Every Township Has.... by Luyanda Ngcobo

If you were born in a South African township, you'd probably relate

•A group of boys who dropped of school and smoke whoonga

•A housewife who spreads all gossip like wildfire

•A gorgeous girl that all the other girls hate, usually, she attends a private school.

•The club of dirty toddlers always playing in the sand

•The 'glamour' wanna-be who wears recycled weaves.

•A drunkard that attends every function in the community

•A neighbour that blasts music so loud, you can hear it 25km away.

Which one are you.

LOL. Asihleke, let us laugh by Luyanda Ngcobo

•A scrub is a guy who thinks he's fly and is also known as a buster. Always talking about what he wants! But just sits on his broke ass.

•Maroon 5? Oh you mean Adam Levine and those guys behind him?

•Michelle Obama better up her game soon! Graca Machel's gonna be a free woman!

•Connie and Shona Ferguson probably even go to the toilet together.

•Rick Ross' tummy looks like it can twerk.

•How it annoys me when people complain in a taxi about the loud music it makes or the route it takes. This isn't a clinic where you have a suggestion box. If you can handle the hustle, BUY A CAR

•"I can explain"
Those words are usually followed by the most ridiculous shit you've ever heard.

•The Mpisane's should avoid singing "started from the bottom"

•Maxwell.
I swear that nigga's got a lot of issues.

•I hate it when you pat someone's should in a taxi just so they can pass the money forward, and they just ignore you.

I swear if that lady wasn't with her man, I would have 'accidently' knocked off her dry wig.

-Luh Cotton Mapholoba

I AM A WINNER by Phumelele Msomi

I am a winner.
I Have beaten odds to get where I'm today.
I Have felt some pain every time I have taken a step
forward, yet after having taken one step back. I have
known regression and giving up were not options for
me. I have felt the emptiness of separation as I have
moved in the wrong direction.
I have learned the arts of persistence, tenacity and
dedication. I know how it feels to watch my world and
dreams shatter to a million pieces at my feet. I know
what it is to run until there's nothing left inside of me,
and then run some more. I know how it feels to be
loved, and I know how it feels when that Love grows
hard and cold.
I know how to be happy. I know how to smile and
spread joy into lives of others with that same smile.
I have learned that one conversation can make or
break a fragile mind and heart, and thus I have learned
to choose my words carefully.
I know that enthusiasm is the key to everything, and yet
I know how it feels to completely lack enthusiasm.
I have learned that winning is not everything but
sometimes it feels like it's the most important thing. I
have learned that other colour ribbons only prove to
make that blue so much sweeter. I know that my chief
competitor is myself. I know that sometimes my best
isn't good enough for others and that people can be
cruel. I know that sometimes I get frustrated with
myself, especially when others are frustrated with me.
I know how it feels to have something mean so much to
me, that is ME.
I have experienced wrath, outrage and fury, but have
still made it through the storm a survivor.
I know what it is to Love. I know how to spread joy and
how to extract it from even the darkest situations.
I know what hope is, and I rely on it as my last refuge.
I know that darkness must exist if only to make those
tiny bits of light seem that much brighter.
I know that success is self-made, and that luck is a
relative term.
I know that I'm strong.
I know that miracles do exist, angels do find us in our
hour of need, and there is always something behind
me, pushing me forward.
I believe in myself at all times, even when I think that I
don't and even when I feel no one else does.
I know how it feels to be lost. I also know how it feels to
be picked out of a crowd. What it's like to be the winner,
and how it feels when, for one moment, you are the
star of the show.
Above all, though, I know that all of this has made me,
ME.
I know that being a winner is not about winning
whatever race faces me in the moment. I recognize I'm
winning just by pushing myself everyday and by
waking up each morning feeling blessed by the day
that lies ahead of me. Through this I'm winning in the
most important race ever, the race I entered at birth-this
race we call life...

~Phumelele Msomi

Within us all lies a possibility
we all never realised,
it bears the scent
from a kiss of a flower.

Within our beauty subsides
Our negative habits, our fears,
our weaknesses, our myopia, our flaws
These disappoint me greatly as my
dream of an ever-so-perfect generation is
brought to reality.

