“Are Rhodes Students Snobs or They Are Influenced By The Gtown Environment??”
I totally agree with the points that you have made in your opinion piece. I am so tired of being looked down upon just because I choose to speak English and just because I choose to conduct myself in a manner that most black people do not consider “black enough” . I just really feel that these people envy us and they want to be like us. It is YOUR choice if you want to date outside of your race. Black people just need to get over themselves! They should stop feeling sorry for themselves and actually begin doing positive things with their lives. So what if we want to act like snobs? Who cares? As long as we are living our lives the way WE want then to hell with the rest of them. I respect the fact that you tackled such a hair raising issue because I am just so tired of all the name calling and belittling by people who claim to love us! If you love me, you will accept me and MY SNOBISH WAYS!
Boitumelo Msiza aka Diva 101 of mynewstreet.com
Developing Seeds: Reflexive Piece
I was productive in the sense that I completed all my work on time, received good marks for that work and posted everything on our blog. Now that I think about it, however, I notice that I only completed one additional article for the blog and one of my members completed almost twenty. This could be due to my recurring infection of laziness, but I think it’s mainly due to the lack of free time in the term.
The articles that I did complete were the assigned tasks from Alette and Sim. My stories for those articles were not incredibly original because everyone in the class had to work with the same subject matter: surviving first year. Everything we wrote – the profile, the letter, the opinion piece and the photo comic – had to pertain to first year and it became increasingly difficult to generate new approaches to the theme.
I believe my whole tutorial group experienced the same problem as I did. We often discussed the issues we were having but apart from that, the tutorials seemed a little pointless because we covered everything in lectures. Although some tutorials were highly entertaining: the image of Push shouting “Order in the class! Order! Let’s here both sides of this argument” is still clear in my mind. Creative and intelligent Push was a wonderful member to have in my team because she always encouraged and complimented the group. Tumi and Divia are also very hard-working and innovative individuals who were assets to the team.
On a scale of one to ten I would place my personal growth at eight. This course has developed the foetus of knowledge that I have on blogging, the internet and new media. The tasks weren’t as beneficial for my writing, but my knowledge gained on new media is priceless. As a group, I believe my team members and I have learnt patience, responsibility and trust. When assigning tasks to different people, I usually prepare for a future migraine. I worry that people won’t get the work done or won’t have it ready on time – this is especially worrisome in Journalism where meeting deadlines is essential. Nevertheless, I learnt to have faith in my team and their unbeatable skills.
Input from the whole team also enabled us to envision our blog’s name and characteristics: NewStreet - The Street of Life. We all painted a part of the masterpiece, some of us maxing our quota for the cause. I believe the group put so much effort into this blog because it’s our own publication. For most of JMS 1, we wrote article for an imaginary publication and an imaginary audience. NewStreet is a real publication and we hold pride and satisfaction in the way we have mastered it. Furthermore, we write articles quite often, but no-one ever sees them. This blog is a physical culmination of the term’s hard work that we can share with our family and friends.
We had to titivate the blog appearance, but written work was a more important factor. Personally, I suffered from many problems when writing my articles. Firstly, I naturally speak in an academic register, I’m not very witty and I don’t use slang. This makes my writing slightly boring for a blog, but I am definitely making an effort to correct this defect in my versatility. Secondly, I felt very confined by the theme of ‘surviving first year’. This theme has been used for the entire year and I’ve exhausted all my story ideas pertaining to the subject.
For the profile article we only needed to interview a first year, therefore, I had a primary source and did not need to verify any facts. I interviewed with ease and I think people are willing to open up to me because I’m not an intimidating or overbearing person. The other articles such as the letter or the opinion piece mainly dealt with my emotions and experiences and also did not require external sources. However, I did take care to double check my information about university rules and alcohol when writing my opinion piece.
Doubling checking information would be essential for a news blog because if you posted incorrect sources just once, you would lose all your credibility. I’m under the impression that a blog that provides new information and current affairs can be called Journalism. Our blog, however, is more of an online diary because opinion pieces and letters are issues of the heart and not news.
Speaking your mind is important, but one has to exercise some restraint when writing about sensitive issues. Personally I did not face any ethical issues because my subject matter was not particularly controversial, although my group was confronted by an ethic problem. After just one week, one of our members was in hospital and we didn’t know whether to exclude her from the group and continue or to wait for her. Luckily we decided to continue without her because she did not come back after her stay in hospital.
Blogging has been a wonderful experience. It has proven challenging, annoying and teeth-grinding at times, but my group and I have persevered. This term is the seed that will grow and flourish and produce an array of beautiful, vibrant journalism graduates.
I like this blog...nice opinion.
Free Counter
Debating the dating Game!
