From retrenchment to self-employment

Kgabo Moabelo shows youngsters how to surf the Internet. Picture: Cedric Mboyisa.


FROM being retrenched to being an entrepreneur – that is the story of Kgabo Moabelo (37) from Alexandra township.

A victim of recession, Moabelo was retrenched earlier this year after serving his company for 12 years. Instead of feeling sorry for himself and drowning in a state of despair, the man from Alex – but originally from Polokwane – went about reinventing himself as an entrepreneur. He decided to use his retrenchment package to start a business, not just any business but an Internet Cafe. Today he is the proud owner of the state-of-the-art Internet cafe, The Duke's Cafe Internet Solutions.

He says his retrenchment made him realise that “there's freedom to explore new opportunities”. He adds that retrenchment is “absolutely not the end of the world”. Teenagers and the youth in general are Moabelo main clients. According to Moabelo, their (youngsters') time on the Internet is mostly spent on Facebook. He has since joined Facebook as well... just to keep up with the modern trends of social networking!

The Duke's Cafe Internet Solutions offers other services such as laminating, printing, photocopying, writing Cvs and uploading pictures for Facebook fanatics. Internet access is R5 for 15 minutes, R8 for 30 minutes and R12 for an hour. Alex is truly online, thanks to Moabelo. This man has set an example by overcoming a difficult situation and emerge as a winner! Moabelo is indeed a shining star in Alexandra and a ray of hope to all of us, including those who lost their jobs when the markets collapsed due to economic crisis.

Animal rights versus culture

THE Zulu ritual of Ukweshwama – in which warriors use their bare hands to kill a bull to mark the first fruits before the crops are harvested – has provoked a raging debate.

Animal Rights Africa (ARA) has turned to the courts to prevent this year’s ritual from taking place. In its court interdict application before Judge Nic van der Reyden, ARA wants the bull to be saved from “what we consider to be a cruel and protracted death”.

ARA argues that its action is not driven by any anti-Zulu culture sentiment, but says “our culture of animal rights demands that we oppose cruelty wherever it occurs”. If truth be told, cruelty to animals or human beings or nature has no place in our society and must therefore be rooted out.

The Ukweshwama ritual is presided over by the Zulu king. The age-old custom requires young men to kill the bull with their bare hands (no knives or spears involved) as a demonstration of their courage… a sort of coming of age for the young warriors. This method of killing the bull also involves young warriors simultaneously trampling on the beast, suffocating it and pulling out its tongue. It is said that it takes about 10 (while some say 40) minutes for the bull to die.

The sacrificial bull does indeed meet its death in a cruel manner in the name of culture. The ARA makes it clear that its case against the ritual is “simply and undeniably about cruelty to a sentient being, and any cultural practice that not only involves cruelty but also contravenes anti-cruelty legislation must be subjected to public scrutiny”.

That the ritual is cruel in nature is not in doubt, but looking at the issue in a narrow-minded and emotionally charged way prevents one from seeing the bigger picture and fully comprehending the purpose of the ritual.

It must be borne in mind that this barehanded killing of a bull is not done to satisfy man’s sadistic nature. If that were the case, then those responsible for the practice would have been long prosecuted and the custom done away with. But here we have a ritual that is central to Zulu culture. This has been practised for years.

Mind you, ours is a constitutional state which fully recognises our diversity and different cultures.

The ANC’s Commission on Religious and Traditional Affairs says: “The first fruit harvest celebrations form part of African culture and religion and are more common to the indigenous people of South Africa as a whole.”

Just like Jesus died cruelly on the cross as the sacrifice for mankind in order for us to be cleansed of our sins and be able to return to live with God, the same principle (here in the name of culture, not Christianity) – but for a different purpose – applies to the bare handed killing of the bull. Call it barbaric or whatever, Ukweshwama does enjoy constitutional protection.

In this case, rights of humans to practise their culture trump the rights of animals. Having said that, people who practise their culture must do so in a manner that does not involve cruelty. Without any intention to be in con tempt of court, any sober judge would dismiss the court interdict application by ARA. The Ukweshwama ritual will go on tomorrow.

Cedric Mboyisa is political editor of The Citizen. This article first appeared in The Citizen.

Buthelezi's time is up

Zapiro cartoon sourced from Mail & Guardian Online.


OPPOSITION parties in South Africa, with the exception of the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Congress of the People COPE), are on their way to the grave.

The April 22 provincial and national election results provided irrefutable evidence that opposition politics in general is in decline. Parties such as the Independent Democrats, the Azanian People’s Party, the United Democratic Movement and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) were conspicuous casualties.

While their dwindling support could be attributed to the emergence of COPE and the reinvigorated DA (the powerhouse of opposition politics), these parties need to do some serious introspection and rethinking to avoid death or being wiped off the political map.

The beauty about death is that while it is inevitably a natural process, it could at least be put at bay by employing life-saving measures and strategies. The IFP, in particular, really needs to have a serious look at itself if it is to survive in the current dispensation. Protest as it may, but the IFP is a party caught up in yesteryear politics in an era of ever-evolving modernity.

Without beating about the bush, the main cause of the IFP’s fading fortunes is one Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the party’s founder and leader since inception in 1975. Under his leadership the party is more steeped in tribal politics, hence its prevailing categorisation as a cultural organisation of the Zulus.

Formed as the Inkatha National Cultural Liberation Movement (of course, with the blessing of the then banned ANC) in 1975, the IFP has done little to shake off its tribal party tag. In fact, the party has over the years consciously or unconsciously operated in a manner that conforms to garnering support along tribal lines.

It must be pointed out that there is nothing wrong with the IFP being a tribal party like the Freedom Front Plus, but the party must stop pretending it is not a tribal entity. The IFP seems to use the Zulu culture to stifle internal democratic processes.

It’s a pity when cultures or the gospel of Jesus are perverted for the glorification of individuals or a particular group. This would explain why a political dinosaur such as Buthelezi has been in charge of the IFP since 1975. It’d be naive to say there's no IFP leader who can do better than Buthelezi.

He may have been democratically elected to his position, but again democracy can also be perverted. It is possible to present the fear of an individual as democracy. Apparently, Robert Mugabe is also a democratically elected president of both the Zanu-PF and Zimbabwe.

Now is the time for the likes of IFP chairman Zanele Magwaza-Msibi and secretary-general Musa Zondi to take the party forward. The IFP must allow for contestation – without fear of victimisation or reprisal – to take place freely. Members must exercise their right, of course in compliance with party rules, to voice grievances and to choose their preferred candidates. Buthelezi cannot always go unchallenged for his position.

The time is now for the party to reinvent itself if it wants to reclaim KwaZulu-Natal and pose a serious challenge to its nemesis, the ANC.

Buthelezi has overstayed his stay in the IFP leadership position, to which he is not entitled to by birthright. Fresh blood, please.

Cedric Mboyisa is political editor of The Citizen. This column first appeared in The Citizen.

