I was debating whether or not to do one more piece for 2011, but there were just too many South African drug mules getting caught for me not to do this piece, so I thought I'd help potential drug mules out with some basic tips. Please note this piece was written in jest, so take in that spirit:) Hope you're enjoying the festive season, and be safe (I need to keep my stats up in 2012;) Enjoy:
So, you're a young South African with too much time on your hands, too many dreams in your head and not enough opportunities/qualifications to make the most of them? Well, have you ever thought of a career as a drug mule?
First things first though, a few things to consider:
1. Research were the job will take you. Know the laws there. Can you be given the death penalty for drug trafficking? Ignorance of the law does not mean you get a free pass. (Note: This is actually a law in most countries - well, South Africa anyway)
2. If you're fortunate enough to have DSTV, catch a few episodes of "Banged Up Abroad" on NatGeo. It will give you some insights into the possible, erm complications you might encounter should you get caught. It will also highlight some basic rookie errors to avoid in order to ensure a safe passage to your destination of choice. (Note: should you not have DSTV, go watch at a friends house. This is a must for any aspiring drug mule)
3. A simple, tried and tested rule of the drug trafficking/dealing game: do NOT get high on your own supply. This also applies to "accidental highs" caused by touching your face/eating while wrapping the merchandise for transportation. Always wash your hands, otherwise you'll realize you're high as you're waiting in the check-in queue. This WILL result in your arrest.
4. Prepare a little care pack with letters and a few video recordings of yourself before leaving for your family to remember you by in the event you do get caught. Chances are if you were desperate enough to be a drug mule your family can't afford return flights to Buénos Aires to visit you in prison...and trust me, if you get caught you'll be there for a while.
5. Bear in mind that if all you've been given to mule is 1kg of whatever, you're most likely just a diversion for the real shipment. Your boss won't really be bothered by your capture, in fact, they might welcome it or even use it to gain favour with police officials a la "tip-off". Hide that stuff like Superman will be searching you with his x-ray vision! (Note: agreeing to transport anything more than a kilo on your person is dumb)
Now you are armed with some basic tips and tricks of the trade should you be considering a position in the seemingly popular drug mule industry. Who knows, some day you might work your way up and become the muler. My last piece of advice before you enter this trade would be that you ask yourself: do I really want to be THAT guy/girl on the news undoing my dreads with a look of stone cold shock on my face after a holiday in Brazil because I was caught smuggling cocaine into Bangkok? If you had even a moments hesitation in answering, I strongly recommend you try something a little less risqué - house keeping perhaps.
Tuesday 27 December 2011
Thursday 22 December 2011
Death Took Me
I was asked for a new post by my cuz (Nw’Chabangu), so here it is. Inspired by a conversation I had with a colleague about an unrequited love and Katy Perry’s “The One That Got Away” – Yes…I listen to Katy Perry. Anyhow, hope you pick up the main message – when you love someone, tell them everyday and make sure they never get away, because unrequited love must suck…I wouldn’t know Enjoy:
Death took me away from you
Because when you walked out on me I died
Not a part of me, all of me
Completely, you took my soul with you
Left a shell, broken on the floor
Too weak to follow you out that door
I should have told you long before
What I felt, what you meant to me
What it meant to be, yours
I wish I hadn’t let you be
The one that got away.
Death took me away from you
Because when you walked out on me I died
Not a part of me, all of me
Completely, you took my soul with you
Left a shell, broken on the floor
Too weak to follow you out that door
I should have told you long before
What I felt, what you meant to me
What it meant to be, yours
I wish I hadn’t let you be
The one that got away.
Thursday 8 December 2011
United we Fall
This is a piece from the heart…please, please show it some respect. I won’t say enjoy because I had no enjoyment in writing it:
Shattered. Absolutely shattered when I found out of Manchester United’s prematurely premature exit from the UEFA Champions League. Never mind her hand, this is like melting in the car!! On the way to meet her!! I’ll be honest, I didn’t stay up to watch the match because a.) I was tired and b.) Let’s all fess up as United supporters, their matches have been barely watchable since the matches leading up to that 6-1 drubbing at home to our blue neighbors. So, knowing that all we needed was a draw, and given that we’ve been playing draw-worthy football as of late I figured, eh, I’ll give the game a skip. I thought at best, I’d miss a narrow 1-0 victory, and at worst, a “thrilling” 3-3 draw.
I am in an emotionally fragile state as I write this piece, all I can ask is that all Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona and whatever other club’s supporters show the due respect to us at this time of mourning. We are at a loss. I ask this knowing full and well all the jokes which have been made at the expense of all other clubs about their mishaps along the years; but lest you forget, let me point out to you: this is the UEFA Champions League we’re talking about here.
Getting nailed in a Premier League match is embarrassing, but the season is long, one can recover from that. Being knocked out of the FA Cup by a non-league minnow is humbling, but that is part of the romance of the cup, that is what makes it great! Losing the Carling Cup quarter final because someone in the Top 4 decide to violate the gentleman’s agreement that we only field third teams up until the final, well, that’s just unfortunate, but that’s just the Carling Cup. The UEFA Champions League, however, is major. This is where the elite, the royalty of European football come to be watched by the millions around the world. Imagine Monaco without that French prince dude. Imagine the Oscars without Denzel. Imagine the Champions league…without…*chokes up*…Manchester United!! Some of the brilliance that happens on this stage would have you believing that the very gods of football themselves descend upon the stadium rooftops for a front row view of the matches.
So again, I ask, my fellow footballing brethren: let us mourn our loss in peace…let us lick our wounds in the cold darkness…of…the Europa…*wipes tear that’s slowly made it’s way to his chin while typing this*…League.
Shattered. Absolutely shattered when I found out of Manchester United’s prematurely premature exit from the UEFA Champions League. Never mind her hand, this is like melting in the car!! On the way to meet her!! I’ll be honest, I didn’t stay up to watch the match because a.) I was tired and b.) Let’s all fess up as United supporters, their matches have been barely watchable since the matches leading up to that 6-1 drubbing at home to our blue neighbors. So, knowing that all we needed was a draw, and given that we’ve been playing draw-worthy football as of late I figured, eh, I’ll give the game a skip. I thought at best, I’d miss a narrow 1-0 victory, and at worst, a “thrilling” 3-3 draw.
I am in an emotionally fragile state as I write this piece, all I can ask is that all Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona and whatever other club’s supporters show the due respect to us at this time of mourning. We are at a loss. I ask this knowing full and well all the jokes which have been made at the expense of all other clubs about their mishaps along the years; but lest you forget, let me point out to you: this is the UEFA Champions League we’re talking about here.
Getting nailed in a Premier League match is embarrassing, but the season is long, one can recover from that. Being knocked out of the FA Cup by a non-league minnow is humbling, but that is part of the romance of the cup, that is what makes it great! Losing the Carling Cup quarter final because someone in the Top 4 decide to violate the gentleman’s agreement that we only field third teams up until the final, well, that’s just unfortunate, but that’s just the Carling Cup. The UEFA Champions League, however, is major. This is where the elite, the royalty of European football come to be watched by the millions around the world. Imagine Monaco without that French prince dude. Imagine the Oscars without Denzel. Imagine the Champions league…without…*chokes up*…Manchester United!! Some of the brilliance that happens on this stage would have you believing that the very gods of football themselves descend upon the stadium rooftops for a front row view of the matches.
So again, I ask, my fellow footballing brethren: let us mourn our loss in peace…let us lick our wounds in the cold darkness…of…the Europa…*wipes tear that’s slowly made it’s way to his chin while typing this*…League.
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Ke Dezemba Boss
As my tweep @Dee_SK tweeted this morning: “In a couple of hours #KeDezembaBoss”; Words which inspired this little piece here. Enjoy:
Ke Dezemba Boss!! Words that we South Africans are all too familiar with come this time of the year. They will be ringing out of people’s mouths the country over – to the pleasure of some and the sheer annoyance of others. What do the words mean to you? Time off from the proverbial grind? A 13th cheque so you can go hard over the festive with your mates? Holiday cooking, Christmas shopping, laughter filled nights?
The words, “ke Dezemba boss”, to some are loosely translated to mean: anything goes. For example, where you doing donuts in your mothers Toyota Yaris T1 which resulted in her tyres growing gaping holes? Ke Dezemba boss!! Did you rock up 3 hours late for work with bodily fluids in your weave and dirt stains on your knees? Ke Dezemba boss!! Maybe you forgot to pick up your kid from after care yesterday and no-one bothered to call you because all the after care staff had left early to go partying meaning your kid got to do his first solo camping trip? Ke Dezemba boss!!
For some of you, this might be the perfect time of year to get wasted, go stand outside your life long crush’s window screaming out her name and professing your love for her in front of her entire neighborhood to the sounds Dru Hill. Just remember to finish off with the words “ke Dezemba boss”! If you’re gatvol with your job or your boss (no indication of my life, I have too much love for both), go flip em the bird and let them know what’s what!! Just remember to wait for your salary to hit your bank account first, and of course, as you walk off triumphant, middle fingers in the air let out a “ke Dezemba boss” for your fellow colleagues to hear.
Whatever you decide to use these 31 days for, just make sure to keep the fun safe. Buckle up, don’t drink and drive, be wise, condomize, say no to drugs, no sex and texts behind the wheel and always remember, keep it real!! I’m watching you. Just make sure we see you back here in the New Year, alive, safe and in one piece. That said; make it a great one. One to remember, after all: ke Dezemba boss!!!
Ke Dezemba Boss!! Words that we South Africans are all too familiar with come this time of the year. They will be ringing out of people’s mouths the country over – to the pleasure of some and the sheer annoyance of others. What do the words mean to you? Time off from the proverbial grind? A 13th cheque so you can go hard over the festive with your mates? Holiday cooking, Christmas shopping, laughter filled nights?
