Lady Lee, Author at 1Africa

S.A Army Wants The Youth

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July 29, 2015

Johannesburg – As soon as June next year, young people could find themselves forced to become part of a youth military programme as government tries new ways to contain spiralling unemployment.

Over the past few weeks, the presidency’s national steering committee has held marathon meetings amid pressure to finalise details of a youth service programme that could see government sending young people, from the age of 18, to the army for military training.

And the clock is ticking as the deadline for the full roll-out of the plan has been set for June next year.

The ANC-led alliance has already called for the urgent implementation of an improved National Youth Services (NYS) programme in which the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) and various government departments will play a role.

This expanded, multisectoral youth service is set to benefit millions of young South Africans, most of whom are unemployed.

However, there have been differing views on whether it should be compulsory for all young people to join the army as part of national service requirements.

The department of rural development has successfully implemented its youth service plan, the National Rural Youth Service Corps (Narysec), in partnership with the SANDF to train youth between the ages of 18 and 35.

Under the programme, army generals are tasked with whipping young people into shape before they enrol in Further Education and Training colleges.

The proposed NYS plan would give participants, including those who have not completed high school, the opportunity to further their studies, on condition that they give back to their communities.

General Fumanekile Gqiba, head of the Narysec college in Thaba ‘Nchu in the Free State said the only way to deal with social ills and ill-discipline among young people was to force them into the army – but not for combat training.

Be Thankful

Lady Lee

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July 29, 2015

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All of us know we need to be thankful. God tells us to do so, and we also know from our own experience that once we seriously start praising God, our burdens and our troubles seem to weigh less heavily on our shoulders.

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth…Many evils confront the Consistently] righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. – Psalm 11 34:1, 19

That’s part of the power of being thankful. As we pause to give thanks to God for what’s good in our lives, we also appreciate what we have. I believe God wants us to be grateful people-people who are filled with gratitude not only toward God, but also toward other people. That’s my first tip: When someone does anything nice for you, let that person know you appreciate it.

One day I was going into an office building, and a man standing nearby opened the door for me. I thanked him and smiled.

“You’re the fifth person I’ve held the door for,” he said, “and you’re the first one to smile and the second to thank me.”

I thanked him a second time. Afterward, I thought how much we take others for granted, even when they do such simple things as open a door for a stranger.

Instead of accepting that that’s the way things are, we can develop a thankful mind. Did your bus arrive on time today’ If so, did you thank the driver? When you ate at the restaurant, did you thank the waiter for filling your coffee cup a second time without being asked? I could go on and on, but that’s the point I want to make: Develop an attitude of gratitude toward the people in your life.

Here’s another tip: Appreciate your family members, especially the person to whom you’re married.

Try this: When you express appreciation, it’s good for the other person to hear the words, but also remember that it releases joy in you. You enrich both your life and another person’s life, even in small ways.

Another thing you can do is meditate daily on things for which you can be thankful. I have a friend who won’t get out of bed in the morning until he has thanked God for at least ten things. He counts them on his fingers, and they’re small things really, such as having a reliable car to drive, being a member of an exciting Sunday school class, or just being thankful that he’s healthy.

He says that at night he goes to sleep by focusing on at least three things that went well that day. He relives those three positive things. For him, it can be as simple as his supervisor telling him what a good job he did on a project, or an affirming e-mail from a friend.

Here’s another tip: Be thankful for the honesty in other people. No one likes to hear negative things, but sometimes you need to hear them Of course, they may momentarily hurt your feelings, but you still can learn and grow from the experience.

I have a friend who says, “Only two people will tell you the truth about yourself: someone who’s angry at you and someone who loves you very much.” God uses both types of people in our lives.

So be thankful for people who tell you the truth about yourself, even if it’s not what you want to hear.

When you hear the truth especially something of which you’re not aware, you can change. And after you’ve changed, isn’t that just one more thing for which you can be thankful? Continue the conversation with us, click on the banner.

Content by www.joycemeyer.com

VMAs Nominations 2015

Lady Lee

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July 28, 2015

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The 2015 MTV Music Video Awards (VMAs) nominations have just been announced.

Country-gone-pop songbird Taylor Swift leads the pack with nine nominations, followed by British crooner Ed Sheeran with 6 nominations.

Taking place on Sunday, 30 August, the awards will be hosted by pop sensation Miley Cyrus.

