ANTI-DRUG SHOW


Alcohol and drugs are consumed by different people for different reasons but the youth of today use drugs and alcohol for fun purposes. Others are being pressurized by their peers. Anti-drug show was held at TUT North Campus with the aim of raising awareness about alcohol and substance abuse.

Today's generation are exposed to drugs and alcohol due to a low self-esteem or wanting to fit in with their peers. They end up going to places of entertainment each and every week in order to drink and smoke drugs. Some of them are blessed by old men called 'blesses' they sleep with them in exchange for drugs and alcohol.

ACA Joe Nkabinde who is the producer of drama society said their play is educational aiming at educating students about the dangers of drug substance abuse.

More abuse since June

   

Constable Zanele Mtsweni from soshanguve police chats to a resident during an awareness campaign

A high number of domstic violence-related cases have been reported since June, says Soshanguve police.This was revealed during an awareness campaign when the police and the CPF took to the streets to inform residents about gender-based violence.Pamphlets on how to deal with abuse were 

handed out in blocks M and K. Residents were also afforded an opportunity to raise their concerns with their local Councillor, police and the CPF.

Ward 35 Councillor Poppy Lettie Maseko said most women in her area came to her with the hope that she would solve their domestic issues. " As a Councillor, I sometimes fail to help them but with this campaign, they will hopefully open up and know where to get help when they encounter such problems," said Maseko.

Police spokesperson Zanele Mtsweni said the police wanted to rid the community of all violence. " As much as we want t protect victims of abuse, it is still important to educate and inform the about the dangers of domestic violence and how it can be resolved," said Mtsweni.

CPF member Sylvia Ndzima said they had worked hard to assist the police in dealing with crime in the area. " We will continue to work with the police. That is why it is important for us to be part of raising awareness with issues we face," said Ndzima.

Soshanguve resident Annah Phologane said: " its good to see the police being hands on with community matters it shows they care about our safety and this will hopefully scare off those abusers and let victims speak up so that they can get help."

CELEBRATING WOMEN'S MONTH WITH BONANG MATHEBA 

It is marked nationally that on the 9^th of August yearly we are celebrating all the women in our country. The holiday recalls the march that took place nationally on the 9^th of August 1956 against legislation that required African persons to carry “pass” which was an identification document then. It limited black South Africans to enter into white areas.

South Africa is indeed a beautiful country which has produced many successful women who are able to empower others to become like them and do better in society. Among all the women who have done well for themselves is the young and ambitious Bonang “Queen B” Matheba a Television personality, radio host, business woman and an endorser. She was born in the North-West Province of South Africa.

Bonang’s big break was in a kids show called the Manhattans Fantasy Challenge on SABC 2. This show opened many opportunities for her in the television industry. She hosted shows such as LIVE, South African Music awards, Top Billing, Clash of the Choirs and more. Her parents were not happy about this because it was not a real career and wouldn’t take her anywhere.

She has partnered up with a London-based designer to create a line of handbags called Baby Star. She also got a role in Mnzansi’s drama called intersexions where she played Nurse Seipati in 2013. The next year she was named the face of the lingerie line for a high end South African retail brand, Woolworths. Same year she was announced the new host of Metro FM’s mid-morning slot; her show was called the Front Row.

It wasn’t all smooth she had fallout with the radio station. Rumor had it she was fired by the broadcaster. Regardless of what happened at Metro FM, Queen B rose against all odds. Today she is listed among the top 10 women who have made it in South Africa. She is a brand ambassador for Revlon cosmetic product, she has her own TV show called “Being Bonang” and also her own book “FROM A TO B”. Her book has been criticized by the general public and her fans but this never stopped her from making the launch of this book a success.

South Africa's talented star Dumi Masilela

Dumi Masilela born on May 31^st 1988 , Kempton Park Gauteng. He was an actor for South Africa’s most loved soapie Rhythm city playing the role of “Sfiso Ngema” for the past five years; he was a former soccer player for Supersport United and a musician.

Going back to where it all started at the age of 16 its's where Dumi revealed his talents. He took part in soccer and was awarded a sports bursary from the University of Pretoria where he went to join the university’s sports academy. As good as he was in soccer, his talent was noticed by one of the country’s biggest soccer teams Supersport United where they signed him on three-year contract. He was then involved in a car accident which made his soccer dreams fade.

