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What if Pakistan's 'Old Lion' Returns to Govern?
ISLAMABAD - If Pakistan's May 11 parliamentary elections unfold according to recent national opinion surveys, two-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif will once again take power in Islamabad. Deposed in a 1999 coup led by General Pervez Musharraf, Sharif fled for nearly a decade of Saudi-sponsored exile. Today, however, it is Musharraf who lives under house arrest just outside Islamabad and faces charges of treason. Even in the context of Pakistan's topsy-turvy politics, this latest role-reversal is nothing short of breathtaking.
Sharif is no stranger to Washington, and by all accounts, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) leader knows how to hold a grudge. The years of generous U.S. support to the Musharraf regime that sent him packing are bound to rankle. Time, along with a changed administration in the White House, may have started to heal that wound, but Sharif wouldreturn to power with little trust or affection for the United States.
Pakistan's political transition comes at a critical juncture for the region. The U.S.-led campaign in neighboring Afghanistan has shifted from surge to downsizing. The U.S.-Pakistan relationship has moved from the post-9/11 era to an uncertain new post-bin Laden era, and the Obama administration is busy reassessing how best to manage its long-term goals in South Asia, from counterterrorism to nuclear nonproliferation. In the midst of such flux, Islamabad's new leadership team will play an important role in setting the tone and direction of the bilateral relationship.
Sharif Versus America
Along with a bitter history, Sharif has other differences with Washington. Above all, he has publicly opposed the U.S. counterterror campaign in South Asia, and especially the CIA-directed drone war in Pakistan's tribal belt bordering Afghanistan. As Sharif has said numerous times, "We won't tolerate these attacks on our territorial jurisdictions."
It is possible that Sharif, if he returns to power, would never back up those words with meaningful action. Instead, like his predecessors, he could privately or tacitly permit U.S. drone strikes while criticizing them in public and leaving the details to be sorted out by Pakistan's military.
On the other hand, Sharif might actually try to end or curtail the scope of the drone program. Less likely, but still conceivably, he could offer a trade: his endorsement of a limited number of drone strikes in exchange for greater Pakistani control over targeting decisions. In any event, Washington should be prepared for the possibility that Sharif will seek to renegotiate the terms of Pakistan's counterterror cooperation.
A similar renegotiation may be necessary with respect to the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan. To start, although the massive retrograde of U.S. military equipment planned for the next several years is possible without Pakistan's roads and ports, it would be faster and cheaper to flow containers and vehicles south through Karachi than north through Central Asia. A new Sharif government might try to hike the price of overland transit as a new source of revenue or as bargaining leverage to achieve other goals.
Beyond logistical considerations, there is the question of just how helpful (or harmful) Sharif's Pakistan would be as the United States seeks an exit from the Afghan war. The answer depends on (1) how Sharif and his party relate to the Taliban and other violent extremist groups, and (2) whether Sharif would exert control over Pakistan's foreign policy in ways the most recent civilian government could not.
Sharif and the Jihadis
Sharif's liberal Pakistani critics speak darkly of his associations withextremist networks in Punjab. Some say that he harbors ideological or religious sympathies for groups like the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), a political front for one of Pakistan's most violent Sunni extremist groups, the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP). The SSP and its affiliates are responsible for horrific sectarian carnage. Recently, a series of photos has made the rounds on the Internet, showing Rana Sanaullah, a top official in Sharif's PMLN party, palling around with AWSJ leader Maulana Muhammad Ahmed Ludhianvi.
Those more sympathetic to the PMLN tend to argue that Sharif's center-right PMLN simply cuts rational, politically necessary deals with a range of Pakistan's Islamist parties to win elections. At heart, they insist, Sharif and other top party bosses are Punjabi centrists and industrialists who appreciate that extremism, violence, and anti-Western ideologies are all bad for business.
Maybe so, but U.S. officials will recall the 2010 episode when Nawaz Sharif's younger brother, Shahbaz Sharif, number two in the party and then chief minister of Punjab province,suggested that the Pakistani Taliban should have no cause to attack his province. As he explained, both the PMLN and the Taliban had rejected Musharraf's dictatorial rule as well as the "external dictation" of the United States, so they had little cause for quarrel. Even today, the PMLN's election manifesto mainly blames a combination of Musharraf's authoritarian rule and the post-9/11 U.S. war in Afghanistan for encouraging and emboldening Pakistan's militants. If the United States is hoping for a loyal partner or champion of anti-extremist causes in Islamabad, it will be sorely disappointed if the PMLN comes to power.
Over the past decade, Pakistan's violent extremists have shown a capacity to disrupt society with acts of terrorism, like the October 2012 attack on the young schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai. Fortunately, these vicious groups continue to lack political unity or a base of popular support sufficient to win power through the ballot box. One of America's chief concerns about a PMLN-led government is that its leaders seem too eager to temporize with Pakistan's home-grown extremists, too willing to offer them breathing space and even a share of political power that would turn them into an even more formidable threat to national stability.
Is there any silver lining for the United States? Actually, the PMLN's history of accommodating extremist groups might prove tactically useful at a time when Washington is energetically exploring reconciliation talks with the leaders of the Afghan Taliban insurgency. It is unlikely that Sharif's government would be able to bridge the divide between these warring adversaries, but U.S. officials should at least test the proposition.
Sharif and the Generals
More than the civilian president or prime minister, it is Pakistan's army chief who has always set Islamabad's stance on Afghanistan. How Sharif manages relations with General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani (and with Kayani's successor, since the chief is slated to retire in November) will have important implications for Pakistan's stability as well as for its relations with Afghanistan, India, and the United States.
Decades ago, Sharif and his party were the army's favorites, but their relations are now poisoned by a history of political confrontation and personal antagonism that goes well beyond Sharif's feud with Musharraf. If the two sides remain at loggerheads, their skirmishing will distract the country from necessary initiatives required for peace, security, and economic growth.The United States would then be hard-pressed simply to navigate between feuding politicians and generals.
Fortunately, many members of the PMLN are eager to overcome past grievances and find a stable working relationship with their military counterparts. If that effort were to succeed, the army and the PMLN might again prove natural partners, backed by Pakistan's "silent majority" of center-right nationalists. All have an interest in promoting economic reforms that would bolster industrial production. In addition, they seek a normalized relationship with India that permits greater trade, even if they are not ready to resolve underlying diplomatic disputes.
A Workable Relationship?
Many analysts predict that if Sharif returns to power, his party will sit atop a fractious coalition government that will tie the aging "lion of Pakistan" in political knots even if he escapes debilitating tangles with the army. No doubt, Sharif will find Pakistan a difficult country to govern; there is no telling how long his government would hold together in the face of severe stresses within and without. Sharif lacks at least some of the cunning and uncanny survival instinct that permitted President Asif Ali Zardari to keep his party in power for a full five-year term.
The United States, too, will find no easy solutions for many of its longstanding frustrations with Pakistan if Sharif assumes the helm.
U.S. officials should begin their dealings with a new Sharif government by actively encouraging his strengths, especially his economic and educational reform agenda and his openness to improved relations with India; quietly holding a firm line on areas of dispute, like drones; and exploring potential areas for tactical cooperation, such as the Afghan Taliban reconciliation effort. Under such circumstances, the best Washington can achieve would be a workable relationship: a far cry from the ambition of "strategic partnership" touted early in the Obama administration's first term, and yet not a complete disaster either.


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K-Pop has been gaining popularity in America, with a sold-out world tour last autumn showcasing a number of acts from SHINee to Girls' Generation—that featured stops at NYC's Madison Square Garden and LA's Staples Center—cementing Korean pop music as an international sensation. So now that K-Pop has the world's attention, people are looking a little more closely at what these groups are all about, and are uncovering some disturbing imagery, language and behavior with regards to racism. Namely: Blackface.
But the offensive incidences aren't limited to just blackface (as pictured above, with Gikwang of K-Pop group BEAST/B2ST eating some watermelon). Tay Symone at ONTD mentions the infamous story of one of the Girls' Generation singers, Taeyeon, saying Alicia Keys is "pretty for a black girl." Another Girls' Generation singer, Yuri, went on a TV show and did an impression of what she thought was "acting black."
This actually has been going on within K-Pop for sometime, at least since the Bubble Sisters — an all-girl group that based their entire image on black face — first hit the scene in 2003. Their tactics may have been offensive, but they were only one group doing it. Now it would seem that it's something of an epidemic within K-Pop.
K-POP or KKK-POP? Covert Anti-Black Music Scene Sweeping America[ONTD]

subset: commoncrawl


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Allimadi: "Hopefully we will be able to discuss some of the issues that major corporate media tend to ignore, including pervasive poverty, unemployment and police brutality in the so-called inner cities.�
(Allimadi joins other top reporters to discuss media diversity).
