It remains unarguable that any action we exhibit influences either negatively or positively on the environment, organisation and people around us. We are models, our behaviour and actions shape our environment and portray it in a different light. The recent mass strike by the working sector which lasted more than three weeks can prove immensely to this analysis. Over 1.3 million strong Public workers engaged in the strike including teachers, civil service workers and health workers. The Army were deployed to take control of many state hospitals. Even the court couldn’t stop the essential service workers from participating in the strike as they remained defiant to the law to prove their cause. This remains the most significant strike since the end of apartheid in 1994.The deadlock issue was a pay rise and increase in housing allowance. The unions were demanding 8.6% salary increase and 1000 Rand housing allowance monthly. In Kimberly, a high school had to be vacated after non-striking teachers were intimidated. Worse still, there was act of vandalism, trashing and intimidation by striking workers. These ushered a negative precedent for our youths and kids who unwittingly believes that violent protests remains the option to resolve unsettled issues. But behind all these, the frustration lies in the slow pace of change in the last 16 years.
However, have we ever considered what gingered the recent protest by high school pupils? It was said that violence begets violence. It must have been realistic enough to conclude that the three weeks of Public strike action that left the pupils at home created in them probably subconsciously the act of violence or the notion to believe that violence gets one what one wants. May be, analysing the similarities on the violent actions that occurred within these months will give us untainted perspective on why our kids behaved in such unruly manner.
Public Service Strike:
Marred by few deaths,
8.6% salary increase,
Government been inconsiderate,
Some strikers intimidated those not participating in the strike and violently threatened them to join the strike.
High School Protest:
Young girl shot dead with few wounded,
Demand that the Education sector offer 25marks free in their exam,
Rethusegile high school pupils went to Iketletso high School and allegedly forced Grade 12 pupils writing exams to stop from writing their exams and apparently two children were stabbed when exam papers were grabbed from their hands.
Moreover, in as much as I strongly support Peaceful March, violent protests should in its strictest sense be condemned. The Authorities could however be blamed for the death of a young school grade 12 pupil who lost her life during the recent protest. There was no proper detestation of the violent impact of the Public Servants Strike. Operant conditioning (Reinforcement theory) had to be enforced. Operant conditioning involves individuals learning that by acting in a particular way, they determine the consequences of their behaviours. Positive or negative reinforcement increases the likelihood that certain behaviours will be repeated. The life of this young lady would have been saved if the (former) violent strike of the Public Servants was strongly condemned and culprits made to face the law in its strictest sense.
As the Public Service Strikers carried placards which read 8.6% salary increase, the pupils carried theirs saying 25marks increase. Of course, school pupils inculcated and internalised what they learnt from the Public Servants Strikes, they (pupils) don’t necessarily grasp that marks are earned. Partially, the workers deserve the courtesy and have the right to ask for a wage increase because they earned it through hard work but for a high school pupil to demand free marks in exams is absurd, unethical and this should be curtailed else it develops as a norm. The Education Minister days ago announced that marks should be earned and not given ‘free of charge’. As teachers, parents, adults, the onus lies on us to imbibe in our kids the philosophy of hard work, eagerness, non-violent attitude and positivity. Some of us will attest to the fact that at the age of Grade 12, we hardly engaged in violence protests. We have a huge impact to play to curtail the reoccurrence of this disgusting situation. The authorities can do their bit by postponing these exams or evaluating these pupils based on the curriculum or schedules that have been covered before the strike as this will eliminate such acts of violence in our kids in future.
At last, let the authorities emphasise and re-emphasise on behaviour modification-the fact that peaceful protest remains the ultimate process to get one’s view across and imbibe in our youths the right step to follow to assure that their issues or concerns are addressed properly.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
EDUCATION- PRIMA DONA TO OUR KIDS
In one of his speeches, John Dewey was quoted as saying, “what the best and wisest parents wants for his own child that must the community want for all its children-Education is not a preparation for life-education is life itself”. We boast of 12 million learners, 360,000 teachers and around 28,000 schools. Basic school life span extends for 13 years and yet the results do not manifest the true reflection of these hard earned years.
