Press release for Sizwe

TOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Gemma Wright

Sel: 072 084 5425

Email: gwright89@gmail.com

FROM THE PEN OF THE WRITER OF ONE OF THE BEST FIRST YEAR FILMS AT CITY VARSITY IN 2010 COMES THE STORY OF SIZWE.

Aiming to grab the attention of the viewers and making them sit up and realise that life is not as rosy as people try to make it look, the writer and director Bongani Yonga captures the essence of his message with flair.

“The whole point is me saying to my people we can solve problems, but not using violence!” Yonga says about the message of the film.

The story is about a young man Sizwe living in the township who got involved with the wrong friends. He and his two friends are responsible for a series of crimes in the townships and this evokes the wrath of the task team in the neighbourhood watch. After the murder and rape of a schoolgirl the watch kills Sizwe’s buddies in mob justice. Sizwe seeks the help of his school teacher who is the only one who really got to know Sizwe and believed that he was not involved in the rape. Together they try to save Sizwe from the angry mob.

Viewers will find that they can sympathise with Sizwe because it was one bad choice of friends that could lead to his death. If you look at the townships you will see kids getting involved in crimes because of friends. The film stands out from the rest because all the events are what the people there deal with every day. Those who are not familiar with the townships and what really happens there will be shocked to see how things are done. It informs the viewers about the true stance of things in the townships, from the writer’s point of view. He comes from the township and uses this film to speak to his people.

A controversial scene that captures the essence of the movie is the one that shows the two boys being set on fire by the mob. This scene shows the brutality of the mob and how far they are willing to go to rid their community of wrongdoers.

Yonga who’s previous film, The Greater Love, was praised and considered one of the three best films of the first year film group of 2010 feels that this film would be even better than that one. He works hard and has a team that is just as motivated as him to bring the message to life on screen.

“This could be any township in South Africa; it shows basic violence in the township” Yonga says

“These are young kids that are terrorising the community so they set them alight.” Amanda Mafanya the producer says.

“We are all only one bad choice away from death or jail.” Yonga says

The film is a work from someone coming out of the township walking away from the troubles and choosing the right path to go. He chose a violence free life and went out to make something better of his life and making films to show the situations he comes from.

Screening date: November 2010

Venue: The labia, Orange Street

                         ____________________________________________________________

If you like more information please call Kim Meissenheimer at 0825891958 or email Kim at Kim.meissenheimer@gmail.com

WET OP VERBRUIKERSBESKERMING VERHOOG BOERE SE BLOOTSTELLING AAN RISIKO'S

Mutual en Federal waarsku boere dat die nuwe wet op verbruikersbeskerming hulle individueel of gesamentlik verantwoordelik kan hou vir enige verlies wat ‘n vebruiker a.g.v hul produkte kan ly. Sonder toepaslike dekking kan hulle vernietigende kostes in die gesig staar.

Andries Wiese van Landbou en Oes by Mutual en Federal verduidelik: “Indien ‘n verbruikers van landbou produkte siek word, kan enigiemand in die boerdery gedagvaar word.”

In Mei hierdie jaar het ‘n krisis amper tot onvoorsiene regkostes gelei na talle sterfgevalle in Duitsland plaasgevind het na verbruikers E.Coli besmette komkommers gebruik het.

“Boere kan tussen R5- en R10 miljoen vir een geval van voedselvergiftiging opdok.” voeg Wiese by “Verpletterede koste en skade aan hul reputasies kan voorkom indien honderde mense siek raak, en meeste boere het nie genoeg versekering om so ‘n geval te dek nie.”

Onder die wet word boere verantwoordelik gehou indien hul produkte organies gemerk is, maar wel verwerk is.

“Dieselfde reël geld vir verspreiders, iemand moet verantwoordelik gehou word” voeg Wiese by.

Selfs boere wat direk aan die verbruikers verkoop moet die proses deeglik verstaan om risiko’s te vermy. “Indien boere se verantwoordelikheids polises slegs skade op hul perseel dek, gaan die polis nie die nodige dekking gee na die produk aan die waarde ketting verskaf is nie.” sê Wiese.

