Hey everybody, and welcome to the Tuesday Book Corner.
Every Tuesday, will be looking at some books that we need to digest, review or maybe properly look at the message behind them.
picture from M&G internet
As you can see that this week, we going inside parliament with the man of God as we reflect on those eight painful days of September 2008.
The first edition of the book was published by Picador Africa in 2012. The author, clergy, Rev Frank Chikane gives us a blow by blow account of damages that the African National Congress 52nd annual Conference held in Polokwane cost the liberation movement and the country as a whole.
Youtube video of me outside the then Malema house in |Sandton and also talking about my personal encounter
This also makes us understand why the current president Cyril Ramaphosa was urging for unity when he took the presidential office in 2019.
The ANC had become a very strange organization that even I or many of us who grew up in the organization before 1994 could not relate to it nor did we fit in.
Somehow, the conference held in Polokwane managed to breed undisciplined, greedy and impatient cadres. This was so un ANC, I tell you.
That organization had always prided itself with disciplined cadre.
From the time lawyer, Pixley ka Isaka Seme,journalist, Sol Plaatje, educator, John Langalibale Dube and Izwi Labantu founder, Walter Rubusana gathered in Bloemfontein to form the South African Native National Congress in Bloemfontein.
Founders of the ANC were all well educated people Pic from Wikipedia
It's foundation was always rooted in Christian beliefs or anything that promotes good cause for the people.
Did they have any disagreement, yes they probably had but to the extend of humiliating and forcefully remove a seating president? That was so unheard of.
Through the book, the Rev take us to the events build up of the Polokwane Conference, which he describe as having tested the foundation of our new born democratic state to the limit with great risk of destabilisation and reversal of the democratic gains made.
From the 19/09/2008, umfundisi gives detail encounter as someone who worked in the presidency and exposed to the angry NGOKU!!! squad who were from the post Polokwane Conference.
Like spoilt children, the squad wanted things done their way and done so urgently.
They didn't want to listen to any other voice of reason. Nor did they see the need to respect anyone.
I mean, humiliating a man who has lived his whole life for the ANC.
The error made by Judge Chris Nicholson was makes you question many things about the country.
Anyway, umfundisi was not revealing much in this book and I think has said some of the things in his follow up book.
Working at Coca Cola perseverance as a security guard
Between
the rainbows and rain with Philip Frankel
Then I worked at the Alexkor diamond mine in Alexander Bay as a guard
Welcome back to the blog, thank you again for following Book
Slot on Tuesday.
As previously stated,
this is not necessary a book review column but rather a slot that I have
created for those who want to get into gear with reading.
Getting a certificate for participating in some community programme on HIV/AIDS
Here we go as far as
scrutinizing the book in a positive way as well as look at the lessons, skills
we can learn from each author or characters in the book.
It does not matter who you are, your educational background
or what type of books you are interested in.
Here we share knowledge, travel through books, meet people
and learn about the other people’s hobbies, cultures, religion, sport and also draw
some similarities with us etc.
We are all about promoting the culture of reading and a
platform to share books that are already out there.
Age is not a restriction here, bookworms from any book club,
booksellers, high scholars, students, pensioners and even primary school kids
can participate.
If you have an
interesting book, which you have read and would like to share what you have
learnt or what we must know about, that too is welcomed.
Just bear in mind that everyone views this blog. Therefore,
articles or books that are inappropriate for the public will not be published
including comments that promote hate speech etc.
With that being said, today’s book is Between The Rainbows
and the Rain: Marikana, Migration, Mining
and the Crisis of Mordern South Africa. Published by the Agency for Social
Reconstruction in 2013.
Yes, we travel to the mining town of Marikana in the North
West province, just approximately two hours’ drive from Johannesburg.
Until August 16, 2012 nothing was knowing about this mining
town. It made a dramatic historical announcement to the world when police, live
on TV cameras shot miners with live bullets.
If you are from South Africa or even if you are reading as a
none South African, here is my little investigation and experience knowledge
about the (SAPS).
Book cover of Between the Rainbows and the Rain by Philip Frankel
This is just from my experience as an investigative officer,
experience journalist and a member of SouthAfrican community.
Though South Africa was declared a none racial, none sexist
country etc after the 1994 elections.
The police department
is still not yet transformed.Like many
white establishment that resisted change or take orders from a black men in
authority.
It ended up being rid
of clever blacks and remained with a workforce of those that only took orders
from Baas and never questioned anything for fear of victimization and being
without a job etc.
This in my view has created a lot of miscommunication and
errors or someone intentionally exercising his racist action while the blame
was the top official, a black deployed minister of police or black workers.
