Khothatso Madisa
@kgmadisa
It saddens me at times when I hear stories of how wonderful it was when people cast their votes for the first time in 1994 when all I can remember is being 3 years-old and playing with sand.
The saddest thing is that I cannot even remember people, not even my parents, coming back home in joyous celebrations from voting stations. All I remember is that I loved plastic toy cars and I probably spend the whole day imitating the likes of Michael Schumacher.
Maybe its just jealousy speaking since I would have given everything to be in those long queues with the excited masses eager to cast their very first vote. Everything my generation, the generation of 1990s, know about when South Africa found democracy relies solely on what we've seen on the television or heard on radio.
Monday, April 28, 2014
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
It's Been 20 Years, But The Racist Mind Still Has Much Work To Do
Siphumelele Zondi
@SZondi
My first memory of apartheid in South Africa was the murder of Chris Hani in 1993, I even barely remember that. At the time my age was in the single digits. I remember my parents watching all news reports about it. I remember his daughters and wife Limpho crying on television. I also remember TV news anchor Noxolo Grootboom crying on television as she was an eye witness who had seen what had happened from her house which was next door to Hani's. I don't remember much else from that day and I didn't really know who Hani was until the day he was brutally murdered. I also remember his massive funeral that made me think that's how big all funerals are supposed to be.As I grew older I obviously learnt who he was and how his murder could have changed South Africa's road to democracy.
@SZondi
My first memory of apartheid in South Africa was the murder of Chris Hani in 1993, I even barely remember that. At the time my age was in the single digits. I remember my parents watching all news reports about it. I remember his daughters and wife Limpho crying on television. I also remember TV news anchor Noxolo Grootboom crying on television as she was an eye witness who had seen what had happened from her house which was next door to Hani's. I don't remember much else from that day and I didn't really know who Hani was until the day he was brutally murdered. I also remember his massive funeral that made me think that's how big all funerals are supposed to be.As I grew older I obviously learnt who he was and how his murder could have changed South Africa's road to democracy.
A year later I had a conversation with my father. It was the evening of the 26th of April in 1994. My father was preparing to vote for the very first time the following day. I asked him who he would want to win the election. His response was, "Anyone, just not the National Party."
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Ngxokolo's MaXhosa Range Impresses Joburg Fashion Week
By Tshepo Tshabalala
South Africa is a country with 11 official languages and a few more others. It's cultures differ from region to region and city to city. That's probably why it is often
difficult to really describe what is truly an authentically South African
design or collection. Maybe it's also as equally difficult to say what is authentically African. Many are likely to say it is something they can
relate to, garments which perhaps remind them of their childhood, or what their
elders wore in the 1970s, 80s and maybe the 90s. Another group of South Africans
would take some of their styles from Europeans.
Friday, January 17, 2014
When You're Gay in Nigeria
Martin Chinagorom
With the passing of Nigeria's anti-gay bill into law, Martin Chinagorom was inspired to write this piece and in his words: “My writing is not gay activism. I write so that people may know that life is hard for these guys already. The best we can do for them is a little tolerance. With the bill and all that has happened thereafter there’s close to an anarchy in this community and as a nation we have enough demons already that we do not wish to add this the list.”
Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
When you’re gay in Nigeria,your whole life is one collosal creationary displacement. You should have been born in Europe or some place in America, not here. Maybe He’d tossed you in Africa hoping you’d land in South Africa but you look in the sky and it is a green-white-green.You go to the mirror and a square-in-a-round-hole stares back at you. You’re an anomaly, your very existence is an abomination.
With the passing of Nigeria's anti-gay bill into law, Martin Chinagorom was inspired to write this piece and in his words: “My writing is not gay activism. I write so that people may know that life is hard for these guys already. The best we can do for them is a little tolerance. With the bill and all that has happened thereafter there’s close to an anarchy in this community and as a nation we have enough demons already that we do not wish to add this the list.”
Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
When you’re gay in Nigeria,your whole life is one collosal creationary displacement. You should have been born in Europe or some place in America, not here. Maybe He’d tossed you in Africa hoping you’d land in South Africa but you look in the sky and it is a green-white-green.You go to the mirror and a square-in-a-round-hole stares back at you. You’re an anomaly, your very existence is an abomination.
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Where’s the Youth to Facilitate Change Like 70s Youngsters did?
By Cyril Skosana
@McCyrus_Skosana
@McCyrus_Skosana
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| Photo:dumirocks.wordpress.com |
The youth of South Africa played a colossal role in the course of the struggle, scrapping face to face against the apartheid regime that kept the black race and its youth subdued for an extensive and utmost regrettable period. As documented in historical books, music, documentaries and films; it is unmistakable to say that the youth deserve extended credit for a democratic country we inhabit.
The role played by those who took the forefront in fighting against a system that sought to oppress the black race is of much significance. We could use it today, don’t you think? Here’s the pickle, there’s always a consequential pressure that naturally emanates from winning a battle. If you win, you need to keep your guards up to hold on to your throne. As you would expect, a loser will not by any chance rest after suffering loss. A good way to celebrate victory –according to my insignificant opinion, is protecting your position in any undertakings you may face. That being said, I have no doubt whatsoever for believing that our heroes stand weeping as they gaze at us from the heavens –if they do exist.
The role played by those who took the forefront in fighting against a system that sought to oppress the black race is of much significance. We could use it today, don’t you think? Here’s the pickle, there’s always a consequential pressure that naturally emanates from winning a battle. If you win, you need to keep your guards up to hold on to your throne. As you would expect, a loser will not by any chance rest after suffering loss. A good way to celebrate victory –according to my insignificant opinion, is protecting your position in any undertakings you may face. That being said, I have no doubt whatsoever for believing that our heroes stand weeping as they gaze at us from the heavens –if they do exist.
Insta-ville: the home of the fabulous
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| Photo:blog.instagram.com |
@MsRaborife
So I recently visited the photo-sharing site known as Instagram to check out a few pics posted by a friend. For those who do not keep up with changing trends, Instagram is an online photo-sharing, video-sharing and social networking service that allows its users to take photos, images and videos, then apply digital filters to them and share them on this application and other social networking sites.
While I was visiting Instagram, I saw handles of some other people I knew, so I decided to see what they were sharing too.
At the end of my Insta-browsing (because Insta is now a prefix right?) I was left depressed and felt like I had shrunk to a the size of a cube of sugar. These people live such glamorous lives! Well that's what their profiles tells me. The lighting and photo-shopping extras help too.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Joburg Doesn't Accomodate Pedestrians as it Should
Siphumelele Zondi
@SZondi
I never
thought I worried about livable spaces until I returned to Johannesburg from my
studies in the United Kingdom. On return to Johannesburg, I decided to leave my
car at home on several occasions, I would walk in the suburbs to catch minibus
taxis and from time to time walk around the city centre as well.
@SZondi
I realised
that in 2013, Johannesburg still doesn’t have pavements in many areas. This is
clear mostly when I jog as I would have to figure out how to avoid cars in
certain places in the suburbs. What I am happy about is that there are more and
more people who decide to leave their homes and walk around the burbs. I hadn’t
quite realised this about this city as I, like many Joburgers, would hop into
my car to drive to malls and friends’ houses.
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