tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25511215692630908312024-03-13T02:36:04.356+02:00U write what U likeEveryone has a story, what's yours? Here is your platform to tell it, in your own words, or in pictures. U write what U like!
Africans expressing their artistic minds.
~INFINITE CREATIVITY!~vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-61054730553926480042014-05-11T09:58:00.001+02:002014-05-11T09:58:27.051+02:00SHE by Vuyokazi S YonkeShe<br />
<br />
Golden sun rises with her smile<br />
Constant as layer of blue sky high<br />
Nurturing as Kalahari desert rains<br />
Unmoving as Kilimanjaro plains<br />
Grounded as ancient evergreen trees<br />
Gentle as a tropical sea breeze <br />
Enchanting as elusive blue moon <br />
Beautiful as a fragile rosebud in June<br />
Resourceful as Queen of the jungle<br />
Challenging as an unsolved puzzle<br />
Fierce as crashing Transvaal thunder<br />
Strong as voices unified together<br />
Precious as blushing pink sapphire<br />
Warm as winter's smouldering fire<br />
Natural as bountiful Mother Earth<br />
Valuable as each life giving breath<br />
<br />
Daughter<br />
Sister<br />
Friend<br />
Lover<br />
Wife<br />
Mother <br />
<br />
Goddess<br />
Queen<br />
Empress<br />
High Priestess<br />
Princess<br />
<br />
She rises carrying the hopes of humanity<br />
She smiles conveying joys of femininity<br />
All her efforts encompassed with humility<br />
The beauty within you and in me<br />
The golden sunrise shines with her smile. <br />
She<br />
vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-16962948968751140062014-02-11T14:30:00.001+02:002014-02-11T14:30:09.174+02:00Badilisha PoetryBadilisha Poetry<br />
<br />
You got scribbles hidden away in a book, on a page...maybe waiting for some kind of stage? Looking for a platform to showcase your work??? <br />
Well..Badilisha Badilisha Poetry X-Change plays out its vision through Badilisha Radio. The project has been created to encourage and present:<br />
<br />
Platforms for the exposure and growth of unheard voices;<br />
<br />
Opportunities for established and aspirant poets to engage with each other and their work for mutual benefit through networking and skills transfer;<br />
<br />
Diverse genres of poetic expression including performance and multi-media;<br />
<br />
Access to wider market places utilising these media; and<br />
<br />
Spaces for discussion and debate, as a means to explore and mature the poetic form as a tool for social activism.<br />
<br />
Read more below on how to submit!<br />
<br />
http://badilishapoetry.com/submission-info-podcast/vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-57626949935348155302014-02-11T14:22:00.001+02:002014-02-11T14:22:26.715+02:00February Newsletter 2014Greetings friends! <br />
<br />
A special greeting to all the wonderful lovers in the world. You may not even be in a love relationship currently, but trust, there is someone out there that loves you, wholeheartedly! Love is all around! <br />
<br />
<b>What’s new with the blog? </b><br />
<br />
1. There is a link that shows the 3 most popular posts on the blog. Scroll down the UWWUL blog page. <br />
2. You can also subscribe by email l to the blog so that when a new post has been made, you will be the first to receive it conveniently to your personal email address. <br />
(Your email address will remain private; your details are secure and will not be shared.) <br />
3. A writing contest with a prize worth $1000. More info click on this link http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2014/01/writing-contest-1000usd-prize.html<br />
4. Original poetry by Bonnie “Bo”Petersen, it’s titled Maybe Tomorrow. Here is the link http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2014/01/maybe-tomorrow.html<br />
5. This month we also remember the life and contribution of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe 05 December 1924-27 February 1978. Lest we forget...<br />
<b><br />
What are you reading? </b> <br />
I’ve recently read the book The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. The book is written with such sensitivity and an understanding of our spiritual journeys. I carry this book in my bag! <br />
“Then the gates of his heart were flung open, and his joy flew far over the sea.”<br />
What are YOU reading? Do you have a book you would like to recommend? Share! <br />
<br />
<b>What are you writing? </b><br />
If YOU are not reading are you atleast writing? This month’s challenge is to pen a piece that is centered around LOVE. <br />
Make sure to check out all the poetry posted on the Facebook group wall.<br />
If you have any literature centred news/event/project you want to spread to many, you can post it to the Facebook group wall: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=65172951976 <br />
<br />
YOU can also become a contributor to the UWWUL blog and share with multitudes,contact me for that. <br />
Thank YOU all for the support on this blog, page views so far: 12,827. I would like to welcome home the new members of this fam! <br />
<br />
Yours in literacy, <br />
Vuyokazi<br />
vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-2917584277049973192014-01-17T12:57:00.000+02:002014-01-17T12:57:20.077+02:00Maybe Tomorrow Maybe tomorrow this world will relate.<br />
Maybe tomorrow, I pray… Be my fate!<br />
Alone… desperate, unstoppable fear…<br />
I won’t be without you,<br />
All I need is you near.<br />
<br />
Maybe tomorrow we’ll wake up embracing.<br />
Maybe tomorrow will see us not chasing…<br />
An instant of serendipity, a burst of sudden reason!<br />
We’ll begin our forever.<br />
Our love for all seasons!<br />
<br />
Maybe tomorrow, I’ll say it again…<br />
There’ll be no more ridicule,<br />
God would have spoken it away<br />
We’ll be as the universe and elements created<br />
A love-force majestic<br />
Untouched by their hatred!<br />
<br />
(This was sent to me through email by Bonnie Bo Petersen)vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-25102491636143644822014-01-16T08:24:00.000+02:002014-01-16T08:30:02.373+02:00 Washington Fellowship Application Information<b><br />
Washington Fellowship Application Information</b><br />
International Education, Youth, Africa<br />
Due - January 27, 2014<br />
<br />
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 12:00 MIDNIGHT EASTERN STANDARD TIME MONDAY JANUARY 27, 2014<br />
<br />
The Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative. President Obama launched YALI in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa. The Washington Fellowship, which begins in 2014, will bring <b>500 young leaders</b> to the United States each year for academic coursework and leadership training and will create unique opportunities in Africa for Fellows to put new skills to practical use in leading organizations, communities, and countries.<br />
<br />
The online application for the Washington Fellowship is currently available. Completed applications, including all supporting documents, are due by 12:00 midnight Eastern Standard Time, January 27, 2014. All applications must be submitted via the online application system. The application instructions provide detailed information regarding the financial provisions of the fellowship, eligibility and selection criteria for the program, and details on applying. Please read the application instructions carefully prior to beginning the application. We recommend printing these instructions and referring to them while completing the application.<br />
<br />
If you have questions about the application, please email washingtonfellowship@irex.org<br />
<br />
Participating countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Additional Links<br />
U.S. Department of State Young African Leaders Initiative<br />
Contact<br />
<br />
washingtonfellowship@irex.org<br />