The words, “ke Dezemba boss”, to some are loosely translated to mean: anything goes. For example, where you doing donuts in your mothers Toyota Yaris T1 which resulted in her tyres growing gaping holes? Ke Dezemba boss!! Did you rock up 3 hours late for work with bodily fluids in your weave and dirt stains on your knees? Ke Dezemba boss!! Maybe you forgot to pick up your kid from after care yesterday and no-one bothered to call you because all the after care staff had left early to go partying meaning your kid got to do his first solo camping trip? Ke Dezemba boss!!
For some of you, this might be the perfect time of year to get wasted, go stand outside your life long crush’s window screaming out her name and professing your love for her in front of her entire neighborhood to the sounds Dru Hill. Just remember to finish off with the words “ke Dezemba boss”! If you’re gatvol with your job or your boss (no indication of my life, I have too much love for both), go flip em the bird and let them know what’s what!! Just remember to wait for your salary to hit your bank account first, and of course, as you walk off triumphant, middle fingers in the air let out a “ke Dezemba boss” for your fellow colleagues to hear.
Whatever you decide to use these 31 days for, just make sure to keep the fun safe. Buckle up, don’t drink and drive, be wise, condomize, say no to drugs, no sex and texts behind the wheel and always remember, keep it real!! I’m watching you. Just make sure we see you back here in the New Year, alive, safe and in one piece. That said; make it a great one. One to remember, after all: ke Dezemba boss!!!
Friday 25 November 2011
You Should've Told Me
This is a deep issue for a Friday. So if you wanna not have deep stuff on your mind over the weekend, save it for next week sometime. The University of Cape Town has had a spate of suicides and attempted suicides in the past 2-3 years, sparked by heaven knows what. It brought back memories of when one of my classmates/friend committed suicide in high school and we were all left asking why. I tried writing this from a friend/family member’s perspective, but for me I think it sums up the immediate string of thoughts one has after learning of a suicide. Let me know what you think:
You never talked to me…I wish you had
You should’ve told me you were sad
That everything was going bad, and
That you felt like your world was crumbling all around you
That it was all falling apart and you didn’t know what to do
I probably wouldn’t have known either, truth be told
But that’s what friends are for
That’s what family’s for
To walk with you through the drama
Help deal with all the trauma
And the heartache, and the stress
And the pain that leaves you so depressed
It debilitates you, takes away your will to live
I wish I knew what made you do it
Maybe I could have helped you through it
Been the reason in the irrationality of the moment
I…I actually have no more words, except
I wish you would’ve talked to me.
*Suicide Crisis Line: 0800 567 567*
You never talked to me…I wish you had
You should’ve told me you were sad
That everything was going bad, and
That you felt like your world was crumbling all around you
That it was all falling apart and you didn’t know what to do
I probably wouldn’t have known either, truth be told
But that’s what friends are for
That’s what family’s for
To walk with you through the drama
Help deal with all the trauma
And the heartache, and the stress
And the pain that leaves you so depressed
It debilitates you, takes away your will to live
I wish I knew what made you do it
Maybe I could have helped you through it
Been the reason in the irrationality of the moment
I…I actually have no more words, except
I wish you would’ve talked to me.
*Suicide Crisis Line: 0800 567 567*
Tuesday 22 November 2011
Title at the end: 2
I wrote this piece with the title as the first line, and then I remember my twomie, @BakiMooke saying she likes poetry/prose with titles at the end, so you’ll find it at the end. It’s a sad(ish) piece with a bitter sweet silver lining in the title (the last line). Enjoy:
These tears I cry
Seep into the sides of my smiling lips
Salted, bitter
Like the irony of this joke
I laugh because it hurts
It hurts because it cuts deep and rings true
Through my life, the pain and heartache reverberates
It moves to create a symphony, cacophony
Of noise, drowning out all joy
And reason for laughing
This is my life
And still I laugh, for tears do nothing for me
They merely pile on the misery
And oh how it loves company, but I deny it
These tears, they may seep into my mouth
Salted, bitter
But they do so through smiling lips
The tears of my laughter
These tears I cry
Seep into the sides of my smiling lips
Salted, bitter
Like the irony of this joke
I laugh because it hurts
It hurts because it cuts deep and rings true
Through my life, the pain and heartache reverberates
It moves to create a symphony, cacophony
Of noise, drowning out all joy
And reason for laughing
This is my life
And still I laugh, for tears do nothing for me
They merely pile on the misery
And oh how it loves company, but I deny it
These tears, they may seep into my mouth
Salted, bitter
But they do so through smiling lips
The tears of my laughter
Monday 21 November 2011
Changes
So, I’m in a frustrated space right now. Life is throwing all of my well engineered plans clean out the window. As far as timing is concerned, I am using a precision engineered time piece while the world is on a sundial…powered by a dim fire lit in a cave. This piece is about…hmmm, I’ll let you decide what it’s about. Enjoy:
Change is a scary thing. Even with the most perfectly laid out plans; it can still be a bit unnerving. So what then of plans that fall by the way side? Those fairytales that are dashed by a what-if? A really promising job interview resulting in an email starting off with “we regret to inform you that…”, your marks falling short of the required aggregate for you to move on to the next stage, a lease agreement falling through, your business finance not being granted.
What happens then? What do you do when a spanner gets thrown into the cogs when your plans are so far in motion that it’s just too late to turn back? Do you walk away? Do you keep the faith and try to push through regardless of the shock of the stone cold facts? Maybe you just put it off for another week, or another month. I mean, it’s been two years, will another year really hurt?
I read a quote, given to me by a friend back in varsity which read “without death, there would be no deadline for success”. Time doesn’t stop for your setbacks, the clock is in motion and the grains of your life’s sand are running down. No-one knows what will happen tomorrow, if you’ll be there to see another sunrise, kiss the love of your life good morning, lift your kids out of bed, or be able to go out and face the world to make your dreams come true. Sure, feel the knock, let it shake you, maybe even stay down for a minute; but understand this: time waits for no man.
It might not have to be today, or tomorrow, or even next week but sooner or later you’ll need to make a move if your dreams are ever going to become a reality. The world won’t wait on you, ever. You need to stop waiting on it. Realize that every year, every month, every week, every day, every waking second you put your dreams off is time and potential advantage that you will never get back.
I may not know the answers to all the questions in my head right now. I do not even have all the answers to the questions I’ve posed here, but I do know this, God gave me hands, legs and an able body. He also gave me a mind, not always the sharpest or the brightest mind, but it’s a working mind. Tools that I will use. That said, I promise myself that regardless of what the world decides it has in store for me, success will be the only outcome.
Change is a scary thing. Even with the most perfectly laid out plans; it can still be a bit unnerving. So what then of plans that fall by the way side? Those fairytales that are dashed by a what-if? A really promising job interview resulting in an email starting off with “we regret to inform you that…”, your marks falling short of the required aggregate for you to move on to the next stage, a lease agreement falling through, your business finance not being granted.
What happens then? What do you do when a spanner gets thrown into the cogs when your plans are so far in motion that it’s just too late to turn back? Do you walk away? Do you keep the faith and try to push through regardless of the shock of the stone cold facts? Maybe you just put it off for another week, or another month. I mean, it’s been two years, will another year really hurt?
I read a quote, given to me by a friend back in varsity which read “without death, there would be no deadline for success”. Time doesn’t stop for your setbacks, the clock is in motion and the grains of your life’s sand are running down. No-one knows what will happen tomorrow, if you’ll be there to see another sunrise, kiss the love of your life good morning, lift your kids out of bed, or be able to go out and face the world to make your dreams come true. Sure, feel the knock, let it shake you, maybe even stay down for a minute; but understand this: time waits for no man.
It might not have to be today, or tomorrow, or even next week but sooner or later you’ll need to make a move if your dreams are ever going to become a reality. The world won’t wait on you, ever. You need to stop waiting on it. Realize that every year, every month, every week, every day, every waking second you put your dreams off is time and potential advantage that you will never get back.
I may not know the answers to all the questions in my head right now. I do not even have all the answers to the questions I’ve posed here, but I do know this, God gave me hands, legs and an able body. He also gave me a mind, not always the sharpest or the brightest mind, but it’s a working mind. Tools that I will use. That said, I promise myself that regardless of what the world decides it has in store for me, success will be the only outcome.
Friday 18 November 2011
Natural Selection
So, in yesterday’s piece “Generational Fix” I touched on the topic of how basic logic and reasoning seem to fail so many people, day in, day out. My homie, @Luigi_Schmidt suggested I should write a piece on natural selection. Thus, this could be seen as a, erm…tongue in cheek follow up to the depth and heaviness that was “Generational Fix”. Enjoy:
The theory of natural selection (as I choose to construe it for the purposes of this piece) states that a species will evolve over time selecting traits which will best ensure its future survival while weeding out those traits which are, for lack of a better term, liabilities. To this end, those walking amongst us lacking basic common sense (which actually isn’t all that common) and logical reasoning skills will find themselves, and any potential descendants of theirs extinguished from the human race.
Take for example those wonderful “friends & family” members of ours who forward chain mails with a little catch at the end “send this out to 10 people you care about, including me. If I don’t get it back, I’ll know how you feel.” Shock and horror! Let us logically break down how this is a problem. The recipient of this email now has to respond, using the exact same email, catch and all, to the sender. Add to that, now there are 9 other hapless victims added to the chain. Having sent the response, the original recipient will now expect 10 responses, including one from the original sender. If you truly believe that the sender will be hurt by your non-response you can’t not respond and they can’t not respond and so you get caught in a perpetual “chain” of back and forth forwarding of the same email – it’s a vicious cycle!! If you send, oh say, 30 of these mails, it is very possible that you could end up spending every waking moment of your life receiving and forwarding the same 30 emails to 90 people and cleaning up your inbox and outbox and eventually die at your desk of dehydration. Extreme, I know, but that’s how natural selection works. Now share this blog post with 10 friends!
Next, let’s take the example of the typical pedestrian. These individuals clearly harbor unrequited dreams of strutting the runways of the world the way they casually sash across the street as if they don’t see me driving down the road at the (legal) speed of 60 km per hour. You would swear they think I would be concerned if they get run over. News flash: in the battle of your body dawdling along at 18m per minute and my 1300kg car moving at 60kmh, you will come off second best. Always!
