Rhino carnage
by LOUISE CARTER for TALK OF THE TOWN [Port Alfred, Eastern Cape] THE stench of blood and death hung in the air last Thursday morning following the discovery of two butchered white rhino cows and a severely injured bull at Sibuya Game Reserve, near Kenton-on-Sea. All three rhino were older than 14 years, and one cow had a calf aged three, while the other had a eleven-month-old calf. The cows were de-horned and dead when discovered around 4am, while the bull’s face, according to owner Nick Fox, had been butchered. The massacre of the rhinos has devastated local communities as well as Sibuya Game Reserve staff, and has had anti-poaching teams and law enforcement departments on high alert. According to reports it is determined that the animals were darted and their horns sawn off at around 3:30am in a clearing in the reserve’s thick bush. The alarm was raised from the anti-poaching unit when the two calves were spotted running around without their mothers. “I certainly have to give credit to the police and rhino community. We had about 30 people on the scene with every police department represented, but I still believe if we are going to stop this purge we need a specialised rhino unit. These poachers are professional highly resourced syndicates and if there is a genuine desire to stop this scourge we need a better and more specialised rhino unit,” said Fox. After the police arrived, the spoor was tracked but no suspects were found. While a police forensics unit combed the scene for evidence, the scale of injuries endured by the bull became apparent. A vet inspected the bull and analysed his injuries. His face had been dismembered but it seemed he might recover, according to Fox. His leg, however, was also badly injured as he laid on it in a bad position causing blood flow to be blocked. In the days that followed, Bingo the badly maimed bull hung on for dear life but sadly did not make it and was put down after he got stuck in deep mud behind a steep river bank. The bull, which had been the first rhino at the reserve, had gone blind after being dehorned by poachers as a result of blood pressure building up and stumbled down the cliff into an estuary. According to the Sibuya Rhino Foundation it was evident that he had been struggling to get out and kept sliding back into the mud. “We spent the entire day putting rocks and brunches around him to give him a foothold in the mud and cutting away at the bank so he could hopefully walk out. Sadly, although he managed to get out of the river a couple of times, he could not see the pathway despite our coaxing, calling and even prodding,” Sibuya Rhino Foundation reported on Facebook. In the end Bingo was buried with his family. The Sibuya Rhino foundation decided to return him back to the scene where the lives cows were murdered. “Although it is a place that will forever haunt us with bad memories, it will also be remembered as their favourite spot where they loved to be at daybreak to catch the early morning sun. We are all saddened but have not given up. We will work even harder to protect all their offspring,” reported the Sibuya Rhino Foundation. As both rhino calves are suckling, they still need to be fed, so have been successfully darted and placed in a baby Rhino orphanage. According to the Sibuya Rhino Foundation Facebook page, the two orphaned calves are stable after been moved...
Read MoreWorkshop for Screenwriters
The Write Journey workshop for budding screenwriters Following in the tradition of 19-years-of-workshops throughout South Africa, The Write Journey workshop is ideal for aspirant screenwriters who would like to sharpen their storytelling skills and is on at The Waterfront Theatre School on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 5 pm on March 6 and 14, and April 10 and 17. With 33 local films released this year, it has never been a more promising time to be a screenwriter in South Africa. If you are a first-time screenwriter, this workshop explores the fundamentals of what it takes to be a screenwriter in South Africa and examines the fine art of writing visual narrative, mastering the skill of plotting and structure, and developing and fine-tuning ideas and characters. The Write Journey is ideal for first-time writers who would like to define their writing skills, and also recommended for seasoned writers who are trapped in the web of re-writes and unfinished projects, or lost in the maze of the daunting writing process, and novelists or playwrights who would like to adapt their story to a visual medium. In four sessions writers will know what it takes to be a screenwriter and how to conquer the daunting writing process, how to read and evaluate film, what to write, who to write about, and how to write. Writers will look at the unique nature of their stories that reflects their culture, history and experience, push their ideas to its maximum dramatic, comedic or tragic potential, and learn how to dramatize ideas, bring these characters to life, and learn the art of plotting a story effectively. Writers will complete the first 10 pages of their screenplays at the end of the workshop that will be reviewed and developed through further one-on-one sessions. The coach is Daniel Dercksen, the driving force behind the successful independent training initiative The Writing Studio, who has been a published film and theatre journalist for 30 years and has been teaching workshops in creative writing, playwriting and screenwriting throughout South Africa the past 19 years. Hosted by The Waterfront Theatre School, The Write Journey workshop for screenwriters takes place on four Sunday afternoons, from 2 pm until 5 pm on March 6 and 13, and April 10 and 17. Daniel Dercksen is an independent educator and writing coach; film & theatre journalist; screenwriter and playwright. For more information and registration, email info@writingstudio.co.za or visit the...
