Young, Successful and still moving forward

By Lindokuhle Mnisi
@LindokuhleMnisi

Marcia Lebambo presenting a show on TUT-FM.
Picture: FACEBOOK album

Her fruitful rewards of hard work started flowing after she acquired her first job as a residence manager of TCE1, at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Soshanguve North Campus in 2008. Later on the same year she won an award for “Best Res Manager of the year”. Determination, persistence, hard work and passion have made Marcia Lebambo the person that she is today.

Lebambo has always committed herself to education for bettering her life. After having completed her Grade 12 in 2004 she already possesses more than four qualifications from different institutions including TUT. She acquired her B-Tech in Strategic Management in 2009. Her aim was to obtain as many qualifications as possible, that is why in 2011 she registered at TUT for masters in Entrepreneurship (she is completing this year.) Other qualifications that she possesses includes: National Diploma in Administration Management, B-Tech in Public Management and a Certificate in Business Communication obtained from the University of South Africa (UNISA).

“Education changed my life and my family’s lives. The only thing that could change the poverty situation back at home was through education. I wanted to use every opportunity I get to study and become a better person for myself and my country. So I wanted to learn as much as I can and broaden my knowledge as you can see my qualifications are broad, from Business to public management and to communications,” Lebambo said, answering why she did so many qualifications.

Within the TUT premises, Lebambo is not just an academic but she’s also a practical person who is hands-on and doing a great job in everything she touches. She is the editor of a TUT-Residence newsletter and works on TUT-FM community radio.  “The newsletter’s aim is to stay in touch with our residence students and provide a platform for them to voice out their grievances so that we can ensure proper service delivery for them,” Lebambo said.

“Most importantly it (newsletter) provides a platform for journalism students to write stories to improve their journalistic skills,” she added.

On Radio she is a presenter of a current affairs show, titled ‘Live@6 (Tuesdays – Thursday from 18:00-19:00pm.) Lebambo said TUT-FM is her space where she is “able to touch thousands of people’s lives all at once.” She presents news to the people even though this is not in line with what she has studied for.

Marcia Lebambo rejoicing next to her first car.
Picture: facebook album

“I always loved radio. Its role to inform the public boost my passion for it… As a TUT alumni and employee, I wanted to play my part in informing communities especially the youth about issues that affect us, hence I chose a current affairs show,” said Lebambo.

Lebambo is also participating in various projects outside her profession. She enrolled to Oncue communications academy which is a radio course offered by distinguished radio personalities. She also recently registered her Tourism business (Guest House) in Bushbuckridge. She said her “aim is to grow the business and employ young people and contribute positively to the country’s economic development.

“My short-term goal is to complete my masters and enroll for my Doctorate,” she added.

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.

How people suffered after the defeat of Apartheid government

By: Lindokuhle Mnisi

For many South Africans in their imaginations the succession of the African National Congress (ANC) as government and defeat of the apartheid regime (in 1994) was going to make life easier and make resources accessible for everyone. When ANC took power, many people thought the struggle was over and it was the beginning of great things in their lives. The agenda that was introduced in their minds was that the ANC was a party that fights inequality within the colour bar and it caters for all, but today, after 18 years of freedom in the country (democracy era) there are people who feel neglected and failed by the ruling party.

People who experienced the struggle seem to be the ones who are not enjoying the benefits of the past struggle. The victims of the traumatizing circumstances of the past feel like strangers in their own nation. They only read about freedom and equality in the media. They are bombarded with “false” information about the greatness of the new South Africa and are also exposed to empty promises in rallies. They look at the history being told in many different sophisticated ways by people who were victimized by none, people who came from foreign countries (some regarded as leaders that went to exile) and now occupy higher positions in huge companies, government and some are in parliament too.

People identify differences within the ANC. The ANC that existed back in the days and the one that live today are totally different. The policy-makers are not seen as the true reflection of the Africans that people anticipated. The votes people put have taken the country to the route it is going today and not everybody likes it.

On 16 June (today known as June 16, Youth Day) I took a trip to Soweto, the township where the youth of 1976 started the Soweto Uprising and stood firm demanding an immediate ban of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in local schools. This is the area where many young people were shot and some killed (roughly 176 black youth) for what they believed in. The place where people like Hector Pieterson lost their lives to the South African brutal police that used rubber bullets to disperse a crowd of angry protesters. Veterans like Tsietsi Mashinini led the uprising (even though many young people who celebrate and commemorate the day don’t even know who he was).

As I was searching for a story to tell, I left Zondi Township and went pass by Mofolo Park where there was a huge event for the day, celebrities were entertaining about 7000 young people who attended the event and they were also advised about the dangers of HIV/AIDS. I passed by and went to Maponya Mall in Pimville but couldn’t find anything interesting. I then went back to Zondi where I managed to find a grandma (gogo) who was so vocal about her history and how it has transformed to be what it is today.