The recent release of the 2009 Matric results fuelled mixed reaction on the quality of education especially for an African child. I was able to grasp three points from John Dewey’s speech which centres on Family, School and Community and all these comprise the agents of socialisation which is a sine qua non for the development of young people. The many of the mixed reaction that surfaced the media after the recent release of the Matric results all projected that African child’s failure to measure up to expectation is bound on languages. Few arguments that came through was analysing how difficult it is to teach Young African Children in a foreign language (English) and concerned parents were arguing that their kids should be taught in their respective local languages. National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa referring to difficulties with Maths, Science and English said a strategy should be put in place to ensure suitably qualified teachers are appointed in these posts and that adequate support is given to develop teachers of these subjects.
May be John Dewey’s insight will assist us to unravel the ultimate cause for this poor performance. A child automatically becomes incorporated in a family when born. A dysfunctional family produces a dysfunctional kid while a functional produces a functional kid. Family remains the main and core agent of socialisation. An estimated 40% of South Africa’s 18million children are being raised by single mothers. Seven million children are growing up with single mothers, outnumbering the 6.2million-about 34% of the country’s children-who live with both parents. Indian children are most fortunate, with 82% living with both parents. White children follow closely at 80% while 52% of coloured kids and 29% of Africans have those privilege- reports the South Africa Institute of Race Relations. The importance of our roots and our success in life remains inseparable from our family. The family ushers the stepping stone to a greater future. John Kane-Berman said, “it is now widely recognised that most public schooling in South Africa is in dire straits. But so is family life. Can one be fixed without the other? If we cannot fix education and family life, can we combat crime”? Other factors that also pose challenge in the family background is divorce, AIDS, Migrant labour and teenage pregnancies. Gail Eddy, a researcher in the South Africa Institute of Race Relations mentioned that families are the nucleus of the society because they pass down social values which shape the country and added that these values were being threatened. Hitherto, many critics argue that blaming family does not do justice as family is broad in its concept-critics highlight on how poor financial situation in families had led to disintegrating the family thereby producing unhealthy kids. May be we can borrow a few wise sayings from Dabby Govender who argued on ‘OLD SCHOOL UPBRINGING’. Old school upbringing means instilling good moral values, inspecting the kids, strict (not malicious), spending time with kids, always around when needed. All these values can prove to produce a good quality kid even when the family tends to be financially unstable-with good supervision the child still remains in an utmost supervised care.
Quality teachers and educationists come in the lime light when we discuss family because the child gets to spend about 8hours of their time in school. Poor educationists tend to imbibe bad behaviour on kids. Cases of malicious handling of kids, sexual abuse and abseentism make our headlines and destabilise our education system. Unqualified teachers send the kids to the dungeons with their illiteracy. I was encouraged with the National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa commitment to ensure that suitably qualified teachers are appointed to the core posts and that adequate support is given to develop these teachers. Strict measures should be put in place to ascertain that teachers are been monitored, evaluated and compensated based on their performance and that their salary is commensurate with the contribution they make in our children’s life.
The Community remains an important agent that unites our kids. The place of our first stages of development moulds our life, integrates and gives us a sense of belonging. The government comes handy in this section. Poor infrastructures and bad development can hamper the success of our kids. Areas without good water, electricity and good roads can prove to be a disaster for a young person. Bad water can cause illness to our kids which will likely excuse them from attending lectures and set them back to achieve their educational and professional dreams. Without electricity, our children will be unable to do their studies and burning a midnight candle might affect the quality of their vision which will deter their eye. Good roads and transport system are essential to ensure that our kids are on time for school. Inadequate roads or transport system can even shorten the life span of our kids as a result of road accidents. Poor built schools and lack of adequate equipment in schools can pose an enormous threat to the future of our kids who will equip themselves with nothing but ignorant and illiteracy.
Since it is a fact that all parents wants good quality education for their kids, the community (government) must ensure that this is achieved in order to produce an energetic and future promising kids. It remains our responsibility as parents, adults, policy makers and public servants to ensure that education facilitated with an ‘Old School Upbringing’ is the first gift we bestow on our kids.
The recent release of the 2009 Matric results fuelled mixed reaction on the quality of education especially for an African child. I was able to grasp three points from John Dewey’s speech which centres on Family, School and Community and all these comprise the agents of socialisation which is a sine qua non for the development of young people. The many of the mixed reaction that surfaced the media after the recent release of the Matric results all projected that African child’s failure to measure up to expectation is bound on languages. Few arguments that came through was analysing how difficult it is to teach Young African Children in a foreign language (English) and concerned parents were arguing that their kids should be taught in their respective local languages. National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa referring to difficulties with Maths, Science and English said a strategy should be put in place to ensure suitably qualified teachers are appointed in these posts and that adequate support is given to develop teachers of these subjects.
