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Post your thoughts about the HBO Documentary Films production ITHUTENG.
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Posts:
15
Registered:
11/30/06
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Posts:
15
Registered:
11/30/06
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(26 of 27)
Feb 18, 2007 1:20 PM
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"50 held at 'Mama Jackie' school
18/02/2007 18:26 - (SA)
Reporter in hostage drama
Principal 'incited violence'
Johannesburg - More than 50 people were arrested on Sunday after trying to stop police from arresting Ithutheng Trust school principal Jackie "Mama Jackie" Maarohanye, said Gauteng police.
Constable Sefako Xaba said charges of kidnapping were brought against Maarohanye after she allegedly kidnapped and held a Sowetan newspaper reporter and a driver hostage at the school in Kliptown on Saturday.
Police were denied entry to the school by a crowd of people who pelted them with stones and blocked their way.
The public order police were called and more than 50 people were arrested, said Xaba.
Cops hunting for principal
They faced charges of resisting arrest, interfering with police work and assaulting police officers.
Maarohanye was, however, not present and police were still searching for her.
Sowetan reporter Vusi Ndlovu went to the school for an interview with Maarohanye and was allegedly locked up and assaulted along with driver Mabu Nkadimeng for more than six hours in the school hall by a group of people on Saturday.
The group wanted Sowetan news editor to apologise for articles published in the newspaper.
Maarohanye, once known as the "Angel of Soweto", was earlier this year accused of defrauding donors of millions of rands.
M-Net's Carte Blanche aired an investigative documentary accusing Maarohanye of using the plight of vulnerable students to solicit money from donors by fabricating their personal histories.
Burned tyres in road
The expose followed her arrest last year for public violence and malicious damage to property.
Her pupils, allegedly under her instruction, burned tyres and blocked roads because police apparently had failed to solve the death of a fellow pupil.
The student died in a fire at the school and Maarohanye allegedly insisted that a hut on the premises of the trust had been petrol bombed."
As reported 18/02/2007 on News24.com
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Posts:
2
Registered:
12/4/06
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(25 of 27)
Dec 30, 2006 2:51 PM
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similarily to bago- i only post under buckfreck- we're two different people from two totally different areas of the world- truthful i also am from the US, but south africa is a passion of mine. I have several friends- all of whom are the ages of the children who attend Ithuteng- from the country- several of whom live in townships. I had no idea of what Ithuteng was, nor did I know anything about Mama Jackey until I read in a US newspaper about her school being built on lies. Currently, I'm a high school student and I am enrolled in a class that is a simulation of international affairs. I approached my teacher about the article and he like me thought of the horrible actions Mama Jackey took to found this school. The children she has enrolled in her school are students who live in townships- now I know you don't know what they look like first hand, but I do. I was in Khaylitcha- one of the largest townships. The children love learning and strive for the smallest opportunities that american children take for granted. Now, I worked only with children who are younger- elementary school aged- and they probably don't remember much about the apartheid. Their parents do- their teachers, their families, older siblings. The apartheid was a horrible time in South African history, but it's downfall through the leadership of people, who have revered Mama Jackey, South Africa has turned into a beautiful thriving country. Mama Jackey has been the first large black mark on South Africa's new clean record. She committed arson, lied about her finances. Did you know, Oprah, an american do-gooder, gave money for a new cafeteria at Ithuteng? It still hasn't been built. Truthful- you may think that bago or myself has not done our reading on the topic, but believe me I have. I read the Carte Blanche interviews, I read about service initiatives taken by americans. I have read the accusations that former students have made. It all lines up.
One student, in the Carte Blanche interview, had previously said his mother was murdered in a horrendous way, and he forced to watch. Recently, this student's MOTHER was interviewed. How is it possible for a woman to speak from the dead?
I read these facts, and I know them true. I have also seen the documentary- and it was an incredible film and the makers of the documentary aren't to blame- they didn't know about these facts then, HBO didn't either. I just believe that now that this information is beginning to leak across the Atlantic Ocean, we should consider this information and not revere a woman who told a student to tell people his mother died, when she didn't. The apartheid was horrible enough without Mama Jackey adding her own twisted stories of deaths that did not occur.
Rachel
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15
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11/30/06
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(24 of 27)
Dec 27, 2006 1:38 PM
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Thoughtful I only post under Bago.
As for your "Where are the independent / impartial international news references?" - The Guardian Newspaper published in London, United Kingdom, see http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1960107,00.html
and you mentioned: "You can't believe that we will really take the word of one white rag and 2 copy cats without some independent sources. Hmmmm. Could this be a retaliatory move against a documentary that noted that Apartheid tortured those in prison? Even though the folks who taught hate of blacks are out of power...."
Fortuanatly I am a proud black South African.... and so is the editor of The Star newspaper, Mr Moegsien Williams. http://www.littleblackbook.co.za/lbbfacts.asp?lbbName=Williams,%20Moegsien
O , then there is: "In the US we have lots of "respected" publications. Without these, thousands of readers would not have the latest details of the Space Alien activities on Earth. For the rest of us we turn a blind eye at the "entertainment". Sad to see what passes for entertainment in SA."
