Looking back from when I started registering and studying with Essex County College feels like yesterday. It’s amazing how time flies when we are learning, growing and flourishing. As I am fervently looking forward to May 2011 graduations, my journey in ECC has been very fruitful. Of course it was never smooth yet I never stopped. I kept going!

My name is Agnes Matlebjane: an international student here in ECC, a proud native of South Africa hailing from the “dusty roads” of Soweto. I am the first member in my family to receive higher education, hence will be the first to graduate. Similar to everyone else, we all have hopes and dreams when we get hold of an opportunity to be in college. With that being articulated, my objective for pursuing a B. degree in Communication studies, with Liberal Arts – Journalism as my major is that, it will profoundly change my life and the lives of those around me. Therefore, I hope to give back to the world in every aspect possible as education obtained in the USA represents hope for me, my family and the global community.

Unquestionably, ECC has helped me shape my future goals and aspirations.  I wouldn’t trade anything for all the experiences and memories I had herein Newark campus. Most importantly, being granted the opportunity of a writer to a managing editor followed by the editor in chief position for the Essex County College Observer (ECCO) meant a lot to me. Obviously, I interacted with the staff and students from different parts of the world, I’ve learnt a lot and the most rewarding experience was the interview I carried out with our president, Dr. Edythe M. Abdullah as we were welcoming her to our college, to me, that was a “triumph” moment. Also, my writing skills improved way beyond imagination. Therefore as I step down, I am confident that our new ECCO staff and the current selected Editor in chief will serve your best interests and help you along the way as you express yourself through words.

Lastly, as I enthusiastically look forward to starting my journey with Kean University this coming fall, with the intellectual tools which ECC instilled in me, great professors who taught me and counselors who advised me throughout my voyage in this institute, I am positive that if not all, most of my realistic goals will be achieved as well as the dream which I always had to help those around me to attend school, set goals and achieve them will come true.

            By: Agnes Matlebjane

     First, and probably most important be self-reliant. Know who you are, where you come from and where you heading.  As rough and tough as it may be, define your inner self accurately, so that the outer self can be an inviting gift to the world. Without fail, when your inner life grows beautifully, it constantly shows from the air you breathe or let me rather say from your face. In the same way, when you don’t let it grow powerfully, undoubtedly, others will grow it for you reprehensibly and it won’t be fulfilling. ONLY you can be in charge of your inner life.

    Let your inner life grow strongly. Believe in the power of your dreams. That voice, emotions and sounds that your mind experiences during your sleep can be turned into a life.time success-ONLY if you let your inner life grow alive and listen attentively to that dream.

     Whatever it may be, learn to call it out when it is not true…Instantly, you will regain your inner strength by setting your soul free. Those unfavorable site of life brush them off and put more focus and energy into the positive sites of life. Do not grow your inner life weakly. Remember, you are stronger than that.

      Lastly, let your inner life grow as lovely as you are, as beautiful as you are, as handsome as you are. Take charge of your inner life, let it grow confidently. The world is awaiting your outer life!

Never be afraid of a crocodile

It may turn out to be the smoothest touch

You’ve ever patted

Never be afraid of turning your noisy giggles

Into your secret language

Never be afraid of blowing your own bubble, if possible

Make some colorful balloons out of it

Never be afraid of your imagination

That’s how dreams begin…

Never be afraid of taking a chance…Who knows?

Your breakthrough may sneak out and greet you “hello,

Where have you been? Been patiently waiting for you”

Never be afraid of loving and being loved

Bring to mind-LOVE conquers all, it lives within and without it, we are

Mislaid

Never be afraid to say enough

Be cognizant-your kindness may be turned

Into some defeated weakness

Never be afraid to express your inner views

Say ‘em out loud!

Good for your soul

Never be afraid to take a risk

A brainy way to grow and to toughen a soul

Heart and mind: Risk anything!

Never be afraid to frown if you have to

It may appear a little ugly but who cares?

