tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75066526438517353632012-01-02T13:20:33.802+02:00It seeks to ask questions and share thoughts on Africa past, present and future with the hope of promoting African excellence, discouraging African negative image real and apparent.MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.comBlogger1171100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-59855293741066173862012-01-02T13:20:00.000+02:002012-01-02T13:20:33.817+02:00

The date has changed like it changes with every passing day. We now move onto a new year, most of us, with hopes of new things. New as the season may be, some old things will remain with us. One such old thing is how one routinely gets treated like shit for no other reason than that one is black. I concede, that sounds really whingey (yes, it is a made up word). Whingey as it may be, the point is

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-52998356847715156092011-09-28T21:48:00.000+02:002011-09-28T21:48:42.800+02:00

It is reported that after pressure from civil society and elsewhere, the ANC government introduced some far-reaching amendments to the Protection of Information Bill.  I have not seen the amended Bill but I am told that it limits the scope of the organs of state that may classify information as secret thereby denying access to such information.  I have also heard it suggested that the Bill must

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-92066672387561427222011-08-04T18:43:00.000+02:002011-08-04T18:43:04.873+02:00

I am at my wit’s end with Professor Jansen. What on earth did poor black children ever do to this man? Ok, here is the context to my current frustration (I have many so bear with me):  This is the article Prof. Jansen wrote in today’s edition of The Times or Timeslive, depending on what your news source is.This is not the first of this type of article that Prof. Jansen has written and this post

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-45701002983396204312011-03-20T19:49:00.000+02:002011-03-20T19:52:17.518+02:00

This blog owes its existence to the memory of Sharpeville Day (now crassly referred to as human rights day). Actually the name is not as crass as the politics that gives credence to renaming a day that is a turning point in the road that leads to Nelson Mandela being an icon to the exclusion of all others. By all accounts and from all points of view, this was a huge day!As a student I organised

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-31009545735319634392011-03-03T19:58:00.000+02:002011-03-03T21:04:23.003+02:00

Some 22 years ago on a university campus, there reigned a policy of non-participation. This policy was imposed by a black students' organisation on the basis that all organisations and fora then in existence on this particular campus, were creation of white liberals and black students should not legitimise them by participating in such reactionary formations.As is usually the case in the course

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-67224437787897670022011-02-22T21:13:00.000+02:002011-02-25T19:19:25.273+02:00

Andile Mngxitama is nothing less than a gem. He would of course not take kindly to being called a black diamond but a gem he is. There is never a doubt in his mind (as reflected in his writing) on the issues he holds dear. He provokes thought and debate and all things dear to a healthy democracy.In this, his latest offering in Sowetan, he pulls no punches. This piece is one in a chain whose

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-29541830360467860512011-02-05T17:24:00.000+02:002011-02-21T22:32:03.115+02:00

Whatever claims our fearless liberators may make, it is just the way it is - ours is a bilingual country, with both languages having nothing to do with most residents of our country and having everything to do with just getting along for peace's sake.This is of course strange some 16 years or so after calling truce and apparently changing the rules such that the woman on a wheelchair could also

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-50109323753679936892011-02-02T21:17:00.000+02:002011-02-02T22:06:15.117+02:00

I mean shush it, shut up, thula'msindo! I have just about had it with this sushi story because - yes you have guessed right - it is not a bloody story! Some guy spent some time in prison for fraud, came out, started a business or three, made some money, threw some parties, etc. Now this guy has become the very barometer by which we measure the state of the rainbow nation!Why is this a story? Why

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-68253475987812615792011-01-30T23:01:00.000+02:002011-01-30T23:19:20.267+02:00

This space is never personal or at least it is never meant to be personal. Well, this is the second time (that I can recall) that it will be personal. The thing is, I am grateful and there is nothing more personal than gratitude. You are the only one who can really know how grateful you are. It does not matter why I am grateful. It is enough for you to know that I am grateful; for a whole bunch

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-77326649124264820692010-12-06T12:22:00.000+02:002010-12-06T13:41:57.426+02:00

I know you will probably not believe me when I tell you that this post has nothing to do with Steve Hofmeyr. For what it is worth, it does not. It is as a result of a conversation on tweeter, between someone who calls himself comradesipho and another by the name of sentletse. These two among others seem to have been talking about black criminals and how they are violent or maybe there were just

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-7163403509815540822010-12-01T14:39:00.000+02:002010-12-01T14:42:30.071+02:00

There seems to be a rule that when one says something, especially if it is a view or an opinion, then one has to be right. I am not even sure what being right would be in that context but I will not dare unzip that wet suit. So I say something like “Swazi women are the most beautiful”. Yeah, yeah it is all positive and shit but what informs the observation? Is it my visit to the “reed-dance”

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-63460993270785495392010-10-07T13:54:00.000+02:002010-10-07T14:46:27.948+02:00

The CEOs of banks like those of mining companies are looting the country's resources for their individual pockets. This, or words to that effect, is what the man Julius said on television news this morning.Just when you would have thought that the income disparities would receive proper attention and ventilation, enters the man Julius. Of course there is some difference between the mining and the

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-192917255639640542010-10-04T09:14:00.000+02:002010-10-04T09:58:52.242+02:00

