GETTING TO KNOW PHALANNDWA COLLIERY

There is nothing intriguing in life than seeing something that you have been studying about unfolds right before your eyes.  On October 23, 2018 Journalism students, journalists and a geologist have been granted an opportunity of a site visit at Phalanndwa Colliery.

The visit included the processing operations and the respective control rooms where journalists were given insight into how the mining equipment is closely controlled and monitored. The colliery  takes safety as a priority hence they were given hard hats, safety boots and safety vest, they were also warned not to approach moving machinery or equipment’s.

Phalanndwa Colliery is situated approximately 19 km outside the town of Delmas, Mpumalanga. It has commenced in 2010 and was fully operational inclusive of its wash plant in 2013, but established their mining company in March 2015. Utilizing its own equipment, Canyon coal extracts 120 000 tons of Rom per month of no: 2 upper, main and lower seams with Rom top size of 500 mm.

Coal remains one of South Africa’s most abundant and valuable resources with the country deriving over 82% of its electricity requirements from coal. Phalanndwa colliery mines +/- 100 000 tonnes of coal per month and removes approximately 200 000 m3 of waste rock and soil every month to get to the coal and it produces 1.4 million tons per annum.

Thereafter they were taken to the on-site laboratory were coal grade is prepared; they test 3, 4 content of coal as in mineral and moisture content of coal. They were also shown samples of coal and how much of energy does the coal produce. Emulsion Explosives are used to conduct all blasts on the mine and approximately 100 tons of explosives are used per month.

Moreover, the coal mining industry’s economic impact for reaching and contributes significantly to the economy of the country. The opencast colliery is giving a helping hand to the needy by providing 82% of employment especially to young people and women, bursaries, learner ships and skills development to the people residing in Victor Khanye Municipality.

The visit concluded by showing them equipment’s used for mining. The visit was fruitful and mind blowing especially for first timers like me and it was also impressive to see and is being developed rapidly.

MEET AFRO BROTHERZ

There is nothing more liberating than seeing young people doing what they love and having fun whilst doing it. These young stars are all about music; Afro brotherz who owns the floor in making people dance and have become regulars to all the major events all over kwaNdebele and places around it.

Afro Brotherz is an Afro House music duo from Vezubuhle, Mpumalanga which consists of music producers and DJ’s Lawrance Skosana ‘Dj Click’ and Robert Mashifani ‘General Mohamed’. This young starts are feeding people with the energy and making waves in in the events. With their love for music, they started producing their own songs and so far produced more than 50 songs. Their debut song was ‘love intentions’ were they featured Promilion from Siyabuswa, the song is about love, respect and being humble.

They are both born and bred at Vezubuhle. They became friends at the very young and both attended at the same Primary School ‘Mnyamani Primary’. They had a lot in common hence they begin to do music together. One thing that they both regret is not completing their matric but as they say there is no use crying over spilt milk.

“Being in the music industry has been my dream since I was a kid; it is a great pleasure to see people dancing and moving because of music we produce as most people relate and find consolation in music”, said Dj Click.

Most young people like to party and to go out but what they consider important is listening to good music. Afro Brotherz believe that they are indeed producing good music and they are best in being dj’s.

“We know and understand that there are already lot of dj's and producers out there but we know that our music stand out. When we get a chance at stage to dj we give that our best shot and do the best we can do”, said General Mohamed.

Their hard work made them receive great airplays on various radio stations like YFM and Ikwekwezi Fm “Our proudest moment was when we received a phone call from YFM wanting to do an interview with us reason being was that most dj’s who were playing they were playing songs, they also gave us a chance to play for an hour”, said Afro Brotherz.


 The duo had their fair share of challenges and disappointments but they refuse to let anything get in their way of success and building their brand in the music industry. To them each day is taken as a day to better and to uplift them in doing what they love. They perform at events, parties and taverns which mean their weekends become very busy.

They shared a stage with well-known artists like Caiiro, Lebza The Villan, Mpumi Andyboi and Stilo Magolide to name a few. Music that they produce stands out as they produce quality sound and have started their own sound and plays a different music.

As the saying goes “dream big or go home”. Afro brotherz will like to see themselves being the best and succeeding in music, their long term goal is to see themselves owning the record company and help other upcoming Dj’s and producers around KwaNdebele.

IsiNdebele drama debut on SABC

It is a proud moment for Ndebele speaking people to see their language or rather a first drama series to be broadcasted on a national televion in their language. The SABC 1 is bringing the first-ever drama in isiNdebele to your screens. In previous year, some of the Ndebele took an initiative to deliver their grievances to SABC studios at Auckland Park. Among the things that made them to march was that they feel sidelined by SABC and they want to see their language being spoken in the television. By the look of things it seems like what they fought for was answered and they will soon get a chance to watch the drama in isiNdebele.

