The Mdantsane Way Magazine Way is a new kind of online magazine: authentic, personal and interactive, with engaging long-form storytelling profiling the second biggest township in South Africa - Mdantsane.
WELCOME TO THE MDANTSANE WAY MAGAZINE
Mdantsaneis a unique, vibrating, eclectic, African place. Follow us on a pilgrimage to Mdantsane to discover the street culture, fashion, food, people, music, homes, taverns, humor, businesses, history and what's hot in the second biggest township in South-Africa, located close to the city of East London in the Province of the Eastern Cape. Join us on this journey while we capture the spirit of this amazing place for you in the here and in the now. We are going to introduce you to many individuals, artists, musicians, groups and associations.
They are the HEROES OF DAILY LIFE. They are the people who create, innovate and improve their life and their stories deserve to be told. This is a place for only good and positive stories of humanity, that will send out a message of courage, endurance and strength to the world through their pictures and words.
The 12 meter long container donated by the NDA to the Imizamo Yethu Elders Group in Mdantsane NU 12
The
Slogan of NDA - the National Development Agency is "Unlocking
Potential".
On the first of February 2013 the NDA showed us, that they are in
fact serious about their mission statement.
The
National Development Agency (NDA) has partnered with the Imizamo Yethu for Elder
Persons Group in Mdantsane to implement a capacity building
program for the elderly by facilitating a working place in Mdantsane in NU12 for the crafters.
A fully furnished 12-metre container, funded by the NDA, that houses an administrative office and work stations for 30 elderly
persons, mostly women, has been handed over to the beneficiaries, who were previously
based in a classroom at a school next to Imizamo Yethu ECD center.
Beaded Shoes - Products of the Imizamo Yethu Group for Elders in Mdantsane
The center is the first of its kind in Mdantsane, where the elderly can gather and make handcrafted products ,that they can offer for sale to generate additional income.The handover of the container to the ladies of Imizamo Yethu showed to the public the importance of centers such as this one.
The Ladies of Imizamo Yethu Are Listening To The Speach Of The CEO of The National Development Agency
The handover ceremony took place in a white tent in NU 12, that was stylishly decorated on the inside The tables were adorned with flowers, fruits and refreshing cool drinks.
A Woman Of Powerful Words Delivering Her Speech
The ceremony was attended by high ranking officials of the Eastern Cape Government like the MEC of Social Development, Pemmy Majodina, Mayor of Buffalo City, Cllr Zukiswa Ncitha and the CEO of the NDA, Dr. Vuyelwa Nhlapo.
Upholding Traditional Values
One Of the Beneficiaries Of Imizamo Yethu Thanks the NDA Representative For The Support They Are Receiving In Form Of A 12 Meter Long Container
Mbulelo Mdayo of the NDA had his turn in expressing his opinion
Mbulelo Madyo
We had the pleasure of meeting Mbulelo Madyo before at another event sponsored by the NDA on Nelson Mandel Day last year at the Ethembeni Old Age Home in NU 1 and we came to know him as a person who is very serious about the development of the Mdantsane communities.
The honorable guests were listening attentively
Powerful words about old age and the situation of elders in South Africa were spoken by more than one speaker
When I was told I was coming to handover a new office/work space to an elderly center, I thought to myself: "I wonder who is defined as an older or elder person". I could not find an universal definition due to a number of factors such as cultures, location, age etc. However, what I found in the form of a quote from Jules Renard made complete sense to me. Jules Renard said: "It is not how old you are, but rather, how you are old". (From the speech of the CEO of the National Development Agency delivered at the launch of the container for the Imizamo Yethu Group For Elders on the 1st of February 2013)
The situation of the elderly people in this country is marked by hardship and often dire poverty
Old people in this country do often face a grim and non-deserved fate. They are exploited by loan sharks, have sometimes to lend money to buy even food.
Their government grants, destined to help them ease the burden of their life, are abused by family members and they do not get the care they need at the end of a long life. Additionally they are victims of gender based violence, like rape in the last years of their life.
