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There’s been so much negativity about the future of our country that it’s actually getting ridiculous. Our situation is bad, yes. It could be worse. We can all see it and I guess that’s kinda the first step…admitting that we have a problem is the first step to recovery.

 

Ok, shap! But what is our real problem in South Africa? Is it Jacob Zuma? He he he he. I’m sure most of us can at least agree that he has acted in a way that says “eff you!” to all of us. Is it the The African National Congress? The ANC leadership #Top6 has done very little to show us that they see his wrongdoing. Uncle Gweezy is ‘ouchea’ waxing lyrical about everything but nothing at the same time and ‘fetching people’ when he should be checking JZ. This party is not respecting us so then they are guilty by association.

 

Then there is the Gupta thing looming over us where we’re not even sure where the power actually lies and who makes the decisions. Who is the real head of our Executive? Like Separation of Powers doctrine for who? Constitution for what? Democracy or nah? Elections for ini?

 

But I think that South Africa has an even bigger problem than all of this. We are still a nation that is divided. In the face of all this rubbish we cannot even come together as South Africans because we don’t trust each other.

 

A year ago I had these very frustrations where I saw the UCT community being divided by the colonialist symbols of CJR and company. Now I see that the entire nation still stands divided on even the most basic social issues. We’re still debating on whether privilege is real or if patriarchy will ever fall. Womxn still don’t feel safe in spaces that are supposed to be revolutionary. We are not willing to swallow our pride and to start actively listening to the concerns of our fellow citizens. We are too busy prioritising our own pain when people’s lives are in danger.

 

The ANC’s clear majority is what keeps them complacent. It’s hard to see them getting voted out in the next 2 elections because as frustrated as we are at them, the opposition parties have not done enough to show us a clear way forward. We need to all reflect on what it is that we actually want and where we want to see ourselves in the next couple of years. We need to set goals. Right now we are only saying what we don’t want as opposed to what we actually want. We are also waiting for a hero to come and save us. Guys, no. Mandela is gone. We need to save ourselves.

My revolutionary sister’s thoughts

This is a post my revolutionary sister shared. She is from America and honestly could opt to not participate in any of this and go to the beach instead because in 3 weeks she gets to go home. But oh no… Just try stopping her from going to a meeting or protest. She is so passionate about social justice and education. I have never had to explain anything to her (except maybe what the the lyrics of the struggle songs mean). We were pushed, shoved, assaulted by the police together. We dodged stun grenades together. We faced the riot police together. We led a group of students together.

I am so blessed and proud to know someone that is that intune with the world. Kay Carambia you honestly represent my idea of a truly democratic and free South Africa. Please stay 🙂

“I urge my friends back home to please please PLEASE pay attention to what is happening in South Africa. It took far too long for this to make it into American news. This article doesn’t even remotely explain what has been happening in Cape Town and across South Africa. There have been thousands of students protesting across the country. The police have been violent, they have made us trample each other, thrown stun grenades at us, they have tear gassed us, they have started shooting rubber bullets. They have arrested and charged students with TREASON and set bail at R1mil (~$71,000) For what? This is a peaceful protest for fees NOT TO INCREASE so that people can continue to get an education at an institution that doesn’t value them and can’t even guarantee they’re getting a good job after university. I have seen my friends and fellow students being beaten and arrested. They have been fighting for days on end, there has been no sleep. There will not be sleep unless this is finished.”

#FeesMustFall

I am an extremely patient person. I always give people the time of day, no matter how rude they are to me. I always engage with people on the issues at hand. I have a no blocking policy when it comes to comments. Today, I found myself losing that ability. I can’t even count the times when grown ass men were exhausting every tactic they had to intimidate us. I am 1.58 m tall. I weigh about 45 KG. I was unarmed, all I had was a bottle of water (and the spirit of the revolution ✊ ). Now tell me, how I could have posed a threat to you, sir? Please explain to me how I am a barbaric uneducated ape? I usually just show face at these protests and then write about them but not with this one. This is a cause that is REAL in my life. I was FINANCIALLY EXCLUDED for 6 MONTHS. I know what it’s like. It’s not nice. It’s not fun being asked by other students what I was still doing here because I wasn’t registered. It was not fun not knowing where I was going to get over 100K from to pay for the debt.
To those students that will never have to endure this struggle, I say good for you. To all those that have, I say, stay strong. To all those that will face it in the future… Who am I kidding? No one will have to ever go through this again. This is a REVOLUTION! If you want to be on the wrong side of history go ahead but the movement will continue without you and when you benefit from our efforts, please don’t forget how you treated us.
We are not animals. We are not savages. We are not the ones who set off stun grenades on students. We are not the ones who need to reevaluate their existence. We are the future leaders of this country, whether you like it or not, and I think it would serve us all better if we were educated.

