The debate about the ANC's media bill continues.
The latest is Jacob Zuma's letter admonishing anybody for arguing against it.
The Daily Maverick has a good analysis of the key parts.
The ANC argues that nobody should worry about them using the media laws for censorhsip or other evil. They are the ANC and elected due to their strong moral compass.
The one simple arrow that shoots straight to the heart of the ANC's argument is this: the test of a good law is whether the lawmaker would be comfortable with the law in another party's hands. Would the ANC be happy if the proposed media laws were used by the DA, or even the old NP?
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Friday, August 06, 2010
When will the new south african political activism start?
This past week has surely been my most frightening in the new south african context.
The arrest and detention of Mzilikazi wa Afrika (http://www.thedailymaverick.co.za/article/2010-08-06-mzilikazi-wa-afrika-and-the-shape-of-things-to-come) and the furore about the anc's attempts to clamp down on press freedom mark the most worrying event since chris hani's assassination.
I previously blogged about the arrest of a jogger for showing the finger at president zuma's cavalcade. Stringing these events together appears to show a governing party increasingly favouring the authoritarian style of zanu pf and other parties to our north.
Given the shocking levels of corruption and crime in south africa, when will people begin to rise up and say enough is enough? When will the songs be written and the concerts be organised? When will people march demanding change?
Surely it is getting to that stage.
Sent via my BlackBerry
Monday, March 22, 2010
Do they show South African city workers Discovery?
Just watched Discovery HD's "NYC Inside Out."
Wow. NYC's intesnity is something else. Workers there work like there is no tomorrow.
I've once watched workers retarring a New York street. Now NYC streets are often pretty awful - covered in steel plating and cones over sewers. But watching the workers retarring a street is poetry in high gear. They move in en masse. Any parked cars that are not moved are lifted and put on the sidewalk - nothing stops the machine.
New Yorkers also talk the game constantly. The workers shout aggressively as though there is no one more important.
Watching this episode on Discovery, shows just that kind of experience. Water workers excavating at night to join buildings to the grid so as not to knock out the water supply. Layered concrete below the tarmac to protect the piping. And all done at frentic pace and high audio volume. You can quite imagine the shift boss getting an ulcer from the stress.
If only our workers could see this. Man. They've been working on the water in my suburb for 3 months! And Joburg's road quality problems are now the stuff of legend.
Wow. NYC's intesnity is something else. Workers there work like there is no tomorrow.
I've once watched workers retarring a New York street. Now NYC streets are often pretty awful - covered in steel plating and cones over sewers. But watching the workers retarring a street is poetry in high gear. They move in en masse. Any parked cars that are not moved are lifted and put on the sidewalk - nothing stops the machine.
New Yorkers also talk the game constantly. The workers shout aggressively as though there is no one more important.
Watching this episode on Discovery, shows just that kind of experience. Water workers excavating at night to join buildings to the grid so as not to knock out the water supply. Layered concrete below the tarmac to protect the piping. And all done at frentic pace and high audio volume. You can quite imagine the shift boss getting an ulcer from the stress.
If only our workers could see this. Man. They've been working on the water in my suburb for 3 months! And Joburg's road quality problems are now the stuff of legend.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Am I doomed to repeat this?
I'm struggling right now.
I mentioned I'm in love again. And here.
After not seeing R for a long time while I was away and then he was busy with work, I saw quite a bit of him last week. I loved every moment. Braaing, out drinking and playing golf. Loved just chatting and shooting the breeze. Loved being close to him.
He seems at ease with me and we're just like a couple of boys together.
And it's that old thing of being grateful for each moment, but knowing that it will go no further. Seemingly pleasure and agony in equal measure.
Over the past year I've looked for people who are accessible - on Datingbuzz and Mamba. The guys I'm interested in are not interested in me. I'm not sure why. But it seems that the people I'm destined to love - and those I might - are unreachable.
I'm meeting with someone off Mamba for coffee tomorrow. He's not long term potential - I'm 36 and he is 23. But it might be fun, and I could do with some of that.
But even with that I'm just cut up about R.
I mentioned I'm in love again. And here.
After not seeing R for a long time while I was away and then he was busy with work, I saw quite a bit of him last week. I loved every moment. Braaing, out drinking and playing golf. Loved just chatting and shooting the breeze. Loved being close to him.
He seems at ease with me and we're just like a couple of boys together.
And it's that old thing of being grateful for each moment, but knowing that it will go no further. Seemingly pleasure and agony in equal measure.
Over the past year I've looked for people who are accessible - on Datingbuzz and Mamba. The guys I'm interested in are not interested in me. I'm not sure why. But it seems that the people I'm destined to love - and those I might - are unreachable.
I'm meeting with someone off Mamba for coffee tomorrow. He's not long term potential - I'm 36 and he is 23. But it might be fun, and I could do with some of that.
But even with that I'm just cut up about R.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
It's illegal to zap / swear at the president?
I cannot believe this story!
