Refugee Organisation Gives Kids a Happy Christmas

Paseka Menyau

@King_Matthews

Growing up in a foreign country can be lonely for children who don’t speak local languages and aren’t fully integrated into societies of the countries that provide temporary homes for them. To try and ease their stay in South Africa, the Refugee Aid Organisation treated 150 refugee children to a day of fun, entertainment and a bit of light-hearted education in Roodepoort near Johannesburg.

The kids made new friends while riding horses, playing on jumping castles and learning about various wild animals during their Christmas party.

Young People Killing Themselves!

Sthembiso Sithole

@sitholesthe

I live in  SOWETO and realise that in my township many people still face stigmatisation when they reveal they are HIV positive. People still gossip on street corners about those they think are HIV positive or those they believe are sick because of diseases related to Aids. I believe this stigmatisation is what leads to many Aids deaths in South Africa today despite the free availability of anti-retroviral treatment in government hospitals. These drugs even enable mothers to give birth to HIV negative babies.

World Aids Day Approaches: Discussion on HIV in South Africa

3 Easy Steps to get rid of a Dictator

 "In the year 2000, young Serbian revolutionary Ivan Marovic participated in a nonviolent rebellion that toppled dictator Slobodan Milosevic.

image - www.daryncambridge.com

 Recently, at an undisclosed tropical location, Marovic took time off from his “busy schedule” to give us some practical advice on how to get rid of a tyrant in three easy steps." - School of Authentic Journalism

TUT Fashion Going Beyond 2012

Tshepo Tshabalala

@TshepototheT

The Tshwane University of Technology's (TUT) annual year-end fashion show has to be one of the best methods of unearthing fashion talent in Gauteng or probably the continent. This year’s theme “Beyond 2012” had a showcase of eclectic, suave and elegant wear.

Africa's top fashion school held the event at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Lynnwood instead of the usual Pretoria State Theatre.The host for the anticipated event was none other than renowned fashion stylist, TV presenter, fashion journalist and lecturer - Noni Gasa who was dressed by one of the third year students at the university.

The ramp was laid out with a carpet of aesthetic grass done by the DVC Teaching, Learning and Technology school with Japanese lights to complete the simple yet trendy back drop to the fashion show.

Syrian Democracy Campaigner Confused By SA Vote Against Sanctions

Siphumelele Zondi
@SZondi

Last night I had a chat with one of the Syrian campaigners who have been thrown behind bars for participating in anti-government protests as people in several countries in the Middle East continue to fight for their liberation. The campaigner has been released and says they often have to use pseudonyms as many blog and speak to foreign media which has been banned from operating in Syria. Campaigners also say they often worry about the safety of those close to them.

The campaigner, who cannot be named as they fear for family members’ safety, expressed shock at South Africa’s decision to oppose sanctions against Syria in a United Nations Security Council meeting. “I don’t understand how the country of Nelson Mandela can be supporting what is going on,” they said.

TUT Needs To Regain Trust From Its Students

Kgothatso Madisa

@ItsProllyGubzee

Prof. Lourens van Staden

Just under two weeks ago newspapers reported on former Tshwane University of Technology Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Lourens van Staden, being appointed by Higher Education Minister Dr Blade Nzimande as Administrator of the financially ailing Walter Sisulu University. He subsequently had to resign from TUT as a result.

Earlier this year van Staden showed that he wanted to stay at TUT as he was one of the top contenders of the Vice Chancellor post and seemed to have been most qualified for it before it was given to Prof. Johnny Molefe who had been found to have obtained an invalid doctorate from St George University International, in the Bahamas, in the Caribbean. The university doesn’t exist anymore and Molefe and others at TUT had received these degrees online without meeting a single individual from the now non-existent university and it appears he had been informed of this by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) which refused to recognise his qualification in 2007.

Despite the knowledge that he didn’t have a doctorate Molefe went ahead and accepted the post of Vice Chancellor of the university and TUT appointed him after warnings from Nzimande who, after not receiving a proper explanation on the reasons for the appointment, decided to appoint Prof. Themba Mosia as the university’s administrator who after a thorough investigation eventually fired Molefe two weeks ago.

South Africa’s Choice of Friends Raises Serious Moral Concerns

Sibusiso Banda
@sbudalicious

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea was recently
hosted by President Jacob Zuma.

The Catholic Committee Against Hunger and for Development has found that Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the president of Equatorial Guinea, has stolen billions of Rand worth of assets that belong to the people he claims to lead. Reporters Without Borders says the president filed a complaint in France against the authors of the report, but it was quickly dismissed.

Nguema is known for his lavish lifestyle and his youngest son, Teodorin, often shows off wealth by going on expensive boat trips and hosting huge parties while the people of the poor, oil rich African state go hungry. Nguema is also allies with South Africa as he was recently hosted by President Jacob Zuma, the man who once headed the Moral Regeneration Movement. Zuma hosted the dictator after exiled Tibetan spiritual leader; His Holiness – The Dalai Lama – was refused a South African visa to attend Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s birthday party. The Nobel Peace Prize winner isn’t good enough for South Africa, but the dictator of an oil rich country who keeps his people in poverty while helping himself to their money is.

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Armchair Critics In Student Politics - A Major Cause of Decay

Zwelo Masilela

@Zwelo

Student politics is an old phenomenon or practice just as politics in general; it is has been historically seen as hub of intellectualism and a preparatory school for future leaders of the country of course emanating from different political organisations. The student movement has produced many leaders who are today sitting in parliament, leading strategic sectors of the economy and occupying other influential positions in society.

