Just by the Way

Johannesburg – ANC Youth League president Julius Malema described himself as a defender of women who would never promote hatred towards them, when he testified in the Equality Court here yesterday.

“I am a defender of women, I am an activist. The latest woman I defended was the golden girl who was subject to harassment,” he said, referring to athletics gold medallist Caster Semenya who is caught up in a gender verification row. “I don’t have a history in my personal life (or) political life, of promoting hatred to women.”

The Sonke Gender Justice Network laid a complaint of hate speech, harassment and unfair discrimination against Malema after a remark he made at the Cape Peninsula Technikon in January.

“Those who had a nice time will wait until the sun comes out, request breakfast and ask for taxi money. In the morning, that lady requested breakfast and taxi money,” he said of President Jacob Zuma’s rape accuser.

The Network complained that this perpetuated rape myths and could affect its work among boys and men to prevent sexual violence.

Malema’s lawyer, Tumi Mokwena, succeeded in having the unfair discrimination component of the complaint dismissed yesterday, but magistrate Colleen Collis felt there was a prima facie aspect to the hate speech and harassment part, so Malema had to testify.

Mokwena had argued that the context of Malema’s comments was not taken into account.

Before Malema could begin his long-awaited testimony, supporters of both Malema and the Network, who had held parallel protests outside, had to leave the court after the Network’s lawyer complained about an outburst by one of Malema’s supporters.

The matter was postponed to September 21 for cross examination.

Malema said any apology to the “reactionary forces” that lodged the complaint would be hard won. – Sapa

I don’t know what to say, but from the title I think it is pretty clear that I do not support him, or what he says. I can see why people would support every other political figure in South Africa (with one or two exceptions), but do not get why people would want to listen to this guy. I’m sorry.

If the need for our military to become active arises, at the moment South Africa is pretty screwed.

This week, 1 200 members of our defence ministry saw fit to stage a strike to try get a wage increase of 30%. They also had a march on South Africa’s government offices.

The strike was deemed illegal due to the fact that the military is seen as an essential service to the country. (I can’t believe I just typed that). They also caused damage to cars and this may result in their trade union being held responsible for the damage.

What I find ironic is this:

“This potentially leaves our military bases unprotected and without sufficient numbers of soldiers available to assist the police as the need arises,” she said of the protest.

On the radio this morning, the military protesters were described as “running away, trying to climb over a wall in order to get away from the police".

So, why should we even be stressing? Clearly if there is a (highly unlikely) threat to national security, we should call the police rather. Appears that our army is inadequate, maybe they deserve their current salary.

It is 295 days until the start of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Ever since we were announced as the host country for the 2010 soccer world cup, the entire country has been enveloped in a 2010 fever. That fever is understandable, seeing as it is the biggest international sporting event in the world, if I am not mistaken.

The 2010 world cup holds more importance to South Africa than economic opportunities though…

Next year, for the duration of the world cup, South Africa is on show to the world. Hundreds of thousands of tourists will be landing on our airstrips, using our roads, staying in our hotels and eating our food.

All of these people will be going back to their friends and family and telling them stories of their experiences in South Africa. I have the feeling that a lot of them will be coming to South Africa next year, not knowing what will greet them when they land.

That is the perfect opportunity for us to put South Africa “on show” for our foreign guests. Apart from the economical importance, it is important for South Africa to be portrayed as the great country it is. Many people are only coming down to South Africa for their first and only visit.

That means that the FIFA World Cup holds a strong importance in giving people a good account of South Africa. The extra importance that many people do not consider about the world cup, is that it is a perfect opportunity for us to showcase South Africa. When people come here, it is showing the rest of the world how great South Africa truly is.

For us, it is the Cup of Truth, where people leave with the proper image of our country. Not the negative image that is so often seen in the media.

…some of the lowest ticket prices in World Cup history, poor blacks would still not be able to afford to come to the tournament…

The Voice of America website just published an article about the world cup organisers issuing free tickets to South Africa’s poor people. According to that quote, it would appear that you need to be black in order to be poor. That’s pretty sickening.

