I write what I like

People and Power

2011-04-13T09:19:00.003+02:00

What is happening in our continent and more especially in our country of people does not want to accept change is sad. What does this teach our children? Some African countries are picking up the pieces of civil wars because of the leaders who think being in power is a gift from the ancestors. What is wrong with these people? Is it about money or the high life they are used to the contributing factor of this behaviour? What about democracy?

South Africa is approaching local government elections and we see people defecting from their political parties either as independents because they are not on the final list of candidate or they want better positions. Strange how some people think for themselves because personally I don't think it's about the needs of the people on the ground but it's about what I want to get once I am selected as a leader 'Personal Gains' as they phrase it. And now we see the same thing with the Shembe Church where people claim to be the rights heirs of the church. So sad! I'm thinking about the followers of the church - what if there is a situation where a family is divided because one thinks Mduduzi is the right leader and the other think Nhlanhla (the first born son of the late Vimbeni Shembe) is the right leader?

I wish people can stop thinking about themselves and look at the big picture consider some factors of what is a leader, responsibilities that come with that and so forth. It's always about the MONEY!!!!! We can't have leaders that only look for what is in it for them what happened to respect what your leadership is saying. Are we losing focus? I wish I can have answers to these questions but my take on it is MONEY! Really, it is sad that leaders like Gbagbo have to face charges of humanity if he only accepted to voices of people and bowed out in peace, he would not be embarassed and imagine the shame his family is going through with the picture of his wife in a nightdress in the Mercury Newspaper 13 April 2011. Gadaffi I wonder when is it going to end with him? I hope that our leaders can learn from what is happening around them and can avoid a situation similar to the one we are witnessing happening in our country. I love my country!

Public Servants Strikes vs Parents

2010-08-30T12:29:00.002+02:00

I write this post as one of the devastated parents in South Africa during this time of Public Servants Strike. Today, it's the beginning of the third week and the strike is continuing. Earlier today we read a call from the President of the Republic that Ministers should meet with Union Representative and reach an agreement because this strike is crippling service delivery. We are all affected by the public strike, as a parent, the workers and of course the most affected are the children. My daughter attends a township school, since the beginning of the strike they are at home, some members of the striking teachers went to their school and threatened the principal who was left with no choice but to close school.

Media
We are all following the news on what is happening, if a settlement have been reached but so far nothing government is determined that what they offered is the best and that have led on the public servants insulting the president - placards that they are carrying. I echo the words of Zizi Kodwa that they have a right to strike but not to attack the president.

Gap
It is true that in South Africa there is still a big gap in salaries especially the government employees. Personally, a teacher is supposed to earn more not that I am looking down on the others but think of their important role in the society. Some of my friends will argue this point and say they are not doing their job, most of them are lazy and lack motivation. I agree with that 100% but what will encourage a person if they feel they are not recognised...

My wish and I think most parents wishes that the government can settle this and for the children's sake to go back to school because as I have mentioned above "Black" schools are most affected and most minister's children attend private schools and are not affected. I wonder what they are thinking about this fact? My daughter is in grade 9 and she is missing a lot at this crucial time of their curriculum, yes we are encouraging them to study at home but for how long?

Women sharing their past

2010-03-11T10:37:00.002+02:00

Some people believe in keeping things to themselves. I am not that kind, I talk about everything not to everyone ofcourse but if it necessary I do. I met a girl who stays in my block of flats. We started talking about everything from weather to relationships. I am very vocal when it comes to women abuse. I shared with her things that I have never told any soul about my past. And she opened up and told me things that she have never told anybody before.

Her story

We call each other 'Sju' a township slang meaning sister-in-law. Her name is Bo. "I was almost raped when I was young by my uncle. He use to call me to his bedroom and touch my private part. I remember one day, I was at home with him, and I was wearing my cousin's panties and my uncle saw this, he called me and pulled my dress up and said I will tell your mother that you are wearing so and so panties, while saying that he was touching my bum and I denied wearing my cousin's panties. And he let me go after that. This went on, other time he would call me and put me on his bed, took of my panties and he looked at me and pinched my vagina, he then said something to himself and left me there."

"You know Sju, I was young I didn't know there was something wrong with all that. But what I remember clearly is that he was very protective over me. I never told anybody about this and he stopped doing it."

