To serve and NOT protect

So today we saw protests happening out in Bonteheuwel where residents are fed up of the gangsterism and lack of policing in the area. So they decided to join together and protest against the insecurities and devastation which is brought about by gangsterism. Let’s make one thing clear though, Bonteheuwel is not the only area in Western Cape where people are being traumatized by turf wars and drug trade, and let it be said, it will not be the last and only place where protest will occur, but today’s happenings had me a bit “Piissed Off”, to put it lightly. So let’s just get some context, Gangsterism is plaguing Western Cape communities. Opposing gang members will openly shoot at each other. Day time, night time, breakfast, lunch and dinner, it doesn’t matter what time of day, they will shoot. What’s is worst is the amount of innocent lives that are lost because of these shootings. Just this weekend, A person got shot sitting in their living room, in their own house. Luckily, no lives were lost. ( Imaging that, you are lucky for not being killed while sitting in your own house.) You can’t risk having your kids play outside, you can’t risk walking to the corner store, you put your life at risk going to work in the morning and coming home in the evening. This is the reality of living in these areas. Now look at what happened today. Protesters blocked Jakes Gerwel Drive this morning and refused to move when police ask them to because of their frustration. What does the police do, they fire stun grenades to disperse the crowd. Stun grenades get shot at residents who want the police to start protecting their neighbourhood against the scourge which is gangsterism and what do they do, they use force against the victims. Did the crowd retaliate? NO! They dispersed. That is because the crowd was made up of people who want to build their community and not burn it down. I wonder how the police feel? Do they feel like they have done their jobs today? Do they feel superior in this show of force? More importantly though. WILL THEY USE THIS SAME FORCE AND MORE IN TACKLING GANSTERISM IN OUR COMMUNITIES? I doubt it...

How powerful is Zuma?

How powerful is Zuma?

This question will be answered within the next week or so. 

So Jacob Zuma eventually broke his silence by putting out a statement about the sacking of Nhlanhla Nene. And what it briefly says is that his reasons for sacking Nene is because he is to to be nominated for head of the BRICS Bank.

Really Zuma? Really?

And this was so top secret that it could not be said when you made the initial statement about removing Nene from his post I guess. 

Wait! Hold up! You saying that Nene is only nominated. He got fired because he is going to be NOMINATED??? 

Yes Jacob. That is how stupid that comment sounds. 

But could this be the tipping of the iceberg? 

This comment is not the usually arrogant statements that Zuma puts out. This comment seems to be put out due to pressure. 

The question is, pressure from who?

It cannot just be pressure from the South African public. Zuma has been screwing us over for years while laughing about it. It can't be the rest of the world. Not long ago, Zuma gave the international criminal court and the rest of world the "middle finger" when he allowed Sudan president Omar-Al Basir to escape arrest. 

So who is putting the pressure on Zuma?

My best guess would be factions within the ANC. There those who now realize that Zuma has reached his expiry date. And it's not that idiots "speakers" who are continuously in the public domain speaking, but without any relevance.

 

There are those behind the scenes who have come to the realization that if they do not act now, the ANC may lose the power of having a 2/3 majority in parliament. Without the 2/3 majority, how will they pass new legislation? How will they control rival political parties? How will they be able to bend the rules for their own benefit?

The ANC's power lies in it's ability to make decisions without any hassles as it has a 2/3 majority and this may be now at risk.

The fact that no one from the ANC has come out and fully backed Jacob Zuma's decision may also lead to questions around his decision.

So we wait in anticipation. 

If Jacob Zuma remains president of South Africa and the leader of the ANC, we will truly know how powerful he is.

Watch me Dudu... I'll get rid of Nene

That is most likely what Zuma was singing to "his girl on the side" Dudu Myeni. This after Nhlanhla Nene stopped Dudu Myeni in her tracks when he rejected the SAA Airbus deal all but a week a go. 

But I cannot say that. I am just speculating when I say something like that. There is no actual proof. 