Die wet gaan hul besigheidsmanier beïnvloed, vanaf die verbruikers, bemesting en insekdoders vir die oes tot die stamboek van hul vee asook die voertuie wat hulle aan ander boere verkoop. Vee moet volbloed wees,veral vir teling en kompetisies en voertuie kan nie meer met foute verkoop word nie.

 “As boere die risiko van ‘n volle produksielyn ignoreer,d.w.s van die boer, na die groothandelaar, na die kleinhandelaar en verbruiker, is dit op eie risiko.”

“Boere moet verseker dat hul makelaars die toepaslike dekking verskaf om verpletterende regskostes te vermy.”

Sulke advies word tydens die Agri Mega Week wat by die Agri Mega Park in SwellendamStraat, Bredasdorp, Wes-Kaap vanaf die 14de tot die 16de September  deur Mutual en Federal werknemers gegee.

Mutual en Federal is een van die leiers in kort termyn versekering in Suider Afrika.

SKOERT JOU BOELIE!!!!!!!!

Boelies is nie meer net ‘n “deel van grootword” nie. Hulle is gevaarlik,  skryf Jip, die tienerbylae van Media 24-koerante.

Wat is aan die gang?

“Dink net watter soort pyn en isolasie iemand wat geboelie word, ervaar as hy dink selfmoord is die enigste uitweg.” sê Melinda Hutching, ‘n Amerikaanse-tienerkenner.

Boelies voer wêreldwyd ‘n veldtog van vrees by skole. Dit is waarom daar, ook in Suid-Afrika, al meer veldtogte is om boelies te stop.

Hoe weet jy?

Dr. Bev Evangelindes, ‘n opvoedkundige sielkundige, sê daar is ‘n paar tekens dat iemand dalk geboelie word.

“Hulle tree dalk angstig op, hul slaappatroon verander of hulle is meer buierig as gewoonlik,” sê sy.

Ouers en vriende moet nie sommer die tekens laat verby gaan nie.Moet iemand egter nie druk om oop te maak oor wat aangaan nie- skep ‘n geleentheid waarin hy of sy die probleem self met jou sal deel.

Boelies in die nuus

Media 24 het berig oor Megan Boltman (17), ‘n gr.11-leerder aan die Hoërskool Akasia in Pretoria. Sy het haarself in haar kamer opgehang nadat sy glo bydie skool geboelie is. Volgens haar ma het kinders by die skool haar dogter gespot en lelike goed vir haar gesê.

In die Vrystaat het Shantel Scholtz (14), ‘n gr. 8- leerder by die Hoërskool Parys op 1 September van die huis weggeloop. Volksblad berig sy het ‘n briefie gelos om te sê sy loop weg, want die ander kinders bydie skool “terg en spot” haar. Shantel is intussen opgespoor.

In Julie is Melene Potgieter (14), ‘n gr.8-leerder by ‘n skool in Port Elizabet aan die nek gegryp en geslaan. Haar ma het ‘n teen-boelie veldtog, Fighting Giants, begin.

Wat kan jy doen?

Sorg dat almal weet dit is so uncool om iemand te boelie, dat dit die boelies en nié hul slagoffers is, wat uitgestoot word.

So sê die skrywer van It Will Get Better: Finding Your Way Through Teen Issues, Melinda Hutchings. Sy sê skole,beraders, onderwysers en leerders moet die persepsies oor boelies verander. Dr. Bev Evangelides, ‘n opvoedkundige sielkundige by die AdvTech-groep, wat onder meer die Crawford College- privaat skole besit, sê leerlinge wat sien hoe ‘n skoolmaat geboelie word moenie net staan en kyk nie. Meld dit aan by ‘n onderwyser, of skoolberader wat jy kan vertrou sodat iets aan die saak gedoen kan word. As jy die teiken van die boelie is moet jy vashou aan jou mag, sê sy. As die boelie nare goed sê, moet jy nie terugkap met ‘n belediging nie. Kyk hom in die oë en staan jou man, sonder om soos hy op te tree.

