So, as I wrote in my last blog post that there maybe be more drama still to happen at the South African Broadcasting Corporations (SABC), I had no idea that things or rather the drama, would happen so quickly just less than I week after my blog post entry. Continue Reading
Category : Media & Journalism
Category : Media & Journalism
That the now suspended SABC CEO Solly Mokoetle has filed for his suspension to be disregarded is news, sadly. This, unfortunately, not only is it bad to governance malpractice at the SABC but so is to other state-owned enterprises, including Eskom, Telkom, PetroSA and South African Airways. Continue Reading
After media reports over the last couple of weeks suggesting that the ruling party African National Congress’s Media Appeals Tribunal (MAT) and the newly proposed Access to Information Act were a political means to threaten press and media freedom in the country – I then made the means, as a writer and blogger, to dig even dipper. Continue Reading
It is a hard job running a company as a leader or Chief Executive Office, just ask former South African Broadcasting Corporations CEO Dali Mpofu or South African Airways CEO Khaya Ngqula. It’s hard up there, just like it must be hard as president of a ruling party and a country at the same time. This is because there are sometimes talk of “revolt” and “topple”. Continue Reading
Yesterday more than one million public service workers embarked on a nationwide strike after wage negotiations between Congress of South African Trade Union and Department of Public Service and Administration failed on Tuesday. Continue Reading
I may be mistaken in some quarters as a paid-member of the ruling party, African National Congress, but I am not. That’s an assurance and a fact. In fact, I am not a member of any political party in South Africa as I have asserted here before because I wouldn’t like to be censored on what to write and say as is the case with politically-affiliated people Continue Reading
It would take forever to explain how I came into being and doing what I am doing, blogging, that is. Continue Reading
Category : Poetry & Art
We always wonder what changes the changes we change to change and this poetry tells and wonders why. Continue Reading
Being the reasonable person I think I am, there are so-called stories and news that are not newsworthy and just not worth reporting at all. Or as people would prefer: that are not in the public interest. Is this because there isn’t much news to report and as a result we (news followers) are fed non-sense or there is more to it than the crap they report? Continue Reading
I have previously argued that there are incidents that take place around the world but less of which are reported here in South Africa by the South African media. Why is that so? Continue Reading
Besides the ‘investigative journalist’ at Media24’s weekly City Press newspaper many have come to know her as – Jackie Mapiloko is also a daughter born about twenty-seven years ago, in Zone 2, Soweto in Johannesburg. Continue Reading
Time flies, and so fast. We live in a time where our children, or those that we know, develop and grow at an alarming speed. And before you know it, mothers, aunts and sister will hear a young girl crying for she may be seeing something changing on her body that she totally does not understand. Continue Reading
Category : General Stuff
It is with sadness, unfortunately, that I have taken the task of writing this letter to and kinda addressing you in the manner that I am. Most importantly, however disrespectful this may seem, I did not see the need to address you as Madikizela-Mandela for you and Nelson Mandela are divorced already and I thought it appropriate to address you in the manner that I now am. And it is okay if you do not agree with that, this is a free country, remember? Continue Reading
Category : General Stuff
There have been reports doing the rounds in South Africa, according to City Press, that president Jacob Zuma said he would not ‘defy’ his nomination for a second term. Why talk of a second term now? Isn’t that still early for Zuma? Continue Reading
Category : General Stuff
The Freedom Front Plus has laid a hate speech complain against African National Congress MoPres. Julius ‘Juju’ Malema and even called for his prosecution. Continue Reading