The question many would ask is whether the current generation of student leadership reflects the future of this country? Does it possess inspiration to the students it leads and society at large? Is it an epitome of good leadership? Is it relevant to the post 1994 generation? Those are just some of the questions I ask myself as a student leader. I believe the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Soshanguve campus is one the most politically vibrant campuses in the country with many political structures and lots of people who proclaim themselves as leaders and politicians – but many seem to be unaware of the many realities in this country and, at times, contribute towards the problems in the campus’ student leadership structures.

 Let me highlight the challenges facing this campus in particular relating to student politics:

·         Tribalism is rife and there are those who do what is coined as “anti-tribalism tribalism” (This means those who claim to fight tribalism when their ethnic groups are marginalised, but later do the same when their tribe is given the space initially contested).

Chaos as TUT Students & Guards Get Into Physical Fight

Anorth Mabunda, Sthembiso Sithole & Lindokuhle Mnisi

@Anorth Mabunda, @sitholesthe & @ Dr_Dream_SA

Students broke windows and stole batteries in security room.

The Soshanguve North campus of the Tshwane University of Technology is under police watch after students clashed with the security officers on Monday night. Chaos broke out when an officer working for security services provider, Triotic, allegedly assaulted a student who was drunk for not producing a student card at the gate.

 

After the slapping of the student, other students then attacked an estimated 30 security officers.
 

“The student was drunk and didn’t have a student card. The officers then refused to let him entry to the university premises. The students tried to enter forcefully, prompting the officers to slap and throttle him until he fell down,” said a student who was at the scene and did not want to be identified. 

Not Much Changed in Soshanguve, But Residents Content

Sthembiso Sithole
@sitholesthe

Earlier this year these people built shacks illegally,
they still don't have land a few months on.

Earlier this year we covered a story about Soshanguve residents who said they had been waiting for government housing for close to 20 years and had decided to occupy land illegally so they could build their own shacks. We visited those residents recently to find out if there had been an improvement in their aim to access adequate housing or at least get land allocation to build shacks. Many say they are happy for now as their pleas seem to have been heard.

“Finally we managed to get a stand given to us by the councilor, Marutula. Anytime soon we will be build houses,” said group chairperson, Matshona Matjeke.

Doctors Say She Won't Live Beyond 13 - But She Manages to Joke About it

Alice Mminele
@MmineleA

12-year old Ontlametse from Hebron, Pretoria, lives with Progeria. Greek word meaning “prematurely old”. This is an extremely rare condition that affects 1 in about 80 million new-borns in the world. The scientific name for this condition is Hutchinson Gilford Progeria syndrome, which was discovered in 1886 by Jonathan Hutchinson and Hastings Gilford.

This disease normally begins to appear at about 18 to 24 months of age. This, however, was not the case for Ontlametse as her family found out what was wrong with her when she was 10. Doctors were dismissing her condition as bad skin rash while classmates and teachers mocked her, saying she was HIV positive.

Another Super Car That Will Break Proposed Speed Limits

Bruce Mbingeleli

The Lexus LFA is safe, fast and elegant.

Some drive the cars they drive because of speed, there are those who buy them because of comfort and
others it’s the style that matters most. When I recently visited the Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS) recently I found a car that combines all this, ensuring that one’s driving experience in it is a memorable – even if it’s just for a few minutes as many can probably not afford it.


The team promoting the Lexus LFA say its advantage is high performance while managing to achieve optimal fuel economy and low emission. The car is equipped with a naturally aspirated 40-valveDOHC 4.8 litre V10 engine which kicks out an assembled 412Kw. It manages to deliver at 8700rpm, its maximum torque output being 480Nm arriving at 6800rpm, 90 percent of which is available from 3700rpm. In short this car is super-fast and reaches a high speed at a very short time.

Whatever the Agenda, Malema's Cause is Relevant

Lindokuhle Mnisi
@Dr_Dream_SA

Throughout 2011 the leader of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), Julius Malema, has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons in South Africa’s media industry and the reporting on him has been pretty negative. Event he views by some intellectuals have not been flattering ones and some of those who often comment on him think he desperately seeks media attention and wants to be seen as a champion for the poor when South Africa’s history books are re-written in future. He is also undergoing a disciplinary hearing at the ANC and there are those who think he clashes with leadership, especially President Jacob Zuma.

But lately Malema has impressed me much. He has been criticised for bringing the topic of nationalisation to South Africa’s many discussion tables. He may not be the right person to talk about this, but someone had to as millions of South Africans live in dire poverty while a small minority enjoys the wealth that comes from resources such as platinum, gold and diamonds that our beautiful nation has.

Lions Have to Work Hard to Escape a Shark Attack for Currie Cup Final

Musa Nombona
@MuserThe1st

It’s been 12 years since the Lions have won the Currie Cup and at this stage all the odds seem to be against the lads from Johannesburg. While experience is not on their side of their players like Spingboks’ Du Plesis brothers, the ”Beast” and Alberts are back for the Shark camp in Durban for the game tomorrow.

Southern African Spring on the Way

Sibusiso Banda
@sbudalicious

There are many countries in Africa where government rule with an iron fist and probably, in some, it’s just a matter of time before there is a Tunisia moment or even worse – a Libya moment. Workers in Swaziland often take to the street to fight for a basic living wage and this year universities had to shut down in that country as lecturers were being paid just transport money while King Mswati III continues to live a lavish lifestyle. It has become apparent that the country is in trouble as South Africa had to give a loan to Swaziland after being refused by the international Monetary Fund for its refusal to implement fiscal reforms.

Part 2: Democracy and the Scramble for Libya's Oil & Economy

Sthembiso Sithole
@sitholesthe

 Muammar Gaddafi's killing after his over 40-years of rule has been met by celebration in Libya and abroad, but this was just the first phase of change as the second phase with the west probably stepping in more is beginning today. It's still unclear how the anti-Gaddafi forces, who were descibed by the media as disorganised at first, received so many weapons to carry out such a large scale operation, but that's all in the past now - the ones that helped them can celebrate, but I'm certain they won't be resting as they'll be working hard to ensure their interests are well looked after.

