As I was going through my music library and playing Tumi Molekane's track 'the now rich' I encountered my own version and couldn't help but wonder what the once fierce, no-nonsense country of ours has become? Nowadays a thief breaks into your home and when you re-act in self-defence, you will be arrested as ''criminals'' now have rights and charged with attempted murder (sic)
DOCTOR KHUMALO
Recently soccer legend Doctor Khumalo was found guilty on charges of reckless and negligent driving three years after being involved in an accident and was fined R6K or 12-month imprisonment and that was it!
The incident took place when law-abiding citizens trying to make a decent living were on their way to work when the former football star's german-sports car collided with a minibus taxi near Maraisburg off-ramp on the N1 north in Jozi in May 4th 2008
A life was lost, injuries sustained and loss of income was lost but the court dismissed the drunken-driving charge after evidence from a blood sample was not presented by the state, could it be because it's a popular personality involved or just that the law in our country is lenient to culprits?
Sinah Shongwe, Bongani Baloyi and Elizabeth Slater was the passengers in the taxi. Shongwe is believed to have died from injuries related to the accident two weeks prior to judgment while Slater suffered back and leg injuries and taxi driver Willy Sanyane escaped with minor injuries.
To rub salt into the wounds '16 valve' (as Khumalo is affectionately known) pleaded not guilty despite the state argument that witnesses testified that he reeked booze, had bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and was unsteady and three times over the legal limit, to add a little bit of arrogance Khumalo missed court appearances which resulted in the case taking long to finalise.
In true honesty the fine is a slap on the wrist, the amount fined is a monthly installment for the said car which he can pay instantly while the lives of the victims are ruined and will not be getting any penny.
Meanwhile the taxi owner Perry Kgasoane is suing Khumalo for loss of income - R500K over a three year period. He was served with summons long time ago and can settle out of court as the date has not been set. It remains to be seen if he will budge and own up to his deeds.
MOLEMO MAAROHANYE
This is another high-profile case which should have been concluded ages ago. On March 9th 2010 Molemo ''Jub-jub'' Maarohanye and his co-accused Themba Tshabalala drove into a group of school children killing Andile Mthombeni (16), Phumelelo Masemelo (16), Mlungisi Cwayi and Prince Mahube both (17) while Fumani Mushanana (17) and Frank Mlambo (18) were injured when the two were allegedly drag racing in their sports cars along Mdlalose Street in Protea, Soweto.
The state 'again' alleged that witnesses testified that the music star and his friend were intoxicated with alcohol and drugs, cellphone footage of the racing was taken but there is a lot of controvesy around it. The case is still on-going.
# Transport Minister, Sbu Ndebele urged law enforcement officers to crack down on illegal drag racing, this comes after three people were killed in Pretoria.
TEBOGO 'Proverb' THEKISO & BRYCE MOON
Just other high-profiled personalities whose fate is still to be decided but don't read too much into it as the saying goes ''Money is the root of all evil''
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Print versus Digital media
I am so glad that I grew up in an environment where newspaper and a magazine were the order of the day; I can't help but realize advantages such setup brought.
Today we have online news subscription which is convenient but print was and still is my preferred choice; Though online media save time but it is relatively known to be unreliable with hacks taking place every second you blink while with print it's a different take altogether.
The introduction of Media 24s tabloid, Daily Sun back in 2002 set the scene alight giving Sowetan a run for its moolah. Initially the paper was seen as a gossip mouth-piece as its content was somehow unbelievable (e.g witchcraft, tokoloshe, etc) but it has managed to polish itself and aligned to a point that even an illiterate can be home with it; which was a first in the country.
From the early days of its inception to the late 90s Sowetan enjoyed a free role as it had absolutely no competition that's until ''The People's Paper'' came along and changed all that which led to its regional branches closure.
During my tertiary days as a media student a certain newspaper called ''This Day'' headed by Justice Malala hit the shelves and I still remember vividly when I laid my eyes on it I told my mates that it won't stand the test of time and rise against all odds, the reason being it was a duplicate of an already existing daily paper and my sentiments were proven right as it ceased to exist.
We have ample daily newspapers which carries serious news that people can relate to and I'm saying this with an ordinary person on the streets in mind as weekend papers are mostly about gossip but I would like to see the introduction of citizen journalism where communities are fully in charge maybe just maybe news will not be biased and the mentality will be broader.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Comrade Malema, you are just another ruthless politician
I don't know if you know the saying: ''Behind every great fortune there is a great crime''. But recent reports prove just that.
