(Durban street-renaming debacle goes to court again)
Typical of the political dynamics within the KwaZulu-Natal landscape, what was meant as a closure or a fresh start from the heinous, inhumane colonial and apartheid regimes that had deliberately imposed or literally misspelt numerous historical landmarks within the city of Durban and its sorrounding neighbourhoods will have to be settled before the court of law.
The Democratic Alliance now enjoined by the Inkatha Freedom Party, have instituted a court application before the Durban High Court whereby they challenge the African National Congress-led municipality to overturn the eThekwini Municipality's street renaming process.
We argue that the wider eThekwini residents were excluded from the Masakhane Committee that was entrusted with buildings and street renaming process as the ANC-aligned councillors only persued their own, narrow political objectives, reads the averments.
Giving arguments as the legal counsel of the applicants, advocate Pat Jeffreys averred that the eThekwini Municipality 'breached the public' s right not to be unfairly discriminated against with regard to culture and freedom of expression'.
"His Worship, it is my submission that certain action taken by the council constituted an incitement of imminent violence and advocated hatred based on race and ethnicity" argued Adv Jeffreys.
He added that the municipality had also failed to preserve names that were part of cultural, historical and linguistical heritage.
However, exco meeting records revealed that the city manager Dr Mike Sutcliffe had on June 25, 2007 presented a project framework that would have guided the renaming process, and that the municipality leadership were expected to, after extensive consultation, approve the application tabled by the Masakhane Committee of the already 181 proposed new names.
Hearing the application was Judge David Ntshangase, and had adjourned the matter indefinitely in order to allow the eThekwini municipality legal team to make their submissions.
It was ruled that a new court date would be set by the court and communicated to all parties.
It suffices to add that this court challenge is a sequel to the first court application that was filed before the Durban High Court by the DA in 2007, which was rejected with costs.
The dismissal of the DA's initial attempt to stop the Durban's street renaming process had forced, then newly-elected DA leader Hellen Zille, during an exclusive interview with this writer to call the 'Durban street-renaming as a daylight robbery as it was not fair and democratic at all'
(Reporter.co.za; July 30, 2007).
Zille's outburst had sparked a furious response from eThekwini Municipality manager Dr Mike Sutcliffe who had dismissed Zille's remarks as sour geapes and "opportunistic to say the least".
"Obviously the DA is crazy because the Durban High Court rejected their application to stop the street renaming process with costs, eThekwini Municipality had followed a far more open and democratic process than the minority-led DA elite group in Cape Town.
Ours was more inclusive with proper consultation with all municipal residents, hence the process of street renaming proceeds next month" explained Sutcliffe.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
RACISM CHALLENGED AT DBN EQUALITY COURT
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.
Click here to read the rest of the story...
Click here to find out about this and other News24 newslette
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.
Click here to read the rest of the story...
Click here to find out about this and other News24 newslette
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
NGOWANI LO MSINDO NGOKUQANJWA KABUSHA KWE-KZN?
ILANGA LANGESONTO MAY 07, 2006
KUYETHUSA, kuyenyanyisa futhi kulichilo ukuba abezindaba kanye nosopolitiki babange omkhulu umsindo uma sekukhulume umlomo ongathethi manga, iSilo samaBandla Onke kulesi sifundazwe uNdabezitha Goodwill Zwelithini kaDinuZulu ngokuqanjwa kabusha kwesifundazwe kweliKaMthaniya kube yiKwaZulu.
Mhlawumbe sikhona isidingo sokuba emva kokwedlula kweminyaka elishumi izwe laseNi-ngizimu ne-Afrika lathola uHulumeni wentando yeningi, imiphakathi eyakhele nesizukulwane esizayo kulesi sifundisiwe ukuba kebachazelwe kabusha ngemvelaphi yegama KwaZulu-Natal.
IZulu eliPhezulu liyihlabe esikhonkosini ukuphakamisa ikuba sethiwe kabusha lesi sifundazwe futhi sibizwe ngegama vele esasaziwa ngalo kungakafiki aMaqadasi nezinjongo zawo zoku-cindezela abakhele leli zwe ngokwepolitiki, ezomnotho kanye nokushiya insila yokucindezeleka ingaphelile ngokomqondo kwabamnyama.
Ngaphambi kokungena esiphakamisweni seSilo, ngithatha leli thuba ukukhumbuza bonke abakhele lesi sifundazwe, ikakhulukazi wonke amaZulu akhonze KwaKhethomthandayo ukuthi njalo uma ukhulunywa izindaba ezithinta iSilo naseNdlunkulu, ikakhulukazi njengesabelo sezi-tiali KwiSishayamthetho, ngisho okungenadosi kuyatinyela.
Muva nje abezindaba basibikele ukuthi ongumholi weqembu labeLungu KwiSishayamthetho uMnuz Roger Burrows ukuhlabe wakuhlikiza ukwakhiwa koMthetho-sisekelo wesiifundazwe oqhakambisa amandla eSilo njengomuntu obhekele bonke abakhele lesi sifudazwe.
Zolo lokhu ongumholi weqembu lamaNdiya kwiSishayamthetho uMnuz Amichand Raj-
bansi uphakamise okuyimpicabadala lapho ethi zonke izizwe ezakhele lesi sifundazwe, kungaba. yiwo amaNdiya, amaBhunu noma amaKhaladi kufanele abe nawawo amakhosi kulesi sikhathi samanje ngoba ethi ziningi lezi zimali ezifuqelwa ehhovisi elibhekene nezindaba zeSilo naseNdlunkulu.
Ubhejane phume'siqiwini ukuphakamisile ukubhekisisa ukuqanjwa kwalesi sifundazwe KwiSithangami ebesidingida Impi Yemali YamaKhanda eye-nzeka kulesi sifundazwe emi-nyakeni elikhulu eyedlule (1906), lapho bekuhlangene khona uDkt Jacob Zuma, oSoMlando, AmaKhosi akhele lesi sifundazwe, izifundiswa kanye nabo bonke ababambe iqhaza ekwakheni kabusha umlando walesi sifundazwe futhi bonke bebeze ngamaxhama abo noma lawo adlalwa ngokhokho babo ekulwisaneni noKhandaPondo bangaleso sikhathi.
