Emfuleni Local Municipality - Street Parade 2012

Jazz by the river - 2012

The annual Vaal River Carnival brought Jazz by the river back to the area after a lengthy absence which had deprived lover’s joy. The event which is hosted by T-Musicman was held at Dickenson Park, Vereeniging. The venue which is still under renovation failed to draw an expected crowd that was anticipated mainly because of lack of awareness but personally I believe the line-up was just plain dud. Major acts that took to the stage included Selaelo Selota, who had fans eating out of his palm hand but it was little too late as majority of revelers had left as he was saved for the last. Gerald Albright and Andy Narell gave a sterling performance pity the same couldn’t be said about Kabomo. Wanda Baloyi and Lindiwe Maxolo proved just how much of an influence women can have as everyone was seen enjoying and singing along to their music - way to go sista’s.

Miss Emfuleni - Beauty in the eye of the beholder

A night of glamour in crowning of a princess ended with a bang when 19-year old Tsholofelo Motaung was crowned Miss Emfuleni 2012/3. The Miss Emfuleni which falls under the Vaal River Carnival’s Calendar took place at Vereeniging Civic Theatre. Fans, family and friends came in their numbers to support the hopefuls. The event which was emceed by the sassy television personality Boitumelo “Boity” Thulo who kept fumbling with pronunciation and struggling to be in tune with her script(I couldn’t help but hear one ELM official complaining and mentioning refund, kwaaaak) Nonetheless, music of Tuks Senganga, Sean Pages, Edine and many others was too much to resist which saw Madam Mayor Greta Hlongwane together with her MMC Shaka Radebe strut their stuff dancing the night away. Tsholo scooped the ‘best model’ and for her hard work she was showered with courtesy car, bursary, and laptop as prizes. Runners-up Hope Phati and Lerato Tsosane (who walked away with Miss Confidence on the night) were crowned 1st and 2nd Princesses respectively. CONGRATULATIONS to all the girls...

The Print and Digital Media Transformation Task Team (PDMTTT) launched...

The Print and Digital Media Transformation Team (PDMTTT) was launched in Johannesburg today following its first meeting held on Tuesday September 25. The PDMTTT was initiated by the Print and Digital Media SA (PDMSA), formerly PMSA, which is a body of print and digital media owners. The PDMTTT is a result of longstanding debates and calls within the broader society and Parliament for transformation of this sector of the SA media landscape. From the Human Right Commission investigation into racism in the media, to the recent interactions between Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications, the accusation against print media in particular was that it was untransformed, did not reflect the diversity of SA voices, especially the rural and the poor, and was white-dominated both in ownership and issues covered. Further accusations have been of cartel-like behaviour where emergent community and small privately owned media were smothered through a variety of anti-competitive behaviour. In recognition of this, and in line with the national priorities of transformation, Print and Digital Media SA, formerly Print Media SA, have gathered together this task team of independent experts. The team will take submissions from industry players and identified stakeholders and then produce a report which will form the blueprint for transformation of print and digital media in the country. The mandate of the PDMTTT is defined as: To assist the industry to develop a common vision and strategy for transformation. The first objective of the PDMTTT is to research, study and make findings on transformation of all areas of print and digital media, for mainstream and community media. The second objective of the PDMTTT is to recommend areas of transformation, methodology of implementing transformation, targets and the mechanism to monitor and enforce transformation. The PDMTTT Terms of Reference note that the media previously played a key role in both propping up the apartheid regime and in fighting it. As part of a new society, it must be proactive in redressing the imbalances of the past, while still ensuring its independence and being proactive in its vital role of promoting democracy. Thus, efforts to transform the South African society have to include transformation of the media in all its facets. The mandate of the PDMTTT is therefore to research the issues of transformation, and make recommendation, and make recommendations to PDMSA about how to implement transformation and the mechanism to effect such transformation. This will be addressed through both quantitative and qualitative indicators such as: • Ownership • Management, control and employment equity • Skills development • Preferential procurement and enterprise development • Socio-economic development • The low levels of blacks ownership within many large media groups • The extent to which concentration and market power results in anti-competitive behaviour that blocks new entrants • The need to develop new media products for regions and communities as well as the languages of those publications • Diversity of voices The Task Team intends to call all industry players as well as identified stakeholders to make inputs about all these issues in order to assist it with its work. The Scope of the PDMTTT’s work has been further defined as follows: The PDMTTT has a transparent mandate to research transformation and recommend the best practise for SA and how this should be implemented, monitored and enforced. Its mandate is specific to the print and digital media and, but reference may be made to electronic and broadcast media, if and when relevant. It will look at the indicators mentioned above across all areas of the industry, including advertising, printing and distribution. This will be in relation to newspapers, magazines and digital, for mainstream, and community publishing. It will define transformation and set thresholds and benchmarks for transformation with regard to staffing, turnover, enterprise development and areas of focus for these. It will determine whether such benchmarks should be lower or higher than the generic codes benchmarks. The task team members are: • Nkwenkwe Nkomo – Chairperson and expert on Advertising • Neo Bodibe – Spokesperson and expert on Competition policy • Anastacia Martin – Representing member of Digital media • Jan Malherbe – Management, Printing and Distribution • Nomvuyiso Batyi – Lawyer and expert on Telecoms and Broadcasting policy • Duma Gqubule – Expert on Economic Transformation and BEE • Nixon Kariithi – Academic and expert on Media Economics Mathata Tsedu, who heads the secretariat and is the Project Director of the PDMTTT said, “As a team, we realise that the issue of transformation of the media was first tackled formally since the advent of democracy, when the Human Rights Commission held its hearings into racism in the media in 1998. The issues raised in their report will need to be revisited by us. Admittedly, there has been important progress in some areas, such as senior appointments of editorial staff, but the perception out there is still that the print media had still not transformed on all levels. What this team needs to do, therefore, is to get the print industry to a point where transformation is accepted as being done. The print and digital media have to do everything possible to show us South Africans that they are part of where we are going as a country – we need a media that is truly South African.”