The second attempt

"At home my granny kept a lot of goats. There was no one to look after the goats and it was decided that someone should be hired to look after the goats. My neighbour son was given the job. One day, it was very hot and we were at home, I was still young to go to school. He called me to his room and he told me to lie down on his sleeping mat and take of my panties. He then pulled down his pants and slept over me. When he was about to put his penis into my vagina, my twin brother saw us and he went to tell the adults."

"I was called and was asked what happened. My mother said I should tell everything they will not hit me. I told them exactly what happened. My twin was insisting that we had sex but I told them that he did not put it inside my vagina. Then they told me that what he did was wrong I must not allow people to that to me. They sent for the boy's father to be called and they made me to tell it again in front of everybody. I did. They sjambok him until he could not cry no more."

"I felt really bad about that, I wish I did not say anything but I am greatful that my twin brother saw us. Just imagine how things would have ended up."

A bond have been created between me and this girl. Some of us have to go through these in order to be what we are today. Some are not so lucky and their whole lives are messed up by these things. We need to have these moments when we talk about our past, fears, successes etc.

Public Masturbation

2010-02-09T09:53:00.003+02:00

Masturbation is a taboo in most African people. Nobody talks or accept that they do it. And for me coming from a small town and finding someone on my window masturbating was a shock of my life. When I first came across this, it was an afternoon, and I was in my flat, preparing food and eating without giving much notice of what was happening outside. After a while, I noticed this man but never thought much of him, I told myself he was waiting for someone. When I realised that he had his pants down and was masturbating I was shocked and I panicked.

I was on depression treatment when all this happened, I thought he have been following me, and he was going to rape me. I could not close the curtains, I felt dirty and asked myself 'WHY ME?" I really took this personally. That was when I learned that there were people who are called 'exhibitionist' who masturbate in public. I moved flats, I could not stay there anymore.

Living in a quite place I thought I was done with all that drama, until I noticed a man who hanged around the same spot almost everyday and at the same time. I asked my flat mate if she has also noticed him. I was surprised when she said: 'Maybe its the masturbating guy' without paying much attention to it. 'Do you know them?' That was my question and I could not hide the shock. She told me that there is a lot of them who come around and masturbate in that area and she added that they are 'cute.'

I asked myself a lot of questions but no one could answer me, I needed to talk to one of them. But was I safe to do that? How to approach them? I told my flatmate to organise a meeting in a public place. That is how I met Mandla, 35 who also came to the city to work. Mandla is coming from a rural area on the North Coast of KwaZulu Natal, at his age he probably have a wife and children. My flatmate is good at making man believe that they can have her for lunch. I apologised to Mandla for asking what I think was personal but since he was masturbating in public it was not personal.

Mandla's Story

Its been a year since I started masturbating in public. I was at a park one afternoon with my girlfriend when I saw a man masturbating. Because I was with someone I did not entertain it much. I made it a point to go back to the park every afternoon, I was curious. This big guy who looked well and rich, what was he doing in the park. I realised that there were girls who were showing off their bodies to him who were inside their flat. I think this guy noticed me, and one day we had a chat. I asked him why he was doing it, and if he was not scared? He told me that he enjoys it very much and yes he is scared because he can be arrested. Then he taught me.

At first I was scared and shy and I could not do it during the day, I preferred evenings. I started spending less time with my girlfriend because I have a new hobby now. I don't think I am cheating on my girlfriend because I am not physical having sex with another woman its just me looking at beautiful breasts. I prefer masturbating more than being involved. My ex-girlfriend cheated on me, so I have a problem with trust. And when I am home, I don't do it. I only do it here in the city. We have 3 spots and all of these spots there are a couple of girls that are willing show us their 'boobs.'

I don't want people back home to know that I am doing this, that is why I travel to other areas to do it. I just want to see the breasts only. One day, I will stop its just a hobby nothing much.

I totally agree with my flatmate, Mandla is a cute, and a humble man who is just doing something that he thinks is fun. He was surprised when I told him about my first encounter with a man who was masturbating outside my flat, that I was shocked, I cried and I had to move from that area.

Mandla

I thought that women are happy with us, because they show us their bodies. I did not know that some people are scared. Sisi (sister) are you telling me the truth. Did you really cry?