The Indianapolis Star and Los Angeles Times must be one of the "respected" US publications:
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061204/ENTERTAINMENT03/612040398/1080/ENTERTAINMENT03
Enough said
Thanks
Bago Motlatle
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Edited by bago at 12/27/2006 10:42 AM
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Edited by bago at 12/27/2006 11:17 AM
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Edited by bago at 02/01/2007 12:52 PM
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Posts:
1
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12/5/06
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(23 of 27)
Dec 6, 2006 12:49 AM
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HBO Admin,
When signing up, I noticed that you have a set of standards here that I and all members have to agree to. Of interest are these:
#3. We do not allow harassing, threatening, racist, abusive, hateful, violent, or obscene language or behavior.
#5. Do not flood or spam, or post chain letters, pyramid schemes, junk mail, etc.
#9. Please keep in mind that other members may claim expertise or status (legal, medical, etc) that they do not, in fact, possess, and use discretion in following their advice.
It seems that bago has slipped in through your radar and evaded rules #3 and #5 while proving that rule #9 is true. I can understand though that this film needs to be able to stand up to hate reviews like bagos without censorship...it seems that the SA groups have caught on to the double edge sword of free speech...so I think we have seen enough of their side of the blade….how about the flip side.
Littlebit12...Good Questions!!!
bago/amesia/buckfreck/Sybylla/Thuleleni - Self Posts are easy to spot. I guess it's a Freudian slip that you used Sybil as your handle. Just can't keep those multiple personalities in check. At least you back yourself up.
We (in the US) have already been through our Civil Rights revolution in the USA and can smell a smear campaign a mile away. I guess things are still smoldering over in SA.
In the US we have lots of "respected" publications. Without these, thousands of readers would not have the latest details of the Space Alien activities on Earth. For the rest of us we turn a blind eye at the "entertainment". Sad to see what passes for entertainment in SA.
Besides the insightful revelations brought up by mediapredator (bago…the report interviewed expelled kids…even in the US expelled students and dropouts lie about the school -- come on.), there are some other key issues to be pointed out. Where are the independent / impartial international news references? I don't see AP or UPI on the by-line of any of the articles. You can’t believe that we will really take the word of one white rag and 2 copy cats without some independent sources. Hmmmm. Could this be a retaliatory move against a documentary that noted that Apartheid tortured those in prison? Even though the folks who taught hate of blacks are out of power…they still lurk in the shadows waiting…fangs bared. Seems they still have their own news paper......and hired someone who could make a web site for them.
If your allegations have a thread of truth… you would not have gone to soooooo much trouble to hang on HBO’s site to make sure we all know how much you smell. Since we can smell you from here…must be a lie.
BTW…just saw the film….was moved…recommending it to others…I want my children to learn from it. It will save lives.
Thoughtful
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Posts:
1
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12/5/06
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(22 of 27)
Dec 5, 2006 10:53 PM
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Bago - sorry if I spelled it wrong - I am replying from memory... I enjoyed reading your postings! You are very informative and I realize how big this must be in your area!
I personally was touched by this film...shed lots of tears as I was watching it! I'd never heard of Ithuteng or "Mama Jackey" before watching this film. In spite of the accusations, this film is still emotional b/c these events are truly happening in Africa (from what I've read).
I personally take it as just an eye opener - by no means do I find it a way to support or encourage the "stereotypes" that people hold against Africans. Of course, I'm sure that being African this is probably a lot more "sentimental" to you and touches you in a different way.
I hate that she took something that many can only dream to accomplish - and abused the compassion and financial support of others!
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12/5/06
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(21 of 27)
It is important to see the film before you pronounce it "BUILT ON LIES."
Dec 5, 2006 9:44 PM
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From 1999 to 2003 Carte Blanche was a major financial contributor to the Ithuteng Trust. They not only had direct access to all fiancial records but helped find and hire the first finanical adviser of the school. Their executive producer held an honorary place on the board of directors and regularly attended Ithuteng functions and graduations.
A LExus Nexus Search shows that Star News Paper ran headlines in the past five years reporting that "MAMA JACKEY'S STUDENTS GET IT 100%" in reference to her graduation rate from her school. This suggests that they either did not research their facts that supported those headlines, or are ignoring those facts in support of their new ones. Star also ran articles about Lebo Kgasapane, in which her story is paralell to the one portrayed in the film. The captioned picture shows Lebo with her HIV negative baby boy Molemo, who was the product of a rape (directly contradicting the story that the baby was dead as told in both Star and Carte Blanche.)
After watching the film and the two interviews and reading their transcripts I can say that NONE, and i repeat, none of the interviewees in the Carte Blanche piece were interviewed in the film.
Victor Mohale was not only NOT interviewd in the carte blanche piece but did not at anytime admit to lying in the film in any interview. According to reporters at the LA Premiere of the film as well as sources at Carte Blanch Victor repeatedily stood by his testimony in the film in interviews both in the United States and in South Africa, yet those have not been published or reported on.
