ANCYL’s Culture of lambasting leaders is dangerous to the new generation

By: Lindokuhle Mnisi

@LindokuhleMnisi

The African National Congress (ANC) together with its under-wing league, African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), has been having difficulties in terms of unanimity and understanding among themselves. The tensions between the mother body and its youth league has been dragging for quite a while especially ever since the former leader of the ANCYL, Julius Malema, started undergoing disciplinary hearing and later got expelled, left with no political home.

The youth league developed a culture which has divided these too parties into many groupings. This is the culture of publicly lambasting and lampooning those who are in power and the leadership. This particular culture started trending and causing a lot of schisms and factions within the ranks of the ANC. It does not only affect the national executive committee (NEC) of the ANC but it has gone to the extent of touching the president of the country, Jacob Zuma, where it is more painful. One can argue that the youngsters are feeding Zuma the similar vaccine he fed former president Thabo Mbeki when his lobby group forced Mbeki to vacate his office on the 24 September 2008.

Malema, who was one of the Zuma allies, was one of the first people who went in public and criticized Zuma for being a polygamist. He has made pronouncements that really brought Zuma’s reputation and dignity down to his knees. Even though Zuma pretend to be strong all the time, all these criticism are really getting to him. Recently, the former ANCYL president who is now a Minister of Sports and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, pulled a massive punch at Zuma and nobody in the ANC wants to comment about it.

Mbalula, as reported by TimesLive on 21 October, said “I don’t have time for Zuma. He has caused his own problems. He marries every week.” His remarks come two weeks after it was reported that Zuma and Mbalula had a one-on-one meeting at Luthuli House. “They came to me and offered me a position (Deputy Secretary General of ANC or any NEC position) to neutralize me. They realize that they cannot survive politically. They only survive on the basis of corruption,” Mbalula was quoted as saying in The Star newspaper. 

If Mbalula can pronounce such remarks, we tend to question “what is the difference between Mbalula, Malema and the current ANCYL deputy president Ronald Lamola?” because their surnames rhymes and what comes out of their mouth sounds the same too. And on top of that, the world’s greatest icon, Dr Nelson Mandela who was also a champion in the ANCYL in 1944, also has a surname that rhymes with their surname. (Mandela, (Peter) Mokaba, (Malusi) Gigaba, Mbalula, Malema and now Lamola) all these names sound the same. The culture of the ANCYL is very far from change; hence it is coming a long way. It is not new and will not expire.

The road to Mangaung seems to be very uphill than the 2007’s road to Polokwane. Many of those who supported Zuma in Polokwane have turned against him and are now in support of Deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe, who has been nominated by many branches of the ANC to challenge Zuma in the 53th’s Elective Conference in Mangaung, this coming December. The ANCYL is the league that has been championing the campaign for Motlanthe’s election, and in that process of campaign, they have been attacking Zuma and slamming at his leadership. There’s a still a lot that will happen on the run to Mangaung.

Community Media

By: Lindokuhle Mnisi

@LindokuhleMnisi

Introduction

The focus is on community media and various aspects attached to it. Before we can even look at its broader view, we need to understand what it is first. We will, therefore, answer the question of what community media is then dwell much on its counterparts including its role and importance in the South African communities. We will look at the impact on citizens, the watchdogs function, reporting of national issues or events and all look at the future of the community media.

An overview of what we specifically mean by “community media” is that, these are the media platforms that are available and utilised in communities. For example, we talk about a community radio station and a community newspaper where most of the articles and reports/bulletins focus more on the community where these media is situated. On these media platforms, various issues are covered that the people relate to. These stories include reports on farming, agriculture, religious, entertainment, witchcraft and developments. The focus is on informing the public about their area. Some national stories are reported but not with more emphasis that the local news of that region.

Role and importance of community media

The community media has a mandate to fulfil. One example of what it needs to do is to report on the issues of the community. Its role is to tell the untold stories of and about the community and the people living in it. The aim is to reach the local people and keep the informed about certain things around them. Even on the licence agreement between either ICASA or the Press Ombudsman it is said and specified which people will be serve through this media, that is why in most cases, community media uses the dominant language in that community.

People of the community are more interested in what is happening around them. They want to know about the party or celebration that took place over the weekend, they want to know what is going to happen in their community in terms of development and improvement. People want to know about the entertainment sites and events around that community. They want to know where to go for leisure time on weekends.

People want to use the community media as a platform to speak to their leaders, especially the councillors and executive mayors. Business people around the community also want to use the media to advertise through the media so that their businesses can succeed. Community media should not forget about their responsibilities in the community. They should not begin to serve the national interest before serving the communities’ interest.