Finally, your typical examples like running with a knife/pair of scissors, setting yourself on fire, snorting fire ants up your nose, texting and driving, tweeting and driving, drinking and driving, and of course, unprotected promiscuity will all get you killed. You can take that to Julius Malema’s trust fund! If anything, I’m surprised that natural selection takes so long to take effect, we still have so many “geniuses” roaming the earth. Anyhow, in the wise words of my twomie, @beanbagboy, “It’s a traffic circle, not a Rubik’s cube!” Let us let sense rule our lives people, we’ll be better off for it.
The theory of natural selection (as I choose to construe it for the purposes of this piece) states that a species will evolve over time selecting traits which will best ensure its future survival while weeding out those traits which are, for lack of a better term, liabilities. To this end, those walking amongst us lacking basic common sense (which actually isn’t all that common) and logical reasoning skills will find themselves, and any potential descendants of theirs extinguished from the human race.
Take for example those wonderful “friends & family” members of ours who forward chain mails with a little catch at the end “send this out to 10 people you care about, including me. If I don’t get it back, I’ll know how you feel.” Shock and horror! Let us logically break down how this is a problem. The recipient of this email now has to respond, using the exact same email, catch and all, to the sender. Add to that, now there are 9 other hapless victims added to the chain. Having sent the response, the original recipient will now expect 10 responses, including one from the original sender. If you truly believe that the sender will be hurt by your non-response you can’t not respond and they can’t not respond and so you get caught in a perpetual “chain” of back and forth forwarding of the same email – it’s a vicious cycle!! If you send, oh say, 30 of these mails, it is very possible that you could end up spending every waking moment of your life receiving and forwarding the same 30 emails to 90 people and cleaning up your inbox and outbox and eventually die at your desk of dehydration. Extreme, I know, but that’s how natural selection works. Now share this blog post with 10 friends!
Next, let’s take the example of the typical pedestrian. These individuals clearly harbor unrequited dreams of strutting the runways of the world the way they casually sash across the street as if they don’t see me driving down the road at the (legal) speed of 60 km per hour. You would swear they think I would be concerned if they get run over. News flash: in the battle of your body dawdling along at 18m per minute and my 1300kg car moving at 60kmh, you will come off second best. Always!
Finally, your typical examples like running with a knife/pair of scissors, setting yourself on fire, snorting fire ants up your nose, texting and driving, tweeting and driving, drinking and driving, and of course, unprotected promiscuity will all get you killed. You can take that to Julius Malema’s trust fund! If anything, I’m surprised that natural selection takes so long to take effect, we still have so many “geniuses” roaming the earth. Anyhow, in the wise words of my twomie, @beanbagboy, “It’s a traffic circle, not a Rubik’s cube!” Let us let sense rule our lives people, we’ll be better off for it.
Thursday 17 November 2011
Generational Fix
My editor, @ItsNutty, suggested the topic: “How the new generation has no-one to look up to”. I neither agree nor disagree with this topic, but it has sparked some related thoughts in my mind, hence this piece. Enjoy:
I read a quote which said “we so often complain about how utterly useless today’s generation is. Let us look to ourselves lest we forget who raised them.” Powerful words I felt. So often, people rush to blame society and “the decay in our moral fibre” for the degradation of the youth’s minds and behaviors. I will grant them the fact that over the years a lot of things have become more socially acceptable. Let me qualify my use of the term “socially acceptable” here to mean that society does not necessarily condone the actions of people, but more often than not will turn a blind eye to them thus ratifying them in a sense.
There are, however, still a few pockets of resistance to things which may be a little too liberal with non-political correctness. Two cases in point here are DSTV’s attempts to launch a 24-hour pornography channel as part of their offering last year. This was met with much a boo-ha by numerous, “morally up-standing” members of our society who threatened to boycott their DSTV subscriptions if the channel was introduced. Needless to say, DSTV canned that idea. The second case in point was the recent, erm…uproar from feminist SA about certain “sexually immoral” and “sexist” graphic t-shirts that a certain retail group had to recall from its stores.
Please, don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating for a 24-hour pornography channel on DSTV nor am I saying that I promote sexism, but what does that say about the quality of our upbringing if at the mere sight of a t-shirt that reads “you look better from behind” we all start making cat-calls and hooting our horns at every woman that walks by? In my view, that is the equivalent of boycotting Pick n Pay or Spar because I blame them for the high rates of drunken domestic violence in South Africa because they sell alcohol. It’s the same baseless argument, deriving your causes from the conclusion as opposed to drawing conclusions based on logical reasoning and evidence; a fallacy of false cause if you will.
I count myself lucky for having grown up in a family where I could look up to both of my parents. Above and beyond that, I had a strong set of aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins to look up to. That is where I got my principles from. Not the television, not celebrities, not people’s t-shirts, not the internet, or any other media for that matter. I am not, by any means saying that everyone has perfect role-models under their roofs to look up to, nor am I saying that there aren’t any positive figures in the media to look up to. What I am saying is that we, as society, need to stop worrying about what is in the big bad world to corrupt our children’s minds, and start worrying about what we can do to give them a foundation that is strong enough to withstand the pressures of the world. We must look at the cause, not the symptoms.
We need to empower the current and future generations with moral and ethical codes that won’t sway and be corrupted by t-shirts, peer pressure and what they see on the television. How? It’s simple really. Mahatma Gandhi hit the nail dead on the head when he said “be the change you wish to see in the world”. I can’t affect your actions directly, but by virtue of the fact that we as humans are creatures of habit and conformance, when we find ourselves surrounded by conscious, hard working people, we too in wanting to fit in will tend to conform to their behavior. It’s human nature at its simplest. Not to say jump to the extreme of permanent “do-gooding” – we are human after all – but try being a better person for a month; see if those around you react to you differently, treat you differently, speak to you differently.
Right now, as an individual I may not have the ability to change the world and everyone in it, but I can change myself, how I live in the world and how I deal with others. Who knows, that might just change them, and then the miracle of human nature will take it from there.
I read a quote which said “we so often complain about how utterly useless today’s generation is. Let us look to ourselves lest we forget who raised them.” Powerful words I felt. So often, people rush to blame society and “the decay in our moral fibre” for the degradation of the youth’s minds and behaviors. I will grant them the fact that over the years a lot of things have become more socially acceptable. Let me qualify my use of the term “socially acceptable” here to mean that society does not necessarily condone the actions of people, but more often than not will turn a blind eye to them thus ratifying them in a sense.
There are, however, still a few pockets of resistance to things which may be a little too liberal with non-political correctness. Two cases in point here are DSTV’s attempts to launch a 24-hour pornography channel as part of their offering last year. This was met with much a boo-ha by numerous, “morally up-standing” members of our society who threatened to boycott their DSTV subscriptions if the channel was introduced. Needless to say, DSTV canned that idea. The second case in point was the recent, erm…uproar from feminist SA about certain “sexually immoral” and “sexist” graphic t-shirts that a certain retail group had to recall from its stores.
Please, don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating for a 24-hour pornography channel on DSTV nor am I saying that I promote sexism, but what does that say about the quality of our upbringing if at the mere sight of a t-shirt that reads “you look better from behind” we all start making cat-calls and hooting our horns at every woman that walks by? In my view, that is the equivalent of boycotting Pick n Pay or Spar because I blame them for the high rates of drunken domestic violence in South Africa because they sell alcohol. It’s the same baseless argument, deriving your causes from the conclusion as opposed to drawing conclusions based on logical reasoning and evidence; a fallacy of false cause if you will.
I count myself lucky for having grown up in a family where I could look up to both of my parents. Above and beyond that, I had a strong set of aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins to look up to. That is where I got my principles from. Not the television, not celebrities, not people’s t-shirts, not the internet, or any other media for that matter. I am not, by any means saying that everyone has perfect role-models under their roofs to look up to, nor am I saying that there aren’t any positive figures in the media to look up to. What I am saying is that we, as society, need to stop worrying about what is in the big bad world to corrupt our children’s minds, and start worrying about what we can do to give them a foundation that is strong enough to withstand the pressures of the world. We must look at the cause, not the symptoms.
We need to empower the current and future generations with moral and ethical codes that won’t sway and be corrupted by t-shirts, peer pressure and what they see on the television. How? It’s simple really. Mahatma Gandhi hit the nail dead on the head when he said “be the change you wish to see in the world”. I can’t affect your actions directly, but by virtue of the fact that we as humans are creatures of habit and conformance, when we find ourselves surrounded by conscious, hard working people, we too in wanting to fit in will tend to conform to their behavior. It’s human nature at its simplest. Not to say jump to the extreme of permanent “do-gooding” – we are human after all – but try being a better person for a month; see if those around you react to you differently, treat you differently, speak to you differently.
Right now, as an individual I may not have the ability to change the world and everyone in it, but I can change myself, how I live in the world and how I deal with others. Who knows, that might just change them, and then the miracle of human nature will take it from there.
Wednesday 16 November 2011
Weavonomics
Inspired by a conversation I had last night (with my fiancé present), I decided to write this little piece on weaves and how I feel about them. While I am serious about a number of points raised below, please bear in mind that this piece was written for comical purposes, so please don’t be trying to get a brother fired…from my own blog…which I “own”. Anyhow, moving right along. Enjoy:
Picture it; Canal Walk Shopping Centre at Century City, about 10 minutes outside the Cape Town CBD having interesting conversations over dinner about being unemployed, potential franchise opportunities and how one should not be afraid to have a bit of fun with their money while they can. Then boom, out of nowhere like Nonhle Thema comparing herself to the big man upstairs the weave conversation comes up. Two girls, one guy.
As the man in the situation I was against the weave – because, in most cases, as the man in a relationship it is your responsibility to maintain your woman and make sure that she never longs for anything…the weave, by default, thus falls under your, erm…maintenance plan. I have long made it known to my significant other that weaves are not covered on my plan. It’s simple really, the economics of the weave just don’t allow for my conscience to feel comfortable with them.