Mbeki must account for HIV/Aids

PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIR... Thabo Mbeki and his successor Jacob Zuma at the ANC's December 2007 elective conference in Polokwane. Picture: Cedric Mboyisa


THE Oxford dictionary defines politics as “the activities involved in getting and using power in public life, and being able to influence decisions that affect a country or a society”.

Governments come and go, but what remains the same between democratic and undemocratic regimes is that they are all about attainment of power. What separates the two is how they use the power at their disposal – that is, whether to suppress a particular group of citizens while rigorously advancing the interests of a select few or endeavour to tirelessly improve the lives and economic status of the citizens in general while, of course, consolidating power by creating a stinking rich elite and deploying trusted cadres to powerful, strategic positions.

What is critical about power (whether acquired by democratic or undemocratic means) though is the principle of accountability. Those in power must be able to account for their actions or inaction. Governing people comes with anonus to rule responsibly in the interests of the public. Democracy is all about the people, for it is the people who govern through elected public representatives. Putting certain individuals in power is not tantamount to giving them a licence to do as they please, but to always act in the interests of the citizenry.

The main problem, especially in Africa, is that people with power such as former President Thabo Mbeki, ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, Zanu-PF and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and the Congress of the People leader Mosiuoa Lekota become so arrogant and inebriated with power that they see themselves as invincible, untouchable and above the law or accountability.

These individuals fail to comprehend a simple fact – that their being in power is not a birthright, but a choice of the people who can dislodge them any time. Even more importantly, they must face the consequences of their rule or misuse of their power.

A recent study by Harvard University found that about 300 000 South Africans died unnecessarily of HIV/Aids related illnesses during the period of 2000-2005. No prize for guessing who was in charge of the country during this period. As the head of the executive, Mbeki was called upon to “uphold, defend and respect the Constitution as the supreme law of the Constitution”. The same Constitution, in section 27, accentuates everyone’s right to health care services.

Perhaps Mbeki was so engrossed in some research papers and documents that made him advertently or inadvertently neglect his constitutionally mandated duties. But many lives were lost while Mbeki and his government were dithering. As the man who was in charge Mbeki must answer for this before he goes to the grave. For Young Communist League national secretary Buti Manamela to call for Mbeki to be charged with “genocide” is a bit extreme, but he is absolutely right in demanding that Mbeki account for his government’s failure to furnish HIV/Aids sufferers with anti-retroviral drugs at the time.

As for the power-blotto Malema to say “you will never touch one of our own” in defence of Mbeki, just proves once again what a despot in the making he is. Malema is teeming with the arrogance and intolerance of Lekota. Malema belongs in the league of Mbeki and Mugabe.

Those in power are subject to the laws of the land. Mbeki is no exception. He must account for his deadly stance on HIV/Aids.

Cedric Mboyisa is political editor of The Citizen. This article first appeared in The Citizen.

South African anthem slayer!

Picture of reggae musician Ras Dumisani sourced from www.music.org.za


HE came, he sang (horribly so) and he incurred the wrath of South Africans.

Ras Dumisani will go down in history as the man who brought the country into disrepute by mauling the national anthem for the whole world to see. So I ask you bloggers, should he be banned for life from ever singing the anthem again or must he also be banned from singing his reggae music?

Malema not for President

WHETHER one likes or hates ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, the man is one of the most prominent players on the political scene in South Africa.

Facing a reinvigorated Democratic Alliance and the angry ANC rejects COPE, the ANC’s election machinery tasked Malema with mobilising the youth to keep the ruling party in power.

Malema did not disappoint his masters. He led his charges to a resounding victory for the ANC of President Jacob Zuma and Gwede Mantashe. Political foes of the governing party had many headaches and surely some had heart and blood pressure problems as Malema decimated them one by one with his barrage of endless insults.

Go to former President Thabo Mbeki, South African Communist Party boss Blade Nzimande, DA leader Helen Zille, COPE leaders Mosiuoa Lekota and Mbhazima Shilowa, United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa and Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi and ask them about Male ma. They will all tell you of stories of being on the receiving end of Malema’s relentless politics of personal attacks. Zille, who has had a number of heated exchanges with the youth leader, describes Malema as a demagogue in the worst sense of the word. Malema proved to be a one-man wrecking machine ahead of the April 22 provincial and national polls. He was arguably the main man responsible for getting the youth behind the ANC during its most trying time since the advent of democracy in 1994.

The media did not escape Malema’s seemingly sanctioned verbal assaults. In his eyes, almost all white journalists are pushing a racist agenda against the ANC. To him all media owners, especially the white ones, are racist by nature. According to the gospel of Malema, black journalists (especially those who – through opinion pieces – disagree with his leadership style) are agents of white folk, who in his warped mind are out to get him.

Malema and his cohorts would love to dictate to the media what constitutes newsworthiness. Even those who speak on his behalf are inherently intolerant of some sections of the media while rolling out the red carpet for their media darlings, who suck up to them.

This is in sharp contrast to the pleasantly professional conduct of the governing party’s spokesmen Ishmael Mnisi and Brian Sokutu.

Now we have Zuma saying Malema is a worthy candidate to inherit the ruling party. What this means is that Malema is in line to become President of South Africa. This is so because, according to the Polokwane conference resolution, the leader of the ANC must become the head of state. There are few admirable personal traits about Malema. His ability to say it like it is is quite refreshing in a world of politics where political correctness is the usual order of the day. But that does not necessarily make him presidential material to run the country.

Malema may be doing well in his current position, which was and still is necessary in consolidating power for the Zuma camp after the Polokwane spring. But the current Malema cannot be the President for many reasons. Not only is he a polarising figure, he is more like a celebrity who does not miss an opportunity to play to the gallery. He lacks substance in his leadership. He’s just a distinguished exponent of personal attack politics. Any other “nice” deployment, not presidential in nature, will do for Malema.

Cedric Mboyisa is political editor of The Citizen. This column first appeared in The Citizen.

Prof Jansen's major blunder

The Zapiro cartoon is sourced from the Mail & Guardian Online.


THE University of Free State must surely count as one of the remaining heavens on earth for white racists.

Stories of racism against black students and staff at the institution abound. One young woman says she could not wait to complete her studies so she could get away from “the oppressive environment” at the university. She recounts, with a sense of sadness, that the university management allowed the infamous Reitz hostel to become what it is.

She recalls: “Sometimes you will pass there (Reitz hostel) and they (white students) would make racist remarks and laugh out very loudly. “I hated passing there because I did not feel safe.” The young lady says black students and staff have became accustomed to being victims of racism.

Newly installed rector Professor Jonathan Jansen deserves to be highly commended for seeking to transform Reitz hostel “into a model of racial reconciliation and social justice for all students”.

