LETTERS & CARTOONS - Grocott's Mail

UPSTART 10 JUNE 2008 

The paper for youth by youth Tuesday 10 June 2008 

Creative 

Writing 

Photographs 

LETTERS & 

CARTOONS 

Competition 

Come up with your own name What do Grahamstown’s 

for the paper 

youth do on saturdays (pg 6 & 7) 

win tickets 

to the movies 

Does gossip hurt? (pg 8) 

Youth speak out on xenophobia (pg 12) 

Art & Poetry 

1

2 

From the editors 

Welcome to the start-up edition of Upstart – a fun, cheeky 

newspaper put together by young people from various 

local schools. Upstart is here to help us express ourselves – 

to help us explore feelings and issues affecting us. It is here to help 

us build confidence in ourselves and help us steer away from bad 

things. Upstart belongs to the youth of Grahamstown. 

It is a place where young people can express their creativity and 

share it with other youth. It is also a place where young people can 

share ideas about how to tackle the issues that affect them, like 

teenage pregnancy, drugs, domestic violence, etc. We would like 

Upstart to become the place where the rest of the community can 

see what our local youth are doing and what we are thinking. 

We hope that the readers of Upstart have as much fun reading it 

as we did in putting the newspaper together. 

The Rhodes Journalism students who helped to start up Upstart (from 

left): Freddie Legodi, Tara Lang, James Loudon, Nicky Saner, Ahmed Areff, 

Cilnette Pienaar, Rod Amner, Khosie Thom, Khaya Thonjeni, Bhongo 

Gxolo, Rhoda Davids, Lulu Matutu, Nwabisa Luti, Zimkitha Sulelo, 

Sinethemba Makhasi. 

Competition 

Come up with your own name for this 

newspaper or tell us why you like the 

name UPSTART. The winning entrants will 

be published in the next UPSTART and 

will win double tickets to the movies. 

Email your entry to upstart@grocotts.co.za 

or send it to the Grocott’s Mail office, 40 

High Street Grahamstown. 


UPSTART 

EDITORIAL 

TEAM (left to right): 

Ntomboxolo Maselana from Benjamin 

Mahlasela, Mathews Faltien from TEM Mrwetyana, 

Sithembele Quntu from Nombulelo, Lwando Manyonta from Nathaniel 

Nyaluza, Babalwa Nquru from Mary Waters, Amos Seti from Ntsika High School, Sibusiso 

Booi from TEM Mrwetyana, Zelda Matika from Mary Waters High, Elethu Nesi from Kutliso 

Daniels, Malibongwe Booi from TEM Mrwetyana, Malibongwe Klaas from Ntsika High School 

and Nobulali Mountain from Nombulelo High School. 

Starting up Upstart 

By Shireen Badat 

Concerns were raised at a Grocott’s Mail advisory board 

meeting last year about the poor levels of reading and 

writing amongst learners at local schools. In an attempt 

to help address these concerns Grocott’s decided to establish a 

Special Editions Unit which would initiate a campaign to develop a 

culture of reading and writing. One of the aims of the campaign is 

to produce a youth newspaper written by learners to show reading 

and writing can be exciting. 

This first edition of Upstart was produced by learners in Grades 

8 and 9 from the following schools: Benjamin Mahlasela, Khutliso 

Daniels, Mary Waters, Nathaniel Nyaluza, Nombulelo, TEM 

Mrwetyana and Ntsika. Over a two week period a group of 16 

Postgraduate Diploma Students from the Rhodes Department 

of Journalism and Media Studies ran workshops with the school 

learners during which they led discussions on issues which affect 

youth and explored various writing techniques. The results of 

those workshops are published in this edition. A group of fourth 

year Photojournalism students also spent a Saturday morning with 

learners who were interested in learning to take photographs. The 

learners’ photos can be seen on pages 6 and 7. 

Over the past three weeks the learners at the various schools 

established “newspaper clubs” and elected editors and other 

committee members. The editorial committee attended two 

workshops conducted by journalism lecturer Rod Amner which 

resulted in the editorial written above. 

Unfortunately, due to time constraints, we were not able to 

include more Grahamstown schools in this first edition of Upstart. 

However, we do have a group of girls at Victoria High School and 

a few learners at Hoërskool PJ Olivier who have expressed an 

interest in becoming involved in the project and we will include 

them in the next edition. 

We would like to thank our sponsors who are listed on the 

back page. Without their help this copy of Upstart would not be 

possible. 

We would love to hear what you think about Upstart. If you have 

any comments please email them to upstart@grocotts.co.za or send 

them to the Grocott’s Mail office, 40 High Street Grahamstown.


