tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32093795984376813332024-02-21T00:56:04.172-08:00MPONDZMAN!A PLANETMy sophisticated, honest, chilled, opinionated, beautiful world!Litha Mpondwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17074546528757814860noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209379598437681333.post-34027846986350023052013-05-16T13:40:00.001-07:002013-05-16T13:40:29.449-07:00Finally! My Robben Island tour<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEH3p2aATkq-OO1KSZW0dzyHSlNgLMXlc-dUbvrPxvceXfpNYn7eNXeYkYhMnVdE1FjWgiQ71aN1ytaHBGlU8hQ2QlkVlOTjB4uvoyS8KYOWLF0KGmM4n85fUhvVepHOoSsBPALAamQWw/s1600/Robben+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEH3p2aATkq-OO1KSZW0dzyHSlNgLMXlc-dUbvrPxvceXfpNYn7eNXeYkYhMnVdE1FjWgiQ71aN1ytaHBGlU8hQ2QlkVlOTjB4uvoyS8KYOWLF0KGmM4n85fUhvVepHOoSsBPALAamQWw/s400/Robben+Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me outside the Robben Island prison. Picture by Vincent Baars.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Leaving the prison gates in mild conversation after an
absorbing tour of Robben Island, our tour guide sighed and asked, “why are
humans so cruel to each other?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Nobody answered. It was one of those frequent moments on
this tour where people were rendered speechless. The most prominent response I
noticed when hearing accounts of unjust treatment and strife in the prison were
murmurs of varying tones. These included murmurs when hearing stories of the
mistreatment of prisoners; murmurs when the tour guide shared funny stories of
life in prison; and murmurs in the more poignant moments of the tour. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I did not imagine I would be rendered so speechless after my
first tour of Robben Island, particularly because I have been exposed to so
much information and stories of Robben Island.<span>
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Over the years I grew to understand Robben Island as one of
the focal points of the liberation struggle against apartheid. Political
prisoners from different eras of the liberation struggle were incarcarated
there. I've heard stories of people at home in the former Ciskei who bode their
time in the prison for taking a stand against an unjust system. I can also
recall stories of some who were arrested in their youths. I remember watching a
documentary years ago of a former Robben Island prisoner who underwent
traditional circumcision in the island. What was most moving about this
documentary was that the man only completed his journey to manhood when he
staged a ceremony to formerly introducing himself as a man many years after he
had left the prison. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Although I later learned that a number of Xhosa and Zulu
kings were incarcarated on the island during the colonialism era, my primary
interest in Robben Island has been on its role during apartheid. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My understanding of the Robben Island prison was that it was
not only place where political prisoners were incarcarated, but also where
different generations of prisoners became more unified in their fight against
apartheid. I also understood it as a place of personal loss – prisoners lost
time away from the family and the world. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My imagined understanding of Robben Island came to life on
my visit, but I never imagined how I would also be lost for words after the
tour. I absorbed the firsthand accounts of life as a political prisoner on
Robben Island. I saw the scarred grounds of the prison, left behind by the hard
labour of the prisoners. I realised the extent of the twisted nature of the
unjust prison authorities and apartheid government. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My friend who accompanied me to the tour wanted to view the
penguins on Robben Island. I couldn't care less about seeing them. I was trying
to find myself in the midst of this wind inside my head. I was making sense of
what I had just witnessed, suppressing any anger that could have sparked when
hearing stories of injustice, and I was also absorbing what our tour guide had
told us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
He came into prison as a student in the aftermath of the national student
protests in 1976. He told us how he and his fellow youths became angrier at the
system after being told of life on Robben Island prison in the 1960s by the
senior prisoners. This was a paradox, as the elder prisoners merely tried to
make the young prisoners aware of how prison life became much easier in the
1970s. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">My first visit to Robben Island put into perspective my duty
as a young South African. Just like those youths who were incarcarated on the
island, I felt a sense of anger when hearing stories of how political prisoners
were treated on Robben Island. But the resilient spirit to fight for what is
right is what I have taken out of my first Robben Island tour.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Although this has formed part of my world view in the past
while, it is something that has been fuelled even more. Yet I worry about all
those who still take our freedom for granted. Pity them, for they do not
recognise the struggle it took to get that freedom, and the endless
possibilities it allows. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
Litha Mpondwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17074546528757814860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209379598437681333.post-7674784729280359782012-11-28T13:24:00.000-08:002012-11-28T13:24:14.309-08:00An Ode: to enlightenment, empowerment, actualisation, debauchery and sexcapades<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Goodbye... again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Goodbye to that place whose subjects are characterised as being twisted, yet function so effectively. I've spent five rewarding years of learning here, and I leave more enlightened and empowered than I could have imagined. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A home for radical thinkers, moderates, conservatives and free spirits, it is interesting that it is students who satisfy these categories. Yes, this is one of those institutions where students are the pulse of critical thinking. There is more to the institution than the culture of alcoholism that tends to be portrayed in media. