KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development KLydia Johnson has conceded that the democratic government was facing serious challenges in terms of the kind of support they were giving to people starting their enterprises, in particular, the Black small and emerging enterpreneurs.
She was giving a keynote address to the FABCOS Roadswhow on challenges faced by the SMME's to access funding.
Johnson cited access to finance, lack of markets and the question of skills development as the critical factors that were impending and hindering the realisation of a broader socio-economic sector towards the total transformation of the South African political economy.
"Challenges of access to finance faced daily by our people, be they, informal traders, street vendors or low-scale farmers remain critical in the South African economy.
Unless as government and the private sector start to address the issue of training, mentorship, management development and how we market our products, the small emerging entrepreneur will never graduate from one operational level to the next.
In line with the ANC's 2007 Polokwane Conference resolutions our government, has among others, prioritised agriculture and rural development to empower the masses of our people.
Agriculture is going to be a platform to fight poverty as we build our economy" said Johnson.
She added that low-scale farming and commercial farms, already own by Black businesspeople, will be prioritised by the KZN government and announced that it had established partnership with the Ithala Bank's Business Finance Unit to fasttrack African entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector.
According to Johnson, the provincial department of finance and economic development under the stewardship of MEC Michael Mabuyakhuluhad dedicated/allocated a large chunk of budget to be utilised as seed money by the Black farming community.
"Empowerment, in line with the KZN government ethos, is not about taking away or repossessing the commercial farms from operators that were encountering difficulties in servicing their loans but we've pledged to give them full support in terms of more funding and technical educational programmes towards the better utilisation of the agrarian reforms" concluded Johnson.
However, it was Ithala's Divisional Manager on Business Finance Unit Neli Shezi who assurred participants that SME's access to finance awaits prospective businesspeople.
She said Ithala aims to become a catalyst that empower and capacitate all the Black small and emerging entrepreneurs in the province.
"The challenge though that Ithala was facing are the people who get funding from the bank and fail to service it. We have established a fund dedicated to assist Black farmers to service their loans by giving them a certain percentage as a grant and co-operatives are encouraged to apply as no collateral is required,
For example, when you're given a R100 000,00 loan you can only pay back R80 000,000 as the other R20 000,00 not repayaid and is designed to fasttrack socio-economic opportunities to our customers" said Shezi.
She further called upon Ithala clients to put in own contribution to lower gearing, eventhough, lack of collateral was not an automatic disqualification, and adverse credit record was not regarded as an automatic exclusion because Ithala was a finacier concerned with the developmental impact of their customers.
Also the Chief Operating Officer of Khula Enterprises Finance Ltd Mkhululi Mazibuko noted that they too were prioritising SME development and they were using various channels to unlock funding to leverage SME's footing.
However, Mazibuko cautioned that many lenders still suffer from insufficient understanding of the SME's landscape in South Africa's political economy.
Ends
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
DO WE FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT INFORMS THE DARFUR CRISIS?
Was the civilised world kept informed 'impartially' about the worst interstate crisis currently taking place in the Darfur region?
Was the conflict serving any interest to the present Western Capitalism or neo-loberal agenda?
Was the Darfur crisis intensified to satisfy or serve the interest of the Western Europe or the interests of the Middle East region?
Was the crisis 'tribalised' to divide the Darfur population, if so, who stand to benefit in the crisis?
Mahmood Mamdani radically alters our understanding of the crisis in Darfur through the well-researched analysis by an African-Arab person from East Africa who was also taking pain over the tragic developments in that region.
Mamdani's recently-launched book 'Saviours and Survivors' (Darfur, Politics and the War on Terror) attempts to explain how the conflict in the Darfur began as a civil war (1987-89) between nomadic and peasant tribes over fertile land in the south that was triggeredby the severe drought that had expanded the Sahara Desert by more than sixty miles in forty years.
Mamdani explains how British colonial officials had artificially "tribalised" Darfur.
He explains how the Britons 'divided' Darfur populations into 'native' tribes and creating homelands for the former at the expense of the latter.
Presently there is warrant of arrest against the Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir issues by the International Criminal Court.
Must we stop complaining about the ICC targeting African leaders as all the ICC does is aimed to implement the values on justice and the respect for law and human rights.
Was the Western world confusing the victims to the perpetrators, if so, according to whose standards do we regard the violations of human rights.
Recently, political correspondent Peter Fabricius cited South Africa's Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel's speech to the African Union whereby there was a call made about the pivotal role of neo-liberalism played in addressing human right issues in the continent.
The pertinent question to be posed to the outside world is to fully understand the factors that militate for or against the continuation of the crisis.
He (Mamdani) unpacks in broader detail how the Darfur 'civil war' intensified in the 1990's when the Sudanese governmemt tried unsucessfully to address the problem by creating 'homelands for tribes' without any consultative arrangement.
As political historians we have to look at how the involvement of opposition parties gave rise in 2002 to two rebel movements.
Does the World Health Organisation and the Human Rights Watch have any merits in declaring the strife torn Sudan as a 'genocide' ?
Mamdani disputes this assessment but does describe what is taking place there to have lead to 'brutal insurgency and a horrific counterinsurgency'.
Documented historical records do explain that the civil war in Sudan could be traced to the twenty-year civil war the country had with the neighbouring Chad.
Accordingly, this civil war had created confrontation between Libya's Muammar al-Gaddafi who was supported by the Soviet Union and the United States under the Ronald Reagan administration, coupled with the proxy involvement of France and Israel.
The central question therefore is what informed that powerdul Western lobby to declare Darfur as a 'War on Terror' two years after the 11/9/2001?
Outlining his book personally at the Ike's Books recently, Mamdani said his book focuses on three main issues that were salient in 2003 when he began to research the book.
He said there was a movement in advocacy, in particular, the 'Save the Darfur' campaign taking in the United States.
He also looked at the length of the 'marketing and the sensationaliation' the Darfur crisis was gettng full length coverage in the mass media in the Western world.
However, Mamdanmi noted, his book was concerned about the alternative conflict in Darfur and about how it was framed?
Mandani asks what is to be done , what is the way forward about Darfur?
"We need to focus at how we have been able to tackle crisis of similar of worst character in the region, and why do we treat Darfur differently, and why do we treat Darfur in a separate manner to all the crisis we've seen in Africa? " asks Mamdani.
Mamdani adds that the majority of people who have died in Darfur,say 70%, were never killed by insurgents but died of drought, diarhorea and all other common or preventable diseases.
Mamdani questions the role played by the WHO and accusses it of playing a dubious role in reporting the Darfur Crisis to the wider international media.
"As a matter of fact, the Darfur Crisis is a worst human disaster but I suggest we take all the figures supplied by the international NGO's with a pitch of salt as they frame death figures in order to get more funding" cautioned Mandani
Was the conflict serving any interest to the present Western Capitalism or neo-loberal agenda?
Was the Darfur crisis intensified to satisfy or serve the interest of the Western Europe or the interests of the Middle East region?
Was the crisis 'tribalised' to divide the Darfur population, if so, who stand to benefit in the crisis?
Mahmood Mamdani radically alters our understanding of the crisis in Darfur through the well-researched analysis by an African-Arab person from East Africa who was also taking pain over the tragic developments in that region.
Mamdani's recently-launched book 'Saviours and Survivors' (Darfur, Politics and the War on Terror) attempts to explain how the conflict in the Darfur began as a civil war (1987-89) between nomadic and peasant tribes over fertile land in the south that was triggeredby the severe drought that had expanded the Sahara Desert by more than sixty miles in forty years.
Mamdani explains how British colonial officials had artificially "tribalised" Darfur.
He explains how the Britons 'divided' Darfur populations into 'native' tribes and creating homelands for the former at the expense of the latter.
Presently there is warrant of arrest against the Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir issues by the International Criminal Court.
Must we stop complaining about the ICC targeting African leaders as all the ICC does is aimed to implement the values on justice and the respect for law and human rights.