Letters to Upstart 

Dear Upstart 

I’d like to tell the youth that drugs are bad. I met a guy who was 

smoking drugs and I told him how bad drugs are. He told me to 

shut up and asked me if I was out of my mind. I had to say sorry 

because he said if I told him to stop taking drugs he will beat me. 

Quntu Sithembele 

Nombulelo High School 

Dear Upstart 

I want to tell teenagers that they must be careful of falling 

pregnant. Use a condom when you have sex. Take the advice of 

doctors or parents and make sure that you listen to your parents 

and doctors so that you protect your body. I just want to tell 

teenagers to do the right things in the coming years. Don’t listen 

to your friends – they almost always tell you the wrong thing. I’m 

very worried about teenagers of these days. I just want them 

to be safe for ever, like me or keep to their school lessons and 

activities. Thank you for listening to my letter and giving me the 

chance to advise teenagers about pregnancy. 

Malibongwe Kiti 

Kutliso Daniels High School 

Dear Upstart 

I’m writing to you about the problem with MXit and to talk about 

how good it is and how bad it is. 

Let me start about how bad it is. MXit is a bad thing because 

it’s spoiling our spelling and the youth are using it in class and 

sometimes are not even studying. The good thing about MXit is 

that it’s cheaper than a sms. That is the only good thing about it 

and if we look at the difference you will see that good is less than 

bad things about mxit. Please Upstart help us to know that MXit is 

not good to us, but we are not listening. 

Yours sincerely 

Malibongwe Booi 

TEM Mrwetyana High School 

Dear Upstart 

Suffering is the biggest thing in our lives. Most people sleep 

without supper or spend the whole day without food. The reason 

for this is because there are no food vouchers that government 

gives to people. Many people are unemployed and can’t buy 

food for their families. They suffer in everything and their children’s 

eduction suffer. Things like these must be watched by the 

government. 

People still live in squatter camps because our government 

does not build RDP houses for them. Many people have died in 

squatter camps because they are falling down. For example there 

is a squatter camp in ext 7 that is called Ethembeni. That squatter 

camp is many years old, but ext 9 is new and it has RDP houses. 

There are locations that do not have water so people have to 

walk far to get water. I believe government does not notice that 

it could make a better life for every human being. Many people 

say that they want to vote, but why? The government doesn’t 

know what the needs of the people are. 

Ntomboxolo Maselana 

Grade 9, Benjamin Mahlasela School 

Dear Upstart 

If your town’s a little dry, and you’re bored mindless, try the 

following to keep you nice and busy: Get your friends together to 

present plays, dances and songs for the community. Play a sport 

like soccer. 

Find out from your local community municipality about life. All 

your adventures of the past are a reflection of your future, the 

reality of your present life. 

Yours faithfully 

Mathews Faltein 

Grade 9b 

TEM Mrwetyana High School 

Dear Upstart 

I’m complaining about MXit 

MXit is bad! Old people are MXing with young people, and in a 

classroom kids use MXit during lessons. They should do Mxing after 

school or when they are not busy. Older people must stop MXing, 

because MXit is for us youth. Don’t ask for a photo of another 

person when using MXit. 

Yours faithfully 

Nobulali Mountain 

Nombulelo High School 

Liewe Upstart 

Ek wil julle graag vertel wat in ons gemeenskap aangaan. Daar 

is mense, jong mense en selfs kinders wat ook ge-abuse word. 

Kinders word gedwing om iets te doen, jong mense word dronk 

gemaak en hulle word verkrag. Groter mense word geslaan 

deur hulle mans om met hul te slaap en as hulle nie dit doen nie 

word hulle abuse deur mansmense. Jong mense gaan disco en 

clubs toe sonder dat hul ouers weet. Hulle drink en dans en doen 

drugs en het seks met ouer mans en word betaal om seks met 

ou manne te hê. Later word hulle swanger en weet nie wie die 

kinders se pas is nie. Hulle vind ook uit dat die mans getroud is en 

maak as of hy nie die meisie ken nie. 

Sommige van die jong mense gaan slaap met mans dan sê 

hulle die man het vir haar drank in gejaag om met haar te slaap. 

Dan sê hulle die man wat sy mee geslaap het, het haar verkrag. 

Dan word die man toegesluit. Maar dit is ook nie net mans wat 

verkeerd doen nie, soms is dit die vrouens ook. Dit is ook hulle 

skuld want hulle sê vir die manne hulle is groot. Dis waarom hulle 

verkrag word. Dan het die man ook nie geweet die kind is onder 

ouderdom nie. 