I told him that for me sex is a private thing doesn't matter if you are masturbating or not, it felt like that man have invaded my space. I also told him that as a human being and a citizen of our country I respect him and his choices but I don't think showing his private part in public is a good idea. If I was his partner I would not forgive him when I found out that he was showing off in public.

I think Mandla, shared this with his team of masturbaters (8 in total), because since then, we have not seen a man with his pants down and masturbating. Odd hobby!!!!!

Shared stories by domestic workers

2009-11-23T12:47:00.004+02:00

Traveling by public transport on daily basis gives you an insight on what other people do. It could be their families, work, about their lives etc. By sitting you can learn a lot about people. Sometimes after work, I travel by train for this I wait about 40 minutes for the train. While waiting different people arrives, some have known each other for more than ten years because they have traveled together in public transport.

There are a lot of stories shared during the waiting for the train period. Maybe to give the light of the kind of people I share the platform with (station) mostly are domestic workers. These ladies also dominate with telling their stories especially when it rains, everybody shelters under the foot bridge because the shelters are useless (you can still get wet). What I have observed, especially on story telling days one of the ladies will come with something that the employer gave them, it could be clothing, food, furniture, blankets etc. Its a culture to them to ask 'What is in the bag?' and then they will share the contents if the owner is not interested in what the boss gave. Others even sell.

The whole point of writing this today is what I have learned about the hardships these women who happen to be cleaning or taking care of other people's houses, children and even their pets experience behind the closed doors. One of these woman have worked for more than seven years in a particular family, she still earns less than R800. She starts work at seven in the morning till five in the afternoon.

Another lady thought that working for whites was better than working for Indians. She does all the housekeeping but the plate, spoon, the cup she uses for tea is not placed in the house, and she is not allowed to wash 'her dishes' in the house, she must use the tap outside of the house. I asked her, if they told her why must she not put her dishes with theirs or use the sink. She just said:'Oh, my child I have accepted, what can I do I am only a domestic worker.'

Yes, there are those when given an opportunity they become the owners of the house, watching TV, using Madam's lotion, perfume, nail polish etc. And they enjoy this part, they claim they are not payed enough money... I can blame them but really some people don't appreciate the fact that we are nothing without the next person. What struck me most was the FOOD part of it. They live on bread and tea, and most of them hates bread but they have no choice, they are underpaid and they can't bring food from home because children must eat. If it was me, for someone that I could trust with my house I will make sure that I treat them properly.

Personal Profiles

2009-10-13T13:44:00.000+02:00

Personal profiles are really hard to write. I would not have make it
in marketing because I can' t even market myself. A friend asked me to
write two paragraphs but I can't. I asked her for an outline still I
can't. Is it me or other people experience the same? She is a write I
know that she will edit it but its still hard. I will try for the last
time now and see what comes out.

South African National Team

2009-10-13T08:56:00.001+02:00

Bafana Bafana, still no luck after seven games and won one game
against Madagascar. It is mentioned that SAFA is preparing a list of
people who are going to take over from Joel Santana. This come after
they have delegated three people to evaluate how Santana is working.
Jomo Sono is one of the three delegates and is well known for his
critic on foreign coaches. Personally, I hate the blame the coach
attitude that South Africans tend to do everytime. Yes, the coach is
the leader but what about the actual players who are supposed to score
goals and give the country smiles.

Someone commented that Bafana Bafana Players must know that wearing
the National jersey is not a right its a priviledge. They need to work
hard inorder to be called National players. I always say they lack
patriotism, for them its about money how much they earn and its a
bonus to play for the national team. What happened to the team who won
Africa Cup of Nations, back then we saw what patriotism meant they
were doing it for us. That was the happiest day of my life. I was
proud to be a South African.

They must remember that they need to work as a TEAM (Together Each
Achieves More) and yes we are disappointed but they are our boys and
we want to see them change their performance to better. And we can't
deny them, we are South Africans and they are called South Africa
National Team its not like supporting Pirates or Chiefs where you can
change clubs if you are not happy with them. I don't think its wise to
change coach at this point, I think what should be done is to get
assistant coach but not Jomo because Santana will resign first thing
in the morning if this happens and they would not survive each other.
What happened to CLIVE BARKER he is the man for the job to sit, talk,
strategise and share with Joel from his lessons when we won Africa Cup
of Nations.

