Hola MaHigh School Volume 5, Issue 3 June 2016
What Next
16 June 1976: 40 years later
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Gauteng, home to Africa’s economic powerhouse, Johannesburg, boasts an exciting mix of urban lifestyle, diverse cultural and natural attractions, as well as advanced infrastructure. Call us and we’ll show you why Gauteng in South Africa is the perfect location to bring your big idea to vibrant, colourful life.
Contents 06 Editer’s letter 07 Poem 08 Writers needed! 10 Contributors 11 Holler at us 14 What Next ... after high-school 24 June 16: A teen perspective 26 Quotes
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Contents 27 Nuclear Power: a real alternative? 30 June 16: Preople who can remember 32 Really silly .... 34 Is the brain really like a computer? 36 Book review 40 Radio stations! 44 Brexit 46 Next issue
Editors Letter June 2016. It is now 40 years since the Soweto Uprising. A defining moment in time. What we have done is to get the views on Youth Day from a teen perspective and also interviewing some of the óld-timers’who can remember. This issue is also a follow-up on ‘What Next ... After High-school. This is focused on TVETs and personal experience this time. We follow up on more on energy in South Africa. This horrible word .. nuclear.. BUT in the hands of Masiziba I think we will have an article series which will get us all to rethink a lot of opinions we may have had. Brexit? Should the UK leave EU? read on. The science piece: Is the brain really like a computer? well, it isn’t. It is better, but please read yourself. ... and then we have the fun: Really silly buzzwords and the quotes. Good read,
Sybil
Time for poems:
TIME Time, time-out, timed, time and again, more time Time is re-assuring, like the soft tick of the old clock The one in grand-ma’s house. The one where you can Feel the timing winding its way across the face Of the clock Time is without conscious. It is just there And it measures what we do and what we feel and what we want to do Asking for time-out? Not possible. Time is moving Time and again But it can never be fast-forward Nor can it be repeated Time is just there. And we have to use it right now It is a commodity which has a very short life-span It is here and now it is gone Forever But what was, still is And that is the redeeming factor about time
Sybil
We need writers! Our writers are growing up and getting older That is og course good. BUT.... it means they are leaving us Therefore: would you like towrite for us? What is required? That is easy You have to be in grade 10-12 Impeccable in your preferred language-and that might not be English. We try to be more than just English Passionate about your topic of choice no dull articles here
Do you get anything out of it? Well, not money, sorrry. BUT if we publish your articles you will have: Your bio in a commercial magazine A photo of yourself You can put it all on your CV you can use us as a reference ... and it goes in your portfolio
Is it important? YES it is. Look what Rofhiwa said: My name is Rofhiwa and I love to write. I think I am rather decent writer too. I took my talent and have used it to express my thoughts on international dealings of the world which have been published in Hola MaHigh-School. It has paid off, not only is my work printed for young people in the country to read, but it also contributed to me gettng a bursary from CNBC-Africa to do my post-graduate studies. Would be a lot harder to get by if I didn’t have platform like Hola MaHigh-School.
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Meet our contributors My name is Masiziba, a 16 year old girl from a small rural town called Balfour in Mpumalanga. I am a matriculant in wait. My mother worked as a domestic worker and my father is a backyard Farmer. During my spare time I love reading, writing stories and watching TV. I am a confident girl who has big dreams and wants to prove that you can make it whatever your background is
Pinky Rapoo is a creative writer by nature and not yet by profession.She lives in Vosloorus and is currently in grade 12 at Vosloorus Comprehensive SecondarySchool. Listening to music is her hobby,writing is her passion. Her motto is “Think twice before speaking,think three times before acting and think thoroughly before writing”.
My name is Fikile Unifire Zulu. First and foremost I’m a career driven, bold, diligent, go-getter and self-motivated young lady from Evaton West in the Vaal Triangle. I’m a firm believer in reading because it nurtures ones’ mind and makes you see the world from a new perspective. I co-founded a non-profit organistation and I also write. I love relaxing with nothing but a book and I enjoy writing.
HOLLER AT US Hola MaHigh-School
The stuff we need to mention: Editor & Publisher Sybil Otterstrom sybil@romele.co.za
Advertising sales Next level Management services cc 011 614 5046 076 360 1792 sybil@next-level.co.za Publlishing Romele Publications cc 32 Eleanor street Troyeville 2094 011 614 5046/076 360 1792
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South WeSt GautenG technical
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APPLY NOW AND STAND A CHANCE T THE SECOND SEMESTER AND
“Sharpen your skills, Unleash your passion, Join the Economy and Shape up your Career at opportunity to all Grade 10-12 learners as well as youth seeking to further their education o Utility Studies.
