by Bushteens
In this day and age, privilege is by and large tied to wealth. Money seems to make the world go round and it is money that everybody is pursuing. Is it a privilege to be alive? Is going to school a privilege?
Some systems within schools privilege some students and not others. For example, prefects have more privileges than other pupils. This includes children involved in sports. They are often unquestioned. However, even more fundamental is the system in which there is an A class and a B class. Is the A class more privileged? In some schools, the A class gets the better teachers with the result being that the B class is seen as the class with the slow learners. Is it not better to be with a diverse range of students so that you can learn from each other? In what way is it a privilege to have Mathematics as one of your subjects? Is it fair that in some schools children are taught that if they do not study Maths, Physics and other Science subjects that they will not succeed? These and other questions were discussed.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Holiday Activities
by Bushkids
The end of the school calendar is nigh, and it is the season to be Merry. The show was dedicated to things to do in and around the city, for those of us who are either traveling to Cape Town or those of us who are not leaving the Mother City for the holidays.
The Western Cape is fun-filled and full of colourful cultures and a variety of food music and beautiful sites. The turbulent past of apartheid withstanding, the people are friendly and welcoming. The places to visit are Table Mountain (cable way), Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, V&A Waterfront, Constantia Winelands, Robben Island as well as Seal Island and Boulders Beach. Of course not forgetting the beaches and Cape Point. There are also the Hop-on, Hop-off bus tours that go all the way around the peninsula.
However, if you want to stay at home, there are a number of board games that you can play with family and friends. Not to mention the multitude of opportunities to use your imagination.
The end of the school calendar is nigh, and it is the season to be Merry. The show was dedicated to things to do in and around the city, for those of us who are either traveling to Cape Town or those of us who are not leaving the Mother City for the holidays.
The Western Cape is fun-filled and full of colourful cultures and a variety of food music and beautiful sites. The turbulent past of apartheid withstanding, the people are friendly and welcoming. The places to visit are Table Mountain (cable way), Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, V&A Waterfront, Constantia Winelands, Robben Island as well as Seal Island and Boulders Beach. Of course not forgetting the beaches and Cape Point. There are also the Hop-on, Hop-off bus tours that go all the way around the peninsula.
However, if you want to stay at home, there are a number of board games that you can play with family and friends. Not to mention the multitude of opportunities to use your imagination.
Comedy Hour
by Bushtots
Q: What do you call a sheep without legs?
A: A cloud
This week, we kept the show light and funky. We told our favourite jokes, some more wittier than others and others well, a drier than a piece of bark. Nonetheless we had a good laugh and were in stitches.
Q: What do you call a monster with twelve ears?
A: Eerie
Q: What do you call a sheep without legs?
A: A cloud
This week, we kept the show light and funky. We told our favourite jokes, some more wittier than others and others well, a drier than a piece of bark. Nonetheless we had a good laugh and were in stitches.
Q: What do you call a monster with twelve ears?
A: Eerie
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Animal Cruelty
by Bushteens
Often when we speak about cruelty to animals we are shown horrific pictures of baby seals being clubbed for their fur. We are also shown how dogs and various pets are mistreated – at the worst of times by their owners. However, there is another side to animal cruelty. This side is kept out of view of the public eye, with those in the know either not caring enough to do something about it. This is the maltreatment of animals that are used to produce the meat that we eat (daily).
Pigs, cows, chickens are kept in spaces that are too small for them to even turn to scratch themselves. The food they eat at times is made up of the remains of other animals. They are injected and/or fed a multitude of antibiotics and various other medications. All this is in a bid to fast track their growth and of course, keep the meat young, tender and juicy. We will not even speak of the processes by which they are slaughtered – it’s enough to say that a number of these animals feel a lot of pain.
Often when we speak about cruelty to animals we are shown horrific pictures of baby seals being clubbed for their fur. We are also shown how dogs and various pets are mistreated – at the worst of times by their owners. However, there is another side to animal cruelty. This side is kept out of view of the public eye, with those in the know either not caring enough to do something about it. This is the maltreatment of animals that are used to produce the meat that we eat (daily).
Pigs, cows, chickens are kept in spaces that are too small for them to even turn to scratch themselves. The food they eat at times is made up of the remains of other animals. They are injected and/or fed a multitude of antibiotics and various other medications. All this is in a bid to fast track their growth and of course, keep the meat young, tender and juicy. We will not even speak of the processes by which they are slaughtered – it’s enough to say that a number of these animals feel a lot of pain.
Violence in Schools
by Bushkids
For the longest time now, we have been inundated with stories of teachers being stabbed by pupils – not thieves that invade the school but by pupils that they are there to teach. This has been going on for some time. Pupils are now stabbing each other, with whatever they can get their hands on, including scissors.