Never be afraid to smile

Like you know it….

Keep smiling

Never be afraid to let go

A profound step towards achieving inner peace

Comfort and self-love

Never be afraid of showing your emotions

In crowds

Who said crying solo in front of the mirror is a treat?

Never be afraid to sing out of tune

More especially if it sounds good to you…

Never be Afraid

Never lose sight of human beings. They value more than any commodity in the world. But then again, while valuing, loving and respecting be attentive, because there will be those who bring out the best and those who bring out the worst in you…..with that being articulated, never lose sight of human beings but always be on the alert.

            Learn to differentiate: As we grow, we learn

                                                As we fall, we stand

            Live life with expectations, whether something great or imperfect will stand out on your way—it may be anything: never lose sight, be mindful. Search diligently for things which are of value not forgetting souls—remember, both coin and soul have value, they may be lost, but they will never lose value

            Learn to stand up for yourself: Say Yes

                                                              Say No

                                                              Forget uhm-Maybe-uhm

Since you’re on the solid ground, make sure you don’t lose view of human beings — Be on the Ball!

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Aggy

Aggy Matlebjane

Agnes Matlebjane, Born and raised in South Africa, Johannesburg. Obtained early education at Tlhokomelo Primary school, continued education at Letsibogo Girls High in Meadowlands SA. Currently studying at Essex County College in the US, majoring in Liberal Art- Journalism. The only child of Rose Mamolemo Matlebyane.
Professional dancer/ choreogarpher specializing in African Dance. Essex County College Newspaper ( ECCO) Managing and photo editor.

President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on 18 July 1918 in a small village in the Eastern Cape of South Africa (SA). He is usually called by his clan name “Madiba”.  He was an anti-apartheid activist, president of the African National Congress (ANC) and a former president of South Africa.

      A revolutionary is the one engaged in a revolution and a leader is a person who leads and has commanding authority or influence. With that being articulated, President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is one of the world’s greatest revolutionary leader’s because he helped in organizing fights against racism and apartheid, and his abilities to empower and motivate others. Most importantly, his vision of a world that belongs equally to its different people, nations, tribes, more especially of a nation of South Africa, whether, English, Afrikaner or Zulu.Comparable to World War 1, world war 2 as a global military conflict which took place in 1939 to 1945,  involved most nations in the world, including all great powers, not to  mention, Germany , France, Britain, and Austrian-Hungary. Though World War 2 had some profound effects on the world, socially, politically and socially, but it also gave many leaders a chance to stand up and make a difference in our world. For example, South Africa, as a country known as an “Afrikaner-controlled” country was one of the countries which where under western control, to emphasize, British rule. They were controlled by the Dutch people. After World War 2, black political leaders and groups started voicing their needs and rights. Specifically black workers started demanding higher wages, better living and working and conditions. The African National Congress was formed under the leadership of President Mandela. They were strikes and riots and through these results, the world’s freedom fighters emerged and stared fighting for their people and their lands. Certainly, President Mandela is one of the world’s true freedom fighters. He dedicated his life to fighting against racial oppression and as a head of anti-apartheid movement. In order to stop apartheid – a former segregated and political and economic discrimination against non-European groups in the Republic of SA, the  African National Congress was formed under his lead with other members, he protested, and they were strikes in most provinces of SA to end apartheid and through this acts Mandela was sent to prison for 27 years. In the article Nelson Mandela and His Leadership Style, it is mentioned that after twenty years in prison, Mandela decided it was time to take matters into his own hands. He realized that, as a leader, it was time to take a drastic step, and he met with the South African president in order to discuss his release and his desire to switch the nation to a democracy. Mandela was successful, and upon his release he was elected the first democratic leader of South Africa (Brink, 1998).

