Bamu Times Edition 1

BAMU TIMES
30 September
25 October 2021
Iphepha Lesngisi NesiZulu | A Zulu And English Newspaper
Imithi Yesintu
WELLNESS
Dr. Baja La Dhlamini
Ibonga
Okungenamukhawuko
Intokazi
BaMu Arts Celebrate
WITH DANCE AND SONG
BBaMu Arts Foundation's celebration of their heritage as South Africans is the recognition
and showcasing of their cultural traditions, roots, inherited values, and history – it is what
defines and unites them as South Africans.
Today was indeed a celebration of the rich diversity in art, language and performance. At Ibivane
River, Mbumbulu was where it all took place in the presence of breathtaking natural features such as
trees, rocks and water stream. Such elements of nature are very important to African cultures and
traditions because they revolve around the very essence of nature and how it is a source of life.
Young artists of BaMu Arts Foundation dressed in traditional regalia (imvunulo) sang their hearts out
in celebration of their culture. Indigenous music and dance (ukusina) has always been an important
way of storytelling and artistic expression in South Africa. Hymns (amahubo) sang in isiZulu and
were complimented by dances rhythmic to sounds and beats that echo the air. It was amazing how
both groups worked as a collective to create songs of magic. To a great number of them, these songs
and hymns are not just mere lyrics and sounds but they are more than that. They are described as
songs of commemorating fallen icons and songs that tell stories of events that unfolded in the past,
such as the 1879 battle of Isandhlwana.
“Heritage is a reunion of one with their roots,” Banele Zungu (an artist at BaMu Arts Foundation)
said. “We express our true selves and show love and respect to the elderly and those before us. We
also seek to guide and motivate the younger ones by showing what it means to be African”
Everyone was overjoyed of having the freedom of learning new songs and ways of expression from
one another especially coming from diverse backgrounds. It was an eventful and exciting day for
everyone of them in participation. As South Africans we all wish to celebrate our identity in such
lively and creative ways.
by Lwande Nsindane
www.bamuartsfoundation.africa
R2.00 INC VAT

COMMUNITY NEWS
BaMu Arts Foundation Founders:
Izinkakha Zobuciko Zisungule Iphephandaba
n February 2021 Prof/Sir. Zanele Muholi and Dr. Bajabulile
La Dhlamini Sidzumo introduced BaMu, a community
arts development project at UMbumbulu and its rural
surroundings. Where youth development and education have
been the main pillars of this on-going programme; whose main
funders are the two founders. This initiative is the first of its
kind in the district and the rural surroundings. The school has
been running for free to the local youth, with classes every
Saturday and Sunday for visual arts. During the holidays, the
school also offers a limited enrolment programme for academic
extra classes.
Muholi and Sidzumo have been running community
development projects as far back as 2003 throughout the
Southern Hemisphere and beyond. Prof/Sir. Zanele Muholi a
renowned visual activist and photographer born in Umlazi,
Durban, whose multifaceted work has focused on artivism,
activism, black queer and trans visual history and archive,
education, youth development and humanitarian work. Muholi
co-founded the Forum for Empowerment of Women (FEW) in
2002, and in 2009 founded Inkanyiso a forum for queer and
visual (activism) media. They continue to train and co-facilitate
photography workshops for young women in the
townships and run youth development programmes around
KwaZulu-Natal.
Dr. Bajabulile La Dhlamini Sidzumo is a qualified Epidemiologist,
Humanitarian, business woman, education advocate,
economy activist and a creative. Her main charity organ is
Betive Community Development Trust, a self-funded
programme where she is aiding less privileged kids with school
needs, ranging from fees and other tools of operation like
uniform and books. She also aids financially ”Thswaranang
Children’s Home, God’s heart orphanage and Kopano Brass
Band amongst others.
In their quest to uplift and develop the community of Umbumbulu,
Muholi and Dhlamini Sidzumo are launching a local
newspaper, a first of its kind in this rural community that has
been abuzz and quickly developing since the introduction of
BaMu Arts Foundation. The newspaper seeks to impart
information, share stories and create a culture of reading and
writing as part of community development.
Njabulo Hlongwa & Thobeka Bhengu
Izandla Zami
Ziyangiphilisa
S
ikhulume noZakhele Ntetha ngomsebenzi wakhe
wazandla nokubaluleka kobuciko. UNtetha wenza
umsebenzi wezandla asebenzise izihlahla ukwakha
izinto ezinhle azokwazi ukuzidayisa azenzele eyakhe imali.
Emva kokusebenza ezindaweni eziningi engaholi imali
eyanele futhi nohumeni ebheke ukuthelela, Ubaba uNtetha
wabona kungcono ahambise incwadi yokuyeka emsebenzini.
Uthe esehleli ekhaya isikhashana engenzi lutho, wabona
kungcono asebenzise izandla zakhe ukuziphilisa. Ubaba
uNtetha ungumuntu vele osebenze kakhulu ngezandla zakhe
esebenzela abelungu ependa, egqoma amatiyela, enza omeselandi,
akha ama blocks, akha izindlu, aphinde enze ne-plumbing.
UNtetha ukhuluma kabanzi ngokubaluleka kokusebenzisa
izandla ukuziphilisa. Uthi lokhu kungasiza ukwehlisa
ubugebengu, abantu bayeke ukugqekeza babambe abantu
inkunzi babaphuce imali. Uphinde agcizelele kakhulu ngokuthi
ungabukelwa phansi umsebenzi wezandla nomqondo
wakho, ngoba kuphuma into ongadla ngayo futhi wondle
umndeni ngayo.
Usomabhizinisi
Wesifazane
M
rs Noxolo Mnganga Noxolo Mnganga
owakhe endaweni yase Sawpits eMbumbulu.
Ubambisene nomkhwenyana wakhe uMr
Mhlabunzima Mnganga. Banama hhovisi amabili abasebenzela
kuwona. Elise Mbumbulu ezimpambanweni zemigwaqo
nase Folweni ka A. Igama lebhizinisi uZwelo Funeral
Service. Uthi ibhizinisi lashicilelwa umkhwenyana wakhe
.Yena kwakungekho emqondweni wakhe ukuba nenkampani
yamakhaza. Kwathi ngelinye ilanga umkhwenyana wakhe
wafika namaphepha enkampani wamnika wona. Wathi
akabone ukuthi wenze njani ngawo .
By Baja La Dhlamini Sidzumo
Waqala lapho-ke ukwenza ucwaningo ngalomsebenzi . Kuthe
esebona ukuthi usekulungele ukuqala umsebenzi . Watshela
izihlobo, abangani no makhelwane ngalomsebenzi wakhe
asewuqalile. Kanti umngani wakhe uzoshonelwa umama
wakhe esendaweni yase Goli. Kwamele ahambe aye khona
ayobuya nomzimba awufake emakhazeni abe eseqala
amalungiselelo omngcwabo. Kusukela lapho waqhubeka
umsebenzi wakhe futhi uhamba kahle kakhulu. Inkampani
iqale ukusebenza ngo September 2015. Akwona wodwa
umsebenzi awenzayo lowo. Babhalisa izinkampani.Abe
nenkampani okuthiwa iMIMI’S lapho ufuye izinkukhu
zamaqanda no lamthuthu uyabafuya abadayise kanye
namaqanda. Uthi umsebenzi wezinkukhu iwona ayewuthanda
kakhulu. Babe nenye inkampani okuthiwa uZwelo
Foundation lapho bahambisa ulwazi ezinganeni ezikoleni,
njengoba behlala endaweni yase makhaya. Uphinde abe
umthungi, uthunga noma yini oyicabangayo angakuthungela.