With the other levels of the department not taking any
responsibility. With fear having paralyzed some of the officers, some cases and
orders areignored.
But to get back to our book, Frankil, writes as a
sociologist of both the mining and South African developments from before the
end of apartheid.
In the book, we learn that most mining companies in South
Africa violate the principle that was agreed with traditional authoritiesi.e mine workers should originate from 50 km
of the shaft. This was probably done to prevent other things like worker’s
exploitation and human trafficking which Philip states in the book.
“Miners are so debt-bondage that it is impossible to pay off
the traditional or secular network in a single lifetime no matter what rewards
he or she derives from years of labor in the mine. In these cases, depending on
the inhumanity of the creditor, accumulated debts can be transferred to another
member of the family who will then be held hostage in what has becomea trans-generational system of exploitation”,
that is from page 88 of the book.
On of the stories I wrote for the papers on Marikana
He also writes about how Johannesburg based, West African
syndicate that are not only involved in the loan-sharking to miners and other
urban people, but also racketeering, drugs and small armaments are also in.
So young women, a mixture of rural South Africans,
Zimbabweans and Mozambicans who have been hijacked by gangs while seeking
transportation to the urban centers are forced to commercial sex.
They are raped, beaten or forced into drug addiction that
will ensure their dependence on the perpetrator.
The other topic that Phillip explores in his book is that
most miners do not successfully articulate their grievances and mines normally
or notoriously manipulate the causes of death by safe conditions.
I don’t know about you, but me after reading this book. I
feel there was indeed a third silent, feared force behind the Marikana
Massacre.
I think it is also time to reflect on Cyril Ramaphosa’s
input in the mines. Not forgetting the other elements like the loan sharks and
labour brokers which lives the miners with little money to send home.
Let’s also look at the bursary schemes of miners including
those that are fallen. Then after let us discuss the historical day with all
angles covered….
HAPPY!!!! .... As Ndabeni Kunene Creatives together with the Gogos from Mpumalanga we created beads for the EFF. Party leaders wore them in the 5th anniversary of the party.
Today, I write this article beaming with pride. One of my biggest customer, the EFF has done exceptionally well in the sixth general elections. It garnered 10.79% with a growth of 6% from the last elections.
EFF.... The production line of the EFF beads made by the Gogo's and me in 2019
If you have been following the South African politics, you will know that this six year old kid made a dramatic entry in Parliament.
Often clad in red overalls and maids uniforms. It offers South Africans ideologies that encourage black people to celebrate black culture and embrace their African heritage.
These red ants sting has been felt by the current governing party.
Our former president, Jacob Zuma would have probably took the "pay back the money" as a joke if these former young lions of the African National Congress didn't stay consistent with their demands.
Who can forget the current land debate that saw the Freedom Front Plus move up the leader of the ballot paper to take the fourth spot on the list.
Social Media... Our beads were won at the BET awards by entertainment journalist, Gabi Mbele
These elections painted a very gloomy picture about the African National Congress.
The ANC once loved Nelson Mandela party of 1994 was no longer representing the interest of its people, majority being black people.
TRY AGAIN.... The first batch of samples we sent to the party's Braamfontein Office. We had to do them again, again until the Gogo's came up with the Skholwane for EFF branding.
SPREADING THE WORD... Our first PR dependent on word of mouth and people liking our social media pages.
Corruption, greed and arrogance are amongst other things have seen people loosing faith in it. Leaders such as the secretary general, Ace Magushule have been reported to have ran the Free State Province to the ground, yet he was voted as secretary general.
I know it was a unity exercise amongst loyal Zuma supporters but the public cannot look beyond the recent published book about how far his dirty fingers had gone to vote for it, hoping businessman and former trade unionist and Nelson Mandela's umbrella man, Cyril Ramaphosa will turn things around.
How he will do this? We still don't know, but the division was still felt just after the elections when ANC election campaign head, Fikile Mbalula with Magashule.
Anyway the generation of voters are now watching service deliveries in all parties.
The EFF headed by the former ANC youth League leader, Julius Malema came with a vibrant energy in parliament. Almost everyday fighters were visible on the streets. In Johannesburg alone, I have seen them help evicted families in court.
They have become a political party that ordinary citizen feel it address their needs.
The leader, Malema often commands attention in his speech and everything that comes out of his mouth captures the attention of a black child.
The party leaders has made education something fashionable to a point that no one remembers Julius Malema was once a a drop out matric student and having failed woodwork at school. In one of the youtube videos he jokes about not being fit enough to run the country having failed woodwork alone. Today he is a farmer, a politician and I'm not sure what else.
