Thabo (eradicate indlala)

I believe that education is indisputably the best instrument towards personal development. And, I also believe that the only way I can plunge back to being poor is if I make a blunder of the prospects education has afforded me.

I believe that education is not the only lawful and correct route to putting food on the table. And, I also believe that there are alternative routes, only they require the usage of your brain with a tinge of determination, underlined by a plan.

Know that I have come to experience worry concerning you and the challenges you have, academically. The thought of you struggling to finish high school raises questions to my abilities as an educated sibling; hence self-blame unceasingly appears to arouse the feeling of guilt.

I know that poverty is a ground that breeds an environment that is damaging to people’s development; mentally, physically and emotionally.

But, know that I have come to accept and understand that there are other options you can manipulate so as to create a comfortable life for yourself.

My duties as your brother can merely go so much as making sure that you obtain basic skills that could score you a desk in an office. It is only your train of thought and ambition that can perhaps move you from that small desk by the door towards addressing blue-chip executives in a boardroom.

I am well aware that a significant path out of poverty requires a robust economy that produces jobs and good salaries. And, I am also well aware that the impact carried through the ability to raise a productive workforce can last for generations.

Do yourself a favour and defy imitating the people who constantly speak of bridging the growing gap between poor people and the rich, while unfounded are the actual actions towards accomplishing this brilliant idea and instituting it to become observable efforts.

The same voices influence young underprivileged men and women to dream big, yet no one puts an emphasis on the idea of actually waking up and working towards fulfilling that dream. As a result, your neighbours have formed part of a generation that spends most of its valuable time complaining about the government that fails them.

Beats me as to what has glued them tight on the chairs someone else built.

P.S: indlala = poverty

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Cloistered muddles

We speak of the ideas concerning shooting to kill and axing one another, in self-defence or absolute persecution, with so much pride.  Our social media accounts are buzzing with views debating the Lonmin issue; with many siding with authorities while a few perceive the miners to have been on correct and legal grounds.

Not so far from public forums, a few days ago, justice pleased the concept of precision, for once, by punishing the slayers of an infamous AWB member accordingly. Acknowledging that the deceased had been a pain to the bums of many people of colour; inducing them to unbearable grief, yet I am ruling out the right to butcher him.

Perhaps, Dion Chang’s confirmation, as per his Flux Trends for 2012, is not at all a discourse; dubbing the current times the fourth revolution – a time where technology is responsible for drastically shaping our perceptions of self and our crafting of identify.

Of course, we cite the apartheid era as an inspiration to the meanness and lack of education as well as our foolishness. We cite the same for government failures; its corruption and poor service delivery.

Our Public Protector hit the nail, trough the Sowetan, when she spoke sturdily in contradiction of the apartheid legacy being used to protect some of the government's failures, particularly the dire state of the country's education and appalling conditions under which some people live, 18 years after democracy.

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Scrambled workbooks, government on the rocks

The issue is not new, yet we have leading stories on it.

Many schools around the country have been without books, desks and even chalkboards for a long period, today though we act shocked and feel betrayed on discovering textbooks dumped and burnt.  

The failing rate in public schools has been a problem when Nelson Mandela was in prison, and when he came out. We were singing the same tune even when Thabo Mbeki was president, yet we seem to unwrap it as a new dawn in this Zuma era.

Hypocrites much?

We are excited at breaking the ice with our lovers in bed by conversing about how the system is a joke, along being blinded by newspapers and media houses that make money out of getting us to see what they want us to see, forgetting that we are on the grassroots.  We are the victims.

Hence we live to tell the actual effects of not having textbooks at schools. Still, we nod every morning at the sight of the same leading stories in the news.

Opposing parties have sound stands. In fact, up until recently, they represented the masses by raising questions otherwise citizens would never be able to ask. However, they too seem to be caught up in agreeing that Angie Motshekga and her office failed.

Haven’t we had enough about knowing what went wrong?  At what stage will we tackle solutions?

No. Firing Motshekga is not an elucidation. We all know our current government does not really fire under-performing servants nor does it arrest the guilty. Then why bother?

The government has never been able to do things independently. I would like to believe that is why Mbeki emphasised on the Vuk' uzenzele concept in 2002/3. Therefore, private businesses, individuals and NGOs must take action towards preventing an issue that will ruin my younger brother’s life and the rest of young South Africans who cannot be able to act on their own.

Of course, if my brother is the only one victimised by the issue of lack of resources in schools, then let this be my call and mine alone to deal with. Otherwise, entirely efforts are needed in all nine provinces.

South Africans need to stop talking and carping about issues that will never discontinue any time soon. Not suggesting violence in any way, instead one must do something that could help the two people next-door. Hopefully, the two will help five people each. That way we are truly working together to enhance the lives of our fellow community members.

This time, the issue might have ascended through Limpopo, but the Eastern Cape has been suffering for many years. What about the other provinces? Someone probe into the matter.

