I am a  Xhosa girl from the Eastern Cape, I have been influenced by two teachings that have shaped my worldview. The first is the importance of community and Ubuntu, which means " I am because we are".  In the Xhosa culture, community is everything and social relationship are highly valued. We are taught to always consider the well-being of others and to help those in need. This teaching has led to prioritise relationships and empathy in my personal and professional life.

The second teaching that has influenced me is the idea of resilience and hard work. Growing up I was always taught that anything is possible if you work hard enough. This belief is deeply ingrained in our culture and is reflected in the motto of Nelson Mandela University, " Let your light shine". We are encouraged to pursue our dreams and achieve our goals despite any obstacles we may encounter. This teaching has instilled in me a strong works ethic and a determination to pursue my passion and make a difference in the world.

As I learnt more about the history of colonialism and its impact on African education, I am also becoming more aware of the ways in which these teachings have been influenced and shaped by external forces. As Francis B Nyamjoh writes in " Potted Plants  in Greenhouses", colonial education has often priorities Western knowledge system over indigenous knowledge and has perpetuated a narrative to Africa inferiority. I am beginning to question the origins of these teachings and how they have been influenced by colonialism and globalisation.

This can be seen in the way that traditional African knowledge and practices have been label as primitive or inferior, leading many to abandon their tradition in favour of Western ideals. As a result , many African societies are now grappling with a loss of identity, knowledge and practical that have been passed down through generations. Globalisation has also played a role in shaping our worldview and belief systems. The dominant voices and narratives in media, entertainment and technology are often those of the West, which can influence our perception and beliefs. Even the language we use to describe ourselves and our cultures can be influenced by external forces and may not fully reflect the richness and diversity of our experiences.

As I reflect on my own beliefs and values, I am becoming more aware of the need to critically evaluate the sources on my worldview. It is crucial that we continue to reclaim and celebrate our indigenous knowledge and practices, while also actively resisting the narratives of inferiority perpetuated by colonialism and globalisation. By doing so, we can begin to build a more robust and inclusive understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

According to Fiona C. Ross`s article Diffusing Domesticity: Domestic Fluidity in Die Bos`, the Die Bos community in South Africa has a close-Knit network of kinship and exchange among different households and groups. This system of reciprocal exchange provided a mechanism for sharing resources and ensured that everyone had access to food, clothing and services. This exchange was not just limited to material exchange but also afforded social support and care services. The social network was maintained through the continuity of gift-giving. For instance, the exchange of food, clothes and healthcare services was mandatory, and failure to do so would bring dispute and social isolation.

Similarly, Andries di Toit and David Neves highlighted how informal social networks provide a system of support to vulnerable households in South Africa ,particularly in areas where there is a shortage of formal social protection systems. They highlighted the importance of kinship in the region and how those networks come together in  exchange systems to offer solidarity and support to one another.

In reflection my experience living a solely digital existence, it becomes clear that social networks and exchange systems manifest in various forms online. This trend is particularly visible within the millennial and Gen Z demographics, where social media platforms like TikTok, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram provide platforms for social interaction and support system.

These digital networks provide a similar system of support and kinship to Die Bos`s communal exchange system. Social media network operationalise around a system of likes , shares and comments that promote self-expression, inter connectivity and a sense of community. In digital space, interpersonal exchanges might be seemingly less intimate with user interactions occurring at odd hours around the clock, but they are no less important in terms of the social support they provide.

Digital networks present empathy and interactions that reflect value systems and shared interests. This is represented through the prevalence of various fandoms online, which offer support for the shared interests of fandom members . These value systems and interests are what drive digital groupings and exchanges, as they are in real world communal relationships 

In conclusion, a reflection on social networks and exchanges is informative in understanding how relationships build and maintain value in peoples lives. Social networks and exchange mechanisms don't have to define or shape personal relationships, but they exist in all forms of social existence, offering either a platform or framework for social inter connectivity and support systems. As different networks continue to shape our lives., whether in physical or digital spaces, it Is crucial to take stock of these networks workings to contribute to the continual improvement of these connections and exchanges quality.

My day starts at 7 am when my alarm goes off. I am awoken by the sound of my phone vibrating on my bedside table. I reach out and turn it off, feeling the smooth surface of the screen and the coolness of the metal case. I glance at the window and see the sun peeking through the curtains, casting a warm orange glow across my room

I get out of bed and slowly stretch my arms, feeling the tightness in my muscle from the previous little exercise session. I make my way to the kitchen and made something to eat. I am not a coffee person I just prefer full breakfast with juice it brings me a sense of calm to my stressed mind.

As I eat my breakfast, I check my emails and social media notifications to catch up on any news and updates from friends. I feel the warmth of my laptop on my lap and the softness of the cushion behind me as I sink to the couch.

I take a quick shower, I had to my first class of the day.As I walk through the campus,I take in the insights and sounds of the other students rushing to their respective classes. I hear the chatter of students and sound of the shoes when they walk in the pavement.

As the day progress, I attend classes, meet with study groups, and work on my assignments in the school library. My campus is beautiful the architecture did a great job. The sunlight streaming through the windows casts a warm glow on the books, and the scent of paper and ink fills the air.

In the afternoon, I grab a quick lunch at student centre with my friend. I feel the warmth of the sun on my skin and the coolness of the table against my arms. We are always complaining about the prices of the food while the poison is small but as long as we eat something. 

After a long day I go back to my residence and spend at least 2 hours resting.  I turn on some music, take a quick shower before going to make my dinner. Yes, I love food more than anything, I make chicken breast and spaghetti by enjoying the colours and smell of ingredients as I cook.

Finally, as the clock strikes 10 pm, I crawl into bed, feeling the softness off the sheets and the coolness of the pillow against my cheek. I reflect on the day, grateful for the experiences and for sensory sensation that enriched my day. I drift off to sleep, ready for another day filled with opportunities to immerse myself in the sensory experiences of life.

Before reading Wainana (2005) How to write about Africa and Miner (1956) Body and Ritual Among the Nacirema, I never really thought about how language can be manipulated to create difference and stereotypes, furthering the concept of otherness. However, these readings provided me with a new insight into language use and made me introspect about my own biases and assumptions. 

I realised that I too hold certain stereotypes, whether positive or negative, about certain communities. For example, I often associate the African continent with poverty and hunger and I tend to view Western countries as advanced and modern technological hubs. My assumptions about these places are based on the representations and narratives I have been exposed to through various media sources.

The TEDTalks presented by Ngozi and Bard-Williams further repeat the power of storytelling and how it can create or dismantle stereotypes. They highlighted the importance of recognising the diversity within communities and avoiding the danger of the single story. The examples they provided about the representation of Africa and Jamaica in media, respectively, made me realised how stereotypes can stem from misinformation and distorting to narratives.

Reflecting on my own assumptions, I realise how m bias towards certain communities can create  otherness, stigmatising them and furthering the negative stereotypes associated with them. It also made me understand the importance of challenging my own assumptions and building a more inclusive and equitable world view

In conclusion, the readings and TEDTalks have provided me with a new lens through which to view the world. I realise that my assumptions and biases can create a divide between communities and increase negative stereotypes, contributing to otherness. Therefore, I must actively work to challenge my own assumptions and biases, recognise diversity within communities and build a more inclusive and equitable worldview