Australia Cruises to RWC third place

source: nbcsports.msnbc.com

Musa Nombona

@MuserThe1st

An unbalanced match saw Australia get an easy win over Wales during the 2011 Rugby World Cup third place play off at Eden Park, New Zealand.

The match saw the two sides give a mediocre yet aggressive match. Although this was a consolation prize for the Aussies, the Welsh did not back down as both teams  scored two tries. Australian tries came from inside centre Berrick Barnes and No 8 Ben McCalman.

Australia’s inside centre Berick Barnes and eighth man Ben McCalman both scored conversions  while winger Shane Williams and fullback Leigh Halfpenny scored for the Welsh.

Dealing With Stomach Politics in Britain

Siphumelele Zondi
@SZondi

My worry when I left South Africa for Britain was the having to battle the cold weather when I trek down to the bus station every morning, but the cold hasn’t been that bad and I guess it’s because I was partly prepared for it. What I wasn’t prepared for was the bad British food. What they parade around as good food in this country includes pies – found in many eateries, soggy fish and chips – which are really popular as shops selling them are found on just about every street corner and hamburgers – now there isn’t a shortage of those.

The lack of a good menu in this country has even led to the adoption of the Indian Chicken Tikka Masala as “true British food”. Those that added it to the list justify its inclusion by its popularity in this country’s restaurants. As I write this piece I am in a pub that has decided to have Thursdays at its curry nights. The night being dedicated to the Indian dish has resulted in a 50 minute wait for food.

Hayatou's Ousting Needed for a Cleaner CAF

Willie Nemarimela
@willeinstein

African football fans short-changed by current CAF leadership.

In North Africa and the Middle East there have been protest marches, which have led to violent clashes in parts, to oust dictators who have been in power for two decades or more and there are news reports that fighting in Libya has led to the death of Muammar Qaddafi. I think it’s time Cairo had another round of protests – this time outside the headquarters of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as Issa Hayatou is leading this organisation with an iron fist and doesn’t want to step down despite being in power since 1978. Just like many who rule for a long period of time he's had to avoid much criticism.

Transport Minister will struggle with the McLaren MP4-12c reaching 100 km/h in 3.3 second

Robert Mabusela 
@Robert_Mabusela

The McLaren MP4-12c featured at the Johannesburg International Motor Show produces an impressive 441kW achieving 0-100km/h in 3,3 seconds - which could mean breaking the law pretty fast as Transport Minister, Sibusiso Ndebele, wants to set the speed limit at 100.

The rear engined lightweight McLaren is promised to be the 'first genuine no compromise sports car' according to McLaren brochures at the Johannesburg International Motor Show last week.

With the given 0-100km/h figures the McLaren team is just being modest.  The MP4-12c deserves to be called a super car. 200 km/h is reached in 9.8 seconds or 8.9 if your car is fitted with Corsa tyres which will play an essential role in reaching the top speed of 330km/h a bit faster.
Super car manufacturers are using their gym memberships to make sure that weight shedding is at the top of their workout programme. Unnecessary weight is lost as excessive weight hinders the achievement of maximum performance.

Rural Nquthu Struggles with Few Resources

Sthembiso Sithole
@sitholesthe

Schools have been built in Nquthu, but this doesn not mean
the community has access to other resources and information.

Growing up in Soweto I have come to understand that community meetings are taken seriously. These would often be held in the evenings or on weekends when people are back from work. At times they turn ugly if
the authorities don't listen to community leaders like it happened in the township's Chiawelo section when it turned violent earlier this year. Community members burnt down a section of a former councillor's house as she was blamed for high electricity tariffs.

During the recent September school and university holidays I visited the village of Nquthu in deep rural KwaZulu-Natal and much to my surprise the community here doesn't participate in meetings that can build them. I attended one meeting to discuss electricity tariffs and less than half the community was there.

"Those that put you in power didn’t put you there because you are beautiful" - Malema

Tshepo Tshabalala

@TshepototheT

“I came here after being told that our event was cancelled because the management didn’t approve. As I was entering it was headlines on Metro FM (saying) that ‘Malema was stopped from coming to Wits’, but I was entering the campus at that time.”

ANC Youth League president Julius Malema was addressing an over-crowed, stuffy lecture hall full of students at the University of the Witwatersrand on Friday afternoon.

He was scheduled to talk at the Oliver Tambo Memorial Lecture about “Economic freedom in our lifetime”, but ended up directing the majority of his speech to the university's newly elected Student Representative Council (SRC). The student council was inaugurated by vice-chancellor Loyiso Nongxa on Monday.
“The responsibility of this SRC is to protect your rights, not to smile with management. Their responsibility is not to come to you and explain why management cannot implement your demand.”

Journ Student Gives Power Talk in Rural High Schools

Sthembiso Sithole
@sitholesthe

Matric pupils had many questions for Mbatha when he visited their schools.

During the one week September holidays second year journalism student, Bhekinkosi Mbatha visited schools in his rural community of Nquthu in KwaZulu-Natal to educate high school pupils about the option of
university. Mbatha also informed the students about government loans that can enable them to study beyond high school.

“It is crucial that we continue with our studies. Universities are not meant for whites or for
those who come from advantaged families only,” Mbatha told the pupils.

His audience of 200 was predominatly made up of matric pupils from Muziwephahla and Khethukuthula High
Schools.

