New Man In The White House

Photo: AP

Fire Ball...

A GLANCE: The sun is about to bury its head before sundown in Johannesburg. Photo: Nkosana Lekotjolo.

Lekota's National Convetion Is Just What We Need

In a democracy like ours, perhaps the former Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota's National Convention is what we need at the moment in the current political climate.

The ANC splinter group which comprise of other heavyweights such as the former Gauteng Premiere Mbhazima Shilowa, the former Defence deputy Mluleki George, the axed Cosatu President Willy Madisha and others - could just be the right alternative voice the country has been waiting for.

If the new political party is to be formed by the ANC splinter group is anything to go by, this should be seen as good news for the sake of our democracy. The new political party (in waiting) - a breakaway ANC faction would provide real opposition in the country.

Perhaps what we are seeing within the ANC as far as the split within the ruling party is concerned, is that the one party democracy that has dominated our democratic dispensation was not working and that the ANC didn't have any credible opposition at all.

Maybe this proves the theory that despite many opposition political parties that exist in the country, only the ANC splinter groupd could give an alternative voice. Photo: The Times

The Beautiful Creation...

BREATHLESS: The breath-taking spectacle at a break of dawn at Centani Resort in the Eastern Cape. Photo: Nkosana Lekotjolo.

Move To Remove Mbeki Now Would Be Regrettable

The speculation is rife that the ANC mostly domintated by the ANC President Jacob Zuma was out to tople the country's President Thabo Mbeki.

The Sunday newspapers quotted sources iniside the ANC that the move to remove Mbeki from office before next year's general elections was gaining momentum.

This it seems - not far from the truth. This comes in the wake of the last Friday's Pietermaritzburg High Court judge Chris Nicholson's ruling. For Zuma and his supporters the ruling validated their long-held view that "there was indeed political interference in the NPA investigation into ANC President Jacob Zuma."

It is pretty clear that the Zuma supporters's call - in particular the ANC Youth League president Julius Malema that, Mbeki must be removed immediatedly, is more than anything motivated by revenge.
Recalling Mbeki now won't be a clever move in particular because their accusations against the president's role in prosecution of Zuma don't warrant his removal from office.

For the sake of unity within the ANC and for the sake of the country's interest, Mbeki should be allowed to complete his term.

Photo: The Times.

Jozi's Golden Sky...

SKY MADE OF GOLD: The Johannesburg sky is filled with golden dust in the afternoon.
Photo: Nkosana Lekotjolo

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What Cosatu stands for

The countrywide national strikes by the Congress of South African Unions (Cosatu) protesting against high cost of living was unfortunate to some extend.

Cosatu was successful in convincing thousands of workers to down tools in the month of August in defiance to what they say was the governmen't fault that Eskom had plugged the country into darkness, that the prices of food and petrol were high; and that the interest rates and high electricity increases were fixed by the government and Eskom.

While Cosatu could count its successes of bringing the country to a standstill - which was very costly for the country's economy during the prostests, and boasting that they had put pressure on the government to listen to its people; sadly enough all the marches were not intending at achieving these noble objectives.

The marches were a politically culculated move aimed at unsettling the government of President Thabo Mbeki. What characterised these marches more than anything else, from the speakers of Cosatu, SACP, ANYL, Young Communist League, SASCO and others was a fierce defence for the ANC President Jacob Zuma.

Zuma's backers believe that it is Mbeki and his government who are behind the move to prevent the ANC president from becoming the country's president.

During these marches again , the main focus was focused on throwing attacks at the NPA (Scorpions), the judges and a cry to put "hands off Zuma."

Once again, the workers were used as a political tool to win political battles.

Photo:

Miriam Mannak, M&G.

A Man's Best Friend

Photos: Nkosana Lekotjolo

The future of ANC leadership

I always believed that there was no credible youth leadership or organisation in South Africa at this stage - that has the interest of young people at heart.

ANC Youth League (ANCYL) President Julius Malema's utterances saying the youth of South Africa would die in supporting ANC President Jacob Zuma; was the affirmation of the kind of young leadership we have in the country at the moment.

Malema shocked the world when he spoke on behalf of South African youth when he said: "We are prepared to die for Zuma .We are prepared to take up arms and kill for Zuma." Malema is "supposedly" one of the best one young leaders after he succeeded the Fikele Mbalula.

It really shouldn't be a surprsise about why Malema is the current ANCY leader and his utterances concerning Zuma, becuase he is the reflection of the organisation that elected him. It is only "natural" that Malema will one day join the rank and file of the ANC leadership and might be in government one of these days.

I Am Ashamed of Being A South African

For the first time in my life I have never felt so ashamed of being a South African untill recently. My embarrasment is fuelled by the ongoing xenophobic attacks that have cripped Gauteng province. I have never seen such hatred that "we" South Africans show to other fellow Africans. I don't care who says what, but there is absolutely no excuse for anyone to deliberately kill another human being. The horrible scences we see in the media recently are the reminiscence of the apartheid. The only difference is these are only senseless killings. Photo: Gianluigi Guercia, AFP

Pic of the day

TALENT UNLEASHED: Dr Mary Malahlela Primary School Marimba Band performs during Ikusasa Lami Orientation Day on 14 May 2008 at the Carnival City, Gauteng. Photo: Nkosana Lekotjolo.

