Unspoken Words

Unspoken

Wynpress Term 2 2022

d r o s W

3 Misconceptions about Learning Disabilities Jade Beukes

Take off the mask, we want to hear your truth Atheerah Isaacs

The Unspoken Words of Thousands Amy Press

5 6 7 9

Lips Unzipped Amy Scholtz

A letter to my grandmother Michelle Maneya

Our roots Rumaanah Surtee

10 11

CONTENTS

Dear parents Chloë Harding

The Last Thought Jesse Daniels

For the quiet ones Olivia Behrens

Why did I send that ?!?!

Mersei Mananga

Words Unspoken Liezaan Bosch

CONTENTS

12 13 14 16 17

Editor's Letter In a world where freedom of speech is practiced so freely how many of you still feel silenced by the loudness of this 'free world' ?

Whether you remain silent due to the overpowering echoes of this planet or if it's by choice, just know that your words have the power needed to make a change and making a change can empower you, and those in your surrounding.

Take a moment to read some unspoken words the tales of many and the confessions of few.

Taherah orrie

Indulge in the secrets of some anonymous peers and explore the discomfort of those words left unsaid.

Here's to the quiet ones, to those who dare to say "yes" and to those who bravely say "no".

misconceptions about learning disabilities you may be making...

There are many different types of learning disabilities and although there is no cure, there are many adaptations that individuals can make to combat their learning disability positively.

Here are 3 common misconceptions about learning disabilities.

1. “People with learning disabilities can't learn anything.”

This is one of the most common stigmas, and it is completely false. Learners with learning disabilities can learn just as much as any other, they just do so in a different manner. This comes from the word “disabled” which means “not able”. This falsely insinuates that people who have learning disabilities are not capable of learning. Any student with a learning disability can learn as much as they want if they are taught in a way that is suited to them.

A learning disability is a cognitive disorder that affects the brain's way of processing information. People with learning disabilities are often misunderstood and stereotyped as being unintelligent or considered to be lazier than everyone else, but this is not the case!

2.

“Students with learning disabilities are dumb and lack all common sense.”

Most people in our generation classify intelligence simply by the marks you get on your report or your academic achievements at school, but intelligence is more intensely layered than that. Because learners with learning disabilities sometimes perform badly in school, people think that this is a reflection of their intelligence. This is where people, who are mistaken as students with learning disabilities, are often gifted at outer-school activities where they are able to showcase their talents and skills outside of the academic environment.

3.

“Learners with learning disabilities do not deserve extra time for tests or special treatment at school.”

The thing that people do not realise is that learning disabilities are just as significant as physical disabilities, and just because you cannot see them does not mean that they are not there. This “special treatment” is provided to these learners so that they can do tasks with the same ease that a person without a learning disability would. This aid ensures that everyone gets a fair chance to excel and try their best in an environment that assists and does not hinder their learning.

Learners with learning disabilities are some of the most discriminatedagainst individuals in a school environment. Even though you cannot always tell when someone has a learning impairment, it is important to treat people with the fairness and equality they deserve and to approach them with an open mind, not a stigmatised one.

jade beukes

Take off the mask, WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR TRUTH

As beautiful as it is, the world can be both frightening and intimidating. Well, maybe perhaps not the world, but rather its people. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

We sometimes don’t anticipate how brutal words can really be. So we put on a mask, hide our true selves and sit with our unspoken truths.

Our masks, our safety nets. They make us feel comfortable and at ease.

But the longer we wear them, the longer our lists of unspoken words become, and slowly, we start to lose sight of who we truly are.

It takes immense courage to remove those masks, but when we do, when we take that risk, we find ourselves more at ease and finally ready to say what we really want.

Oftentimes we hold back on the things we want to say out of fear of “Don’t ever diminish the power of judgement or that others might words. Words move hearts and disagree with us. But as the quote goes, hearts move limbs.”

“Sometimes the words we leave - Hamza Yusuf unspoken are the most important ones that should have been said.”

We are constantly reminded of how cruel the people of this world can be, but we forget that there are those who are keen to hear our unspoken words. Friends and family are ready for you to remove that mask and speak your truth. Words are powerful. You would be surprised how powerful your unspoken words can be once said. We want to hear your truth. You never know just what those words could do.