Below, checkout the full list of nominations:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

Beyoncé – “7/11″

Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood”

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”

Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”

BEST MALE VIDEO

Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”

Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”

The Weeknd – “Earned It”

Nick Jonas – “Chains”

BEST FEMALE VIDEO

Beyoncé – “7/11″

Taylor Swift – “Blank Space”

Nicki Minaj – “Anaconda”

Sia – “Elastic Heart”

Ellie Goulding – “Love Me Like You Do”

BEST HIP HOP VIDEO

Fetty Wap – “Trap Queen”

Nicki Minaj – “Anaconda”

Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”

Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth – “See You Again”

Big Sean ft. E-40 – “I Don’t … With You”

BEST POP VIDEO

Beyoncé – “7/11″

Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud”

Taylor Swift – “Blank Space”

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”

Maroon 5 – “Sugar”

BEST ROCK VIDEO

Hozier – “Take Me To Church”

Fall Out Boy – “Uma Thurman”

Florence + the Machine – “Ship To Wreck”

Walk the Moon – “Shut Up and Dance”

Arctic Monkeys – “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”

ARTIST TO WATCH

Fetty Wap – “Trap Queen”

Vance Joy – “Riptide”

George Ezra – “Budapest”

James Bay – “Hold Back The River”

FKA Twigs – “Pendulum”

BEST COLLABORATION

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood”

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”

Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth – “See You Again”

Ariana Grande & The Weeknd – “Love Me Harder”

Jessie J + Ariana Grande + Nicki Minaj – “Bang Bang”

VIDEO WITH A SOCIAL MESSAGE

Jennifer Hudson – “I Still Love You”

Colbie Caillat – “Try”

Big Sean ft. Kanye West and John Legend – “One Man Can Change the World”

Rihanna – “American Oxygen”

Wale – “The White Shoes”

BEST ART DIRECTION

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Charles Infante)

Snoop Dogg – “So Many Pros” (Jason Fijal)

Jack White – “Would You Fight For My Love” (Jeff Peterson)

The Chemical Brothers – “Go” (Michel Gondry)

Skrillex & Diplo – “Where Are U Now” with Justin Bieber (Brewer)

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY

Beyoncé – “7/11″ (Beyoncé, Chris Grant, Additional choreography: Gabriel Valenciano)

OK Go – “I Won’t Let You Down” (OK Go, air:man and Mori Harano)

Chet Faker – “Gold” (Ryan Heffington)

Ed Sheeran – “Don’t” (Nappy Tabs)

Flying Lotus ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Never Catch Me” (Keone and Mari Madrid)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Flying Lotus ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Never Catch Me” (Larkin Sieple)

Ed Sheeran – “Thinking Out Loud” (Daniel Pearl)

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Christopher Probst)

FKA Twigs – “Two Weeks” (Justin Brown)

Alt-J – “Left Hand Free” (Mike Simpson)

BEST DIRECTION

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Joseph Kahn)

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk” (Cameron Duddy)

Kendrick Lamar – “Alright” (Colin Tilley & The Little Homies)

Hozier – “Take Me To Church” (Brendan Canty, Conal Thomson)

Childish Gambino – “Sober” (Hiro Murai)

BEST EDITING

Beyoncé – “7/11″ (Beyoncé, Ed Burke, Jonathan Wing)

Ed Sheeran – “Don’t” (Jacquelyn London)

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Chancler Haynes at Cosmo Street)

A$AP Rocky – “L$D” (Dexter Navy)

Skrillex & Diplo “Where Are U Now” with Justin Bieber (Brewer)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Bad Blood” (Ingenuity Studios)

FKA Twigs – “Two Weeks” (Gloria FX, Tomash Kuzmytskyi, and Max Chyzhevskyy)

Childish Gambino – “Telegraph Ave.” (Gloria FX)

Skrillex & Diplo “Where Are U Now” with Justin Bieber (Brewer)

Tyler, The Creator – “Death Camp” (Gloria FX)

Chris Brown Tired Of Worshipping The Devil

Lady Lee

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July 28, 2015

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Chris Brown Tired Of Worshipping The Devil

Chris Brown has said that he is tired of the devil ruining his life.

In a recent Instagram post, the award-winning singer blamed the devil for trying to ruin his life. He also talked about thoughts of suicide and claims he’s heard God speak to him for the very first time.