May be John Dewey’s insight will assist us to unravel the ultimate cause for this poor performance. A child automatically becomes incorporated in a family when born. A dysfunctional family produces a dysfunctional kid while a functional produces a functional kid. Family remains the main and core agent of socialisation. An estimated 40% of South Africa’s 18million children are being raised by single mothers. Seven million children are growing up with single mothers, outnumbering the 6.2million-about 34% of the country’s children-who live with both parents. Indian children are most fortunate, with 82% living with both parents. White children follow closely at 80% while 52% of coloured kids and 29% of Africans have those privilege- reports the South Africa Institute of Race Relations. The importance of our roots and our success in life remains inseparable from our family. The family ushers the stepping stone to a greater future. John Kane-Berman said, “it is now widely recognised that most public schooling in South Africa is in dire straits. But so is family life. Can one be fixed without the other? If we cannot fix education and family life, can we combat crime”? Other factors that also pose challenge in the family background is divorce, AIDS, Migrant labour and teenage pregnancies. Gail Eddy, a researcher in the South Africa Institute of Race Relations mentioned that families are the nucleus of the society because they pass down social values which shape the country and added that these values were being threatened. Hitherto, many critics argue that blaming family does not do justice as family is broad in its concept-critics highlight on how poor financial situation in families had led to disintegrating the family thereby producing unhealthy kids. May be we can borrow a few wise sayings from Dabby Govender who argued on ‘OLD SCHOOL UPBRINGING’. Old school upbringing means instilling good moral values, inspecting the kids, strict (not malicious), spending time with kids, always around when needed. All these values can prove to produce a good quality kid even when the family tends to be financially unstable-with good supervision the child still remains in an utmost supervised care.
Quality teachers and educationists come in the lime light when we discuss family because the child gets to spend about 8hours of their time in school. Poor educationists tend to imbibe bad behaviour on kids. Cases of malicious handling of kids, sexual abuse and abseentism make our headlines and destabilise our education system. Unqualified teachers send the kids to the dungeons with their illiteracy. I was encouraged with the National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa commitment to ensure that suitably qualified teachers are appointed to the core posts and that adequate support is given to develop these teachers. Strict measures should be put in place to ascertain that teachers are been monitored, evaluated and compensated based on their performance and that their salary is commensurate with the contribution they make in our children’s life.
The Community remains an important agent that unites our kids. The place of our first stages of development moulds our life, integrates and gives us a sense of belonging. The government comes handy in this section. Poor infrastructures and bad development can hamper the success of our kids. Areas without good water, electricity and good roads can prove to be a disaster for a young person. Bad water can cause illness to our kids which will likely excuse them from attending lectures and set them back to achieve their educational and professional dreams. Without electricity, our children will be unable to do their studies and burning a midnight candle might affect the quality of their vision which will deter their eye. Good roads and transport system are essential to ensure that our kids are on time for school. Inadequate roads or transport system can even shorten the life span of our kids as a result of road accidents. Poor built schools and lack of adequate equipment in schools can pose an enormous threat to the future of our kids who will equip themselves with nothing but ignorant and illiteracy.
Since it is a fact that all parents wants good quality education for their kids, the community (government) must ensure that this is achieved in order to produce an energetic and future promising kids. It remains our responsibility as parents, adults, policy makers and public servants to ensure that education facilitated with an ‘Old School Upbringing’ is the first gift we bestow on our kids.
Friday, January 15, 2010
GET ME ANOTHER 'WIVES'
Strolling down the aisle of a mall, whether to get that fancy cloth or have a taste of that lovely meal or visit the cinema-choice preoccupies and directs our decision as to which movie to see, clothes to buy or the restaurant that will nourish our appetite. So the saying goes that variety is the spice of life. As humans, we love to choose from the options that have been given to us. The 3rd January 2010 Sunday Times Newspaper Publication fuelled my urge to find out how men perform in the transfer market with the marriage business. The article titled “More sex please, we’re French (and we’re married) was graced in the front page- next to it was another which goes, “Zuma takes the fifth”. A French psychologist was quoted as saying that cheating husbands help make good marriages. May be Maryse Vaillant is the only woman that understands the sexual prowess of men, she said , “To imagine that love always goes hand in hand with absolute fidelity will expose us to disappointment adding that monogamy is not natural to humans. One of her books Men, love and fidelity was aimed at young women in love who she said must understand that monogamy conspires against a lasting relationship. It still goes on to say that when men stray it does not mean they do not love their wives. Men dream of sex but are able to separate sex from love more easily than women. She believes that obsessive fidelity is as much of a plague in a marriage as serial infidelity. I would have loved him to stray a bit, she says of her former husband, “But no he was too lazy”. The refusal of married men to be tempted by other women is merely a symptom of some deeper malaise. There are men who are faithful because they are incapable of being unfaithful, she concluded.