Well then Jacob Zuma, why do you not give us the reasons for why you fired Nene?

Oh. I forgot. That is not your style. We may not hear from you again for the next 2 weeks or so. 

That is usually how you play it. 

But by the looks of it, you are probably pushing for a 2 for 1 deal. The Airbus deal and the Nuclear Power deal for the firing of 1 finance minister.

One thing for sure, these actions prove but one thing. The ANC does come first and then South Africa. Zuma is really living up to that statement. 

Nhlanhla Nene, one of the few ministers in the current ANC Cabinet who showed an interest in what is best for South Africa. One who listened, questioned, listened and then answered. And his answers were based on what he saw, thought and felt. He was not programmed to give an ANC answer. 

Then I listen to the comments made by ANC Speaker, Zizi Kodwa. And we must make sure that we classify this role properly for a spokesperson speaks on what he understands and believes on behalf on individuals or a group and a Speaker simply opens their mouth and noise comes out. That is what every so called ANC spokesperson is. Nothing but a Speaker that transmits noise.

(Needed to vent there)

Well all what Zizi Kodwa said was that Jacob Zuma exercised his constitutional prerogative to appoint a new finance minister. 

Well done Zizi!! That really put me at ease. Next time, tell the people who are making the noise that comes out of your mouth to grow a pair and say what they actually feel.

They might lose their position, but like Nene, they will gain our respect.

Thank you Zuma for bringing back my fire.

So I have been quiet for a few years. Not that there hasn't been controversy in SA politics, just that there was a fire in me that dimmed. But tonights events has forced my writing hand. 

As I am writing this, I am still in shock and to be honest a bit angry. Angry at the fact that we have such an arrogant "leader" that fully believes that he can do what he wants and there is nothing that "we" can do about it. 

And I am ashamed to say... HE IS RIGHT. 

And it is not because there is not enough people to stand against what Zuma is and what the ANC has become. He is right because "WE" who are willing to stand against Zuma and his cabinet are not unified ourselves. We do not have the power of one.

This brings us to the reason for my shock and anger. Nhlanhla Nene has been removed as Minister of Finance by Jacob Zuma and I can honestly say, no one saw this coming. 

So now we all wait in anticipation to hear what lame reasons are put forth by Zuma as to why this was needed.

But I do believe that I know what that actual reason is. 

So thank you Zuma for bringing back my fire.

Oh where, oh where has our President gone. Oh where, oh where can he be...

This I the song that comes to mind whenever questions get ask about issues involving our Great Leader. He who has been chosen by God to lead us "lambs."
And the way things are going, we are most likely being led to the slaughter.

We find ourselves with a president who, at this point, doesn't have the courage to face allegations laid against him.
Whenever issues arise that questions our president's values and his management capabilities, his first reaction is to keep quiet and not say anything. He would rather have his minions categorically state that the presidency is not involved, than to come forward and give his say.

This is scary, because if you cannot stand up for yourself, how do you expect people to believe that you will stand up for them.

But what am I saying, this will be our presidents final term after the next elections.  (Yes, let's not kid ourselves. The ANC is going to win the next election)
So he will be looking to make enough money, strike up the right relationships and put into law the necessary policies to benefit himself snd his friends.

So this would mean that he would be to busy to face up to any allegations against him.

And just like that, "POOF", they're gone.

It has been 5 days since we went to make our mark in the municipal elections and everything went off without a glitch. Well, not counting an electoral office that was burnt down and a road leading to another being demolished, there was no major issues. The IEC did an exceptional job and they should be congratulated on a job well done.

We ourselves should stand up and accept a huge round of applause for our interest that we have shown in this elections. We stood in queues and made our mark in support of our favoured political party.