Tuning to my positive gear
I also realise that within us all
lies the capacity to fight all evil surrounding.
Whether betrayed, mocked, overlooked, we will
get up because we know what's right and
what lies ahead.
Moreso, because we are capable to do so

Within us dwells the Angelic glory so pure
and so profound that may shed our tears and
have our hearts beaten to the ground,
we will stand, yes, we will stand
Moreso, because we are capable to do so

The wounds that are so afflicting us
shall all vanish because
I believe in the strength
we all possess
It's the strength we are all not realising

-Nkosikhona Raphael Duma

Umama osindisiwe by Zothani Msomi

Caring!
Unikelela imiphefumulo
Imiphefumulo angayaziyo
Kodwa ayikhathalelayo.
Throughout pregnancy, she's potrayed as nagging
But through it all, she's caring.

Protective!
Intombi yakhe ayithintwa.
Insizwa yakhe ayitholi kuhlukumezeka.
Umyeni wakhe akalambi.
By the amount of stressing, it causes strain
That she can't even think straight,
She can't even get creative ...
But she sure is protective.

Strong!
Izinhlungu zakhe azipheli.
From the time she was 12
Till the time she said, "I think they're enough!"
Soft yet tough.
Uhlezi ekhathazekile,
Kepha izinkathazo azihleli
Amandla akapheli ...
Sengisho lawa ahlala emadolweni.
Ethembeni,
Yilapho ahlezi khona.
Umnqobeli wakhe nguSomandla.
"Her strength fades over the years,
Its the fountain of tears"
WRONG!
She's strong.

Loving!
Izingane ezingaziwayo
Zingezithandiweyo ...
Nawe ongathandaziyo,
Ungothandazelwayo.
To the amazing pot essence, wide arms and warm hearts, she does the openning
For she is loving

She's a daughter, neice, cousin, sister, friend, collegue, wife ...
She is a blessing and a mother who is caring, protective, strong and loving


-Zothani Msomi

The Beauty Of A Woman: sent by Sthembile Mhlongo

The beauty of a woman
Is not in the clothes she wears,
The figure that she carries,
Or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman
Must be seen from her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman
Is not a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman
Is reflected in her soul.

It is the caring she lovingly gives,
The Passion that she shows.
The beauty of a woman with passing years
only grows and grows.

-Audrey Hepburn

EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there... To serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help you figure out who you are or want to become.

You never know who these people may be but when you lock eyes with them, you know that every moment that you are with them will affect your life in some profound way, sometimes things happen to you at the time that may seem horrible, painful and unfair but in reflection you realise your potential strength, willpower or heart.

"EVERyTHinG HapPeNS FoR A ReAsoN"

Nothing happens by chance or by means of goodluck, injury, love, lost moment of the greatness and sheer stupidity. All occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. Safe and comfortable, dull and pointless.

The people you meet may affect your life, the success and downfalls that experience offers can create who you are or better version of yourself, and those experiences can be learned from...in fact, they are probably the most important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart, forgive them because they helped you learn about trust and the importance of being curious to whom you open your heart to. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they are teaching you to love but also because you have someone that cares and loves you. Make everyday count.

Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Let yourself fall in love. Just follow your heart. Surround yourself with those who make you smile, laugh and get you jolly.

“BREAK FREE AND SET YOUR SIGHTS HIGH, HOLD YOUR HEAD UP HIGH BECAUSE YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO. CREATE YOUR LIFE THEN LET GO AND LIVE IT. ”

-Unknown

Izithakazelo zami.

Izithakazelo zami.

"Duma
Mthombeni, Lwandle olungawelwa, Oluwelwa
zinkonjane, Zona ezihamba phezulu, Abangongolozi
abaphekwa netshe, Itshe lavuthwa kuqala, basala
bona.
Isibongo sakwaDuma sitholaka ebukhosini
bakwaDuma, endaweni yakwaDumisa lapho abantu
bakhona babelwa namabhubesi bawahlule. Manje
batholaka noma ngabe yikuphi abantu bakwaDuma."

