Wits Student develops water purification drinking 

system for rural households

At just 22 years of age and hailing all the way from the village of Bundu in Mpumalanga, Busisiwe Mashiane has conducted research to come up with a better way to help South Africans get water. Inspired by her background, where clean water wasn’t easily accessible, Mashiane created a technique to clean nonpotable water, it is an affordable and fairly new way that residents from rural areas can use to purify their natural water using the sand and sun. The system comprises of a slow sand filter designed to clean natural water to potable water (i.e drinking water) using a bed of sands (namely play sand, course and fine gravel and activated carbon). The purified water is then placed in the sunlight to kill off any remaining bacteria.

I went out to get insight from Mashiane who is currently  a fourth year chemical engineering student in the School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering at Univeristy of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

·         Why did you choose to research the water filtration system that collects clean water from polluted using the sun and sand in South Africa? I was undertaking a water treatment course last year and when I had a conversation with my lecturer, he suggested we explore ways of coming up with an idea we could implement. This conversation prompted me to choose this project because it was building on work done briefly by another student. We decided to build on the concept with the aim of looking at a practical real-life application of the project which could be applicable in rural areas around the country and Southern Africa. My interest in this was borne out of the fact that it presented an opportunity a way that whereby I could assist my family and community, especially when considering the water crisis. 

·         What is the objective of your project?  My main objective is to make it accessible to those who really need it, such as underprivileged communities around the country. It is meant to be a low-cost solution intended to provide them with drinkable water.

·         Where do you see your project in five years? I'd like to see it being used in many households around the country where it is making a real difference in peoples lives.

·         What equipment did you use for your water purification system? The design of the system is quite simple, there are 3 main containers, 1 is the feed tank (the cost of this depends on the size) then its the filter container (about 100 litres), then its a sterilization tank (a clear container) and finally its a storage tank which can be anything where the water can be stored for use. The filter itself is made up of the sands I mentioned above. 

·         What difficulties did you encounter during this project? The project is still a work in progress so there's a possibility that there are many challenges to overcome. Thus far one of the biggest challenges is as a result of me living in inner-city Joburg with no personal transport which means getting river water has been a challenge. I have had to ask my supervisor to collect this water for me, he has been of great help. Another challenge has been balancing the work I need to do for the project with my primary academic work which is not very easy considering Wits is a very intense institution. However, it's all going well so far and I'm excited to have more time for it now that I'm done with exams.  

·         What would you like the impact of your project to be in South Africa? I'd like to see it improve the quality of life of people living in disadvantaged communities. 

·         How do you balance social life and academics? It's a work in progress and some days are better than others. I’ve discovered that it is best to do what needs to be done as you go along and to make sure you don't obsess over little things. I like working under pressure because I feel that's when I perform best so yeah I'm far from perfect in this department but I just do what I can when I can and a social life is a very important aspect of life so I make it happen. One last thing, if you love something you'll find a way to get it done no matter the circumstances).

The young innovator says her water purification system is still in testing phase but hopes to see some households using it and not relying on municipalities.

Creating beautiful furniture from recycled wood - 

The inspiring story of Oageng Manana

In townships, there are not too many young people in the furniture-making business, which allows

the unique craftsmanship of the 26-year-old Oageng Manana to stand out. Manana is the founder and CEO of CityBirds Craft Corporations, a Klerksdorp based small business that uses recycled wood materials to create beautiful pieces of custom furniture.

Manana was born and bred in Jouberton, North West. After completing grade 12 in the year 2009, he enrolled for an undergrad in BSc Physics & Chemistry the following year at the North-West University. He later enrolled for a postgraduate program at the University of Pretoria in BSc(Hons)(Med)-Medical Physics which he completed in the year 2015. From 2015 to 2016 he pursued a career by undertaking practical and voluntary work.

In 2017, Manana opted to quit work and pursue an entrepreneurial journey. He claims the idea of establishing his business started out as a concept in early 2017 when he developed an interest in the creative arts. “Prior to 2017 I often created random visual art paintings and sketches using pencils, watercolors and acrylic paintings which were all self-taught,” he states. In 2017 he began paying more attention to his creative side, creating more paintings and sketches. Manana says he felt like he needed more, therefore an interest in craft design was developed in him.