Lesers sê op facebook...

Meranda May Harris: “Groepsdruk speel 'n groot rol. Hy/sy wil beter wees as iemand anders. Word miskien groot gemaak met die idee dat hy/sy beter moet wees in alles wat hy/sy doen. Wanneer hulle iemand sien wat beter in iets is as hy/sy, word die persoon afgeknou en gespot. Het ook 'n swak selfbeeld.”

Elrise Dam: “Deur te boelie voel kinders in beheer hulle voel hulle kry n tipe van mag en aansien van ander kinders.En ek stem saam hulle kry soms te min aandag en liefde by hulle huise,ouers ens en om ander te boelie kry hulle weer aandag asook aansien van ander kinders wat hulle op die ou einde laat voel iewers word hulle aanvaar en respekteer al is dit ook by die verkeerde dinge...Daars baie redes.”

Elsabe van Rooyen :“Groepsdruk en die afwesigheid van selfbeeld asook afskeping by die huis deur ouers.Ongeag die rede,geen kind het die reg om ander te boelie nie,selfs al gaan wat ook in sy/haar lewe aan nie,ruil die rolle om en laat die boelie geboelie word.Hoe sal hy/sy voel? ”

Deidre Losper: “Dit kan ook die voorbeeld wees wat in die huis gestel word, hy/sy ma word deur die pa aangerand, kind meen dis ok om dit aan ander te doen want ma aanvaar die aanranding.”

RUGBY FEITE

Henry Blaha het in 1972 gesê: “Rugby is ‘n spel vir beeste gespeel deur here. Sokker is ‘n spel vir here gespeel deur beeste. Voetbal is ‘n spel vir beeste gespeel deur beeste.”

Met die 2011 Absa Curriebeker in volle gang het ons besluit om ‘n paar minder bekende rugby feite te plaas. Nou kan jy by jou volgende braai met vriende spog met die waardevolle rugby brokkies.

• Die Curriebeker vier die jaar sy 122ste verjaarsdag, so daar is ‘n moontlikheid dat ons oer, oer oupagrootjie moontlik die eerste eindstryd in Kimberley gekyk het.
• Die eerste Suid-Afrikaanse rugby wedstryd was in 1878 by die Hamilton Club in Kaapstad. Die eerste Britse Leeus toer onder borgskap van Cecil Rhodes was in 1891.
• Tydens die boere oorlog was daar in 1902 ‘n wapenstilstand sodat almal die wedstryd tussen die Boere en die Britse kon kyk.
• ‘n Dekade later het Gaston Vareilles van Frankryk sy internationale debuut teen Skotland gemis na hy van die trein afgeklim het vir ‘n toebroodjie en a.g.v. die lang lyn sy rit verpas het.Hy was daarna nooit weer vir sy land se span gekies nie.
• “Nasty Booter” soos die Britse media Naas Botha gedoop het het 312 punte vir die Springbokke aangeteken en was tot en met 2004 die beste puntewerwer van die Bokke tot Percy Montgomery hom verbygesteek het. Sy sukses was te danke aan sy vermoë om driee te druk en doele te “drop-kick”.
• ‘n Wedstryd tussen Whitby en Corby is in 1989 net na die begin van die tweede helfte gestop omdat Corby a.g.v dronk spelers toe reeds 80-0 agter geloop het.
• In 1966 is ‘n Welch wedstryd gestaak na die spelers reeds reggestaan het toe hulle besef dat niemand ‘n bal gebring het nie.
• Franse speler Jean-Pierre Sault het sy enkel oomblikke voor ‘n internationale wedstryd in 1969 teen Skotland gebreek toe hy gehak het by die trappe uit die kleedkamer.

Ondersteun jou span vir slegs R30 ‘n kaartjie en jy kan ‘n kans kry om R100 000 te wen deur jou beste video wat by ‘n spel opgeneem is op te laai of R20 000 vir die beste foteo by ‘n aksiebelaaide Currie beker wedstryd. Wie weet dalk sal jou video of foto dit maak as een van die rugby feite van die toekoms.