Ake uziqgaje nawe

MY ZULU HERITAGE by Lynette Ntuli

Zulu. My Heritage is a Meatier Matter.
I am a South African citizen of Zulu descent with a
proud lineage.
My culture and my people’s language are amongst
the most beautiful, evocative, sincere and frank in
the world. I know this because people travel great
distances to see my people dance, to hear my
people’s history, to take in the same rolling valleys
and hills that Alan Paton once described as his
beloved country, too.
I know this because when I am in London and I
crave a taste of home after a long week of speaking
the King’s English to the Queen’s taste, I take a quick
turn to Camden and head to “Shaka Zulu”, the
South African flavoured restaurant and savour
potjie, pap, boerewors, rooibos pate and South
African game in the heart one of the world’s leading
cities.
When you call me MaNtuli, you not only
acknowledge and show respect to my people but
you invoke the history of oMphemba, oSompisi,
amaBhele noGodide and all those who come
before me. You also invoke our warrior spirit,
because my history will tell you that uNdlela
kaSompisi was amongst the most distinguished
generals in King Shaka’s court and we owe much of
the survival of the dominant royal bloodlines of the
Zulus to him, through his strategic foresight
following the assassination of King Shaka.
24 September was known as and lives on in many
hearts as Shaka’s Day, a commemoration of the life
and times of Zulu King, Shaka kaSenzangakhona.
King Shaka died on the 22nd of September 1828
and is honoured for his role in creating a powerful,
cohesive nation and a collective identity for the Zulu
nation.
His reign came to an end shortly before the
dominant laws that put into motion our
apartedness as South African’s began; and whilst
we cannot endorse many of his methods in this day
and age - our goal as a nation today is not too far
apart from what he ultimately achieved with one set
of its people. We can learn something from this
vision.
My heritage is woven into the fabric of my being and
its wealth and depth surpass apartheid and
democracy, oppression and freedom, division and
unity. It is who I am and who my people are. It is an
inheritance that some day I will pass on to my
children, as it has been passed to me. Allow me
then to celebrate its roots and its relevance, without
diluting its symbolism. Allow me to demonstrate its
symbolism to others who share South Africa with
me, in order that they too will understand how this
history belongs to us all, and how it has shaped our
destiny. Allow me to look back in pride at a
significant era in the shaping of who my people are
today, in order that I may look forward and practice
respect for the diversity, inclusion and significance
of others.
So no, today I will not be celebrating Braai Day. My
heritage is a matter far meatier than that.
Happy Heritage Day South Africa.
- Lynette Ntuli
These are just some of the praises that traditionally
ring out on this day, honouring King Shaka…
Izibongo zeNkosi uShaka kaSenzangakhona
UDlungwana kaNdaba!
UDlungwana woMbelebele,
Odlung’ emanxulumeni,
Kwaze kwas’ amanxulum’ esibikelana.
UNodumehlezi kaMenzi,
USishaka kasishayeki kanjengamanzi,
Ilemb’eleq’ amany’amalembe ngokukhalipha;
UShaka ngiyesab’ ukuthi nguShaka,
UShaka kuyinkosi yasemaShobeni.
UNomakhwelo ingonyama;
UMahlom’ ehlathini onjengohlanya,
Uhlany’ olusemehlwen’ amadoda.
UDabaz’ ithafa ebeliya kuMfene;
UNomashovushovu kaSenzangakhona,
UGaqa libomvu nasekuphatheni.
UBholokoqa bazalukanisile,
Zalukaniswe uNoju noNgqengenye,
EyakwaNtombazi neyakwaNandi;
Yayikhiph’ eshoba libomvu,
Ikhishwa elimhlophe lakwaNandi.
Bambiz’ eMthandeni beyisela,
Bathi ‘Singesinelane neNtungwa lasenhla’,
Kanti uzawudl’ uPhakathwayo emphindelweni.
UVumavumane lukaphephe,
UDlungwana wavuma na?
Umvumeleni uGodolozi,
Ethi ngowanganeno kwaNandi,
Kant’ ukude kwaNtombazana?
Ilanga eliphahl’ elinye ngemisebe,
Kalokhu liphahl’ eliseMthandeni.
Amazwi mabili engiwabongayo,
Ngibong’ elikaMpandaba nelikaNdungenkomo,
Bethi “Ucu aluhlangan’ entanyeni”;
Akenibuze kwabaseZinkondeni,
Bath’uHilwayo bayakumhlaba kwaHlokohloko,
Kwaf’ amasi kwaf’ uqephe.
Teku lwabafazi bakwaNomgabhi,
Betekula behlez’emlovini,
Beth’ uShaka kakubusa kakuba nkosi,
Kant’ unyakan’ uShaka ezakunethezeka.
Inkom’ ekhal’ eMthonjaneni,
Izizwe zonke ziyizwil’ ukulila,
Izwiwe uDunjwa waseluYengweni,
Yezwiwa uMangcengeza wakwaKhali.
UMlilo wothathe kaMjokwana;
UMlilo wothathe ubuhanguhangu,
Oshis’ izikhova eziseDlebe,
Kwaya kwasha neziseMabedlana.
Odabule kuNdima noMgovu,
Abafaz’ abenendeni baphuluza;
Imikhubulo bayishiy’ izinqindi,
Imbewu bayishiya semahlangeni,
Izalukazi zasala semanxiweni,
Amaxhegu asala semizileni,
Iziqu zemithi zabheka phezulu..

