WHAT MADE US FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?


Sunday, November 29, 2009

'No To Violence' Drive, The End of the Recession, And Happy Birthdays

* The start of a campaign called '16 Days of No Violence Against Women and Children' here in South Africa this past Wednesday( 25th November). The 16 days will end on 10th December.
In this period all South Africans are urged to actively do something to protest against all forms violence on women and children. This campaign is also an international one that is backed by the UN.
A campaign against violence of any sort is worthy. But one meant to protect the most vulnerable members of our society is priceless.
We would like to hereby put it on record that here in the FGM  we fully support these efforts to protect our women and our children.
As they often say, this campaign should really be a year-long one.
Let us all wear our white ribbons during the 16 days.



* The announcement by Statistics SA that South Africa is now officially out of the recession. We have experienced a small growth - of about 0.9% - in our GDP in the 3rd quarter of this year, according to Stats SA. This growth in our economy - as opposed to a contraction - in about a year ( or so) is the clearest sign that we are moving out of the doldrums.From now on things should start improving financially for the man in the street. It may not happen overnight, but the change has begun. And this is something to celebrate.
This time next year things should be even better. The FIFA 2010 World Cup will have come and gone. The economic benefits of having hosted it will be everywhere.



* This weekend this website - The Feel Good Movement - turned 1. We have been
in existence for one whole year now.
Without harping on this point too much, may we be allowed a moment of self-indulgence. We wish ourselves a HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

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THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.


                         ================================


SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
======================================


Monday, November 23, 2009

World Champions from The Philipines, Steady Interest Rates, The Start of Free Internet Access Days

* Manny Pacquiao making boxing history this past weekend. He defeated Miguel
Cotto in a WBO welterweight championship fight by TKO in the 12th round. With this victory Manny won his 7th title in a 7th different weight division. And he is the first man in boxing history to achieve this feat.
By all accounts, Pacquiao is a damn fine boxer. The bible of boxing - RING magazine - rates him as the best pound- for- pound boxer in the world.
I just love the fact that here is a man from slums of the Philipines - his home country - who has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.
He has brought back interest in boxing around the world. Here in Mzansi Manny's runaway success brings back memories of the times of bo-Baby Jake Matlala. In those days the nation would eagerly await Baby Jake's next fight and we would know for sure that it was going to be yet another demolition job.
On behalf of all the 3rd world citizens we would like to say:

" Nice one Manny. Through your talent, dedication and hard work
you are proving each day that dreams do come true, my brother."



* The new Reserve Bank governor - Gill Marcus - keeping the interest rate the
same at 7%. She was quoted as saying the economic conditions did not warrant a change either way( i. e. up or down).
In these recessionary times, and also closer to the festive season of heavy spending, having the cost of borrowing money stay the same must be welcomed. In her decision to maintain the status quo on the interest rates front the governor must have considered all these above factors.
Ms Marcus has started her tenure as governor on a good footing, we say.



* Hearing - on our local television station(etv) - the good news that a town called Swindon in the UK is to provide all its residents with free internet access.
The local council there announced that is it partnering with a private company to roll out this project to its 186 ooo residents.
The residents will get the basics for free. For example , they will surf the net and download their emails. Anything heavier - like downloading video content and music will still cost them something.
This free internet access - even if it is limited for now - is something that we here in South Africa could do with. The cost of internet access is very high here by anyone's measure.
So we say 'big up' to the Swindon municipality for starting a free internet access revolution. This - we hope - will catch on around the world.



THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.


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Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:


Of 3rd World Heroes
_________________

Of Manny.
Manny Pacuiao.
Lightning speed.
It rains punches in the ring.
Of the Pac-Man.
The destroyer of our Lehlohonolo.
The demolisher of bo-Barreira, Oscar.
Of late, the conqueror of Ricky and Miguel.
Of the People's Champion.
A generous spirit,we are told.
Giving freely to his Filipino nation.
Materially and otherwise.
Of ambition too.
The future President of the Philipines?
That would be nice.
We will watch this space.
Of Manny.
Manny Pacquiao.
A 3rd world hero.


