truthdiscourse

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Redefining beauty: Brading with a purpose

By Nothando Mhlongo

She's hip, retro, and rocks a shock blond hairdo that doesn't go unnoticed. Philile Chithani is making waves at the Durban Central with all kinds of trendy dos and spends most of her time crafting away in her own establishment, Beauty Braiders.

The hairstyling business isn't easy and dealing with demanding customers is a daily struggle, but Chithani has been able to cement herself in the hairstyling business by building her customer base and finding her niche. While speaking about how her love for hair came about, the 23-year-old said " I've been braiding hair since I was 15'' and soon after, she started working in salons during school holidays. What followed after that was a consistent need to braid differently. She marvels at how her customers come with the craziest hairstyle ideas and trust her to execute them.

As most families, Chithani's dream of becoming a hairstylist was not supported by her family. As they thought that she could do more than just braiding people's hair. In the end, they won. The braider is doing her 2nd year at the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) but she is able to braid on the side, earning extra income.

'' my mother was against it. She didn't want me in the beauty industry at all. I'd been an academic at school, and my mother wanted her daughter to get a degree in accounting. I've been repeating modules, that's how horrible I am, " she said.

Chithani's style is about being at the top of the trends, the things that are happening in the now. She makes it her mission to make people look fashionable and beautiful at the same time. Staying at the top can be hard when competition is high but for Chithani, constantly updating her skills and attending workshops has been how she has secured her place as Durban's go to hairstylist.

'' I invest a lot in myself by going to workshops and by constantly updating my skills with the newest trends and techniques. My everyday salon life is about being able to change a client's entire mood, and self-confidence, " she said.

Hard work, effort, market research and social networking have been some of the elements that Chithani has used to stay at the top of her game. Hairstylists play a critical role in people's lives. With December holidays approaching, they will stand on their feet the whole day. All in the bid to meet clients expectations.

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Summer is knocking: 10 things to do in the KZN South Coast

By Nothando Mhlongo

Many people have begun to make plans for the December holidays. KwaZulu-Natal has become a tourist destination due to its beaches. The South Coast is well-known for its stunning natural beauty. On the KZN South Coast, there are numerous natural attractions that offer walking trails, scenic viewpoints, and picturesque picnic activities. There are multiple choices for activities and entertainment.

What to do and where to dine in the KZN South Coast

The bucket list remains on the South Coast.

Mpenjati Nature Reserve

Adventurous people are in for a treat as the reserve offers hikers an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of scenic walking trails along the splendid beaches and rivers teaming with the bountiful animal life, vegetation, and rock formations.

The Amanzimtoti Bird Sanctuary

The sanctuary offers an effortless 30-minute self-guided trail winds itself through the forest and is a haven for birdlife. One has an opportunity of sighting many of the 150 bird species in the sanctuary including the resident Spurwing Geese, White Faced Duck, Greenback Heron, Giant Kingfisher, and Hamerkop.

Uvongo flea market

There are 160 stalls to choose from and you can buy almost anything from fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, cheese, clothing, toys and games and second-hand bits and bobs. An open-air tearoom provides a wonderful area to relax with friends for a weekly catch up while enjoying a cuppa and a slice of homemade cake.

Keg and Galleon

Situated on the Margate Hotel premises, the Keg & Galleon offers a wide variety of meals for the whole family. For all gambling enthusiasts, they have an on-site kingdom slots room

Ilanda reserves

The reserve offers outdoor activities as three self-guided trails within the reserve will delight visitors with prolific birdlife and probable sightings of vervet monkeys.

Gaze gallery

Browse at your leisure in the Gaze Gallery and see some of South Africa's best-known artists and potters, including Barry Dibb and David Walters. There is also an interesting selection of functional and decorative gifts to choose from.

Bellevue Park

There are grassy lawns for picnicking, interesting and informative signage, interactive mechanical models, examples of alien plants, a viewing tower, obstacle course, slide & swings, all of which provide hours of entertainment for little ones.

Splash water world

Splash Water World water park provides families with a full day’s entertainment. Situated on Amanzimtoti Main Beach, its mix of speed and body rides as it caters for both adrenaline junkies and the less adventurous. Kids are guaranteed to be exhausted by the end of the day.

Shelly beach

Shelly Beach is well-known for its scuba diving reef. Large game fish and sharks can be found at Protea Banks, a well-known diving destination.

