Presidential Hotlines, 'Off Work' Afternoon, 9 Months of The FGM Blog

* The opening of the much anticipated Presidential Hotline call centre this past Tuesday( 15/09/09).
This is where Mzansi citizens will be able to air their grievances on a myriad of issues directly to President Jacob Zuma. Or at the least the people manning this call centre will pass these complaints to him and he will in turn act on them.
And apparently on its first day of operating the President was there himself taking a few calls.
I think this facility is a nice touch from the President's office.This direct access to government will help to solve a lot of problems on the ground where the people live. It will also help by-pass bureaucracy.
Let us all put this facility to good use, Mzansi people.


* Having an afternoon off at work on Friday. This was part of my birthday celebrations and it came courtesy of our branch manager - Laurinda Hendricks.
It is a tradition here at our branch - FNB The Glen - for a staff member to have an afternoon off on their birthday.
This bit of time on my hands gave me a chance to do this and that.
I must thank branch management for this 'afternoon-off-on-your-birthday' idea because this 'time off' does certainly give a sense of being pampered as it is befitting a birthday boy/girl.


* The Feel Good Movement website having been in existence now for just over 9 months.
Some of the highlights since the last celebration - at 3 months way back in February - being:

1) The FGM blog 1st page being made a landing page in one of my 'kasi' ( Protea North) internet cafes.This means that when a person signs on in any computer in this internet cafe they would first land on our web page before going to the website that they want to visit. Much like the way the Google search engine page is a landing page in most internet cafes.
And this huge exposure was given to us free of charge by Mandla - the manager at this particular internet cafe.
" Thanks Mandla 'my man' "

2) Getting our first official FGM website follower. His name is Zak. You can see him on the top right hand corner of this page.

"Welcome to the FGM, Zak 'my man' "

And we also know, for a fact, that there hundreds of thousands of our followers out there. You are just waiting for the right opportunity and the right time to 'come out'.

3) Finally, the arrival of the FGM t-shirts about 3 weeks ago. And the subsequent wearing of them en masse by some of my colleagues at work on that Casual Day Friday.

The FEEL GOOD Revolution has arrived indeed, ladies and gentlemen.



THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.


===================================


Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:

Now There Is A Line
________________

It's a line to the President.
And it's hot.
What's on you mind Mzansi people?
Service delivery issues?
Now there is a line.
A line to power.
Bo-makhi disturbing the peace?
Now you have a line.
A line to Msholozi.
All the hot issues.
All the burning issues.
Now they have a line.
It's a line on fire.
It's a line to a better life,  for all.


=================================


SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
======================================

Caster Wa Rona, The Movie - 'Distrct 9', And Township Slang Phrases

* The continuing outpouring of support from Mzansi citizens for our golden girl - Caster Semenya. Caster is the South African lady sprinter who won gold in the 800m event in the recent World Athletic Championships in Berlin.
The support is in the wake of the leaked gender tests results done on her by the IAAF that say she is intersexed ( i.e.she is neither purely female nor purely male).
We would also like to voice our support  for Caster. She has not done anything wrong.
Her biological make-up is what she was saddled with at birth. She cannot change it.
I would like to say to Caster:

" Be strong my sister. This too shall pass."


* The locally made movie - DISTRICT 9 - that is doing very well in our local movie theatres. It was reported in THE TIMES ( 08/09/09) newspaper this past week that DISTRICT 9 is hogging the NO 1 spot in 'money made' terms for the 2nd week running.
It apparently did exceptionally well also in the US when it was first released there.
This film was made here in Mzansi, in the Soweto township.
It may not be strictly an SA story in that is it science fiction. We do not have a history of this genre in our film making. But we are still incredibly proud of its
achievement, both here and abroad.
Well done to bo-Neill Blomkamp - the director, and bo-Kenneth Nkosi - one of the actors in it.


* Learning a new township slang phrase for the act of selling stuff from person to person. When you do this i.e sell 'smallanyana' items like t-shirts, CDs, DVDs etc to individuals it is said:"O pusha doollas".
I got to learn this from a Spur( The Glen) gentleman employee. I had asked him where a colleague of his was. I was carrying a gym bag as I asked him this. He replied by asking me if I am "pushing doollas." If I was, he was also interested.
He never got to explain to me how this phrase originated. But I suspect 'doollas' comes from 'dollars'. When one is selling stuff, one is trying to make 'dollars', so to to speak.
After this lesson I felt even more 'ghetto' and happening.



THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.


================================


Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:


Cast In Stone
___________

Cast in stone Caster, you are.
Your being, Semenya.
Like your South African-ness.
Is cast in stone.
Your golden performances.
Like our love for you.
Is cast in stone.
The Australian media.
Or even the IAAF.
They can never change these.
These and other facts about you.
They are all cast in stone.
You are still a champ.
You are still pure gold.
And this, is cast in stone too.