Baphinde babhekelele umphakathi uma bebona ukuthi
kulowo muzi isimo asihambi kahle baze bangenelele.
Ngu Nonhlanhla Shange
Uyachaza ukuthi isihlahla kuyena sinjengenyama, futhi uma
engakwazanga ukusicaza isihlahla ngosuku olulodwa
uyaphindela aze aphumelele. Usebenzisa ucelemba,
amashizolo, imbazo nakho konke anakho. Izihlahla azigawulayo
wenza izinto eziningi ngazo njengephini lokugovuza
ukudla, ukhezo lokudla amasi, izithebe zokudla inyama,isixwembu
sokukha isobho elishisayo ukhiphe inyama eshisayo
ebhodweni, induku yokugovuva isijingi sotshwala njalo
njalo.
Konke lokhu kuyisifundo kuyena ukuthi engakwazi ukuhamba
enza ubugebengu ebambe abantu. Ngezandla zakhe
ukwazi ukuthi enze izinto ezinhle ezimunikeza sinkwa
kusasa. Emva kokuhlala ekhaya engasebenzi, edla kathathu
ngosuku wahlala wacabanga ukuthi uzokwenzani uNtetha.
Wathi uma ebona ihlathi eligcwele izihlahla wacabanga
ukuthi kukhona into engase iphume khona lapha ehlathini.
Ngoba wayengenamali enganalutho yokuqala ibhizinisi
wacabanga ukuthi mhlampe uma engena lapha ehlathini
engakwazi ukwenza imali. Wathi uma ecabanga nalabantu
ake ebabone emgwaqeni bedayisa wafikelwa yisu lokuya
laphaya ehlathini agawule isihlahla. Umuphumela wakhe
wokuqala kwaba wukhezo lokudla amasi. Ube esethenga
inkomo.
Ngu Thobeka Bhengu
2 www.bamuartsfoundation.africa

COMMUNITY NEWS
Forgiveness is a very important part of one's wellbeing.
We are beings who come from different backgrounds,
and we deal with different issues on daily basis. No two
people are the same, even those that are identical twins.
We offend each other daily, unconsciously, intentionally and
out of negligence. No reason is worthy to be a justification of
hurting another. We hurt each other emotionally, psychologically,
spiritually, and physically.
All these leave us scarred in different levels and change
something within us and how we then see the world and the
people, including how we relate and produce anger within us.
Sometimes this anger consumes us in a way that is so loudly
disturbing and most times, we suffer in silence. It is the silence
that kills us slowly inside.
WELLNESS Topic 1. Forgiveness
We spend time and energy entertaining the thoughts in response
of how much we are hurting or hurt by the other. Often, it is the
victim of hurt that harbours the emotional burden of being
violated.
We spend sleepless nights and harbour emotional confrontations
and play episodes in our heads, whilst our hearts are
bleeding internally. All this while the perpetrator is living
his/her best life without even thinking about you and the hurt
they have caused you.
Who then is the prisoner? We become prisoners of our
violators. Forgiving someone for doing you wrong, does not
mean that you are disregarding yourself. On the contrary, it
means that you love yourself enough not to let anyone soil your
heart and spiritual being by making you angry. You are setting
yourself free from their bondage of reactional anger.
To err is human and to forgive is divine. Free yourself by
forgiving. Those that are Christians, ask for forgiveness in the
Lord's prayer... "Forgive us, as we forgive those that trespass
against us…".
The best tool of revenge is self-healing and taking care of your
wellbeing. Let go of that which does not serve you and your
needs. Rebirth is the ultimate healer.
Remember; what people do is on them and how you react is
entirely on you. You are responsible for what you do and speak.
May we heal as beings, community, family and as a nation.
By Baja La Dhlamini Sidzumo
Sekuyisitayela ukugunda
nokuphuca ikhanda
kwabesifazane.
U
kuphuca ikhanda bekwaziwa njengento ehambisana
nesiko kubantu besifazane abamnyama njengoba
bekuyaye kwenziwe uma kushoniwe.
Muva nje sekushintshile lokhu, njengoba sekuphenduke isitayela
ukususa izinwele ekhanda ngale kokuhloniza noma ukuzenyeza.
Ubuhle BeMbumbulu
Mbumbulu iyindawo enhle ehlanganise okusadolobha,
amalokishi namakhaya. Okulangazelelwa kakhulu intsha,
ubukhazikhazi nokugcwala kwase madolobheni. Yebo
mahle amadolobha nobukhazikhazi, kepha njengomuntu
uyakudinga ukuphumula emhlabeni ongenabo ubuphithiphithi,
ulime, utshale, uhlakule, ulinde, uvune. Lokhu kuthula
nokwamukeleka kuyitiye lokusa eMbumbulu, eliphungwa yiwo
wonke umuntu, kusukela emntwaneni kuya komdala. Konke
lokhu kudalwa inhlonipho nothando oludidiyelwa kuzo zonke
izigodi zaseMbumbulu.
IMbumbulu indawo engaziwa ngokubambisana kahle kwezigodi
kuphela, kepha inamathafa nomhlaba okhazimulayo.
Kusukela emadlelweni emfuyo, izintaba nemifula. Iphinde
izoba nezindawo ezifihlekile ezingaziwa ngabaningi, ezingaba
izindawo ezibalulekile kwabokungcebeleka, okubalwa kuzo
idwala eliqopheke umfanekiso wonyawo lomuntu elisendaweni
yase Mpandwini. Imifula egelezayo neziziba zayo ezinemilando
ehlukene. Izintaba nemihosha okubalwa kuzo intaba
uNongidi ende eqonde ngathi i-ruler. Ukuba kho komhlaba
owanele imfuyo, izitshalo namagceke avulekile kwenza indawo
ithandeke kakhulu. Izikhungo zokuphepha ezivuleleke
kuwonkewonke. Imidlalo, okubalwa imidlalo yamasiko esintu,
ingoma yezinsizwa neyezintombi eba minyaka yonke ukuvala
unyaka.
Okuhle kakhulu ukuthi umhlaba wase Mbumbulu ulawulwa
ngamakhosi, futhi awumbi kakhulu eqolo.
By Manelisi Nene
uZozibini Tunzi owadla umhlanganiso kuMiss South Africa 2019
nakuMiss Universe 2019 ungomunye wabazifela ngokugunda
isithombe:INSTAGRAM
Lesi sitayela singenisile nakosaziwayo bakuleli. Nowayengu
zime eSouth Africa 2019, waphinde waba ngu Miss Universe
2019, wanqoba lezi zicoco zakhe zombili ezishayela ngaso lesi
sitayela. Baningi osaziwayo abazifelayo ngokugunda amakhanda
babukeke bebahle.