Megan du Plessis 

Graad 8E, Mary Waters 

3

4 

Egoli 

Poetry 

Beyond the yellow dunes 

turning, spinning, laughing 

wheels. 

Fast trains devour the 

track 

There can be no turning 

back 

City of citizens built on 

trust and vision 

of our mother. 

By Majivolo Aviwe 

Grade 9b 

Nathaniel Nyaluza 

I am so afraid 

I am so afraid to touch just 

because things break 

I am so afraid to talk just 

because of people’s saying 

Every time I think of life I get 

so afraid 

Life is dangerous and so full 

of hatred 

There is time for everything 

Yes, I know 

I am so afraid that every time 

whenever I think of those 

times my eyes are filled with 

fear… 

Tears roll down I cry for peace 

I am afraid to act 

Because people reject each 

other 

They even discriminate 

I am so afraid to ask 

Because every time when I 

expect a good response 

A bad one appears 

Sometimes I am just so afraid 

To think about the future 

Because I don’t know… what 

It holds for me 

By Mathews Faltein 

TEM Mrwetyana 

Grade 9b 

Baba nawe mama 

ndohlala 

Baba nawe mama 

ndohlala ndinithanda 

njengo mtya nethunga izinto 

ezingahlukaniyo. 

Oh you are part of my life 

Every time I see you guys I feel 

nice 

Diske ndibawele ukutya i-papa 

emuncu 

Nobu ndisiza xa ndibona nina 

izinto ziba right 

Twice Celine Dion you are my 

star 

Noba besekumnyama you bring 

me light 

Even ndibonile kodwa 

andiqhibanga ekuhambeni 

u-teach me but into ikum imile 

esandleni 

Ndiyayazi zange ndifunelise 

ukuphelisa into ebhotileni 

Nqa nandibonisa indlela ebheka 

ecaweni. 

By Anele Tyini 

TEM Mrwetyana 

Grade 9b 

My so-called home 

I see myself gazing into the future 

Trying to see a better tomorrow. 

If our earth is dying so quickly 

How do I embrace life? 

If life is taken away from us 

Where every mother, father, child is in 

danger of dying. 

What I see is for my eyes strange 

To see the abnormal become normal 

To see rape, murder, teenage pregnancy 

Become a part of our every day life – yes, 

normal. 

Let’s speak about the big E 

The environment, economy 

And oh yes, the breaking world news. 

Embracing life 

Yes, that is what it is 

Just to live another day 

In the world we so-called home. 

By Unathi Kitsili 

Grade 8A 

MAWA 

Youth! Youth! 

Youth! 

Youth what’s 

wrong? Youth 

what’s going on? 

Fifteen-year-olds 

are having babies 

Without a father. 

Youth of these 

days 

don’t sleep at home 

every day. 

The prisons are 

full of teenagers. 

How many children 

died this year 

because of Aids 

’coz they don’t 

have care? 

Xolela fatyi 

Nathaniel nyaluza 

Love poem 

Love is a feeling 

A wonderful feeling 

It’s here, it’s there, it’s 

everywhere 

It’s a feeling that you can bear 

Love is pure and gentle 

Sweet and fatal 

It’s all sorts of things 

All sorts of weird things 

Sometimes love hurts; ouch! 

At times it’s blind 

And it can’t hide 

‘Coz it’s everywhere 

It’s a feeling you can bear 

Love is a feeling 

A wonderful feeling 

A feeling you never wanna 

choose 

You don’t choose 

If you want it or not 

‘Coz it’s just come to you 

Love is a wonderful thing 

By Zimasa Khosi 

Mary Waters 

I hesitate 

I hesitate to understand fully 

I hesitate to believe truly 

I hesitate to have freedom 

freely 

I hesitate to sing loudly 

I hesitate to write beautifully 

I hesitate to perform 

confidently 

I hesitate to feel comfortingly 

I hesitate to speak slowly 

I hesitate to see wisely 

I hesitate to laugh smartly 

I hesitate to dream wildly 

I hesitate to feel strongly 

I hesitate in being myself 

I hesitate to understand fully 

By Xolisa Kopo 

Mary Waters 

Suicide 

What’s wrong? 

Tell me what’s wrong 

Shout if you need help 


Suicide is not going to help 

But it will avoid the word of 

help 

Cry and you will be heard 


Suicide is not an answer 

Look beside you and say you 

are strong 

Tell the world you are a born 

free 

Suicide can’t help 


By Zelda Matika 

Mary Waters 

My happiest moment 

My birthday 

Chilling with friends 

Writing at school 

Feeling happy 

When I am chilling with my 

friend 

Staying with family 

Playing with my brother 

Eating food 

Playing basketball 

Writing homework 

Joking with my friends 

By Sithembele Quntu 

Nombulelo 


Who is the boss? 