It is always a pleasure for me to spend time with the media. Perhaps it is because there is a never a dull moment in my relationship with journalists, whether in South Africa or abroad. I seem to attract your attention no matter how hard I try to stay out of the spotlight! Continue Reading
Category : General Stuff
To foreigners – non-nationals as we have come to know them – living in South Africa is one of the best things that could ever happen as a family or an individual. This is because, unlike in China as Global Times reported, one is freely and democratically so within the constitutional boundary to criticise anyone, even government officials. And as former South African president Thabo Mbeki noted during the establishment of the South African National Editors Forum in 1996, “Press Freedom [is] not under threat.” Continue Reading
Category : General Stuff
Business Day newspaper reported of a ‘fan’ of African National Youth League President Julius ‘Juju’ Malema who wrote on Facebook that ‘white’ people were racists. Continue Reading
One was disappointed to read reports by New York Times and the Guardian newspapers that some (in fact, many) members of the Anglican Church priests are alleged to have molested “as many as 200 deaf boys”. Continue Reading
This is not a defence of Winnie in any way, but an effort of addressing an issue she ‘allegedly’ said and one which not many of us have thoroughly thought of and that we would feel a hell lot better not pondering on it, that: Mandela did sell us out. Continue Reading
Youth in South Africa constitute the highest population and many of them are unemployed for a range of reasons some of which do not make sense at all and while others, unfortunately, it is of their own choices, or lack thereof. Continue Reading
I happened to check my status on whether I could be married:
| ID number: | |
| Marital status: | SINGLE |
… or that I could be dead:
| ID number: | |
| ID status: | Alive |
…, certifies and confirms the death of white people (and white farmers to be specific) as a ‘National Crisis’ and as superior, still, than that of black people (and farm workers to be specific). Continue Reading
AWB general secretary André Visagie should be ashamed of himself for threatening people in their own territory. Continue Reading
FOR IMMEDIARE RELEASE ON SAPA WIRES STATEMENT ANC CONDEMNS UNTOWARD BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS JOURNALISTS
The ANC strongly condemns the behaviour of ANC Youth League President, cde Julius Malema, towards a BBC TV journalist, John Fisher, at yesterday (April, 07, 2010) ANC Youth League press briefing. The aggressive and insultive behaviour to the said journalist that culminated with Mr Fisher walking out of the Youth League press briefing cannot be condoned at all. Continue Reading
A friend of mine asked me today: “Why all ur pasting on FB r always political or media related? Interesting neh!”
And in a long message, I replied, starting with: “Well… where do I start?” Continue Reading
If a report by Mail & Guardian Online that president Jacob Zuma and his Deputy Kgalema Motlanthe will on the launch of the HIV counselling and testing campaign (HCT) this Sunday take blood tests are anything to go by – then that is the step in the right direction. Or at least for now. Continue Reading
Category : General Stuff
Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven has confirmed the resignation of Jan Mahlangu, COSATU’s Retirement Fund Policy Co-ordinator. This comes after revelation by the Mail & Guardian newspaper yesterday that Mahlangu was given a ‘luxury car’ by the late founder of SA Quantum, Abe Nduru. Continue Reading
“I may be not academically trained and a professional journalist or writer – but I think City Press “Viewpoint & Analysis” section offered none of that and instead offered a big ‘fat’ Chris Hani face followed by many other ‘unnecessarily’ big pictures on its 23pg. Where are the ‘viewpoints & analysis’ there?” I wrote a while back on my Facebook status.
I went to Pretoria over the weekend. On my way from visiting a friend, I came across a beautiful art by a well-known Mamelodi artist. Given its similar features to that of Fifa, will we see another copyright claim, or whatever they would have preferred to call it, for the poor businessman?
