NTSHEBELE MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2020
ISSUE
e: n tli 9 o H 99 9 1 9 D- 02 I V 0 CO 080
CONTENTS 35 17
Getting to know Themba Mahlangu
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Gauteng Celebrates Women’s Month
Lifestyle and Fashion
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SACR Events
Coronavirus
31 Best Reads, Movies
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Fallen or celebrated heroes, both sport and arts
Nomazwe Ntlokwana Editor-in-Chief
Kefilwe Mphake Editor
Vinolia Chere
Creative Director
Lebohang Bell
Graphic Design & Layout
Content Contributors Godfrey Pitje Kefilwe Mphake Lebohang Bell Lorato Molepo Mpolokeng Moloi Nyeleti Shivuri Vinolia Chere 04
1 to 30 September
H
eritage Month is celebrated annually in September. Government calls on all South Africans to use Heritage Month to foster greater social cohesion, nation building and a shared national identity.
2020 It is important to encourage children to visit a library and start reading at an early age so that they grow up with the passion for reading as this develop a broader vocabulary and increased general knowledge.
The celebration of Heritage Month has created a conducive environment for all people to embrace and celebrate what was inherited or bequeathed to us by our forebears. We call on all South Africans to support the culture of reading and incorporate it into their daily lifestyles.
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NATIONAL SYMBOLS
GAUTENG CELEBRATES WOMENS MONTH
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n Women’s Day, social media conversations reflected on many women who contributed to South Africa’s liberation as the country commemorated the 1956 march to the Union’s Buildings by women to protest against the carrying of pass books. On Sunday, the 9th of August, Gauteng carried out a virtual provincial programme on various digital platforms as part of the 64th anniversary of the historic 1956 women’s march. The programme held under the theme: “Generation Equality: Gauteng Realizing Women’s Right for an Equal Future in the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic” was aimed at providing a platform to the queens of our society including giving voice to survivors of genderbased violence (GBV), activists and talent.
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Said MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Mbali Hlophe: “We need to continue pushing back the frontiers faced by women which have been compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic. “The situation has once more exposed how women suffer the most of challenges facing our society including GBV, job losses, poverty and inequality”. The day’s virtual line-up included messages of support including voices of survivors of Gender Based Violence. Famous female artists such as Nadia Nakai, Brenda Mntambo and Shasha of Amapiano fame gave perfomances to entertain the viewers.
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STREET PERFORMERS GIVEN LIFE SKILLS TO IMPROVE AND BENEFIT FROM THEIR CRAFT 60 street performers attended a threeday workshop on life skills to assist them to enhance their art and expose them to a professional space. The workshop was held at Stay City from the 14th to 16th August 2020. A maximum of 20 participants were permitted per day as per the COVID-19 protocol. A team of experienced and acclaimed facilitators, which included Vusi Mdoyi, a former street dancer, Mxolisi Vincent Norman, a cultural studies researcher and Nelson Sizwe Hlophe, an arts practitioner led master classes on how to invest in the arts sector, how to spot business arts investment opportunities and how to creatively prepare for challenges that may occur.
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During the workshop, the Street Echoes were also taught the importance of leadership and discipline. To ensure that the participants get the maximum from their crafts, they were skilled on how to use costumes and props to attract audience. The Street Echoes, as the street performers programme is known, aims to bring about social change to the lives of street performers and have the streets of Gauteng echoing with different forms of street performances.
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Source: www.gov.za 11
Get Comfortable Office Furniture You may need to invest in office furniture if you haven’t already. Depending on the amount of space available, consider purchasing a large desk, bookshelves, and a comfortable office chair.
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Set Real Working Hours The beauty of working from home is that you can be flexible in setting your working hours. For example, if you are most productive in the morning, or if you need to get the kids to school, then you may want to set your work hours from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Don’t Work in Your PJs This is one reason why people love working from home. If you enjoy working in your PJs, then you are killing your productivity. Dress for success. Even if you don’t leave the house, dress for work as if you were in the office.
Don’t Work in the Living Room Avoid watching TV while working; it draws back your focus from the purpose of working at home. Instead, stream music that complements your work style.