Abandoned community in the township

Eighteen years into democracy one would expect a decent lifestyle for a normal citizen but this seems to be a promise that is constantly being made and never kept by those who hold power. In the outskirts of Soweto just a stone throw from Eldorado Park down in Union Road lie a concealed village. Devland squatter camp is a home to most people who originate from neighbouring country such as Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Bua Soweto News visited the area and were met with shattering scenes of people still living in wet land since they squatter themselves in 1998. The living conditions are not pleasing let and healthy for a human-being and up until now they have yet to see any developmental changes. These destitute residents utilise dirty water from the well to drink, bath and do laundry as they have no other alternative. To make ends meet they rely on recycling cans, papers, bottles and tins, for each and every day they keep themselves busy by collecting recycling material from nearby townships. Moena Phollo says that the water help them to do washing and also to prepare meals, we drink water because we don‘t have pipes in our area, as you can see that we are living on our own land. “We have been staying in this place for quite some-time, the government once came for inspection, saw our dire living condition then made promises which till now are yet to be fulfilled” The Joburg City Council responded as follows •Do the department know of their existence? If so, were there any visits to the place? And who owns the land they live in? Answer: The City of Johannesburg's Displaced Unit is aware of the people in the area you mention in your enquiry. Field worker from this unit have on numerous occasions visited the area. The place in question is a landfill site. The people referred to have been drawn into the place by recycling activities. •What has the department done to remedy the situation? Answer: The social workers visit the area regularly. The key person in the area is a Mr Alfred who is also a gatekeeper in this community and is familiar with the efforts of the Displaced Persons Unit. The majority of them are undocumented migrants from Lesotho, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The main concern has been around the children, where the unit has been trying to facilitate schooling, but the parents have not been cooperative. The Department has made the community aware of the services offered by the City and tried to engage especially women to be relocated, however this has not been successful. •What kind of help(if any) will the department offer to those people? Answer: The social workers continue to be available to assist the residents and providing information on services offered by the City and other spheres of government. An exercise to profile the residents has been undertaken and some of the inhibiting factors for people to accept the options offered has been fear of deportation and that of separation from their children and partners.

Don't just do what you're asked, do more!

A mayoral spousal programme themed Love Jozi Generation under the tagline “Don’t just do what you are asked, do more” was launched recently at Jabulani Theatre. It is deemed as an opportunity to establish programmes that are of a good cause to complement the work that the municipality is doing towards the livelihood of the citizens of the City. The focus area of the programme includes education for youth and child development, support and integration of burn survivors, addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children and women empowerment. Love Jozi Generation, Burn Survivors, Orphans, Women Networking and Sport & Recreation for Social Change are some of the projects identified that make up the mayoral spousal programme. Poet and Political Activist Keorapetse Kgositsile fondly known as “Bra Willy” who graced the event with his presence said “during this women’s month we celebrate heroism and sacrifices by our women to bring about social and economic transformation. Women continue to be burdened by challenges therefore our goals and mission will not be accomplished if the emancipation of women is not achieved. The increase in number of women in government symbolises their strength however we admit that this is not enough. There is a need to be able to develop initiatives that are developmental. Quality education and health is of necessity and the impact of this initiative should be felt in the community. “When we started the programme it was known as Thandi Klaasen Foundation and we would love her to be the patron. As it stand we have a leadership development programme with schools where kids are nurtured, we all know how cruel children are to each otherhence we will be hosting workshops where we envisaged to work with the family. We wouldn’t want kids to feel that the world owe them, we aim to instil the mentality to our kids that “You are in this situation because god has a purpose for you”. Life is about the choices we make, and that it shoots you at a point blank range.We are grateful for the support we have been getting from all those who are involved and we call upon others to come on-board and aid us” said Pilisiwe Twala-Tau.

A better life for child headed home

It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child and that no-one can be deemed an orphan while elders in the community exists. Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM) took it up-on themselves to live up to expectation when they took a stand by handing over a house to a child headed family on Mandela day.

Selwane Leburu passed away over a decade ago and in 2010 the father also passed on.
Leburu's family which lived in a shack in Evaton was discovered after the parents passed away and the children were left in vulnerable, destitute and very unhealthy conditions.

The SDM requested the MEC for Gauteng Department of Local Government and Housing to assist in addressing this matter and do whatever it takes to provide these children with a better place to live.

SDM Executive Mayor, Cllr. Mahole Mofokeng in his speech on Mandela day last year he said "Taking into account the condition under which these children live, we have decided that an alternative accommodation be arranged for them. When dealing with this kind of case as a government we must always adhere to existing normal procedures and processes on service delivery. It will always be advisable not to create precedence which will in the long run compromise the good intention of providing human settlement equally deserving citizens of South Africa."

Meanwhile a networking session where good work done by community members was acknowledged which took place at the Emerald Casino and Resort. Masoheng Old Age Home was one of the recipients where partners were lobbied to commit financially and probably assist the centres further.

Make everyday a Mandela day

On a day that South Africa’s icon Nelson turned 94, one elder felt how it is like to be remembered and loved. Emfuleni Local Municipality answered a call to do something positive for the less destitute, when they painted her house as well as donating food.

108-year-old Lettia Mthimkhulu who received an RDP house in Tshepiso North Extension 1, Sharpeville from the municipality last year; after her plea in the media to own a house before she dies couldn’t contain her excitement when she received a visit from the first lady.

ELM, Executive Mayor, Cllr. Greta Hlongwane took some time to dedicate her 67 minutes together with her staff in bettering the lives of those who are in need.
In her speech last year when she handed gogo the keys to her house, the mayor said “This is an unfortunate incident where we had to learn about gogo’s plight through the media; we have councillors and would like the community to liaise with them should something of this nature occur. An audit will be conducted to find out how many others can receive help, complete and empty houses will be allocated to the elderly and we acknowledge that this cannot be done in 67 minutes. It is our mission to eradicate shacks but make no mistake as these houses are not for family and friends. We also won’t tolerate people flocking into our area in a sense that they will get houses”.

On this day Eskom workers were visible in the area as they were busy installing electricity and soon “darkness” in this place will be the thing of the past.

Happy birthday Madiba so sang the world and it was jubilation across the Emfuleni region as the world icon was celebrated, and for one destitute grandfather, a ray of hope shone on him. Faith Gospel Ministries under the leadership of Bishop Vuyisile Ndlebende donated over a hundred blankets to keep the cold at bay to the destitute elderly people and further furnished his house.

However all this will be in vain as the old man has been deprived of enjoying his ageing for quite some time. Johannes Mokoena who is believed to be eighty-three years, suffers from a hearing problem and has been living alone at a dilapidated house without electricity, the only relatives he has are said to be living in a dump and come home seldom. To make matters worse, he has no identity document. On that day elderly citizens converged at his home in Zone 7 to spend their sixty seven minutes with him.