Category : General Stuff
I haven’t seen this is a long time until today. Continue Reading
Professor Jonathan Jansen, Rector of the University of Free State, wrote a brilliant article in the Times newspaper in which he advised for the Grade 10 “students to [be sent to] university before they finish high school”. And just who will pay? Continue Reading
Yesterday, and even today, I spoke to my father (Papa) regarding taking one of his grandchildren to the hospital for circumcision. Taking his children or grandchildren to traditional initiation schools has never been Papa’s norm. And he doesn’t intend changing that anytime soon, or never. This is because of the number of people that have been killed while there. Continue Reading
AgriSA reported crimes against farmers to cost the agricultural industry hundreds of millions of rands. This was likely to lead to “food security [being] under threat”. Really? Continue Reading
Category : General Stuff
In relationships there are ups and downs caused by disagreements which often lead to fighting. And in worst case scenarios, those involved tend to kill one another for a number of reasons only known to them. Others, however stupid, yet funny and strange, use Short Message Service (SMS) to end relationships instead of going to extreme lengths when they have had enough. Continue Reading
During its first conference or whatever people would like to call it, in 2008, people were excited that a ‘new kid on the block’ had arrived, then known as Shikota and later as Congress of the People. Expectations and tensions were running so high that democracy was really happening. This, sadly, was then, but now… Continue Reading
There are times when news reports are legally challenged long after the story was published. And with some journalists, negligently, having destroyed all (or some) notes taken and tapes recorded at the time of the research on the story – where do journalists and their publications houses turn to in defending themselves when the law starts to bite? Continue Reading
Category : General Stuff
For South Africa will be holding one of the most loved sporting events in the world in just less than two weeks, soccer, people believe that all of a sudden South Africans – a very racially divided nation – will be united. This did not happen when former state president Nelson Mandela took over as the first democratically elected president of the country, South Africa, more than ten year ago? So, what’s changed? Continue Reading
For any, or most of, us – there are times in our lives when we feel like we have had enough, times when we think we may be going ‘over board’ just a little, and times where we really feel that somebody just has to do something before something bad or good happens. Continue Reading
Category : General Stuff
Don’t worry. This time, it has nothing to do with killing the boers or even kaffirs, as black people were known during apartheid. Instead, this is the kind of killing committed daily without even realising it. Continue Reading
What is the one good African story in more than 10 years ago that has been covered by foreign media, except that of former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela? With him now away, it seems, everything good started and ended with him as far as foreign media coverage of Africa is concerned. Need Africans be worried? Continue Reading
Not quite the Leader the SABC needs?
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) CEO Solly Mokoetle was appointed by the notorious Minister of Communications Siphiwe Nyanda last year. Mokoetle was appointed in the hope of having what it takes to “reverse the fortunes at the broadcaster”. To date, has he done any of that? More than that, has he LED the broadcaster as was expected of him? Continue Reading
Category : Media & Journalism
Unecessary Avusa's bureaucratic promotion?
Sunday Times editor Mondli Makhanya has been kicked to the top as Editor-in-chief of Avusa media newspapers, Avusa CEO Prakash Desai announced in March this year, 2010. Was this move necessary at all? Continue Reading
A very vocal Director-general of Department of Labour and Black Management Forum (BMF) President Jimmy Manyi has been suspended (see also here). Manyi, who once argued that South African president Jacob Zuma and his presidency office are beyond criticism, was suspended Friday by his boss, Labour minister, Membathisi Mdladlana. Continue Reading
UK tabloids in South Africa for World Cup
It is always a great honour when foreign publications see the need for their distribution in a foreign country whether on a temporary basis or indefinitely, and profit-driven or not. Continue Reading
Who better explain it that Zapiro?
Category : General Stuff
I felt a sense of pride when I read a report that a South African youth was behind this magical icon that caught my eyes. Continue Reading
What’s with the noise here and there about the South African Vuvuzelas? Surely every country has something – despite the dangerous and risk thereof – that it prides itself with or that which can be associated with it and when you take that way, you somehow take away its identity and pride. And doesn’t take apply for the South African Vuvuzelas? Continue Reading
Category : Media & Journalism
SA Press Freedom Victory
Former State President Thabo Mbeki in his “own firm view” during the inauguration of the South African National Editors Forum in 1996 said that “Press Freedom in [South Africa] was not under threat.” Given the two [press freedom and access to information] rulings in favour of Mail & Guardian newspaper – one being the World Cup tender documents and the other a confidential Zimbabwe report – is it safe to say: “Yes, South Africa is a alive with Press Freedom”. Or maybe not? Continue Reading
Why on earth would a (reasonable?) person in his/her own right mind claiming to be a patriotic South African or of any nationality sue his fellow brother through an International Criminal Court and not first through Courts in his country? Is this where we are heading? What does this say about our national pride, if any, as a nation and our faith in our Courts? Or is this a case of “white tendencies” among some of our (patriotic? Really?) brothers? Continue Reading
Category : General Stuff
Is this what South Africa did – hiding and pushing away its own challenges under the carpet far away from the world’s eyes (to please the powers-that be, FIFA) – in hosting the great and huge sporting event such as the World Cup? Continue Reading
SA sold its soul to FIFA?