Kudos are also in order for Jansen for admitting the university has all along been complicit in creating and enabling environment for white racists to flourish. But at the same time, Jansen deserves to the severely castigated for deciding that the university will no longer pursue charges or disciplinary action against the four students who racially abused and humiliated black employees of the institution.

As much as reconciliation is import ant in creating a racially tolerant society, the learned professor has got it totally wrong is his clumsy attempt to emulate conciliator par excellence, former President Nelson Mandela.

Jansen’s sense of reconciliation is fundamentally flawed in a sense that it is rammed down our throats. There was no prior consultation with the relevant parties, especially the victims, before the reprehensible decision was taken.

Contrary to Jansen’s assertion that the decision is a gesture of racial reconciliation, it will, in fact, perpetuate racism and create racial tensions. Jansen’s decision is more like condoning the deplorable and racist behaviour of the four students. It seems more like Jansen is trying to please his masters, whoever they are or wherever they are found.

Jansen and his university cannot just buy back the dignity of the women, who were so humiliated by the four boys. What is critical in a reconciliation process is that the perpetrators must be genuinely remorseful and sorry about their actions.

Nowhere is his speech did the profess or say whether the four culprits had repented of their racist ways. While Jansen is busy playing Mr Nice Guy, some white students are believed to be continuously taunting the victims over the incident.

The condemnation of Jansen, by the likes of the ruling party and many others, is justified. Not surprisingly, the Democratic Alliance has extolled the vice-chancellor, for “Jansen embraces the values the DA believes are good for higher education and students”. That great South African Institute of Race Relations (of which Jansen is president) defended him, dismissing criticism of Jansen’s revolting decision as “intimidation and bullying”.

Yes, universities are independent, but their independence cannot be used an excuse or a cover to perpetuate the notion that white people are superior to black people.

Even cleaners are constitutionally en titled to dignity and deserve respect as human beings. The learned professor has no right to make decisions for them. Jansen has erred, and he must expedite the process of correcting his mistake.

Cedric Mboyisa is political editor of The Citizen. This article first appeared in The Citizen.

Shaik before stirring

Pardon me... Shaik wants a presidential pardon. Cartoon sourced from Mail & Guardian.


BEING the President of South Africa or any country comes with power and a number of prerogatives.

Chapter Five of the Constitution deals with some presidential duties and prerogatives of the head of state. Section 84(j) states that President Jacob Zuma, just like his predecessors, has the power or function to pardon or reprieve offenders, remit any fines, penal ties or forfeitures. So for a President to grant a pardon to a criminal is not unconstitutional. It is in keeping with his constitutional obligations as the head of the executive. But the Constitution, in section 83(c), enjoins Zuma to act in a way that “promotes the unity of the nation and that which will advance the Republic”.

As everyone is aware, Zuma’s former financial adviser and backer, Schabir Shaik, has applied for a presidential pardon. Shaik, it must be pointed out, is a certified (not in mental terms, it must be made clear) criminal with a fraud conviction. That is why he is exercising his constitutional right to apply for a presidential pardon as a citizen of South Africa.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Shaik seeking a presidential par don. But there is everything wrong with Zuma being the final arbiter in whether or not to grant to grant Shaik presiden tial pardon. Nor should the whole Zuma administration be in a position to partake in the decision-making here, for that matter.

This is a case of very naked conflict of interest. Upon convicting Shaik, Judge Hilary Squires found that he and Zuma had a mutually beneficial relationship. As they say, it takes two to tango, so common sense dictates that Zuma ought to have been tried with Shaik during his case. It is quite baffling or boggles the mind why this never happened.

Former President Thabo Mbeki fired Zuma in the wake of the adverse ruling against Shaik. Although the judgment had no bearing on Zuma’s innocence or guilt, he was more like tried in absentia because he was never accorded an opportunity to take to the stand.

Shaik is a close friend and ally of Zuma. In fact, Zuma has a good rap port with the Shaik family, which in cludes the likes of Mo, the spy boss. Zuma is clearly indebted to the Shaik family for his rise to the highest office in the land, and even more so, it would appear, to Schabir, a man who has been laid bare as a fraudster and a greedy criminal who would boast about and use his political connections to advance his narrow business interests.

Shaik has been exposed as a man who cares less about the poor and more about unscrupulously amassing wealth using prominent public officials’ names or political connections. It’s becoming clearer every day that loyalty, just like in the Mbeki administration, reigns supreme in the Zuma administration.

The current government couldn’t care less about its integrity and credibil ity. As long as you are in with the right crowd you will be rewarded hand somely and treated like a king, even if you’re an unrepentant criminal who was broken out of jail on a bogus medical parole.

Should Shaik be granted a presidential pardon (as is likely to happen) it would be a crying shame. Zuma must avoid misusing his presidential prerogative to appease his pal.

Zuma mustn’t let his “un-shaik–en” loyalty to Schabir Shaik cloud his judgment.

Cedric Mboyisa is political editor of The Citizen. This column first appeared in The Citizen.

Obama Nobel Prize injustice

THERE is no denying that America’s 44th and first black (and partially white) President, Barack Obama, is an intelligent and a charismatic leader in a league of his own.

He ran one of the most shrewd and innovative presidential campaigns as he marched to the presidency of the world’s superpower. Try as they did, his opponents in the form of Hillary Clinton and John McCain could not stem the Obama tide. Not even former US President Bill Clinton could stop Obama from occupying the White House.

Such was the man’s brilliant strategy that there was no stopping him from making history by breaking the white man’s stranglehold on the White House. Obama was the ray of light after the catastrophic rule of one not- so-sharp, lying, confrontational and bullying George W Bush.

Obama’s oratory skills are legendary. The man has the ability to move moun tains with his words. Obama, just like Martin Luther King Jnr, can have people in tears with his speeches, which he delivers with phenomenal and unparalleled eloquence.

It is no exaggeration to say that Obama ranks up there with the best orators the world has ever heard. The man is simply a genius when it comes to public speaking. It is a marvel to witness Obama deliver one of his masterpiece speeches!

Since assuming office Obama has been a breath of fresh air in terms of trying to engage with countries which were previously continuously at war with the US. This includes reaching out to Iran, Turkey and the Muslim world in general. As Menachem Z Rosensaft (founding chairman of the International Network of Children of Jewish Holocaust Survivors) points out, Obama has charted a new direction in trying to end the never-ending Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Really now? Obama, as an ally of Israel, would obviously seek a solution that will favour Israel and disadvantage Palestine.

Rosensaft further preaches the Obama gospel thus: “The President has travelled thousands of miles to tell men, women and children across the globe, national leaders and average citizens alike that after eight years of xenophobia and jingoism the US has returned to its historical role as a unifying catalyst of humankind”. Wow, the US is a “unifying catalyst of humankind”! More like a dividing catalyst of humankind. In most cases, if not all, its selfish interests (business or whatever) drive the US when it sticks its nose in other countries’ affairs.

