Book Review

The Little Man In The Space Case by Aamena Khota.

I was born when Apartheid was nearing its end. I had not witnessed the wrong doings during Apartheid times because I was very small to understand what was happening. I only know South Africa as a democratic country. Thus, reading this book not only educates Joyce and Mariam, the two young girls who just found out about apartheid, but also others.

When reading the book one can imagine the story actually taking place. The setting of the story is relative to reality. It is the perfect setting for children's book. Joyce is eager to inform her friend Mariam, what she had discovered about our country's past. She learned about apartheid and how cruel it was. How it destroyed people's lives. She told Mariam about what had happened, how apartheid became weak and finally ended. Now we are a democratic country.

I found the book to be really interesting and exciting. I think that children will definitely enjoy it. I was really pleased with the writing style. Aamena wrote the book based on facts but at the same time made it mysterious and exciting for the young ones and easy for them to understand.

This is a very good book for children. For all the parents who wish to educate their children on apartheid, make them read the book.

Film Study

Film study was not for me a first time, however it was an improvement. My introduction to film study was with the animated movie Aladdin. At the time I learned about the different angles and camera shots. Also the colours in the movie played an extreamly important part especially because the movie was animated. The study of the movie was an excellent foundation to film study.
Kingdom of Heaven was very much different to Aladdin in the sense that it was more of a non-fiction movie whereas Aladdin was based on a fairytale. Both movies were based on an event or book and in that respect were similar. Kingdom of Heaven was a serious movie based on true history and therefore more fruitful and informative. Aladdin on the other hand was purly entertainment. The movie Kingdom of Heaven was aslo more realistic. The music, setting, use of colour, props used and costumed were excellent. The shots and angles created the effects perfectly. The movie itself kept you glued. In terms of acting, the characters played their roles exceptionally well. The role of Bailian was played very well aswell as the role of Salahuddin.
Film study this term forced me to read and go beyond my little brain. I also look at movies differently and more critically and sceptically. Film study is a wonderful part of English which I hope to do again.

Preparing to teach a lesson.

The task of having to prepare a poetry lesson and teach it to another class is slightly scarey. The pressure, uneasiness and unfamiliarity are obstacles we need to overcome. However, our class together with Mr Sujee are learning how to conduct the lesson and will hopefully succeed. The task itself seems some how exciting.

Evaluation of Term3

Term three was a short term with the most amount of work covered. The study of Cry the Beloved Country was extensive but at the same time enjoyable. The plays and visits to the Shanty towns were an incredible experience. Our moral values were greatly improved. The most enjoyable aspect in the term, was for me, poetry study. The way we conducted learning the poems and how we related them to society was amazing. I also loved the dynamics used, sound and voice recordings. The troubles I had in the term were related to time management. Hopefully I will improve in that aspect. Overall the term went well although my stress levels increased.

Plays, Models, Collages.

The assignment of the plays, models and collages was a very fun and enjoyable task. During this assignment we bonded well with our class mates and learnt many new things about each other. Also, our understanding of the novel Cry the Beloved Country was enhanced. The novel was made real to us through the models and plays. The groups who visited townships proved to us the realistic ness of our social societies and how it linked similarly to the shanty town in the novel. The groups performed well and put effort into their work. With the assignment we learnt many moral values. It taught us to appreciate what we have, our homes, families, facilities and every other little thing Allah has given us. We must be grateful for what we have for there are many who are much worse off than us.

Young Leader

When one says the word leadership, what are the first thoughts that come to mind? Thabo Mbeki? Mr Bapoo? Queen Elizabeth? It is strange how we associate the quality of leadership to people in power, this mainly being people of elder generations.

Let us ponder a moment on the idea that a man, Ismail Dinaat, was at the tender age of sixteen, the leader of the ANC Youth League. Yes, the leader of a major movement during the brutal days of apartheid.

We tend to focus our attention on leaders being government officials, army lieutenants and other big shot powers driven men and women. Very often turn a blind eye to true leaders, young leaders. What, you may ask, defines a true leader apart from leaders in power? More importantly, what defines leadership?

Leadership is not merely standing on a pulpit distributing authority and calling out commandments. Leadership is being able to stand on a pulpit, taking the first step and being able to win those who will follow. Leadership is a quality which every single person is born with, the true leader is the one who can lead, have those to follow and are able to achieve.

You may wonder how this description fits the “young leader.” The young leader is a nobody in the world during his young days. He/she is the one who will go out of their way to prove themselves. He/she does not know power, deceit and a puppet show. A true leader takes the first steps in his young days because all there is to see is achievement. These people strive with might to do something good and leave a legacy behind which would reflect in later days. People who we find as leaders today are power and greed driven. Money seems to be their language and self-gain is what drives them.

This is in contrary to what we see the young leader would do. We understand this when we look at Ismail Dinaat who was the leader not for himself but his people. We find many like these today, however we do not hear of them. If we look at our school, we find young leaders taking the first steps, starting campaigns and managing clubs. These young people are not self gaining. They have taken the first steps to make someone elses life better.

As the saying goes “Leaders aren’t born, but made.” Leadership is something the greatest men of all time had. The sahabahs and prophets were outstanding with this quality. They were young and prospered. You can too.

Evaluation-Audio Assignment

Evaluation-Audio Assignment

When we received the information that we would be recording an audio assignment, we thought the task was impossible and something out of this world. We had never received such an enormous task and more so, a task in which we had to pioneer our own voices in creating a news bulletin.

To our surprise, yet again, the task was completed with the most exciting feelings. We had accomplished in something totally new and different to us. The learning experience was great and the many techniques we learnt seemed to make the task worthwhile after all.

The use of technology in an assignment was for me the most enjoyable part. It made me more aware of the advancing world and how technology can make things more exciting. Also the use of different devices enhanced my knowledge regarding the use of technology.

The overall assignment was a success and it opened new doors to the potential which lives within.