The World of the Bloggers

Delani’s take on blogs

Once known as ‘web logs’, today blogs have taken cyberspace by creative storm in almost any subject matter and name you can think of. Basically – think online diary, just not so private.

Blogs have become an influential portal where discussions and information get easily published. The portal here is connected to the network of the World Wide Web and consists of not diary pages but ‘posts’. 

One of my favourite blogs has got to be Justcurious.co.za, YoMzansi, MikaStefano.com, Durbantainment, Manofthecloth and of late Fashionbybrettrobson.blogspot.com. Before the year 2009 though, blogs were often the work of single owners and particularly online diaries by the writer. Most of the blogs back then and others now, originated as some kind of personal online diary entries but gradually as the access to internet grew so did audiences and an attracted following alike. As I have mentioned some of the blogs I have e tendency of following, some of these have adapted the works of multi contributors while others individually edited.  

Mine and other reader’s tastes in blogs shows an eclectic taste in that at times as readers, we merely want something different and different ideas from such blogs offers us just that.

Sometimes though we want real, hard facts apart from humour and the work of journalists has come to create that repertoire on their online (e-editions). Basically with this said, anybody can blog, anybody can have an influence over the World Wide Web. This is no longer just subject to reporters making use of mass communication. I interacted with Brett Robson who was so kind as to speak much to me about her fashion blog which after starting it in 2010, went on to scoop the Best Fashion Blog in the SA Blog Awards 2012.

She is a qualified fashion designer and takes so much pride in sharing her everyday style on the platform she has created.

Like in newspapers, magazine, television or radio, information displayed on blogs too needs to be carefully read for accuracy. Not disregarding blogs, journalists are obliged to report their facts accurately because this is in the nature of their work. Unlike journalists, bloggers are not confined to newsrooms or deadlines but write at their own pace and style.

With the vast number of these out there, it is clear to see that blogs are here to stay, so take your pick at the colourful content behind the voices from audio blogs, podcats, edublogs, photoblogs, music, beauty and lifestyle and virtually anything you fancy.

Agang vs A Gang

Before her newly established political party platform, Dr Mampela Rampele was known only as a respected academic as well as anti apartheid activist. 

Her work has been the inspiration for many but it was only this year that she launched her political party, Agang, where she has promised to 'build a country of our dreams'. Agang is Sotho for 'build' and while the party is fairly new she has declared that it will tackle the country's corruption where they shall be contesting in the 2014 national elections.

Agang's official website reads, "Young and old, poor and rich, men and women, urban and rural people are yearning for a political platform that can put our country first." 

Question is, where will you be placing your X in nest year's elections?

Blog About Cancer

I have decided that my reflective piece for this post will be sharing the knowledged I got about breast cancer while doing this assignment.

I will start by defining cancer. This is a rapid growth of abnormal cells in any organ of the body. Theses abnormal cells can form into a mass called a tumour. The tumour can spread and invade the organs around it. It can also spread to distant organs like the lung and liver, whichever organ it spreads to, it damages and causes that organ to fail, that is how cancer kills a person.

No definite cause for cancer has been found. We need to look at our eating habits, substance abuse, pollution, global warming, radioactive substances and even cellphones which can be linked to the sharp rise in the number of cancer patients.

Cancer of the cervix can be prevented by vaccinating young girls before they become sexually active. Lung cancer can be prevented  by not smoking but a healthy lifestyle is advised.

Most ofetn though, SCREENING, SCREENING, SCREENING is better.

Reflective Piece

My City, my heritage. This was the title of yet another of my exciting assignments with a pair. My mate and I were tasked to wonder the streets and identify a new street name locally and report about it, we chose Juluis Nyerere Avenue. I must admit, before this I had no idea where the road was let alone the icon it was meant to honour.

With this confession in mind I can now safely admit that Sne (my classmate) and I walked around Durban looking for our street name of choice. Ironically enough when we were close to giving up, what with her phone not giving us a proper location we learnt that the street we walked out of our campus gates for was in fact right around the corner of our usual location. What better way than this to show us that my friend and I were quite...ignorant.