He saved people from horror 

He fought for our rights 

He stood up for our 

abandoned lives 

Why? ‘Cause he’s, didn’t you 

know? 

He’s the boss! 

He is our first black president 

He was jailed for 27 years 

He almost spent his whole 

life in jail just for us 


know? 


He’s wise 

He’s faithful 

He’s generous 

He’s everything we need 


know? 


He’s our first and last with full 

dignity together with respect 

You’ll never be wiser than 

him 

Nobody can fake his love and 

kindness to his people 

He’s always there for us 

He is the biggest to us 

You saved our lives 

And you put your own at risk 


know? 

Mandela is the boss! 

By Shanice May 

Grade 8E 

Mary Waters


Word search puzzles 

Hip-hop artists 

Find and circle all of the Hip-hop artists that are hidden in the grid. 

The remaining letters spell the title of a Lauryn Hill song. 

H Y M R A L L I K U R T I S B L O W E 

T S E W E Y N A K R R A T S G N A G V 

I T E T H E A L C H E M I S T R Y T H 

M E J L O O C L L C R A I G A A C K S 

S T H S A L F R E T S A M D N A R G E 

L S I N G A N A L C G N A T U W S G E 

L A I S Q O T U W A H L A T E T E I G 

I S V N N U O T P O L E H M T E M B U 

W O W Y A S E E A I D E A O D T Y S F 

S N X Y A I P E H B P A I V H E H U E 

P I W L C N B N N H M L H E Y S R O H 

O C E O T L Y U A L L A F S T D A I T 

O D P L R R E R N E A A B O J F T R C 

N I A R U B C F Y D T T O A A D S O O 

I S L A E Y Y S J B N R I T K M U T R 

E T L O D T S X O E E A J F U I B O M 

G L R E O I S Y O H A O R G A Y R N E 

E C T H M C S A T F E N G B I H N F G 

E E R U T A N O M R E S K C I R E G A 

AFRIKA 

BAMBATTA 

BRAND NUBIAN 

BUSTA RHYMES 

COOLIO 

CORMEGA 

CRAIG MACK 

DE LA SOUL 

DJ SHADOW 

ERICK SERMON 

FAT JOE FOXY 

Brain teasers : 

Which of these numbers is the 

odd-one-out? 

43 26 50 37 17 82 

BROWN 

GANG STARR 

GRANDMASTER 

FLASH 

HEAVY D 

KANYE WEST 

KILLARMY 

KURTIS BLOW 

LAURYN HILL 

LL COOL J 

MASTER P 

Here is a quotation with all the 

spaces and vowels removed. What 

is the quotation? 

MNCNNTBTCRFLNTHCHCFHSNMS 

MISSY ELLIOTT 

MUGGS 

NATURE 

NOTORIOUS 

B.I.G. 

ONYX 

QUEEN LATIFAH 

REDMAN 

SALT N PEPA 

SPOONIE GEE 

STETSASONIC 

Rearrange the letters of the 

following phrase to give the name 

of a US state: 

VIEWING A STIR 

The following number has a rather 

special characteristic. What makes 

it unique? 

8,549,176,320 

THE ALCHEMIST 

THE FAT BOYS 

THE FUGEES 

THE PHARCYDE 

THE ROOTS 

TLC 

WILL SMITH 

WU-TANG CLAN 

WYCLEF JEAN 

Art 

Thulile Baki Grade 8E 

Mary Waters 

Thulile Baki Grade 8E 

Mary Waters 

5

6 

Chamion Pienaar from Sekeder School aims for the 

hoop during her warm up for a game at the Indoor 

Sports Centre. 

A group of boys from Siphucamangu High pass around a rugby ball 

outside Ntsika High. 

Photographs 

A group of girls from Siphucamangu High warm up 

before their netball game against Ntsika High. 

A group of boys from Siphucamangu High dance and sing war cries 

before the netball game against Ntsika High. 


Mfundo Jonasi and Arnest Jonasi shop for warm winter 

clothes on Bathurst Street. 

Aya Silo and Simncendile Tuku play marbles outside their 

home in Extention 7.


WHAT DO YOU DO ON SATURDAY ? 

Picks by: Linda Saki, Sibusiso Booi, Amos Seti and Sinethemba Hempe 

Funeka Netjies and her friend play netball in 

the Fire Station Indoor Sports Centre. 

Bathini and Athini sell some fruit in Bathurst Street. 

Phakamisa and his friends play tobby 

on the grass in Extention 6. 

A group of girls from Ntsika High line up and sing war cries 

before the netball game against Siphucamangu High. 