Gaan na www.absacurriebeker.co.za vir meer besonderhede.

N STORIE VAN VERLOSSING

Na ‘n lewe gevul met verslawing en depressie het Lizette Janse van Rensburg besluit om die Here die stuur in haar lewe te gee en haar sangtalent te gebruik om sy naam te vereer.

“Ek het tot my eie lewe prober neem, maar genade het vir my ‘n ander betekenis gekry. Die dag toe ek opgee was die dag wat Jesus my nog ‘n kans gegee het.” Sê Janse van Rensburg.

As sieklike dogter het sy van ‘n jonge ouderdom aan depressie gely en aan medikasie verslaaf geraak en die afwaarste spiraal het aangehou tot die ouderdom van 21 en het sy ‘n einde aan haar lewe probeer maak,maar dit was nie die Here se wil nie.

Na haar besluit om haar hart vir die Here te gee het haar geloof haar gehelp om van haar depressie en verslawing ontsla te raak.

Sy het in 1990 haar man ontmoet en ‘n jaar later het hulle in die huwelik getree en uit die huwelik is twee pragtige kinders gebore.

“Tot vandag is ek in verwondering oor die pragtige deel wat God my kom gee het, ek het ‘n awesome man” sê sy

Vanaf 2006 tree sy voltyds op en het sy reeds ‘n CD op die rakke en is sy besig met die opname van haar tweede.

Die 16de September kom tree sy in Vredendal op by die Damesaand van Oase gemeente om 19:00 en CD’s en DVD’s sal te koop wees.

INTERNASIONALE KLETSRYMER AS HOOGTEPUNT VAN LIEFDADIGHEIDSKONSERT IN KIMBERLEY

Die Grammy-toekenning wenner, platinum vervaardiger en TV ster Lil Jon gaan die hoogtepunt wees van  die Maloof Money Cup liefdadigheidskonsert wat  Saterdag die 1ste Oktober in Kimberley gaan plaasvind.

“Ek is opgewonde om vir die eerste keer in Afrika te gaan optree vir die Maloof Money Cup.” sê Lil Jon “ die Maloofs bring die beste atlete en kunstenaars bymekaaar en ek is gelukkig om deel te wees van dit.”

Die konsert is deel van die Maloof Money Cup wêreld skaatsplank kampioenskappe wat deur Kumba Iron Ore aangebied word vanaf 30 September tot 2 Oktober. Die opbrengs van die konsert gaan aan plaaslike liefdadigheidsorganisasies.

“Met ons besluit om die Maloof Money Cup internationaal uit te brei wou ons verseker dat ons vir die gemeenskappe wat ons aanraak iets terug gee.” het Joe Maloof die stigter van die Maloof Money Cup gesê.

Die agenda sluit plaaslike groepe en DJ’s sowel as Suid-Afrikaanse sterre soos HHP, Jozi, Gang of Instruments, Kabelo, Danny K en Die Heuwels Fantasties in.

Kaartjies vir die konsert is beskikbaar by Computicket en pryse wissel vanaf R100 vir ongereserveerde staande plekke tot R250 vir Golden Circle kaartjies. Die prys sluit ingang tot die skaatspark in.

 “Nie net is Lil John ‘n hoogs toegejuigde kunstenaar nie, hy is ook een van die mees vrygewende kunstenaars in die musiek bedryf. Na ons na hom uitgereik het vir die liefdadigsheid konsert het hy vinnig aan boord gespring. Ons is dankbaar vir sy entoesiasme vir die wonderlike doel. Lil Jon tesame met ‘n wonderlike groep Suid Afrikaanse musikante gaan ‘n absolute asemrowende konsert opsit.” sê Maloof

Ingangskaartjies  vir die skaatsbord kompetisie is beskikbaar vanaf Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers en Checkers Hyper winkels landwyd. Kaartjie pryse wissel vanaf R30-R40 met naweek kaartjies beskikbaar teen R50 per persoon.