South Africans must renounce Xenophobia

Xenophobia in South Africa is not something new. But the xenophobic attacks reported in the media in Alexandra and recently in Diepsloot - against fellow Africans, is something not only the country should be ashamed of but it's also inhuman to say the least. There is absolutely no excuse for any human being to inflict pain and kill another because they are illigal immigrants and "will take their jobs away."

I don't buy the argument that suggests that African foreigners in the country are the main cause of crime. We seem to have forgotten quickly how we lived and were treated under apartheid. Photo: Antoine de Ras, Daily News.

Poverty is a new war against Africa

With everyone in South Africa feeling the pinch of the forever price increase in oil, interest rates and the soon to be the highest increase in electricity by over 50%, the poor will be hit the hardest. But most significant pressing issue of our time at the moment in the world - in particular in Africa, is the increase in food prices. The media has reported that these increases in high prices have a potential to invoke protests in poor countries because of shortage of food. In South Africa, the highest inflation to be recorded recently was food inflation. It goes without saying that those who will bear the brunt of the escalating food price are the poor in Africa. Poverty is a new war facing Africa and it calls for immediate attention. Unfortunately some stand to benefit from the hungry and poor as they make huge profits from the food demand all over the world. Photo: M&G

Sundown in Jozi

These are some of the beautiful afternoon scenes in Jozi. The main pic looks like a huge hand in the sky on the 22 April 2008.

Photos: Nkosana Lekotjolo

Parreira's depature is not a crisis

Many South African socccer lovers and maybe some in the continent and abroad, - feel that the departure of the Brazilian-born coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira amounts to crisis to the South African national squad.

Also there are already talks of another Brazilian coach Joel Santana who is said to replace Parreira and take reign of Bafana Bafana. For me there is no crisis to the departure of Parreira. But however, what seems to be a crisis though, is the fact that we in South Africa are not able to find a suitable coach in the country or in the entire Africa who is capable to lead Bafana Bafana to the World Cup. This says a lot about our confidence in our African coaches.

Mbeki is an idealist

While MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has passed a vote of no confidence against President Thabo Mbeki’s mediation efforts to try to resolve crisis in Zimbabwe; Mbeki remains optimistic about the situation in that country.

ANC President, Jacob Zuma has come out contradicting Mbeki by calling the situation in Zimbabwe a “crisis,” his cabinet ditching him and the mounting international pressure on SADC to come out to condemn the Zimbabwean situation. Mbeki however remains steadfast about his “soft” diplomatic approach towards President Robert Mugabe. Mbeki’s critics have labeled him as a denialist and have criticized his quiet-diplomacy. This is because Mbeki is an idealist who believes in diplomatic talks to resolve political deadlock in Zimbabwe. Photo: Alexander Joe, AFP

Mighty and strong...

This is a gigantic Fig Tree at the Court Yard Hotel in Cape Town. It was planted in the 1800's and it's a National Monument. Photos: Nkosana Lekotjolo.

Remembering Hani should open debate

Celebrating the 15th anniversary of the late and former communist leader Chris Hani, on the 10 April was a reflection of the social, economic and political ills facing South Africa today.

The tripatite alliance SACP, ANC and Cosatu leaders including Blade Nzimande, Tokyo Sexwale and Zwelinzima Vavi unanimously spoke about the deep social inequalities, greed, poverty and unemployment that confronts our country 14 years in democracy.

Fifteen years later after Hani was killed, many people remain poor and the gap between the poor and the rich widens. These are the realities that should have tha nation talking and reflecting on the gains of democracy. Photo: Nkosana Lekotjolo

Tsvangirai holds hope for Zimbabwe

MDC’s presidential hopeful, Morgan Tsvangirai, holds the lamp of hope in the troubled Zimbabwe. Tsvangirai’s meeting with the African National Congress (ANC) President, Jacob Zuma this week was critical, as this will help both South Africa and Zimbabwe if the two become presidents of their countries. Tsvangirai, a former Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President, not only enjoys huge support among the Zimbabweans, but is also respected by the working class. There are sings of winds of change in Zimbabwe ahead of presidential election results.

The continuing meetings between Tsvangirai and Zuma are crucial in ensuring the future of Zimbabwe and strong ties between the two countries. Tsvangarai not only is seen as a natural president to succeed president Robert Mugabe and a man to bring change and rescue the country from the economic meltdown; but is also viewed as a liberal in the west. The liberal element works in favour of Tsvangarai, as he would be able to convince many of investors who have left the country in the wake of economic collapse and political instability to return. He would also entice foreign investors who are keen to invest in Zimbabwe once he takes rein. There is hope that, under Tsvangarai leadership, Zimbabwe will once again regain its status of being the breadbasket of Africa. Should Tsvangarai’s MDC rule Zimbabwe, there needs to be reconciliation and the extending of an invitation to Mugabe to form the government of national unity for the betterment of the Zimbabweans’ lives.

