Isabella Fischer's Blog: The Mdantsane Way, page 10

Bhele's Littel Angels in Mdantsane

The Mdantsane Way Online Magazine can also be seen as a small scale development project with a very personal touch. One of our objectives is to introduce our readers to the life and environment of this large township, that is not covered by main stream media. 




Many of the people who contribute voluntarily to the magazine have been involved in some sort of humanitarian work before in their life. And some of us have come to the conclusion, that large development organization and bilateral collaborations between countries and continents are not the best instrument to drive development on the grass root level.







In Mdantsane live thousands and thousands of little angels. Children who will have it harder in life to advance, simply because of the fact that they have been born into living conditions much less favorable than those of other children in more a developed and affluent environment.







This fact makes parents even work harder to earn money to send their kids into a school or give them the necessary pre-school education. Most South Africans experience what we call the battle for education. In fact most Africans all over the continent experience this.







Bhele's Little Angels is a creche and kindergarten situated in an informal settlement of Mdantsane offering educare, and after-school care in a Christian environment. Pre-school education is so important because the child's mind is trained and formed at a very early age, preparing him for school and making it easier for the child to learn. The entire socialisation process of a child depends on what type information he or she had been exposed to in his first five years.







We are publishing detailed stories about projects and institutions on this site, not only to allow for a personal view on a reality, that is for many people strange and unknown, but also to introduce people to personal development opportunities as well. 




Our message is if you want to help, or let us rather say get involved, there will be a way. Everybody who wants to help can help. There are so many ways to get involved.







This is a message to our readers that if you see a project you want to get involved with, we can facilitate the contact, but we will not get involved as a development agent.  It is up to you to develop a personal realtionship with the organization or the person.








If you want to sponsor books, money, toys - you can. If you want to help develop the career of a future musician, artist or poet you can.  It does not matter if you are in the Philippines, in Russia or in Brazil.







If you do have an idea let us know!










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Where Do You Go For Lunch In Mdantsane - The Red Star

Sure, you can go the the Mdantsane City Mall for lunch and sit at one of the many franchises like Wimpy, Debonairs, Chicken Licken  and some other known fast food chains. But long time before the mall opened in Mdantsane The Red Star has been there. The Red Star is a legendary place today, known for its huge vetkoek's and other home cooked meals. 




 


The Red Star is only a couple of hundred meters away from the Mdantsane City Mall but it is still going strong. - probably because the food  really tastes good.









There is more than one cook preparing the Russians, bread rolls, cooked chicken and the in Mdantsane well known vetkoek's.











 The doves also find their fair share just around the corner.







The owner Mzamo is the manager of a soccer club as well and he promised us an interview and a good look into his kitchen the next time.










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We Need Rain - The Inkwenkewzi High School Environmental Youth Club At Work in Mdantsane

Youth clubs can play an important role in the Mdantsane Commuity.




Prince, a member of the environmental youth club at Inkwenkwezi




Melikaya Buti is a Xhosa, but he grew up in the Gugulethu township in the Western Cape. He came back to the Eastern Cape a couple of years ago and holds now the position of a project manager for education and training at WESSA. Very soon he will start a Master's degree.

" My childhood in Gugulethu was similar to the way the kids live here in Mdantsane. I know very well what it means to grow up in a township environment. I was a member of several youth clubs when I was a child. It helped me stay on track and keep away from destructive activities, Meli says." 

 

He is in the position today to give back to the community. He does it with his full heart and a considerable amount of passion. Meli coaches the environmental youth club at the Inkwenkwezi High School in NU 6, an organisation consisting entirely of volunteers.






Melikaya Buti




"The message, that I want to bring across to the young people, is that if you take care of the environment and minimize your footprints, that you leave on the environment, you do it for yourself and for your own future. I always tell the volunteers, you do not do it for me, for the government or for Mdantsane. You do it for yourself and for your future. Nobody is forced to work with me. The earth is our future and we have to take care of it as we take care of our families".