Exercise & Stretch Regularly Exercise naturally boosts immune and it brings happiness, enjoyment, and interest levels, all of which are important for productivity. If your day allows, take a lunch break and go for a walk, go to the gym, or stretch.
https://www.pcmag.com/
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GAUTENG WELCOMES DECISION TO BRING FOOTBALL TO ITS SHORES
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he Gauteng City Region welcomed the decision to bring football to its shores for the conclusion of the 2019/20 season. Over the next 6 weeks the golden province will be the exclusive home of football, where over 100 matches will be played for the crowning of champions of the premier league, 1st division and the Nedbank cup. The province has been adjudged ready and best suited to host 32 teams under a strict bio-safe bubble. The decision is a demonstration of its (province’s) ability to attract and successfully host quality global and local events. “We are delighted that we could be hosts of the resumption of the beautiful game. We want to thank the PSL for trusting us in helping them successfully concluding their programme after 4 months of inaction. Looking back to the work and investment we did for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, we are excited to see our efforts carrying us through to be the preferred host of this major event albeit, unfortunately without fans in attendance,” Said Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
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Throughout its municipalities, Gauteng has world class infrastructure that meets any required safety measures and standards. The games will be held across 16 venues in the cities of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. The safety measures include a “bio-bubble” method where players and officials of each team will be together in a strictly controlled environment. “Our collaborative infrastructure includes sporting facilities for training an matches, hotels and hospitality services, health and wellness, transport and communications networks which all provide an environment that meets the requirements to ensure that the remainder of football can be completed in line with Covid-19 health and safety protocols” ,emphasised MEC Hlophe. As the city region of South Africa, it is our vision to position Gauteng as a globally competitive destination of choice. This principle also accompanies us during this difficult period of COVID-19 global pandemic. Moments like these call upon to be the best of ourselves, and we remain committed to welcoming you with the same warmth and hospitality we have always had, whilst adhering to all the necessary health and safety protocols. “Since its birth, football has been integral to our communities. It is more than a game, more than a sport; its is a way of life that we all embrace. In this time of uncertainty, may we be reminded of this defining role – that every goal and every tackle gives hope to those directly or indirectly affected by the virus, and continue to work together to combat the pandemic with the same spirit shown by the community of fans and supporters of the beautiful game.” Highlighted Gauteng Tourism Authority CEO Yoland Kona.
MEC Hlophe also paid tribute to fans. “Our decision to support the PSL conclude its season was made mainly with the fans in mind, to allow them to see all the action to the finish. We want football to be settled on the field and not in the boardrooms knowing the bragging rights and joy it brings to the supporters. “As Gauteng we are certain that amid the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 restrictions and protocols, working together with our partners we’ll deliver a successful programme of football to conclude the 2019/20 season. In good times, and even more so in these challenging times, Gauteng is behind you all the way,” concluded MEC Hlophe.
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Themba Mahlangu
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Who is Themba? I am a young aspiring Playwright, Artivist, Play Director, and daily as an intern at the Department Of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation who still strongly believes in humanity. Where do you originate from? Born and bred in Tembisa, still residing there and I don’t think I will ever move. Family: Single? Married? Complicated? Kids? Yes/no? Uhmmmm… Well, currently its complicated but I do have a soulmate. When did you join the department? I started working for the SACR in November 2018, it’s a 2-year contract and we are hoping our honorable MEC, Mbali Hlophe can see our worth and value within this department. What’s one thing would you like to change about yourself? I would like to change the fact that I am impatient in most cases if things don’t happen, I am a doer and a creator. What’s your deal breaker in a relationship/friendship? Lies, pretentious people and not having growth within our conversations or goals in life. I like having decent conversations and with people whose IQ is up there, one needs to be informed about life and everything around them.