 From the 30th of September, your Sunday will not be the same again. The first-ever drama will be broadcasted in isiNdebele.This will give an opportunity to learn Ndebele language and to learn more about the Ndebele culture.

The new drama is called Ikani, it is produced by Coal Stove Pictures. The series focuses on the young excellent painter called Khaya Hlophe who is in search for her true identity. Khaya is played by 25- year old actress Thandeka Mdeliswa. She previously landed her self minor roles on local soaps Generations:The leagacy, Isidingo and Rhythm City. She also acted on a SABC 1 short story series Ngempela. The drama will be played by talented actors and actresses, the likes of Sipho Mbele, Themba Mahlangu, Thandeka Mdeliswa and the award- winning actress Florence Masebe.

The series also feature January Mwaza Kabini, Bakwateleni Jiyane and Sophie Kabini. The series first episode will air on SABC 1 on September 30.

Struggle women go through in their daily lives

It is that time of the year again, were we approach spring. Approaching spring brings a lot of talks about summer bodies and that will be a “perfect body” I guess. Well I don’t understand why they call it summer body cause now we are approaching spring but that is the story for another day.This time of the year is where women are body shamed and are called names. They are expected to look a certain way. I have to say this, if you feel like you need a summer body then go for it but just know that it is not a force for everyone to have that summer body. Do not think everyone want to have the summer body you have.

Women do we need to body shame each other? Don’t we get enough of body shaming from men? Why don’t we stand together in ending this body shaming thing? Why do we keep on laughing and bringing other women down instead of uplifting them? How do we expect men to respect our body if we our selves makes a laughing stock on each other’s body and we celebrate when they make jokes about another woman? Is this a kind of a society we want our young sisters and children to grow up in?

What we see on social media each and every day is very sad, by it is even sadder to see other women supporting men in body shaming another woman instead of fighting for her. We all have our imperfections that we do not need to be constantly reminded about them and we don’t even want to talk about them because we have already made peace with them.

 What I saw on Facebook today it’s very sad and very unpleasant for a human being to say to another human being? Did we choose to have such bodies that we have? No we didn’t and I bet if we did have a chance to choose bodies we would have all perfect bodies that we are comfortable with.

How do we expect our young sisters to learn from us if we keep on doing this? We know some of them are still very young, naïve and vulnerable and are still new in social media. They come to social media already knowing their imperfections and when they see this body shaming things they might take them personal and end up committing suicide. We don’t have to hurt them we just have to support them but no some of us choose to body shame.

I think no one has an opinion on each other’s body. If you think your body is perfect then keep that to yourself and do not try to find other people’s mistakes. One would say you should not mind what they are saying but even if we tried to ignore them it is hard because you know very well what you are not comfortable with your body. I think most women who body shame each other have something that they are hiding about themselves so they think body shaming another women will make them feel better. Listen here if you are one of those women, if you think hurting another woman will make you feel better the you are wrong cause that makes you to look like a fool.

Ladies let’s stop body shaming each other and start supporting each other. Let us unite and stop men to do it also, they should know that they don’t have a say in our bodies and what they are saying is does not matter to us.I think our young girls have to be taught on how to love themselves and appreciate who they are at the very young age so that when they are exposed to the world they will know better.

Long street: Cape Town's favourite street

A night spent in the Long Street, is the night full of unforgettable memories especially if you are a party animal. If you visit Cape Town and you want to experience different vibe of night life then Long Street is definitely the place to be. Long Street can be described as the loudest and busiest street ever in Cape Town; it is a street with lot of bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs lining this iconic street. It is known as the most electrifying experience to have with friends and partying at the best clubs or pubs.

The street does not have only clubs where you can party but variety of things like shopping and restaurant where you can get your favorite food and cuisine.

The fun is versatile in all ways possible, you find the all the vibe you are looking for a first class, there is a place for that, you want to go and vibe out like a teenager, first club night and there is a place for that too. Long Street does not accommodate people who drink alcohol only because you can even go there to enjoy the music and the company of people who loves to be in this iconic street. Most people say you cannot visit Cape Town and not go to Long Street and once you have been there you will understand the reason for them to say that. Most of other clubs in Cape Town closes at the certain time but not the clubs that are in Long Street, They do not close you dance till the sunrise.