Was the Western world confusing the victims to the perpetrators, if so, according to whose standards do we regard the violations of human rights.
Recently, political correspondent Peter Fabricius cited South Africa's Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel's speech to the African Union whereby there was a call made about the pivotal role of neo-liberalism played in addressing human right issues in the continent.
The pertinent question to be posed to the outside world is to fully understand the factors that militate for or against the continuation of the crisis.
He (Mamdani) unpacks in broader detail how the Darfur 'civil war' intensified in the 1990's when the Sudanese governmemt tried unsucessfully to address the problem by creating 'homelands for tribes' without any consultative arrangement.
As political historians we have to look at how the involvement of opposition parties gave rise in 2002 to two rebel movements.
Does the World Health Organisation and the Human Rights Watch have any merits in declaring the strife torn Sudan as a 'genocide' ?
Mamdani disputes this assessment but does describe what is taking place there to have lead to 'brutal insurgency and a horrific counterinsurgency'.
Documented historical records do explain that the civil war in Sudan could be traced to the twenty-year civil war the country had with the neighbouring Chad.
Accordingly, this civil war had created confrontation between Libya's Muammar al-Gaddafi who was supported by the Soviet Union and the United States under the Ronald Reagan administration, coupled with the proxy involvement of France and Israel.
The central question therefore is what informed that powerdul Western lobby to declare Darfur as a 'War on Terror' two years after the 11/9/2001?
Outlining his book personally at the Ike's Books recently, Mamdani said his book focuses on three main issues that were salient in 2003 when he began to research the book.
He said there was a movement in advocacy, in particular, the 'Save the Darfur' campaign taking in the United States.
He also looked at the length of the 'marketing and the sensationaliation' the Darfur crisis was gettng full length coverage in the mass media in the Western world.
However, Mamdanmi noted, his book was concerned about the alternative conflict in Darfur and about how it was framed?
Mandani asks what is to be done , what is the way forward about Darfur?
"We need to focus at how we have been able to tackle crisis of similar of worst character in the region, and why do we treat Darfur differently, and why do we treat Darfur in a separate manner to all the crisis we've seen in Africa? " asks Mamdani.
Mamdani adds that the majority of people who have died in Darfur,say 70%, were never killed by insurgents but died of drought, diarhorea and all other common or preventable diseases.
Mamdani questions the role played by the WHO and accusses it of playing a dubious role in reporting the Darfur Crisis to the wider international media.
"As a matter of fact, the Darfur Crisis is a worst human disaster but I suggest we take all the figures supplied by the international NGO's with a pitch of salt as they frame death figures in order to get more funding" cautioned Mandani
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
WHO MUST LEAD AFRICA'S REBIRTH-WHO IS AN AFRICAN?
For over many centuries black scholars and African people have been grappling with the the debate of defining who really qualifies to be called an "African", but to date, no common paradigm seem to be standard or prevail.
During the successive African Renaissance KZN Chapter conferences, commissioners steeped in Pan-Africanism normally devote tremondous amount of their time and energy to broadly define who should be spearheading the enormous challenges the continent was facing as it attempts to re-awaken itself as it integrate to the global political economy.
Two years ago, the eminent Pan-African scholar Ngila Muendane, argued that some African people were confused and were avoiding calling themselves 'African' but were pandering to the liberal anti-nationalism.
Muendane stressed an emphasis that as Africa re-awakens itself from the underdevelopment slumber, African intellectuals have a moral duty to 'develop a common Africanparadigm or common ethos from which to depart'.
The African Renaissance, says Muendane, could be styled to the "British character" , "American Dream" or what the Jewish people define as "Zionism".
"There are non-Africans who want to qualify as Africans, and they are welcome but should abandon identifying themselves with Europeans and must begin to embrace the African value systems.
An African to spearhead the rebirth of Africa is person who has links to this continent and identifies with Africanness because it is eternal and does not depend on shifty and meaningless things,such as skin pigmentation" explained Muendane.
And the Durban-based Cultural and Heritage activist Nhlanhla Mtaka is of the strong view that African people must firdt cement an identical and ethical culture that was underpinned by service excellence, aptly referred as Ubuntu philosophy.
"Being African is not essentially linked to colonisation and oppression but must be seen in the historical, and contemporary social, economic and cultural realities.
And we must unleash these vital factors as a powerful crusade with all our capacities to awaken the sleeping giant-our continent Mother Africa- to become a moral beacon and a powerful global player forever" noted Mtaka.
Mtaka added that it is the culture, history and attachment to these and consciousness of such identity and not skin colour that makes one an African, and he implored people to discuss issues such as identity, culture and heritage as free people who must set their own agenda ina unique miellieu accordint to their own realities.
However, that renowned African writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o has penned a book, titled 'An African Renaissance -Something Torn and New' whereby he alludes to a radical understanding of needs to be grappled by African people towards the realisation of the African Renaissance.
"Over centuries of contact with the West, Africa has suffered the deprivations of slavery, colonialism and globalisation.
An integral part of this tragic encounter has been "Europhonism" "observes wa Thiong'o.
wa Thiong'o alludes to the fact that African people started by replacing native names and language systems with Europeans ones.
Acording to him, this remains the worst tragedy ever to the African development because, he writes, 'language is a communal memory bank'.
"In loosing its native languages, Africa would loose its social meaning,ite very identity" says wa Thiong'o.
wa Thiong'o traces Africa's fragmentation and restoration amidst the global history of colonisation and modernity.
IUn seeking the revitalization of Africa, Ngugi argues, that a renaissance of African languages is a necessary step in the restoration of African wholeness.
He(Ngugi) speaks of the 'decolonisation of modernity'.
"Africans, in the Diaspora and on the continent, were soon to be the recipients of this linguistic logic of conquest,with two results.
NAgugi calls this practise as the Dismembering Practises, and is of the view that without tackling this malady, Africa is faced with serious challenges with its renewa, beacause he states Africans were "Dismembered from the land, from labour, from power, and from memory. The resultis destruction of the base from which people launch themselves into the world".
And the pertinent question remains about how do the African people develop a common paradidm and ethos that takes them into the other levelas they attempt to revitalise themselves.
During the successive African Renaissance KZN Chapter conferences, commissioners steeped in Pan-Africanism normally devote tremondous amount of their time and energy to broadly define who should be spearheading the enormous challenges the continent was facing as it attempts to re-awaken itself as it integrate to the global political economy.
Two years ago, the eminent Pan-African scholar Ngila Muendane, argued that some African people were confused and were avoiding calling themselves 'African' but were pandering to the liberal anti-nationalism.
Muendane stressed an emphasis that as Africa re-awakens itself from the underdevelopment slumber, African intellectuals have a moral duty to 'develop a common Africanparadigm or common ethos from which to depart'.
The African Renaissance, says Muendane, could be styled to the "British character" , "American Dream" or what the Jewish people define as "Zionism".
"There are non-Africans who want to qualify as Africans, and they are welcome but should abandon identifying themselves with Europeans and must begin to embrace the African value systems.
An African to spearhead the rebirth of Africa is person who has links to this continent and identifies with Africanness because it is eternal and does not depend on shifty and meaningless things,such as skin pigmentation" explained Muendane.
And the Durban-based Cultural and Heritage activist Nhlanhla Mtaka is of the strong view that African people must firdt cement an identical and ethical culture that was underpinned by service excellence, aptly referred as Ubuntu philosophy.
"Being African is not essentially linked to colonisation and oppression but must be seen in the historical, and contemporary social, economic and cultural realities.
And we must unleash these vital factors as a powerful crusade with all our capacities to awaken the sleeping giant-our continent Mother Africa- to become a moral beacon and a powerful global player forever" noted Mtaka.
Mtaka added that it is the culture, history and attachment to these and consciousness of such identity and not skin colour that makes one an African, and he implored people to discuss issues such as identity, culture and heritage as free people who must set their own agenda ina unique miellieu accordint to their own realities.
