Social Cohesion Summit

The Social Cohesion Summit took place recently at the Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, Soweto. Among those who attended includes the cabinet, delegates, political and traditional leaders from all sphere of the society.

The summit which was themed “Working together to create a caring and proud society” proved just how much (or little) the country has done in building a socially inclusive society.

United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Bantu Holomisa said “The government must build an economy that will deal with xenophobia, lawlessness and many others. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is stagnant as a result of corruption in the government, without ownership of land our people are unable to participate in the economy” he further blasted the National economic development and labour council (Nedlac) for failing the nation.

Dehumanisation of Africans will ever be erased, hence social cohesion is a matter where one can’t go through then come out and still be the same. South Africa needs to develop a sense of belonging and promote respect among itself. Social cohesion is not something that the government can impose, we can build a good community only if we work together and that can be possible when there is a balance of rights and responsibilities.

“With the kind of freedom that we have today, what has our government done when it comes to social cohesion, to what extend would the minority go in order to be recognised and be given a piece of cake which they are entitled to. Freedom should lead its citizens to rediscover themselves, explained African People’s Convention (APC) Themba Godi.

WHAT IS SOCIAL COHESION?
Social Cohesion is how we as South Africans, unite and work towards a common goal – it comes down to recognising our common humanity in meaningful ways which involve meeting basic human needs, amongst them decent shelter, food, meaningful work, tolerance, respect, family and friendship.

The social cohesion campaign is called South African at Heart: a national dialogue is kick-started on values that are important and ways we can build social cohesion and nation pride. Diversity, inclusivity, values, and access are four pillars which are built on the Constitution, which guarantees rights to every South African citizen as well as to foreigners.

We are a diverse country, but we also have a shared heritage and values. Our diversity makes us rich; our commonalities make us strong.

ADDITIONAL SOURCE: www.dac.gov.za

Whack screen writers...

Lately I have been abundant with whack production from scriptwriters who either don’t do research or plainly just don’t have an idea of what they’re doing. This irks me and unfortunately it won’t help making noise about it, miskien I should polish my scripts and pitch for better screenplay.

22 Bullets/L’Immortel - Starring Jean Reno, a former mafia. After dropping his kid off and driving into an underground parking lot, twenty-two bullets pumped into his body after deciding to quit the gang, that is not a child’s play and don’t believe the hype (not even 50cent). There and then he was out of a coma and raring for revenge, walking with an aid of a stick. From the first shot it is clear how severe it was going through his right side of the face, on the cheek to be precise. Here’s the drill…the least they could have done, install wires and bolts around his jaws to support the mouth and spend some time on the wheelchair (to make believe). Much as the right hand was now malfunctioning after the incident but revenge while sitting (on a wheelchair) would have been marvellous.

Daylight Robbery – a film shot in the UK, actors in an-England accent reminded me of Paul Ince as an analyst for public broadcaster during the 2010 SWC. From their preparation for the stick-up, one could see these were below average robbers, not the kind to convince me to open the safe even if they had a bomb in their possession. First act, reversing the panel van into the bank and one of their accomplices fell out of the window (emergency exit) as it crashes, despite the alarm going off immediately it took a staggering 20-30minutes for police to respond (did I hear you say it’s a norm in our country). As if that was not enough there were dumb FBI-lookalike members who couldn’t negotiate for the release of customers held hostage, by the time they made their forceful entry into the bank the robbers had long gone and boarded a plane out of the country.

Coming back home we have not been spared either. It baffles me as to where are film and television students/graduates from AFDA, Citi Varsity, Boston Media House, ML Sultan Teknikon, Monash, Wits, Big Fish and Nemisa to name a few. Would it hurt for the major players in these field to enlist their services whether be drama, movie or reality shows instead of trash we are been fed by production houses who don’t subscribe to originality but make a local version of overseas “boring” productions.

The free to air channel which promised to bring a breath of fresh has failed
dismally too as they are now the home of “repeats”. The so-called “Ekasi stories” series has lost its plot – it’s awesome that they are open for proposal submission but really now some of the local content screened leaves a lot to be desired.

Sebokeng came to a standstill when masses gathered at the Saul Tsotetsi Sports Complex in Zone 14 for the memorial service of the victims of a tragedy bus accident that took place in Meyerton recently.

In attendance were officials from Putco, government, Sedibeng District, Emfuleni Local, Lesedi municipalities, local church members, musicians, as well as family members and friends of the victims.

Speaking at a mass memorial service deputy transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga said “There was nothing normal about 14 000 people dying in South Africa road accidents every year, we must join hands and wage a fierce offensive against road carnage, as each one of us has a responsibility to ensure that our roads are safe,”.
Chikunga said the government was responsible for necessary legislation to ensure safety on our roads. “However, we will not succeed if we do not get the buy-in and support of members of the public.”

A Putco bus driver lost control of his vehicle on the R59 outside Meyerton, last month. It crashed through a bridge railing and fell 10 metres to the ground, landing on its side. Fifty-five people were injured, three of them critical. The driver was among those killed together with 19 passengers, the last victim died on the eve of the memorial service.

The bus was reportedly among eight Putco buses taken off the road after it failed a roadworthy test at the Meyerton testing station. After conflicting roadworthy test outcomes were released by the Sedibeng District Municipality, Putco promised to ‘scrupulously’ investigate reports that the bus was unroadworthy. A preliminary investigation showed the bus failed one roadworthiness test, but passed another at sport complex.

A lot of questions have been asked about the road worthiness of the ill-fated bus.
The Gauteng Legislature Roads and Transport Portfolio Committee Chair Nomantu Ralehoko has also raised concern about Putco buses road-worthiness. “Commuters were telling us that most of the Putco buses are not road worthy. They were saying it’s a pity that we never get to ride in those buses, they also showed us pictures that show the buses are not road worthy,” said Ralehoko.

Boipatong monument constructors up in arms

The construction workers at the newly built monument in Boipatong, in the Vaal are up in arms with the main constructor after they were not paid their monthly salary since they started working in the beginning of the year.

A fuming sub-contractor Mpho Mmusi, told the executive mayors of Emfuleni Local Municipality, Greta Nomadlozi Hlongwane and her counter-part Sedibeng District Municipality, Simon Mahole Mofokeng that if they don’t get their money they will drop the tools and asked them to intervene.

This took place when both mayors and their entourage paid the Boipatong monument site a visit in full view of the victims’ families, community and media.
“We urge you as the sub-constructors to intervene because since we have started working here we haven’t got a single penny. Even now the engineers are no longer coming here because of being unpaid” said Mmusi.

It is believed the monument cost thirty two point seven million rands.
The monument is been erected after nineteen years where about forty-five people were gunned down and injured when Inkatha Freedom Party members and apartheid force members attacked the community on June 17th 1992. This follows after political parties taking part in pre democracy negotiations with the National Party government called for suspension, citing complicity in the attacks.

During the attacks Boipatong was ten years old.

According to him since the beginning of the construction of the monument they have been building it from their own pockets. He claimed that they are even afraid to walk in the streets because they owe people money.

“We have spent eight million rands from the money that we borrowed from people and banking institutions. As people of Boipatong we are proud of this monument and even the workers work as volunteers because they hope that someday they will get something. We don’t have money to continue the building of the monument, as we speak the roof is pending” added Mmusi.

Mofokeng promised ‘this matter’ will be attended to before Wednesday.