OR you could interpret it to say that only people who are poor AND black will receive tickets. Ie: If you’re poor and white you aren’t eligible to receive tickets.

I really am not sure which one of these scenarios I would prefer. It is all well and good that these tickets are being issued as it is a great opportunity for our country. It still is pretty sketchy because there are many people (of all race groups) who are not seen as “poor” but will still not be attending any matches next year due to it being too expensive for them.

However, the stadiums are sure to be full either way I am sure. Unlucky for those who can’t afford tickets but who will still be seen as well off enough to afford tickets.

A lot of things have been happening in our neighbouring country lately. Tsvangirai and Mugabe seem to be getting along, and many other things in Zimbabwe seem to be on track towards a better future. I have read that teachers are returning to teach in schools, the country is receiving tax and a myriad of other things that have swung towards the positive next door.

It is about time too, Zimbabwe has been in a terrible state for too long a time. The country has been crippled beyond recognition and has been depreciated by war, poverty, lack of education, inflation and political “differences".

There was hope for Zimbabwe in their latest elections, in the form of Morgan Tsvangirai. That hope was shut down, with many citizens and observers crying foul over the election results and events that lead up to the election.

Now that hope is slowly being restored, after Mugabe allowed Tsvangirai to stand as prime minister. This is a positive start, as Mugabe had never ever wanted anything to do with a sharing of power. He still holds a strong control over certain sectors of the country though.

All these positive things are present in Zimbabwe, but there is still a huge amount of negative over there. In the meantime I think it would be best to shine one side of their coin and hope that spreads to the other over time.

PRETORIA, South Africa — South Africa says it and other developing countries won’t consider the next round of climate change talks successful unless rich nations pay up.

South African officials meeting Tuesday to discuss strategy ahead of the December climate change talks in Copenhagen said at least 1 percent of global GDP should be set aside by rich nations.

That money would help developing countries conduct research and take other steps to cope with climate change. It also could help them obtain technology to reduce their carbon emissions.

Alf Wills, a top South African environmental official, summed up the position: “No money, no deal.”

South Africa, more industrialized than most on the continent, is Africa’s main carbon emitter.

The Associated Press

Demanding that other countries pay developing countries doesn’t really seem too kosher to me. We need the money, but not necessarily for the task of reducing carbon emissions.

Many people most probably disagree with my statement, which I can understand. It doesn’t make too much sense really, even I’ll admit.

In saying that we need (or want) the richer nations to provide us with capital to give us money, we are saying that instead of funding their research, they should fund ours.

I do believe in South African, as well as African countries. I do believe in our scientists and environmental affairs personnel. However, the more industrialised countries in the world have had more experience with climate change. Their scientists are more practiced and researched in creating instruments to slow down carbon emissions.

So why should we demand for 1% of their GDP? Why not demand that they put an extra 1% of their GDP into their own research, and pass it down to us?

Imagine a world where we suspend military spending until AIDS and healthcare is addressed.

A place where nurses smile and doctors are paid fair salaries.

Imagine a world where ministers are driven around in hybrid Toyota Camrys!

A place where expensive wines and cars are for your own account.

Imagine a ruling party that publically takes responsibility for bad service delivery.

A place where unfriendly government workers are replaced with caring public servants.

The citizen’s prayer.

Let’s see the lighter side

I do not want to be a prophet of doom and its important to see the lighter side of things.

Imagine a South Africa

Just read this short piece on our country. Don’t have much to say about it, but I think the time should come where we stop imagining and start doing. I know I’m guilty of dreaming for this amazing country but putting nothing behind those dreams. Are you?

Our land, South Africa has all the potential in the world. Let’s make it happen.

The other day I was in the car listening to the radio. They were discussing the current strikes that have been embarrassing our country for the last while. One of the things said was a summary of Jacob Zuma’s take on all these events: It is the previous administration’s fault that we are in this situation.

Hearing this was amazing to say the least. Did he not promise all of us jobs as his campaign to get voted into power? He made so many promises during the elections, and knew exactly what was going to need to be done to fulfill those promises. So many people believed in him, ignoring his past and looking towards the future he promised to South Africa.

