I've just come back from Durban where I paid tribute to one of the remarkable woman in my life, my late grandmother, Alumel Pushpa Naidu. My gran passed away in November last year after a long, trying 3 months in hospital due to aggravated illness. This past weekend, my family and I honoured my gran with prayer as is Tamil custom.

It has been the start of a week of remberances for me as the lead up to the 6th anniversary of September 11th, 2001 suicide bombings are upon us. It is unbelieveable that in my first year at Rhodes University, as a journalist-in-training, that I would be exposed to the biggest and most bold act of 'terrorism' the world has seen yet.

Coverage of the 'attacks' spilt out of the classroom and were the topic of many a debate or conversation on our little campus in Grahamstown. We also happened to get a taste of live footage of the catastrophe as it unfolded due to the fact that 9/11 took place while many students were away in the US on September vacation.

The world was struck with such sadness and anger that no one thought we'd ever recover. It was truly a volatile situation to become embroiled in, and South Africa was not left untouched. Many were affected by the magnitude of the bombings and the blatant disregard for life.

Notwithstanding the effect that 11th September 2001 has had on millions around the globe, we, here on South African soil have to deal with, and comprehend our own devastating tragedies too. September 12th 2007, marks the 30th anniversary of torture and murder of legendary anti-Apartheid activist, Steve Biko.

Steve Bantu Biko was the founder of the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa and his writings and activism to this day inspires many all over the world in the belief that empowerment exists for all. Biko has also been a symbol of strength and perseverence for many students studying journalism at Rhodes as his philosophies and scripture is deeply embedded in what is now called "grassroots journalism".

It is on this note that we must pay homage to our fallen heroes and heroines of the past and we must endeavour to carry one their legacies of change in the future. This month happen to mark, Heritage Day, a South African national day of rememberance, which I think will go a long way in signifying the changes to which our country has adapted, and the growth of the country to which claim as prosperity.

On my own mission to enact social change, please check out www.mitv.co.za if you haven't already signed up to learn isiZulu for free. Spread the word!