It sounds like something out of the days of apartheid, with policemen bundling someone into a car with a bag over their head and NIA agents raiding their house.
I am so angry! To me, this is the equivalent of flag burning - or even more acceptable - in the realms of freedom of speech.
After recently watching Invictus and marvelling at Mandela's approach to his security in the spirit of reconciliation, this contrast reminds me of the madness of Mugabe.
Frankly, much of Zuma's conduct with respect to corruption, rewarding those who helped quash charges against him, and his sleeping around reminds me of Mugabe.
Man swore at president, says ministry
From Iol
February 16 2010 at 06:20PM
The 25-year-old student arrested for "waving" at President Jacob Zuma's convoy last week swore at the president and resisted arrest, a spokesman has said.
Police Ministry spokesman Zweli Mnisi said Chumani Maxwele had pointed his middle finger at the president. He said this gesture was synonymous with swearing and showing disrespect.
"No person is permitted to use foul language, swear at another individual, especially as such conduct may lead to promoting hate conduct in the Republic," said Mnisi.
The Sowetan reported on Tuesday that Maxwele had been arrested for "waving on" Zuma's convoy while jogging in De Waal Drive, Cape Town.
A black BMW pulled up and three men jumped out, allegedly pointing guns at him. He was then pushed into a car. A bag was pulled over his head and he was then allegedly taken to Zuma's residence before being taken to the Mowbray police station.
Maxwele, an active ANC member, was held for just under 24 hours. He was allegedly interrogated by intelligence agents who asked for, among other things, the names of his friends and the name of the chairmen of his ANC branch.
He said his house had been raided by plainclothes policemen while he was in custody. He was released before appearing in court.
Mnisi said Maxwele had become aggressive on the day of the incident when the police stopped to question him about his actions.
"He became aggressive and began to swear at them. They then arrested him, charged him with crimen injuria and resisting arrest," said Mnisi.
"He was detained and later transferred to Mowbray Police Station, which has jurisdiction over the area of offence."
Mnisi called Maxwele's conduct towards the police "unacceptable".
"It will not be tolerated," he said.
Mnisi declined to comment about allegations that agents of the National Intelligence Agency had raided Maxwele's house or interrogated him.
"We further need to clarify that the matter was handled solely by the police, as it forms part of our mandate of protecting all VIPs," said Mnisi.
He did not answer a question about whether Zuma himself had pressed charges against Mxwele.
Zizi Kodwa, the president's spokesman, declined to comment, claiming it was a "security issue". - Sapa
It sounds like something out of the days of apartheid, with policemen bundling someone into a car with a bag over their head and NIA agents raiding their house.
I am so angry! To me, this is the equivalent of flag burning - or even more acceptable - in the realms of freedom of speech.
After recently watching Invictus and marvelling at Mandela's approach to his security in the spirit of reconciliation, this contrast reminds me of the madness of Mugabe.
Frankly, much of Zuma's conduct with respect to corruption, rewarding those who helped quash charges against him, and his sleeping around reminds me of Mugabe.
Man swore at president, says ministry
From Iol
February 16 2010 at 06:20PM
The 25-year-old student arrested for "waving" at President Jacob Zuma's convoy last week swore at the president and resisted arrest, a spokesman has said.
Police Ministry spokesman Zweli Mnisi said Chumani Maxwele had pointed his middle finger at the president. He said this gesture was synonymous with swearing and showing disrespect.
"No person is permitted to use foul language, swear at another individual, especially as such conduct may lead to promoting hate conduct in the Republic," said Mnisi.
The Sowetan reported on Tuesday that Maxwele had been arrested for "waving on" Zuma's convoy while jogging in De Waal Drive, Cape Town.
A black BMW pulled up and three men jumped out, allegedly pointing guns at him. He was then pushed into a car. A bag was pulled over his head and he was then allegedly taken to Zuma's residence before being taken to the Mowbray police station.
Maxwele, an active ANC member, was held for just under 24 hours. He was allegedly interrogated by intelligence agents who asked for, among other things, the names of his friends and the name of the chairmen of his ANC branch.
He said his house had been raided by plainclothes policemen while he was in custody. He was released before appearing in court.
Mnisi said Maxwele had become aggressive on the day of the incident when the police stopped to question him about his actions.
"He became aggressive and began to swear at them. They then arrested him, charged him with crimen injuria and resisting arrest," said Mnisi.
"He was detained and later transferred to Mowbray Police Station, which has jurisdiction over the area of offence."
Mnisi called Maxwele's conduct towards the police "unacceptable".
"It will not be tolerated," he said.
Mnisi declined to comment about allegations that agents of the National Intelligence Agency had raided Maxwele's house or interrogated him.
"We further need to clarify that the matter was handled solely by the police, as it forms part of our mandate of protecting all VIPs," said Mnisi.
He did not answer a question about whether Zuma himself had pressed charges against Mxwele.
Zizi Kodwa, the president's spokesman, declined to comment, claiming it was a "security issue". - Sapa
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