Ubuntu Bomzantsi

Contact

2011-07-04T15:57:00.001-07:00

To all my fellow radio friends with whom I attened the workshop in Johannesburg in June 2008, would be great to have some sort of contact with you all! It was great to be with you and would like to keep in touch and maintain the professional relations you and I had. If you would, please post something or send me an inbox. For security reasons, I can't divulge my email address on this post but will send you a message in your email addresses.

Forwarded Emails

2009-03-24T02:56:00.000-07:00

If you're anything like me you probably hate forwarded emails, I mean they're not real nor original. Sometimes they make sense though; just like this one I have posted below. Someone sent it to me; I read it (it's bit long but), however it leaves room for thought.

YOU ARE A SLAVE............

"Why do we laugh at a black man/black people who are struggling to speak/write English and not laugh at (white man) speaking appalling Xhosa/Zulu/Sotho /Tsonga " We all have done this, thought that boxers/soccer players are idiots(Nomvete, Vuyani Bungu) because they cannot speak good English. Ever thought about De Klerk who does not know a single Xhosa word, He cannot even pronounce your name to start with.

In the office they pronounce your name wrongly and you just smile. You are impressed when Mrs van Wyk is trying to speak Xhosa/Zulu. In 15 yrs she managed to learn Molo/Sawubona only...and you are impressed by that sick crap.Why does it never occur to you that Mrs Van Wyk is an idiot, a certified moron...who is not capable of learning one single African language"

What is compelling me to be writing this email in English not in Xhosa??????? ?

I know all the recipients are either Xhosa , Zulu , Tsonga , Venda or Sotho; therefore they will be able to read and understand this email. Having realised that I still continue writing in English. My excuse "I am faster when I write in English (Crap!) I was not born speaking English. Listen to your voice mail. It is in English and how many whites call you compared to the blacks????. Why do you have to cater for the 10%. You do not even have a white friend yet your everything is in English. That is pathetic.

If I told you that I had a degree in Xhosa/Sotho you would all laugh for you do not see why someone in his right mind would want to a degree in Xhosa/Sotho.Yet French classes are over flowing...My sister cannot even write isiXhosa/Sotho she detaste the language and know one should be learning isiXhosa/Sotho.

Afrikaans are preserving Stellenbosch, RAU, Tuks ( Pretoria ) and all the varsities in the Transvaal region....What are we preserving Unitra will be closed...UniVenda may follow suit ..Uni Zulu maybe on the pipe line (But we have Fort hare).. Afrikaans (7% of the SA population) have 5 universities that they control. Little bit on maths; there should be 64 black varsities to level the grounds. That would be a waste I agree but this serve the purpose...

Nokia recently introduced a phone with menus in Xhosa/Zulu/Sotho...we think that "it for people who cannot read English", Amaqaba. When you phone vodacom service centre you always press 1 (to be helped in English press 1, Zulu press 2 (Xhosa), Sotho press 3, Afrikaans 4). Why is it that you'd rather stammer than speak your own language.

We are all slaves ..Our minds have been crippled and we will never be free until we free ourselves... "Emancipate your selves from mental slavery none but ourselves can free our minds"

Somebody lead...

2009-03-02T04:53:00.000-08:00

Considering the ANC’s recent history (i.e. the last 15 or so years); the entire tenure has been labeled amongst others a “gravy train”, whatever that means. This tenure has been marred and plagued by corruption and self-service attitude in the people that hold positions of power within the ANC and government.

And then you have former ANC comrades, forming a large part of COPE I believe. COPE leader as we all know is former minister of Defense; whose department must have been involved in the purchase of arms (Question: how clean is this man?). A deal which has at some point absolutely gored ANC leader’s political career, I’ll leave it at that though. I listen to COPE’s members speak; it’s all good and well of them to encourage people to vote and all to get representation (I guess I like a lot of what COPE talks about), but oftentimes; what you gather from them is a lot of hate and anger. ISSUES; I don’t want people with issues leading me; I think they should deal with any sense of anger and issues of the heart and FOCUS on the needs not how they’ve been wronged.

Finally you have DA, which is another sad story on its own, always on the attacking side (kind’a’like opportunists – my definition: a person who is he finds himself in warm water decides to take a bath: admirable). I love their radio adverts though, very good. The DA will first talk about “THE ANC” this and that; I’d like to first hear “THE DA” this and that. I’m nauseated by the messages of this sort; it’s like having an insecure and pitiful child or partner that will always look at what you’re doing before doing anything. There’s always a R-E-A-C-T-I-O-N, not an ACTION. Can you please COPE and DA start or tell us what you intent to initiate not react to as a result of the ANC’s actions? ANC has had its shortcomings I agree and don’t want to go into them, I’m sure we hear a lot of those from the comrades of DA and COPE; they always inform us at the origin of their address (es).

Why can't we all just get along?

