Title: Thabo and Freddie – White or black?
Author: Maseehullah Patel
Renewed by: Mohammed Raeez Amod

Thabo and Freddie is a book which was written by Maseehullah Patel. Maseehullah makes the story seem so original. It is a book dealing with the apartheid rule, and the TRC.

The book is about Thabo who’s dream come true, of becoming a president of South Africa and leader of the TRC. Thabo’s story dealing with apartheid is then narrated. The story narrated tells us the injustice Thabo went through and how he was oppressed by a white boy called Freddie. With the TRC Thabo can either choose to have him punished or to forgive him.

This book is a fiction, but the topics and ideas the book highlights or deals with is all facts.

I think the book is quite good, because it shows the reader what was the main concept of apartheid and the TRC. It also encourages readers to find out a more detailed explanation of apartheid and the TRC.

Book Review

Being Different
By Zakiyyah Kolia
Reviewed by Humaira Adam Omar

Zakiyyah has written an excellent story. She explains apartheid properly in a story form. Small children will definitely find this book nice. They won’t get bored and they will understand what was apartheid.

I was not alive during the apartheid era but I felt as if I was alive then when reading the book. She made me realize how lucky I am. I have got everything that I ever wanted but the children those times never had anything. I am so privileged, yet I do not appreciate anything.

It was a story of two small boys named Sizwe and Gary. Sizwe’s mother worked for Gary’s family. Gary always wanted to play with Sizwe but was stopped by his mother. They both were in primary school. Gary’s mother stopped fetching him from school so he started play after school. One day someone saw this and told Gary’s mother. She took him away from Sizwe and they never saw each other after that. After four years apartheid was over and they met again. They were together in the same school and they were best friends.

I like the parts where Zakiyyah showed how the words are pronounced and explains what those words mean.

To know more about Being Different, read the book.

Journey Through Life written by Humaira Adam and reviewed by Tasneem Pochee

We were not part of the apartheid era. For children that don’t know what apartheid is they should try Journey Through Life by Humaira Adam. This book explains apartheid clearly and is factual.

The book explains the life of a young black girl, Lindiwe who lived during the apartheid times. The book details the suffering of what black people went through where there were no jobs, education was low and facilities were not available. Lindiwe experienced these struggles and lost her father in a massacre. Lindiwe is a good character because we can relate to her.

The book is a good book and is written well, it fits the age group. Even though none of the young people experienced racial segregation the setting of the book gives them an idea and feeling of what racial segregation was and they can understand the issues.

The book is set in the past and compared to today’s times the setting is total opposite. When reading the book you feel you are part of the setting and share the sorrows of the non-whites in that time.

An interesting book which every young child should read!

Book Review- Aishah Moga

Title: Who? What? Where am I?
Author: Aishah Moga
Reviewed by: Azeeza Saloojee

Even though it is history, writer Aishah Moga makes it seem so relevant and alive. Who? What? Where am I? is a heart warming tale of a family caught up in the net of Apartheid.

Set in the past, the one thing I really admired about this book was the fact that she had substantial proof to back up her story. She accomplished this by making note of some of the laws passed and implemented by the Government of that time. This is also a portrayal of her research and background knowledge taken into account into preparing for this book.

While the story is centered around a young eight year-old black boy; John and his mother have to deal with the problems facing his father and the laws which separate the family; it is also host to a white family living on the coast of South Africa.

While John and his family try to reunite, the story unfolds. Where the road leads to…it’s up to you to find out!

Book review- Fatima Desai

Fatima Desai’s book John and Thabo is a historical book that deals with apartheid and the TRC.It is set in a farm where an African boy meets a European boy. The main character is the African boy named Thabo.

It is an interesting book which gets exactly to the point of how the apartheid era was. The boys go against their parents and stick it out to the end as they know that being separated in a democratic country just aint fair and appropriate.

I enjoyed reading this book because it was not far fetched and it was to the point. It is a must read book.

