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
Monday, June 8, 2009
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".
Saturday, May 30, 2009
AFRICA: NOW IS YOUR TURN DESPITE THE GLOBAL RECESSION
AFRICAN Leaders must, despite the troubled political economies, turn Africa into its rightful position within the global markets,argue eminent African leaders .
Delivering a speech during the Africa Day celebrations by the African Union in Addis Ababa recently, the Chairperson of De Beers Nicky Oppenheimer called upon Africa to strengthen and impose its competitiveness in the global markets.
Oppenheimer implored the continent's leaders to use the global recesion crisis to its advantage, and argued that in order to catch up with the rest of the developing world, Africa needs much higher levels of growth.
"Greater flows of trade, capital and technology have lifted billions out of poverty since the end of the Cold War. A workable solution to the current crisis demands acting selflesly in global terms.
In order to survive the current world economic crisis, Africa needs to embrace globalisation and reduce its own protectionsim, to reduce our economic vulnerbility to crises and increase growth" says Oppenheimer.
Accordingly, he aserts, Africa has a vital role to play in global efforts to improve weakneses and imbalances.
"Africa has choices. Rather than riverting to greater protectionsim we have to continue to press ahead for greater openness.
Developed markets of Europe and North America should not be denied the possibility of benefiting from the potential inherent in the younger populations of Africa, 'and Asia' " he advises.
Openheimer's speech dovetails former Republic of South Africa President Thabo Mbeki's Guardian lecture he delivered to the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos in 2003.
Mbeki had argued that self-reliance in the form of its own governing structures will enable Africa to confound its critics and prove their predictions wrong.
"Despite the harsh realities befalling the global political economies, as fellow compatriots we have a moral duty to turn Africa into a gift to humanity.
At a glance our post-independence period has seen the devaluation of our African unity and pan-ASfricanism, the devaluation of intellect and intellectual achievement and worst of all, the devaluation of African lives" noted Mbeki.
It must be highlighted that Mbeki alluded to these serious concerns some five years prior to the global economic meltdown.
He, even, made a famous qoute from Henry Kissinger's book 'Does America need a Foreign Policy'.
"Without the moral commitment of the American people and the international community, Africa's tragedy will turn into the festering disaster of our age. The African continent is a tragedy; it is also a challenge. Africa's variety inhibits concerted action; the scope of its crises nevertheless demands a significant response.
African countries have a high propensity for civil war. And if the tribal and ethnic loyalties extend across national frontiers, these civil wars will turn into international wars" writes Kissinger.
Mbeki counterposed Kissinger and pronounced that we have made a mockery of the gift of Africa's independence.
'What shall Africa hand over to the future? What gift shall we-the living- bequeath to the unborn?
We must together take the decision that we shall determine our future. The struggle for democracy is a struggle to enable every African to play a pivotal role in deciding the future of our countries and continent" said Mbeki.
Adds Oppenheimer, we need to assume a constructive role in global negotiations at multilateral forums such as the G20, and for Africa to make a greater contribution rather them asking for more aid.
Africa must not rely heavily on donor support as that will be bad news over the long term because the lack of liquidity in global markets will hit cash-strapped African markets, especially where private equity is needed for infrastructure investment.
"One big change about how we think differently about the future is that we should no longer assume a commodity super-cycle. Africa's future depends not only on how well we use commodity inflows, look at Botswana, which is a remarkable example of how to invest a commodity windfall wisely" warns Oppenheimer.
In the imediate term, he adds, African governments will have to manage the economic and political fallout of lower revenues from natural resources, trade and tax as well as smaller aid transferes.
Africa, he says, must renew efforts to build a domestic consensus on the necessity of economic reform, the importance of high growth rates and nation's integration into the global economy" argues eminent scholars in Africa.
In order to survive the current economic quagmire, Oppenheimer says Africa needs to strengthen and improve its competitiveness through lowering the costs of doing business which will simultenously reduce its economic vulnerability to crisis and increase her growth potential.
Mbeki concludes by arguing that the relationship of donor and recipient must become a thing of the past, and must be replaced by a partnership which must both respect our right to determine our future and impose a common obligation on our global partners what was mutually-accountable to each other.