2008-07-31T06:50:00.000-07:00

I went to a fast food restaurant this morning and I happened to sit across a Muslim couple who were also having their breakfast. The couple was adorned in their traditional Islamic attire; the man was wearing a galabiyya and the woman was wearing an abaya. An abaya is a flowing and non-clingy dress which covers a woman’s entire body including the face, with a bit of space left for the eyes. Now, eating for this woman, proved to be quite a difficult task because each time she was putting food in her mouth she had to lift a part of the abaya in order to eat. On more than one occasion, our eyes met, and I could sense that she was feeling self-conscious. Feeling a bit awkward myself, I quickly looked away, but only to be led by my eyes back there again. As much as a part of me felt like letting her out of her misery by going up to her and ripping the abaya off her face, but another very sane part of me told me that this was her choice and I should respect it. Which is more than what I can say for controversial columnist Jon Qwelane who recently wrote a column against gays and lesbians entitled, “Call me names, but gay is NOT okay..." In the article, Qwelane writes: "The real problem, as I see it, is the rapid degradation of values and traditions by the so-called liberal influences of nowadays; you regularly see men kissing other men in public, walking holding hands and shamelessly flaunting what are misleadingly termed their 'lifestyle' and 'sexual preferences'."As you can imagine, this article got quite a response from both the gay and lesbian community and civil society alike.

In his response, Qwelane’s said he was exercising his freedom of speech but even my 12 year-old sister will tell you that freedom of speech shouldn’t infringe on human rights. But what troubles me more than anything is the intolerance shown by someone who is supposedly the custodian of society. As a media practitioner, Qwelane knows that he has a responsibility to educate and inform society and not in any way incite or write anything which can be interpreted as derogatory. But Qwelane is not solely to blame for this article because he may have written it but he didn’t decide that it should be published. In a newspaper, an article goes through no less than three people before final publication. So this was a collective decision which may have been informed by revenue or the staff at Sunday Sun are homophobic. No doubt, the media plays a major role in shaping our society whether positively or negatively, and in some parts the media does tend to sensationalize and put profit ahead of content. Besides, the South African Constitution clearly stipulates that gay and lesbian marriages are legal, so whether anyone thinks it’s right or wrong is immaterial. I don’t even want to get started on ANC Youth League president Julius Malema’s utterances because he’s just not worth me mentioning him. But a person I will mention is a Cape Town Christian preacher who referred to Islam as a “puppet religion.” I’m a Christian myself and I may not read the bible as much as I should but I know that one of the central teachings of Christianity is tolerance and not being judgmental. The way that I see it is that it starts with acceptance; accepting people for who they are and respecting them for choosing who they want to be. I think once everyone gets their heads around that, we’ll all be one big happy family.

Welcoming the Initiates

2008-07-19T04:01:00.000-07:00

Every year around June and July in South Africa during school vacations is time for young men and women to go to circumsation school in this beautifull country of ours. Since the government has taken circumsation as one of the traditional rights of citizens, it's now managed by the Department of Education and Health. Now guys and dolls who are from there come with certificates not just like us in the good old days.

As I write this all over villages today people are celebrating the return of initiates from the bush even in my village

Our butts will be bloody!

2008-06-26T02:35:00.001-07:00

A certainty of a price hike in petrol will affect a wide range of goods that South Africans use daily. Please Madam Buyelwa Sonjica, do you not feel our pain? A possible 70 cents a litre of petrol? What’s next? We’ve already experienced Eskom, Bread and Milk price fixing, Interest rates, too many to mention.

Speaking of interest rates, that’s another story. This morning (25 June 2008), I’ve just heard that there’s another hike secretly and subtly peeping through. What’s next? Soon there’ll be a final nail on this coffin. The South African consumer will flip soon. I’m telling you; could be crime, corruption, or civil action. Something will happen soon.

There are lashes that some can take, and there are some that are a bit too much; a final straw is coming soon. We’ve seen it in the world, somewhere in Europe. Maybe I’m the prophet of doom; I don’t know. This is a bit too much!

Makotse Women Club Celebrate Youth Month

2008-06-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

They say "wa thinta bafazi wa thinti umbhokoto". Yesterday women from the village of Makotse here in Limpopo celebrated youth month in style . Instead of long speeches the women gathered all the village children for a village cleaning campaign and painting of their dailly drop-inn Centre were they gathered kids from four years upwards to do the paintings for their centre. Well since it's school holidays here in Mzantsi youth never dissapointed they turned in their grooves to make sure that their village even if it doesn't have tarred roads looks beautfull like they do.

When asked about the purpose of celebrating this the Manager of Makotse Women Club said, "We need to keep our children a little bit busy cause once they get tired of playing they start thinking negative things like indulging in unprotected sex, which will lead into teenage pragnancy, theft and the unwanted preading of the HIV/AIDS pandemic."

A carcass and a half!

2008-06-25T04:35:00.001-07:00

"The MDC will never be allowed to rule this country". Such arrogance from the men who’s taken the once successful and prosperous country into absolute bankruptcy; is he going crazy? The opposition leader has decided to quit running; currently as I write this he (Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai) has sought refuge in the Dutch embassy in the country.

