The Politics of Changing Africans Identity

Natural beauty does not appeal to African women without using artefacts designed to define true beauty. Therefore the beauty has become a multi-billion dollar industry where women can acquire products which can make their appearance to be more adequate according to society’s view. How can African woman embrace their individuality while society is tainting true Africanism?

 

Hair is the Politics of the day

Although other races do use hair extensions however, Black women we are the only race that chooses to sew the hair of other races into ours in order to be beautiful, and desirable. In fact, it is no secret that chemical relaxers are physically harmful. Those chemicals seem to be also harmful in terms of our identity and self-image.

 

Yellow Bone has become a prominent trend

Yellow Bone is a notion used to describe light skinned black women in South Africa. In fact, skin lighting chemicals have become a fashion statement among African women. People think being lighter in complexion makes one look more attractive than dark skinned women. 

Therefore, it has become normal for black woman to lighten their complexion with chemically destructive products to adhere to a dominant culture. However, these chemicals have tainted their identity as an African woman. These women consider their natural appearance inadequate.

African pop singer Dencia bleached her skin and created a beauty cream called “Whitenicious” in order to justify her product she stated that “white means pure”.

 

 

The reason Dencia stated that white means pure is because in society black is generally seen as a morbid colour. It represents darkness, dirt and is seen as a colour which represents evil. However, apartheid activist Steve Biko empowered Black people through the slogan “Black is beautiful”. Therefore the saying that black is beautiful is used to acknowledge the beauty of being an African.

A Solution to Africa’s Problems longs for Western Charm

The African Renaissance is a concept that Africans should solve their own problems the African way. In fact, all African states share a common destiny. But what does it mean to solve challenges encountered by the continent “the African way”? Failure to define African problems is failure to find a solution for those problems!

This is the tallest statue in Africa: the African Renaissance Monument situated in Dakar, Senegal. One of the objectives of the African Renaissance is to eradicate extreme poverty however, it is quite ironic how African countries encounter famine and yet still build statues worth millions of dollars instead of using the capital to feed populations dying of hunger.

(Photo etravelblog.com)

 

In one of his speeches Thabo Mbeki stated that “There is a new dawn on the African horizon”. However, all hope seems to be lost among Africans, with the Ebola epidemic in West Africa and thousands of people dying. Africans have no choice but to rely on the Western nations for assistance. Seeking assistance from the west does not make us a puppet of the West. In fact, Africans ought to view this as a global partnership which will help Africa as a whole before the epidemic reaches other parts of Africa. Therefore, there is no African Renaissance without African unity.  

 

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki; a true African visionary and leader of our people. Who popularised the African Renaissance. (Photo http://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/thabo-mbeki-elected-2nd-president-democratic-south-africa)

 

The phrase “African Solution to African Problems” raises controversy. Allegedly African leaders do not solve problems using the African perspective to solve issues, Africa is destined for doom. However, these leaders realise that if they ignore the global perspective to solve issues, Africa is destined for doom. As a result there are various factors that forbid the notion “African solution to African problems”. Therefore, this implies that there is no universal African solution to African problems. But clearly marks that Africans ought to accept that African problems longs for Western charm. Let African’s awake and stop being ignorant.

 

Social Media: a true reflection of Society’s racial views

Celebrating 20 years of democracy is not as merry as South Africans portray it to be to the world. While the media played a prominent role in helping oppressed South African’s conquer apartheid through their reporting. Recently the same media seem to be using social media as a tool to prompt racial division among South Africans. In fact, the rise of social media has become a true reflection of society racial views.

                                                                                         

Social media availed a platform for racial grievances

As a student studying journalism we were taught that “bad news sells better than good news”. As a result, South African news agencies on social media instigate racial division, conflict and hatred among South African’s. What the media is promoting within social media only affects those who are still holding on the apartheid legacy as an excuse to cause division among South African’s. Nelson Mandela once said and I quote “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” On the contrary maybe the media is not to blame but is just setting and agenda of what South African’s are really interested in. Therefore social media availed a platform for ignorant individuals who use it as means for hatred and disunity to prevail.

 

Nelson Mandela played a prominent role in uniting South Africans (Photo Katekani Chabalala)

 

Racism prominent in Universities

A recent incident of two Stellenbosch students who painted their faces black caused a Twitter to erupt. Although the students claimed there were no racial motives associated with the picture but were portraying Venus and Serena Williams. Nevertheless people were alarmed and outraged over the image that was posted on Instagram. However, the disturbing factor is that this is the second incident at a South African university within two months. Personally I wasn’t offended about the picture. My honest opinion is that the world may perceive South Africa as a nation that has conquered racial issues. But in reality South Africans continue to define people according to their racial status, character is judged according to race and certain expectations about several individuals are racially motivated. Therefore South Africans only learned to tolerate each other.