======================================


SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
=====================================

Successful BRT Launch,Rubza Finding His Wings,FGM T-Shirt Day

* The launch of the Bus Rapid Transport system this past Monday(31/8/9) going well.It was the first commercial run of these new buses.They carried passengers from near Thokoza Park in Rockville and meandered through Soweto,the Johannesburg CBD,until their final stop around the Ellis Park stadium area.
The threatened disruption of this launch by the taxi operators did not materialize as everyone had feared.
And from accounts of a few people who have tried these buses,they are a comfortable and cost-effective way of getting to work or to school.
Personally,I do not think that our taxi operators have anything to fear from the BRT.These buses travel on a fixed route and on fixed time schedules.They meet certain transport needs.They can never cover the needs of all the commuters.There is still nothing to beat the flexibility of a 'Zola Budd' taxi.


* A friend of The FGM-Ruben('Rubza')-having taken the bold step of setting up his own shop.After working in his friend's shop-'Ha Robert'-for some time,Ruben has decided to put up his own operation in the Protea Glen location.It is a little joint called 'SELLO's GENERAL DEALER',next to the BP garage in Glen.
If you do happen to be in the Protea Glen area and are looking for a tasty
'Kota'-the township bunnychow-do pay Sello's General Dealer a visit.
I am really happy for 'my man' Rubza.His long cherished dream has come true at last.


* A few of my colleagues who bought The FGM t-shirts deciding to make Friday's Casual Day an FGM t-shirt day.They came to work clad in their brand new FGM t-shirts.I would like to take this opportunity to say 'ta' to these guys:

To Sarah Bibi Imam-Shaik- a long time supporter of The FGM.

" You looked awesome in your all black attire my sister.And with your 'bhurka' on,you looked like those young and committed Muslim ladies ready to die
for the cause.
Much respect to you Mrs Imam-Shaik."

To Boniswa - the new kid on the block and PA of PA's.

"Loved how you only got you only got your t-shirt on Friday
and never wasted any time.You wore it there and then to show your support.
Ndiya bulela sisi."

To Victor Mahlangu - the ringleader of this group.

"For conceiving the idea of an FGM t-shirt Casual Day and
then marshalling our colleagues to come on board.
Big ups 'my man'."

To Sibusiso Cindi - our smart guy.

"If Victor-above-was the Fidel Castro of this plan,you were
the Che Guevara of it.You won over the hearts of the people with
your charm.
Kea leboha ntate."

Thank you guys, from the bottom of my heart.



THANK YOU UNIVERSE.THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.


=================================


Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:


BRT Anyone?
___________

'B' is for bus.
A big bus.
A comfortable bus.
Moving on time.
Moving on schedule.
And in tune.
'R' is for rapid.
Moving.Swiftly and safely
Maku sheshwe.
Kuse Goli la.
Moving.Full or not.
'T' is for transport.
A transport for all.
Accessible and cheap.
A 'transi' for all seasons.
Everybody on board.
On board the BRT.


===================================


SO,SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE,WHAT MADE YOU

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
======================================
Learn the Exact Formula
To Achieve Any Financial Goal
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From the gurus featured in "The Secret"
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Government's Firm Hand, Pep Guardiola's Pep Talk, And the Arrival of The FGM T-shirts

* Our government showing who is in charge in response to the SANDF soldier's recent strike.
The striking soldiers had tried to storm the Union Buildings - President Jacob Zuma's residence in Pretoria - in a protest over their 'low' salaries. But they were repelled by the police with teargas. This firm response by the government was reassuring. Any form of lawlessness has to be nipped in the bud. The soldiers can go on strike if they want to, but the burning of cars etc..was uncalled for.
This same strong show of force was promised by the Premier of Gauteng - Nomvula Mokonyane -  to the taxi owners who were planning to disrupt the launch of the Bus Rapid Transport system this coming week.
We applaud this tough stance on lawlessness by the government. As citizens of Mzansi we need to feel that we are not at a mercy of elements who want to have their way by force.


* Reading about what the Barcelona coach - Pep Guardiola - told his players before the Champion's League final against Manchester United earlier this year. He was quoted in a soccer magazine called CHAMPIONS( August/September issue). In an article entitled 'Veni,Vidi,Vici.' by Paul Simpson, Guardiola was said to have told his players to be daring during the game:

" We wanted to say we played and were not being cowards.
There is nothing more dangerous than not taking risks."

I found this pep talk about taking risks very inspirational indeed. And from the way Barcelona defeated Man U, his players must indeed have heeded the coach's advice. Barcelona not only scored goals( 2 to Man U's 0), but they entertained us also.
How many risks do we take in our own personal lives in order to get ahead?