The presence of police and sniffer dogs in schools conducting random drug and weapons searches is now an all too familiar sight in a number of schools. It is actually a part of the school’s timetable in most instances.
What is going on in our schools? Are they not supposed to be halls of education, discipline (no, not corporal punishment) and excellence? What is bullying like in such a violent society?
We are currently in the middle of the 16 Days of Activism against the Abuse of Women and Children. Can we really hope to change the culture of violence that plagues our society if children are not only being violated but they are also now enacting violence on each other at such an early age?
For the longest time now, we have been inundated with stories of teachers being stabbed by pupils – not thieves that invade the school but by pupils that they are there to teach. This has been going on for some time. Pupils are now stabbing each other, with whatever they can get their hands on, including scissors.
The presence of police and sniffer dogs in schools conducting random drug and weapons searches is now an all too familiar sight in a number of schools. It is actually a part of the school’s timetable in most instances.
What is going on in our schools? Are they not supposed to be halls of education, discipline (no, not corporal punishment) and excellence? What is bullying like in such a violent society?
We are currently in the middle of the 16 Days of Activism against the Abuse of Women and Children. Can we really hope to change the culture of violence that plagues our society if children are not only being violated but they are also now enacting violence on each other at such an early age?
Violence in Schools
by Bushkids
For the longest time now, we have been inundated with stories of teachers being stabbed by pupils – not thieves that invade the school but by pupils that they are there to teach. This has been going on for some time. Pupils are now stabbing each other, with whatever they can get their hands on, including scissors.
The presence of police and sniffer dogs in schools conducting random drug and weapons searches is now an all too familiar sight in a number of schools. It is actually a part of the school’s timetable in most instances.
What is going on in our schools? Are they not supposed to be halls of education, discipline (no, not corporal punishment) and excellence? What is bullying like in such a violent society?
We are currently in the middle of the 16 Days of Activism against the Abuse of Women and Children. Can we really hope to change the culture of violence that plagues our society if children are not only being violated but they are also now enacting violence on each other at such an early age?
For the longest time now, we have been inundated with stories of teachers being stabbed by pupils – not thieves that invade the school but by pupils that they are there to teach. This has been going on for some time. Pupils are now stabbing each other, with whatever they can get their hands on, including scissors.
The presence of police and sniffer dogs in schools conducting random drug and weapons searches is now an all too familiar sight in a number of schools. It is actually a part of the school’s timetable in most instances.
What is going on in our schools? Are they not supposed to be halls of education, discipline (no, not corporal punishment) and excellence? What is bullying like in such a violent society?
We are currently in the middle of the 16 Days of Activism against the Abuse of Women and Children. Can we really hope to change the culture of violence that plagues our society if children are not only being violated but they are also now enacting violence on each other at such an early age?
Fashion: What's Hip and Hop?
by Bushtots
Once upon a time it became cool to wear baggy pants. Now, your pants must not only be baggy but they must also sit at a certain level below your bottom. But then again, this depends on which trend you adhere to. For others, both boys and girls, it is the skinny jean that is the order of the day. These can also be worn at a certain level below one’s bottom. It really matters very little whether the clothes you are wearing are labels or not. Fine, to a number of boys it matters a great deal – especially for sneakers.
No matter what you decide to wear, is it cool for your grandparents to wear the same things? We think not.
Once upon a time it became cool to wear baggy pants. Now, your pants must not only be baggy but they must also sit at a certain level below your bottom. But then again, this depends on which trend you adhere to. For others, both boys and girls, it is the skinny jean that is the order of the day. These can also be worn at a certain level below one’s bottom. It really matters very little whether the clothes you are wearing are labels or not. Fine, to a number of boys it matters a great deal – especially for sneakers.
No matter what you decide to wear, is it cool for your grandparents to wear the same things? We think not.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Global Warming Workshop
by Yanga Basso
Are Humans Causing It?
Yes through industrialisation, deforestation and pollution. All these activities have combined to increase the concentration levels of gases such methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. All these gases are greenhouse gases which trap the heat near the Earth’s surface.
We are producing more carbon dioxide faster than plants and oceans can absorb it. There are three ways in which we can respond to global warming. Firstly, we can mitigate the causes and effects of global warming. This is done largely through capturing greenhouse gases at the point of production. The Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, makes provision for this. Secondly, we can adapt to the changing environment. The measures range from the installation of air-conditioning equipment to relocating settlements that are in danger of being wiped out by the rising sea levels. Other measures include water conservation projects, water rationing as well as intervening to protect threatened species. Lastly, we can reverse global warming through geo-engineering. This is the process of directly changing the Earth’s natural environment to suit human needs.