As only a limited number of spaces are available in certain programmes, prospective studen
We are therefore inviting all eligible and interested prospective students to apply for any of
SEMESTER PROGRAMMES Business Studies
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Report 191/Nated Programme Offered
Level
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Business Management
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Dobsonville / Roodepoort
Marketing Management
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Dobsonville
Public Management
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Dobsonville
Management Assistant
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Roodepoort
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Roodepoort
DISTANCE EDUCATION
TRIMESTER P
Offered at Technisa Campus only Programme Offered
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Water & Waste-wate Management
Public Relations
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N4 - N6
Civil Engineering
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Water & Waste- Water Management
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DHET BURSARIES THOUGH THEY AR TO THE STUDENT THROUGH THE M MAKE THE WISE PLY NOW!
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For further enquiries on applications, please contact any of our Campuses on 086Â headoffice@swgc.co.za or visit us on www.swgc.co.z Head Office Contact Centre Dobsonville Campus 1822A Molele Street, Klip Valley/Union Street, Kliptown 5604 Van Onselen Road, Dobsonville c/o Koma Road, Molapo Roodepoort Campus Roodepoort West Campus Technisa Campus 1 Lawson Street, Roodepoort West Cnr Main and Huguenot, Blairgow 1 Webber Avenue, Horizon
cational
education
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traininG colleGe
TO BE INVITED TO ENROLL FOR D THIRD TRIMESTER 2016!
t South West Gauteng TVET College.” The College is offering an or advance their careers in the fields of Engineering, Business and
nts are advised to apply for enrolment at the College, NOW!
the following courses/programmes provided that they meet the set requirements:
Utility Studies Report 191/Nated Programme Offered
Level
Campus
Introductory Clothing Construction
N4
George Tabor
Clothing Production
N4-N6
George Tabor
Educare
N4-N6
Roodepoort
Hospitality & Catering Services
N4-N6
Roodepoort
Popular Music (Composition, Studio Work & Performance)
N4-N6
Dobsonville
PROGRAMMES
udies
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S ARE AVAILABLE, EVEN RE NOT GARANTEED, EVEN TS THAT ARE DEEMED NEEDY MEANS TEST CHOICE, KHETHA AND AP-
eriod! Enough Said!
176 8849, Fax: 011 984 1262, za George Tabor Campus e 1440 Mncube Drive, Dube
Molapo Campus wrie 1822B Molele Street, c/o Koma Road, Molapo
Application procedure:
1. Manual Application forms can be obtained at any of the College Sites/Campuses and, or on the College Website; www.swgc.co.za 2. Online Applications can be found on the College’s Website: www.swgc.co.za and maybe completed electronically, please ensure to follow the system rules. 3. Returning of the Application Forms: - Semester Application Forms • Completed application forms to be sent to any of the College Sites, by hand, fax, email or post using the details or addresses given below, but must reach the College no later than 10 June 2016 • Applicants will be notified of their acceptance / non-acceptance no later than 24 June 2016 - Third Trimester Application Forms • Completed application forms to be sent to any of the College Sites, by hand, fax, email or post using the details or addresses given below. Completed Forms may be submitted from the 1 June 2016 and must reach the College no later than 1 August 2016 • Applicants will be notified of their acceptance / non-acceptance no later than 24 August 2016 - Distance Learning • Applications are opened throughout the year. 4. Completed Application forms must be accompanied by the following documents: - Certified copy of Identity document. - Certified copy of latest results/qualification
LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED! Address all correspondence to Private Bag X33, Tshiawelo, 1817. Distance Education correspondence to Private Bag X7, Pinegowrie, 2123
TVETs: The ab Education ... It is not FETs anymore. But that could be a bit semantics. But where is the big difference between Matric and a TVET? Matric is in Department of Basic Education, but TVETs are located in Department of Higher Education. It is an important difference as TVETs are grouped with universities and SETA’s (those one’s for people in a job). We have a much more integrated approach to education after Matric now. It is in the recognition that Matric is not an end in itself. Matric is a certificate that will enable a person to find an education and a job which will be able to feed him/her for the next 40 years until pension shows up. Scary though, Isn’t it? We have the government TVETs and we are focusing on these for now. That said, the amount of private educational institutions (Boston, etc) offer a multitude of offerings. Just look out for their accreditations and so on. Let us see what the Department of Higher Education has to say about this – This is all off their website www.dhet.gov.za): “The Programmes and Qualifications Directorate within the TVET branch is responsible for increasing access to and success in intermediate and high level learning by 2014” and also: This directorate has three sub-directorates, namely TVET College Curriculum Development and Support; Adult Education and Training and Youth Development. Can we see how it all comes together now? But one this are all the plans. What about implementation of it all?