Xolelwa August, Aphiwe Nomala and Nolufefe from 

Siphucamunga High arrive off the bus for their 

basketball game at Ntsika. 

Qinela Yolanda, Sbusiso Montaule and Bhowlikwa 

Botile walking to school at Ntsika. 

UPSTART photographers, Linda 

Saki, Sibusiso Booi, Amos Seti and 

Sinethemba Hempe, strike a pose 

outside Grocott’s before taking the 

images you see on these pages. 

7

8 

a) How has gossip affected you? 

b) Who do you respect the 

most and why? 

Denovia Steyn 

Mary Waters 

a) Dit is ’n slegte ding om te 

doen. Mense doen dit waneer 

hulle niks het om te doen nie. 

Dit is verkeerd om van iemand 

anders te praat want mens is 

nie beter as hulle nie. 

b) Ek respekteer ouer mense 

soos my familie. As mens nie 

ouer mense respekteer nie gaan 

jy eendag nodig hê om met 

iemand te praat en niemand 

gaan jou wil raad gee nie. Ons 

kan baie vriende maak as ons 

ander respekteer. 

Megan du Plessis 

Mary Waters 

a) Skinder is ‘n slegte ding want 

kinders kom praat van hulle 

vriende by jou, en dan draai 

hulle die hele ding om en sê 

dat jy van hulle gepraat het. Dit 

maak my baie kwaad en dit is 

verkeerd. 

b) Ek respekteer ouer mense, 

want as jy hulle nie respeketeer 

nie gaan hulle vir jou neerkyk 

en hulle gaan ook vir jou sê: ‘Ek 

wonder, is jou ma en pa ook so 

rou soos jy?’ 

Manyono (Bobby) Dabaza 

Mary Waters 

a) Well, it broke my heart. This 

girl said I look ugly without my 

tooth. I think it sucks. 

b) My maths teacher, 

Miss Mahlahla. She is very 

outspoken. If you have a 

problem she’ll help you 

through it, and she will listen. 

Mclean Boko 

Mary Waters 

a) It has affected me badly. I 

don’t like gossip because it 

is rude and it hurts people’s 

feelings. When people hear 

what you say about them they 

get mad. 

b) I respect the Lord, Jesus 

Christ, because He made me 

and made the people around 

the world. I love Him very 

much, and especially because 

He died for us. I respect Him 

for that. 

Aphiwe Bongo 

Mary Waters 

a) It has affected me in a bad 

way. I gossiped about a friend 

and she heard. She didn’t like 

it and she cried. But now I will 

never gossip again. 

b) I respect my mom and dad. 

They taught me to respect 

people older than me, and 

never talk to them like I’m 

talking to my friends or people 

my age. When an older person 

asks for help I must go. I 

must not wait for money or 

something nice. 

Sinethemba Hempe 

Mary Waters 

a) I don’t usually gossip 

because I don’t worry about 

other people’s business. But I 

think it’s a bad thing because it 

gets other people into trouble. 

b) I respect my father the most 

because he told me to respect 

big people in my family. If I 

don’t give them respect they 

won’t give me respect. That’s 

why I respect my family 

and friends. 

Gcobisa Mjele 

Mary Waters 

a) I think that gossiping is a 

bad thing because it can hurt 

people and it can get you into 

trouble, plus it can ruin other 

people’s reputation. 

b) I respect my mother the 

most because she carried me 

for nine months and has been 

with me for 14 years. She is a 

strong woman who stands up 

for what she believes in. She is 

my super role model. 

Zelda Matika 

Mary Waters 

I was affected by gossip in 

grade 7. I think it’s bad because 

others take it very personal. 

b) My mother and father, 

because they helped me 

through a lot in my life. When 

I need them they are always 

there. 

Nomvuyo Precious Kit 

Mary Waters 

a) My friend at church told 

me that my other friend was 

in love with my boyfriend. I 

confronted her about it and 

she said that it wasn’t true. I 

would like to advise everyone 

to not gossip because it could 

get you into trouble. 

b) My parents, friends and 

teachers. 


Babalwa Nquru 

Mary Waters 

a) I was affected by gossip 

in grade 7. The person we 

gossiped about is very 

important to me. I don’t know 

if I am ever going to gossip 

again. 

b) If it weren’t for my parents 

I wouldn’t have been here 

.... I really respect them and 

appreciate what they have 

done for us. Because other 

children don’t have parents, I 

thank God for giving me such 

wonderful parents. 

Xolisa Kopo 

Mary Waters 

a) I think it’s a very bad thing 

to do because people will look 

at you as a very bad person. 