So it is really puzzling and disturbing to award the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to Obama on the grounds of his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen inter national diplomacy and co-operation between peoples”. What a load of mumbo jumbo!

What Obama is doing is repositioning the US after the damage done to the country’s image by Bush. The Nobel Prize committee failed to see Obama’s intentions for what they really are. Obama’s intentions may be noble, but at this stage they do not deserve a Nobel Peace Prize, period. The Nobel Prize committee is nothing more than the PR machine for the US. The decision is a farce.

Had this decision been taken here in South Africa, surely some lobby group or political entity would have sought a judicial review. It is an insult to laureates such as former President Nelson Man dela. At least Obama has the company of other undeserving laureates like former President FW de Klerk.

Cedric Mboyisa is political editor of The Citizen.

Can this "elephant" be felled?

Logo sourced from the African National Congress website.


IT has been said that the “ANC will rule until the Son of Man comes back”. As arrogant as this may sound, it seems the ruling party will be in power for quite a number of years to come. On the issue of Jesus Christ, as far as I know, no one knows when He intends coming back. So it would be purely speculative on my part to say whether Khongolose will be in charge during the Second Coming.

You tell me bloggers, what is it that seem to make the governing party invincible at the polls? Is it possible that someday there will emerge an alternative to the ANC (which President Jacob Zuma refers to as an elephant), which could possibly take over the reins? Could this happen in the foreseeable future or in some very distant future?

Chuene must face firing squad!

Watch your back... 800m world champion Caster Semenya and ASA president Leonard "Liar" Chuene. Picture: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe.


ATHLETICS South Africa boss Leonard Chuene is a snake in the grass.

That Chuene was aware teenage sensation Caster Semenya was unknowingly subjected to gender-testing in SA before she captured gold in Berlin is intolerably atrocious and unacceptable. Not only is Chuene guilty of gross violation of Semenya's fundamental human rights, he sacrificed the poor girl at the altar of superficial glory! For all this, Chuene must not only be fired, but severely punished. Chuene has brought the whole country into disrepute. What an embarrassment he is!

In defence of the media

WE the media – whether it be political or investigative or whatever form of journalism – derive our mandate from section 16 of the Constitution.

This section in the Bill of Rights guarantees the freedom of the media as well as everyone’s freedom of expression. In execution of our duties in creating an informed society we have to be mindful of a number of our subjects’ constitutional rights. In our country the Constitution is the supreme law, and therefore any behaviour that is deemed to be contrary to the Constitution is invalid and illegal.

In dealing with the matter of people’s privacy and dignity, the media have to reconcile the competing constitutional imperatives of freedom of expression, dignity and privacy.

The Australian Press (in particular) and the local media have come under fire for reporting on yet-to-be-formally released teenage sensation Caster Se menya’s gender test results. The charge is that the media has grossly violated Semenya’s human rights in rushing to publish the results before she could be properly notified of the outcome through the relevant channels.

There is no doubt that the teenage world champion from Limpopo has been treated unfairly in this saga. But before rushing to point fingers at the media, it is critical to pause for a second and establish, with sobriety (not of a judge), if the Fourth Estate is really the culprit here.

As in many countries that put a high premium on the freedom of expression, Australia has a Press Council, which is tasked with ensuring that a free press conducts its duties in a responsible and ethical manner.

The Press Council’s principle three specifically deals with the issue of pri vacy and states: “Readers of publica tions are entitled to have news and comment presented to them honestly and fairly, and with respect for the privacy and sensibilities of individuals. However, the right to privacy should not prevent publication of matters of public record or obvious or significant public interest.”

Here in South Africa we have the Press Code of Professional Conduct, which enjoins us to maintain high journalistic standards in our profes sion. But the code is unambiguous when it comes to the principle of public interest.

“The public interest is the only test that justifies departure from the highest standards of journalism,” it says.

What can be deduced from the Aus tralian Press Council and SA Code of Conduct is that a case of an overwhelm ing public interest will prevail over a public figure’s constitutional right to privacy, provided that the information to be revealed is directly linked to the public figure’s official duties or is the bone of contention in relation to their performance, as is the case in the Semenya storm.

It’s therefore reasonable and rational to arrive at the conclusion that the media is not at fault here. Almost everyone would agree that a case of overwhelming public interest in this instance is absolutely compelling. The Fourth Estate in Australia, South Africa and elsewhere was justified in prema turely reporting on the matter.

Athletics South Africa and the Inter national Association of Athletics Feder ations (IAAF) are the real culprits here and have to share the blame. Suffice it to say that the IAAF’s treatment of Se menya has been atrocious. But making the media a scapegoat does not cut it. The media of South Africa and the world are well within their rights here.

Cedric Mboyisa is political editor of The Citizen. This column first appeared in The Citizen newspaper.

Cry my beloved Gcilima

Mini-me (my two-year-old daughter) Naledi visits my birthplace, Gcilima. Picture: Cedric Mboyisa


A recent visit to my rural village of Gcilima in KwaZulu-Natal had me wondering whether the ruling party’s “better life for all” war cry really applies to everyone.

In my interaction with various sectors of this community on my academic project to establish a local radio station there, the respondents were unequivocal in saying that little, if not too little, development had taken place.

From pupils to housewives, from the youth to the elders, the common response was “ayikho intuthuko kulendawo” (There is no development in this place).

Oh, by the way, these people cannot be dismissed as whinging supporters of opposition parties who are on a mission to portray the ruling party in a bad light ahead of the 2011 local elections. In fact, Gcilima is predominantly an ANC area as evidenced by the two local wards that are held by the ruling party. Of course, there are Inkatha Freedom Party supporters in Gcilima and surrounding areas.

In my conversation with two local ANC Youth League leaders, they also expressed their serious concerns at the snail’s pace of service delivery in Gcilima. They admitted that their party had failed in properly addressing the socioeconomic issues in the area. You can see the pain and frustration in their faces as they related Gcilima’s sad story of non-development and non-service delivery.

They were brutally honest and frank, telling me that local councillors (not necessarily the current ones, but in general) would say there is development in Gcilima because they drive fancy cars and live in opulence. This is while ordinary folk fight a losing battle against poverty, the seemingly invincible enemy here.

Local folk would tell me that they were never involved in the process of selecting their “imposed” local representatives. Hence, they complain, there is minimal interaction with the councillors who are tasked with improving their lives.

A highly educated relative of mine and others tell me that nepotism and connections reign supreme if you want employment in local municipalities. A visit to Hibiscus Coast Municipality, one of the local authorities, left a nasty taste in the mouth… the aura of arrogance was palpable!

Needless to say, my trip to the municipality offices was futile as I left without getting the help I needed. This was despite having notified them in advance about my visit.

It would appear that those in authority think they are doing the public a favour. What they are forgetting is that the public put them in those positions in the first place. So their duty is to serve the public with diligence and selflessness. Local councillors must not view themselves as celebrities who live the high life while the public (who are, in fact, their bosses) starve.