Atheerah Isaacs

The Unspoken Words of Thousands Gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and abuse: are the three terms that we have all been accustomed to over the last number of years. As we have grown up, we have been exposed to more than the fear of the monsters in our closets. First, it was the cat-calling that my friends experienced and explained to me. Then I experienced it, and along with it came a feeling of dread that sunk into my stomach whenever I left the house. Secondly, it was the seemingly innocent comments the boys made about our bodies. And then we began hearing the stories about other girls’ experiences. I still remember the first party where my sister explained the dangers of never putting your drink down. Yet still, I’m considered lucky.

Gender-based violence and sexual violence can not only do damage to someone's life but can also cost someone's life. Not only does it have a detrimental effect on the individual but it hurts their self-image and self-respect. Victimised women may feel helpless, coupled with a lowered self-esteem Gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and abuse happen everywhere in the world, whether the victim is a man, woman, or child. More than half of the women in South Africa have experienced sexual harassment or gender-based violence of some sort, whether it is verbal or physical harm. That is one in every nine women. In this case, many of these actions go unnoticed, unreported, and unheard about. Shockingly, these statistics are only based on the ones that have been reported. More than 60% of cases go unreported and one woman is murdered every three hours in South Africa. Genderbased violence and sexual assault are increasing at a concerning rate, making South Africa one of the most unsafe places for women, so much so that it has been given the title the “rape capital of the world”.

But why so many unreported cases? Oftentimes victims are in a state of fear of not being believed, in fear of humiliation, in fear that their situation is not even classified as sexual assault or domestic abuse, and fear that their families will disown them. Many women feel ashamed and feel as if it were their fault, thinking:

“Maybe I wore something too revealing"

“I deserved that” “I aggravated him” “Maybe I was asking for it...”

We as a society have become so desensitized to Gender-based violence and sexual assault that hat it takes an extreme case to occure for people to act out or protest, yet we have still not tackled the root causes of these issues. .Nobody intentionally enters an abusive situation and many don’t even know they are in one until it is too late. I leave you in the words of Graça Machel who said, “We are a society where women, and children, by the way, are not safe anywhere. Something absolutely and deeply wrong is happening in our society. The problem is not the consequences of what’s happening, it’s the root causes of why and how we got where we are as a society.”

Amy Press

Lips unzipped Amy Scholtz

It is a distinctly human quality to have secrets. Whether it be hidden in the very depths of your soul or be it a nagging thought at the forefront of your brain, we all have something that has gone unsaid. Today a few bold individuals have taken the opportunity to release their unspoken words into the void - or rather onto the pages of Wynpress. Some of their stories are trivial, some are troubling and a few stand in the space between. May we all find the courage to speak up about those we’ve hurt, those who have hurt us, those we love and the stories that have gone untold.

These are some lips unzipped: “I pretend to be a different person around different people so that I can be accepted and liked by everyone.

Sometimes I get so caught in the different personas that I've created that I end up revealing things that never should have been revealed, feel guilty and add more lies to protect myself. I don't know how much longer I can go through life pretending to be the right person for others instead of my authentic self.”

“I loved you for 8 years. If we end up together, it would be the greatest love story ever. “ Shy grade 3 who saw you playing netball with the girls

People pleaser hiding behind lies

“I didn’t tell my mom that I climbed the roof of our house. Hi mom, please don’t get angry but I climbed up the roof and knocked over the tiny plant on the balcony. I will save up my money and replace it.“

“I don't like the way my friends treat me and after high school, I am hoping to get rid of a few of them. I only want to keep the ones that truly appreciate me. I don't want to go through life settling for people that don't see value in me. I'm much too precious for that. I wish you hadn't made me feel replaceable.

I wish you had noticed how much I really wanted our friendship to work but couldn’t because relationships cannot be one-sided.

I'm not sorry for wanting this friendship to end. I deserve better and you just aren't it,”

Anon

Teen in crisis

“I want to pick the university furthest away from my parents.”

A pansexual teen with 'not my kid not my problem' parents

“I really wish I was hyped up in the same way as I hype others up.”

A confident lady, who lacks self-confidence, and is constantly trying to practice self-love, and find synchronicity within herself

“For the past 2 weeks I've had a crush on a girl I barely know so I've been doing some light stalking very unsuccessfully but all I know is her name, and tutor class.”

Elmo

"I know it's been a while since we've talked but would you like to reconnect sometime? I miss you so much!"

Anon

“Gogo loves you, my sunshine, my sweet little girl.”

Those were the last words that I recall hearing from you, my dearest grandmother. I was just 7 on the day that you passed. I did not fully comprehend what was happening at that time, and simply assumed that there was a “big people” family meeting.

