UBuntu Bridge Mandela Day Community Event 2012 Video

 On 18 July, 2012, Madiba's 94th birthday, UBuntu Bridge organised a community day with a difference in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay, a.k.a. Mandela Park.

With a focus on Xhosa language learning for the volunteers, we then spent time with the kids from Ikhaya Lethemba creche planting trees, doing yoga, reading practice and finally singing Happy Birthday to Nelson Mandela in his home language, isiXhosa.

Nelson Mandela in one of his first public appearances in office, on May 10 1994, strongly urged all the people of South Africa to learn each other's languages:

"This is the best way to contribute to nation building and reconciliation,"
Mandela said. "Those among us who do not know Afrikaans must now learn to study this language. Those among us who do not know Zulu, Xhosa and Sotho must now learn to study these languages."

UBuntu Bridge hopes to inspire people to heed Madiba's call, and to do it in a fun and convenient way that brings prosperity to many communities on all levels of society.

The day was made possible with help from:

Nathan and Terror of Sibanye Restaurant - http://www.sibanyerestaurant.co.za/
Stu and Jen from YoYoga - http://www.yoyoga.co.za/
Robyn at Greenpop - http://www.greenpop.org/
Chris and Leticia at Paper Jet Print - http://paperjetprint.co.za/
Niki, Sisa and the kids at Ikhaya Lethemba - http://www.ikhayalethemba.com/
Andrew from Trashback - http://trashback.org/
Video by Gill at www.make-content.com/

 

Ten Xhosa Learning Tips # 5-10

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5.      Initially, focus on quality, not quantity. Then quantity!

Many students want to learn lots of grammar and vocab before they start speaking with people, and although I can’t stress the importance of learning, it is important that learners do not try learn more at the cost of really knowing the basics well and then using those basics, developing confidence and love for the spoken language. Its like trying to learn about driving a car by reading more and more manuals, so that you will know how to drive when you first get into a car. Ja right! You need to get behind the wheel to learn how to drive. Same with a language. One must also make sure that one is not avoiding one’s fear of speaking with people and the inevitable sense of being out of one’s depth by trying to outlearn one’s own fears.   The key is to balance mastering the levels you are at, whilst pushing into new areas. Once you are comfortable with entering and knowing how to politely exit conversations, then learn vocab vocab vocab!

6.      Learn the basics of culture and show respect

Knowing the basics of culture indicates an extra layer of depth to your language efforts for indeed culture and language go hand in hand, such as the African handshake, giving and receiving with two hands, indirect eye contact being a sign of respect to an elder, greeting an elder first, seating oneself on arrival at someone’s home. UBuntu Bridge have some excellent videos and basic culture tips, which can be seen on the blog.         Ultimately learning about a person’s culture is about showing respect. Xhosa people are not into the formalities of respect but more about authentic expressions of courtesy and respect.

7.      Choose a conversation partner wisely, if at all.

Some Xhosa people just don’t seem to get how to speak to a beginner learner. They either speak to quickly, misinterpret your questions or they try teach you

ludicrously big and uncommon words and no amount of ‘coaching’ seems to help. Some folks, however, are naturals and slow right down and explain in a simple fashion, and just seem to ‘get’ what it is that you need. They are also ‘coachable’ in the sense that if you ask them to explain again, or repeat in Xhosa, but slowly, they do! Someone with patience and who gets joy from helping you is what you need. Most importantly, don’t be discouraged if someone you regularly try to practice with just seems to confuse you more. Find another practice partner. Again, I believe with good materials you can practice by yourself or with another learner and then go straight into ‘live’ conversations. UBuntu Bridge’s materials are designed to let you interact with the Cd, learning all appropriate vocab and even giving you sample conversations relating to grammar learnt in each lesson, with a breakdown of each phrase in the conversation, allowing you to learn and hear and repeat both person’s parts.

