubuse have joined white capital in the gross exploitation of black labour, they sip imported whisky in Sandton whilst out people risk their lives every day and go deep underground to fetch gold for them. But they still don’t get paid, for months. But the party continues for Zuma. Post-1994 south afrika is heralded as a success before they anc didn’t close the economic tap on white capital. Nelson Mandela is a saint and cult-figure in the white world because chose peace at the expense of justice. He preached love at the expense of truth. What a false hero he is, history will put him in his real place. When Robert Mugabe adhered to the same political outlook, at the expense of Zimbabwean natives, he too was the English queen’s favourite. He slept at Buckingham palace, wined and dined in 10 Downing Street. When he woke up from this political drunkenness, through the rising discontent of ordinary Zimbabweans, and start talking serious land and economic distribution issues, we were soon told Mugabe is a bad man, a tyrant, a dictator and that he was evil. When white opinion changes, we have no choice but to follow suit.
The rainbow nation circus blackmails, manipulates, bribes and uses all sorts of other tricks to get us to celebrate non-existent victory. A black president, a black government, but the country continues to be governed strictly on behalf of the predominantly racist, unrepentant white minority. The black majority is pushed every day to bend over backwards to reassure white minority that its future is bright in this country, that we will not confiscate any of things white colonialism and apartheid stole from black people. We are forced to smile, just to ease the guilt in the hearts of whites, who know too well that they have all inherited stolen wealth, wealth acquired through crude mass murder, rape, dispossession and enslavement of unsuspecting black people. We are forced to not question ongoing exploitation of the black race, we are lectured about the importance of loving white people and not stand up against marginalization of most blacks from avenues of development. We are told that all is in order and that we must be patient. But all sensible minds see that the rainbow nation exists only in the collective conscious of the anc. Whites are very clear about being interested only in safeguarding white interests. The nonracialism gospel is preached almost exclusively to black people, you would swear that it is black people who are former racist oppressors. You would swear that it is black people who have shown major reluctance to integrate since the advent of democracy. I guess its black people who have suffered from apartheid nostalgia. The anc is stupid, it must be said.
Not yet uhuru, sadly it seems like there is no plan for attaining uhuru. Azania remains an important outpost of global imperialism. But I refuse to accept that Biko died in vain, that Hani was murdered for nothing. Sobukwe did not languish in jail for this.
We will win, we the people. The land is ours.
Youth day, what about it? Which youth? Black youth is in the streets, begging for food and coins. Black youth is unemployed, educated or not. Black youth is in jail, some retreat to whoonga, unsafe sex, or alcohol. Many are answering calls in call-centers, preparing meals for whites in restaurants or packing groceries for BEE wives at Woolworths. Black kids are busy impregnating each other in school premises, during learning time, the teachers couldn’t care less their busy on BBM and Facebook. They are undertrained and underpaid anyway. White youth has all the facilities, opportunities and resources. Their schools are over resourced, have well-trained and sufficiently remunerated teachers who care deeply about their intellectual and leadership development. So, what is youth day in South Africa, a deeply racially divided country that continues to disadvantage its majority to appease a well-defined few? As my departure to Europe slowly nears, I am thinking about the state of my nation, the hopes of my people and my probable message to the world about post-apartheid South Afrika. I couldn’t have chosen a better day for this necessary mental exercise.