The experience of the street was so exciting and way different from that of Pretoria even the vibe was different. “Long Street is just the heart of Cape Town itself alone. It is all in one where people from different places (including abroad) come together to mingle, connect, have fun and discuss business,” said Thami Tsotetsi, a resident from Cape Town. The street has so many clubs that  once you get there you will be confused on which club to go and party but which ever club you choose to go in you will have so much fun and  you will enjoy.

The street it is more alive at night, just walking down the street to see different clubs and pubs. It is not only the fun that would drag your attention at this street but also how nice it becomes at night, all the beautiful lights from different clubs the street has. Long Street gave students a chance to have fun, even people they thought they were quite but not in Long Street, they danced all night long.

What is nice about the street is that there are lots of caps that will safely take you home if you’ve had enough. 

No matter how nice and exciting Long Street is but you will have to watch yourself when you there because there are drug dealers that are ready to offer people drugs and beggars which most people do not feel comfortable around them. One of the clubs students went to is the Mexican; the club had all the vibe students were looking for and also the special prices the club offer on beer and shooters.

 The staff was friendly and helpful to student especially for a fact that students were not familiar with the place.The night life keeps the city going and gives people something to talk about. Students really enjoyed being in Long Street because it was one of the places they wanted to see in their Cape Town trip and will of course love to go back there again. The purpose of going to Long Street was to have fun, bond and that was all achieved. Going to Cape Town was the best thing for the students because they could even see the buzzing street that most people talk about. No students who went to this street and regret going there, so this is the proof that going to Long Street was worth the while in fact the Cape Town trip on its own was worth it.

Celebrating the Rocks of the country

It is that month again where South Africa commemorates Women's month. Every year in August we celebrate and remember what women of  1956 did to free us as a country during apartheid era. They marched to Union Buildings on 9 August in protest against the extension of pass Laws to women. Women of 1956 fought fiercely for us to have freedom we are enjoying  now.

They did not only fought for the Law pass but also for equality, oppression and equality.
Today we celebrate and appreciate what they did for the country. I think it is only fair to treat them with respect and dignity because they did this country very well, women are called  Imbokodo  (Rocks). They did not get this name simple but they earned it.

Since South Africa  became the democratic country, Constitution was written for everyone in the country to be free. South Africa is now a free country and everyone is treated equally. Now women are treated equal as men because they are considered when applying for jobs, some are CEO's in big corporate companies. They now given a chance to sit in parliament and to also contest to be the next president of the country.

                                                                          


Women are the future of this country because many women raised their children alone. I have seen this happening a lot. Most women struggle in raising their children because their husbands left them. Although women are classified as strong creatures but they need protection from men and they should not be abused. The issue of  abuse and human trafficking has been escalating rapidly and something serious need to be done to stop women abuse.

Although some people have a  negative view of women being equal to men because they believed that men are superior than women. Long time ago women were not allowed to go and work, only men could do that. I think it is time for them to change their mind set and not pass this kind of mind to the next generation.

I think we have to teach our  young boys that men are not better than women, we need to do away with that kind of stigma because it is destroying our country. They should also be taught that women can do what  men can do and they can do it even better than them and that women have the ability to change the world.They should also be informed that no work is for men or women we are all equal. We have many women who do jobs that were known that only men can do them  and they are doing very well in those jobs. We now live in the democratic country and we do everything by the book or at least we can say by the law.

THICK, FIT AND FABULOUS

Children who grow up thick grow up with the stigma that they are not beautiful enough or the is something wrong with their bodies. Studies reveals that they grow up with low self-esteem and struggle to express themselves with things they love. They are constantly being teased at school, some even at their homes.

It has been happening for decades now because when you are thick you are not being told that you are beautiful even though you don't need people's opinion to feel appreciated but imagine when you are still young. When you are a child you are vulnerable and naive. If we can take a look even in social media that is the mind set they portray about thick ladies, and we should remember that social media has a lot of influence in people's mind.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
   

When you are fat it does not necesarrily mean that you are unhealthy. What we need to also understand is that being fat there are lot of chances of you to getting  diseases, you can get diseases like  high blood pressure, heart disease, sugar
diabetes but that does not mean they have to feel unwanted. We should remember that African women have curves and we should let them flaunt them.

Just because you are skinny it does not you are healthy. You can be fat and healthy depending on what you eat and if you are exercising as we all know that study said we all should exercise regularly.

People should stop calling thick people with names and take their time to know them so that they can see their beauty. I am glad that things are now changing, great platforms have been opened and they are now nice names that they are called with like thick or plus size women not fat. Beauty pageant for plus size woman are opened and  media is talking about thick women. This is their chance to show their beauty to the world and take part in such events.