UNksz. Lisa Mbambo, ongumcwali wezinwele aphinde abe
ngumphaquli wobuso, uthe silungele wonke umuntu lesi sitayela.
Abafanelwa kakhulu yiso, yilabo abanobuso obugcwele futhi
obusandilinga.
“Lesi sitayela sigqamisa ingxenye yobuso edalelwe ukuthi
igqame kumuntu wesifazane. Iziqhomo namehlo ngezinye
zezinto ezigqamisa ubuhle bomuntu wesifazane. Yingakho
ubuhle bakhe bunezezeleka uma esuse izinwele,” kuchaza uNksz
Mbambo. Yinkolelo yakudala ukuthi umuntu wesifazane udinga
izinwele ukuze kubonakale ubuhle bakhe.
“Kubalulekile kumuntu wesifazane ogundile ukuthi aziphaqule
kancane ukuze ubuhle bakhe bunezezeleke. Angafaka i-lip gloss,
adwebe ishiya bese efaka ne-mascara,” kusho uNksz Mbambo.
UMUZI WAKWA NGCOBO UVELE WASHA
WANGQONGQA EMVAKWELANGABI LOMLILO
Umama uNgcobo waseFolweni endaweni yaseMbumbulu
(67), ukhala ezimathonsi emva kwesehlo esibi
esimehlakalele kusha umuzi wakhe ahlala kuwo
nabazukulu bakhe. Ilangabi lomlilo elabangwa abazukulu bakhe
bethi bazama ukupheka, ugogo wabo engekho esesontweni.
Kwaba ngomakhelwane abaphuthuma ukuyocisha leli langabi
lomlilo.
Uqhube wathi, “Abazali bezingane abazixaki nokuthi izingane
zilala zidleni, futhi zigqokani esikoleni. Siyazama ukubasiza
siyibandla, kodwa asikwazi ukubanika okwanele”.
by Nomzamo Ngubane
Amathiphu okunakekela lesi sitayela:
Qinisekisa ukuthi uyaligeza zonke izinsuku ikhanda lakho.
Qikelela ukuthi usebenzisa i-conditioner yezinwele noma kabili
ngesonto. Lokhu kuzodala ukuthi izinwele zakho zibe nempilo
uma sezikhulile.
Faka i-hair food uma unesikhumba esomile. Uma kuyisikhumba
esichichayo, hlala nayo imizuzu emihlanu bese uyayisula
ngaphambi kokuba uphume endlini.
Vikela ikhanda lakho elangeni.
www.bamuartsfoundation.africa
Mellisa Mbambo
Laba bazukulu balinganiselwa eminyakeni eyishumi (10),
okuyibo abangqongqisa umuzi. Ugogo uphila ngesibonelelo
sikahulumeni sobudala. Ngesizathu sokuthi abazali babantwana
bacwile kakhulu ezinkambeni zikafaro, nguye onakekela
abazukulu. Wabe esethatha isinqumo sokungahlali nabantwana
bakhe, ngokulahlekelwa kwabo inhlonipho. Wabatshela kuthi
uzobanakekela abazukulu, yize noma kunzima ephila ngesibonelelo
sikahulumeni.
3

COMMUNITY NEWS
“Awekho Amazwi, Imicabango
Namagama Angalinganisa Injabulo
Enginayo Ngalokhu Okungehlele.”
bonga okungenamukhawuko intokazi esikhulile
yaseMbumbulu, eMadundube enyelwe inyoni
esandleni ngokuhlangabezana nethuba eliyingqayizivele,
elifumbethe izilokotho ezinhle.Le ntokazi, ogama
layo ngu-Tholakele “Lucy” Gumede (82), ngokokuzalwa
edabuka ePortshepstone esineminyaka ihlala ngayodwana
ngoba ingenabani, ikufanise nokunyelwa inyoni eandleni
ukuhlangana nethimba laseBaMu Arts Foundation ne
Muholi Productions, kuphinde kuzoba inyanga yabesimame.
Abadidiyeli, okungu Dr Bajabulile La Dhlamini Sidzumo
no Professor Muholi bathinteka ngodaba luka Lucy,
base bethatha isinqumo sokulahlela esivivaneni ngokumakhela
umuzi noma indlu esezingeni elifanele ukuphila
umuntu, ikakhulukazi owesifazane. Ngosuku abamubona
ngalo okuqala zazizehlela, base bemuthengela izingubo
ezifudumele, ukudla kanye nengxenye yefenisha yendlu.
Sikhuluma nje, usemaphethelweni umuzi, usengaxhawulwa
noma yinini ngesikhiye.
Okwabe sekugqamisa inhlanhla kagogo ukuba avakashelwe
ngenyanga yabantu besimame, okwabe kuyinyanga yakhe
yokuzalwa, nosuku lwakhe lokuzalwa selukude buduze,
okuphinde kube ngusuku olwandulela olusemqoka labesimame.
Ugogo uLucy wazalwa mhla ziyisi-8 kuNcwaba.
Ngosuku lakhe lokuzalwa babungaza naye impilo yakhe,
bemuphathele izicoficofi noncamnce. Lokhu kwamushiya
nezinyembezi zenjabulo zigeleza iziqhomo.
“Akuve ngijabulile, imvula ngizoyibona emnyango, ngisho
nokutheza ngihlukene nakho, nomakhelwane bayangibongela”.
ULucy emva kokuba esehlale iminyaka ejikajika yedwa
efukwini lendlu abelala kuyo nezinkukhu ngoba ethi
ingxenye yomphakathi iyazeba izinkukhu zakhe. Bese
kusegazini ukuvuka ekuseni ajike nelanga, alinde kuhlwe,
afihle ikhanda. Uthi ubefihla inkemane ngokujikeleza izala
acokoshe izinkuni, yize engazi uzophekani ngazo. Ngenxa
yokungabi ngumuntu ovame ukuzula, uze aphume kuphela
ngezinsuku zokuhola impesheni, nayichaze njengemali
engakwazi ukumulekelela kuzo zonke izinkinga zakhe.
“Impilo yobukhazikhazi iyize uma idliwa ngasese, kube
kukhona ozakwethu abahlwempu, abaphila ngaphansi
kwengcindezi”, lawa ngamazwi ka Professor Muholi emuva
kokubona impilo eshukumisa igazi ephilwa ngowesifazane
wasekuhlaleni. Udokotela uBaja Dhlamini kweminye
imthwebulo egciniwe uzwakala ethi wayefisa ngisho
ukukhumula ayezigqokile anikele ngazo ngosuku lokuqala
bebona isalukazi. Ube esethi, “Ngiyazithanda izicathulo,
ngiyaziqoqa futhi, kepha kunomama omdala ohamba
ngezinyawo ubusika nehlobo”.