A few months have passed since he was voted in. In this time, he has built a (large) wall in Durban and he has also um…? Danced? Can’t seem to think of anything good that has come forth from his administration as of late.

It would appear that our president is not as amazing as he thought he was. Lets give him the benefit of the doubt and call it cold feet?

Moving away from criticising his broken promises… So lets just say all these strikes are because of the previous party that was in power. So that means that it is the fault of the ANC that our people are unhappy about their pay etc.

If Zuma really meant what he said, then I think he may have forgotten that he is in fact a member of the ANC. Well I hope he did forget that for a little bit, because in that case I may just forgive him. Otherwise he is just trying to be super sneaky and confuse us, but sorry we are not as stupid as a lot of us appear! It could even be him implying that it is the fault of our pre-ANC government for us having these problems. With these politicians, anything is possible.

Even worse than that, is that the masses who listen to them believe their every word.

Seriously now, Zuma is not taking any responsibility for anything in this country. He promised the people A LOT. Now he doesn’t seem to think he has to keep those promises?

Yesterday in the “friendly city” of Port Elizabeth, there was a strike by the municipal workers. They, like every single other organisation in South Africa decided to follow the new trend of striking. The reason why I term it as a trend is because everyone in South Africa these days seems to be doing it, so if you don’t follow the crowd, you’re not cool.

When I was picked up from school, we drove across Cape Road at the intersection where Dagwoods Restaurant is. The images that my eyes saw were nearly rejected by my brain. I was appalled. There was rubbish from the bins on the sidewalk all over the place. It was in the roads, on the pavement, right outside shop doors and in the small park across the road. Two bins that I saw had been completely smashed and broken, leaking their rubbish out into the open to be taken by the wind.

My grandmother who was driving me home said that this was “light” compared to other places, like Rink Street. That was something I could neither comprehend nor comment on. It was unbelievable that I there was a place in a worse state that what was laid out before my eyes.

If our people care so little about their environment that they live in, then they must move out. Our country is constantly bombarded with unemployment statistics, daily. Why should whoever manages these people put up with them? There are plenty of other unemployed people who would love to have a job, any job. Hire them.

I know that it is not that easy due to the fact that they can’t be dismissed unfairly etc, but causing such a disgusting scene is surely a criminal offence? Why has no one been arrested yet? Take the culprits, put them in jail and replace their jobs with people who want to work. That would surely take care of the striking, crime as well as unemployment. The thinking is shallow, basic and a may have a whole lot wrong with it, but maybe it is time the government cracked down hard on people who disgrace our country.

“Stupid Americans” is something I have heard many a South African say. We don’t mean it completely when we say it, we just say it more out of annoyance. I guess that the “stupid” in that statement should (in some cases) rather be replaced with ignorant.

I read a comment on a site that said something along the lines of: “Wow, you’re from India". The following comments suggested that it was a huge surprise that someone from India could be using the internet.

I know we are not the same as India, but South Africa does receive a lot of similar “negative” media coverage from the international broadcasters. This leads many international societies, not just Americans, to believe a lot of untrue things about our country.

I have been asked many a question with the gist of: “How do you live in a place with no roads?” by people who do not live in Africa. I don’t exactly get into conversations like that anymore but I know of a couple of my friends and people that I know of who are often asked those questions. We had a discussion in English about it once.

I guess it is our fault sometimes when South African people perpetuate that idea of us. Some of us do not have the kind hearts of others’ and find it funny to spin a story of how we go to school on elephants etc. Although, sometimes the story teller comes clean and admits that he was joking.

The bottom line is that the world should be well past the stage of seeing us as a “mud-hut country". Many people visiting a city such as Johannesburg or Cape Town, would see the aspects of our country that the media conveniently leaves out.

The leaders of the world know what South Africa is like, they have visited and seen our urban areas. Their people however, are exposed to so much negative media, showing little children suffering, mud huts, riots in townships… It makes you wonder… Is this perception of us (as well as other countries) maybe leading to us not being taken seriously by others?