Some awesome guys from Micro Documentaries in San Fran, US got hold of me recently and asked to shoot a short doccie on me, as commissioned by CISCO Systems. Mark Jackson, a local camera pro came and shot with me for 5 hours. We had a lot of fun, then sent the footage back to Marc Tamo in the States and a month later, this beautiful 3 min vid was done! Enjoy it! Full web story: http://newsroom.cisco.com/release/970446
Author: Craig Makhosi
TEDxCapeTownED – Craig Charnock – Language Learning: Bridge to a Better World (12 min)
On June 16, 2012, Youth Day, Craigieji spoke at the TEDx conference on Education, which took place at Ratanga Junction. Other speakers included Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, Prof Tim Noakes, Soli Philander, John Gilmour, amongst many other awesome speakers, mostly in the education field, or otherwise highly relevant. Please see the full list here: http://tedxcapetowned.org/speakers. It was a great privilege to be invited and to participate.
The video below is 14 mins long. It includes the music video intro, followed by the 10 minute talk, which includes anecdotes, and interesting quotes painting a broader context of value for learning the languages of indigenous cultures globally, and ends by teaching over 300 educators in the audience a dance step called ukuxhentsa, used by Sangomas or traditional doctors to enter trance.
Please view the video and share it with your networks. We are hoping for 10000 hits for it to be featured on the TED.com website.
I watched your TEDxED video again last night – INSPIRATIONAL stuff. Thanks again for putting in so much effort. Of the 60 audience feedback forms I’ve got most rated your and Xola’s talks as their top favourites. Well done! Terence Themba Berry, TedX Education Organiser
Makhosi :)c
Craig Charnock Presentations Feedback 2012
Quite a White Ou second track: Hayibo!
When I wrote Hayibo, it was with great sadness for the deeply entrenched corruption in our global economic system and the continued imbalances, which we now see manifesting in such tragedies as the Marikana Massacre. Whilst people suffer for sub-minimum wages, their bosses buy hummers and multiple holiday homes, so many of us who claim to care, continue to buy designed-redundancy junk and consume our time and energy on self-centred and futile pursuits. Just a little more giving in meaningful ways, by each of us and the world will keep changing for the better, but as long as we continue to put our money where our hearts aren’t, then its going to keep getting worse!
Remember, a great way to learn a language is through music, so get singing along:
Lyrics below:
http://soundcloud.com/quiteawhiteou/hayibo-featuring-teba
FREE DOWNLOAD of Second track from Quite A White Ou, paying homage to reggae and ragga sound systems, and bringing a more serious tone to this emerging artist’s voice. Hayi bo! Featuring Teba, the Original Social Worker.
Hayibo (feat Teba)
Intro by Teba: “Ek se yamvala? uthini bafethu, lengamla! Umlungu uthini man mfondini? Uthetha ungathi uyabhuda nje? Thetha siphulaphule nje. Phulaphula!
“Yo, I say, brothers, what’s this white guy saying, is he just talking nonsense? Speak then, we are listening. Pay attention everyone!”
Verse 1
Sifuna inkululeko kodwa abantu baninzi We looking for freedom but so many people
Bathanda ukuthenga izinto ezininzi They like to buy so many things
Sizama ukumosha lomhlaba nabantu Are we trying to mess up this land and its people
Nezilwanyana neentyatyambo And the animals and the flowers
Chorus 1
Ndithi, hayibo , ndithi hayibo I say “Gosh” – (despairingly) , I say “Gosh”
X 4
hayibo
hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hayibo x 4
Verse 2
Ndihayika entabeni I hike on the mountain
Ndikhangela lendawo I check out this place
Siyaphi thina ndiyabuza kubawo Where are we going, I ask to the father
Masivule indlebe asimameli kumama Lets open our ears, we are not listening to the mother
Yiyo loonto sisathenga iHumma That is why we are still buying Hummers
Chorus 2
Ndithi, hayibo , ndithi hayibo I say “Gosh” – (despairingly) , I say “Gosh”
X 4
hayibo
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh hayibo x 4
Ragga Verse:
Corruption no gonna work
Righteousness have to rule this here earth
You could break uno leg
If uno rob people, and your belly pretty fat
Raise your hands in the air
If you support this family affair, well
Peace and love we declare
Quite a White Ou and Teba
We care. Kaboom.