To recognize the interdependency between man and the earth is not always easy to understand for the communities that have been deprived and been considered under-privileged for many years.






TheYouth Club




"The best point to start is to educate the youth about environmental issues and waste management. Waste is the biggest environmental problem in Mdantsane,' says Meli











The environmental youth club undertakes a wide variety of activities on the school ground. The vision of the club is that  through their actions and their example other young people from the school will join force with them.




Theresa, The German volunteer and Mr Amoah, the school principal watching the interview with Meli

  Melikhaya says that the never-ending support of the school's Principal Mr.Amoah is of great value to the  club. The support of the other teaches is essential. They have to be implicated in the process because they are the direct link to the children. Meli visits the school once a week, sometimes even less, but the teachers have the capacity to guide the children and encourage them to continue with their activities.







The WALL OF FAME in the Youth Club's Cottage


A clear structure and a set of rules have been established for the club. The club meets regularly in what is called "The Cottage" to discuss their activities and their plan of action. The Wall Of Fame shows a picture of each member.




The German Volunteers Jonas and Theresa




And we especially love the cross-cultural component of this project. The German Volunteers live in Mdantsane with guest families and their role is to facilitate the activities of the environmental youth club.









The club's rules 









Some volunteers have even used more drastic measures to clarify what is allowed and what is not inside the cottage............
 






Burning environmental issues have been recognized by these young South-Africans







and the cottage is a place of creativity.




 



 












One of the first activities, that Theresa and Jonas, the German Volunteers started with the volunteers was to paint a beautiful wall mural on one of  the school's buildings.













Seen from a distance you have to look twice to see where nature ends and the mural starts!









 






The Principal





Theresa and Jonas in front of the mural




Theresa and Jonas will still stay several month in Mdantsane. We are looking forward to see more projects of the club.

"It was not totally easy in the beginning Theresa" says,"because the life here is very different from Germany but now we have adapted to the Mdantsane way of life".





Bruce Lee showing us a lemon tree planted by the club




South Africa proudly presents! And may be others will get inspired by the clubs vibe and join!










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The New Generation- Scenes From The Film Set

Velile Of Imonti Tours With The Kids




The generation that fought for the freedom of South Africa did not really get a lot of benefits from it. They knew they finally had achieved something incredible. The foundation for social justice for everyone and democracy had been laid. But they could not really feel it because the process of transformation would still take more than decades.







The generation that came after the ones who fought for freedom has still a heavy load to carry. The weight of Apartheid has placed a psychological burden on the children of the ones who fought for a free society. The aftermath of Apartheid has created emotional boundaries and suspicion amongst people of different color.




Velile Having Fun



But the ones whose lives have started a couple of years ago will be the free ones. They will not dwell on the past so much anymore. They will not think about color so much anymore. They will just live their lives!








They will not hesitate to reach out to whomever they want to reach out, no matter the color or language.




Lord Ax Hooper Connecting With the Kids




With these children the power of education has finally kicked in.







Each and every one of these kids could speak to us in perfect English.







You can feel the freedom rooted inside. You can see it in their eyes. You can see the fear that has walked South Africa's streets so long is gone.




There is a lot to talk and to learn from each other




It does obviously take three generations. 






But South Africa's future and hope is now walking the streets with confidence! 

We have to more stories of the Inkwenkwezi High School in preparation but we wanted to share these images with you.








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Mdantsane Another African Story - The Movie Trailer

Mdantsane - Another African Story - A documentary film about South Africa's second biggest township



A LordAxHooper& Chocolat Negro Production



We proudly present the trailer to the movie "Mdantsane - Another African Story"

Mdantsane is after Soweto the second biggest township in South Africa. Mdantsane is a by the media and news so far undiscovered township. We
are presenting the trailer of the first very personal, intense and in
depth documentary about the Mdantsane township and its people.



