The Foot Soldiers (Dispensables)

by Mathiba Len Molefe

The Foot Soldiers (Dispensables)

Every movement has it’s leader, one who stands at its helm and delegates to his underlings or subordinates. Be it a ship on the ocean or a platoon on the plains, we all have leaders. Leaders whose lives are at little risk when they opt to stay back and let those whose lives are but mere statistics face the heat of the incendiary thrown into the fray.

Battle scarred these men return to their superiors carrying on their backs the spoils of war so that they may be enjoyed by those who lay in the lap of luxury and pay little mind to those who meet their ends in the chaos and anarchy of war. Theirs are the names that are remembered by none other than their widowed wives and children fatherless.

Serve us well they say, lay your lives down so that we, the rich and pampered may progress into the new world, and we shall pay homage to thee. Go face the angel of death, and those of you who survive will be granted the chance to face him again and exact vengeance on him in the name of your fallen brothers. Bring us glory and we shall give you nothing in return, nothing but the scraps that fall from our tables as we dine on the delights that are fit only for those with titles that demand acknowledgement.

These are our leaders, men who walk through squalor in disgust and turn a blind eye to the sufferings of the people that they pledged to protect with their lives. The smell turns my stomach, who can live in such appalling conditions but the people we serve and protect, the people who gave us the power we abuse.

This description fits none other than the people who lead us, lead us into ruin so that their own pockets can swell with notes tainted by the blood of those sacrificed for the good of the no good. This is my country and I shall use it as I see fit.

Journey of Self Discovery

By Mathiba Len Molefe

Journey of Self Discovery

Everything I see seems to hold some untold significance in my life, be it pivotal or negligible I know not, but as I try piece together the pieces of the broken image that is said to so accurately illustrate my life, it dawns on me that those fragments that I donned unnecessary to recollect, in their absence, leave a gaping hole that so often spells misfortune. If only I had chosen to see their importance, then hindsight would not be such a painful experience. Often these seemingly unnecessary parts of what we perceive go unnoticed or are simply put aside and seldom do we attempt to see things at more than just face value. Seldom do we opt to venture into the murky waters of the unknown, instead we postulate and speculate as to what could be and don’t strive to discover what is. We base our perceptions on what was or was thought to be it but don’t take into consideration the possibility that what our predecessors tell us is fact may only be opinion or their own unclear or misguided perception. One cannot sum up the impact that certain events have on certain people if they themselves have not tread that same winding road but have knowledge only of the beginning and the end and no knowledge of what lies between these two points. Take for granted the fact that just going to it can never amount to going through it. One must live his lessons to the fullest instead of trying to leave them behind as you move on only to circle back time and time again to where that lesson beckons.

Ramblings of the Self-Conscious

I have views, views that I so seldom express, views that I supress unless I’m given reason to or put under duress, views that are viewed as abrasive, invasive and often not very persuasive, I have no reason to fear letting them hear what I see, how I see and I see why. Yet I do. Branded by the hot iron of society as a misfit, unfit to rub shoulders with the social elite. I fear that in my quest to fit in I lose myself, engulfed by the garb and mannerism that feel so alien to me, yet my façade projects an image of comfort to protect me from those prying and scrutinising eyes that look to uncover the lies that hide my true guise, squeezed into the uncomfortable dimensions that are the norms that dictate swag from whack, fact from smack spoken by those in the public eye who claim to lead lives that are way beyond their means. Depicted as unreal is the real, spoken as truth is the fabrication of truth. The twisting of words builds tension within the speaker’s own tongue as it intertwines with the lashings that hold your true essence down. Your own mind leads you in a direction that your soul wishes not to follow. Torn between the two of you, the two versions of you squabbling and bickering over matters of little importance and impotence. Truly pivotal decisions cast aside for a time where it will be too late, when fate becomes irate and cast you aside in the same manner. I wonder while I wander through squalor and remains of squandered opportunities. I follow the beaten path knowing not whether beat by feet of slaves headed to their graves or by the fortified souls of boots worn by conquerors in haste to lay waste to any they come across. Mindless ramblings….?

What is friendship?

Each of us has pondered over the question “What Is friendship?” Friendship is, first of all, unselfish relations. They are based on trust, sincerity, love and mutual sympathy. Another key to a strong friendship are mutual interests and hobbies.

