twelfth issue
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| Independent Skies Magazine
| Issue 12 April 2013
4. Conveying and ab-
sorbing feedback
Ernest Mackina
8. A facebook post... 10. Proverty 12. Judiciary Is An IndeFarah Haddad
Mohammed Alikabi
pendent Institution? Sunita Nayab Gill (Adv)
14. TAKING ENTREPRE-
NEURSHIP IN AFRICA TO THE NEXT LEVEL
IHAV
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Since time immemorial, man has come up with several innovations that have advanced the standards of living to pinnacles that were previously unimaginable. This has been made possible by a myriad of factors but one key step that has been part of the success of the communication of ideas and the expression of innovations has been the effectiveness of conveying feedback and its absorption.
Understanding feedback The academics at Oxford University Press (2012) agree that feedback is information given in response to a product, a person’s performance of a task and is used as a basis for improvement. Improvement? Yes! Through feedback, an individual can lay the foundation for their self improvement. Self improvement translates to self-empowerment and self empowerment is a celebration of freedom, after all, it’s all
| Issue 12 April 2013
about freedom. Feedback is a product of an open system and an open approach that indicates current performance against set standards. It involves a critical assessment or the use of suggestions aimed at improving performance. Through the varying conversations and interactions that one has in different setups, be it in the public spheres, at the work place, at college, places of worship or in the community, the process of feedback is taking place. As a result, it is pertinent for one to realize the need to engage in avenues that foster the transformation of that feedback into a useful resource for character building and reputation boosting. The modern world which we inhabit has experienced a shift to an era where one’s image is everything. As such, one should create avenues that enable the transmission of feedback so that the process of communication becomes full circle and not a one way route like traffic.
Why engage feedback? Feedback is vital, at the workplace, at school, in the community and areas of worship and most importantly at the individual level where it only makes sense in this present-day in age to treat oneself as a brand. Through feedback, one is able to receive feedback as an output and return it to its input in order to regulate future outputs. In simple terms, feedback can be used as a resource for one to better themselves and it grossly fuels self improvement.
Types of feedback There are different types of feedback. Namely, constructive feedback which aims to let people know how they are performing and negative feedback normally characterized by unkind comments or a negative response to something as well as constructive feedback which builds
Conveying and absorbing feedback
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Ernest Mackina
Conveying and absorbing
feedback Ernest Mackina
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up on something under analysis through positive criticism as well as destructive feedback which tends not to be truthful and leads to an individual having a fabricated impression about something under analysis. Feedback can also be positive and this often motivates and encourages the person receiving feedback.
How do you enhance feedback? Take a deep breath, calm yourself down, learn to give feedback impartially and receive it without a sense of being subjective. Communicate objectively with your colleagues and companions to build ‘goodwill and better friendship’. Ask yourself as you relate to others ‘is it the truth?’ Subtract emotion and instead use wisdom, because when it speaks - experience teaches!!! Cease looking at conveyors of feedback as enemies
| Issue 12 April 2013
and inculcate a culture of separating people from the statements they say. Strive not to be emotional about feedback, instead separate the subject from the person relaying it. Once again, take a deep breath, the statement you are about to utter might change someone’s lifestyle and decisions!!! When relaying feedback, have a partner help you in demonstrating how you want something done, in an objective manner without any intention of killing character or finding blame. The blame game normally ends with a torn relationship.
Conveying and absorbing feedback
Ernest Mackina
is an amateur photographer, blogger and poet from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe . For more of his articles log his blog UntitledChronicles (www.mackinaernest54.blogspot.com ) and get to read more of his “handwritten thoughts...�
Make a person understand, do your utmost to make a person understand and not condemned, it defeats the purpose of feedback to point fingers. Learn to attack the act and not the person, try saying the same thing from different angles. Study the people whom you want to relay or obtain feedback from and appreciate the golden rule, after all, people are different and this translates to a need for them to be treated differently. Learn to give positive feedback. You can show application of how this article has helped you out by giving me feedback on it!!!