* The arrival of the Feel Good Movement t-shirts this past Friday. These t's were done for us by a company called MBOTANE BUSINESSS SERVICES that specializes in branded corporate wear and gifts. It is a company owned by a lady called Jabu Mabaso.
Needless to say, we are hugely excited here in The FGM. Our message of spreading the good news in our lives has just received another broadcast channel. The Feel Good Revolution can now spread its wings far and wide.

"Much, much love to you Ausi Jabu."



THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.


============================


Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:


Safe In Your Arms
_______________

When the earth is shaking.
When the ground we walk on trembles.
We want to feel safe.
Safe in your arms Goromente.
When it is cold.
When it is chilly outside.
We need to know that you are there.
That you are there for us Goromente.
When lawlessness, greed and corruption threaten.
When they threaten to overwhelm us.
We need your shield.
We need your protection.
Tell us that the law will take its course
And indeed it must.
So far so good Goromente.
We feel safe.
Safe in your arms.


=====================================


SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU

FEEL GOOG THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
======================================

Tutu's Admission, bo-Samuele of PNA, And Our Customers Having Their Say

* Archbishop Desmond Tutu acknowledging that he was wrong about the suitability of Mr Jacob Zuma to be the President of our country. He was quoted in THE TIMES newspaper( 19/08/09) as saying President Zuma: "..connects more easily with people than his predecessor." The 'Arch' had expressed grave concerns about Zuma's presidency before our general elections earlier this year.
 For the Archbishop to publicly admit that he may have been wrong in assessing Mr Zuma is an admirable thing indeed. It is a mark of a true leader to come out openly and say " I was wrong."
In this admission the 'Arch' could actually have been speaking for a lot of other people who had the same doubts about Mr Zuma.
And as if this was not enough endorsement of Mr Zuma's tenure so far, recently, political pundits generally agreed that the President had done reasonably well in his first 100 days in office.


* A very friendly staff member at PNA - the stationery shop that is located opposite the MTN outlet here in The Glen mall. His name is Samuel. This gentleman makes my visits to PNA a pleasure. He is always eager to assist customers.
The other day he proved to be highly creative in helping me to use the last rands in my gift voucher shopping debit card. In this instance I had thought that I needed to buy for the exact amount of the remaining balance in the debit card in order to exhaust it, but he made me aware that I have an option of adding my own cash to the debit card balance to make up the total of my purchase.

"Leka moso Ntate Samuele."


* Some really beautiful words from some our customers after we had served them. They write all of this in our Visitors Comments Book. Here are some really
nice ones:

On Bessie Mnisi Mr S. wrote:

"Bessie bent over backwards 4 us to help us get our funds.
She lived up up to your phrase - How can we help you?"

On Linda Dickson Ms K. writes:

"If your bank had 10 more staff like Linda Dickson it would be great.
She is a fine example."

And on Thapelo Ntlhabo Lady B. wrote:

"Absolutely satisfied with Thapelo. He made my day. Very efficient.
Good for you."

Finally, a special 'big up' to Valentine. This came  from our Branch Admin manager - Erika
Kasselman. She said Val is really considerate. Valentine came to work yesterday not being aware that she should have been off. When she was told that she can go home she opted to stay in order to give a fellow department worker a chance to catch up on his work load.


THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.


===============================


Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:


Tutu.
_____

Show us the way Arch.
Show us the way forward.
When we err,come down hard.
When we do good, sing.
Sing our praises.
Show us the art of smoking.
The art of smoking a peace pipe.
Show us the art of winning a Nobel prize.
Also, show us the art of calling neighbours to order.
The art of calling a spade a spade.
Lead us Arch.
As an elder teach us.
Lecture us on the virtues of having a spouse.
In old age I need my slippers.
I need my slippers brought to me.
Show us the way Archbishop.
Lead us.
And into temptation, lead us not.


==================================


SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement.gmail.com
===================================

The African-ness of the Johannesburg CBD, Giveaways From FIFA's LOC, And FGM Blog Posts Highlighted

* The various, and colourful, influences from around the African continent found in the Johannesburg CBD( Central Business District). One sees it in dress codes, in the languages spoken, or in the music played in here. The Jozi CBD is truly African, and this is something good.
This past Friday morning I ventured into the city centre and was blown away by the music I heard there. Being based outside the city centre work-wise, I rarely go there. On this Friday morning - in the Jourbert/Bree street area - I was greeted by some really beautiful African music. This music - played at full blast - came from a 'smallanyana' shop selling religious artifacts. On inquiring, I was informed that the music was Nigerian gospel by a musician called Blessed Samuel. And this particular song was called ''God Be Praised". I loved how this Nigerian gospel music retained its strong African influences.
I made a note to buy the Blessed one's cd on my next CBD visit.