However, that renowned African writer Ngugi wa Thiong'o has penned a book, titled 'An African Renaissance -Something Torn and New' whereby he alludes to a radical understanding of needs to be grappled by African people towards the realisation of the African Renaissance.
"Over centuries of contact with the West, Africa has suffered the deprivations of slavery, colonialism and globalisation.
An integral part of this tragic encounter has been "Europhonism" "observes wa Thiong'o.
wa Thiong'o alludes to the fact that African people started by replacing native names and language systems with Europeans ones.
Acording to him, this remains the worst tragedy ever to the African development because, he writes, 'language is a communal memory bank'.
"In loosing its native languages, Africa would loose its social meaning,ite very identity" says wa Thiong'o.
wa Thiong'o traces Africa's fragmentation and restoration amidst the global history of colonisation and modernity.
IUn seeking the revitalization of Africa, Ngugi argues, that a renaissance of African languages is a necessary step in the restoration of African wholeness.
He(Ngugi) speaks of the 'decolonisation of modernity'.
"Africans, in the Diaspora and on the continent, were soon to be the recipients of this linguistic logic of conquest,with two results.
NAgugi calls this practise as the Dismembering Practises, and is of the view that without tackling this malady, Africa is faced with serious challenges with its renewa, beacause he states Africans were "Dismembered from the land, from labour, from power, and from memory. The resultis destruction of the base from which people launch themselves into the world".
And the pertinent question remains about how do the African people develop a common paradidm and ethos that takes them into the other levelas they attempt to revitalise themselves.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
GRADUATES URGED TO BECOME UNISA AMBASSADORS
More than 200 graduants from the University of South Africa converged at the Durban's beachfront hotel on Saturday morning 'to map a way forward regarding the marketing drive' to their old academic institution.
The social get together (reunion) attended by the Unisa Registrar Professor Louis Mulamo, Assistant Director of Unisa Foundation Patricia Lawrence and the President of the Convocation, Professor Themba Sono, called upon the institution's graduates to internalise the motto and the etho's of their alma mater.
Prof Mulamo cajoled graduates to always talk positively about Unisa and also called upon them to market, promote and become the custodians of the university's legacy since it was established way back in 1878, when Unisa was still known as the University of Cape of Good Hope.
"Since my first election as President of UNISA Convocation in 2004 I have always called upon the past gradiuates to play an activist role in shaping the running of their almar mater.
You must internalise the university motto and embody its principles as you live up the values it represents.
Treat UNISA as ANC membership treat their party. You can never mistaken the ANC members with their own party because they live, breath and conduct themselves as ANC disciplined cadres" observed Sono.
He said UNISA students carry a burden of social responsibility and in whatever they do to the outside world reflects to their alma mater.
Sono took strong exception to the recent negative news coming from the Eastern Cape whereby it was reported that some 45% of young males had allegedly raped helpless and vulnerable women in that region as part of 'a cleansing practise by men who'd recently graduated from the 'initiation school' ' to become adults in line with the Xhosa-speaking people tradition.
"Is the barbaric practise by the young men in the Eastern Cape what you fellow South Africans who are Unisa graduates want to be identified?
Will any among you here regard that as part of making a sustainable positive contribution to mankind, no, no,no, that so-called culture is foreign and unkown from people that want to be associated with Unisa.
You, Unisa graduates, carry a moral duty and a responsibility to safeguard, protect our communities and protect the legacy of the very communities that have made us what we are today" warned Sono
Sono, added, UNISA's motto is 'Pro Gentibus Sapienta' which literally means 'Learning in the Service of Humanity' must be taken to another level by anyone associated with Unisa.
The KwaZulu-Natal Unisa Alumni Breakfast was concluded by the election of the regional Alumni Association, whose primary function will be to organise students to participate in Unisa' activities.
Accoerding to Unis Foundation's Lawrence,the Alumni Association regional chapter will also act as ambassadors that were expected to champion Unisa's legacy by supporting the 'agenda of transformation'presently ongoing work within the university.
The social get together (reunion) attended by the Unisa Registrar Professor Louis Mulamo, Assistant Director of Unisa Foundation Patricia Lawrence and the President of the Convocation, Professor Themba Sono, called upon the institution's graduates to internalise the motto and the etho's of their alma mater.
Prof Mulamo cajoled graduates to always talk positively about Unisa and also called upon them to market, promote and become the custodians of the university's legacy since it was established way back in 1878, when Unisa was still known as the University of Cape of Good Hope.
"Since my first election as President of UNISA Convocation in 2004 I have always called upon the past gradiuates to play an activist role in shaping the running of their almar mater.
You must internalise the university motto and embody its principles as you live up the values it represents.
Treat UNISA as ANC membership treat their party. You can never mistaken the ANC members with their own party because they live, breath and conduct themselves as ANC disciplined cadres" observed Sono.
He said UNISA students carry a burden of social responsibility and in whatever they do to the outside world reflects to their alma mater.
Sono took strong exception to the recent negative news coming from the Eastern Cape whereby it was reported that some 45% of young males had allegedly raped helpless and vulnerable women in that region as part of 'a cleansing practise by men who'd recently graduated from the 'initiation school' ' to become adults in line with the Xhosa-speaking people tradition.
"Is the barbaric practise by the young men in the Eastern Cape what you fellow South Africans who are Unisa graduates want to be identified?
Will any among you here regard that as part of making a sustainable positive contribution to mankind, no, no,no, that so-called culture is foreign and unkown from people that want to be associated with Unisa.
You, Unisa graduates, carry a moral duty and a responsibility to safeguard, protect our communities and protect the legacy of the very communities that have made us what we are today" warned Sono
Sono, added, UNISA's motto is 'Pro Gentibus Sapienta' which literally means 'Learning in the Service of Humanity' must be taken to another level by anyone associated with Unisa.
The KwaZulu-Natal Unisa Alumni Breakfast was concluded by the election of the regional Alumni Association, whose primary function will be to organise students to participate in Unisa' activities.
Accoerding to Unis Foundation's Lawrence,the Alumni Association regional chapter will also act as ambassadors that were expected to champion Unisa's legacy by supporting the 'agenda of transformation'presently ongoing work within the university.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
KZN PREMIER DELIVERS STATE OF THE PROVINCE ADDRESS
"This newly-formed government will focus on the elimination of all the root causes of poverty and underdevelopment, and we invite each and every citizen to join us in this framework which is a journey to create an equitable and prosperous country” these sentiments captures the preamble of KwaZulu-Natal Premier,Dr Zweli Lawrence Mkhize, when he delivered the state of the province address on Thursday morning.
Mkhize told the provincial legislature that his government wishes to highlight the issues that were part of the electoral mandate which is to focus the collective deployment of all available resources and mobilize the people towards the attainment of priorities which will have a catalystic effect towards achieving strategic goals.
He assured the people of KZN that running the provincial government was no easy task, and called upon all the roleplayers and stakeholders to play their part in making a meaningful contribution towards the creation of a better life for all in South Africa.
“The ruling ANC government invites all the people of KZN to join us in taking the first steps of a long and ardous journey to create a better future for our country and all future generations.
Let us work together to create that hope for a better future” cajoles Mkhize.
As the newly-elected government, added Mkhize, we have come to terms with the global economic downturn and the full impact and the manifestations it was having to the provincial gross domestic product (GDP).
Mkhize noted that the main focus of his speech was centred on the ANC’s 52nd Polokwane conference resolutions that prioritized education, health facilities, creation of jobs and rural development.
“All government service delivery programmes and interventions in the building of our economy will be premised on the underlying desire to fight and eradicate poverty and all the other afflctions that continue to under-develop our people”.
Poverty remains the major contributor to preventable diseases and creates a vicious cycle of hunger, and also contributes to social instability such as crime and moral decay that compounds the impact of under-development” emphasized Mkhize.
In line with fast-tracking rural development and agrarian reform, Mkhize announced the ‘self-help’ intervention aimed to fight and eradicate poverty
This intervention is aptly called the “One Home One Garden” campaign and will be spearheaded by the state apparatus.