Ingqikithi yesithangami bekungukubhekisisa kabusha igama elethiwa ngabelungu kule mpi ethathwa njengeyaba namahlandla aqavile ekuhlanganiseni zonke izizwe ezimnyama ezakhele izwe laseNingizimu ne-Afrika, ngemuva kokuba amaNgisi namaBhunu (1899-19-02) eselwile, ehlulana ase exolelana ukuze akwazi ukubambisana ekucindezeleni abantu abamnyama kuleli zwe.
Bonke abebehambele lesi sithangami bavumelene ngokuthi ukubiza Impi Yemali Yama-khanda ngeBHAMBATHA REBELLION ayibaniki abaMnyama isithunzi kanye nesigqi esifanele le mpi ngoba phela, phecelezi, ngesiLungu 'to rebel' wukuphuma ecaleni udlove nje okungenamqondo, kanti lempi yabe ihlelwe ngesinono futhi bonke ababeyibambile njengoBhambatha Zondi, Sgananda Shezi, Mehlokazulu Ngobese, angesale ngaphandle noChakijana, ngoba babebambisene kakhulu nobukhosi baKwaZulu bangaleso sikhathi.
Nabo ubukhosi baKwaNxamalala eNkandla badlala enkulu indima kule mpi, njengoba sikhuluma nje maningi amathambo amadoda akulesisifundazwe alele ehlathini phakathi eNkandla.
Abafundi kufane bakuqondisise ukuthi Inkosi uDinuzulu iboshwa nje idingiswe, idunguzele ize ikhothame epulazini KwaThengisanga (Middelburg), yingenxa yokuthi inkosikazi kaBhambatha uSiyekisiwe yabanjwa yaboshwa eMahlabathini, yase iyaziqeketha izindaba kubeLungu ukuthi
yona nezingane zayo babecashiswe oSuthu yinkosi uDinuzulu.
Ukuphakanyiswa kwe"Kwa Zulu" njengegama okuzoqanjwa ngalo lesi sifundazwe kabusha kuba ngenkulu inselelo kwizakhamuzi ezakhele lesi sifundazwe.
Kungabe njengoba sigubha ikhulu leminyaka ngeMpi Yemali Yamakhanda senza ngokuyikho yini ukuthi ngisho bona abacubunguli ngokuqanjwa kabusha kwamagama ezindawo kulesi sifundazwe kube ngezinye izinhlanga na?
Kungabe idolobha elikhulu kulesi sifundazwe "DURBAN"laqambeka ngokuyikho yini ngoba phela idolobha eliyokomkhulu-mbuso kulelizwe "PRETORIA" lesulwa njengoba selaziwa ngeTSHWANE nje?
Kungabe lesi sifundazwe senza ngakho yini ukwenza imikhuba ehambisana nokulanda abafela ehlathini eNkandla ngesikhathi seMpi yeMali YaMakhanda nokulanda labo abasala emajele na?
Bekungaba kuhle ukuba uquqaba olwakhele lesi sifundazwe, njengezifundiswa nosomabhizinisi badlale eyabo indima ebonakalayo ukusiza izizukulwane ezizayo, ukuze zikuqondisise kahle ukuthi kusho ukuthini ukubiza lesi sifundazwe ngokuthi kuse "KINGDOM OF THE ZULU".
NKONZWENHLE MQADI
(OnguMbhali, uMcwaningi kanye noMhlaziyi wezindaba zePolitiki)
ETHEKWINI
KUYETHUSA, kuyenyanyisa futhi kulichilo ukuba abezindaba kanye nosopolitiki babange omkhulu umsindo uma sekukhulume umlomo ongathethi manga, iSilo samaBandla Onke kulesi sifundazwe uNdabezitha Goodwill Zwelithini kaDinuZulu ngokuqanjwa kabusha kwesifundazwe kweliKaMthaniya kube yiKwaZulu.
Mhlawumbe sikhona isidingo sokuba emva kokwedlula kweminyaka elishumi izwe laseNi-ngizimu ne-Afrika lathola uHulumeni wentando yeningi, imiphakathi eyakhele nesizukulwane esizayo kulesi sifundisiwe ukuba kebachazelwe kabusha ngemvelaphi yegama KwaZulu-Natal.
IZulu eliPhezulu liyihlabe esikhonkosini ukuphakamisa ikuba sethiwe kabusha lesi sifundazwe futhi sibizwe ngegama vele esasaziwa ngalo kungakafiki aMaqadasi nezinjongo zawo zoku-cindezela abakhele leli zwe ngokwepolitiki, ezomnotho kanye nokushiya insila yokucindezeleka ingaphelile ngokomqondo kwabamnyama.
Ngaphambi kokungena esiphakamisweni seSilo, ngithatha leli thuba ukukhumbuza bonke abakhele lesi sifundazwe, ikakhulukazi wonke amaZulu akhonze KwaKhethomthandayo ukuthi njalo uma ukhulunywa izindaba ezithinta iSilo naseNdlunkulu, ikakhulukazi njengesabelo sezi-tiali KwiSishayamthetho, ngisho okungenadosi kuyatinyela.
Muva nje abezindaba basibikele ukuthi ongumholi weqembu labeLungu KwiSishayamthetho uMnuz Roger Burrows ukuhlabe wakuhlikiza ukwakhiwa koMthetho-sisekelo wesiifundazwe oqhakambisa amandla eSilo njengomuntu obhekele bonke abakhele lesi sifudazwe.
