Opinion: Mail & Guardian!

"Why is our government bending over backwards for China? Do we have any say in it or is it just being rammed down our throats? Aren’t we just aiding the new colonialists? Who is really benefiting? Do the Chinese even learn African languages? Will we have to learn another language when China is no longer our major trading partner? " 

How about we beat the Chinese at their own game?

Her Zimbabwe – Fungai Machirori

...

“I’m going to say exactly what I think, and if tomorrow I get information that contradicts what I’ve always believed, I’ll change my mind quite happily. I remember this philosopher, I like what he said. He said, “We live today by what truth we can get, and be ready tomorrow to call it falsehood.”

http://talkingheads.org.za/podcasts/her-zimbabwe-fungai-machirori/

“WHO WROTE THE GENDER SCRIPT”

… So I came across this beauty, a conversation between Yewande Omotso and Nigerian feminist Simi Dosekun about her research titled “New Styles of Femininity in Nigeria”.

Spoke to everything I believe in. Here:

“A lot has been written specifically in the area of gender studies. What male and female has to look like. Perhaps because of my own experience of growing up being labelled a “tomboy”, I am deeply fascinated by this:  The suggestions that our behaviours are scripted. Who wrote the script? What does it mean if we follow that script? And what does it mean when we don’t?  How much do we do out of choice? And how much out of ‘a need’ to conform…? Am I only what I’m seen to be?

... the idea that feminism means choice, we hear it a lot and therefore “if you have choice- then you’re fine.” I think that’s very problematic and also very simplistic because the fact is we live in a world where we don’t really have a say in what real choices are. The choices on offer are very limited.”

“WHO WROTE THE GENDER SCRIPT”

PROPER!

The Politician’s Artist

 

April 16, 2014 by ntsiki mazwai

 

There are artists which I have lost respect for, owing to this election period.
Voices which I thought represented the people on the ground.

I have lost respect for the supposed Voices of the people. Artists that failed to use their platform to put the needs of the people ahead of their own.
I see that their art is a quick buck….it’s not necessarily ‘a calling.’

To him that much is given…..much is expected.

Being an artist is an honour. It is a blessed existence. Artists attract a lot of love and get a lot of freebies. They get fussed about and are placed on a high pedestal. They wake up when they want to. They travel as part of their job. The VERY least they can do is recognise this privilege and take responsibility for the amount of power they have.

It is VITAL that artists use their popularity and platform for the greater good.

There are certain members/institutions of our communities that HAVE TO remain apolitical in public, ESPECIALLY during election periods.
It is irresponsible for certain members of society to take sides because it compromises the integrity of our government and our democracy.

There are a number of reasons Artists should not be campaigning for political parties

1. Artists are creative. They CREATE…..they don’t DEPEND on government or anyone. That is why they are so powerful. They are beings that have a platform that sustains itself.
2. If an artist chooses sides, they will then become ‘blind’ to a particular party’s injustices and wrong doings.
3. An Artist is a reflection of society….if your artists are willing to sell you out for a quick buck…it means we have bred such a society. A greedy and selfish society.
4. If your artists are not speaking FOR The people….then WHO is speaking for the people? The people don’t have access to media and stadiums where they can address audiences. The artist is the person that the people choose and put on a stage….WITH A MICROPHONE! Use it!
   
   
   Artists should be autonomous bodies which don’t take side.
   When an artist accepts a gig from a corporate…they don’t get involved in company politics and they are certainly not forced to become part of that company’s marketing campaign to get more clients……WHY IS OUR GOVERNMENT DOING THAT WITH OUR ARTISTS????
   
   Just because government needs artists to perform at the various events, it does NOT mean the artists owe them anything. Artist get paid for their performances and appearance……the marketing and campaigning of political organisations is not an artist’s business.
   
   This thing of artistS licking political ass has made them lose credibility to me. It has made them look desperate. And it has made them look self serving.
   
   Wow Mzansi……in the past your artistS liberated you…..now they sell you out for R5 000.
   
   As for your government….you should be worried.
   They are using celebrities to sell their Parties….when they should be using POLICIES!

WORD!!!

Lupita Nyong'o Acceptance Speech At The Essence Magazine Annual Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon

http://www.waafrikaonline.com/2014/02/dear-black-beauty-lupita-nyongo.html

The Psychology Of Our Oppression – Part 1

(By Simphiwe Dana )


There is a systemic problem in the make up of black society in South Africa, and in Afrika as a whole. That there are a lot of other factors at play is clear to all but the ignorant. The levels of disunity, violence, powerlessness, helplessness are epic

... it seems that we left something along the journey to our emancipation. Something that no money can buy. The interrogation that must happen here cannot be under the scrutiny of a hackling public. It is deeply personal and opens unhealed scars.

I always say Afrika needs one big shrink. Afrika is a people in shock, a people feeling withdrawals from the violence that was visited, as if a normality, on their bodies, implanted in their collective memory. It is a shock that some think they have managed to escape. It still haunts them though…because the window is a mirror. No amount of money will get you out. No shopping sprees in Paris, no accolades, will help you maneuver your way out. The only way out, is in. Even God is impatiently waiting for us, whispering through our ancestors, loud voices…words that get stolen from lips by the whirlwinds of our forgetfulness. We have travelled for so long with our heads to the ground we have forgotten the beauty of our path.

I cannot quite put my finger on it…how we so quickly fell apart at a moment that should have been our triumph. I can try but I feel it is not my place to do so.

It is time to interrogate what we are now, what we were before, and what happened in between. We should not fall into the trap of glorifying our pre-colonial existence, or of underplaying its relevance. Rather, we should be analytical without judgment so we can find sight of our true selves and value.
This is why this is a private undertaking. Because your pain, your shame, your prejudice are yours to own and own up to.

And this is also why it is difficult to quantify the outcome of this interrogation. This is why it is difficult to brand package it for the masses. It is a personal journey. No two experiences are the same, but the outcome of the interrogation will be.
 

...aught to be pondered by the public!

The following note was written by Simphiwe Dana and I am posting it here as I believe the ideas have merit and aught to be shared- and educate the masses (about Gogo Helen Zille's party. YES!).

 

What is Liberalism?

 

Posted by Simphiwe Dana ⋅ August 2, 2012

 

Liberalism is the idea, born out of a privileged existence, that if you can do it anyone else can. A skewed idea of equality that is blind to the socio-economic issues on the ground. An idea that, in fact, treats those mired in the most poverty with contempt. – “We’re equal so pull yourself yourself together man!” – is the liberal idea of equality. An idea that will give birth to a police state. Because it is oblivious to reality, but, must enforce law and order to protect its privilege. Liberalism post colonialism, is neo colonialism.

 

Now you know!

 

Please do visit her blog.

Thanks