Today I went to our student centre to withdraw money and I was so shocked to notice the challenges which are facing disable students in withdrawing money from ATM.
The beautiful queen was on wheelchair and could not reach the screen and keyboard of the ATM; and was forced to climb her wheelchair to reach to the greater view of ATM. Firstly, I wanted to assists her but something strike my mind that, this is a private matter so I refrain from infringing her right to privacy.
I observe with little pray what was happening and asking God to help her not to fall because I will feel guilty for not assisting her. After she finished, she turn with her radiant smile and walk away.
My question was, “Is there any ATM which is designated for disable? If there is one, why is not available for public use”?
I then navigate the search engine called google for some answers and the following links were good Samaritans to my questions:
* ATM) For Disabled Peoples
* Accessible automatic teller machines for sight-impaired persons and print-disabled persons
The last links highlight some challenges and suggests some solutions to this problem and I am hoping that our South African Banks will make use of this ground breaking invention and innovation skills.
What do you think?
I remain
"Agitator" Mavela
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Devine Sinister Agendas
Last December of 2008, I attended a Blessings ceremony for graduate at our local church to please my mother. Even though I knew it was a criminal offense to attend a church ceremony in order to please someone but I've done so.
I know I don't have powers to judge other human beings but I can't just standby and endure the sinister agendas.
Our ceremony came to an end and it was the time to listen to the Bishop. He told the congregation to Vote for the ruling party and he quoted from the bible on how sinful it is to disobey his church stance. I thought for a while, when was this decision taken by the church members? I tried to consult some elders there about my question but they told me to follow the Bishop "wise" advise.
He demonize Congress of the people (COPE)and Democratic Alliance (DA) existence.
I still recall his comment after he saw that the church was degenerating because of his statement. He said "I can see that these word are already burning like hell to other people".
Yes of course he got a democratic rights to canvas for his organization without cursing those who support alternative parties".
Churches are the first Community Based Organization (CBO)which are independent from association with any political organization. This is caused by nature of its membership who is derived from different political organization but integrated through the common goal of Praising and Worshiping of God.
Thanks God because some church leaders have stood their stance as church. Click on the below link to view some church leaders opinion on my statement.
I pause
Agitator
I know I don't have powers to judge other human beings but I can't just standby and endure the sinister agendas.
Our ceremony came to an end and it was the time to listen to the Bishop. He told the congregation to Vote for the ruling party and he quoted from the bible on how sinful it is to disobey his church stance. I thought for a while, when was this decision taken by the church members? I tried to consult some elders there about my question but they told me to follow the Bishop "wise" advise.
He demonize Congress of the people (COPE)and Democratic Alliance (DA) existence.
I still recall his comment after he saw that the church was degenerating because of his statement. He said "I can see that these word are already burning like hell to other people".
Yes of course he got a democratic rights to canvas for his organization without cursing those who support alternative parties".
Churches are the first Community Based Organization (CBO)which are independent from association with any political organization. This is caused by nature of its membership who is derived from different political organization but integrated through the common goal of Praising and Worshiping of God.
Thanks God because some church leaders have stood their stance as church. Click on the below link to view some church leaders opinion on my statement.
I pause
Agitator
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
School furniture that generates foot out of its premises
Being grown up in the township has thought me a lot. For instance, I have learnt with regret the truth that as human we must agree to disagree for the sake of progress. Sometimes we have to comply with the major principle of democracy which is majority rule, whether or not such rule is fragile invested on the negative impact.
Before I can puzzle you with some mere rhetoric statement, let me register my bone of contention without further dislocating it.
New Brighton is one of natural beautiful location with high redundant number of qualified graduates who are directly and indirectly in organized crime due to job wilderness. One of its divine blessing is construction of one and only Apartheid Museum in the world to mark the path of liberation struggle so as to remind our youth of where we came from and where are we heading as the nation. This is complemented by number of high standard school buildings and beautiful churches.
However, such blessings are demonized by looting of school furniture and vandalizing of school properties. This year for instance, the police department and Abahlali (communities) have fought a tooth and nail battle in combating these afore-mentioned crimes and what made things worse was the involvement of so called professionals. School toilets are vandalized by metal and copper hunter; and as a results the Sewerage system is malfunctioning and learners are left with the honours of troubling neighbouring communities or search for bush to relieve them. Most respected shebeens and taverns are occupied by established professionals and to be specific teachers.