At a later stage he decided to pursue his other talents. In 2012 He participated in the eighth season of Idols SA where he made to the Top 18. But that never broke his spirit , he believed in himself and still hustled his way up in the music industry. Today, he is known as one of the country’s well known-musicians for his hit song “Shona Phansi”.

Dumi has been with Rhythm City cast for the past five years. He was playing the role of a street kid who later made something for himself. He was seen starting up his own record label. His role in soapie kind of related to what he was passionate of in real which is music. On the soapie he was helping young stars,upcoming musicians release their albums, making the best out of their voices.

This multi-talented star has recently got married to his beautiful wife Simphiwe Ngema who is also an actress. This beautiful couple had their beautiful traditional ceremony two months ago.

Dumi Masilela died on Wednesday night 3^rd of August 2017 following an attempted hijacking where he was shot and rushed to the hospital . Unfortunately he didn’t make it. Fans across the country are sending their heartfelt condolences to the Masilela family.  We will forever miss seeing him on our screens, a very young talented man indeed. May His soul rest in peace.

Generation the legacy’s pornography

Generation the legacy is one of the well-known soapies in South Africa previously known as Generations. This soapie is playing weekdays at 20h00 prime slot where amongst people watching is families.

Recently this soapie’s viewership has decreased drastically resulting in the pornography portrayed in it. We all come from different homes with different rules, for some it is seen as being disrespectful watching shows with sexual content whether it’s people kissing, touching or having sex. Nowadays young people are not comfortable to can sit and watch with their parents or elderly people.

The roles played by Moopi Mothibeli(Smanga), Latoya Makhene( Tshidi) and Motsoaledi Setumo( Thabi) who are caught up in a love triangle where Smanga is having sexual relationships with these two. This however doesn’t have any educational lesson but rather encourages children(teenagers) to can engage in sexual activities because these scenes look appealing and pleasing. They may be tempted to try them out.

For some people this can be very traumatising especially to those who are sexually active. This soapie went from being one of the most respected with lots of viewers but now it’s not respected by many. Its explicit scenes has caused its viewers to can question Mfundi Vundla’s intention. Whether is it to educate, inform, entertain or corrupt children?

From here where to? this is the question many people ask themselves, should it continue to play at its usual slot or be moved to a later slot where there’s less viewers.

DATING OUTSIDE YOUR RACE

      Queen B and AKA happy than never before

Inter-racial relationships are evident that love does not discriminate. It does not matter which race you will belong to when there’s love. Interracial relationships in South Africa are facing many challenges. People find it hard to accept interracial couples, it is often that it is these kind of relationships that are forbidden by families, friends and groups in society. Interracial relationships symbolizes unity, love and rainbow nation. The rate of interracial dating has grown rapidly over the past years.

Majority of these relationships starts in Varsities and Colleges because that is where you get to meet different kinds of people with different cultural backgrounds than yours. Studies show that people who are either married to each other in an interracial marriage or who are in an interracial relationship are more likely to stay attracted to each other than those in a same race. This is because of each other’s different features that create a certain “spark”.

Most youth think that engaging in interracial relationships is good way of getting to know people from different cultural backgrounds. We have seen many of our South African celebrities who are in inter-racial relationships the likes of Bonang Matheba and AKA, some of them are now married for example Minnie Dlamini and Quinton Jones, Linda Mtoba and Steve Meyer,Connie and Shona Ferguson and they are happy. These kinds of relationships signifies a better world.

These relationships represent a form of race-status exchange, it also assume that these relationships do not often lead to long-term commitments. But that is proven to be false by many inter-racial married couples in our country. Inter-racial relationships can help reduce the increasing rate of racism. However it’s not something that can happen overnight but they are slowly becoming a norm in South Africa.

Racism is real and it is not something that can be forfeited just like that, but with the pace that interracial relationships are going in some countries including South Africa there is still hope for a better harmonious society for all. All that is left is for members of the society to realize that interracial relationships are the same as any other types of relationships they are used to. Let’s stop discriminating and rejecting our fellow brothers and sisters but rather support them and show UNITY.