He worked with various mediums in operating different handcrafted products for his personal use. Friends who came over would request for a tour of the house, raving about his taste and asking if he would make similar pieces for them. Bit by bit, he began selling individual items and using the revenue generated to continue doing what he was good at.

“The basic focus was home furniture and before long I had started creating handcrafted furniture such as coffee tables, armchairs, cabinets and other items. I then established my company named CityBirds Craft Corporations,” says Manana.

Manana says CityBirds Craft Co is a lifestyle brand with an interest in the design industry. It specializes in modern handcrafted customized furniture, interior design, visual arts and home decor accessories, with the aim of growing into other design aspects in the near future. He uses eco-friendly equipment to build his furniture. “I use all types of solid wood, furniture-friendly natural steel, coated plastic and fabric,” he states. Manana also makes use of user-friendly hand mobile tools like your jointers, router, jigsaws, sander machines, table saws, etc. His products are handcrafted, meaning after all the measured cuts, assembling, molding, sanding, furnishing, and painting are all done by hand.

When questioned on his preference for solid wood, he said wood is one of the most valuable recyclable materials because it can be transformed into a wide variety of secondary products.

CityBirds Craft Co’s main aim is to modernize, customize and make homes aesthetically pleasing, catering to the clients’ needs, style and space. 

The company is a home for creatives like Manana, the talented, whether self-taught or trained. In five years, he plans to recruit more young people who just like him have no home in big corporates as a result of inexperience and unrealistic academic backgrounds. More than anything, he wants to participate in the economy of this country because he regards unemployment as a crisis.

His future endeavors include using his company as a tool to find passionate young individuals who will not become an unemployment statistic but will also have the ability to do something they truly love while making a difference. “Our country exports a lot in the home interior design sector, they turn a blind eye to the talent young South Africans possess,” says Manana. His goal is to eliminate that sort of narrative and also revel in the pride of creating something 100% South African produced so we can also export and expand our industry as far as the design industry is concerned.

Challenges encountered by Manana during the project is finances, which pose a big threat in executing his projects. “I need to hire people, expand my logistics, I need to expand, I need to save time and I need bigger machinery to make certain cuts, and with the help of funding and better financial back up all of this can be superseded, he concedes” 

Manana’s company has more goals and hunger to grow as far as creative design/arts is concerned to accommodate all these talents. He wants to impact the country more in the employment sector. “With my previous experiences, I know the pain, depression, and frustration that comes with unemployment whether educated or not,” he says.

To access his work, talk orders, customize your home and follow the progress, readers can find CityBirds Craft Co in all social media platforms. On Facebook ‘CityBirds Craft Co’, on Instagram @citybirdscraftco. The website is still in building progress and will be launching it around August 2018. CityBirds Craft Co. is also powering an Eclectic Installation exhibition on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of November in Klerksdorp at the Klerksdorp Museum. The exhibition will feature one other great visual artist.

#100MenMarch stands up against women and children violence

Over 1000 men gathered in the country’s capital in anticipation for the 100MenMarch to the Union Buildings with an intention to highlight the impact of violence against women and children while also calling for an end to the violence. The march took place on the 10^th July as part of the Nelson Mandela centenary celebrations. A host of reputable speakers from civil society, government, religion, and media shared messages with the masses.

The programme director on the day was Minister of Communications, Nomvula Mokonyane who called on men to not only march but practice what they preach as well. She requested men to hold hands and say ‘not in my name, no means no, I am Mandela’s product, real men don’t abuse and rape – they love and protect’. The minister and other government officials lit a torch and signed a pledge board vowing to help stop gender-based violence in South Africa.

The police brass band opened proceedings by reciting national anthem.