No offense to those who believe in polygamy

2009-10-12T10:55:00.000+02:00

Polygamy is a tradition to others, I believe it biased because only men are allowed to do in our country. What makes me wonder is how can those women agree to such a thing. If it was my mother I would understand, because in those days they were made to understand that it was for the best to have more than one wife (will deal with this some other time). I was shocked a couple of weeks ago when Mr Mbhele announced that he was getting married with four women - same day. I could not believe it at this age and time.

We had a brief discussion about it with my friends and one stated that she is not surprised why the ladies chose to commit in such a relationship. Her analysis is that they are ugly so they grabbed the opportunity with both hands, its her opinion I wonder what they were thinking. When you look at the pictures not even one is smiling, you suppose to smile on your big day does this tell us something??? The bridegroom claimed that he was cutting cost by wedding them all at the same time and he bought each a house to avoid issues.

Does this mean he knows that his newly brides can't stand each other? Was Mr Mbhele showing us that he is powerful and can afford many wives??? No one can answer these questions but we wish them all the best. Another shock in less than a month after Mbhele is Mbongeni Ngema's preparations to wed 5 I mean five wives next year again before this was published this week, last week we learned that he is going to pay ilobola (bride's price) to Mroza's family (Ukhozi FM presenter) we were shocked not that we don't want Mbongeni to wed but Mroza...

She is still young and her career have just started, is it love that she can agree to such a thing???? Is it desperation, power or the need to belong somewhere? Some might say I am jealous but believe me I am not just scared for what is going to happen. Yes, I am the jealous type when it comes to my partner, how can I officially share a man of my life with someone else? I will never do it never!!! How can I smile and greet my partner's girlfriend? I don't even want to think about it...

All in all, I would like to sit and talk to these women and really see things in their point of view.

2009-10-02T11:41:00.000+02:00

Land invaders vs unemployment

2009-09-03T09:06:00.000+02:00

'We are not doing anything wrong...the land we are taking belongs to us. It is the land given to us in 2007' said Mandangunda. Lovemore "Landmine" Mandangunda is one of the land invaders in Zimbabwe and he forceable settled on Mount Carmel Farm. This issue reminds me of one that happened in our rainbow nation of the organisation for unemployed people who decided to took to the streets and invaded retail shops - took food without paying... They justify their wrong doing by saying they want government to stick to the promises of creating jobs. Where the hell is the government going to find employment for everyone?

For true, poverty, HIV/AIDS, underpaid employees are the major problems in our country not forgetting crime that they use as another justification for being unemployed. Suprisingly, most of the masterminds behind most crimes are very powerful people, who are employed so.... When the organisation for unemployed people took to the street, I was the only one in my flat that criticized their behaviour. I agree with the fact that they are unemployed and frustrated what I argue with is where and when in the history of our country did the government offer every citizen an allowance especially with the recession....

So personally, land invaders of Zimbabwe, yes it might be your land but use proper channels to claim it back. Things are getting out of hand for true and violence would not take us forward but it is going to make things worse. We need each other, whether you are red, white, black or orange... and for the organisation of unemployed people, its really embarrassing for me that the organisation is led by a woman, who encourages people to do crimes as a mother you know how other women struggle to make ends meet for their families, they don't go and claim at Pick n Pay that government should pay for their groceries. Those who know the struggle go out there and ask for any piece job that one can have inorder for their families to have something to eat....

What I think she should have done, was to come up with a strategy of finding piece jobs for her members, to clean windows etc but surely it is always influenced by personal greed that I think was the whole reason this woman started the organisation. It saddens me that at this time and age in our country most people are making a living by manipulating others. Why don't we accept what we have and try to work hard for what we don't have.

Do we need to blame the department or the employees???

2009-09-01T10:09:00.000+02:00

What happened this weekend, the suicide of Sikhumbuzo of Hillcrest, 22. How does it feel not to have an identity? I'm trying to be in his shoes going to the Home Affairs offices to try and get one but what do I get a fellow South African who happens to be black just like me treating me like garbage. It is true, government department officials don't have respect PERIOD. The department in question especially, followed by Health let alone Police Service. I am not trying to be funny or racist to mention in particular our black sisters and brothers. They are the ones who treat us bad, honestly.