The constitution is too important a matter to be left to lawyers and politicians alone. This is no fancy speak; in fact I don't recall being more serious in this space than I am now, writing this post.This weekend I had a rare privilege of reading one of the speeches written by the late Robert Sobukwe. If you can, do get a copy of that booklet of speeches by one of this country's foremost leaders

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-58476462149341339332010-08-12T13:20:00.000+02:002010-08-13T15:35:04.025+02:00

As far as information goes the media in South Africa does not seem to be the best source. I decided to look for information on the Protection of Information Bill, which has caused much ado about everything in the last few days. I also searched around for information on the Media Tribunal which I am led to believe will be introduced in the near future if the ANC has its way. Well, that is a small

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-34356319642159542132010-08-04T12:22:00.000+02:002010-08-04T12:25:36.917+02:00

Why is it that when you trick someone (illiterate) to sign over their asset (which they did not think of as an asset) over to you, it is not regarded as theft? I'm fondly reminded of my forebears who signed over land because they thought they were signing an alliance or for a bag of tobacco.I guess the law is the law.

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-26896133637198400832010-07-09T10:28:00.000+02:002010-07-09T11:42:52.673+02:00

How is this for a name: Xenophobia! It comes with an exclamation point because it is meant to make you sit upright and pay attention. Similarly, "Farm Murders" is meant to say something other than human beings killing other human beings. So what is new, you may dare ask - nothing really, except the number of deaths. Oh, and the number of heads buried in the sand.I still don't know how it has

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-33120565089789981812010-05-26T09:24:00.000+02:002010-05-26T09:51:52.103+02:00

This is an argument, among several, made by an advocated I hold in very high regard - the man taught me many years ago and always mesmerised me. I now get the urge to go back to my notes, just to check. I never thought about the status of the LOC as an entity until this morning when I stumbled on the story about it being in court defending an application by the Mail & Guardian, which wants copies

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-91772296289537949952010-05-13T12:57:00.000+02:002010-05-13T14:24:39.234+02:00

A professional engineer whose name now escapes me, in a letter to the BusinessDay declares the untimely death of the word "transformation", at least as "we" know it. He mockingly thanks the BMF (Black Management Forum - not to be confused with the Black Mafia Family of Detroit origin) for offing transformation. It is widely reported that Jimmy Manyi (a black male South African), a leader of the

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-23475600819568214212010-05-10T14:31:00.000+02:002010-05-10T14:50:13.968+02:00

Please read this article by Sipho Seepe and Annette Lansink. Now, if you were a teacher/lecturer what grade would you give the authors? If you have the time, do scroll down after reading that article and you will see a crisp comment on the content of the article. You will also see the kind of negative comment that the manner in which the article is written invites.The debate is important, more

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-57026425369942833832010-04-16T11:10:00.000+02:002010-04-16T12:05:36.850+02:00

This is a difficult post on many levels but moreso because it is personal. I had, when I started this space, hoped for it to be a forum where we (I dreamt of a large following) could as best we can, deal with issues as honestly and openly as possible. These were meant and still are meant to be issues that should not be personalised. I admit now that everything is personal and that without

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-21493879134336418652010-04-05T04:15:00.000+02:002010-04-05T05:01:33.870+02:00

I'm having my first cup of tea hoping to catch Justice Malala on the telly. I am confronted by Jeremy Maggs instead and what's more, that Patta woman is also on, something is going down (I thought sipping my tea). As it turned out, something big had gone down and it had to do with my birth province, the North-West. Jeremy tells me of the breaking news no, I lie, he drowns me in analysis,

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-81703229886011796572010-03-17T18:20:00.000+02:002010-03-17T22:18:51.405+02:00

There is nothing more this space can add on the trend of protests and destruction of the very amenities that are said to be the cause of disquiet. I for one do not stir any emotion at the sight of adults pulling up traffic signs, blockading roads and generally making a shameful nuisance of themeselves in the name of "service delivery protests".What does without fail leave me in a helpless fit of

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-57924989225923145472010-03-01T14:56:00.000+02:002010-03-01T15:47:09.722+02:00

Probably around the same time as the decision that Robert Sobukwe is no longer relevant as a liberation figure in South Africa - you may say.It seems to be widely accepted that reference to African is short-hand for Black people who are not Coloured or Indian. I have also heard "Black African" being used - this is more confusing than the former use. The explanation that was given to me during one

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-23672256876338835762010-01-15T14:58:00.000+02:002010-01-15T14:59:32.980+02:00

A certain journalist, author and African-American gentleman celebrates being an American in a book whose title I cannot remember but which caused a stir a few years ago when it came out or at least when it hit the South African bookshops. The name of the gentlemen and the title of his book are not the point; the point is the celebration of his American-ness or rather, the words he uses to express

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-32611201832084484782009-12-06T14:09:00.000+02:002009-12-08T09:28:50.039+02:00

I am still trying to figure out what it means to be black in this brand new 16 years old South Africa. Go ahead and snigger all you like. This is my question, my journey and you don’t have to come with if you don’t want to. What is the one thing that makes me black today? Here? I am sure that I know the answer to these questions - Almost as sure as I am that I don’t quite know.Ok, I went on this