 In his book Long Walk to Freedom, President Mandela mentions that “he is revered everywhere as a vital force in the fight for human rights and racial equality” (Man, 1994) .Undoubtedly, he wanted to see his vision alive with the greatest possibilities. He couldn’t stop fighting the racial issue; it didn’t sit well with him. Further, he won his battles and as a first black president in SA, racism issues decreased and black people were freed and treated fairly “literally” but as he continued preaching and spreading the words democracy and peace, white people, most especially Afrikaners had to “dance” to Mandela’s soft drum beats even through their bitterness because all he wanted to see was a united South Africa which doesn’t classify people by their skin color, which doesn’t imprisoned someone for drinking water from a “white peoples” tab or using a bathroom which by then belonged to whites. For all that struggle and those painful challenges, black South Africans today are free, joyful and while enjoying the pursuits of happiness and freedom with whites, they are all united as if apartheid has never existed before.

The other factor which makes President Mandela a revolutionary leader is his ability to empower and motivate others. This outshines his life sentence in jail, his liberation struggle and his freedom fighting. After spending 27 years and six months in captivity, going through harsh and difficult times, like not being allowed visitors and receiving one letter after every six months, in his book Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela mentions that “in isolation, one was deprived of company, exercise, and even food as one received only rice water 3 times for 3 days” (415). However, he kept his “beginning of hope” alive, because for him, all the harshness and inhuman experiences he went through while in prison was a journey to a better South Africa: a free South Africa for all. President Mandela called his moments at Robben Island (prison) a beginning of hope. Truly, on 11 February when he was released from jail and he came out filled with a decent hope that all oppressed South Africans would be free.

 Furthermore, in the book, Nelson Mandela Freedom, on his day of release he mentions “when I was among the crowd I raised my right fist, and there was a roar. I had not been able to do that for twenty-seven years and it gave me a surge of strength and joy” (179). With this in mind, by then President Mandela was 71 years old and he felt that it was the beginning of a brand new life and that his ten thousand days of imprisonment were at least over. Undoubtedly, he was willing to continue fighting for what he was fighting for before he was arrested -Freedom and he did win the battle by talking to his enemies with respect and love, spreading  the words forgiveness and peace to all South Africans, more especially to the blacks and, of course, to the rest of the world,  and  this kind of humane act  is also showed in the movie, Invictus which tells an emotional inspiring true story of how President Mandela joined forces with the captain of a South African  rugby team to help unite South Africans. In truth rugby was a sport for only Afrikaners and few whites, to put it different, it was a racial sport but the true hero was able to peace talk with the enemies and through that, some kind of unity was formed and most people were empowered and motivated. Not only so, but he was also awarded  a Noble Peace Prize in 1993 for his work on peaceful termination of apartheid to a transformation of what SA is today-  a free South Africa for all!

            To sum up, another factor that makes President Mandela a revolutionary leader is his vision of a world that belongs equally to its entire different people, nations, tribes, more especially of a nation of South Africa, whether, English, Afrikaner or Zulu. In this case, President Mandela imagined a new South Africa where all the citizens have equal rights and every adult has a right to vote, which happened! In addition, his other visions were to see S.A as a rainbow nation, as it is today, pluralism and a country that belongs equally to all types of people.  

“This vision, sometimes referred to as color-blindness was partly inspired by Marxists, drawing on European ideologies and influenced from abroad” (nobleprize.org). Through his visions he also formed liberation movements which were very successful because many people of S.A were freed. In the final analysis, it was a very long journey for President Mandela to bring freedom to South Africa. After all the innumerable press conferences, meetings, travelling all over the world, all the  negotiations, all kinds of political parties formed, rallies, Soweto Uprisings of 1976, sessions with political leaders, and it’s anti-apartheid movements. Further, after all  struggles and violence, South Africa  is a country that it is today because of President Nelson Mandela, without any doubts, through his hardship, success followed, certainly with the help of other leaders and many Africans. Madiba is indeed one of the world’s revolutionary leaders for he eliminated apartheid and helped stop racism. He spent 27 years of his life just to achieve his dream of a free South Africa for all and  also, for touching peoples’ lives all over the world by his motivation and inspiring empowerments. Today everyone throughout South Africa has equal rights, lives life freely and peacefully through a man who once said that he is not a messiah but an ordinary man who had become a leader- Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