The publisher of The Black Star News has been selected by New York's leading independent press network to join nine top journalists at a major national media reform conference early next year.
"I am delighted that The Black Star News has been recognized for top journalism,� says Milton Allimadi, publisher and CEO of New York's leading investigative newspaper. "Hopefully we will be able to discuss some of the issues that major corporate media tend to ignore, including pervasive poverty, unemployment and police brutality in the so-called inner cities, and U.S. support for corrupt dictatorships around the world.�
Allimadi is also the author of "The Hearts of Darkness, How White Writers Created the Racist Image of Africa" (Black Star Books, 2003). He joins nine other top New York journalists and media operators who have been selected to head this city's team to the national conference. The Ford Foundation is sponsoring the delegation's trip. The conference is in Memphis, from January 12 to 14, 2007. Heading New York's team is Lisa Vives, who is Director and Editor of Global Information Network (GIN), a leading distributor of independent international and national news on social justice issues.
Conference organizers expect over 3,000 participants who are fed up with the current state of the nation's media. "More importantly, the Ford Foundation agreed to fund the travel to the conference of 10 individuals in order to facilitate further discussion of the important issues of media diversity and justice,� says Vives. "I believe that free media that reflects all voices and views is essential to a democratic society.�
In addition to Vives and Allimadi, are: Dame Babou, Radio producer in the U.S. and correspondent for SUD FM of Senegal; Karen Juanita Carrillo, Freelance Journalist specializing in Afro-Latino and African American history and politics; Zita Allen, Labor journalist and author, "Black Women Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement,�; M'ampela Mpela, U.N. Radio Producer; Chaka Ngwenya, founder, SARFM Radio (Internet) and former radio host at Zimbabwe ZBC Radio 3; Bankole Thompson, author, "Ignoring the Underprivileged: A Journalists Indictment of Mainstream Media," and reporter and editor at the Michigan Chronicle; Sowore Omoyele, reporter and contributor to Saharareporters.com; and, Kenton Kirby managing editor, Caribbean Life.
For more on the National Media Reform Conference www.freepress.net/confernce.
To subscribe to New York's favorite Pan-African weekly investigative newspaper please click on "subscribe� on the homepage or call (212) 481-7745. For advertisements or to send us a news tip contact [email protected] "Speaking


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South African Journal of Agricultural Extension
On-line version ISSN 2413-3221
Print version ISSN 0301-603X
S Afr. Jnl. Agric. Ext. vol.39 n.1 Pretoria Jan. 2011
Mentorship a key success factor in sustainable land reform projects in South Africa
S. E. Terblanché
Senior Lecturer, Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, Tel. +27 12 420 4958, Fax. +27 12 420 3247, e-mail: email@example.com
The Land Reform Program is a priority program in South Africa to redress the matter of land ownership. However the number of failures of projects implemented is alarmingly high and the majority of projects are not sustainable. Some popular articles and reports however indicated successes and the positive role that the mentor has fulfilled in the success of the project. This has led to the research study to determine why it seems as if a mentorship program is a key factor in sustainable land reform. Fifteen mentors and 20 protégé's (new farmers) were personally visited and interviewed. The findings show that there are essential qualities and characteristics that a mentor and Protégé should satisfy to ensure a successful mentorship program. The qualities and characteristics linked to a mentor are: a knowledgeable, respectful and trustworthy person, while those of the protégé are: a committed, respectful and hard working person. The establishment of a mentorship relationship is essential for success. Obstacles that could hinder the program are a lack of willingness, no commitment and a negative attitude, while the availability of a viable and sustainable business plan for the farm is non-negotiable.
Key words: Mentorship; personal characteristics; land reform; agriculture; business plan; sustainability.
Mentorship today is a word of fashion and in many instances it is being visualised as a magic wand that can bring about change by swinging it and uttering a few magic words. In business today coaching and mentorship are buzzwords, the trends of the moment (Stout-Roston, 2007) and more and more organizations/institutions are busy developing and structuring mentorship programs. Mentorship however can differ depending on the profession involved and workplace practices where it is implemented.
The concept, mentorship, can be taken back many years ago to the Greek mythology, when Odysseus, the Greek poet, took his son Telemachus to his friend Mentor and requests him to guide, coach and raise him in life skills while he will be away from home for a long time (Adams & Scott, 1997).
Transformation and therefore change, not only in South Africa, but in the world today is taking place at such an enormous speed that one sometimes feel totally lost and have a feeling of not really knowing where you are heading to. In the agricultural sector in South Africa and more specifically with regard to land reform, there is an outcry by land reform beneficiaries that they need mentors to support them. There are a number of examples of successes, but unfortunately also failures. According to the goals of the South African government with regard to land reform, 30% of agricultural land, currently owned by white farmers, needs to be transferred to previously disadvantaged South Africans by 2014. A second major goal is that all restitution claims need to be settled by the end of 2010.
The aim of these land reform programs is not only the settlement of previously disadvantage individuals, groups and / or communities on agricultural land, but to provide a support service to them and enable them to live a better life.
The new farmers need to be successful in producing agricultural produce (food security), alleviate poverty and to become part of the mainstream of agricultural production in South Africa. Although there are successful settlement projects the number of failures is alarmingly high; failures that the agricultural sector and therefore South Africa cannot afford (Williams, 2005:14; Smith, 2009:71). In the document, "The Strategic Plan for South African Agriculture" (2001: 15, 16 and 26) and the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Framework for Agriculture (AgriBEE, 2004: 11) discussion document, the development and implementation of mentorship programs have been identified as one of the key factors that can positively influence land reform and Black Economic Empowerment.
Very little information is available on mentorship programs in agriculture in South Africa however there is a great willingness among commercial farmers to act as mentors for emerging farmers. Kieviet & Raath as mentioned by Terblanché (2003: 11) strongly recommended that the acceptance of a mentorship program and the appointment of a mentor for emerging farmers becomes a necessity.
With regard to this research the one question to be answered is:
"Can the implementation of a mentorship program, for land reform beneficiaries play a role to minimise the occurrence of failures?"
The objectives of the research study are therefore:
- To identify the necessary and essential elements, characteristics and qualities (skills and knowledge) that a mentor need to successfully support land reform beneficiaries to manage a farm effectively and
- To identify the essential elements, characteristics and qualities (skills and knowledge) that a protégé (new farmer) needs to become a successful farmer.
2.1 Mentoring or mentorship
There are numerous definitions for mentorship or mentoring today and the definition depends on the profession involved and the workplace practices where it is implemented for instance, according to Murray (1991: 5): 'Mentoring is a structure and series of processes designed to create effective mentoring relationships, guide the desired behaviour change of those involved, and evaluate the results for the protégés, the mentors and the organisation with the primary purpose of systematically developing the skills and leadership abilities of the less experienced members of the organisation'.
A more simplified but descriptive definition of mentoring is according to Oberholzer (as cited by de Beer, 2005) the following: 'Mentoring is simply someone who helps someone else to learn something the learner would otherwise have learned less well, more slowly, or not at all'.
Finally mentorship is career guidance and individual development process by which competencies (professionalism) and insight are carried over by chosen people (mentors) to other people (protégés). (www.gclearning.com).
The analyses of these definitions of mentorship emphasise three elements namely:
- A reference to individual people, one person interacting with another person (mentor and protégé);
- The involvement of some kind of supportive action - i.e. guidance, support, advice, learning, coaching and counselling and
- Promoting professional and personal development.
Mentoring brings individuals together on a one - to - one basis, bypassing bureaucracy and institutions. It brings people together, real people talking to real people. Mentoring therefore implies someone older (or somehow more experienced) working with someone younger and by definition, less experienced.
According to research, (Murray, 1991; Adams, 1998; Holliday, 2001; Edwards & Keane, 2001; Young & Wright, 2001, Primary Agriculture Education and Training Authority, 2003; de Beer, 2005; South African Cane Grower's Association, 2005 and Ueckermann, 2005) the successful outcomes of a mentorship program, depends heavily on the development of a mentoring relationship between the mentor and protégé. Table 1 is a summary and example of a framework for a mentoring relationship. The framework includes aspects such as obstacles that might hinder the relationship as well as the benefits for the role-players (Terblanché, 2007).
2.2 Mentorship in the agricultural sector in South Africa - some desktop research findings
As previously mentioned there are a number of land reform projects where a mentorship program has been established. The following are some examples of structured and even unstructured mentorship programs mentioned in published and unpublished reports and in articles published in the Press and magazines.
2.2.1 Mentorship Review - towards a model of mentorship for PAETA (Primary Agricultural Education and Training Authority) - Khanya - managing rural change cc. November 2004.
