Freedom, what does it mean?

In South Africa we regard those who were born after 2004 as born free, but what is freedom. People tend to hover around when trying to come up with a proper definition of freedom and democracy. Freedom is simply the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints whereas Democracy means the government of the people by the people for the people, at least I learned that when I took History as one of my subjects at school.

In our bill of rights they state that we have freedom of speech, but the are things that one can't just blurt when ever they feel like expressing one's feelings because the message can be conveyed in a state where one tend to hurt the other one's feelings. Maybe I am still not grasping the whole concept here. Since I am in a democratic company and I feel I am free except from thugs can I go into my kitchen and steal my food, say anything I like, drive 220km/Hr, smoke dagger or "tik"? Well, you will be acting immorally according to social ethics.

There is only one thing that one need to think about, which is , at what point does my freedom impinge on another person's freedom, and therefore nullify such freedom?

The only thing that I believe will be able to solve all the social hindering that we tend to experience in SA now and then, is to let people learn what it means to be having rights. Most human rights that are on our bill of rights tend to keep others under suppression due to the fact that they are not being exercised properly. If you are allowed to smoke, which is by choice, do it in a sense or manner that other around you don't get to inhale the smoke, spitting in pavements really? that is too goofy for my liking. Well, I believe South African need to be taught on how to interact socially and responsibly. When we got what is called freedom, people thought it is a chance to do whatever they felt like doing without being responsible about their actions.... We need to learn... not just at school and varsity but everywhere you go you need to learn about things that are surrounding you.

Anti Foreigners violence in South Africa.

I have been stunned by the riot going on in Johannesburg, Alexandra township recently. As a South African citizen, the question that arises in my head is what is it that I want for my country, so that I can be proud and be able to raise my SA flag so high to show that I am proud to be a citizen of this country. Definitely not this disgracing inhuman violence that has been infiltrated to our African brothers and sisters. Yes, we are poor, we are still waiting for the Government to deliver on their promises but that does not mean we need to take our frustration out on others. Someone claimed he has been paid to cause the riot, others say the people who are not South African they take their jobs away. How do you expect to have a job while sitting at home and blame those who do come and make use of every opportunity that you as a SA citizen don't want to take advantage of. How will this impact on the upcoming world cup? How can we be so barbaric to our fellow human beings? It looks like people are no longer listen, I mean this issue has been condemned by Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu

The attacks have been concentrated in Johannesburg's poorest areas, and many of the victims were Zimbabweans who have fled repression and dire economic circumstances.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation issued a statement condemning the "senseless violence" that police say was sparked a week ago in Johannesburg's Alexandra Township. The police, ooh don't get me started on those ones, they are to be blamed too. Police are not helpful to foreigners, they will rather ask for their ID's and if the poor person does not have one, they will arrest him in public casting racism words. Well, it looks like this time since they have been propelled to quell the incident, they might come right after all.

As a South African I feel sorry for other South African who are overseas because they might experience the outcry of all this. Just put yourself in the shoes of those Zimbabweans and other who have been assaulted, victimized and tortured during this riot and ask yourself how will you feel if the same thing was to be inflicted on you.... I mean really bo kae botho?

South Africa's Premier Theatre Awards...

A few weeks ago I had a chance to watch the prestigious event on SABC3, the Naledi Theatre Awards. I was blown away by the set up, simple yet classy, I simply loved it. The presenters were timeless, beautiful and knew their story. Apart from the event being all glorious, I couldn’t help but worry from the fact that most nominees were from the following plays only:

• Hair
• Hair Spray
• Rent
• The Lion King
• Fiddler on the roof

As if that was all, I was astonished when I saw two people or more being nominated in one category from the same production or rather a play. That resulted in the nominee having a greater chance of scooping the award which according to me is not fair. Well, who am I to argue, the judges’ decision was final and probably that is how the Naledi committee operates.

The good news is that the performances on that night were stupendous, tasteful, vibrant, enticing, and guaranteed to make sure you stay glued to your screen. Who ever said our white brothers and sisters don’t have soul? If you still doubt, well you should have seen Danny K collaborating with the Soweto Gospel Choir. Tamara Dey was simply sizzling; her voice is one of those that make me keep on buying our local music. She is now a well established muse. Mmmmm….

On that note, I believe Loyiso Bala’s days of glory are numbered. There is one Bala brother who sings like a song bird, (Google the name) is his name and Loyiso must watch out because the brother is slowly but surely stealing some of his lime light. Well coming back to the Naledi’s, Zwai Bala and (Google the name) Bala of the Bala brothers delivered a sensual performance. To top it all, our own well known South African Pop Idols judge, Mara Louw gave a thrilling performance together with the Hairspray cast. Ooh, I was speech less, I knew she could sing but not like she did that night, I fear that she can out done one of them screamers, the likes of Beyonce (I am not hateful, Queen B Knowles is the bomb, I love her music). I strongly believe the likes of Kelly Khumalo, Chomi, the bling girl Khanyi Mbao, Somizi, and the wanna be muses could learn from Mara how things are done in the music industry.

Most of the time when the award winner step up on the stage you hear things that are now too cliché, even though it was the case here I was baffled by the speeches given by the life time achievement awards receivers. Wesley Msomi, who is a well know writer gave a lame speech, I think he did not edit it or maybe he was trying to be creative, I mean giving us info about his parents and his type writer. As if that was all, the second achiever gave a terribly speech regarding her husband, but it was a good thing that his son was there to rescue his mother from ouch speech she gave.

During fashion shows, designer creates a dress, it could be wedding gown or something out of the ordinary and call it a show stopper. Ooh man, the Naledi Awards had one that was unplanned called Lebo M. I am not going to say much on the issue, just watch the video and you will understand why I say that. Ooh, excuse the video’s resolution, I know they suck but the main objective is to get the juicy details of the shoe stopper.

Beside what was said by a well know producer of the Lion King, Lebo M, the show was awesome. Good television I tell you.

Christianity and judgement…

There is a distinctive strain of writing in the bible that more or less specializes in dealing with human experiences. One thing that I don’t understand at the moment is people, who “claim” to be Christians; instead of finding the inner peace for themselves they judge others by using the bible. Don’t get me wrong, I do go to church any chance I get, not a born again though, but I get devastated by how most of preachers or bible teachers interpret the word or a scripture lesson. It is fairly common among people who get interested in religion to get proportionately disinterested in their jobs and families and other things that matters to a human being, the more of God the less of the human. What I meant is that when a so called born again is at work, they tend to question every system that is in place at work especially if it does not fit into their godly world. Thereafter, the interest in doing a proper job or being happy in a work place diminishes slowly.

Yes, we do believe in God but we also have to put ourselves in others shoes, remembering that we are not all equal. If you are sitting there and get pissed off because a fellow human being is worried about the increment of food prices instead of fixing a path with God then you better get off you high horse and stop judging. Who are you to say that someone else’s way of living is wrong? Are there ways you live the right way? We are all different and we are here in this world to serve a purpose and if that purpose is to live our live in sin according to you so let it be. If you think God is a God of a second chance then you got nothing to worry about. I am not trying to ease a guilty conscious mind you nor condone the wrong doers out there, all I am saying is let us stop pointing fingers. We are all God’s children and he created us in his image. All you have to remember or ask yourself is, is this the way God want things to be?

Christians are too judgmental, and that tend to make their lives a living hell; not all of them though. Can we all be left to live our lives? Does Christianity really have to clash with our inner being? What about our cultures? Missionaries came later but our culture and the way we used to express ourselves has always been there for ages.