Stellenbosh students who caused twitter to erupt after they uploaded a picture with donned black faces. (Photo www.timeslive.co.za/local/2014/09/23/twitter-erupts-as-stellenbosch-varsity-students-don-black-face)

 

Rainbow Nation never really existed

One would wonder what happened to the spirit of “rainbow nation”. A dub coined by Nobel Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu to describe post-apartheid South Africa, where people of different races and cultures unite. Comedian Trevor Noah could be on point when he acknowledged that “we use to be a rainbow nation but now the colours are going their separate ways”.

The South African flag signifies a rainbow nation that embraces diversity. (Photo www.biznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2013_12South-Africa-Flag-HD-Wallpaper-Desktop.jpg)

 

Reconciliation

Of course I’m not saying we should forget apartheid which is part of the history of our country. Nevertheless we ought to find a way to move forward united as a nation and focus on more serious issues which are beyond our racial differences. Because it seems as though no amendments were made to reconcile South African’s although there was the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. But then again what do I know since my fellow African brothers and sisters just refer to me as a typical born free who never experienced the inhuman apartheid system.

 

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established by the Government of National Unity to deal with what happened under apartheid.  (Photo http://www.justice.gov.za/trc/)

 

Love you all dearly,

Katekani Chabalala

A Cry to Save Africa’s Native Languages from Extinction!

Africa is the most linguistically diverse continent in the world in spite of this Africans have inferiority complex and believe that foreign languages are superior to their native languages. In fact, hegemonic languages within Africa will become more important however; the fate that lies ahead of less prominent languages is that they will soon disappear. 

 

African renaissance can keep African languages from extinction

Although European languages are wildly spoken in the African continent, African languages are a key to African renaissance. Actually the rebirth of the African continent depends on African’s embracing their native languages. Therefore African languages ought to be as equal to colonial languages.

 

A picture of a child with an African map painted on the face. Children are a sign of the future. What does the future hold for the future generation in Africa?

(Photo augustana.edu)

 

Can Heritage Day preserve indigenous languages?

Every year the 24^th of September marks the day for South Africans’ to celebrate Heritage Day. Nevertheless, how can we as South Africans celebrate Heritage Day while we consider our indigenous languages inferior? Avuxeni, molo, sawubona, lotjhani, dumela, age, realotjha, ndaa. Future generations might not experience the beauty of saying hello in their mother tongue. In no time, 10 of 11 official South African languages could face extinction. Actually parents of several African household’s do not understand the importance of their children learning their mother tongue. Although some African languages still exist, by not teaching future generations the importance of those languages, they could easily die out. As a result Africans will be giving away their language, their culture and their identity.

Kenyan student during the 12th Annual International Festival at the University of Johannesburg (19 September 2014).

(Photo Katekani Chabalala)

 

Prominent cultures consider other languages as shameful

Throughout my years in high school, speaking my mother tongue Xitsonga was considered a joke by other learners of different cultures. Actually they made it seem as thou it ought to be shameful to speak my native tongue in public. This is the reason people are so in denial about their roots and choose to identify themselves as part of prominent cultures such as Zulu which is considered acceptable within South African societies. So called “South Africans” have a funny way of degrading other African nationalities and cultures. A term I dubbed as “pull an African down syndrome”. They are too narrow-minded and unable to realise that while they are mocking fellow Africans’, indigenous languages are dying due to lack of preservation, while western vernacular reigns supreme.

Musa Maluleke in Xitsonga traditional attire on Heritage Day in Johannesburg.

(Photo Katekani Chabalala)

 

The West colonised all four corners of the world and initiated English as a medium of instruction even non-English speaking countries neglected their mother tongue in favour of preserving a Western vernacular. However, the fate that lies ahead of indigenous African languages being extinct should not come to pass. Therefore “mayivuke IAfrica” a Zulu lingo stating: “let Africa awake”, and realise that they have the potential to preserve their mother-tongue by spreading it globally. Let Africans be so proud of their languages and do everything in their power to preserve them. By letting our languages die we are letting out culture to die. Indeed mayivuke IAfrica!

 

Love you all dearly,

Katekani Chabalala

 

 

http://youtu.be/b1o_FJPjGYM

By Katekani Chabalala

South African Youth Pursue and Turn Dreams into Reality

Life has never been lavish for the South African youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. But after being granted an opportunity to further her studies, Namatsego Ngakane made up her mind that she will pursue her dreams against all odds.

 

Inspiring: Namatego Ngakane believes in helping learners progress in life.

(Photo Katekani Chabalala)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Start of a Dream

Ngakane (23) is a vibrant, ambitious young woman who chose to open her own doors to success, by enrolling at the University of Johannesburg to obtain a higher qualification in BEd Education. After four years of studying as a final year student her ultimate goal in the year 2015 is to further her studies as a honours student. “Knowing that I’m about to get my degree and pursue my postgrad studies excites me,” she said with a bright grin.  