http://www.irex.org/application/washington-fellowship-application-information <br />
vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-25488434567654513072014-01-15T16:36:00.001+02:002014-01-15T16:39:33.226+02:00Media Internships at Bush Radio<a href="http://bushradio.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/8-x-internship-opportunities-at-bush-radio-jan-june-2014/"></a><br />
<br />
http://bushradio.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/8-x-internship-opportunities-at-bush-radio-jan-june-2014/<br />
<b><br />
Newsroom</b><br />
<br />
News has always been an important part of the stations programming. We are looking for 4 recruits for the newsroom. You do not need a formal qualification to apply but should fulfill the criteria listed below.<br />
<br />
Are you…<br />
<br />
Curious, adventurous, always looking for a story, willing to hunt down a source, hungry to learn, energetic, able to speak, write and read in English & Afrikaans/Xhosa, willing to explore new frontiers in media?<br />
<br />
Would you like to…<br />
<br />
Record sound, conduct interviews, compile bulletins, read bulletins, take pictures, record video, cover events, test your skills LIVE to a listening and online audience of over 375 000 people, build your career and profile?<br />
<br />
If your answer to the above is yes, then a volunteer news trainee position in the Bush Radio newsroom is for you.<br />
<br />
You will be required full-time and to work shifts (06h00 – 14h00 and 10h00 –18h00 –including weekend and public holiday shifts.)<br />
<br />
You will not receive payment! This is a volunteer internship at Africa’s leading community radio station. Training allowance of R500 per month for 3 months (probation), increased to R 1000 thereafter, non negotiable for 9 months.<br />
<br />
Shortlisted candidates will be put through a combination written test (for computer skills, language, general knowledge) and a voice test.<br />
<br />
<b>Programming:</b><br />
<br />
Bush Radio 89.5 FM, Africa’s oldest community radio station project is offering local internships in its programming department for 4 trainee producers.<br />
<br />
The internship runs for 2014 and is fulltime*.<br />
<br />
No formal qualifications are required but the candidates must be computer literate and understand, write and read English and one other indigenous language.<br />
<br />
The internship provides opportunities for the candidates to develop skills in media with a specific focus on radio broadcasting but will include areas of new media and television.<br />
<br />
*Fulltime is Monday to Friday, either (06h00 – 02h00, 08h00 – 16h00, 09h00 – 17h00, 10h00 – 18h00 or 11h00 – 19h00).<br />
<br />
Job description for trainee producer:<br />
<br />
* Generate interview ideas<br />
<br />
* Research topics for programme<br />
<br />
* Schedule and liaise with guests<br />
<br />
* Assist presenter with drafting questions before and during interviews<br />
<br />
* Research, package and present certain programme elements (community notices, updates, tips etc)<br />
<br />
* Liaise with listeners regarding programme<br />
<br />
* Take photographs / video<br />
<br />
* Updating blogs/websites<br />
<br />
* Presenting as needed / capable<br />
<br />
* Participate in outside broadcasts or events<br />
<br />
You will not receive payment! This is a volunteer internship at Africa’s leading community radio station. Training allowance of R500 per month for 3 months (probabtion), increased to R 1000 thereafter, non negotiable for 9 months.<br />
<br />
Shortlisted candidates will be put through a combination written test (for computer skills, language, general knowledge) and a voice test.<br />
<br />
How to sumbit your application:<br />
<br />
Decide which internship you would like to apply for.<br />
<br />
Only emailed applications will be considered.<br />
<br />
In the subject line clearly state either:<br />
<br />
News Internship 2014 Application + Your Name + Surname<br />
<br />
or<br />
<br />
Programming Internship 2014 Application + Your Name and Surname<br />
<br />
Applications should include the following:<br />
<br />
* Motivation letter (minimum 500 words)<br />
<br />
* CV with at least 2 contactable references<br />
<br />
* Any documentation (certificates/portfolio etc) to assist application<br />
<br />
All applications to feedback@bushradio.co.za<br />
<br />
Application deadline: 19 January 2014 @ 20h00<br />
<br />
Bush Radio reserves the right not to make an appointment – Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted – No correspondence will be entered into.<br />
<br />
<br />
vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-14967356363703003292014-01-10T11:27:00.003+02:002014-01-10T11:27:30.207+02:00Writing Contest 1000USD prizeSUBMIT FOR BNPA 2014 AND WIN 1,000 US DOLLARS<br />
<br />
THE WINNER WILL RECEIVE 1,000 US DOLLARS Submissions to be received from January 6th to May 5th 2014 midday, East African Time. Guidelines for submissions:<br />
<br />
• It is open to ALL African poets who will not have published a full-length collection of poetry by May 2014<br />
<br />
• Submissions should be original, in English and not more than 40 lines. Times New Roman or Arial, single-spaced and size 12. Local languages are accepted only if English translations are sent alongside them<br />
<br />
• Send a maximum of three poems and a minimum of one poem to bnpoetryaward@mail.com as a word attachment. DO NOT include your name or contact details on the poem itself<br />
<br />
• The subject line should read, “BNPA 2014”<br />
<br />
• Include your name, email address, country or birth and country of permanent residence, telephone number and the titles of your poems in the body of the email<br />
<br />
• The submissions will be accepted from January 6th to May 5th 2014<br />
<br />
• More details on the face book page, Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation, on the blog http://bnpoetryaward.blogspot.com and website http://www.bnpoetryaward.co.ug<br />
<br />
The judges Kgafela oa Magogodi: South African poet, director and musician. He is currently completing a co-writing project for a musical stage play, The Book Of REBELATIONS . Published books include Thy Condom Come (2000) and Outspoken (2004).<br />
<br />
Joanne Arnott: Award-winning Canadian poet and writer. Her first book of poetry, Wiles of Girlhood (1991) won the League of Canadian Poets’ Gerald Lampert Award for best first book of poetry (1992). Her newest publication of poetry is, A Night for the Lady (Ronsdale, fall 2013)<br />
<br />
Richard Ali: Author of City of Memories, Chief Operations Officer of Parrésia Publishers Ltd and Publicity Secretary [North] of Association of Nigerian Authors. Richard is also Editor-in-Chief of the Sentinel Nigeria Magazine and was a runner-up at the 2008 John la Rose Short Story Competition.<br />
<br />
http://bnpoetryaward.blogspot.com/vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-28733961552515724612014-01-10T11:21:00.002+02:002014-01-10T11:21:33.390+02:00 Manuscripts of knowledge by MPOBA KNOWLEDGE MONYEKE Manuscripts of knowledge<br />
<br />
<br />
Take me through a journey by a telescopic view of history<br />
Siyavuma makhosi sa mochonoko a binela hlophe<br />
Le 'na nkenye lenakeng la motheo<br />
Tebisa kepi Sesothong, fepa kelello eaka ka lioelioetla<br />
Tsa nalane hotsoa sesiung sa tsebo e manoni<br />
<br />
Nthute sehaeso se monate ntho ena ke<br />
Makhea monate oa eona o kena pelong<br />
E re le 'na ke kene khabong hoea linakeling<br />
Ke tle jare ak'a masasa ke lebe mangaung,<br />
Ka bosiu ba lelingoana o mphe mekhabo-puo<br />
Ke tle ke khabe ha boesa ke ithoka<br />
<br />
Mpinele maele,tsebo e oele tsebeng tsaka<br />
Sa marotholi a liphara a pula tsa molubela<br />
Ha li ngobetsa the dry of soil of my land.<br />
Ke anye e letsoele le mohasula<br />
Ke imone monoana ka sokotso le mafura<br />