Meer inligting oor die verwikkelinge is beskikbaar op hul webwerf www.experiencenortherncape.com of by die Noord Kaap Toerisme Bestuur kontaknommer 053 833 1434. Vir meer inligting oor die Maloof Money Cup Suid Afrika kan u hul webwerf besoek by www.maloofmoneycup.com. 

HOW TO HANDLE YOUR 16-YEAR OLD PREGNANT DAUGHTER

Steps to take so you don’t end up in orange jumpsuits

After being thrown into the deep end by her 16-year old daughter saying she is expecting a baby, Helen Cleote had to count to a hundred more than once so she did not kill her daughter.

“It felt like someone threw a bucket of ice water in my face the moment my daughter said that she is having a baby,” said Helen “If I knew all the things I would have to go through I wish someone could have given me a guide on how to handle everything that comes with a pregnant teenage daughter.”

The reality of teenage pregnancy can hit you with a bang and no one knows exactly how to handle it because every case is different. However there is a basic guideline everyone can follow in order to get through it alive and in one piece.

Do not strangle her…

“After I realised what this pregnancy would do to my daughter’s life I felt like strangling her,” Helen said.

According to Dr Bonn a practising psychologist for 12 years it is natural to want to kill your daughter. It is the reflex of dealing with the disappointment, but it is not the right thing to do.

“In the first flight of your anger you should get space from her for a while and when you are calm again go talk to her,” Dunn says.

Deal with the disappointment:

As a parent you feel like you failed with the raising of your children when your child falls in a trap like teenage pregnancy.

“The best way to deal with your disappointment is to tell yourself it’s not your fault,’ Helen says. “And you have to remember your daughter is just human and we all make mistakes.”

Mr Farmer a social worker says: “In order to keep your family together you have to find productive ways to deal with your disappointment.”

He suggests keeping a diary of your emotions and feelings and discuss it with someone. “Do not keep all your emotions bottled up.”

Discuss her options with her:

Nowadays pregnancy is not the end of your life anymore and a teenager has a lot of options. There is abortion, adoption or the ‘joint custody with my mom’ option.

“You should talk to your daughter about what she wants and tell her how you feel about it, “Helen suggests.

The pregnancy won’t go away if you don’t talk about it and the longer you ignore it the harder it will be to come to a mutual agreement.

“She can’t think straight right now, all that pregnancy hormones is a shock to her, and she will need someone to keep a clear head and help her figure out what she has to do,” Farmer says.

You also need clarity in order to keep your sanity!

DO NOT TRY TO FORCE HER TO GO FOR ABORTION OR ADOPTION:

And yes an ultimatum is force!

Many parents wants their daughters to go for abortion so that their life’s would not be affected by this mistake, but forcing a child to do something that she does not want can only drive a wedge between you.

Dunn says “There are hundreds of parents forcing their children to go for abortions or adoptions whether the child wants to or not and that is wrong.”

Farmer says you should treat your daughter like an adult and discuss these things. It will help her emotionally and in the end you guys will figure out what is best for you all.

“If a family can talk it out and work together, nothing can come between them.” Farmer says.

Support her:

Your daughter’s life is being interrupted far more than yours and she is in a fragile emotional state.

“She will need someone to help her think clearly and show her it’s not the end of the world. She needs to know that she will get through it, with you by her side.” Sunneille, a teen mom said.

A teenage girl is an emotional creature and she needs to know she is loved. She needs support. If that girl happens to be pregnant she needs more support and love than an average hormone driven teen.

Dunn says “As her mother she would want support from you, but would be too scared to ask. So don’t wait for her to come crying to you, go to your child and give her a hug.”

Give her pregnancy advice:

Talk about pregnancies with her; tell her what is happening with her and what she can expect.

Farmer says: “She has no idea what is happening to her body while she’s pregnant.”

He suggests you talk to her and tell her about your pregnancy and what you went through.

“Sharing your experience with her will make the bond even stronger between the two of you” Dunn says.

MULTITASKING MAMA

Sandisiwe Sishuba mother, daughter, singer, choreographer, part time worker and full time student are walking proof that you can truly do it all.