Khanya was contracted by PAETA and GTZ (German Technical Co-operation) to undertake a study of mentorship practices in the primary agricultural sector based on PAETA supported project. The approach followed by PAETA has developed out of the need for practical training in farming practices. Two very important aspects that came forward according to the report are:
- 'Mentorship is not about managing the enterprise, but helping empower less experienced farmers to do so' (2004: 11).
- The formation of partnership and linkages during the mentorship program is, according to the Report (2004: 21), of great importance. These linkages and partnerships will be crucial for the new farmer to continue farming activities and to have access to support services available from all possible service providers.
2.2.2 Report on the South African Cane Growers Association's Mentorship Program for the Development of new Black Farmers - June 2005
CANE GROWERS' identified a need to implement a Mentorship program for the New Freeland Growers (NFG's) entering the Sugar Industry. The intention was to have an experienced sugarcane farmer, who is nearby the new farmer, assist and show the new farmer in the running of the farm as a business. The most important outcomes of the evaluation report are the following:
- The majority of mentors indicated that they were able to meet the new farmers at least twice or more per month.
- New farmers were not restricted to official visits but when they need help they could ask for additional help.
- In some areas one mentor was responsible for more than one new farmer and the mentor arranged to meet them as a group. The experience was that it did not work well; new farmers sometimes did not attend meetings with no excuses.
- A total of 68% of the new farmers indicated that the services provided by the mentor have been helpful and they now have a better understanding of a farm as a business.
- A total of 32% of the new farmers however felt that the services provided to them were not helpful at all. The majority complaining about the relationship, which came across as paternalistic and new farmers appear to have unrealistic expectations of their mentors.
Problems encountered by mentors and new farmers are:
- The unwillingness of the new farmers to participate fully and to be committed to the mentorship program.
- New farmers had to be pushed constantly by the mentors in everything.
- Poor attendance of group meetings.
- Lack of trust between new farmers and mentor.
- New farmers were de-motivated and frustrated as a result of financial difficulties they were experiencing.
New farmers:
- They felt they do not need the full mentorship program and therefore do not need to attend all meetings.
- Mentors try to intrude in their private lives.
2.2.3 Progress report: Training and Development Projects for Emerging Farmers - National Wool Growers Association (NWGa) 2004/05.
Results of the mentorship program:
According to the NWGA the positive result of the mentorship program can be illustrated by means of the next table while the aim of the mentorship program is to support the training of farmers in the classing of wool and all aspects of contaminations.
According to the above table, farmers without a mentorship program, (Shed B) lost R158 990.
2.2.4 Report: Renosterrivier Land Reform Project (undated)
The research done on the Renosterriver project as well as many other identifies a number of aspects that could help future land reform interventions. Only a few are mentioned below with specific reference to a mentorship program:
- Commitment and post implementation aftercare is vital. Mentoring and the transfer of skills should form part of the incentives and penalties of the project and not be dependent only on the goodwill of the parties. If ongoing mentorship is not linked to sound business incentives it can easily revert to a form of paternalism which prevents people from developing.
- It is essential to built trust and credibility between the parties. The integrity of the process is as important as the end product. (p.13 - 15).
2.3 Agricultural related mentorship projects and/or requests for mentors, published in the more popular agricultural magazines and newspapers.
2.3.1 From Ciskei to the world
Sanalake 'Solly' Nonceba of Upper Kat River Valley struggled for years to make a living farming citrus. But when Solly entered a partnership with pack house Riverside Enterprises, under the mentorship of Llew Roberts, his fortunes changed. (Farmer's Weekly, 4 March 2005: 47 - 48)
2.3.2 'The state left us hanging'.
They feel ill-equipped to run a commercial farm. 'We'd like to have more hands-on-mentorship, even a joint venture with a commercial farmer, if it doesn't mean losing control of the project,' Sikele Bavuma (project coordinator) says. (Farmer's Weekly, 3 June 2005: 58)
2.3.3 Land reform rests on post-settlement support.
After a group of Khoisan in the Northern Cape received a land restitution grant, they realized they lacked the skills to turn their venture into a profitable enterprise. Now they're in desperate need of a mentor with practical advice. "We need a mentor, someone who will enable us to gain the skills needed to make the project succeeds. Without this, the whole thing will fail, and all that money and effort will be lost", says Abraham Hoogtander, Manager of the farm at Jan Kempdorp (Farmer's Weekly, July 2008: 53).
2.3.4 New Forest scheme falls apart.
In 1999 the New Forest Tomato Farm was hailed as a top-notch agricultural initiative owned and run by women. A lack of funds forced its closure in 2002. The Assistant Manager Kelvin Nemurangane blamed the Agricultural Department for the project's downfall citing a lack of technical and mentorship support (Farmer's Weekly, 25 November 2005: 90).
2.3.5 An empowerment success story ... at last!
Paul Clüver Junior attributes the farm's success to: Committed partnership; sound mentorship and value adding of its products. 'This project would have been a complete failure if it wasn't for the Clüvers'. They have been our mentors' says Jan Jansen Lebanon Farm Manager (Farmer's Weekly, 13 May 2008: 68 - 69).
2.3.6 Laying foundations for successful LAND REFORM.
The Masekhane Women's Land Camp project and farmer Mike Charters' mentorship and empowerment schemes are helping to reduce poverty and crime, while fostering goodwill between the town's black and white residents. 'Mike Charter came to us as a blessing, offering knowledge and capital and making the difficult jump from subsistence farmer to commercial farmer possible,' say the Gova Brothers of Ugie. According to the Gova Brothers, a mentorship program with white commercial farmers is the difference between success and failure for those emerging producers making the jump to commercial production (Farmer's Weekly, 3 March 2006: 32 - 34).
2.3.7 Micro approach yields mega boost in stock value.
Mngunube Consultants' micro approach to rural development anchored by an effective mentorship strategy to individual households, has led to significant success in the grassroots fight against poverty. Mentorship support to Elundini farmers is defined by a motivation to improve the production and quality of stock through entrenching a culture of management (Farmer's Weekly, 29 September 2006: 44 - 46).
2.3.8 The emerging of a powerful mentorship.
Sceptics often expect emerging farmers to fail, but Phopi Ralentjena, an emerging farmer from Blouberg in Limpopo, is disproving this notion. He and his mentor Auwke Jongbloed are proof that white_commercial farmers can successfully mentor black emerging farmers. Phopi feels mentorship is the key and as a new farmer you must be a farmer at heart (Farmer's Weekly, 25 May 2007: 54 - 56)
2.3.9 Presentation made by Nkanyiso Gumede (new female farmer) at the South African Sugarcane Association (SASA) meeting.
'The help I received from my mentor enabled me to manage my loan repayments. Ant Bennet, I look at him as my mentor and watch everything that he does so I can learn how to become a better farmer. He is more than my neighbour and mentor, he is also my friend. My advice to potential sugarcane farmers is: Get yourself a mentor or enter into a mentorship programme as soon as possible' (Unpublished presentation at SASA meeting, 2006).
Three methods to collect data for the research project were followed namely:
3.1 A desktop study with regard to:
- A theoretical discussion (literature) about mentoring and mentorship;
- The study of available agricultural mentorship research reports and
- The study of agricultural mentorship related articles published in the more popular agricultural magazines and newspapers.
3.2 A mail questionnaire
A mail questionnaire was constructed to be send out to mentors and new farmers for completion and to be mailed back to the researcher. When testing the questionnaire by means of a personal interview, both mentor and new farmer indicated that they would not have completed the questionnaire if received by post or e-mail. The reasons mentioned were because of the human and personal nature of most of the questions and the sensitivity nature with regard to land reform in South Africa. Both however assured the researcher that they believe other mentors and new farmers will participate and answer questions during a personal interview.
3.3 Personal interviews
With the support of Organized Agriculture mentors and new farmers involved in mentorship programs were identified, contacted and visited for a personal interview. In total 15 mentors and 20 new farmers were interviewed. They were assured of the confidentiality of the information and no names of mentors/new farmers or farms visited, will be mentioned in the findings. Projects were visited in eight of the nine provinces in South Africa. Mentors and new farmers were separately interviewed.
The findings and therefore respondent's expectations, experience and perceptions will be presented under the following headings:
- Mentoring and mentorship.
- What is a mentor?
- What is a protégé?
- The mentoring relationship.
- The outcomes of the mentorship program.
- Possible obstacles hindering a mentoring relationship.
- The ending of a mentoring relationship.
- Additional aspects mentioned by mentors.
- Innovative ideas to be considered in a mentorship program.