bsolute part of . after Matric Here is what was said in 2013: “Considerable investments have been made by government to improve the FET sector. FET funding increased from R3.9 billion in 2010 to R5.6 billion in 2013 NSFAS student bursary funding for TVET Colleges increased from R318 million in 2010, benefiting 61 703 students to R1.988 billion in 2013, targeting 222 817 students. This has meant that more students are able to access funding not only for tuition but also for accommodation 12 TVET campuses have been prioritised for either refurbishment or building of new structures, including student residences. Construction is currently underway and will continue during 2014 R2.5 billion has been allocated by the National Skills Fund to TVET colleges for the expansion of access and programmes offerings, including skills programmes and learnerships R2.8 billion has been committed to TVET colleges aimed at increasing the student intake towards occupation-directed programmes within the TVET college sector. Somehow, it is time to consider TVETs.
The horror of edu It is not an easy subject as fees can be high and it may need to be combined with means for living as well. Can all stay at home during additional education? Maybe not. And not all have parents who can fund education at a post-matric level. The solution can obviously be to secure a part-time job. The trap is that it might not pay that well so there will still be a short-fall and it might take time away from what a student should do: study! There will typically be two types of bursaries: a grant – no repayment required, and a loan – repayment. A grant is easy: when finished you can start life without having a hectic debt to fight. But the company may expect you to work for them for a period of time in return. That is also a type of repayment after all. The great thing with this is that there is a guarantee of a job. A loan is a financial burden. There is no doubt about that. The model is building on the assumption that after finishing an education, everyone will get a well-paying job. That might not be the situation after all. There are many with good degrees and no job out there. The biggest of them all is still NSFAS – The government fund – with kitty of some R 8bn. It is designed for students who cannot otherwise fund an education, be it from poor family backgrounds or low-income families. Look-out as well. Not all bursaries allow you to receive assistance from multiple institutions. Let us look at what a typical bursary can consist of. We have used NSFAS as the example as it is ‘neutral’, i.e. no company strings: Where: The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides loans and gives vari-
ucation: Funding ous NSFAS bursaries to students at all 25 of our public universities, as well as the 50 public FET (Further Education Training) colleges. Who: Be South African citizens, comply with the entry requirements set by the universities of their choice / have proof of registration or acceptance to said university How much: Unless otherwise stated, the bursary fund will allow for a portion of, if not all of, the following study-related costs: Tuition, Accommodation, Meals, Travel, Prescribed books/study material .Up to the maximum of R60 000 per year. Advise? Read as much as possible and talk t the funders. After all, the funders mission in life is to give you money, but not waste either. We have researched the following for yu: List of all bursaries in SA: This is a website we found for you: http://www.bursaries2017.co.za/ This is immensely comprehensive and provides the important information: Who can apply, when to apply, contacts for clarification (telephone, name and email). This is similar, and I don’t know if there is an overlap: http://www.gostudy.mobi/Bursaries/ All/Default.aspx Another website with pertinent info is: http://bursaries-southafrica.co.za/ And this one: http://availablebursaries.co.za/tag/bursaries-2017/ If you are looking at careers, there is this portal: http://www.careersportal.co.za/bursaries. html. It has a lot of things, and not all might be pertinent. … and maybe going overseas? Good luck!
Vanderbijlpark Campus
16 June 1976: as see Well, I have to acknowledge the courage, the strength and the persistence of the youth of 1976. They fought against Bantu education. There was bloodshed and tears, particularly on June 16 as the first day of what is also called the Soweto Uprising. The youth then were facing the fire of being taught in a language they did not understand and having to be degraded in manner that they never deserved. And they did make a change - extinguishing the fire - but today’s youth is facing some of the smoke. This is how some young people feel. “We are still having language problems in some universities, and the funny thing is, it is the same language that they were fighting against. . .” says one young person. The motive of the youth of 1976 was for them to get an education and so does the youth of today. But the youth of today is still fighting for ‘funding’ of their studies with campaigns like #fees_must_fall or fundraising campaigns for tuition funds; basically the struggle still continues. The Soweto uprising is a somewhat very unusual term to high school learners. 4 out of 5 learners asked about the Soweto uprising could not actually link it to June 16, the same day they were looking forward to. Then when questioned about June 16 1976, the first thing that came to their minds was Hector Peterson, the 12 year old boy who was shot dead. Then when asked what June 16 meant to them 3 out of 5 simply said it was a holiday—no school, no alarm, no waking up at all. The remaining 2 had said they do recognize the day by wearing school uniform (although there’s no school). One said her mother does that too by wearing her school uniform from years back. She also believes that it was a tradition instilled in the community because almost everyone, young or old, wears complete or incomplete school uniform to show respect and appre-
en by a teen in 2016 ciation to the youth of ‘ 76 on every June 16. The other one said he wears school uniform because everyone does especially those who go to events that day– it’s a trend!
