S.A.M - Strong Afrocentric Mindsets

Humanity is currently facing some of the biggest problems and catastrophes in human history and the only way we can deal with them is through working together and the power of we.  In Africa we a proverb that states "If you want to go fast, go alone! If you wanna go far, go together." This is in the same vein as the concept of uBuntu. uBuntu is the cornerstone of African culture. In every culture in Africa you will find a similar concept in the version of that country or culture having the same principles and values as uBuntu. uBuntu loosely interpreted means I am because we are, I am because you are! It refers to the circle of life, not only the fact that as people we exist through others but it extends to each and every life form on earth. Some of the major problems faced that we are currently grappling with as humanity are the following; 1. Water Crisis Water - the essential ingredient for life on this planet – is becoming an increasingly scarce reso...

“Who are you” is the one question that plagues each and every one of us. It is critical to our emotional growth and maturity and the answer can only be found within. This is what Teen Journey is all about; they use rites of passage to help campers answer this life altering question. If you ask them what Teen Journey means to them, they state “it’s a journey of discovery, of letting go, moving forward and waking up” . Waking up in particular requires us to embark on a journey within. “Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”     C.G. Jung Teen Journey came about from the realisation that ancient wisdom and indigenous knowledge holds the key to finding oneself. They use rites of passage because by their nature they are the coming of age rituals that mark the transition of an individual from one status in their life to another. They have modified and adapted them to be suitable in the ...

These two poems are by Yoliswa Mogale from Johannesburg, South Africa. The poem was published in So Much to Tell Vol 1 - An Anthology of Poetry by Indigenous Women and the Youth of South Africa. It was published as part of A Women in Writing Community Project in 2003. Castle Lager and Black Label are two of the biggest beer brands in South Africa. A castle is part of the castle lager logo. This is where the wordplay "beer bellied lions in castles labeled black by my mastas" comes from. The poems lament the lost manhood and emasculation of men to the point that are getting their courage to be men, king of their castles, from the bottom of a can of beer. Emasculated I Beer bellied Lions in castles Labeled Black By my mastas Mistress wants her Bloomers washed whiter Daily Non-resistance Fruit of lions Bears no inheritance No land Non stop payment Requirement Proof of non African Kaffirs Be obedient Implement Western mentality You'll...

The world of business making is never a stable source of income. There is always the risk of failure. A good businessman should always be aware of these things and therefore be prepared. So what would it take for even a small business to grow and prosper? An aspiring entrepreneur should make sure to prepare a few things first before starting up his/her own business. Eagerness is good, but doing it slowly and surely fits just right when money is involved, especially if the company is still in the initial stages of development and operation. These things are very important and must not in any way be ignored. . Plan. A good business plan is what starts a good company, just like a good blueprint is the keystone to an amazing building. Before everything else, think about what the business should be and how it must be done. What should the business be all about? How should the service and/or product be served to the customers? Enjoy it like a hobby. ...

Keyword/s: business loans, small business grants [used in the article]  If you think that the success of a business depends on how much it has earned, think again. No matter how abundant the harvest is, if the core and pulp are rotten then the fruit of sweet success can never be tasted. The core and pulp of a business reflect the social and ethical foundations of it. Your plan towards success should not only be strategic, but also considerate and grounded in order to protect your resources, manpower, and clients.  Ethics: Establishing Good Business Reputation   A competitor can cripple the financial success of a business, but it takes more than that to kill the great name that the business has established. Leaders in the corporate world believe in creating a good reputation for a lasting legacy.  For instance, the competition among large enterprises is not only based on providing cost-efficient products for consumers but also on providing various benef...

The gender pay gap is the difference between the rates women and men are paid for doing the same job.   It has been an issue that has been looked at by policy makers ever since women started entering the labour market in large numbers. An organization that has monitored this issue is the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). OECD countries have an average wage gap of 15% with the range of 3.9% to 40%. This means that women salaries range from 60 cents to 96.1 cents for every dollar earned by men with an average of 85 cents. These statistics are based on men and women with similar professional skills, history and education.   Another underlying factor that seems to worsen the situation is the fact that some life events have a direct influence on both men and women’s careers. Women seem to bear the brunt of the impact that marriage and having children has on a career. They get penalised whereas their male counterparts get incentivised up to 2% ...

They say money makes the world go round. You use money to buy basic necessities like food, clothes, and shelter. You use it to pay the bills. You also use it to purchase other things like cars, gadgets, and vacations. Indeed, money can buy you things that will both put food in your mouth or simply make you happy. In a world where society puts so much emphasis on living with a materialistic mindset, many Christians find themselves turning to the Scriptures in search of guidance in the aspect of wealth. What do Christians really think about wealth? The Camel, the Needle Head, and the Rich Man The Bible is rife with stories regarding this topic, one of which refers to the time when Jesus lamented a rich man’s attachment to his wealth. According to the gospel of Matthew, a rich man asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life. In reply, Jesus told him to keep all the commandments. The man stated that he has done so, and further asked what he still needs to do. Then J...