4.1 Mentoring and mentorship according to mentor and protégé respondents 4.1.1 Mentors
The 15 mentors individually describe mentoring and mentorship according to their experience, expectations and perceptions (Table 3). Their descriptions of mentoring and mentorship can be clustered into four mentoring categories and it is presented in the next table. According to the table below there are no significant differences between the four mentoring categories. It strengthens the fact that mentoring is a philosophy that includes aspects of guidance and training that leads towards the establishment of a relationship.
4.1.2 The new farmers (protégé's)
The 20 new farmers who participated in the research project individually describe, according to their experiences, expectations and perceptions their specific mentoring and mentorship program. The descriptions as mentioned by the new farmers have been clustered into three mentoring categories as indicated in the next table.
A total of 50 per cent of the new farmers experienced their mentorship program as hands-on training. Important however is the experience and perception of 30% respondents that their mentorship program is more of a philosophical nature and it has been observed that the mentor played an important role to establish this concept with his/her new farmer. Although only one group indicated that their mentor actually manages the farm on their behalf, it is a concept that needs to be carefully managed. It unfortunately does not contribute to promote the independency of the new farmers. At one of the most successful land reform projects visited, the new farmer clearly indicated that he would not have been successful if it wasn't for the mentoring and mentorship program he and his mentor followed. It consists of a number of aspects that needs to taken in consideration namely:
- As a new farmer he acknowledges the fact that he does not have knowledge, equipment, labour and even sufficient finance to develop and maintain the farm.
- He acknowledges the fact that he depends heavily on his mentor in the first year to do everything on the farm - however everything was done side-byside, the mentor explaining each activity.
- During the second year he had some equipment, labour and finance and it was according to their agreement, his responsibility to execute all the instructions the mentor gave - again everything was done side-by-side, he was doing and the mentor was observing and ready to advice.
- In the third year the new farmer was responsible to draw up the business plan for the farm, inform and discuss the plan with the mentor, adapt if necessary and then execute all the faming activities. They had scheduled meetings when the mentor visited the farm or where he as new farmer visited the mentor. They however had an open door relationship, meaning they can visit or call one another anytime.
4.2 The mentor
According to Young & Wright (2001) as cited by de Beer (2005: 30) the mentor is a person who guides another to avenues of success; will meet the protégé's needs; knowledgeable and respected; a person who listens and a problem solver. Mentor respondents were requested to describe a mentor according to their experience and perception, identifying essential characteristics and qualities of a mentor to be successful, and the results are presented in Table 5. The responds were clustered into five mentor categories and these categories are actually characteristics and essential qualities of a mentor.
The importance of knowledge as a key and essential element in the accoutrement of a mentor is clearly illustrated by the above table. Aspects such as willingness and trust are also essential according to mentors themselves.
The new farmer's description of their mentor is presented in the next table. The responds were clustered into five mentor categories. According to the table new farmers (protégé's) also indicated that the most important and essential element of a mentor is knowledge. Linked to knowledge is the characteristics helpfulness and experience, which were also indicated by the new farmers as important elements.
A mentor also exposes specific characteristics as well as essential qualities. Mentor and new farmer (protégé) respondents were requested to identify the essential characteristics and qualities of a mentor and the outcome are presented in the next table.
According to mentors the four most important characteristics/qualities of a mentor are:
knowledge; respect; trustworthy and willingness.
According to the new farmers the four most important characteristics/qualities of a mentor are: respect; knowledge; trustworthy and commitment.
4.3 The new farmer (protégé)
According to Young & Wright (2001) as cited by de Beer (2005: 30) the protégé is the person who is being mentored. The protégé must respect and trust the mentor; be willing to enter into a relationship and must be committed and willing to learn. The literature review emphasizes a number of important characteristics and qualities of a protégé that are essential to establish a relationship.
Mentor and new farmer respondent's described the new farmer they are working with and the results are presented, in order of priory, in the next table.
Although there is a slight difference with regard to the description of a new farmer by the mentors and the new farmers, the following descriptions were mentioned by both:
- A person willing to learn;
- A person who listen and implement and
- A hard working person.
Mentors and new farmers were also requested to indicate the characteristics that describe the new farmer. The results are presented in the table below.
According to the above table both mentor and new farmer agree that the most important characteristic of the new farmer is commitment.
4.4 The mentoring relationship
- The success of the mentoring relationship according to Young and Wright (2001) as cited by de Beer (2005) depends on the mentor and protégé and what they bring to and do in the relationship. According to the research:
- Mentor and new farmer respondents, who were visited, unanimously stated that a relationship was formed but it took approximately a year before they really established the relationship.
- Both mentors and new farmers indicated that in the beginning of the program they experienced a lot of uncertainty, anxiety and even fear.
- They also experienced a sense of hope, excitement, expectations and even relief.
- The majority of respondents indicated that it took approximately three years before the project (farm) becomes financially successful and in some case it even took five years. This again is a confirmation that sustainable farming as a business is not an easy road to travel on and mentorship is not a quick fix solution. The development of a sustainable farming operation/business plan with the support of a mentorship program is a long-term strategy.
- On the question: Why was your mentorship program successful? Respondents reacted as follows:
- In 85% of the programs the mentorship program was initiated, both by a new farmer or a mentor and not by an outsider person or organization.
- In only 15% programs an organization linked the new farmer to a mentor.
- No one was forced into the project.
- Both mentor and new farmer were mutually committed.
- They establish respect for one another - the new farmer acknowledging the knowledge, skills and abilities of the mentor and the mentor acknowledge, the willingness and eagerness of the new farmer to become successful.
- Effective communication channels were established; both parties setting time aside and make themselves available. They stick to the program and by doing so trust was built between them.
- In the majority of the long-term mentorship projects mentor and new farmer formed partnerships.
- It is also important that the new farmer should regularly visit the mentors' farm and to observe the mentors' managerial skills.
- Lastly, in some of the most successful projects both mentors and new farmers emphasize the fact that it was their faith in God that makes their mentorship program a success and nothing else. This did not come as a surprise because the Bible is clear with regard to the empowerment of people. In the letter to the Philippians, Chapter 2: 13 the Apostle Paul wrote: 'for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose' (NIV Study Bible: 1846).
Mentors and new farmers mentioned a number of other important aspects that support a sustainable mentoring relationship and therefore a sustainable farming enterprise:
- No land reform project and mentorship program can be successful without a viable and sustainable business plan (farm plan). The mentor and new farmer in cooperation with other role players should together develop the business plan. Both mentor and new farmer must have the same understanding of the business plan and develop a common vision with regard to the future of the farming enterprise.
- New farmers starting a new farming enterprise with unrealistic and non-feasible expectations are doomed to fail. One can dream big, but be realistic. The more sophisticated and intensive the enterprise, for instance greenhouse production, the more realistic one needs to be.
- The availability of essential infrastructure and the necessary equipment is non-negotiable to manage a farm successfully.
- A dedicated and well cared farm worker team is indispensable. The farm workers, transferred to the new beneficiaries.
- No farm can be operated and managed without financial support. A financial plan which forms part of the business plan is essential. Financial institutions (banks) need to support new farmers with loans/credit. Government grants available needs to be released on time and according to the business plan and not months or even years late.
- New farmers need to have access to markets for their products. A contract linked to a market is to some extent an insurance policy to success.
4.5 The outcomes of the mentorship program
The success of the land reform project linked to a mentorship program can best be illustrated in the words of the new farmers:
- 'I feel proud to be part of the Heavenly Promise Project. It feels like there's a future for me again'.
- The project brought hope for many people, and it played a major role to bring together people from different cultures. 'There is a vibe that you will not find in many parts of our country'.
- 'This land (farm) feeds the whole nation, we'll keep it as an economic asset'.
- 'The community at large benefits from our project'.
- 'I have planted 98 ha of cane and I am proud to say that I recently won the local award for the most improved grower'.
- 'I am very proud to be part of the sugar industry and proud to contribute to the economy of South Africa. I produce over 8000 tons of sugar annually'.
- 'At least we now have food to eat'.
- 'We are so happy to see our farm growing'.
- 'Being a co-owner of the farm and able to say that I have my own land has changed my life completely'.
- 'Commitment and patience is starting to pay off, and when we stand back and look at what we have achieved, .... we are proud and content'.
The majority of mentors and new farmers visited, clearly stated that the projects are successful and that:
- Both mentors and new farmers are clearly proud of what has been achieved, expressing a sincere feeling of satisfaction humility and thankfulness.
- 'We understand one another and work together to achieve one goal - I the new farmer must be successful. I have developed a new value system- proud on who I am and what I have achieved. It is a great experience to see my farm products on the market and on the shelves of the supermarket. The secret is we (mentor and new farmer) made time available for one another'.
4.6 Obstacles hindering the mentoring relationship
The following obstacles that might hinder the mentoring relationship have been mentioned by respondents:
4.6.1 Mentors
- A lack of willingness by both mentor and new farmer.