Here’s exactly what he wrote:

“When u tired of the devil ruining your life and u hear God speak for the first time.

No one knows what I deal with on a day to day. The average man wouldn’t hesitate to blow his brains out but that’s the cowards way out… Most won’t understand the genius and beauty in change and learning and the people who have devilish intentions will win in the short term. My soul will always be pure of heart.

What’s on the surface always looks like one big party but inside there is a little boy looking for help and guidance. People say “be a man”. Yeah, that’s right but it doesn’t take away any pain you really go through. I just wanna stay out the way and do music. Most importantly and great father.

I don’t have any more patience for anything that will cause me to self destruct!!”

Chris Brown tired of worshipping the devil; all he needs is all our prayers and support. He was a young boy when all ‘these’ started and the devil deceived him.

Chris, the good news is your soul was already bought by the blood of Christ even before you went into any evil pact. The bible says that “even the lawful captive shall be set free.”

In Isaiah chapter 49, verses 24 & 25 NLT says:

“Who can snatch the plunder of war from the hands of a warrior? Who can demand that a tyrant let his captives go?”

“But the LORD says, “The captives of warriors will be released, and the plunder of tyrants will be retrieved. For I will fight those who fight you, and I will save your children.””

This means if your choices have put you in a bad place, when you SINCERELY ask God for help, He will come to your aid. Read Psalm 121…declaring it into your life as you wake up each morning.

David found his way back on the right path once when he felt lost. And there was one night, I had an encounter with a strange and powerful demon. The Lord whispered the same psalm into my ears to use as a weapon. Yes, I won the battle.

We’ll say a prayer for you everyday brother, and encourage others to do same. Hang in there.

If you are also in the same path of self discovery; in need of a new and fresh start and willing to accept Chris as your Lord and Saviour; click on the banner below.

Content by www.peacebenwilliams.com

Open House On Long Street

Lady Lee

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July 27, 2015

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A new interactive public art structure has sprung up in Cape Town’s Long Street.

The artwork, Open House on Long street, aims to serve as a platform, playground and shelter for people from all walks of life.

Open House is the brainchild of Kimberley-born artist Jacques Coetzer, who has designed the winning concept in the Western Cape Government Public Art Competition in December 2014.

Coetzer says he drew inspiration from corrugated metal structures, RDP homes and the facades of Long Street’s buildings to design ‘Open House’. According to the Western Cape Government website, Open House is envisioned to be a symbol of democracy, which embodies shelter. Coetzer says that “Democracy is an Open House with a firm foundation and a balcony to sing from”, and this is what he attempted to manifest with Open House.The Western Cape Government also says that the artwork is “set to encourage dialogue and interaction between people of all walks of life. It is set to be an open platform for artistic expression and freedom of speech, which is symbolic of our democracy”.

Since the erection of ‘Open House’, many people have spontaneously partaken in this symbolic idea when they’ve stepped into the house.

The artwork, which will be a permanent installation within the CBD, is a 10.5 meter high structure with windows and balconies on which Capetonians can sit.

The Open House balconies play host to open mic poetry sessions, talks by international dignitaries, theater productions and various annual events” and will continue to do so in the future.

When not in official use, locals are being encourage to see it as a “tree top bench for your lunch break”.

Bobbi Kristina Brown Dead At 22

Lady Lee

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July 27, 2015

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Bobbi Kristina Brown Dead At 22, the only child of pop legend Whitney Houston and singer Bobby Brown, died Sunday, six months after she was found unconscious in a bathtub.
“She is finally at peace in the arms of God. We want to again thank everyone for their tremendous amount of love and support during these last few months,” a family statement said.

Bobbi Kristina – sole heir to Houston’s estate – was discovered face down and unresponsive in her bathtub in her Atlanta, Georgia home on 31 January.

She was revived by emergency crews but lost significant brain function and was placed in a medically induced coma. She died at a hospice in Duluth, Georgia.
She passed away, according to the TMZ celebrity website, after her family decided to “take her off all meds”.

Her death – which a source told Entertainment Tonight was linked to an apparent drug overdose – drew eerie parallels to that of her mother, who was found face down in a bathtub in a Los Angeles hotel on 11 February 2012, on the eve of the Grammy Awards.
Many Houston fans sent messages of support for the family on Twitter, saying finally Bobbi Kristina would be reunited with her mother.

