LIMPOPO MIRROR
06 July 2012 7
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Plain Truth The quest for morality
The role of listening to improve your relationship George Eliot once said: “I like not only to be loved, but to be told that I am loved; the realm of silence is large enough beyond the grave”. One way of telling your partner that you love her or him is to develop the art of listening when he or she speaks. Here are a few tips that need to be considered to improve your relationship, especially the area of communication, namely: • Realize that each of you has a basic need to be listened to. It is important to note that communication is not one-way traffic where only one of the two must be listened to. It does not matter how talkative you are, but you must also give space to your spouse to talk as you listen tohim/her. • Listen intently when your partner is talking to you. Do not just think about answers to give or do it out of politeness without really paying attention to details. Listening is more than politely waiting your turn to speak or answer the other person. • Listen objectively without being clouded by your past communication with the person. Put down your newspaper, turn off your television, look your partner straight in the eye as a sign that shows that you are really paying attention to what is being said. • Reach out and care about what is being said. Do not listen out of sympathy but wholeheartedly, with an attitude to want to understand what the other person is saying without judging that person. Listening
is active participation, not passive observance. • Move past the surface message and get to the heart of what is being said. Listening is more than the hearing of words. You need to ask the most important question: “Am I hearing you correctly?” Try to understand what is being said. • Discipline yourself to listen. Listening does not want a person who is not focused or who is not relaxed. It does not come naturally or easily to any of us. Most of us struggle to listen to the other person, especially when you are tired or strained at work. Most of us are more comfortable when we are in control and speaking and not when we are listening. - Prof Derrick Mashau (Derrick. Mashau@nwu.ac.za)
Prof Derrick Mashau
Crime
Man in regional court for murder A man appeared in the Tshilwavhusiku Regional Court in connection with a murder, which occurred on 2 June last year at Madodonga in the Kutama area. Donald Masidwali appeared in court on 21 June. He is accused of stabbing the 23-year-old Jim Simango of Madodonga. According to the police statement, Simango was stabbed below the left breast with a
knife and bled profusely. He was left lying on his back in the street, while the accused allegedly ran away. The deceased’s brother, Mr John Sithole, had alerted the police and further informed them that the deceased was allegedly killed by Donald Masidwali. The motive of the murder is not known yet, and the case was postponed to 15 August for witnesses to testify.
Invitation to Nelson Mandela Day Rural Career Guidance Festival and SMMEs Exhibition ************ The Mutshedzi Foundation Career Guidance Festival and SMMEs Expo will be held at Makhado EMPC on July 18, 2012
for more information about the career guidance and exhibition fees, contact , RSVP :Mr. Mudzusi Masala Project Manager on 0781349929, or email mudzusimasala@gmail.com
The Mugororwane Primary School (Sinthumule) received a joint sponsorship from Xpress Network Solutions and Vonitel Radio in Makhado for a Wi-Fi internet connection and wireless desktop phone, for Internet connectivity and voice communication to assist in the education of the school’s pupils. These two companies strongly believe that Internet connectivity and voice communication are absolute necessities for any school to gather information. Pictured from left are Mugororwane’s acting principal, Mr Norman Mabila, Mr Thomas Rambuda (Vonitel technician), Mr Hannes Oosthuizen (Vonitel technician) and Ms Gracious Makhura (departmental head). Photo supplied. Crime
Disabled musician honoured The disabled Gideon Mamuthamani, aka Killah Gee, who launched a successful music career against all odds, was finally honoured by his community. Mamuthamani (30) of Tshifulanani Fhasi Ha Bada, whose debut album Amakritza sold many copies and introduced him to the music industry, was recently honoured during a soccer tournament held at the Tshifulanani Stadium. Teams from the surrounding villages took part in the tournament. Winning teams and individual players went home with prizes ranging from soccer kits to trophies and gold medals. The coordinator of the tournament, Mr Solomon Nethonzhe, said the extraordinary work that Killah Gee was doing in the development of the arts among the youth in his village could not be underestimated. “’This man is disabled, but did not let his disability become a stumbling block towards self-fulfillment. He rose to become a well-known musician, despite the odds against him. He also has time for the youth in his village, be it teaching them music, education or other developmental initiatives, he has always been there for them.”
According to Nethonze, the community is indebted to him, and “we felt it would be appropriate to honour him during the month of the youth. He has inspired many youths and has been a role model to many,” he said. Mamuthamani, who recently released his third album, Mamuthamoney, said he was humbled to be honoured by his community. “We mostly receive accolades from outside, while our communities turn a blind eye to our achievements. It is very encouraging to be recognised by one’s community and this will go a long way in motivat- Happy music man Killah Gee says it is good to ing others,” he said. be recognised by his community.