- A lack of commitment by the new farmer - not implementing advice.
- An unrealistic business plan for the farm.
- The new farmer(s) not really understanding farming as a business.
- Insufficient finance, infrastructure and equipment to operate the farm enterprise.
- Cultural and gender differences need to be understood and respected.
- The mentor must have sufficient time available to assist the new farmer - do not rush or try to quick fix everything.
- Time management ignored by the new farmer.
- There is a need for strong leadership where the new farmers manage the farm as a group. Conflict within the group of new farmers (beneficiaries) can hinder the relationship.
- The new farmer expecting too much from the mentor.
- Negative influences from outside the project.
- Other role players who does not keep to their promises.
4.6.2 New farmers
- The attitude of the mentor - a boss/servant attitude.
- Peer jealousy and pressure from neighbouring farmers/communities.
- The mentor not having sufficient time to attend to the new farmer.
- The mentor not a good listener - just gives advice and orders no guidance.
- Both mentor and new farmer not willing to participate (forced mentorship).
- Insufficient finance and equipment to manage the farm.
- Promises not kept by other role players outside the mentorship program -finance, grants and equipment.
4.7 The ending of the relationship
There is, according to the literature, no specific rule when to end a mentoring relationship. It could be, and there are examples from the past where the mentoring relationship is a life-long relationship.
A mentor and protégé will always nourish a successful relationship. According to de Beer (2005: 27) it is healthy for a mentoring relationship to end. It depends on the mentor and the protégé to, if necessary, take the courage's step and end it.
4.8 Specific needs mentioned by mentors
- There is an urgent need for a structure (forum) on national and even provincial level where mentors can affiliate to.
- Mentors unanimously mentioned that such a forum for mentors should not be managed by government institutions/departments and or other institutions. A department can however play an important role in the monitoring and evaluation of mentorship programs.
- Mentors identified a need for training before entering into a mentorship program.
- Mentors also indicated that there is a definite need for the training of new farmers and specifically with regard to their responsibilities in the mentorship program.
- Mentors and new farmers must have the final say/decision with whom they want to relate to.
- There is a need for a data base of prospective mentors and new farmers.
- The implementation of a selection instrument to identify prospective farmers with the best change to be successful in farming is becoming an absolute necessity.
4.9 Innovative ideas to be considered
- The mentor and new farmer together need to draw up a personal development plan for the new farmer (protégé).
- Mentor and new farmer to draw up a checklist for the mentoring program.
- The mentor to complete an instrument to identify his/her preferred mentoring style.
- The establishing of a mentorship creed.
(de Beer, 2005)
5.1 Conclusion
A total of 15 mentors and 20 new farmers were interviewed. The majority of mentors described their mentorship program as a broad concept with a philosophical nature, while the concept of guidance also featured strongly in the description.
More than 50 percent of the new farmers experienced and perceived their mentorship program as hands-on training. Both mentor and new farmer respondents accentuate the fact that a mentor is a knowledgeable person; respectful and trustworthy.
According to both mentor and new farmer respondent's commitment is the most essential quality and characteristic of a new farmer. A new farmer according mentors needs to be: a person that is committed, hardworking, willing to learn, listen to advice and implement it. According to new farmer respondents a new farmer should be: willing to learn, hard working, a careful listener and an implementer of advice.
Mentor and new farmer respondents unanimously stated that a mentoring relationship does exist within their mentorship program. They also unanimously declared that the relationship was established because of their commitment and respect for one another.
Respondents identified the following aspects that are supportive to the success of a mentorship program:
- A viable and sustainable business plan for the farm;
- The availability of essential farm infrastructure and equipment to manage the farm;
- A dedicated farm worker team and
- Financial support.
The outcomes of the mentoring relationship and therefore, the mentorship program, are best summarized in the words of a new farmer:
'We understand one another and work together to achieve one goal - I the new farmer must be successful. I have developed a new value system - proud on who I am and what I have achieved. The secret is we made time available for one another'.
Obstacles that could hinder and damage a mentorship program are:
- The absence of willingness, no commitment and a wrong/negative attitude.
- Be careful and on the look out for negative influences from people outside the project.
5.2 Recommendations
- It is hereby recommended that:
- Organised agriculture need to establish a specific structure on national and also at provincial level to support mentors, kept a data base of prospective mentors/protégé's and manages the mentorship program.
- Prospective mentors should attend a training program/seminar before they engage in a mentorship program.
- The AgriSETA formerly known as PAETA should be requested to financially support prospective mentors to attend the training program.
- An official monitoring and evaluation structure should be in place to monitor and evaluate all mentorship programs in the land reform programs.
- Mentors and protégé's should not be forced into a mentorship program and that they should have the final say/decision with whom they want to relate to.
- Before the mentorship program start the mentor and new farmer need to draw up a personal development plan for the new farmer.
- The mentor should complete an instrument to determine his/her preferred mentoring style.
- A mentorship program should be structured for at least a three (3) year period.
- The mentor and new farmer in cooperation with other role players should together develop a sustainable business plan for the farm. They must have a common vision of where they are going.
'Mentors are masters, recognised by their institutions or profession, as holding a position that protégés should strive towards achieving' (Edwards & Keane, 2001).
Adams, HG & Scott, SK, 1997. The Fundamentals of Effective Mentoring. Notre Dame, IN: GEM Consortium. [ Links ]
Adams, HG, 1998. Handbook for Establishing and Implementing a Mentoring Program: The mentorship briefing guide. Notre Dame, IN: GEM Consortium. AgriSA, 2006. Concept: Discussion document for the development of a land reform strategy. Unpublished. [ Links ]
AGRIBBBEE (Agricultural Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment), 2004. Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment for Agriculture: Discussion document. [ Links ]
De Beer, J, 2005. Mentoring Skills: Course material, CE@UP, University of Pretoria. [ Links ]
De Beer, L, 2008. Presentation made at Fish River Sun, NWGA. Not published NDA (National Department of Agriculture), 2001. The Strategic Plan for South African Agriculture, Government Printer, Pretoria. [ Links ]
NDA (National Department of Agriculture), 2005. Mentorship Program and related documents. Government Printer, Pretoria. [ Links ]
Edwards, C & Keane, E, 2001. A Mentoring Handbook: The Quality Mentor. Northwest Missouri State University. Faculty Welfare for Faculty Development. [ Links ]
Holiday, M, 2001. Coaching, Mentoring and Managing. 2nd Ed. Career Press, New Jersey. [ Links ]
Murray, M, 1991. Beyond the Myths & Magic of Mentoring. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. [ Links ]
NIV Study Bible: Letter to the Philippians, Chapter 2. [ Links ]
NWGA (National Wool Growers Association), 2004/2005. Progress report: Training and Development Projects for Emerging Farmers, NWGA, 2004/2005. [ Links ]
PAETA (Primary Agriculture Education and Training Authority), 2004. Mentorship Review - towards a model for mentorship in agricultural development in South Africa. Draft Report. [ Links ]
Renosterrivier Land Reform Project, Document undated. [ Links ]
Smith, M, 2009. Poor support services leads to land reform failures. www.landbou.com [ Links ]
SACGA (South African Cane Grower's Association), 2005. Report on the SA Cane Grower's Association's mentorship program for development of new black farmers. Unpublished. [ Links ]
South African - German - Development - Co-operation, 2004. Mentorship review, Draft Report for PAETA, NOV. 2004. [ Links ]
Stout-Roston, S, 2007. Article: Coaching and mentoring are the business buzz-words. The Star Workplace, 12 March 2007. [ Links ]
Terblanché, SE, 2003. Land reform: "Making their own miracle" - A case study of a participation model. S A Journal of Agric. Extension, Volume 34: 98 - 113. Terblanché, .SE, 2007. Understanding mentorship and the development of a structure to implement and manage a mentorship program to support Extensionists towards professionalism. S A Journal of Agric. Extension, Volume 36: 94 - 108. [ Links ] [ Links ]
Ueckermann, H, 2005. Article: Rapport - Vroue bemagtig met program van mentorskap. Inspiration Woman at Work. [ Links ]
Williams, C, 2005. Majority of Mpumalanga land reform projects un productive. Farmer's weekly, 17 June 2005: 14. [ Links ]
Young, CY & Wright, J, 2001. Mentoring: The Components for Success. Journal of Instructional Psychology, pp. 202 - 206. Great Circle Learning: The practice of mentoring. www.gclearning.com Accessed 29 September 2005. [ Links ] [ Links ]


text:
Could Gorgeous Mystery Woman Shed Light on Cold War Sex Scandal?
She has dark eyes, full lips and short hair in one of the favourite styles of London in the "swinging 60s" but who is she?