* Hearing that the LOC and FIFA have decided to give away about 120,000 World Cup 2010 tickets for free. I heard this on the Metro FM's Discovery Sports Centre radio show hosted by Robert Marawa. The LOC CEO-Danny Jordaan - was a studio guest and informed us of this. Mr Jordaan said 40,000 of these tickets will go to the construction workers who built the 2010 World Cup stadiums.
This giving back of sorts by the LOC and FIFA is commendable indeed. I have heard that the workers who are building these stadiums are really working hard to finish them on time. Danny told us - as an example - how he would find the workers busy at work even on Saturdays and Sundays at the Port Elizabeth stadium.
This commitment by the construction workers to make the 2010 World Cup a success made me wonder what I am doing - in my own small way - to make 'our' World Cup a success.


* The pleasure of having one of our FGM blog posts( of 02/08/09) being put up on the Spur Restaurant(The Glen) notice board.
Sometime ago I wrote a post in which I expressed how much I had loved the way I was served at the Spur( The Glen). In particular, the way I was served by Ayanda and Joseph. After I gave these guys each a copy of this post they showed it to their management. Management loved the post and decided to put it up in the restaurant's notice board in the public arena for all and sundry to see.
I was flattered to hear of this.
Thank you Spur people.


THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.


===========================


Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:


Been To Africa Lately?
__________________

I have.
Been to Abuja.
Been to Kinshasa.
The Jozi CBD has taken me there.
Been to Portugal lately?
I have.
Via Luanda.
Via Maputo.
The Jhb CBD takes me.
Been to Mogadishu?
Been to Addis Ababa?
I have been indeed.
The Mjepa CBD.
I have been all over Africa.
I stay all over Africa.
I am an African Mr Mbeki.
The Jozi CBD makes me.


=====================================


SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
====================================

Celebrating Our Ladies, Insight into a DC Hearing, And Big Support for Soccer in the USA

* The celebration of Women's Day here in South Africa today.
Every year on this day - a public holiday - we pay homage to the women of Mzansi for their contribution to the liberation of our country from racial oppression.
It was on this day back in 1956 that the women of this country marched to Pretoria to protest against the 'dom pass' law. This was a law that required all black South Africans to carry a 'pass' document at all times.
Here I would like to sing my praises, too, to all the ladies of Mzansi for the many roles in which they still excel even today. Be it as mothers, lovers, friends or fellow workers, you guys still rock.


* Attending a disciplinary hearing for the first time and being really impressed by the whole process. This is despite the fact that a DC hearing subject matter is never comfortable.
I went there to support a colleague and a friend in his hour of need.
I was struck by how fair the process seemed to be. Each side is given ample opportunity to state their case.
The chairman of this particular hearing - Mr James Walsh - did a splendid job in conducting it. He explained clearly how the process works at the beginning. Also, before we moved forward on a particular point he made sure that each side was satisfied. There was no sense of needing to get this thing over and done with quickly.
As if this was not fair enough, at the conclusion of the hearing James asked my friend his opinion on the kind of punishment he should get if found guilty. I nearly fell off my chair at this question.
All in all, 'big up' to FNB for such a fair DC hearing process.


* Evidence that Americans do love soccer after all. This is contrary to the popular opinion that they don't. But it seems the soccer has to be of the right type and style.
It was reported in THE TIMES( 3/8/9) that the recent game between the European Champions-Barcelona - and the local team - L A Galaxy - drew one of the largest crowds.The attendance for this game was estimated at 93 000. This, the report stated, was the largest crowed in a soccer game since the 1994 FIFA World Cup, which the US hosted.
And it is no coincidence that the Americans came to this particular game in droves. The game featured Barcelona - the current finest exponents of how the beautiful game should be played. Barca's style of playing plus the star power of the David Beckham-inspired L A Galaxy team must have proved irresistible.
For us soccer lovers this sign of a growth in popularity of the beautiful game in the US of A is a  wonderful thing.



THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.


==============================


Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:


Queens, All Of You
______________

Queens,women you are.
Queens of nurturing.
You give us life.
You grow us.
Even on our death beds,
Ravaged by desease.
You are still there.
You are teachers.
Not so much by words.
By your deeds.
Queens of loyalty.
Fiercely loyal to your offspring.
To your lovers.
To a fault sometimes.
Queens.
You are strong.
Physically and mentally.
Ouch! the pain of childbirth.
The pain of an offspring gone astray.
The pain of an abusive partner.
You bear it all.
And grin.
We love these qualities in you.
Queens, women you all are.


=======================================


SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
======================================