The entire world is criticising Bob and guess what he’s not even listening; perhaps he’s deafened by the howl of his people from the apparent state sponsored violence. Now the old geek has the audacity to come up and say "Only God, who appointed me, will remove me – not the MDC, not the British. Only God will remove me!" Dude come on, even Angola your close ally joined other countries from SADC, criticising you.

Sanctions have been put in place against Zimbabwe (i.e. ZANUPF and it’s supporters) and oh; this is nice; Morgan Tsvangirai is a high flier when he travels around the world; only problem is when he’s in Zimbabwe (he’s now had to find refuge at the Dutch embassy). Speaking of Morgan Tsvangirai; what the hell is wrong with him? Pulling out simply because you think the elections won’t be free and fair; I think he’s a coward! If Tsvangirai quits I would call him an absolute FAILURE.

It’s happened already, Bob has destroyed his stand! He arrives at a political rally some 2 hours later surrounded by soldiers (mhhh, for protection against his "supporters"). His people have abandoned him. He now uses the promise of food in the impoverished country to get them to stay and pretend as if they’re listening to him; only to find out that they’ll be so hungry and start talking amongst themselves while he’s trying to address them. Reports say that around 70 MDC supporters have been killed, and Morgan Tsvangirai fearing that his life is in danger on the other hand. Today (24 June 2008), Bob says Morgan Tsvangirai’s life is not under threat. That’s OK I guess. The many people in hospital some with arms broken, legs broken and a lot scared; such loss and destruction of life in the country of Zimbabwe. Homes, lives and hearts broken and thousands fleeing the country. These aren’t ZANUPF supporters but evidently MDC supporters. Morgan wants to quit.

I’m irritated at Morgan’s pulling out of the presidential election!

Whilst negotiations are underway for another solution in Zimbabwe (if any will be, now that Morgan chickened out of the presidential election), Bob sponsored violent people will continue with their daily torture and murder of the many Zimbabweans.

And guess what else; in South Africa (we’re not alone apropos; other SADC countries too) we’ll see scores of thousands of Zimbabweans fleeing their country. Narking somewhat! Not if you know the kind of life they’ll live in this country. Try and find my blog entry entitled "And you are an African" (written after I visited Glenvista in Johannesburg). Then you can sort of see the kind of life they’ll live. They leave their homes, I mean HOMES, not houses, they leave homes for tents to other countries, and you know mos, we as South Africans aren’t "Foreigner Friendly". The UNHCR has already made provisions for the possible influx of refugees to this country (South Africa).

Some will be peeved at this; however some will accept it; and some will pay no attention.

How about you, how are you going to feel?

Whistle for Freedom

2008-06-25T01:55:00.000-07:00

Thousands displaced and more than 60 reported killed...
In almost a month of appalling suffering and xenophobic violence was the scene for Zimbabwean Joshua Mambo Rusere counseling people twice broken by violation,
first in Zimbabwe and then at the hands of their ‘brothers in South Africa.
Through it all Mambo Rusere kept the recording date at a small studio in Northern Johannesburg a priority, determined to record songs of hope.
He and The Vic Falls Mbira Group made their way through dangerous streets armed only with mbiras and gentle percussion instruments, determined to lay down their emotionally charged songs in a CD fittingly titled “Whistle for Freedom”.

In the midst of xenophobic chaos in his adopted home and political turmoil in his country of birth, Mambo-Rusere,
a welfare officer for the Zimbabwe Political Victims Association, is determined to use the most powerful means he knows to communicate his message to fellow Zimbabweans.
As a musician and poet he has captured his heart in songs on an inspiring and emotive CD, which encourages his countrymen to go home in peace to vote. He is not aiming for a Grammy Award or for platinum sales but for the successful communication of a message of hope. Mambo-Rusere is himself a victim of Zanu-PF brutality and current xenophobia but his spirit remains positive and optimistic.

Mambo Rusere hopes to have the songs on air by the end of this week
(13 June 2008). And is relying on international stations like Voice of America to flight them; hopefully they will be heard over the airwaves in Zimbabwe. But the harsh truth is that there are no opposition stations left in Zimbabwe. The CD will be distributed for no financial gain. What the group wants is only that the message is heard in this powerful plea and a vision of a new era; a new hope for ravaged Zimbabwe is realized. They need media and broadcast support to help raise awareness and get the message out.

The CD is available. Recorded and mixed as a labour of love & support by composer Nik Sakellarides, of the Pink Room, Johannesburg. The sleeve features artwork by internationally acclaimed Zimbabwean artist and activist Chaz Maviyane-Davies.
The project has at its helm Elinor Sisulu from the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (084 402 4931)

The project co-coordinators are still in need of financial support to offset the cd replication and packaging.

The CD recorded in SHONA is dedicated to a new Zimbabwe – and annals this desperate period in the History of Zim and Southern Africa.