Comrade, the wealth and comfort enjoyed by whites in South Africa is a product of historical violent theft of our land, labour and destruction of the African way of life.
Instead of fighting to redress these historical injustices, you have now literally joined those who stole from us to set yourself up, while the people continue to suffer.
When I heard that you were demolishing a R3,6million house in Sandton to build a better one for R16million, I calculated that you would be living in a R20million house.
I found the idea of destroying a house in a country that has a huge housing backlog a cruel act by one who claims to represent the poorest of the poor.
I know you know a place called Setswetla in Alexandra township. You were there just before the local elections with Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale and others.
The R20million could solve the appallingly hellish condition of the people of Setswetla. Do you know how many RDP houses could be built with R20million?
Exactly 50 years ago Frantz Fanon wrote that the curse of post-colonial Africa were the leaders who took over from the colonialists only to become black colonialists themselves.
He warned that such people take power from the whites to serve themselves, not the people, while using the rhetoric of a better life for all.
He called such leaders the comprador. You have become the comprador even before you take formal power as an official politician. The comprador, according to Fanon, is engaged in ''conspicuous consumption''. Please check the meaning of this concept in the dictionary, sir.
I'm disappointed because of all the leaders we have, you have stood up and spoken about the real issues that your party has avoided.
But it is clear now; you have been an opportunist who raised these issues, not to solve them, but to trick the poor who have been waiting for a better life for almost 20 years now under your party's rule.
Instead of leading the new struggle as a selfless of the poor, you only pay lip service to the plight of our people while you amass great amounts of wealth through your political influence.
You could have chosen a different path sir, the path of Thomas Sankara, who sacrificed all personal comforts to serve the people.
Or you could have chosen, just like the youth leaders of June 16 1976, such as Tsietsi Mashinini and Khotso Seatlholo, to be guided by the principle of ''the people first''.
No, instead you put yourself first! The black youth of this country has been abandoned by the ANC government. They looked up to you and you have let them down badly.
You are just another ruthless politician in the ANC alliance, who uses words to deceive.
* Mngxitama's new essay in New Frank Talk is titled Is Malema a Mugabe? A short political biography of Julius Malema.
Source: SowetanLIVE
Thursday, July 21, 2011
A lifetime gift for 107-year old gogo
ELM, Executive Mayor Greta Hlongwane said ''This is an unfortunate incident where we had to learn about gogos plight through the media, we have councilors and would like the community to liaise with them should something of this nature occur. An audit will be conducted to find out how many others can receive help, complete and empty houses will be allocated to the elderly and we acknowledge that this cannot all be done in 67 minutes. It is our mission to eradicate shacks but make no mistake as these houses are not for family and friends. We also won't tolerate people flocking into our area in a sense that they will get houses.''
She further urged mothers within the community to help those in need, they know of elders who can't do anything for themselves therefore it won't hurt to give a helping hand not only on Mandela day.
LAUNCH OF A MOBILE CLINIC
Meanwhile a mobile clinic was launched and presented to the residents of an informal settlement in Barrage, Vanderbijlpark. The clinic which will be situated next to a police station will be made available to the community three days a week.
Sindiswa Moeketsi, Acting Environmental Management, Health & Social Development demonstrated the clinic which consist of a generator on board. ''The clinic is a breath of fresh air to this area because long distance trips to health care centers elsewhere will no longer be necessary, it will render numerous services ranging from primary health care such as pap smear, chronic illnesses and mental health treatment. In circumstance where the situation is severe an ambulance will be called, I urge those who are infected with HIV/Aids to live positively by getting treatment;'' she said.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
67 ideas on what to do on Mandela Day... (1 of 2)
July 18th marks South Africa's first black president & icon Madiba's birthday (born 1918). The message is simple. Mandela gave 67 years of his life fighting for the rights of humanity. It seems only fitting that we give 67minutes of our time on this day, whether it's supporting a chosen charity or serving in the local community.
It is a day where Nelson Mandela's life work is celebrated annually through an act of kindness. People are asked to spend 67 minutes of the day helping someone else, there are no set rules. Anything that will impact someone else's life positively.
1. Make a new friend. Get to know someone from a different cultural background. Only through mutual understanding can we rid our communities of intolerance and xenophobia.