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What’s something you can’t go a day without doing? Laughter, …. It makes life easy and joyful. Then comes productive thinking about side hustles and goals about one’s existence. What do you do for fun? I find fun in conceptualising new works of art and working with the stakeholders under the creative cluster’s unit. I could say I am blessed to be an artist, study art and work as an administrator in a governmental sphere, this completes the circle and purpose of an artivist. Who is your role model? I have a lot, but for now I would say My mother, there is a lot that I can say about her and why. What is the most exciting part of your job? Being in the creative world, interacting with different people from different spheres of life. Also, the fact that it is one of the units that still promotes and encourages ubuntu (Huminity) in our country. 2020 came with a storm called the COVID 19 pandemic, what are your views about our new normal? It’s sad that a lot of people lost their lives, but as a country we needed this wake up call in working together. It took a pandemic for our government to find funds and helping the needy, we saw food parcels, infrastructures to accommodate those without shelter, grants for those who are unemployed and having financial constraints. Humanity was revived and my wish is for it to be maintained How has the COVID 19 pandemic affected you as an artist? Instead of being affected I was challenged of creating new ways of doing my work which was the introduction of arts within the Fourth Industrial Revolution Sphere/era (4IR)
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We are facing a second pandemic in our country, Gender Based Violence. What advice would you give to help fight the scourge? My work has always been about institutions of patriarchy and how those institutions can be challenged. As men, we need to educate ourselves about social transformation and other modern changes that are existing to this date. We need to respect our traditions and cultures but also accept the inequalities that exists and see how to deal with it. We need to revisit where we lost our sense of pride and integrity, using force and muscles doesn’t make us to be smart or superior but it invites fear to the other party. Swallowing our pride doesn’t mean we are fools, we will be accepting our wrong doings and asking for help in being better modern men. In most cases I prefer to be Queer than to be classified as one of the Cis-Heterosexual stereotypes, by the way it’s 2020. If you could change one thing about working for the department, what would it be? Procedure before implementation of programmes. The Document (Memo) seeks to be verified by so many managers before the programme is implemented, which makes service delivery to be slow and some of those managers don’t even know or interact with the stakeholders.
Any future career plans? As I have mentioned above, Honorable MEC, Mbali Hlophe, the whole class of 20182020 Interns proved to be an asset in this department. From an artist who was partaking in all departmental programmes to being an official who needs to implement programs to stakeholders, I can attest to change being made because we are all ( The 28 of us Interns) driven by passion amongst other things like being graduates and also from a background of being artists. Amongst other plans my wish is to open my own intimate theatre where I stay that will play part in development of young artist and introduce them to Theatre. Furthering my studies will follow as after graduating under performance arts, I dropped social work due to lack of funds. Lastly being a family man and a community leader.
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SACR ASSISTS THE NEEDY
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n the 14th of June 2020, MEC Mbali Hlophe announced hand over of food parcels from various donors to the needy artists and sports personnel. The scourge of COVID-19 left many artists and sports personnel unemployed and unable to provide for their families and this was one of the governments’ intervention to assist with relief where possible. East Corridor received 200 food parcels of which 100 was from the Zodwa Khoza Foundation and 100 from Kaizer Motaung Junior Foundation. Distribution started on the afternoon of the 14th of June 2020 and ended on the 26th of June 2020. All the necessary COVID-19 health and safety protocols were followed during distribution to keep both officials and recipients safe.
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15 FOODS THAT BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
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11. Papaya Papaya is another fruit loaded with vitamin C. You can find 224 percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C in a single papaya. Papayas also have a digestive enzyme called papain that has anti-inflammatory effects. Papayas have decent amounts of potassium, B vitamins, and folate, all of which are beneficial to your overall health.
13. Poultry When you’re sick, chicken soup is more than just a feel-good food with a placebo effect. It helps improve symptoms of a cold and also helps protect you from getting sick in the first place. Poultry, such as chicken and turkey, is high in vitamin B-6. About 3 ounces of light turkey or chicken meat contains 40 to 50 percent of your daily recommended amount of B-6. Vitamin B-6 is an important player in many of the chemical reactions that happen in the body. It’s also vital to the formation of new and healthy red blood cells. Stock or broth made by boiling chicken bones contains gelatin, chondroitin, and other nutrients helpful for gut healing and immunity.
12. Kiwi Like papayas, kiwis are naturally full of a ton of essential nutrients, including folate, potassium, vitamin K, and vitamin C. Vitamin C boosts white blood cells to fight infection, while kiwi’s other nutrients keep the rest of your body functioning properly.
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14. Sunflower seeds Sunflower seeds are full of nutrients, including phosphorous, magnesium, and vitamin B-6. They’re also incredibly high in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin E is important in regulating and maintaining immune system function. Other foods with high amounts of vitamin E include avocados and dark leafy greens.