It is now well-known that South African government gave in to Fifa’s ludicrous demands to be the hosting nation for the World Cup tournament this year. However that does not give the body any right to go around bossing everyone and everything else and dictating what should and should not happen. Or is this the part where we can safely say: “South Africa sold its soul to the capitalist Fifa”? Continue Reading
Category : General Stuff
With FIFA in town, less 'unruly and criminal' behaviour(s) and activities
South Africa is a beautiful country with a high rate of crime, according to a research by the South African Institute for Security Studies. Continue Reading
like it\’s not not?”]
It is not clear whether the decision by the National Prosecuting Authority to drop the case of an ‘ambush-marketing’ campaign is because the case was winnable or not or that the charges were silly to begin with. Continue Reading
Why drop it [the case
The African National Congress has decided to drop the charges against Cosatu President Zwelinzima Vavi after criticising ANC President Jacob Zuma of failing to take action against some ministers accused of corruption. What could have led to this ‘drop’? Continue Reading
Category : My Lessons
Imagine you have worked hard for the whole month, or a year for those who do, and when you have to earn the rewards for that hard work you find that someone somewhere kinda messed up your earnings for that month that you remain with far less than you had expected in your bank account after all the debits and payments have gone through. Continue Reading
Category : General Stuff
You can check on one of the most reliable dictionaries in the world and you won’t find a word like this, never. But if you check closely how Eskom spends its (or our) money then you are likely to call it Eskopender. And if the name suites, say it? Continue Reading
You may think there’s nothing wrong with it but the world’s most protective football federation of their brand, Fifa thinks there is. Why? Continue Reading
If dreams do come true, Tito Mboweni must be a happy (business) man now whose dreams have been fulfilled, wherever he may be. Mboweni, a former South African Reserve Bank governor, has seen three appointments in less than four months this year. Continue Reading
Why is it that criminals who have committed Soccer World Cup-related criminal activities are/have been speedily arrested by the South African police officials than those who have committed other ‘normal’ criminal activities before? Is this another special treatment for the powers-that-be Fifa? Continue Reading
The African National Congress spokesperson Jackson Mthembu released a statement welcoming the decision by the Court that found former Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi guilty of corruption. Continue Reading
One of the worrying and unfortunate events, if not situations, is when one is denounced and criticised for having done something good with enough good and validly legitimate reasons, and those whose actions are ‘seen’ as ungood and evil are left free without any criticism or denounced at all. Why? Continue Reading
Why should we spend, especially government departments financed through taxation, so much money on world cup tickets instead of spending the millions, if not billions, on alleviating the high level of poverty South Africa? This is of course despite the ‘painful and expensive cost’ of hosting the tournament and the R3.3 billion it cost South Africa to successfully host the Fifa tournament. Continue Reading
In march this year African National Congress Youth League President Julius Malema told the Mail & Guardian newspaper that he’s “got no millions’ as he was no rich and instead, he lived on “handouts most of the time”. Really? Continue Reading
ANC Youth League Deputy President Andile Lungisa said members of the league alleged to challenge the league President Julius Malema through the Court are ill-disciplined while Congress of the People (Cope) president Musioua Lekota on the other hand took his “vote of no confidence” as party president to Court. Continue Reading
The recent outcry over former South African President Nelson Mandela’s autopsy painting reminds one of a cartoon by a controversial South African cartoonist Zapiro in which he allegedly depicted Prophet Muhammad with his shrink as saying “other prophets have followers with a sense of humour”. Continue Reading
Many South Africa will agree that Fifa had indeed “called the shots on running South Africa better than any government has managed in half a century… and it was made easier for [it]”. Continue Reading
The apparent launch of a (political) newspaper linked to the ruling party, African National Congress, in September this year has left many people wondering if the South African media is getting concentrated or not. Continue Reading