And could she help shed light on the infamous Profumo scandal, the heady tale of espionage, sex and politics that held Britain spellbound in the early 1960s and helped bring down the government of the time.
Britain's National Portrait Gallery is appealing for help in identifying a woman who was sketched by one of the scandal's key figures, Stephen Ward, on the back of a picture of the woman at the centre of the Profumo affair, showgirl Christine Keeler.
"This drawing is of me by Stephen Ward," wrote Keeler in a 1975 note. "I don't know who the girl on the back is – she is somebody we just picked up at a bus-stop."
The gallery believes the mystery woman may have been present at the first meeting in 1961 between Keeler and John Profumo, the then minister for war.
Against a backdrop of hedonistic parties and naked swimming sessions in the pool of an English stately home, the two embarked on a brief affair that ended in scandal and disgrace.
Not only was Profumo married, it was widely alleged that Keeler had also been the girlfriend of the Soviet naval attache in London, Yevgeny Ivanov.
To have the war minister's name linked to such a figure at the height of the Cold War was political dynamite. Profumo lied about the affair in parliament and was eventually forced to resign in 1963, leaving then Conservative Prime Minister Harold Macmillan to cope with the damaging repercussions.
Macmillan also resigned in 1963, citing poor health.
Keeler later said in a book that she and Ward – a society osteopath who effectively acted as a party organiser for the aristocracy – picked up the mystery woman at the bus stop near London airport.
"She seemed so nice that we invited her to the party at Stephen's cottage," she wrote.
That cottage was on the estate of Lord Astor's stately home, Cliveden, where Profumo first cast eyes on the 19-year-old Keeler swimming naked in the pool and where Ivanov was also a party guest.
The portrait gallery's assistant curator Clare Freestone, who found the new drawing while organising a display marking the 50th anniversary of the scandal, believes the woman's story could be fascinating.
"If this is the girl on the reverse, she would have been witness to the first meeting between Keeler, Profumo and Ivanov," she said in a statement.
Terence Pepper, the gallery's curator of photographs, told Reuters: "There are often cases of someone who never said anything at the time but is prepared to talk later on."
Keeler, now 71, has not commented on reports of the mystery woman.


text:
RasPiCamCorder 2 – standalone raspberry pi camcorder with buttons, screen and DropBox capability
This blog is about the very much improved version 2 of the RasPiCamcorder. I originally built a quick and dirty free-standing camcorder two days after the Raspberry Pi camera was launched. I was in a hurry, as there was a Cambridge Jam two days later. Major novelty factor. It worked ok and it looks like this…
Now we need buttons
Later on I thought it'd be nice to have one that booted straight into camcorder mode and had buttons to control it with, so you don't need an additional device to use it. I've also used a different case and written some Python software to drive it. This Mk2 model is still a prototype, but it's a lot more polished. I've also hot-glued a filter ring on the front so that I can attach close-up lenses as I intend to use this as a second camera in my workshop videos, or for time-lapse photography of small things like plants growing.
So what's in the case?
The components needed are…
- Raspberry Pi model A – It works fine with either A or B, but the A uses less power, so better for battery powered applications.
- Edimax wifi dongle – not strictly necessary, but quite useful. Can be unplugged, when you're out and about, to save power.
- 10cm ribbon cable – shorter than the standard one
- Switching Voltage regulator – takes the 12.6 V, 3-cell lipo battery voltage down to 5V to power the Pi. Works with any supply from 5V to 35V. The reg is sitting on two balsa feet so it's not touching the Pi's SOC.
- Bluetooth serial adaptor – allows you to log in and control the RasPiCamCorder with your smartphone or tablet if something goes wrong, or you want to do something other than just filming. So no need for wifi when out and about. Uses very little power (~5 mA)
- Cyntech Case. I cut a slot in it and used two of the screw-holes, on the underside, to route wires for buttons, led and battery.
- Two control buttons
- An led and resistor. There is an led on the front of the camera, but you don't want it on if you are facing a window – you'll have a red reflection in your shot. So I put another one on the back, and you can choose either, neither or both to be on when recording.
- A lipo battery. Lightest, smallest power source available.
- Battery connector. I use Deans type connectors on all my lipos.
- Wires and connectors. 4×2 angled female header connector for the bluetooth serial adaptor, 2×1 & 3×1 female connectors for power and button control connections.
- Very much optional, a 52mm filter ring hot-glued on the front to add attachments like a close-up lens or a lens hood (or both in this shot)
The camera board is attached with white tack, but once finalised, I'll blob some hot glue down.
(Updates: This is now done as you'll see in the video, we also now have two filter rings and the hot glue attaching the filter rings is much neater. I've used a micro SD card adaptor to avoid a jutting out SD card as well).
How does it work?
It boots straight into camcorder mode. Pressing the blue button starts recording, pressing the black button stops recording. By default, both leds are lit while recording.
A long press (>1.5s but less than 3s) of the black button closes the camcorder program. A very long press >3s shuts the Pi down, when you've finished. You can fire it up again by disconnecting/reconnecting the battery.
It records on the SD card and copes well with 1080p @ 25 fps.
Can you see what you're shooting?
Optionally, a small, low res, car reversing screen can be attached using the Pi's RCA socket to give you a preview of exactly what you're shooting. (You can use any hdmi screen instead.)
Here's the video
Any sound?
Not at this point.
What next?
- The above photos are already slightly out of date (only a few days), but the observant will have spotted the differences in the video. The RasPiCamcorder fell off the desk a couple of days ago and had to have surgery, as the SD card slot broke. I fitted an Adafruit microSD card adaptor, which involved routing out a 1mm deep x 15mm x 15mm square from the lower part of the case.
- A separate stills mode is planned for future development. (Actually this is more or less done including DropBox upload – as seen in the video)
- Live video streaming works if controlled via command line and Bluetooth/Wifi, but getting it to work with GPIO (i.e. buttons) has proven problematic (to do with root priviliges needed for GPIO control not playing nicely with streaming software. Update: I just figured out a workaround for this and got it working.)
- It would be lovely to have a really small, say 2 inch, LCD screen running off spi, but there isn't currently a way of getting the camera module to output to the framebuffer. (Nobody's figured out how to do it yet. It's either a Broadcom person's firmware fix, or it's simply not possible). That's a bit of a barrier to creating a true camcorder, but hey, most camcorders can't upload to DropBox, although Samsung appear to be on the case with their latest DSLR. ;)
Are you interested in a kit?
I'm considering putting together a kit of parts for this. Let me know if that's interesting to you, either in the comments below, or by email (alex AT raspi.tv)
There was not enough interest in a kit to pursue this, so the idea was dropped. I have published the full suite of software on GitHub though (click here).
49 Responses to "RasPiCamCorder 2 – standalone raspberry pi camcorder with buttons, screen and DropBox capability"
Alex, this is fantastic – really nicely done :-) I think I've got all those bits… except the adapter and the lenses!
Can't quite believe you broke another SD card slot :p
[…] Read all about how he did it here […]
Hi Alex – more great stuff! I would definitely be interested in a kit – including all the optics and TV (or at least pointers to where you can get them).
I've seen three methods of changing the console's font and its size: editing /etc/default/console-setup.txt,
sudo dpkg reconfigure console-setup, and setfont /usr/share/consolefonts/[one of the fonts in that directory].
I haven't tried any of these myself yet so I can't report on the individual advantages and disadvantages, but which one did you use? Also, would it be possible to write a Python program to change the font size based on what type of screen(composite or HDMI) is connected?
Hi Alex,
I'm finalising a LCD driver core for Guzunty(https://github.com/Guzunty/Pi/wiki). Works with the excellent LCD driver design from notro (https://github.com/notro/fbtft).
Might be just what you're looking for.
Good job,
I like several of the components you put together, both in hardware and software. Have you already or are you going to publish the software? I can't seem to find a reference or link to it.
Tks, Paul
[…] great still and motion image camera build by Alex Eames via raspi.tv: This blog is about the very much improved version 2 of the RasPiCamcorder. I originally built a […]
Alex build, I am working on a robot, what command line do you use for streaming video?
Very neat :-)
Rather than poke the ribbon cable through and have the camera board glued to the outside of the case, could you have cut a small square hole and glued the camera to the inside of the case, or would that make things "too cosy" inside? Or would it put the PiCamera lens at the wrong distance from the screw-on lenses?
If you've not done so already, it might be worth sticking some velcro to your RasPiCamCorder and batteries, to make more of a 'single handheld unit'.
And in terms of button presses, it might be more intuitive to have it so that a quick press of blue starts a video, or stops the video if it's currently being recorded, and a quick press of black takes a picture if video isn't currently being recorded?