8.      Keep motivated ‐ Understand the Value of Learning Xhosa:

Learning Xhosa in the New SA is not just, at least I hope, an exercise in getting govt tenders or improving sales. It is also a form of social reconciliation, of promoting intercultural harmony and respect, of acknowledging past injustices, some of which involved a deliberate non‐mother tongue education (think Soweto uprising, 1976) with devastating short and long term consequences and a general disregarding, disrespecting and de‐valuing of African culture and languages, both by the European cultures and then the African cultures themselves. By learning about an African culture and speaking in an African language, you are re‐valuing it, you are giving an entire culture and its people respect and acknowledgement. Mandela himself, in his first speech as president of SA, urged the people of South Africa to learn each other’s languages after learning Afrikaans and so much of Afrikaner history went so far to winning the respect, trust and admiration of the Afrikaner leaders of the Apartheid regime. This basic effort would contribute to the vision of South Africa he had laid foundations for.

9.      Volunteer in the townships and go visit the rural villages

Xhosa people predominantly are still living in conditions of poverty whether in rural homelands or in informal urban settlements (townships). It is largely a consequence of Colonialism (land invasion and acquisition and migrant labour) and Apartheid that they live in the conditions they do and so those of us who have benefitted from these same systems have some social duty at least to find ways to contribute and give back from a place of privilege and wealth. One way of giving is volunteering in the townships. Human resources are of much value, whether you can bring a skill, or mentoring, or coaching, all contribute greatly to the education and experience of the people. Meanwhile the immersion and interaction in Xhosa will do wonders for your Xhosa skills. Even two hours a week could bring much value to a Xhosa child/adult and yourself. Another place to immerse oneself is the rural villages, where you can not only experience the breathtaking scenery and charm of rural Xhosa life, but also contribute to a form of sustainable income for local villagers who can make valuable income from hosting guests, at minimal expense and great value to the guests. Seek

established, but not commercialised channels of connecting with locals to ensure authentic experiences. For an authentic village experiences, visit: http://bulungulahomestay.wordpress.com/.

10. Know your goal and keep perspective:

Enjoy it and keep realistic about your goals. Sometimes even the basics will improve and deepen relationships and respect with yourself and Xhosa people. Most Xhosa people can speak English and important business will either be done in English or a translator will be needed as learning Xhosa to a point of professional fluency will take a long time if learning as a busy working adult. Remember that some days you will have flowing conversations, where your brain just tunes in, and some days it will seem as though you are making no progress. Don’t give up, remember that the effort to learn is greatly appreciated, and at the end of the day, you don’t need language to show gratitude and respect to all peoples and creatures. A final quote from Madiba: “Speak to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. Speak to a man in his own language, that goes to his heart.”

Craig Makhosi Charnock a.k.a Quite a White Ou learnt a dialect of Xhosa in the rural villages of the Mpondo and Xhosa people as an adult, before learning the more urban dialects as a volunteer in a Cape Town township. He designs Xhosa learning materials, teaches Xhosa courses and trains teachers through his company UBuntu Bridge. See www dot learnxhosa dot co dot za.

CISCO: My Networked Life: Craig Charnock, Cape Town, South Africa

Some awesome guys from Micro Documentaries in San Fran, US got hold of me recently and asked to shoot a short doccie on me, as commissioned by CISCO Systems.  Mark Jackson, a local camera pro came and shot with me for 5 hours.  We had a lot of fun, then sent the footage back to Marc Tamo in the States and a month later, this beautiful 3 min vid was done!  Enjoy it!  Full web story:  http://newsroom.cisco.com/release/970446 

TEDxCapeTownED - Craig Charnock - Language Learning: Bridge to a Better World (12 min)

On June 16, 2012, Youth Day, Craigieji spoke at the TEDx conference on Education, which took place at Ratanga Junction.  Other speakers included Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, Prof Tim Noakes, Soli Philander, John Gilmour, amongst many other awesome speakers, mostly in the education field, or otherwise highly relevant.  Please see the full list here:  http://tedxcapetowned.org/speakers.  It was a great privilege to be invited and to participate.