Furthermore, of the seven students featured in the Carte Blanche piece ALL SEVEN admit to having left or having been expelled before the filming of the documentary took place and of the four who could be reached comment by the LA Times, all four could not recall having ever met any of the filmmakers.
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15
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11/30/06
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(20 of 27)
Dec 5, 2006 5:43 AM
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Believe me, the government will take a hard stance against any sort of corruption.
Just remember, that the school and majority of board members didn't know about what Mama Jackey was doing. I personaly think that our legal system is the best in Africa and that the Courts will deal with Mama Jackey.
The school will always be there and I am sure - with all this publicity - that it will help even more children with the correct person in charge, somebody that REALY cares!
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Posts:
2
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12/4/06
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(19 of 27)
Dec 4, 2006 11:43 PM
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i read the story about mama jackey in the paper today- i must say i was appalled that a woman would use a national struggle for her benefit. the fact that she created a web of lies to make money is horrifying. i do however feel bad for hbo because they are getting scrutinzied for their film, when they did not know about this when the filming began. Bago- just a question because youre south african- what is the government planning on doing with the school- with the pending investigations?? thanks so much for the information.
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Posts:
15
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11/30/06
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(18 of 27)
Dec 4, 2006 2:46 PM
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I think the whole idea behind the school is great, it is just that we are dealing with ONE conwowan who conned the whole world!
Mama Jackey is currently out on bail.
This was published on www.int.iol.co.za
"This week, pupils and staff at the Ithuteng school in Klipspruit, Soweto, refused to speak about the allegations, saying they were terrified of "Mama".
"Please don't talk to me. You don't know how she operates. I don't want to die," begged one boy, from Orlando. Another former pupil also refused to speak, saying she feared for her life.
"I have seen things there but it is not for me to tell you because I don't want to be beaten up. That woman (Mama Jackey) will do things to you if you cross her path," she said. Even those whom the Saturday Star contacted by phone refused to speak."
The full article can be read at:
http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20061125114949868C356964
A viewer who was watching last week’s programme of Carte Blanche in South Africa with interest was Chairman of the Ithuteng Board, Joseph Kganakga.
Joseph Kganakga (Chairman, Ithuteng Board): “I was watching, but it was as if I was really not seeing. I was hearing, but not comprehending. It was a nightmare. I felt gutted, totally gutted.
Joseph: “It is not a bad quality to have, to trust. We trusted Mrs Marohaanye (Mama Jackey); we believed in her vision. We trusted in her. If we are guilty of trust, then I would say yes, we were.”
He is not alone. Thousands of people the world over had trusted Jackey Marohaanye, including the students who had performed so well for her.
Joseph: “With effect from making this statement we no longer regard ourselves as any part of the Ithuteng Trust.”
He has resigned, and resigned also on behalf of Dr. Khale and Judge Yvonne Mokgoro.
Joseph: “As for a wish what I would like to see happening… I am too disappointed to have any dreams now.”
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12/4/06
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(17 of 27)
Dec 4, 2006 1:40 PM
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I was distressed to learn about these allegations for a number of reasons.
What I'm most wondering about right now though is if there is a baby in with the bathwater: Does anyone know how much of a difference (if any) the school actually makes in kids' lives?
I'm worried that people are going to look at the allegations (especially since they weren't dealt with honestly in the documentary) and assume that the whole school is a fraud. If it is, that's one thing, but if the school does achieve real results, then it would be a sin for it to be closed down or "defunded" because the head of it was embezzling or because some of the kids told fake sob stories in order to get more/larger donations.
(As far as the second point goes, I'm more disgusted with us as donors than I am with the kids for lying: most people seem to want others to prove that they really "deserve" charity before they'll open their wallets that it's no wonder that stories get "improved"...but I'm getting sidetracked).
Does anyone know about the actual effectiveness of Ithuteng Trust?
Take care,
Sybylla
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15
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11/30/06
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(16 of 27)
Dec 4, 2006 5:57 AM
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Thuleleni, I know! I feel the same way, at least we know the truth!
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Posts:
2
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12/3/06
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(15 of 27)
Dec 3, 2006 8:10 PM
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I have just been watching the documentary and I was crying buckets especially because this was a documentary about my peoples. So I decided to google it and find about more information about the Trust and found these very interesting posts by Bago.
If the allegations have a speck of truth, which are I now believe they do, I REGRET the tears I was crying! We do have problems in Africa but we dont need people fabricating stories and just further cementing the stereotype with lies. I am so MAD!!
HBO you shouldnt have aired it because then there is a possibility its just a work of fiction rather than a documentary based on true stories.
Shame on you 'Mama Jackey' and HBO.
Thanks BAGO for all the helpful links.
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Edited by Thuleleni at 12/03/2006 5:11 PM
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12/3/06
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(14 of 27)
Dec 3, 2006 6:47 PM
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This is very very interesting!!! Thanks Bago
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15
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11/30/06
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(13 of 27)
Dec 3, 2006 3:08 PM
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Yes, this story gets alot of attention at the moment in SA
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Edited by bago at 12/03/2006 12:09 PM
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