Lazy South Africans Would Make You Believe It's Better Abroad

Siphumelele Zondi
@SZondi

While standing on a queue to get into the fourth place I was visiting on my night of venue hopping in London which started in upmarket neighbourhoods, including visiting friends at a London School of Economics residence ending up in a reggae club in Brixton, I met a South African who couldn’t stop talking about how difficult things often are for him in SA which led to him leaving. The chap went on to tell me how he struggled to get visas enabling him to explore Europe and North America until he “fought” to get a Portuguese passport as his grandmother originated from there. He was going on about how useless the South African passport is.

I then responded by naming the various countries I have been to with nothing else but the South African passport. His response was to tell me that it’s because I am black and he is white. Now at this stage I was confused why Europeans and Americans would discriminate against white South Africans and favour those with the chocolate skin tone. After saying this he told me how unfair the South African government is towards white people – again I became confused as visas to European countries are not issued by the South African government.

Mother & Daughter Tale of Human Trafficking Within South Africa

Shakira Masethe

Often township girls leave home for days without telling their parents where they are going and don’t realize the repercussions of their actions and at times black parents accept this behavior and never alert authorities when it happens. This was the case with Portia who at 17-years-old in 2008 left home for what her mother thought was her usual search of a good time.

Portia would normally leave on Fridays and not return until the weekend was over and on this particular day she had been in an argument with her mother, Mapule. This was normal behavior in this home and Mapule had accepted that her teenage daughter would sleep wherever she wanted on weekends and would always return to her Mamelodi home when the good time had ended and all the adults she’d party with would be returning to work on Monday But on a certain weekend Portia never came back home as usual.

Mapule then went to the police who sent out a search party for her daughter and there were no clues of what had happened to her. “The longer it took to find her, the less interested the police seemed in assisting me further because every lead led to a dead end,” explains Mapule.

Asylum Seekers Say Celebration Makes Them Feel Welcome

Paseka Menyau
@King_Matthews

Many in the western world would like to paint Africa as a continent of civil wars, famine and much conflict and instability, but what they should also know is that this is a place where one can find absolute warmth and kindness and that should be more important that the few conflicts in just a few regions of this amazing land.

People who originate from other regions of Africa came together on Heritage Day in Johannesburg to celebrate the warmth of the countries they come from. The theme of the event that took place in the Marice Freeman Recreation Centre Theatre was “We are all Africans, we are all one”.

South African Varsity Students Must Appreciate What They Have

Siphumelele Zondi
@SZondi

One would often hear some South Africans complain about how better things are in certain parts of the world and I have been in Britain for only two days to get that sought after Master’s degree from the University of Sussex which has a huge international student body and has been listed in the top three this year for a best university award. I have found that students from the so called first world seem to have bigger problems than us.

I have met two American students who say obtaining their development Master’s degree is cheaper than obtaining it in their native USA despite them getting foreign rates in the United Kingdom. They say their struggle for an affordable education in America is an ongoing battle. One mentioned that she took out loans to be here as she would back home and the other said in the US she had two work two part time jobs in order to pay her fees and she is in huge debt which would mean finding a job in the UK too in order for her to survive.

Slut Walk in Johannesburg

Our Heritage Sidelined for a Braai!

Nondumiso Shabangu
@MsNondumiso

It has occurred to me that Heritage Day on 24 September has been side-lined this year as many seem to have forgotten that September is South Africa’s heritage month and are replacing it with national braai (barbeque) day.

From what I understand September is a month to celebrate our history especially and rich backgrounds of slavery, colonisation and ethnic conflicts. As South Africans we know that there are many languages in this country with eleven of them being official languages – all those languages come with their own histories and cultures. While we have the Zulu, English, Tsonga, Afrikaaners, Xhosa, Ndebele, Tswana, Sotho, Venda, Swazi and Pedi people – there are also people who are of Indian descent and coloured people who are unique to South Africa as they came from a mixture of various race groups like the Cape Malay in the Western Cape whose descendents came as slaves from Malaysia. There are also San people who are the indigenous group of people found in South Africa. All these cultures need to be celebrated on Heritage Day.

Speed Limit Should Stay and Traffic Officers do Their Work

Kgothatso Madisa
@Gubzee

Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele says that the Department of Transport is looking into changing the speed from 120 km/h to 100 km/h because he is convinced most road accidents in South Africa are caused by speeding drivers.


“The number of accidents in the country has reached crisis point,” says Ndebele.

According to Ndebele about 126 people have been killed on South African roads in the past two months.

“Studies in other countries such as Australia where the speed limit is 110 km per hour show that reduction in speed limit can save lives,” he added.

Some African Leaders Worse Than Colonisers

Gift Ngobeni
@nyikogifted

Fromer DJ, Andry Rajoelina, ousted Marc Ravalomanana
with the assistance of Madagascar's military.

African states often celebrate independence and leaders would often go on about how much of a milestone and an achievement it was for colonisers to leave the continent, but is there much to celebrate when leaders abuse their people, never hold elections in certain countries, rig them in others and refuse to accept defeat in some.


All this has led to Africa being a continent of mediation processes that often take more than a long time to complete – lately it’s no longer mediation processes as in some countries citizens have decided they will fight for their freedom and a better standard of living. A few examples where this has taken place would be Madagascar, Libya, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Sudan, Tunisia and lately Malawians seem to be testing President Bingu wa-Mutharika or His Excellency, the president, Dr Bingu wa Mutharika as radio reports refer to him in Malawi.

TUT Students Share Talent to Alleviate Exam Stress

Sibusiso Banda
@sbudalicious

A pre exam stress alleviation event for CCT residents was recently held at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Soshanguve North Campus. The students were encouraged to bring whichever talent they have and share it with others – this was to expose them to rest of the campus and also offer relief from their studies for just a few minutes.

Event organiser and Residence Committe member, Samukelo Ntombela, says the event was inspired by the talent he saw at university hostels.

