Media Deviated

  Image source: https://educonnect.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/mandela-day.jpg       Nelson Mandela International Day commemorates the lifetime of service Nelson Mandela gave to South Africa and the world. It was launched on his birthday, 18 July, in 2009 via a unanimous decision by the UN General Assembly. Mandela Day calls on us all, every day, to make the world a better place. Each year on 18 July we look back on what has been done, and forward to what will be done. Making every day a Mandela Day celebrates Madiba’s life and legacy in a sustainable way that will bring about enduring change.   If this year you want to try out new places to visit, here are some suggestions from the Mandela Day Manual:   Put together stationery packs (pens, stickers, coloured paper, scissors, etc.) for teachers at an under-resourced school   Sort donated clothes at U-turn or The Warehouse. (Phone ahead to organise!)   Voluntee...

Is this really true? Or is this a way of separating each other by the way we speak or pronounce words? A few minutes ago, I was in my Radio lecture and one of the students raised an interesting topic about going to private schools or public schools. It got me thinking about how many times I’ve been asked why I've got a "coloured accent” and “which school did I go to?” Quite frequently, I'm asked why I’ve got a coloured accent and my sister doesn’t? They say: “But you went to a ‘white’ school, where's the coloured accent coming from?” Personally, from experience, I do not think the school you attended has an influence on your accent. It all depends on your surroundings, the people you surround yourself with and where you grew up. Be it with family or friends. Attending a  predominantly ‘white’ school, for me, didn’t mean I must change the way I speak so that everywhere I go people know that I attended a "Model-C school or white school" as some would ...

Director General of the GSIC, Phumla Williams, eThekwini Mayor Her Worship Zandile Gumede and Founder of Decolonisation Foundation Mr Mzwanele Manyi.         Image by: Nothando Mkhize    The eThekwini Municipality kicked off the three-day long South Regional Business Fair yesterday at Umlazi despite Durban’s cold chills. Under the theme Radical Economic Transformation and its Implication on Small Business in the Townships, the Business Fair held at KwaMnyandu Shopping Centre, saw young entrepreneurs come together to build and grow their businesses within the same platform. Her Worship eThekwini Mayor, Zandile Gumede, said this gathering was a great way for people to engage. “There can never be real radical transformation if our people do not benefit. Today we are having members from Ndwedwe, we are having members from Umbumbulu and also members of Umlazi, Ispingo and in the inner city, that shows that when commun...

The city's head of Parks and Recreation Thembinkosi Ngcobo cancelled the social coherence conference on Monday. Image by:  Mphahti Nxumalo EThekwini Municipality was to host its third Social Cohesion Conference at Coastlands Hotel Umhlanga, from 19 to 20 June 2017, under the theme: “Black History”. The conference was to provide an opportunity for experts and opinion makers in various fields to engage in thought provoking dialogues about issues related to social cohesion and the role that can be played by each sector in building a socially cohesive City and country. The conference was going to be opened by Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi, leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), giving delegates his perspective on the nation’s history, identity and social cohesion. Other speakers included President of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Dr Danny Jordaan and also political analyst, Professor Sipho Seete. But all preps and planning went downhill when the eThekwini ...

(image source: nyashajunior.com) Our Nig; Or, sketches from the Life of a Free Black, in a Two-Story White House, North. By Harriet E. Wilson I love books about black history, politics, and demonstrations of how far we’ve come to living liberal through literature and custom to our own selves, whether in South Africa or internationally. This book is a fictional autobiography by Harriet E. Wilson. You get a feeling that there is quite a lot a black being had to adhere at the same time you get to see that not every white madam wore the devils horns as a crown. The title of the book is quite a lengthy one, but the first two words ‘ Our Nig’ , straight away I sensed slavery and injustice towards those of colour. What an old read it is. The author carefully plays it safe by making this fiction one that involves family and the community. The Nig transitioned from being a dark, curly-haired little girl to a married woman after enduring the harshest upbringing. Frado...

While gender-based violence has recently emerged as a leading topic in South Africa especially on social media platforms, it has always been outlined predominantly with violence against women and girls, particularly sexual violence. Most recently, headlines such as Karabo Mokoena's murder reignited the national conversation on this issue through extensive media reportage and public engagement. Her death started huge media attention on the disappearance and murders of other women and children, rape culture and other forms of violent physical assault on women. 26-year-old Durban University of Technology (DUT) student, Senzo Mfeka believes that the reason why guys are murdering women these days is because they’re actually feeling insecure, “They’re feeling weak, they can’t handle the truth because if a person doesn’t want you then what’s the point of you forcing them to actually want you?” Mfeka elaborates. Gender based violence violates a number of women’s rights, includ...