2. Read to someone who can't, visit a local home for the blind and open up a new world for someone else.
3. Fix the potholes in your street or neighbourhood.
4. Help out at the local animal shelter. Dogs without homes still need a walk and a bit of love.
5. Find out from your local library if it has a story hour and offer to read during it.
6. Offer to take an elderly neighbour who can't drive to do their shopping/chores.
7. Organise a litter cleanup day in your area.
8. Get a group of people to each knit a square and make a blanket for someone in need.
9. Volunteer at your police station or local faith-based organisation.
10. Donate your skills!
11. If you're a builder, help build or improve someone's home.
12. Help someone to get his/her business off the ground.
13. Build a website for someone who needs one, or for a cause you think needs the support.
14. Help someone get a job. Put together and print a CV for them, or help them with their interview skills.
15. If you're a lawyer, do some pro bono work for a worthwhile cause or person.
16. Write to your area councillor about a problem in the area that requires attention, which you, in your personal capacity, are unable to attend to.
17. Sponsor a group of learners to go to the theatre/zoo.
HELP OUT FOR GOOD HEALTH
18. Get in touch with your local HIV organisations and find out how you can help.
19. Help out at your local hospice, as staff members often need as much support as the patients.
20. Many terminally ill people have no one to speak to. Take a little time to have a chat and bring some sunshine into their lives.
21. Talk to your friends and family about HIV.
22. Get tested for HIV and encourage your partner to do so too.
23. Take a bag full of toys to a local hospital that has a children's ward.
24. Take younger members of your family for a walk in the park.
25. Donate some medical supplies to a local community clinic.
26. Take someone you know, who can't afford it, to get their eyes tested or their teeth checked.
27. Bake something for a support group of your choice.
28. Start a community garden to encourage healthy eating in your community.
29. Donate a wheelchair or guide dog, to someone in need.
30. Create a food parcel and give to someone in need.
BECOME AN EDUCATOR
31. Offer to help out at your local school.
32. Mentor a school leaver or student in your field of expertise.
33. Coach one of the extra-mural activities the school offers. You can also volunteer to coach an extra-mural activity the school doesn't offer.
34. Offer to provide tutoring in a subject you are good at.
35. Donate your old computer.
36. Help maintain the sports fields.
37. Fix up a classroom by replacing broken windows, doors and light bulbs.
38. Donate a bag of art supplies.
39. Teach an adult literacy class.
40. Paint classrooms and school buildings.
41. Donate your old textbooks, or any other good books, to a school library.
HELP THOSE LIVING IN POVERTY
42. Buy a few blankets, or grab the ones you no longer need from home and give them to someone in need.
43. Clean out your cupboard and donate the clothes you no longer wear to someone who needs them.
44. Put together food parcels for a needy family.
45. Organise a bake sale, car wash or garage sale for charity and donate the proceeds.
46. To the poorest of the poor, shoes can be a luxury. Don't hoard them if you don't wear them. Pass them on!
47. Volunteer at your local soup kitchen.
CARE FOR THE YOUTH
48. Help at a local children's home or orphanage.
49. Help the kids with their studies.
50. Organise a friendly game of soccer, or sponsor the kids to watch a game at the local stadium.
51. Coach a sports team and make new friends.
52. Donate sporting equipment to a children's shelter.
53. Donate educational toys and books to children's home.
54. Paint, or repair, infrastructure at an orphanage or youth centre.
55. Mentor someone. Make time to listen to what the kids have to say and give the good advice.
...proceed below
67 ideas on what to do on Mandela Day... (2 of 2)
...continuing from above
TREASURE THE ELDERLY
56. If you play an instrument, visit your local old-age home and spend an hour playing for residents and staff.
57. Learn the story of someone older than you. Too often people forget that the elderly have wealth of experience and wisdom and, more often than not, an interesting story to tell.
58. Take an elderly shopping; they will appreciate your company and assistance.
59. Take someone's dog for a walk if they are too frail to do so themselves.
60. Mow someone's lawn and help them fix things around their house.
LOOK AFTER YOUR ENVIRONMENT
61. If there are no recycling centres in your area, petition your area councillor to provide one.
62. Donate indigenous trees to beautify neighbourhoods in poorer areas.
63. Collect old newspapers from a school/community center/hospital and take them to a recycling centre.
64. Identify open manhole covers or drains in your area and report them to the local authorities.
65. Organise the company/school/organisation that you work with to switch off all unnecessary lights and power supplies at night and on weekends.
66. Engage with people who litter and see if you can convince them of the value of clean surroundings.
67. Organise to clean up your local park, river, beach, street, town square or sports grounds with a few friends. Our children deserve to grow up in a clean and healthy environment.