La khomo ea lebese 'malihlofa<br />
Khomo e sisang bese la mofuta tlhalefo<br />
<br />
Nthute sehaeso se seke sa timela ke shebile.<br />
Like a receptive child sitting at ifo attentively<br />
Listening to nkhono narrating historic stories of<br />
Ancient Basotho nation walking through the passage of Ntsoana-tsatsi;<br />
Embarking on a journey all the way to the mountain kingdom<br />
The kingdom in the sky, Boroa ba Afrika.<br />
<br />
Teach me Basotho Ethics, I’m listening to you<br />
Nthute hore; motho ke motho ka batho ba bang<br />
Matsoho a hlatsoana, ts’oele le beta poho<br />
Etsoe letsema ke matla,<br />
O ka nketsang ha e hae motse<br />
Motse ho ahoa oa morapeli- motlola thapelo!<br />
Nthute mekhoa le maele a baholo-holo baka<br />
<br />
Nthute sehaeso ke itsebe<br />
Engineer words, i will write syllables<br />
In my praise poetry and let it be carried by the wailing<br />
Wind to recite a eulogy on top of Thaba-Bosiu<br />
To pay homage to my forefathers<br />
My trend-setters and my road pavers<br />
<br />
<br />
Nthute le 'na ke tle ke tsebe hoea<br />
Molutsoaneng ke ilo bua le Rare<br />
Molimo o moholo Jere,Tlhatlha-macholo<br />
A re kolobetse ka keleli tsa mariha le hlabula<br />
Lesotho le apereloe ke nala<br />
<br />
Thena khoroa li ehlabe ka sefea-maeba<br />
Khobe re hlabe ka lemao, re jele poqo ka hlanaka<br />
Unleash the proverbial manuscripts and let me learn from you <br />
I’m a child constantly yearning for indigenous ancient knowledge<br />
<br />
© MPOBA KNOWLEDGE MONYEKE<br />
25 April 2010<br />
vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-16160512138475730442014-01-05T17:23:00.001+02:002014-01-05T17:23:39.329+02:00Fresh Year with a Fresh Blog
Greetings!
Please come wioth us on a new journey on Wordpress.
I have been having issues with this current blog as to the appearance of the blog posts.
Join us here: http://afropoetic.wordpress.com/vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-33119593498175843932014-01-04T15:12:00.003+02:002014-01-10T11:05:41.255+02:00Music from Empress TallowahHi All<br />
<br />
Find the link to my song<br />
<br />
This song is about how we fear to look inside ourselves yet we find it easy to to look outside ourselves. We seek answers without instead of seeking them within.....and when we do. We find wealth and life secrets.<br />
<br />
The link to my song: http://soundcloud.com/mpresstallowah-phindile-suntsha/ungasabi-empresstallowah <br />
<br />
-- <br />
Love and Light<br />
<br />
<br />
Phindile Tallowah Suntshavuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-10007576661409416122014-01-04T15:09:00.001+02:002014-01-10T11:08:28.298+02:002014 UpdateGreetings all! <br />
My most sincere apologies for not updating this blog in such a long time. I will need assistance with an energetic and passionate individual to share the responsibilities of updating this blog, at least twice a month! <br />
<br />
Update:the last update was made on the 14th of March 2012. At that stage I had started with a new job, financially rewarding and also stressful as crazy. I had since left that company and joined another company for a year. And now its 2014 and new opportunities are still presenting themselves. <br />
<br />
In December 2011 I became a mom to an energy crammed young man, he is my life! May I please have updates from your side, to catch up? <br />
Any new writings, events, success, and publications?? In 2013 I wrote an impressive poem, 2012 I did not produce any new material. My last original work was in July of 2011, I was pregnant at that particular time. <br />
Work and motherhood took over, and I was scarce on social networks (twitter and facebook and this blog). <br />
<br />
Lets revive this poetic fire and keep it burning as we start fresh and anew this year. I will post the material submitted to our email. <br />
<br />
~Infinite Love!~ vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-51147473165287173142012-03-14T00:23:00.002+02:002012-03-14T00:35:46.831+02:00woman scream-lesothoAs part of the international awareness against woman violence and injustice, Poetry Farm has joined the Woman Scream international campaign to host events in the month of March to voice the cry against this violence. We have invited countless poets to participate. It is not a Poetry Farm event but a global initiative. Join the cry.<br /><br />Woman Scream International Poetry Festival - Lesotho ( Day One ) <br />thursday, March 15th at Ouh la la cafe <br />with Mr Mafa Maiketso, a lecturer at LCE, Counseling psychologist and a columnist. He will be presenting a ten-minute 'Speak Psychology' session on violence. He currently writes for Visions Magazine. He has been a columnist for two local newspapers namely Weekly Mail newspaper and Public Eye. He also has a Counseling Psychology session on Ultimate FM every wednesday.<br /><br />Admission is totally free! Just buy drinks and food at the restuarant.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWwjJBcRBY8/T1_JRF7bh5I/AAAAAAAAAb4/AMMh2XczKbo/s1600/2PAC_026.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PWwjJBcRBY8/T1_JRF7bh5I/AAAAAAAAAb4/AMMh2XczKbo/s400/2PAC_026.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719511347270223762" /></a><br />Illustrated by Maliehe Marcel Ntee (Lesotho)vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-85770860091906106222012-03-09T13:57:00.001+02:002012-03-09T13:58:39.582+02:00After a hunger season by A. TemboAfter a hunger season<br /> <br />Children smile their bile away<br />Wittily they spread their burly piled bodies on the tiled floor<br />Gaily they pat and dance dangling bums<br />And with their lumped bodies, life is pretty<br /> <br />Blinking seasons of nature<br />That shades at will, all textures sadness and joy<br />From boiling to frying sweet potatoes their mothers<br />Are to chose<br />Choice are scattered across time<br /> <br />Seasons take turns to unveil nature<br />Brother and sisters turn to each other’s arms<br />In glorious pleasure<br />As left over scatter on dinner table<br /><br />By Alfred Tembo<br /><br /><br />[<br />Short Biography<br />Alfred Tembo is a young African creative writer, grew up in Zimbabwe and Zambia.<br />His literary works have been published in Zimbabwe and Zambia. In<br />Motto Magazine, The Zambian Sunday Times, The Sun, The Business Express, Poetry Bulawayo website (Zimbabwe) among other publications.<br />He participated and organized public readings in Gweru and Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), Chipata, Lusaka and Chingola (Zambia)<br />On commissioned work several of his works have been used on gift card.<br />He is currently with the Gweru Memorial Library-US Advising Education Centre where he is serving as a writer and residence. ]<br /><br /><br />Submitted by :Sechaba Keketsi. Phone:+266 6337 3926 . Blog: www.sechabalb.wordpress.com.vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-75036543137664560892012-02-06T08:18:00.000+02:002012-02-06T08:20:25.384+02:00Ethnicity by Mmaletuka 'BlackWidow' MahalefeleEthnicity<br /><br /><br />To me what counts is ethnicity<br />The cultural diversity<br />That grounds and binds us to our ethnic diversity<br />Its not how you define it but how it defines you<br />Lead your life as you wish but you are entwined in the cultural and modern life feud<br />Its all home brewed like joala ba sesotho<br />Its you and that should not be an excuse<br />Nonetheless an option to delude yourself of the truth<br />Being black is an unending complexity<br />Let alone being defined through the hair on your head that’s perplexity<br />Ethnicity is not culture of mind<br />Excuses through mental slavery<br />Families of hate filled hearts combined as one<br />Ethnicity makes sense more than not yet we choose to derail the choice of meaning to our own<br />Ethnicity makes or breaks the beings we so wish we were<br />It