I did some light research on this topic and found that a decent weave, if you know were to go, will cost you somewhere in the region of R350 – R500. If you go to the larney salons, you could very well find yourself paying upwards of a thousand rand. A thousand rand to put someone else’s hair on your head! I say if it costs more than R300, you must pay for it yourself, and frankly, if you have a thousand rand to put on your head, then surely things must be going well for you. Your life must be going so well in fact, that you certainly don’t need any of my financial support – in other words, I take it you are sorted for your monthly groceries, sorted on your monthly rent and electricity, sorted for your airtime and certainly covered on your transport requirements.
To this end I was asked, “Hau! Are you saying you wouldn’t buy a R700 pair of shoes?”, to which I responded “Maybe, but what does that have to do with a R700 weave?”
Apparently they serve the same purpose: to make you look good. Call me old fashioned, but I disagree. Expensive shoes, a nice suit or dress, even a flossy watch are all investments. They don’t need maintenance, they don’t need to be replaced every 2 months at a cost of R700+ and they certainly have no effect on your hairline – unless you’re a shopaholic who gets thrills out of maxing out their credit card…that will mess with your hairline, for days!
Besides, it goes back to my argument above. Yes, I would pay R700 for a good pair of shoes, if I deemed them worth it. That said, I would only do so with the knowledge that I can afford them – after my rent payment, after my cell phone and electricity bills are settled, after my car and insurance payments have gone off and certainly once I’m sure I have enough for groceries and petrol till month end. Then, and only then, will I maybe consider buying that R700 pair of shoes, and in concession, ladies, then and ONLY then, should you consider taking a thousand rand and placing it atop your lovely heads.
Picture it; Canal Walk Shopping Centre at Century City, about 10 minutes outside the Cape Town CBD having interesting conversations over dinner about being unemployed, potential franchise opportunities and how one should not be afraid to have a bit of fun with their money while they can. Then boom, out of nowhere like Nonhle Thema comparing herself to the big man upstairs the weave conversation comes up. Two girls, one guy.
As the man in the situation I was against the weave – because, in most cases, as the man in a relationship it is your responsibility to maintain your woman and make sure that she never longs for anything…the weave, by default, thus falls under your, erm…maintenance plan. I have long made it known to my significant other that weaves are not covered on my plan. It’s simple really, the economics of the weave just don’t allow for my conscience to feel comfortable with them.
I did some light research on this topic and found that a decent weave, if you know were to go, will cost you somewhere in the region of R350 – R500. If you go to the larney salons, you could very well find yourself paying upwards of a thousand rand. A thousand rand to put someone else’s hair on your head! I say if it costs more than R300, you must pay for it yourself, and frankly, if you have a thousand rand to put on your head, then surely things must be going well for you. Your life must be going so well in fact, that you certainly don’t need any of my financial support – in other words, I take it you are sorted for your monthly groceries, sorted on your monthly rent and electricity, sorted for your airtime and certainly covered on your transport requirements.
To this end I was asked, “Hau! Are you saying you wouldn’t buy a R700 pair of shoes?”, to which I responded “Maybe, but what does that have to do with a R700 weave?”
Apparently they serve the same purpose: to make you look good. Call me old fashioned, but I disagree. Expensive shoes, a nice suit or dress, even a flossy watch are all investments. They don’t need maintenance, they don’t need to be replaced every 2 months at a cost of R700+ and they certainly have no effect on your hairline – unless you’re a shopaholic who gets thrills out of maxing out their credit card…that will mess with your hairline, for days!
Besides, it goes back to my argument above. Yes, I would pay R700 for a good pair of shoes, if I deemed them worth it. That said, I would only do so with the knowledge that I can afford them – after my rent payment, after my cell phone and electricity bills are settled, after my car and insurance payments have gone off and certainly once I’m sure I have enough for groceries and petrol till month end. Then, and only then, will I maybe consider buying that R700 pair of shoes, and in concession, ladies, then and ONLY then, should you consider taking a thousand rand and placing it atop your lovely heads.
Tuesday 1 November 2011
Woman Thou Art A Goddess
So, my cousin and new editor, @ItsNutty gave me a mine field of a topic for today: “Why not write about the effort that girls put into looking good but not their brain matter?” I must admit that I was slightly apprehensive about it at first, for fear of offending my female readers (since y’all are true examples of powerhouse ladies. #truestory); but then I thought, “bugger fear, challenge accepted!!” So, if you guys have any topic suggestions you’d like to read my opinion on, hit me up on twitter (@ngwanamosadi) or Facebook. Enjoy:
Woman, thou art a goddess
Athenian in poise and stature
Your glancing eyes, mature
Flicker across the room grab mine
And I am locked into you
Hair full, curves got me revving
Skin so smooth has me melting
Softer than any silk I’ve ever felt and
Those heels, heaven save me those heels
So apt for such artfully carved and shaped bases
To hold up the pylons of perfection
That are those everlasting legs
On and on and on they go
From a glance at you everyone in the room knows
Of the hours and effort and strain
Sweat and heart staking pain
That you put into achieving what stands before us
Physical perfection
And you’ve succeeded
But what now that you’ve got my attention
Will you keep it beyond the physical attraction
Will you stimulate me beyond the affection
Is it too much to ask
A standard too high to be attained
Should I be grateful and not complain
That I’ve found the epitome of every man’s desires
The envy that causes every woman’s disdain
I don’t think so
If you could be so applied to your physical beauty
Then surely, you could apply the same intensity
To highlighting your mental faculties
So as your breathtaking appearance does
They too can inspire poetic descriptions and utterances
Which take the mind away on journeys unimagined
To epic places only thoughts have access to
As your majestic body has
So too your mind those powers should possess
For woman, thou art a goddess.
Woman, thou art a goddess
Athenian in poise and stature
Your glancing eyes, mature
Flicker across the room grab mine
And I am locked into you
Hair full, curves got me revving
Skin so smooth has me melting
Softer than any silk I’ve ever felt and
Those heels, heaven save me those heels
So apt for such artfully carved and shaped bases
To hold up the pylons of perfection
That are those everlasting legs
On and on and on they go
From a glance at you everyone in the room knows
Of the hours and effort and strain
Sweat and heart staking pain
That you put into achieving what stands before us
Physical perfection
And you’ve succeeded
But what now that you’ve got my attention
Will you keep it beyond the physical attraction
Will you stimulate me beyond the affection
Is it too much to ask
A standard too high to be attained
Should I be grateful and not complain
That I’ve found the epitome of every man’s desires
The envy that causes every woman’s disdain
I don’t think so
If you could be so applied to your physical beauty
Then surely, you could apply the same intensity
To highlighting your mental faculties
So as your breathtaking appearance does
They too can inspire poetic descriptions and utterances
Which take the mind away on journeys unimagined
To epic places only thoughts have access to
As your majestic body has
So too your mind those powers should possess
For woman, thou art a goddess.
Monday 31 October 2011
The Saddest Thing
In spite of what the title might suggest, I thought I'd write something positive for this Monday afternoon/evening. FYI, I'm a feign for Monday's, love em:)) Enjoy:
The saddest thing, the saddest thing of all
Is that if we all loved, over night, the world would be a better place
For love in all its forms would have me rejoice at seeing your face
I’d see beyond hair colour, sex, height, girth and race
I’d see you
In all your splendour.
And you, well you’d see me
For all the magic I posses, all the greatness I could be
Past the outside appearance, you’d see my ability
To turn the world around
Do things no-one ever imagined
You’d see me
Truly, for all I am.
We could do great things you know
Help the old and weak, take the minds of the young and sow
Seeds that’ll grow into thoughts
Thoughts that will breed feelings
Feelings that will inspire action
Desire
Longing to be more, to do more
To be better, to do better.
We can you know
You and I, make the world better.
It starts with love
Love for yourself, because with self love comes self respect
And with self respect come standards and a sense of worth powerful enough to move mountains.
Once you learn to love you
You can love others
Treat all as a sister would a brother
And vice versus.
It’s not such a funny thought really
Think about it
The world, over night
Would be a better place
If we all just loved.
The saddest thing, the saddest thing of all
Is that if we all loved, over night, the world would be a better place
For love in all its forms would have me rejoice at seeing your face
I’d see beyond hair colour, sex, height, girth and race
I’d see you
In all your splendour.
And you, well you’d see me
For all the magic I posses, all the greatness I could be
Past the outside appearance, you’d see my ability
To turn the world around
Do things no-one ever imagined
You’d see me
Truly, for all I am.
We could do great things you know
Help the old and weak, take the minds of the young and sow
Seeds that’ll grow into thoughts
Thoughts that will breed feelings
Feelings that will inspire action
Desire
Longing to be more, to do more
To be better, to do better.
We can you know
You and I, make the world better.
It starts with love
Love for yourself, because with self love comes self respect
And with self respect come standards and a sense of worth powerful enough to move mountains.
Once you learn to love you
You can love others
Treat all as a sister would a brother
And vice versus.
It’s not such a funny thought really
Think about it
The world, over night
Would be a better place
If we all just loved.
Wednesday 26 October 2011
What Unemployment Problem?
So, today I write about the “unemployment problem” in South Africa. It’s a very high level overview because to go in-depth on the issue would require a much longer piece, and I don’t want to bore you. It would be great if some of you would engage with some of the issues in the comments, then we could unpack it further…but only if that’s your thing;) Enjoy:
South Africa’s unemployment rate is over-inflated. I say this as an economics major who graduated from a fairly reputable institution. Not to say I know it all, but I have some sort of basis for this statement. I, however, unlike most people schooled in economics am not of a view that this is caused by a weak economy, a lack of skilled labour, the manner in which the figures are collected and measured or even by the use of the so-called “broader definition of unemployment”.
I think the high levels of unemployment in our country are caused by on thing – well, many things if I’m to be honest, but this one reason sticks out like a match in Manchester United’s history books where they’ve conceded 6 goals…at home. The abomination in question is the “experience snobbery” in the South African employment economy. Most companies use years of experience as a filter to “weed out unsuitable candidates”. The issue with this is that so often the baby gets thrown out with the proverbial bath water!
