TOMORROW'S FATE

DREAMS

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow

By: Langston Hughes

ANDERSON STUNS MURRAY AT US OPEN

KEVIN ANDERSON CELEBRATES 

SA Tennis Player Kevin Anderson beats 3rd seed Andy Murray in US Open fourth round.  Murray looked frustrated and often powerless against the 15th seed who played out of his skin.


"That's obviously something that is disappointing to lose,"said Murray after watching his run of reaching 18 consecutive grand slam quarterfinals come to an end.

ANDY MURRAY looking frustrated after losing a grand slam opportunity

"That's many years' work that's gone into building that sorts of consistency. Also to lose a match like that, that was over four hours,  tough obviously after a couple of tough matches earlier in the tournament, as well.  It's a hard one to lose, for sure."

A four sets victory at Louis Armstrong Stadium, saw Anderson reaches a career milestone on Monday.  As for Murray, it was the first time since the 2010 US Open that he has lost before the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam.

Anderson won his first grand slam quarterfinals with a 7-6 (5) 6-3-6-7 (2) 7-6 (2).  "It feels good to take a little step and actually beat one of the best guys in the world in the fourth round of a slam,"said Anderson.  "I played one of the best matches of my career,"he
added.  He currently sits at number 14 in the world rankings.

sources: SuperSport Blitz&BBC-sport

Nelly Portia 

A FITTING FAREWELL

The Ashes 2015

I am just a fan!

Despite rain-disruption the Aussies managed to win the fifth test on the fourth day.  On Sunday 23, at The Oval saw captain Michael Clarke and Australia opener Chris Rogers retires from International Test cricket.

The duo were given a guard of honour by their team mates as they left the field.  Rogers, 37, scored his 25 Test career.

Clarke, 34, played almost 400 matches across all formats for Australia, after making his international debut more than 12 years ago.

Chris Rogers and Michael Clarke

Clarke, who led Australia to win 2015 Cricker World Cup has thanked his fans for the support given throughout his career. "Thank you all for the support you have given me, I'm really greatful and thankful for that", he said. 

Chris Rogers 

While, Rogers ended his career on high by scoring 480 runs in the last series. "I'm pretty sad actually. I don't usually get emotional and this is a sad moment but also one to enjoy", said Rogers. He was named Australia's player of the series. Australia won the final Ashes series by an innings and 46 runs.






CLARKE'S BATTING STATS

Scored 8643 runs, Average of 49.10 Matches 115, Innings of 198 and High score of 329*

Congratulations to England, Ashes Winners!

England regained the Ashes with a 3-2 victory.  Joe Root was named man of the series.


Nelly Portia

REMEMBERING REEVA STEENKAMP

Today 19 August 1983, would have been Reeva Steenkamp 32nd birthday. Family and close friends were invited to pay their respects to her and honour her.

Reeva was killed by Oscar  Pistorius in February 14, 2013, at his Pretoria home. Her parents, June and Barry Steenkamp held a touching ceremony on Port Elizabeth's Summerstrand  beach where her ashes were scattered.

BREAKING NEWS:  Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha announced that Pistorius won't be released on Friday as expected.  "The decision to release him on the 21st of August was premeture",said Minister Masutha. This means, he must serve 10 months, then afterwards the Parole Board Review Panel will decide on his release. Pistorius was due to be released on parole on Friday after serving just 10 months  of his five-year sentence.

Nelly Portia

THE MOMENT THE WORLD STOOD STILL

Xenophobic Attacks

 {sourced_shocking scenes}: Emmanuel Sithole's brutal attack images -photographed by James Oatway, Sunday Times newspaper.

How quick can things change? From peaceful and harmonious stable country, to violent; disruptive and deadliest society.  It was on that day, the most shocking revelation ever been seen.  In April 2008, the world witness large scale of xenophobic attacks in different communities of South Africa.  Foreigners were attacked, injured and some were killed.

Many foreigners are in South Africa as asylum seekers due to wars and other socio-economic problems in their countries.  However, South African people struggle to understand this.  At the beginning it seemed as a fury towards our fellow African brothers and sisters; then hatred mounted and mobs were created which led to attacks.

The attacks began in the mid-day across Gauteng areas, angry and furious mob walked into foreigner’s shops particularly Somalia’s tuck shops attacking them; vandalizing property and looting.  Some of mob members were shot, others wounded and some were killed, in self defence foreigners fought back.  Foreigners were accused of ‘’stealing work from locals’’ in a difficult economic climate.  Somali small traders and entrepreneurs specifically were accused of undercutting the prices of the locals and many of them were killed.  

The hope of Africa is in South Africa.  Whatever fails in South Africa sends bad message to other countries especially in European countries.  Violence is giving a bad image about the beauty of South Africa, consequently during 2008, foreign investors lapsed.   Up to this point the xenophobic violence continues in various parts of societies.  Even though government condemns senseless killing brought by xenophobia people still persist.