Teachers are not ashamed of sitting on school furniture with the school name on it and some lawyers are more pleased to see looters illegally dispatching tables from school for their extravagant whiskeys to be put on. I’ve tried to engage some of these professionals and I was massaged with insultive political jargons and my intellect demoted for lacking skills of triggering constructive dialogue.
One still wonders if we still have people with teaching skills as calling or just a money making career. How on earth a qualified teacher can enjoys the comfort of sitting on school chairs and the pleasure of displaying overrated whisky on school’s learners table? How is their feeling when the return to school and only to found furniture missing and some learners sitting and writing on the floor? Do their children attend school in the township or Model “C’?
Before I can pause let me suggest that:
• Our communities must own the schools and its property
• Our education and security department must join arms in fighting this crime. They should together raid our streets and yards in search of school properties.
• Chicks (Metal and Copper recycle) companies must not accept any recycle material without the seller producing a positive green ID document and a certified affidavit from the police station.
• Security in schools should be reinforce
• We must stop buying stolen goods.
I remain
“Agitator”
Before I can puzzle you with some mere rhetoric statement, let me register my bone of contention without further dislocating it.
New Brighton is one of natural beautiful location with high redundant number of qualified graduates who are directly and indirectly in organized crime due to job wilderness. One of its divine blessing is construction of one and only Apartheid Museum in the world to mark the path of liberation struggle so as to remind our youth of where we came from and where are we heading as the nation. This is complemented by number of high standard school buildings and beautiful churches.
However, such blessings are demonized by looting of school furniture and vandalizing of school properties. This year for instance, the police department and Abahlali (communities) have fought a tooth and nail battle in combating these afore-mentioned crimes and what made things worse was the involvement of so called professionals. School toilets are vandalized by metal and copper hunter; and as a results the Sewerage system is malfunctioning and learners are left with the honours of troubling neighbouring communities or search for bush to relieve them. Most respected shebeens and taverns are occupied by established professionals and to be specific teachers.
Teachers are not ashamed of sitting on school furniture with the school name on it and some lawyers are more pleased to see looters illegally dispatching tables from school for their extravagant whiskeys to be put on. I’ve tried to engage some of these professionals and I was massaged with insultive political jargons and my intellect demoted for lacking skills of triggering constructive dialogue.
One still wonders if we still have people with teaching skills as calling or just a money making career. How on earth a qualified teacher can enjoys the comfort of sitting on school chairs and the pleasure of displaying overrated whisky on school’s learners table? How is their feeling when the return to school and only to found furniture missing and some learners sitting and writing on the floor? Do their children attend school in the township or Model “C’?
Before I can pause let me suggest that:
• Our communities must own the schools and its property
• Our education and security department must join arms in fighting this crime. They should together raid our streets and yards in search of school properties.
• Chicks (Metal and Copper recycle) companies must not accept any recycle material without the seller producing a positive green ID document and a certified affidavit from the police station.
• Security in schools should be reinforce
• We must stop buying stolen goods.
I remain
“Agitator”
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Disadvantages of dependent workers union
This blog seek to address and identify disadvantages of having a workers union which is aligned to the ruling party. In doing so, I will use certain case studies to illustrate the danger of trade union being infiltrated by ruling party and the manipulation of greediness of its own members should they be incorporated to govern bodies of the ruling party.
The trade union’s primary concern is to strive to better the working conditions of its workers and to see to it that workers are compensated fairly for the profit they bring to their respective companies. For this reason, a workers union needs to be allergic to any form of alliance with specific political party especially the ruling party. In Namibia, the worker’s union was in alliance with ruling party and its National Executive Committee member were offered senior position to government departments and as a results they found themselves being kept busy with government issues instead of worker’s related issues. In some extent they were easily silenced by being reminded about their commitment to the alliance and not to combat government policies publicly.
Herbert Jauch (2004) described these form of alliance between trade union and ruling party as “ideological onslaught”. The reason for his labelling was based on the fact that, trade unions in Namibia found it difficulty to cope with neo-liberally policies of government with those of the ideology of nationalism that was embraced by SWAPO since its inception. At independence, nationalist policies were coupled (in often contradictory ways) with the global onslaught of neo-liberalism. Entangled in the national liberation paradigm and at the same time confronted with a global wave of neo-liberal policies, trade unions found it difficult to clearly identify and articulate the specific needs and aspirations of their working class base. Instead, they were drawn into continuous compromises in the name of the ‘national interest’ – as defined by government.
Another dilemma was around union empowerment. As unionists started serving on company boards, they had to adjust to business perspectives of profit maximisation, restructuring and cost-cutting exercises which clashed with traditional union values of socio-economic justice, living wages, security of employment and elimination of inequality.
