The name of the book is Suitcase stories by Glynis Claherty and Suitcase children.

The book was produced as part of the Suitcase project, a psychological support through art therapy project initiated by Glynis Clacherty in 2001 in Johannesburg, South Africa. During 2003 Annurita Bains co-facilitated the group Glynis. In that year Diane Welvering joined the project as an art teacher, together with Glynis developed the work that is presented in this book. Jessie Kgomongoe worked with them for two years. The group meets at Barnato Park High school in Hillbrow which has made its facilities to the group since 2003. The project was funded by the United Nations High Commission for refugees, during 2003 and 2004,through the Jesuit Refuge service. From 2006 the project was run under the auspices of the refugee ministries centre, a refugee programme run by the Anglican, Methodist and Lutheran churches in inner city Johannesburg. Children are referred into the group on annual basis by the Refugee Ministries advice centre. Funding is provided through the UNHCR for an interim period, but more substantial funding is not available. The author Glynis Clacherty is a researcher who specialises in participatory work with children. She has spent the last ten years working with children all over southern Africa on issues such as HIV& Aids, child work, violence against children, poverty and migration. Much of this work has allowed children’s voices to be heard in the creation of new policy and laws. She started the Suitcase project, a psychological support through art project in 2001 with refugee children in Hillbrow. This is where she met children whose stories are told in this book. The children told her their stories some over the period of three years. This activity was completely voluntary and children could choose how much of their story to tell, if they wanted it taped and even if they wanted to tell it all. She transcribed those stories that had been taped and edited them for sequence and readability alone. She have tried to represent what the children said exactly as they said it, keeping the form of the spoken word . The children all looked closely at their stories once they had written and they agreed on which parts could be published and what they did not included in the book, also what needed to be changed to keep their confidentiality. None of the children wanted to be labelled as refugee in their present lives, so they chose to remain anonymous. The names they chose to replace their own all have significance for them. They are the names of the lost parents or special friends from their home countries. As the Author have worked with these stories she has been struck with sadness, the loss, the displacement that the children have experienced but also overwhelmingly by their resilience, their ability to make a plan and often to see the funny side of what is happening to them. These stories have taught the Author that children are not merely victims of their circumstance but survivors. What i have learned in this book is that children from Africa are suffering and some have suffered due to various reasons such as civil wars which tear many families apart and hunger which drove many families from one place to another in search of greener pastures. Despite their hardships, they have suffered back in their homes, the children reclaim their identity in South Africa. It is interesting to see young people under the age of twenty having a desire to think about their originality. In many cases people who have left their countries tend to change their identity when they arrive in foreign lands, some feel uncomfortable to use their cultural names and adopt the names which are common in the place which they would be living. These children have something in common that there is nothing better than knowing who you are and where they are coming from, most of them still uphold the names which were given to them by their parents in their respective countries. They are full of love and joy as they are treating each other with respect in their support group. The other thing which make them outstanding they don’t want be beggars for the rest of their lives, they want to make something out of their lives while they are still alive. Although poor children are in South Africa , which is regarded as the land of milk and honey to many Africans who had never graced our shores, they face many challenges across the streets. They are called by derogatory words like “kwerekwere” but they have accepted the reality that it is tough to be away from home and they are not demoralised. In the support group all of them want to return home to start their lives afresh and re-unite with their families. Even if they become educated they are willing to plough back, because they have realised that the change in their country needs to be started not by anybody but them. It is good especially for children who are young having a desire to return home. They show everyone in the country that they are here by choice but social problems are the main point for them to be where they are today. They are also wishing to see their countries having a peace like South Africa, where anyone has a right of movement, association and freedom of speech. The character of these future generation is outstanding, they make anyone inspired despite the challenges they have came across in their childhood. They have a never dying spirit that while there is life there is hope. They don’t want to be looked down upon by indigenious people, they want the locals to take them serious not laugh them for their own situation. They need South Africans to know more about their situation before they can judge them. If one calculate the experiences of these children realises that their situation is not something laughable but shocking because some lost their families as they were killed. The future reader can expect shocking and interesting realities, shocking realities because some of the children family members are no more, while again children are reclaiming their origin in foreign land. The book message is straight forward, things which are written in the book are true. They were transcribed so that people can learn about horrible things which are happening or happened in those countries which these children are coming from. The future readers will realise that there were once people who suffered under other people’s leadership and migrated to re arrange their lives. Once you have started to read this book one cannot put it down but will continue till he or she finishes reading it as it is touching and drawing ones attention not forgetting that it provokes the feelings. What i could have changed to make this book interesting. It is difficult because things which were written in this book are coming straight from the children who experienced the hardships. To be honest the book does not need to be re-arranged because it is well written, children tell their stories well. The theme of the book relate with me very well, because if you look at these children situation they have left their countries as a results of civil wars and economical disorientation. The book might be talking about the children who left their homes due to certain problems, this means there are budding scholars who were displaced due to unrests. This is something which touches’ me as a student, looking deeply in the theme of the book one would realise that this is something which can happen to anyone because future is unpredictable.