Community media – impact on citizens

Although we may all agree that community media plays a very significant role in the community but it also has an impact on the people it serves, the citizens. The impacts cannot be always good, at some point they are bad. These citizens are the ones who make the community media to be a success, through public participation. They are sources of all the stories that are reported. Some go to an extent of reporting themselves what has just happened around the corner, these people are then called “citizen journalists”. A researcher on “The role of community media” (he/she didn’t write his name on the internet) wrote that “Professional journalists are the core of a reputable media environment. However, they are by no means the only ones actively chronicling the world around them. New technology is giving an unprecedented opportunity to citizens to inform others.”

There are many ways in which community media impact on the citizen’s lives. In real fact and reality it might stimulate hatred and fights among the citizens of that particular community. It might also create a distance between the ordinary citizens and their leaders. These can happen especially if the citizens are not happy with the living conditions around them and they blame the councillor for not providing necessary services to the public. For example, the public will complain about the falling RDP houses and the fact that they were forcefully chased out of their homes because they stay at the informal settlement. They will go to an extent of saying in the media that they are going to burn the councillor’s house and burn tyres on the main road. The councillor will be listening on radio and will vacate on that night.

Community media - The watchdog function

A watchdog is defined as "a person or group of people that acts as protectors or guardians against inefficiency, illegal practices" (Collins English Dictionary.) In news journalism a watchdog journalist also fulfils this function of a guardian. The term watchdog is strongly related to the practice of investigative journalism. To perform in an investigative manner, the journalist is in the "role" of a watchdog. However, watchdog journalism cannot be defined by the amount of investigation alone but is used in many different contexts. Watchdog journalism can be located in a variety of news media, like radio, television, Internet and print media where it can be seen as "a unique strength of newspapers" and additional new media and concepts like weblogs and citizen journalism. Watchdog journalists are also called "watchmen", "agents of social control" or "moral guardians". – Wikipedia.

Watchdogs play a vital role in the accumulation of the top secrets and those that are regarded as classified information. They investigate deeply on the issues that impact on the citizens and the community at large. They tell the untold stories, especially the sensitive stories. Their lives are always in jeopardy because they are mostly hated by the people who are exposed to the public. Watchdogs unearth the corruption within the municipal management and councillors and expose them to the public which then create a tension between them and the leaders of that community. Most leaders of this nation, including the national level, hate watchdogs with their whole hearts. The current ruling party, African National Congress, went to an extent of introducing a BILL (protection of state information bill) which aims to sanction all the whistleblowers and watchdogs of this nation. The BILL, which poses a threat to journalists, proposed a jail sentence for everybody who will be found in possession of classified information. That sanction also applies to watchdogs.

Community media – reporting of national issues/events

In most cases and instances, reporting on national issues and events is avoided. Unless the national politician has visited the community, then more emphasis will be put on that particular report. But as specified above, community media are there to speak the language of the community and address the issues of the community. Of course there are stories that can be national but localised because the readers/citizens relate to them but local content is the prioritised one. For example, a person from a particular community can be making national headlines on national newspapers and the community newspaper of where he comes from would also like to interview him and run the story. Another example can be if the councillor gets a top job in the national government, it would be a big story for both national and community media.

Looking at the size of community newspapers, they are very small with at least eight (tabloid) pages compared to national newspapers which consist of more than 30 pages (tabloids and some broadsheet). In those eight pages, local stories need to be dominating. National events can only be covered if there is a specific significance and need to do so. Such a report must have a particular impact on the citizens of that community. If state president Jacob Zuma was to visit Dundonald (village in Mpumalanga), obviously that would be the biggest story for all community media in that place (if there was any media in the village).

Community media – the future of community media

History has revealed that most of the national newspapers of today started as community newspapers in the past. Some were newsletters and some were government gazettes. The growth and improvement of many communities had an impact of the community newspapers as many of them decided to go nationally, and grew into bigger and developed mega newspapers. In that process, other community newspapers have disappeared while others were swallowed by big companies which became national media companies. Some of the reasons for these were national and public interest. The editors saw it necessary for them to serve the nation than the communities. Business is also the reasons why they upgraded to national servicing.

Community media are dying slowly but surely if not dissolving. Sponsorship is a problem as many newspapers need them. The only thing that can save the community media are advertisements from local business and companies. Most community media are not for sale and some are very cheap, so they depend on sponsors to sustain. An abstract from the internet was quoted as saying “Community participation and access are the major tenets that characterise and upon which community media are credited. Other tenets include issues of ownership, control and funding which are rooted in the hands of community members and they empower them to have control over the communication systems. They also empower marginalised communities to define and manage their own development. As such community media are driven by democratic principles which are socially oriented and not profit driven”

Conclusion

In this research we looked at all the issues that affects or impacts on community media. We looked at the ownership and sponsorship of newspapers and how they can survive for more years. Other issues that were tackled include the community media’s impact on citizens and the role of watchdogs. Reportage of national stories was also one of the issues tackled.