Being the not-so-movie person I know I am, I (unfortunately?) had the opportunity to watch the I Love you Phillip Morris movie this Sunday. Continue Reading
Category : General Stuff
Given the xenophobic attacks here in South Africa, I would recommend the lyrics of the Eyes of the Heart by India Arie to the perpetrators. Sing along and see if you’d still do the same thing thereafter. Continue Reading
As I have told many of my friends before or people I just know and interact with – I love politics as an observer for I cannot be dictated on what to do or not as a member of that particular party or what behaviour is expected of me. Well, of course, unfortunately, rules such as those are (only?) made for people who tend to lose their minds (sometimes or all the time?), or those who fail to apply their logic to simple things. Continue Reading
South Africa is steeling itself for the most important election in the brief history of its democracy, taking place next month. With the euphoria of majority rule evaporating, will it go the dreary way towards formal one-party rule, or might it emerge as the one stable and truly constitutional big-state democracy in Africa? The question is wholly open. Continue Reading
One cannot help, but suspect that the now recent reports of Anglo Platinum being advised in splitting its South Africa assets into two has something, if not everything, to do with the country’s ruing party’s (Africa National Congress) youth movement ANC Youth League’s talk of nationalising the Platinum Mines. Continue Reading
Of course one cannot help but wonder what is actually going on at the South African Airways. The former SAA CEO Khaya Ngqula was paid R935m last year to terminate his contract by the very same company that is now suing him. Why? Continue Reading
By divorcing the International Monitory Fund and the World Bank, Africa’s productivity is likely to increase and therefore making the continent a “major player in the global economy”, suggests James Shikwati*. Continue Reading
As Uganda plans for general elections in 2011, freedom of expression across the country is in significant jeopardy, according to a Human Rights Watch study conducted from September 2009 to April 2010 and published in May. Continue Reading
As an African I still to date do not understand or even comprehend how Africa continues to be the ‘second-large continent on the planet (after Asia) in both land and population – with more than 800 million people living in fifty-four countries’ yet the continent remain led by South Africa, remain very rich with minerals. Continue Reading
The words “I am Sorry” are apparently the hardest words for any human being to say, mention or read. This could the fact that sometimes, if not many a times, when people say these words they actually do not mean their true meaning and or when they say them they are only doing so “for Peace’s sake”, something I told a friend of mine recently Continue Reading
…she doesn’t go and find killers for his husband, and for whatever reason(s) nogal – instead, she should sit the hubby down and discuss whatever her dissatisfactions or unhappiness may be. Continue Reading
For how long will we continue to blame the poor performance of our students in the country on the Department of Education alone and not the students themselves too? Aren’t they, the students, the ones learning, if not failing to learn? Continue Reading
…… and here is why I think so.
Watch this video on YouTube.
It is no wonder the African National Congress is stupidly calling for the (independent?) Media Tribunal which will dictate to newspaper what to publish and what not. It is clear, although not advisable, that political parties, especially the ruling ANC and its members have received bad coverage by both South African and international media. Continue Reading
Okay, the now good-cop-turned-bad, Jackie Selebi, was yesterday found guilty of corruption. And as if that was not enough, his political party, the African National Congress, has not distanced itself from him. Shame… Continue Reading
ANC Youth League released a statement in which it called the South African Press Council “useless”. The statement comes after the South African Press Council Chairman Raymond Louw said the call for a Media Tribunal was appalling (see also here). Continue Reading
Wikipedia describes indemnity as the right for an injured party to “shift the loss” onto the party responsible for the loss. In the South African contex – with former Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi and the “convicted drug-dealer” Glenn Agliotti in mind – one might describe indemnity as “giving amnesty to a criminal or make-go away charges against one criminal to get another”. Continue Reading
This is the kind of journalism one does not subscribe to let alone agree with. Misrepresentation, misquoting, you name it. Continue Reading