– Africa’s Best Young Entrepreneurs.
The youth of ‘76 has also inspired many young people to fight for what they believe in. One of them is Rapelang Rabana, who was part of the good education system that the youth of ‘ 76 fought for. She is now a co-founder of Yeigo Communications, a major software company based in Cape Town. She co-founded the business shortly after completing her studies at the University of Cape Town in 2005. Amongst some of her accolades Rapelang was selected as a Global Shaper by the World Economic Forum and was invited to join the Annual Meeting in Davos 2012. She is also an Ambassador and Juror for the United Nations World Youth Summit Awards, and to top it all off she was also listed by Forbes on 30 under 30
Although we as youth could and should know more about our own history, we can be on a path of success. The bravery and courage of the youth of ‘76, whether we like it or not, will and has enabled us to be the leaders of tomorrow. We young people need to acknowledge their strength for making the change – extinguishing the fire - and even if we are facing some of the smoke we should be able to have their courage and will to fight for what is right! Let us acknowledge them! Especially on June 16. I am Masiziba and expect even more from me!
Masiziba ka Hadebe
CALENDAR 2016
MAR Construction Focus Week – Grade 9 - 12 Launch My Career – Grade 11
Food for Life Holiday Program
Bloodhound Rocketry Course Electronics Club – (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11 Fame Lab Speak2aScientist
APR Launch My Career – Grade 11
Bloodhound Rocketry Course Electronics Club – (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11 Mathematics Week – Grade Subject Choice – Grade 9
FOCUS WEEK
ENQUIRING MINDS PROGRAMME
Speak2aScientist
1 - 29 FEBRUARY
JANUARY Life after school – Grade 12
25 Jan. - 12 Feb.
FEBRUARY Life After School – Grade 12
25 Jan. - 12 Feb.
Enquiring Minds Programme – Grade 12 - 3
1 - 29
Finance, Banking & Investment Industry Focus Days– Grade 9 - 12
24 - 25
Finding my Way– Grade 7
15 - 19
Electronics Club - (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11
Feb. - Sep.
Speak2aScientist
25
Spea
Scie
RCH 8 - 11 7 - 11
mme
19 Mar. - 4 Apr.
e
29 Mar. - 2 Apr. Feb. - Sep. 22 31
RIL 11 - 15
e
29 Mar. - 2 Apr. Feb. - Sep.
4 - 12
18 - 22 18 - 29 28
ak 2a
MAY Electronics Club – (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11
Feb. - Sep.
Health Science Week – Grade 4 - 12
16 - 20
Engineering Focus Week – Grade 9 - 12
23 - 27
Subject Choice – Grade 9
3-6
Minquiz (Provincial)
19
Exploring Careers – Grade 10
9 - 13
Speak2aScientist
26
JUNE
entist
Electronics Club – (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11
Feb. - Sep.
Subject Choice – Grade 9
1 - 10
Astonishing Anatomy Holiday Programme
25 Jun. - 17 Jul.
Bloodhound Rocketry Course
27 Jun. - 1 Jul.
Speak2aScientist
30
JULY Electronics Club – (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11
Feb. - Sep.
Subject Choice – Grade 9
18 - 28
Astonishing Anatomy Holiday Programme
25 Jun. - 17 Jul.
Bloodhound Rocketry Course
27 Jun. - 1 Jul.
Bloodhound Rocketry Course
4 - 8 Jul.
Minquiz (National )
13 - 14
Astronomy Quiz
Jul.
Speak2aScientist
28
Exciting Careers For Girls
SEPTEM
AUGUST Electronics Club – (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11
Feb. - Sep.
Electronics Club – (Intro) – Grade 10 & 11
National Science Week – Grade 4 - 12
1-5
Sustainable Energy Week – Grade 4 & 12
Media Week (Mnet) – Grade 9 - 12
15 - 19
Entrepreneurship Development & Support Bootc
ICT Focus Week – Grade 9 - 12
22 - 26
Subject Choice – Grade 9 Speak2aScientist
Girl Power: Exciting Careers for Girls 5 - 6 – Grade 9 - 12 Speak2aScientist
25
OCTOB Maritime Focus Week – Grade 9 - 12
Transport Week (special focus on Maritime We – Grade 4 - 12 Subject Choice – Grade 9 Space Explorers Holiday Programme Bloodhound Rocketry Course Mental Maths Speak2aScientist
NOVEMBER Early Explorers Month – Grade R
1 - 30
Subject Choice – Grade 9
1-4
Speak2aScientist
24
DECEMBER December Holiday Programme
10 - 31
MBER
camp
Feb. - Sep. 5-9 22 - 23 1 - 30 29
BER
eek)
24 - 28 (during Transport Week) 24 - 28
EARLY EXPLORERS MONTH 1 - 30 NOVEMBER
10 - 21 1-9 3-7 Oct. 27
ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT BOOTCAMP 22 - 23 SEPTEMBER
Quotes
Quotes again! I love doing this All picked from www.brainyquote.com
Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything. Wyatt Earp
Age wrinkles the body; Quitting wrinkles the soul. Douglas MacArthur
It is not the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it is the pebble in your shoe Muhammad Ali Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings, Salvador Dali
Nuclear power in SA? Can it be green? will it work?