Many people see a joke where there is abuse.

By: Lindokuhle Mnisi
@LindokuhleMnisi

Joke or Child abuse?: A picture of a child hanged on
 a washing line circulates on the social networking sites

A gruesome picture showing a helpless child hanged on a hanging-line has been circulating on the social networking sites with most people posting it with a caption that reads “When a nanny is fed up”.

The picture first appeared on BlackBerry Messaging (BBM) site with many users placing it as their profile picture before it went to one of the most popular social site, Facebook. In a period of 10 minutes, many facebook users have shared the picture and shared their comments about it.

This picture shows an African baby boy wearing a light-blue gown, hanged under a tree using packs on the line at the back of a house. The boy who appears to be at least 10 Months-old looks vulnerable and helpless. His arms are bent to the back in a manner that shows that he is probably in pain and his arms are breaking.

The caption of the picture “When a nanny is fed up” on facebook attracted a lot of comments with people expressing their views about Nannies. “Love it…so glad I am done with nannies,” wrote Lulu Gwagwa commenting on the picture posted by former Rekord NOWETO editor, Sinenhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Most of the people who commented on the picture were of the same race as the abused child but mostly started their comments by either saying “LOL” (laughing out loud) or “haha” (meaning laughter.)

Even though some people were happy to see such a picture, some were not pleased by the nature of it. Ramaupi Arnold Makgoo wrote: “wa tseba gen ka bona motho a beile ngwana ka tsela ye ketla mo direla BOTHATA,” (translating: If I can see a person having placed a child in this manner, I would create problems for that person (sic)). Tlaki Flo Baloyi wrote: “Aowa bathing mara, selonyana sa Modimo” (translates: Oh no people though, such a small thing of God (sic))

The picture hasn’t been reported to the child abuse courts yet.

Right to know won’t back down

By: Lindokuhle Mnisi
@LindokuhleMnisi

One of the Right2Know posters on one of the 

tall flats in Cape Town

Civil society organisation called right2know is continuing with its campaign against the controversial Protection of State Information Bill in the Cape Town city.

Several huge posters are plugged in various flats around the city aiming at raising awareness against this Bill. The posters are written in bold that “The truth will keep us free” and are also written “Say NO to the secrecy bill”.

The posters attribute the late struggle veteran, Mr Kader Asmal. Asmal has been vocal in support of freedom of expression and asked for the Bill to be scrubbed by the government that proposed it.

The Right2Know campaign has organised marches since last year demanding that this Bill must be removed as it poses a threat to journalists and freedom of expression that is enshrined in the constitution. Clause in the Bill proposes jail sentences of close to 25years imprisonment for anybody who is found in position with classified information. Whistleblowers would also face a 5years jail sentence.

The Bill has been going through the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) before it could be passed. Recently, some of the clauses were abandoned, meaning there will not be a jail sentence for journalists. 

Robben Island is depressing

By: Lindokuhle Mnisi

@LindokuhleMnisi

The entrance at the Robben Island. Picture: Robben Island pictures

A group of Journalism Students from the Tshwane University of Technology visited the Robben Island to witness the land where South Africa’s freedom fighters were arrested during the apartheid era.

Students were taught about the history of this country and were given clarity about what transpired at Robben Island in the past. Divided into two groups for two buses, students took a tour around the Island with Tour Guides who were explaining everything while the buses were moving. Buses would stop near the spots (buildings, playgrounds, graveyards, etc) and the tour guide would explain briefly about the history behind that spot.

“All these things that you see around here were erected and utilised during the apartheid period. Some or most of these were built by the men who were arrested and given hard labour here in this Island,” said Anderson Friedman, one of the tour guides. As the bus was moving, he pointed at the cemetery where people were buried, churches and mosque where they worshipped, the Robert Sobukwe house and ended near the cells where the prisoners were detained. 

Friedman told the story the late PAC leaders, Robert Sobukwe. As a result of the “Sobukwe clause” that was aimed at arresting only him, Sobukwe was detained in an isolated house where he was not allowed to communicate with anybody. “He was kept here (house) for six year. Due to the isolation and lack of conversation, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. He also picked up a mental state because he was no longer able to put words together anymore by forming sentences. At the age of 54year he passed away as a result of cancer,” Friedman explained.

