This is an excerpt from the I write what I like book by Steve Bantu Biko. This paper is titled: 'Some African cultural concepts'
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Showing posts with label Biko. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Biko. Show all posts
14 September 2011
10 September 2011
September 2011 Newsletter
Progressive greetings friends!
With arms open wide we welcome the regenerative season of Spring! Animals are coming out of hibernation, flowers blossoming decorating the soil in myriad of colour. Time to spring clean our homes and our hearts too by letting go of toxic relationships.
September in South Africa is set apart to celebrate “heritage month”. During these celebrations let us not forget the spirit, life and work of Steve Bantu Biko (18.12.1946 - 12.09.1977), the father of Black Consciousness. He was last seen alive on the 18th August, and was declared dead on 12 September 1977 whilst in police custody. One of my favourite quotes from this giant is: “in time, we shall be in a position to bestow upon South Africa the greatest possible gift - a more human face”
And we have managed to show our human face, as South Africans, by collecting and donating food, supplies, human aid and money towards the famine relief in Somalia. Whilst we do good, let us not turn a blind eye towards the scourge of Afrophobia, disguised as xenophobia. Afrophobia is only destroying us as Africans, let us all unite as one people.
What’s new with the blog?
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.)
2. YOU have the power to make a change. Please check out the September National Imbizo (SNI), the first imbizo was held in September 2010. This year it’s happening on the 23-25 September 2011, in Durban.
What is the SNI? It is an active group of citizens based all over South Africa. Where individuals and groups are invited to participate in bringing about change in our beloved country, because the democracy we received in 1994 changed nothing. These discussions are held in person, at different regions, you can join the conversation on Facebook by searching “September National Imbizo”
http://www.facebook.com/bookmarks/groups#!/groups/septembernationalimbizo/
The SNI is by the people, for the people, holding politicians accountable.
Read more on the People’s Manifesto here: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/08/tuesday-may-31-2011-peoples-manifesto.html! This manifesto is available in English/Zulu/Tswana/Afrikaans.
The registration period for the 2011 Imbizo is open, check this link out: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/08/sni-2011-registration.html
3. National book week is scheduled to take place at various spots around South Africa from 5 to 10 September. National Book Week aims to promote literacy and celebrate reading.
4. On the heritage month theme, Fezekile Futhwa in his piece explores the Sotho language, read more from him here: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/09/why-lesotho-lexicology-is-incorrect.htm
5. Peter Mahase reviews the AfroConscious Journal 2010: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/09/afroconscious-journal-review-peter.html
6. Make sure to check out the poetry posted on the Afrikan Poets and Writers group wall by Ohene Ampofo Anti: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/08/born-free-ohene-yaw-ampofo-anti.html
What are you reading? What are YOU reading? Do you have a book you would like to recommend? Share!
What are you writing? If YOU are not reading are you atleast writing? This month’s challenge is to pen a piece that is centered on HERITAGE and NATURE.
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
YOU can also become a contributor to the UWWUL blog and share with multitudes, contact me for that.
Thank YOU all for the support on this blog, page views so far 4454. To the new members: I would like to welcome YOU home!
Literally yours,
Vuyokazi
With arms open wide we welcome the regenerative season of Spring! Animals are coming out of hibernation, flowers blossoming decorating the soil in myriad of colour. Time to spring clean our homes and our hearts too by letting go of toxic relationships.
September in South Africa is set apart to celebrate “heritage month”. During these celebrations let us not forget the spirit, life and work of Steve Bantu Biko (18.12.1946 - 12.09.1977), the father of Black Consciousness. He was last seen alive on the 18th August, and was declared dead on 12 September 1977 whilst in police custody. One of my favourite quotes from this giant is: “in time, we shall be in a position to bestow upon South Africa the greatest possible gift - a more human face”
And we have managed to show our human face, as South Africans, by collecting and donating food, supplies, human aid and money towards the famine relief in Somalia. Whilst we do good, let us not turn a blind eye towards the scourge of Afrophobia, disguised as xenophobia. Afrophobia is only destroying us as Africans, let us all unite as one people.
What’s new with the blog?
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.)
2. YOU have the power to make a change. Please check out the September National Imbizo (SNI), the first imbizo was held in September 2010. This year it’s happening on the 23-25 September 2011, in Durban.