One volunteer said “we have been sent from pillar to post by the authorities as they have done little to remedy the situation. It takes a week if not a month for Illegal immigrants to get legal documents yet an old man who has been in the country for over three decade is struggling”.

A frail-looking Mokoena pleaded “All I ask is a chance to be granted an identity document which I believe I am entitled to, so that, I too, can live like other elders. How long must I suffer?” he asked.

#No response was forthcoming at time of going to blog from the authorities.

Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Cares

Music is a soothing sound to one’s soul and this is irrespective of age, ethnic, nationality or gender. A fantasy was realised when Standard Bank Joy of Jazz in association with Emfuleni Local Municipality and Gauteng Tourism hosted a community outreach programme.

The programme which was held at the Vaal Showgrounds aimed at giving audiences who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to experience top musical events, an estimated 350 pensioners, partially-abled were selected from all regions of Gauteng.
Loveman Jongola, a Care-giver at Vukuzenzele Old Age Home couldn’t contain his excitement about the event, “I am so happy to be here today together with the pensioners. At least this event will take their minds off the struggle they encounter especially their illness, it is a great feeling to see them smiling and dancing to the music. I so wish this could be continuous as it had a significant impact on us” he said.

“I always believe the moment one does a show he is giving back to the community and that people are entitled to being entertained. With this programme we have received positive feedback as we work with communities and municipalities as well. I derive my inspiration from the fact that I am passionate about what I do hence there are those who are emulating me, said the legendary Peter Tladi, founder of T-Musicman and Executive Producer of Standard Bank Joy of Jazz.

Meanwhile jazz lovers in the region can brace themselves to know that the renowned annual “Jazz by the River” is back and the line-up will include international artists whom Tladi blatantly refused to divulge their names.

Cherish the little that you have

There was jubilation in the dusty streets of Orange Farm Extension 10 on Friday as the community attended a ceremony to hand over 25 new houses. In a bid to mark Nelson Mandela month, 14 businesses came together to build houses for the community.
Human settlements minister Tokyo Sexwale and the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory joined non-profit organisation Habitat for Humanity steered the project.

Sexwale praised the initiative, saying it emphasised the vision of former president Nelson Mandela. “Doing this in the spirit of Madiba truly makes me proud,” he said. Sexwale also spoke out about corrupt government housing officials. “Let’s condemn any government people who steal people’s money, away with corruption”.

He also had a message for the 25 new home owners. “People sacrificed themselves to give you these homes. Take care of them. Do not sell them,” Sexwale said.
One new home owner, Alina Mokoena, a street vendor and mother of two, was overjoyed when she received the keys to her new home. “I am surprised, so happy; I can’t believe this is happening to me,” she said.

The 14 companies brought in their employees to contribute to the initiative. Habitat for Humanity spokesperson, Adrianne Burke, said this was just one of her organisation’s many projects aimed at bettering the country. “We intend to build 67 houses in each of the provinces by next year. We continue to call on South Africans to support us,”

The (ware)house is on fire

An ordinary morning turned into a rush of a heart beat for workers and by-passers when a building caught fire on Thursday. Pelican building situated in Orlando West, Soweto is a run-down warehouse which house mechanic workshop.

The building caught fore unexpectedly sending workers into frenzy. The police responded abruptly and within minutes were joined by the fire brigades.

Teboho Phadi a worker at the building said “I was on my way from a nightshift when I decided to pass-by at a friend’s place, on my return I noticed smoke coming out of the building and alerted my colleagues who were fast asleep. As the door was locked we had to use spanner to gain entry, I believe the pile-up of plugs resulted in the fire”.

An estimated cost in damage is believed to be around R10 000 and no casualties were reported.

Will the real man stand-up

What does it mean to be a man… this is a question that was posed at a men’s forum held recently at the Orlando Police Station. Sonke Gender Justice under their programme Brother for life led the proceedings which included the men in blue. A host of matters affecting men which are not talked about as they are considered a taboo were discussed, and this seemed to have a positive feedback judging by the attendee’s response.

“A leader, protector and pillar are some of the words that define a man, and we are made to believe that men are not supposed to show emotions as this is seen as a sign of weakness. The reality is that we are human, take a second and ask yourself why there are an escalating number of suicides by cops; we die unnecessary because we bottle things up and for each and every time they report for duty they are dealing with the prospect of death. It is a necessity to find someone whom you can confide in” said Mbuyiselo Botha.

Captain Joseph Mpuru said “We appreciate this initiative as it was a first of its kind at our station but we deeply need to look at the real course of people (in
this stance police) acting in this manner. We are slowly but surely deviating from our roots and have adopted the western culture hence we don’t know how to deal with matters affecting us let alone following the proper channel.

Declaration and Programme of Action of the National Social Cohesion and Nation Building Summit held at Kliptown, Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication, 4-5 July

Preamble

At this Summit we are reminded of the symbolism of our National Coat of Arms and the Flag:

“It is both South African and African, it is both African and Universal. It serves to invoke our distant past, our living present and our future as it unfolds before us. It represents the permanent yet evolving identity of the South African people as it shapes itself through time and space. Through this new Coat of Arms we pay homage to our past. We seek to embrace the indigenous belief systems of our people, by demonstrating our respect for the relationship between people and nature, which for millions of years have been fundamental to our self-understanding of our African condition”.

Declaration

We, representatives from all sectors of our society, gathered at the Walter Sisulu square of dedication, Kliptown, Soweto, on 4 and 5 July 2012 to participate in the National Summit on Social Cohesion and Nation Building, under the theme “Working together to create a Caring and Proud society.”

We came here representing the diversity of our nation, black and white, women and men, rich and poor, young and old, urban and rural, speaking different languages, with a diversity of beliefs, coming from many different places, seeking to fulfil the injunction of our Constitution “diverse people’s unite.”

We came together to renew our commitment, mobilise and unify society in our on-going national movement of healing the divisions of our painful past and establishing a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights.

Informed by the deliberation of the Summit and inspired by our forebears, who assembled at this Freedom Square 57 years ago to adopt the Freedom Charter, we hereby declare:


1. That our discussions were informed by our common commitment to the injunction in the Constitution of the Republic South Africa, adopted in 1996, that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it, both black and white, united in our diversity.”

2. That South Africa is a unitary and sovereign state based on democracy, the rule of law, pursuit of equal human rights, non-racialism, non-sexism and the equality of all persons.