Friedman then handed over to one of the veterans who were arrested back in the 1970s.

A man who identified himself as Lulamile Zozo Madolo led the tour to the very important parts of Robben Island, including inside the cell of the world icon Dr Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela. Madolo (58) said he was arrested in 1976 for taking part in the Soweto Uprising and he was brought to Robben Island in 1977 January 21. “I was a student from Port Elizabeth. They arrested me for taking part in Soweto Uprising. In that year all the black South African students refused to be taught in Afrikaans as a medium of instructions,” said Madolo explaining how he ended in Robben Island.

He said they tried to engage with the Apartheid regime in a form of demonstrations and petition and “...we thought that they would listen to us but police responded by shooting at us”. “Some of us died, others fled to other countries while the unfortunate ones like me were arrested and brought here,” he added. Prisoners were divided into four categories (A, B, C & D) which provided different privileges. Those arrested early in the 1960s were only allowed to write one letter and have one visitor after six months. Those with better privileges would write four letters a month.

Madolo showed those on the tour a picture of Mandela standing with his friend Walter Sisulu, wearing smart outfit. He shared the story behind that picture saying it was taken in 1966 when there were rumours around the world that Mandela was dead. “This picture was taken by a journalist from England. The apartheid regime knew in advance about the foreign media’s visit so they bought new clothes for prisoners so that they would look smart in front of the visitors. After the visit, they were given back their torn clothes and forced to go back to work,” Madolo explained. 

While still in prison, Nelson Mandela illegally wrote a book called “Long Walk to Freedom” and the pieces of pages he used to write on were transported to the people by his friend, Mac Maharaj (now President Jacob Zuma’s spokesperson). The book was published in London.

Jacob Zuma, Ahmad Kathrada, Walter Sisulu, Govern Mbeki, Mosiuoa Lekota to name but a few were among those who spent years in prison. Before students and other tourists left Robben Island they had more knowledge regarding what transpired there. Robben Island is now used as a historical site and museum.

Politicians lambasts each other in parliament

By: Lindokuhle Mnisi

@LindokuhleMnisi

ACDP MP, Mrs Cheryllyn Dudley addresses students in parliament

Journalism students from the Tshwane University of Technology convened in a news conference with representatives of different political parties in the parliament house. Students raised burning issues and questions which were answered by representatives.

Political parties’ representatives who participated in the news conference included MPs of parties like ACDP, UDM, IFP, COPE, DA and the ANC. As normal with all politicians, each of the speakers campaigned for their parties and took a swipe at the other political parties. “IFP is not a Zulu party even though the majority of our members come from KwaZulu Natal. Another MP was addressing you earlier saying Christianity is the only way in life. They represent Christians and careless about other beliefs.,” Mkhuleko Hlengwa of the IFP said in an attack to the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) and MP member Mrs Cheryllyn Dudley who represented it.

The top six leadership of the ANC was criticised by opposition parties mostly about the situations at Marikana’s Lonmin mine. The critiques were based on the strike where mine workers demand R12 500 as their salary increase.

Former COPE MP, Faruq Qassim said in the 2014 government elections, issues that need to be considered include education for all the people. “Even after 20years of democracy, government can’t get education right. This is the party that doesn’t deserve to be in power again because millions of people’s lives will be sacrificed as a result of indifferent education,” Qassim said.

“We have a party where there is education for the rich and there is education for the poor. The education for the rich is super good education and the education for the poor, as offered by the state, is pathetic,” Qassim added.

A logo of the South African Parliament.

Jerry Tebedi, an MP at the National Assembly and Chairperson of the ANC Parliamentary Caucus, went to the podium to defend the ANC on the critiques that were re-raised by students. He acknowledged that the ANC has challenges which he regards as “triple challenges”. “We have identified and are dealing with three challenges which are unemployment, inequality and poverty. Our society is divided by wealth in which the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poor,” Tebedi said. 

He said the ANC have developed a National Development Plan which gives a 30year focus. NDP is the 30year vision of South Africa. Tebedi said all these challenges can be only defeated if government can merge and work with the people.

STUDENTS EXPLORE THE MOTHER CITY

By: Lindokuhle Mnisi

@LindokuhleMnisi

Students interviews cadac school trainer at the Independent Newspapers.

Second year Journalism students of the Tshwane University of Technology went on a trip to Cape Town. Among other things, they learned and experienced life differently in the city.

This trip takes the group of students every year for a week in September to explore and get exposed to the Cape Town life and write then about it. Students visit many places including the Parliament, Robben Island and a media houses such as the SABC and the Independent Newspaper house.