The wild swing

If you want to get your heart pumping, head to Oribi Gorge for the Wild Gorge Swing. You'll leap off the ledge at the top of Lehr's waterfall and plunge into the depths of this 165-meter gorge, swinging from one side to the other.

Blue waters pub & grill

This is where friends and family gather to eat well and spend time together. It is an excellent choice for families looking for an all-around venue.

[truthdiscourse]

it’s time to start planning how you’re going to spend the December holidays , it’s the festive season ! And adventures in South Africa’s incredible natural havens are unlimited !

when it comes to adventure, there’s no place better than the KZN South Coast, which is home to unlimited opportunities all the way from the sea to the hinterland. It is definitely a place to be all summer long !!!

[truthdiscourse]

The bucket list stays in the KZN South Coast this summer .

Picture : Bazely, South coast source https://www.sa-venues.com/attractionskzn

Bazley forms part of the south coast’s endless stretch of a beach that offers a continuous source of swimming, diving, fishing and all round family fun.

South African visitors that are looking for the ultimate summer holiday getaway are spoilt for choice when they choose to stay along the South Coast in KwaZulu Natal.

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First year students vulnerable in the wake of Durban Crime

By Nothando Mhlongo

Leaving familiar surroundings can be frightening for students who travel from afar in order to access higher levels of education. What can be more frightening is being allocated in residences that are within the crime hotspots.

Awande Ndobe, 19, is from uMzimkhulu in KwaZulu-Natal. She enrolled as a Durban University of Technology student earlier this year and was allocated to the Concost Weimore Residence in Berea. It was all about getting into university and finding a place to live close to her school for her. Unbeknownst to her, she was directly in the middle of Durban's notorious road, Moore RD, which is famed for being a den of prostitutes and taverns, and the despicable happenings do not go unnoticed.

While describing her stay in the residence, the 19-year-old revealed that her family was concerned about her safety. Her older brothers were concerned when they learned that the Ndobe was staying near Moore RD.

"My family first came to my residence at night, but still the roads were as busy as if it was daylight, my father got concerned, and my brothers felt the same way. I'm now familiar with gunshot sounds; we hear them every Friday, even during the week's cause,” Ndobe explained.

Sazile Zulu, 20, is also a DUT student in her first year. Her residence is close to convenience stores, making it easy for her to access her essential necessities. The downside of this is that she would also be witnessing distraction during her time in Durban. Zulu mentioned how she has witnessed fights between drunkards, ladies of the night, thugs mugging people, and vagrants who pose a threat to her when she leaves her residence to head to the stores or school.

‘’During my time here, I've seen a lot of things. I was walking to the store one day when this vagrant kept following me. I was fortunate not to have any cash on me; all I had was my bank card. Also, I have a habit of standing outside the window, and I occasionally notice ladies of the night standing just in front of my residence. Our safety is jeopardized to the point where we leave our phones and wallets in our residence when heading out,” said Zulu.

According to South African crime statistics reported by Business Tech, KZN is one of the three provinces most affected by crime. Durban Central has 7.4% (25974) of the province's total crime levels.

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[truthdiscourse]

Justice for Namhla Mtwa: Young women murdered in mysterious circumstances in South Africa

Namhla Mtwa has become the current face of South Africa’s gender- based violence outbreak. She was shot dead at Sdadwa view in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.

The thread of South African women dying at the hands of their romantic partners or complete strangers has taken a disturbing turn where the consistent occurrence has claimed many lives. The gruesome murder of Mtwa has revealed the ongoing pattern of brutality targeted at S.A women. Sanga Nozibantu Mtwa, who is the sister of the deceased, has released pictures and alleged conversations that have shone light to the type of abuse Mtwa has suffered at the hands of her lover.

Early in April, the GBV epidemic claimed the life of 28 year old, Hilary Gardee, who was found dead after missing for a few days. Uyinene Mrwetyana, 19, who was a former UCT student was raped two times, her body hidden inside a post office, and was later dumped and set on fire. Karabo Mokoena, 22, was killed and burnt by her boyfriend in 2017. The disturbing femicide rate has sparked national outrage where ordinary South African’s have taken to social media platforms and started hashtags like # not in my name , #justice for namhla, #say her name in a bid to show solidarity and hold perpetrators accountable.

In 2021, Statistics South Africa released a report, Crimes against women in South Africa, stating that one in five women (21%) have experienced physical violence by a partner. South Africa has one of the highest gender-based violence and femicide rates in the world.