‘God is everything…without him, I’m nothing. Always aim higher than the rest.’ Is the motto she lives her life by.

Sandy grew up in Queenstown and at the age of six she realised she knows how to sing when her Gran insisted that she joins a church after that singing was just something she had to do.

She often gets asked to sing in different shows a lot like family gatherings, weddings etc.  

 ‘To me that is achievement enough, just to know that are people who enjoy listening to me.’

Her biggest singing achievement so far is being chosen as one the top twenty contestants chosen in Cape Town to go compete in the idols top 100 in 2010. Due to her participation in Idols many hip-hop artists and local Djs, want to do collaborations with her.

 ‘I’m working with Dj Zaizo on his mixtape but I really do not know when it will be released...but it is a work in process.’

She recently recorded a song with up and coming Hip hop artist ‘Dakidnextdoor’ who she will join on his tour around Cape Town  to promote his mixtape which will be out by the end of July.

They recorded a named “next year will be better (I promise)”

DakidnextdoorIs is currently in the process of making his mixtape which he plans to release in December of this year. He is known as the biggest up and coming hip-hop artist in Gugulethu and he’s going to Johannesburg for the next level of the blackberry competition.

Dakidnextdoor asked Sandy to sing with him because he loves her voice. They have been friends for some time and working together was an obvious next choice.

‘I’m a huge fan of his music. The song we recorded together is relevant to the both of us.’ She said.

Apart from recording songs Sandy is a full time journalism student at City Varsity because she loves writing.

‘Writing has always been my second passion so I guess that’s why I decided to take this course.’

She has a daughter who she leaves at home with her mom or her domestic worker when she has to go work. She is a part time teller at Nedbank and a choreographer for UWC.

‘I’m part of an all-rounder Entertainment Company that organizes pageants for the different Universities; I choreograph the models and come up with themes.’

Hard work is not something she is afraid off and with the right motivation you can pull it off like Sandy.

‘It’s not easy but in the end, I believe it will all pay-off, cause all I’m doing is for my daughter.’

SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD FORUM IN CAPE TOWN

The Social Media World Forum Africa joined Apps World Africa to bring leading brands together in Cape Town on the 1st and 2nd of June to host a technology networking event.

‘Leading brands like Nokia, Facebook, Google Android , blackberry have been hosting free-to-attend developer workshops, providing advice and insight on how African developers can get the most out of their platforms’, Matthew Henkes said.

Henkes is editor in chief of Six Degrees Events who is the organisers. These events are aimed to provide a forum for global companies to connect with African companies to use their knowledge together to better provide better services for the users.

‘Local knowledge is highly prized by leading multinationals looking to break into the African market.’

The event consisted of workshops that taught the basics of social media on mobile and on a computer and gave a better understanding of social media.

‘The events was interactive, instead of people standing in front and give boring speeches they had a panel discussing a question and the audience was free to ask question and make statements and be part of the conversation.’ A person at the event said at the end of day two.

South Africa stood its own among the international brands and local businesses, like mixit got just as much interest as international brands.

‘The two brands who impressed me today were Standard Bank and Cell C. Here is why. It’s clear that involvement in social media as brands is forcing each business to go from superficial involvement to an integrated use of social media in the organization. Both businesses are being forced to evolve as a result.’ Patrick, one of the speakers said.

“Everything is not digital. Blend digital with physical.” Kemi Benjamin, Brand Manager at Nike said on the first day of the event. He said this to encourage the branders to better connect with their user in order to get better coverage and to not get lost in the digital era and forget that the users are still human and need humanity to survive.

With technology evolving more and more they thought it wise to help those who are not as evolved in technology to build their brand and move forward.

People were also encouraged to take part in the debates in order to improve services to get what the users want and not just focus on the needs of the brander.

The audience enjoyed the day and some thought it was a good experience for them.

‘The day was very helpful and social media is the way to the future. The time to evolve is upon us.’ Stacey Henderson an audience member said.

‘I can’t wait for the next event. Today was such a huge learning experience for me. I can’t wait to go and try what I learnt.’ Another audience member said.