The video below is 14 mins long.  It includes the music video intro, followed by the 10 minute talk, which includes anecdotes, and interesting quotes painting a broader context of value for learning the languages of indigenous cultures globally, and ends by teaching over 300 educators in the audience a dance step called ukuxhentsa, used by Sangomas or traditional doctors to enter trance.

Please view the video and share it with your networks.  We are hoping for 10000 hits for it to be featured on the TED.com website.

I watched your TEDxED video again last night – INSPIRATIONAL stuff. Thanks again for putting in so much effort. Of the 60 audience feedback forms I’ve got most rated your and Xola’s talks as their top favourites. Well done!  Terence Themba Berry, TedX Education Organiser

Makhosi :)c

Craig Charnock Presentations Feedback 2012

Hey guys

I have been giving a number of presentations over the years, but never really marketed it.  I speak to corporates, schools, students, whoever.  Always fun, informative, interactive and a little bit funny ;)  I give very flexible talks, specific to the occasion, and can use audio-visual elements, or just speaking, but either way, the talk is inspiring, empowering and entertaining. Please email craig at learnxhosa dot co dot za for more info.  In the meanwhile, please see feedback below, or watch my recent TEDx talk to a group of 350 educators live.  Video further up in this blog.

Yhu! Enkosi kakhulu! Craig, that was terrific! I am only sorry you weren't a fly on the wall in my lesson after to hear the boys bubbling over. You made a massive impression - all positive too! You have extended your fan base and really made these boys think and feel. They are all adamant that you should be a permanent fixture on the Gr 7 school calendar - a compliment indeed!

Lisa Harris, Head of isiXhosa WPPS

Thank you SO much for coming in- your talk was inspiring, thought-provoking and so well received by everyone. It sparked a lot of interest and really got people thinking and talking.  Some feedback from the group:

"It inspired me and really opened my eyes. I learnt a lot."

"Inspiring, intelligent, ingenious."  People took to it incredibly well.

Nina Bloch, Westerford High

Hey, you are a definite hit… - and trust me, there is no more sincere and honest flattery than that from 13-year-olds when it is spontaneous!  You pitched your talk perfectly and had something in it to appeal to each of the boys at a variety of levels. Most of all, your enthusiasm, knowledge, humour and genuine engagement has inspired the boys. (Gives me hope for the future of SA!) Unquestionably, the vids help.

Lisa Harris, Western Province Prep School

Charismatic, talented and doing something really important, Craig should be working in every school in the country!

Georgina Stirrup, Accelerate Cape Town

Craig it was an awesome presentation, The boys are still talking about it and I truly believe you motivated some guys to do something about learning an African language."  Tim Stirrup, Head of Lingua Franca society, Bishops

I watched your TEDxED video again last night – INSPIRATIONAL stuff. Thanks again for putting in so much effort. Of the 60 audience feedback forms I’ve got most rated your and Xola’s talks as their top favourites. Well done!  Terence Themba Berry, TedX Education Organiser

What I liked personally was for someone other than myself saying how important and valuable learning another language like Xhosa can be. I just wish more pupils would take it as a subject. It was interesting to hear your background and your journey and about the making of the video. Thanks for promoting the language because it is an uphill battle, especially as it has lost even more status in primary schools because it falls outside the "core" subjects which pupils are forced to take.  I hope you will continue to inspire others to make an effort so that they and our country can benefit!

Cuan Dugmore, Head of Xhosa, Westerford High

Thanks for an excellent presentation.  There was an excellent opportunity for young men at Bishops who are mostly from a privileged background to witness first-hand how an OD has broken with convention and embraced another culture thus reaching out in a truly South African way in the broadest sense of the word.  Paul Murray, History Teacher

Thank you so much for your wonderful presentation and that you were willing to be one of our speakers at the Pecha Kucha event. Judging by our audience response, you were one of the favourites!

