Imagine Scholar Times II-IV

Imagine Scholar Times
OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2015
VOLUME I I, ISSUE IV
Sexual orientation continues to be divisive issue in Mpumalanga
Samkelisiwe Chissano
KAMHLUSHWA – Homosexuality, although a topic discussed for years now, still keeps the public on its toes. Is this due to
reasons such as religion, personal opinions or science beliefs?
President Barack Obama of the United States of America visited his hometown on July 26 and released a joint
conference alongside Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on CNN Politics. Among many issues addressed was that of
homosexuality. "When you start treating people differently not because of any harm they are doing to anybody, but because
they are different, that's the path whereby freedom begins to erode," Obama said. However Kenyatta seemed to feel
differently when he said, "It is very difficult for us to be able to impose on people which they themselves do not accept,"
Kenyatta continued. "This is why I repeatedly say for Kenyans today the (gay rights issue) is generally a non-issue. We want to
focus on other areas." For this reason interviews were made in the community of Kamhlushwa in South Africa’s Mpumalanga
province to see what people feel about this press release and the issue of homosexuality.
“It is not a matter of choosing to address one issue over the other,” said Megan, an Imagine Scholar staff member. “But
homosexuality is one of the issues that need to be addressed.” Although Megan discussed this openly, it was clear that others
weren't so keen on addressing the issue because they left the interview upon hearing what it was about. Is it because people fail
to accept the LGBT community? Justice, a grade 10 chess champion said, “It is uncommon. We are born knowing that
opposites sex should be together, but like most things we will get used to the idea pretty soon.” A number of anonymous
sources said, “It's immoral. It goes against the bible.” Some even said, “who are we supposed to marry if guys turn to gays and
girls turn to lesbians? There will be no future generation.”
John, an Imagine Scholar facilitator said, “Homosexuality is a heath issue and [SEE SEXUAL ORIENTATION PG 3]
Xenophobia plagues the entire country
What’s inside?
Loveness Luhlanga
BOSCHFONTEIN – “Racism is a refuge for the ignorant it seeks
to divide and to destroy. It is the enemy of freedom and deserves
to be met head-on and stomped out,” said TV personality and
journalist, Pierre Berton. Racism occurs in different ways and it
can happen at schools, work places, shopping centers, and all
over.
Xenophobia is a large part of racism. It is the intense
dislike of other people from other countries. This year, massive
xenophobic attacks happened in Johannesburg. “The xenophobic
attacks started after a statement said by Zulu king, Goodwill
Zwelithini, saying that foreigners should pack their bags and go
back home,” wrote Ntombi Mbovu in an article titled
“Xenophobia in South Africa”. This idea of xenophobia affected
the connections of South Africa with other countries such as
Nigeria. “I don’t think it would have been proper for the
Nigerian government to say nothing, do nothing, when,
foreigners, not just Nigerians are being attacked in South Africa,”
Badmus said in an article titled “South Africa and Nigeria spar
over xenophobic violence”. [SEE XENOPHOBIA PG 3]
Urban vs rural lifestyles in S. Africa
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Child marriage is global problem
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Blog Feature
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Sexual orientation (continued)
3
Xenophobia (continued)
3
Top 3 Quarterly Highlights
3
Comics and Jokes
4
1 The Imagine Scholar Times
Volume II, Issue IV
Urban vs rural lifestyles in S. Africa
Child marriage is a widespread global problem
Siphiwokuhle Pilson
Loveness Luhlanga
SCHOEMANSDAL – A lot of individuals find
themselves at some point questioning the advantages of
rural versus urban life. The quality of life is one of the
central issues to consider when comparing rural and
urban areas. While a case can be made on which
settlement area is the best place to live in, it is
worthwhile to consider how these two areas are similar
or different. Important factors to consider in the debate
are the capacity to make general choices, health,
diversity and, most of all, employment concerns. Rural
and urban areas are generally similar in terms of human
interaction, however, they differ most widely when
diversity and choice making are issues.
There are a number of positive and negative
factors that contribute to the overall quality of life in
urban areas. In urban areas, parents have more choices
available for the education of their children and can
often choose from a list of private and governmental
schools. Diversity is more common in urban areas as
there is a great population of different races. Urbanites
enjoy the chance of being able to take part in any
number of cultural or social events. It is also very
important to note that urban areas are more likely
to offer a variety of job opportunities as there are a lot
of companies as well as organizations. Additionally,
urbanites have a number of health specialists to choose
from. Despite all these facts, urban areas have greater
amounts of pollution, including noise pollution and
atmospheric pollution.
Rural areas do not offer as many choices as
urban areas. However, living in a rural area allows
residents to enjoy the natural world. In addition, people
do not have to stress about issues that occur in urban
areas such as being stuck in traffic, dealing with higher
rates of crime, and paying higher taxes. As one
researcher notes, ''People living in rural areas are less
likely to have mental health problems than those in
urban areas”. In rural areas people grow their own food
which is much healthier. While there are several
benefits, rural areas struggle when it comes to
employment, as there are a lack of job opportunities.
In general, the quality of rural life is
characterized by a greater ability to connect with people
as well as connect with nature; while in urban areas
there is a high degree of socialization and diversity.¤
BOSCHFONTEIN – Child marriage is a major issue that many
countries face. “It is the human rights violation that is commonly
used and increases every single minute,” writes Mr. Paulo in "No
Against Human Rights Violation", research from a company
called We Are United. Child marriage is a custom that many
cultures and traditions practice. “It has to stop because child
marriage prevents a country to be successful, as young married
women are dependent and have no job this will cause the
economy of a country to drop,” he continued.
