Going Beyond for literacy

Friday dawned and finally “Rally to read” was here. I had great expectations and nothing I imagined could prepare me for the journey we were about to undertake. Everything went according to plan from start to finish- our winners Sharon Vilakazi and Harry Letshoene arrived with their groups on time, the latest Land Rover Freelanders that would carry us arrived and we set off for Pietermaritzburg. We were a group of 20 people about to share in a unique experience, the impact of which we can only describe to other people.

After a brief overnight rest in Pietermaritzburg, we had an early 6 o’clock departure time on Saturday morning to King Grant Retreat in Ixopo which was the meeting place for all the rally participants. There were about 50 cars split into 7 groups ready to set off in different directions to distribute books and educational materials to 2 or 3 schools each. The first school was Kwasikhunyana Primary in the High flats area. We were greeted by singing, ululating and praise for coming there. The situation was really desperate with the school only having 3 meager classrooms to teach grades 1 to 7. There were broken desks, the walls were bare, just not enough of anything. The school has a pre-paid electricity box with no running toilets and no where for the children to play. It was the first time that the rally was visiting this school so it will be in the programme for 2 more years. Some of us were brought to tears and started thinking about how ungrateful we’ve been at times and complacent about doing for others who have less than us.

After a 2hr visit we left, setting off on a scenic winding drive to Kokstad to visit our second school, St Paul Primary which is in its second year with the rally. Our spirits were lifted because we saw what a committed leader-the school’s principal- could achieve with right sort of assistance. The classrooms were filled with colour and a documentation of the children’s encounters with words and books in their mother tongue and English. The children had prepared books that they wanted to read to us and what a joyous moment is was for us all. They read with pride and confidence.

The third and final school for the day was a farm school called Ntambanane Primary which was also in its second year with the rally. Unlike at the other schools where there were only mothers at this school here fathers were present. One father spoke about the progress that his child has made since the involvement of rally to read at their school. He talked about how he could not read his entire life and now he is learning too because his child gets taught at school and comes home to teach him.Almost everyone in our group talked about how moved they were and committed themselves to helping others who have less. Its easy to get caught up in your own problems, in your own life and forget about uplifting fellow human beings. We are all connected and the suffering of one does not go unfelt.I hope to do more for others. I hope to go on more rallies. I wish to see more rallies. Rallies for literacy, for food, for clothes, for skills exchange. More Rallies!

Thank you Land Rover and Rally to Read. What an uplifting, life-changing, inspiring experience.

Gospel singer Vuyo Mokoena dies

SOUTH African gospel music icon Vuyo Mokoena died early Friday, a week after his second collapse at home where he was recovering from severe leukaemia, his record company announced.Big Fish Music said the star drew his last breath at 0530hrs.The Njalo star was first admitted to Johannesburg ’s Linksfield Hospital in March after suddenly blacking out at his home.He was diagnosed with leukaemia - a type of cancer that affects the white blood cells.Mokoena was discharged to recover at home.
But on Thursday last week, he was back in hospital, this time after going down with a severe headache. Doctors found he had a brain tumour.
A family spokesman, speaking at the time of his admission last week, said the award winning star was “awake and conscious of his surroundings, though he is very weak”.
“He is able to talk but his voice is deep and a bit hoarse, like somebody who has just woken up. His left eye is also a bit lazy but all of that is improving daily,” fellow gospel singer, Sipho Makhabane said, asking fans to pray for the star.
When he was first admitted in hospital, celebrity friends including Rebecca Malope rushed to his side.His wife, Tebogo, remembered: “We were sitting at home when he suddenly complained about stomach pains and I rushed him to hospital.”
The star had four children.Rest In peace Vuyo

Criminals are NOT COOL so why lie about doing time? He may not have done the crime but according to SUNDAY WORLD, Mandoza thinks he’s much more marketable if he has a past behind bars! He has often told newspapers, SABC TV channels and radio stations that he was arrested for car theft and incarcerated for one- and-a-half years at Diepkloof prison (Sun City) in Jozi. He’s also said he was a rehabilitated ex-convict and had abandoned his sordid past. But SUNDAY WORLD has revealed that Mandoza didn’t spend any time in that cross-bar hotel – or any other, for that matter. The Department of Correctional Services has confirmed that Mandoza, born Mduduzi Tshabalala (born on January 7 1978), is not listed in their system.Mandoza’s confession was all just hype to generate more publicity for his macho-man image, something that American gangsters such as DMX and Akon have also done unsuccessfully! But this story doesn’t end here. Mandoza may be closer to experiencing life behind bars sooner than he thinks if the award-winning muso is charged and convicted of reckless and negligent driving after an accident that left two young people dead.

Singer sees more moola in her back pocket

Dancing queen Chomee has sealed a deal with Kwaito king and 999 Music boss Arthur Mafokate where she was allegedly offered 14% royalties of her forthcoming albums. 999 Music’s cashcow was initially offered 10% royalties but she rejected the contract. Though neither Mafokate nor Chomee could be drawn into revealing the details, SUNDAY WORLD has it on good authority that Vuvuzela, as Arthur is known in the music industry, has acceded to her demand.The singer is happy with the deal and plans to release a flagship song titled Siyophelelaphi with Queen of Bling Khanyisile Mbau. The duo also collaborated on Mtororo (cool in township slang).

The winners in the Non-Broadcast Categories are...

