Radio idea for my village

The mountainous section of Gcilima. Picture: Cedric Mboyisa


BLOGGERS at large please note that I shall be offline until Monday. I am off to Gcilima, my rural village in KwaZulu-Natal, to conduct an audience research or survey for my Wits University's community radio project.

During my three-day stay there I shall interact with various members of the community to establish whether an idea of a local radio station resonates with them. I'll also ask them for their input on what issues their proposed radio station should discuss and tackle.

Gcilima Voice (the proposed name of the radio station) intends to give this community an unprecedented platform to engage in frank conversation about the HIV/Aids endemic which is ravaging this community. The station will also seek to inculcate the culture of political tolerance in an area that once battled the demon of political violence. The youth will form a critical part of the radio station. In a nutshell, Gcilima Voice will be entirely for the community by the community. No hidden agendas, ek se!

Caster blows them away!

Caster Semenya celebrates after winning the 800m race hands down. Picture: Getty Images


WHILE South Africa ought to be rejoicing at teenage sensation Caster Semenya's conquering of the 800m race at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, the gender row has overshadowed what is otherwise a phenomenal achievement.

The way she made other competitors in the 800m final look as though they were in slow motion was absolutely incredible. There is no doubt that Caster has arrived and she is in a league of her own. What is in doubt though is whether she is female or male. If truth be told, her looks and voice don't help her much. She looks more like a man than a woman. But again everyone is unique and we have to accept that we are not all going to conform to what is generally acceptable in terms of looks and behaviour. She may have the attributes or physical features of the male species, but in my books if she has THE DEFINING PART of a female species then it's all well and therefore she is a she.

For the meantime, we just wait for the complex IAAF gender tests to determine whether she keeps her gold medal. Either way, she remains the pride of our country. We accept Caster for who she is, for the way she looks and for the way she behaves. Let's hear it for our peculiar golden girl!

Has Hlophe won or lost?

Cartoon sourced from Mail & Gaurdian Online


THE nation waits with a keen interest as the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) prepares to announce its much-anticipated decision on controversial Cape Judge President John Hlophe.

The three-man JSC sub-committee has arrived at a decision pertaining to allegations that Hlophe improperly tried to influence an outcome in a Constitutional Court case involving ANC leader Jacob Zuma. During the preliminary hearings in Johannesburg last month, Hlophe's accusers justices Chris Jafta and Bess Nkabinde admitted that in their conversations with the controversial one it was not really clear whether he was trying to influence them to rule in favour of Zuma, who had at the time approached the highest court in the land to make a ruling on his privacy rights relating to his legal battle against the National Prosecuting Authority.

In a nutshell, the main purpose of the preliminary probe was to establish whether there were sufficient grounds to subject Hlophe to a JSC hearing for alleged gross misconduct. Should he be charged with allegations of gross misconduct, he faces impeachment if found guilty. But considering his accusers' evidence, it would be quite a task to arrive at a conclusion that Hlophe had the intention to improperly influence the outcome of the ConCourt case.

So, bloggers, how would you rule if you were in JSC's shoes? Would you say there's sufficient grounds to charge the controversial one?

My hat off to these women

My 'Jewish mom' Sandy Sher with mini-me Naledi. Pictures: Cedric Mboyisa


PEOPLE have a tendency to appreciate people once they have passed on, but I believe it's only fair to appreciate and thank valuable people in your life while they are still alive.

So allow me express my sincere thanks to the following women: my high school English teacher Mrs Bongiwe Hlophe, my high school Zulu teacher Mrs Thandazile Koba, my 'Jewish mom' and journalism mentor Sandy Sher, and finally - but not least - community newspaper guru, my mentor and my “white mom” Heather Butler.

Had it not been for Mrs Koba, I would have not aced my IsiZulu exam in matric. Truth be told, I did not perform so well when it came to written Zulu, so I used to pass with satisfactory marks. I had already told myself that I would just aim for the usual percentage (above 50%) when I sat for my final Zulu exam. But that all changed, thanks to an inspirational talk given to us by Mrs Koba before the actual exam towards the end of 1999. She called about ten of us (Grade 12 learners) into a classroom. We had no idea what she wanted to say to us. We were pleasantly surprised when she told us she believed that we had a potential of getting more than 80% in the final Zulu exam, which was marked externally nogal! That's exactly what I did... I got 80% plus in the final exam. It's all thanks to Mrs Koba for having faith in me and for pushing me to achieve excellent academic results.