The look of a long life
Old Age in South Africa - can mean hardship in some cases
After all the speeches had been delivered the national South African Anthem was sung to close of the function.
Hopefully A Look Into A Brighter Future
a reason to celebrate
The Team of Mdantsane FM
This lot, many of you living in Mdantsane, might know already very well and listen to everyday. The core of Mdantsane's most popular and successful community Radio "Mdantsane FM" was invited too.
The Beneficiaries of Imizamo Yethu, The CEO of the National Development Agency and the MEC For Social Development at the launch of the container in NU 12, Mdantsane
At the end the eagerly awaited handover and a guided tour of the container took place.
Handing over the keys of the new workstation to the "elders"
Traditional Exquiste Xhosa Clothing manufactured by the Imizamo Yethu group was shown to the dignitairies
Another Very Beautiful Shade Of Normal - Mdantsane NU 12
On the 1st of February the Mdantsane Way Magazine had the pleasure to attend the ceremony of the handover of a 12 meter container funded by the National Development Agency NDA for the Imizamo Yethu For Elders Group in Mdantsane in NU 12 ( we are working on the article at present).
On this occasion we could witness one more time how much the township Mdantsane is an expression of the young democracy and its values, that has been established in South Africa in 1994.
During the ceremony the guests were surprised with an amazing performance of four beautiful South African children. The performance had been organized by the beneficiaries of the container.
Celebrating Diversity And Different Kinds Of Beauty in Mdantsane
Our young democracy, although a rule of majority has firmly embedded in its constitution the protection of the minorities in the society. For a country, that has no century long history of developing democratic values but has instead been dominated by a regime of suppression this process can be a challenge.
We have published these wonderful pictures for you today because they truly demonstrate how much South Africa has advanced and is constantly making progress on the path of democracy and celebration of diversity.
Mdantsane's Beautiful Children Performing At The Handover Ceremony Of The Imizamo Yethu Container For Elder Persons In Mdantsane In NU 12
The topic of albinism is one that lies close to our heart and it is one for which we would like to create awareness in the community.
In the South African black population, about 1 in 3900
people have oculocutaneous albinism while in the white population it is
less common (1 in 15 000 people). There are about 10 000 affected
individuals in South Africa.
There is still a certain amount of stigmatization of
people with albinism in the community. For some people affected by albinism mean "bad luck".
The more we were happy to see on that day that prejudice is challenged by many now on a daily basis.
Delighting The Public With Their Performance in NU 12 in Mdantsane
Albinism has been defined as an inherited absence of
pigment (hypomelanosis) that is limited to the eye (ocular albinism), or
involves the eye and skin (oculocutaneous albinism) and in which
nystagmus (fast, rhythmical movement of the eye), decreased visual
acuity and photophobia (fear of light) are present.
Oculocutaneous albinism is more common than ocular
albinism and is inherited as an autosomal recessive disorder. In
addition to poor vision, people with oculocutaneous albinism have
hypopigmented skin which sunburns very easily and is highly susceptible
to skin cancer. Although young children with albinism may be slower to
crawl and walk due to visual problems, it is important to remember that
their intelligence is within the normal range.
Creating awareness and educating the public about albinism in Mdantsane
Both public education about the
condition and counseling for affected individuals and their families
are required.
A small parent support group in Johannesburg has been
functioning under the auspices of SAIDA with more than 30 members all
over the country.
The objectives of this group are to educate the public
about albinism, to provide support for affected families, and to
support research into the condition. A second large group ( with more
than 200 members) has also been established in Soweto.
We are re-publishing an article, that has caught our attention written by Johannesburg based David Smith for the Guardian on 2 of November 2012. This article profiles the fashion top model Thanda Hopa who has the condition of albinism.
South African model with albinism challenges prejudices
Thando Hopa is wowing the fashion world, but suffered prejudice as a child for condition others have been killed for having
As a child with albinism, Thando Hopa was called names by her peers
and regarded with superstition by the elderly. "Some saw me as good
luck," she says, "and some saw me as bad luck."
