Africans Way

It makes me feel good to write in 2010 a year which has been highly anticipated not by South Africans, however by the entire continent. People have different expectations as far as this year is concerned, others want to be part of the history by being there at the stadiums, others began long time ago preparing their businesses for this wonderful event and others this meant employment opportunities for them and skills development as well.

Indeed, in our country a lot has change because of hosting this biggest tournament. However, today I want to look on how now our society has become comparing against the past decade. When the country began a journey of democracy and it is believed that the inequality in society was between the ones who were oppressed and the oppressors. This was not totally the case; we had African society which was leaving far below the poverty line, families who are emerging to take part in the third world society. At the same time we had this society which was really affected by the system, this society was capable to participate in the mainstream economy of the republic, and however the system was not in their favor. This society really took a knock during apartheid time as it was frustrating for them.

After sixteen years of being free we have a situation where amongst those who were oppressed are divided. The economic elite black society has really forgotten about those who were affected by the system in such a way that they didn’t realize how cruel apartheid was, those who were living far below poverty line. I have recently been in close proximity with some people from economic elite group. The manner in which they refer to other black struggling community it makes one to be ashamed. These people now seem not to understand how it is to have NO food to eat for a day and not knowing when and how you are going to get meal. Not far away from big cities you will find society with humble homes, who appreciate to eat one meal a day.

It becomes more difficulty as well when a person from a society which uses to live below poverty line makes his was up. If he finally makes to the top, to integrate with economic elite people become a challenge. Firstly they don’t understand the priorities he sets for himself, they don’t understand choices, they fail to understand that sometimes what is important to them it might not be a high priority to him. They are quickly to make remarks remanding him about the past, indicating that he comes from nowhere. As South Africans I say we need to go back to the future, our future is our eternity, our eternity was determined far back when the Almighty God created us. Irrespective of how high you are in life, but to Him we are the same. We need to go back to rediscover ourselves and learn to be humble. We need to learn from the master of humbleness the one who came down and took the form of human although He was God. People have became so insensitive and belittling other human beings

We the people of Africa are known as people who are grounded on respect policy and humanity. Ma Afrika, show ubuntu, be accommodative, understand other people's way of life and learn about their background. Treasure each other, you are created by the Creator in His Image.

By: Musa Gumede

When a needle falls into a deep well, many people will look into the well,
but few will be ready to go down after it.
African Proverb

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for something.
African Proverb

A cutting word is worse than a bowstring, a cut may heal, but the cut of the tongue does not.
African Proverb

A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride.

African Proverb

January- uMasingana

Abalimile babehamba beqalaza emasimini ukuthi kukhonani, kumilile ukudla yini “ukusinga” ukuhamba uqalaza.

 February- uNhlolanja

 Inyanga yokuphingana kwezinja.

 March- uMbasa
 Inyanga yokotha umlilo. Kusuke kuqala ukungena amakhaza

 April - uNgulazibuya/uNdasa

 Omame baqala ukuhlanza izindawo zokubhula amabele okuthiwa ‘izibuya’.  Ukwe’ngula’ kusho ukuhlanza.

 May- uNhlaba
 Sekuvuthwe inhlaba (aloe) abafana sebefula uvovo

June- uNhlangulana

Izihlahla seziqala ukuvuthuka amaqabunga, kusebusika.

July - uNtulikazi

Izulu lomisile kubhenguza umoya oshunqisa izintuli.

August - uNcwaba

Sekuqala izimvula kumile notshani, kumile nezihlahla izulu liqala ukuba ncwaba (fresh) sekuza ihlobo.

September - uMandulo

Abantu sebeqala ukwendulelisa (ukulima)

October - uMfumfu

Okulinyiwe sekuyikhaba (two feet high) sekufufusile

November – uLwezi

Izinambuzane ezakhele emithini zizalela khona kujuze amanzi axhophayo okuthiwa ulwezi.

December – uZibandlela

Sekumile utshani, izindlela (foot-path) azisabonakali

One of the intentions of Africansway website is to inspire and educate the community about business and finances.  To achieve these goals the site has featured one of the founding members of KBSM Business Consultants CC and educator Thabani Bhengu (TC).  

Thabani Bhengu will mainly provide some expert knowledge about administration & finance for enterprise development.
He will be focusing on the following:  

• Business plans
• Company profiles
• Business Proposals
• Business registration (e.g. close co-operations (CC), co-operatives, etc)
• Individual and business income tax registration
• Tax clearance certificates
• VAT registration
• Financial bookkeeping for SMMEs
• Statutory returns (VAT) to SARS
• Customer service mentoring

There are several ways to explain the resurgence of the Enochian studies; one of them is the continuing prevalence of racially biased biblical scholarship in almost all the schools of the world.