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Ernest Mackina
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running away from the cafeteria covered with blood, as were the plastic chairs on the floor. Noor had posted about how her brother survived a missile that landed in his school. Ali was talking about had posted things like: “they how he had just passed Baramkeh ruined my neighbourhood”, Street when a car blew up. Dania “those monsters destroyed posted a picture of her cousin who our house”… Terrified, I called was murdered because of sectarian violence. Saba posted about my mother and she reassured me the refugees in Zaatari who froze to with her shaky voice that everydeath during the snowstorm, and thing was okay, and that only a then about the refugee who died few people died due to a bomb explosion. She was choking on her in a fire. I got a message from my best friend back home and he told own words. Patience, be strong. I started getting flashbacks from this me all about his experience being tortured at prison after getting summer (2012) when I was in Dacaught protesting. mascus and it was raining bullets and bombs. Smoke was coming out of buildings. We were safe, but that was our view from the window. As I pursue my education contiWe were safe, but whoever lived a nents away from my city, all I can do is watch. Over the past two few blocks away was not. A baby in the opposite building bursts into years, sitting behind my computer screen, I’ve seen how people’s tears. The blasts keep echoing in posts on Facebook have been my head. changing. They changed their proTwo days later, as I was killing time file pictures to black, and their cover photos to one of the two flags to on that same ‘newsfeed’, Marcel indicate which “side” they support. posted: “I am alright, don’t They posted nasty comments worry!” I scrolled down some and backed their arguments with more and was swamped with posts videos of body parts and tortured about the 13 Architecture students cadavers. I would wish that it were who were killed on their University only in this virtual world that these campus. Their colleagues were I wanted to take a break from studying for my exams. Unexcitedly, I started scrolling down my Facebook newsfeed. I saw that my friends in my neighbourhood
things are happening, but that was only a fraction of it. But then, I saw bravery, hope, and a huge deal of strength in my peers. Who would have thought that anyone would dare to say a word about the president before the revolution? Who would have thought that the Syrian flag would be raised in Palestine, Iraq, Morocco, Egypt and many more non-Arab countries as well. Syrian students continue to insist on going to schools and universities no matter how dangerous it is, because they know very well the end to this situation is peace reached through education. Those who had to leave the country, continue to be so deeply attached to it. I for instance know that I left my heart and mind in Syria. Although I feel helpless at times, my hope in the Syrian youth never fails me... I logged off of Facebook, because all I could do was watch, from behind my computer screen. But, then I decided to do something and this article is just a first step for many to come. No matter how small the things you do seem to you, just remember that humans start young and grow it is a law of life. So you can either feel miserable and watch or stand up and do something.
A facebook post... | Farah Haddad
A
post...
Farah Haddad
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They got money for war, but they can’t feed the poor - Tupac Shakur
Poverty Why are there poor people in our world
Mohammed Alikabi
Proverty | Mohammed Alikabi
Poverty has existed for a long
time now and it is extremely uncontrolled. Mankind has to fight for human rights, the right we have to fight for is that every human should be able to afford food and drink everyday.
the regular schools. Almost all of the problems in these countries are caused by the people’s lack of knowledge. Many people do idiotic stuff like stealing and killing to survive and that is obvious. Some children start to work at the age five, these children won’t receive any education. The analphabetism in the country rises and along with it the lack of knowledge and that leads to increased criminal activities and that creates a chaotic future that occurs when these children get older and yes, that does not always occur, but since it often occurs, we have to act and make a stand.
A human in Africa can survive with one dollar per day, many people think that donating money to the UN is not helpful at all, but when you actually think about it, it is extremely helpful, with only thirty dollars, you can feed thirty people in one day, or one person in thirty days, if like one million people donate, then they might be able to make farms or/and rubber factories, It is really dangerous, because because Africa is the perfect only one man is needed to place for planting rubber trees. create terror and chaos in our world, Adolf Hitler is an examIf we jump away from Africa ple. School should be obligato Asia then we can see much tory, at least till 9th grade and richer countries that include wa- it should be free, like in Sweter, food and materials, but there den and other countries. Many are still many poor people that people dream about going to fight every day to fill their stom- school, but they are too poor to achs, if we transfer some money do so, I can imagine how much to the Asian countries, then they would work if they got acthey would be able to build new cess to a school, there are many schools for people and advance
smart people in the world, but they are forced to work or not go to school, all because of their lack of money. Why is it like that? The key of victory for many countries is democracy. Many leaders, especially in Africa do not allow the UN to do something in their countries, even if they allow UN to enter, they kick them out within months. They do not always accept medical help like vaccination against dangerous diseases that infects both children and adult, because of greed, the UN does it for free, but the leaders are too afraid of revolutions etc. They do not want to lose their money which actually is not their own money, it is their countries’ money. Another example is how some leaders try to start wars instead of focusing on trying to solve the economical issues of their countries. We need democracy in our world. so the people that have suffered won’t be forgotten.