Lest We Forget

1976 - 2008

John Pilger, a world renowned Journalist, Author and Filmmaker delivered a moving speech entitled “Keeping the unbreakable promises” at Rhodes University to the graduates to which I was one of them.

Pilger spoke about many people across the world including South Africa who prefer we shun away from the atrocities, racism and realities happening in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq and SA. Pilger said: “Unforgettable? For some, yes. But there are those who prefer we celebrate a system of organized forgetting: of unbridled freedom for the few and obedience for the many, of socialism for the rich and capitalism for the poor.”

In the light of this statement by Pilger, it’s a reminder that we must not forget where we come from as a country. This is to say the University of Free State racist video by some white students is the legacy we have inherited from apartheid. In this video, old university cleaners are tricked to eating food urinated on. We must dare not turn a blind eye on racist realities that continue to confront our country.

In striving to be a better people – a better nation, we must work together to up-root and condemn the monster of racism. Our universities must be liberated from racism and racist attitudes. There needs to be an ongoing dialogue to address racism before it explodes again! The students must speak out in the universities against racism, because racism is still a daily reality in our campuses.

Only when we confront racism by talking about it - will we be able to heal, reconcile, forgive and forget as a nation.

It would be a sad day if Mugabe refuses to go

Zimbabwe's post election has been met with speculations about who will be the country 's president. There has not yet been an official announcement about the results of the presidential election. MDC's Morgan Tsvangirai has declared himself a winner of the presidential election. If the accusations of vote rigging are true and Mugabe holds on to power, it would really be a sad day for democracy in Africa. Democratic gains made by Zimbabwe and the rest of Africa would be reversed if Mugabe still wants to rule even when people would have rejected him. Zimbabwe, SADC and the rest of the continent should learn from Kenya and not to repeat the same mistake.

Playing with fire

A woman plays with fire at the Old Gail in Grahamstown. Photo: Nkosana Lekotjolo

Glorious...

The sun rays protrude through the cloud on Monday the 3rd of March 2008, outside my flat in Berea,

Johannesburg. Photo: Nkosana Lekotjolo

The state of our transport system

Photo: Nkosana Lekotjolo

JZ Will Be Persuaded To The Right !

The ANC President Jacob has done it again - sending mix messages. JZ was this week made to apologise to Cosatu for the statemensts he had made during his interview with the Financial Mail. It appears as if JZ had angered Cosatu by his statements that suggested that he is now leaning to the right.

The problem about JZ is that he both want to appear as pleasing the labour and business community at the same time. But one thing is certain though come 2009, JZ will be under a lot of pressure from Cosatu and SACP - people who have made him the ANC president. Cosatu has over the years criticised President Thabo Mbeki's Gear policy. If JZ succeed being the country's president, it will just be a matter of time before he will be swayed to the right, then Cosatu will again be left in the cold and complaining on the sideline.

Pic of the day

Photo:AP

Mbalula on the booze debate

The ANC Youth League president Fikile Mbalula recently met with the SA Liquor Traders Association (Salta) to propose to them that the sale of alcohol should be banned on Sundays.

Some people will dispute with Mbalula’s argument that shutting down the places of liquor on Sunday is not going to change people’s behaviour. The argument is that “no legislation” in the country is going to deter people from indulging in alcohol. Some other people will even say that Mbalula’s argument is counter business growth since in reality alcohol in South Africa generates lot revenue and contributes to the employment. But what all these people who hold this view and everyone else cannot deny is that, Mbalula has a valid point here.

Quote of the day

"Let love be your greatest aim."( 1Corinthians 14:1)

Rock n Roll band playing at the Old Jail in Grahamstown.

Photo: Nkosana Lekotjolo

Africa Needs To Be Taught Its History

I happen to engage some of my colleagues on a subject entitled: Traditional Debate. The debate was about the role of the traditional leaders in the current South Africa. The debate was conducted in the group blog called “newspuppies.blogspot.com”. I must say the debate was heated: full of emotions and passionate views. I must stress that all of my colleagues are all Graduates who hold bachelor degrees and diplomas in various fields. Alas! To my shock I found out from their arguments that there is a little knowledge about how Africa turned out to be what it is today. Most of them believe that we must get rid of our traditional leaders, claiming that we live in a post-modern society. Ironically what they don’t know or fail to acknowledge is the fact that the West (the former colonisers) have their own traditional leaders in the form of Monarchs, Kings or Queens. For me, this debate highlights the urgency for us as Africans to try to re-write our history. For the future of Africa, we need to tell African history from African perspective. I challenge all the academics, intellectuals, professionals and all the Africans to try to correct our past. We cannot afford to have a situation where our young people continue to be misled and miss-informed about the continent’s history.