I owe so much of my English knowledge and understanding to Mrs Hlophe. It's common knowledge that learners from rural schools usually leave matric with a shocking grasp and command of English. Mrs Hlophe made it her business that by the time my five-year stay at Phathwa high school was over I was fiercely competitive in both the spoken and the written English. During my days at Phathwa I was only allowed to communicate in English with Mrs Hlophe and the rest of the teachers. Ladies and gentlemen, this in a nutshell, is how I developed my English skills. I've to admit I struggled at first, but as time went on I became more and more confident! My 89% for the final English exam in matric attest to the invaluable contributions by Mrs Hlophe and other Phathwa teachers.

What can I say about Sandy? I could have not wished for a better mentor when I joined Caxton community newspapers. It was my first time working with someone of Jewish descent. Apart from helping me with my journalistic skills, it's through Sandy that I learnt quite a lot about the Jewish culture. As my news editor, she allowed me freedom and space to take part in decision-making. We really enjoyed working together on the North Eastern Tribune, a community newspaper in Joburg. We sometimes had heated arguments about the NET as well as about the country's political landscape. But we never became foes or enemies for holding divergent views on certain issues. She is one of the greatest bosses I have ever had. She become more like a mother figure to me. My 'Jewish mom' was the only white face at my daughter's birthday last year. She even wrote a column about mini-me's birthday! Sandy is simply an amazing human being.

Then there is Heather. It was in May 2004 that Caxton cadet reporters headed for a two-week evaluation course in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. This is where I met Heather, who was one of the coordinators of the course. The way she explained what journalism was all about made me feel assured that I was in the right field. I remembered that Mrs Hlophe had told me that I should consider pursuing journalism as a profession. Heather's unfeigned passion for community media was conspicuous. At the end of the two-week evaluation course she told me that I had a great future ahead of me in either journalism or politics. She has followed my progress with keen interest. She's always available for advice. She is ever eager to help me when I need assistance with my current honours degree studies at Wits University.

I am eternally grateful to these four women for their much-appreciated and valued contributions.

To my mom with love

Left to right: My younger sister S'phume, my older brother Khanya, me and mini-me Naledi, my mom Thandi and my niece Nomvelo, and my youngest sister Busi. Picture: Cynthia Thoane


THIS is women's month, and I would like to pay tribute to the woman who has been absolutely instrumental in enabling me to have a bright future.

Ngaphandle kukamama wami, uThandekile Mboyisa, I doubt I would be where I am today. Although a domestic worker earning a meagre salary, “Thandi” (as she is fondly known) made sure that there was some money for me to go to school. She did not mind buying expensive study guide material during my high schools days in a rural village of Gcilima, KwaZulu-Natal. She encouraged me to focus on my studies, stressing that education was the only key to success.

It's because of my mother that I've been able to break free from shackles of poverty. To this day, she remains an inspiration to me. She is an indispensable part of my life. I will remain eternally grateful to her for the sacrifices she made to create a better life for me. There is no one like my mom in my life. She taught me that growing up in a rural village does not necessarily mean that one is doomed and will never amount to anything in life.

Mama ngiyabonga ngakho konke ongenzele khona ngokungikhulisa ungiphe lelikusasa engingeke ngiliphucwe muntu. Ngiyakuthanda kakhulu.

Cell C keeps me out of reach

Image sourced from Cell C website


NOW that service delivery protesters have had their chance to be heard, it's my turn to demand service delivery from Cell C.

Not so long ago we ran stories about people and our readers who were experiencing network problems. Oh well, I sort of felt sorry for them, and never thought I would be in the same boat someday.

My word, I am almost unreachable all the time because of Cell C and its network blues! This has been happening for a long time despite an assurance from the cellphone giant that my network concerns were attended to. Despite enduring endless network problems, as a law-abiding citizen of this country I continue to pay my Cell C bill every month, as per the contractual obligations.

I've really Cell Seen for Myself what Cell C is capable and incapable of!

When will this madness end?

Cartoon source: The Economist


THE nonsense of African brotherhoood aside, so-called President Robert Mugabe has ruined Zimbabwe with impunity. For Zim to be on a true road to recovery the madman must go. So bloggers, I ask you, how do you suggest uncle Bob is removed from the equation?