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe is right when saying, “We must refuse to accept that getting elected to a position of influence is a licence for personal wealth accumulation.”

Local government is an indispensable sphere of government. While the province system may be done away with some day, local authorities will always be at the forefront of ensuring service delivery and development for rural villages such as Gcilima. People are crying out for real development. A better life for all can’t be the preserve of the likes of Cyril Ramaphosa, Saki Macozoma and the ANC-connected elite. The masses are tired of being messed with.

Cedric Mboyisa is political editor of The Citizen. This column first appeared in The Citizen Newspaper.

Peter Darley on racism and colonialism

Hi,

Don’t you think that we are getting tired of the constant references to ‘racism’? A term which is never defined and is, in fact, indefinable.

Consider the following facts:

Governance: there is no successful Black government in the world and there never has been. Haiti has been independent for 200 years. Would you want to live there? Liberia has been independent since 1847. Would you want to live there? Ethiopia (apart from a short occupation by Italians) has been independent for 3000 years. Would you want to live there? Boy Julia (I just love whoever came up with that!) bemoans the lack of Black people in the ‘economic cluster’. The history of post-colonial Africa is not encouraging. “Are we only good enough for the security cluster?” That is hardly a shining success, either, is it? If you are able to step far enough back to obverse from a distance, it is impossible to avoid the conclusion that government is the problem, not the solution.

‘Transformation’: this is merely the modern equivalent of ‘Africanisation’; even the ANC shies away from the term. Changing the name will not change the outcome.

Failed state: any country, such as South Africa, where the number of people receiving welfare payments exceeds the number of taxpayers by a factor of 3:1 is a failed state.

Constitution: it is clear from commentary that most people have no idea of the purpose of a constitution. It is to protect the people from the government.

Education: I have come to the conclusion after many years of thinking about and studying things that governments do not want educated people. Now, why should this be, you are wondering. Educated people cannot be fooled by governments. Mass education has only been available for less than 200 years. Before that, ‘rulers’ (mostly self-appointed kings, dukes, bishops and mullahs (and your ‘traditional’ leaders)) deliberately restricted education to just sufficient people to keep their autocratic systems going. These (mostly self-perpetuating) autocrats depended on the ignorance of the masses for their very survival. Therefore, it was necessary to keep the masses ignorant and thinking how lucky they were just to be able to work 12 hours a day for only the basic necessities. This ‘luck’, of course, was attributed to the benevolence of the autocrats. There is no evidence that the ten most recent generations have had more brain capacity than people 2000 years ago. If governments wanted educated people, why do they make such a complete hash of it? It is clear that privately sponsored education produces a much greater proportion of educated, productive people.

Poverty: by the same token, governments do not want to eradicate poverty. You surely cannot believe that poverty could not have been eradicated over the last 2000 years. Millions of people have dedicated their whole lives to the task—and failed. Why? Failure keeps them in a cushy job for life. But we have found the answer—it is called laissez faire capitalism. Capitalism, properly applied, guarantees equality of opportunity, not equality of outcome. The irony is that the ‘leaders’ all know how prosperity is created—they just cannot bring themselves to give up control of the people.

Capitalism: there is not now, and has not been for almost 100 years, a capitalist country. The flowering of capitalism was in the US between the end of the Civil War and about 1918. Everyone in the world is now living on the products of that capitalist period. What we have now, in most ‘democratic’ countries, is fascism i.e. control of business by government.

Economies: the crucial point that most people never learn is that governments do not create economies. Economies are created by millions of ordinary people going about their daily business of making a living.

National Health Insurance: the much-touted NHI scheme is destined for failure. For one very good reason—whenever something ‘free’ is offered, the demand will far exceed the supply. The result can only be rationing—some will get more health care than others. Guess how valuable
your ANC membership (or your skin colour) will be then. The government has admitted that the existing health system is not functioning. If it is not functioning now, what will change it and why do they not change it now? “Government must ensure that the best brains and expertise the country has to offer are utilised”. Where will these come from? The ANC has demonstrated no ability to manage anything over the last fifteen years. Think SABC, SAA, Transnet, Denel, Eskom, Land Bank, hundreds of dysfunctional municipal councils. All of the ‘managers’ of the Metro Police departments are Black. They cannot persuade their staff to enforce the law, especially with regard to motorists. So what are they ‘managing’?

Drugs: check the patent record of life-extending drugs. (There are no life-saving drugs, because everyone dies). The patents are taken out in semi-free Western countries—overwhelmingly by White people, overwhelmingly by males. Name one drug that was developed in the former Soviet Union, in Cuba, in Africa.

Socialism: Let me tell you a story. “My mother convened five of her offspring who were still at school. She produced 74 loaves of bread, containers of peanut butter, jam, egg salad, tuna fish, grated cheese, sliced polony and mayonnaise. My mother had grown weary of packing five lunches a night, five days a week, nine months a year. She instructed us to start making a year’s worth of sandwiches. Each of us was under the impression that we were creating the sandwiches we ourselves would eat. The results tended to be moist and plump, precisely to personal taste. We crafted sandwiches for three hours, at the rate of four sandwiches per person per hour. Then, realising that we would be at it until well into the following week, my mother intervened. She decreed, in effect that the capitalist ideal of individual initiative in the pursuit of individual reward be replaced by quotas. Our personal stacks were nationalised; all sandwiches would belong to the collective. The quality of workmanship underwent an abrupt decline. Many sandwiches found their way into the freezer without mayonnaise or filling of any kind. Some members of our brigade deliberately spread jam over tuna or combined peanut butter and egg.” And there, my friend, is the root of socialism’s eternal failure. If this can happen within one family, you may understand why socialism does not and cannot work.

Food: it was recently mentioned that the Congo (the other one) would make available 10 m hectares for cultivation (by foreign farmers). This is 29% of the whole country’s land area. As usual, the elephant in the room was completely ignored, and the question has never been publicly asked: why can Black farmers in the Congo not do this?

Pensions: when this (or its successor) government has finished pissing all the money into the sewer of welfare payments and health care costs (both non-productive), the only money left will be in the pension funds. What do you expect to happen then? As I mentioned to your former colleague, Jameson Maluleke, some years ago, you are part of the luckiest of all Black South African generations. Your children will be fighting over the remaining scraps and your grandchildren will be back to scratching in the dust for subsistence. Don’t believe me? Go to any other post-colonial African country and see how the grandchildren of the ‘liberators’ are living. I have been to Tanzania, Ghana, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and DRC and I have seen it. Try going there yourself and see how the ordinary people live. Then come back and think “Why will it be different here?”

Colonialism: if it were not for the White man, Johannesburg would not exist; Cape Town would not exist; Cedric Mboyisa would not exist.

Regards

Peter Darley

Canada - a racists' paradise?

The Zapiro cartoon sourced from The Times.