The underlying question remains - Is Man Polygamous by Nature? The fact is that polygamy has been practiced by mankind for thousands of years even the scriptures testified to this. “Marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with them, then only one or one that your right hand possess. That will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.” (Quran 4:3)
Had an audience with quite a couple of middle aged men, who voiced their views,
Hartley - a married man who admitted that he won’t marry a second one but got other girl friends outside his marriage and claims that the relationship with those ladies are physical and not emotional admitting to loving his wife more than all other girl friends of his.
Nkosi- a happily married man as he addressed himself admitted that the relationship with his wife has survived its 13th year simply because he had extra-marital affairs occasionally and this motivated him to continue loving the wife.
However, I extended my audience to young single men who generally voiced that men should be allowed to marry whoever they want to, they continued that this is a free country after all and it doesn’t hurt anyone if they marry whoever they want to. But young single and married women consented to a different version of the men.
Amanda- a single mum who is in a relationship was quoted as saying, “Polygamy makes no sense to me, Woman or man”. Admitting that she is the jealous type and wish not to share his man with anyone.
Browsing through the online guide for bedding women, it analysed the married man’s routine. Ask any married man if he thinks he was hit on more when he was single you will be surprised to learn he has been approached more as a married man. What is it about married man that women find so attractive? Easy, it is because she can’t have him. Women are competitive; they want what another woman has. If a woman believes that a man already has a woman, then there is a quality in that man which another woman found worthy of pursuit.
Nomathemba- a single lady assented that there is much excitement and fun in sleeping with a married man, even the idea of getting caught increases her chance of powerful intriguing orgasm and she goes into his bed assured that this will be a one night stand with no strings attached. Asked if she knew that the men were married, she agreed that some of them don’t wear rings but deep down she knew they were married but don’t bother asking till the fun thrilling sex comes to a halt.
The fact remains that men have a choice to do whatever they like. A man can choose to be monogamous or polygamous. It’s like asking if men are born murderers or thieves. A man is what he does. He is not intrinsically one thing or the other. In one of my articles in the Cape Times News dated March 8, 2008, I voiced dissatisfaction on how Taxi drivers molested a lady on a mini-skirt, as men I believe we are motivated by our will but governed by intellect and reason.
In other words, I have yet to be convinced that we are born monogamous or polygamous; the only thing that makes sense is that we can choose what we want to become. I beg to differ with our lady friend Vaillant Maryse who reiterated that married women who complain that their husbands are off chasing skirts don’t realise how lucky they are, “At least they can sleep peacefully”. I believe men should honour and respect their wives or partners whether in a monogamous or polygamous relationship. Good luck with another wife.
The underlying question remains - Is Man Polygamous by Nature? The fact is that polygamy has been practiced by mankind for thousands of years even the scriptures testified to this. “Marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly with them, then only one or one that your right hand possess. That will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice.” (Quran 4:3)
Had an audience with quite a couple of middle aged men, who voiced their views,
Hartley - a married man who admitted that he won’t marry a second one but got other girl friends outside his marriage and claims that the relationship with those ladies are physical and not emotional admitting to loving his wife more than all other girl friends of his.
Nkosi- a happily married man as he addressed himself admitted that the relationship with his wife has survived its 13th year simply because he had extra-marital affairs occasionally and this motivated him to continue loving the wife.
However, I extended my audience to young single men who generally voiced that men should be allowed to marry whoever they want to, they continued that this is a free country after all and it doesn’t hurt anyone if they marry whoever they want to. But young single and married women consented to a different version of the men.
Amanda- a single mum who is in a relationship was quoted as saying, “Polygamy makes no sense to me, Woman or man”. Admitting that she is the jealous type and wish not to share his man with anyone.
