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

Spirrs Guy — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:54:02 +0000

“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

Spirrs Guy — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:13:04 +0000

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…

I met my good buddy Victor several weeks ago and after hanging out with him in what we would called mainstream partying, going out, clubing or bar hopping, and what they would call it “pub crawling” or your usual “Jolling.” Now, lets put this in perspective. We got out, we are jolling. We had fun, it was a jol. You are one that goes out alot, you know that one person you seem to see at very hot venue out there, now that my friend you are a “proper Joller.”

To the many jollers I have met, Cheers to you all.

What does “Just Now” really mean?

Spirrs Guy — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:10:09 +0000

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…

When you say you will be meeting someone a noon, what time do you mean? Now if that question seem a bit odd to you already, it should. Because if you said 3, I would be pretty sure mean meant 3, in fact I would think you meant a bit before 3 just to be early. Now, what you will notice in a lot of countries alike, there is such a think as “local” time. Each place will have it’s own “local” time. By “local” time I mean some kind of obscure deviation, or in some instances exactly variations of the times given. So, when a given time is established, it is seldom the time things are to happen, and by that I mean things are never early. The deviation is always a lateness of some sort. Lucky for some, this deviation can be anticipated. For example in it was amazing to hear that in Costa Rica things happened exactly a half an hour after the established time…all the time. So, that you knew when someone said 2 it always meant 2:30 no more, no less. But unfortunately “local” time isn’t always so easy to figure out, and in fact almost imppossible.

Here in South Africa, things are no different than places with thier own “local” time. Yes, always a bit late. Now talking to a close buddy of mine, Mr. Kippen, and asking why that is, he explained one term to me that made it all clear. He said, “What do you think ‘Just Now’ means?” And I replied, “I don’t know, like right now?” He stated quite simply, “When people say ‘just now’ it is possible for it to mean anywhere from ‘just right now’ to several days from now.”

So, in frantic situations of calling people, wondering and frustratingly asking where they are, have they left, or when they will arrive, just know what they mean when they calmly and soothingly tell you “Just Now.”

Cheers!

“Tekkies” Plus Your “Jerseys”

Spirrs Guy — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:37:50 +0000

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…

So, we were talking about sports apparel…Now, what would you consider a “Jersey?” To me that’s a specific piece of sports uniform. But apparently, here, it can be used for any kind of sweater-ish, long sleeved, hoody, top, or pullover-like clothing, not to mention an actual team jersey. So, when someone says their going to get their jersey or tell you don’t forget your jersey, its O.K. if you forgot yours, they just mean a long sleeve top of some sort.

Ok. Someone tell you to bring your “tekkies” or perhaps the talking about how much they like your spiffy American “tekkies.” Before you get all nervous about what their saying, know they’re just talking about your “tennies.”

Cheers! Look down, you’ve probably got some nice sneakers they don’t sell around here.

Note on Sports Wear.

Spirrs Guy — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:09:58 +0000

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…

Not only is soccer the dominant sport in the country, whereby everyone, like all football nations, are closely familiar with, the fashion and staple for design is “sport”. What you will find is that the a lot of people enjoy wearing their sports apparel all the time, whether they are athletes or not. So, if you’re the type to size people up and contemplate whether they have played, plays, or still plays soccer or any other worldly sports, I can tell you one thing. You won’t be able to tell by looking, and chances are they’re more passionate about their local team than we can even admit.

Anyway, what I’m trying to say is, don’t be surprised to see lots of team and country apparel, it is an expensive fashion statment seen throughout any social classes, so don’t judge a book by it’s cover.

Cheers!

“Howsit?” and double “sure”

Spirrs Guy — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:47:10 +0000

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”

Spirrs Guy — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:21:42 +0000

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?

Spirrs Guy — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:26:16 +0000

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

Spirrs Guy — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:38:28 +0000

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…

“Sanibonani” is how you say “Hello” in Zulu. This is how you greet a group of people. It is pernounced “San Bo Naan” and NOT “sanny boe nanny.” Zulu is a very widely spoken language in South Africa, and is one of the 11 official national languages:

Afrikaans (Afrikaans), English, Ndebele (isiNdebele), Northern Sotho (Sesotho sa Leboa), Sotho (Sesotho), Swati (siSwati), Tsonga (Xitsonga), Tswana (Setswana), Venda (Tshivenḓa), Xhosa (isiXhosa), Zulu (isiZulu).

As the most widely spoken language, you can get a head start on saying just the very basic Zulu phrases.

Sawubona	[sow bona] Hello, to one person
Sanibonani	[san bo naan] Hello, to a group of people
Unjani? / Ninjani?	[un ja ni/ nin ja ni] How are you (sing.)? / How are you (pl.)?
Ngisaphila	[giya piela] I’m okay
Ngiyabonga (kakhulu)	[giya bonga] Thanks (a lot)

Also I included some Afrikaans, and although its not so common throughout the entire country, chances are the places you will travel, you will encounter something you think you recognize or it sounds like english somewhat? perhaps…? That will be Afrikaans.

Halo	Hello
Hoe Gaan Dit?	How are you?
Goed En Met Jour	Fine and you?
Dankie	Thank you

More language exploration to come. I know you all are waiting to learn about the infamous African “clicks.” Stay Tuned. For now practice your basics.

”Salani kahle” (Go Well.)