“We will launch the One Garden One Home on Mandela Day (18 July); and is structured to ensure viability and communities will be mobilized into secondary co-operatives at the level of traditional community areas, local or district municipal level to channel the support that government will offer” outlined Mkhize.
Mkhize explained that the emphasis of his government will be on communities doing things for themselves as they aim to outlaw the culture of dependence and entitlement whereby the democratic government was seen to be doing things for the people, and he specifically cited the numerous social support grants that were given to the ‘infirmed and deserving citizens’.
“The new approach will see the state providing capacity-building mechanisms and a new culture will be established whereby the government is doing something with the people, rather that doing things for the people” said Mkhize.
However, the opposition parties in the legislature dismissed Mkhize’s address as hollow and they also argued that he ‘must be seen to walk the talk’.
Democratic Alliance Caucus leader John Steenhuizen criticised the state of the province address and said it failed to tackle pertinent issues such as crime, the eradication of corruption, incompetence and maladministration by senior public servants.
“The Democratic Alliance would have expected the ruling party to put in place effective strategies and policies to regulate the best practice by public service administration and adopt a zero tolerance against the unlawful procurement tendencies whereby major government tenders were given to the ANC-connected individuals and their cronies that were incompetent” remarked Steenhuizen.
And the provincial chairperson of the Inkatha Fredoom Party Muntomuhle Khawula felt Mkhize’s commitment to clean government was good and his party will monitor the Anc-led governance closely.
“The Premier’s ommitment to fight crime and corruption sounds good but the IFP expects him to ‘walk the talk'.
Charity begins at home, and it is for this reason that as the IFP we’re calling for forensic investigations and audit about the state funds that were misappropriated by a high-ranking official (Head of Department) and was reported in various newspapers prior to the 22 April 2009 elections, yet the said official remain in government employ as if nothing happened.
To be seen to be committed to fighting crime and corruption, Premier Mkhie must do the right thing and suspend the Speaker of the House Peggy Nelisa Nkonyeni who presently facing serious criminal charges of corruption in the Pietermarizburg Regional Court” said Khawula.
Ends
Mkhize told the provincial legislature that his government wishes to highlight the issues that were part of the electoral mandate which is to focus the collective deployment of all available resources and mobilize the people towards the attainment of priorities which will have a catalystic effect towards achieving strategic goals.
He assured the people of KZN that running the provincial government was no easy task, and called upon all the roleplayers and stakeholders to play their part in making a meaningful contribution towards the creation of a better life for all in South Africa.
“The ruling ANC government invites all the people of KZN to join us in taking the first steps of a long and ardous journey to create a better future for our country and all future generations.
Let us work together to create that hope for a better future” cajoles Mkhize.
As the newly-elected government, added Mkhize, we have come to terms with the global economic downturn and the full impact and the manifestations it was having to the provincial gross domestic product (GDP).
Mkhize noted that the main focus of his speech was centred on the ANC’s 52nd Polokwane conference resolutions that prioritized education, health facilities, creation of jobs and rural development.
“All government service delivery programmes and interventions in the building of our economy will be premised on the underlying desire to fight and eradicate poverty and all the other afflctions that continue to under-develop our people”.
Poverty remains the major contributor to preventable diseases and creates a vicious cycle of hunger, and also contributes to social instability such as crime and moral decay that compounds the impact of under-development” emphasized Mkhize.
In line with fast-tracking rural development and agrarian reform, Mkhize announced the ‘self-help’ intervention aimed to fight and eradicate poverty
This intervention is aptly called the “One Home One Garden” campaign and will be spearheaded by the state apparatus.
“We will launch the One Garden One Home on Mandela Day (18 July); and is structured to ensure viability and communities will be mobilized into secondary co-operatives at the level of traditional community areas, local or district municipal level to channel the support that government will offer” outlined Mkhize.
Mkhize explained that the emphasis of his government will be on communities doing things for themselves as they aim to outlaw the culture of dependence and entitlement whereby the democratic government was seen to be doing things for the people, and he specifically cited the numerous social support grants that were given to the ‘infirmed and deserving citizens’.
“The new approach will see the state providing capacity-building mechanisms and a new culture will be established whereby the government is doing something with the people, rather that doing things for the people” said Mkhize.
However, the opposition parties in the legislature dismissed Mkhize’s address as hollow and they also argued that he ‘must be seen to walk the talk’.
Democratic Alliance Caucus leader John Steenhuizen criticised the state of the province address and said it failed to tackle pertinent issues such as crime, the eradication of corruption, incompetence and maladministration by senior public servants.
“The Democratic Alliance would have expected the ruling party to put in place effective strategies and policies to regulate the best practice by public service administration and adopt a zero tolerance against the unlawful procurement tendencies whereby major government tenders were given to the ANC-connected individuals and their cronies that were incompetent” remarked Steenhuizen.
And the provincial chairperson of the Inkatha Fredoom Party Muntomuhle Khawula felt Mkhize’s commitment to clean government was good and his party will monitor the Anc-led governance closely.
“The Premier’s ommitment to fight crime and corruption sounds good but the IFP expects him to ‘walk the talk'.
Charity begins at home, and it is for this reason that as the IFP we’re calling for forensic investigations and audit about the state funds that were misappropriated by a high-ranking official (Head of Department) and was reported in various newspapers prior to the 22 April 2009 elections, yet the said official remain in government employ as if nothing happened.
To be seen to be committed to fighting crime and corruption, Premier Mkhie must do the right thing and suspend the Speaker of the House Peggy Nelisa Nkonyeni who presently facing serious criminal charges of corruption in the Pietermarizburg Regional Court” said Khawula.
Ends
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
"WOMEN KNOW NOTHING ABOUT LOVE; NOTHING ABOUT SEX"
"I think women, too many of them, whether its nature, nurture or politics they are not straightforward about sex" says Kate Copstick.
Copstick, a former journalist recently bought the bestseller Britain's Erotic Review magazine and she's said that she will prefer having male writers on her staff complement because she has noted that women knew absolutely nothing when it comes to writing or doing the bedroom 'privy aspect'.
Copstick made these 'hardhitting' observations in the Erotic Review article published in June 2009.
Even the well-known writer on women issues, Kathy Lee, the author of 'How To Murder Your Husband' has come out in full support of Copstick views.
"Women are well-placed to teach men about sex, yet two-thirds of them (women) weren't even achieving orgasm in their sex lives".
If these two influential women could put their heads on the block about the shortcomings experienced by their fellow ilk, the most pertinent question to pose then, how would the 'fairer sex' respond to these allegations.
Is it true, is it a given that the multitude of women do not fully gratify themselves whenever making love. Is there any women out there who's prepared to dispute the view shared by prominent they know nothing about love itself.
The wisest book ever to read, the Holy Bible, tells us that God himself is love.
So what are the answers to the challenges love brings about?
Writer Gary Chapman, in his book 'Love is a Verb' poses a number of questions as he attempts to link true love, sex life and eternal love.
'What happens when love comes alive? Because love is n't just a feeling-love is a choice, and love is something we all need to do" asks Chapman.
Chapman adds; 'Love makes the world go round' 'All you need is love' 'Love can make you go crzy ....' .
As long as any of US can remember; Poems, Songs, Films, etc have tried to adequately describe and express love. Yet, to date, this phenomenon remains a trivial as ever to understand, the least said about sex life, itself.
NB. Whether its in marriage, family or friendship, its no wonder that love is such a draw and places so high on the priority list in our lives.
There are success stories in love, And, there are also experiences of failure.
However, Chapman's book give you a couple of dozens more that share tales of learning to live out love through tragedy and truimph.
Chapman sums up love by citing "Love is not wrapped in a pronoun- in 'he', or 'she'. I t is about loving lavishly! It is not about who other people are or how they treat us or what they do to make us value them".
Women of the World; your fellow sisters in Kate Copstick and Kathy Lee have set the cat among pigeons.
'Can you truly love; can you make the best sex ever? Are you really found wanting in love/sex? '
herewith one poses the question.