makes raw the wounds of denial and we ponder the truths that never were<br />Oh what a fairytale of misconception and outrageous curiosities<br />I said we ponder truths that never were and make real the habits of bad mannerisms<br />Talk of a cliché<br />Ethnicity is more culture than tradition<br />Diversity makes true the meaning of ethnicity because culture is more than traditional backlogs<br />Its a way of life for individuals and their truth of thought<br />It makes us who we are<br />That is ethnicity, an undoubtedly cultural diversity<br /><br />By Mmaletuka 'BlackWidow' Mahalefele.vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-40643362844891915702012-02-04T11:26:00.004+02:002012-02-04T11:35:12.717+02:00Black History: Malcolm X<strong>Malcolm X </strong>( /ˈmælkəm ˈɛks/; May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965), <br />born Malcolm Little and also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz[1] <br />(Arabic: الحاجّ مالك الشباز), was an African American Muslim minister and human rights activist. <br />To his admirers, he was a courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its crimes against black Americans. <br />Detractors accused him of preaching racism, black supremacy, antisemitism, and violence. He has been called one of the greatest and most influential African Americans in history.<br /><br />Malcolm X's father died—killed by white supremacists, it was rumored—when he was young, and at least one of his uncles was lynched. When he was thirteen, his mother was placed in a mental hospital, and he was placed in a series of foster homes. In 1946, at age 20, he went to prison for breaking and entering.<br /><br />In prison, Malcolm X became a member of the Nation of Islam and after his parole in 1952 he quickly rose to become one of its leaders. For a dozen years Malcolm X was the public face of the controversial group, but disillusionment with Nation of Islam head Elijah Muhammad led him to leave the Nation in March 1964. After a period of travel in Africa and the Middle East, he returned to the United States, where he founded Muslim Mosque, Inc. and the Organization of Afro-American Unity. In February 1965, less than a year after leaving the Nation of Islam, he was assassinated by three members of the group.<br /><br />Malcolm X's expressed beliefs changed substantially over time. As a spokesman for the Nation of Islam he taught black supremacy and advocated separation of black and white Americans—in contrast to the civil rights movement's emphasis on integration. After breaking with the Nation of Islam in 1964—saying of his association with it, "I was a zombie then ... pointed in a certain direction and told to march"—and becoming a Sunni Muslim, he disavowed racism and expressed willingness to work with civil rights leaders, though still emphasizing black self-determination and self defense.<br /><br /><strong>Assassination </strong><br />The Audubon Ballroom stage on which Malcolm X was attacked. Circles on the mural mark bullet holes.On February 21, 1965, as Malcolm X prepared to address the Organization of Afro-American Unity in Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom, a disturbance broke out in the 400-person audience[159]—a man yelled, "Nigger! Get your hand outta my pocket!"[160][161] As Malcolm X and his bodyguards moved to quiet the disturbance,[162] a man rushed forward and shot him in the chest with a sawed-off shotgun.[163] Two other men charged the stage and fired semi-automatic handguns, hitting Malcolm X several times.[161] He was pronounced dead at 3:30 pm, shortly after he arrived at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.[159] According to the autopsy report, Malcolm X's body had 21 gunshot wounds, ten of them from the initial shotgun blast.[164]<br /><br />One gunman, Nation of Islam member Talmadge Hayer (also known as Thomas Hagan) was seized and beaten by the crowd before the police arrived minutes later;[165][166] witnesses identified the others as Norman 3X Butler and Thomas 15X Johnson, also Nation members.[167] Hayer confessed at trial to have been one of the handgun shooters, but refused to identify the other assailants except to assert that they were not Butler and Johnson.[168] All three were convicted.[169]<br /><br />Butler, now known as Muhammad Abdul Aziz, was paroled in 1985 and became the head of the Nation's Harlem mosque in 1998. He continues to maintain his innocence.[170] Johnson, who changed his name to Khalil Islam, rejected the Nation's teachings while in prison and converted to Sunni Islam. Released in 1987, he maintained his innocence until his death in August 2009.[171][172] Hayer, now known as Mujahid Halim,[173] was paroled in 2010.[174]<br /><br /><strong>Allegations of conspiracy</strong><br />Within days of the assassination, questions were raised about who bore ultimate responsibility. On February 23, James Farmer, the leader of the Congress of Racial Equality, announced at a news conference that local drug dealers, and not the Nation of Islam, were to blame.[192] Others accused the NYPD, the FBI, or the CIA, citing the lack of police protection, the ease with which the assassins entered the Audubon Ballroom, and the failure of the police to preserve the crime scene.[193][194]<br /><br />In the 1970s, the public learned about COINTELPRO and other secret FBI programs directed towards infiltrating and disrupting civil rights organizations during the 1950s and 1960s.[195] John Ali, national secretary of the Nation of Islam, was identified as an FBI undercover agent.[196] Malcolm X had confided in a reporter that Ali exacerbated tensions between him and Elijah Muhammad. He considered Ali his "archenemy" within the Nation of Islam leadership.[196] On February 20, 1965, the night before the assassination, Ali met with Talmadge Hayer, one of the men convicted of killing Malcolm X.[197]<br /><br />In 1977 and 1978, Talmadge Hayer submitted two sworn affidavits re-asserting his claim that Butler and Johnson were not involved in the assassination. In his affidavits Hayer named four men, all members of the Nation of Islam's Newark Temple Number 25, as having participated with him in the crime. Hayer asserted that a man, later identified as Wilbur McKinley, was the one who shouted and threw a smoke bomb to create a diversion. Hayer said that another man, later identified as William Bradley, had a shotgun and was the first to fire on Malcolm X after the diversion. Hayer asserted that he and a man later identified as Leon Davis, both armed with pistols, fired on Malcolm X immediately after the shotgun blast. Hayer also said that a fifth man, later identified as Benjamin Thomas, was involved in the conspiracy.[198][199] Hayer's statements failed to convince authorities to reopen their investigation of the murder.[200]<br /><br />Some, including the Shabazz family, have accused Louis Farrakhan of being involved in the plot to assassinate Malcolm X.[201][202][203][204] In a 1993 speech, Farrakhan seemed to boast of the assassination:<br /><br />Was Malcolm your traitor or ours? And if we dealt with him like a nation deals with a traitor, what the hell business is it of yours? A nation has to be able to deal with traitors and cutthroats and turncoats.[205][206]<br /><br />In a 60 Minutes interview that aired during May 2000, Farrakhan stated that some of the things he said may have led to the assassination of Malcolm X. "I may have been complicit in words that I spoke", he said. "I acknowledge that and regret that any word that I have said caused the loss of life of a human being."[207] A few days later Farrakhan denied that he "ordered the assassination" of Malcolm X, although he again acknowledged that he "created the atmosphere that ultimately led to Malcolm X's assassination."[208] No consensus on who was responsible has been reached.