Blanche’s Hedgehog looks into the life of a woman living with cancer. Marianne Tucker, a pharmacist from Johannesburg, has been living with cancer for the past four years. She has always expressed that people should not be scared of death but scared of not living the life they have been given – to the full. It is this positive outlook on life that allows her to have the strength to go for weekly chemotherapy sessions and still get up for work. Christopher’s portfolio is here
How does a disabled person experience university? At Rhodes University, an event was held where students and staff could experience what it was like to be disabled for a day….
On 27 September 2012, able-bodied staff and students could experience one of three impairments, namely sight, mobility and hearing. In orange shirts with the bold slogan RU Disabled? The New Apartheid. Separate but equal? printed on the back, the participants went about their day as they faced new types of obstacles. Tim Stones, the disability advisor for Rhodes, is hard of hearing and believes that Rhodes is very much behind in their accessibility for disabled students. Adrian Hubbard, a wheelchair specialist at CE Mobility and paralympian, has been in a wheelchair since his twenties and talks about the importance of an accessible environment for equality. The third interviewee was one of the participants, John Vries, who is a student and experienced being in a wheelchair for the day. Gabi Zietsman’s portfolio is found here
The Calling is a fascinating part of the Xhosa and Zulu culture – which believes that the ancestors chose your life’s path. This piece shows the journey of Nondithini Samson, a lady who first questioned and then later agreed to accept the calling and the spiritualjourney. Even though she was sceptical she finally decided to accept it and acknowledge that she is the chosen one and there is nothing she can do. She has to submit to being a traditional diviner. Enathi Mqokeli’s portfolio is found here
Destruction was left in the wake of 2012 floods in Port Alfred. We look at the recovery process that people in the region currently face. A suburban resident recalls the Southdowns Avenue Bridge being washed away leaving the Southdowns area completely cut off. However, the community came together and rebuilt the road. This is juxtaposed with people who are housed at the Ingubo Community Hall after their houses were washed away. The ability to recover seems to lie only in the hands of the privileged. Candyce Bruce’s portfolio is found here
Loaves & Fishes is an organisation in Port Alfred that gives monthly food parcels to families who are battling financially. This documentary shows the stories of two women who have been helped by the initiative; how their relationships and lives are being restored. Corrie Parsons is the main facilitator of Loaves and Fishes. The organisation gives out food to those in need, but more importantly gives them the helping hand that they need See Candice’s portfolio here
The Chevrolet Warriors have recently embarked on their 2012/13 season and are focused on success in this year’s Sunfoil Series. While the Warriors are known for their recent success in the shorter forms of the game the team is motivated on doing well in the four day format and a lot of preparation has gone on during the off season to ensure they are prepared. The team is also buoyed by the return of Captain Davy Jacobs, after being sidelined from first class cricket for over two years. We assess the strengths and weaknesses of the team and look ahead at what’s to come. Justin’s portfolio is found here