Nuclear power plants or not—the debate is feisty as ever. Nuclear power is considered as the worthiest alternative source of energy, that is, after fossil fuels (World nuclear association) but just like any other form of energy it will have it’s advantages, disadvantages and two sides that will oppose each other . Nuclear power is associated with Atomic bombs, the devastating effects if leakage of radioactive materials were to occur and the methods of disposal of nuclear waste and for the mere fact that nuclear power is not a renewable source of energy amongst other reasons. This has raised concerns of the public in many countries.
Tom Blees: Nuclear is virtually an inexhaustible source of energy that is safe, clean, and economical
But in South Africa, according to an article published in the Mail and Guardian (May 2016), nuclear power will produce electricity more cheaply than in any other country in the world, and at a far lower cost than coal or renewables. On top of that, it will make a profit of nearly 99% of its investment, without factoring in the benefits of a cheap and dependable supply of electricity, and the , chief executive of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), Phumzile Tshelane confirmed this and also believes nuclear power is the way to create jobs–this, I bet is music to the ears of many South Africans. To add on to that, Prescription of the Planet, a book written by Tom Blees, the President of the Science Council, also gives reference to the fact that nuclear power is a “ virtually inexhaustible source of energy that is safe, clean, and economical that will require no resort to mining, drilling, or other extraction purposes for literally hundreds of years”.
... and a mix of wind, He further puts emphasis the fact that the world we are living in is a zerosum world. A place where the most advanced, industrialized nations consume a large share of the world’s resources. He compared a zero– sum world to sharing a pie: if one took a bigger piece then somebody else will have to take a smaller one. Clearly suggesting that the pie needs to be made bigger; and using Nuclear power as an alternative source of energy can and will enable this to happen whilst mentioning the role of world leaders in allowing the pie to be accessible to everyone. On the other hand, the 2011 Japanese nuclear accidents that subsequently undermined the nuclear power industry’s proposed renaissance revived nuclear opposition worldwide. This has put governments and world leaders on the defensive because as of 2016, countries such as Australia, Austria , Denmark , Greece, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Norway have no nuclear power stations and remain opposed to nuclear power. Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland are phasing-out nuclear power. (Wikipedia) According to reports, many of the concerns of the anti -nuclear movements have actually not been met to, although South Africa got rid of any nuclear weapons and stopped the production of nuclear weaponry in the 1990’s. There are still South Africans who are outwardly concerned about nuclear proliferation. But this is a problem that can be solved even before it happens, states Tom Blees in his book, The prescription of the planet. He gives the exact role that, again, World leaders have to play in being part of solution. Many people feel that the nuclear industry shouldn’t continue operation without having a solution for the disposal of its radioactive waste. However, the industry has in fact developed the necessary technologies and implemented most of them - the remaining issue is to ensure that the proposed solutions are acceptable to the public( World Nuclear Association). A nuclear reactor is a common term used in cohesion with the generation of electricity using nuclear power. It is one technology_ that has various types( which I will be critically discussing in my article that will follow). Basically it is a device used to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction (Wikipedia).