If we look at what happened in this election, the ANC re-established it's dominance in South Africa. But this victory was not as sweet as what the leaderboard suggests. Fact is that the ANC lost support. Whether it was because of former ANC supporters voting for other political parties or for the fact that some ANC supporters refused to vote, it will remain that this was not a "great victory" for them.
The DA on the other hand are walking around all happy with themselves. They have once again re-affirmed their dominance in the Western Cape and have gained votes in various areas. If this trend should continue, we might just have a new party ruling South Africa in the near future. And then I would love to see the biblical implications because like we all know, according to our ruling party, the ANC will rule until The Saviour returns.

And just like that, POOF, they're gone.
It's like they all dissappeared!

But what has happened to our politicians?

It feels a bit weird. For the last few months, you could not even turn your head and you would hear something about some political party.
But what does this mean? Why are they not saying anything anymore?

But I am sorry to say, "This is what politics has become." It has evolved from a job which meant that people wanted to serve their community to a job which means that you have to trick people to put you into power so that you can do whatever you want whenever you like to grow your bank account.

With all the campaigning and all the visiting of areas, you would think that politicians would revisit those areas to thank the people for voting for them.

But no! They have all received what they set out to get and now they can go about doing what they want. It is no longer necessary to kiss ass and promise, promise, promise! That is until the next elections!

A-N-C Another National Crisis

A-N-C Another National Crisis

This is what South Africa, our beloved country, is heading towards unless something changes in the way that our country is being run. We find that we live in a society where right is right and wrong, well wrong is acceptable as long as you don't screw over the wrong people. Well, you have to know the right people as well to get away with corruption. Just ask everyone in parliment and they will tell you.

I have been watching all media events over the last few weeks and I am shocked to see what is happening within our mists. On the one hand you have Julius who is currently fighting a battle over a struggle song. I found it rather amusing to see how the defense tried to push their argument by getting a white afrikaner to explain what the black youth league president meant when he said "boer." Then you have Julius making the comment saying that he finds it funny how the prosecutor is changing his argument from race to nationalization of land and that the ANC is going to take the land. "What a chop!"
What I want to know is, what does Julius have on Zuma that makes him untouchable. Makes him able to run his mouth, say absolutely anything no matter how stupid or insulting, and then still get away with it. Must be something big.

Then you have the services delivery protests that are happening. Mind you, not that much in Cape Town hey. People in ANC lead municipalities are protesting due to poor service delivery and mainly the selection of ANC candidates contesting in the municipal elections. People have raised their voices and even attacked and confronted police officials due to this. This just shows the serious nature of the matter and this has lead to the death of a protestor in Ficksburg, 300km south of Johannesburg. A shocking incident which led to a senseless killing. There is currently trial underway do determine if the police officers will be granted bail and we will without a doubt hear more about this in the future. But we should not forget what led to this incident. The dissatifaction with the way the ANC is running their municipality.

I have always asked the question. How strong would the ANC be without the backing of COSATU? I thought that how would be able to answer this question when COSATU started questioning the ANC about issues and demanding changes. But alas! That was just a show put on for the COSATU members to make them think that their best interests are being looked after. I take it, the miners working the Aurorer mines owned by family of Jacob Zuma and Nelson Mandela. The miners have been waiting for salaries owed to them for over 5 months, yet one of the owners of Aurorer mines could donate R1 million to the ANC for their election campaign. Not only that, when the ANC was approached and asked to return the monies so that it could be given to the unpaid mine workers and the families, they refused. And then they say they have our best interests at heart.

We are at a fork in our political path. With all the happenings with the ANC, it is difficult to see how they can still win the majority wards. But that will happen.

And where is our president?
When will he comment on what is happening currently in our country?

Struggling with the "Struggle Song"

Yet again Julius Malema finds himself in the spotlight. He has been a bit quiet over the last few months and it's good to see him back to his old self. The matters surrounding his return to being the centre of attention is his singing of a "struggle song" that includes the words, "kill the boer." This has shaken a group of people, noticably "white people" in feeling offended and they are asking for the banning of this song.