A Man in Gary Chapman attempts to illustrate that without actually feeling in love at its best, it will always remain an enormous challenge to love, love, love and get outrageous in the bedroom!
Copstick, a former journalist recently bought the bestseller Britain's Erotic Review magazine and she's said that she will prefer having male writers on her staff complement because she has noted that women knew absolutely nothing when it comes to writing or doing the bedroom 'privy aspect'.
Copstick made these 'hardhitting' observations in the Erotic Review article published in June 2009.
Even the well-known writer on women issues, Kathy Lee, the author of 'How To Murder Your Husband' has come out in full support of Copstick views.
"Women are well-placed to teach men about sex, yet two-thirds of them (women) weren't even achieving orgasm in their sex lives".
If these two influential women could put their heads on the block about the shortcomings experienced by their fellow ilk, the most pertinent question to pose then, how would the 'fairer sex' respond to these allegations.
Is it true, is it a given that the multitude of women do not fully gratify themselves whenever making love. Is there any women out there who's prepared to dispute the view shared by prominent they know nothing about love itself.
The wisest book ever to read, the Holy Bible, tells us that God himself is love.
So what are the answers to the challenges love brings about?
Writer Gary Chapman, in his book 'Love is a Verb' poses a number of questions as he attempts to link true love, sex life and eternal love.
'What happens when love comes alive? Because love is n't just a feeling-love is a choice, and love is something we all need to do" asks Chapman.
Chapman adds; 'Love makes the world go round' 'All you need is love' 'Love can make you go crzy ....' .
As long as any of US can remember; Poems, Songs, Films, etc have tried to adequately describe and express love. Yet, to date, this phenomenon remains a trivial as ever to understand, the least said about sex life, itself.
NB. Whether its in marriage, family or friendship, its no wonder that love is such a draw and places so high on the priority list in our lives.
There are success stories in love, And, there are also experiences of failure.
However, Chapman's book give you a couple of dozens more that share tales of learning to live out love through tragedy and truimph.
Chapman sums up love by citing "Love is not wrapped in a pronoun- in 'he', or 'she'. I t is about loving lavishly! It is not about who other people are or how they treat us or what they do to make us value them".
Women of the World; your fellow sisters in Kate Copstick and Kathy Lee have set the cat among pigeons.
'Can you truly love; can you make the best sex ever? Are you really found wanting in love/sex? '
herewith one poses the question.
A Man in Gary Chapman attempts to illustrate that without actually feeling in love at its best, it will always remain an enormous challenge to love, love, love and get outrageous in the bedroom!
Monday, June 15, 2009
THERE'S ONLY 'ONE ME'
I am Nkonzwenhle Hensford Hopeson Mqadi born and bred at St Faith's village, Highflats on the Lower South Coast-Ugu District.
I come from a family of four siblings (two sons & two daughters), being the first son after the eldest daughter Prudence Nomali (nee' Mqadi-now Sosibo) after me is Nkosinathi Cyril Mabandla my younger brother, and the pretty lastborn sister Lorraine Fortunate Nosipho.
Both our parents; father Hezekial Bhekamakhosi 'Payipi'-who was a labourer in the Textile Manufacturing Industry, and a renowned soccer administrator of Butcher Birds FC and my mother Margaret 'Ndala' Mqadi (MaMokoena) - a schoolteacher; both lie buried in the family burial plot within the household St Faith's rural village.
ABOUT ME
In the whole world there's only one Me. There is only one person with my talents, my experience/s, and my gifts. Today, Yesterday & Tomorrow I celebrate Me (I & Myself) !
"If you fail in one place, that does not make you a failure. Sure, we all fall, but it's how long you stay down that counts.'My FB bo'Bhululu; let us all get & feel the joy of a fresh start in life' " attributed to some one writer out there.
"God uses ever our failures to make better people of US. In His eyes, we're seen to be what we ought to become & there's nothing wrong with failure BUT there's plenty wrong with giving up" unknown writer
"Dream not too much of what you will do tomorrow; Tomorrow's chance you do not need to borrow-Today is here" Unknown Artist
"If I had ever been hereor there before, I would probably know just what to do" sang Crosby, Still & Nash in Deja Vu album
Write your comment...
I come from a family of four siblings (two sons & two daughters), being the first son after the eldest daughter Prudence Nomali (nee' Mqadi-now Sosibo) after me is Nkosinathi Cyril Mabandla my younger brother, and the pretty lastborn sister Lorraine Fortunate Nosipho.
Both our parents; father Hezekial Bhekamakhosi 'Payipi'-who was a labourer in the Textile Manufacturing Industry, and a renowned soccer administrator of Butcher Birds FC and my mother Margaret 'Ndala' Mqadi (MaMokoena) - a schoolteacher; both lie buried in the family burial plot within the household St Faith's rural village.
ABOUT ME
In the whole world there's only one Me. There is only one person with my talents, my experience/s, and my gifts. Today, Yesterday & Tomorrow I celebrate Me (I & Myself) !
"If you fail in one place, that does not make you a failure. Sure, we all fall, but it's how long you stay down that counts.'My FB bo'Bhululu; let us all get & feel the joy of a fresh start in life' " attributed to some one writer out there.
"God uses ever our failures to make better people of US. In His eyes, we're seen to be what we ought to become & there's nothing wrong with failure BUT there's plenty wrong with giving up" unknown writer
"Dream not too much of what you will do tomorrow; Tomorrow's chance you do not need to borrow-Today is here" Unknown Artist
"If I had ever been hereor there before, I would probably know just what to do" sang Crosby, Still & Nash in Deja Vu album
Write your comment...
CRUSADE TO INCULCATE BATHO PELE PRINCIPLES
Dbn Equality Court File: 56/2005
The KZN Deputy-Judge President Philip Levinson has on 'Special Review' ordered the matter be heard anew at the PMB High Court.
Durban Equality Court Magistrate Geoff Abrahams Esq. was the Prisiding Officer; and has used his judicial discreation to lobby/advocate the Durban Justice Centre by writing a letter dated 08 May 2008 to implore the Legal Aid Board {KTM:MMjwara X153940808} that it was their constitutional mandate to provide the Complainant with legal representation of a Senior Counsel, since this legal challenge impacts to both the practise and standards bedevelling the Public service administration throughout the Republic of South Africa.
KZN racism probe starts
1/31/2006 8:47:08 AM
Durban - The formal court hearing of the KwaZulu-Natal head of the Independent Complaints Directorate, accused of making racist remarks, began on Monday with heated arguments and at one stage the complainant was bordering on doing exactly what he has accused ICD head Shireen Lakhi of.
Presiding officer Geoff Abrahams intervened when during cross-examination Nkonzwenhle Mqadi stated that "these Indians have their own agenda". He was referring to being arrested several times by Indian policemen.
When Abrahams asked Mqadi whether he was not doing the same as the complaint that he has brought to the Equality Court, he become emotional and indicated that he said it because of pain and anger.
Mqadi said he approached the ICD to investigate police brutality he experienced and that Lakhi's legal representative Jacqui Henriques was using those "painful memories" to the respondent's advantage.
"I don't care if I'm in contempt of court but I feel like I am not fit to go on. They are trying to make a fool out of me. This woman is just trying to invoke pain in me. This has no relevance to the complaint," he said.
In response Henriques said questions about his arrests was to prove if he is a credible witness.
Repeatedly arrested
Earlier Mqadi said he brought his case after he experienced "pain, shock, humiliation and ridicule at the hands of Lakhi".
He said he initially approached the ICD to investigate alleged ill-treatment by police when he was repeatedly arrested for charges such as assault and pointing a firearm. He said after a few unsatisfactory letters from an ICD investigator, he approached a secretary at the ICD to make an appointment with Lakhi.
After he made the appointment, he went back to the office to confirm that he was to meet with Lakhi. He alleges that the secretary told him the appointment was scheduled for September 13 and that he should not be late as "you know Miss Lakhi is a very cheeky person".