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SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU

FEEL GOOD THIS PAST WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
=====================================



Sunday, November 15, 2009

Mr Zulu Decamping For Mtubatuba, The Mandela Day going International, And 50th Post Messages of Congratulations

* Gaddafi Zulu - a co-worker and a friend - deciding to follow his heart and
go back to his home town - Mtubatuba - in the Kwazulu-Natal province. He got a transfer to an FNB branch there. We would like to say to him:

"You tell us that you need to sort out some stuff that side, mfana.
But this I don't believe. The hustle and bustle life of a big city like Johannesburg must have proved too much. The city of gold is not for sissies, mfana.
We are happy for you nevertheless. You got what your heart desired, my man.
Our lively debates and discussions about everything under the sun will be sorely missed Mr Zulu.
Go well."



* The United Nations following the lead from our national government by declaring July 18th the Nelson Mandela Day internationally.
Earlier this year our government had declared this day July 18th  - which is the birthday of Nelson Mandela- a Mandela Day nationally.
On this day we are all urged to give 67 minutes of our time to needy causes.
The UN General Assembly said that with this gesture it was honouring Nelson Mandela for his contribution to world peace. In particular, the Assembly sighted
Mandela's conciliatory stance when he came out of jail.
As South Africans we are extremely proud of this latest accolade for our 'Tata'.
His vision for all of us to change the world in our own small ways, lives on.



* Messages of support that we continue to get here in The FGM for
reaching our 50th post last week.
Here is a few of them:

JM smsd to say: "Waa!! Well done."

Ms T emailed, saying:" I read the post( 50th) on the blog...
very impressive to see that you
have reached this far."

Mils wrote : " I have read your poem( '50 Ways') of last week.
Congratulations.
God gave us a life worth living. When we trust
him we can never go wrong."

Much appreciated guys.



THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.


==============================

Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:


Mr Zulu Is Going Home.
___________________

Gaddafi Zulu is going home.
He is going home to Mtubatuba.
He is going back to where it all started.
Mr Zulu is catching the train.
The midnight train to Mtubatuba.
Egoli was a mountain too high.
I will tell the beautiful Miss Mtshali.
I will tell her that Mr Zulu has gone home.
Tell her to follow him.
And like Gladys Knight, I know she will.
Mr Zulu is going home, ladies and gentlemen.
There goes a fellow reader.
There goes a fellow thinker.
'Gaddafs' is going home to his family.
We are poorer for it.
But life must and will go on.
Sisonke Mr Zulu.

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SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
=====================================

Sunday, November 8, 2009

A Half-Century of Posts, Bigger and Better Malls in JHB South, And An Uplifting Song by NICKLEBACK

* This week's FGM post being the 50th that I have put out.
The realization that we have put out a half-century of blog posts feels wonderful.
The very 1st post was done in November 2008 and was entitled "Of chocolate gifts, Bafana Bafana, and Bo-makhelwane."
This post was well received by the first few readers. And here at work - without letting me know- somebody printed out this post and put it up on our notice board.
This public display had created such a buzz in the office.
To this day I still do not know who put up that post on our board.
Whoever you are and wherever you are, my dear colleague, many thanks.
I am still standing today because of those first few words of praise from my colleagues after they read that 1st post.


* The recent revamping of 'our' mall -The Glen Shopping Centre - in the south of
Johannesburg. This is the place where 'yours truly' and many other Joburg south citizens spend our working lives. The mall is now much bigger with more stores and parking bays.
Besides the many new stores like 'Incredible Connection', 'Hi-Fi Corporation' and
'Game' - there seems to be lifts everywhere one goes. The GLEN mall has suddenly become like one of those swanky malls north of Johannesburg. A colleague even joked that there is a real danger of us - old inhabitants - getting lost in these new surroundings.
But this is all good. This expansion is a sign of growth in this part of Jozi.
We have just gone upmarket here in the south, ladies and gentlemen.


* Some inspiration from the latest song by NICKLEBACK - the Canadian rock band. Nickleback are the original gravel-voiced rock band.
I am loving the lyrics of their latest song called "If Today Was Your Last Day".
These are lyrics to live by. Here are some excerpts from the song:

"If today was your last day.
................................................
Would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above,
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day.