I will jet off this country a very bitter young person, like Lewis Nkosi back in 1961. The post-94 south afrikan state has been a dismal failure. My people remain dispossessed, marginalized and exploited, today with full complicity of our supposed liberators- the afrikan national congress. we have heard all sorts of excuses for the anc's reluctance to liberate black people, while its elite has moved very fast to serve itself and join white capitalism in arrogant consumption. Our people go hungry; there are no schools, no jobs, no roads, no new cities, and no new universities. New forms of shacks have been built for our people, far below the standard of the matchboxes Verwoerd gave us, and we are blackmailed to celebrate this as service delivery. Meanwhile the anc produces a multi-millionaire out of every tender or bee deal. Education ranks amongst the greatest failures of the anc regime, something so critical for success of reconstruction and development. Like the typical post-colonial afrikan state, the anc has used state power primarily to serve itself. The only difference between the anc and Idi Amin/Mobutu Seseko is that it’s looting takes place within the context of 'constitutional democracy' but in principle (lack thereof) they are one and the same thing. Under Amin there were no regular elections, no human rights, no constitutionalism and no other democratic pretensions; there was just plain looting and instant killing of any dissenting voice. The anc gives us the popular vote, enshrines the bill of rights in the constitution and talks about participatory democracy. But just like Amin, the ANC loots, runs the country as its investment arm. Public servants live like royalty, detached from the people, with massive pay and benefits, without any sense of accountability. State institutions are in disarray, run by corrupt, incompetent and arrogant party deployees.
White racism is on rampage, the ANC doesn’t care, as long as it gets it taxes from white capital and thereby able to create another Khulubuse Zuma or Kenny Kunene. More and more black people are exploited, evicted, mistreated or killed in white farms; the anc turns a blind eye. Black people, our culture, identity is insulted in various media platforms in a variety of ways by various white public figures and instead of firm and decisive intervention, the anc ducks and dives, all the time. We are called monkeys, told to be grateful to colonization, our parents are forced to drink urine; the ANC watches on. Whites consolidate their wealth, blacks get poorer. Anc’s response? Job creation. On land reform: we are told we must buy back our stolen land from white racists, if they are willing to sell it back, at market prices. This is from the anc’s very own mouth, our supposed liberator. We are told these are all necessary moves for maintaining growth and wooing foreign investment. What we are not told but we still know is that it is growth for white capital, it is investment by foreign white capital to exploit cheap Afrikan labour and make monstrous profit.
The anc has made south afrikan blacks the laughing stock of the world. We are touted as a miraculous, vibrant, successful tender democracy in a continent of endless governance and political failures. But where is success in black communities? How many of our people are homeless? What of the state of public health facilities? How many black kids die at birth? How many black people die from curable diseases because of neglected, unresourced public health centres? Mrs Grootboom died without a house, even after the highest court in the land had ruled in her favour. Andries Tatane was killed for protesting for delivery of basic services: water. Anc-made tenderpreneurs like Khulubuse have joined white capital in the gross exploitation of black labour, they sip imported whisky in Sandton whilst out people risk their lives every day and go deep underground to fetch gold for them. But they still don’t get paid, for months. But the party continues for Zuma. Post-1994 south afrika is heralded as a success before they anc didn’t close the economic tap on white capital. Nelson Mandela is a saint and cult-figure in the white world because chose peace at the expense of justice. He preached love at the expense of truth. What a false hero he is, history will put him in his real place. When Robert Mugabe adhered to the same political outlook, at the expense of Zimbabwean natives, he too was the English queen’s favourite. He slept at Buckingham palace, wined and dined in 10 Downing Street. When he woke up from this political drunkenness, through the rising discontent of ordinary Zimbabweans, and start talking serious land and economic distribution issues, we were soon told Mugabe is a bad man, a tyrant, a dictator and that he was evil. When white opinion changes, we have no choice but to follow suit.
The rainbow nation circus blackmails, manipulates, bribes and uses all sorts of other tricks to get us to celebrate non-existent victory. A black president, a black government, but the country continues to be governed strictly on behalf of the predominantly racist, unrepentant white minority. The black majority is pushed every day to bend over backwards to reassure white minority that its future is bright in this country, that we will not confiscate any of things white colonialism and apartheid stole from black people. We are forced to smile, just to ease the guilt in the hearts of whites, who know too well that they have all inherited stolen wealth, wealth acquired through crude mass murder, rape, dispossession and enslavement of unsuspecting black people. We are forced to not question ongoing exploitation of the black race, we are lectured about the importance of loving white people and not stand up against marginalization of most blacks from avenues of development. We are told that all is in order and that we must be patient. But all sensible minds see that the rainbow nation exists only in the collective conscious of the anc. Whites are very clear about being interested only in safeguarding white interests. The nonracialism gospel is preached almost exclusively to black people, you would swear that it is black people who are former racist oppressors. You would swear that it is black people who have shown major reluctance to integrate since the advent of democracy. I guess its black people who have suffered from apartheid nostalgia. The anc is stupid, it must be said.