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n every country, there are three organs that run the affairs of the country and maintain peace and order in the country. These three organs are legislature, executive and judiciary. Legislature make laws, executive enforces and judiciary interprets the law. Judiciary plays a very important role in the interpretation of statutes and laws. Judiciary has played a pivotal role in the development of law. It develops law by giving judgments, which later become a precedent that is a source of law. In many countries, the judicial system is very weak and does not act as an independent institution. The
In Pakistan, the judiciary is strongly influenced by politicians, landlords, governments, media and businessman. The landmark case in the history of Pakistan is “Maulvi Tamiz-ud-Din Vs Federation of Pakistan (1955)”. In this case, Maulvi Tamiz-ud-Din filed a writ of Quo- warranto and mandamus against the Government because the Governor General dismissed his constituent Assembly and the Sind High court gave the decision in favour of Maulvi Tamiz-udDin but later on, when the Government did appeal, the Court gave the decision in favour of Federation of Pakistan. First time the “Keelson Theory” was intro-
Judiciary Is An Independent reason behind it is the political system, the governmental structure, feudalism, economic and social stability and most important of all the Thana System (Police Station). Countries where the governmental system is quasi-parliamentary and quasi-presidential, the judiciary is not an independent institution. Where the one governmental system prevails whether parliamentary or presidential, the judiciary is an independent institution, like in USA and UK. In USA, their presidential system president has immunity, but he cannot interfere in the matters of judiciary. So, the judiciary there is completely independent. In UK, there is a parliamentary system so the judiciary is not a wholly independent institution, but we can say it is independent. In most of the Asian countries, the judiciary is not independent. Like in Pakistan, the judiciary is not an independent institution and it is striving for the independence of the judiciary for the last several years. In developing countries, the judiciary is to some extent independent but not entirely. It is influenced by the political system prevails in those countries.
duced in Pakistan in this case and Justice Munir took the plea that it is the “Law of Necessity” and gave decision in favour of Federation of Pakistan. So, in Pakistan the judiciary has never been an independent institution. In 3rd of March, 2009, the judiciary is restored when the Chief of Justice of the Supreme Court is restored. Now after that, the judiciary of Pakistan became a little bit independent but still it needs more time and struggle to be free and work as an independent institution from governmental and political pressure. Recently, the Supreme Court of Pakistan took a bold step in Swiss cases and dismissed the Prime Minister for court of contempt but very next case the judiciary step back when the son of Chief of Justice is involved, he didn’t take a bold step because his son is involved in this case and gave a biased decision in favour of his son. So, it takes a time to become an independent institution. Sunita Nayab Gill (Adv)
t Institution?