But what is true friendship? The majority of people who consider to be our friends are really just our acquaintances. These are the people that we single out in the society surrounding us. We know about their cares and problems, and sometimes we come to them for help or gladly help them in difficult times. It would seem that these are excellent relations, but complete honesty is still not present. We don’t en trust them our innermost thoughts. If we’re successful they aren’t as happy for us as they are for themselves. But can this be called true friendship?

The status of friendship can be attributed only to honest and open relations, when they include a mutual feeling of kindness and readiness to selflessly help at any minute. Intimacy is also considered to be quite important in friendship.

As with love and the meaning of life, you can talk about friendship without end… You can observe it, but few of us get to experience it. A true friend allows us to accept the person as he is, without trying to adjust him to himself.

In order to live happily a person needs true friendship that would be based on respect and reliability of each other.

I would also like to point out the fallacy of those who say that friendship that existed in the past no longer exists in the modern world. The world will always be full of people who will constantly bring us joy.Value your friends, they’re wonderful people! They will be by your side throughout your whole life!

The main thing is to remember that if you want to have a true friend, you too need to treat him with love and sincerity.

You need to see the world in order to change it.

Travels and journeys allow you to explore the world

                                                                             You need to see the world in order to change it.

Will Traveler

There’s nothing more beautiful in this world than traveling to different cities and countries, studying the culture of other peoples, delving into their customs and morals. Each country is wonderful in its own way because it offers something unique to see. Our world is the most incredible of all creations. To be able to explore it is an incredible happiness.  Traveling the world makes us unbelievably rich because we get the opportunity of seeing the beauty of our planet. In addition to this it grants a sense of freedom. This feeling becomes a powerful factor that sets our emotions and thoughts free. It’s no wonder these travels lead a person to the most interesting and non-standard ideas. Traveling carries in itself a new vision of the world that excites us and evokes a desire to create. Another important stimulus to go traveling around the world is the chance of discovering the world, which means discovering yourself.  It’s a unique opportunity of comprehending existence through the surrounding space. Thus we broaden our mind.

Besides this journeys are good for your health! You protect your nerves because you’re not standing in traffic for countless hours, worrying that you’re late for work or an important meeting. Going on an outdoor vacation or to some kind of resort lets you take a break from harmful carbon monoxide and products filled with preservatives and low-quality nitrates. You can go, for example, to India or Sri Lanka and order a cycle of spa-procedures, or undergo a treatment course in a foreign clinic under the supervision of experienced specialists for a minimum sum of money.

People also travel in order to see landmarks and works of art, try unusual delicious national meals and dine in the finest restaurants where the most famous chefs are working.

Traveling makes us happier because it fills our life with knowledge. By possessing this knowledge we become a harmonious person that can solve even the hardest task.

Kindness fills life with meaning

When kind people are involved in charity they are filled with emotions and can’t contain their tears of happiness. It’s a truly extraordinary happiness when a person is doing such deeds.

Kindness fills life with meaning

Helping the needy in any way is a big happiness. When kind people are involved in charity they are filled with emotions and can’t contain their tears of happiness. It’s a truly extraordinary happiness when a person is doing such deeds.

First of all, he receives incredible pleasure from doing what he feels he needs to be doing at this moment. Secondly, he’s happy because he has the ability to do it.

Kindness – receptiveness, heartfelt goodwill to others, the desire to do good for others. This is something that’s done voluntarily, unselfishly, for the common good. It’s the light of the soul that illuminates the space around a person brighter than the most powerful flashlight. It’s empathy with the people around you and a wish for the welfare of everyone.

In order to be kind you need to feel love and joy for everything, and see only good things in people. If you’re not successful at it, you need to learn to do it and try to correct yourself. If you noticed something bad in a person, then you need to try and justify it, so as to be able in the end to have a positive attitude towards people. Generally speaking about kindness, it’s something that life is based upon, because without kindness there would be no peace on earth, no friendship, no friends or anything else we hold dear. This begs the conclusion that showing kindness is one of man’s main necessities. We often imagine helping another person when we think about charity. It’s impossible to be completely happy when there are so many unfortunate souls around you.