Julius Malema, with the backing of the ANC of course, is saying that this is a struggle song and is part of our heritage. It is sang in rememberence of the struggle in the apartheid regime. My question to that is, "Why is it required to sing struggle songs considering that we have been "free" for over 15 years now?" I know it is always important to remember what has happened in our past, but if that results in us becoming attacking and threatening towards others, then we should really consider our position. This will only make us the same as those that many people fought against to ensure our freedom. We will become our own worst nightmares and everything that was gained through the struggle will filter into nothing.

Coming back to the topic, "Why is the ANC still singing struggle songs at this point in time?"
Throughout history, wherever there have been people who have been oppressed, people have been singing songs to motivate themselves to stand up against those who have took away their rights. These would normally been people in power, in control, GOVERNMENT. But wait, this doesn't make sense to me. The ANC is in power are they not. They are the ones ruling most of South Africa. So why are they singing struggle songs. They are in control.They are the ones who have the power. If they see struggling and oppression, they can step in and ease the situation. So why?

I unfortunately don't see this matter just blowing over. In todsys society, winning is everything and this will ultimately lead to this matter dragging on and on. Julius will never admit defeat and will fight for all his worth. And there is no stopping a person with the attitude of, "I am right and you are a BLOODY AGENT!"

You are free to vote for whomever WE want you to.

YOU are free to vote for whomever WE want you to.

This is the impression that is given when we look at what is currently happening within the ANC. There are protests taking place in no less than 60 ANC branches across South Africa over the selection process of candidates who will be running in the local municipal elections. Protesters are lodging complaints at the ANC headquarters because the candidates which they have chosen are being over-looked and those that are being chosen seem to have ties with current ANC high ranking officials. The people are lodging complaints and have yet not obtained a response to justify why these candidates were chosen.

This story has made headlines and has simply just faded away. I would like to bring this up because this links to what I have been asking myself for a while.

How free and fair is our elections?

If we look at something like this we realize that we are being brainwashed by the illusion of "living free". We believe and it is driven into our heads that we have a choice in how our country is being run. The only influence we have is that of putting a party into power. The rest is out of our hands. Yet, we seem to be the ones who bear the brunt all the hardships that take place. We the ones who have to pay more for food, pay more taxes, put up with poor service delivery, etc.

So why is it so easy for us to be manipulated like this?

It is because we choose to be "sheep" We choose to run around in a field, in a group, making a noise. But if we are given the opportunity to stand alone. We freeze and become unresponsive. This is why it is so easy to take advantage of us, because if we start to make a noise, all that has to be done is to have us separated.

It is about time that we start looking at what is happening around us. What our response would be if we found ourselves in testing situations. We should consider coming up with solutions instead of only acknowledging problems. We should take a stand, question and not just accept what is being said. We should not be afraid to take a stand, even though it means that we will be standing alone.

If we can start doing this, we will start being responsible and accountable for achieving a better life for all.

De Lille's Boo Monday

Today we celebrated Human Rights Day. Dancing, singing and simply enjoying one another's company. Everywhere, people were rejoicing as one.
Well, almost everywhere.

Patricia de Lille was not one of those fortunate people. She got a rather rude welcoming at a ceremony at Athlone Stadium. When going up to do her opening speech, she got "booed" from a certain section of the crowd, that were obviously representing a certain political party. Funny though that she would be denied her Right to Freedom of Speech on Human Rights Day.

But what mindless people would perform this mindless act?
How mindless was the act?

I have no doubt that the individuals who performed the act was mindless. However, could this have been planned?
If you look at the situation. You find that on the one hand, you have a political party (ANC) in control of a country. In control of every province except the Western Cape. On the other, you have the direct opposition (DA) in control a province that you want to rule.
What do you do to try to strengthen your position?
Well that's simple. You induce a picture of unhappiness and instability relating to your opposition. So you get a group of mindless individuals to "boo" your direct opposition. This will give the impression that you have a strong political backing within an area and if you are lucky, you will have the person who is "bearing the brunt of it" maybe react in a manner that undermines them and gives their political party a bad name.