These are all grand schemes, which are also costly to implement. There are ways in which we as individuals can help mitigate and possibly even reverse the effects of global warming. We can car-pool, turn off and unplug appliances, plant more trees, recycle and make sure that we stop using aerosol sprays that contain CFCs. These are not big adjustments but if we all do it, cumulatively they will make the difference that is needed to save our planet.
As part of the Away from Violence project, I put together a workshop on Global Warming. This is a form of indirect violence on ourselves. Put differently, in harming the earth we are harming ourselves and future generations. The workshop began by outlining what global warming is.
The phrase ‘Global warming’ refers to an increase in the average temperature of the earth’s atmosphere. There are two types of global warming – natural and man-made. There is not much we can do about the natural type as this is a part of the Earth’s cycle. However, we do need to worry and do something about our contribution to global warming. The sea levels will rise (goodbye Cape Town) due to the melting of glaciers around the world. This will also result in shortages of drinking water, strong hurricanes, droughts, heat waves, wildfires and other natural disasters.
Yanga Basso - Workshop facilitator
Are Humans Causing It?
Yes through industrialisation, deforestation and pollution. All these activities have combined to increase the concentration levels of gases such methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. All these gases are greenhouse gases which trap the heat near the Earth’s surface.
We are producing more carbon dioxide faster than plants and oceans can absorb it. There are three ways in which we can respond to global warming. Firstly, we can mitigate the causes and effects of global warming. This is done largely through capturing greenhouse gases at the point of production. The Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012, makes provision for this. Secondly, we can adapt to the changing environment. The measures range from the installation of air-conditioning equipment to relocating settlements that are in danger of being wiped out by the rising sea levels. Other measures include water conservation projects, water rationing as well as intervening to protect threatened species. Lastly, we can reverse global warming through geo-engineering. This is the process of directly changing the Earth’s natural environment to suit human needs.
These are all grand schemes, which are also costly to implement. There are ways in which we as individuals can help mitigate and possibly even reverse the effects of global warming. We can car-pool, turn off and unplug appliances, plant more trees, recycle and make sure that we stop using aerosol sprays that contain CFCs. These are not big adjustments but if we all do it, cumulatively they will make the difference that is needed to save our planet.
Monday, November 23, 2009
What is 'appropriate' behaviour in public?
by Bushteens
PDA, a.k.a. public displays of affection for those not familiar with the acronym. Acceptable or not? For which age group? Does age really matter? What about certain fashion trends, whereby pants are placed halfway down and one’s underwear is out on parade. Is that (un)acceptable? There are however, more basic things such as answering your phone in public. What is the ‘appropriate’ distance to move away from the rest of the crowd so that you can answer your phone? Should you even answer your phone if you are out in public and cannot step outside to take the call more privately? How loud should you play the music on your phone (and you don’t have earphones), for example if you are in a train on your way home?
These are just some of the questions that we tackled, the answer to most of these questions was – it depends. It depends on where you are, who you are with and why you are there. There is a time and a place for everything but you just need to be considerate of those around you.
PDA, a.k.a. public displays of affection for those not familiar with the acronym. Acceptable or not? For which age group? Does age really matter? What about certain fashion trends, whereby pants are placed halfway down and one’s underwear is out on parade. Is that (un)acceptable? There are however, more basic things such as answering your phone in public. What is the ‘appropriate’ distance to move away from the rest of the crowd so that you can answer your phone? Should you even answer your phone if you are out in public and cannot step outside to take the call more privately? How loud should you play the music on your phone (and you don’t have earphones), for example if you are in a train on your way home?
These are just some of the questions that we tackled, the answer to most of these questions was – it depends. It depends on where you are, who you are with and why you are there. There is a time and a place for everything but you just need to be considerate of those around you.
The Life of a Celeb.
by Bushkids
We decided to take a further trip down star lane and delve deeper into the mystery that is the ‘celebrity’. This week though we also took a peak into their lavish lifestyles. It was more than just about who is wearing what but also about where they are living. With mega-mansions and flashy fast rides parked in the yard who wouldn’t want to be a celebrity. However, we also revealed the other side of the celebrity – the worker bee. All the money they spend they have to work equally as hard or even harder to make it. They also have to work to make their net-worth grow. It’s not all just fun and games.
We decided to take a further trip down star lane and delve deeper into the mystery that is the ‘celebrity’. This week though we also took a peak into their lavish lifestyles. It was more than just about who is wearing what but also about where they are living. With mega-mansions and flashy fast rides parked in the yard who wouldn’t want to be a celebrity. However, we also revealed the other side of the celebrity – the worker bee. All the money they spend they have to work equally as hard or even harder to make it. They also have to work to make their net-worth grow. It’s not all just fun and games.
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