          21^st century is an electronic and transparent age where technological advancement is keeping the world together in every possible way. Clearly, with the introduction of social networks such as MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter ,our world has turned into one global village where information is ubiquitous no matter where one is .Without any doubts, these networks changed the way in which humans live, think act, and communicate. Further, the connection and the process of transferring information is way beyond imagination.

            Firstly, MySpace is the first social network which was created and founded by one of America’s entrepreneurs Tom Anderson. MySpace is well-known as a place for friends, it became popular in the United States in June 2006, it was then introduced internationally and in the article Facebook Overtakes MySpace it is stated that “ MySpace has 1000 employees but after the invention of Facebook, MySpace laid off 30% of its staff” ( Media Journal). Though MySpace has a challenging competitor, it is still one of the social networks where people communicate socially and also business is still a tremendous part of MySpace. In addition, people still use MySpace around the globe and it is estimated that millions accounts were created while Facebook was already in the game.

            MySpace offers a variety of applications on their site, the site has bulletins where they keep records of their surveys. Moreover, on the population survey, it is stated that as of February 2010 “ MySpace has 170 million active users monthly and that 1 in 4 Americans are on MySpace. Unlike other social networks which are not popular such as Tagged and Bebo, MySpace is however the greatest social network that has never been experienced before. Interestingly, there is a lot of diversity and ethnicity in MySpace; people of different careers and interests. These two factors make the communication more fun by meeting new people and getting connected with old friends and families.

            Most importantly, MySpace is the greatest social network for promoting upcoming artists, poets, models e.t.c. Also, most users use it to promote themselves and their creative works. In other words, artists download their demos on the site for people to listen to the vocals and music rhythm for free. Further, models also upload their professional pictures for fashion industries on MySpace to see them, and that is the beginning of the business communication through a social network. Artist like, Sean Kingston: Jamaican-American rapper was discovered on MySpace and more artists are still discovered on MySpace daily.

            During the interview, Andre Thompson said “I use MySpace to showcase my creative skills and to promote myself as an upcoming actor, since I have opened a MySpace account, I communicate with people all over the world and I’m also featured as an extra in movies (Interview). Not only does it promote or discover other talents, it also reconnects high school class mates, everyone just get linked together on one network and the rate in which people meet and make more friend is interesting and beneficial.

            A trend that is becoming popular and significant in the ways which humans receives information and news is Blogging. MySpace also has a blog spot where people share information by posting their writings and commenting on each other’s writings. Account holders utilize this feature to write whatever they want to write about and communicating feelings and thoughts becomes extremely facilitated in a positive manner. Who knows, maybe one of the world’s best authors will soon be discovered on MySpace through the blogging spot.

            The overall use of MySpace is productive. It connects people all around the world, it promotes artist for free and also it promotes old and new songs. It is therefore a great communication tool to advertise ones creativity without any cost. MySpace -A place for friends.      

            Another 21^st century social network is Facebook which is a global network website that is operated privately and owned by Facebook Inc. Also Facebook is a gathering spot to connect one’s friends with friend’s friends. Mark Zunkerberg is the founder of Facebook alongside with his college roommate and fellow computer science students Eduardo Soverin, Dustin Mokkovitz and Chris Hughes (Facebook.com). They guys behind Facebook were all Harvard students. Initially, they created Facebook for college students and it later expanded to anyone who has an e-mail address, it went from Universities, to high school students and finally to anyone who wishes to have an account. Currently Facebook has more than 450 million active users worldwide.