During the approximate 19hours drive from Soshanguve Campus to the Cape, students enjoyed a ride with two Translux Buses which were specially booked for the trip. The “first class” buses collected students from the campus. The structure and the outside appearance of the buses fascinated most people and enhanced enthusiasm among the journalism students who were going on the trip. “This is one of the best buses I’ve ever embarked on. I am certain that this is going to be the greatest journey ever,” said Karabo Tebele, one of the students.

In arrival, students had less than 10 minutes to prepare themselves for the Robben Island trip. While other students were transported to the Sea Point, the rest had to wait for another bus at Amalfi Exclusive Suite Hotel where they were accommodated. “The Hotel is super amazing. I can’t believe I’ll be spending five nights in this place. It is so exclusive and top class (sic). I’ll take a hot shower when we come back (from Robben Island),” said Paseka Menyau, a student.

The tour at the Island went very well with students and other tourists from abroad (England, Britain, India etc) asking many questions to the tour guide. “I am from England and I came with my wife to see the place where Nelson Mandela was kept for many years,” said Robert Duvenage, said one of the tourists.

After the tour at Robben Island, students went to enjoy their quality time at Amalfi Hotel while some went to party at the famous clubs in Cape Town, Long Street. Sunday was a “free day” in which students would go to the beach, buy their groceries and have fun. “My roommates and I are doing a documentary about our moments in Cape Town. We are starting today. You must check it out soon on YouTube,” said Sthembiso Sithole.

On Monday, students were divided into two groups with the first group going to visit Independent Newspapers while the other went to the SABC. The experience was great with students getting to meet editors and asking questions about the media industry. Tuesday and Wednesday were scheduled for visits in Parliament. 

On the first day, students were told everything about the houses that form parliament. On the second day they got into a news conference where they met and questioned representatives of different political parties. This fascinated many students as they got to ask those deep questions that they’ve always wanted to ask politicians. “We usually see these people on TV and hear them on Radio and even read about them on newspapers, but today we got to meet and interact with them live. What a great experience,” Alice Mpholo said while leaving the conference room in parliament.

Thursday was the day in which students had to come back to Soshanguve. A group of individuals woke up and went to play beach soccer and capture their last moments. The two Translux buses left Cape Town at 16:45pm and arrived in Pretoria the next day around 13:00pm.

TUT students embracing their Hip Hop talent

By: Lindokuhle Mnisi
@LindokuhleMnisi 

The RS Records (Task Crew)

A group of TUT students from the Pretoria West campus have merged and decided to embrace their God-given talent by forming a crew called Task Crew.  

Task Crew is a Hip Hop group consisting of members, namely: Siphamandla Mathe (Mr MIC), Joseph Vilakazi (Snitch), Mhlengi Mazibuko (X-Moola) and Sphiwe Thwala (1/3), known by their fans as “Muzinda Representers” because they  all reside at the Muzinda Residence.

Mr MIC the producer and founder of Rolling Stone Records (RS Records) is also one of the artists of Task Crew. He said he started his project last year and then recruited members when he enrolled at TUT this year. “I started the production last year and the name of the production was M-I-C PRODUCTION. Then this year January when I came to TUT I decided to change the name to RS RECORDS,” says Mr MIC.

The crew does all the music production in one of their member’s residence room at Muzinda. They have travelled and performed in many places and sharing a stage with well known people in the period of 8 months after forming their crew. “We performed at muzinda's 1st n 2nd talent shows sharing the stage with Chooper from the soapie "Generation". We performed at MRS n’ MR WEST CITY. We have also performed at Soshanguve career exhibition,” said Mr MIC.

“People like our music and they support us. Tracks that keep people talking include these songs titled "EYHO" ft Sipho Lwandle, "From zero to hero" and "Friday rocks". But as Task Crew we are pushing the ones titled "bring it all" and "we got a flow" from our new mixtape called THUNDER MIXTAPE,” he added.

Since all the members of Task Crew are students they encounter some challenges especially with time management for studies and music. Another challenge they face is financial problem because they have to use their own money to go perform in organised events.  “Our challenge is time because we have to study and make music at the same time. And secondly it is financial problem because when we have a gig somewhere we arrange transport for ourselves,” said Mr MIC.

Mr MIC has ambitions for his crew as he anticipates that one day they will be making headlines in the whole country. “We want to see this group rocking the whole country and outside our country soon and we are going to achieve that goal,” he said with so much enthusiasm. For bookings people can find the crew on their facebook fan page "RS RECORDS(TASK CREW)" Or they can also call MR M-I-C on 083 5850 279.