SO Brandon Huntley has been granted a refugee status in Canada for being a subject of "persecution" in South Africa because of the colour of his skin! Arg shame, poor Brandon has been "criminally persecuted by the country's black people".

Now I understand why there's a saying, “a black man is always a suspect”. On that suspect note, I suspect the Canadian Immigration Board is quite gullible, if not racist. How else on earth would they believe such nonsensical and racist argument by Brandon? Fret not Brandon, we happen to be a forgiving nation and we wait for your deportation with great interest!

Emotions aside, please

Cape Judge President John Hlophe's photograph sourced from Mail & Guardian Online.


THERE is no doubt that Cape Judge President John Hlophe is a controversial figure whose sense of judgment raises question marks about his fitness for the bench.

The prime example of his lack of unimpeachable integrity as a jurist and a judicial officer is his Oasis affair. It’s really dishonest and unethical for a sitting judge to be remunerated by a private company. In the Hlophe case it is said that he was paid a monthly retainer of R10 000. In total, it is alleged, he pocketed about half a million rand. Even worse, it was a clear case of conflict of interest when he granted Oasis permission to sue a fellow judge at the Cape Bar.

Another example is that of Hlophe’s son getting a bursary from a law firm. One of the former partners at the law firm was known to have been Hlophe’s pal at varsity. When brought before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Hlophe played the “careless parent card” and professed to have been not aware who was footing his son’s academic bill! It is baffling that a man of Hlophe’s intellect would not know who pays for his child’s education.

In true Hlophe style, the man has limped from one controversy to another, the recent one being allegations by two Constitutional Court justices Chris Jafta and Bess Nkabinde that he tried to influence them to rule in favour of ANC leader Jacob Zuma in his case against the National Prosecuting Authority. But as it has turned out the JSC dropped all the charges against Hlophe – this much to the dismay of many so-called protectors or advocates of the Constitution who wanted to see Hlophe nailed at all costs.

According to the Democratic Alliance, the Independent Democrats, AfriForum, some celebrated legal experts and media personalities, Hlophe was let off the hook because of his connections to the ruling party. They claim that the JSC decision leaves a cloud hanging over Hlophe and the judiciary. Some of these political leaders, commentators and Hlophe detractors are forgetting that their own sense of judgment is clouded by their dislike of the man.

Why did the JSC decide not to proceed with the Hlophe matter? It’s quite simple, really. “Neither of the judges (Jafta or Nkabinde) expressly says that Hlophe JP (Judge President) asked that the cases be decided in Mr Zuma’s favour,” states the JSC in its majority decision.

I attended the JSC three-man preliminary probe in Johannesburg. One of Hlophe’s accusers, Jafta, gave evidence that was more like a defence of Hlophe. He was unambiguous in saying that Hlophe never tried to influence him to deliver a pro-Zuma ruling. This is where the Constitutional Court case against Hlophe was lost. Even Nkabinde corroborated Jafta’s assertion that there was never any naked intention on the part of Hlophe to sway the outcome in favour of Zuma. Add to this lack of concrete evidence against Hlophe, it would have been unwise for the JSC to proceed with the matter.

It’s a pity that in a constitutional democracy which guarantees freedom of expression people like Wits University’s law academic Kevin Malunga were crucified for not conforming with the seemingly prevailing anti-Hlophe sentiment.

The Hlophe matter should teach us that every case must be treated on its merits.

Cedric Mboyisa is political editor of The Citizen. This column first appeared in The Citizen newspaper.

Is racism to blame for Semenya gender-test row?

The Zapiro cartoon sourced from Mail & Guardian Online.


FIRST things first … ours is a racially divided society. This is a lasting legacy of apartheid. The status quo must have Hendrik Verwoerd smiling in his grave.

The spin-doctoring and political correctness aside, white people are pioneers of racism. Hence, many white people are direct and indirect beneficiaries of institutionalised racism that reigned supreme during the heyday of the oppressive regime.

According to racist mentality, white people are inherently competent while black people are incapable of greatness. This line of thought dictates that the only way that black people can climb the corporate ladder is through the requirements of affirmative action, not competency or merit. So it is no surprise that white people are still calling the shots in the workplace and in the country’s economy.

Racism is not just a figment of imagination. It’s a reality to many black South Africans. I, for one, can attest to being a victim of racism many times in my 28 years of existence. I continue to be subjected to subtle and obvious forms of racism. I have come to a realisation that being discriminated against on the grounds of my race will form part of the rest of my life.

With my experience of racism, I consider myself to be quite well-placed to discern what constitutes racism.

This brings us to the teenage sensation Caster Semenya’s controversy. Is racism behind the gender-testing storm that has catapulted Semenya into the international spotlight?

According to various organisations and individuals, racism is to blame for Semenya’s gender test woes. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has been labelled a racist entity which cannot come to terms with the fact that Africans, especially women, are capable of phenomenal achievements.

In a rare occurrence, political protagonists such as ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema, the Democratic Alliance and the Independent Democrats are singing from the same hymn book (that of racism). Joining the racism mob are the ANC Women’s League, the African People’s Convention, the Young Communist League, the South African Football Players Union, the South African Students’ Congress and Commission for Employment Equity chairman Jimmy Manyi.

In my view, the cries of racism in the Semenya controversy are not only preposterous but also gibberish of the highest order. They defy logic.

On what basis could Semenya’s gender testing be construed as racist in nature? After all, this is not the first time in the history of athletics that a competitor has had to undergo a gender test.

There have been white athletes before Semenya who have been subjected to gender verification. By way of example, Polish athlete Ewa Klobukowska was banned from competing in Olympics and professional sport after she failed a gender test in 1967.

The crux of the matter in the Semenya saga is the societal stereotyping of acceptable mannerisms, looks and behaviour of the female and male species. Based on the current standard description of men and women, the IAAF has reasonable grounds to carry out a gender test to determine whether Semenya has unfair advantage over other athletes.

What is deplorable though is the manner in which the IAAF handled the matter. ID leader Patricia de Lille is right in advising Semenya to sue the bungling IAAF.

Racism is not the issue here, but the accuracy and fairness of gender testing is.

Cedric Mboyisa is political editor of The Citizen. This column first appeared in The Citizen Newspaper.

Radio idea for my village

The mountainous section of Gcilima. Picture: Cedric Mboyisa


BLOGGERS at large please note that I shall be offline until Monday. I am off to Gcilima, my rural village in KwaZulu-Natal, to conduct an audience research or survey for my Wits University's community radio project.

During my three-day stay there I shall interact with various members of the community to establish whether an idea of a local radio station resonates with them. I'll also ask them for their input on what issues their proposed radio station should discuss and tackle.

Gcilima Voice (the proposed name of the radio station) intends to give this community an unprecedented platform to engage in frank conversation about the HIV/Aids endemic which is ravaging this community. The station will also seek to inculcate the culture of political tolerance in an area that once battled the demon of political violence. The youth will form a critical part of the radio station. In a nutshell, Gcilima Voice will be entirely for the community by the community. No hidden agendas, ek se!

