WYNPRESS TRUTH OR DARE
TERM 3 2021
Wynberg Girls' High School
05 What if Liezaan Bosch
contents
04 editor's letter Summer Dreyden
06 What does the absence of truth do to a nation Khanyisile Cotani 07 Daring to Listen Tara Roos
08 I Dare You to Pick Truth. Always Olivia Behrens
10 The Truth About Glow Up Culture Jenna Ryklief
12 Truth Or Dare: International Edition Jaime Lodewyk
16 1o Truths I've Learnt About Life Kaylen Meiring 18 Speak Your Truth Leah Brown
contents
14 The Truth About False Activism Online Michelle Maneya
19 The World Keeps Spinning and That's the Truth Emma Press 21 My Journal: The truest Version of Myself 22 A Dare A Day Taherah Orrie
“Truth never damages a cause that is just.”-Mahatma Gandhi “It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.”-Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Summer Dreyden
Two paths lie before me Two futures opposite in their nature Two questions begging to be answered What if I dare to dream? What if I never try? One answer at the end of each road No turning back Stumbling is inevitable What if I stumble upon greatness? What if I stumble and find that nothing has changed at all?
LIEZAAN BOSCH
What if
WHAT DOES THE ABSENCE OF TRUTH DO TO A NATION? Khanyisile Cotani
The truth has the power to do a lot for people, and, as South Africans, we know first hand that its absence has the ability to impact the lives of many negatively. As a result, we have seen how the promise of transparency falls through the cracks, and our brothers and sisters suffer. Over the years, it has become evident that truth-seeking processes allow for the examination of past crimes to ensure that, in the future, these atrocities can be prevented. In South Africa, these processes are the likes of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission and, recently, the State Capture Commission.
Looking closely at the State Capture Commission(launched in 2018) we can see how issues like corruption and fraud, along with other public sector issues, were investigated. It is through this that I came to learn of the depth of corruption, and why truth matters in democracies. Lack of trust in the ruling government, the division created in the nation and chaos are just some things that we have seen when honesty disappears.
Following a two-term reign of former President Jacob Zuma, the result was a nation that no longer had trust in its ruling government. We have seen how, due to corruption, many have questioned the integrity of the ANC by the growing distrust in their competency of providing adequate service delivery. Among the youth, there is a clear overall distrust in all the political parties, and, unfortunately, this lack of trust is bound to compromise the willingness of citizens to actively participate in the advancement of the nation. As citizens, we have heard political analysts mention the divide in the ANC and how this could potentially be the unravelling of the liberation movement, and this was further supported by Ace Magashule’s actions. If history has taught us anything, it is that divided we fall and united we stand, and the same goes for our nation. The divide between the political party saw the supporters of Jacob Zuma tarnishing the image of the ANC as a whole which, in turn, resulted in mass chaos throughout the country. The current state of South Africa has shown us that, in fact, the absence of truth can quickly result in chaos. With violence, looting and lawlessness in South Africa in the month of July 2021, we were reminded that there is much work to do. As a nation, the absence of truth has not only held us back, but has also shed light on the fact that there is much healing needed as a nation. With people taking various incidents happening as an opportunity to express their racist opinions, it makes it clear that we, as the youth, need to do better and be better, not only in the things we say but the actions we take. We need to start taking up space because with us lies hope for a better South Africa.
Daring to listen Tara Roos
There is a quote by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie that reads, “The single story creates stereotypes, and the problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete. They make one story become the only story.” That is exactly what it is: a single story. And from these single stories, these stereotypes, we form opinions. Opinions that we constantly want to gratify - that feeling of being correct is pure satisfaction. But why do we not challenge these opinions we hold? How will we know our opinions are correct if we have not searched for ideas that combat them - fact check, if you will?
We all have these preconceived ideas in our heads of how things are supposed to be - how places are, how people act. But, in truth, we are wrong at times. Perhaps these notions are formed because you have heard it from someone or seen it on social media. It might even be the general opinion of the time. But how do we know if it is true if we do not bother to look?