I have had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know a large pool of widely talented and very capable individuals in my lifetime; some of them with matric and tertiary qualifications, some without. Sadly, for a number of these individuals they will never be given the chance to shine, an opportunity to max out on their potential, and in so doing add immeasurable value to the South African economy. Why? Simply because they don’t have experience, or they don’t have this qualification or they don’t know that person. It’s a sad reality indeed.
A reality that South African business and South African governance needs to come to terms with and take corrective measures for. One need only look at the companies rated “Best Employers” to see what their edge is in recruiting suitable talent which in turn leads to them often times outperforming their competitors. It really is a “simple” case of processes. I put the word “simple” in inverted commas because these are obviously well thought out and practiced processes which have been perfected over time.
If South Africa’s government and business community is really serious about tackling our crippling unemployment problem, a minimum process should be mandated for recruitment. There should be certain basic assessments and tests that should be done when one submits their CV/application. The purpose of this is to objectively and expediently identify potential talent. Not to negate years experience as a filter, but just because it’s the most obvious filter doesn’t make it the most correct. I have encountered many an individual with years of experience who come up short when it comes to job knowledge and performance.
Fix how you find your talent, and you fix your internal issues. Sort out your internal issues and this will reflect in the open market, adding to your bottom line. A better bottom line means expansion of your product/service offering which means you have the opportunity to create more employment, and thus the cycle begins again. I know that this is a very simplistic view of things, but in the context of a market like ours with so much untapped potential in both the labour and consumer market, I don’t think I’m that far off
South Africa’s unemployment rate is over-inflated. I say this as an economics major who graduated from a fairly reputable institution. Not to say I know it all, but I have some sort of basis for this statement. I, however, unlike most people schooled in economics am not of a view that this is caused by a weak economy, a lack of skilled labour, the manner in which the figures are collected and measured or even by the use of the so-called “broader definition of unemployment”.
I think the high levels of unemployment in our country are caused by on thing – well, many things if I’m to be honest, but this one reason sticks out like a match in Manchester United’s history books where they’ve conceded 6 goals…at home. The abomination in question is the “experience snobbery” in the South African employment economy. Most companies use years of experience as a filter to “weed out unsuitable candidates”. The issue with this is that so often the baby gets thrown out with the proverbial bath water!
I have had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know a large pool of widely talented and very capable individuals in my lifetime; some of them with matric and tertiary qualifications, some without. Sadly, for a number of these individuals they will never be given the chance to shine, an opportunity to max out on their potential, and in so doing add immeasurable value to the South African economy. Why? Simply because they don’t have experience, or they don’t have this qualification or they don’t know that person. It’s a sad reality indeed.
A reality that South African business and South African governance needs to come to terms with and take corrective measures for. One need only look at the companies rated “Best Employers” to see what their edge is in recruiting suitable talent which in turn leads to them often times outperforming their competitors. It really is a “simple” case of processes. I put the word “simple” in inverted commas because these are obviously well thought out and practiced processes which have been perfected over time.
If South Africa’s government and business community is really serious about tackling our crippling unemployment problem, a minimum process should be mandated for recruitment. There should be certain basic assessments and tests that should be done when one submits their CV/application. The purpose of this is to objectively and expediently identify potential talent. Not to negate years experience as a filter, but just because it’s the most obvious filter doesn’t make it the most correct. I have encountered many an individual with years of experience who come up short when it comes to job knowledge and performance.
Fix how you find your talent, and you fix your internal issues. Sort out your internal issues and this will reflect in the open market, adding to your bottom line. A better bottom line means expansion of your product/service offering which means you have the opportunity to create more employment, and thus the cycle begins again. I know that this is a very simplistic view of things, but in the context of a market like ours with so much untapped potential in both the labour and consumer market, I don’t think I’m that far off
Saturday 22 October 2011
Zahara - An Artist Worth Making
It's been a while since my last post, I've just not been in a blogger state of mind. Apologies. I know it's a bit late, but I thought up this topic amidst the initial hype about Zahara (@ZaharaSA); I only finished it now and thought its still worth posting. Enjoy:
Finally, it would appear, South Africa has come to the party and made an artist. She goes by the name Zahara.
She's been making big waves on the local music scene and after listening to her debut album "Loliwe" I can understand why. So many of South Africa's "artists" get public attention for things other than their craft. Showing off their lady bits at a concert, being gold diggers, getting into public spats, etc.
Finally, someone with actual talent has come to the fore, and South Africans have done their bit to keep her at the party. Many a talented artist will tell you it takes more than just talent to become a star - people have to buy into what you do, they have to buy into your brand.
Luckily for Zahara, South Africans have done just that. Twitter and Facebook were abuzz with comments of her talent and bemoaning the fact that her album was sold out everywhere they went. South Africans fed the hype, and justifiably so.
I hope she takes a page from Artists such as Lira and Loyiso who've been in the SA music game for a while now and in spite of their success have kept hard work and appreciation for their fans at the heart of their craft. If she can do that, I have a feeling she will be around for a long, long time to come.
In my view, Zahara certainly was an artist worth making.
Finally, it would appear, South Africa has come to the party and made an artist. She goes by the name Zahara.
She's been making big waves on the local music scene and after listening to her debut album "Loliwe" I can understand why. So many of South Africa's "artists" get public attention for things other than their craft. Showing off their lady bits at a concert, being gold diggers, getting into public spats, etc.
Finally, someone with actual talent has come to the fore, and South Africans have done their bit to keep her at the party. Many a talented artist will tell you it takes more than just talent to become a star - people have to buy into what you do, they have to buy into your brand.
Luckily for Zahara, South Africans have done just that. Twitter and Facebook were abuzz with comments of her talent and bemoaning the fact that her album was sold out everywhere they went. South Africans fed the hype, and justifiably so.
I hope she takes a page from Artists such as Lira and Loyiso who've been in the SA music game for a while now and in spite of their success have kept hard work and appreciation for their fans at the heart of their craft. If she can do that, I have a feeling she will be around for a long, long time to come.
In my view, Zahara certainly was an artist worth making.
Thursday 6 October 2011
Vision
So this morning I read of the passing of Mr Steve Jobs. A legend of his time, Jobs is probably the closest any man will ever come to achieving true immortality. Inspired by a speech he wrote for a graduation he spoke at in 2005, I wrote this piece (via @Entrepreneur_SA , http://www.entrepreneurmag.co.za/entrepreneur-today/in-the-words-of-steve-jobs/ ). I hope it inspires you even a hundredth of what this man inspired me. Enjoy:
For my unborn children, I wish vision
If they’re healthy and strong
If they get to live lives that are long
That’s a plus
If they’re talented, beautiful
Smart, athletic and have great personalities
That’s an added bonus
An added bonus God knows I’ll be grateful for.
All these things I would cherish in my children
But these are traits I will not wish upon them
For my children I wish only one thing
That they may have vision.
Vision beyond the minds of the masses
Vision beyond themselves
And most importantly, vision beyond the human condition
Which holds us back from exploring the boundaries of our true potential.
I wish that they may have vision to enlighten them in the darkness of their exploratory years
Vision to give them patience when they get restless
Vision to give them perseverance when things get tough
Vision to reveal to them the fact that impossible is a state of mind.
To my unborn, yet to be conceived children, I write this letter to you
To wish upon you, vision.
For my unborn children, I wish vision
If they’re healthy and strong
If they get to live lives that are long
That’s a plus
If they’re talented, beautiful
Smart, athletic and have great personalities
That’s an added bonus
An added bonus God knows I’ll be grateful for.
All these things I would cherish in my children
But these are traits I will not wish upon them
For my children I wish only one thing
That they may have vision.
Vision beyond the minds of the masses
Vision beyond themselves
And most importantly, vision beyond the human condition
Which holds us back from exploring the boundaries of our true potential.
I wish that they may have vision to enlighten them in the darkness of their exploratory years
Vision to give them patience when they get restless
Vision to give them perseverance when things get tough
Vision to reveal to them the fact that impossible is a state of mind.
To my unborn, yet to be conceived children, I write this letter to you
To wish upon you, vision.
Vision
So this morning I read of the passing of Mr Steve Jobs. A legend of his time, Jobs is probably the closest any man will ever come to achieving true immortality. Inspired by a speech he wrote for a graduation he spoke at in 2005, I wrote this piece (via @Entrepreneur_SA , http://www.entrepreneurmag.co.za/entrepreneur-today/in-the-words-of-steve-jobs/ ). I hope it inspires you even a hundredth of what this man inspired me. Enjoy:
For my unborn children, I wish vision
If they’re healthy and strong
If they get to live lives that are long
That’s a plus
If they’re talented, beautiful
Smart, athletic and have great personalities
That’s an added bonus
An added bonus God knows I’ll be grateful for.
All these things I would cherish in my children
But these are traits I will not wish upon them
For my children I wish only one thing
That they may have vision.
Vision beyond the minds of the masses
Vision beyond themselves
And most importantly, vision beyond the human condition
Which holds us back from exploring the boundaries of our true potential.
I wish that they may have vision to enlighten them in the darkness of their exploratory years
Vision to give them patience when they get restless
Vision to give them perseverance when things get tough
Vision to reveal to them the fact that impossible is a state of mind.
To my unborn, yet to be conceived children, I write this letter to you
To wish upon you, vision.
For my unborn children, I wish vision
If they’re healthy and strong
If they get to live lives that are long
That’s a plus
If they’re talented, beautiful
Smart, athletic and have great personalities
That’s an added bonus
An added bonus God knows I’ll be grateful for.
All these things I would cherish in my children
But these are traits I will not wish upon them
For my children I wish only one thing
That they may have vision.
Vision beyond the minds of the masses
Vision beyond themselves
And most importantly, vision beyond the human condition
Which holds us back from exploring the boundaries of our true potential.
I wish that they may have vision to enlighten them in the darkness of their exploratory years
Vision to give them patience when they get restless
Vision to give them perseverance when things get tough
Vision to reveal to them the fact that impossible is a state of mind.