The smell of death, bodies burned, laying on the ground and brutally killed.   Many foreigners flew from the areas they were living in; few remain behind because they had nowhere to go and this brought fear to tourist to tour South Africa.  Tourist enhances the economy of a country, the environment was not conducive at that moment and we experience economic setback.    The whole scenario tarnished the image of South Africa, and left scares in foreigners predominantly those who lost their loved ones in xenophobic attacks.  People across the world were shocked by this act of violence and many feared to travel to our country.   

“Just like any other country,  South Africa managed to restore calm in communities by educating people about migration and immigration policies. ‘Each one teach one campaign’ was created to teach society in larger, but there were those who bluntly ignored it and still today they do not accommodate foreigners” –Nelly Portia.

Fast forward, 2015, South Africa battles yet another Xenophobic Attacks in Gauteng and Kwa-Zulu Natal (Durban) provinces. This comes after months of unrest attacks among different races in the country.  South Africans are in fights with Foreign nationals due to high unemployment and several spaza shops opened in the townships.  Who instigated the war? Is there a ring ‘leader’ who initiates the killings, vandalizing of foreign owned business and properties in both provinces? Hard-core questions needs to be answered, and without a substantial proof, the will be no case and a day in court. 

International Headlines: Xenophobic South Africa

"He  will be deeply missed", said Emmanuel's family.

The brutal death of Mozambique national Emmanuel Sithole on April 18,2015.  Sithole was attacked and stabbed to death by a group of four men in Alexandra township north of Johannesburg on Saturday.  The gang approached him in the streets, they started beating and stabbing him in the chest.  Helplessly, he collapsed on the pavement bleeding intensely.  The perpetrators fled the scene on foot...whiles community was watching from far in fear of being stabbed too, Sunday Times Photographer James Oatway and colleagues rushed to help Sithole.  Sadly, he later died from his wounds. Three culprits were arrested on Sunday, while the fourth was apprehended last night.   The case has been postponed to next month, May 4.

Mthinta Bhengu, Sifundo Mzimela, Sizwe Mngomezulu & Ayanda Sibiya are accused of stabbing Emmanuel Sithole to death made a brief court appearance at the Alexandra Magistrate Court on 21 April 2015. Picture: @SAPoliceService.



Stop Xenophobic Attacks for the restoration of human dignity  #SayNoToXenophobia

By: Nelly Portia

News Rap: AN ARGUMENT LED TO A TRAGIC DEATH

''He never needed the industry, the industry needed him'', said Skwatta Kamp member Slikour.

Flabba: 1977-2015

Renowned SA rapper and a member of Skwatta Kamp rap group Nkululeko 'Flabba' Habedi was stabbed to death at his Alexandra home in the early hours of Monday 9, morning.  The 38-year-old, Habedi was allegedly stabbed by his girlfriend Sindisiwe Manqele.

Manqele, 26, appeared briefly on the dock the following day and will reappear on March 16, where she is expected to apply bail.  ''He was stabbed once in the heart around 2am.  He was in his room, said his younger brother Tshepang Hlabedi (said)on the family's behalf..

Sindisiwe Manqele

Memorial service: Family, friends and neighbours paid tribute yesterday in Newtown, Johannesburg.

The funeral will be held on Sunday, March 15, at Alexandra Stadium, North of Johannesburg.  He will be laid to rest at West Park cemetry.

Source- Sabc online-

Nelly Portia

AN EARLY EXIT FOR THE ENGLISH SIDE

'When it rains, it pours'.  Yesterday, England crashed out of the 2015 Cricket World Cup, whiles Bangladesh cruised to the next round.   From the beginning of the tournament England seemed bothered, by who knows what?  They are not unified as most teams looks in this world cup.  Former player, Kevin Pietersen was to blame for all the bad echo in the team.  Pietersen was dumped from the England set-up early last year, after some career in which he played 104 Test and scored 23 centuries.- sourced ICC cricket.com.(website)-

The 'outspoken' Pietersen, didn't waste time to hammer England's squad, posted a tweet on his account: ''I just cannot believe this! But, well done to Bangladesh you deserve it!

This is England's 3rd time exit, and 89th time in the group stages in five World Cups. 

Captain Morgan (in front) leading his team, after losing to Bangladesh

''I'm gutted at the moment', said England skipper Eoin Morgan.  There will be an inquest over the next few weeks as to what has happened there'', he added.

The winning captain Mashraf said after winning the match:  ''I always tell the press conference once  we come into Australia, we never though that much crowd will come and support us, but it was amazing to see that people all over the world, even though they are coming to the ground and keep supporting us''

Bangladesh posted 275-7 in Adelaide.  Hero of the day and man of the match, was batsman Mohammad Mahmudullah  scored 103 off 138 balls.

Bangladesh celebrate after winning the match.

*Bangladesh defeated England with 15 runs.

Nelly Portia