I DARE YOU TO
And although I’ve now said all this - assigned you the task of becoming the next Stephen Fry, there is something to be said about not knowing everything. There is good in being wrong, making mistakes and learning from them. Truth be told is that you never will be an expert on every little thing in life. There is something wrong, however, in not being willing to learn anything and even worse is when one pretends to know everything. The only result this breeds is closing the door to finding out what is really there.
PICK TRUTH. ALWAYS.
"Let’s play a game quickly. Truth or Dare?" "Dare." Fine. I dare you to pick the truth and nothing but the truth. Or rather, I dare you to find the truth. In amongst all the fake news we receive on social media and other platforms. I dare you to challenge the things you hear. People can be wrong. As convincing as they might sound, there may very well be a theory deep underground that says otherwise.
Question the very grounds we stand on. Go ahead, I dare you. OLIVIA BEHRENS
The Truth About “Glow-up” Culture The Hollywood trope we know all too well: The nerdy, awkward female protagonist removes her glasses, loosens her hair from that messy bun, throws on a dress, and suddenly the hottest boy in school falls madly in love with her and they live happily ever after…Does this sound familiar to you? The concept of “glowing up” is not foreign to us (“us” being Gen Z). It has existed for a substantial amount of time and continues to grow, especially with the rise of social media platforms. Regardless of whether you have Tiktok or not, you’re bound to have scrolled across a few of the countless transformation challenges and trends. Urban Dictionary defines ‘glow-up’ as: “to go from the bottom to the top to the point of disbelief. An incredible transformation.”
Social media and celebrities are the main contributors to the pressure teens feel to ‘glow up’ in today’s society. For example, celebrities who have had plastic surgery work done on their bodies often don’t open up about it. This has an impact on their younger followers, who see their transformation and feel the need to improve their physical appearance, too. They are unaware that this is unattainable without the use of plastic surgery.
It’s not just plastic surgery: celebrities and influencers may have dietitians, personal trainers, stylists, and dermatologists whom we don’t hear about - things that the average teenager cannot afford. How can you expect yourself to transform the way these celebrities do? Many of the extreme transformations seen in the media are not possible for the average person, thus, unrealistic beauty standards are high and self-esteem is low.
On the flip side, watching these transformations or comparing an individual’s ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs can also be extremely motivating to viewers. Viewers may be encouraged to start taking better care of their physical and mental health or work toward their goals. This ‘glow up’ content is oddly entertaining at times, too! It just needs to be consumed with a pinch of salt. The truth is: the value that society places on physical appearance has increased over the years and social media has been a huge accelerator of this.
Jenna Ryklief
TRUTH OR DARE
Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp Oświęcim, Southern Poland
INTERNATIONAL EDITION Nevis Swing Queenstown, New Zealand
Lost city of Petra - Wadi Musa, Jordan
World's Tallest Bungee Jump - Macau, China
Angkor Wat - Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Jebel Jais Zipline Flight - Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
- JAIME LODEWYK
Th
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l s a e F A t c u t o i v b i A s m h t O u nli r T e The advancements in technology and increased use of social media by society have given a platform for people to highlight various causes online, which has played an important role in creating change in the real world. Although this appears to be positive, we must be aware of the superficial "slacktivism" that can disguise itself as genuine activism.
Activism is simply defined as doing continuous action as a contribution to a social, political, or environmental cause. On the other hand, performative activism focuses on enhancing the image of an individual over the importance of the cause. Unfortunately, this type of activism is more common than true activism, as it is more convenient than being truly invested in a movement.
An obvious example is where celebrities appear to show an immense amount of support for numerous organizations mainly to appeal to their fans and online persona. Popular shoe and fashion brands have also jumped onto the bandwagon of supporting social justice initiatives in order to attract people who are spending money on their brand by showing us their ethics and values.
This has had an influence on the way activism is viewed by society. As more people are becoming conscious of world issues, spreading awareness online has become the go-to way of practising activism. Creating aesthetic posters, posting emotionally charged paragraphs and signing petitions may give certain individuals a sense of moral superiority and usefulness. However, these types of actions may limit good intentions to false activism if a person does not actively display the same enthusiasm in their everyday lives. Activism should not be viewed as a trend or something to make oneself look better in the eyes of others. The millions of black squares that were posted on Blackout Tuesday last year had me thinking about the number of people who actually took the time that day to educate themselves about police brutality and racism, or if the majority simply posted and carried on with their day with an unchanged mindset?
