Let there be light!

Gone are the days of living in the dark.  Waiting for the maintenance man to change your light bulb. All you need to do is to follow these five-easy steps to screw your light bulb.

Step 1 – Make sure the main switch is off. You don’t want to electrocute yourself.

Step 2 –Get a step ladder or something firm to stand on.

Step 3 –Hold a new light bulb in one hand while removing the old one with your other hand.

Step 4 –Align and screw the light bulb clockwise.

Step 5 – Switch the main back on and there you have the light!

 

Beyond exploring

If you are thinking of exploring Africa, take a shot left to Egypt. Africa is prominently known for its beautiful landscapes and the ‘big five’.

But the Pyramids of Giza have put Africa in the history books. Built B.C. as a tomb for the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu, in Cairo. Apparently took 20 years to build.

Each side of the Pyramids correlates a cardinal direction. Until recent years, the Pyramids remained the world’s tallest structures for over 4 millennia.

Approximately 2.3 million blocks of stones were used to build these classic Pyramids, measured at nearly 480 feet high. Certainly a visit to Egypt would be an experience of a life time.

Emperor scorpion –a cure for human disease

Wondering which insect is this? Maybe it's a butterfly? Don’t let the word ‘emperor’distract you. This scorpion that turns blue under an x-ray, it’s being examined. The results could cure human blindness.

The Emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator) believed to be one of the largest scorpions in the world with an eight-inch-long body.

This animal species was spotted by Conservation International and Rapid Assessment Program scientists in Ghana in 2006.

Its venom is harmful to humans however it’s being tested as potential drugs to control a heart disease.For survival these scorpions feed on other small invertebrates.

Leadership failure

It is unfortunate that lives had to be lost to reach a solution. On the 10^thAugust 2012, about 3,000 mine workers embarked on an illegal strike for a wage increase in Marikana, Rustenburg. Apparently the platinum mine, Lonmin, paid the miners a R4000 monthly income.
   Ironically no one knew about the strike until there was bloodshed on the third day of the strike. Ten people were killed including two police officers.
According to several reports, on August 16 police opened fire on miners, 34 killed and 78 injured leading to the arrest of 270 workers charged with public violence and murder. But later, charges were dropped after a national outcry.

Soon after the turmoil,President Zuma appointed a commission of inquiry led by former Supreme Court of Appeal judge, Ian Farlam.

“The massacre was a pure reflection of failure of the unions,” says a Wits Medical student, Bongani Miyeni.

Anthony Malapane, a Gauteng Legislature Researcher says “The strike had a negative impact on a national level as it has exposed lack of leadership within the unions as well as government. This has also threatened investors’ confidence”.

For months the ANCYL has been debating the nationalisation of mines. The strike presented them the opportunity to demonstrate leadership and compassion to the miner’s grievances by playing the mediator for the duration of the negotiations.

Now we’ll have to wait and see if the commission of inquiry will reveal what exactly transpired and hopefully justice will prevail.

The Bang Bang Club

 

I’m not a fan of action movies, the minute I see guns I lose interest but The Bang Bang Club is captivating. Starring Taylor Kitsch, Ryan Phillippe, Frank Rautenbach and Neels Van Jaarsveld as four fearless South African photojournalists. Working for The Star newspaper.

 These photojournalists risk losing their lives in depicting the pictures of the clash between the Zulu-based Inkata Freedom Party and the Nelson Mandela led ANC party in the early 90’s. Before the country’s first independent elections.

Based on a true story, these photojournalists reveal the graphic nature of the war between these two political parties.

SAPS vehicle awareness drive

On Friday the Hillbrow SAPS kicked off their vehicle awareness drive on Jorissen Street in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The three hour campaign was brought on after there were alarming crime stats of vehicle robbery in the area.

 Constable Nkosinathi Mgimeti, who is also the police spokesperson, was heading the campaign assisted by 15 other officers. The campaign was educating the vehicle owners that they shouldn’t park and leave valuables such as laptops visible. “These are some of the things that lead to vehicle robbery,” said Constable Mgimeti.

   He added that the awareness drive is due to high incidents of vehicle theft, theft out of motor vehicles and theft from motor vehicle. For those vehicle owners that weren’t present when their cars were inspected, they were left a form on wipers about the details of the campaign and how they can help prevent crime.

  The owners that were present were cooperating with the officers and showing appreciation of the campaign. 

  

The campaign was a success although the IFP march almost proved to be a problem when some of their marchers started to be violent. The IFP members were marching to hand over a memorandum to the SABC in Auckland Park. The vehicle awareness drive will resume again on Monday in Killarney and Houghton, Johannesburg.

Drive home with Mdoda

 Anele Mdoda has done her many fans and friends proud for winning an award at the MTN radio awards 2012 during the month of women’s day.

  Mdoda has made a name for herself in the airwaves from when she was Dj at a campus radio back in 2004. In 2007 she got a one year contract at Highveld Stereo where she started her career. A year later she moved to 5FM to co-host a midday show with Grant Nash for four years.

  The South African radio legend Alex Jay who hosts 9-13:00 show on Highveld Stereo rated Mdoda “the hottest thing local on radio,” TVSA. She admits it wasn’t easy winning over the listeners that have been loyal to the previous midday show hosts, Sasha Martinengo and Ian F, who have been on radio for 14 years. She added “I came over with an attitude that I will answer back to anything said to me, I adapted easily because I have worked with Grant before.”

  “I’m glad that finally someone has noticed our hard work, it’s good to be recognized because you get motivated as well. Highveld Stereo is my second home away from home and I am happy to be back.”  Mdoda is currently hosting an afternoon drive show from 16:00-19:00.