The argument presented by Yolisa, in the Straight Shooter blog, is one that is flawed by the speaker’s lack of understanding and racist tone. Yolisa points out that every ‘jock’ on campus is a racist white male who will never associate themselves with black girls. She further stresses that people are better off with their own race. It seems that Yolisa is the one who is the fool who looks at people by some stereotypical lens. For her, a man wearing a khaki outfit might just be the ‘typical racist white man.’ It just shows that Yolisa is backward and sees people outwardly rather than trying to understand people and appreciate them for who they are. She then advises the youth to “stay with their own kind”. This came as a shock since Yolisa is part of our rainbow generation. However as a student who was raised in a democracy, Yolisa should see that people’s race does not matter when it comes to relationships. It just shows what she looks for in a man: race (possibly white). Therefore I found that this opinion piece is a racist comment that discriminates any white man with muscles on campus.
Pumelela Nqelenga
Taxi to Democracy...
Tuesday, October 21, 2008Like a taxi, our government is our vehicle to a democratic society. We choose which taxi is right for us. When we are in the taxi we have the right to see the drivers license just the same way we have the right to see whether our leaders are just. We can voice out our opinion on the drivers conduct on the road. This is the same when we place judgement to those who we feel they are not driving our democracy to a prosperous future. We also have in mind that we pay for the ride just the like we pay taxes, so our voices are just. We place people in front to count our money so that when the drive complains they speak for us. Is this not the same with parliament? Do they not have obligations to the citizens who placed them in such positions? Of course! Lastly as a citizen, you must know that if you did not enjoy the ride and that you find yourself lead to the wrong place, you still have the right to choose the next taxi coming. So when it comes to politics, let us not take it too far from us. Let us see it in our everyday lives and apply it nationally. Also to those voting for the first time next year, just know that you have the privilege of choosing your own taxi and allocating the people in front who voice out your needs. So let us become a South Africa driven by passion to a destination filled with democratic principles.
Pumelela 'Push' Nqelelnga
Combat Guide 2Uni: Opinion Piece: All Journalism and Media Studies 1 lectures for first years should be compulsory
ANCYL and its disgrace to the youth!!!!
Friday, October 17, 2008It has come to a point where I have to mention in blank terms that the ANCYL has lost the plot. This is the same origination that presents itself to be the voice of the youth. Which youth? I happen to be a youth h and my political views differ completely from the ANC youth league’s president, Julius Malema. Has it come to this, that politics is for the big mouthed fools and the bullies who think they know better that our constitutional judges? The youth of today are in a struggle to understand where they stand and we find ourselves being represented by fools who to claim to know our thoughts.
The ANCYL league has a great history in world politics. It has groomed great leaders like Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu who practiced their right has South Africans to fight for a better country through the ANCYL. Today the party is overtaken by a bunch of idiots who do not even know how to structure an argument. In this year’s anniversary of the founding of the organisation, Julius Malema spoke about a militant movement needed by the youth of today. He further described the youth of today as “roaring lions” whose “vibrations” shall be heard throughout the country. What is the youth roaring about? He mentions nothing about our mission and what we are suppose to fight for. Since when do we go t battle when our leaders are struggling to construct a mission for us that will work? If we as youth are going to be busy roaring our lungs out, then it must be in zoos. No lion can fight anything without a purpose. It is this language, this outrage, which has caused and moved thousands of South African youths to the streets to watch our future president dancing to the beat of his latest hit, Umshini Wam. Alas, behold the great leader of the ANCYL: superstar Jacob Zuma.
Today as youth we cannot afford to attack or else we will have no power to defend. We are not a youth like the last generation, were attacking as was the only way to gain liberation. Instead we are a generation that has human rights and constitutional rights to defend. Malema does not mention that what we as the youth of today should be fighting, is the spread of Aids and how it is killing our generation. Malema is forgetting that the real problems of the youth are that there is lack of tertiary education, unemployment and the struggling to live in a country filled with poverty.
The ANCYL should go to the drawing board soon and possibly work on how to speak well. Infact here is a lesson:
If you are going to speak for others, it is clear that you should master it. First lesson is no more “Die for Zuma” nonsense. There no wars happening here if Malema wants a war please let us know what it is all about and that he should remember people want leaders not generals. Secondly no speaking of “counter-revolution” because it means a blood affair for many for a cause that means nothing to them. Thirdly please revise Michael Trapido article, “ANCYL political language explained” to see what foolish things you are saying in the media. There are many more classes that the ANCYL have to attend but the basics will help for now.
There is definitely room for improved that has to be perfected by the ANCYL further more these terrifying things happening in light of the youth should wake us up as the youth to claim what is our; our voices. We cannot sit back and allow others to speak out for us when we as the youth have diverse opinions and many problems to face. Moreover the reis a need for the youth be in solidarity and defend our image as youth. Yes we are the defenders today not the attackers. We have it all; freedom, peace and rights. But all these luxuries are under threat because of power -hungry leaders who claim to know us. Like the youth of 1976 we have a responiblity to defend our liberties. The outrage of the ANCYL can no longer be publicised for us anymore. We do not see lions in our mirrors. Our reflections do not show soldiers waiting to fight and eliminate enemies. Instead we are citizens of this country and have the democratic right to defend what was once fought for us.
Pumelela 'Push' Nqelenga
Procrastination is a BITCH!