If today was your last day.
................................................
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars.
Regardless of who you are.

So do whatever it takes.
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life.
Let nothing stand in your way.
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side."


The melody in this song is also very good.

So, if what would you do if today was our last day?



THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS".


================================


Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:

50 Ways
_______

50 ways to get inspired.
So many ways.
50 ways to stay positive.
To get lifted.
So many ways to say life is not so bad.
Half-a-century ways to laugh,
To smile.
To feel good.
So many ways.
50 reasons to love Mzansi.
Many reasons to stay.
To stay committed here.
50 posts to say life is good.
If you choose your focus.


================================


SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
====================================









Sunday, November 1, 2009

Dousing of Flames by Julius Malema, Varying Reactions to Our 'Kuduzela' Prize, Trevor Manuel's Apology

* The ANC Youth League's President - Julius Malema - coming out in support of the Free State University rector -Professor Jansen - over the latter's pardoning of the Reitz 'four'.
The Youth League met with Professor Jansen on Thursday. After this meeting, Julius Malema said that they - as the ANC Youth League - were fully behind Professor Jansen in his efforts to transform the university.
Malema's support for Jansen is greatly welcomed by some of us who had cheered the Professor's pardoning act. We are relieved that another public figure - in addition to Archbishop Tutu - has declared his support for Jansen.
In the days following his pardoning gesture Professor Jansen had been a subject of unprecedented criticism by some sections of the nation. Not only did they call for his removal from office, but some went as far as to say he must be 'removed from society' i.e.killed.
Now, the 'President' has spoken.
Can we now please all get back to the task of building this nation of ours.


* The many different responses from our customers when they receive their
KUDUZELAS.
A Kuduzela is a form of a Vuvuzela, which is a trumpet-like instrument that is blown in celebration at our local soccer games. A Kuduzela is made of a Kudu horn instead of synthetic material that is used to make a Vuvuzela.
FNB customers stand a chance of winning a Kuduzela when they purchase cell phone airtime through the cell phone banking service.
On receiving a 'KUDU' some customers are taken back by its appearance. It is about the size of an outstretched arm, black in colour and thick in width.
Some tell us outright how happy they are to have won. They have hardly won anything in their lives, they tell us. Others want us to show them how to blow it i.e how to make it produce a sound. And this we cannot do of course. Getting a sound out of a 'KUDU' is an acquired skill, just like blowing a trumpet.
Those that I love are those customers who may be witnessing this handing over of a 'KUDU'. They suddenly want it too, despite them not using the cellphone banking service. They tell us that they are prepared to buy it if they have to. But you can't buy a 'KUDU'. You can only win it.

From this clamour for Kuduzelas it looks like Mzansi people are going to be blowing up a storm during next year's FIFA World Cup.


* The minister of national planning - Trevor Manuel - admitting that the expensive ministerial car - a BMW limo - that cost around R1,2 million was a mistake. He said that in retrospect he should maybe have bought a less expensive car - notwithstanding the fact that as a minister his car allowance allowed for this purchase. He apologised to the nation for not leading by example, especially in these financially trying times.
To hear Mr Manuel make this public admission felt good. If there is any belt-tightening that has to be done by the nation it has to start at the top with our leaders in government.
Just like when he was minister of finance, Mr Manuel continues to inspire South Africans to be good citizens.

"Awe Trevor."



THANK YOU UNIVERSE. THANK YOU FOR OUR 'FEEL GOOD MOMENTS'.



===============================


Our FEEL GOOD poem of the week:

On Second Thoughts
_________________

On a 2nd take,
Maybe you were right Prof.
Maybe you were right all along.
On second thoughts,
Maybe forgiving someone is not such a bad thing.
Maybe we are better humans.
Far more than we credit ourselves.
On 2nd thinking,
Maybe you have seen the future Prof.
A future of racial harmony.
A future of a united Mzansi.
On second thoughts,
Stay where you are Prof.
That seat belongs to you.
The Gods have willed it.
Even the 'President' concurs.


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SO, SOUTH AFRICA AND THE WORLD OUT THERE, WHAT MADE YOU

FEEL GOOD THIS WEEK?

Let us know at - feelgoodmovement@gmail.com
=====================================