Where to next for South African sport?

Is it important for this country to become more competitive on the world stage of sport?

By Natasha Chewe Mulenga

Sport is an important part of everyday life. We see this through big events such as the Olympics and Paralympics just to mention a few. Sport can be traced back to a time before Christ as it was considered recreational and entertainment.

Sport comes not only in different forms but is practiced differently in all areas of the world and in the midst of this, comes the inevitable, power, media and Society. These three often shape sport and can also distort its meaning through targeting sensitive issues such personal life. Many sportsmen and women have been built and destroyed by these three.

It is important to analyze sport in the worldview yet continental view as development stages differ. From sponsorship, rules to sometimes political issues, it is important to see the view of one’s individual country to ever understand the worldview. 

In this article I chose to focus on South African sport, the challenges behind sporting in Africa can be great as most money is fueled into visible assets. The apartheid Era as well, placed a lot of strain on sport amongst other things, the type recreational works done by both races differed and could lead to why some sport has a lower fan base in comparison to others. In 1994, being independent, south African had a new beginning to re shape every aspect of the nation, sport inclusive.

It is safe to say today, South African sport has grown and there is more interest taken by the public and media. It is important to introduce the two dominant sports in the South African sphere which is Football and Cricket. Secondly some issues faced in these sports, media take on the sports scene in South Africa and finally introduce the South African sporting committee as the ruling body of sport and what it does for sport.

For a budgetary analysis, the South African government spent 8 million rands on the Paralympic participants. Yet the United States of America, spent a hundred and six million rand, one would question the quality of performance that therefore is portrayed amongst athletes. Does the South African scene need more income to enhance the performance in sport, or is it simply an issue of who is in authority and who is hired to train the teams.

It is safe to state that south African has a bright future as there are a large number of competitors and events in which it has participated in. with a large fan base and support from other African nations, south Africa seems to steadily be on its way to dominating sports in southern Africa respectively. In the Mid 90s, Political theorist Robert Putnam constructed a term Social capital that simply entailed that it referred to the links between people. In this, it is clear that sport can create unity even after an era of darkness a country might have gone through.

After the Olympics and Paralympics, it was observed that there was interest in sports from the society as fans gathered by the international airport to see their athletes return. All in all, it is important for a state like South Africa to compete internationally as this helps bridge the gap within it socially, politically and economically. Sport, like no other tends to mend what is broken and as far as South Africa is concerned all seems brighter against the odds.

---------------------------------------------------------------

 External links

http://www.safarinow.com/cms/sport-in-south-africa/irie.aspx

 Safari Now

http://www.srsa.gov.za/  

The Department of Sport and recreation South Africa

http://www.southafrica.info/about/sport/

 South Africa.Info

http://www.sportanddev.org/en/learnmore/sport_and_peace_building/the_role_of_sport_in_peace_building/

Sport and Development.org

http://theafricanfile.com/politicshistory/sports-diplomacy-and-apartheid-south-africa/

The African File.

 

 

How important are Olympic medals to your country?

Should Newspapers go ahead and die?

By: Natasha Chewe Mulenga.

Print media has been everywhere for numerous decades. Newspapers, magazines and brochures have all played a major role in society and the past. With this position in history it can be hard to believe that there would be any type of negative effects from the print media. However, there are certain journalism scholars who believe that there are certain elements of print media that can lead to potentially negative effects on society. Here is a look at some of the negative effects printed media can have.

One would highly support this notion as they have many effects on society as a whole. Environmentally and socially, Newspaper headlines for example, may cause panic and mayhem within a society. For example, In a situation like this where Hitler died, leaves the community distort and government vulnerable. In the situation of Libya, there was more captured in the newspapers than any other media outlet. The headline reads “Gaddafi sticks to his guns.” This may affect family members of those stuck in Libya, by placing so much doubt and sensationalisation in their stories. 

One would further agree that newspapers should go ahead and die because they are also taking away individualist ways of thinking. In the images below for example, while one reads, they would seem to relate even when they haven’t personally experienced sexism. Newspapers re-shape peoples opinions and are somewhat controlling as they are the easiest easy to know what is going on. A man on a train, street vendors and many in lower working classes can read and simply agree with the information placed before them.

In Zimbabwe, where many are oppressed and fearful of their government, it makes them believe what is in the newspapers to avoid any trouble.

Another negative effect of this form of print media is Perception of Crime. Many people get their perception of the crime in the area or a specific city from the newspaper. Depending on the amount of stories involving crime and violence people will begin to develop an opinion that crime is evolving in certain areas and not in others. This leads people to either feel incredibly safe or extremely nervous about their surroundings. For example, IOL is an online newspaper that has a focused section on crime and had a hardcopy circulated may create these impressions and opinions. Headline of the image below was Suspects held after Dobsonville heist. This may insert come sense of safety within members of that community.

Society views on Politics or World Events may be triggered by print media. Print media has had a major impact on how people view politics and world events. Many people will blindly follow what is printed in the newspaper about specific areas and events. Even if it is one small story people tend to believe that that is how the whole area should be observed. This can lead to bias opinions or slanted opinions on other parts of society.

Newspapers left by students after reading. Monash University south Africa

As shown in the above picture, hardcopy newspapers have a negative aspect on the environment. Not only do thousands of trees get chopped for the manufacture of newspapers but the emission of carbon monoxide in creating these is publications is strongly adding to global warming.