Reviewed by: Ayesha Moosa

Not Too Long Ago
By Fatima Khakie
Review by Naazneen Ayob


This is an awesome book for young children in which they can gain a little insight about apartheid. “Not Too Long Ago” takes place in the house of a young girl, Fatima and her parents. Fatima, seems very eager and keen to learn about the past-apartheid. Fatima’s mother tells her that her father is gone for a Vaal Hearings meeting so she inquires from her father as to what the Vaal Hearings and TRC (Truth and reconciliation commission) is all about. She is told about the details of apartheid and the hardships that many people including her parents had experienced. She is grateful that now, people of different races can live together and apartheid has been demolished.
The author captures the mood of the reader In this remarkable story and enlightens many of the young readers in this splendid story on apartheid in which they can relate to and understand.
A well written story- A real inspiration!

Book Review

The Little Man In The Space Case by Aamena Khota. Reviewed by Fatima Sayed

I was born when Apartheid was nearing its end. I had not witnessed the wrong doings during Apartheid times because I was very small to understand what was happening. I only know South Africa as a democratic country. Thus, reading this book not only educates Joyce and Mariam, the two young girls who just found out about apartheid, but also others.

When reading the book one can imagine the story actually taking place. The setting of the story is relative to reality. It is the perfect setting for children's book. Joyce is eager to inform her friend Mariam, what she had discovered about our country's past. She learned about apartheid and how cruel it was. How it destroyed people's lives. She told Mariam about what had happened, how apartheid became weak and finally ended. Now we are a democratic country.

I found the book to be really interesting and exciting. I think that children will definitely enjoy it. I was really pleased with the writing style. Aamena wrote the book based on facts but at the same time made it mysterious and exciting for the young ones and easy for them to understand.

This is a very good book for children. For all the parents who wish to educate their children on apartheid, make them read the book.

Gone Are The Days

Gone Are The Days
by Fatima Sayed
Review by Aamena Khota

As a person who did not live during the times of Apartheid, writer Fatima Sayed made it real to me. It was as if I were with Lindiwe, Samantha and Jonathan, the tree children in the story, as their grandmother told them the story about apartheid.

Granny is the reason you want to continue reading the book. The way she relates the story of Apartheid and the emotion in her story is so real. She makes you feel the Apartheid era.

The story unfolds by Granny explaining the meaning of Apartheid and the basis of it. The children are made aware of the basic laws such as the Group Areas Act and “dompass” (pass book). As the story continues Lindiwe, Samantha and Jonathan start asking questions related to Apartheid. You are made aware of the seriousness of Apartheid not only on the streets but also in school, sports and in the work place.

Gone Are The Days is an interesting and effective story. The idea of an older person, in this case Granny, relating the days of Apartheid is a good way to educate children. As this is a children’s book this idea is successful.

Each character in the book plays a part in adding flavour to the story. The theme of family relations is made apparent and creates an almost happy atmosphere.

The story reveals the reasons for certain public holidays South Africa holds, this is an important aspect related to the theme of Apartheid. Making mention of great leaders in the struggle, as well as Granny’s personal experiences plays a tribute to those who fought for freedom.

Gone Are The Days is a journey back in time, an extremely interesting and well written book for young minds. To understand and enjoy this journey, you’ll have to read the book.

BOOK REVIEW

Book review
A Long Walk Home
By Naazneen Ayob
Reviewed By Zakiyyah Kolia

I’ve never been through apartheid but by reading this book, A Long Walk Home, it gave me a view of apartheid through a young boy’s eyes, Joseph Mackenzie, who lived through apartheid. He lived with his family in the township of Soweto during the old South Africa, not of what I know today.

Joseph Mackenzie tells us the story of him growing up with his mother and finding ways of supporting and protecting her. He just wants to tell people how he had to grow up in the rough times of apartheid and how it affected him.

Joseph has told a story of truth about apartheid and speaks of his experiences very clearly. Naazneen has sequenced the story in an excellent way for the reader to understand. It is also a great book in educating youngsters to understand apartheid.

As a ten year old boy living in the townships, life without his father was tough. Joseph seemed to have a low self esteem due to apartheid and this gives him a very serious character for a young man.

Apartheid was over in 1994 but the effects of it still lives on today like racism however this didn’t bring Joseph and many others down. They all overcame it in their own way and got help from those want to hear their stories.