Read MoreHow to become a Good Writer
If all it takes to be a good writer is to read a lot of different genre to get inspired by others’ writing, then it should be logical to conclude that you will eventually recognize your specialty and join the ranks of professional writers. It’s not an overnight execution; obeying the rigors of a strict learning curve can be demanding of your time and energy. It usually requires that you enroll for courses in writing, attend workshops, join writers’ groups, shadow a seasoned writer, or revise your work numerous times to achieve the required standard. Career Paths Few other professions offer more career paths than writing. Choosing the right path requires a candid review of one’s interests, talents, level of creativity and language skills. It should not be assumed that every writer has the ability to pen a novel or develop a story that will captivate the imagination of young readers. However, to be a good writer you must be inspired to produce quality content that will encourage the reader to read your work. The reader is wholly dependent on the writers’ choice of words to create a mental image of what is being conveyed. Hence, the writer must cultivate the ability to first visualize the intended written text through content strategy. Diverse Options In reality, most professionals make a living writing non-fiction for commerce or topic-specific publications. Lucrative writing careers include article writers, copywriters, ghostwriters, speechwriters, research writers [non-fiction] and journalists. Newspapers, magazines and website managers employ article writers to prepare non-fiction pieces on relevant topics. While some writers are comfortable tackling any given topic as needed [apparently a sign of a competent writer], many prefer to specialize in subjects they know well such as food, travel, technology, fashion, politics, local issues and others. Copywriters write text for commercial advertisements and other marketing-related materials such as press releases, product reports, advertorials, and branded packaging. This type of writing must be concise and effective in capturing the attention of consumers. Ghost Writer A ghostwriter is a writer who authors books, manuscripts, screenplays, scripts, articles, blog posts, stories, reports, whitepapers, or other texts that are officially credited to another person. The writing process involves developing a purposeful relationship with the author to make sure the storyline is authentic and exemplifies their individuality. Speech Writer A speechwriter is a person who is hired to prepare speeches that will be delivered by another person. Speechwriters are employed by many senior-level elected officials and executives in the government and private sectors. The writer must be thoroughly acquainted with the rules of public speaking, including cultural etiquette, when not to use humor, body language, using visuals, and duration of the speech. Non-Fiction Writer A research writer, or non-fiction writer, typically works independently to develop their manuscript or partners with a book publisher or other business on a freelance or contract basis. They write general-knowledge, academic, technical, or biographical books on an extensive range of subjects. Web content also falls in this category. Skills Writing a manuscript intended for publication usually requires the author to possess extensive specialized knowledge of the subject. Non-fiction book writers are generally hired to write one book at a time, working from a well-planned brief. Journalists, in the employ of newspapers, magazines and online services, investigate and report on people or events. Journalists must be able to instantly gauge whether a story has newsworthy appeal, write quickly, effectively and meet deadlines. Other writing paths include translators, screenwriters, reviewers, columnists, content for gaming applications, and novelists. Occupation Writing can be a challenging career choice, and requires extensive knowledge and skills, as well as...