Visitor 25041 @Constitutional Hill

2008-06-18T00:53:00.000-07:00

On the 07 of June 2008 we visited the Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg where we were told about the history of our beautifull country South Africa. Actualy this place was the worst prison of its time.Where most of our leaders were kept. On my arrival home I decided that I should narate the story of what I know about the place called Constitutional Hill to my mother. I didn't know that I was talking to someone who knew the place as the most known prison of her life time when she was still a resident of the famous township in Soweto Kliptown. Telling the real stories from a woman who arrested for brewing traditional beer in a 100 galons drum which by then was actually the largest.She told me that she was placed in one of those worst cells most of you saw from some of those pictures my colleagues send to this blog untill my father came to pay the fine of four pounds the following day. I asked her about the night in a single cell and she said : "son I couldn't even stretch my legs ,the only thing was that you will have keep crying when you think that to others it my be worse to them ." She told me a lot about the place about the famous prisoners like Joe Mshagane and others her experience in that cell really traumatsed her for only that night she know's the place very well . Ooh she also referred me to some oldies of their time to get the real story from them 'cause my father passed away in my infancy so some of his friends are still there to narrate the story to me about the famous Number Four Prison before it was taken to Diepkloof in Soweto . I come with real people who maybe were the so called boses of the prison who are not on their list there at Constitutional Hill

NO MORE TEARS!

2008-06-17T03:03:00.000-07:00

Nseleni is the small township in the Northen kwa Zulu Natal in South Africa. The youth of this township met on the 16 of June 2008 with the congregation known as Church of God under Pastor Zikhali and celebrate youthday. There were so many musicians there to entertain all the people who were there. Some of them there were singing gospel songs and Zulu caltural songs they all said "no more cry, no more tears now its time to celebrate".

They said, the youth of 1976 fought against Aparthaid especially in education. Bongani Dhludhlu member of the Church of God said they decided to celebrate this Youth Day together with the youth of Enseleni because people there ignore this township especially when it comes to events like this, ''we like send a messege to our youth they must look at their talents and focus on education and they must know its very important to go to Church'' said Bongani Dludlu. Mrs Zikhali, wife of pastor Zikhali leader of the Church of God said ''it's not boring to be in Church; that is why we are doing this event as a church''. She also said the youth must stay away from drugs and sex because it will kill their future.

There were many people there from youth to adults and all they said now is the time to celebrate and look foward to the future knowing that the past is the past but the future is comming and the youth must prepare for the future now.

"Why are we being treated like animals?"

2008-06-15T07:37:00.000-07:00

THE first thing one senses when entering the refugee camp at the Glenvista rifle range in Johannesburg is, isolation. Here is a group of destitute foreigners who are in South Africa because they fled their respective countries because of either war, famine or whatever other problem that the African continent has inherited, and they come to our country, only to be treated like a distant cousin.
When the xenophobic attacks first broke out, I felt ashamed as a South African, but when I visited the camp and saw a one month old baby wrapped in nothing but a dirty rag, I felt ashamed as a human being. As I was walking around the camp I was drawn by the sound of a crying infant and upon further inspection I saw a mother and her three infants sitting around a camp fire with two pots on the fire. The mother told me that she’s preparing their first meal of the day (it was approximately 11am) and her infant was crying because she was hungry. It took everything in me not to break out in a sob right there in front of them, so I just walked away. The majority of the people said they had opted to cooking their own food because the food provided at the camp gave them diarrhea.
I came across a teenager who was carrying two knitting needles and wool. She’s a grade 8 student in a school in Pretoria and she said they were given the needles and wool by the Red Cross to keep them busy. She was knitting herself a scarf for winter. But before I could escape she asked me, “Why are they doing this to us? Why are they treating us like animals?” I didn’t know what to say, so I just looked at her and assured her that things will get better and everything will be back to normal soon and she could go back to school.
I certainly hope that something will be done to remedy the situation; either by being integrated back to their old communities or improving their current living conditions.

The youngsters

2008-06-15T06:31:00.000-07:00

We were the group who decided to compile our package of the seminar by focusing on the youth. Seeing as the packages were played for the first time on National Youth Day, we thought of sticking to the theme of election reporting by asking youngsters, experts and political parties if they think the youth is going to vote in next year's elections. We got some very interesting answers, and if you click on the link, you be be able to hear us in action. And enjoy the extra effects that made compiling this report so much fun. We hope with the help of the report, you will think about making your vote count in 2009.

Enjoy! Roderick, Alani and Grace.

Are you a spy for the government?!

2008-06-15T05:49:00.000-07:00

It is so shocking when you think you are reaching out to someone in a very uncertain situation, and they point at you with the question: "Are you a spy for the government?" This drove me to tears when we visited the Glenvista Rifle Range refugee camp during the seminar.

We had to prepare ourselves for a Live Stand-up exercise by speaking to the refugees. I interviewed an old man from the DRC who spoke to me on behalf of a whole group from the DRC. They mainly came from Jeppe. A pastor and human rights observer, José, was my translator because this old man could only speak basic English. (His home language is French.) During the interview the elder got upset and pointed to me with a crooked finger telling me in French: "You, you are just standing there, you are not making many notes. Are you a spy for the government?"