[209]<br /><br /><strong>Philosophy</strong><br />Except for his autobiography, Malcolm X left no published writings. His philosophy is known almost entirely from the myriad speeches and interviews he gave from 1952 until his death in 1965.[210] Many of those speeches, especially from the last year of his life, were recorded and have been published.[211]<br /><strong><br />Independent views </strong><br />Malcolm X at a 1964 press conferenceAfter leaving the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X announced his willingness to work with leaders of the civil rights movement,[112] though he felt that it should change its focus to human rights. So long as the movement remained a fight for civil rights, its struggle would remain a domestic issue, but by framing the struggle as a fight for human rights, it would become an international issue, and the movement could bring its complaint before the United Nations. Malcolm X said the emerging nations of the world would add their support to the cause of African Americans.[223]<br /><br />Malcolm X declared that he and the other members of the Organization of Afro-American Unity were determined to defend themselves from aggressors, and to secure freedom, justice and equality "by whatever means necessary", arguing that if the government was unwilling or unable to protect black people, they should protect themselves.[224]<br /><br />Malcolm X stressed the global perspective he gained from his international travels. He emphasized the "direct connection" between the domestic struggle of African Americans for equal rights with the liberation struggles of Third World nations.[225] He said that African Americans were wrong when they thought of themselves as a minority; in a global context, black people were a majority, not a minority.[226]<br /><br />In his speeches at the Militant Labor Forum, which was sponsored by the Socialist Workers Party, Malcolm X criticized capitalism.[147] After one such speech, when he was asked what political and economic system he wanted, he said he didn't know, but that it was no coincidence the newly liberated countries in the Third World were turning toward socialism.[227] Malcolm X still was concerned primarily with the freedom struggle of African Americans. When a reporter asked him what he thought about socialism, Malcolm X asked whether it was good for black people. When the reporter told him it seemed to be, Malcolm X told him, "Then I'm for it."[227][228]<br /><br />Although he no longer called for the separation of black people from white people, Malcolm X continued to advocate black nationalism, which he defined as self-determination for the African-American community.[229] In the last months of his life, however, Malcolm X began to reconsider his support of black nationalism after meeting northern African revolutionaries who, to all appearances, were white.[230]<br /><br />After his Hajj, Malcolm X articulated a view of white people and racism that represented a deep change from the philosophy he had supported as a minister of the Nation of Islam. In a famous letter from Mecca, he wrote that his experiences with white people during his pilgrimage convinced him to "rearrange" his thinking about race and "toss aside some of [his] previous conclusions".[231] In a 1965 conversation with Gordon Parks, two days before his assassination, Malcolm said:<br /><br />[L]istening to leaders like Nasser, Ben Bella, and Nkrumah awakened me to the dangers of racism. I realized racism isn't just a black and white problem. It's brought bloodbaths to about every nation on earth at one time or another.<br /><br />Brother, remember the time that white college girl came into the restaurant—the one who wanted to help the [Black] Muslims and the whites get together—and I told her there wasn't a ghost of a chance and she went away crying? Well, I've lived to regret that incident. In many parts of the African continent I saw white students helping black people. Something like this kills a lot of argument. I did many things as a [Black] Muslim that I'm sorry for now. I was a zombie then—like all [Black] Muslims—I was hypnotized, pointed in a certain direction and told to march. Well, I guess a man's entitled to make a fool of himself if he's ready to pay the cost. It cost me 12 years.<br /><br />That was a bad scene, brother. The sickness and madness of those days—I'm glad to be free of them.<br /><br />Source: Wikipedia.comvuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-37146886017129620532012-01-15T13:34:00.001+02:002012-01-15T13:37:38.247+02:00Unisa PressPlease take some time to read the information below. <br />Thank you for your interest in Unisa Press! We look forward to making contact with you.<br /><br /><br />A Application to publish<br /><br />An application form, obtainable from Unisa Press, must be completed and submitted to the above office, preferably before 15 February; or see the online version at http://www.unisa.ac.za/dept/press/appformf.html<br />Such an application will be considered by the Publications Committee with a view to possible publication in the following calendar year.<br />Late applications will be considered by the Publications Committee with due regard to available funds and to the publishing schedule of Unisa Press.<br />Precise and complete information must be supplied on the application form. Should there be more than one author/editor, this should be clearly indicated, as well as the name of the author who will act as contact person.<br />In his/her application, an author furnishes a date on which he/she agrees to submit the manuscript. 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In this regard the departmental liaises with the author to ensure that all target areas are exploited.<br />I General<br /><br />Authors are urgently requested to refrain from contacting or negotiating directly with the companies involved with different aspects of the production of the book.<br />An author whose manuscript is published under supervision of the Publications Committee will receive ten (10) free copies of his/her work after publication. In the case of co-authors, the number of free copies will be determined by the contract. The author(s) may, however, purchase further copies at a discount of 30%.<br />Approximately every six months after the publication of the work an author will receive an author’s report specifying sales and other complimentary copies issued during that period. When, at a later date, a royalty is due according to Unisa’s policy (after recovery of all expenses by Unisa), the author’s report will also contain details of all royalties owing. The reports are audited before being forwarded. <br /><br />http://www.unisa.ac.za/Default.asp?Cmd=ViewContent&ContentID=13503vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-10417271433382092472011-10-14T13:45:00.001+02:002011-10-14T20:24:08.567+02:00Thomas Sankara- an African Revolutionary LeaderThomas Isidore Noël Sankara <br />(December 21, 1949 – October 15, 1987) was a Burkinabé military captain, Marxist revolutionary, Pan-Africanist theorist, and President of Burkina Faso from 1983 to 1987.<br /><br />Viewed as a charismatic and iconic figure of revolution, he is commonly referred to as "Africa's Che Guevara."<br /><br />Sankara seized power in a 1983 popularly supported coup at the age of 33, with the goal of eliminating corruption and the dominance of the former French colonial power. <br /><br />He immediately launched the most ambitious program for social and economic change ever attempted on the African continent. <br />To symbolize this new autonomy and rebirth, he even renamed the country from the French colonial Upper Volta to Burkina Faso ("Land of Upright Men").