What is also attractive about the brand is that it speaks to everyone in the black township except for the older generation of men. Maybe it is because the leaders had find it difficult to reason with the elders in the ANC and since others were raised by single mothers, they respect women.
Infact, they said it in parliament that the first person to become president from the party will be a woman.
Parliament member, Makoti Khawula is that aunt of yours who always ask question like any other township aunt.
Now will have more young people interested in parliament with the addition of the fees must fall protesters.
Its supporters are majority black, underprivileged, rejected and now trying to build on what they have by licking on the wounds left by the bad administration of the country over the past 25 years.
My start up business was also a test if the three South African parties do support small businesses. With them, it was so clear to the point our beads were worn at their 5th anniversary celebration in East London and at the Rand Easter Show recently.
I'm not sure what you as a reader think of this brand but you can share your views on my social media account:
Underneath the multi million rand property, the Sunday line up of luxury cars at an affluent suburb of Sandton is a South African led church that cares about the well being of people, family and the country.
Pastor Wilma and Andre Olivier in their Sandton Church in South Africa. All pics taken from their social media pages mainly Instagram.
It doesn't matter what background you from, color, nationality or status in society you will find something that will attract you to stay in this spiritual home.Yes it uses its glamorous state of the art building to lure lost souls and pray long enough that they see beyond the Sunday church event that sees singer and now author, Lloyd Cele amongst its worship leaders.
Idols SA finalist, Loyd Cele lead the worship team every Sunday.
Humanity, humbleness and humility is the order of the day and triumph any pride or ego. But you will still be treated as a VIP from the moment you step out of your car.
Every church service, pastor Andre meet and chat with guest and members of the congregation
Screengrab from the churche's instagram page
"Welcome to Church, enjoy the service, let me help you with your child mam and hop on the cart let me give you a lift inside" are some of the first words you will hear from the moment you step out of your car. The car guards and ushers, some I'm told are doctors, engineers and almost any top profession you can think of.
Since its situated in one of the wealthiest suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa the church attracts members from Africa and all over the world. But its senior pastor, Andre Olivier and his wife, Wilma were once drug addicts from Cape Town.
The church has bought the Kyalami on track. The venue used to host the annual LGBTI event, Feathers.
"When I started this church, I wanted everyone to belong. I remember during our first days, a security guard once came to me and ask if he can come to church. How could I say no to him," Pastor Wilma as she preaches to a fully packed audience of females who have gathered for her monthly girls meeting, Sisters of Africa.
Before the meeting, the ladies are given a free pampering treatment, from massages, spar treatment and a market which often sells ladies clothes that are branded with positive inspirational messages.
last year's cover copy of the Sisters of Africa magazine
Both her and her husband are business minded and have authored numerous books published.
They have collaborated those skills and material to cater for the congregation as they connect over a healthy snack or ground coffee often prepared and sold but the same members of the congregation who have committed their time to volunteer in the church. The church is attached to Hillsong Church.
My instagram pic at sisters. My new friend is @resh1203 on Instagram please follow her.
Rivers Church is a family church and caters for individual spiritual needs of each member of the family. With its children's area, Kids Zone a hit to all the visitors and us single moms. The youngsters have their annual youth summer camp that is praised for boasting confidence and building friendship amongst teenagers.
My son, Siphiwokuhle Ndabeni with an award he achieved after
The youth camp also helps new families who have just relocated from all over the country and continent as the youngster are able to quickly make friends.
activities outside the Kids Zone
Another extension of engaging with the congregation intimately is through a connect groups which runs every fortnight Thursday. In these groups are scattered all over Johannesburg and hosted in members homes. This is where believers are provoked in their thinking of what the Sunday message meant to their lives but also challenged to apply the Biblical principals in their daily lives.
Above is a picture of me on the day I was baptized and Kimantha and Saagar are leading a connect group that I belong to.
A child dedication service taking place
I have been following pastor Andre's preaching for the past two years, I could say he is a firm believer that change starts with an individual before impacting the community,country and the world at large. His time on stage doesn't last any longer than 45 minutes preaching and all his Biblical teachings are practical.
From how to deal with your finances as an individual and business to being the one who influence positive change in the work place or business. His messages are often well researched with him reading across all genre to find quotes of world leaders and ordinary people to tie in with his topic.
The church believe it exist to worship, reach, connect with people all kinds as well encourages volunteering
If you are looking for a spiritual home this Easter, this might be a home for you. Try them
The history of the magnet spiritual sanctuary that draws thousands of multiracial crowd also has a history of humble beginnings and many obstacles including that of neighbours complaining about influx and being accused of preaching the gospel of prosperity.