I will be unfriending people who are obviously not my friends and blocking the trolls too.
‪#‎ASIJIKI‬ ‪#‎FeesMustFall‬ ‪#‎UCTFees‬

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After much thought and deliberation (and messages of love and support) I have decided against my initial decision to block the haterz. You will read my status updates! You will see the change happen before your eyes. You will hear the sounds of revolution roar! Awuthand’ yini?
‪#‎AMANDLA‬

Dear White People and Dear Black People (v2.0)

Dear White people: You all have white privilege. This does not mean life was easy or that you (or your parents) did not have to work hard for anything. This also doesn’t mean you don’t have struggles. This also doesn’t mean you are racist. Accepting it also doesn’t mean “you have to give everything back”. It simply means that you are now aware of how society has been structured and that you, as a white person, can do things such as walk into a shop without having the security guard follow you. It also means that in any establishment or workplace people automatically assume that you are in charge. It means that having any accent makes you special or sexy, regardless of how bad your English is. It means you have the responsibility to inform other white people of these things so that breaking barriers and fixing the mess that is post-apartheid South Africa much easier. You need to be able to see criminals as criminals and not as black criminals. You need to stop going on and on about how much better life was 20 years ago. You need to accept that this, right here, as bad as it seems, will never be worse than apartheid. You need to stop looking at the current situation we are in now without putting it into context. You have to accept that this is your mess too and that if you are African you will help fix it. You need to stop following these pages that spread fear about an impending doom. You need to start showing how much you love Africa. You need to learn an African language and see value in it. You need to greet people on the street. You need to stop telling your children what your parents told you. You need to understand why people protest. You need to start living the reality.

Dear Black people: You are all disadvantaged, regardless of your family’s income. Apartheid determined where we started off from but it doesn’t have to determine where we end up. You need to stop feeling sorry for yourselves and start capitalising on these policies that white people stay complaining about. You need to realise that imali yeqolo and gogo’s pension is not an income. You need to grab whatever opportunity you have with both hands and never let go. You need to show what black excellence is. You need to show that it is not a “miracle” or a “special case” but a preview of what is to come. You need to work your butt off and land those CEO positions and do your job so well that no one can dismiss it as a mere case of compliance. You need to stand up to racism. You need to respect your elders. You need to stop this fighting amongst yourselves. You need to be able to look at another successful black person and feel nothing else but pride. You need to be able to go back to emafaarm and inspire those that are left behind. You need to do all this without throwing away your culture and your roots. You need to be able to utter your clan names with pride. You need to love your hair. You need to love your skin. You need to love your country. You need to love Africa. You need to love Africans. You need to show that success is not only attained by conforming to a Eurocentric and Westernised lifestyle. You need to look at white people the same way you look at yourselves. There is no difference. They are not better. They are not lesser. They are us. We are them. They too are Africa.

Homeless? Nah, fam, Intsha Iyashintsha

So a few weeks ago I put up a status offering assistance to all those who thought that I could help them. My inbox filled up and I’ve been carefully working through each case trying to see how I could help.
A young lady, who I had met only a few times, inboxed me asking whether or not I would be able to meet with her. We met on that very day and she told me her story. It was quite a story. Filled with tragedy, loss, sorrow, strength, endurance and faith. She had somehow ended up in a similar situation as me. She had been homeless for the year and living between friends.
She came to me because she wanted someone to listen and understand her journey. I guess no one really gets it until they’ve been in the situation.
I listened but listening wasn’t enough. I told her that I would contact everyone and send out a hundred emails if I had to but she would end up with a roof over her head.
I also then decided to adopt her and she stayed with me illegally (please don’t tell the Warden).
After about a week and a half of emails to everyone I could think of… something amazing happened. Student housing called her yesterday with an offer to stay in Woolsack!
So now she has her own room not too far from mine.
I cannot explain the feeling of knowing that you were able to help someone get something that is so important.
We cried, prayed and danced because we are God’s children and He never abandons us.
To everyone else who I’m still trying to help. Don’t think that I’ve forgotten about you. I am still trying. And if there’s anyone else out there who thinks I could help them please don’t be shy.

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ATTENTION: if you have something that you’ve been struggling with and need help or if you know someone with a problem that they need help with then let me know. I am only where I am today because of the kindness and assistance of friends and strangers. If I cannot personally help I will help find someone who can. I’ve already managed to help a few people along their journey while I was still getting through my struggles. Now that I’m pretty sorted I can lend all that time spent hustling for the benefit of others.
Even if it’s just someone to talk to I’m here!
We can only ever hope of a better future and better world of we ourselves are ready to be proactive about making a change.