Procrastination is a student’s worst nightmare. It is the evil shadow that lurks in the background, follows your every move and whispers words of deception into your ears. Why is it that so many students fall victim to such a misleading character? The answer is simple. Students of our generation have not learnt to manage their time or focus on what is of utmost importance. Most of all they are not able to prioritise.
The common excuse is that there is too much to do and too little time to get it all done. I personally find this very hard to believe. The truth is simple. With all these new forms of communication around students find it difficult to concentrate on getting the work done. So who do we blame? Is it the creators of such communicative devices or the students who make use of them?
Facebook is one of the most popular of all networking services. It is available to anyone who is interested in creating links with other individuals across the world or those who just want to keep in touch with family and friends. Facebook also allows individuals to upload pictures and videos onto their profiles so that it can be made available to those on their contacts list, not to mention being able to chat to anyone who is online via a chat service. Browsing these features can take hours at a time. I should know, I’ve fallen victim to this on many occasions.
Besides downloading material from the internet, students love to chat to their friends all the time even though most live on campus. Gtalk, by google, and Windows Live, by MSN, and MXit are some of the many chat services available to our students. Most students use this to escape the responsibilities of campus life and find it more productive to complain to their friends about all the assignments due for that week instead of logging off and finishing what needs to be done.
About two years ago Carte Blanche did a story on MXit where many parents were concerned about their children losing focus on their academics and being involved with strangers in chat rooms that are provided by the creators of MXit. At the time I was a MXit addict and felt as if I was being attacked but now that I think about it those parents were right.
The youth of today are so easily distracted by the world’s advancements that they do not see the damage it causes. They would like to believe that they know exactly what they are doing but in actual fact they do not have the skill to come to terms with the amount of distraction these past times can cause.
What is worse is the pressure we put on ourselves when we give in to party invitations and I’m not talking about birthday parties people; I’m talking about nights out on the town. We all know that famous line, “This is my last Friday out before exams” or “I’m never drinking like that again” and what about “No, I can’t, but I can always start working on Monday...”. Any familiar places coming to mind? I can think of at least two. Friar Tucks and The Union Club.
Students of Rhodes University are no strangers to New Street or The Union Building, which is now known as The Bantu Stephen Biko Building. Every Wednesday and Friday (oh and Tuesdays and Thursdays too) brings with it students on a mission, either to escape the stresses of academic life or just get drunk. I ask you. Is there really a need to be going out practically every day of the week? Do these students not have work to do and assignments to hand in? It is pure irresponsibility. I would agree that everyone needs a time out now and again but this is simply ridiculous.
Our parents sent us to this prestigious institution to broaden our minds and become intellectually renowned academics. But instead some of these “intellectuals” would rather party their week away.
My point is that our youth of today are becoming more and more irresponsible with the exception of a few. They need to buckle down and stop watching their life go by as they party up a storm or waste hours on end surfing the net. Procrastination leads one into a big black whole, once you’re in there’s no getting out.
One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor! (opinion piece)
Thursday, October 16, 2008By Nikita Singh
Before I boarded my plane, heading for Grahamstown and all the freedom that comes with it, my mother said to me, “Now watch what you do at Rhodes. Be careful and don’t drink too much!” I promised I wouldn’t while deceitfully crossing fingers behind my back. I thought I would be completely free in residence… but I was greatly mistaken.
I agree that most rules of residence are necessary for student safety and protection, but there are a few rules that are, in my opinion, very unreasonable. One of the rules that I most disagree with is the rule that no student may drink any form of “hard liquor” in the residence – including ciders such as Smirnoff Storm or Hunters Dry. (Residence Rules)
However, consumption of wine, beer and sherry is allowed on residence. Wine and sherry both have an alcohol content of at least 10% which is greater than the average cider (7%). Ciders are far less potent than wine or sherry, so why are they not allowed?
In any case, people can get just as roaring drunk with wine as they do with another alcohol. As students, we want to find the cheapest form of alcohol available so it won’t scratch away at our pockets like fierce cats. Wardens may argue that wine is safer than other liquor, but many people resort to cheap wines such as crackling which can make you drunk faster.
The Union. Equilibrium. Friar Tuck’s. Olde 65. All these popular student hang-outs freely sell alcohol. Students can quite easily get ferociously intoxicated, regurgitate the evening’s ‘mystery meat’ and pass out. Students can get drunk anywhere, so why has the university enforced rules about drinking in residence?
I enjoy drinking and ‘getting a buzz’ when I go out but I make sure that I do not get so inebriated that I can’t take care of myself. Furthermore, my hall warden is a lovely woman but she is not my mother and should not have to babysit me. Every student should take precautions to ensure their own safety and should not have to rely on university rules to keep them on the straight and narrow.
There are far worse rules that students could break than drinking alcohol in residence. Female students could have male guests after visiting hours or steal from other students, which would harm other people rather than the rule-breaker. The wardens are like policemen chasing down a petty thief while a murderer walks the streets: the university should rather focus on the rapists and thieves that have infiltrated campus.