<br /><br />His foreign policies were centered around anti-imperialism, with his government eschewing all foreign aid, pushing for odious debt reduction, nationalizing all land and mineral wealth, and averting the power and influence of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. His domestic policies were focused on preventing famine with agrarian self-sufficiency and land reform, prioritizing education with a nation-wide literacy campaign, and promoting public health by vaccinating 2.5 million children against meningitis, yellow fever and measles. <br /><br />Other components of his national agenda included planting over ten million trees to halt the growing desertification of the Sahel, doubling wheat production by redistributing land from feudal landlords to peasants, suspending rural poll taxes and domestic rents, and establishing an ambitious road and rail construction program to "tie the nation together."<br /><br />On the localized level Sankara also called on every village to build a medical dispensary and had over 350 communities construct schools with their own labour. Moreover, his commitment to women's rights led him to outlaw female genital mutilation, forced marriages and polygamy; while appointing females to high governmental positions and encouraging them to work outside the home and stay in school even if pregnant.<br /><br />In order to achieve this radical transformation of society, he increasingly exerted authoritarian control over the nation, eventually banning unions and a free press, which he believed could stand in the way of his plans and be manipulated by powerful outside influences.<br /><br />To counter his opposition in towns and workplaces around the country, he also tried corrupt officials, counter-revolutionaries and "lazy workers" in peoples revolutionary tribunals.<br /><br />Additionally, as an admirer of Fidel Castro's Cuban Revolution, Sankara set up Cuban-style Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDRs).<br /><br />His revolutionary programs for African self-reliance as a defiant alternative to the neo-liberal development strategies imposed by the West, made him an icon to many of Africa's poor. <br /><br />Sankara remained popular with most of his country's impoverished citizens. However his policies alienated and antagonised the vested interests of an array of groups, which included the small but powerful Burkinabé middle class, the tribal leaders whom he stripped of the long-held traditional right to forced labour and tribute payments, and the foreign financial interests in France and their ally the Ivory Coast.<br />As a result, he was overthrown and assassinated in a coup d'état led by the French-backed Blaise Compaoré on October 15, 1987. <br />A week before his execution, he declared: "While revolutionaries as individuals can be murdered, you cannot kill ideas."<br /><br />From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Sankaravuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-9092076159610832902011-10-03T12:09:00.000+02:002011-10-03T12:10:50.234+02:00October NewsletterProgressive greetings friends!<br /><br />What’s new with the blog?<br /><br />1. You can subscribe by email l to the blog so that when a new post has been made, you will be the first to receive it conveniently delivered to your personal email address. (Your email address will remain private; your details are secure and will not be shared.) <br /><br />2. Some of you have been emailing me on the UWWUL gmail account, and I have taken long to reply to you, I apologise sincerely. Please do keep writing to me and sending your work through. Another way to contact me is through my Facebook inbox. Featured poem submitted by mail: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/10/paint-me-by-mo-punkrocker-tseko.html <br /><br />3. Make sure to check out the poetry and events posted on the Afrikan Poets and Writers group wall on Facebook. The wall is open for you to share your work with us, and this is where I get the bulk of poetry that is published on the blog and AfroConscious journal contributions from. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=65172951976<br /><br />4. Xarra bookshop is moving from Newtown to Constitution Hill, Johannesburg. This is as from the 1st of October 2011. Your reliable store for African centred literature and music is also one of the stockists of the AfroConscious journal, self published in 2010. Xarra books is also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Xarra-Books-Music-Books-Art/50655186127 <br /><br />5. Read more about the Kasi Times publication here: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/09/kasi-times.html and at the bottom appears the link where you can access their site!<br /><br />6. Letter from the editor. Have you ever submitted your written work to a publication and received a regret letter. Why? Read here from an editor’s point of view: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/09/letter-from-editor.html <br /><br />7. I have uploaded an excerpt from the I write what I like book by Steve Bantu Biko, it is titled “Some African cultural concepts” Read and be empowered: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/09/biko-some-african-cultural-concepts.html<br /> <br />8. Call for submissions 2012: Infecting the city: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/10/call-for-submissions-2012-infecting.html <br /><br />9. My take on the Kenny Kunene reality tv show on Etv, So what: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/10/so-what.html <br /><br />What are you reading? What are YOU reading? Do you have a book you would like to recommend to us? Share! I am currently reading the Steve Biko book, “I write what I like”.<br /><br />What are you writing? If YOU are not reading are you atleast writing?<br /><br />If you have any literature centred news/event/project you want to spread to many, you can post it to the Facebook group wall: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=65172951976<br /><br />YOU can also become a contributor to the UWWUL blog and share with multitudes, contact me for that. <br /><br />Thank YOU all for the support on this blog, page views so far 4794 To the new members: I would like to welcome YOU home! <br /><br />Literally yours,<br />Vuyokazivuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-57873374670043957142011-10-03T12:04:00.000+02:002011-10-03T12:05:22.919+02:00'Paint me' by Mo PunkRocker TsekoPaint me <br />Paint my soul… <br />Make me feel whole… <br />Do me justice with your hands; <br />create a masterpiece that feeds my cold dark being. <br />See the beauty where there isn’t... <br />Art in the form of imperfection… <br />Turn me into a beautiful mess….your beautiful mess <br />PAINT ME……MAKE ME BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! <br /><br />Mo PunkRocker Tsekovuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-1569024841135396502011-10-03T11:45:00.001+02:002011-10-03T22:40:02.931+02:00So What?I am a young, patriotic South African. I am proud to be a descendent of this African continent. <br />The present state of affairs in South Africa and Africa as a whole causes my being to shudder. <br /><br />Historically, we have been colonised, enslaved and oppressed. But our pride would not let us cower for longer. Many fought, and many laid their lives for the emancipation of oppressed citizens. <br />We followed democracy, and received the vote. But are we better off? <br /><br />The new dispensation ushered forth the rise of the elite black, known as black diamonds. And the growing gap between the rich and the economically deprived. Ubuntu bethu is determined by your address, your Lambourghini and designer wear. <br /><br />In the name of entertainment, We create senseless reality shows to glorify the lifestyle of excess. Eating sushi off scantily clad women, sitting in bath tubs filled with expensive champagne. We observe a young woman Ridiculing hard working women who wake up early to set up their trading stalls in the market, because they wont accept American currency and wont swipe your credit card. All in the name of entertainment the young woman disrespects women older than her, likening them to apes and Tarzan. <br /><br />Darkies, have we completely lost the plot, our values, and sense of ubuntu? <br />Mr, Mrs, Miss Black Diamond, will it hurt to help build underprivileged communities. <br />Yes, you, Tendertrepeneurs. Will it hurt your pockets to dig down and donate to uplifting the area/community that is filling your coffers? <br />Mr, Mrs, Miss Politician will it hurt to try to bridge the gap of economic inequality? <br /><br />Please wake up ubuntu benu. This is Africa!