Emuva kokuba beqale ukumuqaphela ugogo, babe sebemuphathisa
okwesitatanyiswa, kuhle kwelunga lomndeni.
Empeshenini ubengasawubambi ulayini, kepha kuthunyelwa
omunye wabasebenzi base BaMu Arts Foundation ukuba
ayomela intombi endala kulayini. Nokusenzeka namanje.
ULucy uyababala omakhelwane aphilisene kahle nabo,
unazo futhi izihlobo eduze ezazi imvelaphi yakhe,
njengomntwana kadade wabo abaphinde babe ngomakhelwane,
ongumshana wakhe. Wafika eMadundube ehamba
nonina eminyakeni eyedlule, nowashona wamushiya engundingasithebeni.
Emuva kokuthola inxiwa kule ndawo,
babekade begcogcoma behambe behlala. Uthe akukho
okubi okwabaxosha ekhaya, ngaphandle kokwanda kozalo
nokuqala kwezinkulumo eziphemba inzondo. Base bebona
kulungele wonke umuntu ukuzixebula, bayozama enye
impilo.
Yize kudume elokuthi abantu besimame, imvamisa abahlala
ngabodwana, bavame ukuhlukunyezwa nokugqekezelwa
kakhulu, kodwa uthi uNksz Gumede yena usabe nenhlanhla
yokungahlangabezani nalelo lishwa, yize bekhona abafana
phambilini abake bazama ukufundela kuye umkhuba, kapha
bangaphumelela.
by Manelisi Nene and Zanele Muholi
4 www.bamuartsfoundation.africa

Umhlaba Uyangiphilisa
U
baba uMlungisi Mvelase ohlala eNkanyisweni,
eSawpits, eMbumbulu ungomunye eningini
ozithuthukisa ngemvelo nezolimo. Imfundo yakhe
ephakeme uyifundele e Mangosuthu University of Technology,
lapho abenza khona ezolimo phecelezi i-Agriculture.
Ufunde khona lapho wabe esethola I diploma of agriculture,
wazakhela nekusasa elihle ngazo ezolimo.
Ekukhuleni kwakhe, ekhaya kwakuvele kuphilwa ngezolimo.
Kwabe sekumele kube khona ozoqhubeka nazo
umakwenzeka abadala abaziqala bedlula emhlabeni. Kwabe
sekuba uye ozothatha izintambo kuzo lezi ezolimo. Ukuqala
kwakhe ezolimo, kwamuthatha iminyaka emi-3 ukufunda.
Uthe esuka wabe eseyokwenza i-in-service training eZakha
Agricultural College. Lapho wayefuna ukwazi kabanzi
ngezolimo. Uthe eqeda i-in-service yakhe, wabe eseqashwa
khona lapho ukuba abe i-Extension Officer, okanye
umdidiyeli.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Imithi yesintu
Impepho isihlahla semvelo esiluhlaza ngokwebala.
Impepho ingumelaphi, ingum’philisi, iphinde ibe
ngumxhumanisi. Kuningi kucashile, kuyazibeka esingakwenza
okanye okwenziwa impepho okubalulekile kumuntu
ophilayo nosephangalele.
Esesebenza lapho kuleyo farm wayefundisa abantwana
abasuka kuma Costal. Wayebafundisa i-Plant Production,
lapho ebafundisa ukutshala izithelo. Khona lapho wayephinde
akhulise izinkukhu. Lapho waye qikelela ukuba zidla
ngendlela okumele zidle ngayo, nemijovo okumele ziyithole
ukuze zizovikeleka ezifweni. Kuphinde kuzoba i-Land
Preparation, lapho wayebafundisa ukuthi uwulungisa
kanjani umhlabathi, nendawo lapho ozotshala kuyo
uzoyihlola kanjani ukuthi ilungile.
Kukhona ne-small stock, lapho kubalwa khona izimbuzi
neziklabhu. Uma sezizele izimbuzi, zonke ezesilisa kufanele
ziguqulwe ukuze zikhule zinganciphi. Wabe eseqokwa
njengomphathi wefamu, ngoba wayeyazi yonke imigudo
yalo. Uthe esuka wayosebenza e-Fair Food, eThekwini,
eyayithole i-contract kumasipala weTheku. Emaplazini
babefundisa labo abatshala ezindaweni ezincane. Kwakuthi
uma kulunga ukudla, bakuthathe bayokufaka ezitolo
ezinkulu.
Babenza namabhokisi, la babefaka khona zonke izithelo
bezifakela othisha ezikoleni. Babe sebeyithatha leyomali
abayitholayo, bayihlukanisele abalimi njengokusebenza
kwabo. Ekusukeni kwakhe e-Fair Food, waya kwi Lima
elalixhaswe nguParadox Wax, elaliseMpangeni enombolo-9.
Wasuka lapho waya kwa-Food & Trees, lapho izitolo
zazifaka imali, ebese bezakhela izindlela zokuchelela.
Baphinde babafundise ukutshala, babafunele nabathengi.
Uyisebenzile yonke lemisebenzi yezolimo, futhi imufakela
imali yokuba akwazi ukuziphilisa. Kwaze kwaba useyayeka
ngonyaka ophelile. Kodwa usaqhubeka njengoba
esesekhaya, usatshala kanti futhi usazikhulisa nezinhlanzi
zakhe. Uyasindlalela ukuthi zehlukene kanjani ezolimo,
“Kukhona i-Plant Production, imifino nezithelo. Konke
okutshalwayo kuthiwa i-Plant Management. Bese kuba
khona i-animal husbandry, lapho kusetshenzwa khona
ngezinkukhu nezimbuzi”, kubeka uMvelase.
Ubaba uMvelase esevala, uthi kuyaye kube kuhle, kuphinde
kube ngcono uma umuntu eziphothula izifundo kwezolimo.
by Sbusi Sabelo
Kuthathu ukwehluka kwezinhlobo zempepho; Eyoqobo,
eyamawele kanye nengongo.
Ingasetshenziswa yomile, ingasetshenziswa iluhlaza/imanzi.
Eluhlaza:
Yelapha noma ipholisa izilonda nezinduna.
Uyageza ngayo futhi ukunqanda isikhumba esilumayo.
Eyomile:
Isetshenziselwa ukuhlanza umoya.
Ixosha o-miyane.
Isetshenziselwa ukuxhumana nabaphansi ngezindlela zonke
zokuphila.
Yelapha ikhanda elinkenkethayo.
Ingongo isetshenziswa kakhulu yilabo abanenkinga yokukhohlwa.
Isiza ekukhumbuleni amaphupho.
by Mkhulu Alufakwa
GET MORE OUT OF
YOUR LEMONS
S UBUCIKO:Uziphilisa ngomsebenzi wezandla 5
ikhulume noMnu. Zakhele Ntetha ngomsebenzi
wakhe wezandla nokubaluleka kobuciko. UNtetha
wenza umsebenzi wezandla, asebenzise izihlahla
ukwakha izinto ezinhle azokwazi ukuzidayisa azenzele
eyakhe imali. Emva kokusebenza ezindaweni eziningi
engaholi imali eyanele, futhi nohumeni ebheke ukuthelela,
Ubaba uNtetha wabona kungcono ahambise incwadi
yokusula emsebenzini. Uthe esahleli ekhaya okwesikhashana
engenzi lutho, wabona kungcono asebenzise izandla
zakhe ukuziphilisa. Ubaba uNtetha ungumuntu vele
osebenze kakhulu ngezandla zakhe esebenzela abelungu,
ependa, egqoma amatiyela, enza omeselandi, akha
ama-blocks, akha izindlu, aphinde enze ne-plumbing.