Zolo lokhu ongumholi weqembu lamaNdiya kwiSishayamthetho uMnuz Amichand Raj-
bansi uphakamise okuyimpicabadala lapho ethi zonke izizwe ezakhele lesi sifundazwe, kungaba. yiwo amaNdiya, amaBhunu noma amaKhaladi kufanele abe nawawo amakhosi kulesi sikhathi samanje ngoba ethi ziningi lezi zimali ezifuqelwa ehhovisi elibhekene nezindaba zeSilo naseNdlunkulu.
Ubhejane phume'siqiwini ukuphakamisile ukubhekisisa ukuqanjwa kwalesi sifundazwe KwiSithangami ebesidingida Impi Yemali YamaKhanda eye-nzeka kulesi sifundazwe emi-nyakeni elikhulu eyedlule (1906), lapho bekuhlangene khona uDkt Jacob Zuma, oSoMlando, AmaKhosi akhele lesi sifundazwe, izifundiswa kanye nabo bonke ababambe iqhaza ekwakheni kabusha umlando walesi sifundazwe futhi bonke bebeze ngamaxhama abo noma lawo adlalwa ngokhokho babo ekulwisaneni noKhandaPondo bangaleso sikhathi.
Ingqikithi yesithangami bekungukubhekisisa kabusha igama elethiwa ngabelungu kule mpi ethathwa njengeyaba namahlandla aqavile ekuhlanganiseni zonke izizwe ezimnyama ezakhele izwe laseNingizimu ne-Afrika, ngemuva kokuba amaNgisi namaBhunu (1899-19-02) eselwile, ehlulana ase exolelana ukuze akwazi ukubambisana ekucindezeleni abantu abamnyama kuleli zwe.
Bonke abebehambele lesi sithangami bavumelene ngokuthi ukubiza Impi Yemali Yama-khanda ngeBHAMBATHA REBELLION ayibaniki abaMnyama isithunzi kanye nesigqi esifanele le mpi ngoba phela, phecelezi, ngesiLungu 'to rebel' wukuphuma ecaleni udlove nje okungenamqondo, kanti lempi yabe ihlelwe ngesinono futhi bonke ababeyibambile njengoBhambatha Zondi, Sgananda Shezi, Mehlokazulu Ngobese, angesale ngaphandle noChakijana, ngoba babebambisene kakhulu nobukhosi baKwaZulu bangaleso sikhathi.
Nabo ubukhosi baKwaNxamalala eNkandla badlala enkulu indima kule mpi, njengoba sikhuluma nje maningi amathambo amadoda akulesisifundazwe alele ehlathini phakathi eNkandla.
Abafundi kufane bakuqondisise ukuthi Inkosi uDinuzulu iboshwa nje idingiswe, idunguzele ize ikhothame epulazini KwaThengisanga (Middelburg), yingenxa yokuthi inkosikazi kaBhambatha uSiyekisiwe yabanjwa yaboshwa eMahlabathini, yase iyaziqeketha izindaba kubeLungu ukuthi
yona nezingane zayo babecashiswe oSuthu yinkosi uDinuzulu.
Ukuphakanyiswa kwe"Kwa Zulu" njengegama okuzoqanjwa ngalo lesi sifundazwe kabusha kuba ngenkulu inselelo kwizakhamuzi ezakhele lesi sifundazwe.
Kungabe njengoba sigubha ikhulu leminyaka ngeMpi Yemali Yamakhanda senza ngokuyikho yini ukuthi ngisho bona abacubunguli ngokuqanjwa kabusha kwamagama ezindawo kulesi sifundazwe kube ngezinye izinhlanga na?
Kungabe idolobha elikhulu kulesi sifundazwe "DURBAN"laqambeka ngokuyikho yini ngoba phela idolobha eliyokomkhulu-mbuso kulelizwe "PRETORIA" lesulwa njengoba selaziwa ngeTSHWANE nje?
Kungabe lesi sifundazwe senza ngakho yini ukwenza imikhuba ehambisana nokulanda abafela ehlathini eNkandla ngesikhathi seMpi yeMali YaMakhanda nokulanda labo abasala emajele na?
Bekungaba kuhle ukuba uquqaba olwakhele lesi sifundazwe, njengezifundiswa nosomabhizinisi badlale eyabo indima ebonakalayo ukusiza izizukulwane ezizayo, ukuze zikuqondisise kahle ukuthi kusho ukuthini ukubiza lesi sifundazwe ngokuthi kuse "KINGDOM OF THE ZULU".
NKONZWENHLE MQADI
(OnguMbhali, uMcwaningi kanye noMhlaziyi wezindaba zePolitiki)
ETHEKWINI
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY BILL REQUIRES A ........
INDEPENDENT-ON-SATURDAY 17 October 1998
TRANSFORMATION has become a buzzword in our contemporary democracy. The question which then arises is: how do we transform a heterogeneous country like South Africa without fanning the flames of racial prejudice?
This noble process is characterised by considerable debate and discussion as various views are put forward regarding the achievement of a truer democracy.
How will the Employment Equity Bill help towards transforming our society by eliminating apartheid's legacy of inequality?
Both the supporters and the vocal detractors of the new Bill merit some audience.
To the previously disadvantaged communities, the Bill is seen as the most comprehensive anti-discriminatory piece of legislation in our new-found democracy.
It is the relevant practical framework to redress past discrimination in the work-place.
Liberal
To the opponents of the Bill, who are our very own liberal comrades, they condemn it as the reintroduction of the very draconian principles of the National Party government's apartheid and racial favouritism. But the fundamental questions raised by the Bill are very straight-forward.
Should the Government invoke racially-biased legislation and policy formulation in
"Employmen Equity Bill requires a longer view
Far from being inimical to democracy, the Employment Equity Bill seeks to promote equality at the work-place, argues NKONZO MQADI
favour of disadvantaged groups in order to heal the social and economic wounds of the past?
Does the Government need to threaten punitive measures to accelerate black advancement?
In South Africa's unique democracy, much must be focused on the State's democratisation.
Does transformation equal democracy?
Race-based legislation would prove very contentious. Racial divide is at the very root of economic inertia in South Africa. Two major race groups in South Africa are on a collision course.