I conducted a long interview with her trying to find out exactly how she has suffered in the past and whether she is enjoying the new South Africa she is living in today. So sadden by the information she gave to me, I couldn’t handle it so I listened to her. From time to time she would ask me not to remind her of what happened in the past as it was bringing bad memories in her mind. But all she was concerned about is the comparison between the apartheid regime and the democratic government.

Below is the in interview with Moreen Hlatshwayo (70years) where she expresses her views

The many comrades that died fighting for liberation, freedom, equality and other rights that South Africans enjoy today wouldn’t like the conditions that people are living under, today.

On the issue of the people from neighbouring countries, she said “How can you wake up from the dust and find many people on top of you? The worst part is that the people (foreigners) come with suggestions. They gain access to places we were never allowed to enter. I thought the world was coming back, I would get access, but they took over. I had a big factory in town, sewing. When the people came back from exile, in neighbouring countries, we were kicked out of Hillbrow to allow foreigners to make business. They messed up our business. They went to the shops we were sewing for and reduced their prices to kill businesses. I had to come back to the Township, and they stayed in the City”

“I started working at Hillbrow since 1983 when I left a factory. I wasn’t allowed to work in the city but I worked under a white madam. And I left the business in 1999 when foreigners took over our businesses.”

“People who were supposed to get the presidency are Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi “Gatsha”. He was one of the people who questioned the reasons for foreigners coming to South Africa. He wanted to implement a policy that would prohibit overcrowding in SA by foreigners who came to this country with the purpose of making business. The ANC sidelined him. He was removed as home affairs minister.”

Asked if she agree that the people who went to exile were going to fight for liberation she said “No, who were they fighting with when we were fighting here in South Africa.”

 “Now they are enjoying millions and fighting together. We see people like (Julius) Malema fighting for power and we ask ourselves where were they (hiding) when we faced reality here”

“Apartheid regime was better than today’s government. White people ruled better. Blacks would get arrested for not working, if you are seen in the township not working you would get arrested or they would give you a job in their yards. Whites were torturing us but they gave us food to eat. Today we are tortured more than back in the days.”

Today we can’t go to public toilets because we get killed and robbed.

People who suffered the Soweto Uprising are neglected today by the ruling party.

“PAC deserves to be the governing party. They fought for Black people. Tsietsi Mashinini was not ANC, he was PAC. Tsietsi is the one who led the Soweto Uprising in 1976. Our mothers who were boycotting with Mandela went to drop their ID books at Pretoria. PAC also matched to Pretoria for the ban of the pass laws. They went to submit their ID books. If it wasn’t for Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (Nelson Mandela’s ex-wife) who pushed the agenda of the ANC, ANC would succeed. Mandela got popular because of Winnie.” PAC was sabotaged, and I’m happy now that they treat her like a washing towel.

“Winnie told people that Mandela is in prison, he was fighting for the rights as you fight for the rights. Mandela have never beaten anyone, he never killed a white person. He was just a lawyer for the congress.”

“If you read the bible, you’ll remember when the children of Israel when the encountered challenges on their way to Egypt, they said it was better in Egypt because we were eating and drinking. That’s why we are saying, the white rule (apartheid) was better. You wouldn’t find a person unemployed. They were torturing us but they gave us something to eat and live. There were job opportunities; you would even get arrested for not working.”

Sobukwe died for nothing, those are the people who fought for the nation.

“I don’t know why we vote for the ANC, we vote for them so they can torture us going forward.”

 “When ANC and IFP fought, they (IFP) destroyed all the hostels. The ANC was trying to protect them and block them.”

“I respected the orders of the struggle comrades. When they ordered us to stay away, I did that even though sometimes my bosses would shout at me and sometimes fire me,”

Important comment made by a young person, David Mbekezeli Mabaso, on the 16^th June.

“For us young people in the townships, we don’t even know what democracy is and what it means. People who know what it is are in parliament eating money and pushing nepotism.”

“Everybody who gets power think of torturing black people. Blacks are stupid, not stupid because we are stupid but because blacks are always victimized by everybody including blacks,”

“The government should focus more on subsidizing people. If they can take an initiative to sponsor people for example; the government can take the tax money and give it to Eskom so that people won’t be required to buy the expensive electricity today, we should be only paying half prize at least.”

An increase of Bullying at school is problematic

By: Lindokuhle Mnisi

@LindokuhleMnisi

 “We are aware of bullying taking place in our school but it is not on the peak level,” said Amos Dimande, a school principal at Phumzile Primary School where a number of learners live in fear because of the bullying taking place in that school.

Learners go to school every day with an intention of learning but get traumatised by the bullying they experience. A group of learners from the primary complained about bullying they encounter every day in their school. Under fear of being attacked again, one of the learners who are victims of bullying at Phumzile Primary spoke to Rekord and pleaded not to be mentioned by name. He explained how he have been beaten on a countless number of occasions and got his money forcefully taken from him by an 18year old boy who is doing grade 5 in the school.

“Please do not reveal my name because Mavusana (real name Vusi) will beat me up again. He is known by every learner in the school that he is a bully,” said a learner.

“He forcefully took a R30 I was carrying for me and my siblings, then he beat me up... but I could not report to the teachers because he disrespects them too. If you report they do nothing to him then he comes back to beat you again,” the learner added.

