Tag Archives: Culture

M&G Young South Africans – I don’t kNOw hey

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, let me sum it up for you. It’s an  initiative by Mail & Guardian newspaper, ja that one that comes out on Fridays, in an ATTEMPT at identifying and telling the stories about the young South Africans under 35 doing extraordinary things.

“It always amazes us when we discover what these future leaders are accomplishing at an age when many of us are still trying to figure out what to do with our lives; they are just doing it — and soaring. They make us proud and give us great hope for the future of this country,” these are gems falling off the mouth of Executive Editor, 200 Young South Africans, Tanya Pampalone.

It is good to have such initiatives in place so young South Africans know we watching them. Unlike Ms Pampalone, I’m amazed by the candidates who make the cut or those who don’t. I stand corrected but there are people whom I question their (premature) nomination on your list. I don’t say they are not good but because there are ‘better’ people who didn’t make the cut, I have to pen down my view.

Can someone please explain to me why Zahara, yes the new kid on the block, is not on that list? She is a good example of what you seek to recognise for a job well done. I’m a big fan of Lindiwe Suttle but how many people know her, not to mention like her music. If you had put her there because of her fashion, I’d probably understand. She has not even released her album on top of that. Oh snap! Her mother is the legendary Felicia Mabuza-Suttle. I’m not comparing the two but they seem to drive my point home.

There are others as well I read up their “stories” and wonder how they made it because to me they are doing their job.

Ever heard of Mo Ibrahim Index? According to them, it’s a comprehensive assessment of African countries according to the quality of their governance.  It’s compiled annually, in partnership with experts from a number of African institutions. Basically it measures progress in a number of things within government to see who is best. They even give away a US$5 (?) million.

What I like about them is they don’t just give that prize because a state in on top that year. They give it when it’s due. Hint hint. But ke because you guys want to fill in the gaps to make 200, you are compelled to just take “anyone” (by this I mean those merely doing their jobs). And here I was thinking you were looking for exceptional individuals who will make us the normal people with normal lives look like failures. You know what exceptional means mos, after all you are a newspaper and words are you thing.

I see a lot of editors and producers in your list (ok, I only checked the Media & Film and Arts & Culture categories because they are my interests). It got me wondering why. What is going to happen when you’ve nominated all the editors and producers? Isn’t this about outstanding performance/contribution to that field?

I can ask all kinds of questions until the cows come home, so let me rather sit down. BOOM!

 

Mail&Guardian 200 Young South Africans 2012 categories

Mail&Guardian 200 Young South Africans 2012 categories

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, let me sum it up for you. It’s an  initiative by Mail & Guardian newspaper, ja that one that comes out on Fridays, in an ATTEMPT at identifying and telling the stories about the young South Africans under 35 doing extraordinary things.

“It always amazes us when we discover what these future leaders are accomplishing at an age when many of us are still trying to figure out what to do with our lives; they are just doing it — and soaring. They make us proud and give us great hope for the future of this country,” these are gems falling off the mouth of Executive Editor, 200 Young South Africans, Tanya Pampalone.

It is good to have such initiatives in place so young South Africans know we watching them. Unlike Ms Pampalone, I’m amazed by the candidates who make the cut or those who don’t. I stand corrected but there are people whom I question their (premature) nomination on your list. I don’t say they are not good but because there are ‘better’ people who didn’t make the cut, I have to pen down my view.

Can someone please explain to me why Zahara, yes the new kid on the block, is not on that list? She is a good example of what you seek to recognise for a job well done. I’m a big fan of Lindiwe Suttle but how many people know her, not to mention like her music. If you had put her there because of her fashion, I’d probably understand. She has not even released her album on top of that. Oh snap! Her mother is the legendary Felicia Mabuza-Suttle. I’m not comparing the two but they seem to drive my point home.

There are others as well I read up their “stories” and wonder how they made it because to me they are doing their job.

Ever heard of Mo Ibrahim Index? According to them, it’s a comprehensive assessment of African countries according to the quality of their governance.  It’s compiled annually, in partnership with experts from a number of African institutions. Basically it measures progress in a number of things within government to see who is best. They even give away a US$5 (?) million.

What I like about them is they don’t just give that prize because a state in on top that year. They give it when it’s due. Hint hint. But ke because you guys want to fill in the gaps to make 200, you are compelled to just take “anyone” (by this I mean those merely doing their jobs). And here I was thinking you were looking for exceptional individuals who will make us the normal people with normal lives look like failures. You know what exceptional means mos, after all you are a newspaper and words are you thing.

I see a lot of editors and producers in your list (ok, I only checked the Media & Film and Arts & Culture categories because they are my interests). It got me wondering why. What is going to happen when you’ve nominated all the editors and producers? Isn’t this about outstanding performance/contribution to that field?

I can ask all kinds of questions until the cows come home, so let me rather sit down. BOOM!