Journalism Students Declaration on the Protection of State Information Bill

We, young Souh African journalism students, are against the Protection of State Information Bill as it undermines our constitution, which clearly protects our freedom of speech and of the press. We also feel that the current government is contradicting its own ANC media charter which has enshrined in it press freedom.

As students wanting to work as journalists, we will feel threatened in practising our vocation, especially when we want to inform the public about the injustice we see within our communities.

This makes us doubt and question the freedom we would like to think we have in this country.

We commend and support the Right2Know Campaign and all democrats who oppose the Protection of State Information Bill.

“Those who have nothing to hide, hide nothing at all.”

If you are a journalism student and support the following declaration please email your full name and department/university to eccf1@wsu.ac.za

Disappointing Turnout in Joburg's Anti Secrecy Vigil

When one listens to talk radio in Johannesburg they would believe this is a city of activists who would take action against what is right and fight the injustices of the leaders of the day. This is because Jo’burgers complain a lot on radio stations and often call in to criticise those they see not to deliver on their promises and often it’s government that is on the receiving end of their harsh words. But as the few that attended the ‘Right to Know’ organised fight against the Protection of Information Bill that is not the case.

Township Based University Students Start a Gay Organisation

Sthembiso Sithole
@sitholesthe

Students based in the Soshanguve campus of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) have decided to start a gay, lesbian, transgendered and bisexual organisation after a study conducted by the University of Johannesburg (UJ) revealed negative attitudes towards these groupings in Gauteng universities.

The study conducted by UJ’s Department of Psychology surveyed 880 heterosexual students, 356 men and 524 women, using the Attitudes Towards Lesbian and Gay Male Scale (ATLG) and found a huge majority have negative attitudes towards the gay community and cite religion for this. In order to create awareness some gay students at TUT’s township-based campus have formed Flamboyant, a group they hope will assist to change these attitudes. The organisation is officially registered with the university’s Directorate of Student Life and Governance.

Zubs Concentrates on Making Timeless Music

Sibusiso Banda
@sbudalicious

Zubs feels musicians concentrating only on hit songs
add little value to the industry.

Zubs is known to many as just a hip hop star but this songwriter, musician and former television presenter describes himself as the “golden mic holder” who creates music that transcends time.

He was born Ndabaningi Mabuyi and sat with us during a live radio interview on the biggest campus-run radio station in the country, TUT FM. He says he it takes time for him to decide on musical collaborations.

“If I work with the rappers who are hot right now because it’s almost like I’m saying I need something to be hot right now, like if you’re hot today. I won’t do that. Hot people are just different. I remember when Sister Bettina was hot, you know what I’m saying. Nobody remembers that because there is always a hot new guy after the other one is gone. So if you collaborate based on temporary things like that then you’re wasting your time.”

Chiefs & Pirates Fans Expecting an Awesome Treat

Sphiwe Masilela
@sphiwemasilela

Moeneeb Josephs will be Pirates' number one man
during the two matches.

Soweto derby time has come early during the current football season in South Africa as Orlando Pirates will face arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday night. The two will battle it out in FNB Stadium (previously known as Soccer City) at 20h15.

Orlando Pirates, who are hoping to defend the wafa-wafa cup will be going there with a bit of an edge as they have beaten their opponents twice in pre-season matches, but Chiefs says those games were just a practise run and have ironed out the few problems they had. Despite the Phefeni boys’ enthusiasm and confidence Pirates coach, Julio Leal, says he is adamant his boys will come out victorious at the end of the ninety minutes. The Citizen newspaper quoted him saying, "I am very high on confidence for the match and also the fact that now the team has spent two months with me makes me believe we can do wonders in the game."

Media Panic Over Only Three Injured Springboks a Bit Confusing

William Tshabalala
@gijaz

Bakkies Botha is probably the most valuable player
but the Bokke will be fine without him on Sunday.
Photo: http://wwww.sportypictures.com

Three elite players are injured four days before South Africa plays Wales, but is there a need to make such a big fuss about it? The South African media is going bananas over injury reports from the Bok camp in Wellington, New Zealand? Headlines such as “Crisis in Springbok camp” and “Bok injury list expands” can be seen pasted on walls and lamp posts on some of our biggest cities. What the hell? It’s only three people!

Bryan Habana, Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha are the only “first choice” players who will probably not start the game against the Red Dragons of Wales on Sunday. Where’s the crisis in that?

Young Men Finding Satisfaction in Cougars

Recently while talking to a friend on the phone he told me he couldn’t chat for long as he was with a woman who was helping him with certain sexual favours. On further interrogation I found out that the woman was 17 years older than my friend, married with a six-year-old son. The friend told me that the woman’s husband was out of the country on business and it was common for him to get such a call from the woman in her late thirties whenever the husband was away for a day or two.


At a later stage I had another conversation with another friend who told me of a divorced woman he was having sex with. It turned out the woman was also seventeen years older than the other friend as well and she too had a child of school going age. Initially I was puzzled by these revelations from both friends until I later had a conversation about the cougar phenomenon with a group of older women - married and unmarried.

Who Would Run Nationalised Mines With Youth Abandoning Classes to Support Malema?

Gift Ngobeni

Many ANC Youth League Supporters Chanted Struggle
Songs outside ANC Buildings in Johannesburg last night.
Photo: http://www.iol.co.za/

I watched with utter disgust as young people, some students from universities and high schools, abandon classes and work to go and support the ANC Youth League president Julius Malema outside Luthuli House this morning. This irresponsible practice started last night when young people held a night vigil outside the headquarters of the African National Congress.

