Isabella Fischer's Blog: The Mdantsane Way, page 13
October 2, 2012
October 1, 2012
September 30, 2012
My Home Is In N.U 6
"My home is in N.U 6. I want a better house but apart from that I don't wanna go anywhere else. I just want a better house!"
Sometimes one sentence says enough. It says all there is to say.
When we started publishing the Mdantsane Way as a blog we thought initially of something like a " visual feast". It was not our intention to create a magazine that talks about who stole how much money and which organisations have corrupted government money the most.
Instead we wanted to leave a very strong visual impact for the readers inside and outside of South Africa by publishing images through which they can recognize their township. The Mdantsane Way was created as a site for seeing all the beautiful and interesting places and spots of Mdantsane live online. And our focus is on good and empowering stories.
Our archives has grown so much, that we will not run out of pictures for the next 5 years! And if we continue working as we do, we will achieve our goal of becoming the most extensive online photography documenatary and publication of Mdantsane ever.
What one can take home from these images and the sentence that was so well said by one of the owners in N.U 6 is: there is so much love in Mdantsane! The residents have a whole lot of love for their kazi!
http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/...
Traditional Xhosa Wedding Gifts In Miniature Form
Another Xhosa Tradition To Remember
It was heritage day just recently but we could not come up with a meaningful story. We were looking for a story, that is not repetitive of all the other stories. But now we have one, that we think is worth telling.
On the African continent many people of all sorts of skin-colors, nationalities and convictions are busy trying to preserve traditional African culture. Look around, you can see them everywhere! Many of them are not even affiliated with the so so callled International Development Agencies or Organisations.
They do this because they believe in a common cause. They are passionate and they believe in an African identity, that differs from region to region, but that nevertheless is distinct and unique.
Each tradition in each country of the African continent, be it a specific language, a poem, clothing, jewelry, song, the way an item is made or anything else, that is preserved, kept alive or remembered contributes to the great African identity, that must not be lost.
It is not easy to preserve African culture and traditions because in most African countries American influences swamp out many traditions and beliefs. The irony is that American culture is readily accepted by the younger generation in Africa, while Afro Americans are on a quest to discover their African roots.
So it is a fiery topic.
A great percentage of the inhabitants of Mdantsane are of a Xhosa origin. Most families have relatives in the Transkei. But what is Xhosa culture and how can one preserve it? It is so manifold and rich! Which traditions can be left behind and which ones have to be remembered and preserved.
One lady has done a lot of thinking and a great job in this regard.
Annegret Mostert has created a symbolic XHOSA wedding gift. Annegret has had produced the traditional Xhosa wedding gifts in miniature form, assembled them as a picture, elegantly framed under glass
When given to a young couple on their wedding day, this gift serves as a reminder how this day was celebrated traditionally.
Annegret Mostert, was born in Africa and has worked most of her life as an occupational therapist with people with disabilities. Listening to her is like opening a treasure chest of knowledge.
She has worked many years for REHAB, the non-profit organisation, that we have introduced in an earlier article as a consultant. Her great passion is the preservation of traditional African cultures and African craftsman's techniques such as basketry. And as such she also focused her efforts on the Xhosa culture.
She spent years working with women's organisations in the Transkei. And she has created a very unique wedding gift, that can remind the younger generations of the traditions of their parents.
In an interview Annegret said: " This gift is for the people who come originally from the Transkei but who have moved to Johannesburg or other parts of South Africa. With time the younger generations loose their connection to the Xhosa culture"
With the framed picture comes an exact description, where, why and how it was created. The production of this wedding installation picture helps women in the rural areas to get additional income.
So, if you know someone who is getting married, give it a thought because by giving this gift to a couple you start a whole process of remembrance and preservation, thereby enabling the ones who have stayed in the rural areas to also live a little bit a better life.
This was my Sunday morning Sermon to you ! We wish you all a happy and blessed Sunday with your families and loved ones.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/...
It was heritage day just recently but we could not come up with a meaningful story. We were looking for a story, that is not repetitive of all the other stories. But now we have one, that we think is worth telling.
On the African continent many people of all sorts of skin-colors, nationalities and convictions are busy trying to preserve traditional African culture. Look around, you can see them everywhere! Many of them are not even affiliated with the so so callled International Development Agencies or Organisations.