I don’t like it and I don’t think 

people will like it either. 

b) I respect myself the most, 

and then I try to respect 

everyone I see or pass next to 

me. I respect them so that they 

can respect me too. Because I 

too need respect.


What do you think are the 

causes of drug and 

alcohol abuse? 

I think crime is 

made by alcohol and 

drugs. The drugs make 

you rape other people and 

do burglaries. The police will 

send you to prison. Drinking 

alcohol in the tavern also 

makes you end 

up in prison. 

Sinethemba Makeba 

Benjamin Mahlasela 

It’s a problem 

because the girls are too 

young to get pregnant and 

they stress their parents 

too much. 

Lwando Mawyonta 


Teen 

pregnancy is a 

big problem, because 

our mothers let our sisters 

in the street and they get 

pregnant. Children go to the 

streets at night and if 

neighbours ask what they are 

doing they say: ‘It’s none of 

your business.’ 

Dumisani July 


I think 

children don’t listen 

to their parents and go 

to the tavern and drink 

alcohol. Also some parents 

send their children to the 

tavern to buy alcohol and 

others drink alcohol with their 

children. When they are 

drunk they don’t respect 

other people. 

Sibusiso Mbande 


Teen 

pregnancy is 

a big problem in our 

community because the 

children don’t care. Their 

parents leave the children to 

live on the street. If the parent 

drinks alcohol the children 

stay with friends and 

get pregnant. 

Xolela Fatyi 


Teenagers are too 

young to have a baby 

and they do not have 

money back at home to 

satisfy the needs of a 

baby. 

Linda Saki 


I think because of 

peer pressure children 

listen to their friends and 

end up as criminals with no 

education. Drug abuse can end 

your dreams and you can spend 

your life in prison. Some children 

say they use drugs because of 

stress and the situation at 

home. 

Bulelwa Mbekisa 


Why is teen pregnancy 

such a big problem? 

I think drugs 

and alcohol is the 

cause of problems 

in the community and 

crime. Let us fight drugs and 

alcohol because if we can’t 

stop it then we have no future. 

Masilwe ubundlobongela 

mabuhambe mzi ka ntu buyi 

ngozi buyabulala isizwe 

siphela mzi ka ntu. 

These 

pregnant 

teenagers want a 

grant. Everyone wants 

to get grants and the 

parents don’t care. They let 

their children go away and 

come back pregnant 

so that they get the 

grants. 

Yawa Meyanda 


Seti Amos 

Ntsika 

9

10 

I’m struggling 

All these days I don’t 

know why I’m struggling. 

I pray to Jesus 

Nothing is coming 

I wonder why I live life now 

Chorus 

I’m struggling X6 

Oh, no no X4 

Verse 

My mother died when I was six 

My father left me when I was 

three 

My sister died when I was 13 

My brother is in jail 

My mother died with cancer 

My sister died with Aids 

Chorus 

I’m struggling X6 

Oh, no no X4 

Song by Linda Saki 


Gcobisa Mjele 

Mary Waters 

Art and Poetry 

I am 

I am a young African man 

A unique individual with my 

own personal inspiration 

Which is the golden key to 

build my future? 

With a heart that’s been 

destroyed 

I can still feel and care for 

others 

With a mind so confused 

I can still reach politely to 

others 

With pain that has cut deep 

down in me 

I can still sympathise with 

others 

With all that is in me 

I can still overcome those 

situations 

I can be a person 

I am the one whose heart is 

filled with joy and passion 

To not only think of myself 

but others too 

I am me and that’s what I will 

always be. 

By Mathews Faltein 

TEM Mrwetyana 

Grade 9b 

Hopeful 

CHORUS 

Just be hopeful, be hopeful for 

today 

Take these words and use them, let 

them take you away 

And stay hopeful, you’ll find a way 

I know it’s not easy, but that’s okay, 

just stay hopeful 

VERSE 1 

Poverty is out there 

It’s not fair, but then life is unfair 

People cannot bear the pain 

They ask what’s there to gain 

If they keep waking up to struggle 

But what they don’t know is, if we 

stand together we can go further 

And put an end to the struggle. 

CHORUS 

VERSE 2 

I know sometimes it feels like you 

all alone in this world 

But some people are trying to help 

by spreading the word 

You don’t need to struggle and 

hustle on your own 

I also know we live in democracy 

But there’s still poverty 

And we can’t stop it now 

Cause it’s here, it’s there, it’s 

everywhere 

But let’s just keep our heads high 

Keep hope alive 

Try to provide for our needs 

Let’s not divide 

But just……. 