Malema has been preaching nationalisation of mines and economic freedom, but then I would like to ask this question to our “youth leader”, who is going to run those state structures when our future leaders abandon school to support him. Night vigils will not educate nor benefit the youth of today as it will only contribute to the high percentage of illiteracy in South Africa. I personally have nothing against the ANCYL president but encouraging young people to leave school work in support of one man is a serious contradiction and unacceptable.

Lessons From Europe: Africa Needs to Be China's Equal Partner

While it seems South Africa is stuck in old debates on whether doing business with China is a good idea and many keep on raising the issue of Chinese human rights abuses, it seems certain European countries have gone far beyond that debate. They have decided to do business with China and it’s not a case of China moving its structures to Europe and getting business out of the Eurozone – these countries want business to be a two way process and they too are moving their products to the massive Chinese market.

The other Revolution in Egypt

 The second video from the series on Egypt and the Revolution

Community Believes Butchery Sells Human Body Parts

Sthembiso Sithole

The Winterveld Community believes this
butchery sold a child a human penis.



“I am scared to sleep at night, I am no longer free. I regret why I gave community members that difficult meat to chew.”

This is a reaction of Paulina Mahlangu who was sold mixed livers that allegedly had human parts in Winterveld in the local Butchery.

This comes after her grandchild, Lindeni, was sent by her mother who refused to be mentioned to buy mixed livers for supper as usual.

Mr & Miss TUT Res Elimination Photos

Bok Bad Form Before WC Similar to 2007 - Let's Hope History Repeats Itself

William Tshabalala

Photo: http://www.independent.co.uk/

The so called rugby champions of the world lost yet another encounter against the Wallabies this past weekend and yet still coaching stuff say there were positives to take out of that game. I may not be a rugby analyst, but I do know the that losing twice to the same team (at home nogal), with less than a month to the start of the world cup is off-putting.


Putting my disappointments aside, the Springboks didn’t play badly this time around. (It must be hell to read that line yeah?) Nonetheless everything they said they were going to improve, they improved. The plays at “break off points” suggested that they really wanted to play rugby. What made me and most of my mates countrywide happy was that finally the backs gave the ball a little bit of air. Something my other favourite team, the Bulls, must learn to do if they want their supporters to return to the Bullring. The defence was resolute even though their lines were broken couple of times, the cross cover was good enough to stop the attack in their trails. Unfortunately statistics do not win games “nogminder” world-cup games. The scoreboard alone does so.

The Bang Bang Club is Like a Scattered Puzzle



The violence in the movie is shown without context.



Kabelo Chabalala

Do not think of the born frees of the country, do not consider those that says, “Yes we have obtained our democracy through the ANC, so what do we have now?” The director, Steven Silver is displaying the most touching historic epoch of South Africa in a contemporary way.

The density and gruesomeness of the feud between the ANC and the Inkatha is being revealed at minimum impact than what it really was during that era in South Africa. These are the people in the cast, Ryan Phillippe, Tylor Kitsch, Frank Rautenbanch, Malin Akerman, etc. I was expecting to see more local faces. Veteran actors such as Sello Maake Ka-Ncube, Magic Hlatswayo and Jammie Bartlett should have been part of the movie cast. The American accent that tried so hard to sound African was not “Bang Bang”. The location reflected the recognized Townships of Soweto, which was significant.

Unique Reports From Somalia Necessary

While many in Somalia go hungry and that country is faced with famine which has resulted in people catching various diseases and many, especially children, dying the Al Shabaab haven’t stopped attacking. As the world focuses on the humanitarian crisis in the country many reporters are currently neglecting telling us that this country is still at war, militia are not making the delivery of food easy and we are not being reminded that this is a country which hasn’t had an effective government since 1991.

Molefe's Unaccredited Doctorate Continues to Cause Much Debate at TUT

Photo: http://www.dailynews.co.za/

Pearl Nicodemus

The Tshwane University of Technology council has spent the last week defending itself in the media for appointing Prof. Johnny Molefe as Vice Chancellor despite his invalid doctorate from St. George’s University in the Caribbean. The qualification was obtained online and the university no longer exists.

The South African Qualifications Authority which had initially accredited the Business Administration doctorate says it later changed its decision claiming it had made a mistake and informed Molefe of this in 2007 – four years before accepting the vice chancellor post at TUT. The council has been quoted saying neither the university nor Molefe could have known the status of St. George’s at the time.

Medea at the Rostrum

A Casual Chat With a Township Artist

Mohau Ramashidja

Many people who live in South African townships are poverty stricken, without an ducation of often struggle to make ends meet. We found one man on the streets of Pretoria townships who uses wire to make something creative so he can feed himself. 34-year-old wheel chair bound, George Mongwayi, spoke to Mohau Ramashidja about his situation.


At what age did you start designing wire cars?

At the earliest age of 12, that’s when I started playing around with wires.

Who came up with the business idea amongst the two of you?

Both my partner and I came with the business idea. It was after we had both attended a workshop which encouraged us to use our hands.

Spring Awakening Musical at the Breytie

After an 18 Year Wait for Houses Residents Build Shacks by Force

Sthembiso Sithole

Soshanguve residents without government subsidised houses are calling for their councillors to step down as they say they haven’t fulfilled any of the promises made before elections. They say they had been promised houses but this hasn’t happened and as a result about 100 families have decided to build their own shacks rather than sit and wait for the people tasked with assisting them. Some even accuse those in power of selling these free houses to foreign nationals – an accusation that has been the cause of many alleged xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

“The current elected councillors are misrepresenting us. That is why I call for Soshanguve to unset (Simon) Maratula,” says one of the residents.

Refugee Aid Organisation Does Good Beyond Mandela Day

Paseka Menyau

While many celebrities and other public figures were trying to convince us that they do good when they only did it for just an hour and seven minutes on 18 July every year, there is an organisation that does this every single day without even boasting about it. Johannesburg’s Refugee Aid Organisation also did its bit for Mandela day on the former statesman’s birthday and didn’t even shout about it.