I smiled and carried on with my day, pleased that you had gone to Heaven- " a serene and blissful country for old people like Gogo", as described by my uncle Matthew. Had I known what that truly meant, I would have said these words which I held in my heart, but never said.

“I love you”

While I often told you that I loved you, it was mainly after my mother had insisted. Telling my relatives that I loved them was something that I did but without the mature understanding of that four-letter word which I now possess. Gogo, I loved you so much. For the delicious mini pies that you often made, for being a pillar of strength during the frequent traumatic and difficult times that our family went through, for your wrinkled, yet strong hands which knitted the socks that I often lost on the playground, for being my loving grandmother which nobody can replace.

"I love you."

michele maneya

“I appreciate you” Looking back, I admit that I was the grandchild who certainly gave you the most trouble.

Destroying your plants, tearing your newspapers, and drawing on your walls were some of the naughty things that I frequently did in your beautiful home.

Nevertheless, you were gentle with your scolding and selflessly gave your time to look after me when it was required.

I appreciate you for the love that you showed me, and the time that we spent together.

a letter to my grandmother

"I found the greatest love of all Inside of me The greatest love of all Is easy to achieve Learning to love yourself It is the greatest love of all"

I think of you each time that I hear Whitney Houston's "The Greatest Love of All". I have vague memories of you singing this song to me. Thank you, Gogo, for teaching me the importance of self-love from an early age. May you continue resting in peace.

our roots Do you ever dream about who you would have been and what you would have been doing if your grandparents or parents had never left their homeland? The significant move that was made two generations ago could still have you searching for answers. In a world of post-colonialism, wars, and poverty, so much has separated many families from their homelands, now leaving the new generation wondering and searching for more about their identities.

We listen to our elders tell stories of our homelands, we learn some phrases of our mother tongue, and learn to cook our traditional foods, but is that ever enough?

Some of us long to see our family villages, to be able to read the same literature as our grandfathers did, or even speak to small business owners who have moved with us from our homeland. The truth is we can connect with people through culture, tradition, one's roots and ancestors. These can bring us together because it provides a sense of comfort, allowing us to adapt to our home away from home.

Growing up in a society that emphasises the expression of one’s identity and uniqueness, we slowly find ourselves disconnecting from our roots that emphasise our sameness. Our heritage is a meaningful part of our identity, as is our individualism. Different generational experiences and the slow decline of connecting with our heritage in modern society have left many wondering and searching for one’s own sense of belonging and identity.

Our lineage is a vital part of our story that we often fail to recognise or share with others. Furthermore, it is heartbreaking when one who is connected to their culture experiences prejudice or is judged negatively for this. In reality, it is with great privilege that some of us are still able to visit our homelands and families, and spend time with our elders. For others, this is sadly a distant memory or simply a short story that has been passed down from their parents. .

The impact of knowing and understanding one’s ancestral heritage can define how we view our own personal stories and shape our identities as we forge ahead in life. The shared family history of our cultural past allows us to grow and learn more about the values and traditions that shape our lives today, giving us meaning and belonging.

Some may even say that our origins are the prequel to our lives today, which helps us to find and form our roots in a world that is constantly changing and forgetting the importance of where we come from.

rumaanah surtee

Dear Parents Chloë Harding

Thank you.

Thank you for the late nights spent with me when I couldn’t understand my schoolwork and neither did you, yet you took the time to educate yourself while educating me. You arrived home, tired from working, yet you always managed to make time for me. I realise that I don’t verbally express my gratitude towards you in my life. I am grateful for the opportunities you have given me, and the exposure to various things which have brightened my mind and nourished my soul. You are the epitome of a Baobab tree (one of the strongest trees in the world) - resistant to my fiery bouts of anger and forever patient.

Thank you.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life. A life that my young self always envied, yet never understood. As I grow and mature I find myself understanding your choices and why you responded the way that you did. I have always admired your personality; your ability to manage under pressure and to never give up. I admire that you maintain respect for yourself, even when others don’t respect you.

And lastly, thank you for loving me unconditionally.

They say that a parent’s love for a child is the strongest form of love in the world. It is the guidance that you have provided us with, the closeness that you have shared with us and the love you have for us, which makes me thank your presence further.

I love you unconditionally.

Kind regards, Me.

THE LAST THOUGHT Jesse Daniels

There's not much to say to you anymore, the chapter on us is long shut, no more bickering like before.

Our bond broken, but...

I wish we could talk again, to laugh in each other's presence, to converse until one of us has a migraine, to be sisters, in essence.