They do this because they believe in a common cause. They are passionate and they believe in an African identity, that differs from region to region, but that nevertheless is distinct and unique.
Each tradition in each country of the African continent, be it a specific language, a poem, clothing, jewelry, song, the way an item is made or anything else, that is preserved, kept alive or remembered contributes to the great African identity, that must not be lost.
It is not easy to preserve African culture and traditions because in most African countries American influences swamp out many traditions and beliefs. The irony is that American culture is readily accepted by the younger generation in Africa, while Afro Americans are on a quest to discover their African roots.
So it is a fiery topic.
A great percentage of the inhabitants of Mdantsane are of a Xhosa origin. Most families have relatives in the Transkei. But what is Xhosa culture and how can one preserve it? It is so manifold and rich! Which traditions can be left behind and which ones have to be remembered and preserved.
One lady has done a lot of thinking and a great job in this regard.
Annegret Mostert has created a symbolic XHOSA wedding gift. Annegret has had produced the traditional Xhosa wedding gifts in miniature form, assembled them as a picture, elegantly framed under glass
When given to a young couple on their wedding day, this gift serves as a reminder how this day was celebrated traditionally.
Annegret Mostert, was born in Africa and has worked most of her life as an occupational therapist with people with disabilities. Listening to her is like opening a treasure chest of knowledge.
She has worked many years for REHAB, the non-profit organisation, that we have introduced in an earlier article as a consultant. Her great passion is the preservation of traditional African cultures and African craftsman's techniques such as basketry. And as such she also focused her efforts on the Xhosa culture.
She spent years working with women's organisations in the Transkei. And she has created a very unique wedding gift, that can remind the younger generations of the traditions of their parents.
In an interview Annegret said: " This gift is for the people who come originally from the Transkei but who have moved to Johannesburg or other parts of South Africa. With time the younger generations loose their connection to the Xhosa culture"
With the framed picture comes an exact description, where, why and how it was created. The production of this wedding installation picture helps women in the rural areas to get additional income.
So, if you know someone who is getting married, give it a thought because by giving this gift to a couple you start a whole process of remembrance and preservation, thereby enabling the ones who have stayed in the rural areas to also live a little bit a better life.
This was my Sunday morning Sermon to you ! We wish you all a happy and blessed Sunday with your families and loved ones.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/...
September 28, 2012
Siseko Says
SiIseko Tose Tose Says
I met a while ago this fella, called Siseko Tose Tose. Grew up in Mdantsane. Spend a couple of years in Cape Town. Then came back to his home ground.
Siseko is indeed a very interesting guy and he has a few things to say. He does this on the African blogosphere.
One thing that can be said with certainty is that Siseko is never without his music and never ever will it happen, that you will see him without it. I can predict that. He is the kind of guy who carries a mobile home office stored in a huge backpack around. ALL the time! Enough me taking about him. Let us here now what he has to say about himself.
Siseko says about Siseko:
this [SisekoSay] is on a lighter side of things as you will figure it out as you bare witness.
i am not here to preach, front and show how intelligent [and lack of] or opinionated i am, i am on this
tip cause i can – so i will post it and you can read it / luckily there
is an option for you to paste your comment about my opinion/s and
frankly i dont really care if you dis-agree but if you do / hey
without further sounding like an uncle in a family gathering / lets do this
_remember if you say something stupid – you earn the right to be shot with a water pistol.
this blog is born on Father’s day / not on the 19th, on Father’s day – got it
That gives you an idea? Right? Intrigued? Yep, others call him fresh! Lets go and check it out.
Siseko blogs on wordpress and here is his link SISEKO SAYS
http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/...
September 27, 2012
Rehab - Association For The Rehabilitation Of Persons With Disabilities
We have chosen today's story, that was written by Chido Mbambe, a journalism student at the Walter Sisulu Univesity in East London, because we have a long affiliation with the non-profit organisation REHAB.
Rehab is not situated in Mdantsane. It occupies premises in Southernwood, but the importance of their work for the whole of the Eastern Cape can not be overlooked. They do a lot of work in Mdantsane. They look after disabled people at their homes in Mdantsane and busses used to travel to the township to fetch children with diasbilities and bring them to their crash in Southerwood for occupational therapy.There is no other facility in the Eastern Cape like Rehab.