CHORUS 

Composed by Aphiwe Bongo 

Mary Waters 

World 

What’s wrong with the world we live 

in 

Is that people have no hope, they’re 

just giving in. 

Whatever happened to the unity in 

humanity? 

People nowadays just thing of their 

own dignity. 

What’s the world coming to? 

All of a sudden it seems blue 

With all the crime and war 

In time the whole world will be torn. 

There is poverty all around 

While we fight HIV/Aids on the side 

But can we really win the fight? 

Maybe we just might. 

What’s wrong with the world that we 

live in? 

What is it coming to? 

What will we do? 

When we all get sunk in 

And hit rock bottom. 

By Gcobisa Mjele 

Grade 8B 

Mary Waters 

Teen pregnancy 

He should be living in your dreams 

Let us not let the world dream 

Where is the youth with power? 

Where is the youth with unity? 

How can we be youngsters with 

kids? 

It can lead us to shame 

Say I believe in ABC 

Use a condom 

Let’s not let our minds yearn 

Let’s not let our hearts be torn 

Let’s believe we can abstain. 

Teens, youth of today 

You can do it. 

By Babalwa Nquru 

Grade 8B 

Mary Waters 


Shanice May & Chaswell Plaaitjies 

Mary Waters 

Where’s your tomorrow? 

The time has come, the time 

has come 

Children of today where’s your 

tomorrow? 

Children of today where’s your 

future? 

I’m asking you the kwaito 

children 

I’m asking you the tavern 

children 

Are you free or are you 

freezed? 

I’m talking to you – where’s 

your tomorrow? 

Think about those who died for 

you 

Steve Bantu ka Biko, Solomaka 

Mahlangu, Chris ka Hani. 

I’m talking to you the kwasakwasa 

children 

Where’s your tomorrow? 

Have you forgotten who you 

are? 

Are you confused? 

The time has come, the time 

has come 

By Odwa Nzuzo 

Grade 9b 

Nathaniel Nyaluza


Quickfire: Questions and answers 

Nomawele Evelyn Siga 

Teacher, TEM Mrwetyana 

Where did you grow up? 

Here in Grahamstown, 88 Victoria Road. 

What were your favourite experience growing up? 

When I went to university. 

What were your favourite subjects in school? 

Xhosa and Maths. 

What’s your favorite food? 

It is the Sunday meal. 

Where do you do most of your shopping? 

Checkers and Dunns. 

What magazines and newspapers do you like reading? 

Grocott’s Mail. 

What is your favorite TV show? 

Zone reality on DSTV. 

What music do you listen to? 

None 

What is your favourite colour? 

Blue, it represents the sky. 

What interests you about what you do? 

I’ve always wanted to be a teacher and my parents were encouraging 

me to be what I am today. 

What would you like to be one day? 

A grandmother. 

By Malibongwe Booi 

Grade 9, TEM Mrwetyana 

Loren-Lee 

Miss Mawas 

Opinion: Have your say 

Should schools test learners for drugs? 

Drug abuse is a growing problem in South Africa. The 

statistics are shocking. Nearly 60 per cent of South African 

school children have tried drugs or are taking them. The 

Department of Education came up with an idea of a 

drug test in schools. It is now the legal right of all school 

principals in South Africa to test their learners at any time 

for drugs or search them for any dangerous weapons 

they bring to school. 

Children as young as seven years old are using drugs. 

If addiction starts at such an early age it could cause 

problems for the child when he or she is much older. “It is 

important to have these drug tests,” says Nontombi Mjele, 

a concerned mother. “This is so that the teachers and 

parents of these kids can be aware of what is happening. 

And so that the children can get help before it’s too late.” 

When asked who should be blamed for these kids’ 

actions, Priscilla Mjele said, “The learners themselves 

and the bad influences around them - but especially 

themselves.” The drug testing will be done according 

to set procedures. The tests will not be done in front of 

other kids and the school must inform the parents. 

“Most children won’t be comfortable with this, but it’s for 

their own benefit. I hope they become more responsible 

in the future,” says Nontombi Mjele. Schools may decide 

to test only learners suspected of taking drugs. 

Gcabisa Mjele, Grade 8B, Mary Waters 

It starts with a cigarette 

What’s your best / worst characteristic? 

Best: Being friendly and caring. Worst: Being impatient sometimes. 

Who is your role model? 

Amy Kleinhans, Miss South Africa 1997. 

What’s your motivation in life? 

My mother. 

What’s your favourite food dish/ drink? 

Pasta, passion fruit and lemonade. 

What are your hobbies? 

Music, singing, dancing and reading. 

Who’s your favourite singer? / What’s your favourite type of music? 

Mariah Carrey. R&B and Hip Hop. 