Mdantsane
- Another African Story has been shot and finalized on location in
Mdantsane for four weeks during October/ November 2012. But the movie
incorporates material that has been collected over a period of several
years. The film takes you on a journey through this exciting African
township while it captures the spirit of this amazing place for you in
the here and in the now. The spectator is introduced to the history,
culture, music and the many other aspects that give Mdantsane its
distinct face and vibe.



Mdantsane - Another African Story is a
one of a kind independent cross cultural movie project, that has
transcended geographical and cultural boundaries.. It is a cooperation
between the European Film Production Company LordAxHooper, the South
African Multi-Media Online Magazine "The Mdantsane Way" and the people
from Mdantsane.



The film has as a mission, being a storyteller of
the human condition and to bear witness to the eternal struggle of human
beings for more social justice and a better life by combining
documentary work with respect to the human dignity of its subjects.



The
actors and narrators in the movie are Mdantsane locals. The focus is on
the people who are active and conscious creators of their fate.They are
the HEROES OF DAILY LIFE. They are the people who have made the choice to create, innovate and
improve their life.These are the stories that deserve to be told.



Mdantsane
- Another African Story documents positive stories of humanity that
show the cultural richness and the beauty of diversity to the world
through their pictures and words. The movie is a combination of visual
and narrative stories exploring the real world, and daily life of the
people of Mdantsane we have met while highlighting as well
socio-geo-political issues in form of documentary.



As a
spectator we are part of this world but the film leaves also a place for
reflection, poetry, personal interpretation and emotion,













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You Are My Candy Girl !

Wanna Be My Candy Girl? Inkwenkwezi High School NU 6


Yeah, well who would not want to be the candy girl in the picture. No Comment needed.

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Lunch Time At Inkwenkwezi High School In NU 6 Mdantsane

I am starting this article on a small personal note. My grandmother (of whom I am thinking very often because she was just so full of wisdom) always used to say: " A cook has to be of a certain substance. If he or she does not eat her own food there is no need in preparing it for others".

A peek into the kitchen of the Inkwenkwezi High School in NU 6 around 12 o' clock tells you immediately, that you do not have to worry here about what my grandmother was trying to say and that everything is in order.

The school  gives lunch to the students, cooked every day by these ladies!









The size of the pots, the smell of the vegetable stew and the steaming rice on the plates makes you terribly  hungry within seconds-should you be so unlucky to be in the kitchen around lunch time. You are unlucky if you are not part of the students.







We were not the only ones getting hungry. Anticipation could be seen on several faces.







What you see here is the work of an artist and her helpers and assistance. Do not think for a second that it it is easy to cook for several hundred learners on a tight budget and make the food still tasty. But confidence and experience does it.







At least O N E of us tried to soften the heart of the ladies. Meli was captured on film making use of his infatuating charm and smile, hoping to get his share of the pot. Well Meli, nice try but we nevertheless ended up at the RED STAR.




MELIKAYA GIVING IT ALL




But we know the meal indeed tasted delicious!









Just watch the learners for a little while having their meal in the classroom.

The Principal told us that for many students it can be the only meal of the day.









It becomes clear how important it is in South Africa to serve lunch at the schools. Nobody can study with an empty stomach.


















This by the way means: NO EATING ALLOWED HERE!












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The Inkwenkwezi School And The Environmental Youth Club In NU 6

WELCOME TO INKWENWEZI



The Inkwenkwezi school in NU 6 is running a very special environmental initiative. Supported by the NGO WESSA the school has an environmental youth club consisting of volunteers from the school.







The beautiful view over NU 6 from the Inkwenkwezi school













Our team has encountered so many interesting individuals (old and young) and a lot of amazing stories, that we have decided to run a series of several stories on this school.We are giving you a short introduction today - but please do come back tomorrow because more stories and pictures will follow.







Inkwenkwezi means star in the Xhosa language.







The Principal Mr. John Amoah






The school is run by a very energetic and motivated man named Mr.John Amoah. Mr Amoah, the principal of the school was born in Ghana, got married to a South African woman and  has two children, of which one of them is married to a German national. He resides in South Africa since twenty years. So you can say a truly cosmopolitan individual. 