Read MoreHire A Ghostwriter
Everyone has at least one book in them, but the desire to fight off procrastination long enough to get started often derails even the best ideas. They argue that sticking to a disciplined schedule of writing every day is hard enough, getting the work published is even more challenging. Then again, if you want to put your ideas out there for other people to read and find value in your words, it’s pretty much all the incentive you need. Besides, writing the manuscript is not purely an exercise in putting your talent to the test, the process takes you on a journey of exhaustive self-discovery. You are compelled to evaluate the way situations are described and evolve, the style of narrative used to convey nuances, how your characters relate to each other and the reader, and whether the intended interpretation succeeds in stimulating the readers’ imagination and captivating their attention. People want to write books for different reasons. They want to be famous, generate revenue, or validate their expertise in a specific field. But really the chief motivation should be because they are driven to tell their story or impart knowledge that may benefit others. Book topics abound, particularly in our modern society. People are crying out for books to advance their knowledge through personal development, professional job skills, travel, and biographies of celebrities, fantasy, as well as a host of diverse themes. The job market is constantly demanding that employees and new entrants acquire specialized skills; today the learning curve is a lifelong commitment. And what better way to brush up on basic skills or raise the bar by learning from experts than through books. Readers search for recreation in reading books, but also solutions to problems, in all kinds of categories. Often the literature available fails to deliver the answers people want, and it is then encumbered upon that individual to research and write the book. Do you have a book in you? You’ll know it’s time to write it when it becomes a healthy obsession to plan a timeline and collate ideas for each sequential chapter. You might be a parent, business owner, educator or executive. Maybe you manage a restaurant or live an extraordinary life. What you know is that you are determined to get published. You’ve tried on your own, but it’s simply not happening. Perhaps you should work with a ghostwriter. Many prospective authors are bewildered by the hard work and time it takes to write a book, even if it’s only a short eBook. Many believe they do not have the skills to write an entire book, despite being revered as specialists in their field. Writing a quality book is a specialized skill. Writing a book takes lots of time, sometimes several months. A ghostwriter ideally works closely with the author to incorporate content ideas supplied by the author, but applies independent creativity, intelligence, and knowledge to develop the manuscript. The way ghostwriting works is that the author hires a writer and pays for their work. It is usual to issue a contract that stipulates the respective responsibilities of the author and ghostwriter, deadlines to write and approve content, copyright ownership, and non-disclosure agreement. The author owns all the rights. The name of the ghostwriter is not revealed. Ghostwriting usually involves editing, especially if the book needs to go through a publisher. Contact Theresa [ecottage@gmail.com] for...
Read MoreBe Excellent at Anything
Despite high unemployment figures and abject poverty in many parts of the world, there exists an equally high number of gainfully employed individuals who claim they feel disengaged in their job. This very inequality urges people across the board to re-evaluate their lives to become more self-aware; while it is one way to recognize our successes and failures, it also gives us a better understanding of who we are, what we are trying to achieve, realize what we are doing that is either effective in developing our life or what we are doing that is slowing us down, and what we can do to become more self-reliant, forthright in making beneficial life choices, and increase productivity–on the job and off. Living a balanced life means questioning the value of investing in the core pre-requisites toward upgrading the quality of our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual existence. Baby Steps While a complete turnaround can be daunting, small changes in the way we approach life’s demands can be very significant. If you are finding it difficult to land the perfect job because you lack specific skills and practical experience, enroll in short courses to improve your understanding of the field you are interested in. Volunteer your services to organizations to gain practical experience. Develop an entrepreneurial mindset by identifying weaknesses in your skills set; attend a workshop on marketing and sales. Start a small business; it can be a great source of information and practical experience with respect to improving your business skills. Read business, industrial and technological publications; this will keep you well informed, help you spot upcoming trends and innovations, and keep track of industry leaders. Join organizations such as toastmasters to improve your communication skills, people skills, leadership skills, and negotiation skills, as well as boost your confidence and self-esteem. Self-talk and self-compassion are vital components of becoming more self-aware to dispel a negative mindset, especially if you are feeling disengaged in your current job or unemployed. By allowing the development of a positive self-regard you will awaken your consciousness to recognize new opportunities and solutions to problems, nurture skills with discipline, and gain the emotional wisdom to approach challenges with enthusiasm. With experience, you will better understand that self-regard establishes standards for thinking about possibilities. Challenge Yourself To create and sustain high productivity input from any country’s labor force demands constant access to education opportunities, particularly unskilled youth, job-seekers, and employees that are misplaced in jobs they are not suited to. Besides empowering job creation in both the formal and informal sectors, developed and developing countries need more entrepreneurs to stimulate self-employment opportunities. Business owners need to engage more employees, tapping the full extent of their talents, skills, and ideas to expand domestic markets and grow their county’s national economy. However, research shows that in today’s economic climate many workers who work for an employer are actively disengaged. This low level of employee productivity presents a startling challenge to emerging-market countries. The general consensus among social experts is that engagement varies by education level and job type, namely that employees in professional, managerial, sales, service, and administrative roles are significantly more engaged compared to employees in jobs that involve physical labor such as installation, construction, mining and manufacturing. Invest in Innovation Social Scientists contend that any endeavor to better prepare human capital to identify their true vocational calling must be coupled with a strategy for advancing innovation. The consumer market is constantly changing and it is up to forward-thinking individuals and teams to propagate this evolutionary transition with new inventions, to not only make our lives better...