Mqadi said that on September 13 he entered the ICD office and greeted Lakhi in the reception area. He says he pointed out that he was 15 minutes early for their meeting.
He claims Lakhi's response was: "I do not have any appointment with you. To hell with that Miss Lapke and she is not my secretary to make appointments for me. I am fed up with you Africans who think they are clever to consult with me when there are junior investigators to attend to your matters."
Mqadi claims that when Lakhi's voice got louder another ICD employee came into the room and tried to calm her down.
Ncgobo will give evidence on Wednesday
The KZN Deputy-Judge President Philip Levinson has on 'Special Review' ordered the matter be heard anew at the PMB High Court.
Durban Equality Court Magistrate Geoff Abrahams Esq. was the Prisiding Officer; and has used his judicial discreation to lobby/advocate the Durban Justice Centre by writing a letter dated 08 May 2008 to implore the Legal Aid Board {KTM:MMjwara X153940808} that it was their constitutional mandate to provide the Complainant with legal representation of a Senior Counsel, since this legal challenge impacts to both the practise and standards bedevelling the Public service administration throughout the Republic of South Africa.
KZN racism probe starts
1/31/2006 8:47:08 AM
Durban - The formal court hearing of the KwaZulu-Natal head of the Independent Complaints Directorate, accused of making racist remarks, began on Monday with heated arguments and at one stage the complainant was bordering on doing exactly what he has accused ICD head Shireen Lakhi of.
Presiding officer Geoff Abrahams intervened when during cross-examination Nkonzwenhle Mqadi stated that "these Indians have their own agenda". He was referring to being arrested several times by Indian policemen.
When Abrahams asked Mqadi whether he was not doing the same as the complaint that he has brought to the Equality Court, he become emotional and indicated that he said it because of pain and anger.
Mqadi said he approached the ICD to investigate police brutality he experienced and that Lakhi's legal representative Jacqui Henriques was using those "painful memories" to the respondent's advantage.
"I don't care if I'm in contempt of court but I feel like I am not fit to go on. They are trying to make a fool out of me. This woman is just trying to invoke pain in me. This has no relevance to the complaint," he said.
In response Henriques said questions about his arrests was to prove if he is a credible witness.
Repeatedly arrested
Earlier Mqadi said he brought his case after he experienced "pain, shock, humiliation and ridicule at the hands of Lakhi".
He said he initially approached the ICD to investigate alleged ill-treatment by police when he was repeatedly arrested for charges such as assault and pointing a firearm. He said after a few unsatisfactory letters from an ICD investigator, he approached a secretary at the ICD to make an appointment with Lakhi.
After he made the appointment, he went back to the office to confirm that he was to meet with Lakhi. He alleges that the secretary told him the appointment was scheduled for September 13 and that he should not be late as "you know Miss Lakhi is a very cheeky person".
Mqadi said that on September 13 he entered the ICD office and greeted Lakhi in the reception area. He says he pointed out that he was 15 minutes early for their meeting.
He claims Lakhi's response was: "I do not have any appointment with you. To hell with that Miss Lapke and she is not my secretary to make appointments for me. I am fed up with you Africans who think they are clever to consult with me when there are junior investigators to attend to your matters."
Mqadi claims that when Lakhi's voice got louder another ICD employee came into the room and tried to calm her down.
Ncgobo will give evidence on Wednesday
Saturday, June 13, 2009
YOUR KEY TO PERSONAL SUCCESS--ITS YOUR ATTITUDE
Author John C. Maxwell takes us step by step, and shares insights about how to recognise and attain the winning attitude to overcome life's difficulties, win people over, and turn problems into opportunities.
Maxwell tackles in detail the ff:
# The Consideration of Your Attitude
'What happend when the attitude is dictating undesirable results? '
How can the attitude be changed, and, if the attitude changes, what are the ramifications to
other people around you?
Why is the attitude important?
# The Construction of Your Attitude
According to Victor Frankl (survivor of Nazi concentration camps) ; 'The last of the human freedoms is to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances'.
Unquestionably our soroundings help construct our attitudes, too. And in our ealy years, our attitudes are determined mainly by our conditions'.
# The Crashing of Your Attitude
'There are some rules to remember when you have one of those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days and when your attitude starts to plummet'
-Maintain the right attitude when the going gets tough
-Realize that the rough weather will not last forever
-Keep in contact with the control tower
(i.e every pilot knows the value of communicating with knowledgeable men during times of trouble)
# The Changing of Your Attitude
'Most people are very close to becoming the person who God wants them to be' John Maxwell
NB. "One of the greatest discoveries we make, is to find we can do what we were afraid we couldn't do.
Most of the prison bars we beat against are within US! "
"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it" says Lou Holtz
"We are Right and They are all Wrong" how often do we hear this?
Israel writer Y. Haveli disputes this line of thinking and speaks of a possibility of 'accommodating a competitive narrative'.
People the world over should be willing to listen, not prejudge, forsake misconceptions, or do exactly what..........; he motivates
Maxwell tackles in detail the ff:
# The Consideration of Your Attitude
'What happend when the attitude is dictating undesirable results? '
How can the attitude be changed, and, if the attitude changes, what are the ramifications to
other people around you?
Why is the attitude important?
# The Construction of Your Attitude
According to Victor Frankl (survivor of Nazi concentration camps) ; 'The last of the human freedoms is to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances'.
Unquestionably our soroundings help construct our attitudes, too. And in our ealy years, our attitudes are determined mainly by our conditions'.
# The Crashing of Your Attitude
'There are some rules to remember when you have one of those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days and when your attitude starts to plummet'
-Maintain the right attitude when the going gets tough
-Realize that the rough weather will not last forever
-Keep in contact with the control tower
(i.e every pilot knows the value of communicating with knowledgeable men during times of trouble)
# The Changing of Your Attitude
'Most people are very close to becoming the person who God wants them to be' John Maxwell
NB. "One of the greatest discoveries we make, is to find we can do what we were afraid we couldn't do.
Most of the prison bars we beat against are within US! "
"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it" says Lou Holtz
"We are Right and They are all Wrong" how often do we hear this?
Israel writer Y. Haveli disputes this line of thinking and speaks of a possibility of 'accommodating a competitive narrative'.
People the world over should be willing to listen, not prejudge, forsake misconceptions, or do exactly what..........; he motivates
Thursday, June 11, 2009
JACOB ZUMA's LEADERSHIP and GLOBAL ECONOMIC MELTDOWN (2009)
RSA Presidency and the Global Economic Recession
"Under Jacob Zuma's leadership South Africa must engage the G20 nations for the whole of Africa. South Africa must become the strong voice in throughout the continent because of her strong economy in order to shape and resuscitate global economies" asserts Graca Machel at the World Economic Forum held in Capa Town this week.
According to Jacob Zuma, the present-day economic crisis provides the continent with the opportunity "to diversify markets and products" and prepare for the inevitable upturn.
'The continent (Africa) must in line with the DOHA Development Round plan for economic recovery. Focusing on the human resources of Africa could produce good results to the global economic meltdown" Zuma told the World Economic Forum on Africa during his opening address.
Zuma, added, 'the formation of the African Union in 2002 had created the constitutional basis for a united and coherent approach to the advancement of peace, democracy and development.
NB. It is, therefore, for this reason that the South African government still regard highly its flagship 'NEPAD' initiative.
"The global economic recession provides an opportunity to alleviate the effects of the so-called brain drain by attracting the Diaspora back home to assist with the planning for the recovery of the continent" notes Zuma.
This sentiments by the President of South Africa dovetails Graca Machel speech on the sidelines of the WEF on Africa when she said 'African states need to expand regional and continental trade.
Zuma concluded his opening address by qouting what the former ANC leader Prixely kaSeme had said far back in 1906 that "African people were not proletariat in the world of science and art".
Writing in his seminal book titled 'Native Life in South Africa'; Seme had attributed the economic difficulties encountered by the African farmers at the turn of the century to the White rulers and the legislation that forced them to abondon their farming livelihood and begin to work as employees in white farms.