I could feel fury working itself up from my hart to my head, when I noticed the fear in this man's black eyes with the blue circles around them. For a moment he reminded me of my grandfather who passed away a few years back, and my throat started to close up. I answered with a heavy heart: "No, I'm not a spy. Do you want to see my business card? I'm just here to tell your story."

He raised his hands in apology, and while telling me how they feel about being in a camp - while they just want to stay in a safe and peaceful place - tears started rolling down my cheeks. I felt so ashamed, because they started to comfort me, while they are the ones being wronged and who needs love and attention. "Don't cry, don't cry. It's okay. We think we'll be okay."

Can you think about having your father, mother, grandparents, siblings, other family members or friends trapped in a cage like an animal on display...? Enduring living conditions with little food, sharing 50 toilets with 2300 other foreigners and sleeping on a floor, to keep them safe from people who are supposed to care for them? This thought overwhelmed me. It overwhelmed me, but also gave me new inspiration.

To be a journalist is such a privilege! I get to tell the stories of incredible people, who are brave and so human. This is a privilege I will treasure forever!

WOH! WOH! WOH! IS SOUTH AFRICA OUT OF THE AFRICAN MAP?

2008-06-15T04:46:00.000-07:00

There are about three thousands people from different African countries who are sttaying in a refugee camp at the Glenvista rifle range in Johannesburg following xenophobic attacks. When you arrive at the camp, you see white tents which are in close proximity and people moving up and down and their faces show alot of crisis. The camp is closed with a wirefance to protect the refugees. I spoke to Simon Muchangazike from Zambia and he told me that South Africans attacked them and they said they must go back to their countries because they are foreigners. He said they call them KWEREKWERE. Simon further said that he has been living in the country for more than six years, but this year he was attacked by the same people he called his friends and the people who were working for him. Simon said he had a photocopying and photo studio but all his equipment was stolen by his workers. He said he has a wife and child but his wife is back in Zambia but his baby is still in South Africa. He carried on to say that there is not enough food and not enough blankets to sleep and its cold because its winter. Simon said they feed them expired food and if they are sick they give them expired tablets. He said they want to go back to their countries. I also spoke to Mzilakaweh Folochawye from Gana told me that he was in love with a South African lady and she took all his staff and money and said she will kill him if he doesn't go back to his country. Life is really bad there as they sleep together in the tents and there is no privacy, they bath infront of others and even toilets are closed together. Some of the refugees drew a replica of the African map, but showing South Africa as not being part of the continent. Many of those people are skilled, one of them told me that he is an aeroplane engineer and is afraid that he has lost his job. The refugees said they don't want to stay in South Africa anymore, even if you can promise them one million rand NO NO NO. They want the South African government to take them back to their countries because South Africans call them MAKWEREKWERE.

Rome was not built in one day

2008-06-15T04:02:00.000-07:00

South Africa is in its 14th year of democracy, and people are accusing the government of letting them down. South Africans are not satisfied with service delivery the government is providing them, they believe the government hasn't done enough. Mama Marry Sibiya a 58 year old from Alexandra a township North of Johannesburg points out Rome was not built in one day. She proudly showed us the book that encouraged and kept her strong, the Nelson Mandela auto biography "A Long walk to freedom". Mama Marry has been staying in Alexandra for as long as she can remember and believes things have changed as compared to the past where there was no electricity,water and roads. Mama Marry is an inspiration especially for the youth of South Africa who she believes are just complaining about everything and do nothing to change things. Of cause there's still a long way to go and much needs to be improved, but let's remember fellow South Africans Rome was not built in one day.

Experiencing the isolation

2008-06-15T02:55:00.001-07:00

Different nations from around Africa who live in South Africa saw the other side of South African citizens. This was shown when the South Africans attacked these people accusing them of taking their jobs, wives and RDP(Reconstruction and Development Programe) houses. Talking to these people nomarly named as foreigners in the Refugee camp at Glenvista in Johannesburg they expressed their views by saying South African citizens have isolated them. They also feel the goverment of South Africa is not doing enough to help them.

One of the Foreigners in this camp said that they really are isolated because they can not even talk to their own families because the place has no electricity they cannot charge their cellphones, so this feels like being an animal in the cage. Situation in this camp for me looked very tense you go to the tent where the family of 8 people is sleeping in one tent, where there is no privacy. South Africa is in winter now and how can a person expect someone to sleep on the floor with only one blanket?. As you can see in this photo the mother of a child is bathing her in an open space where everyone can see and that leaves the question of how safe are the children on this camp?. It is very easy for somebody to just take a child and abuse because the place is dark in the night with no electricity. Children are supposed to be at school but because of the isolation they very scared to go because South African children will also be there. Coming to the point of food complaints are more than you can think. People in the camp feel they have been given expired food because since they started eating from the camp they experienced diarrhea almost all of them. The foreigner from Congo said the Goverment of South Africa is trying to get rid of all the expired food by giving it to them. Another thing he said they want to be sent home very soon but the South African goverment wants them to stay under this isolation situation. About their safety they said when they were beaten by fellow South Africans the police never responded they just laughed and said 'sure'. With this Xenophobia attacks in South Africa I really did not care much but after visiting this camp everything changed, I really felt something for these poor people. Something I saw is that these foreigners are still very angry with South African citizens. A new Africa map was made with South Africa out of Africa.

