Phumlani flies high for Unizulu

A University of Zululand and Department of Communication Science student Phumlani Nkwanyana flies high his university at the Rhodes Future Journalists Programme where they explore the world of journalism as future journalists. The third year student is being chosen by the leadership of Communication Department in the university to stand for them in the FJP. Departed on Sunday morning for Rhodes and lots of students were rejoicing for him to standing for the Department and the university at large. Commenting on his social network page said there is a lot about journalism to be learned and that he’s happy to be a part of this programme for the second time this year. He is thankful to the department for choosing him in the large population of students available in the department.

This is not freedom of expression, it hate speech

I was reading one of the newspapers and came accross the story about Julius Malema (ANCYL President), he says, 'unrespectful', "landowners who refuse amounts offered during expropriation should have their land taken away with no payment". What does that means, ANC as a ruling party in our country should think about this statement presented about by their party member. We are South Africans who elected them with our concern, they can't do anyhow or as they think.Perhaps they don't understand what the meaning of "democracy" is, it means we all citizens have a say in our government activities. Malema should be given a lecture on how to speak with people you are governing. The worse part of all, his statement can provoke war bettween the races because he touched back the already forgoten scandal of Eugene Terre'Blanche. He says they would go and take many hectares in his farm and let them not decide payment, but "he" can give them only 2 Million. Remember we are the growing South Africa, by such doing, economically, we can be affected. Zimbabwe lost it backbone of economy by such hate speeches. and most of all in SA we have lost so many companies, flooding to other countries, because doing business in SA land is so expensive. What more if we lose the one we have through this harsh possession of land? What does the SA Act regarding land say? All that must be carefully checked before attempting anything.

National teachers' strike disturbed the UZ open day

Lots of high school kids and matriculants were awaited to attend 2010 University of Zululand Open Day career guidance but the least showed up. Some of the learners were coming up dressing in their casual suits as an act of protecting themselves from striking teachers. Recently in one of the press website there was teachers caught up chasing students away from school. Departments taking part in an open day complained that at least the open day should be redone as due to the strike interruption. It is not even the halve of schools showed up when compared to the past years.

The future freedom of journalists in South Africa

The arrest of Mzilikazi wa Afrika, a Sunday Times journalist, has led to much argument within the Southern Africa media industry. Although there is no clear reason why Mr. wa Afrika is alleged. Even General Bheki Cele could not provide a soluble reason for suing Mr. wa Afrika. It is clear that Sunday Times has suspended wa Africa for they want to appear clean before the South African law, although they cannot tell a reason for his suspension or it that they fear ANC, the leading party that it would obliterate them as an official news reporter. I t is not for the reporting issue or there is a hidden scandal --they should be standing by wa Afrika’s side.

South African journalists will not retain their freedom if their representatives are diffident to tackle this matter; they are petrified to confront the ruling party for it is mainly the ANC giving directions on how news reporting should be conducted. ANC has lately turned into be journalism ethics. ANC is using powers to pull away the freedom of journalist in our nation. The ANC Youth League has come forward to support what they call “new media laws” for they know that it will limit the media industry-mainly journalist on reporting truths’ about what is happening in our democratic elected and ruling government.

Zwelinzima Vavi refused to comment on this matter of wa Afrika because he would be against the law “ANC law” which is giving directions for the media. Lots arguments rose after Zizi Kodwa, president Jacob Zuma spokes person refused to tell what proceedings has been made in a private meeting he just diverted it to ANC’s Secretary General Gwede Mantashe.

The arrest of Mr. wa Afrika is an attempt to silence independent print media on reporting disgrace the current government is practising. There is a lot of happenings unclothed by the media that led South African law to take actions, it would have been not taken into consideration if it was not reported.

SA Media need people like Tokyo Sexwale who are not afraid to speak-out the truth although maybe a debate after it, but it will stand the truth forever. What is done by the ruling party is overall an intimidation of the media freedom.

SA government prevents proper functioning of media.

by Phumlani Nkwanyana On the pic Mzilikazi Wa Afrika

I’m the journalism student and I strongly feel that our government is totally doing duties which are out of their scope. They are contributing to the malfunctioning of South African media, which is trying so hard to adapt in the global media sector.

The government of South Africa’s attempt is to stop the proper functioning of media houses in this democratic country. These political gurus want to do their illegal matters and never be identified. As the country we have obtained democracy in 1994, which gave every member of the society freedom of expression. Therefore media houses must not be shut when conducting it’s duties of informing the society. This is painful to witness that the 16 years of South African liberation has come into ruins so swift as media is not liberated accordingly. The unjust arrest of Sunday times journalist Mzilikazi WA Africa clearly indicates that our government has a long way to go in maintaining fair and free functioning of the media.

Wa Afrika’s arrest was just the means of intimidation and endeavours of shutting effectiveness of investigative journalism. The government should be focusing on matters to stop poverty and unemployment which are major challenges facing this country. I believe that there is no editor that can allow false story to be published in the national newspaper. All the charges laid against Wa Afrika are true, but the government is trying to defend it wrongs by arresting journalists. Hawks should be chasing corruption which exist in our municipalities and do away with unnecessary arrest of journalists. Billions of rands vanish without any development or transformation being made in our society. But police are busy fighting media. Our government need to know that, it the undoubted fact that media is the most powerful tool in the society. They cannot do their wrongs and never be exposed. That why investigative journalism was established, for extensive digging out of underground facts which exist within our societies. The sad part of this story is that the court found Wa Africa not guilty of any charges. But money was exceedingly spent from his arrest. The government used the amount raging from R20, 000 for Wa Africa’s arrest, R2, 000 for cost of transporting innocent Wa Africa to Mpumalanga and R15, 000 for court proceedings. This money could have helped many destitute societies. Our government should start focusing on more crucial issues of the society.

Does SA Journalists have future freedom?

South African journalists who mainly should be reporting what is happening around have turned to be the "head lines" of what is being reported. The Mail & Guardian (6/08/10) reported on the bail-release of Sunday Times journalist Mzilikazi wa Africa who was arrested.

• Does journalists have to report good news only?
• Does journalism ethics say "report only the goog news about the people on government"?

This issue follows that of Swaziland journalists who was threatened by Prince Mahlaba to be cautious on reporting bad news about the leadership of Swaziland.

• As South African journalists do we see any future freedom in our career?

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