It was good to laugh it off but the truth of the matter is that Political activist Julius Nyerere would be turning in his grave if he knew that a pair of societal watchdogs of the future knew nothing about the man who aided in our native countries fight for freedom. Although originally from Tanzania and former president of the country, he had a very strong influence in ours attaining freedom. He was exemplary and courageous with a sound education to back up.

We learned this later. And to prove to others that ignorance does not rule, Sne and I took to the very avenue to poll ask passersby if they had any idea where to find Julius Nyerere Avenue was. We were standing on it yet they still didnt know where it was. That was a low blow for us as South Africans who will some day be faced to having to give directions to visitors when we don't know our these streets our self. A few people on social media answered the identity of Julius Nyerere when asked, others didn't know.

Reflective Class Piece

Why do people strike?

This was the title of a piece I was to write paired up with a classmate of mine. Although we both had different angles to tackle one story, upon last minute he failed to show up with his part. I submitted mine though and he pulled up his socks with the follow up assignment.

While at it, we all might remember that we just came from a huge strike where the taxi persons blocked access to some of the roads. It was horrible how they strike, the violence involved and the abuse within the strike. My classmate and I's articles were suppose to defend and argue the abuse involved in strikes and last weeks incident was in support of my part of the polarized piece. The strike gained violent momentum as weapons and teargas went around around. Police cars and other vehicles had their windows broken all in the name of airing mass voices.

Supposedly there is a reason behind the strike and all is restored to normality as of Monday. Another strike in the country, more public disturbance.

Music Releases of 2012

The year 2012 is yet another where digital downloads sales will continue to verse CD sales. While some will remain consistent to their loyal fans, others might have to pull up their socks and basically move with the times. Either way, this year promises to deliver on some really pleasurable releases from our favourite and top artists. Save your money because these are hot.

• My favourite has to be the release of 11 year old Willow Smith’s debut album. This will be Willow’s first album after the success of her singles Whip My Hair and 21st Century Girl. Fireball is the single off her first album and this collab with Young Money diva, Nicki Minaj, is on fire. This young dynamite is definitely a ball of talent and in Fireball her strong star power, attitude and catchy lyrics are all on point with the beats. Maybe I'm slowly becoming a fan because April 3 I am on the lookout for the album Willow: You Think You Know Me.
• Nicki Minaj is celebrating Valentines Day by releasing her album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. You’d love to know that this isn’t a rerelease but an album loaded with all new tracks.
• Mariah Carey is scheduled to return to her former stable SONY Music after leaving them in 2000. Since this is where Mariah made some of her greatest hits I reckon its good news overall.
• Girl group Girls Aloud are also making a musical comeback this year with a tour and album dropping only in December though.
• My favourite artist of all time, Brandy is releasing a yet-to-be-titled album. I guess a fresh start is what the Grammy award winning R&B singer will get after joining RCA/Chameleon Records.
• Still on Brandy, 14 years ago she and fellow R&B singer pooled forces and brought us the duet The Boy Is Mine. The two have done it again recording a new duet titled Turn The Lights On. Like Brandy, Monica too is releasing a new album titled New Life this year.
• Madonna comes back with her 12th album M.D.N.A. set for release before end of March after parting ways with Warner Bros. and joining Interscope. Can’t wait.
• Multitalented Chris Brown is also releasing brand new material in March titled Fortune.
• Trespassing is the title of Adam Lambert’s album due out in March with Outlaws and Better Than I Know Myself already out. A rep from the label also spoke of Christina Aguilera, Pink and Kris Allen set to release.
• Don’t wait for long to hear Leona Lewis’ voice as she too is bound to wow our ears.
• Country singer Taylor Swift is also releasing this year with one album she promises to be a bit more mature. The You Belong With Me singer also plans on breaking onto acting.
• If you feel you’ve waited too long to hear from Nelly Furtado, wait no longer. Her English album titled T.S.I is due for release this year.
• We R Who We R singer, Ke$ha is also delivering up on new material this year.

So there you have it all, save money because our artists are working hard to entertain.