The formal job market sector continues to be dominated by those who benefited the most under apartheid.
Nevertheless, it is in meir interest to join the struggle to eliminate the prevailing imbalances.
On the other hand, proponents of this Bill are convinced that it seeks to give those who were oppressed during the apartheid era opportunities of which they were deprived earlier. The Verwoerdian-style image of largely white males in cushy jobs and black people doing menial labour is still embedded in the workplace.
How does the Government go about with the so-called "levelling of the playing fields"?
Shortage
Quite a pathetic position is advanced by Dr Anthea Jeffrey of the South African lnstitute of Race Relations who argues that'"there is evidence that the most important constraint on black advancement is not race prejudice, but the shortage of black people with the necessary skills and experience".
Why were black people under-developed? Is it true that many whites benefited from job reservation under the Colour Bar Act?
Let che black-led ANC Government champion the bread-and-butter issues of the poorer of the poor. The Government must serve to uplift the social and economic conditions of the disadvantaged black people.
The anti-apartheid struggle for freedom were very much about access to socio-economic opportunities.
We must stop clouding the Bill in political rhetoric and emotive statements. We must look at the Bill in terms of South Africa's long-term economic prospects, not in terms of the delicate state of race relations.
Notwithstanding foreign investments, the Government of the day must stop the appeasement policy to the "captains of industry".
Mr Godfrey Ohphant, ANC MP and chairman of the Parliament Portfolio Committee on Labour, sums it up like this: "You cannot redress past injustices if you deny history The Bill, therefore, recognises groups in order to provide an effective framework to, among other things, de-racialiset our society "
As we attempt to redress the inequalities so prevalent in our wonderful Rainbow Nation, the Bill's detractors will tell you that the best way to address the apartheid legacy is to train and educate people to take up their rightful place in the economy
No advocate of equity other than Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, sums up this debate on transformation better: "If the real problem we face - of ending the legacy of the past - persists, it will not be because we are cursed with the gift of diversity".
Nkonzo Mqadi is a University of Durban-Westville political science graduate and is presently doing his second year LLB degree at that university.
TRANSFORMATION has become a buzzword in our contemporary democracy. The question which then arises is: how do we transform a heterogeneous country like South Africa without fanning the flames of racial prejudice?
This noble process is characterised by considerable debate and discussion as various views are put forward regarding the achievement of a truer democracy.
How will the Employment Equity Bill help towards transforming our society by eliminating apartheid's legacy of inequality?
Both the supporters and the vocal detractors of the new Bill merit some audience.
To the previously disadvantaged communities, the Bill is seen as the most comprehensive anti-discriminatory piece of legislation in our new-found democracy.
It is the relevant practical framework to redress past discrimination in the work-place.
Liberal
To the opponents of the Bill, who are our very own liberal comrades, they condemn it as the reintroduction of the very draconian principles of the National Party government's apartheid and racial favouritism. But the fundamental questions raised by the Bill are very straight-forward.
Should the Government invoke racially-biased legislation and policy formulation in
"Employmen Equity Bill requires a longer view
Far from being inimical to democracy, the Employment Equity Bill seeks to promote equality at the work-place, argues NKONZO MQADI
favour of disadvantaged groups in order to heal the social and economic wounds of the past?
Does the Government need to threaten punitive measures to accelerate black advancement?
In South Africa's unique democracy, much must be focused on the State's democratisation.
Does transformation equal democracy?
Race-based legislation would prove very contentious. Racial divide is at the very root of economic inertia in South Africa. Two major race groups in South Africa are on a collision course.
The formal job market sector continues to be dominated by those who benefited the most under apartheid.
Nevertheless, it is in meir interest to join the struggle to eliminate the prevailing imbalances.
On the other hand, proponents of this Bill are convinced that it seeks to give those who were oppressed during the apartheid era opportunities of which they were deprived earlier. The Verwoerdian-style image of largely white males in cushy jobs and black people doing menial labour is still embedded in the workplace.
How does the Government go about with the so-called "levelling of the playing fields"?
Shortage
Quite a pathetic position is advanced by Dr Anthea Jeffrey of the South African lnstitute of Race Relations who argues that'"there is evidence that the most important constraint on black advancement is not race prejudice, but the shortage of black people with the necessary skills and experience".
Why were black people under-developed? Is it true that many whites benefited from job reservation under the Colour Bar Act?
Let che black-led ANC Government champion the bread-and-butter issues of the poorer of the poor. The Government must serve to uplift the social and economic conditions of the disadvantaged black people.
The anti-apartheid struggle for freedom were very much about access to socio-economic opportunities.
We must stop clouding the Bill in political rhetoric and emotive statements. We must look at the Bill in terms of South Africa's long-term economic prospects, not in terms of the delicate state of race relations.
Notwithstanding foreign investments, the Government of the day must stop the appeasement policy to the "captains of industry".
Mr Godfrey Ohphant, ANC MP and chairman of the Parliament Portfolio Committee on Labour, sums it up like this: "You cannot redress past injustices if you deny history The Bill, therefore, recognises groups in order to provide an effective framework to, among other things, de-racialiset our society "
As we attempt to redress the inequalities so prevalent in our wonderful Rainbow Nation, the Bill's detractors will tell you that the best way to address the apartheid legacy is to train and educate people to take up their rightful place in the economy
No advocate of equity other than Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, sums up this debate on transformation better: "If the real problem we face - of ending the legacy of the past - persists, it will not be because we are cursed with the gift of diversity".
Nkonzo Mqadi is a University of Durban-Westville political science graduate and is presently doing his second year LLB degree at that university.
STUDENTS MUST LEARN TO HELP THEMSELVES
INDEPENDENT-ON-SATURDAY 24 April 1999
Would it not be a wonderful exercise, with the University ofDurban-Westville (UDW) pioneering it, for historically black institutions' student presentative councils (SRCs) to embark on a student fund-raising drive in the private sector?