Book Review

A South African Story by Azeeza Saloojee review by Fatima Khakie

If I was an eight-year old child reading the story, I would have definitely learnt more about my country’s past, things that I would not forget. The simple plot and amazing illustrations keeps the interest of a young mind. The book “A South African Story” by Azeeza Saloojee will prove to be not only enjoyable, but will teach children important life lessons as well.

Set in Apartheid times, the hardships and unfairness of racial segregation is explored through main character, John and his family. Explaining that also the young suffered - one can almost feel the sadness which gives the book a realistic feel. Thereby teaching children to treat everyone fairly.

The impact of Apartheid is brilliantly portrayed in the line “John and his family are still hurt and their wounds and memories of their ill past has not healed.”

Yet, this is all forgiven and forgotten thanks to the TRC, which was well explained. The book does end in a happy ending – just like South Africa did. All can look forward to a brighter future filled with people of all colours.

The gold covered story book is an interesting bed time story, that unlike sleeping beauty is true, deep and above all, about South Africa – our country.

BOOK REVEIW

Sakina's Sacrifice by Waseem Patel

Reveiwed by Zafar Nathie

A very well put book written by a concerned author, Waseem Patel. I beleive that he put his all in making his first of I hope many books. I think he could have only achieved putting this book together by the help of his interveiw with the apartheid activist. By reading this book parents and children can learn more about Apartheid.

In this story Sakina is the main character and is living a hard life due to the effects of the Apartheid rule. She is an intelligent girl who likes school but could only study till grade 8. she enjoyed the fact that in school she was with many race groups. By expereincing the effects of Apartheid it built up anger in her, which she expressed by protesting against the goverment. She was locked up due to this and after a period, the Apartheid rule fell and South Africa became a better place for all. the little she did helped this country alot.

The wording in this book fits the category of readers, which are children because it is an understandable book for the age group. It was a great book to read and brought up understanding of the Apartheid rule.

Book Review

Freedom at Last by Tasneem Pochee
Review by Aishah Moga

An inspiring story, which travels through South Africa’s difficult times. A very dedicated author, Tasneem Pochee has placed enormous effort into her first book Freedom at Last.

The development of this book was massive, researching, interviewing apartheid activists and understanding things you had never seen. With the interview with Mohammed Sujee, surely that would have helped.

This book contains simple language and an understandable story for children. It is also a beneficial book for parents to read to their young ones. Reading this book, children would extract the true essence of Apartheid life and an introduction to democracy. Relating a story of an African boy who grew up in South Africa and relating his distressing experiences. The reader would actually feel desolate.

The story begins with Sipho, the main character living very poorly in Sharpville. Thereafter telling us a bit of his family’s hardships, Sipho had gone through difficulties in school, at home and socially.

It is a very factual story, accurate dates are mentioned of important events, such as, “In 1990 the whites and blacks united to get a free life and in 1994 everybody including the blacks were allowed to vote.”
A moderate ending, not a very happy ending to a story but in reality, Apartheid isn’t a easy life to forget. The issue of the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) is brought in, adding important information to the story.

To get the true essence you will have to read Freedom at Last.

Firdoze Bulbulia- Director: Moments Entertainment

Dear Abdulla

Thank you for sharing your project. You certainly have inspired your learners and created much interest not only in the subject matter but also in the use of new technology and media applications. The new wave in content production is ‘user generated content’- thus you have already opened a world of opportunities for your learners. I would like to encourage you all to use YouTube as another medium to extend this wonderful project. Also, broadcasters should be interested in this project. I have cc Neo from SABC on this mail.

I have cc this email to put you in touch with people whom I think could aid your work and bring closer contact with people in Sudan and other regions of Africa and Middle East - hoping that their experiences might offer your learners another avenue to explore in terms of ‘Cry, The Beloved Country’ or is it ‘the beloved continent’?