RAO employess took 19 refugee children from the Troyeville Junior Primary School in Johannesburg to the Apartheid Museum so they could learn about the history of South Africa, the challenges South Africans came across and the sacrifices made to achieve freedom.

SA TV News Needs an Independent African Agenda

The e-News Channel is South Africa's only television news channel.

While the media is following the finances of Julius Malema with the Democratic Alliance urging the Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, to investigate the leader of the ANC youth league – there are those with a view that South African political journalists are becoming lazy and following each other like sheep on their reports. Those views are being shared on social networks.

Sowetan Entertainers Doing it for the Love

Sthembiso Sithole

Sowetan, Bonginkosi Madondo, says he is driven by the love of art, African culture and traditions and as a result has participated in various theatre productions such as Amasiko and Devil Protest. He started performing at the Positive Art Society in Phiri Hall in the township in 2003. Through the legacy of the late Thembinkosi Nkabinde who was the founder of the group, Bonginkosi has taken over the initiative.

“Art is something for us performers to tell those untold stories. It heals spiritually,” says Bonginkosi.

The 29 year old who is also gumboot dancer and choreographer believes that one can make a living out of art.

Give Us Free Clothes & We'll Do Mandela Day For You!

Mandela Day is a call to action for people to take responsibility for making the world a better place, one small step at a time, just as Nelson Mandela did.


In November 2009 the United Nations declared 18 July as Nelson Mandela International Day and for the last two years has been marked with acts of goodwill in communities throughout the world.

In the Pretoria area, Journ’Tau is teaming up with the biggest campus radio station, TUT 99,2FM, for Mandela Day. You can participate in the 67 minutes for Mandela day by donating clothes and blankets at the station in Soshanguve TUT south campus. We will then take all the donations to the HOPE CHILDREN’S  CENTRE in Soshanguve.

Chiawelo Residents Meet to Demand the Release of those Arrested

Sthembiso Sithole

Chiawelo residents are demanding the release of those arrested for the burning down of a former councillor’s house and the attack of the new councillor’s car and on Friday they protested outside court where those arrested earlier in the week were appearing. They say the case should not have been postponed.


On Wednesday evening there was an emergency meeting in the township where their way forward was discussed.

Chiawelo Residents Not Backing Down

Sthembiso Sithole

Chiawelo residents are still refusing to back down from their demands of cheaper electricity tariffs despite five community members including two minors over the burning down of the former councillor’s house earlier this week.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa lambasted the community when he visited with Police Commissioner Bheki Cele. As they arrived in their lavish cars, journalists and residents were waiting on Nefefe Street outside the house of ward 12 councillor Johannes Nemaungani.

Scorpions Showboating Sees Them Represent SA in International Street Football Tournament

The Scorpions from Soweto have won the five-a-side football competition known as the Kia Champ into the Arena Tournament and will be representing South Africa in the international street football competition to take place between 22 and 25 July in Argentina. The team with much showboating skill beat last year’s winners and South African representatives, Randburg Spurs, 5-1.

The margin between the two sides was only a goal difference at half time but the Scorpions proved too strong for Randburg during the second half. The match between the two sides showed much skill and shibobo that South African street football is known for despite being a one-sided affair.

Kids & Parents Entertained at Baba Indaba

Sthembiso Sithole

SABC Baba Indaba held a three day exhibition aimed at exposing young families to early childhood development project and to raise breastfeeding as awareness. Despite the weather being cold, expecting parents, parents, nannies and grandparents came out in large numbers to witness the exhibition at the Expo Centre Nasrec near Soweto.

Organiser and show director Natalie Naude says this year breastfeeding was a hug part of the exhibition. “We decided to have breastfeeding as part of the show because we wanted to spell the myth about breastfeeding,” explains Naude.

We Still Continue to Blame Foreigners For Stealing Jobs We Refuse To Do

Gift Ngobeni

Between 2000 and March 2008 at least 67 people died in what was identified as xenophobic attacks. In May 2008 a series of riots left 62 people dead - although 21 of those killed were South African citizens some of whom who had been mistaken for foreigners. One dictionary definition of xenophobia is an unreasonable fear, distrust, or hatred of strangers, foreigners, or anything perceived as foreign or different.

Leaders of the country fought for a free South Africa, former president of the country Nelson Mandela said South Africa belongs to everyone who lives in it. During the anti-apartheid struggle, the very same leaders went to exile in neighboring countries most of which the attacked foreigners come from. Most South Africans went to countries like Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Angola to name a few. Clearly most attackers have forgotten about this.

Young, Pregnant, HIV Positive & Shocked by the State of Public Hospitals

Every day we are encouraged to get tested in order to know our HIV statuses so we can live healthy lives but what I have found is that health professionals seem not to be properly trained to deal with the disease. I often hear people who go to public hospitals talk about the torture and abuse they go through when they are getting tested and it’s even worse for some should they test positive.

I found out that I am HIV positive in 2009 and in order to protect myself I will remain anonymous. The test was done by a private doctor which helped me not go through the similar abuse many often report when returning from hospital or clinic. My doctor guided me and gave me all the relevant information I needed at the time. As a teenager it wasn’t easy but because of a private doctor I was sheltered from all the stresses many go through.

Fun Day Had By Lecturers As They Say Goobye To A Colleague

Kabelo Johnty Chabalala

Humanities lecturers at the Tshwane University of Technology gathered at the Soshanguve South Campus Sport Field to celebrate the faculty’s first fun day. Known to fuss about students’ assignment deadlines and how they should improve their marks if they are not performing well – the educators had a chance to play a bit of cricket, partake in a 100 metre fun run and even compete in a potjie kos competition.