And no better placed African nationalist than Ngugi wa Thiogo sums it better and so eloquently in his book 'Writers in Politics';
"And really we cannot expect that those who benefit from our crippled positions will come and say unto us 'Throw off those crutches and walk. But surely, it is unto us to have the will to say 'Away with all crutches of whatever make or model' " writes wa Thiogo.
African people, it is your time to turn Africa into a self-reliance as your integrate to global economy!
Delivering a speech during the Africa Day celebrations by the African Union in Addis Ababa recently, the Chairperson of De Beers Nicky Oppenheimer called upon Africa to strengthen and impose its competitiveness in the global markets.
Oppenheimer implored the continent's leaders to use the global recesion crisis to its advantage, and argued that in order to catch up with the rest of the developing world, Africa needs much higher levels of growth.
"Greater flows of trade, capital and technology have lifted billions out of poverty since the end of the Cold War. A workable solution to the current crisis demands acting selflesly in global terms.
In order to survive the current world economic crisis, Africa needs to embrace globalisation and reduce its own protectionsim, to reduce our economic vulnerbility to crises and increase growth" says Oppenheimer.
Accordingly, he aserts, Africa has a vital role to play in global efforts to improve weakneses and imbalances.
"Africa has choices. Rather than riverting to greater protectionsim we have to continue to press ahead for greater openness.
Developed markets of Europe and North America should not be denied the possibility of benefiting from the potential inherent in the younger populations of Africa, 'and Asia' " he advises.
Openheimer's speech dovetails former Republic of South Africa President Thabo Mbeki's Guardian lecture he delivered to the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos in 2003.
Mbeki had argued that self-reliance in the form of its own governing structures will enable Africa to confound its critics and prove their predictions wrong.
"Despite the harsh realities befalling the global political economies, as fellow compatriots we have a moral duty to turn Africa into a gift to humanity.
At a glance our post-independence period has seen the devaluation of our African unity and pan-ASfricanism, the devaluation of intellect and intellectual achievement and worst of all, the devaluation of African lives" noted Mbeki.
It must be highlighted that Mbeki alluded to these serious concerns some five years prior to the global economic meltdown.
He, even, made a famous qoute from Henry Kissinger's book 'Does America need a Foreign Policy'.
"Without the moral commitment of the American people and the international community, Africa's tragedy will turn into the festering disaster of our age. The African continent is a tragedy; it is also a challenge. Africa's variety inhibits concerted action; the scope of its crises nevertheless demands a significant response.
African countries have a high propensity for civil war. And if the tribal and ethnic loyalties extend across national frontiers, these civil wars will turn into international wars" writes Kissinger.
Mbeki counterposed Kissinger and pronounced that we have made a mockery of the gift of Africa's independence.
'What shall Africa hand over to the future? What gift shall we-the living- bequeath to the unborn?
We must together take the decision that we shall determine our future. The struggle for democracy is a struggle to enable every African to play a pivotal role in deciding the future of our countries and continent" said Mbeki.
Adds Oppenheimer, we need to assume a constructive role in global negotiations at multilateral forums such as the G20, and for Africa to make a greater contribution rather them asking for more aid.
Africa must not rely heavily on donor support as that will be bad news over the long term because the lack of liquidity in global markets will hit cash-strapped African markets, especially where private equity is needed for infrastructure investment.
"One big change about how we think differently about the future is that we should no longer assume a commodity super-cycle. Africa's future depends not only on how well we use commodity inflows, look at Botswana, which is a remarkable example of how to invest a commodity windfall wisely" warns Oppenheimer.
In the imediate term, he adds, African governments will have to manage the economic and political fallout of lower revenues from natural resources, trade and tax as well as smaller aid transferes.
Africa, he says, must renew efforts to build a domestic consensus on the necessity of economic reform, the importance of high growth rates and nation's integration into the global economy" argues eminent scholars in Africa.
In order to survive the current economic quagmire, Oppenheimer says Africa needs to strengthen and improve its competitiveness through lowering the costs of doing business which will simultenously reduce its economic vulnerability to crisis and increase her growth potential.
Mbeki concludes by arguing that the relationship of donor and recipient must become a thing of the past, and must be replaced by a partnership which must both respect our right to determine our future and impose a common obligation on our global partners what was mutually-accountable to each other.