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-75522425813122745232009-11-27T19:40:00.000+02:002009-11-27T19:51:05.828+02:00

Does this expression still have any meaning? Government around the world is generally by proxy, often on behalf of the people hardly ever for them. Once in a while there is real interest in the politics and the politicians and then the people go out in greater than usual numbers, to vote. Generally, the voters are less than 40% of the population or hover around that. This statistic gets even more

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-44207276706128921792009-11-23T09:04:00.001+02:002009-11-23T09:05:32.114+02:00

Who exactly, is the media responsible to? Who do they account to for their actions? I believe there is some ombud or similar body that ordinary Joe Public like me may complain to and hopefully get some redress. The redress is often in the form of an apology and comes after the damage is done. I don’t know what the alternative should be so don’t ask me. The media houses are also businesses and the

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-25281694038275143392009-10-23T13:41:00.000+02:002009-10-23T13:41:54.841+02:00

Forgiveness is a privilege enjoyed by those who offer contrition; a gift from the wronged to the wrongdoer, with reconciliation as a goal. A goal that ought to raise both the wronged and the wrongdoer above the wrong. This is my understanding of the concept of forgiveness. If you disagree with this understanding then I doubt very much whether you will find any of what follows agreeable.I hold

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-20202222882327435642009-09-02T16:15:00.000+02:002009-09-02T16:40:17.636+02:00

I think I am losing my mind. There are two stories in the media which completely befuddles me. I am not even sure if they are stories worth telling in the first place (well, maybe as snippets) let alone the analysis and the interviews that I now have to be bombarded with.The first is the analysis of whether soldiers may or may not belong to a union or participate in a strike or protest. Well, now

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-33205882833997809332009-08-24T09:02:00.000+02:002009-08-24T16:07:45.353+02:00

This is what all South Africans, in fact this is what the whole world should be saying to this gifted athlete. The world does not give a damn though.There is an apparently Chinese proverb that goes "when you are being shown the moon, do not look at the finger". A lot has been written and said about Caster Mokgadi Semenya, the women's 800m champion. The greater part of what was said and written

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-3466550868930291962009-07-26T15:28:00.000+02:002009-07-27T15:53:00.029+02:00

There is a real risk of this post becoming sanctimonious. The only experience, if that, I have of what the press refers to as service delivery protests, is through the news reports and casual conversations. The facts are that yes, there have been and probably will more protest in mainly the lesser developed parts of our townships. The protesters when asked, say that the reason for their protest

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-25821617427552278382009-06-18T09:37:00.000+02:002009-06-18T11:02:17.697+02:00

I hear there is some ruction and disquiet caused by one of our best female artists Thandiswa Mazwai, she who is all woman, in my humble estimation that is. My dear wife finds her less agreeable but only in form. Give me that voice, let me enjoy the sway of those enchanting hips, ohh give me Thandiswa. All that of course is not the cause of this post, the ruction however is.Thandiswa is reported

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-52005902116182310132009-06-10T13:37:00.000+02:002009-06-10T13:38:01.416+02:00

This is well-written piece on white South Africa as seen by a white foreigner:http://www.counterpunch.org/jensen06092009.html

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-70452034079510807272009-06-03T12:31:00.000+02:002009-06-03T14:23:29.800+02:00

The poor do not matter, this is so regardless of all else that you may have read or heard. In fact, it would suit most of us just fine to not see another poor person. The first line of defence when it comes to the poor, is to look the other way, to convince ourselves of all manner of reasons that they are there. We never pause to think that maybe they are there because we (those who are not poor)

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-31015564105690880812009-05-13T11:37:00.000+02:002009-05-15T13:20:24.917+02:00

I am no authority on the history of our struggle against apartheid but I am old enough to have collected some fragmented memories of the days of mzabalazo. Thanks to these memories I am not particularly surprised by the recent mud-slinging between the ANC Youth League and the Democratic Alliance. The Democratic Alliance pursues an agenda that seeks to bring the ANC to its knees, an agenda that

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-36158768877613930852009-05-11T10:22:00.000+02:002009-05-11T12:10:00.728+02:00

The beauty of writing in a public space is that you can turn and twist words and phrases to your hearts content. Take the heading of this post for instance, it is somewhat catchy wouldn't you say? Even if I have to say so myself.A previous post stated that the 2009 elections were as, if not more energetic than those of 1994. An amazing political energy criss-crossed our beautiful land with people

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-40912354142702748492009-05-01T19:36:00.000+02:002009-05-01T19:40:16.908+02:00

Watching Gwede Mantashe or SG for those who know him personally or by affiliation, announcing the Premier nominees I could not help but realise that the ANC is going to govern. No, I don't mean that I doubted that the ANC had won the recent elections. It is just that over the last fifteen years, the ANC was not quite in the your face, you know. You had the benevolent saintly Nelson and he spoke

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-30362268904210524772009-04-26T16:50:00.002+02:002009-04-26T17:01:56.623+02:00

This has been a week of a hive of political activity that this country has never seen before. Not even 1994 can rival or even come close to what we experienced this week, as a nation and as a country. You see, 1994 elections were about laying claim to citizenship, about voting against wrong and confirming the right and the almost saintly. This past week saw the emergence of a new movement and a