Caster blows them away!

Caster Semenya celebrates after winning the 800m race hands down. Picture: Getty Images


WHILE South Africa ought to be rejoicing at teenage sensation Caster Semenya's conquering of the 800m race at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin, the gender row has overshadowed what is otherwise a phenomenal achievement.

The way she made other competitors in the 800m final look as though they were in slow motion was absolutely incredible. There is no doubt that Caster has arrived and she is in a league of her own. What is in doubt though is whether she is female or male. If truth be told, her looks and voice don't help her much. She looks more like a man than a woman. But again everyone is unique and we have to accept that we are not all going to conform to what is generally acceptable in terms of looks and behaviour. She may have the attributes or physical features of the male species, but in my books if she has THE DEFINING PART of a female species then it's all well and therefore she is a she.

For the meantime, we just wait for the complex IAAF gender tests to determine whether she keeps her gold medal. Either way, she remains the pride of our country. We accept Caster for who she is, for the way she looks and for the way she behaves. Let's hear it for our peculiar golden girl!

Has Hlophe won or lost?

Cartoon sourced from Mail & Gaurdian Online


THE nation waits with a keen interest as the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) prepares to announce its much-anticipated decision on controversial Cape Judge President John Hlophe.

The three-man JSC sub-committee has arrived at a decision pertaining to allegations that Hlophe improperly tried to influence an outcome in a Constitutional Court case involving ANC leader Jacob Zuma. During the preliminary hearings in Johannesburg last month, Hlophe's accusers justices Chris Jafta and Bess Nkabinde admitted that in their conversations with the controversial one it was not really clear whether he was trying to influence them to rule in favour of Zuma, who had at the time approached the highest court in the land to make a ruling on his privacy rights relating to his legal battle against the National Prosecuting Authority.

In a nutshell, the main purpose of the preliminary probe was to establish whether there were sufficient grounds to subject Hlophe to a JSC hearing for alleged gross misconduct. Should he be charged with allegations of gross misconduct, he faces impeachment if found guilty. But considering his accusers' evidence, it would be quite a task to arrive at a conclusion that Hlophe had the intention to improperly influence the outcome of the ConCourt case.

So, bloggers, how would you rule if you were in JSC's shoes? Would you say there's sufficient grounds to charge the controversial one?

My hat off to these women

My 'Jewish mom' Sandy Sher with mini-me Naledi. Pictures: Cedric Mboyisa


PEOPLE have a tendency to appreciate people once they have passed on, but I believe it's only fair to appreciate and thank valuable people in your life while they are still alive.

So allow me express my sincere thanks to the following women: my high school English teacher Mrs Bongiwe Hlophe, my high school Zulu teacher Mrs Thandazile Koba, my 'Jewish mom' and journalism mentor Sandy Sher, and finally - but not least - community newspaper guru, my mentor and my “white mom” Heather Butler.

Had it not been for Mrs Koba, I would have not aced my IsiZulu exam in matric. Truth be told, I did not perform so well when it came to written Zulu, so I used to pass with satisfactory marks. I had already told myself that I would just aim for the usual percentage (above 50%) when I sat for my final Zulu exam. But that all changed, thanks to an inspirational talk given to us by Mrs Koba before the actual exam towards the end of 1999. She called about ten of us (Grade 12 learners) into a classroom. We had no idea what she wanted to say to us. We were pleasantly surprised when she told us she believed that we had a potential of getting more than 80% in the final Zulu exam, which was marked externally nogal! That's exactly what I did... I got 80% plus in the final exam. It's all thanks to Mrs Koba for having faith in me and for pushing me to achieve excellent academic results.

I owe so much of my English knowledge and understanding to Mrs Hlophe. It's common knowledge that learners from rural schools usually leave matric with a shocking grasp and command of English. Mrs Hlophe made it her business that by the time my five-year stay at Phathwa high school was over I was fiercely competitive in both the spoken and the written English. During my days at Phathwa I was only allowed to communicate in English with Mrs Hlophe and the rest of the teachers. Ladies and gentlemen, this in a nutshell, is how I developed my English skills. I've to admit I struggled at first, but as time went on I became more and more confident! My 89% for the final English exam in matric attest to the invaluable contributions by Mrs Hlophe and other Phathwa teachers.

What can I say about Sandy? I could have not wished for a better mentor when I joined Caxton community newspapers. It was my first time working with someone of Jewish descent. Apart from helping me with my journalistic skills, it's through Sandy that I learnt quite a lot about the Jewish culture. As my news editor, she allowed me freedom and space to take part in decision-making. We really enjoyed working together on the North Eastern Tribune, a community newspaper in Joburg. We sometimes had heated arguments about the NET as well as about the country's political landscape. But we never became foes or enemies for holding divergent views on certain issues. She is one of the greatest bosses I have ever had. She become more like a mother figure to me. My 'Jewish mom' was the only white face at my daughter's birthday last year. She even wrote a column about mini-me's birthday! Sandy is simply an amazing human being.

Then there is Heather. It was in May 2004 that Caxton cadet reporters headed for a two-week evaluation course in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. This is where I met Heather, who was one of the coordinators of the course. The way she explained what journalism was all about made me feel assured that I was in the right field. I remembered that Mrs Hlophe had told me that I should consider pursuing journalism as a profession. Heather's unfeigned passion for community media was conspicuous. At the end of the two-week evaluation course she told me that I had a great future ahead of me in either journalism or politics. She has followed my progress with keen interest. She's always available for advice. She is ever eager to help me when I need assistance with my current honours degree studies at Wits University.

I am eternally grateful to these four women for their much-appreciated and valued contributions.

To my mom with love

Left to right: My younger sister S'phume, my older brother Khanya, me and mini-me Naledi, my mom Thandi and my niece Nomvelo, and my youngest sister Busi. Picture: Cynthia Thoane


THIS is women's month, and I would like to pay tribute to the woman who has been absolutely instrumental in enabling me to have a bright future.

Ngaphandle kukamama wami, uThandekile Mboyisa, I doubt I would be where I am today. Although a domestic worker earning a meagre salary, “Thandi” (as she is fondly known) made sure that there was some money for me to go to school. She did not mind buying expensive study guide material during my high schools days in a rural village of Gcilima, KwaZulu-Natal. She encouraged me to focus on my studies, stressing that education was the only key to success.

It's because of my mother that I've been able to break free from shackles of poverty. To this day, she remains an inspiration to me. She is an indispensable part of my life. I will remain eternally grateful to her for the sacrifices she made to create a better life for me. There is no one like my mom in my life. She taught me that growing up in a rural village does not necessarily mean that one is doomed and will never amount to anything in life.

Mama ngiyabonga ngakho konke ongenzele khona ngokungikhulisa ungiphe lelikusasa engingeke ngiliphucwe muntu. Ngiyakuthanda kakhulu.