Hundreds of young law enforcement officers from the South African Police Service (SAPS) Tshwane Training Academy took part in the 100MenMarch. Police Minister, Bheki Cele said the potential officers’ invitation to these proceedings was to urge them to protect women. “When women come to police stations battered, bruised and bloodies, they should not be sent back home to negotiate because that is sending them to their deaths,” he said.

Cele continued his address by stating, “If you can’t handle her, turn around and walk away, because if you put a hand on her, you are no more a man.”

The minister also urged women not to stay in abusive relationships. “Women don’t stay with a man who raises his hand against you, leave because he will proceed to stabbing you with a knife,” Cele’s remarks about women taking care of themselves didn’t go down well with some as they felt he was putting the blame squarely on them.

Another grouping that didn’t support the march was #TOTALSHUTDOWN, a women’s league that often marches against intersectional gender-based violence. The national spokesperson of its task team claimed they were not part of the march. “We cannot march with our perpetrators, we cannot continue pretending that everything is okay whilst we are murdered on a daily basis and assaulted right in front of a government that is not taking any action,” said the spokesperson. They also stated that formed Department of Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Mduduzi Manana, is still walking free after getting a slap on the wrist in court and with no action taken after assaulting his domestic worker. The organization believes this march was a PR stunt from the government. They are striking against the march as they don’t feel safe around men.

Amongst other government officials at the march, was the Minister of Women in the Presidency, Bathabile Dlamini, who said violence against women and children is against humanity and urged men to understand that when a woman says No she means No.

Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Cllr Solly Msimanga walked side by side with other men around the capital city. He encouraged men to stand against violence on women and children. “We need to say enough is enough, we will take a stand and say we will protect women and children,” he said.

National Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, Lechesa Tsenoli urged men not to use violence to resolve disagreements. “When we become violent, it doesn’t solve the problem, it simply complicates things and this has a huge impact on children, said Tsenoli. He further stated that its impact on society as a whole is bad as it reaffirms the notion that this is how problems are solved and it is not worth it.

Tsenoli told the crowd they could benefit a lot more by using persuasion. “Persuade and be persuaded as men, this is a better and more humane way of handling things”, he concluded.

 Photos: Google

Inspiring youth’s lives through jazz: 

Tshepo Maseko

T

shepo Maseko worked for a couple of companies but after not being satisfied with the way he was treated and the wages he was given, he opted to trade it so he could follow his passion for music. Armed with his father’s support, Tshepo founded a company and named it Elephant Maseko, which assists young talented musicians through a project titled It Has To Be Jazz.

According to a recent study, our taste in music changes as we get older to match the shifting circumstances in our lives. The elderly tend to listen to classical and jazz music whereas the youth lean towards contemporary music such as pop and hip-hop. Using It Has To Be Jazz, Tshepo is disrupting the generational listening trends. The project’s aim is to expand the platform for young jazz cats and sister to get their music out whilst also preserving the genre for the future.

Tshepo established this project working with friends and musicians he’s known for a while. The project grew through word of mouth and has attracted struggling young musicians looking to get their big break. They meet on a regular basis at a studio in Pretoria, 15 to 30 minutes later they’re jamming and that jam is being recorded. In fact, every aspect of these sessions is documented. “A group of jazz musicians who have never met before, gather in a studio to jam and record together for the very first time,” says Maseko.

“I can’t change people but I can plant a seed and they can decide what to do with that seed”

The 27-year-old possesses a Degree in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Sound Engineering. He wasn’t happy working at an event management company so he decided to quit his job and pursue a career in music. Tshepo says the inspiration to get his company registered comes from his dad. “It Has To Be Jazz project is a gift of love from my father. The project remained a concept for a while waiting for the right opportunity to be explored and implemented,” he says.

Through the project, they expose raw talent in the industry where young jazz musicians get to do what they love doing best, which is to get into several jam sessions and showcase their talent. They sell their albums and engage in live performances as well.

These are but a few of the many skill sets that have become invaluable in successfully running and growing It Has To Be Jazz while addressing the issue of entrepreneurial opportunities for the youth. Poetry is also an integral part of It Has to Be Jazz when jazz and poetry are combined.