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-66264448470492855212009-04-24T11:15:00.002+02:002009-04-24T11:49:42.093+02:00

Congratulations are indeed in order. I am happy that I decided to vote. As I watch the results come in and listen to the analysts make their educated deductions and predictions; I am happy that I am part of the process.I congratulate the ANC for running a formidable campaign based on what is a clear understanding of their constituency. I had my doubts but those have now be put to bed. The ANC

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-89427558461757298062009-04-17T10:53:00.008+02:002009-04-17T17:52:39.665+02:00

Some time last year I decided that I am not going to vote in this year's elections. I also celebrated the fact that I am not a citizen of Australia. You see, down under, if you choose not to exercise your democratic right to pick which bunch you would like to abuse your loyalty, you are guilty of a crime, punishable by a fine. So, just because I could (well mainly because I could not decide which

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-45391377682532261302009-04-09T07:37:00.004+02:002009-04-11T04:55:20.087+02:00

Advocate Mokoted Mpshe (shame Helen Zille had such a torrid time trying to say the surname and keep a straight face - wait her face is straight, anyway) is the acting National Director of Public Prosecution; his predecessor having been removed by (a sort of acting) President Motlanthe (another name Helen Zille struggles with) for not being fit to hold the office of the National Director of Public

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-29674692738660046852009-04-07T16:45:00.003+02:002009-04-07T17:25:35.504+02:00

The year you may have thought that you are voting for Nelson Mandela when in fact you were voting for the ANC. You remember them? Those scary people who planted bombs and told the children to make the country ungovernable - yes, them.The year you may have thought that your dignity will be given back to you; your humaneness be recognised. The year you may have thought that things will change for

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-46425536284407749542009-04-06T11:39:00.004+02:002009-04-07T22:13:17.410+02:00

I grew up in the midst of violence and I do not think that it is in any way an exaggeration. I grew up in the company of violence, most of it almost always directed at and suffered by the weak and the marginalised.Vimba! (pronounced veem-ber) Thiba! (pronounced tea-ber) both meaning stop. Ok, some context: a stray dog is running away from a group of boys who for no other reason than that it is a

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-27858768007839074712009-03-23T16:37:00.003+02:002009-03-23T17:15:13.142+02:00

The appeal of democracy is said to be that is it government of the people, by the people for the people. I don't know what it is about our brand of constitutional democracy that makes it government of some people, by some people for some people but it turns out that way or there are at least enough instances where it is the case.By way of an illustration, there are many people from all walks of

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-75630250570945846882009-03-15T22:57:00.009+02:002009-03-16T20:45:27.314+02:00

Prof. Jansen asks or is it asserts, what a leader of a divided community ought to do - unite the divided community - that is the primary function of a leader, says the good Prof. This is an interesting read, like most of the good professor's writings. It is also a little less than what I would have liked to get from the pen of a man of his academic stature. This, however is the end of the world

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-20697248626380803022009-03-06T14:46:00.005+02:002009-03-09T09:59:37.764+02:00

In the last few weeks I have had the privilege of reading Ben Tourok's "Nothing but the Truth" and I am currently reading "Slave: My True Story" by Mende Nazer and Damien Lewis. A few hours ago I chanced upon "This time it's Mrs Clinton's turn" an article by James G Abourezk, published at http://www.counterpunch.org/It is no small wonder that Hendrik Verwoerd and his cronnies would not let black

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-76185068695455739722009-03-04T14:45:00.002+02:002009-03-05T14:05:16.996+02:00

I am embarrassed and rightly so.A few days ago, February 25 to be exact, I published a blog brazenly accusing the Weekender (a weekend newspaper related to Business Day) of not publishing a letter I had written in response to an article by one of their columnists. I was wrong. I have just learned that they have in fact published that letter in their edition of January 31.See for yourself: http://

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-30765099100079020042009-03-03T16:28:00.008+02:002009-03-04T10:42:50.500+02:00

I remember the T-shirts bearing these words from the late 80's and early 90's or thereabout. It was with reference to what apartheid was doing to black children, children in the townships. I borrow the phrase for a different purpose but with a similar reference point: the suffering of children as a consequence of the actions of adults. This time it is not apartheid I seek to blame for the

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-89639006014719445352009-02-25T09:55:00.010+02:002009-02-27T10:24:44.057+02:00

Some weeks ago, having read an article/opinion piece by Dr Xolela Mangcu, I wrote in response and made my response available to the Weekender in order to provide Dr Mangcu a right of reply as one would in a free exchange of ideas - or not. Having not received a response from the Weekender or even an acknowledgement of receipt and not having Dr Mangcu's contact details, I post the response here,

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-63096874403144349162009-02-23T15:47:00.009+02:002009-02-26T10:21:58.239+02:00

The president of the Azanian People's Organization (Azapo) failed to see the line between protest and disruption or maybe he did see it but was too ashamed (as he should be) to accept it. This happened during an interview on SAFM following the deplorable behaviour of individuals identified by the media (with no objection) as members or supporters of Azapo. The story is well-known by now and does