15. Shellfish Shellfish isn’t what jumps to mind for many who are trying to boost their immune system, but some types of shellfish are packed with zinc. Zinc doesn’t get as much attention as many other vitamins and minerals, but our bodies need it so that our immune cells can function as intended. Varieties of shellfish that are high in zinc include: • • • •
crab clams lobster mussels
Keep in mind that you don’t want to have more than the daily recommended amount of zinc in your diet. For adult men, it’s 11 milligrams (mg), and for women, it’s 8 mg. Too much zinc can actually inhibit immune system function.
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21 Source: transformfitspo.com
UN DAYS
DID YOU KNOW
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LIFESYLE
Fashion
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Trends POLKA DOTS
2020
The polka dot print was extremely popular on various fashion week runways. Although the classic black and white polka dot was the favourite, don’t shy away from other colours, such as a bright yellow, which was just as popular. Style it with a bright and beautiful heel or a dainty little bag/happy socks, and you are good to go!
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Best Reads Review of:
"The musings of a black woman in the Rainbow Nation"
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erato Tshabalala first came to our attention in 2011 with her ‘Urban Miss’ column in the Sunday Times, and since then she has by turns entertained, exasperated, amused and confounded her fans and critics alike. Now, with her first book, she looks set to become the national institution she deserves to be. With her customary wit and keen insight into social, political and cultural affairs, Lerato shines a bright – and controversial – light on South African society and the quirky ways of the country. She is brutally honest about her experiences as a black South African in post-apartheid Mzansi, and no subject is too sacred for her to explore: annoying car guards, white-dominated corporate South Africa, cultural stereotypes, economic and racial inequality, and gender politics, among many other topics, come under her careful – and often laugh-out-loud – scrutiny. “The Way I See It is written for people who are hungry for a book that is thought-provoking, funny, irreverent and truly South African all at the same time. It is light but full of depth: like a supermodel with an MBA!”
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Movie Reviews
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Trendy Crafts
EmbroideryProduction Sokhulumi No: 2 CNR R25 & Main road Malobola Maria: 071 180 9745 34
MAM MARY TWALA Mam Mary Twala left us on the 4th of July 2020 on what is Ndaba Mhlongo’s day of birth, her late husband & veteran multi-award winning actor (Tony award nominee for Best Choreography for Sarafina). Mam Mary Twala was deservedly honoured with the National Order of Ikhamanga in silver, one of South Africa’s highest honours, for her contribution to performing arts and for creatively raising awareness on women’s issues.
The veteran sports journalist Sibusiso Mseleku, passed away on the 17th of August 2020, aged 59 years. Mseleku served as a top-notch football writer and sport editor in various print and broadcast media channels. A former City press sports editor, who later pursued his dream of owning a sport journalism agency which he formed in 2019 named Mseleku Sports
SIBUSISO MSELEKU
Fallen Heroes/Heroines
BOB MABENA Mr Bob Mabena passed away on the 10th August 2020, from cardiac arrest.
With a career that spans over three decades, Mabena was known for hosting a variety of television shows and for his radio tenures at Metro FM, Kaya FM and Highveld Stereo. Mabena burst on to the scene in 1989 at the age of just 19 when he landed the afternoon drive show on Radio Bophuthatswana (Radio Bop). Most recently he was a morning drive show host on Power 98.7. He started a TV career, hosting music show On the Beat, Surf Pick a Box game show and the popular Studio Mix with Melanie Son (now Bala).
MANDLA SINDANE
Mandla Sindane, passed away the 28th July 2020. Mandla Sindane, also known as “Mgijimi”, was one of the leading cheerleaders and staunch supporter of Orlando Pirates, one of Gauteng’s biggest club. The sights and scenes during his beloved Orlando Pirates matches will never be the same without his ghost resembling figure and enthusiastic displays.
May Your Souls Rest In Peace...
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#GrowingGautengTogether @GautengSACR
Tel: 011 355 2534/2814/ 2766 SACR.communications@gauteng.gov.za www.gauteng.gov.za Surrey House, 35 Rissik St, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2001