PSS - stop piracy

Wraping Up 2011

My biggest highlight of 2011 in celebville is how our country opened its doors to so many international big acts. This year alone, coupled with previous years strongly shows that South Africa lacks for nothing in accommodating huge stars. Of course what would we be without crime though? What about corruption? Anyway let me not be the bitter one but raise your attention on what made my year worth reviewing. Yes my name appears a lot because its my list and I’m my own boss.
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In case you don’t watch the news let me fix you with some scandal, corruption, weddings and the occasional abuse...
*Debated appointment of Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of the country: Mogoeng Mogoeng
*Rupture/Harold Camping’s The End Is Near Prophecy – if you can read this than you aren’t dead!!!
*Remember the Twitter lies that Madiba was dead?
*WWE athletes’ bags got robbed immediately after landing in SA, who dares stealing for abo Big Show mara?
*Racial slurs - Kuli Roberts and Jimmy Manyi...you remember that?
*Just Jinjer lead singer Ard Matthews stumbles over the SA national anthem on Supersport
*The South African Music Awards move venue...Remember the 2 split stages and 1faulty mic?
*The Showbiz Report host and producer Nicky Greenwall welcomed her 1st child with boyfriend Robin Fryer (In the entertainment industry I look up to her)
*Unathi replaced Mara Louw on Idols SA, a 2nd baby and a new album
*Also on babies, Melani and Zwai Bala also welcomed their second child to the world
*Sadly the other Bala brother, Loyiso Bala is officially off the market having tied knot earlier in October
*Mshoza becomes relevant!!!
*30 year old Nonhle Goes gaga, no I mean Goes To Hollywood
*The sudden mushrooming of reality TV shows
*Shame, Kelly Khumalo cries abuse from Jub Jub. Beaten, battered and abused she later went back to
*Is our generation on Generations over? After 16 years, Connie Ferguson left the soapie followed by fellow leading cast Sonia Sedibe, Seputla Sebogodi, Dumisani Mbebe, Kagiso Rakosa and Thabiso Mokhethi, drama
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They worked throughout the calendar, socially relevant people of 2011
*Kwesta, Soulcandi project Micasa, Zahara, AKA, hip hop group Kold Produk, Zakes Bantwini and Zonke
Media and television:
*Terry Pheto joining the Bold and the Beautiful
*Hlelo and Ntando Masina aka The Twinz
*Benoni born Charlene Wittstock’s wedding to Prince Albert II of Monaco
*Boitumelo Thulo
*Francios Nel (MR Gay SA) wins Mr Gay World
*Gert Johan Coetzee – even though his gift dress was auctioned on eBAY by the Kardashians
*Delani Majola...
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Publications
*Rolling Stone magazine
*Forbes magazine
*Playboy magazine (not really new but returning after 16 year absence. Maybe next up will be Ymag)
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If you think you saw any of these stars, you probably did – Hollywood kisses Mzansi
*U2’s breathtaking 360 Tour
*The Bold and the Beautiful stars Brandon Beemer, Jacqueline Innes Wood and Jack Wagner
*Trey Songs (Who knows about 6 Trey Songs songs? I know 1)
*Busta Rhymes (Big Brother Africa)
*Brandy, Vivica A Fox and Sugar Ray Leonard (Must say it was my 1st time watching the SA Sports Awards)
*Kimora Lee Simmons (Mandela’s birthday celebrations, on the 3rd is mine adopt me Kimora)
*Deadmau5 (Say Deadmouse, good)
*Lil Wayne + Drake
*Janet Jackson (Upclose and Personal Tour)
*Remember the ZARFEST?
*Joe, Babyface, David Guetta, Akon
*Delani Majola

There we go, 2011 on lockdown. I almost deprived you of the years’ recap of the good, the bad and the just so mediocre. Please don’t hate me blame old age. Speaking of age, January 3 is my birthday, three cheers to me.
PS. You don’t need the year end to wake up and make a difference. Procrastination. Every year should be your year, everyday is the best day of your life

So Long


Royal Vows

Bala brood
Cant get enough of SA money, Brandy is back B-rocking Ulundi







The Bold and the Beautifull Jacqueline Innes Wood
Beautiful people visiting our Mzansi



My latest celeb crush
Face it, these are cute together

Thank God for their sashes otherwise we wouldnt know who they are



Most expected a black Playboy bunny






Humble beginings on tsotsi

Robbing wrestlers mara, ai ngeke