Not yet uhuru, sadly it seems like there is no plan for attaining uhuru. Azania remains an important outpost of global imperialism. But I refuse to accept that Biko died in vain, that Hani was murdered for nothing. Sobukwe did not languish in jail for this.
We will win, we the people. The land is ours.
i never got to know your name Proffesor
Dear Proffesor.. Meeting you was the change I've always waited for.. You gave me answers, before I even asked the questions.. I came down, coz honestly. I dnt usualy conversate such with the elders.. You saw me, and provoked the inner child in me to talk.. You knew I had problems, and needed someone to talk.. I stood there in wonder, coz I neva met someone like you.. You took me by hand. And walked vastly into the darkness without fear.. I neva had a father, and you were him; jst in a couple of hours that I spent with you.. I confessed to being lost, and you reassured me I was'nt.. I respect your views of life coz you have no shame. Of your past neither your present.. You taught me what it means being myself and a representative of self.. You taught me what it means being an African.. I sold myself to your wisdom.. You pulled my socks up yourself and told me not to fear you.. I journeyd with you without doubt.. I'm a better man now because of chance.. My road just got GPRS to the heaven, coz you held me.. You fed my stomach so I keep attention to your words.. You always spoke the truth and knew wat lies would do to me.. Coz my ground is still soft, you told me to plant wisdom.. Even in my brothers land.. You care, and I've never met someone like you.. Funny, I could look straight in your eyes and see eternity.. You carry a bag full of love, telling me that I should do the same.. Coz a bag full of anger and hatred is much havier.. You told me to let loose.. And never fall for illusion.. You saw me and saw you.. That's why you stopped.. To share the fruit of your lifetime with me.. I'm young, but in me you saw a man.. A man who has a direction.. A man who seeks wisdom.. In me you saw yourself.. So you stoped to share a drink with me.. Saying I have changed your life.. But you are the one who watered my longing heart with sweet words of love and pride in my being a son of Africa..
I don't know who you are Proffessor!
All I know of you is your courage..
And what you left in me for me to adore..
I really dnt know this man, but met him in my journey @ the Steve Biko Foundation
He is a retired Art Professor from Swaziland
I met this man, and he changed my life.
We neva got a chance to introduce ourselves, but spent 3hours locked in conversation..
I was a mountain and he was the sea.. Coz the distance he moved me.. Is clear for everyone to see..
I'm a new person, because of another person..
I know myself more than before..
I dnt regret anything my dear proffessor..
Not even the fact that I neva got to know your name..
I don't know who you are Proffessor!
All I know of you is your courage..
And what you left in me for me to adore..
I really dnt know this man, but met him in my journey @ the Steve Biko Foundation
He is a retired Art Professor from Swaziland
I met this man, and he changed my life.
We neva got a chance to introduce ourselves, but spent 3hours locked in conversation..
I was a mountain and he was the sea.. Coz the distance he moved me.. Is clear for everyone to see..
I'm a new person, because of another person..
I know myself more than before..
I dnt regret anything my dear proffessor..
Not even the fact that I neva got to know your name..
notes from my master.
Notes from Abantu Besizwe_ historical and biographical 1902-1944 S.E.K. Mqhayi
We must resolve to educate our children, and urge all our people to do the same. Africans are discovering themselves. They show their readiness to to make their full contribution in the building of a true South African nation - a nation composed not of one colour or one section, but a nation in which all peoples and colours that live together in our sub-Continent will have equality of opportunity to develop to the fullest their God given abilities and talent, to the benefit of South Africa as a whole.
We must resolve to educate our children, and urge all our people to do the same. Africans are discovering themselves. They show their readiness to to make their full contribution in the building of a true South African nation - a nation composed not of one colour or one section, but a nation in which all peoples and colours that live together in our sub-Continent will have equality of opportunity to develop to the fullest their God given abilities and talent, to the benefit of South Africa as a whole.
if we are so civilized, then why do we need governing?