<br /><br />Vuyokazi S Yonkevuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-19516372204513270312011-10-03T11:12:00.000+02:002011-10-03T11:26:38.526+02:00Call for submissions 2012: Infecting the CityCall for Submissions to 2012<br /><br />The Africa Centre has begun preparation for Infecting The City Public Arts Festival that will be held in the first week of March 2012.<br /><br />As you may be aware, the Infecting The City Festival offers a unique opportunity to bring music, dance and performance out of theatres and galleries and into the streets of Cape Town’s CBD. Its aspirations are to challenge audiences, breach boundaries, shifts perspectives and help make sense of the public spaces we occupy. The Infecting The City Festival’s vision is to develop a public art festival that grapples with the social issues pivotal to both the South African and, more broadly, human condition.<br /><br />This is a call to visual and performing artists to submit works that have either been staged or are completely new. The work can be a full ensemble piece, an intervention, a live performance, a visual art installation or some other form newly imagined. All works should translate to or work within a public environment, and should actively engage intentional and incidental audiences. There is no specific theme, only the intention to ‘infecting the city with the awe, provocation and dynamism of art’.<br /><br />If you or your company has an artwork in mind that fits with the Infecting The City Festival vision, please submit a detailed concept document (max. 500 words) and a one page C.V.<br /><br />Please email all applications or queries to info@infectingthecity.com. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 6th October 2011.<br /><br />For more information about last year’s Festival, please look at this site, view the Facebook page, view the YouTube videos, or contact Felicia on 021 422 0468.vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-90586281213798740092011-09-16T12:41:00.001+02:002011-09-16T12:48:17.300+02:00Kasi TimesOur Slogan: Motivate, Inspire and Empower<br /><br />Launched in Gauteng on the 28th of May 2010, Kasi Times is a pioneering magazine that seeks to upend social stereotypes of young South Africa. Through business, career, fashion, lifestyle, art and culture, and success stories, we have reintroduced to new ‘young adult’ to South Africa in a vibrant form that had never been seen before: telling our own stories and presenting a colourful, more rounded view of what it means to be modern, forward-thinking and South African in the 21st century.<br /><br />Kasi Times showcases success stories, aiming to motivate, inspire and empower a new generation of go-getters seeking to make their mark in business, in their careers, and in their lifestyles. It showcases trendsetters and the vivacious lifestyle of young South Africa with all its rich complexities.<br />Drawn to the notion that every black South African is connected to ekasi in one way or another; it’s one thing that binds us – a thread that grounds us and sets the benchmark of the heights we want to reach in our lives. Our pages reflect the diversity of the black South African, with contributions from all over the country and an inclusive audience that continues to grow exponentially.<br /><br />Kasi Times lauds the urbanites, the kasi-rooted change-makers, visionaries and all the inspirational men and women who exemplify what it means to be proudly South African in an ever-changing global community.<br /><br />Breaking the Mould<br />Unperturbed by globalisation, we are the cosmopolitan South African generation. Spurred on by creative prowess we are rapidly emerging as visionary entrepreneurs, firmly anchored in our culture. We uniquely embody a quiet sophistication, enriched by our shared historical traditions.<br />Masters on the edge of a cultural revolution, we move beyond a dictated destiny to reach deep within ourselves and cultivate a new generation.<br />Our new mould is undeniably dynamic, evolving and unequivocally South African without apology. We walk proud, optimistic, our future clearly defined, as South Africans, and burning bright.<br /><br />We deliver cutting edge information on business and entrepreneurship, health and relationships, personal finance and careers, arts and entertainment, food, fashion and beauty as well as the personal challenges and achievements of young black people. We give our more than 150,000 readers all the information they need and want-from their perspective and in their own voice.<br />Yet KASI TIMES is more than a magazine. Young people look to us to help them enhance and transform their lives. The information that KASI TIMES provides is life-changing: young people are empowered and, in the process, they advance not only their individual lives but also the quality of life for others. For all these reasons, KASI TIMES has evolved into a publication that embodies the hopes and aspirations of young people.<br /><br />Features:<br />Each month, KASI TIMES provides a diverse array of articles that offer an in-depth look at issues of particular importance to young South Africa. Our features cover careers, business advice, success stories love and family relationships, fashion, beauty, entertainment, finance, career issues, and personal growth. Each month we also feature YOUNG, GIFTED AND TAKING OVER, a profile of a rising star with an inspiring success story.<br /><br />The Reader<br />Target Market: LSM 4 to 10<br />Age Group: 18 to 34<br />The magazine’s target demographic is predominantly young, urban followers. They are young, ambitious, professional, creative and entrepreneurial. They are determined to “make it”- with or without tertiary education. They are very aware of themselves and of the world around them and are determined to make a statement. They aspire towards affluent living as a reward for their hard work. They are black, literate and relatively comfortable with technology. This consumer segment is talented and has great potential. They have big dreams and see the world differently, and they believe they can be a success.<br /><br />http://www.kasitimes.co.za/about/vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-73956834548350375222011-09-14T13:29:00.001+02:002011-09-14T22:11:58.940+02:00Biko- 'Some African cultural concepts'This is an excerpt from the I write what I like book by Steve Bantu Biko. This paper is titled: 'Some African cultural concepts' <br /><br />Since that unfortunate date - 1652 - we have been experiencing a process of acculturation. It is perhaps presumptuous to call it 'acculturation' because this term implies a fusion of different cultures.<br />In our case this fusion has been extremely one-sided. The two major cultures that met and 'fused' were the African Culture and the Anglo-Boer Culture.<br />Whereas the African culture was unsophisticated and simple, the Anglo-Boer culture had all the trappings of a colonialist culture and therefore was heavily equipped for conquest.<br />Where they could, they conquered by persuasion, using a highly exclusive religion that denounced all other Gods... Where it was impossible to convert, fire-arms were readily available and used to advantage.