And no better placed African nationalist than Ngugi wa Thiogo sums it better and so eloquently in his book 'Writers in Politics';
"And really we cannot expect that those who benefit from our crippled positions will come and say unto us 'Throw off those crutches and walk. But surely, it is unto us to have the will to say 'Away with all crutches of whatever make or model' " writes wa Thiogo.
African people, it is your time to turn Africa into a self-reliance as your integrate to global economy!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
THE WORLD & FUTURE DEMANDS WE NURTURE CONFIDENT CHILDREN
"Every caring and responsible parent wants their children to be confident" writes Gael Lindenfield.
Her book; 'Confident Children A Parent's Guide to Helping Children feel good about themselves' is highly recommended to every parent that would like to see their kids making a mark in life.
'Nurturing self-esteem in children from a young age will give them a greater chance of developing self-assurance and fulfilling their personal potential in later life' advises Lindenfield.
NB. The critical & central question is 'how is this achieved without them (children) becoming precocious or arrogant'?
Gael Lindenfield explains how to go about in developing 'Confident Children' ;
(i) How language and actions can be used to build and boost confidence.
(ii) How to help your child learn social skills
(iii) How to teach your children to like themselves the way they are
(iv) How your children can become assertive and cope with bullying.
NB. Whether your child is a toodler or a teenager, this sensitive and perceptive book is invaulable reading for every parent and offers real scope for positive change in your family life!
BAZALI ABAQOTHO HAMBANI NIYOZIBHEKELA BESE NIFUNDE LENCWADI!
Her book; 'Confident Children A Parent's Guide to Helping Children feel good about themselves' is highly recommended to every parent that would like to see their kids making a mark in life.
'Nurturing self-esteem in children from a young age will give them a greater chance of developing self-assurance and fulfilling their personal potential in later life' advises Lindenfield.
NB. The critical & central question is 'how is this achieved without them (children) becoming precocious or arrogant'?
Gael Lindenfield explains how to go about in developing 'Confident Children' ;
(i) How language and actions can be used to build and boost confidence.
(ii) How to help your child learn social skills
(iii) How to teach your children to like themselves the way they are
(iv) How your children can become assertive and cope with bullying.
NB. Whether your child is a toodler or a teenager, this sensitive and perceptive book is invaulable reading for every parent and offers real scope for positive change in your family life!
BAZALI ABAQOTHO HAMBANI NIYOZIBHEKELA BESE NIFUNDE LENCWADI!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
MINISTER NDEBELE'S "MERC S-500" :SOCIALISM AT ITS BEST
RETURNING Or TURNING the Mercedes S-500 donation by the Republic of South Africa's Minister of Transport Dr Sbusiso Joel Ndebele to fund a 'Training Programme' to capacitate and empower emerging Vukuzakhe contractors in KwaZulu-Natal is literally practising socialism at its best.
Put it differently, Manzankosi, it is like establishing a library within your immediate communities whereby you stock computers, books and manuscripts of every discipline and allow citizens across religious,colour,creed and ideology to access knowledge free of charge.
Long Live! Past immediate KZN Premier, Past immediate KZN ANC Chairperson!
Where else in the Republic of South Africa have we seen/witnessed one individual pledging over one-million in a 'Social Responsibility Investment programme like what Ndebele has done?
NB. Subject to the google search proving me otherwise, Cde Sbu Ndebele's personal gesture towards the creation of a better life for all is record-breaking.
Long Live for your Revolutionary Social Consciousness Vanande!
Put it differently, Manzankosi, it is like establishing a library within your immediate communities whereby you stock computers, books and manuscripts of every discipline and allow citizens across religious,colour,creed and ideology to access knowledge free of charge.
Long Live! Past immediate KZN Premier, Past immediate KZN ANC Chairperson!
Where else in the Republic of South Africa have we seen/witnessed one individual pledging over one-million in a 'Social Responsibility Investment programme like what Ndebele has done?
NB. Subject to the google search proving me otherwise, Cde Sbu Ndebele's personal gesture towards the creation of a better life for all is record-breaking.
Long Live for your Revolutionary Social Consciousness Vanande!
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