Yesterday was a normal day almost. If it wasn't for the occasional stresses and doubts of everything one needs to accomplish. My fate stumbled on a journey heading back into time. A time when I knew what I wanted to become and why. Was looking out moving in space. "Amalinda rosedale"!.. as the taxi went to a stop. The lady jumped off with all her shoprite plastic bags. Only then I had noticed how all this time I had been almost dreaming.. The sweet sounds of the dreaded driver hypnotized me to sleep with my eyes wide open. My journey is heading to an old and still one of my dearest friends 'Thoriso Nkone.
This is one of my usual East London visits, where I travel around this town seeking my old friendships, in-order to refine them and keep them alive. I'm a lot familiar to Amalinda because of the role it had in my high school days. Most of my friend back then stayed there. And some still find themselves back there anyway. I soon arrive at my destination. To a half day conversation of uplifting and catching up. I play that game very well and happen to blessed with friends that are there with me. We are the philosophers of the day. We converse till we are lost in our own theories. A shame almost, if we we're too old to do a thing about it.
And so we talked and talked and even took a walk around the urban-hood. Our focus point on this conversation was ' growth and how we can achieve all the great things we want. To genius technological breakthrough's that could possibly unite the much divided states of our existence. "If we are so civilized. Then why do we need governing"... He said. I was speechless for a while.. I clearly don't have an answer for that one, because I've never given it serious consideration. Now its all in my face. Because I know that I'm in the presence of a master conversant. He asks because he himself is seeking the answer.
Government is not the answer, I continued.. Because of its policies. No one man can change the world but every one can. Yes we need each other but not governing one another. No one man can possibly know whats best for the rest. The simple man elects another simple man to have rule over him and his land. That alone sounds ridiculous. We don't need no policies, no governing. Self sufficiency is what we need. A people relying mostly on what they can produce with their own hands. In that way, we will practice the sharing of skills instead of fighting over them. In our reality. We rather sell the skill that could possibly save your own brother from self destruction. The monetary systems designed to govern and divide us into classes. Of which has bad impact, directed on the class that has the least. All the present systems are designed for failure not success. Even the education system. Remember that these people sat down to design these systems of ruling and divide. The embodiment of do-for-self/racism- classism, all are tools carefully designed to destroy mankind than to build. Now we are acting like destroying classism will do more harm than to keep it. "The bread-butter system was much better"_ Thoriso voiced.. A system where by, the mans worth is measured by what he can produce. I resumed with the disturbing facts, that colonization was our destruction as the black race. "If the white race was so developed and civil. Then why did they design the Slave ship???" Its was all in their evil plan I concluded. They merely look successful today.. But its because they stole a humble man against his will. Against his will they forced him to build their kingdom. They are wicked and can not be stopped. Because they rule the world.
I still can not answer the above question because I simply realized that its evil that rule the world. It has no shape no color. Its within all of us. The minute we think of doing wrong to the next person. We do more wrong to ourselves. If only humans were more spiritual, only then they will realize that life is more than what the eye sees and what the nose smells. Life is more than acquiring false possessions.
This is one of my usual East London visits, where I travel around this town seeking my old friendships, in-order to refine them and keep them alive. I'm a lot familiar to Amalinda because of the role it had in my high school days. Most of my friend back then stayed there. And some still find themselves back there anyway. I soon arrive at my destination. To a half day conversation of uplifting and catching up. I play that game very well and happen to blessed with friends that are there with me. We are the philosophers of the day. We converse till we are lost in our own theories. A shame almost, if we we're too old to do a thing about it.
And so we talked and talked and even took a walk around the urban-hood. Our focus point on this conversation was ' growth and how we can achieve all the great things we want. To genius technological breakthrough's that could possibly unite the much divided states of our existence. "If we are so civilized. Then why do we need governing"... He said. I was speechless for a while.. I clearly don't have an answer for that one, because I've never given it serious consideration. Now its all in my face. Because I know that I'm in the presence of a master conversant. He asks because he himself is seeking the answer.