One would finally say newspapers can go ahead and die simply because they are not only disposable for those who are interested in one particular part of the newspaper for example puzzles or just entertainment. Also one would say newspapers have become less sensitive and maybe inappropriate to some its readers for example front page headlines such as these.

Online newspapers are a more affordable and easier way for members of society to educate themselves without the hassle of carrying out a newspaper they will not use after reading. Some scholars have stated that Newspapers have already dropped drastically in readership. Furthermore stating with technology advancing at an alarming rate it is safe to say there is nothing saving the extinction of hardcopy newspapers. In Germany, you can get a customized newspaper, you are able to pick which kinds of information and from which newspaper the information will come from. One would further say it’s a little too late because new media has innovated such features since they were created and people are getting to just this. If one seeks information, it is a lot easier to look it up online and it is free.

Homosexual views in South Africa

ALCOHOL: SOCIAL OR POLITICAL AFFAIR

On March 10, government and lobby activists attended a summit held in Durban. South Africa. In this conference, some issues to be discussed were the increase of the drinking age from 18 to 21.

President Zuma being one of the officials present stated that the issue of underage drinking was to be resolved as soon as possible. This law has not implemented thus far but some liquor stores have become aware of the increment of underage drinking and have used their authority by demanding I.Ds. On March 23, police seized undisclosed amounts of alcohol during the st.patricks celebrations and of which minors were responsible of. 

Speaking to a monash student who chose to stay anonymous, the young student was raped on a night she imprecisely remembers. After a School event, escorted to her quarters by friends forgot to lock her front door and two boys she has no memory of attack her. The young university student admits that alcohol is an ideal way of socialising and through it she lives her life in a distressed state.

In an interview with Monash head of security Caroto, Werner, he states it is an excellent ideology developed by the state and if made law he was to ensure it implemented. Werner Said, most issues faced by security are caused by binge drinking and leave security with so much work.

In similar interview with monash counsellor Dashen Reddy, he says, the increment of the drinking age may place students in the state of mind that they are children. He also says most dropouts are alcohol abusers and see authority as annoying. Reddy says it makes students sexually active and this age increment will mean night clubs will have to increase their age restriction causing student to turn to other activities such as crime.  

Anonymous (19). “It’s a ridiculous law; I was groomed to drink at a young age. I started drinking at the age of 12. It’s like a culture developed from different sub cultures.’’

 Anonymous (21). “It’s perfect. I started drinking when I was 16 and I’ve had my run so it would be good for those younger than I am.”

Monash arts and cultural officer Gideon Tladi, he says it won’t work. It’s an issue of societal changes, when events such as the beer fest are underway, students will arrive at the event pre drunk.  Students will smuggle alcohol in school, with the notion of being treated like a child and make work for security harder.

Furthermore, it’s stupid, said head of criminology department jaco berkunizer, In America the drinking age is 21 but 16 year olds still drink either way. These students are considered adults when enrolled into the school and will not make sense to restrict them.

Government is still deciding on this proposal.

Homosexuality Interview Part II

Homosexuality Interview Part I

Homosexuality: Rights or Societal Wronggs

Natasha Chewe Mulenga

Gay rights activist Eudy Simelane was raped and killed in KwaThema three years ago

Monash University South Africa is one of Africa’s well-established institutions. Culture and social activities are the basis of any institution as students are more engaged with each other than anything. 

Homosexuality in monash has never been discussed or brought up until campus publication pulse interviewed transgendered honours student tsepho Ricki Kgositau. Miss Ricki as he prefers to be called said he did not chose to be transgendered despite the name calling, being an outcast and funny looks from people within school and society as a whole. Like homosexuals tsepho believes he is a female trapped in a female’s body. When asked how she dealt with hostility from school mates he mentioned his family as solitude to all the negativity. Furthermore, he raised an alarming opinion as there were males on campus who would curse at the sight of her but approach her when they thought no one was looking. 

Speaking to monash student development counsellor Rasheed, he said “there were no homosexuals that ever came for counselling and when asked if this was alarming he said it was not anything to worry about because, if there was no violence or anything negative portrayed towards them then everything was fine. He further stated that homosexual students will always be judged by their peers just like everyone else who drinks, or dates more than others and that it was simply the way of society. He also concluded that if there were any students that anyone ever needed counselling of any sort the student development body would be available for any assistance. 

In an interview with school nurse shereen, she stated that in the health department is where she was mostly concerned about as she had never received any patients who were transgendered or homosexual. She further stated there was not much she could do as even if homosexual students came through she was not the only nurse their as she has shifts and would be harder for some as they would not like to confide in some one new every day. She further said health issues are best addressed when a patient and doctor have a relationship unlike when the environment is constantly changing. 

Monash cultural officer Gideon Tsepho Tladi, said there was no particular issues raised in terms of cultural interference an difference in co coordinating event for a mass audience.  He stated that what people chose to do is entirely up to them and that as a cultural officer his encounter to homosexuals is close to none.

“I have no problem with homosexuals within school, I think most of them are nice and extrovert which I admire”- anonymous Monash student 19

“I do not support Homosexuality but strongly feel, one should be able to express themselves the best way they can.. so people should deal with it.”- Anonymous monash student 21

“I cannot tell some of my friends I am homosexual because they will judge me and will not understand. So I tell those I can and try be myself around them even when it feels weird. I don’t know yet if I am surely gay but am just going with the flow.

According to Monash students interviewed, Homosexuality in monash is still on the rise but the curiosity of how many will actually speak out it left uncertain.