So when one argue for independency of trade union in South African context, one had to acknowledge the current issues in hand. For instance, the current stance of Congress of South African Trade Union (COSATU) is that, for next year National election in 2009 they proposed a 30% representative in government structures as form of empowerment of its National Executive Members (NEC). Their logical explanation is that they want to influence directly the structures of governance, more especially policies which contradicts workers rights. However, one has critically analyze this exercise of empowering trade unionists as some strategically emergence exit for the ruling party to silenced to vocal trade unionist and to yard stick them to compromise their party stance when it comes to government policies. How on earth a unionist can agree to privatisation while its policy is fighting for equal distribution of the wealth and to advance the idea of the workers to own the means of production
One has to be constantly reminded about what happened to a former unionist member Mr. Mbazima Thsilowa who was elected to be a Gauteng Premier and has practically done less to what was prophesised by workers. Instead he was more involved in government issues than union issues and in some extent workers were Toyi-toyi (Marching) against his administration .This resulted to internal politics as number of trade unionists was striving to acquire highly paid positions and factions were the awarding ornament of the day.
To date, the trade unions are affected by factions of the ruling party who favoured an outstood (Mpumalanga’s resolution) former President of the Republic Mr. Thabo Mbeki and those who favour the new breed leadership under the current president of the ruling party.
In all what workers want is the firm and independent workers union which is free from any political ideological influence. As one has studied so many alliances in different countries between trade union and ruling party, one can not help to observe Chrystal clear defiance and betrayals of workers interests.
In conclusion, there is no recognizable agreement between the jackal and Sheppard without involving the sheep. Such an agreement is based on betrayal.
The trade union’s primary concern is to strive to better the working conditions of its workers and to see to it that workers are compensated fairly for the profit they bring to their respective companies. For this reason, a workers union needs to be allergic to any form of alliance with specific political party especially the ruling party. In Namibia, the worker’s union was in alliance with ruling party and its National Executive Committee member were offered senior position to government departments and as a results they found themselves being kept busy with government issues instead of worker’s related issues. In some extent they were easily silenced by being reminded about their commitment to the alliance and not to combat government policies publicly.
Herbert Jauch (2004) described these form of alliance between trade union and ruling party as “ideological onslaught”. The reason for his labelling was based on the fact that, trade unions in Namibia found it difficulty to cope with neo-liberally policies of government with those of the ideology of nationalism that was embraced by SWAPO since its inception. At independence, nationalist policies were coupled (in often contradictory ways) with the global onslaught of neo-liberalism. Entangled in the national liberation paradigm and at the same time confronted with a global wave of neo-liberal policies, trade unions found it difficult to clearly identify and articulate the specific needs and aspirations of their working class base. Instead, they were drawn into continuous compromises in the name of the ‘national interest’ – as defined by government.
Another dilemma was around union empowerment. As unionists started serving on company boards, they had to adjust to business perspectives of profit maximisation, restructuring and cost-cutting exercises which clashed with traditional union values of socio-economic justice, living wages, security of employment and elimination of inequality.
So when one argue for independency of trade union in South African context, one had to acknowledge the current issues in hand. For instance, the current stance of Congress of South African Trade Union (COSATU) is that, for next year National election in 2009 they proposed a 30% representative in government structures as form of empowerment of its National Executive Members (NEC). Their logical explanation is that they want to influence directly the structures of governance, more especially policies which contradicts workers rights. However, one has critically analyze this exercise of empowering trade unionists as some strategically emergence exit for the ruling party to silenced to vocal trade unionist and to yard stick them to compromise their party stance when it comes to government policies. How on earth a unionist can agree to privatisation while its policy is fighting for equal distribution of the wealth and to advance the idea of the workers to own the means of production
One has to be constantly reminded about what happened to a former unionist member Mr. Mbazima Thsilowa who was elected to be a Gauteng Premier and has practically done less to what was prophesised by workers. Instead he was more involved in government issues than union issues and in some extent workers were Toyi-toyi (Marching) against his administration .This resulted to internal politics as number of trade unionists was striving to acquire highly paid positions and factions were the awarding ornament of the day.
To date, the trade unions are affected by factions of the ruling party who favoured an outstood (Mpumalanga’s resolution) former President of the Republic Mr. Thabo Mbeki and those who favour the new breed leadership under the current president of the ruling party.