Best Regards
Firdoze



Faith Isiakpere-Director: Moments Entertainment
Firdoze Bulbulia- Director: Moments Entertainment
Chairperson: 5WSMC / CBFA (www.5wsmc.com)
Secretary General: CIFEJ (www.cifej.com)
72 KEURBOOM STREET
ATHOLL
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SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +27 11 884 - 0366
Fax: +27 11 883 - 5665
Mobile: +27 83 325 1857
5th World Summit on Media for Children 24 - 28 March 2007
Theme: Media as a Tool for Global Peace & Democracy

POSTER - AUTHENTIC LEARNING

The dynamics of education has always been welded to politics in such a way that it channels the status quo in preparing the mindset of the masses. When the status quo is an acceptable type of democracy, it allows you to use the historical past as a means to establish a new future of possibilities. The education of the nation must not serve to overwhelm the historical past but, it must show how in an objective sense how the past made the future happen. Therefore, an education system that does not allow for this progression to develop will eventually become irrelevant because, education is the keystone to human progression from being uncivilised to being civilised.
– Abdullah Sujee.

POSTERS THAT DEPICT THE INTEGRATED LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Given that Education on a global scale is moving to support the move of ‘fast capitalism’ i.e. where minority groups control the means of production in varying degrees of monopoly control thus, creating a mass employment market for skilled professionals and unskilled apprentices, it becomes necessary that we train people to become independent such that they themselves become the ‘movers’ of fast capitalism. In effect, the monopoly of control is then spread across a more broader band of people educated enough to invent new opportunities to satisfy the physiological needs of the masses such that more and more reach self-actualisation thus, prospering their own life through a culture of self-reliance.
– Abdullah Sujee.

LETTER OF RESEARCH STUDENT WHO OBSERVED LESSONS ON THE VAAL HEARINGS

PO Box 862
Kelvin
2054
15-09-2007


Mr. Abdullah Sujee
Vice Principal
Roshnee Islamic School
Roshnee


Dear Mr. Sujee

I am writing to thank you for providing me with the opportunity to observe your English lessons for a period of four weeks. It was a fascinating and inspiring experience to see the innovative way in which you incorporated technology to enhance your lessons.

With particular reference to the novel, “Cry the Beloved Country” that was studied, the application of technology i.e. the use of the Internet, multimedia and audiovisual equipment enabled the students to have a richer, more integrated experience and helped to inject life and “colour” to quote one student, into the lessons. Consequently, students’ learning was not merely restricted to reading and analysis of the text but was multifaceted as they were able to view scenes from the film, produce power point presentations etc. They were therefore gaining skills that are not only applicable to the English classroom but would be an asset to them in the future. The culmination of this term’s lessons into a blog on the ‘Vaal Hearings’ which include students’ interviews among other things, demonstrate that you have taken the study of the novel and the themes surrounding it to a higher level.

From an academic perspective, this type of approach to language teaching fits neatly into current theory on multimodality and multiliteracy. The work you are therefore doing with students can only be described as “cutting-edge”.

I would like to wish you continued success with your work and thank you again for this enriching experience.

Yours truly,
Jeanette La Fleur
MA Student
Applied English Language Studies
University of the Witwatersrand

ATTIYA SALOOJEE - 1 OF 4 FINALISTS IN THE SA TOP TEEN ACHIEVERS AWARD!

The letter below indicates what this PROJECT BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCE has done for this gr.11 pupil. She is the editor (2007/2008) of the School's newspaper called the RIS INDEPENDENT.

20 September 2007



To: Mr. Sujee


Re: Vaal Hearings, one of the reasons for my success


On Tuesday, 18 September, I received a call from the editor of Seventeen Magazine concerning the Seventeen Top Teen Achiever Awards. I was informed that I had been chosen as one of four finalists in South Africa in the category called, ‘Do-Gooder’.

I would like to thank sir greatly as one of the main reasons why I had been selected had been due to my participation in the Vaal Hearings. I was told that the project seemed very impressive and could tell that it had generated much interest among the judges of the awards.

If it was not due to your great thinking in beginning such a project, I think many opportunities would have been lost. Also, much gratitude is owed to you for being very instrumental in setting up the school newspaper, the RIS Independent and for always assisting us.

I wish you all the best and can only say that my prayers are with you as I have personally learnt a great deal from a teacher such as yourself.


Thanking you,
Miss Atiyyah Saloojee