 

People in Townships have a parochial mind-set

Although Ngakane was born in Soweto and now lives in Randfontein it would be dreadful for her to go back and live the township lifestyle again since she has experience it. “Hell no! I would never go back to the township life,” Ngakane said. However, poverty is not the root cause of her attitude towards the township life but she has detected their parochial mind-set which can be contagious. “I value my life, goals and success in life and they set their standards very low in life,” she said.

 

20 Years of democracy means 20 Years of Possibilities

South Africa celebrating 20 years of democracy means that an ordinary person has an opportunity to prove that they have the potential to rise above challenges. “You can achieve whatever you set your mind to achieve,” said Ngakane. To partake in the 20 years of democracy begins through determination and looking above challenging situations. Although majority of South Africans may have not obtained freedom economically, Ngakane believes that there is potential for growth. Growth in her opinion is progressing and achieving goals despite of challenges. “We all come across challenges, they might be different it is just our approach to those challenges that can bring about change,” she said.

 

In to the future of South Africa’s Democracy

In the near future Ngakane predicts that South Africa can be faced with the possibility of a female president. “It could be Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma or Baleka Mbete,” she said. Moreover, Nkgakane believes that in the near future the current leadership, the African National Congress (ANC) might be removed because majority of the population is not happy with service delivery. “I do not think we have high levels of poverty, we have high levels of corruption in this country,” she said.

 

Politics in South Africa lack advancement although money may be allocate for projects those in positions of power use it for their own personal benefits.  In fact, she clarifiers that the only way to implement change in to South African politics is to rather change the way government deploys politicians on the basis of their partake in the struggle and therefore government should consider experienced candidates. “A good leader not just leads but also learns to follow,” said Ngakane.

 

In to the future of South Africa’s Education 

Though she has a hectic week on campus, her passion for teaching is reflected through tutoring first and second year students. Ngakane said “The biggest fulfilment I have in my profession is to help someone else progress in life.” However, her main concern about her profession is that educators earn less and the lack of facilities to improve the quality of learning in classrooms. “Teachers produce other professions and hold the future of the country in their hands yet they are not respected and looked down upon,” she said. Although her career choice has challenges of disciplining learners she remains passionate about her career, and speaks profoundly about the importance of education. Ngakane said South Africa can improve education standards by employing qualified teachers hence, in Finland teacher are hired if only they have obtained a Master’s qualification. 

 

Straight talk for Women

Her talkative personality makes her interesting and her passion regarding social issues encountered by women. “Women in particular are still oppressed and depend on men for sustenance,” Ngakane said. Being in a relationship has become a sign of a glass ceiling for women and their obligation to remain in those relationships. Actually she believes that most women avoid the challenge of going out there and doing things for themselves therefore, their lives are defined by their relationships and how their partners treat them. “If you are going to measure yourself according to how other people treat you, you are destined to be doomed,” she said. In fact, “It is sad, because he who feeds you controls you,” said Ngakane.

 

The power of Dreaming Big

Ngakane looks up to her mother Mathidiso Ngakane and Oprah Winfrey as her role model. “These women can go against the odds of life struggles, pursue success and still want to achieve more,” she said. “Discontent is the first necessity of progress,” is her favourite quote by Thomas Edison. “This quote means if a person is unhappy about the state of their life, that is the beginning of change,” she said. Her career is not only progressing in education but she has even greater plans for the future. “My biggest dream is to be financially independent, to have my own property business, obtain my PhD and have a family,” she said with a bright smile.

 

 

 http://youtu.be/bZAd32ytKoE

By Katekani Chabalala

 

 

Nelson Mandela’s Legacy lingers within the Mandela House

Katekani Chabalala standing next to a momentum of South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela on Tuesday afternoon (November 30, 2014) during her visit to the Mandela House, 8115 Vilakazi Street in Orlando West Soweto, one of South Africa’s tourist attractions. The Nelson Mandela Museum, usually referred to as Mandela House was donated to the Soweto Heritage Trust by Mandela on the 1^st of September 1997, to be turned into a museum. The legacy of the former South African president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate lingers within the museum. As a tourist destination, hundreds of people from all spheres of life visit each year to gain further insight of the history, heritage, and legacy of the Mandela family.

 

The Mandela House was built in 1945 by Johannesburg City and has historical significance. Mandela together with his first wife Evelyn Mase and their first son Thembekile moved in the house during the year 1946. From 1958 after his divorce with Mase Mandela lived with his second wife Winifred Madikizela, commonly known as Winnie Mandela. In 1990 after his release from Robben Island where he was sentenced to life imprisonment, Mandela returned to 8115 for a short-lived 11 days. Mandela was the founder Trustee of the controlling body, the Soweto Heritage Trust.

Photo by Lesego Masoga

Nelson Mandela's Legacy lingers within Mandela House. 

watch video by Katekani Chabalala