In all what workers want is the firm and independent workers union which is free from any political ideological influence. As one has studied so many alliances in different countries between trade union and ruling party, one can not help to observe Chrystal clear defiance and betrayals of workers interests.
In conclusion, there is no recognizable agreement between the jackal and Sheppard without involving the sheep. Such an agreement is based on betrayal.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Insufficiency of Thesis Supervisors
For the past years I've been surrounded by highly frustrated PhD and Masters candidates. Many of them complain of insufficiency and effective of Supervisors in guiding them in accomplishing their task and fulfilling their dream of writing a eloquent thesis.
Right here next to me are two guyz who are also faced with similar case and I just can't sit down like a spectator. Our Brothers and Sister are dedicating their valuable time and energy in drafting and writing thesis everyday with no supervisor guidance. They keep on neglecting their duties while earning as ghost workers. This is academic crime which is intolerable by me as a growing eLearning Champion. Three weeks without feedback from a supervisor is total negligence and there's no justifiable excuse for it. Supervisors must just be restricted from Supervising more than three candidates per semester to avoid overloading of work to supervisors since they are also lecturing during day time.
Our institutions should design a commitment form for both Supervisor and Students to sign under Oath that they will mutually work with each other until the thesis is submitted and accepted by Varsity department council as good enough for a candidate to graduate.A draft programme should accompany this document and must be agreed upon by both parties involved.
I suggest that, Deans, Head of Department, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Head of research Unit should should spearhead this process and form part of this committee as it seek to dent the image of some South African Institutions of Higher Learning. The Varsity Senate Council should also adopt this as a strategy to provoke confidence to these candidates and to safe guard them in the same time.
Candidates are loosing their sponsors money because of taking too long to complete their thesis at the stipulated time and others are being sued for breach of contract for the afore- mentioned reasons.
"Education to Us means a Service to Africa", Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe.
Right here next to me are two guyz who are also faced with similar case and I just can't sit down like a spectator. Our Brothers and Sister are dedicating their valuable time and energy in drafting and writing thesis everyday with no supervisor guidance. They keep on neglecting their duties while earning as ghost workers. This is academic crime which is intolerable by me as a growing eLearning Champion. Three weeks without feedback from a supervisor is total negligence and there's no justifiable excuse for it. Supervisors must just be restricted from Supervising more than three candidates per semester to avoid overloading of work to supervisors since they are also lecturing during day time.
Our institutions should design a commitment form for both Supervisor and Students to sign under Oath that they will mutually work with each other until the thesis is submitted and accepted by Varsity department council as good enough for a candidate to graduate.A draft programme should accompany this document and must be agreed upon by both parties involved.
I suggest that, Deans, Head of Department, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Head of research Unit should should spearhead this process and form part of this committee as it seek to dent the image of some South African Institutions of Higher Learning. The Varsity Senate Council should also adopt this as a strategy to provoke confidence to these candidates and to safe guard them in the same time.
Candidates are loosing their sponsors money because of taking too long to complete their thesis at the stipulated time and others are being sued for breach of contract for the afore- mentioned reasons.
"Education to Us means a Service to Africa", Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Where is men species?
For the pass 3years I have been invited to Pre-School Graduations ceremonies as some kind of a Chancellor to Bless the Children who are about to start their Grade R education. I have done this with a passion and dedication without expecting payment since I viewed these events as a platform for me to encourage parents "to serve, suffer and sacrifice for their Children education because to me, education means a service to Africa".
However, in these event I found it so hard to comprehend the fact that "The Male parents are always absent". It puzzled me because I'm sure not all of their fathers are migrant workers, died or unknown by their mothers.
What happened to men? Have we lost Love for our children?
On one ceremony, a drunken men came with his heavily intoxicated friends to the ceremony. Firstly, I got so angry with this unspeakable behaviour but later I was so pleased to hear him telling his friends to leave if they careless about their children. On that day we were six men there, me, Preacher, Principal's Husband and the drunken men with his friends. Usually is me and the Pastor who represent men species.
Qouting Pastor Chris Oyakhilome "If you're a parent, you ought to have a vision for your children, especially while they're still young".
I challenge every men out there to demonstrate the "Spirit of Ubuntu" towards their own children and also appeal to those women who are cutting off their children father involvement in the child daily life to please involve them for the sake of the child. To stepmothers to allow their partners to visit their children more often without a fear of loosing them.
The fundamental duty of male species is to Protect, Love, Shelter and Cater for his family. We as men need to restore our dignity in the community which is tinted by cloud of being associated with Child and Woman abuse.
We can do all this if we show them Love, because Love conquers everything.