            Though it is the most popular social network at present, it is however a site with positive and negative effects. On Facebook, people send friend requests to anyone and if a person accept the people he or she doesn’t know, they end up being stalkers and threatening one another. Also, on the negativity, some people use Facebook to do wrong things like uploading nude video’s and pictures. Furthermore, Facebook has been blocked in countries like Vietnam and China. It is also been banned at workplaces because the users waste their working hours on Facebook. It is addictive however. Once one logs in, it is always difficult to log out.

            Beside the negatives, Facebook has its positive effects; it is the most social network where people communicate internationally, there are job opportunities, exposure of talent features is available on Facebook. It is a business social network. Furthermore, promotions and marketing of products and events are conducted well on Facebook without a fee. To reach people by using mass communications, Facebook it is the ideal and useful network to reach people all over the world with the same message and the same time. Even universities are promoting and advertising their institutes on Facebook to reach for more students.

            On the website Compete.com, it is stated that Facebook is the most used social network by world monthly users, followed by MySpace. Everyone is “facebooking” in the 21^st century. It is one of the convenient ways to meet new people and make fiends globally. In the article “Omg My Mom Joined Facebook” Michelle Slatella said “After I got my profile page, the first thing I did was to search for other members-my daughter and her friends-to ask them to be my friends” ( Slatella). Not only does it connect people with the ones they once know, but it also connects long-lost friends, classmates, people of different ethnicities and cultural background, different ages too! Family members are on Facebook, couples, co-workers, everyone is just on Facebook and only this atmosphere makes it more fun and enjoyable for its members-reconnecting, connecting and communicating.

            As a final point on Facebook, it is the world’s largest network which impacts how the world communicates today. To illustrate, with Facebook, members share their talents, skills and creatives on Facebook, they upload links, videos, pictures and it just keeps everyone connected to each other every day. Without any doubts, Facebook is the fastest and convenient way to keep in touch with family and friends. It keeps the world more transparent and open. On the whole, Facebook makes communication with the world fascinating and easy.

            Introduced and created by Jack Dorsey in 2006, “Twitter-a free social networking and microblogging (another form of blogging) service that enables its users to send and read messages known as tweets” (twitter.com) Compared to MySpace and Facebook, tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the individual’s profile page and the texts are delivered to the individual subscribers who are known as followers. MySpace and Facebook has an application which is called status; it asks the profile owner a question like “what’s on your mind” and whatever entry or post a person  enters it is called status update. Again, the status update is always displayed for other users to read and comment, Status updates makes the social networking communication more interesting and educating in a sense that some people post funny, informative, enlightening and questionable comments.

            Likewise, Twitter is also a notable and popular network used worldwide. However, it is mostly used by celebrities and TV and radio programs. For the most part, it is for prominent people. In speech proficiency, Twitter has brought to the web, on the streets, at school and college a kind of shorthand notation and slang commonly used in texting. These, not only makes it lively but it also affect the communication aspect in an intellect manner. Moreover, it affects the individual’s speech proficiency by decreasing it.

            To sum up, these three social networks-MySpace, Facebook and Twitter, kept the world tied up together. Mass media communication is made possible for everyone around the globe. The use of the above mentioned social networks is the dynamic way to get a person’s message all across the universe whether it’s a special event, promotion, or business, it is however possible. Through them a person could engage in a conversation where there are a lot of exchanges back and forth no matter where one is in the world-this is something that was never possible before the 21^st century. As it is mentioned in the textbook Mass media and Everyday Life “what we’re seeing, we’ve never seen in human history before. It’s just the extraordinary availability and magnetism of electronic communication devices, whether it’s cell phone or blackberries or the internet” (Hallowell Edward). The world is connected and people are keeping in touch like never before in the previous centuries.

Essentially, every human being wants to live a happy life, satisfying and fulfilling life. But what really makes a person happy? In my view of life, some people find happiness in working and making money; others find it in travelling. Again, others have something in their lives that keeps them going and driven. Generally speaking, to be a truly happy person, physically and spiritually, one should find a way to express his or herself in a form of movements and to get actively involved in a healthy social activity like DANCE.