I am not merely urging people to read how messy our education system is on this blog, I am working on an initiative that will help my brother escape the bosh system we have in this country. In addition, 25 more needy students will benefit from my idea.

Of course, the intention is to inspire all of them to work hard and end up helping 25 more suffering souls each, just like I would have done.

What are you doing about this problem?

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Relapse amid evolution

I found myself submitting to appreciation recently, when I overheard colleagues sharing intricacies concerning the widening gap between the poor people and those who rinse cups with Oros, in South Africa.

Emulating the poetic sense of Shakespeare, one painted the picture of the country we live in: “a beautiful place where laws oppose the actions of the people who are duly authorised to pass them and make sure that these are put into action.”

Rightly so, her statement was supported by the policemen who are involved in many corruption cases; hence the rate of crime in South Africa fails to decline.

My gratitude, nevertheless, emanates from being fixed within the working class, despite what tomorrow is believed to have in archives. As a result, my future is based on solid ground; depending on how habitually I nurture the soil on which my professional feet stand.

While I boast about my accomplishments which benefit me and my family, many individuals bear little and, some, nothing to show-off.  They went through academic channels, and many succeeded with flying colours. However, for reasons no one can understand, that was just all for them; no work or any means of income approached.

Something went wrong somewhere and my index finger points at the lack of ambition. So, who do I paint pink with blame? The parents. The families that fail to see past the empty plates on their laps. In this case further education is needed, and with that I am not referring to the enrolment in academic institutions; education in the sense that an individual must learn to be creative, smart and willing to explore possible chances.

Our communities comprise people who are able to shape and design, accordingly, the brands we believe our families are, alas we do not realise that. Hence many people look up to almighty government for everything.

Apart from living large spending the taxpayers money and getting more corrupt each day, the government can only do so much to assist the people who are in need. It is for people at the grassroots level take thing in their own hands. By no means do I say steal from one another. In fact, help one another.

With that being said, South Africa comes a long way, and that would not have been possible had it not been for each of the people who have served as cabinet members in our South African government.

The man whom majority of South Africans dubbed the epitome of humanity, Nelson Mandela shown traits of the push-push concept. Why not practise the push-push concept on each other then; starting in our homes, with families encouraging each member to do well in all aspects and show support whenever members needs it?

Several black South Africans refuse to work hard. Instead opt for illegal dealings that leave the rest of us who do work hard shocked, especially when other races have something to say about it.

We have young girls who do not see the importance of education at all because there men out there who are willing to finance their needs (and possibly their families too), just as long as the reciprocal process includes having sex. The idea of saving oneself for marriage is so ancient, like who wants to be a virgin in 2012??? Like, that is so not cool.

We have dreams, we are very talented people and we are hungry for knowledge, but peer pressure seem to get us even in our 20s and early 30s because we simply cannot be seen standing alone at a bus stop declaring being unique.

The words we utter, therefore, will become pivotal in this case. Consequently, thorough consideration of the things we say to one another will come to play. Perhaps, the outcomes may not be market-related salary for all the family members, but an attitude, for some, that will yield expedient features of life; happiness, positivity and drive.

Nonetheless, there is one thing we just cannot let go. Discrimination. Or is it negativity?

Happy read!

Poverty wars vs. greedy potbellies

Our governing system in South African has seen the worst of days, predominantly during the legal racial segregation era which lasted for over 40 years.

Some of us have relatives and neighbours who bear emotional and physical scars as a result of the abuse that came with the segregation. Their scars narrate the era way better than lyrics that escape the lips of seasoned artists like Simphiwe Dana or the magnificent poetess, Lebo Mashile.

Victims forgave their perpetrators and races became one dominion. Black people learnt twang while white people enumerate sawubona accentuated by a notable grin. Sadness and anger vacated South African premises and oneness became the supreme head boy.

The books we read and the stories flashing on our computer screens acknowledge a positive objective that Nelson Mandela meant to implement. Due to running out of time, he merely spoke about the concept. I assume, those who were to succeed him were expected lay the actual brick on the cement.

Rightly so, the current ruling administration does not skip a day without making it known just how fuelled up it is to embark on a trail to enhance the lives of the previously disadvantaged South Africans while upholding the objective of bringing balance in racial, political and societal standards. 

This excites many people, but I am not fooled.

The efforts of the current government might have worked, in some measure. The old pensioner in the rural Natal can testify and my HIV positive relative shares the sentiments.

However, political leaders and policy makers have became short of transparency and honesty; a tendency that has impacted negatively on many communities on grassroots level.  

One would have thought the year 1994 painted South Africa clean. But, it appears the battle is not over.

We are half way through wiping racial discrimination out, but the trend of corruption and empty promises has taken several politicians by a storm.

This is why there are still households that have never had electricity. This is why, even after 16 years of democracy, there are still schools that are running short of desks, books and even chalks. Why then do we question the roof-hitting fail rate in black schools?

And, that is why many routes to Newcastle have the worst potholes any car could drive on.