In the 2021\ 2022 second quarter Crime Statistics released by SAPS, police minister Bheki Cele revealed that 897 women were killed during this period.

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There’s a buzz on the streets. The country is in the state of emergency. South Africa is in crisis.

Image source : Kabelo Mofokeng

The #Nationalshutdown was in motion yesterday, 25 Aug. 2022. Workers took to the streets and marched in the streets of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal , South Africa. They delivered a memorandum of demands to the premiers office .

The national shutdown is a result of the pressing issues that have affected the lives of many South Africans. The fuel hike, rise in food prices and the pandemic of gender based violence have angered South Africans. They are calling on government to bring about change in a country where the gap between the haves and the have nots remains big .

Unemployment rate is rocket high and the South African youth is left out in the cold . The 2024 elections are around the corner and South Africans are calling for change .

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Kasified : tales of township girl

Sometimes you see it , it makes your veins burn with determination, the land of hopes and dreams. One-fateful day , my aunt asked me what I wanted to become when I finish my matric , with a big smile on my face , I proudly said “pilot “ . She laughed, she laughed in my face and exclaimed that a township girl can never make it that far.

There was some truth to what she said , no one has ever dreamt that big or made it that far. I���m not one to fall in line and be ordinary. I am a trend setter and I will definitely be one of many firsts . First graduate in the family , first pilot in my township .. oh.. I can imagine the smiles in the faces of my family, the proud faces and for that I’m going to continue on dreaming

The girl who dared to dream

Kasified : tales of a black township girl

My people never made it out

The state of my society is crippling my dreams

Will I make it out if I dared to dream ?

What will it take ?

They told me I can’t make it without connections . They said money talks in South Africa , everything works out for you if you have money.

I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors , I need to rid my family of generational poverty but what will it take ?

A township girl who dared to Dream

#journalist views

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Zwelitsha is a township in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The Floods that occurred in April left many without homes. The slow rebuilding processes have left many with uncertainties. Poverty and pain are the order of the day. Residents are waiting on the government to assist as they don’t have means to do so .

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Kasified : tales of a township girl

I remember watching the crowning of former miss South Africa , Zozibini Tunzi, she was like me , dark in skintone, she hails from the the Eastern Cape and just like me she dared to dream. now , a mouthful was said during her coronation process but the most important thing she mentioned was a need for women to take up space. That’s my defining moment right there !

Dreaming wasn’t so bad when you saw success stories around you. The problem is living in a South African township, a lot goes on there and you’re ridiculed for trying to break free from the norms and way of life .

Is it okay to be different ?

Kasified : tales of a black township girl

My people never made it out

The state of my society is crippling my dreams

Will I make it out if I dared to dream ?

What will it take ?

They told me I can’t make it without connections . They said money talks in South Africa , everything works out for you if you have money.

I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors , I need to rid my family of generational poverty but what will it take ?

A township girl who dared to Dream

#journalist views

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Image : Zwelitsha : a township in KwaZulu-Natal , South Africa

What do you see in Zwelisha

The township is always buzzing with life. The screams of children playing can be heard , women gathered around local taps to do laundry, men gathered in a local tarven to share a drink , taxis hooting , the morning rush of children going to school. The shouts are an indication of life but the smell of poverty lingers in the air .

Tales of a South African black man

A family man who is a father of two children wakes up everyday and walks 6.3 km to his job post in Phoenix. He walks everyday because he doesn’t have money for transport . The money he earns as a construction worker does not cover all the bills , he can only buy food stuff for his family.

Constantly working to ensure that his children don’t go to bed hungry but even a man as dedicated as he , sometimes falls short. The fighting spirit dies out when you have been fighting the same battle for years. The battle of accessing opportunities and getting rid of the stench of poverty .

“ while we were given opportunities post apartheid, I’m unable to fully participate in the economy because I don’t have an opportunity an education. During my times , going to schools was not important, look at me now , I’m unable to find a place in a New Democratic South Africa “

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July riots : exposing imbalances of the past

https://vibrantdigitalmedia.tumblr.com/post/680103123667320832/riots-expose-economic-injustice-and

[truthdiscourse]

Kasified : tales of a black township girl

My people never made it out

The state of my society is crippling my dreams

Will I make it out if I dared to dream ?

What will it take ?

They told me I can’t make it without connections . They said money talks in South Africa , everything works out for you if you have money.

I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors , I need to rid my family of generational poverty but what will it take ?

A township girl who dared to Dream

#journalist views