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All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today.
-Indian Proverb-
This term has been an invigorating and educational section of the year’s work. Beginning with the creation of a blog and ending with an advertisement, the term has been a hot potato of different assignments: we’ve had to jump around a lot and sometimes burnt our hands, but it has still been a fun game. Having to plan assignments within a genre has been difficult because I cannot easily change my writing style. My group has also had to tolerate a few mishaps along the way when templates weren’t working or members of the group did not arrive for meetings. However, I still believe the term has been a burst of colour and productivity.
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.
It's my first year in varsity and life has been hard. I know the meaning of stress. It's such a common word in campus nowadays. However what has stressed me more this year is the fact that we are the next generation that will lead our country. I do not believe that this country has placed such responsibility on us to lead a country filled with greatness. I look at my generation and see young faces that seem to not care much about South Africa and who can not wait to use their skills in foreign places. I'm really stressed that so many youth are pessimistic about our country. So little of us know about our history and others know vaguely. Our generation have enjoyed the fruits of democracy yet they do not know who have given us such a gift. We are so fortunate but blinded by our fortunes. It is easy to complain but difficult to fix the problems that we complain about. I hope this country has seen the sad faces of the youth and have felt their negative attitude. We are the next generation and I think that we deserve much more investment. I also believe that our generation is blinding themselves because they vision a bleak future ahead. I still think we as a generation should be unified in building a positive attitude that will allow us to make change rather than run away. I understand that today when it comes to leadership we just become stressed but we should allow this to makes us want to change the current situation. We did not fight in any struggle nor do we have a history about our generation, but I believe we can still do that. We can be the first generation to be build a better South Africa for all of us and the next generation after us. We can fight together against racism, sexism, xenophobia and everything that is wrong in our country today. Let us live in a South Africa built by us and never forget where we came from. If you want to join me just comment.
Drama exams have taken so much of my time that I feel guilty that I have not spoken to you guys in a long time. Well let me tell you about being in first year and having to do drama.
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. Pumelela 'Push' Nqelenga
It 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 Rhodes. “My best moments are my low ones” she says. She shakes her head and dangles her black beaded earrings in the pursuit to explain herself, she final clarifies by saying that “I feel I’m at the most isolated place when I’m low thereby it gives be the opportunity to confront myself and understand myself.” Karabo is a passionate psychologist student who sees herself helping others and looking forward to learn more about her career. For Karabo though, first year has been tough on her character and believes that she should start with herself in order to help others. “I learnt to get over myself this year” she says while her arms are in motion with what she expresses. If there is one thing that hit me personally; it me was humility” she declares whiles her hand covers her humiliated face. As much as Karabo believes she knows about people from psychology she also found that “you should not place assumptions about people and place them in boxes…this restricts you from knowing them better.”
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.
Pumelela 'Push' Nqelenga
By Nikita Singh
How do you feel when you’ve failed an exam? Even worse, how do you feel when that subject is your major? And worst of all, how would you feel if you could no longer continue studying what your heart desired? First year Caylyn Chowles has experienced and overcome these problems.
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.
It has come to many people's attention that on campus there has been two girls who have been mugged. I must stress to you that this is old news. This incident happened over a week ago and the news have made front page news in Activate (Rhodes University student paper). I believe the incident was tragic and those girls (who happen to be my friends from drama) have endured a lot in one afternoon. As much as the artilce in Activate helped raise awareness of crime in our campus, I think it is nonsensical that the Universty only showed this article on its website the same week as Activate. How can the the universty take so long to report such a thing and still say they are here for our own interest. Lets be serious please! The universty brags every year about it's security measure yet there are still incident like these happening on campus.
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!!
Summer 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)
Newstreet this weekend was rocking. People were making memories and having fun.However I have a problem with Oldes. Does the name mean "old people allowed" or is it just a fun word for an old bulding? I mean, the whole time I was there I was approached by old men with old mamas next to them yet they still had the courage to approach me. OK maybe I'm being unfair to say the Oldes is made for old people but I believe that people must have dignity. I'm sure that these people have families waiting for them and their children need them. I just believe that there should be an age limit to people going out and clubbing. I also believe that EQ should not allow anyone above the age of thirty. I do not care what ever people's taste is but they must know that their are youngsters who want to have fun with no adults around. Lets get serious people; how can we live n a society where people we are supposed to look up to are busy embarrassing themselves to us and behaviing like teenagers. It really shows that the youth today really lack role models. Please if any good adult is there HELP US! Push
Dear self
It has come to my attention that you want advice about the year ahead. I hope this letter will inspire you and allow you to have the freedom of having fun and having an intellectual experience this year. Just a few tips then:
Sleep! Yes please sleep or you will fall asleep in class and you will regret it the following day when Sim or Alette give you technical instruction. We both know how you lack some knowledge into the technological side so please make sure you are fresh and awake for every lesson. Do not panic about the work load because it will never leave you until you finish your degree. Learn how to read fast and pretend you enjoy reading because your motto this year will be ?fate it till you make it?. This motto will help in drama too.
Now enough about the academics lets get personal. You must not give up because you have a lot of talent and potential. You will see other students having better marks then you but that should not put you down but rather uplift you to do better. You must greet many people because it is through these simple gestures that strong bonds are created in friendships. You must be confident or you will be eaten up in the mass of people who are enjoying their life. Be bold and question the lecture and tutors. It is time for you to understand yourself and this can be done through how you communicate with people and the way you engage with your work. Yes the work will be difficult but since you are doing a BA you are free to debate what is presented to you. Believe me, there is a reason why you do not understand something. It could be because it clashes with your values or that you just disagree with it. Debate and allow yourself to shine intellectually. Lastly, do not forget where you come from. Your family is the main inspiration that will keep you going throughout the year. You must never forget the people who have placed you where you are.
With all of that I hope you prosper and have fun in your first year. Keep dreaming and know that you can achieve anything.
Your friend in spiritual rejuvenation
Pumelela Nqelenga
Dear Friend One of the most important and life-changing pieces of advice that I can give you is: DON’T STRESS. It may seem a simple enough thing to do, but I can promise you, it is not as easy as you think. When you’re sitting at one o’clock in the morning trying to finish an assignment, cramming before an exam in swot week, or anxious because you have already spent all your money for the month - you will stress. Here are three useful tips to help you de-stress.
It is pertinent to remember that in university, academics aren’t everything. Our parents might disagree but it’s true. One way to relieve stress is to find a balance in your life on campus. Living away from home is fantastic because we don’t hear constant nagging from Mom or have to adhere to curfews; however, without those aspects controlling us, we have to discipline ourselves. While staying on track with academics, you need to take time to have fun and relax. Perhaps take five minutes each morning to meditate and gather your thoughts.
That reminds me, you need to learn time management. It’s easy to get side-tracked by the wonders of DC++, especially when it’s time to start knuckling down with work. I’ve learnt that no matter what subjects you’re studying, there will always be an abundance of readings that are impossible to complete in one night. If you put you break down the work, and do a little each day, there will be no stressing the night before assignments and exams.
Lastly, I think it’s important for you to stay healthy. How can you possibly work and learn effectively if you are falling ill or feeling lazy? It’s often difficult to find both nutritious and tasty dining hall food, but you can stay healthy by having fresh fruit and vitamins. The key to a healthy mind, is a healthy body.
I hope these hints will help you stay happy and relaxed in your first year of university. Good luck!
Yours sincerely, Nikita
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