I believe that students are responsible for their own actions and do not need to be controlled by university administration. People still sneak in hard liquor or get just as drunk on cheap wine, so the university is implementing old-fashioned rules that are no longer adhered to. I am over 18 and should have freedom to drink whatever I please because it is not a crime of any sort and harms no other person or object other than my poor disintegrating liver.
Our Roles to Act in
When looking at who we are, we find now definite word that can identify who we are. This was how I felt in high school. I lived in two worlds that contradicted each and I had to face both every day. This resulted in me creating two identities that would complement each world. Sometimes I would get lost and lose my mind in trying to solve my identity issue. However what I found more interesting was the transitional stage that took place each day. My school was in town and my home in the township, so there was forty five minutes to transform myself and try to fit in to the world that I was heading to. I took a taxi everyday and it was there that my transformation took place. When going to school I would think about work and the homework that was not done. I would think about my grades and how I could improve them. I would think of Home Economics and try to remember recipes and decor ideas that were said the day before. I would hum my music notes from my music book and allow the fat woman next to me to be unsettled by the strange harmonies. When I went home I would make myself think about my baby cousin and the songs she will be reciting for me. I would think of my grandmother constantly asking me to bring her water for her pink and blue and green and yellow pills. I would think of my uncle and wish today he will be sober and more loving. I would think of my next argument with my mother. Lastly I would think of my brother who left for varsity and remember the horrible times we had together in our younger years. And I wish those days will come back so that I could see my brother again. It was in these transformations that I was prepping for the perfect performance. Every day I built a character that would represent me and my feelings. I continually constructed myself everyday to fit the perfect role. Oh yes, there were those days that I mixed things up and found myself in trouble.
I find this exiting that I cannot pin point myself. In fact, I find it limiting to do so. What I also find intriguing is that we enter in many diverse places in South Africa and we create characters that will fit each place so that we act and live in harmony. By us allowing ourselves to live in other roles, we soon acknowledge each other better and live with many perspectives. Paul Auster would say there is not identity, but I believe there are many identities but it is up to us to claim each one and live in it. That is the South Africa I know and want to live in.
Pumelela 'Push' Nqelenga
Are we a Blind and Deaf nation?
Wednesday, October 15, 2008Let us not turn a blind eye to what is happening to our world or should I make more relevant and say in South Africa? We need to place responsibility on ourselves and fight for what we see is killing children in our country. We must have the guts to question whether we have done enough for the less fortunate. Let us stop talking about development and start developing a moral obligation to our own citizens. We have the ability to do so many things and as a unity we can fight for a better cause. How long can we tolerate the cries of many poor people in our country? Do we need another xenophobia attack to make us place our eyes to the poor who are firing up to be helped? Poverty should not be a common word in our country. We should be talking about a free country for all. I know that there are many people who are working and helping the poor but more hands are better than few. Our negligence to the poor will soon come back and haunt us. We are morally obligated and we should not turn away to those who need us the most. Tomorrow is world food, so please help those who are starving by donating food to shelters and NGOs.
Pumelela 'Push' Nqelenga
Blog Poverty Action Day: Our country. Our battle. Our Poverty
The country I live is a place where people of strength and courage dwell. I grew up being told about the sad past my parents lived in. I grew up knowing that the world today is a product of the past that constantly follows us. With Apartheid gone and a new South Africa growing strong in its democratic principles, we are still, however, faced with hardships such as poverty. While many South Africans fought and won freedom, so many still live in poverty and are fighting everyday to survive to see tomorrow. It is issues like these in our country that make me believe that this is a country that is constantly in some battle to overcome hardship. Our strength as South Africans in not necessary in the individual. Rather it is in the masses that have a cause to fight for a better life and a better country. We cannot leave our fellow South Africans fighting alone and placing responsibility to the government. We must stand for others and show the world what our ancestors meant when they spoke about “ubuntu”. I also call upon my own generation, the youth, to see that we too have the power to bring change, just the same why our parents did in the Soweto uprisings. We too have a page to fill in the history books, a chapter that writes about a generation that fought for equality and poverty. I call for a change!!
Pumelela 'Push' Nqelenga
Democracy and us Youth
Tuesday, October 14, 2008Let’s get political. Today we look at our politics and wonder what went wrong. Why is Zuma in power? Who ousted the president? Who is the current president and who the hell is Malema? Well people I can assure I’m in the same boat with you. I have been looking at the news and seeing how the ANC is caught up in so much conflict and changing policies the same way they change their cars. I was not impressed to here that former President Thabo Mbeki is out and a new president has been placed in. I questioned who voted the current president in? Us the citizens, I do not think so. I just do not understand that in a democracy there are elites who have the power to remove and place in a new president without the influence of the public or parliament. I cannot see this is as democratic action. I also think that it is high time that idiots like Malema should be excluded from the ANC since he is not bringing any justice to the party. We know the reason why Mbalula talked nonsense. He had to go to an initiation school to learn manners and know how to respect his elders. Now the ANCYL is lead by fools who cannot even construct a proper argument but blabbers about anything. Surely the ANCYL is bringing a bad name for us youth. I believe that we should start questioning our current government even if we are labelled as “non –revolutionaries” (whatever that means) and voice out our opinions since it is our democratic right to do so.
