Wimbledon:

Its that time of the year again, when people get comfy in front of the telly, get the strawberries and cream ready and hear the delightful words of "Quiet Please, Play".

Undoubtedly the most prestigous grand slam starts on Monday and I can just imagine the hype that suround the grounds of SW19. Last years champions, Novak Djokovic and Petra Kvitova will be under considerable pressure to defend their titles which they have claimed 12 months ago.

In terms of form players, it is unlikely that the title will go to anyone outside the top 3 mens players; Djokovic, Nadal or Federer. The latter however has not captured a major in 2 and a half years. Even the most loyal of Federer supporters will wonder whether hes overall tally will increase from 16. It must be said that Wimbledon and the US Open are his two best slams to experience success, as he reaches the twilight of his career.

Nadal has dominated on clay for the last few years and it seems almost impossible to beat him there, even for Clarke Kent (Novak Djokovic). Djokovic's truimph last year was on the back of an amzing 8 months which saw him just lose 1 match leading up to the event. Federer has played well this year and winning 2 masters titles but the fact that he needs to potentially beat both Djokovic and Nadal is a tough task even for the swiss maestro. Nadal fans at the moment are so arrogant.. he is a good player but I would just love to see Federer take him down. I would rub it into urls faces with endless BC's , messages and phone calls... Come on Fed Dawg!!

On the women's front, Kvitova the defending champion is always a threat on a surface which is considered to favour her power hitting. Serena Williams- the 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010 champion is also one to watch out for. Sharapova is my favourite. After just completing her personal grand slam earlier this month she seems set to dominate the womans game.

I am extremely excited and really looking forward to this years tournament. Nothing will make me happier than seeing Federer truimph for a record equalling 7th time at the All England Club

Matrics

First and foremost, I would like to congratulate each and every single person who managed to pass their matric exams. The months of hard work has paid off and I wish you all the best in your future endevours.

I do however find myself questioning the standard of our education system. Been a lecturer at private tertiary institutions, I am often confronted with students who are accepted into certain programs and dont have the mental application and discipline to cope with the particular course. So who is to blame for this?

I firstly blame the education system. We have all heard of cases where matric marks have been boosted to lift the pass rates. We heard of a story last year where marks were been handed out like lollipops on a street corner. Yes, it might be all well and good in the short run, but serves no purpose further down the line. We are basically making it possible for students to enter into degree and diploma programs that they are not intellectually capable of passing. However there are exceptions to the rule.

I also blame private tertiary institutions. They are only concerned about making profits and will accept just about anyone who has the financial means to pay for their studies. Fair enough, because they are trying to m ake a profit ( they are a business after all). but what upsets me the most is that when pass rates are low at these private institutions, they are quick to blmae lecturers and judge them as being incompetent... SO NOT FAIR AND ALSO UNTRUE (Most times)

I was amazed yesterday when I saw in the paper (matric results) that a person who does Maths Literacy, Tourism, Life Orientation (that messed up subject that carries very little significance) and Drama can obtain what we used to call an exemption pass. How on earth is this possible? Can somebody please explain this education system to me? What we are doing is lowering the standards for our pupils and telling them that mediocrity is fine. We tell them to drop certain subjects like Pure Maths and Physics and Accounting to standard grades or simply drop them altogether. That same pupil who has done these courses may well be excepted into private tertiary institutions and into programs that may require a certain amount of mathematical intellect and understanding.. and then what? You see my point and my frustration!!

We need to challenge and motivate our students from an early age. Lets tell them that 60% is not good enough and encourage them to strive beyond for those 80% and 90%. Young people are so content to settle for mediocrity simply because it is easier and this in the long run will have significant effects on  society.

Racism

Ive been currently reading Professor Jonathon Jansen's book, "We need to talk"... well for quite some time. I have come across a section in his bok about racism. I cannnot agree more with his comments in these chapters. He makes mention of the fact that we as South Africans are so scared of going against the status quo of our tribes, we are reluctant to speak up against them in public even though they are wrong; perhaps due to fear of been shuned and dubbed terms like 'Banana", "Coconuts and even "white africans".

He further says that until we address each matter and base our judgement on principle rather than on the views and opininons of our so called tribes, transformation will be limited.

Racism in Sport

South Africa as a country has made huge amounts of progress from a political and social perspective since the dark days of Apartheid.

Ive just started reading Professor Jonathon Jansen's book, "We need to talk" and have found it rather interesting. I duly noted his emphasis in not blaming the white people, and looking upon the blacks as the victims. He foretells that we as South Africans are all victims of Apartheid. My story is gonna take on a contrary perspective.

A tennis friend of mine (who I will not mention) was deeply hurt by how he had been treated at Westville Tennis Club, a predominently white club I might add. He is a black player who had been a member of that club for many years. His level of play is good and out of all the members in the club, ranks about 3rd or 4th on their ladder. His performances at Club Championships has been good and very consistent. However, he did not hold down a regular place in their 1st team (a team includes 6 members). Players who is clearly better than, and has beaten before are been preferred over him. He also concurred that the club was not very welcome to players of colour and would even make racial remarks to visiting players under their breathe.

We have long past the days of Apartheid, but i cannot fathom how this club does not pick players on merit. I also think that this is not the only club in Durban/KZN or South Africa who has adopted this approach.

This kind of behaviour sickens me to my core.The rage and fury that builds up within me is uncontainable.

17 years of democracy and equal rights. Is it really a free and fair land???

Mens Tennis

The state of mens tennis could not be more healthy. As the players embark on Paris for the start of the French Open in a few days time, the main questions asked are' " Can Djokovic beat Nadal over 5 sets on the clay of Paris?' and " Is Roger Federer ever gonna win another slam?"

Novak Djokovic has played extremely well this year and deserves all the accolades that have come his way. The amount of hours he has spent in the gym and on the practice courts has definetly paid dividends. He has beaten Nadal in the final of 4 ATP Maters Seriers Events (no easy feat).

Nadal can never be written off, especially on clay. We all know hic credentials and the fight that he shows on the court will make him a tough opponent to dispose.

The chasing pack include Federer (who has looked a little jaded to say the least this year), Andy Murray and David Ferrer. I however cannot see any of these players testing the top 2 in the world.

Im a pretty confident that on the 5th of June we will see another enccounter between Djokovic and Nadal!! If Djokovic wins, will it be a changing of the guards???

*** Watch this space***