Browsing through the online guide for bedding women, it analysed the married man’s routine. Ask any married man if he thinks he was hit on more when he was single you will be surprised to learn he has been approached more as a married man. What is it about married man that women find so attractive? Easy, it is because she can’t have him. Women are competitive; they want what another woman has. If a woman believes that a man already has a woman, then there is a quality in that man which another woman found worthy of pursuit.
Nomathemba- a single lady assented that there is much excitement and fun in sleeping with a married man, even the idea of getting caught increases her chance of powerful intriguing orgasm and she goes into his bed assured that this will be a one night stand with no strings attached. Asked if she knew that the men were married, she agreed that some of them don’t wear rings but deep down she knew they were married but don’t bother asking till the fun thrilling sex comes to a halt.
The fact remains that men have a choice to do whatever they like. A man can choose to be monogamous or polygamous. It’s like asking if men are born murderers or thieves. A man is what he does. He is not intrinsically one thing or the other. In one of my articles in the Cape Times News dated March 8, 2008, I voiced dissatisfaction on how Taxi drivers molested a lady on a mini-skirt, as men I believe we are motivated by our will but governed by intellect and reason.
In other words, I have yet to be convinced that we are born monogamous or polygamous; the only thing that makes sense is that we can choose what we want to become. I beg to differ with our lady friend Vaillant Maryse who reiterated that married women who complain that their husbands are off chasing skirts don’t realise how lucky they are, “At least they can sleep peacefully”. I believe men should honour and respect their wives or partners whether in a monogamous or polygamous relationship. Good luck with another wife.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
UNLEASHING THE TIGER IN YOU
Hitting the spherical golf ball in a 3metre hole has proven to be one of the lucrative sports in the world and playing this game as a profession can positively or negatively affect your bank balance. The majority that play the game for fun has claimed that it is the convergent or congregation of the wealthy, even the non-affluent are opportuned to rub few shoulders with the affluent that converge to play this game. For the outstanding professionals in the world, there is no doubt of the influence on their bank account. Phil Mickelson earned over $1.17m by winning the US Masters at Augusta while the Philanthropist-Tiger Woods has earned more than a whopping $40m in official prize money as a professional and over $60m in endorsements and appearance fees. Interviewing one of the hobby players, he said, “Never play the game if you’re not rich-golf can send you to the shacks”. Thinking of enrolling in a golf course, a seven day membership can cost over 9000rands ($1300), purchasing the equipment and kits for the game can be hilarious-obviously one will need a better equipment to surface with the likes of top parastatals in the playing field. A glove can cost up to R900rands ($130), a towel at 150rands ($21), the top of the range Titleist Pro VI balls at 200rands ($30) for a sleeve of three, a Nike or Adidas cap, top or shorts to be like Phil or Tiger for 400rands ($60) and then tickets to watch professionals play can range from 1500rands ($215)
Not only does this game affect your bank balance, it will definitely increase your popularity if you’re a pro in the game and friends will incessantly increase just like inflation. Recently Tiger Woods has been embroiled or linked in a sex saga with a few number of women in which he confessed his infidelity to the wife-Elin. His ordeal started on November 27 after hitting a tree outside his home with reports claiming that the wife man-handled the gentleman and left him no choice but to run for his life. Tiger unequivocally reported that this was a mere accident. Two days after, US tabloid and gossip magazines made its ways to unleash the Tiger in the woods- revealing the series of extra-marital relationship linked to Tiger Woods. Woods now find himself at odds with Afro American ladies calling for his head after it was revealed that the ladies linked to the sex scandal were not blacks but whites. This makes them feel inferior that Tiger did not find them (blacks) attractive to satisfy him and Tiger’s billions gets enjoyed or controlled by whites and not blacks. Race issue snowballs its way into Tiger’s life-Tiger is a racist! Afro ladies convict you-Tiger!
A saying goes that in good times-friends stay, in bad times-they disappear. Tiger Woods has lost major sponsors with Accenture and few others distancing themselves just like Jesus at his crucifixion was distanced by his disciples according to the scriptures. Tiger was quoted as saying, “it may not be possible to repair the damage I’ve done but I want to do my best to try”. That’s Tiger talking- of course not all problems can be solved but all problems can be manipulated in one way or the other. Sponsors convict you-Tiger!
