Tuesday, June 21, 2011

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.”

Monday, June 20, 2011

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

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

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.

Monday, June 13, 2011

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.