Government is not the answer, I continued.. Because of its policies. No one man can change the world but every one can. Yes we need each other but not governing one another. No one man can possibly know whats best for the rest. The simple man elects another simple man to have rule over him and his land. That alone sounds ridiculous. We don't need no policies, no governing. Self sufficiency is what we need. A people relying mostly on what they can produce with their own hands. In that way, we will practice the sharing of skills instead of fighting over them. In our reality. We rather sell the skill that could possibly save your own brother from self destruction. The monetary systems designed to govern and divide us into classes. Of which has bad impact, directed on the class that has the least. All the present systems are designed for failure not success. Even the education system. Remember that these people sat down to design these systems of ruling and divide. The embodiment of do-for-self/racism- classism, all are tools carefully designed to destroy mankind than to build. Now we are acting like destroying classism will do more harm than to keep it. "The bread-butter system was much better"_ Thoriso voiced.. A system where by, the mans worth is measured by what he can produce. I resumed with the disturbing facts, that colonization was our destruction as the black race. "If the white race was so developed and civil. Then why did they design the Slave ship???" Its was all in their evil plan I concluded. They merely look successful today.. But its because they stole a humble man against his will. Against his will they forced him to build their kingdom. They are wicked and can not be stopped. Because they rule the world.
I still can not answer the above question because I simply realized that its evil that rule the world. It has no shape no color. Its within all of us. The minute we think of doing wrong to the next person. We do more wrong to ourselves. If only humans were more spiritual, only then they will realize that life is more than what the eye sees and what the nose smells. Life is more than acquiring false possessions.
Thursday, 18 April 2013
The Reading and Spelling Beam
The Reading and Spelling Beam
This Article is dedicated to the young and devoted youth of Langa township_ Cape Town.
Introduction: Reading and Spelling Beam by:Lwandile
Tshwete
The idea: is motivated by my experience as a young South African growing. I
was inspired by the low literacy rate of my peers at high school. I realized
how it was that, their biggest challenge was that they could not understand the
teacher (who happened to be white), and what was being taught because it was
all taught in English. And English was a language that we all could not master.
However, some of us where a lot better
because of our past experience of model C primary schools. Now this gave me an idea of starting a
reading club, a volunteer program of tutoring Grade 7s. I simply chose grade 7’s because it is their
last chance to prove themselves before higher levels of education. This is a chance to inspire them and give
them an extra boost in morale, before they hit their most challenging stage of
growth, the high school phase.
I started the program as part of a Leadership course I was attending in Cape Town 2012. The name of the program
is called Activate, basically empowering a group of youth from different
backgrounds to come together and share the difficulties/pressures and stresses
of the youth of South Africa. The aim was to create a network of empowered and
motivated youth that will share ideas on how to fix some of the problems faced
by the youth. As part of the program I volunteered my time and started tutoring
classes of Grade 7’s around the Langa area in Cape Town. Four months down the
line, my class won first place both in English and isiXhosa at the Cape Town
Library Reading and Spelling, Phase one of the competition against 6 other
Libraries. To take 2nd place English and 1st place
isiXhosa in the main competition against 13 other Libraries.
My
passion for reading
comes from my curiosity and interests in social history. I read books to expand
my own interest and knowledge. I read to empower myself. The experience of
reading for me is like gold, I treasure wisdom so much that I practically feed
my brain information to keep myself inspired. This passion I want to share with
the world and surrounding community. Part of the reason I started the reading
club is to promote the spirit of reading and improve the literacy rate of our
dear youth. I personally feel that once the know how to read, they will improve
their chances of success. And also better their confidence levels. If not, I like reading to those who can’t. I
enjoy it. I resigned my job in Cape Town so that I can be closer to my
daughter, and be part of her life as a growing young person. So it’s my passion
for development and the love for my people that is the drive behind me doing
this.
Promoting
Literature_ I go
into local schools to introduce the program myself and inspire the kids to take
part. This gives them a chance to interact with me personally. And also to
research on what phase of study the kids are partaking. The aim is to help them
read books on the same curriculum level.