I once told my boss that if I was given a choice of employment in one of government department HOME AFFAIRS will be my choice. Someone asked me, what am I going to do to change the situation or do I think I can make things easier for people. I said by communicating it doesn't matter how but tell the people what the department is for, what documents to bring and so forth. Workshop them everyday surely they are going to tell others then this situation of being turned back because you did not bring a school letter can be avoided.

Last time I visited HOME AFFAIRS was when I accompanied someone who was applying for a passport. We were taken to a very quite office, the service was very good in no time we were done. Why can't they do the same with Identity Documents and Death Certificates. Talking of death certificates, most people would be familiar with some of the procedures some families follow when there is death in the family for example: if the husband dies, the wife is expected to sit on a mattress and cover herself with a blanket from head to toe. So now, the very same wife is supposed to prepare for the funeral, claiming from the insurance because she is a beneficiary so they need her signature and so forth. Remember you can't claim without a death certificate so where do you go HOME AFFAIRS.

They follow the queue like everyone else, mind you the blanket is still on so everybody can see what her story. Some bring their family members with them to stand for them but when the security comes and interrogates everyone what they want they remove the family member and tell the wife that you are the one who is doing it so follow the queue. When are we going to learn to respect each others customs, traditions etc? How can I forget their manner of approach, they always shout.

Who is to blame here, employer or employee. Personally, I blame employees. They become very comfortable and forget how important it is to help the next person especially if they are not related. Yes, not related because their family members don't have to wait to be served. Everybody in the department knows them so they are the VIP's. If you have time, visit your local HOME AFFAIRS office and observe the people who are waiting to be served. The fear is written all over their faces because they are not sure if they are going to be turned back because the Pastor forgot to put the date on the letter he wrote for them confirming that he baptized the child. Believe me most of these people are poor like Sikhumbuzo, they can't afford to run around in public transport only for the date.

I pray and hope that Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, can turn things around in this hell. Privacy is needed and the employees must not forget that without us or the law of Identity documents they would not be in those offices they so comfortable in. Again, I would happily work for this department. Its unfortunate that people like Sikhumbuzo decided to end their lives because of these attitudes!

Not keeping your word

2009-08-24T09:21:00.000+02:00

I have been telling myself that I will write whenever I have a chance but I don't. Believe me its not that I don't have time to do so I am just scared, yes, I said it I AM SCARED of writing about myself, or my feelings... A couple of months ago I went to consult with a doctor and I decided to see a homeopath. It was an interesting consultation with a lot of tears and for the first time in my life I looked back and shared with him what I never shared with anybody.

He mentioned that one of the things to recovery is to write about your feelings he said JUST WRITE. My director went to a conference in Thailand and brought a very nice journal for me to WRITE but I don't write at all. I AM SCARED to pour it all out what if I hurt someone's feelings by doing that not that I will be writing about people but what if it ends up in wrong hands and they don't understand what i was writing about???

A big question hey! I use to love reading that have also changed I no longer read like before - I lost interest. Slowly am starting to visit magazine isle in shops and buy one copy instead of six different copies I used to buy. I am glad that I am slowly going back... Its an achievement for me and I am proud of myself.

My weekend of the 30

2009-06-01T09:08:00.000+02:00

What a weekend, I decided to attend ISICATHAMIYA one of unrecognised music in our country. This music had won Grammy Awards three times. You can associate this music with the Ladysmith Black Mambazo under Joseph Shabalala who is a founder. Most of the time isicathamiya is associated with adults and rural people. I was also surprised when I saw people who were in the queues to buy tickets, they ranged from children who were with their parents, young adults, middle aged and ofcourse veterans - abamkhulu (grandfathers).

When attending these kinds of events its wise to have someone with you so that you can laugh together and share some of the noticeable things happening around you. I am an extrovert person so I really needed someone to come with me. To all the people I asked to join me for this event, they all declined and just laughed at me. Some even said that: "Out of all the things, isicathamiya... no Mabusi maybe something else" and they would laugh. Until I asked Musa, who agreed but honestly I was worried that he would also changed his mind, I kept on phoning him to check indirectly if he was still going.

The categories of this music were divided as follows; Qhudeqhude (this was the competition between the top 3 groups that won in 2008 which were; Zulu Messengers, Easy Walkers and Thulasizwe Singers.) Zulu Messengers won in this category.
Then the main competition, onobuhle (beauty pageant) age and looks does not count in this category - you just need to be confident and love your self, competition was very tight I must say. And my highlight of the evening oswenka (Fashion Show - male category), some people have fashion taste out there but someone needs to show or teach them moves.