It starts with me

What is Privilege?

List of questions

1. If your parents worked nights and weekends to support your family, take one step back.
2. If you are able to move through the world without fear of sexual assault, take one step forward.
3. If you can show affection for your romantic partner in public without fear of ridicule or violence, take one step forward.
4. If you have ever been diagnosed as having a physical or mental illness/disability, take one step back.
5. If the primary language spoken in your household growing up was not english, take one step back.
6. If you came from a supportive family environment take one step forward.
7. If you have ever tried to change your speech or mannerisms to gain credibility, take one step back.
8. If you can go anywhere in the country, and easily find the kinds of hair products you need and/or cosmetics that match your skin color, take one step forward.
9. If you were embarrassed about your clothes or house while growing up, take one step back.
10. If you can make mistakes and not have people attribute your behavior to flaws in your racial/gender group, take one step forward.
11. If you can legally marry the person you love, regardless of where you live, take one step forward.
12. If you were born in [this country] , take one step forward.
13. If you or your parents have ever gone through a divorce, take one step back.
14. If you felt like you had adequate access to healthy food growing up, take one step forward
15. If you are reasonably sure you would be hired for a job based on your ability and qualifications, take one step forward.
16. If you would never think twice about calling the police when trouble occurs, take one step forward.
17. If you can see a doctor whenever you feel the need, take one step forward.
18. If you feel comfortable being emotionally expressive/open, take one step forward.
19. If you have ever been the only person of your race/gender/socio-economic status/ sexual orientation in a classroom or workplace setting, please take one step back.
20. If you took out loans for your education take one step backward.
21. If you get time off for your religious holidays, take one step forward.
22. If you had a job during your high school and college years, take one step back.
23. If you feel comfortable walking home alone at night, take one step forward.
24. If you have ever traveled outside the United States, take one step forward.
25. If you have ever felt like there was NOT adequate or accurate representation of your racial group, sexual orientation group, gender group, and/or disability group in the media, take one step back.
26. If you feel confident that your parents would be able to financially help/support you if you were going through a financial hardship, take one step forward.
27. If you have ever been bullied or made fun of based on something that you can’t change, take one step back.
28. If there were more than 50 books in your house growing up, take one step forward.
29. If you studied the culture or the history of your ancestors in elementary school take one step forward.
30. If your parents or guardians attended college, take one step forward.
31. If you ever went on a family vacation, take one step forward.
32. If you can buy new clothes or go out to dinner when you want to, take one step forward.
33. If you were ever offered a job because of your association with a friend or family member, take one step forward.
34. If one of your parents was ever laid off or unemployed not by choice, take one step back.
35. If you were ever uncomfortable about a joke or a statement you overheard related to your race, ethnicity, gender, appearance, or sexual orientation but felt unsafe to confront the situation, take one step back.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/dayshavedewi/what-is-privilege?utm_term=.uqMADO9kX#.eyngvWRvG

PRIDE

A friend of mine posted this picture with the caption “Black Pride!” And she got called racist for it…

“The African Renaissance Monument” in Senegal

Uhm, Ok. Why is it that people decide to play dumb when it comes to our histories and facts of the world? Where does the brain go when we wish to speak honestly about the oppression of people? Where does common sense disappear off to when we talk about the dehumanisation of people? Obviously far, far away.
This actually annoys me so much how white people can have hundreds of years to ‘flex’ and impose their ideals on the world and when we try celebrate our blackness, whiteness tries to get in the way and cries foul play! It is not racist for white people to celebrate being white. In fact do it now! Scream from the hill tops, “I love being white!” Do it! There’s nothing wrong with it. White is right (but its rightness does not make black whack) It only becomes racist when the celebrations are inflicted onto everyone else and everyone is forced to assimilate to those ideals. If they don’t then they are viewed as being lesser than (not quite right). So yeah you must love being white as much as I love being black but don’t think your whiteness is better, because it’s not. My blackness isn’t better either but we’re so damn tired of hearing/seeing how grayyyt the white man is that we need to be given the chance to shine. ‪#‎LetUsBeGreat‬ ‪#‎WhitenessOnPause‬
So if you understand the oppression of women in the past (and it continues today) and you see the need for Women’s Day and Women’s Month, why can you not make that association to why things such as Black Power, Black Pride and Black Consciousness need to exist?
In no way does our blackness make your whiteness lesser than anything, all we are doing is realising that Black is ALSO pretty grayyyt and that we can still be beautiful without looking like barbie. We can still be able to look at ourselves and see a person who is no less than any white man.
I believe in equality but we won’t get there if black people and other (previously) oppressed people aren’t able to openly express that we are not only OK with being who we are but damn proud of it. So yeah, sorry… I’m all for BLACK PRIDE, WOMEN PRIDE, LGBTI(and all the other letters) PRIDE!