Quite frankly one could not argue for a student fund-raising drive without any deeper and well-informed analysis of problems prevalent in historically black institutions (HBIs).
As a vocal student in the student governance structures, I cannot but understand it better.
Having been a student at the University of Durban-Westville for some time, it really pains one that each year one will be part of the student population at loggerheads with university authorities.
The previously underfunded institutions' student protests about fees as this does not only disrupt the academic programme but further tarnish the image of the institutions to potential private sector funders and the outside world.
It becomes even worse when such protest is characterised by intimidation of other segments of the student population and vandalism of property.
As each one of us is a partner in education, what role do students have to play through their respective SRCs?
Through the Tertiary ducation Fund of South Africa (TEFSA), the government has partially played its role, parents with their meagre salaries have taken s all the way to tertiary level.
We, as students, must stop lamenting the country's high
"Students must learn to help themselves. Poor students at tertiary institutions should be innovative in their search for solutions", suggests NKONZO MQADI
unemployment rate affecting our parents.
As a gesture of goodwill, let us meet our parents, the Government and university authorities half way.
Would it not be good to put into place a networking process with the outside world for our tertiary fund-raising?
While most people would agree with the institutions of higher learning that they could not afford to register students free of charge, what measures are being taken by the student population to ensure that fees are paid?
Students seem to be re-active in their approach towards addressing the question of tertiary education funding. The State funding through TEFSA has its own shortcoming because it only caters for academically successful students, who have some form of income at home.
To develop every aspect of students' need, our SRCs must convince all stakeholders in education that despite the odds militating against the attainment of higher education, the youth is very much committed to education.
SRCs as responsible leaders should go an extra mile in catering for the people who voted them into office. As future leaders of this country, SRCs must stop laying the blame with the Government and tertiary institutions' authorities.
In this representative democracy students, students as a vibrant constituency, should mandate the respective SRCs to galvanise all forces towards students' total development.
As a principle, HBIs' SRCs should adopt a programme of action which statels that, as we enter the next millennium, there will be no more academic disruptions pertaining to financial exclusions at the institutions.
It should be clear to every student that university authorities are the least interested in the personal development of the poor black student.
Let us, as a collective, push our intransigent management into a corner.
To realise this, SRCs have to act in concert with the respective convocations. Through the various bodies that fall under their auspices, SRCs must be used for fund-raising purposes. Through these, students could establish fheir own self-help projects. HBIs' SRCs should start by organising dinners and/or balls at least three times a year, inviting prominent speakers to deliver speeches about topical events.
Preferably, such speakers should be alma-maters of that institution.Tickets for such balls must be sold to the individuals as well as to corporations, with proceeds going to the SRCs' funds.
As a classic example, UDW, in particular, has its graduates occupying strategic positions in Government institutions and conglomerates.
UDW can invite Cabinet Ministers such as Mr Vali Moosa, Mr Jay Naidoo, Constitutional Court Judge Zac Yacoob, ANC Youth League president Mr Malusi Gigaba, National Youth Commission chairperson Miss Mahlengi Bhengu - the list of eminent people from this campus is endless.
SRCs need to remind these role models about the idea behind the fund-raising exercise. No appearance fees should be charged - it must come from the goodness of their hearts, giving back to the university community that contributed to what they are today.
University communities, you will bear my ignorance of the Universities Act. One does not agitate that SRCs must act ultra vires in bypassing the institutions' public affairs departments, whose specific function is to market the institutions to the outside world.
If students are committed to the paramount objective of acquiring a proper education without any academic disruptions, these proposals merit some critical digestion. The SRCs and the convocation can take the initiative and reduce the level of conflict at the respective institutions of higher learning.
Mr Nkonzo Mqadi is a political science graduate and a final-year LLB student.
Would it not be a wonderful exercise, with the University ofDurban-Westville (UDW) pioneering it, for historically black institutions' student presentative councils (SRCs) to embark on a student fund-raising drive in the private sector?
Quite frankly one could not argue for a student fund-raising drive without any deeper and well-informed analysis of problems prevalent in historically black institutions (HBIs).
As a vocal student in the student governance structures, I cannot but understand it better.
Having been a student at the University of Durban-Westville for some time, it really pains one that each year one will be part of the student population at loggerheads with university authorities.
The previously underfunded institutions' student protests about fees as this does not only disrupt the academic programme but further tarnish the image of the institutions to potential private sector funders and the outside world.
It becomes even worse when such protest is characterised by intimidation of other segments of the student population and vandalism of property.
As each one of us is a partner in education, what role do students have to play through their respective SRCs?
Through the Tertiary ducation Fund of South Africa (TEFSA), the government has partially played its role, parents with their meagre salaries have taken s all the way to tertiary level.
We, as students, must stop lamenting the country's high
"Students must learn to help themselves. Poor students at tertiary institutions should be innovative in their search for solutions", suggests NKONZO MQADI
unemployment rate affecting our parents.
As a gesture of goodwill, let us meet our parents, the Government and university authorities half way.
Would it not be good to put into place a networking process with the outside world for our tertiary fund-raising?
While most people would agree with the institutions of higher learning that they could not afford to register students free of charge, what measures are being taken by the student population to ensure that fees are paid?
Students seem to be re-active in their approach towards addressing the question of tertiary education funding. The State funding through TEFSA has its own shortcoming because it only caters for academically successful students, who have some form of income at home.
To develop every aspect of students' need, our SRCs must convince all stakeholders in education that despite the odds militating against the attainment of higher education, the youth is very much committed to education.
SRCs as responsible leaders should go an extra mile in catering for the people who voted them into office. As future leaders of this country, SRCs must stop laying the blame with the Government and tertiary institutions' authorities.
In this representative democracy students, students as a vibrant constituency, should mandate the respective SRCs to galvanise all forces towards students' total development.
As a principle, HBIs' SRCs should adopt a programme of action which statels that, as we enter the next millennium, there will be no more academic disruptions pertaining to financial exclusions at the institutions.
It should be clear to every student that university authorities are the least interested in the personal development of the poor black student.