Despite the discreet popularity of ‘slacktivism’, social media can be used as an effective means of spreading awareness, if used consistently to educate one another, and direct support towards organizations that are striving for change without turning the spotlight on ourselves. We should take what we learn online and implement it in every way possible. Though it may feel futile to do so, Howard Zinn explained that "Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world".
a y e n a m e l l m ic he
1 . Self Love Is The Most Important Love of All
It is very important to love yourself as much as possible. A friend once told me that the problem with only loving yourself at a 20% capacity is that one day, someone might come along and love you to a mere 30% and to you, that is more love than you've ever received! To your surprise, there's another 70% capacity of love that you're not receiving from that person and what you're accepting isn't all the person is capable of giving you. Hence it is important to cherish yourself fully in order not to accept substandard love from others unknowingly.
2 . Not Everyone That is With You is For You
In life, there are many people who superficially "support" your dreams, but never dream of your succeeding. It is beneficial to surround yourself with good people, who are there for you even when you are at your worst. My advice would be to trust your instincts and not give out undeserving 3rd chances.
3. Looking Down on Others Only Takes You Lower When you're focusing so much on the imperfections and weaknesses of others, you fail to recognize shortcomings within yourself that actually deserve your attention and energy. Bettering your internal self and focusing on your own individual is an essential part of positive growth.
10 TRUTHS I'VE LEARNT ABOUT LIFE 4. Honesty is the Best Policy In our lives, one of the most crucial practices to use is to be true in your actions and to yourself. In this way, you can ensure that you lead an honest and fulfilling life.
5. Regret is the Most Painful Thing in Life Living is about making choices. You should make the choices that are right in that moment and true to your intentions. Do the things that make you happy and do not dwell on past mistakes. Live in such a way that you have no regrets.
6. Do Not Fear Fear Overcoming fears is what drives us as human beings. It pushes us physically, mentally and emotionally, allowing us to grow as people and to conquer our own personal boundaries.
7. Failure is Inevitable Failure is a concept that continues through life. It is not considered losing or not succeeding but rather understood as giving up. The best way to deal with failures is to not give up and to persevere. In that way, you are pushing yourself and consequently, accomplishing a great deal.
8. Support is Valuable In a world with many ups and downs, support is sometimes the best thing you can offer someone or the greatest thing you can receive. Never shy away from lending or accepting a helping hand.
9. We All Have Our Differences No one sees the world exactly the same as you do. Everyone has different opinions about various things. We have differentiating likes, hobbies and many of us operate our lives in dissimilar ways. These contrasts should not divide us and we should rather appreciate them for what they are. This may allow us to learn about each other's cultures, interests and varying religions.
10. "No matter how deep the night, it always turns day, eventually." - One Piece
SPEAK YOUR TRUTH
Leah Brown
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This generation has been handed countless earth-shattering truths to deal with. Our planet is overheating; we’re in the midst of a global pandemic, and we are the ones who need to deal with the facts of the matter. We have to deal with these crises on a day-to-day basis, and if we do not, we will face the consequences. Thus it is incredibly important to develop the skills necessary to deal with the challenges at hand.
TH AT'S
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TRUTH a m em
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My Journal: the truest version of myself The art of keeping a journal has become ever more popular over the years. People enjoy the creative process of writing as it becomes an outlet for their sometimes bottled-up emotions. Writing in a journal can truly be a fun task, especially once you go back and reflect on your past experiences and emotions. This helps us to realise just how much we've grown and how we would do things differently in the present. As someone who journals regularly, I find it extremely beneficial to keep my own memoir of sorts. Journaling has a different meaning for everyone, and generally speaking, could have a positive impact on your life. In a time where technology is prevalent in all spheres of life, writing down your emotions on paper has many advantages for bettering your mental health. Maintaining your mental health is one of the ways to ensure that you can cope and thrive in our current environment. Another plus to journaling is that you have the luxury of not confiding in a physical person, which is sometimes a struggle for many. Having a journal allows you to let go of your anxious mind and unwind in a creative form.