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-73294806479245441932009-02-19T14:21:00.004+02:002009-02-19T17:13:01.478+02:00

This is according to Mr Thula Bophela, a decorated veteran of uMkhonto we Sizwe who was almost hanged by the then Rhodesian government after being captured following the famous Wankie campaign. This is not a person to be ignored where matters of the liberation of this country are concerned. He was right there in the thick of things and literally put his life on the line for his country. He has

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-89854381383853545132009-02-16T08:51:00.006+02:002009-02-16T12:41:01.026+02:00

I am reminded of the words of Billy Bragg, remember him? The socialist musician who called Margaret Thatcher things I cannot repeat. Yes, the very one who had the following words printed on the cover of his albums: capitalim kills music, do not pay more than (x pounds) for this album. Well, I don't think I can help you further than that. Billy Bragg says in one of his songs: what will you do when

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-25007086409396177932009-02-09T13:47:00.011+02:002009-02-09T21:45:39.776+02:00

The importance of news media is one that can hardly be debated, less so doubted. So, when conduct less than professional and less than unbiased is attributed to the media, my heart just sinks. Allow me to say up front: hang your collective heads in shame honourable members of the 4th estate. It is with this disappointment that I invite you dear readers to have a look at the following post (which

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-48557330995627318292009-02-09T12:05:00.002+02:002009-02-09T21:43:47.142+02:00

Just because you are caught in the rain, does not make it ok to piss on yourself.

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-75406204866656752162009-02-02T19:25:00.005+02:002009-02-04T11:06:12.190+02:00

That, I believe (probably erroneously) is where the Cop thing comes from. If that be the case, where does it leave the Johannesburg ratepayers? For one thing, it definitely leaves them without peace. What with over 90% of the custodians of peace out on strike?Wayne Minaar, the superitendent and spokesperson for the Johannesburg Metropolitan Department (JMPD) will have the general public believe

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-63858290797802852292009-02-01T21:42:00.004+02:002009-02-01T22:21:48.143+02:00

Let me just say upfront that I do not claim originality on the heading, I heard or read it somewhere. I just watched Election Debates on SABC 2 and was enthralled. The points made were good, mostly. And then I saw Mr Ngcebetsha - speaking on behalf of Cope. I was just about to get all sanctimonious and judgemental when I remembered what Dr Mangcu once wrote, or is it once said: people are complex

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-36950585507959266762009-01-29T17:40:00.010+02:002009-01-30T09:08:45.175+02:00

Race is just about the most considered concept in the day to day lives of many South Africans. That is just the way things are. Well everytime I raise anything race based or related I am promptly told to get the chip off my shoulder and look to the future and forget the past because it is in the past. Well, the past is my present and as for the future - who knows?My difficulty is that the country

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-53314158107104920872009-01-27T17:41:00.003+02:002009-01-27T17:55:12.913+02:00

The recent nonsense that have spewed forth from Terror Lekota's mouth regarding affirmative action has left me seething with anger. I am not proud to be angry after all, when Terror was premier of the Free State province, he made it clear to a bunch of afrikaners that they should not come into his office proclaiming to be angry. Anger, he said is an animal instinct and does not scare him - or

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-82911466905760842212009-01-26T15:48:00.005+02:002009-01-26T16:38:21.655+02:00

According to the newspapers South Africans stand to gain some brains thanks to the near collapse of the economies abroad. What with the death of financial giants and retailers alike -South Africans who previously would not be caught dead in this terrible country, are now considering coming home to contribute to the growth of the economy, skills transfer and so on and so forth.For this I am

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-6042445168307956892009-01-24T22:26:00.006+02:002009-01-30T21:34:19.751+02:00

So I let myself be talked into attending the Cope manifesto launch by Laura, yes she of http://laura-land.blogspot.com/ do pay her visit if you will. Anyway, it turned out to be an interesting outing. The following picture was taken last. The kids were waving the Cope poster as they sang: “iCope yethu, ayina mashower, ayina umshini”. That apparently translates into something along the lines of

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-18763141988861578322009-01-23T10:48:00.000+02:002009-01-23T10:58:13.602+02:00

This is said to come from King Henry VI, a play by Shakespeare, Act IV, Scene II if you are interested. The character in the play to whom these famous words are attributed is no Ghandi and his motives for the statements are not motivated by world peace. These words have however been thrown around in various contexts but it is not always in malice that they are repeated. Ok, I got a little carried

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-12066351426245554512009-01-20T09:03:00.003+02:002009-01-20T09:11:09.812+02:00

Siphiwe, a guest on the “Tlhware Logonyana” blog (http://wataola.blogspot.com) is of the view that, at the core of the current issues plaguing the ANC is the historical if not age old class divide within the movement. Nothing wrong with that except on his way to or after reaching that conclusion he makes certain statements that unfortunately detract from what is by all accounts a fine mind.He

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-63420773724832417342009-01-15T16:04:00.013+02:002009-01-15T22:39:34.501+02:00

This is a quote from "The Conservative Sage" a blogger based in the US. This is infact a mantra that he repeats several times in his post "Hamas and the Hornest Nest". Of course this is not new to those who have been following the war being waged by Israel against the people of Gaza.Those like the blogger I referred to, who are in support of the Israeli assault on Gaza wish the world to believe

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-38232490732762672932009-01-12T16:36:00.007+02:002009-01-13T09:31:14.967+02:00

I have just read the judgement of the Supreme Court of Appeals in the matter between one JG Zuma and the National Prosecuting authority. To borrow from the judge, the law reports are replete with judgements between the two parties, consequently there is no need to tell a long story here; because there is no story.So, what does JZ do, faced with a judgement that undoes the Judgement of Nicholson?