Some commentators have, also, attributed the high unemployment rate affecting the majority African people in South Africa to the heinous and inhuman repressive laws and subsequent apartheid regime in South Africa that was aimed to underdevelop Africans in socio-economic and political bondage.
During the Africa Day celebrations held in Addis Abbaba in 2009, De Beers Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer had called to the African leaders to come to terms with the global financial crisis.
Oppenheimer had implored African business and political leaders to maximise the opportunities that were brought about by the economic meltdown and turn these conditions into Africa's rapid developmental agenda.
Write another comment:
"Under Jacob Zuma's leadership South Africa must engage the G20 nations for the whole of Africa. South Africa must become the strong voice in throughout the continent because of her strong economy in order to shape and resuscitate global economies" asserts Graca Machel at the World Economic Forum held in Capa Town this week.
According to Jacob Zuma, the present-day economic crisis provides the continent with the opportunity "to diversify markets and products" and prepare for the inevitable upturn.
'The continent (Africa) must in line with the DOHA Development Round plan for economic recovery. Focusing on the human resources of Africa could produce good results to the global economic meltdown" Zuma told the World Economic Forum on Africa during his opening address.
Zuma, added, 'the formation of the African Union in 2002 had created the constitutional basis for a united and coherent approach to the advancement of peace, democracy and development.
NB. It is, therefore, for this reason that the South African government still regard highly its flagship 'NEPAD' initiative.
"The global economic recession provides an opportunity to alleviate the effects of the so-called brain drain by attracting the Diaspora back home to assist with the planning for the recovery of the continent" notes Zuma.
This sentiments by the President of South Africa dovetails Graca Machel speech on the sidelines of the WEF on Africa when she said 'African states need to expand regional and continental trade.
Zuma concluded his opening address by qouting what the former ANC leader Prixely kaSeme had said far back in 1906 that "African people were not proletariat in the world of science and art".
Writing in his seminal book titled 'Native Life in South Africa'; Seme had attributed the economic difficulties encountered by the African farmers at the turn of the century to the White rulers and the legislation that forced them to abondon their farming livelihood and begin to work as employees in white farms.
Some commentators have, also, attributed the high unemployment rate affecting the majority African people in South Africa to the heinous and inhuman repressive laws and subsequent apartheid regime in South Africa that was aimed to underdevelop Africans in socio-economic and political bondage.
During the Africa Day celebrations held in Addis Abbaba in 2009, De Beers Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer had called to the African leaders to come to terms with the global financial crisis.
Oppenheimer had implored African business and political leaders to maximise the opportunities that were brought about by the economic meltdown and turn these conditions into Africa's rapid developmental agenda.
Write another comment:
Monday, June 8, 2009
PROTESTORS AT DBN HIGH COURT AGAINST VIOLENT CRIME
SEVERAL hundred friends of the deceased Jennifer-Rae Hall who was killed during a hijacking at Amanzimtoti, south of Durban in June 2008 demonstrated with red ribbons against crime before the Durban High Court on Monday.
The demonstration with its attendant noise almost disrupted the court proceedings was organised by Durban residents across social standing who said in unison that South African authorities have to do something tangible to stem the tide of violent crime.
The group led by the London-based Hayley Short said they had decided to embark on a "Red for Jen" anti-crime campaign in order to raise worldwide awareness against the senseless, violent crime that was ravaging defenceless citizens in South Africa.
"We, as friends of Jennifer Rae-Hall, strongly feel enough is enough to this senseless and violent crime rate presently taking place al over South Africa.
Three young, innocent and defenceless women on their way to a 'girls-only caravan park' were attacked and killed by thugs in broad daylight along the highway and Jennifer-Rae lost her life" lamented Short.
According to senior state advocate Bheki Manyathi,the accussed person Sifundo Mkhize (23 years) is facing three criminal charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and attempted murder.
The trial was set down for six days, starting on Monday 8 to Monday 15, 2008 at the E-court before Judge Ron McLaren.
According to the charge sheet, the state alleges that three wonen (i.e Jennifer-Rae Hall, Kate Flemming and Amy Lansdell) were brutally attacked at or about 15h00 in the afternoon after they had stopped their vehicle to change the drivers when two men charged at them and demanded vehicle keys.
The two thugs shot Hall at pointblank and she died on the scene, Flemming was short in the vpelvis but survived, and Lansdell too was attacked and suffered serious injuries before the pepertrators fled the crime scene by driving with the victims vehicle.
The investigating officer Inspector Francious Esterhuizen from the Provincial Highjacking Team said 'we definitely have a very strong case against the accussed eventhough we did not track and find him in the vehicle and I have subpoena/ed four local people as witnesses to testify against the accussed.
To date, we have not apprehended the second accussed person and are investigations continues'.
However, advocate Thiagaraj Prem Pillay from the Durban Justice Centre representing the accussed informed reporter that they have got a sound defence.
"My his client intends to plead not guilty to the criminal charges levelled against him.
We intend to argue that he was not present at the crime scene and that he tortured by the SAPS members and was forced under duress to admit knowledge of the stolen vehicle from the victims" said Pillay.
Ends
The demonstration with its attendant noise almost disrupted the court proceedings was organised by Durban residents across social standing who said in unison that South African authorities have to do something tangible to stem the tide of violent crime.
The group led by the London-based Hayley Short said they had decided to embark on a "Red for Jen" anti-crime campaign in order to raise worldwide awareness against the senseless, violent crime that was ravaging defenceless citizens in South Africa.
"We, as friends of Jennifer Rae-Hall, strongly feel enough is enough to this senseless and violent crime rate presently taking place al over South Africa.
Three young, innocent and defenceless women on their way to a 'girls-only caravan park' were attacked and killed by thugs in broad daylight along the highway and Jennifer-Rae lost her life" lamented Short.
According to senior state advocate Bheki Manyathi,the accussed person Sifundo Mkhize (23 years) is facing three criminal charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and attempted murder.
The trial was set down for six days, starting on Monday 8 to Monday 15, 2008 at the E-court before Judge Ron McLaren.
According to the charge sheet, the state alleges that three wonen (i.e Jennifer-Rae Hall, Kate Flemming and Amy Lansdell) were brutally attacked at or about 15h00 in the afternoon after they had stopped their vehicle to change the drivers when two men charged at them and demanded vehicle keys.
The two thugs shot Hall at pointblank and she died on the scene, Flemming was short in the vpelvis but survived, and Lansdell too was attacked and suffered serious injuries before the pepertrators fled the crime scene by driving with the victims vehicle.
The investigating officer Inspector Francious Esterhuizen from the Provincial Highjacking Team said 'we definitely have a very strong case against the accussed eventhough we did not track and find him in the vehicle and I have subpoena/ed four local people as witnesses to testify against the accussed.
To date, we have not apprehended the second accussed person and are investigations continues'.
However, advocate Thiagaraj Prem Pillay from the Durban Justice Centre representing the accussed informed reporter that they have got a sound defence.
"My his client intends to plead not guilty to the criminal charges levelled against him.
We intend to argue that he was not present at the crime scene and that he tortured by the SAPS members and was forced under duress to admit knowledge of the stolen vehicle from the victims" said Pillay.
Ends
Saturday, June 6, 2009
HOW EMPOWERING READING BOOKS CAN BE!
Why I Write-George Orwell
"There are practically four motives; sheer egoism, aesthetic enthusiasm, historical impulse and political purpose' argues Orwell
Been reading four different books by four different writers in a single week, and this has honed, nurtured my literary skills & from now onwards intend making writing a career.
I implore you fellow global village compatriots to turn your hobby into a professional trade!
HEREWITH; CAPTURE CLEVER MINDS AT PLAY
Nkonzwenhle Mqadi Ben Turok's "The Evolution of the ANC Economic Policy - From the Freedom Charter to Polokwane" encapsulates 'How the economic debates in the ANC over a decade in government as it faced cruel decisions on the balance to br pursued between macro-economic stabilisation and attending to the colossal social deprivations of the mass of the South African people'.