However, in these event I found it so hard to comprehend the fact that "The Male parents are always absent". It puzzled me because I'm sure not all of their fathers are migrant workers, died or unknown by their mothers.
What happened to men? Have we lost Love for our children?
On one ceremony, a drunken men came with his heavily intoxicated friends to the ceremony. Firstly, I got so angry with this unspeakable behaviour but later I was so pleased to hear him telling his friends to leave if they careless about their children. On that day we were six men there, me, Preacher, Principal's Husband and the drunken men with his friends. Usually is me and the Pastor who represent men species.
Qouting Pastor Chris Oyakhilome "If you're a parent, you ought to have a vision for your children, especially while they're still young".
I challenge every men out there to demonstrate the "Spirit of Ubuntu" towards their own children and also appeal to those women who are cutting off their children father involvement in the child daily life to please involve them for the sake of the child. To stepmothers to allow their partners to visit their children more often without a fear of loosing them.
The fundamental duty of male species is to Protect, Love, Shelter and Cater for his family. We as men need to restore our dignity in the community which is tinted by cloud of being associated with Child and Woman abuse.
We can do all this if we show them Love, because Love conquers everything.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Are the Youth Political Organisations contributing to youth development?
Recently, there has been an outcry of lack of visibility and meaningful contribution of Youth Political Organizations in a Development of our Youth.
This is speculated to be caused by Power- Hungry young politicians whose main aim is to rise to Parliament one day. Our Young Politicians has lost focus and resorted on competing on power- struggle and some are operating at the mute level.
It is more worse these days because the so called Youth Commission is dysfunctional. I wonder what are these comrades doing and if they are accountable to any government institutions. On what budget are they operating from? Another fact is, the structure has been infiltrated by one organization who claim to represents the youth of South Africa.
I've been told that Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang is appointed as Minister in Presidency: Sport and Youth Affairs; and I was wondering the relevancy of her in that portfolio. We need an energetic Youth Leader to lead that portfolio since she's old enough to fall under Youth. Alternatively, she needs to be capacitated with a designated Youth Leader who have Youth aspiration at heart.
I am also disappointed with Pan Africanist Youth Congress of Azania (PAYCO) visibility. They have not come out of closet and introduce a progressive youth programme to rally and unite our youth. I don't mean they have to be controversial like Mr. Julius Malemela (ANCYL President) but rather be persuasive and constructive in their effort to seek political fame.
Resolution:
* We need to Capacitate our Youth Commission
* Our Sport personalities needs to be more aligned to Youth Agendas
* Our Youth political organisation needs to establish a meaningful Youth Agendas
* To restore discipline among youth leaders
* Contextualized the Awareness programmes
* To tackle the crime prevalence in our community
* Graduates to be more involved in Youth projects as role models.
Lastly, Youth organizations needs to swallow their visible political pride and work together for the upliftment of our community standards and assists government in job- creation.
I Remain
"Agitator"
*
This is speculated to be caused by Power- Hungry young politicians whose main aim is to rise to Parliament one day. Our Young Politicians has lost focus and resorted on competing on power- struggle and some are operating at the mute level.
It is more worse these days because the so called Youth Commission is dysfunctional. I wonder what are these comrades doing and if they are accountable to any government institutions. On what budget are they operating from? Another fact is, the structure has been infiltrated by one organization who claim to represents the youth of South Africa.
I've been told that Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang is appointed as Minister in Presidency: Sport and Youth Affairs; and I was wondering the relevancy of her in that portfolio. We need an energetic Youth Leader to lead that portfolio since she's old enough to fall under Youth. Alternatively, she needs to be capacitated with a designated Youth Leader who have Youth aspiration at heart.
I am also disappointed with Pan Africanist Youth Congress of Azania (PAYCO) visibility. They have not come out of closet and introduce a progressive youth programme to rally and unite our youth. I don't mean they have to be controversial like Mr. Julius Malemela (ANCYL President) but rather be persuasive and constructive in their effort to seek political fame.
Resolution:
* We need to Capacitate our Youth Commission
* Our Sport personalities needs to be more aligned to Youth Agendas
* Our Youth political organisation needs to establish a meaningful Youth Agendas
* To restore discipline among youth leaders
* Contextualized the Awareness programmes
* To tackle the crime prevalence in our community
* Graduates to be more involved in Youth projects as role models.
Lastly, Youth organizations needs to swallow their visible political pride and work together for the upliftment of our community standards and assists government in job- creation.
I Remain
"Agitator"
*
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