Musangwe -The Mysterious Venda Combat

Like singing, fighting has always been an African tradition; Vhavenda tribe in South Africa has own fighting club tradition called Musangwe which dates back from 18 centuries about 300 year old. This anual event takes place at Tshifudi cattle dip where any male from the age of nine battle for pride. Other African Tribes make use of fighting sticks (Nduku) like Zulu (Nguni) while vhaVenda people go at it hummer and tongs with their bare hands. In addition, Nigeria in West Africa also has a Traditional Boxing called Dambe (also known as Kokawa) which is associated with Hausa People. It is arguable that African Tradition glorifies masculinity; a man is then defined by the strength, power and influence he has among other men or community as a whole. A man is also expected to protect his family in every circumstances. The Musangwe combat or the fight in African tradition is regarded as a game and a means to gain status and respect among community.

The magnitudes of people draw together around a dust patch scrambling to get a better view of their local favorites exchanging fists with other potential oponents. While men leave for Tshifudi battling field, women are left behind to do household tasks. According to Venda tradition women are not allowed to attend or physically participate in Musangwe combat.

In the olden days, boys primary responsibility was to head cattle and they used to battle every time when they took cattle to the dipping area, that's the reason Musangwe even today takes place near a dip because that's where boys used to gather. Perhaps is another reason women are not allowed to participate in Musangwe, but other people belive that something awful happens to women menstruation circle if they dare attend the event.

Musangwe is always under control. One of the traditional healer maintain that muti and other rituals traditional healers perfome before the annual event could actualy kick start help to keep calm and control on the battle field. According to the roports there has been only one repported death of 'Belingwe' who was allegedly killed by Frans Malala with a puch during Musangwe fight. It is also stated that after the death, the investigating magistrate asked Frans to kill a donky with a one blow to prove Belingwe's death was an accident. "he hit the donkey and it fell and magistrate could see that he was very strong".

There are actually rules in Musangwe; they're just not written in stone. At least one of them being that a downed opponent cannot be hit. There isn't an official to dictate this rule, but there are spectators armed with whipping sticks to let it be known that enough is enough. The second rule regards challenges. One fighter can challenge any other fighter by presenting his fist to his potential opponent. This makes for an electric atmosphere.

There's a constant mix of seasoned veterans looking to popularize their masculinity, fighters seeking to put on a show. At times, the Musangwe combatants seem controlled by an unseen forces. Fighting styles become unnatural, uncontrollable and unpredictable. Everyone believes supernatural forces are at work. People also believe that it depends on how strong your muti is, the weaker the muti the powerless you will become.

There are three levels of fighters. Young boys, dubbed "mambibi", encouraged to play fight by their fathers. Then there are the teenage fighters, the "Rovhasize". But it's the experienced fighters that everyone come to see. The champions.


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Former prisoners held at Robben Island

I salute you for hard work and sacrifice, you and many others completed a quest of making South Africa a democratic country. I have never been a prisoner before, but I comprehend that it is not a place where every one would aspires to be in, especially during those harsh epoch of Apartheid. Today I declare myself free because of your determined vision and struggle.

Here is the list of some of the former prisoners held at Robben Island. Remember that Robben Island served as a place of banishment, seclusion and imprisonment. But today it is a World Heritage site and museum; it is a heartbreaking reminder to the newly democratic South Africa. Today we salute these people and many others who were not held to prison:

• Nelson Mandela
• Govan Mbeki
• Jacob Zuma
• Autshumato
• Dannis Brutus
• Patric Chamusso
• Laloo Chiba
• Eddie Daniels
• Jerry Ekanjo
• Nceba Faku
• Petrus Iilonga
• Ahmed Kathrada
• Gamzo Mandierd
• Billy Nair
• Langalibalele
• Mosiuoa Lekota
• Mac Maharai
• Chief Maqoma
• Gaus Shikomba
• Makana
• Michael Matsobane
• Jeff Masemola
• Wilton Mkhayi
• Murphy Morobe
• Sayed Adurohman Moturu
• Griffiths Mxenge
• M.D. Naidoo
• John Nkosi
• Mongqawuse
• Maqana Nxele
• George Peake
• John Nyathi pokela
• Walter Sisulu
• Robert sobukwe
• Andimba Toivo ya Toivo

Source
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robben_Island



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About 300 Gays plan Kissing in front of the Pope

Gay rights activists said they are planning a homosexual kissing protest in front of Pope Benedict XVI when he visits Barcelona, spain in so called Flashmob protest. "we are hoping for a crowd of people of the same sex who will kiss each other for two minutes in front of the Pope", said one of the organisers, Marylene Carole. Sunday Times reported. The organisers also complained that Facebook had taken down two "event pages" titled "Queer Kissing Flashmob" that were being used to advertise the protest, without giving a clear explanation. They expect about 300 Gay people to attend the protest.

Well, I would like to applaud Facebook team for removing the page that was being used to mobilise people to join in the protest. The fact is Facebook has its policies and regulations; most importantly it is also being used by children at their tender age, so you can understand the menace of running sexual meteria on a social network like Facebook.