3. That our past was based on racial and ethnic divisions devised to systematically exclude the majority of South Africans from full and unhindered participation in all aspects of national life and left deep and persistent social, cultural and economic divisions and inequalities in society.

4. That advances have been made to entrench and consolidate human rights and restore the human dignity of all South Africans.

5. That the task of uniting diverse peoples to work together to build a caring and proud society is complex and challenging:
Slow economic growth and transformation result in wide-spread unemployment, poverty and inequality and exclusion based on race, age and gender.
Landlessness and homelessness among many South Africans and the persistence of apartheid spatial divisions, perpetuate patterns of disproportionate land-ownership and segregation.
The burden of disease in particular HIV/Aids and tuberculosis exacts a heavy toll on communities and society at large.
Uneven access to quality education and training which deprives young people the knowledge and skills needed for social and economic development.
High levels of crime, the abuse of the elderly, women and children, affect communities and threaten safety and security.
Gender inequalities in households, the workplace and society hinder the advancement of women and gender mainstreaming.
Racism and xenophobia perpetuates divisions and conflict in communities.
Service delivery failures in local communities lead to social instability, disintegration and conflict.
Perceived and actual corruption in the public and private sectors erode confidence and trust.
This summit recognises that social cohesion depends to a large measure on our ability, as society, to address these challenges. On the other hand, we need as society to cohere around a vision of a better South Africa, the attainment of which would not be possible if we do not work together. Consequently to effectively address these challenges, we the delegates resolve:
To mobilise society in its entirety to work together to build a caring and proud society based on shared values and a vision informed by the following principles:
Constitutional democracy
Ubuntu
Human rights and equality
Non-racialism, non-tribalism and non-sexism
Inclusivity and social justice
Redress and transformation
Intercultural and community cooperation
Social solidarity
Empowered, fair, inclusive and active citizenship
Civic responsibility
Unity in diversity
National consciousness and identity.

2. To work towards the implementation of the recommendations of the 2030 National Development Plan as a long term vision which should serve as a basis for partnerships across society to attain the South Africa of our dreams, eloquently articulated in the constitution.

3. To ensure that social cohesion and nation building underpins all national, provincial and local government strategic priorities, inclusive of integrated economic and social development, education, health, human settlement, land and rural development, safety and security, immigration policies and programmes, arts, culture, language and heritage development and preservation, technological innovation, research and development.

4. To promote and preserve all indigenous cultures and knowledge.

5 To accelerate change in improving the quality of life of all people, with special attention to the needs of the youth, women and people with disability.

6. That the state must continue to build capacity to drive the socio economic agenda in the country, including absorbing young people and women into economic activity, employing professionals, investing in skills required by the economy, and investing in research and development to respond to the demands of the knowledge economy

7. To continue to fight any forms of discriminations, which are threats to social cohesion and nation building.

8. To respect human dignity and equality; promote freedom, the rule of Law and Democracy; improve material well-being and economic justice; enhance sound family and community values; uphold honest, integrity and loyalty; ensure harmony in culture, belief and conscience; show respect and concern for all people; strive for justice, fairness and peaceful co-existence; and protect the environment as contained in the Charter of Positive Values adopted by the Moral Regeneration Movement in 2008.

9. To expand existing national, heritage and other honours and awards to recognise individuals, organisations and communities who have contributed significantly to social cohesion and nation building.

10. To develop a Nation-Building Project Management Manual and Toolkit for application by practitioners at all levels and to convene social cohesion and nation building summits at provincial, local and community level within the next twelve months.

11. To convene a National Social Cohesion Report Back and Monitoring Summit in 2014, as we celebrate 20 years of our freedom and democracy, and thereafter at five year intervals, to report on progress.

12. To develop a detailed plan arising from the proposals made during this summit, to be presented to the President and Cabinet on our behalf, by a group of eminent South Africans.

In pursuit of these objectives, we wish to commit ourselves, and all sectors of society represented at this summit, to work together to realise the ideals enshrined in our constitution, and to assert that each of our organisations and institutions will strive to contribute all we can to realise our common national objective to attain a decent and improving quality for all, in a society united in its diversity.

We depart from this historic venue united in our commitment to building a nation that is caring, dignified and with a great sense of humility and mutual respect for one another.

Conclusion

As set out in the 1994 Reconstruction and Development Programme:

No political democracy can survive and flourish if the mass of our people remain in poverty, without land, without tangible prospects for a better life. Attacking poverty and deprivation must therefore be the first priority of a democratic government.

As representatives from all walks of society we are determined to fulfil the vision of the 2030 National Development Plan:

We have created a home where everybody feels free yet bounded to others; where everyone embraces their full potential. We are proud to be a community that cares.

SOURCE: www.dac.gov.za

Social Cohesion Summit

The Social Cohesion Summit took place recently at the Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, Soweto. Among those who attended includes the cabinet, delegates, political and traditional leaders from all sphere of the society.

The summit which was themed “Working together to create a caring and proud society” proved just how much (or little) the country has done in building a socially inclusive society.

United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa said “The government must build an economy that will deal with xenophobia, lawlessness and many others. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is stagnant as a result of corruption in the government, without ownership of land our people are unable to participate in the economy” he further blasted the National economic development and labour council (Nedlac) for failing the nation.

Dehumanisation of Africans will ever be erased, hence social cohesion is a matter where one can’t go through then come out and still be the same. South Africa needs to develop a sense of belonging and promote respect among itself. Social cohesion is not something that the government can impose, we can build a good community only if we work together and that can be possible when there is a balance of rights and responsibilities.

“With the kind of freedom that we have today, what has our government done when it comes to social cohesion, to what extend would the minority go in order to be recognised and be given a piece of cake which they are entitled to. Freedom should lead its citizens to rediscover themselves, explained African People’s Convention (APC) Themba Godi.

WHAT IS SOCIAL COHESION?
Social Cohesion is how we as South Africans, unite and work towards a common goal – it comes down to recognising our common humanity in meaningful ways which involve meeting basic human needs, amongst them decent shelter, food, meaningful work, tolerance, respect, family and friendship.

The social cohesion campaign is called South African at Heart: a national dialogue is kick-started on values that are important and ways we can build social cohesion and nation pride. Diversity, inclusivity, values, and access are four pillars which are built on the Constitution, which guarantees rights to every South African citizen as well as to foreigners.

We are a diverse country, but we also have a shared heritage and values. Our diversity makes us rich; our commonalities make us strong.