Judiciary Is An Independent Institution? | Sunita Nayab Gill (Adv)
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ccording to an article written by the Vice President of the Africa development Bank Professor Mthuli Ncube half of Africa’s population is below the age of 20 with a median age of 18, this being a serious indication that the continent is facing a youth bulge. As the continents’ population continues to grow questions are raised about the issue of economic opportunities for the young Africans. The global recession that has been going on has seen the economies of most African countries weaken, and this has also been characterised by low levels of economic growth and pervasive poverty that has made it difficult for them to create equal opportunities for all social groups in their respective countries. In some
of them lack an entrepreneurial mind. According to research, the average mind amongst every university graduates is that they look forward to high-paying jobs after graduating from university and living a really good life but in most cases this is not so, as the shrinking job market cannot accommodate the ever increasing numbers of university graduates that are being churned out of the system every year. The biggest concern with African youth of today is thus the lack of jobs and this is becoming a global issue. Unemployment among youth and university graduates is a serious and growing social, economic and political problem in Africa and the continent needs to start paying greater attention to the matter In this month’s feature we cover an in depth
TAKING ENTREPRENEURSHIP I countries economic meltdown caused by political instability or civil unrest like in the case of Zimbabwe, DRC and to some extent Malawi and the Mozambique has seen a surge in unemployment percentages to alarming levels and this has greatly affected the youth of these countries. Although the young constitute around two fifths of the continent’s working age population, and three fifths of the total unemployed little is being done by African governments to address issues of unemployment in their respective countries. A sizeable number of these youth are enrolled in universities scattered across the continent, the problem however lies in the lack of innovation from these students, who see themselves as potential employees and not employers as most
feature on a nongovernmental organisation that was recently started in Africa by a Ghanaian lady Christabel Ofori , an organisation for young African entrepreneurs called iHav Foundation. It is in this article that she explains the history of iHav Foundation and how the organization is tackling this issue of unemployment amongst university graduates on the continent through the creation of opportunities that foster entrepreneurship amongst University graduates.
IHAV FOUNDATION IHAV, an acronym for I Have A Vision, was started by a group of young African visionaries who saw the need to create a forum where the youth
would come together to share ideas on addressing the challenges in our societies, not just by thought or word of mouth, but through sustainable actions as well. It was then was registered in October 2012 under the Companies Act, 1963 (Act 179) of the government of Ghana, as IHAV FOUNDATION. IHAV members are passionate about improving drastically, the quality of life across the continent and repainting a new image of hope and success for Africa. IHAV has since October, grown and expanded to reach many young people, spreading out to over 10 countries across the continent.
TAKING ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN AFRICA TO THE NEXT LEVEL | IHAV
In August 2012, I had the privilege of being selected as one of the outstanding participants of the South American Business Forum, in Argentina, to dialogue and share ideas on how we can change the world by being the change we want to see. I was gingered and poised for action. I knew I couldn’t allow my country and continent at large to continue to battle with the same challenges over and over again. It rested on us as young people, with all our exuberance and creativity and ambition, to be the change force for Africa. One September afternoon, during a road trip along some villages in Ghana, the idea to start IHAV hit me hard, as I observed the deplorable conditions the people in these regions lived
IN AFRICA TO THE NEXT LEVEL THE CREATION OF IHAV I have always dreamed about an Africa where the people enjoy a good quality of life, where the people believe in themselves that we can do it if we really try, an Africa where we would create our own wealth and not entirely depend on aid. I knew it was a stretch of imagination but I knew it wasn’t impossible. I have interacted with a lot of Africans who feel Africa could never make it to the heights of certain continents, but I have also interacted with a few optimistic ones who believed in Africa’s potential. Now the task was to get all these optimistic people together and prove to the world that all we really need to do is to put our vision in action.
in, their low quality of life, and yet the massive chunk of natural resources readily available. It dawned on me then; ‘we really need to come together as Africans, as bearers of our problems, to cut down on the many lectures, and for once practically work at finding solutions to these problems which are persistent in the different regions of the continent. Let’s nurture the youth to change our negative mentality and encourage them to dream change and act on it’. I couldn’t sleep that night; I was too excited. I couldn’t wait till morning to share the idea and start bringing it to life. The next morning I shared it with a few friends and they loved it. We started working at it right from that moment onwards, structuring our goals and the issues we wanted to tackle.