Pumelela 'Push' Nqelenga
Rich and poor in Grahamstown
I have never seen poverty so close to wealth than in Grahamstown. You just have to cross the road to live both worlds, well not really live but experience it. Just taking a walk to town, you find so many street children that it comes and goes out of fashion. You start to think how this can happen when some of the richest people in the country live here. I read the Groccots Mail and I see the blame given to the Municipality. We find that it is corruption or some other new fraud that the Municipality has cooked up that the town is such in a state. I think the paper just wants to point fingers at our local government but they (and us) cannot ignore the rich fat people basking in wealth and turning a blind eye to poverty. Yes there are NGOs that people talk about and some donation there and there but how can there be so much poverty still. We cannot neglect the poor and think that if anything wrong is happening we should blame the government. We as citizens should be oblige to help one another. We give monopoly of violence to the state not monopoly of morality and humanity. Furthermore, we as the youth should look at streets and see how we can change what we see as wrong. Let us not blame and point fingers but rather take action as people and give our wealth to those who struggle to obtain it.
Pumelela 'Push' Nqelenga
Whose identity is it anyway?
I have had enough!!!!! Whose identity is it anyway? I have been told since I was young that I’m a model c and that my culture is doomed and no one can save me from this atrocity. I was labelled and given the status of the “other” before I could ‘stop’. I was not even given a chance to mould my personality and build a character that I could truly see as me and only me. People would ask me whether I could click or say my whole clan name. I would wander, in such a young age, whether it was any of their business.
I was enjoying myself on Friday in Oldes until some strange character asked me to chat with him. I thought this was rude since I was enjoying myself with my friend but this guy insisted. I gave him my time and listened to his drunken soul. He poured out his heart to me and told me that I was his love of his life and that I was “marriage material”. I found this pretty amusing but rejected the guy and told him I was not interested. He immediately became infuriated with me and told me that I was not a “real Xhosa but a fake whitey”. I thought this was ridiculous because this guy was not all that drunk but tipsy and I felt that he used the alcohol to attack me and voice out what he has been thinking about for a long time. I didn’t understand why he was labeling me and constructing my identity so that to justify his rejection. He did not even digest the fact that I was speaking in Xhosa with him and not evening creating a twang with my few English words. Furthermore, since when do Xhosa women want drunkards as their husbands or lovers? He really missed the point.
Who I am is not the exterior nor is my identity there to impress anyone. I leave my brother with a couple off lines from Ringo’s song titled “Ndim Lo”:
I’m who I am because I’m African. I’m proud of who I am. My hair and my nails don’t tell who I am. I love myself and I’m proud to be myself. (Sounds much better in Xhosa)
Pumelela 'Push' Nqelenga
"Dude, Where's my DP?"
Our comic strip which is still on progress is the most interesting thing that has happened in the journalism department. We have the opportunity to create and voice our opinions in a comic strip. Well the NewStreet team is creating the best comic strip ever. It is called “Dude where’s my DP”. It follows the life of Mathew, a first year who enjoys pre drinks and partying. However Mat doesn’t know that he has fallen prey to Prof. Booze’s plan of making every student lose their DPs so that he can take over as Vice Chancellor. Mat now has to try getting his DP back so that his life is not doomed forever. This is the greatest t story ever and we are challenging our readers, yes you, to think whether Mat deserves his DP since he was a victim of Prof. Booze’s plan, or whether Mat should be punished for his negligence and responsibilities. I think this topic is relevant for first years because we fall in the trap of have a good time and when work has to be done we have endless excuses. It is stories like Mat’s that are embedded in every university in South Africa and we as the youth should reflect on this issues and know where we stand.
Pumelela 'Push' Nqelenga
How to deal with irritating individuals...
Ever had those people who no matter what you do just get to you?Well, if you think that they are bad in high school, then wait till you get to university. It's as if they become worse with age. Ok, i dont want to freak you out but i have a few tips on how to deal with them because trust me, i have had my fair share of university irritation 101.Some people have mastered the art of irritating others. It is as if they attended the International School of Irritating.I apologise to any one who might feel that they are being picked on of even victimised by this article but the truth needs to come out!LOL!I am just kiddin guys but really, there are a few steps that can be used in order to ensure that these people dont irritate you:
1. They say if you cant beat them, join them. Irritate them more than they irritate you, that way they are going to think that you are the annoying one
2. Change the topic everytime the open their mouths.
3. Ask them if they think they are irritating.
4. Everytime they try to say something, tell them that you have heard that story before.
5. Never laugh at ANY and i mean ANY of their jokes.
Okay, i admit that this might sound a bit rude and mean but if you dont deal with the irritations in your life immediately then they will keep irritating you.
Thats all from me for now!Be sure to drop your comments cos i love hearing from you!
