Sylvester_TUTjourn

  By: Sylvester Raraza Email: sylvesterraraza@gmail.com Twitter: @Sylvester_tut More than two years into the covid-19 pandemic, the impact of the virus’ presence is still being felt here at home and across the continent and the globe, debate continues how the South African government should handle the effects that came with this widespread disease. Thousands of people have died, millions have lost their jobs, and some are beginning to get fired from work because they refuse to vaccinate. Some employers are starting to enforce covid-19 vaccine jabs on their employees, and those who resist getting inoculated get dismissed from work. Whether this method by employers will work or not remains to be seen. On the other hand, employees who refuse to be vaccinated will find it hard to successfully challenge their dismissals at the Commission for Conciliation and Arbitration (CCMA). Some Twitter users' reaction to the CCMA ruling. The CCMA has on two different occasions ruled in favour of em...

By: Sylvester Raraza Email: sylvesterraraza@gmail.com Twitter: @Sylvester_tut The stage was set, and all systems were a go for the biggest two-day music, fashion and art event in South Africa. The occasion, held on the 23 rd and 24 th of April, saw a line-up of more than 100 musicians whom Ricky Rick had worked and collaborated with throughout his career. Some of the biggest names on the line-up were rappers AKA, A-REECE, Cassper Nyovest and the popular Amapiano duo Amaroto, Gqom pioneers Destruction Boyz, legendary muso and Osama hitmaker Zakes Bantwini among others. Ricky Rick successfully started Cotton Fest in 2019 and the recent one was no different, its production and sound was well put together and event organisers did justice to the man’s legacy. The concert convened at The Station on Mandela Bridge in Newtown, Johannesburg. Concertgoers were visibly excited as they were walking into the venue, most of them dressed in style (eating cotton as Ricky would say), a  young...

By: Sylvester Raraza Twitter: @Sylvester_tut  Email: sylvesterraraza@gmail.com A report commissioned by WP Engine ( https://wpengine.com/ ) found that generation z (people born between 1997-to-2012) is, “… inextricably tied to the digital world, and the way they identify with it is rooted in their deep connection and familiarity with the Internet.” To simplify this statement, the report found that generation z is the most internet connected generation in history and their world views and thinking are influenced by the digital world. The relevance of this information is prompted by the fact that kids nowadays do not feel the need to go outside, play and muddy their clothes a little – all they do is sit on the couch, eat and play with their smartphones and computers all day. What happened to playing ‘diketo’? People who were born before generation z are children of diketo. Diketo is an indigenous game played mostly in South Africa and Lesotho, other African countries up north play i...

By Sylvester Raraza Email: sylvesterraraza@gmail.com Twitter: @Sylvester_tut South Africa is a country with an apathetic youth. This is unsurprising when you consider the fact that the country’s youth unemployment rate is sitting at 46,3%, according to Statistics South Africa. Young people are filled with hopelessness, they are demoralized and downhearted. Boitumelo Thage is trying to change that. The newly elected African National Congress (ANC) branch secretary, in Pretoria Ward 98, says youth involvement and participation is pivotal in attempting to change the country’s prospects and its young population. “Here is to championing the interests of young women, and young people. Here is to community development. A bright future awaits us as young people, and young women in particular #wetheyouth”, Thage tweeted when announcing her election as branch secretary. Leading up to the 2021 local government elections, Boitumelo Thage was declared as the ANC’s Ward 98 councillor candidate. Alth...

    By: Sylvester Raraza Email: sylvesterraraza@gmail.com Twitter: @Sylvester_tut Amapiano FC. (Picture: Facebook) Football is an international language understood by billions of people around the world and it has been used to foster tolerance, understanding and drawing people together. The story of Amapiano FC is similar in purpose. Amid a surge in substance and alcohol abuse amongst the youth in the community of Palmridge Extension 3, in Ekurhuleni, a football team was established in the hopes of getting the youth out of the streets and into the field. Not only did this team bring hope to the community, but it gave former drug users a second chance at life. Amapiano FC Founders. (Picture: Facebook) The team’s founders, Sibusiso Nhlabathi (30) and Junior Mosolo (27), say the team has had a positive impact on the youth in the community. “When we established Amapiano FC, we thought the team must have a name that appeals to the youth”, said Viki. “Our goal was muc...

By: Sylvester Raraza Email: sylvesterraraza@gmail.com Twitter: @Sylvester_tut (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) The Apartheid State of Israel left the Palestinian territory in absolute shambles. Hundreds killed - among them children, in Israeli's bloody aggression on Palestinians. The world witnessed injured civilians, destroyed buildings and ruin. The most disheartening aspect of this Israeli war on Palestinians is how civilians are impacted by it. Thousands of civilians fled their homes, frightened for their lives and some did not even get the chance to flee - they were just left for dead.  [Ali Jadallah/Anadolu] But let me start at the beginning. It started in the  community of Sheikh Jarrah, in East Jerusalem, where Palestinians were being evicted out of their homes by Israelis. Coupled with that, was the attack against Palestinians by the Israeli police force at the al-Aqsa Mosque, during one of the most holiest days in the Muslim community, Ramadan. Millitant and nationalist ...