UNIT 6 BLOG

50996827 Joubert LD

The teachings of perseverance and community spirit are just two of the many beliefs that are endogenous to the Afrikaner Boere ethnic group and have significantly shaped my worldview. They offer a lens through which I understand my place in the world, influencing my actions, decisions, and interactions. By reflecting on these values, I am reminded of the rich cultural heritage that informs my identity and the enduring wisdom that guides my journey through life. As I continue to navigate the complexities of the modern world, these teachings serve as a source of strength and inspiration, grounding me in the enduring legacy of my ancestors.

Here, I will reflect on these two key beliefs that have been particularly instrumental in shaping my understanding and approach to life.

1. Die Gees van Volharding (The Spirit of Perseverance)

Perseverance is a belief I value because it is rooted in my history and influenced by ancestors' experiences. For me the spirit of "Die Gees van Volharding" is a testament to resilience and tenacity. Growing up, this belief shaped my worldview, instilling determination and the understanding that success is often a result of sustained effort. With my new path at the University, it is often very difficult to stay positive with the adversity and stress.  Resilience is a powerful quality that shaped my ability to adapt and thrive in the face of these challenges, and is crucial for achieving my long-term goals.

2. Gemeenskapsgees (Community Spirit)

Another cornerstone of Afrikaner Boere culture is the emphasis on community spirit, or "Gemeenskapsgees." This belief underscores the importance of solidarity, mutual support, and collective responsibility within the community. Rooted in the agrarian lifestyle of our ancestors, where survival and prosperity often depended on communal cooperation, this value continues to influence how we interact with and support one another.

From a young age, I was taught that being part of a community means more than just living in proximity to others; it involves active participation in the well-being of the collective. Since NWU has become my community, I feel a tremendous sense of social responsibility and the need to make a positive impact on student life as a whole. This has shaped my interactions with my peers, fostering a sense of empathy and a willingness to lend a helping hand when needed.

LD Joubert 50996827

UNIT 4 Blog:

Reflecting on Kinship and Exchange in my Everyday Life.

In our fast-paced modern lives, it's easy to overlook the intricate web of networks we navigate every day. Whether consciously or not, we are constantly engaged in exchanges within these networks, copying the kinship and exchange systems observed in lots of cultural contexts, such as those explored in Unit 4 of our studies. Reflecting on my own experiences, I've come to realize and think, the depth and significance of these networks in shaping my daily interactions and exchanges. With out overlooking the web of networks we navigate everyday or throughout the day in our busy lives and schedules. At the beginning of my networks are my family members—the foundational unit of my kinship. They provide me with so much support, love, and guidance, grounding me in a sense of belonging and finding my true identity. Within this familial network, exchanges go beyond mere material transactions. They give me emotional support, shared experiences, and a sense of communal responsibility. From my parents imparting wisdom gathered through years of lived experiences to my sibling’s offering camaraderie and laughter, each exchange strengthens the bonds that tie us together. From a young age me and my siblings had a great bond amongst each other as well as with our parents, we sometimes fought but nothing to bad. We always have each other’s backs and we have learned so much from our parents in the past. Beyond my immediate family, my extended family forms another layer of kinship. While not as intimately connected as my real family, they nonetheless play a significant role in my life. Through family gatherings, celebrations, and shared traditions, these relationships were sustained and nurtured. We start to build a not related family through years of spending time with friends and families other than our own. Exchanges within this network often revolve around cultural practices, where stories were shared, recipes exchanged, and customs upheld. These exchanges serve to reinforce a sense of cultural identity and heritage, grounding me in my roots while fostering a sense of belonging within a larger community. The way we can all relate to each other builds a stronger relationship with the people we choose to spend most our time with. For example, my niece’s friends that is always invited to family gatherings. Friendships constitute a vital aspect of my networks, skin to chosen skin. These relationships were characterized by mutual trust, shared interests, and emotional intimacy. From childhood friends who have stood the test of time to newer acquaintances who bring fresh perspectives, each connection enriches my life in unique ways. The more time I spend with them the better of a person I become because we have taught each other so valuable lessons of the years of meeting up and seeing each other. Exchanges within this network range from simple acts of kindness to profound conversations that challenge and inspire. Through laughter, tears, and shared experiences, these friendships contribute to my personal growth and well-being, shaping my worldview and values. Giving me different morals and new kind of strengths.

50996827

LD Joubert

Each morning I wake up at around 6 in the morning to attend class.  The birds are wide awake singing their morning song. The sun is merely up, and the sounds of cars gets more and more as the minutes pass. I get up out of bed with a stretch, feeling quite dizzy; I go make some strong black coffee with a bit of milk, just to add some flavor.

While drinking my coffee I start planning my outfit for the day.  After I got dressed I normally go and brush my teeth and tie my hair in a middle path ponytail. Every morning my hair feels like a horse trying to get his way to food. Its always standing up right …no matter what I do. Could be genes or maybe because I fight in my sleep.

On my way out, I normally take a few minutes to find my keys.......its always lost or laying around somewhere.  I lock my door, and on my way to my car. When climbing in my car, I press the start button and make my way to the exit where I have to scan my tag.  This is one of my hardest part of the day.  I have to stop perfectly just so the gate will open.  Some days I need to hang out the window for the tag to work....wonder what that looks like?

Where I live, university is about 2 kilometers away.  Each day I come across new people on the road.  Some that can drive, and some that goes out of their way to start your day bad.

Arriving at university, trees are green, flowers are blooming and everyone looks so happy and ready to face the day.

Walking to my lecture hall feels like forever.  The classes is very far apart, almost like walking the mid mile race.  In class I get out my notes and start making new notes.

After class I head home, and take a nap. When I wake up I open eFundi. Most of the time there's always something to do.

When I’m finally done with all my work,  I get ready for bed by putting on my geyser, taking a long hot shower, getting dressed for the night, and I’m off to dreamland.

L Joubert, 50996827

For years I had a miss perception of love, when I was young I was told that I will cry one day about a boy …I never believed it because in my eyes my dad was my world and the only one I would ever love. Love is something we can’t live without ,most people try and hide the fact that love exist in many factors not just in a significant other.

Most people takes love for granted, when one day you lose someone you will sit back and wish maybe I needed to be more kind, loving and forgiving. You never know what you had until its gone. The word love doesn’t come easy but in my generation “I love you”, do not mean I love you, anymore. By that I mean people don’t know the true meaning and difference between love and attention. The sentence I love you gets thrown around like a ball, hoping someone or something will catch it so it can satisfy one’s needs.

That’s not love , and for years I thought love is about giving and receiving not much more, just tell the person you love them, make them food give them kids and grow old together…no.

A relationship needs to be build on deep alignments and values, character and morals not just LOVE, APPEARANCE, HOBBIES and STATUS. Love is when you will not only die for someone but also live for them; it’s about commitment, hard work, fights and working through the fights trying to solve the problem together. Sometimes love sounds like, “Did you eat?”, “Call me when you get home”, “Are you safe?” and “Drive safe” ECT.

Love is a drug that most people overdose on because their perspective of love is wrong. Love is not just a word or sentence that can be used to fulfill yourself; it comes with a much greater responsibility.