ADDITIONAL SOURCE: www.dac.gov.za

Whack screen writers...

Lately I have been abundant with whack production from scriptwriters who either don’t do research or plainly just don’t have an idea of what they’re doing. This irks me and unfortunately it won’t help making noise about it, miskien I should polish my scripts and pitch for better screenplay.

22 Bullets/L’Immortel - Starring Jean Reno, a former mafia. After dropping his kid off and driving into an underground parking lot, twenty-two bullets pumped into his body after deciding to quit the gang, that is not a child’s play and don’t believe the hype (not even 50cent). There and then he was out of a coma and raring for revenge, walking with an aid of a stick. From the first shot it is clear how severe it was going through his right side of the face, on the cheek to be precise. Here’s the drill…the least they could have done, install wires and bolts around his jaws to support the mouth and spend some time on the wheelchair (to make believe). Much as the right hand was now malfunctioning after the incident but revenge while sitting (on a wheelchair) would have been marvellous.

Daylight Robbery – a film shot in the UK, actors in an-England accent reminded me of Paul Ince as an analyst for public broadcaster during the 2010 SWC. From their preparation for the stick-up, one could see these were below average robbers, not the kind to convince me to open the safe even if they had a bomb in their possession. First act, reversing the panel van into the bank and one of their accomplices fell out of the window (emergency exit) as it crashes, despite the alarm going off immediately it took a staggering 20-30minutes for police to respond (did I hear you say it’s a norm in our country). As if that was not enough there were dumb FBI-lookalike members who couldn’t negotiate for the release of customers held hostage, by the time they made their forceful entry into the bank the robbers had long gone and boarded a plane out of the country.

Coming back home we have not been spared either. It baffles me as to where are film and television students/graduates from AFDA, Citi Varsity, Boston Media House, ML Sultan Teknikon, Monash, Wits, Big Fish and Nemisa to name a few. Would it hurt for the major players in these field to enlist their services whether be drama, movie or reality shows instead of trash we are been fed by production houses who don’t subscribe to originality but make a local version of overseas “boring” productions.

The free to air channel which promised to bring a breath of fresh has failed
dismally too as they are now the home of “repeats”. The so-called “Ekasi stories” series has lost its plot – it’s awesome that they are open for proposal submission but really now some of the local content screened leaves a lot to be desired.

Sebokeng came to a standstill when masses gathered at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Complex in Zone 14 for the memorial service of the victims of a tragedy bus accident that took place in Meyerton recently.

In attendance were officials from Putco, government, Sedibeng District, Emfuleni Local, Lesedi municipalities, local church members, musicians, as well as family members and friends of the victims.

Speaking at a mass memorial service deputy transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said “There was nothing normal about 14 000 people dying in South Africa road accidents every year, we must join hands and wage a fierce offensive against road carnage, as each one of us has a responsibility to ensure that our roads are safe,”.
Chikunga said the government was responsible for necessary legislation to ensure safety on our roads. “However, we will not succeed if we do not get the buy-in and support of members of the public.”

A Putco bus driver lost control of his vehicle on the R59 outside Meyerton, last month. It crashed through a bridge railing and fell 10 metres to the ground, landing on its side. Fifty-five people were injured, three of them critical. The driver was among those killed together with 19 passengers, the last victim died on the eve of the memorial service.

The bus was reportedly among eight Putco buses taken off the road after it failed a roadworthy test at the Meyerton testing station. After conflicting roadworthy test outcomes were released by the Sedibeng District Municipality, Putco promised to ‘scrupulously’ investigate reports that the bus was unroadworthy. A preliminary investigation showed the bus failed one roadworthiness test, but passed another at sport complex.

A lot of questions have been asked about the road worthiness of the ill-fated bus.
The Gauteng Legislature Roads and Transport Portfolio Committee Chair Nomantu Ralehoko has also raised concern about Putco buses road-worthiness. “Commuters were telling us that most of the Putco buses are not road worthy. They were saying it’s a pity that we never get to ride in those buses, they also showed us pictures that show the buses are not road worthy,” said Ralehoko.

Boipatong monument constructors up in arms

The construction workers at the newly built monument in Boipatong, in the Vaal are up in arms with the main constructor after they were not paid their monthly salary since they started working in the beginning of the year.

A fuming sub-contractor Mpho Mmusi, told the executive mayors of Emfuleni Local Municipality, Greta Nomadlozi Hlongwane and her counter-part Sedibeng District Municipality, Simon Mahole Mofokeng that if they don’t get their money they will drop the tools and asked them to intervene.

This took place when both mayors and their entourage paid the Boipatong monument site a visit in full view of the victims’ families, community and media.
“We urge you as the sub-constructors to intervene because since we have started working here we haven’t got a single penny. Even now the engineers are no longer coming here because of being unpaid” said Mmusi.

It is believed the monument cost thirty two point seven million rands.
The monument is been erected after nineteen years where about forty-five people were gunned down and injured when Inkatha Freedom Party members and apartheid force members attacked the community on June 17th 1992. This follows after political parties taking part in pre democracy negotiations with the National Party government called for suspension, citing complicity in the attacks.

During the attacks Boipatong was ten years old.

According to him since the beginning of the construction of the monument they have been building it from their own pockets. He claimed that they are even afraid to walk in the streets because they owe people money.

“We have spent eight million rands from the money that we borrowed from people and banking institutions. As people of Boipatong we are proud of this monument and even the workers work as volunteers because they hope that someday they will get something. We don’t have money to continue the building of the monument, as we speak the roof is pending” added Mmusi.

Mofokeng promised ‘this matter’ will be attended to before Wednesday.