The health and the samity of a society is also marked by the existence or absence of social structures and institutions that caters for the disadvantaged and people with diabilities.We have recently spoken about the plight of old people in South Africa. What does it say about our society that there are so few institutions that cater for the old and the disabled in South Africa with South Africa beeing one of the richest countries on the African continent.
We can afford it but we do not afford it ! Here is Chido's Story.
REHAB by Chido Mbambe
Local companies are offering learnerships to the disabled who are part of Rehab’s database. Mercedes Benz recently took 26 clients, First National Battery and VW Uitenhage took 10 each and the Department of Health took 11 clients for learnerships.
This gives Rehab’s clients hope for better living. Occupational therapist, Mrs Judith Dirks said: “They actually make for good employees because they will guard their jobs.”
Rehab is the Association for the Rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. The non-profit organisation was formed 14 years ago as a support structure to the disabled. The associations for mental health, the physically disabled and the blind all merged to form one society.
Rehab is the only facility of its type in the Eastern Cape. Their head office is in Southernwood, East London, and another office is in Butterworth.
It serves as a resource centre to the disabled community. The resource centre hosts various workshops, counselling and support groups, fundraising and employment opportunities to assist the disabled gain confidence and independence.
Tony Moore works in
the Pick ‘n Pay control room. He started as a volunteer at Rehab fixing
wheelchairs.
Employment in the workplace is one of their key focuses as accommodating the disabled will break down stigmas in society. Many face attitudinal, social, financial and environmental barriers within their communities.
The learnership programmes open doors for Rehab’s clients. Not only are these learnerships a learning curve for the disabled, but they provide exposure, experience and training.
Mrs Dirks said: “Learnerships are advantageous as they cater for more people. They create more employment opportunities as companies take big groups at a time.”
The job preparedness and work assessment workshop Rehab recently held was one of their many successful information sharing workshops. This workshop had disabled persons who had just completed learnerships share their experiences of the working world with others.
An ex-Rehab volunteer, Mr Tony Moore, works in the Pick ‘n Pay control room. He has been part of the Vincent Park Pick ‘n Pay family for four years. He started as a volunteer at Rehab fixing wheelchairs.
Although in a wheelchair, he is a skilled carpenter, but has now also developed the necessary skills required in the CCTV control room. When asked about the work he does he commented: “I’m enjoying it, but actually I’m looking for something more challenging, I’ve got it now.”
Story and Image by Chido Mbambe/journalism student at the Walter Sisulu University, East London
http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/...
Rehab is not situated in Mdantsane. It occupies premises in Southernwood, but the importance of their work for the whole of the Eastern Cape can not be overlooked. They do a lot of work in Mdantsane. They look after disabled people at their homes in Mdantsane and busses used to travel to the township to fetch children with diasbilities and bring them to their crash in Southerwood for occupational therapy.There is no other facility in the Eastern Cape like Rehab.
The health and the samity of a society is also marked by the existence or absence of social structures and institutions that caters for the disadvantaged and people with diabilities.We have recently spoken about the plight of old people in South Africa. What does it say about our society that there are so few institutions that cater for the old and the disabled in South Africa with South Africa beeing one of the richest countries on the African continent.
We can afford it but we do not afford it ! Here is Chido's Story.
REHAB by Chido Mbambe
Local companies are offering learnerships to the disabled who are part of Rehab’s database. Mercedes Benz recently took 26 clients, First National Battery and VW Uitenhage took 10 each and the Department of Health took 11 clients for learnerships.
This gives Rehab’s clients hope for better living. Occupational therapist, Mrs Judith Dirks said: “They actually make for good employees because they will guard their jobs.”
Rehab is the Association for the Rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. The non-profit organisation was formed 14 years ago as a support structure to the disabled. The associations for mental health, the physically disabled and the blind all merged to form one society.
Rehab is the only facility of its type in the Eastern Cape. Their head office is in Southernwood, East London, and another office is in Butterworth.
It serves as a resource centre to the disabled community. The resource centre hosts various workshops, counselling and support groups, fundraising and employment opportunities to assist the disabled gain confidence and independence.