April 8 at 1:38am ·
Write a comment...
Nkonzwenhle Mqadi We can round these arguments by perusing Amilcar Cabral's "Unity & Struggle 'Selected Speeches & Writings' because Cabral's writings are 'essential for an understanding of the liberation struggle and his contribution to African philosophy (despite waging his battles at Guniea Bissau & Cape Verde).
April 8 at 1:35am ·
Write a comment...
Nkonzwenhle Mqadi Steedman's "Marx After Sraffa" whereby he 'gives a clear analysis for showing why it is silly for some Marxists and Socialists to try to keep Sraffa at arm's length. NB.Sraffa's earlier book 'Production of Commodities by Means of Commodities ' laid the foundationfor the criticism of marginalist theories of wages, profits, rents and prices'.
April 8 at 1:28am ·
Write a comment...
Nkonzwenhle Mqadi Shubin's "ANC A View from Moscow (2nd ed.) he argues; 'We've to admit the relationship between USSR and South Africa, especially with the ANC and its allies had a profound, though, contradictory influence on contemporary developments'.
April 8 at 1:24am ·
"There are practically four motives; sheer egoism, aesthetic enthusiasm, historical impulse and political purpose' argues Orwell
Been reading four different books by four different writers in a single week, and this has honed, nurtured my literary skills & from now onwards intend making writing a career.
I implore you fellow global village compatriots to turn your hobby into a professional trade!
HEREWITH; CAPTURE CLEVER MINDS AT PLAY
Nkonzwenhle Mqadi Ben Turok's "The Evolution of the ANC Economic Policy - From the Freedom Charter to Polokwane" encapsulates 'How the economic debates in the ANC over a decade in government as it faced cruel decisions on the balance to br pursued between macro-economic stabilisation and attending to the colossal social deprivations of the mass of the South African people'.
April 8 at 1:38am ·
Write a comment...
Nkonzwenhle Mqadi We can round these arguments by perusing Amilcar Cabral's "Unity & Struggle 'Selected Speeches & Writings' because Cabral's writings are 'essential for an understanding of the liberation struggle and his contribution to African philosophy (despite waging his battles at Guniea Bissau & Cape Verde).
April 8 at 1:35am ·
Write a comment...
Nkonzwenhle Mqadi Steedman's "Marx After Sraffa" whereby he 'gives a clear analysis for showing why it is silly for some Marxists and Socialists to try to keep Sraffa at arm's length. NB.Sraffa's earlier book 'Production of Commodities by Means of Commodities ' laid the foundationfor the criticism of marginalist theories of wages, profits, rents and prices'.
April 8 at 1:28am ·
Write a comment...
Nkonzwenhle Mqadi Shubin's "ANC A View from Moscow (2nd ed.) he argues; 'We've to admit the relationship between USSR and South Africa, especially with the ANC and its allies had a profound, though, contradictory influence on contemporary developments'.
April 8 at 1:24am ·
Friday, June 5, 2009
ACADEMIC EXPERTISE vs INTELLECTUAL EXCELLENCE DEDATE
Does academic expertise make better or able leaders without any intellectual excellence?
Do we necessarily need leaders with higher education qualifications as we attempt to stem the tide of the global economic meltdown?
Will politics or economics play any significant leadership role to address the historic financial crisis in the millenium?
Neither Socio-Political Commentators, Economics Buffons and Academics have given a recipe and they differ widely in their intepretation of what 'actually' inform or give rise to the other discipline.
Where, then, would you locate eminent leaders, such as businessman Tony Factor, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, RSA President Jacob Zuma, and last but not least, Steve Bantu Biko?
Some of these 'once reverred' personalities never had proper formal education, while others did actually receive secondary and tertiary education, though, they never graduated.
Main argument by present-day scholars is that 'making academic expertise a vital requirement for intellectual excellence is a 'misnomer'.
How,then do you place the leadership that was 'inherently' born sharp-minded in the contemporary global political economy.
The greatest thinker of our times, Ali Mazrui, describes an intellectual as 'a person who has the capacity to be fascinated by ideas, and has the capacity to handle them effectively'.
And Richard Hofstadter, in his seminal book 'Anti-Intellectualism in American Life' draws a distinction between intelligence and intellect.
According to Hofstadter intelligence is 'an excellence of mind with an "unfailingly practical quality".
However, in the words of our own young South African Socio-Political commentator, also an 'intellectual of the highest calibre' Xolela Mangcu; the term intellectual in its modern incarnation emerged during the Dreyfus affair in France as a badge of political committment.
Who then can be regarded as an intellectual?
"Intellectualls use 'the contemplative side of the mind to engage in free speculation WHILE academic experts rely on their intelligence to solve problems" explains Mangcu eloquently.
Do we necessarily need leaders with higher education qualifications as we attempt to stem the tide of the global economic meltdown?
Will politics or economics play any significant leadership role to address the historic financial crisis in the millenium?
Neither Socio-Political Commentators, Economics Buffons and Academics have given a recipe and they differ widely in their intepretation of what 'actually' inform or give rise to the other discipline.
Where, then, would you locate eminent leaders, such as businessman Tony Factor, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, RSA President Jacob Zuma, and last but not least, Steve Bantu Biko?
Some of these 'once reverred' personalities never had proper formal education, while others did actually receive secondary and tertiary education, though, they never graduated.
Main argument by present-day scholars is that 'making academic expertise a vital requirement for intellectual excellence is a 'misnomer'.
How,then do you place the leadership that was 'inherently' born sharp-minded in the contemporary global political economy.
The greatest thinker of our times, Ali Mazrui, describes an intellectual as 'a person who has the capacity to be fascinated by ideas, and has the capacity to handle them effectively'.
And Richard Hofstadter, in his seminal book 'Anti-Intellectualism in American Life' draws a distinction between intelligence and intellect.
According to Hofstadter intelligence is 'an excellence of mind with an "unfailingly practical quality".
However, in the words of our own young South African Socio-Political commentator, also an 'intellectual of the highest calibre' Xolela Mangcu; the term intellectual in its modern incarnation emerged during the Dreyfus affair in France as a badge of political committment.
Who then can be regarded as an intellectual?
"Intellectualls use 'the contemplative side of the mind to engage in free speculation WHILE academic experts rely on their intelligence to solve problems" explains Mangcu eloquently.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
WERE YOU WARNED ABOUT THE ECONOMIC CRISIS?
Nkonzwenhle Mqadi
Did anyone { 'Clever-Fool'} out there across the globe ever foresaw and warned US about the present global economic meltdown?
Fellow Global Village compatriots, living in the new millenium someone {Political/Business leaders}should have foreseen this predicament and warned US!
NB! NB! NB! NB!
In 2005, two eminent South African Scenario Planning Guru/s in Clem Sunter & Chantel Ilbury published a book titled the 'Games Foxes Play'.
In this book { A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE THESE DAYS} they were the first to identify a scenario for pending economic crisis.
On constructing scenarios, Clem Subter advises;"Identify the scenario that you are actually in at the moment, look at possible pathways that could lead to other futures, ..... select the flags that suggest you are moving from the present scenario to others.
Then, on a balance of the evidence, survey your options and make the most appropriate decision".
Did anyone { 'Clever-Fool'} out there across the globe ever foresaw and warned US about the present global economic meltdown?
Fellow Global Village compatriots, living in the new millenium someone {Political/Business leaders}should have foreseen this predicament and warned US!
NB! NB! NB! NB!
In 2005, two eminent South African Scenario Planning Guru/s in Clem Sunter & Chantel Ilbury published a book titled the 'Games Foxes Play'.
In this book { A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE THESE DAYS} they were the first to identify a scenario for pending economic crisis.
On constructing scenarios, Clem Subter advises;"Identify the scenario that you are actually in at the moment, look at possible pathways that could lead to other futures, ..... select the flags that suggest you are moving from the present scenario to others.
Then, on a balance of the evidence, survey your options and make the most appropriate decision".
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