Game Vaal Mall just doesn’t give a fart…

Shopping is supposed to be fun and stress-free, you can imagine the kind of feeling I had when I endured it recently and by the end of the day I was so exhausted like a person who had done so for the whole day. For some time now I had been monitoring this latest tech-gadget with a roving eye and when it landed on my path I didn’t hesitate but decided to put my money where my heart was. It never crossed my mind though that purchasing a mere gadget would take over two hours at such a reputable chain-store. On my entry to the store I went straight to the section or unit (as they call it) as I knew what I was looking for and where to find it, to my surprise it was not on display despite being advertised in their leaflet for the second week in succession. When I enquired from Nataniel Mtimkulu (one of the staff) he gave me a lame excuse, “see we were supposed to have received the stock two months ago and by far we are awaiting forty-two products as we already have more than ten customers who placed orders and soon as they’re available they would be notified, this could take a day or two”. This was too good to be true but enough to convince me to follow suit, I mean I could have opted for another model but my heart and soul was on this one and waiting for an extra day wouldn’t hurt I guess. We agreed that I would go run some errands then come back to conclude the deal. On my return I approached Simon Tsoela (the salesperson) whom I was referred to, “hi, someone said you will assist me” I said “what, who is that?” He asked with aggression. Aren’t these people hired and getting paid to help customers? After relating my plea, he took a piece of blank paper and requested I jot down my details, geez where will that note end-up? In the trash I believe. I blatantly refused and demanded he take me serious, he then asked I be patient as he was helping one customer and left me wandering. Prior to my journey to the store I had sent an email to their head office and enquired about the product availability. While I was left there to browse at the goods for the umpteenth time I decided to check my inbox and there was a response from Karin Henning (store manager) confirming the availability of the gadget in question. I approached one staff member to lead me to her office but instead diverted me to the “Information Centre” where the salesperson I had been patiently waiting for was at doing absolutely nothing and met Peter Malema who was reluctant to let me go see the manager but at-least that fuelled some action. Malema and Tsoela ran around with the product’s barcode and as they tagged along like newly-weds to the storeroom to physical check for the product, while another manager took over the paper work and when we were done he instructed me to go pay at any of the tills and the closed I got was with a cashier named Nomasonto who gladly accepted my hard-earned cash and smacked me with a bomb-shell of a lousy response “you can go, they will deliver it to your home” she said. Wow I didn’t know such gadgets are now delivered and yet another ignorant staff who couldn’t even care less to check the type of products I was paying for let alone his colleague’s number (for commission which he is wrongly entitled to by far). I politely told her the goods is in stock and that I was waiting for it, guess what, much as the salesperson went away in order to search for my product he was nowhere to be found and had to be called. Bear in mind that by now I had overstayed my ‘welcome’ and was now resembling their goods, as I was ushered to the storeroom and waited further for the salesperson to get hold of the person with the keys, to my shock in a trolley packed with new stock there were more than ten products of the same kind still in their retail packaging, when I enquired why they are not on display since they’re available, was met with “It’s a lot of work unpacking and packing them again” response. Now you tell me what to make of that? Just when I thought I’ve had enough and was now finally on my way home the incompetent salesperson delayed me once more as he ran around looking for what heaven knows with my already paid gadget in his possession. I therefore instructed Xolisa Majeke (the store security) to open the product for me to double-check IF indeed it’s the right product as I didn’t get the privilege to do so and there he went tearing the box I mean really, now, how hard can it get?

Take Control – You are what you think (by Motsumi Mathe)

At a book launch which was exclusive as it was accessible per invite saw moi being fortunate to be one of those to graze it. The dooh which was held on the weekend at the lavish Riviera on Vaal Hotel and County Lodge didn’t disappoint. In a room full of strangers the only recognised faces for me were that of Sedibeng Executive Mayor Mahole Simon Mofokeng with her entourage and CAF Executive Member Molefi Oliphant. The book which consists of five chapters relate about-: How the mind works, the value of introspection, get up & do something, you have the key and the don’ts. It is not a novel (which you can read for your kids around a brazier as it was a norm back in the days) but a reference one can relate to on a daily basis. The book make for an interesting read in a fast-paced world where technology has taken over and reading or print is seemingly fading i must say you need not be a bookworm to go through a chapter or two. It is motivating and makes one to appreciate being alive irrespective of the circumstance they find themselves in. It was not surprising when an author whose book was also launched on the same night spitted fire about how his manuscript was rejected for the umpteenth time before it was published and the utterance by the Managing Director at Writes Associates Morakabe Seakhoa when reciting an incident which took place where a budding author wrote to a publisher and the response read like so “dear author, i am sitting in the loo while reading your book, note that when I’m done it will be behind me” was harsh but a reality. If you want to learn about how to set goals and go after them, coming to understand the importance of resilience and ability to accept change, move out of your comfort zone through adopting one of the creative approaches and how to align your actions and needs to achieve personal success then the book is a must-have as it gives you the ability to take charge of your mental, behavioural and emotional programming. In a nutshell, it enables you to ‘Take Control’ of your life. Below is a piece taken from the book and is badly written, it is said that should you be able to read it then you are a genius as your mind came to your rescue, you decide. EXTRACT FROM THE BOOK Aoccdrning to rscheearch at an Elingsh uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in what order the ltteers in a word are, only that the frist and lsat ltteres are at the rghit pcleas. The rset can be a total mses and you can still raed it wouthit a porbelm. This is bcuseae we do not raed ervey lteter by ilstef, but the word as a wlohe. The book is retailing at R100 at exclusive book stores nationwide

A light of dawn for the physically challenged

Lebohang Centre in Zone 10, Sebokeng met a messiah who showered them with manna from heaven recently. A major steel manufacturer Arcelor Mittal Foundation through its Minigrants Programme donated a sum of $3,800 to the centre for the building of carport in December 2011.

Ouma Tshabalala a resident who lives nearby and works at Mittal urged the centre to approach the company and request donation. It was the first time they heard of it and simultaneously applied. The carport was built during festive holidays and finished in February 2012.

Makgaola Mollo, Centre Manager said “Carport comes in handy for the kids health and exposure to sunlight, not only will the carpot help kids with shadow when playing especially in summer but events will be hosted under it (which curbed costs), it will also cater for feeding programme and accommodates twenty-eight (28) users for daily activities. It is an achievement for the centre as it has been the greatest structure to be erected this year.”

So… over the weekend President Jacob Zuma announced that Nelson Mandela’s face will feature on all South Africa’s bank notes to honour the former president’s role in fighting apartheid.

The announcement coincides with the 22nd anniversary of Mandela’s release from prison after serving 27 years in jail for his opposition to white-only rule. Whether you like him or despise him, the truth of the matter is that the man will now be in your pocket.

“Madiba will be on our money now, but have we honoured all the other heroes enough?” this is a question posed by The New Age on their social site and I felt compelled to take part and air my-views and my response read like so “I, acknowledge that Madiba is an icon who fought for freedom and deserves the accolades BUT was he alone? What about others, the Sobukwe, Hani, Dube, Biko, Slovo, Sisulu, Tambo, Suzman, Ngoyi, McCamel, Theresa, Mbatha the list is endless.”