Faculty Dean, Dr Stanley Mukhola believes the day strengthens unity on campus. “This day was long overdue. We have been looking forward to this gathering as colleagues. You guys are committed teammates that show dedication and support.”

Youth Dances & Celebrates Achievements But Stresses the Need for Good Quality Education

Sthembiso Sithole

Traditional Zulu dancing showing the youth
hasn't forgotten traditions.

Young and talented School children gathered at the Constitutional Hill, Johannesburg Thursday to celebrate Youth Day with song, dance and debate on their future and the state of young people in South Africa today. The event was organised by Constitutional Hill in partnership with Tsibogang Lebone Development Initiative.

Matshidiso Mkhatswa from Likazi Central high school was the first to go on stage and shock the crowd with her speech called: “What Ubuntu in peace making and Reconciliation mean to me”.

During her piece she quoted Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu when he said “ubuntu is the spirit of togetherness, we must move beyond the spirit of Apartheid. A country without Ubuntu is no country at all.”

Photos of Youth Day Celebrations in Constitution Hill, Johannesburg

Interesting BBC Programme on Lagos' Version of Venice

Let's School You a Bit About 1976

Sthembiso Sithole

Iconic photo of Mbuyazi Makhubu carrying the body
of Hector Pieterson with the 13-year-old's sister on the side

Many of us have heard our parents talk about 16 June 1976 which was a turning point in the fight towards a free and democratic South Africa. They often tell us that pupils from five schools in Soweto near Johannesburg walked out of the gates in what was supposed to be a peaceful march as they were fighting for a good, adequate education system. Some of us seem to know the story until this point. We also know of the first boy who died, 13-year-old Hector Pieterson. Much of his story is in the Hector Pietrerson Museum in Soweto. Many young people don’t really know the 1976 story before and beyond these points.

I want to take you back to the memories of the dark days of this beautiful land and give you an overview on the causes of the uprising, what happened proceeding the day and how the government of the time dealt with it. I also believe that while it is important to look back in history we should also think carefully about what the South African youth today thinks about the challenges facing us – some of which are unemployment, HIV/Aids and the lack of understand of how political, financial and business structures can be accessed in order for us to truly prosper. The youth of 1976 was fighting for an adequate education system but the youth of 2011 is also fighting for an adequate education system that will prepare them for the future.

Young People Ensure Children Have Food & Clothes This Winter

Sthembiso Sithole

Young people who started a group on social network, Facebook, with the help of home care organisation, Thola Ulwazi, and members of the corporate sector have embarked on a campaign to improve the lives of orphaned children in Soshanguve Township.

Over the weekend the group called Difference Makers donated food parcels to orphanages. This was done with the assistance of a local BP service station, Tropika and a police station. Difference Makers founder, Sergeant Mnisi, says they have been visiting home based care centres since 2009.

Young Sowetan Working Hard to Achieve Ultimate Success

Sthembiso Sithole

While many young South Africans who live in townships sit around and do nothing with their days, a 25-year-old Sowetan, Vusi Makhubo, is showing them that one doesn’t need to come from a wealthy environment to live out their dreams.

Makhubo has taken savings from a small job he does selling clothes at Mr Price to save up for DJing equipment and has also started a T-shirt printing business. He says well known Soweto entertainer, DJ Mbuso encouraged him. “I used to go to Dj Mbuso’s shop and see how he runs his music and t-shirt business, that is how I got my inspiration and I realised that he is one of the black people who is doing his best to make a living out of his abilities.” he says.

Poet's perseverence for Change

At the closing dinner of the School of Authentic Journalism 2011, scholars and professors were privileged to have had dinner with the great poet, Javier Sicilia.

His son is one of thousands of innocent victims of Mexico's drug-related organised crime. Sicilia lead a silent protest for the fight for justice against the drug violence in May.

This video, by Dateline, peaks into the well organised movement lead by Sicilia where many of the community joined in on the march.

Journ'Tau Investigation Leads to Completion of House

Sthembiso Sithole

Senini Chauke excited that Jou'Tau published the story
leading to the construction of his house.

On 18 May 2011 Journ’Tau published a story on a 70 year old man, Senini Chauke, whose house hadn’t been completed by Xazulula Construction Company Renovation. The construction company had been tasked by the council in Soshanguve to build houses for several community members.


After the publication of the story the council has tasked the same company to complete the construction of the house and Xazulula has gone back to do the work they had initially neglected.

Young Girl Tells Her Story of HIV

Shocked By Community Watching Man Beating Up Woman on Roadside

Tlaki Baloyi

It is a normal Sunday afternoon and I have just accompanied a relative to catch a taxi. She had visited my mom but unfortunately for her she didn’t let her know beforehand and my mother had already gone to church by the time she arrived.

As I was on my way back home after accompanying her I stumbled upon a scene no one ever wants to witness, but is all too common in our country. A man started beating up a lady he was with. For a moment there I was thankful that there were people, mostly adults, on the street as they would stop this barbaric behavior taking place in broad daylight on a day taken as holy by most South Africans. As I was standing there, waiting and hoping that at least one of the many men there would do something about it I realised that they were all standing, watching and analyzing and no one was willing to intervene.

Egypt: How We Did it When the Media Would Not

This video was done by the team of Narco News and the School of Authentic Journalists 2011.

Africa Day Not Adequately Promoted in South Africa

Sibusiso Banda

Today, 25 May 2011, we are celebrating Africa Day. This is one of the most important days in the African continent’s history. During the past few years we have seen Johannesburg starting to celebrate the day, largely ignored in South Africa’s past as the country was going through apartheid.


This year I have not seen a single poster or heard even a two minute feature on radio or television.

Dance at the Breytie