They are not just recorded, but also documented in a book. The first has been published, titled It Has To Be Jazz - Captured Moments, it profiles each of the musicians and the ideas behind the album they have contributed in. The other albums, already recorded, are called Spontaneous Combustion, The Exchange, The Horn of Africa, Mother Tongue and Playground.

The biggest piece of advice Tshepo can give to young people is to take 100% responsibility for their lives and stop feeling sorry for themselves.

His biggest fear is to let his parents down because they have sacrificed and invested a lot in him. He is a family orientated young man and when free, he makes sure he spends time with them. As for ladies, he is so single.

Being in control of his own time and talents and building a legacy for the next generation gives Tshepo the most satisfaction. “I can’t change people but I can plant a seed and they can decide what to do with that seed,” he concludes.

Q & A with Jackie Phamotse, author of Bare_The Blesser’s Game

 From blessee to entrepreneur

J

ackie Phamotse has experienced the trauma of gang-raping at age 17, homeless and abuse. At only 29-years of age, she is the author of the best selling autobiographical novel, Bare_The Blesser’s Game, which exposes young women to the realities of the blessee lifestyle often glamorised. Jackie became a success against the odds, she is currently a businesswoman, motivational speaker and brand strategist for MoFaya. She is currently traveling across the continent launching her book and despite her tight schedule we managed to have a quick interview with her.

·         

  What is the inspiration behind your book?

I started working on Bare the blesser’s game in 2014 after realizing I was dealing with a lot of unresolved personal issues and my standing in the society which prompted me to share my experience with those seeking my assistance. We are raised and taught to regard our parents as our seniors where we cannot confide in them when faced with challenges. It was imperative that I communicate my teenage struggles as I entered adulthood. Writing served as my way out because I found it difficult sharing my mental struggles with friends. While writing and conducting research on the issue of sugar daddies and human trafficking, I came to realize that lots of girls around the globe were struggling with similar issues.  

Sex trafficking or slavery is the exploitation of women and children, within national or across international borders, for the purposes of forced sex work. Commercial sexual exploitation includes pornography, prostitution and sex trafficking of women and girls, and is characterized by the exploitation of a human being in exchange for goods or money. Each year, an estimated 800,000 women and children are trafficked across international borders—though additional numbers of women and girls are trafficked within countries. 

Fact is, some of this human trade is highly visible, an example is prostitution. However, a lot of trafficking victims remain unseen, operating out of unmarked brothels in unsuspecting and sometimes suburban neighborhoods. Human trafficking victims may also operate in public and private locations such as massage parlours and strip clubs.

Adult women make up the largest group of sex trafficking victims, followed by girl children, while a small percentage of men and boys are trafficked into the sex industry as well. 

Human trafficking migration patterns tend to flow from East to West, but women may be trafficked from any country to another at any given time and trafficking victims exist everywhere. The poorest and most unstable countries have the highest incidences of human trafficking, with poverty being a common bond among trafficking victims. Where economic alternatives do not exist, women and girls are more vulnerable to being tricked and coerced into sexual servitude.

 Increased unemployment and high unemployment levels have undermined women's incomes and their economic position. A stalled gender wage gap, as well as an increase in women's part-time and informal sector work, push women into low paying jobs and hidden unemployment, which leaves women vulnerable to sex traffickers. Social media sex work has increased over the last 3 years and women now find it easy to trade themselves online for material goods, lavish lifestyles, overseas trips and swanky apartments. In some cases, sugar daddies supplement their tertiary fees and force them into various sex cults. In my book, I share a story that many people in the world relate too.

·         
  What is the objective of your book?

BARE, is social lifestyle educational novel.

It educates as well as informs young people of the dangers of sugar daddies while also shedding light on this dangerous phenomenon. I wanted to open doors to conversations that many fear to tap into.