Mwah
Tumi aka Diva 101
Monday Blues
Monday, October 13, 2008After a hectic weekend of partying in New Street, the last thing you want to do is to have to wake up at 7am on a Monday morning for you dawnie.This is the time were you feel you are at the peak of your sleep...As you lay on your bed, you begin to think about why you had to go out on that specific weeekend but worst of all, why you had to keep those tequila gold's coming..."How depressing" you say to yourself.You finally gather the courage to get out of bed, walk to the bathroom, open the tap and SPLAT!The water is flippen cold. You then suck it up and have you quick(and i mean quick) shower. You run to your room to get dressed then storm off to that dreadful lecture. Upon arrival, you see everyone holding sheets of what looks like assignments and it all comes back to you. YOU HAVE A PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT DUE IN 7 MINUTES!Then, some boffen runs to tell you that you have an English paragragh to hand in as well...Ok, ok, ok, i understand that this is the perfect dosage of a screwed up morning. It is the ideal reason for anyone to want to crawl into a cave and never come out...Well maybe until it's Friday again.These are the king of issues that can be dealt with.All you need to do is to follow these amazing steps:
1. Think about the awesome weekend you just had and tell yourself that it was all worth it
2. Think about that one special person who puts a smile on your face
3. Forward to the weekend ahead and tell yourself that it is going to be the best weekend ever(think of it as O-week RELOADED)and lastly,
4. Think of ways you can get an LOA(leave of absence).LOL
Despite how you look at Monday blues, just remeber that it does not matter how screwed up it may be, your week will only get better. Also think about that cold one that is waiting for you on Friday:)
Much Love
Tumi Msiza aka Diva101
does varsity really change people
Can moving out of your home and into res at school really change you?
The transition from high school to university is not an easy one. Many first year students are afraid of what the future might have in store for them and well, for many, it is a time of great fun, new experiences and for many it is merely the time to be away from home. It is during this time that many parents worry about how their little ones are going to adapt to their “homes” but one thing that many parents worry about is whether their children will choose the right friends and what kind of influence those friends will have on their kids.
Marcia Nthabiseng Modiba, a first year Bcom Accounting student at Rhodes University found that she has not changed much as a person since she came to university. “Some things have changed but some have not” she says. Even though when one arrives at university, one is not very sure of him or herself so one always tends to “step back and try to accommodate the other new students” she adds. Being in first year, especially the first couple of days, many students tend to be unsure of themselves so many students tend to not be themselves as they are afraid that they will be judged or even looked down upon. “It is almost like your first day in high school all over again. You feel like everyone is watching you and just waiting so you to do something stupid so that you can be seen as the ‘idiot’ until end of high school” says Marcia with a laugh.
Her bubbly personality shows as she gets more interested and involved in the topic. She talks with so much passion and is so passionate about being at Rhodes University in 2009. “The one thing that I can honestly say has changed about me is the fact that I go out a lot!” she says, widening her eyes as if to show how shocked and surprised she is with herself. “I was totally against clubbing and drinking but now it has become such a norm because it is done every weekend here” she admits laughing. Marcia admitted that the only reason she has changed in terms of going out clubbing is because when she was in high school, she had to behave a certain way but now that her parents are not here and she is in charge of her own life, she takes advantage of that and does what we would have not done had she been in high school.
She kept looking at her diary and taking deep breathes, one could see that she was really stressing over the upcoming examinations but that did not stop her from the fact that she love that she has not changed much since coming to university. “I love the person I was when I was back home so why would I want to change that? I believe that it is better to be yourself and get judged than to be judged for being something that you are not” she confidently says.
Marcia knows that it is very important to choose your friends wisely especially when you are at a new place and you don’t know many people there. “People come from different backgrounds and you have to be careful that you do not what their motives and intentions are so it is always wise to choose good friends that way you are guaranteed that you won’t have to change yourself just to fit in” she says.
Marcia’s positive attitude to her school work and also to the way she views others has helped her a lot in ensuring that she does not change who she is and that she remains focused on what she is here to do. “ moving from high school to varsity is drastic so you have to hang in there, don’t lose yourself, always remind yourself about how you were raised and do not forget who you are and what your purpose for coming to university is” she says in closing.
Stressed Generation
Friday, October 10, 2008
Drama Queen
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Well be are last in the food chain and the Master students have the privilege of being honoured like Kings and Queens. However you must understand that their work is fantastic and they are in a more professional level than we are as first years. The Master students tutor us and this really helps us to have a better understanding of the theatrical world. I can not stress how fortunate we are to have geniuses like these in our year.
But as much as they help us, we still have to produce our own work and try to up our game in the theatre world. It’s tough though because we do group world and many people have different schedules so it makes things difficult and annoying because at the end of the day the show must go on. Luckily I have a committed group so it was not that tough this time.
Anyways the exam is today and things seem to be going fast and some how the work keeps piling up and not ending. This is truly the life of a drama student. We play hard and work hard. Well I hope I’m forgiven for absence and I’m sure to bring more wonderful stories.