“Rest in Heaven. You were loved, Bobbi Kristina Brown,” actress and singer Holly Robinson Peete said on Twitter.
Oprah Winfrey tweeted: “Peace at Last!”

Grammy-winning performer Missy Elliott tweeted: “My heart is truly heavy. May u rest in peace with your mommy.”

I pray for Bobbi’s friends and family; dealing with death is an experience that no one wants to face. Death is nearly always accompanied by questions – especially “ the why.” Whether we are facing our own death, or the death of someone we love, we want answers. Why is this happening? What did I do to deserve this? Is there life after death?

If we know Christ as our personal Saviour, we need not fear dying. As for those we love, it becomes our responsibility as believers to pray for the salvation of those who do not know Him. For those who do, death is a celebration – a homecoming!

As we begin to think of ourselves as eternal beings, the realization that there is a future will help us cope with the present circumstances. We begin to ask specific questions concerning eternity. Will we be separated from our earthly body and separated from loved ones? Will we see them again? How do we define separation? How do we deal with separation in life and in death? God has a plan for us here on earth. God has a plan for eternity.

What about you? Do you know Christ as your Saviour today? If you have not yet made that decision, why not do it now. Click on the banner.

Big Up Africa: The Soil

Lady Lee

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July 24, 2015

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The Soil brings new wave of South African acapella. Today we say Big Up to the rhythmic and perfectly harmonised, South Africa’s up-and-coming vocal trio The Soil promise to be the 21st century’s answer to their countrymen Ladysmith Black Mambazo, though none of them can read a note of music.

Running fast in the tracks of their forerunners, this next generation of township a capella bring their laid-back fusion of hip-hop, soul, jazz and afropop for the first time to the 15th Cape Town International Jazz Festival, which starts Friday.

No instruments, no music lessons, just three voices and local jazz inspiration, because that’s all these 20-somethings had during a difficult childhood in Soweto, Johannesburg’s world-famous former blacks-only suburb.

“Growing up in Soweto, you can’t just find a house with a piano, it’s very rare to find a home with a set of drums sitting there,” said Buhle Mda, 26, the group’s only woman member.

Luphindo “Master P” Ngxanga, 27, is the human beatbox, pumping out the rhythms with his mouth while playing air guitar — bass guitar, to be exact. His 25-year-old brother, Ntsika, joins Buhle on vocals to complete the trio.

Their sound is modern with traditional influences, their look cheeky and confidently urbane, reaching far beyond their native Soweto.

They write the lyrics together — “Majority rules!” said Buhle — in English and Xhosa, and tell the story of life in a country where most people are under 25 years old and many don’t have work.

They have gone a far way in a short time, received with fanfare at New York’s Apollo Theatre and last year’s Edinburgh International Festival.

But it all started 10 years ago, at their high school music group. By 2005 they started taking music more seriously and soon built up a repertoire of 10 songs. Almost a decade later they sport a double platinum album — more than 100,000 sales – hundreds of thousands of fans, and a prime spot at one of Africa’s largest jazz festivals.

A remaining dream is to perform with Joseph Shabalala, the 73-year-old founder of multi-Grammy winners Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and emulate his achievements.

Why Did God Create Me?

Featured

Lady Lee

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July 24, 2015

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Why did God create me? The short answer to the question “why did God create us?” is “for His pleasure. “Revelation 4:11 says, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. “Colossians 1:16 reiterates the point: “All things were created by him and for him.” Being created for God’s pleasure does not mean humanity was made to entertain God or provide Him with amusement. God is a creative Being, and it gives Him pleasure to create. God is a personal Being, and it gives Him pleasure to have other beings He can have a genuine relationship with.

Being made in the image and likeness of God, human beings have the ability to know God and therefore love Him, worship Him, serve Him, and fellowship with Him. God did not create human beings because He needed them. As God, He needs nothing. In all eternity past, He felt no loneliness, so He was not looking for a “friend.” He loves us, but this is not the same as needing us. If we had never existed, God would still be God—the unchanging One. The I AM was never dissatisfied with His own eternal existence. When He made the universe, He did what pleased Himself, and since God is perfect, His action was perfect. “It was very good”.

Also, God did not create “peers” or beings equal to Himself. Logically, He could not do so. If God were to create another being of equal power, intelligence, and perfection, then He would cease to be the one true God for the simple reason that there would be two gods—and that would be an impossibility. “The LORD is God; besides him there is no other”. Anything that God creates must of necessity be lesser than He. The thing made can never be greater than, or as great as, the One who made it.