·
THE PROGRAM: One hour reading class on Tuesdays and Thursdays
+ extra holiday classes
A reading and spelling competition at end of 3rd term
Crowning of the Reading and Spelling King and Queen
A reading and spelling competition at end of 3rd term
Crowning of the Reading and Spelling King and Queen
·
All finances of the competition
will rely on sponsorships.
The
Library as a resource
centre will help mobilize the program. With the help of the The Steve Biko
Centre Library/Resource Centre we could bring this program closer to the Youth
of Ginsberg. If possible hold the classes at the library. As the program evolves,
it will be liable to seeking more volunteers to help with tutoring, depending
on the numbers.
In Closing, this program plans to
expand. The same youth that we are working with, we
will be motivating them to start their own volunteering programs like: reading
to the elderly or patients at hospitals. The voluntary part of the program is
designed to infest some morale and dignity amongst one another. We also plan to
accompany this reading program with a chess gathering, where we will be
tutoring chess. This will be a socializing tool for us, also engaging into
debates and book clubs.
Regards
Mr. L Tshwete
Working for the Steve Biko Centre
Good day
My journey takes me towards the Eastern Cape in my birth town. A small town that lays itself dead in the middle of Eastern Cape. This experience is always pleasing to my soul. The journey less traveled by many who leave this town to go seek better opportunities elsewhere. I'm back in this town because i have accepted a job offer from an amazing organization called The Steve Biko Centre in Ginsberg Location, that has newly opened its doors to the public. This place is a work of art. With the state of the art equipment and resources to aid the surrounding disadvantaged communities that are in and the rounding King Williams Town. The Centre has a Library/Am-pi theater/ a museum dedicated to the late Steven Bantu Biko and many other freedom fighters of the world.
I come to this organization as part of their new training program called 'abelusi' meaning 'Shepard'. I was to become the stage and costume designer for this team of amazing young people. I once worked with the team before, successfully hosting the very first The Steve Biko Centre Ginsberg Easter Festival in 2011. Now i'm back to support and grow with this dynamic team of aspiring artisans.
The united efforts of The Steve Biko Centre and Abelusi.
Resurrecting the village spirit is the theme of the festival: directed by Mr M.Mbotwe.
This journey depicts just a portion of what goes on at the Steve Biko Centre in Ginsberg Location_ KWT. I fell inlove with this place and the people. I am no longer working for the organization. But i have to say, those guys are too talented and deserve all the success coming their way.
This article is dedicated to the Abelusi Arts group and the staff members of the Steve Biko Centre.
My journey takes me towards the Eastern Cape in my birth town. A small town that lays itself dead in the middle of Eastern Cape. This experience is always pleasing to my soul. The journey less traveled by many who leave this town to go seek better opportunities elsewhere. I'm back in this town because i have accepted a job offer from an amazing organization called The Steve Biko Centre in Ginsberg Location, that has newly opened its doors to the public. This place is a work of art. With the state of the art equipment and resources to aid the surrounding disadvantaged communities that are in and the rounding King Williams Town. The Centre has a Library/Am-pi theater/ a museum dedicated to the late Steven Bantu Biko and many other freedom fighters of the world.
I come to this organization as part of their new training program called 'abelusi' meaning 'Shepard'. I was to become the stage and costume designer for this team of amazing young people. I once worked with the team before, successfully hosting the very first The Steve Biko Centre Ginsberg Easter Festival in 2011. Now i'm back to support and grow with this dynamic team of aspiring artisans.
The united efforts of The Steve Biko Centre and Abelusi.
Resurrecting the village spirit is the theme of the festival: directed by Mr M.Mbotwe.
This journey depicts just a portion of what goes on at the Steve Biko Centre in Ginsberg Location_ KWT. I fell inlove with this place and the people. I am no longer working for the organization. But i have to say, those guys are too talented and deserve all the success coming their way.
This article is dedicated to the Abelusi Arts group and the staff members of the Steve Biko Centre.
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