Karabo Tledima's Tale
Monday, October 6, 2008It was not long when Karabo Tledima introduced me to her place of comfort: her room. Here space seemed to be the perfect habitat for her to tell her story. “The room is small but you can sit on me bed. Forgive me for the mess I know I have to do the dishes”. Sitting on her ancient arm chair she begins be story about the best moments she had at
Kearabetswe Mataboge claims that her friend Karabo is “loving yet stubborn at the same time…that’s what makes her so unique from the rest”. Kearabetswe befriended Karabo this year and found many things about her that were interesting and amusing. Karabo agreed with Kea and admitted that her life is abnormal and finds herself laughing on who she is.“You know, I’m one of those people who don’t vote yet complain about everything in the government” she confesses while cleaning her lime greed glasses. “I just thought that this year I should get involved so that I am just when I complain” she says with a wink to indicate mischievous secrecy. It is really clear that Karabo has made a mission to be involved since she is part of the CSD programme a member of the “Fount Line” in church and the new Student Christian Society events co-ordinater for 2009.
As the sun shone through her wooden frame window, it brought with it the wind that disturbed Karabo’s braids whilst explaining her lessons towards her independence. “In my home, if you sick, you catch the taxi and go to the doctor” she state whilst straightening herself in the antique arm chair. Karabo strongly feels that her parents were good in that they were hard on her because it helps her today to be tough and strong. She sits up and straightens her legs in order to mimic her mother; “If a baby cries, you give it attention but if the baby is given too much attention, the baby will cry even when the other is gone”. It was Waiting for Godot that interrupted Karabo’s monologue of her mother. The book dropped and when the actress was picking it up she shyly said that “it is God punishing me for making fun of my mother” and finally laughed her deed away.
It was with this interruption that brought a close to Karabo’s tale about herself. “Funny enough I feel like this book because it seems we have done nothing but talk this whole time”. Indeed the talk had happened and the tale revealed but Karabo wanted to redeem herself by saying “one profound statement” that could give guidance to the new first years: “Don’t forget were you come from and all your action must be done as if your parents are watching you”. It was with these last words that Karabo sat back and took a big breathe to say; “Is that all because there is more if you want” . Her laughter carried on until her door closed to end her tale.
The Fitness Fanatic: Profile article
Thursday, October 2, 2008By Nikita Singh
Comfortably sitting cross-legged on the floor, Caylyn relates her story with a beaming smile. Her long blonde hair is twisted into a loose bun and she wears a tracksuit emanating her care-free and chilled aura. Her expressive nature shines as she gestures with her hands and spreads her contagious and loveable giggle.
After matriculating from Claredon Girls’ High School, Caylyn moved to Rhodes University to study a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Sociology and Human Kinetics and Ergonomics (HKE). Being a “fitness fanatic”, as she calls herself, the gym is her second home. Studying HKE would open up a world of job opportunities for her but unfortunately, she failed the June exam and was allowed to continue the course. “I was so pissed off!” says Caylen as she reflects on the course, realising that she did not give enough attention to HKE in the first semester.
Another issue that she’s had to grapple with is home sickness. Caylyn explains that she is a very family orientated person as she reminisces about times with her mother Caressa and brother Chad. She’s also had to leave many of her friends behind while forging new unbreakable friendships here at Rhodes. With her dependency obliterated, she says you have to “start a life of your own from scratch.” However, this was easy for Caylyn because her friendly and vivacious personality shimmers when you meet her.
On top of these problems, she has to deal with the issues that every first year faces. While whimsically counting on her fingers, she lists: the amount of work, becoming independent, lectures, laundry and personal issues, with a little giggle. She stresses that “no-one’s gonna babysit you” in varsity and you have to learn to rely on yourself.
Orchid Tattoo. Pucca shell bracelet. Beaded anklet. Caylyn’s body is a golden brown surface full of decoration. She shares the same ankle tattoo with her best friend Charmante and received the pucca shell bracelet from her father. The beaded anklet she wears is a myriad of memories: she buys a new one each year and places it in her memory box at the end of the year.
While sipping a fresh cup of tea, Caylen relates her resolutions for the following year. She is taking up HKE again next year, in the hopes of following her fitness-oriented dreams – while maintaining a healthy balance of Union, Friars and Munchies every Friday night.
Introducing "Em-Dog"
“Whoof whoof yo!” says a bouncy Emily Adendorff as she enters the room unannounced. The 18 year old BCom student is filled with insightful ideas and overwhelmingly interesting tales of late nights, indulgent drinking, diligent academics and social ambiguities. Like any other first year student, Emily has been through trials and tribulations but unlike some she has gotten past these obstacles without a hitch.
“Damn, this has been one hell of a year”, says Emily as she makes herself comfortable on a rather small bed and helps herself to a few gum balls placed neatly on the table, “I really don’t know how we do it sometimes”. Originally from Durban, Emily and her family moved to Grahamstown when she was just 13 years old due to her father obtaining the position of Head of Department of English Language and Linguistics and her mum being given a teaching position at Kingswood College. “It was a bit of an adjustment moving from a big city into a little town but the transition was bearable”, explains Emily as she moves the stray blonde strands of hair from her face. “I’m quite a sociable person so starting in a new school was not that bad”.
