„Wir waren arm, aber voll mit Liebe“

Im Interview mit Nomfusi Gotyana, Sängerin aus dem südafrikanischen Port Elizabeth

(Autor/ Editor: Ghassan Abid)

Deutsche Interview-Zusammenfassung:

Nomfusi Gotyana hat es geschafft, der Armut zu entkommen. Sie wuchs in ärmlichen Verhältnissen auf, erlebte aber viel Liebe innerhalb ihrer Familie. Mit der Musik hat sie sich eine Existenz geschaffen, inspiriert vom Leben Miriam Makebas und Nelson Mandelas. Die Südafrikanerin ist stolz auf ihre Herkunft, weiß jedoch, dass viele Dinge am Kap noch bewerkstelligt werden müssen. Egoismus, Machtkonzentration und Habgier der politischen Klasse erschweren den Wohlstand für die Gesellschaft. Als Protagonistin im Film „Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom“ ging ihr Gesicht weltweit um die Welt. Bildung sei, so Gotyana in Anlehnung an Mandela, das Mittel zur Armutsbekämpfung. Mit Deutschland, ihrer zweiten Heimat, verbindet sie eine besondere Beziehung. Einerseits schätzt sie ihre tanzbegeisterten Fans, andererseits ist die Veröffentlichung ihres dritten und zugleich ersten internationalen Albums mit einem Münchner Produzenten im Frühjahr 2015 geplant. Gotyana singt in ihrer Heimatsprache isiXhosa und Englisch. Im neuen Jahr wird sie erneut in Deutschland auftreten und womöglich auch nach Berlin kommen.

© Die südafrikanische Sängerin Nomfusi Gotyana stammt aus ärmlichen Verhältnissen. Sie ist in einem Township bei Port Elizabeth aufgewachsen und musste mitansehen, wie einzelne Familienangehörige an der Krankheit AIDS starben – unter anderem ihre Mutter. Darauf hin entschloss sie sich zu einem neuen Lebensabschnitt in Kapstadt. Mit der Musik hat sie sich ihre Existenz geschaffen.

Oscar Pistorius – between anger and opinions

A Nation without empathy? A frightening thought

(Author: Norah Ngobeni)

Throughout Oscar Pistorius’ verdict and sentencing, I was saddened and alarmed at how vindictive and opinionated we can be as a society. Most of us had something to say on the subject either through the social media, print, radio and television as well as to friends, family and colleagues, anyone who could listen including strangers. In between our anger and opinions as well as playing judge, we sometimes failed to reflect on other issues pertinent to the case.

© The Oscar Pistorius’ verdict shows how vindictive the South African society is. Anyone is judging on social media. But this situation could be a danger for the community. Citizens failed to reflect on other issues pertinent to the case. (Source: flickr/ Mike Mackay)

Ubuntu in Germany Column

„Night of a 1000 Drawings” in Berlin raises funds for feeding scheme in Johannesburg

(Editor: Alex Smit-Stachowski is speaking in her column about life as a South African now living in Germany. The South African journalist lives in Krefeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia/ Germany).

Earlier this year, I wrote a story on the founder of 1000 Drawings Berlin, Claudia Retief and how she planned the „Night of a 1000 Drawings Berlin” event at the Willner Brauerei in Berlin at the end of May. About 600 people attended to look at the many drawings on sale to raise funds for three charities, including one for homeless South African children.

© More than 600 people turned out to look at local art in Berlin who was sold for three charities, including a South African feeding scheme for the homeless. The „Night of a 1000 Drawings Berlin” event was a great success. (Source: Dietmar Gust)

Ubuntu in Germany Column

Make your mark when you cast your vote

(Editor: Alex Smit-Stachowski is speaking in her column about life as a South African now living in Germany. The South African journalist lives in Krefeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia/ Germany).

Sunday was Africa Day and when those in Europe took to the voting stations, to cast votes in the European and communal elections. As a South African, the two recent elections have proved quite interesting. We should treasure our right to vote!

© One of the parties in the communal and EU election is DIE LINKE and they promise no weapon exports to Africa – pertinent to a South African living in Europe.

Helen Zille greift im Interview ANC scharf an

Exklusiv: „Der ANC ist eine korrupte Organisation geworden“, so die Demokratische Allianz-Vorsitzende

(Editor/ Autor: Ghassan Abid)

Deutsche Interview-Zusammenfassung:

Im Exklusiv-Interview mit der Redaktion von “SÜDAFRIKA – Land der Kontraste” untermauert Helen Zille, dass die Demokratische Allianz (DA) die einzig wahre Partei sei, die Arbeitsplätze in Südafrika schaffen könne. Der ANC unter der Leitung von Präsident Jacob Zuma sei eine „korrupte Organisation“ geworden, behauptet sie. Die Nkandla-Affäre beweise, dass die Führung der einstigen Befreiungsbewegung nur an sich denke. Spätestens in zwei Jahren würde der ANC bei den nächsten Kommunalwahlen nicht mehr vom Ruf Nelson Mandelas profitieren können, so Zille. Denn diese Partei habe dem internationalen Ansehen Südafrikas geschadet, erwidert die Premierministerin des Westkaps die gestellte Frage. Wer heute die DA wähle, der entscheide sich auch für die Verteidigung der Verfassung der Republik Südafrika.