Recognizing the complete sovereignty and holiness of God, we are amazed that He would take man and crown him “with glory and honour” and that He would condescend to call us “friends”. Why did God create us? God created us for His pleasure and so that we, as His creation, would have the pleasure of knowing Him.

Do you have more questions regarding creation and would like to continue this conversation? Click on the banner.

Chris Brown: A Devoted Father?

Lady Lee

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July 23, 2015

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Chris Brown: A Devoted Father

‘Loyal’ hit maker Chris Brown has reportedly given up his wild house parties as he bids to protect his 13-month-old daughter Royalty.

The controversial star’s Los Angeles home was recently robbed by three armed men, and Brown – who was not present during the incident – has taken precautions to ensure no harm comes to his only child.

A source said: “He’s cleaning shop at his new house and the only people he wants there is his family, no one else. No friends, no wild parties, nothing.”

The 26-year-old singer isn’t taking any chances with his daughter’s safety and has, therefore, decided to ban some people from visiting his house.

The source told Hollywood Life: “He’s telling his boys they’re not welcome over anymore and that this new house will not be the ‘kick it crib.’

A source close to the mother of the child said she believes many of Chris’ friends are in gangs and Nia doesn’t want Royalty to be exposed to a dangerous environment.

I think Chris made a very wise decision; I mean after all he won’t stay young forever. A father’s primary responsibility is to put his children first. A father is crucial in role modelling! What children learn from their parents will put them in good standing throughout their lives, no matter what they do or where they go.

Just the other day I was reading an article and it said, “Dads, the most important thing you can do for yourself and your family is to make hearing the Word of God one of the greatest priorities of your life and the lives of your children. Our children must learn the importance of hearing and knowing the Word of God formally and informally. Hearing, knowing, and obeying the Word is critical to our spiritual growth and walk with God, to our ability as parents, and to the lives of our children”. I really thought that was powerful.

Are you a dad and feel you not doing enough for your children or you don’t have a relationship a father and child should have? Maybe you’re a child and you’re also longing for a relationship with your father. Get in touch with us by clicking the banner below.

Reason’s Controversial Album Cover

Lady Lee

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July 22, 2015

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South Africa rapper Reason created a JESUS image with two naked women on his new album cover.

Social media is buzzing and people are fuming over Reason’s controversial album cover. In his statement Reason says, “In an age where many powerful structures and bodies of control choose and dictated to the world what the truth was, the “new generations” constant urge to question their perspectives has always been a result of them discovering new ones. Moving into the future, one often finds themselves in conflict with their present self, based on previous notions we had of ourselves that were based in the future. Which is now the present. Growing up as a kid, I was given the tools and weapons to protect myself from the evils of this world. I’ve since gone through a roller coaster of experiences that have tainted that innocent and angelic image they were trying to protect, and it has left me with new truths. At 1pm on Friday the 24th of July, I will present to you a few new truths. Not YOUR truth. Not THE truth. But A truth. MY truth. And this image of my truth”. #ReezusChristIsCummin.

Look, truth be told, most of the images we have of Jesus today are probably not accurate. Jesus was a Jew, so He likely had dark skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. One thing is clear: if it were important for us to know what He really did look like, Matthew, Peter and John, who spent three years with Him, would certainly be able to give us an accurate description, as would His own brothers, James and Jude. Yet, these New Testament writers offer no details about His physical attributes.

We must remember that the Bible warns us about using God’s name in vain. Because of the greatness of the name of God, any use of God’s name that brings dishonor to Him or to His character is taking His name in vain. The third commandment in the Bible forbids taking or using the Lord’s name in an irreverent manner because that would indicate a lack of respect for God Himself.

If we profess to be Christians, but act, think, and speak in an ungodly or profane manner, then we’re using His name in vain. When we misrepresent Christ, either intentionally or through ignorance of the Christian faith as proclaimed in Scripture, we take the Lord’s name in vain. When we say we love Him, but do not do what He commands, we take His name in vain and are in danger of hearing Him say to us, “I never knew you. Away from me” on the day of judgment.

So we ask, is this creativity, blasphemy of Jesus or degrading of women in that album cover? What’s your take? Just click the banner below.

Lady Lee

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