What does the future hold for the ANC Youth League and Julius Malema?

The former ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema’s future may look deadly but perhaps with the future ANC rulers it may turn brighter as they could approve his return to the party. There is still some hope for the youth league as well as Malema. He in return has to learn from his mistakes and become a better member abiding to the rules and laws assigned. Malema is still a young man and it is possible for him to revive his career, he could learn from experience and make a mark; a positive mark this second time around. There are mixed feelings towards him, especially after his suspension, some fear he will repeat his mistakes and embarrass the party again but others feel he still belongs to the party and could still bring productivity. Malema’s actions have also been seen as a distraction to the party and thus have tried to deal with the matter quickly in order to deal with “making life better for South Africans. ANC spokesman said that Malema’s expulsion is “not something nice, we value every member, but our members have to abide by the (party) constitution,” Members of the ANC Youth League in Limpopo and Eastern Cape have supported their former leader and have settled that Malema will remain being their leader until the next elective conference in 2014. The will rally behind him until then and they will still seek to him for advice. The members claim he was elected by a membership and not President Jacob Zuma thus giving him them right to keep him as their leader regardless of the mishaps. For them appointing an acting president was not in the plan. Seems like Malema still has quite a lot of influence and may still have a strong hand. However there are opposing groups that are celebrating Malema’s expulsion and feel the Youth League is good without him. The ANC Youth League not having a solid leader is proving to be difficult and sad, however the party is trying it’s best to move forward. Young people still have faith in him and await his return. The leagues image has been tarnished in way because they never expected Malema to be sent out of the party in such a harsh way.

Taxi violence hits Ruimsig

The uproar, worry and aftermath
By Kabelo Makatse

Almost two months ago on the 31st of January police spread along Hendrick Potgieter and Peter Road in Ruimsig , due to a shootout that took place between two taxi associations.

A taxi owner from Dobsonville, Roodepoort, Leratong and Jo’burg Taxi Association (Dorljota) was shot to death right on the corner of Hendrick Porgieter and Peter Roads by drivers from rival taxi group Faraday Taxi Association.

Recently The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) reassured the nation that there was calamity and that a “taxi war” was not occurring and that the violence was subsiding. SANTACO’s deputy secretary, Bafana Magagula said in a statement “There’s a program which is called Hlokomela (take care) which is aimed at changing the attitude of the people, so that people can value human life”.

It is believed that the violence is still happening in the area as the people of Ruimsig live in fear of mishaps arising. One student, Vanessa Caetano, from Monash University South Africa, which is in the vicinity, angrily said “The other day I was in a taxi heading to Cresta and I was told to duck down as a rival taxi driver would hit the driver who was driving my friend and I, if he saw that he had passengers in his vehicle. The violence has to stop NOW!”

This proves that students as well as Ruimsig residents are not safe and that drastic measures need to be undertaken because innocent lives are being taken. Taxi passengers are either left stranded or feeling scared and threatened.

The provincial South African Police Service (SAPS) need to draw up a solid plan and definitely stick to it. They must carry on with the investigation both vigorously and thoroughly.

Depression at Monash (University)

- A Dangerous Affair

Depression is a mood disorder; it is when emotions such as feeling miserable, upset, angry or frustrated get in the way of your daily life. Many people have their off days when one just gets fed up when things are not going right in their everyday lives.

The stresses of university can sometimes weigh heavily on an individual. Starting at a new university can be exciting but all sorts of weird and strange emotions can be generated. Being away from home can prove to be difficult; learning how to adjust in a new environment and being independent is hard.

Making new friends and fitting in is also scary because there are many people surrounding from different backgrounds. One also has to live up to the social life – the parties, drinking etc. All of this could lead to depression be it minor or major. There are ways to feel calmer or to feel better about yourself. Talking to a friend about your problems may be helpful, catching up with sleep is also vital.

Third year Monash University student Monica Johnson, says “I couldn’t deal with all the pressure, so it all got to me”; many students feel like this all the time but are either scared to let their parents know which leads to cracking under pressure.

Counseling is also offered at Monash Univeristy, students can get whatever is bothering them of their chests and moral support is also offered. Depression isn’t always severe for everybody, it differs depending on how high or low your stress levels are. If one has been feeling low for more than two weeks it is highly recommended to consult a doctor or speak to your university’s student counselor. One can also use methods to boost your mood, like:

• Exercising
• Spending time with friends
• Taking a break from doing school work
• Sleeping more
• Speaking to somebody that is dear to you


Depression is a very serious issue because it can easily ruin a person’s world and only negative thoughts fill this persons mind. It is a good idea for a depressed person to talk to somebody so that they are in touch with reality because it is for them to create a world that is not existent and that is very damaging to them. Suicide can also cross a depressed persons mind as they feel hopeless. It is vital for such an individual to take care of themselves; they should be healthy and happy at all times.

By Kabelo Makatse

http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2008/04/28/student-depression-suicide-and-the-realization-of-choice/

http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2008/04/28/student-depression-suicide-and-the-realization-of-choice/