            First of all, dance is good for your health. It is a great and enjoyable way to keep in shape and to release tension.  Further, flexibility as it is known as an important part of being health. As a result, dancing helps a person to be flexible! In addition, strength-the ability of a muscle to exert a force against resistance. Dancing helps builds strength by forcing the muscle to resist against a dancer’s own body weight. Also, the rhythm and pace of dances like African dance is fast and helps a dancer to work out and feel happy after the activity.

            Secondly, dancing, as a social activity which requires interpersonal as well as physical grace. It can help people build up a strong and great personality. Moreover, it is a safe way of networking and making friends. Also, dancing provides opportunities to travel and meet new people with the same interests that they may have.

            Lastly, dance is for everyone who can walk. It will bring joy into your life and free your soul. Though, we all have different lives and passions. We must keep in mind that life is a one long dance to the world of happiness, health and social activity. Therefore let us embrace dance with a happy song…..

                            By: Agnes Matlebjane

       New Year’s Resolutions, is it a trend that we tend to adopt on the last few weeks of each year? Coincidently, everyone is uttering the word “resolution”. Television channels are sending out the resolution messages to its viewers, emphasizing on this particular subject: Diet. Pastors at churches are preaching about resolutions. On the other hand, girlfriends and boyfriends are jotting down decisions to do some things differently and to behave in a certain manner in the year 2010.  Furthermore, husbands and wives are on the research mode of finding solutions to problems which they don’t want to enter New Year with.

          All of these tantalize us, as human we make resolutions everyday aware and unaware and which ever ones we didn’t fulfill or achieve during the course of the year we tend to emphasize during the end of the year. Introspectively, everyday it’s a beautiful day, a day where we need to change our thoughts about self-worthy, a day where we need to take one step at a time, very small steps and to be consistent. However, if one need to take huge steps…why not? We’re entering a year of possibilities-2010

            Don’t let cultural expectations overshadow you. Not all of us follow the direction to the path on which we laid our resolutions. Make today a day of reckoning and making meaningful changes and setting new goals, work hard to right the wrong, to give hope and to find the inner strength and peace in the year 2010- another year filled with opportunities. Surround yourself with firm determined souls; strive for a good life that is challenging, meaningful and thrilling.

            Chiefly, 2009 was an unstable year, some how tumultuous in other ends of the world. It was a year for changes, some were great. Some were extremely bad, economically, politically and personally. Despite all these, I feel like we are all immensely blessed. We are one day away from a brand new year, another year to dream big and to start all over again. Another Year. Another Chance. Happy New Year.

            Everyone is entitled to make mistakes. It is a birth right that one learns or jumps into during life’s growth. However, as humans we need to be able to differentiate between mistake, ignorance and laziness. Yes, everyone has a right to be wrong. Even prominent people makes mistakes and once your inner set button alarms instantly you notice a right and a wrong, unless if it needs to be on reset.

            Honestly, as you grow and mature, the cemented foundation is the mistakes which you stumble across while living and growing. But why does it seem like you are always judged from your mistakes, even innocuous ones. It matters not I’m guessing. Because, no matter how hard you try to play a meaningful part in the society or how scoundrel one may be, judgment will always stick around.

             Furthermore, it doesn’t really matter when you’re being judged from your previous mistakes. It would be a mistake to focus on the dark side while there are bright sides in the circle of life. We all have a sense of right and wrong, sense of dignity and rights to utter the words “leave me alone.” Please allow me to be out of subject: as an upcoming writer, I do not intend to interject but I’m in the learning process which is challenging my head and my hands. There’s absolutely a great amount of connection between those. It happens!

            Mistakes are mistakes; Sing your own song while playing an instrument. Have an identity. Stand for something, something really great. Lastly, you are unique and you will only succeed in righting your wrong.