A meeting taking place at one of the baby classes of the church. Children from the age of 1 upwards have their own classes and teachings are relevant for that particular group.
"It is through giving, I would like to call it sowing that we are able to build this campus and buy the one in Kyalami, Ballito and Centurion. Everything we do, we do it for the people cause we want to win souls for the house of God"said pastor Andre in one of the sermons.
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BASED ON MY OBSERVATIONS
1. The fancy building and luxury cars might intimidate you but if you approach any of the members, they will gladly show you the way.
2. If you do stay you will be encouraged to be volunteer in any of the department of the church.
pastor Andre encourages reading. I purchased these at a Sisters of Africa Conference two years ago. American based life coach, Valorie Burton is billed to speak again this year. I'm giving away two tickets. Simply like, share and comment on the article.
3. You will be encouraged to read books not only spiritual books but across all genres so you are aware of what is happening around you and strengthen your spiritual journey.
If you do become a member, there will be times when you are called to pray for the country and its leaders. But that is for an hour once every third month
5.While the ladies have Sisters of Africa Conference, there is a Men's Conference too. This year, Austrailian based pastor and Evangelist, Brian Houston of the Hillsong Church is billed to speak at the conference.
Hope you enjoyed this article, just a reminder we are all over the social space so please follow, like, subscribe and engage with us on these platforms:
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The eagle has not fallen, it has gone to rest for a little while.
Khanyi Dhlomo owner of Ndalo Media
It will gather its strength soon and it will fly again. Please be patient and allow it to recover from all the trauma and pain it has gone through.Allow it to heal and gather strength. Ngu Khanyi Dhlomo lo, I know she will return. Tell her enemies to enjoy the feast because the party wont last long. For now, she needs time and space to restrategise so she can comeback wiser and stronger.
Yes whether you like it or not Khanyi Dhlomo is/was whatever you call it one of the leaders in the media industry.
I write this with a very heavy hard, after learning of the news that all her titles that produced excellent quality in telling black South African stories will be shut down.
Destiny Magazine, Destiny man and Elle under "Ndalo Media will be no more from next year going forth" it is reported that Khanyi told her staff this week.
I admired sisKhanyi as a child and saw my career path going to the same direction as hers.
As a young girl and later a print journalist, I followed Khanyi Dlomo's career as a newsreader on SABC. She later became the editor at True Love and later building Ndalo from scratch after she studied at Harvard Business School.
Latest title I have bought from them, always loved how they tell black African stories
Soon after leaving my work, I kept myself busy by reading some of her titles. It had introduced me to two women who were in the arts and craft industry full time, Ntozintle Accessories and Keke beads.
I would like to believe that these two women are doing well in their business, with Keke having the honor of even dressing American singer Janet Jackson, in the video of Made for Now. I haven't met these two women personally but I first read about them in Destiny Magazine. The publication is excellent and treated black stories with the respect they deserved.
All pictures taken from the internet
The past few months a lot had been reported about Ndalo Media's financial problems. Screaming headlines of staff salaries not being paid, Khanyi Dhlomo company in a financial crisis and many more you can google them. News after news the stories kept coming as if someone had been waiting for her downfall and finally this week she handed it to them on a silver plate. As a small business owner, I cant even imagine what Sis Khanyi is going through. I often wondered in situations like these doesn't government step in and offer an emergency fund or assist with the running until the real problem is identified. People say print is dying I still say it can still be revived using new fresh ideas but not loosing its originality to draw people to the magazine.
pics supplied
Over and above what it was selling Khanyi has interviewed a lot of influential people include the president, Cyril Ramaphosa and wife. Cant the president of the country help in this situation? Cant the current minister of communications, Telecommunications and Postal services, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams do anything about this? I'm just asking as I do not know how these things work. I personally wouldn't want the title to shut down, but if there's nothing coming in what do you do? You cant keep people in the company? How are you going to pay them? When there's no money the working environment also suffer no matter how hard you push to get things going, you will be judged by where you are seen at? Who you happened to be seen with? What were you thinking to start a black magazine in South Africa at the time? What happened to the money? She misused the money are some of the things people are saying about her now. Not knowing how hard it was for her to keep things going and maybe other titles just made it to the printers.