, solar and nuclear? Which brings me to the particularly amazing article published in the Mail and Guardian, written by Piet de Wet which wrote that Kelvin Kemm, who was named chairperson of the Necsa board in March, said that they have got to understand that in their game there is an opposition, the “extreme green” element, he said, gets to kids early, and they grow up to chant anti-nuclear slogans. He further said that the country needs to realise that producing more electricity is the only way to improve the quality of life for South Africans, and “you’re not going to be doing that on breezes and sunbeams”. Well, I will, as a kid definitely not chant anti– nuclear slogans (although I have the freedom of expression) but instead with research and help from the right expertise I will be bringing all the Hola readers all the processes and new technologies involved in using nuclear energy and ahem, those ‘breezes’ and ‘sunbeams’ I will also be exploring, technically wondering how the future will look like with Solar energy or rather sunbeams + breezes (wind energy) + nuclear energy. So expect more nuclear articles from me, who knows probably after reading all these articles, you might want to be a nuclear scientist and engineer, or you might want to simply hashtag anti-nuclear slogans and be part of the ‘extreme green element’ that is widely known. * By Masiziba Ruth Mbedzi Hadebe
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etative Centre and relate back with s are on site spaces which the eduthe learners. Freedom Park offers 12 national debates, indigenous knowld to learn more about them one es. Lesego Modisha …..Curriculum Getting here The entrance to Freedom Park is on Skietpoort Street, just off Potgieter Street, Salvokop, Pretoria. (Potgieter Street is the end of the N14 Ben Schoeman Freeway). Entering Preotria from the south, turn right (east) into the entrance just after you enter the CBD
Really silly .. This is a set of buzzwords which we tend to see in different places, you might just meet. Maybe it is even ‘cool’ to hurl some of these Herding cats: Well, try to get a bunch of cats to do as you tell So, a situation in business where it is not possible to guide any outcome is totally unpredictable, is .. like herding cats. You got it
Low-hanging fruits: This is an easy one. If you have to pick apples off an a low-hanging one’s. less efforts, and so on. If a business is going for an easy no fixed-line service available?) it is surely going for the low-hanging fruits. Mission Critical: ness. What is the mission critical so drop the child!)
Now we enter the mission of a busin we need to have a
Paradigm and paradigm shift: I love this one. Paradigms – the way we think about a the world. Paradigm shift is relevant. Here is a good one: A man came up to Kodak – the a machine that was like a camera. He said it was like a difmake a picture. So he showed them what it was. A box with put a document on top, pulled some levers and it produced the document. He was very proud. The Kodak executives him. “Man, it is not a camera. A camera has a film, which needs to be develo never sell” and “who wants to buy a machine which can only make a copy o spondent that he went away and founded his own company. It was Xerox.
Outside the box: Linked to paradigms. You find the usual solutions within maybe not pertinent anymore. You have to find a new way of doing things.
.... Buzzwords mostly business. If you are out there soon, these into any discussion. them to. Not possible. sensible situation and the
apple-tree, it is a bit easier to go for the y market (selling airtime in an area where there is .
e realm of the military and putting that into business? Ok, we got that. Now electricity might be a plan to counter if it goes away. Because it is mission critical (like don’t
oped and then ..” and so on. “it will of a document”. The man was so deThe paradigm just shifted.
are really a set of thought patterns when those patterns are no longer film company – and showed them ferent camera but could still a glass plate on top. He a perfect copy of laughed at
your ‘box’ of thinking. Fast, reliable but . Which is then outside your usual box.
Is the brain really
Here is the science article for this month: Is the brain like a computer? As tantalizing as it is to ask this question, it is not really the right question. The fastest superTianhe-2. Wiki has
computer today is the Chinese this to say about it:
“With 16,000 computer nodes, each comprising two Intel Ivy Bridge Xeon processors and three Xeon Phi coprocessor chips, it represented the world’s largest installation of Ivy Bridge and Xeon Phi chips, counting a total of 3,120,000 cores. Each of the 16,000 nodes possessed 88 gigabytes of memory. The total CPU plus coprocessor memory was 1,375 TiB (approximately 1.34 PiB). In essence: This is FAST! Ok, so what about the poor brain? The brain just works different. The electric impulses in the brain (the synapses firing, etc) are slow compared to this, but the brain does not operate with ‘0’ and ‘1’. The brain is not digital! So what does it do to transmit data? Electric-chemical signal. Not just a digital pattern. The intensity and the chemical compounds are just as important and here it becomes very technical. The brain transmits a ‘picture’. We have all heard that a picture says more than a thousand words. Well, here it is indeed correct. A computer would transmit ‘summer’ as a bit pattern. And there would be no associations attached to it. A brain would transmit ‘summer’ as a collection of associations: last summer at the beach in Durban, the brochure I just looked at, the weather forecast for Asia, and tons of other things. And this is context sensitive, so in a discussion we will always get the right set of words due to the associations we seek. Complex stuff. The brain organises itself. It indexes all our memories and things. A big ‘google’ really. And on top of, it is the connections inside the brain which are unique. The synapse connections and those things are modified by the brain itself according to what is now required. Self-modifying code really. This I picked from a website report (http://scienceblogs.com): “Accurate biological models of the brain would have to include some
like a computer?