Chorus 1 repeat.
Verse 3:
Vukani madoda masincedisane Wake up, men, we must help each other
Kubi ukucinga uba asifani Its bad to think we are different
Yintoni impendulo andiyazi What is the answer I don’t know
Ukuhlisa umoya siyakwazi Let’s bring more spirit to earth
Chorus 2 repeat
END
Xhosa Feedback Form
Xhosa Audio Phrase-A-Day: Where were you on holiday? I was ….
Download now or listen on posterous
Where were you_ I was ……mp3 (476 KB)
Xhosa Volunteer Opportunities – The thinking behind it
It is my belief that the best way for people to learn Xhosa and potentially help heal rifts is to go and volunteer, but not to go as some sort of saviour but rather as your humble self, struggling to learn Xhosa and to get to know people in the process. You provide a service, and learn about your fellow peoples in our beautiful country and have a good time. There is plenty of healing to be done on both sides of the wealth and class curtain. Besides, this is how I learnt Xhosa as an adult – Volunteering and interacting. Its a fabulous investment in yourself, let alone the youth of our country.
So, if you wish to be connected through some innovative channels, please check this blog label often or subscribe via RSS or just keep subscribed to my mailing list. But hopefully, you can follow one of the links to organisations below and find a place to volunteer that works well for you. At this time, I prefer to not have to manage this process. Take initiative and contact some of the folk below.
At some point, we hope to have a google calendar, which will provide up to date connections with events and peoples organising things in the townships. The atmosphere of non-work pressure combined with the inquisitive exposure will allow you the mental space to let your Xhosa grow. Epic! Improve your Xhosa, heal the nation and yourself – Volunteer!
Volunteer Opportunities – Links and Contacts
The Sosebenza Centre for Peace is a youth centre in Masiphumelele (MASI). Its is a home away from home to many youth involved in various environmental, music, art, drama, sport and spiritual community based organisations.
And Green Pop for fun tree planting activities in the locations:
http://www.greenpop.org/
http://greenpop.org/dates/ – for planting schedule.
Culture Topics
UBuntu Bridge is happy to provide speakers on Xhosa culture and its adaptations in a modern context. Please email us on info@learnxhosa.co.za
Long-distance Learning options
If you wish to study from a distance you have a few options.
1. Ordering the CDs. These are great for self-study. I teach over the Cds, with which you interact verbally, and the manuals make it clear. Starting with the first two I would suggest as a minimum and working through all four would be ideal. See Cd structures and costs here: http://ubuntu-bridge.blogspot.com/search/label/Audio%20Language%20Learning%20CDs
2. The online learning environment: this is in development, but I can finish it off quickly. Id like you to test the first lesson for me and let me know how it is working for you.
Xhosa Online Learning Environment
View here: http://196.25.114.230/learnxhosa.co.za/moodle/
Description: Read more online, but basically the whole text, audio and video content of my first lesson as taught in my courses, with pronounciations, the clicks, greetings, good-byes as well as cultural tips to help you in everyday interaction. Learn online!
To enter: I have set it up so that guests may enter the site provided they have an enrolment key or password which is “ubuntu”.
Click on the above weblink and go to the home page. To get into the course you will need to click on the LearnXhosa Level 1 link in the centre of the page. This will take you to a page where you should enter the enrolment key (ubuntu) and click on “enrol me in this course”. From then on you will be able to access the site freely.
NOTE: Do not click Login as you wont be able to access the site. Rather enter the enrolment key (ubuntu) and click on “enrol me in this course”.
FEEDBACK including constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.
3. Skype lessons: After working through the above options, if you still need some live tutoring or you want someone to practice speaking with, you have the option of skype lessons.
We can converse with you and explain things that need explaining. Its an excellent way to keep your Xhosa in practice, especially if in a country where no one speaks Xhosa.
Or you could work through the first two beginners CDs (i.e. from scratch):
Or the third and fourth CDs:
These are generally better suited to those with a intermediate ability who are looking to practice and actually use the language whilst they are in a circumstance with few Xhosa speakers. However, anyone of any level could benefit from these lessons over the web.
We teach in 30 minute (R250). Special rates if you pay for a number of lessons upfront. 5 x 30 minute lessons for R1100.
For all options, please email: info@learnxhosa.co.za