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Exactly two months ago I wrote a status on Facebook​. The next day I was urged to start a blog on WordPress​.

It’s been a hectic two months. Although I still wonder why people even care about what I have to say, I am so grateful that they do. This has been a humbling experience and I really appreciate all the love and support that I get from strangers- on a daily basis.

Since then I have met so many amazing South Africans who have reaffirmed my belief that this is a truly wonderful nation worth fighting for.

Thank you, baie dankie and ngiyabonga, iNkosi inibusise.

Kind Regards

Busi Mjiyakho

Ngiyintombi yakwaZulu

“Choose your first lady. Voting closes 12 pm tomorrow.”

Posted by 3rd Degree on Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Jacob Zuma and MaNtuli

Mmusi Maimane and Natalie Maimane

This is actually one of the most offensive posts I have seen in a long time. Anyone who doesn’t see how disrespectful this is, to so many South Africans, really needs to check themselves.

Besides the obvious point that the 1st lady has nothing to do with the running and functioning of a country, their traditional attire has even less to do with it. I can’t keep quiet when people are directly mocking, not only my culture, but also everything I stand for.

We’re trying to build a nation that recognises its people and their cultures as diverse, and at the same time equal. It’s absolutely ridiculous to see the comments on the post. People saying that the couple wearing the ‘bush’ clothing must go back to it.

If you don’t like Jacob Zuma then attack his leadership, his presidency, the ANC’s policies, Nkhaaaaandla etc but DON’T you dare do it at the expense of the cultures, customs and traditions of other people.

Being Zulu is not a crime nor is it an insult. Being dressed in imvunulo doesn’t mean you’re ‘uncultured’- in fact it’s the opposite. It’s a celebration of one’s culture.

Ngiyintombi yakwaZulu and if I ever get the opportunity to go to parliament, I will definitely not be in a ball gown.

Ngiyintombi yakwaZulu, uMaMjiyakho

Intsha Iyashintsha- Kyla Mills and her Harvard dream

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

I receive hundreds of messages, emails and comments on a daily basis. I read and reply to all of them myself. This is why it sometimes takes time to get through them (I am sorry, exams are rough). Most of them are short, sweet and urge me to continue writing. Some of them are from people who want to discuss things that I have written to get further clarity. I also get hate mail from the extremists which is usually funny (Bye, Felicia).

Sometimes I get lucky and I get messages from people like Kyla Mills, who want to build a better future for our youth and bring about positive change in South Africa. The way Kyla been trying to make this change is by trying to get ‘grounding and traction through graduate studies’. Kyla worked for three years to get into Harvard but now she’s stuck and needs help. She received financial aid from the HARVARD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION but it isn’t nearly enough to cover the fees.

Many people are probably thinking ‘how is she helping anyone by wanting to go to an expensive school in America?’ The answer is simple; the Spirit of Significance. This is ’empowering oneself in order that one may serve others’. She wants to get the best possible skills and knowledge so that she can help other people.

So who is this Kyla and why should she get our support?

I’ll let her tell you herself.

I’m 28 years old; a born and raised South African. I am a hopeless idealist but I get things done. Education is my passion and Psychology my major interest. Within those spheres, I’m interested in the intersection between race/culture and learning; and race/culture as something we “do” in South African society.

I’m a bit different to most people in some obvious ways – I have a pet pig, I coach a mixed gender social rugby team (and I’m a qualified rugby ref), and I’m a very unorthodox teacher. I don’t think it would be fair to the world if I tried to be normal.

What I would like to do is work with Life Orientation as a subject. While I think a lot of progress has been made recently in terms of education and activism in education in South Africa (especially with the implementation of the news CAPS system and various organisations stepping up to change things), I don’t believe that enough is being done in terms of the psychological, social, emotional, and moral development of learners. Compared to life skills programmes abroad we are miles behind and I think we’re failing our young learners in that critical aspect of their development through schooling.

Kyla chose Harvard because ‘it promotes practical application and prioritises action’. She has already done her Masters in Research Psychology.

‘I know how to research. But I have no idea where to start changing things in education in South Africa. The Harvard Graduate School of Education has the motto, “Learn to change the world” and I can see from their curriculum how one might be able to do that.

I’m not asking for anything except for you to read my story and share it if you think it’s worthwhile. I have an Indiegogo crowd funding account and I will also be handing out flyers at intersections soon and trying to do my best to get the word out.