Why are Gays so besotted about Pope's opinion of them? Does kissing in public for two minutes going to change the Pope's and other people's minds? It appears as if gay people are not sure if they are doing the right thing so they want Pope's approval. Are they guilty conscious? There is no need to prove a point if you are doing the right thing. A call for Gay acceptance it's like a call for prostitution approval, it will take sometime for others to accept. Prostituts are still fighting for recognition but to no avail. This protest will cause more fury and Gays shouldn't be surprised to again find themselves in a quandary. Don't get me wrong, I'm just stating the facts.

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Gay Ugandans targeted after exposed by newspapers

Gays have been attacked after 100 people listed in an October 9 article in Uganda’s Rolling Stone Newspaper (created by journalism students), which featured a list of homosexuals. One of the sickening things is that the Newspaper ran a bright yellow banner that reads: “Hang them”. The Mail & Guardian Online reports that 3 people have been attacked and many more are hiding since the publicity.

As a media practitioner it turns my stomach to hear that the media itself are the ones who are fueling phobia against homosexuals. I mean, the media should know better, the role of the media is neither to incite violence nor to violate other people’s human rights. The media have the principal responsibility to restore calm in times of war and violence; they are the ones that should be on the fore front quelling the situation. South African Media did very well during the Xenophobia era; adverts were run discouraging perpetrators from Xenophobia acts, even the reporting itself was superb. The media have the most influential power on people; we are who we are because of the media. That’s the reasons that make many governments want to control the media; it’s because of its power. They know that once you control the media you control the mind sets of the people.

The Rolling Stone editor astonishingly defended the publishing of photos, addresses of homosexuals and the bold headline “Hang them” as a public interest. How disgusting, what happened to distancing your feelings and believes from a story. The most horrible is that the newspaper in question (Rolling Stone) belongs to journalism students, what kind of journalism is they being taught? They are practicing street journalism.

“Many Ugandans regard homosexual as a western import and say it’s against their traditional cultural beliefs” how many western imports have they swallowed without grumble? I’m a proud African and I value my culture, but I also think culture change with times. That is the reason we are not Africans of yesterdays, our tradition does not tolerate women to dress in trousers or pants but women today are doing just that and no one is being killed.

The so called “Global Village” is rapidly killing African culture, but I do not encourage the killing of one of us just to protect tradition. Those people who are calling for the death penalty of gays are also in some way playing big role on the dearth of African culture. The blame can not be pinned on gay community alone.

The Ugandans government has no ignominy in drafting a bill that would have imposed the death penalty for some homosexual acts and life imprison for others. I’m not encouraging other African Countries to follow South African foot steps in making gay marriage legal but I’m calling for tolerance, lets not kill other people for who they really are. I wonder what would those people (who call for gay’s death penalty) do if one of their children tomorrow turns gay, would they kill him? Humm!

I’m disappointed in you fellow Africans



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Celine Dion named one of twin after Nelson Mandela

It's a good gesture that many people across the globe recognize the kindness of our icon Tata Nelson Mandela. Celine Dion in a report by one of the newspapers said she names her child after Nelson Mandela because she was impressed by Mandela's humanity. Celine and her husband Reno want their children to be inspired by their names. I expect many children to come to be name after this icon.

It is substantiation that when you do good deeds you will be honored even before you are dead. Remember the 2002 World Cup in Korea Japan; countless children who were born in Brazil during that World Cup were named after a Brazilian striker Ronaldo. Naming something after a person is a great honor, we name buildings, bridges and places after people's names, I acclaim Celine Dion and her husband for this one.

A name has a powerful influence in our lives; most of children with bad names always do dreadful things. If a child is named after his father "junior" he always tries to ensure that he resembles his father in what ever he does. That's the power of a name.

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HIV positive Woman who had Sex with 20 men

A 19 year old woman had sex with 20 men without telling them of her infection with HIV. South Korean police detained the woman from the Southern part of Busan. It is reported on Sowetan Newspaper that she tested positive in February 2010 and had since had sex with 20 men she met online. It took the courageous father according to the reports to report his daughter to the police. She was said to have been receiving 100,00 won (90 dollers, R700) from each man in return for having sex at motels. The court in Busan rejected a request from police to issue a warrant of arrest, saying she could instead be sent to hospital for treatment.

What makes this woman's act a serious crime is her "intension", the intension to kill, to cause body harm. The young woman in question knew quite well what she was doing, at least the court should have issued a warrant of arrest. What message is the court conveying to other HIV infected individuals who are also contemplating to do the same? A deliberate infection of other people with HIV/AIDS is tantamount to murder. Now it means 20 men are positive, 20 wives infected and perhaps another 20 mistresses in danger.

Well, I also blame the victims who go around sleeping with total strangers possibly without condom; they have brought it upon themselves. People should make out that when you are HIV positive you can still live another 30 years if you are taking treatment. It's not the end of the world. Online dating can be very dangerous sometimes if you do not execise caution.


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