A study by the International Human Rights Group
showed that by 2050 the number of married women before their
eighteenth birthday will be above 1,2 billion if not reduced.
Countries that practice child marriage are developing countries
such as Afghanistan, Cameroon, Guatemala, India, Benin, Kenya
and many more.
Not only cultures and traditions practice child marriage,
poor families may force young girls to get married for the sake of
money or to correct damage made by the family. For example, if
somebody beats someone from another family, they have to
force one of their girls to marry one of the men in the victim’s
family. Sometimes this means that the girl will be married to an
old man. “I really feel sorry for the young women who are
victims because what I've gone through is a lot and is enough,” an
unknown victim said.
Another study done by Human Rights Practice (HRP)
showed that 79 percent of the young women who were married
at an early age found themselves divorced because of making
unhealthy decisions as teens. “It was perfect when we got
married, I was 15 and he was 17. Everyone was happy but now
all is gone, just because I'm not happy and that I think it was a
mistake to marry him”, said one of the victims who is now 30
years old.
“Some child brides are eight or nine”, a student who was
involved in a study about children being forced to get married at
a young age said. “Pregnancy is among the leading cause of death
in developing countries," she continued. In some cases not only
girls are affected, boy are also affected. Thirty three million men
were married before the age of fifteen and more than one
hundred and fifty six million men were married at the age of
eighteen, according to a group called The Children' Rights (CR).
"Educating girls is one of the most powerful tools to
prevent child marriage", said an article titled "Girls not brides.”
This demonstrate that child marriage can be controlled if parents
and the people who practice it give love and support to their
children.¤
2 The Imagine Scholar Times
From the IS blog: Mandisa at ALA
Mandisa Ngwenya
One of the hardest things that a teenager has to go
through is leaving home; it’s even harder when you
know that you will never be the same person when you
come back. That is me, Mandisa, and this is my story.
Early this year in March, I received a phone call
that changed my life, and the lives my
family members and the people close to me. The phone
call informed me that I got accepted into the African
Leadership Academy. That was the happiest day of my
life and I can still recall that feeling. I decided to stop
attending my government school, and do something
effective with the rest of the time that I had
before starting ALA.
I
started
working
for
Imagine Scholar, a non-profit organization situated in a
rural area of Nkomazi, which discovers different
students from various towns and teaches them how to be
leaders of their own communities. I became a math
tutor for 8th grade students, while also preparing myself
for ALA. To tell the truth, it was challenging and fun at
the same time. I got an opportunity to learn how to be
efficient with time from Nick, how to improve as an
emerging writer from Reggie, how to be a critical
thinker from Corey, how to be passionate from Megan
and how to be the best math student from John.
See the full blog post on
www.imaginescholar.org!
Top 3
Quarterly
Highlights
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Victoria (IS 2014) starts
doctoral program in Cuba
Volume II, Issue IV
SEXUAL ORIENTATION (cont) should therefore be
addressed, especially if there are laws against it in that country.”
He continued to say that, “The LGBT community should be
treated fairly and given jobs of their experience like everybody
else. This way the LGBT will be less likely to be homeless and
cost the government.” John believes the LGBT community could
contribute a lot in helping to provide economic opportunities of
a country internationally.
Is homosexuality an issue failed to be accepted by fellow
citizens of the LGBT community? Mr. Francis, a life orientation
teacher said, “It is against nature and though we shouldn't judge,
it all depends on the circumstances.”
The LGBT has long been a controversial issue. Though it
might continue to be so, in the end it depends on what
perspective one looks at the issue from. The LGBT community is
different in some ways, but aren't we all? And they are humans
after all. So is it a sin for us to co-exist with them in one peaceful
world? ¤
XENOPHOBIA (cont) “Prejudice is the act of making general
assumptions of a person or a community based on limited
understanding,” said Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Co-Founder
of World in Conversation, Sam Richards. A professional rugby
player lost his professional playing career on the Springboks and
went back to University of Johannesburg after the team's coach
dismissed him due to racism. “It’s like you don’t belong, like
‘What are you doing here?’” the flanker said in an article titled
“Can the Rainbow Nation ever shine through South Africa’s fog of
racism?”. Prejudice can destroy people's careers as it did to the
professional rugby player of Springboks. It brings sadness and
anger as many people are being judged for limited understanding
of the person's situation or background.
“No one is born hating another person because of colour
of his skin or his background or his religion, people learn to hate,
and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love
comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite” a
quote by South Africa's first president after the democratic
elections, Nelson Rolinhlahla Mandela. Racism is a small word but
can destroy the whole world in an instant. It makes friends
become enemies. Individuals must be mindful of the dramatic
negative impacts it can have on society and work together to
overcome prejudice. ¤
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IS Alumni Interns complete
successful year
3
5th Annual Spoken Word
Poetry Slam!
3 The Imagine Scholar Times
Volume II, Issue IV
COMIC | compiled from the Internet by Siphila Dlamini (“Madam & Eve” by Stephen Francis & Rico)
Contributing Members
Samkelisiwe
Loveness
JOKES | compiled from the Internet by Siphila Dlamini
Unruly Students
Teacher: "Kids, what does the chicken give you?"
Student: "Meat!"
Teacher: "Very good! Now what does the pig give you?"
Student: "Bacon!"
Teacher: "Great! And what does the fat cow give you?"
Student: "Homework!"
A Question To Think About
If con is the opposite of pro, then is Congress the
opposite of progress?
Siphiwokuhle
Siphila
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