I guess it should also be fairly easy to adapt this into a wireless security camera by hooking up a PIR sensor to one of the GPIOs and have it automatically take (and upload/email/tweet) a picture whenever the PIR gets triggered? :)
It works a bit like raspi-config (blue screens with red selection – ncurses – I think)
ncurses interfaces tend to be monochrome, I think the blue and red screens are using whiptail.
based on what type of screen(composite or HDMI) is connected?
IIRC the
tvservicecommand might be able to detect whether composite or HDMI is connected?
it would have to use one of the other methods because the dpkg-reconfigure method requires user input
dpkg-reconfiguresimply edits other settings files elsewhere (which is why the change persists after a reboot). So if you can figure out what files dpkg-reconfigure is changing, there's no reason you couldn't write your own script to also do those same changes (without requiring user input) :)
had some problems getting interrupts toggling the variables correctly.
Maybe because the button interrupts weren't being properly debounced?
As soon as I took the stills parts out again, the video part started working properly.
Weird! :-S
Using VLC for streaming, you can't trigger it with GPIO without a workaround (VLC can't be run as root, but GPIO needs it).
I didn't actually mention streaming ;)
Once you're already running as root it's easy to run commands as other users with 'sudo -u ' e.g.
andrew@localhost:~$ whoami
andrew@localhost:~$ sudo bash
root@localhost:~# whoami
root@localhost:~# sudo -u andrew whoami
root@localhost:~# exit
andrew@mithh:~$ whoami
And yes, you can use it with pipes too, e.g.
andrew@localhost:~$ sudo bash
root@localhost:~# whoami
root@localhost:~# echo hello | tee root-user
root@localhost:~# ls -l root-user
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 6 Jul 12 14:28 root-user
root@localhost:~# echo hello | sudo -u andrew tee normal-user
root@localhost:~# ls -l normal-user
-rw-r--r-- 1 andrew andrew 6 Jul 12 14:29 normal-user
Alex just found your project look great will have to give it a lot more reading.
I have just finished a portable Pi camera with 3 switches ,WiFi if required internal NiMh can be recharged in situ.will have to look into Bluetooth , USB & Video out DC or charger input.
The 3 switches software re-written by a friend gives me start timelape, start still or video and shutdown to HALT. I was going to fit a 37MM to front of box then it would be nearly waterproof. all inside of a Maplin waterproof box.
Also fitted a RTC module BQ32k chip can talk to it but cannot get hwclock to work
Have had success with a Webcam HD timelapse put it onto Vimeo.
Just found panel mount 1pole center off toggle momentary make switch
so will allow more software options Terry Rowe
[…] Raspberry Pi Camera Add comments Aug 052013 I wanted to be able to upload photos from my RasPiCamcorder straight to DropBox. So I did a little research and came across an absolute gem of a program called Dropbox-Uploader, […]
A great raspberry pi camera design. I built a box similar to yours for time lapse photography. I had not thought of using a 11V LiPo with a regulator or bluetooth though.
Any possibility of looking at your Python scripts? Particularly the switch GPIO part?
[…] https://raspi.tv/2013/raspicamcorder-2-standalone-raspberry-pi-camcorder-with-buttons-screen-and-drop… […]
Hi Alex
This is a brilliant project and I wonder whether you would consider doing a crowd funder approach to building the kit please? I would gladly help. If not would you consider doing a one-off please?
Hi Alex – don't forget I'm interested too!
Kit Plz
Hi Alex. This is good work. This is exactly what i want to do with a card computer like raspberry or beaglebone black. After i saw your work, i decided to buy raspberry. But i am new to linux and this kind of programming. Anyway i think i will setup this camcorder. But i want raspberry to begin recording to sd card after i power it up, is it possible? Again, it is very good work.
Alex Did you ever do the Bluetooth interface for this project in your scripts.
[…] of parts designed to work with Raspberry Pis; the most important being the camera module. A quick Google search told me it possible to build so I took it from there. The first prototype I built used an […]
Alex, thanks for all the information. Question though, how would I go about boosting the range of the bluetooth? I would like to get around 50 – 100 meters away from the camera and still control/view from my phone. Is this affordable and possible?
Hi, Thank you for presenting very cool project. I wonder to know how to connect pi with another microcontroller device via Bluetooth V3.1+EDR for live VGA streaming? if possible, if not what about Wifi?
Great work. What type of lipo battery did you use?
dear alex
what would i need to change to make the camera automatically start filming when powered up? i then only would need a single control button.
thanks for your advice, roman


text:
Experts have one question about Nvidia Inc.'s public admission last week that it may offer its own PC processor: What took you so long?
As the only major system player that doesn't offer both a CPU and a graphics processing unit (GPU), Nvidia has no choice today but to get with the program, say experts.
Not having a CPU wasn't an issue for Nvidia when desktop PCs ruled the world and integrated GPUs were too anemic to support 3-D games, HD video, or even Windows Vista.
With powerful GPUs for add-on cards that were embraced by gamer and regular consumer alike, Nvidia's revenues grew from US$158 million in 1999 to $4.1 billion last year.
But the chip market has decisively shifted to notebook PCs and smartphones.
Not only is there no room for add-on cards, but with mobile devices, the GPU's raw speed is less important than size, wattage and playing well with other internal components, says In-Stat analyst Ian Lao.
"You could have the screaming-est device ever made on Earth, but if your Wi-fi is weak because your GPU is too bulky or draws too much juice, then your performance is going to stink," Lao said.
Intel dominates the integrated GPU market, in part because it can attractively price its bundled CPU and GPU. Nvidia is starting to make some inroads into integrated graphics with its GeForce 9400M chip.
But it has made little headway with its Ion bundle (GeForce 9400M plus Intel Atom CPU) because of Intel's twin strengths.
"Intel has bundled Ion out, so it's having trouble getting traction," said independent analyst Rob Enderle.
Intel is also challenging Nvidia on its home turf. Its integrated graphics chips can already support Blu-ray HD video. And Intel is readying Larrabee GPUs for the add-on graphics market.
"Nvidia keeps getting pushed upmarket into an ever-smaller niche, and they don't want to be boxed in," Enderle said.
So if Nvidia must get into CPUs, how should it proceed? Especially in order to avoid the mistakes of the three most recent failed challengers to the Intel/AMD duopoly, Cyrix, PowerPC and Transmeta?


text:
Briefly: T-Mobile cable, Mac OS X 10.6.5, iPad download speeds
After reports of T-Mobile selling an iPod and iPhone charge cable emerged Friday, a T-Mobile spokesperson told BGR that the cable is intended for subscribers using unlocked iPhones and European T-Mobile customers roaming in the U.S., quelling rumors that the cable indicated T-Mobile might begin offering the iPhone stateside.
"Select T-Mobile stores will soon begin carrying iPod/iPhone charge and Sync cables to support customers who may be using an unlocked iPhone or are traveling from outside the United States and using an iPhone while roaming on our network. T-Mobile carries the iPhone in Europe, so many people traveling to the U.S. roam on our network with their iPhones," said the T-Mobile spokesperson.
T-Mobile recently lost iPhone exclusivity on its home turf of Germany, with O2 and Vodafone offering the iPhone as of the end of October. In addition, German customers can now purchase an unlocked, contract-free iPhone directly from Apple.
Earlier this week, Deutsche Telekom Chief Executive Rene Obermann blamed disappointing growth from its American subsidiary T-Mobile on the lack of the iPhone. T-Mobile, which is the smallest of the 4 major carriers in the U.S., could face a bigger threat from the iPhone if it comes to Verizon Wireless next year as expected.
Mac OS X 10.6.5
Apple issued a beta of the forthcoming Mac OS X 10.6.5 update to developers Friday. The beta, labeled build 10H571, comes 5 days after Apple released an internal "pre-release build."
According to the release notes, developers who installed Thursday's Mac OS X 10.6.6 beta will need to revert to 10.6.0-10.6.4 in order to install the latest 10.6.5 build. Focus areas for the build are: 3D Graphics, Printing, QuickTime, Time Machine and USB Devices.
The public release of Mac OS X 10.6.5, which is required to take full advantage of the soon-to-be-released iOS 4.2, is expected to come soon. iOS 4.2 is scheduled for a November release.
BTIG Research analyst Walter Piecyk claims the iPad's average download speeds using 4G hotspot devices are significantly lower than Windows laptops or when connected to typical Wi-Fi access points, John Paczkowski of Digital Daily reports.
The analyst tested the iPad's download speeds using hotspot devices, including Clear's iSpot, which is designed specifically for iOS devices, across several 4G and 3G networks. According to the research report, the iPad averaged download speeds of 2.53Mbps. In comparison, Windows laptops averaged download speeds of 5.2Mbps across three of the same hotspot devices. On hotspot devices using 3G networks, the difference between Windows laptops and the iPad narrowed, with average download speeds of .89Mbps for the iPad and .99Mbps for Windows laptops.