What’s the most embarrassing thing that you’ve done? 

Mispronounced words in public. 

What do you do for fun? 

Go to movies, chill with friends and family and go visit my boyfriend and 

his family. 

What makes you happy? 

Making a success of my life – helping people and making kids look up to 

me. 

What are the two things that you can’t imagine your life without? 

My cell phone and my best friend, Noludwe. 

What’s your favourite movie, and why? 

Glitter, because Mariah Carrey is in that movie – it shows how she made 

a success of her life. 

By Aphiwe Bongo and Xolisa Kopo 

Grade 8b, Mary Waters 

In my community drug addicts start by smoking 

cigarettes with friends. After that they drink alcohol. It’s 

then that they think of stealing things and raping other 

innocent people. After that they go to jail at an early age, 

maybe at 15 years or 17 years. 

Many children do not go to school and don’t have 

anything to do at home. So they start stripping people’s 

clothing, cell phones and money. Others do that because 

they don’t want to listen to parents. 

Ntomboxolo Maselana 

Benjamin Mahlasela School 

I won’t stand for domestic violence 

Domestic violence is home violence that happens in 

some families. Some people abuse other people for no 

good reason – it is usually done by someone who is 

trying to be the boss of the house. Domestic violence 

is very harmful and is against the Constitution of our 

country. 

Domestic violence is just crazy. If I was abused, I would 

report to the police or my teacher or neighbour or family 

friend or someone else close to me. I wouldn’t stand for it. 

Aphiwe Bongo 

Grade 8B ,Mary waters 

Suicide causes even more pain 

11 

Some teenagers are killing themselves because they 

think suicide will solve all their problems: relationship 

problems, teenage pregnancy, stress, drink/ drugs, 

divorce, parents drinking, having no food to eat, not 

knowing their school work, sexual abuse. 

Buy they just succeed in putting huge pressure on those 

who love them. 

Many teenagers fail to share their feelings with friends 

and family members. They should ask questions of their 

parents or someone they feel safe and comfortable with, 

like a counsellor. If they are not up to talking to someone 

they can pray and ask for the help of God. 

Instead they kill themselves for something they don’t 

understand. The youth of today should know killing 

themselves is not the way to go. Everyone needs to talk 

about suicide so we can help each other and we can 

understand one another and try to prevent suicide. 

Xolisa Kopa, Grade 8B, Mary Waters 

Stop 

This alcohol is smelling. This alcohol is dangerous. This 

alcohol kills our people. And people love this alcohol. 

We don’t like it! Please people, stop this! It is dangerous. 

Please! 

Mziyanda Yawa, Nyaluza

12 

Sithembele Quntu - 

Nombulelo Secondary 

“I don’t think they should 

get beaten up or killed. 

I think South Africans 

should give them a chance. 

Because if they are 

Zimbabwean and 

we tell them to go home, they 

may get killed there.” 

Elethu Nesi - Khutliso Daniels 

“I think there’s nothing wrong 

with foreigners living in S.A. 

They’re here to find jobs and 

put food on their tables.” 

Made possible by: 

Youth speak out 

on xenophobia 

GROCOTT’S PRINT 

PUBLISHERS AND PRINTERS 

Jabulani Mathews Faltein- 

T.E.M. Mrwetyana 

“I think we should welcome 

them to South Africa because 

he or she also wants a job and 

also wants food to live. I think 

it is wrong to discipline the 

Somalians. He or she wants 

to live with us just like any 

other person, especially in 

Johannesburg”. 

Malibongwe Kiti - 

Khutliso Daniels 

“I think that foreigners want 

to be friends with other 

people. There’s nothing 

wrong with them because 

they are skilful.” 

Malibongwe Booi - T.E.M. 

Mrwetyana 

“I think they must go out of 

our country because some of 

them, they don’t give a chance 

for South Africans to find work, 

especially with shops here in the 

townships. Most of the people 

don’t buy in South African shops 

(Spaza shops)”. 

Sibusiso Booi - T.E.M. 

Mrwetyana 

“I think they can go back home 

before they die here. I think 

they can go fight in their own 

countries and not take 

our work”. 

C.M. HEUNIS 

BUILDING CONTRACTORS cc 


Anele Tyini- 

T.E.M. Mrwetyana 

“I think we should tell the 

government to solve this 

problem between South 

Africa and Somalia. The 

foreigners should just go 

back to Somalia because 

they do not belong in South 

Africa. When asked the 

question: ‘Why do you leave 

your country alone?’ The 

answer is: ‘Because there is so 

much trouble [there]’.”

LETTERS & CARTOONS - Grocott's Mail

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