Their music messages was about Child Abuse, Service delivery, Government legislations on abortion and same sex marriage etc. Groups have to compose their own songs. Isicathamiya is one of the disciplined kind of music. The judges look for the best dressed, theme, step etc. I really enjoyed myself, I don't regret going there. And you must be prepared that the competition takes 12 hours so you must bring your supper and drinks.

Life is great!

Forgot your password

2009-05-13T09:17:00.000+02:00

Since I started working with websites and trying to do blogs, there are lots of user names and passwords that one have to remember. It is for this reason that its been quite a while since I have dropped some post here. Its 3 months to be specific. WOW!

My Durban boring life has changed to a better one, I moved from the place I was staying in and met new people 'flat mate' check them in my facebook photo album. Karen, who have become my dear friend introduced me to some great people. I went for a rather scanning interview as a board member for the Amphimarket.

I met Derryn of Awesome South Africa, who employed me on part time basis to do research for the book she is writing titled Awesome South Africa. Being involved in this book has made realised what I want to do with my life especially my career. This will all depend on myself. I have met people from all walks of life, topics for research are giving me more information about our country, the challenges that we still face and yes we still have a long way to go.

Elections, how can I forget this historic event in our small democracy. For the first time, I did not vote at home, I was with Karen and Ros Sarkin - comrades together, we casted our votes at Norwegian Church in Berea. It was very emotional for me, it was the third time voting, second time voting for National and Provincial. I think deep down I was casting it because I knew that amahlubuka - cope was some kind of a problem of which I never dealt with at first. I was worried I knew that the ANC was going to win but what happened was not good the the movement. UMsholozi is our president, whether they like it or not. A lot of people need to learn to live with some facts in life like Godzilla if you get what I mean.

This is my space so I write what I like - Steve Biko's writings. This is what I am going to do from now on write what I like. Freedom of Speech. My job, my job, my job.... I just don't want to talk about this part of my life its kind of complicated. Am enjoying doing some website edit for Africans Way, Musa - my homeboy.

To all my friends, Lydiah, Ericko in Kenya and Simon in Nigeria am sorry for not keeping in touch but I still love you. Let me get back to work....

My train experience

2009-02-11T09:47:00.000+02:00

Hi all,

Today I want to talk about my experience in a train. By the way I travel by train everyday from town to Seaview since September 2006. It's a 20 minutes ride. The reason I'm using it, I know everybody knows, they are cheap. Some of my friends think they are dangerous because of the crime that is happening in the trains. I don't argue with them but I think it depends where the train comes from because there are trains that I can't ride also from Umlazi and KwaMashu the stories that you hear about what is happening in these trains are.... let me share one with you;

These trains are always full, I mean packed so there is no space between people who are also standing because all the seats are occupied in the third class coaches. Mind you first class coaches are empty. Some of the people use this opportunity to do their sick games one woman shared that one day she was standing in the train and a man was standing behind her she did not notice anything odd by that until she was told by another women when they were at their station that her skirt was dirty. The silly man had masturbated whilst the train was moving until he ejaculated on her.... c what I'm talking about if I say I will never board those train.

Back to the topic; I travel between Berea Station and Seaview so I use platform 11 and 12. Ever since I started I sit on the same bench nowhere else and I only greet the person that I would find sitting. Then I will open my newspaper and read nothing else. No friends nothing its three years. I've had a couple of disturbances maybe someone is looking for some money because they were suppose to meet their relative and now they are not there. I give but also tell them if they are lying my God is going to take good care of them not in a bad way....

There are regulars in my platform. Two guys who tried to be my friend but did not succeed. They used to borrow my newspaper when I had finished reading it and I refuse point blank. I asked them how much they spend for lunch and both of them proudly told me... And I suggested that they cut their spending so that they can buy a newspaper because I also sacrifice a nice lunch for it. Their argument was, what will I do with the paper? I told them that I would rather give it to the man on the street to roll his cigarrate with it after reading it from cover to cover than them who are going to read sports section but have a lot to say about government without the basic information.