âThis appears to be an issue with the iPad and hot spots and not Wi-Fi in general since our iPad speeds on our home Wi-Fi were equivalent to other devices. When we tested the iPad on our FiOS powered Wi-Fi connection, we received the full 25 Mbps of available download speed on every test,â wrote Piecyk.


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A Dissertation on the Prophecies, that Have Been Fulfilled, are Now Fulfilling, Or Will Hereafter be Fulfilled: Relative to the Great Period of 1260 Years; the Papal and Mohammedan Apostacies: the Tyrannical Reign of Antichrist, Or the Infidel Power; and the Restoration of the Jews. To which is Added, an Appendix, Volumen1
Andrews and Cummings, Greenough and Stebbins, printers, 1808 - 583 páginas
Dentro del libro
Página 86
... without fruit , twice dead , plucked up by the roots ; raging waves of the sea , foaming out their own shame ; wandering stars , to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever . And Enoch also , the seventh from Adam ...
... without fruit , twice dead , plucked up by the roots ; raging waves of the sea , foaming out their own shame ; wandering stars , to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever . And Enoch also , the seventh from Adam ...
Otras ediciones - Ver todas
A Dissertation on Prophecies, That Have Been Fulfilled, Are Now Fulfilling ...
George Stanley Faber
Sin vista previa disponible - 2019
A Dissertation on the Prophecies: That Have Been Fulfilled, Are Now ...
George Stanley Faber
Sin vista previa disponible - 2015
Términos y frases comunes
abomination according already angel Antichrist Apostacy appears authority beast begin Bishop born character Christ Christian Church commencement completely consequently considered continue Daniel described desire desolation destroyed divided earth East emperors equally existence expression fall former four fourth France given half hand he-goat head heaven Hence Hist holy infidel interpretation Italy Jews John king kingdom language latter likewise literal little horn Lord manner mean Mede mentioned Mohammed Mohammedism natural never Newton North numbers objection observed once opinion original Papacy papal passage period persecution Persian Pope predicted present prophecy prophet reason reign relates religion represented respecting restoration rise Roman empire Rome saints sense shew speak spiritual stand supposes symbol temporal termination things third tion trumpet vial vision West Western whole wonders
Pasajes populares
Página 257 - And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people : and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Página 280 - And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning, as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters...
Página 83 - And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
Página 37 - After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful, and terrible, and strong exceedingly, and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it; and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.
Página 55 - And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell ; and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
Página 70 - And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Página 40 - Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.
Página 29 - For the mystery of iniquity doth already work : only he, who now letteth, will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming...
Página 80 - Little children, it is the last time ; and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
Página 39 - But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.


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Posted by Editor on 02/17/11
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text:
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the woods is perpetual youth....
In the woods, we return to reason and faith.
Standing on the bare ground,
my head bathed by the blithe air,
and uplifted into infinite space,
all mean egotism vanishes.
I become a transparent eyeball.
I am nothing.
I see all.
The currents of the Universal Being circulate through me;
I am part or particle of God.
These are paintings
of places.
Some I've actually been to.
Others are conceived in dreams.
Work of 2002 | Work of 2001 | Work of 1969-2000


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Area 51 has been firmly embedded in American lore, often as the home of little green men secreted away in the Nevada desert. Now, the U.S. government has acknowledeged the existence of the site in a history of the Lockheed CL-282, also known as the U-2 spy plane.
In response to a Freedom of Information Act request filed in 2002, George Washington University's National Security Archive has published the CIA-authored report, The Central Intelligence Agency and Overhead Reconnaissance: The U-2 and Oxcart Programs, to its site, complete with a full torrent of the document to minimize the load on its servers.
The report, authored in 1992, was originally classified as "secret," but was declassified with redactions in 1998. Secreted away within those redactions were the references to Area 51, the site also known as "Groom Lake" in the Nevada desert. Those redactions were almost all eliminated in June; the university then published the report.
Following World War II, the government's goal was to keep tabs on known and potentially hostile countries, with airborne surveillance seen as a means with great potential. The government also believed that a plane flying above 65,000 feet would evade the early-warning radars used by Russia and other hostile nations, and set out to develop a plane to do just that: the Lockheed CL-282 , which was renamed the U-2 in July 1955, according to the report.
The U-2 was fitted with a camera sensitive enough that it could take high-resolution photos even at those high altitudes. The A1 camera, as it was known, would take continuous, horizon-to-horizon photos of the ground beneath the aircraft.
Subequent "B" and "C" camera revisions were actually developed using the first instances of "ray-tracing," where the movement of light through the camera's lens was simulated via an IBM card-programmed calculator at nearby Boston University, according to the report.
Unfortunately, the government also needed a site to build and test the aircraft, which was how Area 51 came to be. According to the report:
"As work progressed in California on the airframe, in Connecticut on the engines, and in Boston on the camera system, the top officials of the Development Projects Staff flew to California and Nevada to search for a site where the aircraft could be tested safely and secretly," the report says.
"On 12 April 1955, Richard Bissell and Col. Osmund Ritland (the senior Air Force officer on the project staff) flew over Nevada with Kelly Johnson in a small Beechcraft plane piloted by Lockheed's chief test pilot, Tony LeVier," the report added. "They spotted what appeared to be an airstrip by a salt flat known as Groom Lake, near the northeast corner of the Atomic Energy Commission's (AEC) Nevada Proving Ground."
The report continued: "After debating about landing on the old airstrip, LeVier set the plane down on the lakebed, and all four walked over to examine the strip. The facility had been used during World War II as an aerial gunnery range for Army Air Corps pilots. From the air the strip appeared to be paved, but on closer inspection it turned out to have originally been fashioned from compacted earth that had turned into ankle-deep dust after more than a decade of disuse. If LeVier had attempted to land on the airstrip, the plane would probably have nosed over when the wheels sank into the loose soil, killing or injuring all of the key figures in the project."
To make the site more attractive, Clarence "Kelly" Johnson, the leader of the Lockheed "Ckunk Works," referred to the location as "Paradise Ranch". Area 51 was simply the map designation.
A separate note by British author Chris Pocock notes that much of the information found in the report was already known, either by other, declassified documents, interviews with personnel, or just good old-fashioned legwork. One tool, the Declassification Engine, was released this May, with the hope that it will eventually become a shared workspace of sorts to peirce the veil of government secrecy.
Of course, since then, the mystery of sites like Area 51 have diminished somewhat, thanks to leaks, as well as to satellite overflights of virtually the entire world, via sites like Google Maps. But at a time when the world is being rocked by other reports of U.S. spying, it's interesting to see what the government was up to more than fifty years ago.


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Timothy J Triche
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One writer - from the carnivorous Meatpaper (vegetarians, avert your eyes) - has unearthed what he calls the "unattractive men/unattractive meat narrative" of food TV: "the weirder-looking you are, the weirder the food you have to eat."
Of course, it's probably a little more complex than that. In the world that is food porn, sure, there are the carnivorous bears, the svelte sex kittens (Giada, Nigella), the asexual "moms" (Paula and Ina) and, of course, the Bad Boys (Anthony Bourdain, sometimes Mario and, it must be said, Flay.) All of these satisfy a different fantasy: comforting, aspirational, exciting.
It's not a shocker that the dude shows should get a "manly" host - Guy Fieri as resident carnivore is a believable and relatable eater, after all. Even Alton Brown takes cooking into the realm of scientific rather than aspirational in a way that seems, if not designed to appeal to, at least made not to alienate a male viewership by removing the domestic. And I get the larger point he's making: at the end of the day, people want their roles in place and their pretty ladies dainty. We don't want to see someone hot eating a really gross burger (unless, I guess, that's your thing - and it's gotta be someone's), and hypocritical society that we arem we probably don't want to see someone larger do so - Ina and Paula don't exactly tuck into their buttery concoctions on camera - which leaves, yes, the everydude.
But while I defer to Meatpaper's Chris Ying on most things fleshy, there are a couple of flaws with the argument. 1. Bourdain. The man eats insects and whale and fermented maggot - and say what one will, he's not unattractive. Indeed, "dashing" would be a better word. 2. Sandra Lee. Maybe the author's argument is confined to men, but Lee, whatever one may think of her aesthetic, checks all the boxes for conventional American attractiveness and, bar none, makes the weirdest and grossest food on television. Nauseous combinations of mixes and sodas, spice and jelly - all topped off by a lurid-colored original cocktail and served amidst a tablescape that feels like a bad trip on the Wonkatania.
Unattractive Men Call For Unattractive Meat [Utne]