Organized crime is largely responsible for the spread of international human trafficking and sugar daddy relationships are the biggest trend that increases cases of human trafficking. Sex trafficking—along with its correlative elements, kidnapping, rape, prostitution and physical abuse—is illegal in nearly every country. However, widespread corruption and greed make it possible for sex trafficking to quickly and easily proliferate. Though national and international institutions may attempt to regulate and enforce anti-trafficking legislation, local governments and police forces may, in fact, be participating in sex trafficking rings.

·         How has your life changed after releasing the book?

Apart from death threats and people stopping me for pictures and sharing their stories with me, my life is truly very simple. I started my career as a model and that on its own placed me in the spotlight. So, becoming a self-published bestselling author has given me opportunities that many fail to attain. I recently launched BARE in Swaziland and did a documentary with BBC Africa in Kenya, it has been an amazing journey.

My focus is on women education and empowerment and I am launching my foundation end of June ( SAVE A TREASUER FOUNDATION ) I am also a motivational speaker so I use the book to share insights on how we can solve social ills in Africa. I am also busy writing the next 3 books which will be released in 2019-2020.

·   What was your hardest scene to write, and why?

BARE is extremely detailed and graphics, however, the hardest must have been the rape scene in chapter 14 and my mother being kicked out of her home. Those parts took me a very long time to overcome and complete. Even after I had printed the book I can’t read those chapters. Being gang raped is a heavy mental process and it affects you for years, so going back and writing about was truly difficult. It opened old wounds. The chapters about my family foundation were tricky to write too as it exposed a lot of family secrets and my siblings were not ready for what I had to share with the world.

·       How long did it the take you to gather up the courage to write the book?

3 years.

          The way your book ends raises a lot of questions, are you planning to write part two?

Yes, there is a sequel titled BARE the doors of the hockey club.

·    Towards the end of your book, you mentioned a couple of women who died in the name of love. The number of violence against women has escalated, what’s your take on that?

It's horrific that every day a woman is killed by a lover, we need to educate our men and find better solutions to abusive men. What is scarier is that women die just after they leave abusive men, which means the biological strength of men is poor.

         What advice can you give to young women who feel like dating blessers is the “it” thing or is the only option for them to get out of poverty or any circumstance?

Work to achieve your own dreams because no amount of money will increase your personal value. Education opens a chain of sustainable opportunities that money can’t give you. Just believe in your own self-value and dreams.

·    By looking at social media, your book hit a lot of nerves, some positive others negative. How do you deal with haters?

I don’t entertain such at all. It has no effect on me.

The ex-blessee bares it all in her book, purchase yourself a copy on her website www.jackiephamotse.com and in all bookstores including Exclusive Books, Bargain books, Take a Lot.com and University Bookshops including Compubooks.

Jackie Phamotse has been recognised for contribution to literature in Africa by the African Icon Awards in Lagos, Nigeria and will accept the award for Literary Icon of the Year for 2018

Photo Credit: Instagram

Hard work pays off: 

Class of 2018 graduation celebration 

For the past few months, institutions of higher education all over South Africa hosted their graduation ceremonies where students were officially honored and conferred with their respective qualifications. This serves as proof of how unstoppable young people can be and displays their zeal for world dominion. Grad is always a great occasion and we’ve included some wonderful graduation photos seen on social media. 

Celebrity fitness trainer, Sbahle Mpisane has obtained a bachelor’s degree in housing and town planning from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

Actress and philanthropist, Nomzamo Mbatha graduated with a BCom Accounting degree from the University of Cape Town (UCT). She wore a dress filled with pictures of her loved ones who have passed away along with the contact numbers for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG).

The Nelson Mandela University Law graduates, from left to right: Ruaan de Lange, Nikita Govendor & Susan Bowden.

      

   Shanel Thole and friend obtained their Psychology degree from the University of Johannesburg (UJ).

6

          Simon Chisala Phiri obtained his Bachelor of Science with honours in Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

7.   

And guess what readers, I Sibongile Vukela obtained my Journalism Diploma at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) where I am currently pursuing a BTech.

“Young people must take it upon themselves to ensure that they receive the highest education possible so that they can represent us well in future as future leaders.”- Nelson Mandela

Congratulations to the 2018 autumn graduates.