Ever since then they know that they should mind their business and don't interfere with me. Call me any name you like, I board the fourth coach of the train and also sit on the same seat ever since.

Am I boring or what? Please let me know what you think....

Life

2009-02-04T08:36:00.000+02:00

Well, well, well, well I wish I could just say that. Its been a while since I've been here and I've promised myself that at least I have to write something everyday but now have realised that I can't not that there is nothing to say but its just that time is always against us.

Starting with work: work is cool I would say I love my job its just that the money is not enough especially since I work away from home so I have two houses to maintain and its taking its tall. I've learned something new and I'm so happy and addicted to it working on a website. Karen Lotter aka eThekwini girl is doing a very good job in this.

We are renewing our website at work so I'm kind of doing all the editing - I'm always happy when I learn something new. I've told some of my friends that I'm looking for a part time job and am hoping I will get something soon and believing that the Almighty is planning something great for me.

Before I forget; we were invited for a launch of two Agenda Feminist Media Journals, Sexual and Reproductive Rights edited by Deborah Ewing who is my Director by the way and Family Politics edited by Kristin Palitza. These two women did a good job. It was great to meet Kristin, she looks lovely.

Guest speaker was Dr Nompumelelo Zondi a vocal woman and we had entertainment by Vivani Bafazi - a women's traditional dance group from Zwelibomvu. They are a bunch of amazing women most of them if not all of them are illiterate and unemployed. I like them and made a promise to them that I will visit them when I have time.

About the whole launch thing, personally I think it was boring. The set up, there was not banner to advertise the organisation hosting it, I don't think you want to know about the time it started 3 hours late because there were people who were suppose to come. Who do you blame in these instances the organisation or the guests who responded to the invitations because we would not have waited if they did not. Oh! and there was this young poet girl who did a good job - her voice is amazing.

What was really sad for me was the fact that the Vivani Bafazi group could not understand what was being said because of their level of literacy I wonder what was going on in the heads of the people who invited them. Were they considered as just a group of entertainers? I think they deserved to know what was going on because one of the articles was about their own communities. These are some of the things that we come across in our daily lives.

Enough about work for the past weeks I've been... am trying to find the right words of saying this. I'm looking for a place to stay here in DBN but nothing. So at the moment am frustrated, stressed I'm living with my niece and her husband at the moment who are so very moody I hate every moment of it.

Last week my friend's son Qhawe turned one it was a great party!!!!!! I met new friends and a friend suggested that I join the African Village group of which I did after a few reminders from her. This site is great I've met great friends from Kenya and Nigeria. We try to talk everyday, if we cannot chat we text each other. There are good people around. This week we are trying to finalise our website at work.

Have to go now, will talk later!

Peace

My daughter

2009-01-22T10:16:00.000+02:00

Yesterday I realised how blessed I am. My daughter started High School, I looked at her and cried. She turned 12 last year November. I'm so proud of her and also worried...

All in all today am feeling unsure about some of the things that are happening in my life. I want to give myself time for everything appreciating what I have, looking back and thinking about the future. Yes, I'm aware that sometimes life don't go according to what we plan...

I love this space, I can say what I want to say. I think I'm scared, honestly. I will overcome it

Thursday's in Black Campaign

2009-01-15T08:32:00.000+02:00

Thursday's in black campaign!

I committed myself in wearing black every Thursday until rape and violence against women ENDS and to remember all those who have died in the hands of their partners. Being a survivor myself I know the plight of all the women or girl children out there who needs someone to listen not judging them.... Let's look back! And let's talk about it.

A brief article about my abuse will be published - UNCUT (loveLife magazine) 17th of February 2009. I hope it will touch someone's heart....

What is everybody doing this month?

2009-01-14T11:27:00.000+02:00

Wow, its January for me this is my worst month. Don't ask why? I'm sure you also have the same problem overspending, ignoring some of your accounts knowing very well that you have to pay double end of January. The funny part is that I'm also avoiding private calls because I'm sure they are going to ask me if I'm going to make the payment within the next 48 hours, hellow! I did not win lotto...

For the past few years, I believed in resolutions but I've also learned that I'm wasting my own time by coming up with new ones because I don't stick to them. So for 2009, I don't have any except that I've told myself that only the sky is the limit.

Back to business, the reason I'm starting this blog is to talk about our feelings and share some ideas.