There is also another aspect that we can look at. And this is the position of the new ANC premier Marius Fransman. You can have him looking like someone who has control over the masses by stopping an "out-of-hand" crowd to protect your opposition. Now how powerful and great a person must you not be if you can save your enemy. This action could spring-board your reputation.

Did it work?
Unfortunately not. Simply because of the media. The media are writing it as it should be seen, as a disrespectful act. This is not the attention that the ANC needed.

But maybe there is a silver lining. This could distract the attention away from the happenings in Pietermaritzburg where an ANC meeting went horribly sour with allegations of corruption in selecting of ward candidates.

This hasn't been a good couple of weeks for the ANC has it!

Shaik, Rattle and Roll

Shaik, Rattle and Roll...

This is probably what the DA is singing right about now. With all these things happening implicating the ANC. And just before the municipal elections! No guess who's voices are all merry at this point.

It seems that everything is going against the ANC at this present moment. The Jimmy Manyi comments are just starting to fade away and now they have to worry about Shabir Shaik and what he might do if he is sent back to prison. So I am waiting in anticipation to see how they are going to mange to resolve this issue.

If we go back to when Jacob Zuma and Shabir Shaik were being trialed for corruption, I found it rather strange that no-one focused on the matter of the two choosing to be trialed separately. This was ultimately done because there was no doubt that the verdict would be guilty. It was simply a matter of rather just having one take the fall. And if one of the two was without a doubt going to become the next president of South Africa, it wouldn't have taken a genius to establish who that would be. And when you president of a country, you can have a few things done what other people cannot. eg, being released from prison after serving two and a half years of a 15 year
sentence for being terminally ill, but not seeming to be able to die. (NB, It might be a miracle.)

The problem is now that Shabir finds himself in a position where he allegedly struck a reporter on a golf course and a man outside a mosque. This means that his parole can be revoked and he'll be sent back to prison. But because he took the fall a few years back, he believes that he is somewhat untouchable because Jacob Zuma owes him. And you couldn't wish for a better person in a better position to have in your pocket.

This leaves the ANC in a dilemma though. They can only protect Shaik to a certain extend because of all that has happened and the attention around the matter. But Shaik has become a loose canon and no-one can tell when he is going to fire. I think, that will most likely happen if he is sent back to prison. But that is seeming more and more unlikely because that would mean the end of Jacob Zuma's presidency and the media frenzy of all time.
So the ANC will pull all the strings to ensure that Shaik comes off "scott free."

Most Dangerous

In politics, the most dangerous person is not necessarily the one who has nothing to lose, but rather the one who has nothing to gain.

This is because this person cannot be looked at as having a hidden agenda, thus he or she cannot be countered. He or She also attracts the attention of more people who look at the matter simply because they are eager to find out why this person would say this.

This is the situation that the ANC find themselves in after Archbishop Desmond Tutu's speech in which he criticises the Zuma administration. They cannot counter what Tutu said, firstly because he has been a major figure in the "fight for freedom" in South Africa and secondly because, to publicly criticise Tutu,who has nothing to gain, would mean they would jeopardise losing more support. So they will not comment on what Tutu said so this story will simply filter away into the background.

They will have to do something though. Turning on someone within the organisation will most likely be the best bet to distract the media attention away from current matters.

But this is not likely to happen now. The president is currently in the Western Cape trying to rally support from the "coloured vote."
(Yes, yes. I know. I called it. Zuma's visit to Western Cape that is.)

The question that remains is,
"Why has the president not commented on the happenings over the past month and when will he?"

The obvious answer is that he wants a second term in office. He finds himself between a "rock and a hard place."
If he comments he will have to choose a side.
Either that of his cabinet, who made certain comments, but this would mean that he would lose the coloured vote and that means Western Cape.
If he takes actions against his cabinet who made certain comments, he risk mutiny. "Think Thabo Mbeki."

So don't hold your breath waiting to hear an answer from "OUR PRESIDENT!"
THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

We are in charge and we will do what we want!

We are in charge and we will do what we want!