I don't know Khanyi personally but I doubt if she is those that are reckless with money. I can only imagine the last few days had been like for her? Probably was praying for a miracle from anywhere so she could pay the people's salary. She probably went through all the options that were available before her and it was hard to accept the only solution staring back at her was to close down. If the message was recorded as the reports say, meaning she was even more ashamed stand inf front staff and tell them the bad news. It was probably difficult for her to look at them in the eyes and say "this ship is going down and as a captain, I cannot save it, tough luck. I have failed you by employing and promising everything in your contract" not exactly the same harsh tone but I just imagined Khanyi with her politeness, kindness and everything beautiful about her breaking down when delivering such heavy news during the festive season.
This is when you need someone like Anele Mdoda (she has a human heart in interview and I'm interested in the well being of Khanyi) to probe all the questions you want answered on the closure and knowing what this woman was going through the build up to the announcement. Did she for see it coming? What efforts she made before that headline about her not paying the printers? Does she feel betrayed by the person who leaked that story? If she knew about, was it her last cry for help? People of her calibre are not crazy about media attention, so if she knew and was OK with the story being leaked, it was probably her last cry for help. Can she be helped?
Being an entrepreneur is not easy.
The hustle is real and corruption is everywhere even when you get a legit tender cool drink which cost thousands to millions of rand is always wanted and demanded from you. This leads some of the people who had invested in their project not getting a cent from what they thought was a boast from government.Instead some are swimming in debt cause a greedy government official wants a chunk of what government has given you before you could even pay service providers. You cant help but wonder if Destiny close down, what other titles left and how soon are we going to follow the same path?
Sis Khanyi, I wish there was a way or something I could do but please know, you and your staff are in our prayers. #Iwillnotrejoicewhenanothergreatwomangoesdown
Ndalo Media pioneered by Khanyi Dlomo is reported to be closing down.
Yaya Mavundla walks away with socialite of the year at the Feather Awards 10.
Yaya Mavundla with her award: Picture by Lerato Dumse
It was a deserving win for a friend, a sister and one of my customers, Yaya Mavundla at the Feather Awards 2018.
In its tenth year, the glitzy event held at Johannesburg City Hall also paid tribute to the work done by the late struggle and gay activist, Simon Nkoli. Flanked by brave beauties as she went on stage to except the award, Mavundla-a proudly transgender woman- said being named a socialite of the year
was not only about her being on the list of every glitzy event but it was all about being visible as a transwoman.
I've known Yaya for a while now, I first saw her during an interview with eNCA reporter, Nontobeko Sibisi and I loved her from the distance. Despite all the gossip, the mockery and name calling she just went on to live her most purposeful life. In the year 2018, I got closer to Mavundla, as friends we shared a lot about life and she has given me advise on many things. I have witnessed first hand the effort she puts in whenever she attends an event. From putting on her make-up, to choosing the right hair, outfit and shoes just to make sure she looks presentable for every red carpet moment. I have also witnessed how people who know nothing about being trans, gay or lesbian treated her. To name but a few examples, recently when she was at Multichoice office in Randburg a well known actor who has been harassing her at events caused a scene when he saw her. He intimidated her and told security not to allow her in the building because she is gay. Just last Sunday, one of the national tabloid newspapers saw it fit to refer to her as a man. This despite the writer and some senior reporters in that newsroom knowing she is openly trans.
These are two most recent incident but there are many more that she can pen down.
I was both happy and proud on Thursday. From the day she was nominated, I dreamt of the day she will walk on that stage to grab the recognition she deserve. The category itself was highly contested with the Modiselle sisters and Dr Smile also nominated in the same category. I'm so glad that her first ever award came from an event which recognize the work done by those in the LGBTIQ+ community.
The event itself did not disappoint at all when it came to entertainment or lets just say when Thami Dish knows how to treat guests. He made sure all his guests are entertained from the red carpet moment to the actual event, the Feather Awards ceremony. The event kicked off with a dramatic performance by amongst many artist, Kelly Khumalo. This beautiful mother of two and strong woman was joined by transgender women on stage and through out the evening, Khumalo was in the arms of her new men. Idols judge and the most famous gay in South Africa, Somizi Mhlongo was the MC for the night. The veteran entertainer left threw shades at the it girl whose name is now not worth a mention. While his lover was watching him do his magic from the balcony of the hall. The event this year also received a message of support from our president, Cyril Ramaphosa. We also spotted former Miss South Africa and now businesswoman, Basetsane Khumalo. You would swear aunt Bassie and aunt Khanyi Dlomo knows and uses an anti aging cream. Khumalo looked stunning in a black beaded glittery dress.
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Yaya is also the founder of Mzansi Pride. The annual event will be held in its fourth year will take place on the 24th of this month at Newtown Precinct Park
Feather Awards 10 nominees pic Supplied
The first neck piece we did for Yaya was a transflag