To my unborn, yet to be conceived children, I write this letter to you
To wish upon you, vision.
Tuesday 4 October 2011
Someone I Want to Love
Inspired by words in a tweet by my twomie and tweditor, @Oobakeng, the title of this piece became what you see below. Enjoy:
You are, you
Everything about you
Your skin, your touch
Your lips, that glint in your eye
The way you call for me, long for me
Makes me want you
Makes you someone I want to love
I want to, but I can't
I can't give you, me.
My time, my energy
My focus, make you the centre of my attention
Give you my all, my energy
My love. I want to
You, are someone I want to love
I want to, but I can't
I can't give you, me.
There is no reason to my actions
No logic to be applied
But rather than be with you and lie
I'd rather walk away till I'm ready to try
Give you, me. All of me.
Because you are
Someone I want to love.
You are, you
Everything about you
Your skin, your touch
Your lips, that glint in your eye
The way you call for me, long for me
Makes me want you
Makes you someone I want to love
I want to, but I can't
I can't give you, me.
My time, my energy
My focus, make you the centre of my attention
Give you my all, my energy
My love. I want to
You, are someone I want to love
I want to, but I can't
I can't give you, me.
There is no reason to my actions
No logic to be applied
But rather than be with you and lie
I'd rather walk away till I'm ready to try
Give you, me. All of me.
Because you are
Someone I want to love.
Wednesday 28 September 2011
The Danger of Hope - A Synopsis
I've written a post called "The Danger of Hope". It's a relatively long piece, so for those of you with less time on your hands I've summarized my arguments there into this "short" synopsis. An executive summary if you will. The link to the full article is below. Enjoy:
It's been an eventful six months. Riots in the UK, revolutions in the Arab countries, violent protests locally, councillors houses being stoned with their families inside, Malema's trust fund being exposed and of course one Mark Esterhuysen being fired from Radio 702 for a politically incorrect news report.
Signs of unrest in the minds of people if ever I saw them. People are slowly losing faith in the system and it's ability to deliver a better life for them. People are fast losing hope, and as we've seen in the Arab states and in the UK this can be a dangerous thing.
I think Mr Esterhuysen's (@MarkEsterhuysen) comments the other morning are signs of some very big and very real tensions bubbling under within our society. I won't repeat what he said on here, buy if you want to read his views follow him on twitter and follow the link to his blog. Obviously there is more to him than what I'm about to say, but taking liberties with my opinions, what I got from him was "enough with government's non-delivery, now is the time for non-pacifist anarchy."
To an extent I agree with this, but for the most part I think it's misguided, I think it's naive and it just smells of undercooked thinking. Sure, we need a change, but what happens after we overthrow the government? Add to that, whom are we directing our "non-pacifist" actions at?
The difference between fighting for freedom from racial oppression and fighting for freedom from economic oppression require two very different approaches. One hat does not fit all. Sure, the threat of violence got the apartheid government and the entitled whites of the day to back down because they knew their privilege was unfairly given. Dr Mathedimusa who lives in Sandton on the other hand won't take so kindly to the masses rising up and looting his property. He will fight back.
What then? A class war? Who wins there? No-one. It really is as simple as that. I really hope that the likes of Mr Esterhuysen who've given themselves a rare public platform use it in an intelligent manner which serves the country as a whole.
I hope that their loss of faith in society doesn't lead them along the ANCYL-esque path of prodding an angry bear. Taunting the masses into a false uprising - thinking they're uplifting themselves when actually it's all for the ideals and bank balances of a handful of individuals.
For the sake of this country, I pray that their coming words and actions are thought out, tactful and of a constructive nature. Not the type that will result in people bringing axes and cleavers to an open-heart surgery.
Link to the main article: http://ngwanamosadi.blogspot.com/2011/09/danger-of-hope.html
It's been an eventful six months. Riots in the UK, revolutions in the Arab countries, violent protests locally, councillors houses being stoned with their families inside, Malema's trust fund being exposed and of course one Mark Esterhuysen being fired from Radio 702 for a politically incorrect news report.
Signs of unrest in the minds of people if ever I saw them. People are slowly losing faith in the system and it's ability to deliver a better life for them. People are fast losing hope, and as we've seen in the Arab states and in the UK this can be a dangerous thing.
I think Mr Esterhuysen's (@MarkEsterhuysen) comments the other morning are signs of some very big and very real tensions bubbling under within our society. I won't repeat what he said on here, buy if you want to read his views follow him on twitter and follow the link to his blog. Obviously there is more to him than what I'm about to say, but taking liberties with my opinions, what I got from him was "enough with government's non-delivery, now is the time for non-pacifist anarchy."
To an extent I agree with this, but for the most part I think it's misguided, I think it's naive and it just smells of undercooked thinking. Sure, we need a change, but what happens after we overthrow the government? Add to that, whom are we directing our "non-pacifist" actions at?
The difference between fighting for freedom from racial oppression and fighting for freedom from economic oppression require two very different approaches. One hat does not fit all. Sure, the threat of violence got the apartheid government and the entitled whites of the day to back down because they knew their privilege was unfairly given. Dr Mathedimusa who lives in Sandton on the other hand won't take so kindly to the masses rising up and looting his property. He will fight back.
What then? A class war? Who wins there? No-one. It really is as simple as that. I really hope that the likes of Mr Esterhuysen who've given themselves a rare public platform use it in an intelligent manner which serves the country as a whole.
I hope that their loss of faith in society doesn't lead them along the ANCYL-esque path of prodding an angry bear. Taunting the masses into a false uprising - thinking they're uplifting themselves when actually it's all for the ideals and bank balances of a handful of individuals.
For the sake of this country, I pray that their coming words and actions are thought out, tactful and of a constructive nature. Not the type that will result in people bringing axes and cleavers to an open-heart surgery.
Link to the main article: http://ngwanamosadi.blogspot.com/2011/09/danger-of-hope.html
The Danger of Hope
Barrack Obama, or Barry as I like to call him, released a book powerfully titled “The Audacity of Hope”. Now, not having yet read the book (it’s on my bucket list), I can deduce from the title of the book and a handful of speeches I’ve watched Barry make that he has the belief that hope can accomplish a lot of things. He believes there is power in faith and optimism. Truth be told, if one has the courage of their convictions with them they can achieve far more than the gloomy masses ever thought possible. Hope turns the, “that’s impossible, it can’t be done” into “yes we can”. That was, after all, Barry’s main campaign slogan.
He had a country, an economy, a people who were down for the count. They couldn’t have been more out if Heidi Klum had come up to them and said, “America, you are out”. Barry gave them hope again. He gave them the belief that maybe, just maybe they could turn the tables. He brought America back into the competition as a wildcard.
Sadly though, the thing with hope, what South Africans are slowly waking up to realize, is that hope without action is pointless. Having faith in your government when they can’t deliver will only lead to disappointment. Granted Barry is having his efforts stifled by Republicans who would rather politic and gain brownie points over him than see him, and the American people succeed. And no, it’s not a racial thing (I would hope).
Sadly, we are seeing a similiar thing here on South African shores, where our so called leaders are more interested in power and personal enrichment than they are in the welfare of their constituents. All of that national pride and hope which was instilled in the minds and hearts of South Africans by leaders such as Nelson Mandela is slowly being eroded away. We’ve just seen in the UK with the riots a few weeks ago what happens when your youth become jaded and live with a gloomy outlook on life. I don’t wish to, but I can only imagine what is going to happen when that happens in South Africa.
I can feel the perfect storm brewing and I really don’t know that we have the caliber of leadership required to quell it when it comes. I mean look at the facts. We are/were one of the most hopeful and inspired nations in the history of this planet – we came through a highly volatile situation, one incident away from a violent, bloody and genocidal civil war with flags painted on our faces and peace signs on our hands. Now, all that hope is fading away. That saying, “the higher they are, the harder they fall” applies perfectly to us. We come from the high of highs and, boy are we falling a long way…and fast!
We have a history of using strikes and violence to win freedom from oppression (then racial, now economic), our youth are uneducated and illiterate for the most part and they wouldn’t know the first place to start if you asked them to INTELLECTUALLY give their reasoning for supporting our “leaders” with the visceral passion they display. We are a short way from hopelessness and when we hit rock bottom it’s going to hurt. It will hurt us as a country and as a people. It’s a scary thought; certainly one I hope never comes to fruition.
That said, my hopes are starting to look more and more like pipe dreams. Look at the recent wage strikes marred by violence and vandalism in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Not so long ago people in Chiawelo, Soweto were stoning a former municipal councillors house and trying to burn her car which was parked in the garage attached to her house - which her family was in by the way. Add to the that the likes of a young man by the name of Mark Esterhuysen (@MarkEsterhuysen) who've decided "fuck the system," anarchy is the way forward.
While I admire his desire above "winning the rat race" to stand for what he believes in, I think he is on the cusp of becoming "the clever man's Malema". Unfiltered, telling it like he sees it - but at who's risk? The problem with this has been displayed time and again by ANCYL supporters. They get so caught up in the movement that they give no mind to the fact their actions cause more self-harm than good.
I see Mr Esterhuysen as a catalyst. One our society has been in need of for a while. He came out of left field, and that's what makes him all the more potent. A white guy, who by his own admission had a not so tough upbringing, with a seemingly non-racial agenda calling the government out on it's failures in a very public and very non-politically correct manner. I applaud that. We need more people like that.
I just wish to say to those who choose to follow in Mark's footsteps, be weary that your hopelessness and apathy are not replaced with violence. Yes, we need to a certain degree to revolt against our current government. We must put our collective foot down and let them know that enough is enough.
We cannot, however, make the mistake of using this as an opportunity to be violent, vandalize public property, loot private property and basically run down society all in the name of anarchy and non-pacifism.
We need to work hard to build this country from the ground up. We need a solid foundation based on more than hope, wishful thinking and empty promises from people who couldn't care less if you sleep on an empty stomach. We need to create a foundation that our generation can build on and the generations after us can improve.
