RipMixlearners taking part in wikimedia workshop in Johannesburg

As part of the broadening and networking RipMixlearners were also among those who were invited to attend a two day kickoff workshop to check on the logistics of establish a local Wikimedia Chapter in South Africa. The workshop aimed providing the space to; understand more about the Chapter associated with the Wikimedia Foundation. One of the main objectives of the workshop was to enlarge goals and tasks connected with those; and reach consensus on the legal medium for the Chapter formation.

The trip was fine although we had to leave campus very early and we didn’t have a fixed transport to pick us that early to airport as out flight was 06h20 and we had to be at the airport at least and hour earlier, so who would be ready to assists in that regard. But however, we got a ride after that eleventh hour massive disappointment from SRC as we had book a transport but on Friday late that was when were told that their car has gone to the garage, we had to find an alternative means, but yah we got there well in time. Mpho had to organises some of his friend to take us there and back to campus on Sunday late as we landed at 20h40, which I find I a bit inconveniencing but they helped us a lot and we did appreciated.
858<
In the plane we were four who were going to the same kickoff “us” and someone from UCT and when were get to Jou’burg (O.R Tambo) due to the mist or frost challenged us not to land for two time and the we end up landing in another airport in Jou’burg called Lanseria Airport it is one of two airports in Johannesburg which cater for passengers on commercial airlines - the other is OR Tambo International Airport. Although fewer airlines fly to Lanseria Airport than OR Tambo International Airport, it is closer to the Sandton, Pretoria, Westrand and Midrand regions of Johannesburg (although Interlink flights from Pretoria Wonderboom are even more convenient for Pretoria residents).

We then came back to OR Tambo to land at 10h55 and at least we were still on time as our right was already waiting for us the we took to the conference venue and arrived before they could start, we actually miss the venue as it was not very clear on our map.

The representation was mainly people who had been somehow hands on with Wikipedia for some way of the other either as a contributor, as editor and obvious the users like student although Wikipedia is not considered being the recognised academic source. Participants were drawn from Institution and individuals who had developed interested mainly from Cape Town, UCT, Stellenbosch, “Us” UWC Mpho Diphare Alice Wamnudiya & Mokoatsi Sello and mostly around Jou’burg but it was clear that from institutions were only people from Cape Town, and the rest were from other already established chapters like India, Hungary as well as those from Wiki-media Foundation Chapter Committee. (907)

Among all the participants’ there students were very few from Bush and one Stellenbosch student. The debate was not that much interesting especial for student as most of the participants were or had their hand on something to do with Wikipedia.
They were around what they have learned as the were editing or taking part in the previous days and the dwell much on what will be the role of the chapter committee once established. We discuss the do’s and don’t of the chapter committee and how we can motivate other people “academics” take part as editors. The other bone of contention was how comes that other languages are not that much seen participating in the Wikipedia because here in South Africa the coverage from other languages like Sesotho, Tshonga, Xhosa to name a few are very law except English and at least Afrikaans which at least have more that 15,000.00 articles so far.
(891)
There was also a move that as we need to promote the culture of reading and exploring as a way of involving students in the institutions we can even maybe introduce the concept to vanities campus and ask student to attend a seminar or workshop then sell the concept the ask them to actual write something them the editors

The way forward for me its there but it seems basically narrow for us as the RipMixlearners because it demands more time on creating writing stories of which we are still trying mainly through blog but its some hot not even so easy to keep up with updating our blogs or even following other RipMixlearners as to motivate and learn from them. I am not implying the impossibility on our side but i think we need to familiarizes our selves with those who have started to edit and volunteer to something for the Wikipedia to raise and in the future we can say “yes” we took part and we saw it growing.
(Unable to upload pictures due admin. restrictions)

Disruption of Classes but other student's

It is sad after we have woke up early and try so hard to attend especially the 1st lecture of the day and so sad for days scholars especially when you only had that class for the day. the unfortunate thing which happened through this strike disruption of classes had made it more difficult for every one even those who feel like there is nothing that they can do like foreign(international) student’s as well as Coloured student’s because my view of this rioting its only black South African student’s only.

It is disturbing because disruption had affected us negatively for instance in their first march they kick us out of the class the first lecture for that matter, secondly the most student who were in the library studying they end up being looked in inside because yes indeed the management were scared that they might vandalize the library so is everyone else thought as much.
What I was not able to understand is if the issue is about NSFAS then what does the University management has to do with that, because is not the one administrating NSFAS and the Pick and Pay vouchers. I then began to understand that this is not my frustration alone I am sharing the same sentiments with some student who miss their classes every time when there is this disruption of Classes.
But again, what will happen If the Varsity Managements’ take time to respond does it mean we will be like those high school student’s or patients in hospital whom are abandon, this a critical dilemma which is a double-sided sword, This is a metaphor. Something that is a "double-sided" or "double edged" sword is something that could be dangerous to both yourselves, as well as to your adversary; or both for your case and against it. This is now leaving with an unclear response on who is to be blamed?
However this is a crucial time for student’s to be disrupted either for tests classes or just ordinary lecture. My main question is still what makes it the less majority of the student and only Blacks students or maybe because the slogans and songs are typical other local language or what could be the genuine