225,000,000,000,000,000 (225 million billion) interactions between cell types, neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, axonal branches and dendritic spines, and that doesn’t include the influences of dendritic geometry, or the approximately 1 trillion glial cells which may or may not be important for neural information processing. Can we ever emulate the brain then? There is a project called Human Brain
Project. Here is what Wiki says about that: The Human Brain Project (HBP) is a large ten-year scientific research project that aims to build a collaborative ICT-based scientific research infrastructure to allow researchers across the globe to advance knowledge in the fields of neuroscience, computing, and brain-related medicine. The Project, which started on 1 October 2013, is a European Commission Future and Emerging Technologies Flagship”It has already cost some R20 billion. … and the singularity is still postulated to be coming in 2050 at least. The time when a computer will have the processing power and ‘intelligence’ of a brain.
Thato Lekoko: Superhero A book-review by Masiziba Thato Lekoko: Superhero. A new book by the Botswana writer Lauri Kubuitsile and published by Oxford University Press SA. The book is designed to be a part of a class project. The audience is the grade 7-9 and represents a great way of addressing the issues of semantics, emotions, etc. The plot is easy to comprehend: Thato wakes up one day to the sight of a superhero costume and a call device. She realises that she has got superpowers (can fly, etc) and that it is her task to help wherever she can and whenever the call is coming in for her. The setting is in a typical River, a mine, dusty Something which can be Eastern Cape and from
Southern African village. streets, rural school, etc. seen from Limpopo to Botswana to Mpumalanga.
The mine is polluting the village. Despite all odds to and her friends find the project reveal the truth.
river and poisoning the and family problems, Thaculprits and via a school
It has got the suspense, the surprises and the happy ending. In essence: a good book. Where it is different is that it is not just another book to read as a school project (and let us face it: Macbeth and King Lear are heavy). It has got notes in the margin, help with difficult words, leading questions and a lot about how to ‘spot’ a good book in the back. This is the type of book which can be used for weeks and will assist any teacher in ensuring that the meaning of the book is fully understood and that all emotions and aspects are discussed. The morale of the book? To me it is a personal thing: we can all be superheroes. Thato could not use her superpowers to stop the pollution, only herself as Thato. We all have it in us to change the world – and without having superpowers.
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR CAREER Knowing yourself and your capabilities
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The Eastern Ca pe Department of Education enco urages learners to choose suitable career path, by collecting inform ation that will he lp them pursue their career / field of study.
“it is in your hands “ - Nelson Rolihl
ahla Mandela
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16 Jun
People who ca
We spoke to a lot people who can remember. Not just people wh were either just finisihing school or already in a first job in Johann We spoke to Rashid (not his real name). He was 21 and that time and was in his first job as a dispatcher in a furniture company in CBD in Johannesburg. Living in Kliptown, he still had to travel and using public transport, either the combi or Putco. “it was possible to feel that something had to happen. The oppression was getting worse but the form and the timing was not anticipated, at least not by me” And even as Rashid was starting to become active in politics, the planning by the students was surely not communicated widely. “You must remember” said Rashid “the amount of informers and impimpis were staggering at that time. The security forces were all over. It was better not to know anything” And when it finally erupted? “I was off to work as usual and going home as usual” But it must have been close? “Not really. And as much as it was said that Soweto is burning? Not true. Buildings and cars of the oppressors, yes, but not wide-scale arson” And afterwards? “we were much more militant. The militancy crept in at that time. And we knew that change was coming. We also knew it would take time, but if we could make this type of statement, change had to be factored in”.
ne 1976
an remember
ho were there, but people from other walks of llife. People who nesburg. Says Barbara (not her real name): In 1976 I was a teenager living in Johannesburg city, not much older than the 15 and 16 year old students who marched against Afrikaans, and apartheid, on that historic day. I grew up during apartheid, and while I was sympathetic to the struggle, knew little about it. All media and messaging was controlled by the state and it was very difficult to understand anything, living in ‘white South Africa’. On the day of June 16, I walked into a shop in town, and the shop owner said, “Come inside quickly ‘the blacks’ are rioting. They want to kill all white people.” I remember that moment so clearly, I thought, “the revolution has begun!” Later I came to know a lot about politics, was arrested and taken into John Vorster Square in 1977, and started working in Soweto in 1980 – in education - the political hot bed. I learnt far more than I taught! Today I know many of the young leaders of 1976, no longer young! I have had an incredible life – a life I never thought possible as a young child growing up in the darkest days of apartheid! 1976 was the year I began to understand who I was and where I fitted into my society.