Expired food for foreigners

2008-06-15T01:50:00.000-07:00

The Glenvista refugees camp is a camp where plus minus 2 300 foreigners have been displaced, following the recent xenophobic attacks that took place a month ago in Alexandra township North of Johannesburg. The attacks later stretched to other parts of South Africa. The camp is situated just next to the Rifle Range road here in Johannesburg, with a variety of 14 different nationals. Foreigners there say they really are very disappointed about how they have been treated, especially the kind of food they are been fed with. They say the food is often expired and six slices of brown bread and soup two times a day it is not enough.

Speaking to some of them why they say the food is expired they say it is because every time after they have eaten they go to the toilet because of the running stomach. This is just news to the assistant site manager Belinda Kontze, as she explains there is no such a thing as expired food. Kontze explained to us that every time food comes in, she and other volunteers are the first people to taste them. Now its surprising to hear the food is expired.

This led to some of the women foreigners ending up cooking their own food as they say they don't trust anything and anyone now. When you walk around the tents you could see prima stoves and pots - a clear sign that people have lost hope. But where do they get the money to buy their own food?

The foreign nationals are now calling on the South African government and the International Community to do everything in their power to make sure they will soon leave the camp.

XENOPHPBIA IN SA

2008-06-15T01:06:00.000-07:00

We are 13 journalist from SA,We visited Glennvista refugees camp at corner Rifle Range where they kept them and supply them with food,accomodation and clinic.There are more than 2500 refugees from all over the african continent,forched to stay together sharing toilets as well as water including bath facilities.
.The refugees complaining of food that are expired and causing them running stomach,and the tent that are staying are very cold,they supply them with one blanket.They are not happy at all,they are sick and tired of that life.They appealing to SA government to come together and unite.They dont want to go back to their countries because there is a war.

XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS

2008-06-15T00:19:00.000-07:00

We went to the Glenvista Refugee Camps Johhannesburg where plus minus 2300 foreiners where there.And they are from 14 different nations all over the country.Then they are provided with food ,water and sanitation.They also provide disposable nappies for little babies and mobile clinic for those who get sick.

I managed to talk to couples of people whereby they complained about everything.They say they are given expired food and the food are giving them diahrea.Another thing that is still in my mind is the woman who is staying with her eight children in one tent.She told me that they dont have privacy there and she is worried about her childrens future because they are not attending school anymore.She again complained about the blanket they have been provided with.She says they are not enough and sleeping on the floor is killing them.

Xenophobia threatening Democracy in Africa

2008-06-14T23:47:00.000-07:00

On Friday we went to South of Johannesburg surburb Glenvista. Where we came across plus-minus 2500 refugees who are placed in tents in this cold winter months of the year. Those people deserve not be treated that way. We South Africans have lost our huminity.How can we treat our fellow Africans that way.Denying them a chance in life ,we forgot that the very same people gave our brothers and sisters shelter and comfort during our struggle .South Africans ,you the rainbow nation be reasonable.Take a stand against this scourge with is destroying us.

And You are an African?

2008-06-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

As I write this, it’s been just over 24 hours since the South Africa Reserve Bank governor hiked interest rates by 50 basis points; already in newspapers across South Africa featured this hike and effects thereof, radio and television invite economists, analysts and other “alert and enlightened” people to warn the South African public.

Already everything is focused on the many South Africans that will suffer and how they will suffer due to the interest rate hike. That’s fair; one would say; but is it really?
I find it amazing how we as South Africans can displace thousands; we’ve driven hundreds of foreigners maybe even thousands out of our country, their place of refuge and safety and killed tens of our fellow African brothers and sisters. We’ve driven them out of our townships like spoilt children that don’t share toys, we’ve gathered all our possessions (freedom, economic strength, independence, peace, safety, world relations), I could go on; all for ourselves simply to store these and do nothing with them. I make mention of toys because seemingly we hardly, if anything, make use of these possessions; instead we fight amongst ourselves, neglect development projects and diverse options that the government has put in place for us; all of course in the aim of development and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE), Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (ASGISA) and any other project and involvement that the government has at the present moment for the South African citizen.

We cried and said that the so called “foreigners” are taking away our jobs; by the way, these are the jobs we won’t take up in our country but would gladly take up in other “better” countries. You know, grin and bear it; kind’a familiar isn’t it?

Foreigner status was not bad enough; but no we wanted more; and we made them feel as “refugees”. Yes most of them perhaps are “refugees”, but did we need to make them feel as such? Did we have to drive them into an open space area, on the side of Rifle Ridge Road in Glenvista in Johannesburg? Even then we didn’t want them and still don’t want them. Did we have to drive them from Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses and shacks (from our informal settlements) to plastic material made tents where they sleep on the floor with only one thin blanket per person in the cold winter season; and oh, in the open field at a steep area where the winter winds will blow directly through them and their plastic material tents that have holes?