It is because; the people entrusted to represent the poor and unemployed South Africans care more about feeding their own pockets and going on a bender using taxpayers money with the belief and confidence that although big brother can see them he will not punish them.

The system we have in South Africa is a joke. The politically affiliated broadcasting institutions have proved this.

No, not by doing their job of reporting – vague details – on the issue of corruption, but by chipping in on fraudulent activities that have left a question mark and a huge dent on the ingenuity of journalism in South Africa.

The people chosen to be leaders have failed to represent poor communities in South Africa and they have failed to represent this country as a society that value of humankind and human rights.

All we have in us is the hope that, in the near future, things will be better. Of course, this is if individuals learn to clutch as much education as they can and cling on it. This does seem to be the only route linking people to white bread and away from brown slices.

We need to put into practice methods aimed at providing useful advocacy tools so as to promote grassroots prioritisation in South Africa. This needs the sane people left in South Africans to work collaboratively towards a goal that will benefit everyone equally.

Or at least better the lives of poor people.

Happy read!

Mzantsi - Not so juicy!

All women deserve to be treated with immense care and respect. This is a notion shared by many countries around the world.

Some states went as far as advocating for the 50/50 concept, to promote women beyond households en route for higher-ranking settings in boardrooms and in politics. Consequently, the likes of Shirley Lue Arnold, Khanyi Dhlomo, Wendy Luhabe, Pam Golding and Helen Zille are amongst the many women who are widening the female footprint in areas that were once perceived as male zones.

South Africa has progressed from being a tyrannical (gender and race bias) state to a country that recognises and advocates for many aspects of human rights and women empowerment initiatives. As a result, misuse of these rights is frowned upon.

Contrary to the latter, women are still the most susceptible to crime, abuse and discrimination in South Africa. In recent cases, women are lured to the country and subsequently forced to work as prostitutes. Lesbians are subjected to corrective rape by men who claim to be “curing" them of their sexual orientation.

This is the country that once had a woman for a deputy president. Businesses operative within South African parameters are compelled to acknowledge and practise gender equity. In fact, for the local government to do any business with private companies such companies must show where they stand in regards to representing women of any race in their businesses.

However, human trafficking is still rife in South Africa. Women are subjected to sexual exploitation and forced labour. Yes, many of them are foreigner. But, the fact is, all this takes place IN South Africa.

The United States government recently released Trafficking in Persons Report which states that South Africa is a transit and destination country for women and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking.

Why then do we still have such problems when we can only be dealing with issues regarding unemployment rate of women and more empowerment initiatives for them?

Last year, Jeff Radebe, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, said the government was planning to fast-track a new law against human trafficking before the start of the soccer World Cup. It is a year later now, the Western Cape still has women who bring other women into the country under false pretences and force them to be prostitutes. What happened to the Prevention and Combating in Trafficking in Persons Bill Sir Radebe was planning to “fast-track”?

Educated minds know better than to pay attention to what the government says and promises. That is why the issue of human trafficking in South Africa is only fought by small private organisations. Chances are, had several women and children’s rights groups not warned about this exploitation last year, the government would not have uttered a word.

South Africa comprises political parties that tend to promise to build Jerusalem for the homeless, feed those whose tummies are echoing emptiness and free education for all. Not even one of them says a thing about the human trafficking issue South Africa is facing.

Is the human trafficking issue not a mention during their speeches in parliament? They are waiting to host another big event during which they will try and impress tourists and outside investors?

Clearly, the government dreads the process of establishing rigid restrictions for human trafficking; hence the safe and easy route to take would be to assist the existing anti-human trafficking organisations by providing them with necessary resources to combat this crisis.

Oh, my dear political parties lie at least. Say something is about to be done just like your vague promises about fixing potholes and combating corruption amongst yourselves. Hold those pointless conferences annually. That way, at least young minds can learn about human trafficking JUST from hearing about it. Possibly, that could make school teachers’ jobs a bit easier and perhaps the ever accelerating HIV/Aids rate could decrease even if it is with one percent.

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A reminder for those who care

Without a doubt, you have experienced not only a chill this morning, but also a wind blow, accompanied by rain, that is bound to leave our teeth clenching; not because we are scared, but because we are cold and freezing.

Winter has arrived. And, I bet each one of you we are prepared for it; we are all geared up with winter woollies and sipping on teas and coffee. What about those who cannot afford to get warm? Can't you do something about them? Can't you help them?

Never mind the street kids, many companies, government departments and NGOs are doing something about them. However, I do believe you know a person who can do with gloves, a jersey you don't use or an extra blanket you don't really use.

This could be your colleague, you friend, your friend's baby or sibling, you next door neighbour. Please guys, show some love and care. I actually think buying that person a cup of tea/coffee is a VERY good gesture.

I am certainly NOT telling you what to do. Instead, I am reminding those who care, those who have hearts and those who were once stranded and someone else came through for them to do something within their means. 

I speak love, joy, success and happiness upon your lives...

Happy read!