New uniforms for Tshukutswe learners on Mandela Day

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union Investment Holding Company (SIHOLD) – SADTU’s investment arm , together with the Union, “Inspired change and made every day a Mandela Day” with a donation of uniforms to learners of Tshukutswe High School in Ga-Matlala Village in Limpopo yesterday. All 240 learners from the school received jerseys, socks, pens and rulers The school is an underperforming school that was adopted by SADTU General Secretary Mugwena Maluleke in 2011. The handover of uniforms was attended by SIHOLD CEO Thami Nompula, SADTU General Secretary Mugwena Maluleke, members of the National Working Committee, learners and parents. SADTU Provincial Secretary Matome Raphasha advised the learners to take education seriously like the ailing statesman Nelson Mandela, if they wanted to improve their lives. “Mandela put education first and he worked hard to be where he is today.” Raphasha said in a packed hall, adding that the teachers and parents wanted the best out of the learners. “As parents, let us give these children better things, so that tomorrow they will look after us. Only a good education will benefit us both,” he concluded. School Governing Body member Lucy Ramoroka (60) gave her heartfelt gratitude to SADTU for visiting the school - on Mandela’s birthday – and called on God to bless the union. She also encouraged the learners to study hard and be educated in various fields. “We want to see you educated because education is a shield against poverty,” she said. Ramaroka also appealed to the community not to vandalize the school. While the day was great, it was SIHOLD CEO Nompula who stole the occasion. He declared that SIHOLD was planning to refurbish the school with more than a million rands next year. “People we are committed on our side, this school needs two million to be refurbished. Next year we will have a budget to fix it. Promise me that you are going to look after it,” he appealed to the community and learners. In the spirit of Mandela Day SADTU General Secretary Mugwena Maluleke said he wished that the whole day and not 67 minutes could be dedicated to voluntary work. He quoted Pakistani school girl and education activist Malala Yousafzai who was shot by Taliban gunmen for fighting for women and girls’ rights to education; “One girl, one teacher, one pen can change the World,” Maluleke said. He said that to motivate the learners to be better people in future and to appreciate the fact that they were attending school while other children are not freely attending school in other countries. Maluleke also urged parents to motivate their children to take education seriously

THE MESSAGE OF AFRICA DAY

Africa Day is the annual commemoration on May 25 of the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). On this day, leaders of 30 of the 32 independent African states signed a founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In 2002 the OAU established its own successor, the African Union. However, the name and date of Africa Day has been retained as a celebration of African unity.

While Africans celebrate their independence from western world, it is faced with many challenges post colonialism. Youth empowerment  needs to be addressed because the youth constitute 62 % of the continent. Although there is an advance in the educational system and economic growth, the progress remains fragile because inequalities are prevalent.

The leaders who decolonised the continent from the the western powers have a problem of leading the people. They had a common goal at the beginning which was"A free Africa" but some parts of the continent are still not enjoying freedom,because their own leaders turned into dictators. The AU which is claiming to be the custodian of morality,in this post modern era still fails to do away with the dictators. As long as the owners of the house are ignorant self reliance is so near yet so far,the organisation should be a beacon of hope to Africans. but anyway the focus is on youth which is still behind.