The fun loving part of this ordeal was when I inserted Tiger on the Google search engine on the 17th December, a headline surfaced, “Tiger Woods has bookies betting on the Elin divorce settlement: Wager on cash but not affairs”. Now the report states that these wagers are based on how much money Elin is expected to receive after the dust settles and after the court decides. People are putting small bets probably so they can have a giggle in the pub and show their mate a betting slip,” Rupert Adams, spokesman for William Hill said. It states that the best moment is still ahead because one other great bet would be putting your money on how many women Tiger shagged or how many women come into play regarding the whole Tiger story. Casinos and betting world convict you-Tiger!
Now where does this leave our handsome Tiger? One advice for Tiger would be, if they all desert and convict you, leave the Afros in America, go to Bahamas for your Christmas holiday and come over to South Africa because blacks love you here. We will obviously fight hard to enrol you on a golf course in Bellville, Mowbray or Milnerton, alternatively your likes enrol in Sun City-so we’ll make sure you’re there and will definitely beckon on your adoring fans to sponsor you. At least we are all alive because you love us and have not unleashed the Tiger in you.
Good luck Tiger!
Not only does this game affect your bank balance, it will definitely increase your popularity if you’re a pro in the game and friends will incessantly increase just like inflation. Recently Tiger Woods has been embroiled or linked in a sex saga with a few number of women in which he confessed his infidelity to the wife-Elin. His ordeal started on November 27 after hitting a tree outside his home with reports claiming that the wife man-handled the gentleman and left him no choice but to run for his life. Tiger unequivocally reported that this was a mere accident. Two days after, US tabloid and gossip magazines made its ways to unleash the Tiger in the woods- revealing the series of extra-marital relationship linked to Tiger Woods. Woods now find himself at odds with Afro American ladies calling for his head after it was revealed that the ladies linked to the sex scandal were not blacks but whites. This makes them feel inferior that Tiger did not find them (blacks) attractive to satisfy him and Tiger’s billions gets enjoyed or controlled by whites and not blacks. Race issue snowballs its way into Tiger’s life-Tiger is a racist! Afro ladies convict you-Tiger!
A saying goes that in good times-friends stay, in bad times-they disappear. Tiger Woods has lost major sponsors with Accenture and few others distancing themselves just like Jesus at his crucifixion was distanced by his disciples according to the scriptures. Tiger was quoted as saying, “it may not be possible to repair the damage I’ve done but I want to do my best to try”. That’s Tiger talking- of course not all problems can be solved but all problems can be manipulated in one way or the other. Sponsors convict you-Tiger!
The fun loving part of this ordeal was when I inserted Tiger on the Google search engine on the 17th December, a headline surfaced, “Tiger Woods has bookies betting on the Elin divorce settlement: Wager on cash but not affairs”. Now the report states that these wagers are based on how much money Elin is expected to receive after the dust settles and after the court decides. People are putting small bets probably so they can have a giggle in the pub and show their mate a betting slip,” Rupert Adams, spokesman for William Hill said. It states that the best moment is still ahead because one other great bet would be putting your money on how many women Tiger shagged or how many women come into play regarding the whole Tiger story. Casinos and betting world convict you-Tiger!
Now where does this leave our handsome Tiger? One advice for Tiger would be, if they all desert and convict you, leave the Afros in America, go to Bahamas for your Christmas holiday and come over to South Africa because blacks love you here. We will obviously fight hard to enrol you on a golf course in Bellville, Mowbray or Milnerton, alternatively your likes enrol in Sun City-so we’ll make sure you’re there and will definitely beckon on your adoring fans to sponsor you. At least we are all alive because you love us and have not unleashed the Tiger in you.
Good luck Tiger!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
ANC LEGACY LIVES ON
Reflection on how the diplomatic legacy of the African National Congress party has rejuvenated our democracy
In one of his speeches Nelson Mandela told a gathering, “let no individual, faction or group regard itself greater than the organisation and the people”. The ANC is a party that was formed on a formidable ground following the oppression of blacks by the apartheid government. With its long history, some individual’s contribution like Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Oliver Tambo remains indefatigable in this present time. By the above words of Mandela, he actually conveys that the ANC represents the people and no individual or group is greater than the masses. The idea of Africa Nationalism of the trio in 1944 led to involving the masses to utilise military actions. The ANC responded militarily on the attack of black people. The masses were encouraged to strikes and boycott... which later led to the Defiance Campaign in 1950 where masses were encouraged to further campaigns against apartheid laws. The party intended to achieve a society where people are empowered intellectually, socially, economically and morally. With its long and rich history, the objective of the ANC was defined by the principle of leading the country to a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.