Radiostations i
“Radio is King” it says somewhere. And it is probably also true. But have we got something beyond the usual one’s we listen to? Let us look at the stuff we have on the ‘buttons’: (PS: all of this is from Wikipedia). 5FM: 5FM is a South African FM radio station that follows a Top 40 music format. 5FM broadcasts nationally to a youth audience. Its payoff line is “The Power of 5” YFM: “Youth” radio station in Johannesburg. Established in 1997, the station is formatted to mostly play urban music genres such as Kwaito, Hip Hop, and R&B along with a minority of its airtime being dedicated to talk shows. Metro FM: Well-known. Been around since 1986. Power FM (also known as Power 98.7 FM) is a South African commercial radio station based in Gauteng. It started broadcasting in 2013. But what about the others? The more exotic one’s? Let us see: Smile 90.4FM is a South African private commercial radio station based in Cape Town East Coast Radio, also known as ECR, is a KwaZulu-Natal commercial radio station with an audience of approximately 1.5 million. It is one of the largest regional radio stations in South Africa. Capricorn FM is the first commercial radio station in northern province of Limpopo in South Africa. It got into it in 2007. Cybatar is a tech startup company headquartered in Pretoria. The company was founded by Phiwa Nkambule in October 2014 as a social network, but has pivoted
in South Africa
since that time and has been involved in the development of other startups. Cybatar Tune is one of them (I think). RadioActive Rock: The station primarily broadcasts music in the rock, heavy metal, and alternative rock music genres. Radio Hartklop: Afrikaans gospel. Lesedi FM: The station broadcasts in all nine provinces, but greatest penetration is into the Free State (47% of adults) and Gauteng (32% of adults). Heart 104.9 FM is a 24-hour music radio station, situated in Greenpoint, Cape Town, known as Cape Town’s Beat. Heart FM listeners have strong family ties, are socially aware and committed to enjoying life to the full. Tru FM is a South African commercial radio station based in the Eastern Cape. The station is unique in the SABC PBS stable as it is the only station primarily targeting the youth with two languages of broadcast, IsiXhosa and English. There are many more. There are a lot of provincial one’s broadcasting in other officila languages, but I think we safely say that there is one for all! Good listening
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Well, yes. So the UK would like to go it alone. Big deal? There will be a referendum on 23 June this year. But it seems as though UK is slowly breaking up anyway. In 2014 we had the Scottish Referendum – Should Scotland be an independent country or not. The YES vote only amounted to 55%, so that was a close call. It is a bit confusing all of it. We are probably too used to use Great Britain, England, UK and so on when we really mean the entity of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is a bit more complex as there are many smaller islands around as well and whether they are a part of a country or a settlement or anything like that is a PhD in history and law. Leave it alone! UK has always had a bit of a troubled life in Europe. UK had wanted to get into EU in 1963 and in 1967 but was turned down by France (in essence de Gaulle – he was not fond of UK). Finally, in 1973, UK joined EU, but there were many sceptics about it all around. Not clear-cut at all. Now what was EU in 1973? Six countries: France, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg. These were the heavy-weights in the world and together could really rule the roost. Which they did: close integration, harmonising of laws and the real thing: the road to the United States of Europe. But that was the catch! Countries would then have to give up parts of their sovereign status. UK had deep problems with it in 1973 and in essence, it is this un-settled dispute which could be the underlying reason for the Brexit. There is a lot of history in it as well. The British Empire, the British way, being British and so on. That just makes it more complex. Are the reasons valid? Let us look at it like this: Stay in the EU: Europe is one anyway. The tight integration will benefit UK and the amount of sovereignty to give up is not a lot. Get out: It is chipping away on sovereignty and soon there will not be anything left. And UK is not getting a lot out of it anyway. Future will be determined in Brussels and not in London. In essence: It is emotional.
Leaving will be mighty complex. Trade negotiations, treaties, NATO, governance, etc etc. and it might cost the UK a lot to try and go it alone. Imagine one thing: It is called the United STATES of America. As in separate states. What if Nebraska bails out of the USA? You get the picture! But why now? It might also have something to do with the make-up of Europe. Since the fall of the Soviet empire, a range of the eastern European countries have become members of EU. And that is a problem. The ‘old guard’ of Europe tried to tell these countries: “Get up to our state of democracy, industrialisation, prosperity and you can get in”. The said: “‘lower your tariffs and your trade barriers (and pollution requirements) otherwise we can never get there”. It is called Catch-22. So, EU grew into two zones: Rich West and poor East. Who is right? Who is wrong? But it created resentment in the UK and in other Western countries as well. … and then the Middle East fell apart and EU had to receive refugees and emigrants by the thousands – different cultures, different religions, different everything. Predictions? Hard, really hard. I predict that UK will stay in EU but will negotiate (demand really) so many concessions and separate deals that EU itself will break up into an ‘inner group’ consisting of Italy, France and Germany and an ‘outer group’ consisting of Eastern Europe and the smaller nations out there. For being a bit historic: Charlemagne’s empire (Italy, France and Germany), UK hanging off Europe and then the Byzantine kingdom together with greater Rus. Any bets
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