He explained to us, that he plays two roles in life. He is the principal of the Inkwenkwezi school and he is a pastor as well, who is engaged in a variety of community projects initiated and supported by his church in Mdantsane.




The Principal with his students after the exams




When we arrived at the school the exams were in full swing.













Students were just coming out of the classroom and the tension was high.









Music does always help to release tension!









Intense discussions took place everywhere: How did it go? How did you write?

Worries ? Sure!






The Principal looking at a poster that the volunteers of the environmental youth club have designed





And still, during this so important period for the students and the teachers we were received and welcome with great hospitality.















We were introduced to the environmental youth club by Melikaya Buti who is the project manager for education and training at Wessa - the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa.. Under his guidance the volunteers of the youth club learn about environmental issues and slowly they become more and more aware and conscious of the interdependence between man and earth.




Melikaya Buti







This initiative has some many positive aspects that it deserves much more exposure.







Jonas Krombach




But there is more to it than raising the awareness of young people for our environment. The project has an intercultural component as well. 

Theresa Ekpa and Jonas Krombach are two young German nationals who were sent by the German volunteer organization Weltwaerts. They are living with two host families in Mdantsane and they will stay a whole year in the kazi living amongst the people of Mdantsane!   






Theresa Weltwaerts volunteer









People of different nationalities and convictions are working together to change behaviour, motivate others and add value to Mdantsane's neighbourhood.




Cottage of the environmental youth club



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Gangsta Rap Made In Mdantsane - XLCapone,The Magnificient

You know right away when somebody is really passionate about something. But there are people who are a little bit more than that. They live for what they love. XLCapone seems to be one of them. Born and bred in Mdantsane he is a full blood musician and he makes his music, no matter that he has little means at his disposition.

XLCapone's name given to him by his mother is Lwanda. But XLCapone has become his name and there were a couple of other variations before that, so he told us. 

We met him like we have met many other people in Mdantsane. We bumped into him in front of the Mdantsane City Mall while we were getting a bite with Siseko Tose. XLCapone is Siseko's homeboy. And that is how it goes.











XLCapone is a rapper and there are different styles of rap, so we learned from him. His music is Gangsta rap.

"People think we are doing just the same thing as the Americans. They think we copy the Americans. But what we do is: we really we sing about our neighborhood. We sing about where we live. And my music talks about the life I live", XL Capone says.




He makes his own music but he also mixes other beats down. Everything he does happens from home. He is on facebook, twitter and on youtube.

" I am there 24 hours of 24 hours. I am on social media 24 hours a day", he says.




Living in an environment like Mdantsane, with few opportunities to get discovered, produced or promoted the social media platforms are the only way for many artists to bring their work out to the rest of the world. And  XL Capone is lucky enough that he knows how to use them to his advantage.






Mdantsane Homeboys Siseko Tose and XLCapone




There are hardly any productions companies in Mdantsane.



" When people are discovered, the talent is taken out of the township " he says, " Nothing is produced here locally."




We did learn a lot about the Mdantsane music scene and that people are crazy about House music and we are going to stay in touch with him. For now we are giving you a little taste of his beat. This is proof that the man can rap. We (LordAxHooper and Chocolat Negro) have filmed a short video in the Hi -way area just before the sun went down.

OK, now let me see if I can say this right: This video might offend sensitive ears. In other words lock the very small kids up! Parental guidance advised if you know what I mean.

For his defense he DID ask us if he is allowed to swear.









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Mdantsane Access Road - A Little Road Trip On A Grey Day

Good morning everybody

The ones amongst our readers who call Mdantsane their home will probably recognize each and every stone on this road. Mdantsane access road leads you into the kazi.

We have uploaded a small movie compiled from footage we are not going to use in the movie. This little road trip on a grey day combined with Zahara's voice might cause nostalgic feelings in the ones who are not  staying in Mdantsane anymore. Enjoy!











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