Let us, as a collective, push our intransigent management into a corner.
To realise this, SRCs have to act in concert with the respective convocations. Through the various bodies that fall under their auspices, SRCs must be used for fund-raising purposes. Through these, students could establish fheir own self-help projects. HBIs' SRCs should start by organising dinners and/or balls at least three times a year, inviting prominent speakers to deliver speeches about topical events.
Preferably, such speakers should be alma-maters of that institution.Tickets for such balls must be sold to the individuals as well as to corporations, with proceeds going to the SRCs' funds.
As a classic example, UDW, in particular, has its graduates occupying strategic positions in Government institutions and conglomerates.
UDW can invite Cabinet Ministers such as Mr Vali Moosa, Mr Jay Naidoo, Constitutional Court Judge Zac Yacoob, ANC Youth League president Mr Malusi Gigaba, National Youth Commission chairperson Miss Mahlengi Bhengu - the list of eminent people from this campus is endless.
SRCs need to remind these role models about the idea behind the fund-raising exercise. No appearance fees should be charged - it must come from the goodness of their hearts, giving back to the university community that contributed to what they are today.
University communities, you will bear my ignorance of the Universities Act. One does not agitate that SRCs must act ultra vires in bypassing the institutions' public affairs departments, whose specific function is to market the institutions to the outside world.
If students are committed to the paramount objective of acquiring a proper education without any academic disruptions, these proposals merit some critical digestion. The SRCs and the convocation can take the initiative and reduce the level of conflict at the respective institutions of higher learning.
Mr Nkonzo Mqadi is a political science graduate and a final-year LLB student.
KUHLE UKUBA KHONA KWAMAQEMBU APHIKISAYO EPHALAMENDE
SISIKA KWELIJIKAYO NGOMSOMBULUKO ISOLEZWE August 19, 2002
ESIKHATHINI esingaphansi konyaka kusukela kule nyanga ikhomishana kaDokotela Frederick van zyl Slabbert izokhipha izincomo zohlelo nenqubo entsha yokuvota kuleli zwe ezoqala ukusebenza ngo-2004. Ngemuva kokhetho olwedlule lwango-1999 ngabe kukhona yini amaqembu kanye nabavoti abakufundile kule minyaka edlulile na?
Ezweni elibuswa ngentando yeningi njengeNingizimu Afrika lapho kunamaqembu alinganiselwa emashumini amabili avame ukukhankasela ukhetho, kuyajabhisa ukuthi kuneqembu elilodwa lezepolitiki elikwazi ukudla umhlanganiso okhethweni ngokwedlulele, okubizwa nge two-thirds majority.
Ngisho zona izincomo zekhomishana kaVan Zyi Slabbert azizukwenza mehluko uma amaqembu asephalamende engaphumi ngokuzinikela ayozidayisa emphakathini ukuze kube yiwo alwela ukubusa emiphakathini yaknleli zwe.
Ubuhle bukahulumani wentando yeningi wukuthi ngisho lona iqembu eiibusayo liyazi ukuthi kunezimbangi ezilibhekile kukho korfke elikwenzayo
futhi okwenza lihlale libusa ngokuyikho. Phela amaqembu aphikisayo namanye asephalamende analo ilungelo lokubaketula ababusayo okhethweni olulandelayo uma zingafezwanga izethembiso. Isibonelo nje lapha KwaZulu-Natal ngemuva komshikashika ngodaba lwendawo eyodwa yokuhlala kwephalamende, kuze kwasiza umholi weqembu elingabusi esifundazweni ophakamise uMgungundlovu, njengendawo
yesiShayamthetho. Nempela ngemuva kwevoti uMsunduzi ugcine udle umhlanganiso.
Kubantu akade vele bengadingi ukuba izindaba zabo zidingidwe oLundi ngezizathu ezehlukene lwasho lukhulu lelo voti. Lokhu kukhombisa amandla iqembu eliphikasayo elinawo kuhulumeni wentando
yeningi. Zolo lokhu sonke sizibonele inkantolo yoMthethosisekelo ihlalele ukulalela le mpicabadala yomthetho wokublubuka kwamalungu ephalamemende futhi angalahlekelwa yizihlalo zawo.
Nakuba amajaji engakasikhiphi isinqumo esingujuqu kulolu daba, kodwa sesivelile isithombe sokuthi osopolitiki bahlose ukuhlubukela eqenjini elilodwa okuyilo elibusayo.
baholi abaqavile njengoMntwana Mangosuthu Buthelezi ohola iNkatha Freedom Party sebezwakalise ukukhononda ngokuba khona kweqembu elikhulu, elineningi ngokuvelele ephalamende. Phela yonke imithetho yasephalamende iqale idingidwe, ivotelwe ngobuningi beqembu ephalamende bese-ke iyaphasiswa.
Amaqembu angenalo iningi ephalamende ayohlala njalo ekhala ngaphansi ngokwevoti.
Uma ngabe wonke amaqembu ezepolitiki abesebenze ngokuyikho okhethweni olwedlule kungabe akukho lapho abaholi bekhala khona ngokuthi iqembu eiibusayo liphasisa imithetho engalungile ngoba ligabe ngokuthi vele uma sewuvotelwa umthetho lowo lizodla umhlanganiso ngoba limelwe ngokuvelele ngamalungu ephalamende. Uma amaqembu epolitiki ewenza ngokuyikho umsebenzi wokukhankasela ukhetho leli zwe lingagcina linohulumeni omelwe ngokulinganayo obusa ngokuhlanganyela. Lokho kungasiza ukuba yonke inqubo yokubusa iphathwe ngamaqembu amabili noma ngaphezulu ngokulinganayo.
Ngisho sekuphasiswe uhlobo olusha futhi olwehlukile kulolu olukhona njengamanje uma labo sopolitiki bengakazimiseli ukwenza okwehlukile kunokwenziwa yiqembu eiibusayo akukhombisi ukuthi kuzoba noshintsho kwipolitiki yakuleli zwe.