UNtetha ukhuluma kabanzi ngokubaluleka kokusebenzisa
izandla ukuziphilisa. Uthi lokhu kungasiza ukwehlisa
ubugebengu, abantu bayeke ukugqekeza babambe abantu
inkunzi bebaphuca imali. Uphinde agcizelele kakhulu
ngokuthi ungabukelwa phansi umsebenzi wezandla
nomqondo wakho, ngoba kuphuma into ongadla ngayo futhi
wondle umndeni ngayo.
www.bamuartsfoundation.africa
Uyachaza ukuthi isihlahla kuyena sinjengenyama, futhi uma
engakwazanga ukusicaza ngosuku olulodwa uyaphindela aze
aphumelele. Usebenzisa ucelemba, amashizolo, imbazo
nakho konke anakho okucaza isihlahla. Izihlahla azigawulayo
wenza izinto eziningi ngazo, njengephini lokugovuza
ukudla, ukhezo lokudla amasi, izithebe zokudla inyama,
isixwembe sokukha isobho elishisayo ukhiphe inyama
eshisayo ebhodweni, induku yokugovuva isijingi sotshwala
njalo njalo. Konke lokhu kuyisifundo kuyena, ukuthi
engakwazi ukuhamba enza ubugebengu ebambe abantu.
Ngezandla zakhe ukwazi ukuthi enze izinto ezinhle,
azidayise akwazi ukubeka isinkwa etafuleni.
Emva kokuhlala ekhaya engasebenzi, edla kathathu ngosuku
wahlala wacabanga ukuthi uzokwenzani uNtetha. Wathi uma
ebona ihlathi eligcwele izihlahla wacabanga ukuthi kukhona
into engase iphume khona lapha ehlathini. Ngoba
wayengenayo imali, enganalutho yokuqala ibhizinisi,
wacabanga ukuthi mhlampe uma engena lapha ehlathini
engakwazi ukwenza imali. Wathi uma ecabanga nalabantu
ake ebabone emgwaqeni bedayisa, wafikelwa yisu lokuya
laphaya ehlathini agawule isihlahla. Umuphumela wakhe
wokuqala kwaba wukhezo lokudla amasi. Ube esethenga
inkomo ngamasentshana ngoba ebona imfuyo kaButhelezi,
wabe esenza ukhezo nezigubhu zamaselo. Ubethi mese
esenzile lomsebenzi ngezihlahla ahambe atshengise abantu,
bathenge. Wenze konke loku ngesihlahla ukushintsha impilo
yakhe ukuze akwazi ukuziphilisa.
By Thobeka Bhengu
What do you do when life gives you lemons? Make
lemon juice, of course! Or… you can also clean
your kettle or rusty furniture and appliances.
Lemons are included in the superfoods (green tea, eggs, nuts
& seeds, garlic, etc.) because they are packed with plant
compounds, essential oils, and minerals.
Want to know how lemons can possibly be used to clean the
dirt inside of your kettle? This Doctor has your back!
Firstly, grab a lemon and cut it into slices, throw the slices
into the kettle with half water measure and then let it boil.
That’s it! It’s really that simple.
For dishes, you soak them in hot water and lemon (lemon
squeeze or slices) and then wash away the stains using your
hands. The end result is super clean and bacteria-free dishes.
We can’t forget to mention that a glass of lemon water daily
helps improve a healthy lifestyle, as lemons are very high in
vitamin C and fibre. All these amazing benefits further assist
in weight control and digestive health.
Doctor’s advice: make it a habit to keep a few lemons in your
fridge
By Baja La Dhlamini Sidzumo

ART NEWS
Art Gender Education (AGE)
1st Annual Conference
WHAT HAPPENED? WHO SAID?
WHERE? WHY? WHEN? OUTCOME
Day 1: Speakers
Mr. Bukhosibakhe Mzolo (He/Him)
Circuit Manager
KZN Dept. of Education
Muholi Muholi here discusses the ethos behind the conference
and the school they are building with Dr Bajabilile Dhlamini.
Their art school aims to provide a space for students to get an
art education and express themselves without the fear of being
side-lined, humiliated or made to feel less than. Here, Muholi
also announces the foundation’s plan to build the first privately
funded museum in the province. They say: say: “I want to
share with the people that art works, and that art is work. Art
pays the bills. I’m talking from experience as one of the biggest
stars in this country, I came from art. I so wish to encourage
parents to tell their kids to pursue art and art education…artists
can buy homes and fend for their families. Art has worked for
me and it has healed me. Art is not ‘just’ painting, it can be so
many things.”
The opening address was given by Bukhosi Mzolo, an official
within the department of education. Though he began with a
disclaimer that he is speaking not on behalf of the department
but as a member of it, his focus was on asserting unity within
diversity, denouncing gender-based violence as well as homophobic,
transphobic and queerphobic bullying schools as a
matter of law. He outlined how this is unconstitutional and in
conflict with South Africa’s educational goals. He asserted
that since children spend their formative years at schools, and
that so much of their values develop from this place, the lesson
of social cohesion, tolerance and kindness needs to be taught
here. Beyond an academic education, teachers need to provide
a social education and student bodies such as RCL’s also need
to be engaged towards these aims as well.
Zanele Nsindane (Ms)
Art Educator
Zanele Nsindane Speaking in her capacity as an arts educator
hired by the department of education, Nsindane stated that
because of Bantu education systems, there is a lack of visual
literacy across our African society. The speaker pointed out the
discrepancies between private, public, ex-Model C schools and
public schools set in townships and rural areas. She explained
that the standard of teaching and facilities across these institutions
vary, and that educators in visual arts are scarce. That
often artists are the ones that teach visual arts, and the universities
that offer teachers training do not teach how to teach visual
arts, and that there is better infrastructure for the dramatic arts.
She stated that gender issues are only taught in Grade 12, as the
7th chapter in the book. Her suggestion was a redesign of the
curriculum, with this introduced as early as Grade 7.