For more information about our future Harvard graduate and how she’s trying to raise the funds you can go to https://life.indiegogo.com/fundraisers/sending-kyla-to-harvard.

Still not convinced? Then you can read her statement of purpose from her Harvard application below (future Harvard applicants: take note).

Tainted Blood

When I was in grade 5 (2005) I met Liam Whitcher. He was an extremely intelligent and articulate boy. He could always find a way to get the last word, no matter what. This was one of the things I loved about him– but the teachers didn’t find it as endearing as I did. Liam was always in trouble! He never did his homework and drove Mrs McGregor insane! I know this because I was in the same boat. We quickly became good friends because we constantly challenged the status quo.

 

When we went to university Liam studied law and I studied Computer Science and Computer Engineering. I quickly realised that my heart was elsewhere (presidency) and Liam decided that a change of scenery would do the trick.

 

After another year of law he decided that he was done living someone else’s dream. He was finally ready to walk on his own path and this was the result:

 

“Tainted Blood“

 

Winner of Best Film and Best Actor for the UCT Shotties 2015!

 

Written by Liam Whitcher

Cinematography by Nick Fitzhenry

Produced by Noëlle Van Biljon and Liam Whitcher

Edited by Jeremy Bath and Jembe Moran

Starring Mvelisi Veli Mvandaba and Mandla Ricardo Mpanjukelwa (joint winners of Best Actor!)

Don’t live your life in someone else’s shadow. Don’t walk on someone else’s journey. Create your own path. Do what you love and you will never ‘work’ a day in your life.

 

#YouthMonth #SouthAfricanYouth #WeAreTheRecklessWeAreTheWildYouth #Siyeza

TLC through the TRC

Dear South Africa

We need to talk.

In order for our nation to heal we need to stop pretending that everything is OK. We need to have an open and honest dialogue about the past and present if we ever hope to have a future.

This needs to happen soon. The underlying issues won’t stay under for much longer as tension is building everyday. The reason it hasn’t happened already is because we have all been covered by this blanket of false unity called “the Rainbow Nation”. We are so far from it. We have all the ingredients to be ‘grayyyt’ and to flourish but GREEN doesn’t want to sit next to BLUE because BLUE is next to INDIGO. RED and ORANGE have different political ideologies and so refuse to be next to each other. YELLOW would rather be next to VIOLET because they speak the same language and refuses to be in between ORANGE and GREEN because they have different religious views. Basically; what I’m trying to say, is that we’re all unwilling to compromise in order to reach the ideal ROYGBIV (rainbow) because we think digging up the past will do more bad than good. This simply isn’t true.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa had the right idea in mind. Give ordinary people a platform to speak out and tell their stories. Help people get answers. People need closure. Sure, it will open up a lot of painful memories but the wounds won’t heal if they’re not properly attended to. They instead get infected and cause even bigger problems. Our history isn’t just shaped by the actions of the Madibas of this world. We didn’t come to be a democracy just because of them. There are so many unsung heroes who played their part. There are so many amazing stories that I hear everyday of things regular people did in order to get us to where we are now. There are so many stories people need to tell! I have been honoured to hear some of the stories that you have shared with me and I know others would like to hear them too. I know many more people also want to get their stories heard.

People are living in fear. Our country has an incredibly high crime rate, so it’s reasonable to be scared but some people have adopted some additional fear. They’re taking on way more than they should. This is not necessarily their fault. The things that people post on Facebook and all over the internet containing pictures of victims of inhumane crimes is not healthy. That stuff shouldn’t be shared in the manner it is. It does more bad than good. I’m not saying that we need to sideline the extremists; as they have stories to tell too. We need to hear every side. We need to get the full picture. When this happens I’m sure that we will realise that there is more good than bad out there.

People always share the bad murder stories or stories of corruption but seldom share the good news. We all have a good story to tell. Why are we not doing this more often? I’ve seen more groups that share hate than I have that share positive stories. Instead of posting hundreds of status updates about all the crime why don’t we ever talk about the honest car guard who brought your wallet to you after you had dropped it in the parking lot? Why do we talk about the poor education system and lazy teachers as opposed to the educators, who stayed behind everyday for an extra 3 hours (and who even came in during weekends), who made sure that their students did well in their finals?

Why don’t we have platforms to share our stories? Why don’t we create platforms to do so? Americans have a site called StoryCorps which allows the preservation of their stories. Why can’t we have something like that too?

We, as a nation, have so many resources out there and if we pull together I’m sure we can open up a real discussion. We just need to realise that we have the power to make a difference.

Cape Talk & 702