Tony Moore works in
the Pick ‘n Pay control room. He started as a volunteer at Rehab fixing
wheelchairs.
Employment in the workplace is one of their key focuses as accommodating the disabled will break down stigmas in society. Many face attitudinal, social, financial and environmental barriers within their communities.
The learnership programmes open doors for Rehab’s clients. Not only are these learnerships a learning curve for the disabled, but they provide exposure, experience and training.
Mrs Dirks said: “Learnerships are advantageous as they cater for more people. They create more employment opportunities as companies take big groups at a time.”
The job preparedness and work assessment workshop Rehab recently held was one of their many successful information sharing workshops. This workshop had disabled persons who had just completed learnerships share their experiences of the working world with others.
An ex-Rehab volunteer, Mr Tony Moore, works in the Pick ‘n Pay control room. He has been part of the Vincent Park Pick ‘n Pay family for four years. He started as a volunteer at Rehab fixing wheelchairs.
Although in a wheelchair, he is a skilled carpenter, but has now also developed the necessary skills required in the CCTV control room. When asked about the work he does he commented: “I’m enjoying it, but actually I’m looking for something more challenging, I’ve got it now.”
Story and Image by Chido Mbambe/journalism student at the Walter Sisulu University, East London
http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/...
September 26, 2012
Graffiti is Art - And Art Is Everchanging in Mdantsane
Graffiti is Art!
The Everchanging Art of Mdantsane!
In Mdantsane we find a phenomena, a natural phenomena, that artists in Europe try to achieve intentionally. Perishable art, art that vanishes and art that dissolves or is destroyed again. In the west installations are set up with great effort in public spaces or in nature, only to be taken over by natural forces or to be destroyed deliberately. The process of destruction is watched by many. It is a process, that shows that art is perishable, a creation of the mind and as such it represents the state of the mind at a given point.
We have come to this place several times, a deserted trading complex in N.U 5 that is merely a ruin now. Each time the graffiti and art on the walls have changed. I can not deny that sometimes this has left me in an emotional state - because I came back to see a certain painting but instead I found another one.
Not a second do we think that these walls have been vandalised. They have been beautified.
Art is Ever Changing in Mdantsane and it is public.
Art is verbal and loud ind Mdantsane
http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/...
The Everchanging Art of Mdantsane!
In Mdantsane we find a phenomena, a natural phenomena, that artists in Europe try to achieve intentionally. Perishable art, art that vanishes and art that dissolves or is destroyed again. In the west installations are set up with great effort in public spaces or in nature, only to be taken over by natural forces or to be destroyed deliberately. The process of destruction is watched by many. It is a process, that shows that art is perishable, a creation of the mind and as such it represents the state of the mind at a given point.
We have come to this place several times, a deserted trading complex in N.U 5 that is merely a ruin now. Each time the graffiti and art on the walls have changed. I can not deny that sometimes this has left me in an emotional state - because I came back to see a certain painting but instead I found another one.
Not a second do we think that these walls have been vandalised. They have been beautified.
Art is Ever Changing in Mdantsane and it is public.
Art is verbal and loud ind Mdantsane
http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/...
Wrap It Like An African Gal - Cornelia's Creations
It's fashion time today. We are simply crazy about head wraps, turbans, bandannas and head scarfs. And as no one can dance like us Africans, no one can wrap it up like an African gal. We have asked a genuine Eastern Cape gal to wrap it one more time for us. And what a job she did this time!!!
If you use the African Wax or if you use our traditional ShweShwe - the rule is it has to be big!
We can say in all honesty that these creations have created a genuine admiration and a tiny little bit of jealousy from the European sisters lately. We received an email from an American gal asking us how she could learn to wrap it like our Eastern Cape Gal.
So now we are preparing ourselves to shot a small movie, a sort of teaching instruction for the European sisters how to wrap it.
Stay tuned, this is gonna be fun !
http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/...
September 24, 2012
Do It Yourself
Women are doing it for themselves! Well not everything, but more things lately!
Seen in N.U 6
http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/...
Pink Blossom In Mdantsane
Spring in Mdantsane comes with a lot of pink.
Here are some pink moments from N.U.6
http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/...