Read MoreWriting Poetry
Do you have a yearning to express feelings and ideas using a distinctive style and rhythm? Perhaps you find joy in describing the subjects of love and emotion, or composing rhyming verses to soothe a tortured soul. But who reads poetry anymore? Modern society contrasts vastly from Jane Austen’s novels depicting the slow-paced early 19th Century Georgian society. Albeit, the world in which all her characters are set depict the joys and sorrows, as well as their loves, in their daily lives. It’s the quiet tranquility of sitting in the drawing room, embroidering, reading poetry and sipping tea that is missing in our hurried 21st Century lives. Human emotion and expectations have not changed, only social hierarchies, gender roles, marriage, or the pastimes of people have been altered. If poetry in Jane Austen’s novels provide an understanding of everyday life, why then are modern poets who have a wealth of social issues to write about not gaining recognition? Awaken the Poet in You! A common question is: “What is poetry for?” Because poetry today is mostly perceived as an old-fashioned genre, occasionally stumbled upon in writers’ groups or among creative individuals to “express powerful emotions that deepen insight”, published in literary journals and magazines that are affiliated with colleges and universities, self-published books or to produce music. Poetry [also called rapping among nouveaux rhymesters] in our modern age aims to encourage social awakening. Lyrics are poems to “delight so that it may inform and illuminate the world”. People still see poetry as a means of expressing powerful emotions, to clarify and express a one-dimensional statement. What to do if you want to take that big step and begin writing [and marketing] your poetry? Begin with immersing yourself in reading poetry of all kinds. Study the masters. Read what your contemporaries are writing about. Learn to distinguish between the different ‘voices’. Browse the Internet for numerous poetry sites. This way you will develop an eye for quality writing, which will help in assessing your own work. Experiment with different kinds of poetic forms, including free verse, traditional verse, avant-garde poetry, and villanelles, to find your ‘voice’. Search for online tutorials on how to write poetry. Learn all aspects of how to market your work. Surf the Internet for magazines and book publishers to submit your work. Prepare a professional manuscript; choose poems carefully. Keep a record of your submissions [list which poems are sent to which editor]. Learn from rejections; hopefully the editor will provide constructive criticism about your work. Poetry is a very individualistic genre, but at least consider advice offered. Remember to include a one-page cover letter when submitting your proposal. Use it to tell the editor a little about yourself, mention subjects you enjoy writing about, what direction you desire from your collection of poems. For instance, your intention may be to publish a chapbook or regular poetry book, or transform poems into songs. It is important to copyright your work. Use the © symbol, your name and the year. Speak to an Attorney if you need further information. Many talented writers of poetry keep a private journal, and have no ambition to publish their work. On the other hand, budding poets who do aspire to have their work widely read need to explore opportunities to promote their talent and their work. Get involved in readings at bookstores and coffeehouses. A writers’ group provides fertile ground for a poet to have their work heard and critiqued; special events attract media coverage, including radio, newspapers and TV. Have an edition of business cards printed. Create a Website. People...
Read MoreAbout Theresa
I’m a published author of four business books and have written a number of self-study tutorials [creative writing; editing and proofreading; business writing; and self-publishing] and an eBook [Workplace Harmony]. I am an experienced writer, editor and publisher. 
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