We still have the guts to say that they’ve received five star treatment from our government. We complain and say that they receive food from our South African government; if only we knew that they receive six slices of brown bread and soup with hardly any fat in it, oranges as well as juice only twice for some of them once a day. This of course if after we fed them poisonous food so that some of them would be ill for a week.

We cry and say the government should now lower the prices of food, fair enough I guess. How about we also demand better living conditions for the people that enjoy only the legacy of peace we have in our country, how about we demand light inside their tents, more blankets, better meals, or perhaps even three meals a day; I’m sure you can think about the treatment you would like in a country to which you would flee for refuge in a time of war in your own country.
Did we have to hit them, cause open wounds in the faces of their children with tears streaming down their faces and blood dripping from their children’s mouths; and still put such pictures on the front page of our newspapers with motives of making huge profits apart from just reporting the incidents?

Did we have to drive them to an area where they spend days looking at the winter sun most of them with only the clothes they have on their backs, because we’ve taken most of their possessions when we chased them from our communities, took some of what we coveted of theirs and destroyed what we considered as junk; and what we couldn’t take from them? We denied their children the right to education, we denied the parents and breadwinners a chance to earn a living for their families, and we’ve put out the fire that lighted the future of their children in our country. A mother’s cry goes, “these are my seven children, their father was killed during the war in our country, we decided to come seek refuge in South Africa. These children are doctors, lawyers, scientists”.

We’ve become the monster that they should be fearful of, more so than they should fear the situations that chased them out of their countries. We’ve led them to mentally declare South Africa as a separate part of the African continent. We’ve become the force that led them to put together cardboard pieces and draw the African continent on them, only it’s not the Africa we all know. The continent they drew has South Africa broken off the continent with text, “South Africa must be out” accompanied by statements, South Africa is not part of Africa. We’ve isolated ourselves in our comfort zones; maybe our cries for help as South Africans should deafen the world’s ears.

We’ve forgotten what “Ubuntu” (humanity) realy is, we’ve made statements “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” (a person is because of people), only thing is we don’t live up to these statements, they are just lip service.

Let’s not forget where we come from, let’s not forget that some of these nation whose people we’re persecuting are the ones whose ancestors housed some of our leaders in exile, and contributed to our liberal and democratic South Africa. Let’s treat our fellow African brothers and sisters as we would like to be treated if we were in a situation they are in. Consider this; it could be you in another place in another lifetime. Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. Be a Good South African!

Caged in?

2008-06-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

How ironic is our country’s fight for freedom? During this 10 day long seminar we had the chance to visit Constitutional Hill and a refugee camp in Glenvista Rifle Range in Johannesburg. After these visits I can not stop myself from thinking that there are many similarities between the imprisonment of political prisoners back in the apartheid era and keeping refugees in camps around the country now.

Here are some comparisons to help you understand. Our tour guide at Constitutional Hill told us that the prisoners were mainly fed bread, porridge, tea and sometimes they got some coffee with a bit of sugar and fruit. This was a little more than the six slices of bread, tea and sometimes fruit that the government is feeding refugees in the camps at the moment. Even the sleeping arrangements have some similarities. Prisoners had only one blanket, while the refugees also have to do with just one. Sleeping on the floor, cement or a tent floor, is another thing these people have in common.

This has left me with the question, are we really free in South Africa? Even us as normal South Africans are been caged in by all the barriers we’ve erected around our homes and workplaces to keep us safe from the escalating crime situation we face.

By stating all of this, I want to bring home the point that many South Africans still don’t have our democracy’s promised freedom (and I’m not going to say our new democracy, because after 14 years, I don’t think it’s new anymore!) It is such a shame that, in such a vibrant and beautiful country, we are in so many ways caged in. I hope we all rise to the occasion and realize or own responsibility regarding freedom, especially the government!

Who are we or who are we not?

2008-06-14T01:16:00.000-07:00

I ask this question because my soul is shocked to its core because of what we do as so called African.
When visiting the glen vista rifle range refugee camp near Booysens in Johannesburg I felt stripped naked with the feeling of someone staring at me. Fellow Africans that have been relocated from places they once called home,to tents we call shelters.
Forcing them 14 different nationalities to stay together, men women and children
people full of anger and fear, fear for being treated like animals that are being led for slaughter by the once nation that brought hope to them.

Rows of tents opposite the mansions.

We fellow country men and women say,we don't want the kwere kweres here and at the same time its them crying saying we don't want them here!!!

Have we forgotten about the time when our own country did not want us?
stop and think of these times,think who reached out welcoming us in their countries
fellow south Africans,it is said you don't bite the hand that feeds you.
we have bitten the hands that fed us when our motherland was not ready to feed us.
when we were orphaned by south Africa because of the apartheid!!!

This brings me to my contention that our souls have been bared,our consciences need cleansing as we question our motives,should we love our brothers and sisters or should we hate them!!!

We grabbed in to assist by providing food and aid to those displaced!

However amid all of this it was disheartening, I felt as if I could have been someone else except me when i heard the cry of these people.