What is the SNI? It is an active group of citizens based all over South Africa. Where individuals and groups are invited to participate in bringing about change in our beloved country, because the democracy we received in 1994 changed nothing. These discussions are held in person, at different regions, you can join the conversation on Facebook by searching “September National Imbizo”
http://www.facebook.com/bookmarks/groups#!/groups/septembernationalimbizo/
The SNI is by the people, for the people, holding politicians accountable.
Read more on the People’s Manifesto here: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/08/tuesday-may-31-2011-peoples-manifesto.html! This manifesto is available in English/Zulu/Tswana/Afrikaans.
The registration period for the 2011 Imbizo is open, check this link out: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/08/sni-2011-registration.html
3. National book week is scheduled to take place at various spots around South Africa from 5 to 10 September. National Book Week aims to promote literacy and celebrate reading.
4. On the heritage month theme, Fezekile Futhwa in his piece explores the Sotho language, read more from him here: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/09/why-lesotho-lexicology-is-incorrect.htm
5. Peter Mahase reviews the AfroConscious Journal 2010: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/09/afroconscious-journal-review-peter.html
6. Make sure to check out the poetry posted on the Afrikan Poets and Writers group wall by Ohene Ampofo Anti: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/08/born-free-ohene-yaw-ampofo-anti.html
What are you reading? What are YOU reading? Do you have a book you would like to recommend? Share!
What are you writing? If YOU are not reading are you atleast writing? This month’s challenge is to pen a piece that is centered on HERITAGE and NATURE.
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
YOU can also become a contributor to the UWWUL blog and share with multitudes, contact me for that.
Thank YOU all for the support on this blog, page views so far 4454. To the new members: I would like to welcome YOU home!
Literally yours,
Vuyokazi
16 July 2010
Dear Bra Steve by Neo Thipe
Bra Steve
I got a chance to meet your memories; they informend:
you died in the line of duty, securing my freedom,
so i found it fair to forward you this progress report.
S.A democracy in it's teens, already chasing after CAPITALIST suger dads:
the rich are getting richer!
But porverty continues its reign of terror;
racism is as fit as ever.
I'm telling you;
peeling off a few leaves doesn't change the tree.
But our television changed; it changed our morals;
terminal illnesses;
sex sells,
H I Virus.
You see, the truth is as beautiful as a rose and just as thorny,
so they dangle the thorny bit, inflicting fear in our heart;
forcing us to choose fantasy, but fantasy is vanity;
and a lifetime of vanity is insanity.
And if truth shall set me free, then what is this freedom we claim.....
because frankly,
I'm not allowed to Write What I Like,
my history is out of fashion.
Xenophobia is just another word for black unconsciousness.
Unconscious poets take front row in defence of sodomy;
our ecconomy is in the hands of our oppressors;
we are still a colony.
They teach us the traditions of minority rule:
they say "focus on the positive"
what they mean is "ignore the poor, let them cremate in their shacks"
babies aborting their babies.
This is just a brief description of how our democracy is lived.
I hope to hear from you soon, sure bra Steve.
-NEO THIPE-
I got a chance to meet your memories; they informend:
you died in the line of duty, securing my freedom,
so i found it fair to forward you this progress report.
S.A democracy in it's teens, already chasing after CAPITALIST suger dads:
the rich are getting richer!
But porverty continues its reign of terror;
racism is as fit as ever.
I'm telling you;
peeling off a few leaves doesn't change the tree.
But our television changed; it changed our morals;
terminal illnesses;
sex sells,
H I Virus.
You see, the truth is as beautiful as a rose and just as thorny,
so they dangle the thorny bit, inflicting fear in our heart;
forcing us to choose fantasy, but fantasy is vanity;
and a lifetime of vanity is insanity.
And if truth shall set me free, then what is this freedom we claim.....
because frankly,
I'm not allowed to Write What I Like,
my history is out of fashion.
Xenophobia is just another word for black unconsciousness.
Unconscious poets take front row in defence of sodomy;
our ecconomy is in the hands of our oppressors;
we are still a colony.
They teach us the traditions of minority rule:
they say "focus on the positive"
what they mean is "ignore the poor, let them cremate in their shacks"
babies aborting their babies.
This is just a brief description of how our democracy is lived.
I hope to hear from you soon, sure bra Steve.
-NEO THIPE-
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