Cell C keeps me out of reach

Image sourced from Cell C website


NOW that service delivery protesters have had their chance to be heard, it's my turn to demand service delivery from Cell C.

Not so long ago we ran stories about people and our readers who were experiencing network problems. Oh well, I sort of felt sorry for them, and never thought I would be in the same boat someday.

My word, I am almost unreachable all the time because of Cell C and its network blues! This has been happening for a long time despite an assurance from the cellphone giant that my network concerns were attended to. Despite enduring endless network problems, as a law-abiding citizen of this country I continue to pay my Cell C bill every month, as per the contractual obligations.

I've really Cell Seen for Myself what Cell C is capable and incapable of!

When will this madness end?

Cartoon source: The Economist


THE nonsense of African brotherhoood aside, so-called President Robert Mugabe has ruined Zimbabwe with impunity. For Zim to be on a true road to recovery the madman must go. So bloggers, I ask you, how do you suggest uncle Bob is removed from the equation?

Crisis of jobs in a recession

Kgabo Moabelo talks to StateOfSA about being laid off. Picture: Cedric Mboyisa


ALTHOUGH he is one of the latest retrenchment casualties in the recession-hit South Africa, Kgabo Moabelo (37) from Alexandra township (north of Johannesburg) is optimistic about his future, which is without secure permanent employment.

“I have confidence in myself. I will never go to bed hungry,” says Moabelo, a man originally from Polokwane (Limpopo) who came to the City of Gold for greener pastures. Last month he had to part ways with the company he had worked for for 12 years. Due to the global financial crisis, he had no choice but relinquish his position as the warehouse manager for Replication Technology Group, a Wynberg-based company specialising in the entertainment industry. His duties included being in charge of distribution, allocation, storage and managing some of the company's employees.

Wynberg is a few minutes away from Alexandra, so he used to walk to and from work... thereby saving a substantial amount of money on transport expenses. With his comfortable salary he was able to live in one of Alexandra's decent places. Together with his immediate and extended family they live in a block of flats, which is part of the billion-rand presidential Alexandra Renewal Project. Not so far from his flat, between 11th and 12th avenues, is the famous Joe's Butchery, which is frequented by the country's black diamonds and who's who of the entertainment industry. The same area is surrounded by shacks, for most people in this populous township live in poverty. According to the youth wing of the Greater Alexandra Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the township has almost 60% unemployment rate, of which 40% is the local young people.

As the sole breadwinner, the retrenched Moabelo not only looks after his son and extended family in Alexandra, but he also has to send money back home in Polokwane. He says he's not in a panic mode as he has his retrenchment package to bank on. He adds that he plans to use some of his pension fund payout to start a business in order to generate some consistent income. “I have always known that I had a potential to do it on my own, without having to rely on being employed by someone else forever,” he says. He is in the process of opening an Internet Cafe in the township.

But, Moabelo points out, he is not investing all his package on the venture because he has found himself a business partner. In what is more like a coalition of the retrenched, he is partnering up with a woman who was retrenched earlier this year, in February, by the same company (Replication Technology Group). The woman was euphemistically offered a “voluntary package” as the economic meltdown started taking its toll on the company. Moabelo says he is not bitter about being retrenched. Instead, he states, he sees his retrenchment as an opportunity to grow as an individual and look for creative ways to be self-reliant. “It's not the end of the world for me,” he adds.

Speaking to StateOfSA, Colen Garrow, chief economist at Brait, says the country's biggest challenge is the “massive unemployment rate”. SA has an unemployment rate of 23.5%. It is time, Garrow states, for business and government to think out of the box to create sustainable jobs in the “unconventional environment (recession) we find ourselves in”. He says trade unions must be active in the economy by creating an enabling environment for employment. Garrow stresses that people must skill themselves to be employable because “the economy is bad out there”. He is in support of the Reserve Bank's inflation targeting policy, but he says there must be changes to food and fuel component of inflation targeting. On the brighter side, Garrow believes that we are halfway through recession, and that the economy and markets will stabilise by the end of the year.

According to Statistics South Africa, job losses were recorded in most industries between the last quarter (October-December) of 2008 and the first quarter (January-March) of 2009. The trade industry led the way in the job losses stakes with 143 000, followed by construction with 65 000, then manufacturing with 62 000 and in the fourth place agriculture with 26 000. Stats SA announced in May that South Africa was in a technical recession, the country’s first recession in 17 years. SA's economy, which had experienced some measure of stability and growth in the past decade, had finally fallen victim to the global financial crisis, which has its genesis in the United States of America – the world's superpower.

Despite job losses and retrenchments from left to right as companies are cutting down on costs, President Jacob Zuma has committed his government to creating 500 000 job opportunities through the Expanded Public Works Programme between June and December this year. The current economic downturn notwithstanding, the Zuma administration remains resolute on its goal to create five million jobs during its five-year tenure.

The Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE), in conjunction with Business Leadership South Africa, recently commissioned four papers in their effort to help the country create jobs and weather the economic storm. The joint initiative has put forwards proposals to assist government to achieve its mission of creating five million jobs. The proposals include focusing on the youth, relaxing labour laws, introducing tax breaks, creating special economic zones and employment guarantee schemes. “Seeking to create 5 million jobs while being battered by a global recession is going to require a new boldness from policy-makers,” says CDE executive director Ann Bernstein. Bernstein points out: “75% of the unemployed are under 35 and over 70% of these young unemployed people have never had a job”.

Genetics Analytics CEO Stephan Malherbe, an expert in competition and regulatory economics practice, has made five recommendations to help the country navigate through the economic turmoil. One of his recommendations is that inflation targeting remains in place. “At this point, abolition or perceived weakening would be reckless,” he says. ANC tripartite alliance partners, SACP and Cosatu, have repeatedly called for the scrapping of inflation targeting. Malherbe also recommends that SA “take out insurance in the form of a large and unconditional borrowing facility with the International Monetary Fund”.

Senior citizens celebrate peer Madiba

Former President Nelson Mandela at 91. Picture sourced from The Citizen


IT was an unforgettable day – celebrating the inaugural Mandela Day among Madiba's peers in the township of Ivory Park, not so far from Midrand.

At least 1 000 senior citizens had a time of their lives as they enjoyed scrumptious breakfast, courtesy of the Gift of the Givers Foundation and the Social Development Department. The day was punctuated by laughter and smiles as the elderly wished their world-renowned peer a happy 91^st birthday. President Jacob Zuma led them in singing “For He Is A Jolly Good Fellow”.

The senior citizens wouldn't miss a chance of singing Mshini Wami, but Zuma did not join in the singing. It was so fulfilling being part of the Mandela Day activities with grandmas and grandpas, many of whom bear the burden of being breadwinners (through their pension money) because of the effects of the Aids endemic. There you have it folks... that's how I spent my 67 minutes of the Mandela Day.