Dr. Nompulelo Zenda
Gynacologist and Sexologist
Dr Mpume Dr Mpume discusses reproductive health. As a
gynaecologist, she states that her aim is not just to fix issues,
but to teach people from an early age about their bodies. She
states that her practice is focused on doing away with shame
when it comes to the sexuality and anatomy of female-bodied
people. She wants to share gynaecology as a field not limited to
pregnancy, but the broader reproductive health of the reproductive
system, applicable to all people that have periods. The
speaker highlighted that children can be deprived of education
because of reproductive health. Looking at female reproductive
health in the context of education, Mpume makes the example
of girl-children who have endometriosis, and as a result they are
unable to go to school because of period pains, making their
academics suffer. Subsequently, they become depressed and
despondent. She speaks about naming female genitalia in a
way that is celebratory and dignified and not derogatory to
discuss taking “pride in this thing that is used to ukudelela”. Dr
Mpume mentions that developmentally the cortexes that rule
emotions grow first, and those that regulate decision making
grow last, so young people need understanding. Teenagers
aren’t merely engaging in risky behaviour, it is biology, and a
lack of creative outlet in this developmental stage can be
destructive. “So it’s not that they are delinquent, it’s their
anatomy and how they are being formed.”
EVENTS
17 -18th September 2021
VISION
To change perceptions, educate
and empower each other,
communities that co- exist
with us.
MISSION
Taking action to effect the
change we want to see
A BaMu Arts Foundation
Initiative
Prof. Nombeko Mpako (She)
PhD : Arts Education
University of South Africa (Unisa)
Prof. Muholi Muholi
Visual Activist and Art Practioner
Prof. Nombeko Mpako having relayed her story of being loved
deeply, and unreservedly by her family, the speaker’s focus was
on telling educators to teach students confidence. The speaker
mentions conquering illness, contending with a young pregnancy,
and a deep drive to succeed as being the result of confidence.
6 www.bamuartsfoundation.africa

ART NEWS
Proudly funded by
Stressing the importance of education, making reference to herself
as a first (1st) black female to obtain PhD in Arts Education.
Muholi Productions
Yatish Lutchman
Make Up and Beauty artist (MAC)
Healthy skin looms confidence and strong emotional independence,
especially in the days we live in. This was a skincare education
session, offered in demonstration designed to teach attendees
basic skin maintenance and self-care as way to raise self-esteem.
Day 2
Gail Cameron
Life Coach
IE Group (Image Excellence)
Cameron’s presentation was a discussion and workshop around
mindfulness and conquering negative thoughts, creating a positive
outlook and seeing the mind as a tool for healing. In the workshop
provided, the speaker helped attendees identify and articulate their
purpose and realign themselves. More was to be accessed in the
workbooks to be provided.
Muholi begins here with a word of thanks to the people in their
life, Zodwa Zwane, their partner, Dr Bajabulile La Dhlamini
Sidzumo, highlighting that family is not limited to the people
that are related by blood, but all who care for one. The core of
their discussion was engaging people to have a positive outlook,
reiterating the importance of studying and collaboration. This
talk focused on the importance of self-reliance, ambition and
being committed to personal development. To all the people in
their orbit, they asserted that the means of getting an education
are available and it’s now up to them to utilise the opportunity.
They will not stand for laziness and underachievement. Muholi
closes with the remarks: “Let’s push progress, let’s push
prosperity, let’s undo hatred and let’s undo negativity because
Betive Holdings
Dr. Sindiwe Magona
PhD Candidate, Author and Motivational Speaker
The speaker’s key arguments were that South Africans need to
come together and admit that there is something wrong in the
current formation and practices of society. Looking back at the
effects or colonization, apartheid, industrialization and modernity,
people have lost contact with traditions and customs that
provide knowledge and value systems. People have moved away
from their heritage without considering the objectives of the
future.
Prof. Muholi (Sir)
Visual Activist, Humanitarian and Art Practitioner
this world is beautiful and it’s up to us all to make it work.”
Dr. Nompumeleo Zenda
Gynecologist and Sexologist
In this session, Dr Mpume focuses on sexual health rather than
just reproductive health. Her discussion focused on undoing
shame and the stigmatizing of women and female-bodied
people’s sexuality, and highlighted the four tenets of sexual
health, namely: libido, pain, arousal, and orgasm. She states:
“When we don’t talk about sex and sexuality, we supress the
ability of our children to grow up with the language, confidence
and space to tell someone when something is not okay. As
parents, we have to be the safe pair of hands that children can
come to, because otherwise something will take place that they
are uncomfortable with, and they can’t come to you.” A key
point brought to focus was that during rape or sexual assault,
the body can replicate the gestures of arousal to protect itself
but this is never to be confused with consent or desire or arousal.
The speaker asserts that pleasure, safety, intimacy, growing
and expression are all crucial to sexual health, based on
consent and mutual respect and an awareness in physiological
www.bamuartsfoundation.africa
7

ART NEWS
complexity she faced, shedding light on the way that healthcare
workers can be compassionate towards Trans people, and emphasising
the need for the respect of privacy and dignity.
differences between sexual partners.
Dr. Nomusa Buso (She/Her)
MBChB and Founding Director of Total Care
In telling her story, Dr Buso recounted applying to medical
school by selling her own clothes and once arriving there, she
was subjected to negative marking and institutional racism,
tribalism – and through it all she persevered, encouraging others
to do the same. Moving from the more conceptual and philosophical
areas of sexual health, Dr Buso states that her practice is
focused on implementation and sharing knowledge and resources
for and about gender diverse individuals at a grassroots level.
Dr. Buso discussed the four levels of transition, speaking to how
each person and each journey is unique. The facets follow:
socially, psychologically, medically, and legally. She took care
to distinguish between gender, sexuality, gender expression and
sexual acts and how this all exists within a fluid spectrum,
asserting that nobody deserves to be discriminated against on this
Nkosi Jongisilo Pokwana ka Menziwa (HRH/ He/Him)
Traditional Leader House of Dlamini
(KwaZwangashe)
Aaaaaah Menziwa!!!
He speaks about how Royal houses and Chiefs are slowly changing
their perspectives on the LGBTQIA community. Acknowledging
challenges and shortcomings that exists and commended
the house on the education shared. Making a plea to the house on
expanding the programme to the rural communities and the land
ruled by the traditional leaders.
basis.
Ms. Sazi Jali
Trans-activist, Founder and Director of Transhope
In her capacity as the director and founder of TransHope, Sazi
Jali discusses the organisation’s aims as well as the broader
context around transgender healthcare in KZN.
Ms.Thandeka Dube
Accountant
This focuses on financial education and wellness, emphasising
practical spending habits, a generative use of time and skills, and
being proactive about one’s means.
Ms. Le Sishi
Trans-activist and Business owner (Le Creations)
Le Sishi provides her testimony and Trans journey and shares
how getting an education proved a turning point in her life,
opening her future in ways that it would not have been possible
otherwise. She describes undergoing circumcision and the
Ms. Nomathemba Gay Molefi
Life and wellness coach
6 www.bamuartsfoundation.africa

ART NEWS
The speaker is a life coach, and the focus of her discussion was
encouraging people to make better relationships with themselves.
Molefi emphasises that people often focus on external relationships,
prioritising these, to the point of sacrifice. In contrast, a
more positive approach would be to watch one’s interior
monologue, become deliberate about being kind/compassionate
towards oneself and operate from a place of self-love.