<br />Hence the Anglo-Boer culture was the more powerful culture in almost all facets. This is where the African began to lose a grip on himself and his surroundings.vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-51963212540333451062011-09-14T13:15:00.000+02:002011-09-14T13:16:09.259+02:00Letter from the Editor1. I'm coming off a marathon editing binge; fourteen hours straight that lasted until the wee hours of the morning and began well before noon. Two vastly different writers, writing in vastly different completely distinct styles and genres. The words and ideas behind both are brilliant, informative and well thought out. Both are excellent writers. Both needed editing. Although, in this case, I am using a simplified version, writers tend to get a word or phrase stuck in their brain, usually something a bit out of the ordinary and then use it over and over and over again. It is a subconscious thing, and it is not intentionally done, but to fresh eyes reading a manuscript; it sticks out like the proverbially sore thumb. One had a character 'clearing his throat' before almost every comment. It was catching; soon most of the characters seemed unable to utter a word without 'clearing their throat.' There were no surrounding circumstances to necessitate said action, indeed, I think it was an effort to avoid saying 'said' or 'interrupted' yet again. It is one of those things where the author is simply too close to see the repetition. Even if writing a full blown novel, reading it aloud will help the writer to find these insidious little buggers and replace them.<br /><br />2. Spell-check. I am not sure why this is even an issue. It would seem to me that a writer would run this as a matter of course, not unlike putting a period at the end of a sentence. It finds incomplete sentences --which the author may or may not choose to keep. But it also helps the writer see the mistakes where the brain moved faster than the fingers could keep up. After an edit is completed, an editor will run one to be sure that in the course of editing, words are notinadvertentlycombined, and as a last defense against those squiggly lines underneath words. It helps make sure punctuation (at least commas and the like) are used correctly.<br /><br />3. Proofread. Spell-checkers are a computer program that runs on a computer. Proofing is done by a human, with a brain that (still) in many ways surpasses a computer. Its the proof reeder that will find the words that may be spelled correctly, but are knot the correct word in the situation. Their the won thing that is guaranteed to make an editor tare their hare write out of they're heads! Imagine reading 350 pages of the previous few sentences. Why won't editors say these things? It really is neither politic nor anything thing other than self-serving and tension relieving to do so and can get you fired. <br /><br />4. . . .um... Ellipses. Those 'dot dot dot' pauses or periods of indecision. Here is a good time to remember the age old maxim: all things in moderation. The Chicago Manual of Style states, "Ellipsis points suggest faltering or fragmented speech accompanied by confusion, insecurity, distress, or uncertainty." The Manual contrasts ellipses with dashes, which it states should be reserved for more confident and decisive pauses. Ellipses are not. . . an excuse to write (or get away with) an incomplete . . . sentence; a thought, perhaps, but never . . . a sentence. To quote the book Grammar for Dummies, "Using ellipses in this way can get annoying really fast." Oh, and in a written one-sided phone conversation, it is actually four dots . . .three followed by a period.<br /><br />5. With that then, they went and jumped off a cliff. Unless you are writing a 5000 word paper with a word count and you ran out of inspiration/time/or ideas, word combinations like the one starting this section, or 'to that then' are just empty words.<br /><br />6. Editors won't tell you that you really are not as good a writer as you think you are because they know that encouraging you is the best way to get a writer to realize that, indeed, they do need to revise, rewrite, edit and revise again.<br /><br />7. Editors also will not tell you that you are stupendous, phenomenal or excellent, because then you won't want to revise, rewrite, edit and revise again.<br /><br />8. We won't tell you about the really funny mistakes that got by you because while we think they are hysterical, chances are, you won't and will feel insulted. Seems often times writers have a low threshold for being able to have a sense of humor about their mistakes. <br /><br />9. We aren't trying to change your 'vision' when we suggest changes. You may have 'plotholes' littering your wordscape. You might have written a novel and then condensed a final fight scene into two paragraphs. You might have run on sentences that spiral around, going nowhere and be saying something in two hundred words that really can be said in fifteen and yet you are too close to see that and simply don't get that reading sentences that go on and on and on can lose a reader and totally turn them off to your book and besides reviewers will completely bash your book if you do it; so don't!<br /><br />10. Chances are, they will not tell you when you are totally wrong about something, because most writers never think they are. Their mother, who is an English teacher, or their sister's brother-in-law's uncle's ex-wife's best friend said it was the best book in the world and they of course may be right, but they don't know what will sell, how to market it or have their reputation on the line. It doesn't matter to them.<br /><br /><br />Short, sweet and simple: if you are lucky enough to be in the position to be able to avail yourself of an editor's advice, give it a good hard consideration, think about it with an open mind and you just may find that they really do, in the long run, have your best interests in mind.vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2551121569263090831.post-71392078811487058172011-09-14T13:06:00.004+02:002011-10-14T13:31:41.309+02:00Review: Noise by Tsepo GumbiBOOK REVIEW: Noise by Tsepo Gumbi<br />Title: Noise<br />Author: Tsepo Gumbi<br />Genre: Illustrated Poetry<br />Pages: 33, A5 size<br />Publisher: Botaki Self-Publishing<br />Year of Publication: 2009<br />ISBN: 978-0-620-45117<br /><br /><br />Review by Fezekile Futhwa: Noise<br /><br />Noise - Illustrated Anthology by Tsepo Gumbi<br /><br />Noise is a self published work that is both art and poetry in one volume. Tsepo proves to be quite a gifted artist, having illustrated each poem in the book with wonderful art. The artistic side alone makes for a great work, well done.<br /><br />Noise the poem is liberating, for it captures the essence of being an artist(or poet). We are reminded that thought is the most treasured gift a person has. An unthinking mind is a waste.<br /><br />The Dream Is Not Dead veberates with hope. It is premised on the truth that the struggle for a better life continues, that the past is not yet dead, the people shall once again rise. For our collective dreams are a future upon which the hope for this country lie.<br /><br />In Chained Brain, as phrophecising, Tsepo cries for freedom. With the Freedom of Information Bill looming, one wonders how long it is before we cry for freedom. Freedom to think, to express, to dream and to make noise. Freedom of expression must therefore be a basic human right!<br /><br />Many of the poems in this anthology are captivating and provoking. Noise is indeed what poetry is about: entertainment, lucid, gripping, moving.<br /><br />A revolution is the stuff born out of non confirming. Revolt urges the young of our society to take up arms, armed in thought. Thinking is the revolutionary engine. Zabalaza, for those on top can never keep us down. We are the uprising, we are the REVOLUTION.<br /><br />As in Scars, start a new story. Write a new history.vuyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16871318627853392806noreply@blogger.com0