The work that I am embarking on is partly a way of reconnecting to the original people all the sources of wisdom and also to counter the racism that has continued to wreak havoc on the children of the once great peoples called the Ethiopians. It is comforting though, to note that there is a handful of Ethiopians and other scholars who have dedicated themselves to the uncovering of the truth about Who We Really Are.

Michael Knibb’s reference to Greek source concluded with the followed significant statement: “Regrettably we have no information concerning the circumstances in which the book received the form which it has in the Ethiopic version.”

Emphasis added. The question of origin and the suggested Aramaic reference becomes Indefensible and the weak with Knibb’s ‘regrettable’ statement. In other words, the normative assumptions made about the Aramaic fragments and its originality as well as The Ethiopic Book of Henok as translatory manuscript fundamentality becomes groundless.”

“Several Biblical scholars have translated The Ethiopic Book of Henok into various European languages ever since James Bruce’s introduction of some of its copies to Europe in 1773.”

A poem I wrote several weeks ago...

Kuthiwa isimanje manje,

Yisikhathi sokulahlekelwa yimikhondo

Asiyiboni indlela eya phambili ngisho noma sekusile

Uma kuduke inhliziyo phela uyalandela nomqondo

Ngisho phela ingqondo, buza kongqondongqondo

Kumele senze, sibambisane, sande, ezintweni ezinomqondo

Akuthathi lutho olutheni, ukuyisabalalisa nje ingqondo

Ubhejane luyaziphakamisela uphondo

By: uMenzi kaMaseko

Dr Thokozane Nene (known as “Gxaba lembadada’) was born in  KwaHlabisa, North Coast of KwaZulu Natal, on the 19 of September 1944. Nene went to Eshowe Government School and obtained his Matric in 1965. He furthered his studies at the University of Zululand (Ongoye) obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1967. In 2001, he obtained a Doctor’s Degree in Philosophy.

In 1971, he joined SABC as a News Reader translating from Afrikaans to isiZulu, and in 2004, he worked at the Supreme Court as an Interpreter. He was the winner of the Amaqhawe (heroes) of Ukhozi FM and the Veteran Newscaster Award. In 2008 he was horned by Muhle Museum as one of the eThekwini Living Legend.

According to Dr Nene you can expect the analysis of the language from this page, when Musa Gumede asked him he said the following:

“We need to write mostly about origins of the language including figures of speech and idioms that goes with our language, for example 'Sobohla Manyosi' (It [stomach] will go down.)

Brief definition of 'Sobohla Manyosi'

Living during the time of King Shaka was Manyosi, son of Dlekezele Mbatha. This man was a brave fighter, and always distinguished himself in battle. He was capable of eating a carcass of a goat all by himself, and still taking large quantities of beer after that. Manyosi, even in the time of King Dingane, was treated with consideration, and was allowed as much food as he wanted, because he made good use of it in battle.

Then there came a time when amaZulu split, one section going away with King Mpande, and the other remaining with King Dingane. Manyosi followed King Mpande, however, he could no longer hope to get the same consideration as he had got with King Dingane. Then the people began to taunt him saying that his belly would go down. The expression eventually became a standing proverb describing one who would have cause to regret his past actions. [Source: Nyembezi CLS. 1990. Zulu Proverbs. Shuter & Shooter. Pietermaritzburg. South Africa]

We need to develop the language even in the current situations as we are facing HIV/AIDS challenge, which needs some African words when educating the public about it. We need to formulate words that are in line with education programmes of this nature. For instance the word “ Sexuality” which in Zulu means “ uBuzwa”.

We need to prove that the language is a gift from the Creator that we need to use even for the betterment of our health.

Dr Thokozani 'Gxaba lembadada' Nene may his soul rest in peace

• Participated as one of the principal dancers in 2007 FNB
• Dance Umbrella’s Bodies In Space
• Performed in Corporate Gigs for Theatre Director Themi Venturas at Elangeni Hotel.
• Choreographed and facilitated a dance performance to promote Team work for Musgrave branch of Standard bank.
• Performed at the Durban ICC for 2007 National Sports Awards
• Choreographed, Work-shopped and Performed ( Singing and Dancing )
• In a Poetical piece called A Grammatical Era at Catalina Theatre in 2007
• Participated in CASCO –Land an International Arts Festival featuring participants from Germany and Sweden collaborating with local artists and community
• Performed own Choreographed piece at ICC for a fashion-show Cal-De-Sac (a local model agency ).
• Commissioned by Siwela Sonke Choreographer ( Eric Shabalala ) and Artistic Director (Jay Pather ) for a performance in Twisted Bones which showed at the Durban Playhouse ( New-Stages –Loft )
• Performed with Ntombi Gasa for benefit of Children with Autism.
• Commissioned by Sfiso Khumalo to recite Poetry in a principal feature of Flat-Foot Dance Company production called SIX (24-28th September 2008)
  
• Also Danced for Celebrate Durban Festival
  
• Is a member of a New-Castle based Jazz band called Colours of The Nation-Maat.