Source: Nelson Mandela Foundation
TREASURE THE ELDERLY
56. If you play an instrument, visit your local old-age home and spend an hour playing for residents and staff.
57. Learn the story of someone older than you. Too often people forget that the elderly have wealth of experience and wisdom and, more often than not, an interesting story to tell.
58. Take an elderly shopping; they will appreciate your company and assistance.
59. Take someone's dog for a walk if they are too frail to do so themselves.
60. Mow someone's lawn and help them fix things around their house.
LOOK AFTER YOUR ENVIRONMENT
61. If there are no recycling centres in your area, petition your area councillor to provide one.
62. Donate indigenous trees to beautify neighbourhoods in poorer areas.
63. Collect old newspapers from a school/community center/hospital and take them to a recycling centre.
64. Identify open manhole covers or drains in your area and report them to the local authorities.
65. Organise the company/school/organisation that you work with to switch off all unnecessary lights and power supplies at night and on weekends.
66. Engage with people who litter and see if you can convince them of the value of clean surroundings.
67. Organise to clean up your local park, river, beach, street, town square or sports grounds with a few friends. Our children deserve to grow up in a clean and healthy environment.
Source: Nelson Mandela Foundation
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Recapping
COUNCILLOR FACES COMMUNITY WRATH
SOWETO - Chiawelo residents took to the streets protesting about the installation of electricity prepaid meter and barricaded the busy Chris Hani Road nearby.
Ward 12 councillor Johannes Nemaungani became a victim when his house and vehicle were torched by the angry protestors; six people who were trapped in the house were rescued.
It is a norm that in winter the entire country faces an enormous power blackouts, illegal connections are not foreign which may be the contributing factor to the constant cut-off as the demand exceed supply.
As much as I don't condone the masses irresponsible acts that is without a doubt fuelled by jealousy but truth needs to be told that councillors promises heaven and earth when they campaign for votes. They forget to inform the communities that promises they make are not solely depended on them but there are protocol to follow and procedures within the government that has to be followed which usually takes forever. Worse still, up-on being elected they don't return to the people to inform and educate them about things to expect. As it stands people are fed-up with excuses and lies politicians feed them and lack of service delivery despite president assuring them that such irregularities will be the thing of the past hence they resorted to such activities. We may argue that the said councillor has nothing to do with Eskom but who owns the power supplier?
A group of protestors fought with metro police officers to free one of their own after he was arrested, overpowered and under siege the two officers fled the scene.
NATIONALISATION
It's a first of its kind in our country we have had and seen a youth leader that is so powerful, influential and dominating one would mistaken him for occupying the State President seat.
Seshego-born Julius Sello Malema was at it again preaching and talking 'nationalisation' of mines and banking institution. According to him its high time white people give back what they took from black people. ''We are going to engage with these investors with a will that they hand over 60 percent of their wealth which in this case are minerals and 'loot'. We can't have them coming into our country to invest and only for them to return to their respective countries without us benefitting'' he concluded.
Communist Party leader Blade Nzimande has came out with guns blazing about how nationalisation won't benefit the poor and this argument was backed by ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe who emphasized that the ruling party is not going to be dictated to by the Youth League and that nationalisation is not their policy; and this resulted in the ANCYL taking a stance and airing their views that come 2012 at the ANC Conference which will be held in Bloemfontein, Free State they would love to see him vacate the secretary position for Fikile Mbalula who was once the president of the Youth League.
How will they run big corporate companies when they fail to run departments like Home Affairs and Traffic for that matter; where bribes are now a procedure in obtain a drivers license. Tenders are now a mess mainly because of this type of mentality and now nationalisation, do we yearn to see Mzansi emulate Zimbabwe, ruled by dictators and losing our currency? I doubt...
R200m UNSPEND GOVERNMENT GRANT
Not a single graduate applied for funds from the government scheme set up to help settle their outstanding university fees. NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) was tasked with administering the fund which was supposed to enable 25 000 students to receive their qualifications.
Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande announced the grant during his budget speech in May.
Anyone who knows whether Umsobomvu Youth Fund or National Youth Development Agency are of any help to many of our unemployed youth across the country? As much as there are ample initiatives by the government to aid those in need, do these plans yield any positive results; the latest being the Digital Integration Programme that many have applied for but are yet to get a response.
HANDS OFF THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR
Lately exposing corruption in our country has taken an ugly turn where one get hunted as if s/he is the criminal. Its ironic how after a few months where the Public Protector Adv. Thulisile Nomkhosi Madonsela unraveled corruption in the R500m lease for police headquarters, the men in blue are now breathing down her neck.