Hope, once faded can prove a dangerous thing, especially in a situation like this. It's up to you and I to do our bit to do our bit to steer the country on the right path. This will need us, as a people to have the temerity to have big dreams, and the audacity to have even greater ambition for this country. Beyond that, however, we must have the work ethic and the common sense to know that ambitions aren't enough. We must act on them. What will your contribution be?
He had a country, an economy, a people who were down for the count. They couldn’t have been more out if Heidi Klum had come up to them and said, “America, you are out”. Barry gave them hope again. He gave them the belief that maybe, just maybe they could turn the tables. He brought America back into the competition as a wildcard.
Sadly though, the thing with hope, what South Africans are slowly waking up to realize, is that hope without action is pointless. Having faith in your government when they can’t deliver will only lead to disappointment. Granted Barry is having his efforts stifled by Republicans who would rather politic and gain brownie points over him than see him, and the American people succeed. And no, it’s not a racial thing (I would hope).
Sadly, we are seeing a similiar thing here on South African shores, where our so called leaders are more interested in power and personal enrichment than they are in the welfare of their constituents. All of that national pride and hope which was instilled in the minds and hearts of South Africans by leaders such as Nelson Mandela is slowly being eroded away. We’ve just seen in the UK with the riots a few weeks ago what happens when your youth become jaded and live with a gloomy outlook on life. I don’t wish to, but I can only imagine what is going to happen when that happens in South Africa.
I can feel the perfect storm brewing and I really don’t know that we have the caliber of leadership required to quell it when it comes. I mean look at the facts. We are/were one of the most hopeful and inspired nations in the history of this planet – we came through a highly volatile situation, one incident away from a violent, bloody and genocidal civil war with flags painted on our faces and peace signs on our hands. Now, all that hope is fading away. That saying, “the higher they are, the harder they fall” applies perfectly to us. We come from the high of highs and, boy are we falling a long way…and fast!
We have a history of using strikes and violence to win freedom from oppression (then racial, now economic), our youth are uneducated and illiterate for the most part and they wouldn’t know the first place to start if you asked them to INTELLECTUALLY give their reasoning for supporting our “leaders” with the visceral passion they display. We are a short way from hopelessness and when we hit rock bottom it’s going to hurt. It will hurt us as a country and as a people. It’s a scary thought; certainly one I hope never comes to fruition.
That said, my hopes are starting to look more and more like pipe dreams. Look at the recent wage strikes marred by violence and vandalism in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Not so long ago people in Chiawelo, Soweto were stoning a former municipal councillors house and trying to burn her car which was parked in the garage attached to her house - which her family was in by the way. Add to the that the likes of a young man by the name of Mark Esterhuysen (@MarkEsterhuysen) who've decided "fuck the system," anarchy is the way forward.
While I admire his desire above "winning the rat race" to stand for what he believes in, I think he is on the cusp of becoming "the clever man's Malema". Unfiltered, telling it like he sees it - but at who's risk? The problem with this has been displayed time and again by ANCYL supporters. They get so caught up in the movement that they give no mind to the fact their actions cause more self-harm than good.
I see Mr Esterhuysen as a catalyst. One our society has been in need of for a while. He came out of left field, and that's what makes him all the more potent. A white guy, who by his own admission had a not so tough upbringing, with a seemingly non-racial agenda calling the government out on it's failures in a very public and very non-politically correct manner. I applaud that. We need more people like that.
I just wish to say to those who choose to follow in Mark's footsteps, be weary that your hopelessness and apathy are not replaced with violence. Yes, we need to a certain degree to revolt against our current government. We must put our collective foot down and let them know that enough is enough.
We cannot, however, make the mistake of using this as an opportunity to be violent, vandalize public property, loot private property and basically run down society all in the name of anarchy and non-pacifism.
We need to work hard to build this country from the ground up. We need a solid foundation based on more than hope, wishful thinking and empty promises from people who couldn't care less if you sleep on an empty stomach. We need to create a foundation that our generation can build on and the generations after us can improve.
Hope, once faded can prove a dangerous thing, especially in a situation like this. It's up to you and I to do our bit to do our bit to steer the country on the right path. This will need us, as a people to have the temerity to have big dreams, and the audacity to have even greater ambition for this country. Beyond that, however, we must have the work ethic and the common sense to know that ambitions aren't enough. We must act on them. What will your contribution be?
Tuesday 27 September 2011
Destiny is Pre-defined
So I started working on a piece about the danger of hope today. Thing with blogging to such a discerning audience, small as it may be for now, I have to make sure I keep a consistency in my posts, and given that the “hope blog post” is yet to be up to par, I wrote this quickie to post for today. Hope you like it. Enjoy:
Destiny, by definition is pre-defined
You can’t know it
You simply have to deal with what you find
And when you, do own it
It’s yours for the taking, some might even say
It’s yours for the making, if you’re ready to play
Even yours for the faking, if that’s your game
Either way, make it happen
And whatever happens, do the best you can
Because in life, what will be
Ultimately, will be
Regardless of you and me
The world was here long before us; it’ll be here long after
All we can do is make the best of what we find
Destiny is after all, pre-defined.
Destiny, by definition is pre-defined
You can’t know it
You simply have to deal with what you find
And when you, do own it
It’s yours for the taking, some might even say
It’s yours for the making, if you’re ready to play
Even yours for the faking, if that’s your game
Either way, make it happen
And whatever happens, do the best you can
Because in life, what will be
Ultimately, will be
Regardless of you and me
The world was here long before us; it’ll be here long after
All we can do is make the best of what we find
Destiny is after all, pre-defined.
Monday 26 September 2011
A Chosen Love
So, my significant other asked that I write her a song/poem. Problem is whenever I try it ends up sounding cheesy three words in; so I decided to write a proper piece instead. Enjoy:
Is love for everyone? I think not. People always say "you just haven't found the right one yet." I say rubbish. Don't get me wrong, I believe in love, I really I do. I did, after all, just propose to the love of my life a few months ago.
I just happen to be of the view that love is more than just a feeling. I think love is more than just that flutter in your chest everytime she smiles or your heart skipping a beat when he looks at you. Yes, those things can be an indication of love, or the potential thereof at the very least, but love they are not.
I think, and feel free to disagree here, that love is a choice you make. To love or not to love - you choose. People don't sleep around because they got tempted or because they haven't found the right one yet. They do so because they haven't found the one they feel is worthy of being faithful and committed to. The one they can stay in with over the weekend and not feel as if the world has passed them by.
I got lucky. I loved, and still love my best friend. I knew on the day I first saw her that she would be my wife, and I took a decision that day that she was the one. I got to know her and she got to know me before the thought of being a couple ever crossed her mind. Even when I told her how I felt about her the first time round, she told me she couldn't see us as more than just friends. Yes, I was in the dreaded "friend-zone". The horror!
Long story short, she came around to the idea of "us" and we started dating. It was an incredible experience because we had and still have incredible chemistry, as if our eyes just met from across the room this afternoon. While I am grateful for this, just like any other couple we have our off days where our timing just doesn't sync up and we ask ourselves "who the hell stole our science kit?" - the chemistry just disappears.
It's at these moments where true love, the type of love that you choose to have, really shows. That fairytale, movie love where people are happy all the time and get along ALL THE TIME cuts out from time to time, and if yours wasn't a chosen love it can be all too easy to decide "I don't need this in my life" and up and leave - certainly a lot easier than staying with the person, making it work and making your love and mutual respect stronger.
I say don't just be in love, because just as quickly as you fell into love, you can fall out. When you find that person who's worth it, choose to love them. Choose to adore and care for them, to be faithful, committed and there for them always. Unconditionally. Absolutely.
I'm really happy I did.
Is love for everyone? I think not. People always say "you just haven't found the right one yet." I say rubbish. Don't get me wrong, I believe in love, I really I do. I did, after all, just propose to the love of my life a few months ago.
I just happen to be of the view that love is more than just a feeling. I think love is more than just that flutter in your chest everytime she smiles or your heart skipping a beat when he looks at you. Yes, those things can be an indication of love, or the potential thereof at the very least, but love they are not.
I think, and feel free to disagree here, that love is a choice you make. To love or not to love - you choose. People don't sleep around because they got tempted or because they haven't found the right one yet. They do so because they haven't found the one they feel is worthy of being faithful and committed to. The one they can stay in with over the weekend and not feel as if the world has passed them by.
I got lucky. I loved, and still love my best friend. I knew on the day I first saw her that she would be my wife, and I took a decision that day that she was the one. I got to know her and she got to know me before the thought of being a couple ever crossed her mind. Even when I told her how I felt about her the first time round, she told me she couldn't see us as more than just friends. Yes, I was in the dreaded "friend-zone". The horror!
Long story short, she came around to the idea of "us" and we started dating. It was an incredible experience because we had and still have incredible chemistry, as if our eyes just met from across the room this afternoon. While I am grateful for this, just like any other couple we have our off days where our timing just doesn't sync up and we ask ourselves "who the hell stole our science kit?" - the chemistry just disappears.
It's at these moments where true love, the type of love that you choose to have, really shows. That fairytale, movie love where people are happy all the time and get along ALL THE TIME cuts out from time to time, and if yours wasn't a chosen love it can be all too easy to decide "I don't need this in my life" and up and leave - certainly a lot easier than staying with the person, making it work and making your love and mutual respect stronger.
I say don't just be in love, because just as quickly as you fell into love, you can fall out. When you find that person who's worth it, choose to love them. Choose to adore and care for them, to be faithful, committed and there for them always. Unconditionally. Absolutely.
I'm really happy I did.
Tuesday 20 September 2011
Security of the State - POIB
This is my take on the secrecy of information act our "government" wants to pass. It's a "poetic" take on the matter if I may call it that. Enjoy:
Secrecy is like a drug, it's like a pill
Ignorance is bliss they say, and blissfull's how you'll feel
When our leaders smile and say it's all going swimmingly well
When truth be told, this country, our future, is all being raped to hell
But truth won't be told now will it
A tender here, a million there, why thank you, they don't mind if they do
After all, their cars and homes are footed by me and you, so if not for them then service delivery for who
I don't see any potholes here, or leaky pipes there
Too intoxicated by my fresh Houghton air
And besides, who cares, we'll still get our votes
The real majority just stares, on our every word they'll dote
This secrecy bill as you call it, should be renamed ignorance
Because we've been pulling the wool over the eyes of the illiterate masses
This is just a rubber stamp for every body elses dom passes
But we won't call it that, it's for the security of our estates...oh my, a Freudian slip, I meant security of the state.