Alas, that time is gone and all that remains are tears A new chapter awaits, turn the page… our emotions left to bear

For the quiet ones Olivia Behrens

It’s sometimes easier to be quiet, to not engage. It's the fear, the anxiety, the feeling you’ll be judged. It’s sometimes easier to let your words go unspoken… no matter how important they could be. It's often the ones with these anxieties that have the most to say but they don’t end up saying it.

I asked a group of introverts to tell me about themselves; what they thought, how they felt, and anything they wanted to say. One said that quiet people are the most observant people - they notice the things that others don’t. They’re good at listening to others and reading the room. Many view being quiet as a weakness but that’s not true: introverts are empathetic and compassionate. Being quiet can be a strength.

Another one, my friend Shalom, a future entrepreneur and self-proclaimed “it girl” year-round shared a letter with me for her dearest peers. Perhaps some could relate to her words:

“Although I may feel comfortable talking, laughing and joking around when I am with my close friends, that doesn’t mean I’ll behave the same around other people. I don’t want to spend the day with random people I don’t know. I don’t want to go out to an unfamiliar place far away from home. I don’t want you to force me to act ‘natural’ around strangers. And I most definitely do not want you to leave me alone with your friends."

"Another thing is just because I have anxiety does not mean that I won’t always feel comfortable doing things.

Don’t speak for me when I take a bit too long. Give me a chance. Don’t steal my opportunity to speak and express my emotions.”

So, look out for the quiet ones at the back of your class. They might have the best ideas that they’re a bit too nervous to share. They may have the best tools to be successful in life: the work ethic, the time management skills, the patience. Some think they are not worth being friends with… you’ll realise how wrong you are as soon as you get to know one. Give the quiet ones a chance to shine and be crazy and show everyone how brilliant they really are.

Here’s to the shy ones, the quiet ones, the anxious ones. The future doctors, lawyers, scientists and teachers. May your lives be full of success, happiness in different colours of the rainbow, and love in all its forms.

Never let your words go unspoken, unwritten, unsung or unheard.

WHY DID I SEND THAT?!

I introduce the “Risky text” predicament. This is a message sent to someone you are usually interested in and what makes it risky is the possible response that you may receive as well as what the message entails. A typical example of a risky message would be a confession of feelings.

Sending a risky message is literally a whole movie, some people's experiences are more Netflix-worthy than others. The beginning comprises the thinking of the said message but then brushing it off because of how absurd it may seem.

POV: You're a Gen Z teen You are relaxing in your room, scrolling through TikTok and once again, you see a tarot reading video saying that you have been conflicted about a certain situation but you should not be worried because you are currently going through a time of good fortune and things will be mending your way and that there is someone who has their eyes in you.

Upon first seeing this you roll your eyes and don't believe it but… it has you thinking “what if I told them ___” You brush off this idea due to how absurd it is, but the thought turns from “what if” to “I should”.

A few hours or days later…

You click onto their contact and start typing amidst your doubt, you reach the end of the message and you are looking at the “send” button with heavy eyes, your finger hovering tensely over it. You surrender, take a deep breath and click the button. An instant WAVE of anxiety fills through as you anticipate their response. You begin to recoil and think about how “dumb” and “stupid” it was that you sent it and feel tempted to delete the message…

Now after this the response from said person differs, some receive affirming responses as ones that work in your favour and eliminate feelings of regret and for others, they may be filled with regret and leave the experience with a memorable or embarrassing story.

I think almost everyone has sent a “risky message ” and if you haven't, do it. It will stimulate your character development.

mersei mananga

words unspoken Clouds outside, dark and grey The silence of my grief drips with the rain Nothing I do now can remove my pain Because darkness surrounds what should be a sunny day I will feel this regret and this dismay Never again Never again From now on until forever, I promise to always say The truth I feel, in my heart Because “thank you” and “I love you” cannot be topped By the silence, I left too long unbroken Not wanting to go back and say the words unspoken.

liezaan bosch

Special thanks to: Our thoughful and talented Wynpress committee for

always creating such

thought-provoking work; Ms Johannes-Swanson for all of her efforts dedicated to ensuring every Wynpress issue reaches its full potential; Dr Wallace for taking the time to ensure that the issue is at the standard of publishing perfection; the Communications and Marketing team for sharing our work with the Wynberg family; and last but certainly not least, many thanks to you, our amazing readers for your never-ending support. *Images and cartoons are courtesy of Canva (www. canva. com) and unsplash (unsplash. com)

wynpress term 2 2022