- chloë harding
13/08/2021 A journal is not only a place to write down your emotions, but can be used to create little collages, paintings and doodles. Allow yourself to unleash your creativity in a private space in your own time. Our truths can sometimes be daunting to face. Being able to write down our thoughts can allow us to further understand our brain. Although it is not for everyone, this can enable you to improve your relationship with yourself and help you process your feelings.
The practice of journaling will always remain beneficial to the heart and mind, no matter its popularity. I dare you to get yourself a journal and simply write down everything and anything that comes to mind!.
TRY A CHLOE TING WORKOUT CHALLENGE:
When our worlds were confined to our couches and cellphones, Youtube Workout sensation, Chloe Ting, got our blood pumping and hearts racing with her zero-equipment home workout guides. Although we now have the freedom to make use of public gyms and attend workout classes, this free and maximum 20minimum exercise session is the perfect way to work up a good sweat and squeeze in some cardio into our busy schedules. Try it out for a day, and maybe it might stay.
A DARE A DAY WRITE OUT A JUMBLE PAGE:
With the motions of daily life kicking back into place, it is easy for us to become overwhelmed with deadlines, tests and the overall stress of life’s responsibilities. Writing down all your anxious thoughts, questions and exclamations about the day can truly help to momentarily relieve one’s static nerves and help our brains sort through our jumbled thoughts. Creating a Jumble page is simple: all you need are your thoughts and a blank page or two, then simply jumble away!
COOK HOMEMADE PASTA:
Carbs - our greatest frenemy! Whether that be bread, pastries or even the humble pasta, which to many is superior, is the vessel for saucy perfection. Making your pasta is as simple as it is scrumptious by simply using accessible ingredients, namely flour, eggs, and oil. Your savoury dish can be taken up a notch with the incorporation of this fresh, handmade delight! The beloved pasta can easily be made vegan-friendly by omitting the eggs and substituting them with water. Delicious and versatile! LEARN TO DUTCH BRAID YOUR HAIR:
Sounds simple enough, right? Easier said than done, to be honest. Braiding your hair can be seen as a life- skill to many, and not only does it look fabulous, you’ll soon become the go-to hair guru at the party. A helpful video tutorial on how Dutch braid your hair was posted by EverydayHairInspiration on YouTube. The video follows stepby-step instructions on how to complete this stylish greasy-day hairstyle, perfect for keeping hair out of your face while still serving looks on the go!
Do a photoshoot:
No matter how photogenic or not we are, the art of taking selfportrait images is truly a creative process that can yield incredible results. To many, photo-taking can be a nerve-wracking experience, and we tend to shy away from being before the camera. However, who is there to hide from if the self-timer feature becomes your greatest friend? The process of finding an outfit to suit your aesthetic and the perfect location in which to shoot can be an arduous, yet adventurous experience. Give it a try!
Create a playlist for those perfect moments:
Main character moment here we come! Having the perfect playlist for any occasion is a must-have if you want to make those special moments that much more enjoyable. In the case where you might be given aux rights, there’s nothing worse than making your audience wait while you try to find the perfect tune. Save yourself from the angry crowd and unnecessary skips by preparing your ultimate playlist before the time.
24hr phone cleanse:
TAHERAH ORRIE
In today’s age, where our chosen form of connection is often through our phones, it is easy to get lost in a virtual world and lose touch with reality. Disconnecting from social media and other virtual platforms has more benefits than one can imagine. Try to allow yourself 24 hours for your brain to rewire. Be stimulated by outside factors- such as painting or going on a hike! Thus, ensuring that our minds remain healthy and optimistically active, without over-exerting ourselves. It is important to remember that resting our minds allows for recharge and is beneficial to maintain our mental health.
Special thanks to: Our passionate writers for their awe-inspiring works and for their endless commitment to excellence Ms. Lawrence for her never-ending guidance and expert eye in ensuring publishing perfection DR. Wallace for giving us her golden seal of approval The Communications Team for sharing our work with the Wynberg Family and lastly, to you, our brilliant readers for your continuous support.
*Images and cartoons are courtesy of Canva (www.canva.com)