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Goodbye to the place that has opened up my eyes to differences in society and individuals, and has helped me to embrace those differences. I do not claim to associate myself with individuals from a particular culture, religious denomination, social group or orientation. I consider myself a person who associates with people. I do not put a veil over differences I have with people. I accept these differences as being intrinsic to the human condition. We are all human.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I thank this place for giving me the confidence and motivation to adopt a philosophy of empowerment. This philosophy has been necessitated by the context of the province in which I was born and raised. It has been heightened by the flaws and successes that exist in this institution, the municipality and province in which it is housed. I have been empowered by the ability to analyse critically. This has been honed in my explorations in journalism, media studies, literature, politics and international studies, and history. I have narrowed down how I have been empowered, and how I plan to empower through my work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Goodbye to the place that has taught me to have fun. A mind was opened up. Tension was relaxed. Life was enjoyed. Friends, partners and acquaintances were made. Mares were an unforgettable experience of student life. One cannot imagine this kind of fun will be experienced elsewhere. The twisted, beautiful, abrupt romantic acquaintances... At least we'll have interesting stories to tell. So what if this culture is often under scrutiny. The strong survived emphatically, and have left this place for better futures. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I too am leaving for a better future. I am soon to embark on a path that will see me carrying out all that I have learnt formally and informally at this institution. I will live life and do work with a constant yearning to meet the lofty standards I have set myself in my time at this institution. I also promise myself to never forget to have fun. I fully embrace that life is meant to be lived, and enjoyment is a necessity. I hope to maintain the relationships that I have forged here, with the fantastic and engaging personalities I have met.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am a less exaggerated example of the archetypal Rhodes student that is so often celebrated or lambasted in the public domain. But that does not take away the experience of an individual who has embraced the foundations this institution has offered for growth. I have lived the Rhodes experience. I have experienced endless walks of life through this experience. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Farewell to the place that has treated me so well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Goodbye Rhodes... again. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Litha Mpondwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17074546528757814860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209379598437681333.post-90274823166808469902012-10-05T13:29:00.000-07:002012-10-05T13:39:39.616-07:00A change of focus is needed in South Africa's news agendaSurely it is time for citizens to be the central agenda for news in South Africa. Considering recent upheavals in the country which have raised the possibility of civil unrest, it is a plausible argument that the views and concerns of citizens have not been communicated effectively. <br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
From my years as a Journalism and Media Studies student at Rhodes University, I have heard arguments and seen for myself a large number of news articles that have been based on a political or business focus. They have persisted with a particular topic even after the story has been drained dry. In the mean time, the views and opinions of citizens have been largely discounted, in favour of authoritative or favourable figures in politics and business. <br />
<br />
Although there have also been ambitious production projects which have made citizens set the news agenda in the past few years, they have not grown in numbers. They have been dwarfed by a continuous focus on the political and the corporate. Considering the growing scrutiny South Africa is facing in the "teen" years of the post-apartheid era, surely it would be of more benefit than harm for citizens to be the central focus of the news agenda in the country.<br />
<br />
The<span style="color: orange;"> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marikana_miners%27_strike">Marikana miner's strike</a> </span>was an example of how citizens are largely ignored on issues directly related to them. The confrontation between the Lonmin miners and South African police became an issue focused on political opportunism and the corporate consequences of the event. The context which drove the miners to stage the telling strike was hardly explored. The context of the miners, I believe, mirrors the context of millions of South Africans who form part of the working class. An<span style="color: orange;"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=361793060573432&set=a.122441147841959.32163.100002282247331&type=1&theater">analysis</a> </span>of news articles from South African titles which focused on the strike show the disparity between the number of miners, and the political and corporate figures who served as sources for stories related to the Marikana miner's strike.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsO052KLdWmt9DenZ6G1Zl7eFQAPlKiN_VRGIhldnrJkgxtRvyHqVRpUook44R450HZT7HK0aGuVWuE4FXdw9UQ43e3zlE4YaKUVgoBT2P1WEOlZRQUe3dxFv3s8dwLlPaf1sCYT_uQw/s1600/marikana-hill-of-horror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMsO052KLdWmt9DenZ6G1Zl7eFQAPlKiN_VRGIhldnrJkgxtRvyHqVRpUook44R450HZT7HK0aGuVWuE4FXdw9UQ43e3zlE4YaKUVgoBT2P1WEOlZRQUe3dxFv3s8dwLlPaf1sCYT_uQw/s400/marikana-hill-of-horror.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striking Lonmin miners in a meeting. Picture: Supplied</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I realise the importance of interrogating political and corporate issues in the country, in light of the global context we find ourselves in. I am not saying issues related to these organs should be ignored. Instead I yearn for citizens to feature more prominently in news directly related to them.<br />
<br />