The South African constitution

Preamble
'We, the people of South Africa,
Recognise the injustices of our past;
Honour those who suffered for justice and freedom
in our land;
Respect those who have worked to build and
develop our country; and
Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it,
united in our diversity.
We therefore, through our freely elected
representatives, adopt this Constitution as the
supreme law of the Republic so as to —
Heal the divisions of the past and establish a
society based on democratic values, social justice
and fundamental human rights;
Lay the foundations for a democratic and open
society in which government is based on the will of
the people and every citizen is equally protected by
law;
Improve the quality of life of all citizens and free the
potential of each person; and
Build a united and democratic South Africa able to
take its rightful place as a sovereign state in the
family of nations.
May God protect our people."

This preamble qualifies SA to have one of the best constitutions in the world. It is YOUR South African right to possess the rights stipulated by the constitution and bill of rights. It YOUR responsibility to understand that these rights also belong to other people. It is YOUR responsibility to defend your rights. ;)

Nkosikhona Raphael Duma

Intro to my blog. My Expression

I like to talk. I like to read. I am opinionated. People get tired of my opinions, so here I am. Blogging.

I plan to write about everything. From silly stuff to politics. From sports to celebrities. Basically I plan to tackle everything that's happening here and abroad and place my opinion on those matters. I will write about my home country South Africa and I will write about my stay and experiences in Brazil next year (2014). I will not always write in English. Kwazise phela ngingumZulu.

I will welcome constructive criticism. I will accept insults and I would be humbled by praise. Unlike constructive criticism, praise and insults will have a minimum impact on my writings. Please note this blog's purpose is not to seek enemies or to seek cyber fame. Its purpose is to express. Purely to express.

Expression is the most important 'right' of them all. Freedom of expression was the motivator of the American revolution. Expression is one of the main reasons why Apartheid was challenged.

Expression is why some hate communism. Expression is why most prefer democracy. The hunger for freedom of expression is the reason behind the recent Egyptian revolution. Its thirst led to the Libyan revolution.

Libya was arguably a rich African country. The Gaddafi government made significant improvements. Muamar Gaddafi took a country that was 10% literate and 90% illiterate and during his tenure Libya saw a drastic change. As I write today Libya is 90% literate. His government saw that education was free from pre-school to PhD, this is what most countries can only dream of. Libya had zero foreign debt. The life expectancy for males was sitting at age 72 and 77 for females, South Africa still dreams of this. Healthcare, access to health care and water was of top standard. Basically the standard of living was very high.

However, little expression by the 'common' people ever made it to the leadership. The media was censored. Social media was closely guarded, the people had no voice. Although 'representation' measures were taken, they proved to be inactive. Risky 'western' shows were not broadcasted. TV was used to promote the 'good' work of Gaddafi. Propaganda was in full swing.

The Gaddafi government thought that by disabling the voices of the people and blinding them through propaganda media, the people will not seek 'western democracy' and they will not seek western possessions. This proved to be a disadvantage for the Gaddafi government. Although the government worked and delivered for its people, the most important service to the people, freedom of expression was not granted to them.

Western (America and the EU) opportunists used this Gaddafi flaw and highlighted the importance of expression to the rebels and the revolution ensued. Killing thousands of innocent civilians, the country suffered. Multi-national companies moved out. Large industries suffered. The economy was drained. The people were determined to fight for their voices. They had been kept quiet far too long and this needed to change, they decided. In the end Gaddafi was assassinated. The rebels tasted victory. Of course western countries chipped in to assist, note Libya has oil, a lot of it. Did the western countries assist without expecting anything in return? You decide.

My opinion :
If Gaddafi had granted people a voice.
1. Libya would have been a super-power.
2. He would have died an African hero, a martyr and not a selfish dictator as the world put him out to be.

Expression is vital. We are fortunate enough to possess it. It is up to me and everyone to protect it. 'If it's to be, it is up to me'. Once we have it, then there is transparency, hence it would be difficult to have a revolution by the people against its own government. People let's guard our right to expression. It makes or breaks a country. Protection of this right is a prerequisite, it's existence is significant. But when practising this right, one should always do so with common sense.


Nkosikhona Raphael Duma