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-51230081267357468832009-01-07T18:27:00.009+02:002009-01-11T12:26:25.245+02:00

Consider the following two scenarios:A client enters the offices of a certain law firm and encounters a black woman behind the reception desk. She asks to see some named person at the firm. She asks politely and in english much to the dismay and disappointment of the receptionist lady. You see, the client is black and should not in the black lady-behind-the-reception-desk's view, be addressing

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-20160883690955582042009-01-05T12:19:00.006+02:002009-01-05T12:33:46.712+02:00

It is, once again the beginning of another year and another chance to start afresh and to make amends on the previous year. No doubt, this year like many others before it, Afrika will see untold amount of strife, pain and yes, death.A lot has been said and made of the governments of this continent that I love so. There more I read on governments of Afrika (and that is by no means a lot) the more

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-24498324389789201722008-12-17T11:48:00.006+02:002008-12-17T12:12:32.222+02:00

Given the sheer size of the report and the fact that I do, contrary to popular believe, have a day job, picking is all I can do to this report. The report by Dr Frene Ginwala or her counsel, if any, is one that is long and complex, at least to me. What if anything are we to make of this report? Should it in any way be a surprise? The one thing it is, at least for me, is confusing not in itself

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-10129493345080497732008-12-10T06:15:00.004+02:002008-12-10T06:21:57.895+02:00

The article by Heidi Holland in the opinion and analysis pages of the Star (8 December 2008) is an interesting read. Interesting in the sense that it is a cleverly written lot of nonsense with lots of factual inaccuracies. I think it also betrays a lot of, yes, deep seated racism that is prevalent in the majority of whites in this country. You will notice that I say majority and it is not an

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-84303639779607290812008-12-04T18:24:00.003+02:002008-12-05T08:21:05.428+02:00

I am farcically reminded of a “joke” I read years ago in which the legendary Sipho was asked by his teacher to construct a sentence using the words, defence, defeat and detail. Sipho proudly stated that “de cow jumped over defence, defeat first and then detail”. The farce is brought about the latest election trail noises which sadly sacrifice true politics in favour of sound bites (this by the

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-34506902650192595392008-12-01T17:29:00.019+02:002008-12-02T10:40:35.605+02:00

Today is Aids Day, everywhere in the world. Professor Malegapuru Makgoba is upbeat about the whole affair, where South Africa is concerned that is. He insists that this is no flash in the pan excitement either – No! his excitement is here to stay. In his own vernacular words he says “once you have woken up the chickens, you can’t put them back to sleep” (my translation).This is with reference to

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-81318591157010439002008-12-01T09:09:00.005+02:002008-12-01T11:54:03.399+02:00

Mr Lekota, having accepted an invitation for a meeting from some business people of Stellenbosch, proceeded to arrive some 2 hours late. Not a good showing for a new deal kinda guy, I’d say. The hosts, even though some decided to vote with their time-conscious feet, were persuaded that the man’s personal safety is a good enough reason to be late – sort of like being late for golf because you

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-23001565910274818602008-11-27T18:35:00.006+02:002008-11-27T20:00:33.891+02:00

Like most "firsts", the anticipation fuelled excitement promptly fizzles out at the reality of the actual happening of the "first" - for want of a better description. This was unfortunately no different with the debate conducted by his royal Phatness on his Kaya FM morning show. Take nothing away from the audacity of it all and even less from the gusto with which the participants went at each

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-32716488254248798282008-11-24T11:25:00.006+02:002008-11-24T11:36:13.384+02:00

“Nobody wants to kill the springbok” blah, blah, blah fish-paste, says the honourable Stofile, the minister of Sport and Recreation, etc. This he says in his capacity as a public official apparently on behalf of us dumb and sometimes deaf voters. Well, dearest honourable Stofile, I hereby recall all previous authority I may have granted you to speak on my behalf.In case you think I have something

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-9682273819524617192008-11-16T20:02:00.013+02:002008-11-17T11:46:44.876+02:00

One of the privileges of being a member or an official of a trade union is the annual (or different frequency) wage offers and counter-offers aka wage negotiations. This is one of those fascinating phenomena of the modern economy, at least as experienced in SA. Grown men and women attend expensively arranged, even more expensively conducted meetings at which they have a contest of demands and

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-78556310214401020722008-11-14T17:42:00.010+02:002008-11-15T19:56:37.327+02:00

It does not get more dangerous than when a failed engineer takes on a professor of education on the professor's views about education. A few disclaimers are called for at this stage. I am fond of the good professor, not of him really because I don't know the man like that, but of his writing and views on education and other social issues. This post, I hope, will reflect the respect and fondness I