Ronnie Belcher, Pecha Kucha Cape Town

Craig Charnock was one of our speakers at our PechaKucha Night here in Cape Town in June 2011. This international event ( http://www.pecha-kucha.org/ ) is hosted in over 417 cities worldwide and is a platform created to inspire others. Craig was a brilliant speaker, who totally captivated the audience. His passion was contagious. When the audience participated in vocalising the three xhosa clicks, they were totally engaged. Fantastic. Thanks, Dave Cotton, www.pechakuchacapetown.co.za

Your presentation at TEDx - other than being engaging and powerful - was personally encouraging to me and gave me some good quotes and evidence to continue the promotion of Xhosa teaching at our school - as with CAPS next year this could be an optional extra at primary school level.

Kind regards, Colleen Moore

“The stories you shared with the group about your journey with African traditional medicine were captivating and inspiring.  Thank you!”

Stewart Chirova

Academic Director, South Africa: Multiculturalism and Human Rights

SIT Study Abroad, a program for World Learning Inc, http://www.sit.edu

“Craig, your contribution to the programme was simply stunning and I only wish we had more time to do justice to your input.  Just watching their body language as you spoke - from the heart - conveyed to me their interest - you came over exceptionally well.  With warm regards” 

Trevor Wilkins, Organizer - Rotary Ambassadorial Orientation - 2006

Quite a White Ou second track: Hayibo!

When I wrote Hayibo, it was with great sadness for the deeply entrenched corruption in our global economic system and the continued imbalances, which we now see manifesting in such tragedies as the Marikana Massacre. Whilst people suffer for sub-minimum wages, their bosses buy hummers and multiple holiday homes, so many of us who claim to care, continue to buy designed-redundancy junk and consume our time and energy on self-centred and futile pursuits. Just a little more giving in meaningful ways, by each of us and the world will keep changing for the better, but as long as we continue to put our money where our hearts aren't, then its going to keep getting worse!

Remember, a great way to learn a language is through music, so get singing along:
Lyrics below:

http://soundcloud.com/quiteawhiteou/hayibo-featuring-teba
FREE DOWNLOAD of Second track from Quite A White Ou, paying homage to reggae and ragga sound systems, and bringing a more serious tone to this emerging artist's voice. Hayi bo! Featuring Teba, the Original Social Worker.

Hayibo (feat Teba)

Intro by Teba: “Ek se yamvala? uthini bafethu, lengamla! Umlungu uthini man mfondini? Uthetha ungathi uyabhuda nje? Thetha siphulaphule nje. Phulaphula!

“Yo, I say, brothers, what’s this white guy saying, is he just talking nonsense? Speak then, we are listening. Pay attention everyone!”

Verse 1

Sifuna inkululeko kodwa abantu baninzi We looking for freedom but so many people
Bathanda ukuthenga izinto ezininzi They like to buy so many things
Sizama ukumosha lomhlaba nabantu Are we trying to mess up this land and its people
Nezilwanyana neentyatyambo And the animals and the flowers

Chorus 1

Ndithi, hayibo , ndithi hayibo I say “Gosh” - (despairingly) , I say “Gosh”
X 4
hayibo
hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hayibo x 4

Verse 2

Ndihayika entabeni I hike on the mountain
Ndikhangela lendawo I check out this place
Siyaphi thina ndiyabuza kubawo Where are we going, I ask to the father
Masivule indlebe asimameli kumama Lets open our ears, we are not listening to the mother
Yiyo loonto sisathenga iHumma That is why we are still buying Hummers

Chorus 2

Ndithi, hayibo , ndithi hayibo I say “Gosh” - (despairingly) , I say “Gosh”
X 4
hayibo
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh hayibo x 4

Ragga Verse:

Corruption no gonna work
Righteousness have to rule this here earth
You could break uno leg
If uno rob people, and your belly pretty fat
Raise your hands in the air
If you support this family affair, well
Peace and love we declare
Quite a White Ou and Teba
We care. Kaboom.

Chorus 1 repeat.

Verse 3:

Vukani madoda masincedisane Wake up, men, we must help each other
Kubi ukucinga uba asifani Its bad to think we are different
Yintoni impendulo andiyazi What is the answer I don’t know
Ukuhlisa umoya siyakwazi Let's bring more spirit to earth

Chorus 2 repeat

END

http://soundcloud.com/quiteawhiteou/hayibo-featuring-teba