Independent Newspapers reported that she faced imminent arrest for fraud and corruption with her work at the SALRC, three years ago. Madonsela owned the companies which did the work for the commission for about R1.8m
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said that he was surprised at the news that police were planning to arrest Madonsela on charges of fraud and corruption.
The Justice Department at the treasury request investigated if there had been a conflict of interest when her company Waweth rendered services to the department and it emerged that Madonsela did not break any laws while she was the SA Law Reform Commissioner.
Madonsela was appointed Commissioner in 2007 and became Protector in October 2009
She is considering approaching Parliament regarding her personal security.
SOWETO - Chiawelo residents took to the streets protesting about the installation of electricity prepaid meter and barricaded the busy Chris Hani Road nearby.
Ward 12 councillor Johannes Nemaungani became a victim when his house and vehicle were torched by the angry protestors; six people who were trapped in the house were rescued.
It is a norm that in winter the entire country faces an enormous power blackouts, illegal connections are not foreign which may be the contributing factor to the constant cut-off as the demand exceed supply.
As much as I don't condone the masses irresponsible acts that is without a doubt fuelled by jealousy but truth needs to be told that councillors promises heaven and earth when they campaign for votes. They forget to inform the communities that promises they make are not solely depended on them but there are protocol to follow and procedures within the government that has to be followed which usually takes forever. Worse still, up-on being elected they don't return to the people to inform and educate them about things to expect. As it stands people are fed-up with excuses and lies politicians feed them and lack of service delivery despite president assuring them that such irregularities will be the thing of the past hence they resorted to such activities. We may argue that the said councillor has nothing to do with Eskom but who owns the power supplier?
A group of protestors fought with metro police officers to free one of their own after he was arrested, overpowered and under siege the two officers fled the scene.
NATIONALISATION
It's a first of its kind in our country we have had and seen a youth leader that is so powerful, influential and dominating one would mistaken him for occupying the State President seat.
Seshego-born Julius Sello Malema was at it again preaching and talking 'nationalisation' of mines and banking institution. According to him its high time white people give back what they took from black people. ''We are going to engage with these investors with a will that they hand over 60 percent of their wealth which in this case are minerals and 'loot'. We can't have them coming into our country to invest and only for them to return to their respective countries without us benefitting'' he concluded.
Communist Party leader Blade Nzimande has came out with guns blazing about how nationalisation won't benefit the poor and this argument was backed by ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe who emphasized that the ruling party is not going to be dictated to by the Youth League and that nationalisation is not their policy; and this resulted in the ANCYL taking a stance and airing their views that come 2012 at the ANC Conference which will be held in Bloemfontein, Free State they would love to see him vacate the secretary position for Fikile Mbalula who was once the president of the Youth League.
How will they run big corporate companies when they fail to run departments like Home Affairs and Traffic for that matter; where bribes are now a procedure in obtain a drivers license. Tenders are now a mess mainly because of this type of mentality and now nationalisation, do we yearn to see Mzansi emulate Zimbabwe, ruled by dictators and losing our currency? I doubt...
R200m UNSPEND GOVERNMENT GRANT
Not a single graduate applied for funds from the government scheme set up to help settle their outstanding university fees. NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) was tasked with administering the fund which was supposed to enable 25 000 students to receive their qualifications.
Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande announced the grant during his budget speech in May.
Anyone who knows whether Umsobomvu Youth Fund or National Youth Development Agency are of any help to many of our unemployed youth across the country? As much as there are ample initiatives by the government to aid those in need, do these plans yield any positive results; the latest being the Digital Integration Programme that many have applied for but are yet to get a response.
HANDS OFF THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR
Lately exposing corruption in our country has taken an ugly turn where one get hunted as if s/he is the criminal. Its ironic how after a few months where the Public Protector Adv. Thulisile Nomkhosi Madonsela unraveled corruption in the R500m lease for police headquarters, the men in blue are now breathing down her neck.
Independent Newspapers reported that she faced imminent arrest for fraud and corruption with her work at the SALRC, three years ago. Madonsela owned the companies which did the work for the commission for about R1.8m
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said that he was surprised at the news that police were planning to arrest Madonsela on charges of fraud and corruption.
The Justice Department at the treasury request investigated if there had been a conflict of interest when her company Waweth rendered services to the department and it emerged that Madonsela did not break any laws while she was the SA Law Reform Commissioner.
Madonsela was appointed Commissioner in 2007 and became Protector in October 2009
She is considering approaching Parliament regarding her personal security.
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