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-56158478493127801352008-11-12T17:19:00.002+02:002008-11-12T18:12:36.043+02:00

Which part of "Mugabe lost the elections" do these guys not get. I am hard-pressed not to refer to them as anything more disrespectful than "guys". Here are the gentlemen (I am not aware of any ladies among that lot) who go by the title "SADC leaders" or "cowards" according to another gentleman who would like to become a SADC leader - having a meeting apparently to resolve the problems of

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-52230720899410906392008-11-05T20:27:00.006+02:002008-11-05T21:43:51.689+02:00

"Things like this do not happen but for the Grace of God" my wife says this morning as we sat watching the celebrations accross the US, following Barack Obama's speech. I hesitate to refer to that speech as a victory speech.It is not long ago that he was described as a 1 term senator with no experience. Apparently, so the competition asserted, all he had was a speech. He was not ready, he would

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-16428352472526904492008-11-05T19:47:00.010+02:002011-02-03T15:29:59.169+02:00

Good is a character discernable in its own right. Being human, we have the ability (apparently) to tell good when we see it. For completeness' sake, we apparently can also tell bad. The presence of one does not however indicate the absence of the other.I am reminded of a poster I read some years ago: "there is so much good in the worst of us and so much evil in the best of us . . ." Good has

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-59632110776728644872008-10-30T19:40:00.004+02:002008-11-01T11:31:59.060+02:00

Some wealthy American Caucasian is credited for having coined the statement: “in the business world, the rear-view mirror is a lot clearer than the windshield”, or words to that effect. In the same vein may I please be credited for: “in South African politics the rear-view mirror often blurs the windscreen”.I have read somewhere or heard somewhere that, apart from the Polokwane and the Durban

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-18397171273435412812008-10-10T21:33:00.016+02:002008-10-13T16:56:32.250+02:00

There was once a disruption of the Johannesburg central business district. Well, the city was pretty much brought to a standstill. The details are a little scatchy to me now but it apparently had to do with unhappy high school pupils, apparently members of Congress of South African Students (Cosas), then under the leadership of among others, Mr Julius Malema. The march was in protest of the

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-57757568803715329102008-09-22T15:40:00.009+02:002008-09-24T08:43:25.880+02:00

Now that I have had an opportunity to familiarise myself with the provisions of our Constitution that deal with the removal of the President and related matters, I appreciate even more the resignation of Thabo Mbeki. In his own words, he chose to abide by the decision of the ANC as a member of the ANC.A quick look at the provisions of the Constitution show that had he decided not to co-operate

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-1199325475786759682008-09-06T06:00:00.006+02:002008-09-08T20:55:31.986+02:00

. . . and then, there will be blood. This is generally how it goes, at least in my limited experience of our world; and no, this is not the stuff of Afrika only, it is the world order as we know it. So the last few weeks I went out to find good news, good writing, good humour - hell anything good.It is in this search that I stumbled on Mr Harber's (he of the Weekly Mail fame) thought-provoking

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-9357431219280178012008-08-27T20:52:00.007+02:002008-10-09T17:38:09.370+02:00

Ours is a beautiful country, at least so I am told. Well, often Table Mountain is pointed out and some unspoilt beach, a botanical garden or some panoramic view in Mpumalanga. Ok, I concede, it is a beautiful country and largely, with beautiful people in it. It is also a place where resentment thrives . . .It is also only 14 years ago that I could call it my country as opposed to just living here

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-69811948553623107372008-08-27T16:47:00.008+02:002008-08-27T20:15:11.111+02:00

And I am pleased to have my wife and the television remote control back. Elsewhere in South Africa there are questions about the performance of our athletes (the Proteas) or maybe their lack of performance, whichever way you may wish to read it. I am reminded of a spat that occurred between those that are in charge of the national olympic team and those that are meant to be in charge of those

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-62442525339050984382008-08-21T20:07:00.017+02:002008-11-05T20:05:19.184+02:00

And when thrust into a body of a human being it may maim or kill. By the time one gets to around age 10, one becomes socialised to understand the effect a fast moving sword will have if it were to collide with a human body. Now, sometimes in a fit of rage, stupidity or callous selfishness we tend to forget these basic truths. Forget yes, but these truths are never "unlearned" they remain known to

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-52525486009262195862008-08-15T22:06:00.007+02:002009-04-14T16:26:03.808+02:00

Back in the day when South Africa was white, had no crime and black people were meant to know their place, the Springboks were the national sportsmen and sportswomen who had the honour of representing the sporting aspirations of the nation. The springbok (a type of an antelope) was the emblem and a symbol under which the athletes representing the then Republic of South Africa competed against

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-90741061782386515862008-07-30T14:38:00.002+02:002008-07-30T14:45:32.130+02:00

When did it become ok to go past a child that is alone, roaming the streets in the middle of the night?