This is a skill that assisted Emily when she arrived at Jameson House, her home for the next three years of her varsity life. Her first low point however, was the day she received the results of her Accounting test. A concerned Emily said, “It was the first test I had failed! There was nothing I could do except take it all in”. A tear here and there, a comforting chat with her mum and a welcoming bed calmed her down. It was when she sat down with the paper the next day did she realise her mistakes. “I simply misjudged the test and didn’t even look at a major part of the syllabus which really pissed me off!” Earning straight A’s since then is the result of dedication, hard work and perseverance by this dedicated student.
Not only is she dedicated to her academics but her social life takes priority too. Having to deal with a break up is not an easy task for any student especially during such a critical time in one’s academic career. Emily was unfortunate to have to go through this. “Distance is what broke our relationship. It just was not fulfilling after six months.” Whilst stirring a hot mug of Rooibos tea she explained, “I guess it hurt me because this was my first proper “let’s date” relationship. Even our relationship statuses on Facebook said that we were an item”. She had developed a strategy to forget about the incident and did this by not visiting his Facebook profile which helped a great deal in the long run. Emily confidently said, “I don’t really regret what happened because my academics are improving, it gave me more compassion and this experience helps me guide other friends who are going through the same emotions and difficulties even if it took me a long time to realise what had happened”.
A low point that doesn’t seem to have had the best ending was a squabble between Emily and her best friend, something that many students can relate to especially after a long vacation away from the hustle and bustle of varsity life. “My friend, Ann, became so pretentious and wouldn’t talk”. It was the break-up between Emily’s best friend and her boyfriend that started an awkward relationship between the friends. “I can’t do awkward,” exclaimed a wide eyed Emily, “There’s a point where I’m like ‘WHAT EVER’”. Despite the truce, Emily says that their friendship won’t be the same and that for now they are on polite terms.
Don’t let this intellectual student and friend fool you. Not only does she have her priorities in the right order, she is also a master “party animal”. Twirling the abundance of beads around her neck she giggled, “I’ve had my fair share of intoxicated nights, who hasn’t?” One night in particular was too unique to ignore. The night began innocently enough but little did Emily know she was about to embark on the most eventful morning in res. “I was drunk out of my mind,” chuckling as she reminisces, “Seriously distraught with Vin Coco.” Starving, after her trip to and from Friar Tucks, Emily decided to make microwavable popcorn, TNT popcorn to be exact. The bag was placed in the microwave but disorientated Em-Dog had forgotten to remove the plastic packet that enclosed the bag. “Yes...pretty crazy,” she confessed. Soon Jameson House was filled with the wonderful aroma of burnt popcorn and plastic. She toddled to her room and the rest is history. The only evidence of that night was the remains of a once very satisfying midnight snack. “When I woke up and saw the black stuff in my basin I wondered why the hell I brought tar home.” “Heaven hell, I really hope I didn’t eat it!”
http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=625870840&ref=ts
Black Knights' Disgrace
Since I'm a drama student let me just give you an i dea of the security measures taken by our 'black knights' called the CPU. I arrive there on a weekend and I see no security guard. So i search for one just in case someone might mug me while I'm busy reciting my lines. I find the security guard in the corner busy looking at his phone. I politely ask which door is open and he says "try them all". I go around the corner to the main enterance and I open the door. People I think to myself that at any momonet I might be muggd and that security guard is busy Mxiting while my belongings are taken away. I'm sure by the time he realises that a crime has occurred, he will be trying to open the lock on the chain that is protecting his bike. By the time he is paddling his way to rescue my things, the little culprit will have jumped fences and escaped for good.
I'm not usually pestimistic about things but this incident has given me no choice. So people please bump your tyres just in case it might be in your hands to save others. And to those 'Black Knights', FOR SHAME!!
New Paths in SUMMER!!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008Summer is
here people and I love it!! I wake up with the urge to do something for once. I actually look forward to the sunshine in the morning and I want to embrace. I just seem to have enough sleep lately even when I sleep at 2am every morning. Well today I woke up early and had my wonderful shower and took my time to dress up for once. I even listened to Nozzie and them in RMR talking about the silliest things in the morning.
However my loving time was interrupted when I realised that I was running late. I was admiring myself in the mirror for so long that I lost track of time. I quickly rushed and made my bed and I stormed out of my room.
But the real obstacle was making a decision on which route to take. It was either the steep hill that had a short distance to Eden Grove (or Groove for some people) or the more comfortable down hill path that had a longer route. I was brave and too the steep hill. While I was struggling to carry my hips and the rest of my body up the hill, I realised, in my agony, that I was making the right decision. We often think that the right path is the longest path but it’s not true, it the shortest one but the most difficult one. Unlike walking down hill, we gain strength by climbing our mountains. We realise our capacity to do things and we challenge ourselves mentally and physical. Maybe it’s the summer but this term I plan to take the road less taken and imprint my footsteps on the routes that many fail to challenge. HOLA SUMMER!!!
Push (Pumelela Nqelenga)