That is basically what the ANC is saying by defending Jimmy Manyi and his comments about "Coloureds" and "Indians." Has it come to this where we have a political party, that is so held up on the fact that they are the majority, so they can do what they want because they will always be in power. And then it is done in clear view of the public as if to say that, they (the ANC) do not care what we know because we can do nothing about it.
The Nerve!!

I look at what politics has become and it is shocking to think how far it has evolved. Evolved from helping and supporting a nation to becoming a "get rich scheme" for politicians. If you look at it, politicians are more concerned about getting their piece of the pie, while they still in their term, than the concerns and needs of those who elected them to power. And then it happens as if in a pyramid scheme. You have 10 people in power that are making money, then that 10 nominate 2 new members in while 2 of the long serving members retire. Then in the next term, the same thing happens so that they can split the wealth, but only with those who are in their circle. The bad thing is that this is done so openly that people do not expect it to be wrong. I mean, "Who commits a crime in front of millions of people without any worries?"

Why is it then that we are just accepting everything that is being thrown our way?
For that answer, we have to look back to our "freedom from oppression."

The main weapon that we used to secure our freedom was "intellect." That was a weapon that we could use at any time and most importantly, we could never be disarmed. That was the main reason why we were able to rise up and free ourselves.

Now look at what is happening today.
Today we find ourselves in a society were we have of the worst matric results that we have ever had. Our school curriculum is is such a state they pupils in secondary schools have the reading and writing capabilities of a primary school level. In short, Students are being brought up to have a lesser intellect and this is why we are just accepting everything that is being thrown our way.

Why is this being done?
So that students do not have the capacity to think for themselves when they reach a mature level which means that that will not have the urge to stand up against government to ensure equality for all. You will not have boycotts. You will not have demonstrations. You will not have questioning of decision making.YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO WHAT YOU WANT!!!

"I am not a RACIST"

I'm sorry, but...

"I am not a RACIST!"
This is without a doubt the saying of the moment. A saying that Jimmy Manyi and Nomakula (Kuli) Roberts is using to try to convince people that they are simply being misinterpreted.
"Shame! Poor Jimmy and Kuli!"
If only the two had just thought before saying what they said, something we are taught as children to do, they would be still sitting on the high pedestals... Wait a minute! They are still sitting on that high pedestals. They just find themselves in a bit of bother. But what do they care. The worst thing that could happen is that they are forced into early retirement and get a lump some of money to disappear. In Jimmy's case, this is inevitable. The ruling party will have to throw him to the wolves to try to secure something that they are eager to obtain. "The Coloured Vote."

This will not be that easy though.
Not just because "coloureds" are not idiots, but also because this has been the one thing that the official opposition has been seeking, to use against them before the local municipal elections. And use it they will!
This means that the ruling party will have to get rid of Jimmy a good time before the elections takes place so that they can give the impression that they are all for "coloureds: and against what Jimmy said.
I say that this will happen within the next month.

So what does this mean to the "Insulted Coloured Race?"

Simply that for the next few weeks,

1. Their asses will be kissed by everyone involved in government.
2. They can expect better service delivery.
3. Better living and housing standards.
4. Special visits by government officials.

J.Z is coming to Mitchels Plain people!

And Jimmy and Kuli?
What will happen to them?
Well, they will most likely fade into the background. Disappear without a trace to live their lives in the "lap of luxury."

Trevor Whatever

Short Intro

I am a PROUD SOUTH AFRICAN living in the most beautiful city on earth. CAPE TOWN!!! 
Without a doubt, the one place that everyone wishes to visit. Once they have, they do not want to leave. 

Q: Who am I personally?
A: That is not important.

What is important is the impression I print on your lives.

Whether comments are positive or negative, relevant or irrelevant, inspiring or uninspiring, if it's worth talking about, I'll talk about it so keep an open mind. 

Your feedback will be much appreciated.
Do not worry,I have an open mind as well.

So here's to talking up a storm.