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-1641801020832476762008-07-28T16:11:00.008+02:002008-07-28T16:55:40.729+02:00

There is little doubt that the struggle of the people of this country is portrayed in the image of Nelson Mandela. The man is as close as one can get to a Saint, in my view. What I know of the reveals that he does good for good sake, for want of a better description. Larger than life as this great man may be, the struggle of the people of this country is multi-faceted and happened at different

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-14199255909609864512008-07-27T14:58:00.008+02:002008-07-27T15:31:46.917+02:00

I have no idea what it is that Sascoc does (let alone what it stands for) I intend to find out soon but in the meantime, who on earth are they? I read somewhere that they (speaking through their fearless leader) one Moss Mashishi, have decided to sever ties with the parliamentary sports portfolio committe. I ask once again, who are they?Mr Mashishi, in underpinning Sascoc's decision to dissociate

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-71069919867247131632008-07-25T15:56:00.006+02:002008-07-27T14:57:54.782+02:00

This is what came to mind while reading the latest newspaper reports; and boxing is really not my favourite sport. Our journalism has really sunk to the new low levels of "mine is bigger than yours" - tough talk that is.The first jab is aimed at the infamous jaw of one Mr Vavi, he who says the minister of finance must tow the line or go. The left hook goes for Mr Malema's midrif, he who says

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-21230327498220313022008-07-04T10:31:00.002+02:002008-07-04T10:35:51.528+02:00

I am not sure what the judges who heard the Chinese application for an order declaring them (the Chinese) black for purposes of employment equity and other affirmative legislation including BEE legislation, had to consider. Having said that, I cannot wait until I can get a copy of the judgment (which under the circumstances must be “reportable”) so that I can at least know what I don’t know now;

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-23187643070782706482008-05-22T08:53:00.022+02:002008-05-22T19:29:16.325+02:00

These words were scribbled on a piece of paper which was pinned to a plastic carry bag which in turn was hung on the burgler gate at the entrance to my flat. The bag contained a variety of fruit, for my daughter who was then 6 years old and in grade zero at the Yeoville Community School, a lovely school by all accounts. My daughter is now much older and Yeoville and South Africa are a different

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-80721197977682367802008-05-15T14:43:00.008+02:002008-05-27T13:53:14.042+02:00

There seems to be a general consensus (if the SA media is anything to go by) that what is happening in Alexandra township and what has happened in several other townships around South Africa, is Xenophobia. Xenophobia is apparently the dislike of foreigners. It is this dislike apparently that is the cause of the attack on all manner of ilks of people as is currently going on in Alexandra. I'm

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-17198916637545616712008-04-27T18:35:00.005+02:002008-04-29T22:11:35.460+02:00

There is a Bill before parliament which if passed into law will empower the traditional leaders (kings, chiefs, headmen) to hear legal disputes and to pass judgement. The traditional leaders will apparently hear both criminal and civil cases acting as magistrates. Traditional leaders have for a long time served as arbiters of disputes between members of their tribes or clans. Traditional leaders

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-15568123548175881732008-04-27T17:40:00.008+02:002008-04-27T18:35:15.084+02:00

The habit of reading South African Sunday papers is not without its risks to one's health and sanity. One's blood pressure is invariably likely to rise to unhealthy proportions as a result of the bulk of the stories and opinions contained in these papers. Still, I am largely a spectator to the events that are reported on. The events that affect real people causing real pain and real pleasure,

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-58740570586797748012008-04-19T15:15:00.003+02:002008-04-19T22:50:37.069+02:00

When did it become standard operating procedure to spin? I suspect that this came about with the advent of the "communications" professionals. The advice is these professionals give is that how one says something is important, sometimes more important than what one is saying. It seems to me that the "spokepersons" of the various government departments, companies and other organisations are

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-3311127202312655542008-04-17T01:35:00.001+02:002008-04-17T01:37:25.171+02:00

The Forum for Black Journalists is creating quite a storm in a tea cup. For the first time we see the Human Rights Commission threatening legal action against a public or private institution. I’ve never heard the HRC threatening to take government to court for failing to implement its hundreds of recommendations on the protection and enforcement of socio-economic rights of the poor and the

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-63543564846146188802008-03-28T10:03:00.004+02:002008-04-16T11:22:17.684+02:00

This for those who may not know is the title of a play starring John Kani and Winston Ntshona, dating back to the 1980s. I get goose bumps from the thought of the sheer courage of those involved with this play back then during the repressive days of the National Party. Anyway, Stha and I were privileged to watch this amazing piece of theatre, performed by the original cast. The make up of the

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-10399281732437082422008-03-07T16:21:00.005+02:002008-03-08T07:18:32.376+02:00

Let me start by thanking those that took part in the march (incidentally non-violent and without trashing or turning over dustbins), protesting the nothing less than vile behaviour of those men that took upon themselves the duty to "teach" women how to dress. Let me also appeal to the law-enforcement agencies to please do all that is in their power to bring those criminals to book.I am reluctant

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7506652643851735363.post-45272127125868083052008-02-29T19:20:00.004+02:002008-03-01T16:13:37.377+02:00

Ryland Fisher is a really nice guy. No, I mean a good human being. I should not be so surprised by how genuinely nice this guy is, the truly gifted are often down to earth and nice. The guy responds to email from strangers and accepts invitation to tea, etc. I have previously invited him to this space, an invitation that stands. But this post is not about Ryland. It is however about a subject he

MoAfrikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11068303144147477716noreply@blogger.com2