A LOST PEOPLE?

Photo By: Palesa Mohlamme

                       
Finally June 16 vibe has settled down, now I can speak my mind. How did you celebrate June 16? For sure you were drunk as ever ne? Not me though, I was enjoying my family's company and almost forgot it was a public holiday. I have been checking out the June 16 memorial arch at my hood. Funny enough the place is not fully equipped with information about the 1976 protest, the only original thing they have from 1976 is a dustbin lid used by students protecting themselves during the protest.

The documents displayed at the arch are copies and the originals are at the University of Wits. But why the hell don't we have the original copies here? I mean, after all its our history and what's written in those documents is what happened moo Kasi. I read the documents written by the Student Representative Council of Soweto and I quote, "June 16 shall be known as The Student's day. Prayer meeting shall be arranged by students and parents. A moment of silence from early hours in the morning till 9 am. On June 16 parents are requested to pledge solidarity with their children. Workers requested two days off from 16-17 June. Shops and business shall be closed on the 16th and half a day on the 17th. Shebeens must be closed from 13-19th June. Suspension of all sorts entertainment from the 16-19th June. Taxi services to have a moment of silence in the morning and no services rendered by Pucto drivers. And hostel people to align themselves with people of Soweto during the mourning period".

I tell you this because most of you don't know this and therefore the meaning of June 16 has lost it's essence. We commemorate the day by getting drunk and filling parks and pubs. Have we really given up on our "history"or are we just plain oblivious? What happened in June 16 taught me that, the Youth is supposed to be resistance, we are not supposed  to be comfortable with everything going on around us and we should question things.

You know, the only history we know is Black people have always been the victims of history. The only information that is given to us makes us feel less worthy of ourselves and I think that's why Black ladies do weaves, bleach their skin and speak english so well mara mother tongue, Dololo!. Why don't we ever question what happened to the Black history before colonial period? why do we define ourselves through colonial history and apartheid? Is that what we really are vele?  Outcast and victims of history? And what's worse about this is we have to pay for knowledge ya mahala at our so called Hector Peterson museum. This seriously pisses me off. Our schools are not educating us about Black Excellence, Black Pride and Self love.

Instead you have to search and dig up true heritage and origin of African people. And even when you research such info, you come across white authors. I don't understand why does a white person has to write about Black history, My history, after all this proves that what you know as history has been filtered and manipulated.  Lets tell our own stories guys, snap out of it and stop being passive with everything! Queen Elizabeth decided to have a White Wedding and now its supposed to be my culture. what is White Wedding moo Black culture? No wonder you have so many divorce. What is divorce anyway moo Black culture? OOOh Shame re rata dintho wa tseba! Bo Khulani ba bua nnete ha ba re VUKA DARKIE! when I say Vuka Darkie I'm not talking about being an entrepreneur but I'm talking about knowing yourself, Be aware with yourself and Love and Respect yourself. I must confess that I feel lost that I don't know my true heritage, raw history written by a Black person. Are we really a lost people? #MishMash

Local is lekker

Creativity at its best. photos: Palesa Mohlamme 

After the SABC announced that they will provide 90%of local content, it got me and most people excited. Locals attended a panel talk held at Soweto, Jabulani, and they discussed the impact of promoting local content and young people from the creative industry were motivating their peers to do what they love, and love what they do.

(Co-Founder of Arts and Craft) Trigga was the host at the panel talk

Indeed local is Lekker!

(Left) Thabo Mdluli, the founder of Fab 5 Media.

It is very important for us as young people to engage in constructive conversations and always question things. The panel speakers included, Fry pan the owner of RHTS online store, Sfiiso Xabashe a social entrepreneur, Nthabiseng a social entrepreneur, Mambila Magaza an MC and businessman, Afrika owner and fashion designer of Originally Kasified Clothing, and Lebugang Mnisi a theatre performer. The panel spoke about their achievements and positive stories in the township that deserves recognition.

Beautiful handmade jewellery by Afrophik.

Tshepo Lefoko Phetlhu co-founder of Soweto Arts and Craft.

Fresh local fashion by Afrophik.

Look at the guy posing at the back.

Crazy vibes after the panel talk.

Beautiful ladies enjoying local talent.

I really enjoyed engaging with like mined people and I hope this won’t be the last time for young people in Soweto to engage in constructive and mentally stimulating conversations. The panel talk was organised by the Soweto Arts and Craft and Fab 5 Media. Outside the panel talk, social entrepreneurs came in numbers to show off their local products and handmade crafts. And yes, it was refreshing to see more ladies doing it for themselves.  #MishMash

A burning society

A burning society. photos: Palesa Mohlamme

Members of the African National Congress (ANC) from Molapo organised a protest against the Councillor of ward 34, Mr. Shimmane Motlamme.  Out of frustration and anger residents expressed that the community does not benefit from economic opportunities in the township. They claimed the people who mostly benefit from projects at ward 34 are the people who reside outside ward. One of the issues raised by community members is corruption, maladministration and nepotism.

Residents barricaded the streets with burning tyres and stones blocking cars to enter.  But you know such behavior must be suppressed quickly before it blows out of proportion, right?. The police made a grand entrance with a helicopter monitoring around the area and cars of SAPS and Metro Police.  Then I realized how easily intimidated the residents were,  they were smooth talked by a so called “deploy from the regional office” sent by the Councillor. 

Angry residents before the police came.

Mind you me, there was supposed to be a community meeting arranged by the Councillor but when he heard that shit is real, he decided to bring another poker face as a negotiator. There was not much of negotiation though because we know how we are so hungry for power and influence. People are always looking out for themselves yet they still pretend to represent your views and working for the people. The poker face exchanged numbers with the so called community leaders and till today as I write to you that nothing has been done about the community’s concerns. What a waste of petrol and matches.

Smooth talker getting the residents attention.

At the same time, candidates for the local elections are said to be appointed by the internals of the organisation and not the community.  You know, I have registered for the local elections but I realized afterwards that what is the point of voting while the whole system itself is a problem. Are we really solving the problem by voting or are we choosing to work 40 hours a week just to put bread and butter on the table. Basic food on the table guys! Its horrific when you think about it. 

Police monitoring the area.

What is the point of voting because we will still have greedy people leading us, perhaps there are other realistic ways to look at it. Most people who are into your community forums and what not, have showed me that they are only looking out for themselves. They want to make people to step down from their comfortable positions because they want the same power, glory and greed.  It’s just a continuous pattern. Who am I to judge bathong! But come to think of it we allow such things to happen to us, especially the older generation. They guard and protect their own monster, hence we still have Jacob Zuma as president.  #MishMash