Having argued in one of my former write-ups that race is still a vital issue that needs home-grown solutions; it is of no doubt that a handful of progress has been made in bridging the gaps between different races in the country. The ANC with its unique policy has highlighted fears and worries of racial discrimination and has indeed set up different positive measures which prove to be yielding fruit in curbing racial discrimination. Of course, I will agree with Archbishop Desmond Tutu that we have come from a very long road, we have achieved a lot and more still needs to be achieved. I will highlight again on how prejudice and bitterness has enveloped and heightened racial tensions. In a recent survey that was published on Cape Times News, it revealed that Cape Town is seen to be hostile to black people while white people are still been appointed and promoted at rates suggesting ‘positive discrimination’ in their favour. Commissioned by the employment equity programme and conducted by Sabie Surtee and Martin Hull, the report examined 13 Western Cape businesses that together employed about 60,000 people in management positions. It suggested that transformation in Cape was “at best stalled and perhaps in reverse”. In all companies participating in this study, African people are under-represented (in management positions) in comparison to their overall contribution to the ‘South African workforce’ the report wrote. They found black people to almost always be less successful than white people in moving up their career paths, creating what is called an “ebony ceiling”. In this report, interviewees both blacks and whites voiced dissatisfaction on the slow progress the Western Cape has taken in curbing racial discrimination. It is also a fact that individuals try to use racism as an escape route to avoid critic or engage other races where need be. There is absolutely no doubt that the post-1994 ANC government has massively achieved a handful in eradicating racism. With good quality education, building of schools and monitoring teachers’ performance and the recent splitting of the education ministry into Basic and Higher-has been a brilliant move to ensure that institutions are strengthened and that there is adequate monitoring and evaluation. With high/well grounded Self Esteem we can be a few miles away in effacing this racial virus that is deteriorating the nation.
However the role of women will never be forgotten in the struggle to ensure a non-sexist society. According to the founding document of the Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa, women struggles started before the last century. They were excluded from decision making processes and they continued to fight for their rights and for all others who were oppressed. Their objectives were to unite the women of South Africa in diversity, strengthen the relationship between the government and women organisation, ensure that women that are committed to women’s agenda have their forum and fight against the discrimination of women in all spheres of life. Our democratic government recognises this and thus has involved women in policy making processes. One of the challenges still facing us is the unjustifiable reason on why women are still been assaulted and raped. In the front page of a Sunday Times newspaper, we read how General Manala Manzini assaulted his wife because she wouldn’t cook or iron his clothes. We also get acquainted on how Maketta Jimmy abused and raped 22 women on his routine operation. We believe that hope has been revived by the recent dedication to duties by the recent government and the police chief to fight and protect the rights of women in South Africa. The recent piece of Dr Gumede http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/vusigumede/2009/11/30/acknowledging-challenges-confronting-women-and-girl-children/ also highlighted few concerns confonting women in this modern age.
Moreover, our constitution has proven to be remarkable and accommodative among others in the world, ensuring that the rights of individuals are respected and honoured. Greater stability and economic freedom has been achieved. Political parties commit themselves to democracy and greater use of dialogues has been used to implement different Government strategies. The government has also reduced deficit budgets and public debt. Young people in townships and cities now have access to clean water, quality education and good housing. With an independent judiciary, our legal system seeks to protect its citizens and acknowledge their rights. There might be few short-comings but the high percentage achievement has proven that greater heights can still be achieved.
With concise and progressive measures in place, the ancient idea, dream and objective of attaining a society where individuals are empowered intellectually, emotionally, socially and morally will continue to be achieved and will reach its greatest heights. This will realize the vision of Pixley Seme when he said, more than 90years ago: “There is today among all races and men a general desire for progress and for co-operation, because co-operation will facilitate and secure that progress” and the principle of creating a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa will be attained to its entirety if we believe that we hold the key to the future and the future lies in our hands as Nelson Mandela phrased.
Together and united we can make a difference!