Ms. Maxine Shaff
Law Post-Graduate
University of Cape Town
Prof. Funani Lembede
Traditional Leader and Founder of Funani Lembede Foundation
Funani spoke on the importance of living your life to the fullest
and doing your best irrelevant of your background. She also
touched on the importance of doing your best and being a go-getter,
especially the rural children. Prof. Lembede cited how
tribalism on gender can be a demoralizing factor to those on the
receiving end, speaking from experience. She said, “If I can rise
above and today stand infront of you a woman seating on a
traditional council. It is possible and can be done.
Maxine Shaff, a post graduate student at the University of Cape
Town, currently completing her masters in Law, specializing in
criminology. Her current area of research focusses on abusive
men, failed by the society. Women kill their abusers, abusive
husbands and get undeserved court sentences—Maxine’s job is to
defend these women. Directly to queer issues, she believes there
is an intersectionality between women’s rights and queer rights.
Some Instagram pages do fight against gender-based violence,
some stories are impactful to her. She says South African women
are no strangers to pandemics. She talked about the legal spaces
surrounding the LGBTQ movement in South Africa. So, what can
we do? She asked the audience, “It’s as small as using someone’s
pronouns together; or correcting people who incorrectly use
pronounces; it’s as small as raising your children to know that
should they ever need to come out, they will be met with loving
arms and accepting words.”
Contributions by Sinazo Chiya, Baja La Dhlamini Sidzumo and
Manelisi Nene
SUMMARY
Over two days, the first annual BaMu
AGE conference highlighted the importance
of arts education to students,
teachers, health professionals, legislative
and customary leaders as well as the
broader society. As a pioneering session,
the conference highlighted the various
intersecting factors behind the current
paucity around arts education, and how
filling this gap benefits society over a
long-term period. The forum was not
limited to art, gender and education in
their most basic theoretical forms, but
aimed to present a holistically empowering
picture, covering economic factors,
sexual health, cosmetic, mental and
reproductive health; social cohesion
within schools, spiritual and existential
wellbeing, spatial politics and the
barriers to access, and the issue of
language for gender diverse communities.
This forum also sought to
encourage and acknowledge the
difference between innocence and
ignorance, encouraging LGBTQIA
people in attendance not to take offence
at innocent mistakes but rather have
the patience to educate and share
knowledge with the people around them.
All this this was made more remarkable
by the organizers’ decolonial approach
to the programme. Instead of centering
western methodologies and ways of
thinking, the conference focused on
sharing knowledge with rural communities,
townships and other marginalized
areas. At its core, the conference aimed
to inspire each attendee from within,
with the goal of this radiating outwards
to all aspects of their life.
By Sinazo Chiya
How to Contact us
BaMu Media Holdings
Plot 220404
R603 Main Rd
Sawpits Reserves
Durban South
Umbumbulu
KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
Phone number: 067 219 5119
Email address: news@bamuartsfoundation.africa
Website: www.bamuartsfoundation.africa
www.bamuartsfoundation.africa
9

ART NEWS
RAW
Exhibition
The RAW project was the showcasing of lively artworks by
young art students of BaMu Arts Foundation based in
uMbumbulu, South Durban. The project initiated by Professor
Muholi and Doctor Dhlamini aims to practically develop local
youth talent in the South African art industry.
Opened on the 15th of June during National Youth Month, it's
a tribute to the fierce youth of 1976 and a dedication to the
work and talent of today's youth. Most importantly, it is a
token of appreciation to our loving parents who nurture and
support their children's dreams and aspirations. The exhibition
commenced on the 15th of June 2021 and was opened by the
Director of the KZN Society of the Arts Gallery, Ms. Angela
Shaw. "This is the first time Youth Day is being celebrated in
this fashion in the city of Durban. The first time ever!" -Prof.
Zanele Muholi. A handful of joyful parents also gave thanks to
BaMu Arts Foundation and their initiative to uplift and support
their children in every way possible. "Ngiyamubonga
uNkulunkulu ngokusithanda kwakhe asilethele uMuholi
endaweni yakithi eMbumbulu. Ngibongela nezingane zethu
ukuthi zibe la ezikhona namhlanje, engathi izingane zonke
zingaqhubekela phambili" - A Proud Parent.
Our innovative curator, Dr. Bajabulile Dhlamini, went on to
say a few words to thank the parents for their efforts to come
and see their children’s' creations being showcased— "Cela
ukubonga lelithuba enilithathile nite la natogubha imisebenti
yentiwa abantwana benu, natobona musebenti omuhle
wabantwana benu emabondzeni. Thank you so much."
Dhlamini was followed by an art educator Ms. Zanele
Nsindane who guides the young artists from the first brush
strokes until the last and final strokes of every portrait. She
also stated how she enjoys teaching the future artists who are
very hard-working and enthusiastic towards their work.
"Ngithanda ukubonga abazali, abantwana benu bayahlonipha
futhi bakhuliswe kahle. Nami ngiyathemba ukuthi kuningi
engisazokufunda kubona yize noma bebancane kunami" -Miss
Z Nsindane.
“Ngiyambonga Unkulunkulu
Ngokusithanda Kwakhe
Asilethele Umuholi Endaweni
Yakithi Embumbulu.
Ngibongela Nezingane Zethu
Ukuthi Zibe La Ezikhona
Namhlanje, Engathi Izingane
Zonke Zingaqhubekela
Phambili”
motivated to produce such impeccable work. "Judging by the
work I have seen today; I can proudly say the future of our
country is in safe hands. Keep on producing such great work
and you'll go far." -Mrs Carol Bouwer
Compiled by Lwande Nsindane.
The exhibition was then wrapped up by artists sharing their
experience of exhibiting their work for the first time ever.
Even though a few of these young artists had to deal with a
little stage fright, they remained excited over the thought that
the big stage belonged to them, and they had an opportunity to
have their work promoted to such a big audience. On the
morning of 16 June 2021, the artists embarked on their first
walkabout, which they say gave them the desire to express
their views as the youth, on National Youth Day. They got the
opportunity to passionately explain their artworks to their
audience. The successful BaMu Arts Foundation event was
closed by our guest speaker, Mrs. Carol Bouwer, who was very
astonished by the quality of work produced. She also shared
great words of encouragement so that the artists can stay

COMMUNITY NEWS
BaMu Arts Foundation Profile
One of the most significant moments in understanding
the role of the arts is the profound impact of
observing black children experience art for the first
time. Historically, art has carried the status of elitism for
centuries. This has been indicative in many artistic spaces.
Hence a decolonial approach is just as crucial in creative
spaces.
BaMu Arts Foundation has found a simple yet crucial
approach in making art accessible to not only black children
from rural areas but their families as well as the community.
The mission of the foundation is to offer young artists a
platform and tools to explore their talent whilst free to
express themselves in their own mediums and methods.
ver since BaMu Arts Foundation began its art
journey with a few students in April, some of the
neighbours of the foundation, schools and teachers
have been in support through volunteering. The foundation
focuses on art education and mentorship, which makes it
essential to have more teachers assist the artists/students.
One of the teachers who is extremely passionate and
dedicated to the foundation’s work, due its child-nurturing
principals, is Mr. Njabulo Hlongwane.