Iphalamende elikhulu eKapa kuke kwasuka lumzukuzuku omkhulu ngodaba lokuthengwa kwezikhali zezwe. Umholi wesifazane weqembu elingabusi iPan Africanist Congress uPatricia de Lilie, wavumbulula ukuthi kukhona okushaya amanzi ekusetshenzisweni kwezimali kulolu daba.
Kuyimanje abanye abaholi abaqavile beqembu lezepolitiki njengowayenguSotswebhu uTony Yengeni baphoqeleka ukushiya ezikhundleni futhbabhekene namacala omgunyatni ezinkantolo. Phezu kwakko konke lokhu abantu abaningi ezweni bakhononda ngokuthi uhulumeni obusayo awenzi lutho futhi awubanakile, bafa nsukuzonke bejuqwa ngumashayabhuqe wengculazi. Phela usizo lokwelapha abantu abampofu kulesi sifo lusezandieni zenqubomgomo yeqembu eiibusayo.
Ngikhulumisana nemiphakathi ezindaweni zasemakhaya, imiphakathi idinga kulungiswe udaba lokubambisana kwamakhosi endabuko abawakhele kanye namakhansela omasipala abawavotela. Uma sekukhona uhlelo lokubambisana olubonakalayo kulezi zinhlaka zokubusa, intuthuko namathuba emisebenzi ngeke aphazanyiswe ngokuthi wubani onelungelo lokuthuthukisa lezi zindawo.
Njengoba leli zwe lingene shi emshikashikeni wokushintsha isimo sokuphila umuntu nomuntu, wonke amaqembu ezepolitiki uma eseqala umshikashika (wokukhankasela ukhetho) wokuzicijela ukubusa leli zwe kufanele azinikele ukuvotelwa ukubusa, hhayi ukubalwa namaqembu asePhalamende nje.
ESIKHATHINI esingaphansi konyaka kusukela kule nyanga ikhomishana kaDokotela Frederick van zyl Slabbert izokhipha izincomo zohlelo nenqubo entsha yokuvota kuleli zwe ezoqala ukusebenza ngo-2004. Ngemuva kokhetho olwedlule lwango-1999 ngabe kukhona yini amaqembu kanye nabavoti abakufundile kule minyaka edlulile na?
Ezweni elibuswa ngentando yeningi njengeNingizimu Afrika lapho kunamaqembu alinganiselwa emashumini amabili avame ukukhankasela ukhetho, kuyajabhisa ukuthi kuneqembu elilodwa lezepolitiki elikwazi ukudla umhlanganiso okhethweni ngokwedlulele, okubizwa nge two-thirds majority.
Ngisho zona izincomo zekhomishana kaVan Zyi Slabbert azizukwenza mehluko uma amaqembu asephalamende engaphumi ngokuzinikela ayozidayisa emphakathini ukuze kube yiwo alwela ukubusa emiphakathini yaknleli zwe.
Ubuhle bukahulumani wentando yeningi wukuthi ngisho lona iqembu eiibusayo liyazi ukuthi kunezimbangi ezilibhekile kukho korfke elikwenzayo
futhi okwenza lihlale libusa ngokuyikho. Phela amaqembu aphikisayo namanye asephalamende analo ilungelo lokubaketula ababusayo okhethweni olulandelayo uma zingafezwanga izethembiso. Isibonelo nje lapha KwaZulu-Natal ngemuva komshikashika ngodaba lwendawo eyodwa yokuhlala kwephalamende, kuze kwasiza umholi weqembu elingabusi esifundazweni ophakamise uMgungundlovu, njengendawo
yesiShayamthetho. Nempela ngemuva kwevoti uMsunduzi ugcine udle umhlanganiso.
Kubantu akade vele bengadingi ukuba izindaba zabo zidingidwe oLundi ngezizathu ezehlukene lwasho lukhulu lelo voti. Lokhu kukhombisa amandla iqembu eliphikasayo elinawo kuhulumeni wentando
yeningi. Zolo lokhu sonke sizibonele inkantolo yoMthethosisekelo ihlalele ukulalela le mpicabadala yomthetho wokublubuka kwamalungu ephalamemende futhi angalahlekelwa yizihlalo zawo.
Nakuba amajaji engakasikhiphi isinqumo esingujuqu kulolu daba, kodwa sesivelile isithombe sokuthi osopolitiki bahlose ukuhlubukela eqenjini elilodwa okuyilo elibusayo.
baholi abaqavile njengoMntwana Mangosuthu Buthelezi ohola iNkatha Freedom Party sebezwakalise ukukhononda ngokuba khona kweqembu elikhulu, elineningi ngokuvelele ephalamende. Phela yonke imithetho yasephalamende iqale idingidwe, ivotelwe ngobuningi beqembu ephalamende bese-ke iyaphasiswa.
Amaqembu angenalo iningi ephalamende ayohlala njalo ekhala ngaphansi ngokwevoti.
Uma ngabe wonke amaqembu ezepolitiki abesebenze ngokuyikho okhethweni olwedlule kungabe akukho lapho abaholi bekhala khona ngokuthi iqembu eiibusayo liphasisa imithetho engalungile ngoba ligabe ngokuthi vele uma sewuvotelwa umthetho lowo lizodla umhlanganiso ngoba limelwe ngokuvelele ngamalungu ephalamende. Uma amaqembu epolitiki ewenza ngokuyikho umsebenzi wokukhankasela ukhetho leli zwe lingagcina linohulumeni omelwe ngokulinganayo obusa ngokuhlanganyela. Lokho kungasiza ukuba yonke inqubo yokubusa iphathwe ngamaqembu amabili noma ngaphezulu ngokulinganayo.
Ngisho sekuphasiswe uhlobo olusha futhi olwehlukile kulolu olukhona njengamanje uma labo sopolitiki bengakazimiseli ukwenza okwehlukile kunokwenziwa yiqembu eiibusayo akukhombisi ukuthi kuzoba noshintsho kwipolitiki yakuleli zwe.