In one of his speeches Nelson Mandela told a gathering, “let no individual, faction or group regard itself greater than the organisation and the people”. The ANC is a party that was formed on a formidable ground following the oppression of blacks by the apartheid government. With its long history, some individual’s contribution like Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Oliver Tambo remains indefatigable in this present time. By the above words of Mandela, he actually conveys that the ANC represents the people and no individual or group is greater than the masses. The idea of Africa Nationalism of the trio in 1944 led to involving the masses to utilise military actions. The ANC responded militarily on the attack of black people. The masses were encouraged to strikes and boycott... which later led to the Defiance Campaign in 1950 where masses were encouraged to further campaigns against apartheid laws. The party intended to achieve a society where people are empowered intellectually, socially, economically and morally. With its long and rich history, the objective of the ANC was defined by the principle of leading the country to a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.
Having argued in one of my former write-ups that race is still a vital issue that needs home-grown solutions; it is of no doubt that a handful of progress has been made in bridging the gaps between different races in the country. The ANC with its unique policy has highlighted fears and worries of racial discrimination and has indeed set up different positive measures which prove to be yielding fruit in curbing racial discrimination. Of course, I will agree with Archbishop Desmond Tutu that we have come from a very long road, we have achieved a lot and more still needs to be achieved. I will highlight again on how prejudice and bitterness has enveloped and heightened racial tensions. In a recent survey that was published on Cape Times News, it revealed that Cape Town is seen to be hostile to black people while white people are still been appointed and promoted at rates suggesting ‘positive discrimination’ in their favour. Commissioned by the employment equity programme and conducted by Sabie Surtee and Martin Hull, the report examined 13 Western Cape businesses that together employed about 60,000 people in management positions. It suggested that transformation in Cape was “at best stalled and perhaps in reverse”. In all companies participating in this study, African people are under-represented (in management positions) in comparison to their overall contribution to the ‘South African workforce’ the report wrote. They found black people to almost always be less successful than white people in moving up their career paths, creating what is called an “ebony ceiling”. In this report, interviewees both blacks and whites voiced dissatisfaction on the slow progress the Western Cape has taken in curbing racial discrimination. It is also a fact that individuals try to use racism as an escape route to avoid critic or engage other races where need be. There is absolutely no doubt that the post-1994 ANC government has massively achieved a handful in eradicating racism. With good quality education, building of schools and monitoring teachers’ performance and the recent splitting of the education ministry into Basic and Higher-has been a brilliant move to ensure that institutions are strengthened and that there is adequate monitoring and evaluation. With high/well grounded Self Esteem we can be a few miles away in effacing this racial virus that is deteriorating the nation.
However the role of women will never be forgotten in the struggle to ensure a non-sexist society. According to the founding document of the Progressive Women’s Movement of South Africa, women struggles started before the last century. They were excluded from decision making processes and they continued to fight for their rights and for all others who were oppressed. Their objectives were to unite the women of South Africa in diversity, strengthen the relationship between the government and women organisation, ensure that women that are committed to women’s agenda have their forum and fight against the discrimination of women in all spheres of life. Our democratic government recognises this and thus has involved women in policy making processes. One of the challenges still facing us is the unjustifiable reason on why women are still been assaulted and raped. In the front page of a Sunday Times newspaper, we read how General Manala Manzini assaulted his wife because she wouldn’t cook or iron his clothes. We also get acquainted on how Maketta Jimmy abused and raped 22 women on his routine operation. We believe that hope has been revived by the recent dedication to duties by the recent government and the police chief to fight and protect the rights of women in South Africa. The recent piece of Dr Gumede http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/vusigumede/2009/11/30/acknowledging-challenges-confronting-women-and-girl-children/ also highlighted few concerns confonting women in this modern age.
Moreover, our constitution has proven to be remarkable and accommodative among others in the world, ensuring that the rights of individuals are respected and honoured. Greater stability and economic freedom has been achieved. Political parties commit themselves to democracy and greater use of dialogues has been used to implement different Government strategies. The government has also reduced deficit budgets and public debt. Young people in townships and cities now have access to clean water, quality education and good housing. With an independent judiciary, our legal system seeks to protect its citizens and acknowledge their rights. There might be few short-comings but the high percentage achievement has proven that greater heights can still be achieved.
With concise and progressive measures in place, the ancient idea, dream and objective of attaining a society where individuals are empowered intellectually, emotionally, socially and morally will continue to be achieved and will reach its greatest heights. This will realize the vision of Pixley Seme when he said, more than 90years ago: “There is today among all races and men a general desire for progress and for co-operation, because co-operation will facilitate and secure that progress” and the principle of creating a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa will be attained to its entirety if we believe that we hold the key to the future and the future lies in our hands as Nelson Mandela phrased.
Together and united we can make a difference!
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