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It is also exciting to note that our magazine “Independent Skies Magazine� is assisting in taking this African dream to the next level as it has already joined the long list of the conference sponsors as one of the official sponsors of this event that will be taking place in Africa. To find out more about iHav Foundation kindly visit their website www.ihavfoundation.org and get more details about the conference, registration, and sponsorship. Edited for Independent Skies Magazine by Christopher Chakwana (Independent Skies Magazine team)
TAKING ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN AFRICA TO THE NEXT LEVEL | IHAV
active environment that will bring together 100 outstanding and innovative African youth visionaries and 10 inspiring leaders and change champions to discuss pertinent issues in the continent and come up with sustainable projects particularly directed at improving the quality of life in Africa, and in the process creating employment Our Vision is to raise a generation of youth visionaries who will work collaboratively to provide for ourselves and others. sustainable solutions to Africa’s challenges. And At this life-changing conference, we aim at proour ultimate Goal is to see young people acting together to tackle and solve our societal challeng- viding a platform for sharing ideas, encountering es and needs through innovative and sustainable new perspectives, learning from others, experiencing different points of views, enriching oursolutions. selves with different cultures, developing susFrom July 24-27, 2013, we are going to have our tainable projects, and implementing these our first conference, and the first of its kind in Ghana projects within planned time scales. and Africa at large. Our theme for the conference is “AFRICA’S YOUTH, AGRICULTURE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP”. This conference will provide an entrepreneurial-nurturing and interToday, we have young people contributing to the vision of IHAV from all over the globe. IHAV, as you see today, is the result of a strong commitment towards something we are all passionate about; taking Africa to higher heights.
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ISM Photography Competition winner
| Issue 12 April 2013
Rocio Rodriguez Guiñazú’s photography Runner up - Tasnim Difallah Second runner up - William Park
ISM Photography Competition
Vincent Wong The tonal range in the photo is great, and it has a good balance of light and dark areas. The detail and the texture in the photo make it a feast for the eyes. The only issue is that there is no clearly-defined subject, as the photo is framed too close to the woman. Our eyes wander the frame, as such, we are left wondering, where the focus of the photo is. Thematically, it evokes a sense of awe and reflective wonder, and aptly, we find expresAsinthe diesface. away, as the sion of this thenight woman’s
sun embraces the world in a warm hug aImsouchivy new day has come. Suos This photoGrey has a very lovely color and is very hearts rise, the world high contrast because of the ceiling and full of anxiety. The world has the subject jacket. The dark spots also integrate already been barricaded by hate, very well. This is one good example of color we need that which can make composition/combination. However, the us feel a part of a world thatthe has framing should have been better since subject is done almost outside frame, more badthe than goodwhich to humakes themanity. audience confuse of what the Young people across the photographer trying to communicate (conworld cry out to be heard. Life is flict composition and the rule of third). Not a beautiful tragedy, the only that but the photo itself ishowever blur and my future of tomorrow utters in deguess would be the technical problem that spair, their go unheard, the artist has with the cries low light situation. the leaders of today have failed and itIndependent is up to the young people to Skies Team We are very proud to announce that As Rocio make a better tomorrow. the Rodriguezthought WON our 1st photography comcrosses every individupetition with a great snap of nature. al’s mind, hope is reborn when We would like to take this chance and thank everyone for their participation/support of the competition. Hard luck to the people that did not win this time, see you guys in 3 months with our 2nd photography competition.
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A DREAMLESS DREAM BY TEBOHO J. MTABANE
ABOUT THE POET TEBOHO JOSEPH MTABANE Teboho Mtabane, a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a writer and a poet, hails from Bloemfontein, where he grew, schooled and took furthered studies along the fields of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management. His spark for literature was set alight whilst at a High School's debating team back in '97, and his first jot came about 11 years ago. Chiefly most of his jotted rhymes are emotion-propelled by daily encounters, from hurdles that make one trip and fall over, to spirals of joy and hope in life.
Like chasing a dreamless dream... I am living my nightmare: Like portraying oxygen molecules in the air... I am visible to no mind. With every beat‌ my heart is bleeding, Not bleeding with the emotions of pain, But bleeding in wonder.... Like chasing the sun‌ My mind trembles the earth's sands and seas, With the air behind my back pealing through my flesh, Exposing my heart to frost that melts all my emotions to vapour..... My mind is shackled by sweet-bitter memories Gathered from greater landscapes of adventure, To greater sunny blue skies, Ended by all the seasons of loneliness..... Like chasing a dreamless dream.... My heart bleeds....is bleeding... Yet not from the emotions of pain, But from the pain of my emotions.
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