Secrecy is like a drug, it's like a pill
Ignorance is bliss they say, and blissfull's how you'll feel
When our leaders smile and say it's all going swimmingly well
When truth be told, this country, our future, is all being raped to hell
But truth won't be told now will it
A tender here, a million there, why thank you, they don't mind if they do
After all, their cars and homes are footed by me and you, so if not for them then service delivery for who
I don't see any potholes here, or leaky pipes there
Too intoxicated by my fresh Houghton air
And besides, who cares, we'll still get our votes
The real majority just stares, on our every word they'll dote
This secrecy bill as you call it, should be renamed ignorance
Because we've been pulling the wool over the eyes of the illiterate masses
This is just a rubber stamp for every body elses dom passes
But we won't call it that, it's for the security of our estates...oh my, a Freudian slip, I meant security of the state.
Thursday 15 September 2011
Death of a Thousand Souls
This post is a tad bit darker. Not to worry, I'm not harboring any...er...feelings of not living:)
It's just that when you have thoughts in your head it's better to get them out
than leave em floating round your head because then they become feelings
and feelings become actions. Anyho, enjoy:
Death of a thousand souls, I feel so old
Like I’m bled out, it’s so dark, I feel so cold
To everyone and everything in this world
My soul is jaded, hope faded
There’s no coming back from here
The point of no return
If I could, I would have chose different there
I’d call it a lesson learnt, but it’s not
Can’t believe it’s come to this
This is a place I never thought I’d be
On the edge, about to take flight
Plummet to the death of a thousand souls.
Wednesday 14 September 2011
What is racism really?
So, my other tweep Obi_Mike_Dexter (@Oobakeng) requested I write something more "tangible", so here it is. It's quite topical, but I believe it's relevant. It's a bit long, but I rate you'll like it. Enjoy:
What is racism really? Is it people looking down on you because of the colour of your skin? Is it your boss not letting you take on projects because you’re black and THEREFOR you are incompetent? Is it people rolling their eyes at you when you go up to present or offer a suggestion at a staff meeting because, well, what do black people know? This it would seem, is the post-94 brand of racism that’s being bandied around our “Rainbow Nation”.
Julis, his ANCYL cronies, senior COSAS members and certain ANC members and their tenderpreneur buddies run around, inciting furor in the masses of poor, black South Africans making statements like “We must declare an economic war on the white capitalists and burn down their businesses if they refuse to give us our dues” and crying foul every time someone questions their lavish lifestyles. “Is it because I’m black that I’m not allowed to live in a Sandton mansion or drive around town in a luxury German saloon? After all, I don’t own these things, the bank does, right?” Right.
My personal view, in response to the question I posed at the start of this piece is that the so-called “racism” we experience as described above is nothing more than ignorance. Stupid, idiotic, narrow-minded ignorance. The worst thing about it though, is that we as black people perpetuate it. When we sit in staff meetings with answers to questions or really pertinent points to raise but don’t, we perpetuate it. When we don’t put our hands up to take on projects that would showcase our skills and talents, we deepen the perception that blacks can’t do anything. When we mimic the cries that the media and the “opposition” parties are after our politicians “just because their black”, we further tarnish our image in the eyes of “the others”.
We need to realize that the majority of our leaders are of the mindset best described by a Smuts Ngonyama quote from a few years back: they “didn’t join the struggle to be poor.” As a public, surely, we need to at some stage wake up and realize that regardless of the reasons people are pointing out fraud and corruption, the fraud and corruption is the issue at hand, not the colour of the perpetrators’ skin. Is a murder less of a murderer because he is black? I would like to think not. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t wish to deny our political struggle icons and leaders, present and past any privileges or luxuries that may come with their positions, but the air of entitlement that they have and are instilling in the new leadership is scary.
To hear an early twenty-something year old talking about “I deserve this, and the government owes me that” is a problem. For a twenty-something year old to be going on about the oppression and racism he has to deal with every day at work speaks to me of a nation headed fast into the obscurity and self-destruction that has plagued so many once great African nations. This attitude, this sense of entitlement is what leads to corrupt, fraudulent, ineffective BLACK people. How can anyone ever create wealth and opportunity if they are of the mindset that they deserve it? On what basis?
I say we, as a people, need to get up off our asses and say enough. Not with our feet, not with our mouths or placards, and definitely not through violence and vandalism. We need to say enough through our actions. Next time you have something to say in a meeting but are afraid the “other people” will look at you funny because you’re black, say it anyway. Prove them wrong. Next time a project comes up within your community or business, don’t sit back because you are of the notion that “they” will look down on you, volunteer yourself. Prove them wrong, and in the process learn from the experience, grow yourself as a person so you can move onto bigger, greater things. Finally, the next time you think of uttering the words “you’re attacking him and his riches because he’s black”, in defence of your so-called leaders ask yourself, “am I really helping the cause, or am I just perpetuating the stereotype and in effect, promoting the racism?”
What is racism really? Is it people looking down on you because of the colour of your skin? Is it your boss not letting you take on projects because you’re black and THEREFOR you are incompetent? Is it people rolling their eyes at you when you go up to present or offer a suggestion at a staff meeting because, well, what do black people know? This it would seem, is the post-94 brand of racism that’s being bandied around our “Rainbow Nation”.
Julis, his ANCYL cronies, senior COSAS members and certain ANC members and their tenderpreneur buddies run around, inciting furor in the masses of poor, black South Africans making statements like “We must declare an economic war on the white capitalists and burn down their businesses if they refuse to give us our dues” and crying foul every time someone questions their lavish lifestyles. “Is it because I’m black that I’m not allowed to live in a Sandton mansion or drive around town in a luxury German saloon? After all, I don’t own these things, the bank does, right?” Right.
My personal view, in response to the question I posed at the start of this piece is that the so-called “racism” we experience as described above is nothing more than ignorance. Stupid, idiotic, narrow-minded ignorance. The worst thing about it though, is that we as black people perpetuate it. When we sit in staff meetings with answers to questions or really pertinent points to raise but don’t, we perpetuate it. When we don’t put our hands up to take on projects that would showcase our skills and talents, we deepen the perception that blacks can’t do anything. When we mimic the cries that the media and the “opposition” parties are after our politicians “just because their black”, we further tarnish our image in the eyes of “the others”.
We need to realize that the majority of our leaders are of the mindset best described by a Smuts Ngonyama quote from a few years back: they “didn’t join the struggle to be poor.” As a public, surely, we need to at some stage wake up and realize that regardless of the reasons people are pointing out fraud and corruption, the fraud and corruption is the issue at hand, not the colour of the perpetrators’ skin. Is a murder less of a murderer because he is black? I would like to think not. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t wish to deny our political struggle icons and leaders, present and past any privileges or luxuries that may come with their positions, but the air of entitlement that they have and are instilling in the new leadership is scary.
To hear an early twenty-something year old talking about “I deserve this, and the government owes me that” is a problem. For a twenty-something year old to be going on about the oppression and racism he has to deal with every day at work speaks to me of a nation headed fast into the obscurity and self-destruction that has plagued so many once great African nations. This attitude, this sense of entitlement is what leads to corrupt, fraudulent, ineffective BLACK people. How can anyone ever create wealth and opportunity if they are of the mindset that they deserve it? On what basis?
I say we, as a people, need to get up off our asses and say enough. Not with our feet, not with our mouths or placards, and definitely not through violence and vandalism. We need to say enough through our actions. Next time you have something to say in a meeting but are afraid the “other people” will look at you funny because you’re black, say it anyway. Prove them wrong. Next time a project comes up within your community or business, don’t sit back because you are of the notion that “they” will look down on you, volunteer yourself. Prove them wrong, and in the process learn from the experience, grow yourself as a person so you can move onto bigger, greater things. Finally, the next time you think of uttering the words “you’re attacking him and his riches because he’s black”, in defence of your so-called leaders ask yourself, “am I really helping the cause, or am I just perpetuating the stereotype and in effect, promoting the racism?”
Tuesday 13 September 2011
Title at the end
This is my second post, a little less heavy than the first. I'm pretty sure some, if not all of you have felt like this before. At the request of my tweep @ObakengMooke (http://twitter.com/ObakengMooke), I've left the title for the end of the piece:) enjoy:
Ready and alert, I sit at my desk to work
Mouse in my right hand, keyboard at my fingertips
I gaze at the screen, and there I see your lips
Your stare catches mine, my eyes glaze over
You have that effect on me
I look away, but gently, sweetly, softly
You caress my cheek and my head tilts slowly to my left
I try to fight you off of me but I am at your behest
You taunt me, tease me, make my body tingle
Your touch feels so good, so right…I need you, I want you…
…but I can’t. Not here. Not now.
Wish as I might, I can’t give in to your demands
I wriggle and shake, break myself free from your command
At this very moment, in the middle of the day you must let me be,
But tonight baby, it’s you and me
Sweet, loving, peaceful, tender…
…sleep.
Ready and alert, I sit at my desk to work
Mouse in my right hand, keyboard at my fingertips
I gaze at the screen, and there I see your lips
Your stare catches mine, my eyes glaze over
You have that effect on me
I look away, but gently, sweetly, softly
You caress my cheek and my head tilts slowly to my left
I try to fight you off of me but I am at your behest
You taunt me, tease me, make my body tingle
Your touch feels so good, so right…I need you, I want you…
…but I can’t. Not here. Not now.
Wish as I might, I can’t give in to your demands
I wriggle and shake, break myself free from your command
At this very moment, in the middle of the day you must let me be,
But tonight baby, it’s you and me
Sweet, loving, peaceful, tender…
…sleep.
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