Friday the 2nd of May at the 14th Annual MTN SA Music Awards was an occasion for invited guests and nominees in the Non-Broadcast categories to get together and celebrate the depth and diversity of local musical talent. Held in Sun City, it was an evening filled with vibrant performances, surprise winners and musical accolades. And as much as there was an incredible variety of music being recognised, there was a shared feeling that Mzansi’s musicians are creating world-class, original music, regardless of genre or style.
The evening kicked off with cocktails before guests were ushered into the ballroom for the awards ceremony. The awards were hosted by comedian, TV and radio personality Trevor Noah. Flautist Wouter Kellerman set the tone with a mesmerising performance. Then it was time to end the suspense and name some winners. A host of music industry players were recognised, from engineers and producers to a broad range of artists. Jeff Maluleke played an unplugged jazzy set in the middle of proceedings before Loyiso closed the affair with a powerful medley of his own music. But it didn’t end there. Guests were invited up to the Palace of the Lost City where they could attend one of four spectacular Star Parties, each featuring a different SAMA 14 nominee. Attendees could choose to party the night away to either Jimmy Dludlu, Camagwini, Flat Stanley or Slikour.

Gospel singer’s deadly brain tumour

Top gospel singer, Vuyo Mokoena, was barely home resting from his chemotherapy treatment for leukaemia when he had to be rushed back to hospital. Mokoena who was recently diagnosed with leukaemia returned home but started to develop serious headaches. Medical tests have revealed that the gospel vocalist is suffering from a brain tumour. Doctors are unable to confirm whether the tumour is malignant or benign at this stage.The singer is said to be undergoing radiation treatment at the moment. Family members have asked friends and fans to give the family and the hospital space to work towards his recovery as he needs all the rest and prayers he can get right now.

Gunman brings his Yizo Yizo role into real life

This should be the happiest time for new parents Jabu Christopher Kubheka and Sithandwa Mtetwa, but the Yizo Yizo actor is trying to pull a fast one and get out of being responsible for his five-month-old baby!The actor, who plays Gunman in the popular Yizo Yizo series has been dating Mtetwa since 1997. Mtetwa told DJ ABO that when she announced they were pregnant, Kubheka gave her R400 to terminate the pregnancy. Being a Christian, Mtetw refused to abort her child and has since given birth to a healthy baby but she wants the Phuliqolo musician to take responsibility for his role in the situation.“I don’t want his money. I have a steady job and can take care of the baby on my own,” she insists. “He’s a pig who left me with just the bacon.”The TV actor and musician is not denying anything but has said that he will speak to Mtetwa privately to figure out how best the matter can be resolved. Gunman and Mtetwa will appear in court early next month.

Brenda Fassie's son mesmerizes Malawians

Until when he apppeared on the stage for all the eyes to see, donning a T-shirt inscribed Ama, Kip Kip, nobody predicted that Bongani Fassie was the very son to the late South African prima donna Brenda who died in 2004.Bongani leading a group called Jozi stepped in with fellow popular South African Kwaito star in the name Ishmael of Avulekile fame and ruptured into fire the moment they touched the naked microphone to dish out the best of the rest.Brenda once appeared in Malawi in the 90's and her son's first appearance in Blantyre was an inspiration to all orphans as well as a great honour to the Mutharika family.It spoke volumes of his intimate feelings about death and orphanage when he consistently pointed on the words inscribed on his T-shirt in reference to her late mother's identities.Like mother like son, Bongani expressed himself better in his dancing antics when he wriggled his body as if he had forgotten his bones back in South Africa.

He was not a disappointment when he exited the stage with his mother's popular Vulindlela song while promising to come back. Vulindlela managed to rip through the patronage with wildest sing along as if it was Brenda herself doing it.In his speech at the intermittence of the songs Bongani urged people especially the youths to be united against pangs of orphanage which have muzzled the Africa region and turned it into a place of crisis."We thank organizers of the show for making it possible for us to interact in this big way, and our message is that of unity, we arerepresenting the whole of Johannesburg, South Africa," he said.
"We are 100 percent dancers, we express ourselves through the music we play and our dreams are to see the reduction in the problems which come due to orphanage in African community," said Bongani.Such was an event where 12 Television cameras flew around pointing at one spot, attracting Dstv's Channel O crew.Then came Kenyan Nameless who stole Malawi thunder, thudding like a bombclat.

DJ Cleo runs back to baby mama

Music producer and artist DJ Cleo has dumped his girlfriend, Jodi Goldstone according to Sunday World. Jodi had allegedly slept with the vinyl-spinner’s friend and employee Xoli Nyoka at his house in Wilgeheuwel, Jozi. Now the award-winning musician is back together with Neli Khumalo - the mother of his two kids. DJ Cleo and Goldstone got together after Khumalo left him due to “irreconcilable differences”. DJ Cleo confirms he and Goldstone have called it quits but declines to divulge the reasons: “It is true that we have parted ways, but I respect her enough not to divulge the reasons in the media.” He also confirms he knew Goldstone was doing the nasty with Nyoka (Nyoka is a Zulu word which means snake.. hahaha..).
“That’s why I fired Nyoka – because he also slept with this woman in my house. It means he was after her all along. We went out to parties together,” he says. DJ Cleo also confirms he has rekindled his relationship with Khumalo and says getting back with her is the best thing he could have done, “It’s better than winning awards”, he enthused. You don’t realize what you’ve got till it’s gone