Recently all eyes
were on Hopa again. This time she was striding confidently down the
catwalk and earning newspaper accolades as South Africa's "the new face of fashion" and "fashion's new colour".
The
23 year old is among a growing number of models with albinism
challenging prejudice on a continent where the inherited condition –
lack of pigment that affects the eyes, hair and skin – can lead to
discrimination and even death.
Hopa grew up south of Johannesburg
with constant reminders to wear hats and sunscreen to protect her
sensitive skin. She credits a strong and protective family for keeping
her self-esteem intact. A full-time legal prosecutor, she had no
thoughts of modelling until a chance meeting with fashion designer Gert-Johan Coetzee at a shopping mall.
"After two minutes he said, 'Hi miss, are you interested in modelling?' I was open to it. SA fashion week was an overwhelming experience, a different world altogether with so much creativity."
There are hopes that positive portrayals
of albinism can make a difference. "I really hope so," Hopa said. "I
received some very positive feedback from young girls with albinism. If
you don't see positive examples, you wallow in self-pity. I just hope it
turns into another shade of normal."
Coetzee said he was bowled
over when he first ran into Hopa. "It was amazing, like somebody was
shining a light at the side of my head," he said. "She was beautiful,
with the perfect body and the perfect bone structure. She was glowing
like an angel.
"I've always wanted to do a show with someone with
albinism and never found the right girl. When I saw her everything I was
working on came together. Her skin is as white as milk, stripped of
colour. There are endless possibilities."
Coetzee added: "She was
excited that she can be role model for girls with albinism. It's
something to embrace rather than something to hide."
Hopa follows
Refilwe Modiselle, a model with albinism from Soweto who has been
modelling since age 13 and now the face of South African fashion chain
Legit. "I'm a black girl who lives in the skin of a white person and
that alone should embody what a human being as a whole should
represent," she told the BBC recently.
But
in east Africa particularly, people with albinism are believed by some
to have mystical and healing power, putting them at risk of abduction
and mutilation. Body parts are used in witchcraft or buried under
businesses to bring wealth.
Under the Same Sun, an advocacy and education group, estimated that 71 people with albinism were killed in Tanzania
between 2006 and 2012, while 31 survived machete attacks. In June this
year the body of a man was discovered with several of his body parts
missing.
Richard Mgamba, a Tanzanian journalist who has investigated the trade in body parts,
said the example of Hopa shows "there are two different worlds for
people with albinism: one where they are being hunted and killed, the
other where they are being given opportunities to live like everyone
else".
He added: "In my country they are not given these
opportunities. They are feared and treated as second class citizens. In
South Africa we see a different story – a model with albinism – and for
me that's very encouraging."
Brother And Sister Playing With A Vuvuzela In NU 12
The Vuvuzela is a small piece of South Africa. Here is a description for overseas readers:
The vuvuzela, also known as lepatata Mambu (its Tswana name), is a plastic horn, about 65 centimeters (2 ft) long, which produces a loud monotone note.
Some models are made in two parts to facilitate storage, and this
design also allows pitch variation. Many types of vuvuzela, made by
several manufacturers, may produce various intensity and frequency
outputs. The intensity of these outputs depends on the blowing technique and pressure exerted.
Traditionally made and inspired from a kudu horn, it is said (although without proof) that the vuvuzela was used to summon distant villagers to attend community gatherings.
The vuvuzela is most used at footballmatches in South Africa,
and it has become a symbol of South African football as the stadiums
are filled with its loud and raucous sound that reflects the
exhilaration of supporters.
The intensity of the sound caught the attention of the global football community during the2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in anticipation of South Africa hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The vuvuzela has been the subject of controversy when used by
spectators at football matches. Its high sound pressure levels at close
range can lead to permanent hearing loss for unprotected ears after exposure with a sound level of 120 dB(A) (the threshold of pain) at 1 meter (3.3 ft) from the device opening.