ARCHIVE WEEK IN THE WESTERN CAPE

WRITTEN FOR CLASS:

The Western Cape Archives and Records Service have celebrated National Archives Week from 9 to 13 May 2011.

 “The Archives are used for a variety of purposes, such as obtaining degrees, research for publication purposes, research projects and for civil rights purposes. “Dr. Ivan Meyer minister of cultural affairs and sport said in his speech before opening the doors of the archive launching the programmes of the week.

The aim of the archives is to provide for a National Archives and Records Service; the proper management and care of the records of governmental bodies and the preservation and use of a national archival heritage. The program gets held and allows people to get a clearer view of the archive with this programme.

The programme, which includes guided tours of the building, slide shows and exhibitions, ran every day from Monday, 9 May, to Friday, 13 May, from 08:00 to 15:00.

Amongst the exhibitions was the Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Travelling Exhibition, which was launched in December last year. The tours were no longer than an hour, after which the visitors could find out about their family history, look into the history of our beautiful province by joining the workshop on family history or follow the two day course on paste paper making and basic bookbinding, or just appreciate a service that is so valuable to our society and has been active since as far back as 1876.

 Due to the intense one-on-one instruction required for both courses, participant numbers for the two workshops were limited to 20 participants each.

Patsy Olsen one of the participants in the workshop for family history praised it. “The week was amazing. I’ve learned so much about my familytree. This institute is worthwhile and should be taken care of for the future generation.” 

“You can come to the archives any day and find out more about anything that has ever been recorded. Our staff is always ready for to assist anyone who wants to come and look up something.” Susan Hayes one of the workers at the archives said.

‘The week was a success and the interest shown in our national heritage showed that people still care about it and that it is not at all lost.”

LEAD SA LEADING CHILDREN TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES

WRITTEN FOR CLASS:

Lead SA in partnership with the Department of Education and the national Interfaith Movement on Wednesday launched a program teaching school children the Bill of Responsibilities at Glendale High School in Mitchells Plain.

“The Bill seeks to inculcate the values of rights and responsibilities among schoolchildren and is important for building the character and deterring teenage pregnancies and the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs.”  Amber Drake said.

Amber Drake is one of Lead SA’s employers working on the program. Lead SA is a Primedia Broadcasting initiative, supported by Independent Newspapers, that aims to highlight the achievements of the nation and celebrate the efforts of ordinary South Africans who continually seek to do the right thing for themselves, for their families and for their country.

The department has developed a teachers’ guide that provides practical ways for schools to promote the rights and responsibilities of children and shows how a rights and responsibilities culture can be built into school and classroom management. The Bill of Responsibilities contains the buildings blocks. It shows us how to do the right thing and achieves this by outlining the responsibilities that correspond to each of the rights we are afforded in our Constitution.

They will be highlighting specific rights and responsibilities each month, this includes issues such as “the right to education, with the corresponding responsibility to attend school regularly, to learn and to work hard; co-operate respectfully with teachers and fellow-learners; and to adhere to rules and the code of conduct of the school. Also, how to be a “good and loyal South African citizen” by obeying the laws of our country and contributing in every possible way to make South Africa a greater country.

They believe that by teaching this to schoolchildren they will build up morals in the children empowering them to say no to drugs and sex and in that way deterring the amount of children getting involved with drugs and having unexpected pregnancies.

“This campaign aims to ensure that all schools, teachers and learners engage with the issues of what it means to be a responsible citizen in order to build and strengthen a culture of human rights and responsibilities in our schools in which all learners learn and all teachers teach,” the principle of Glendale High School said.

At first the children mocked the program saying that life is too good to listen to old people preaching to them which caused meant they approached the program mockingly but some of them are excited for the program, feeling that they have already been enlightened by the program and that they have already seen their responsibility in order to keep their rights.

“I know I have rights, have known that for all my life but I did not realize that I also have a responsibility towards this right,” a learner at Glendale High said.

Another learner’s reaction was: “I know all the stuff they told us today. This is just a waste of our class time. They should go talk to the gangsters out in the streets and not to us.”