Don’t hesitate to show kindness and then your life will become filled with meaning. There are a lot of people that need your help.

The growth of your social life’s level and the feeling of personal satisfaction can and should be obtained by helping others. This leads to the increasing of the person’s self-appraisal and the respect others show towards him, while also improving conditions for self-realization.

How does charity influence happiness? You can become truly happy only when you’re able to make another person happy. If you have the opportunity of doing a good deed, be sure to do it. Without kindness there is no love, and without love happiness is impossible, for they are links of a single chain.

If only every capable of helping person would do so for those who need it… then we wouldn’t have neither receiving homes, nor retirement homes, nor children’s homes. Just imagine how many people could benefit from this help! How many people would become happy because of this.

I’ll let you in on a secret. True happiness comes only when a person is making others happy,. Charity is the best way to do it. It makes you and those you help happy!

Living in the moment

By Musa Maud Motso Mkalipi

Living in the moment

In my twenty four years of existence I would like to think that I am a step closer to being the person that I have always wanted to be.

Born and raised in the Eastern Cape Port Elizabeth, to Xoliswa and Mphumeleli Mkalipi I did not have much when I was growing up but my parents ensured that I had all that I needed and that was alright with me. One could describe my journey of growing up as one that was not easy however through all the hurdles I have come across, I am grateful to have the family that I have as without them I would not be a working journalist. I am a step closer to making my mark in the media industry.

The best moments of my existence did not just happen in one event but have spanned over periods of months. I live the best moments of my life each and every day that I wake up.

Currently working as an online journalist at Big Media Publishers, my time here has opened my eyes to a world that I previously never new about. My thoughts of being a journalist before studying in the field was that all journalists had the most easiest job of just searching for gossip and news that does not somehow make a difference in anyone’s life.

It was only after I decided to put aside that stereotype did I further feed my knowledge of what it really means to be a good writer. I also learned that being a journalist requires not a one track mind. It requires versatility, hunger to learn and knowledge of everything around you. Being a journalist is not simply putting pen to paper. Most people want to instinctively tell others what they know and what they have been through. Journalism has allowed me to do just that and has managed to broaden my ways of thinking as well as behave.

Being chosen as an intern here came at a time where I was starting to wonder if I was even good enough. I had sent so many applications to so many news agencies but it all seemed in vain. Once I was called for the interview (after numerous attempts). I realised that it was up to me to make an impression. Being hired was probably one of the most exhilarating moments I have ever had. I realised that this would be my time to shine and that things will only get better from now onwards.

I moved to Pretoria in 2007 where I then enrolled in the Tshwane University of Technology. At the time journalism was just a second option to the course I wanted to do. After just a few weeks of enrolling the course I realised that there was absolutely nothing else in this world that I would rather be doing.

Through the few months that I have spent at Big Media, I have learned so much more than I thought I ever would. I have travelled and met people from different walks of life, from the high and mighty bourgeoisie to those living off just their basic necessities. Journalism has aroused my curiosity of understanding how the world and the people living in it work.

I recently travelled to my home province where I was tasked to profile schools in disadvantaged areas. Upon my arrival I saw a whole new side of the place that I never knew existed. As I spoke to some of the students in these schools my heart was in limber.

These students had little means to get by and yet their dedication to their education kept them going. Suddenly the daily complaints I had everyday about my shower water being too cold or walking to work for thirty minutes seemed meaningless. These were people who walk to school for hours on end just so they can better their future existence. Working as a journalist has removed me from my shell, made me less oblivious to many things. There is no greater feeling than talking and meeting people who have stories to tell. Stories that might seem futile to them but in turn become an inspiration to the rest of the world.

I have been fortunate to work with a team that has been in the journalism field for decades on end. Through their wisdom and knowledge, they work every day to groom me in order to reach my full potential.  Through the people I have interviewed I have learned that even people in situations that seem hopeless are able to motivate me and push me beyond my limits.

My parents have been supportive in all that I do. They encourage me every day to live by the “you reap what you sow” statement. It is a cliché line however one that speaks the truth. Nothing was ever achieved through laziness and procrastinating. Your future begins now so one needs to make the most of it. Working and working some more is the way to go! My parents have been my role models my pillars of strength and my inspiration and I try to emulate them in all that I do.