Mr. Hlongwane joined BaMu in July 2021. He teaches and
assists UMbumbulu local artists with art basics and skills−
with the aim of guiding them to start earning whilst they are
in school. He teaches at BaMu Learning Academy (our new
school) on weekends, while he teaches at Mason Lincoln on
weekdays. His weekday job at Mason is no different to what
he does at BaMu, besides only the challenges of teaching
disadvantaged and advantaged students which ranges from
physical and intellectual aspects. He believes some students
need special attention, compared to ordinary students. He
has no plans of early retirement, as teaching has always
been his dream and passion.
Whilst promoting art education, representation and artistic
growth in South African rural communities and beyond. The
foundation has built its foundation and walls in the rural
community of Umbumbulu. The home (turned into a school)
of its founders Dr. Bajabulile La Dhlamini-Sidzumo and Sir.
Zanele Muholi features colourful paintings by BaMu Arts
learners that draw you in as you drive closer to the gate.
Founded in the year 2021 February, BaMu Arts Foundation
has seen more than thirty learners of different age groups
enrolled in the foundation. The foundation is currently
building a school a few minutes away from the original home
of Dr. Dlamini and Prof. Muholi. BaMu Arts Foundation is
changing the way rural communities view art and artistic
practices.
Mr. Njabulo Hlongwane
E
Education
M
r Mzolo's presentation at the first annual Art
Gender Education conference focused on
understanding the relationship between students
and the school. He began by asserting that this presentation is
prevalent in understanding the importance of the amount of
time that learners spend at school and at home. It is imperative
to have an idea of what teachers teach learners as it
influences majority of their behaviour in their day-to-day
activities at school and outside school premises. "That is
where they develop values, their value system. That is where
they learn life skills. But a school is a place that is supposed
to inculcate some of these important values. Values like
understanding what is social cohesion, what is diversity, what
is tolerance, what is creativity, what is dignity and one of the
questions that we need to ask ourselves is, to what extent do
our schools teach our learners about basic human rights?"
He further explained that learners spend about eight hours at
school and spend 2 to 3 hours at home before they sleep,
which is important in understanding the role of both parties
in the education and upbringing of the child. The reality is
that both, the home and school have a huge role to play in the
upbringing of the child. The first topic of Mzolo’s presentation
was the heart of By what Baja has La Dhlamini been a Sidzumo growing problem in our
schools, which is homophobic bullying in schools and how it
is in conflict with the constitution of the Republic of South
Africa, and how it is also in conflict with Goal 4 of the
millennium goals; Which states that we must ensure that
there is inclusive and equitable quality education and
promote lifelong opportunities for all.
Mzolo shared three stories or scenarios from the Human
Rights watch document from 2011, where he read out-loud
tear-jerking real life stories of queer young people. "I have
been physically and verbally insulted because of my
sexuality by both teachers and students. I thought about
suicide. I never reported the bullying even when I was
physically assaulted as I believed that nothing will be done
www.bamuartsfoundation.africa
Hlongwane is an experienced art teacher and an artist
himself, from Lamontville, Durban. Currently he resides at
Mkhazini, Adams Mission, in Durban and he teaches art at
Mason Lincoln Special School, a school for learners with
special needs. “With art you can be able to bring food to the
table,” Mr. Hlongwane said. He believes no learner is to be
given hand-outs for them to succeed because “if a child does
art they can go into fashion, architecture, fine arts… they
can go into many directions.” He believes his purpose is to
show young and skilled artists that they can make a living
through art, as it is a springboard of many avenues. After he
completed his B-tech degree with the Durban University of
Technology in 2010, after studying Fine Art at Johannesburg
Arts Foundation from 1992 - 1994, Mr. Hlongwane has
always wanted to share his art knowledge with others. He
used to teach students after school from 1995 as a way of
keeping them away from unhealthy habits. He also acquired
more skills at Bat Center as a Visual Arts Coordinator, and
as part of the school-based art project, Room 13.
By Manelisi Nene
about it. Bullying made me feel horrible, depressed and
self-hating. I ended up going to counselling for three years, I
had a hard time, my grades fell dramatically. I started
skipping school."
Mzolo read out three of these scenarios to create a visual
picture of how dire the situation has been as it relates to
homophobic bullying.
Discrimination and violence towards queer learners in
schools is one of the major reasons for suicide incidences
amongst young people who are queer. In his last topic, Mzolo
looked into a proposed charter by the Department of
Education, which is an attempt at tackling the issue of
homophobic bullying in schools.
The charter consists of nine points and an additional point
added by Mzolo at his discretion. The points are as follows:
1) Promote the self-esteem of all students in all aspects of
school life
2) Value other cultures and lifestyles.
3) Treat all people with respect, regardless of sexuality and
gender identity.
4) Ensure equal rights for everyone.
5) Offer counselling support around issues concerning
sexual and gender identities.
6) Create more opportunities for discussion in schools to
raise awareness about homophobia and its effects.
7) Challenge name calling of all sorts.
8) Publish LGBTI resources around schools.
9) Discipline those who engage in homophobic bullying.
10) Every school in the country needs to commemorate
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia,
every year.
This proposed charter seeks to redress and address the
rampant homophobic bullying in schools, and we hope that it
sees the light of day. Beyond that, we expect The Department
of Education to carry out the proposed points rigorously.
By Thobeka Bhengu
Schools’ Visits
Write-up
BaMu Arts Foundation includes an educational
programme where schools visit the space and the
foundation also visits certain schools. This
programme seeks to impart skills by offering basic art classes
and encouraging learners from different schools to sharpen
their art skills and explore their talents, in an environment that
is tailored to create access and opportunities to showcase their
art.
The Foundation visited Mason Lincoln Special School in July
and the Kings Harvest Academy in August 2021. The visit at
Mason Lincoln Special School introduced the BaMu team to
one of our current teachers at BaMu, Mr. Njabulo Hlongwane,
who is a full-time teacher at Mason Special School.
The full day visit at Mason Lincoln included an art class in
one of their art spaces that is filled with art books and
artworks that have been done by learners. The team also
visited Kings Harvest Academy at Hlutankungu, Ixopo. The
sessions at the school were divided into two, for juniors and
seniors. The class of seniors focused on portraiture, an
introduction to portraiture, with Mr. Mgabhi and the junior
class worked on drawings of their dream jobs with Ayanda
Zulu.
The RAW exhibition also saw a number of schools coming in
for the exhibition viewing from June to August. Learners
from Umgaga High School, Phakathi High School and
Cwebezela High School shared their feedback of the RAW
exhibition and wrote review on the exhibition and artworks
that stood out for them. Through their eyes, we got to understand
how they viewed the art created by BaMu students. One
of the students asserts, “I chose this artwork because it speaks
of a mother’s love. A mother helps their child no matter what.
A mother sacrifices even small things for their children.
There is no greater love than that of a mother, her love is
endless.”
The Educational programme is an on-going programme that
allows learners to broaden their scope, sharpen their skills,
introduce new students to basic art skills and also introduce
them to the art world.
Ngu Thobeka Bhengu
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