I believe in the influential role of the media, particularly in the South African context. Resolutions can be necessitated should the frustrations of South African citizens be explored thoroughly in the media. I am reminded of Raymond Louw's (2004) argument about a big mistake South African media made in the initial years of South Africa's democracy. Louw argues that the South African Constitution has allowed the South African press so much freedom, that the press does not know how to make proper and effective use it. In the initial years of South Africa's democracy, the press did not interrogate key issues extensively enough, and did not press for accountability as vigorously as it could. The consequences of this mistake can be seen in the country today. <br />
<br />
As South Africa's economy grows, the inequalities in the country widen. The media can play a pivotal role in addressing this unfavourable pattern. The causes of this growing inequality needs to be addressed, and this can be done through more in-depth accounts from South African citizens. An approach like this can not only be beneficial to influencing positive change, but can also enhance the quality of journalism in the country in terms of the depth and substance of stories produced. A change of focus is needed in the South African news agenda.<br />
<br />
<br />Litha Mpondwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17074546528757814860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3209379598437681333.post-13063583090743866632012-07-12T14:13:00.000-07:002012-07-12T14:14:41.728-07:00My year of perspective<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
So far, the year 2012 has put my future into perspective. Initially I felt underwhelmed at a bite of reality. I returned to the institution and city which I had bid a fond farewell to last year. But I was later awarded a lucrative scholarship to study a one year course. I had also "left" Rhodes intent on building on the<span style="color: lime;"> </span><a href="http://mpondzmania1.blogspot.com/" style="color: lime;">major projects</a> I was involved in during my final year of study. I think I may have been a bit naive, as I realised I may have to climb quite a ladder in the media industry to successfully carry out my goals. I am also slowly realising strategic ways in which I could make a difference in the communities I encounter, and embark on a successful career in the media industry. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I completed a fantastic journalism and media studies degree in 2011. The Bachelor of Journalism degree remains the most expensive at Rhodes University, and I have grown to accept that it is recognised as one of the top journalism degrees in Africa. This is something I always get reminded of by people I interact with outside the university. Yet when I interact with professionals in the media industry, and when I embarked in my observation period last year, I realise that perhaps I was not enlightened enough on the reality of the journalism and media industry in contemporary South Africa. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I spent the majority of my four year degree carving out an identity for myself as a media practitioner. I became heavily influenced by the principles of development journalism, yet I also realised the importance of playing flexible roles to inspire positive change in communities, particularly those in South Africa. In the business world however, while I may continue to adopt my influences as a media practitioner, I am well aware that media businesses have their own particular ideals which they follow. I am also fully aware of the difficulty of distributing independent journalistic work to citizens on a large scale. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
Recently one of the leading radio producers in South Africa alerted me to the fact that radio documentaries are not of particular interest to South African media and media-aligned businesses because they do not promise much in terms of financial returns for the businesses. Followers of my blogs will know that producing radio documentaries is something I have had a natural affinity towards. Hearing this put my whole year into perspective, where I have struggled to get my documentaries broadcast on national radio. It also alerted me to further long-term considerations I need to make when I produce more documentaries, something I definitely will do. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
I am currently studying a Postgraduate Diploma in Media Management. This course has alerted me to further learnings on how media companies operate. Despite the number of hours I have dedicated to the course this year, I have tried to keep my radio brain awake and fresh. My radio brain was definitely invigorated during my internship period at a leading South African broadcasting company. I saw firsthand how two radio stations (a talk and a music station), a news agency, a human resources component, and a sales, promotions and production wing all work together to sustain a profitable broadcasting company. A profitable broadcasting company is particularly impressive in today's uncertain economic environment. This is a company I would like to be associated with, particularly because they encourage some of the ideals I have adopted as a media practitioner. The company also has insurmountable sources of knowledge, in terms of experienced broadcasters and media leaders. These are the people which an emerging media practioner needs to glean from when embarking in the industry. </div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
This time last year I was beginning to celebrate the end of my Rhodes chapter. I ended it emphatically, with very good grades. But this year things are different. I do not see myself being as jovial as I was the last time I thought I was leaving Rhodes. Without taking the workload into consideration, I already have a deeper focus. My experiences this year have put my future into perspective. While last year I thrived on projects which I had initiated, this year I end the Rhodes chapter of my life with a greater understanding of the dynamics of the media business. I am motivated to equip myself with the ability to enter and endure my initial years in this industry. I am not prepared though, to disregard the identity I have conjured for myself as a media practitioner. I also refuse to concede that in the long run, I can never be prolific producer of documentaries, where I provide a platform to those citizens and communities rarely featured in South African media. </div>Litha Mpondwanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17074546528757814860noreply@blogger.com0