Iphalamende elikhulu eKapa kuke kwasuka lumzukuzuku omkhulu ngodaba lokuthengwa kwezikhali zezwe. Umholi wesifazane weqembu elingabusi iPan Africanist Congress uPatricia de Lilie, wavumbulula ukuthi kukhona okushaya amanzi ekusetshenzisweni kwezimali kulolu daba.
Kuyimanje abanye abaholi abaqavile beqembu lezepolitiki njengowayenguSotswebhu uTony Yengeni baphoqeleka ukushiya ezikhundleni futhbabhekene namacala omgunyatni ezinkantolo. Phezu kwakko konke lokhu abantu abaningi ezweni bakhononda ngokuthi uhulumeni obusayo awenzi lutho futhi awubanakile, bafa nsukuzonke bejuqwa ngumashayabhuqe wengculazi. Phela usizo lokwelapha abantu abampofu kulesi sifo lusezandieni zenqubomgomo yeqembu eiibusayo.
Ngikhulumisana nemiphakathi ezindaweni zasemakhaya, imiphakathi idinga kulungiswe udaba lokubambisana kwamakhosi endabuko abawakhele kanye namakhansela omasipala abawavotela. Uma sekukhona uhlelo lokubambisana olubonakalayo kulezi zinhlaka zokubusa, intuthuko namathuba emisebenzi ngeke aphazanyiswe ngokuthi wubani onelungelo lokuthuthukisa lezi zindawo.
Njengoba leli zwe lingene shi emshikashikeni wokushintsha isimo sokuphila umuntu nomuntu, wonke amaqembu ezepolitiki uma eseqala umshikashika (wokukhankasela ukhetho) wokuzicijela ukubusa leli zwe kufanele azinikele ukuvotelwa ukubusa, hhayi ukubalwa namaqembu asePhalamende nje.
A MULTI-SECTORAL KZN FRONT TO TACKLE GLOBAL RECESSION
KwaZulu-Natal roleplayers in government, private sector, labour front, academics and the wider civil society have committed themselves during an economic recovery and job development summit and agreed to partner each other in the formation of the KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development Advisory Council (KZNEDAC),says MEC for Economic Development and Tourism.
Michael Mabuyakhulu said this at the close of the two-day summit held at Sibaya Casino, Ballito over the weekend. He conceeded that in the wake of the negative impact felt in the province due to the global economic crisis, it became imperative that an all-embracing intervention was initiated.to
"We've embarked on a new social partnership, and we want to make a humble contribution that will help South Africa tackle the global economic recession and speed up our economic recovery.
KZN government leaders, influential business people, labour movement leaders, academics and the civil society activists were brought together to table their views as we define our own economic recovery.
Every stakeholder in the province contributed in the two-day Economic Recovery and Jobs Development summit" outlined Mabuyakhulu.
From KZN Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize, eThekwini Mayor Obed Mlaba, SA's Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel, Durban Chamber of Business President Clive Manci, Tourism KZN CEO Ndabo Khoza, Business Unity South Africa CEO Jerry Vilakazi, to Cosatu KZN Secretary Zet Luzipho, and may more eminent persons reached consensus on the establishment of the KZNEDAC.
"We do not have a choice, we need a strong social cohesion more than ever because of the negative impact of the global credit crisis whereby the lower income groups and the poor are the hardest hit.
Through this summit we show a committment to change and to turn the crisis into an opportunity, we know it is now business unussual and we have to do things and start to prioritize people's development" said DCC's Manci.
eThekwini Mayor Obed Mlaba reminded the delegates of the world-renowned Marshal Plan which Germany and Japan had adopted to resuscitate their economy recovery plans after the second World War, and he argued that South Africa do not only need to stimulate her economy as a response to the global financial meltdown but must structure her economic policies on a long-term growth path.
And Cosatu's Zet Luzipho commended the formation of the KZNEDAC highly by saying labour views will now be tabled and heard more clearly in KZN as it will give them a proper platform 'to air serious shopfloor challenges that were faced by ordinary workers daily during the global economic recession'.
Michael Mabuyakhulu said this at the close of the two-day summit held at Sibaya Casino, Ballito over the weekend. He conceeded that in the wake of the negative impact felt in the province due to the global economic crisis, it became imperative that an all-embracing intervention was initiated.to
"We've embarked on a new social partnership, and we want to make a humble contribution that will help South Africa tackle the global economic recession and speed up our economic recovery.
KZN government leaders, influential business people, labour movement leaders, academics and the civil society activists were brought together to table their views as we define our own economic recovery.
Every stakeholder in the province contributed in the two-day Economic Recovery and Jobs Development summit" outlined Mabuyakhulu.
From KZN Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize, eThekwini Mayor Obed Mlaba, SA's Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel, Durban Chamber of Business President Clive Manci, Tourism KZN CEO Ndabo Khoza, Business Unity South Africa CEO Jerry Vilakazi, to Cosatu KZN Secretary Zet Luzipho, and may more eminent persons reached consensus on the establishment of the KZNEDAC.
"We do not have a choice, we need a strong social cohesion more than ever because of the negative impact of the global credit crisis whereby the lower income groups and the poor are the hardest hit.
Through this summit we show a committment to change and to turn the crisis into an opportunity, we know it is now business unussual and we have to do things and start to prioritize people's development" said DCC's Manci.
eThekwini Mayor Obed Mlaba reminded the delegates of the world-renowned Marshal Plan which Germany and Japan had adopted to resuscitate their economy recovery plans after the second World War, and he argued that South Africa do not only need to stimulate her economy as a response to the global financial meltdown but must structure her economic policies on a long-term growth path.
And Cosatu's Zet Luzipho commended the formation of the KZNEDAC highly by saying labour views will now be tabled and heard more clearly in KZN as it will give them a proper platform 'to air serious shopfloor challenges that were faced by ordinary workers daily during the global economic recession'.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