Another learner spoke about a boy by the name of Nhlanhla Ntshinga who fought with a teacher in the school. According to this learner he also witnessed an incident where a gang of bullies locked themselves in a classroom with girls. When he heard the girls crying he walked in and the boys started beating him.

The school principal at the school acknowledged that bullying is their major problem but said they are dealing with it. “We deal with it through the school base support team. We also invite social workers and pastors but if it gets serious we involve our local Community Policing Forum (CPF) to come and give advice,” said Amos Dimande, school principal.

Dimande said some of the learners live in fear as they are scared to report if they become victimised. “Some of the learners are afraid to speak. Some of the things happen behind our backs so we cannot detect what is going on. We only deal with issues that have been reported,” he added.

Is Citizen Journalism a threat to professional Journalism?

By: Lindokuhle Mnisi

Citizen journalism is the fastest growing form of reporting in the entire world and it poses a threat to professional journalism. Citizen journalism is an emerging form of journalism that is radically different from traditional journalism in philosophy and in practice. It does not need a qualified person to do the reporting but it needs a resourceful individual who is willing to communicate anything to the people. Citizen journalism correlates with developments in digital technology: rapid global growth and use of the Internet.

The developments in digital technology are great improvement in the entire world. Life in the 21^st century becomes easier everyday because of the advancement in technology. The form of communication has become an easy process as people manage to speak to families and friends across the borders on Earth. With the enhancement of technology on the picture, citizen journalism has emerged and is becoming a challenge to professional journalism. Citizens tend to take over the work done by qualified journalists because of the accessibility to technology/internet. Anybody is now able to communicate with the world and inform people about things happening around them, journalist’s job becomes threatened.

The easier accessibility of internet across the world has given anybody a chance and platform to be a journalist (citizen journalism) and puts a challenge to professional journalism. A normal person with access to internet can witness a burning house at a small town (such as Ermelo), and that person will take pictures first and then ask around what caused the fire, then the next five minutes he will write on a facebook status or twitter. That would have been a front page story for a community/national newspaper, but because people have already seen the pictures and already know the story behind the burning house they will not buy then newspaper.

Social media is also the biggest challenge to professional journalism as it allows anybody to communicate to with the public. Facebook and Twitter are the fastest growing social mediums where millions of people meet to discuss issues. Anything that is happening in this world is trending on these social mediums. When there’s a soccer match at Loftus Stadium, people who have not gone to watch the match will not wait for tomorrow’s paper of a bulletin to know how the game went because citizen “journalists” will have already broken the news via the social networks. That puts professional journalism at stake.

The increase in the number of “Start-Phone” devices threaten professional journalism and hence promote citizen journalism. These phones have cameras with video cameras and they make it easier for any person to take pictures and footages and upload to their blogs, websites or even on the social media. These phones have internet access and email, any person is able to forward something to the next person and it spread to the whole world.

Many media houses have taken a resolution of creating online websites for their publications so that their journalists can be able to publish/report stories immediately as it happens. To avoid being outdated, they have decided to pressure the journalists to act faster than citizen journalists. Now citizen journalists are also able to forward what they have witnessed to the media house of their choice. If a person collides with a story, they can take pictures and forward them to any media house.

Hit back!!!



The Hit Back cartoon.



About the cartoon

This cartoon (Hit Back) is a critique to all the people who fail to see the good side of the ANC president, Jacob Zuma. Most of those people are the white “monopoly capital” as the ANCYL normally call them. On the left hand side there are a bunch of them singing “a dick” when Zuma ask what they see when they look at him. On the bottom of the cartoon (left) it is Brett Murrey, the white guy who reworked a beautiful painting and messed it up by exposing the genitals of the man he referred to as Jacob Zuma (calling it The Spear). Murrey is laughing when his fellow white men says they see a dick on Zuma. Next to him it’s another cartoonist that I like and respect very much, Jonathan Shapiro (Zapiro). Zapiro’s latest cartoon, published on the Mail&Guardian newspaper, was swearing and insulting the president, calling him “a dick” (he shouts “can’t you see?). All these people forget one important fact, that they are all colonialists who came from the west. They come here to insult our leaders for the purpose of making an income. They are all foreigners in this country, extreme racist and selfish white minority.

#I’m not racist, it’s a “Hit Back” cartoon. We call it satire in “their” language.

Who is being satirised?

On this cartoon white people are being satirised. Brett Murray and Zapiro are also among those labelled as foreigners.

The story behind the cartoon

This cartoon comes after the recent Zapiro’s satire (cartoon) that was published by the Mail & Guardian newspaper. On this cartoon, Zapiro, drew an erected penis and referred to it as Jacob Zuma. On the left hand side he sworn at Zuma and even called him a “Dick”. Zapiro was also taking over from where Brett Murray left. Murray, on his “Hail to the king” exhibition, he did a painting that exposed a man’s genitals. The man portrayed in the painting was Zuma. This cartoon then is the response to the people who see a “dick” on the president.