© Helen Zille, die Premierministerin des Westkaps und Vorsitzende der DA-Oppositionspartei, erläutert in einem Exklusiv-Interview mit der Redaktion von “SÜDAFRIKA – Land der Kontraste”, warum es nun an der Zeit sei, nicht mehr den ANC zu wählen. Denn die einstige Befreiungsbewegung bezeichnet sie als „korrupte Organisation“. (Quelle: DA)

Ubuntu in Germany Column

And the Oscar goes to….

(Editor: Alex Smit-Stachowski is speaking in her column about life as a South African now living in Germany. The South African journalist lives in Krefeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia/ Germany).

Valentine’s Day in 2013 dawned with the shocking news that the lithe, disabled sportsman, Oscar Pistorius had shot his blonde model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp dead while claiming he thought she was a robber out to hurt him. I wrote about the German media coverage at the time – now a year later, Europeans and ex-pats are glued to their TV sets or radios to keep up with the live trial.

© Posed picture – In real-life I only listen to the live trial, while working frantically. Watching telly like this would be very dangerous for anybody during work hours! Totally impossible to watch and work – although it seems a few friends on Facebook are managing to do this.

Ubuntu in Germany Column

Stewardess to raise funds for South African and German needy with art from Berlin

(Editor: Alex Smit-Stachowski is speaking in her column about life as a South African now living in Germany. The South African journalist lives in Krefeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia/ Germany).

Lufthansa stewardess Claudia Retief (43) is a German-Italian married to an Afrikaans South African. She started the enthusiastic art community volunteer initiative, “Night of a 1000 Drawings Berlin” and their exhibition in May will raise funds for less fortunate South Africans and Germans.

© After seeing an art exhibition in Johannesburg, Lufthansa stewardess Claudia Retief took the concept to Berlin. Ubuntu-Columnist Alex Smit-Stachowski talked with the “Night of a 1000 Drawings Berlin” founder.

Anti-apartheid activist dies in Germany

Veteran anti-apartheid activist Eric Singh dies in Berlin, days before his planned return to South Africa

(Editor: Anli Serfontein, South African journalist in Berlin)

Veteran anti-apartheid activist Eric Singh (81) dies in Berlin on Tuesday 11 February 2014, only days before he was due to fly to South Africa to spend his last days with his closest relatives.

© Veteran anti-apartheid activist Eric Singh (81) dies in Berlin. The South African citizen was responsible for the magazine production of Sechaba the ANC mouthpiece in exile. He was also for many years the face of the ANC in East Germany

Viva Mandela, viva!

Thank you Tata Madiba – for what you did for our country – we will never forget. Aluta continua

(Editor: Alex Smit-Stachowski)

- MANDELA-Spezial -

It is with a very sore heart that I say goodbye to Tata Madiba or let’s use his official title, President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. For us South Africans – he was truly a Tata, a wise elder who showed us the way forward to a new democracy, a life with freedom – for all.

© Nelson Mandela showed the South Africans the way forward to democracy. The people of South Africa said thank you, Tata Madiba, for this important effort for a new country with liberty for all citizens. (Source: flickr/ crystalndavis)

Ubuntu in Germany Column

Whites only as South Africa exhibits at Anuga in Cologne

(Editor: Alex Smit-Stachowski is speaking in her column about life as a South African now living in Germany. The South African journalist lives in Krefeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia/ Germany).

It was like a throwback to Apartheid days. Visitors to the South African pavilion of the Anuga trade show, held in Cologne recently saw a sea of white faces. What has happened in South Africa since ’94 and with black empowerment? One single black person among the 40 exhibitors – that is shameful.

© Alex Smit-Stachowski with Doris Lily Mallaun of Great Heart of Africa behind her, at the Anuga Trade Show in Cologne.

Ubuntu in Germany Column

Anuga Trade Show in Cologne:  Photo essay on South African exhibitors

(Editor: Alex Smit-Stachowski is speaking in her column about life as a South African now living in Germany. The South African journalist lives in Krefeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia/ Germany).

The Anuga Trade Show in Cologne is the largest trade show for the food service and catering market in the world. Alexandra Smit-Stachowski visited the South African pavilion and spoke to a few exhibitors.

© The Anuga Trade Show was held in Cologne recently. The South Africa Pavilion saw 40 exhibitors offering a wide range of products from sorbet sushi to ready-made African fast food.

Ubuntu in Germany Column

South African government to rebuild trust and promote entrepreneurs

(Editor: Alex Smit-Stachowski is speaking in her column about life as a South African now living in Germany. The South African journalist lives in Krefeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia/ Germany).

The South African government recognises it should improve service delivery, “rebuild trust with the NGOs” and address that the “inequality gap is widening,” said Nonceba Mashalaba, Chief Director: Programme Monitoring and Evaluation – The Incentive Development and Administration Division at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in Frankfurt recently.

© Strong female business leaders from Germany and South Africa met at the “Frauen in der Wirtschaft in Deutschland und Südafrika” roundtable hosted by Brand South Africa in Frankfurt, recently to exchange ideas. Ubuntu-Columnist Alex Smit-Stachowski attended this event.