African youth today is facing problems in finding decent jobs and participating in the decision making processes. While some have resorted to drugs and alcohol abuse because of the frustrations they are facing today. The youth problems need a sense of agency from government and society at large to come up with solution. The youth should be conscientized that they have a lot offer in our economy and state.

 We South Africans today we have reached a state of nationhood, but there is no amount of political freedom which can appease the jobless youth. The country needs to create quality education and work opportunities for the graduates . With the books claiming that this continent is the cradle of humankind the country should not let its future down. The challenges of the youth should not be ignored, because that would lead to retrogression.

The success stories about women empowerment and investing in children’s health are a sign that  the progress is realistically attainable for the country .  With the progress being achieved the country should not rest , but rather continue to achieve more. 

Africa Must Unite To Achieve its Goals and Not Let The Martyr Of This Beloved Continent Down.

A MARCH TO THE PRESIDENCY DEMANDING BASIC EDUCATION MINISTER TO RETIRE.



SADTU President Thobile Ntola in a cap and black jacket middle holding hands with COSATU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi in a black trouser. They were flanked by members during a march to the Union Buildings,Pretoria.The teachers demanded that basic education  Minister Angie Motshega and Her director general Booby Soobryan, be fired for dishonouring collective bargaining.The 23 April 2013.



Difficult life in the streets of Gauteng.



A homeless boy begging from passing motorists at the intersections of Empire road and Jan  Smuts Avenue,Johannesburg.



TURKEY’S BOY SWEAT AGAINST ALMIGHTY GERALD



Gerald Chauke a member of Soshanguve Zenzele Wrestling Group, in a red costume
gave Athur Eginc,blue costume from Turkey a tough time on Saturday, February
 09 during the opening of Tuks Youth Wrestling in Pretoria, Hatfield.

 

 

 

 

Gerald Chauke (17), from block T in Soshanguve gave Athur Eginc a tough welcoming fight at Tuks Sports Centre, Pretoria. The young man looked nervous when they announced that he’ll be wrestling with one of the Yaman’s wrestlers on Cadets mat 6, Athur. “Yes I was nervous but I had a good feeling about the fight because my first match in mat 5, I won it within two minutes”, he said.

Following the first simple win, Chauke received devastated tackles from Athur which resulted in the match ending up with 5-3 points win. The centre started to get more and hotter when Yaman wrestlers shouted “hold him Athur, hold him”. Chauke didn’t hesitate and suddenly he made the temperature low by pulling Egnic head down.

Chauke’s coach, Thabiso Molemo said “the tournament is a good start for the wrestlers to acquire their skills and be able to face fast, and active fighters”. “It all started here at Tuks because it’s the home of Sports in Pretoria”. Many wrestlers got opportunities to face tougher wrestlers from different weights.

YOUNG WOMAN ON THE MOVE



A Masters student in Electronic engineering Unene Manganyi leaving for France.

 Wilson Mmako



These days’ women are capable of reaching greater heights, twenty one year old Unene Manganyi from Pretoria West has achieved a lot at a young age. She is studying her Masters in Electronic engineering with French South African Institute (FSATI), which is working together with the Tshwane University of Technology.

 Manganyi got a bursary to study with the institution through French embassy for two years. For one year she had been working she will spend the seven months doing a research. She will be leaving on the 4 November to pursue her studies and she will be back on end of June 2013. Her family has been a pillar of strength in her life

“My family has been a big support system through my achievements and university supported me by availing opportunities to me” she said.

 Besides achieving a lot academically she had a chance to represent the country in various conferences abroad. In 2006 while in grade 11 she was chosen to represent the country in International summer school of young Physics in Canada. With her courage and determination, this year she went to G20 conference in Washington DC, USA as Minister of Youth and Environmental Affairs.

Manganyi said that as a person she is self motivated and does not draw inspiration from people outside. Manganyi can be an inspiration to young people who aim to be successful. On her return she would like to work for year before continuing with her PhD.