David Shabani from the war torn Burundi whom i spoke to ,told me with tears in his eyes that as we were pushed away in the past the only place he had to call home pushed him away now. Telling me that since he came into life he never had to queue for food neither had he to fight over two slices of bread.

People at the shelter are receiving bread, polony, and some juice as well as chicken which might not be ideal for those of them who established themselves well in the communities that now don't want them there.

David Shabani still remains positive saying unlike other refugees who demands to be deported he would still like to stay in south Africa. If they still do not want me i will kill my children and myself. was the words of Shabani, a man that is as broken as the branch of a tree by an elephant.

Who will take responsibility for the blood of these people and on whose hands will it be!!!

It is said that our people should be educated to accept foreign nationals the same should be extended to those we shelter,their situation is painful!!! Something is seriously wrong in our country. The killings of our cousins from all over Africa have resulted in friction that we, with our children and their children will be confronted with for many years to come.

During my visit to the camp I noticed that many of these people were full of fear - hardly saying anything - extremely quiet in fear of being asked to say elbow in Zulu which means indololwane fearing as they are not zulu for failing to say it correct and being attacked again.

I am not comfortable with the idea that these people saw me and my fellow journalistic friends as monsters asking me upon entry at the refugee camp,are you coming to kill us again.

Let us remember that these people are our brothers and sisters from our other mothers.

Social ills contribute to crime

2008-06-12T00:57:00.000-07:00

Unemployment, poverty and a lack of education are some of the issues which were identified as contributing factors to the high crime rate in the country. This transpired at the million man march which was held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Tuesday. The march was organized by comedian and actor Desmond Dube and its aim was to highlight the scourge of crime in the country and to let government know that more needs to be done to eradicate crime.

The target was for one million people to attend, but being a Tuesday less than 4 000 people were able to participate. Despite the low turnout, the people who did manage to attend showed their commitment to fight crime and to work together with government in doing this. There were lots of people from different civil organizations, different schools and church groups. Some political parties used this opportunity to campaign for next year’s presidential elections.

People were carrying placards with different messages to government and there was also a lot of singing, people singing struggle songs and church songs. Minister of Correctional Services Ngconde Balfour received the memorandum on behalf of government but he was booed off the stage halfway through his speech, which was a way of people showing their frustration towards government and that they’ve had enough.
All in all it was good seeing South Africans from all walks of life coming together and uniting against the crime.

Listen to the voicer Hlengiwe filed for Gagasi 99.5 FM:

Enough is enough - no more crime

2008-06-11T08:03:00.000-07:00

Thousands of South Africans marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 10 june 2008 in a bid to fight against crime. There were whites, coloureds, blacks and they all showed unity against crime. They were carrying boards which said, "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH" lets stop crime. Organiser of the march Desmond Dube said, "Government must do something to stop crime and if they fail to do that, they must step down from their positions. '' He said, "It's a crime to receive a salary if you not dop the job.''

Some political parties used this oppotunity to canvass for the 2009 elections such as the Democratic Alliance and AZAPO. President Thabo Mbeki could not be there personally but former minister of Safety and Security Sydney Mafumadi was there and with the current national minister of Correctional Services Ngcode Balfour but he was interrupted by the protesters during his speech and that forced him to quickly end his speech.

cry the beloved country crime kills us

2008-06-11T07:39:00.000-07:00

A disappointed South African Nation that are sick and tired of not being able to live out their right to belonging .
Organising the million man march against crime Comedian and actor Desmund dube said that the nation are sick and tired of the high rate of crime in south Africa as well as the aproach of government on crime in the once peaceful neighbourhoods of the beloved country.

Not a million but more than enough South African man and women gathered in front of the Union building in Pretoria to show how gatvol as one of the placard's states strongly they are for criminal activities including the silence of the president and his cabinet over the high rate of crime that keeps peaceful citizens imprisoned in their homes because of the fear of falling victim to crime.
Desmund dube expressed his concern over the absence of President Thabo mbeki , A once strong leader but now a lame duck as he has been called by politicians.

Democratic alliance leader Helene zille also lashed out against government saying that government should not be deaf to the cry of the beloved country ,accusing mbeki of being ignorant she called upon the nation to vote to power real leaders

From the perspective of a journalist speaking to some of the people i could sense that the south African public has reached the point in the countries existence where it is dangerous to be a criminal

A nation fed up for the silence of the leadership that causes harm to a once respected nation
hampering not only growth in the country ,but avoiding potential investers to invest in this country.

Which is leaving me with a question!!!

Wheter the nation are going to vote in 2009

I have falled victim of crime to many times
I will not vote to power back boneless people who are out to enrich themselves
Was the words of a young south African women i spoke to

LET US REMEMBER THE INOCENT LIVES THAT WAS LOST DEU TO CRIME

!!! I SALUTE ALL OF THEM !!!

As South Africans we should remember 1994 and should vote in order to voice our opinion

Great stuff

Roderick Titus
03 towerkop street
upington
northern cape
republic of south Africa
e.mail me at.miche@webmail.co.za

Nkosi sikelela i,Africa