“Youth in Short”- Lighting Global Issues through the Voices of a New South Africa

“In a changing country , a new voice has rise.  In a transforming society, a new generation has evolved.  In a modernizing South Africa, a new way of thinking has developed.” 

There has always been debate on political, cultural and society issues of a country torn by apartheid, but now more than ever voices and opinions of those once limited technology and opportunity can be heard.  With the ever growing trend of blogging and the use of the web, the South African youth is finding it a bit easier to interact, critique and discuss national issues.  One such weblog arises from the communities of Phoenix of Durban, SA.  It’s called “Youth In Short.” A blog determined to “uplift the South African youth” and to empower youth through education, discussion and critical thinking.  Simply put, author Quinto Kippen describes, “We are here to share ideas and engage in wholesome discussion for the youth globally.” 

Kippen, author of five books on life, religion and philosophy, is an advocate of educational empowerment provides his community with a supplemental experience of learning and an alternative to traditional school by holding Leadership and Team-Building Camps.  Needing to broaden his audience, Youth in short not only becomes a local medium for voices to be heard, it creates a collective national and global background for voices to interact.

To learn more about the topics discussed, Visit Youth in Short.
To Learn more about Quinton Kippon, Visit My School Days.

Click to Download Kippon’s publications below:

                                      

Jollin’ Part II

The first post I wrote on the term ‘Jol’ a couple weeks ago was more or less about the meaning of the phrase, but I have come to realize that just the basic definition didn’t give the word its credit.  At the time I was unaware of how widely used this term was, nor did i understand it’s common uses or how popular this word was amoung to “go out” elite.  This is why I decided to write a second posting for this magnificent word…
Read more

What does “Just Now” really mean?

The second I arrived in South Africa, I was warned about the time perception here.  It was similarly compared to some several Latin countries and even India, but I am sure we can all relate it to a lot of cultures, even our own.  But it is interesting how we all have different perceptions of time and scheduling.  It is very much a cultural things and a personal value thing, that can be greatly influence by the mantalities around you.  If you are only familiar to one way of dealing with time or you have been seltered enough to think that things happen relative on time, this might be a bit foriegn to you.  This is what I mean…
Read more

“Tekkies” Plus Your “Jerseys”

Since we’re on this topic of apparel, clothing and appearance. I’ll take this oppurtunity to shed some light on what these two terms actually mean.  Now, I love just as anyone does getting to another country, especially an English speaking country, and finding out what things mean.  You know? There’s nothing like a good exchange of different terms, meanings and uses for words we already share.  It’s just fun to trade terms and phrase only to see how wierd and unique we all are when it comes to the same language expressed… 
Read more

Note on Sports Wear.

When you get to South Africa, like any other new destination you get to certain things always stand out to you. I know as soccer player and athlete you always seem to notice a certain body type or notice people who wear certain jerseys or shorts. It’s almost instinctual to have other athletes catch your eye, or perhaps someone with a nice jersey on.  Do you know what I mean? Like all those years of traveling to other places to play has engrained a vain out look on apperance that we must take notice and almost judge people according to their build and what they’re wearing.  Well, if anyone has any idea about what I’m talking about here, you’ll be in for it the second you land in South Africa… 
Read more

“Howsit?” and double “sure”

So, we’ve said in the last post that people say ‘sharp-sharp’ quite alot when asked ‘how are you doing?’ What I forgot to mention was the way people actually said ‘how is it going?’ Now, I thought we shortened this phrase enough as it is from ‘how is it going?’ to ‘how’s it going?’ But sure enough the apparent ‘howsit?’ proved superior in this counrty…as everyone, I mean everyone uses this.  And I thought our ‘watsup’s were getting out of control. Or even our ‘sup’s…. So, beware, as catchy and contagious ‘sharp-sharp’ is, you’ll be pulling out ‘HOWSIT’s soon enough.

Oh, and i can’t leave out the double ‘sure.’ Since we’re on this casual greetings things, we might as well take it a bit further. Common casual start-offs or pass-by’s might sound a bit like this…

Me: Howsit?

You: Howist?

Me: Sharp-Sharp

You: Sure-Sure

Me: Sure-Sure

Cheers! BE SURE to always use the DOUBLE SURE, can’t go wrong with that one.

“Sharp-Sharp”

Often we would use the terms “nice…nice.” What you will soon notice when you get to South Africa is the catchy expresion, “sharp…sharp.”  Now, the first several times you come across it, you’ll probably know exactly what it means just by the way it is expressed.  Almost like a quick response to ‘how are you doing?’ you would respond…sharp-sharp, as though we would say…good-good.  So, out of the many things I take back to the states with me, sharp/sharp is definately a term to be passed around when I return.

You might not think so much of it as of the moment, but trust me, you’ll catch on quite quick.  And make sure, the next time someone asks you how you’re doing, give them a nice…SHARP SHARP!

Havin a “Jol” anyone?

Now, I will be adding some random posts in this section, mostly about some local terminology that people use everyday. This first post will explain the thnaks giving ‘jol’ my house and I just had.  Since south Africans don’t celebrate Thanks Giving we decided to enlighten our immediate South African friends as to what we American are talking about. And what better to do that then with a ‘Jol.”  If asked what they were doing this thnaks givin Thursday, our friends would have said, they were going to a Jol or a party. Not so much a formal one, but rather a get together. You kno, to have a Jolly, or a Jolly good old time ya see. So, if you ever feel the need to say a party, you can tell someone you have got a jol to go to. Cheers!

‘Sanibonani’ Everybody

I thought it would be very appropriate that the first blog in the South Africa Category be a little language lesson welcoming all who are in joining me in this interesting journey leading to the World cup.

The most common language spoken at home by South Africans is Zulu (24 percent speak Zulu at home), followed by Xhosa (18 percent), and Afrikaans (13 percent). English is only the sixth-most common home language in the country, but is understood in most urban areas and is the dominant language in government and the media…
Read more