Don’t get me wrong Madiba fought against white domination but what about others? No-one from the previous regime to the current and coming generations would claim not to know who he is but how many can say they know who you are talking about when you mention the above mentioned self-less leaders including the likes of Duma Nokwe and Moses Kotane, for instance goggle Levai Mbatha and see if you’ll find anything on him except the clinic named after him.

“It is a befitting tribute to a man who became a symbol of this country’s struggle for freedom, human rights and democracy, with this humble gesture, we are expressing our deep gratitude as the South African people, to a life spent in service of the people of this country and in the cause of humanity worldwide.” Zuma said.

SA Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus pointed out that the new notes would have enhanced security features that they would be easier to read by the blind or partially sighted people and would be machine readable. The new banknotes would have similar dimensions to the current notes. She pointed out that banknotes were only second in importance to a country's national flag.

News on Friday that Zuma would make an announcement of “national importance”, along with Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and Reserve Bank Governor Gill Marcus, spooked the market and sent the rand tumbling by 2.6% on the day. Marcus apologised for the confusion. The current banknotes that depict the big five wild animals would continue as legal tender until they have been replaced by the new design and the new notes featuring Mandela will be in circulation by the end of the year.

Mandela has not been seen in public since the closing ceremony of the Soccer World Cup in Johannesburg in July 2010.

ADDITIONAL SOURCE: Dispatch and Sowetan

It's happening on your soul connection

He is widely-known as a “man of god” and has went on claiming to perform miracles and healing people but on Monday evening the prophet who is named after a male organ revealed his side which left masses shocked, irritated and baying for his blood.

Paseka “Mboro” Motsoeneng arrived with his entourage at Thetha FM’s premises at Isikhumbuzo Secondary School in Orange Farm, extension 2 for his usual radio show but found doors locked and demanded explanation. Up-on not getting answers he was infuriated and retaliated by producing a pistol, blocked the entrance with his car and declared “war” to staff members as he hurled insults. Acting on Motsoeneng’s instructions his bodyguards manhandled a presenter and pointed firearms at two reporters from a national newspaper threatening to confiscate their equipment.

In a fit of rage the presenters stormed into the studio and interrupted normal programming by going on-air and informed the listeners about the mayhem; this angered them and within a blink of an eye community members graced the scene to witness the drama.

Motsoeneng is said to be bringing a lot of revenue to the station through his religious shows and as such has been treating presenters like dirt claiming to be the one who pays their salary and this didn’t go down well with the staff and last week was the last straw as the station’s breakfast show’ crew urged the management to attend to the matter; this come after the prophet harassed a sports presenter telling him that “he was playing sh@#t music during his time slot”.

“Judging by how things transpired on the day we have a reason to believe that one of our colleagues (name known to this blogger) tipped the prophet about our intention, because even his back-up didn’t take long to arrive” said a presenter.

Motsoeneng’s fleets of cars were damaged as community members punched the tyres and demanded Mboro be handed to them for a “respect lesson” they were willing to give to him for free however together with his bodyguards were rescued as they fled the scene in a police car.

In a meeting that convened between the station’s management, prophet and presenters where solution was to be sought it was agreed that the prophet should be released and never set his foot ever again at the station.

On arrival at the Orange Farm Police Station, Motsoeneng’s alias who was the presenter at the station was already there and took it upon him to address the concerned community members, it was through his conversation on the phone with Motsoeneng and negative comment about his (former) colleagues which saw community members taking matters into their hands but the police soon took control of the situation.

Meanwhile the cops disarmed Motsoeneng and his bodyguards and a case of malicious damage to property and pointing of firearms was laid.

The life and times of Jacob “Jake” Serame Hlanyane (21 December 1947 – 18 January 2012)

Jacob Hlanyane, one of the Delmas Trialist was buried on the 28th January 2012; COPE leader Mosioua Lekota who was one of the trialistist gave a speech two days before his burial at “Jake” memorial service. His family, friends, comrades and community gave him a sterling send-off. We take a closer look into his life and times.

It was in the trade union movement that Cde Serame Jacob “Jake” Hlanyane got his political baptism his life was never the same as politics defined and guided him until his untimely death. In 1983, armed with a deep understanding of the struggle waged by the people of South Africa against a repressive regime of Apartheid that Jake’s political activism came into the open in defence of his own right as a citizen and those of his neighbours and compatriots.

In October 1983 frustrated by a local authority system that did not deliver services to the residents, political activists and residents resolved to form a civic movement that would represent and fight for their interest. The Vaal Civic Association (VCA) was born.

The VCA was modelled in a manner that it would have its roots in the various townships and zones of the Vaal Triangle. Talking about its strategy at its launch, Dr Motlana hailed the strategy of the VCA and commented that it would come to be a very strong movement in time to come. Indeed, the VCA started to establish zonal and township committees formed by the citizens in those townships and zones. The purpose of these committees was to enable the VCA to be close to the people that the VCA Cde Jake was elected onto the Zone Three Committee and thus became one of its first leaders.

Soon after they were formed these committees started to organise the Anti-Election Campaign against the soon-to-be-introduced Black Local Authorities (BLA) local government system. Various meetings were held where residents were residents informed of the uselessness of the new system and why it had to be rejected. The VCA succeeded in mobilising the people against this farce and while the elections were held they were characterised by low numbers of residents at the pools and the system was introduced and forced onto the residents.

At the national level the masses were organising against the new Tricameral Parliament – in terms of which Coloureds and Indians were brought into separate Parliaments thus having a superior parliament for whites, and junior partners in the Coloured and Indian Parliaments. This ploy by the Apartheid Regime was meant to divide those who were opposed to it. In the same year, 1983, the United Democratic Front (UDF) was formed to oppose the implementation of the Tricameral Parliament

The UDF was a coalition of various civic, youth, women, students, and health workers – indeed people from all walks of life. The VCA affiliated to the UDF after it was formed thus forging a link between local struggles of bread-and-butter issues to the broader struggle of national liberation, freedom and democracy led by the then banned African National Congress (ANC).

The formation of the VCA became a catalyst to new other organisations, the Vaal Youth Congress (VAYCO) and the Vaal Organisation of Women (VOW) strengthened and reenergised other existing structures such as the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) and the Vaal Council of Churches (VCC), and the Trade Union movement in the area like MAWU and CCAWUSA and others.