Welcoming  Ceremonies for amasokana 

  young ndebele men seated waiting to receive gifts

Initiation schools fall under cultural practices which Xhosa, Ndebele and Pedi tribes practice as part of their traditions. Young boys from the age of 12 years are being sent to the bushes with elderly men. Most people when they think about initiation schools what comes to mind is boys being circumcised , but it’s more that its where they get to know about their cultural backgrounds, principles they should hold in society as men, how to handle certain situations and the protection of their families as the head of families.

The initiation school take place every after three years. They leave their homes and go to live in the bushes for two months. Some of these practices are proven not to be safe especially the Xhosa initiation school some boys called iinkwenkwe die in the process some get extremely ill. Recently it is been said that the doctors are now getting involved in ensuring the best health care for the boys.

They are then give new names which belonged to their forefathers .They are also being taught languages that they use to communicate as men. They wear shorts made of cow skin called amabhetjha in Ndebele, they cover themselves with blankets illustrating Ndebele colours and beads.Prior to their return they gather by the Chief’s compound so that he can set them free and welcome them.They celebrate their return by singing songs that they produced for themselves and dance for us.

There have been illegal initiation schools whereby young boys are abducted to go and practice cultures that are not even theirs. This results in more deaths of these children and also parents suffer the consequences of having their children practicing cultures that are not even theirs. 

After coming back home safe, they slaughter goats for their ancestors to thank them for looking after them while they are at schools. Their parents also buy gifts to welcome them.

COMMEMORATING 41 YEARS OF BITTER STRUGGLE

        youth of 1976 protesting against the use of Afrikaans in school

Today we are celebrating the youth of 1976 who took part in the liberation struggle. Students from various black schools in Soweto led a protest where they fought against the use of Afrikaans and English as the medium of instruction and learning at schools. On June 16 1976, students came in their numbers at Orlando stadium where they voiced out their stance for the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction.

The march resulted in the death of a number of students who participated in the rally. Among the students who were shot death by the police were a 15 year old Hastings Ndlovu and a 13 year old Hector Pieterson who were shot at Orlando West high school. Today we are remembering the lives of those students who fought for their right to quality education.

Recently university students led a protest movement that began in October 2015 in response to fee increment at South African Universities. These protests escalated to almost all the universities in our country. The fees must fall movement became stirred violence between the police and the police that were stationed in various institutions. This movement has been going on for 3 years now and students are not backing up until their goal is achieved which is free quality education in all universities.

The #feesmustfall movement left many people wondering whether are we still living in a democratic country or not. Seeing all the violence between students and police reminds us of a very bitter struggle of Soweto Uprising in 1976. The youth of today should be inspired and have courage since this is long journey that they chose to embark on.  It’s a battle that needs to be won for generations to come.

Today marks 41 years since the youth of 1976 stood up to the racist tyranny in their schools. We commemorate their courage, bloodshed and torture this youth had to through in standing up for a black community. Most people wear school uniforms and march in remembrance of what happened 41 years ago in Soweto. Some visit the Hector Pieterson Museum to honour their struggle.

BLUETOOTH NYAOPE IN SOSHANGUVE

BLUETOOTH NYAOPE IN SOSHANGUVE

Bluetooth in technological terms is the transfer of data from one device to another. Now it is used to transfer blood from one nyaope smoker to the other. This is how most of the addicts get high in areas such as Soshanguve. One inject themselves with the drug and the others get high by drawing the blood from the one who is already high. Resulting in Bluetooth nyaope.

The community of Soshanguve are raising great concerns of this new method of nyaope. This method increasing chances of contracting diseases like HIV/AIDS. Clinics and Police are urging parents to help them fight bluetooth nyaope in the streets of Soshanguve.                                                  

                                                                                photocred:Pretoria news

Trevor Masemula who is a nyaope-user showed us how they do bluetooth nyaope in Soshanguve block H, though he didn't want his face to be showed.He says its much easier when you do it with a friend than just anyone.

FACT-BOX:

• New drug in SoshanguveIncreases blood contraction diseases
• It's not good for one's health
• It is highly addictive
• It is deadly

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