By January 1984 the VCA was consolidating itself and investigating ways of how to introduce paid membership cards; how to raise funds and become sustainable and how to further empower its members through intensive and deepened political education so that they become truly informed servants of the people.

According to predictions of the time, the newly-elected Lekoa Town Council, with barely six months announced huge rent increases to be paid by residents. This announcement went squarely in the face of the residents protests of “Asinamali”. The VCA could not stand aside when this happens.

The Zonal and Township Committees began a series of meetings from August 1984 leading too September with the community and other structures in the Vaal to actively oppose this rent increase.

Cde Jake was part of the leadership that did community mobilisation for the 3 September 1984 VCA march. People marched from different places but Cde Hlanyane led the march from the Evaton Catholic Church in Small Farms to the Council offices at Houtkop to present a memorandum with the following demands,

• The reversal of the unilateral decision for rent increases,
• Resignation and dissolution of Lekoa Town Council and its councillors who were puppets of the apartheid system.
• The release of political prisoners and,
• The scrapping of the tricameral parliament, which excluded African communities from representation in the political decision making and running of the country.

The march on 3 September was successfully conducted by Hlanyane and his comrades as the leadership. Unfortunately, the march was intercepted by the police before it reached its destination and violence broke out in the Vaal and later in the whole county. From a simple township march around the rent increases and other legitimate demands Jake and his comrades in the VCA, the UDF and AZAPO and other organisations such as COSAS, VAYCO, VOW, some were arrested and later charged under of the then Internal Security Laws – notably Section 29 of the Internal Security provided for the detention of the people deemed to be suspects for a period of 180 days without trial and without being seen by the family and the public.

These comrades were kept in separate prisons from October 1984 until when the 22 detainees were formally charged with treason, murder and organising illegal gatherings. They only made their first court appearance on 11 June 1985.

While most of the accused came from the Vaal Triangle, the State could not risk holding the trial in the Vaal or Johannesburg, or even Krugersdorp as they feared that many people would attend the trial and support the accused. The trial was eventually held 70 kilometres from Johannesburg in Delmas. The trial came to be known as the ‘Delmas Treason Trial’ and at the end these leaders of VCA and UDF were found guilty as charged. In 1989 they lodged an appeal against the sentences with Supreme Court of Appeal; ultimately they were released from prison.

Cde Hlanyane served ANC under the leadership of the late Levai Mbatha as Branch Treasurer, later elected as an additional member in ward 40, Mvimbi Mashinini Branch. Other leadership roles include serving as SACP Greater Evaton Branch as the Secretary. In the year 2000, cde Hlanyane was deployed by ANC to be a Councillor in Ward 40, in addition he served in the following Council Committees: Land Tribunal, Whippery of which he served with humility and political distinction for 2 terms until 18 May 2011 Municipal Elections.

ADDITIONAL SOURCE: Emfuleni Local Municipality

MKMVA members picketing

Disgruntled members of the MKMVA (uMKhonto we Sizwe Military Veteran Association) staged a sit in and picketed outside the Sedibeng District Municipality’s offices in Vereeniging on Monday morning demanding Executive Mayor Simon Mahole Mofokeng explain their eviction from the RDP houses which they were allocated and later removed without an alternative residence.

Picketers were left with an egg on their faces when they were told that the mayor was in a meeting and couldn’t listen nor attend to their demands.

“We are not happy with how our government treat us and it is so sad to hear an official say they will give attention only to MKMVA, what about us as APLA? Didn’t we contribute equally for the country in our struggle for freedom? This goes to show that the ANC-led government don’t recognise the PAC” said Johannes Tolo, member of APLA.

Addressing them Sedibeng Municipality Chief Whip Christina Sale said “The matter is beyond our control hence the Housing MEC Humphrey Memezi will be here on Wednesday to attend to the matter.”

What lies ahead

Welcome to the year dubbed 20-wealth, don’t ask me why or who the pioneer is all I know is that we are living in a free country where you’ll never ran out of trends or creativity. I guess it’s never too late to pass on my compliments of the new season. I have been asked on one too many occasions as to why I have neglected my-blog? The reality is… I didn’t, just that a lot has emerged (career wise) since my last post till the one you’re reading now hence I’ve been busy like a bee. Luckily it has been growth, development and success and I am so grateful to see people taking interest; it is not because I am smart but God grace.

Moving on… recently there I was minding my own stuff when five media students rocked the newsroom looking for an editor to help them with their assignment, unfortunately the editor was not around but that didn’t mean they were not going to get help. I am a graduate myself and have been practising for about a decade now so I offered to step in and give a helping hand. Browsing through their list of questions were basics like how one entered the field, affiliation the company fall under, a day in a life of a journo and a draft on phases articles go through before it gets published.

Well all these I can answer even right in the middle of the wee hours of the morning. Knowing me I wasn’t going to spoon feed them therefore decide to engage them and find out how much they know about the media industry seeing they are in their second year of study. “Disappointed” is an understatement I wonder if “shocked” can cover for it, the poor journo-wannabe were in the dark about what I am talking about when I mentioned 5W’s and an H principles and they took the throne home when they dwelled deeper not knowing what the “press ombudsman” is all about and it irked me more to realise that they were popping around R28K a head for zilch. I thought with that amount I’d reserve R8K for my time allocated to them as I tutor them and then the rest will go into acquiring equipment, believe you me by the end of their training they will emerge fully fledged journo’s who are fierce and already bringing diversity in the industry. They presented a campus newsletter to me and none of them had a by-line or caption, “maybe this term we will write something” was their response; hello! That’s too late if you ask me. Front page article and photo was courtesy of a local newspaper which appeared some time ago, why publish something from a well-established paper on a campus paper while you have students studying that field? What is this tuition fee for? When will they learn or gather the experience that media companies require? Soon they will graduate and would have no snippets or clip whatsoever to include in their portfolios, what does this mean for the future of our budding journo’s?

I don’t like entertaining the blame game but someone has to be held accountable, I have always maintained that theory as part of tutorial in tertiary institutions is vital but should not consume most of the term. Distributing manuals and later reading in front of class is old school and unnecessary, students can do that at their own convenience and come class time pose questions, seek clarity and so forth. Majority of their time should be spent on field with a pen, writing pad, voice recorder and camera sourcing out stories as that is the only way they will perfect the craft they yearn to enter in the near future.

For these poor students sake I hope the situation change as it’s a waste of parent hard-earned money and it is a god-eat-dog out there and perhaps they will break through as lately it’s not about what you know but who you know.