So much for Monday, but I guess u guys are getting used to it. Loving the feedback I am getting from you guys, its nice to know that some people do read this and it gives them a tickle from time to time. Got a great response to last weeks email, but it was in relation to the email I sent about freemasonary, but in a South African context. It really sparked curiosity in me. Before I carry on a couple of additions Loretta and Lynn, welcome to our world for some of the older ones or any comments please go to www.mondaymail.blogspot.com should you also have any suggestions on what to write about or how to make this a better place ;-) please do holler.

Here is the comment that was left on the website…

A couple of months back you had something on Freemasonry and it not being an exclusively Caucasian thing. I was having a discussion with some peeps a while back which led me to formulate some of my own conspiracy theories on this organisation and the illuminate in S.A. Is there some kind of Freemasonry organization or order that exists within/amongst South African Black politics and/or business leaders? If so, how far back does the lineage go and is it a family lineage or a lineage based on political association. It might even be based on ethnic lineages. I mean how often has one heard people pass comments like; "Forget political prominence if you're not Xhosa", or "If you want to stand a chance in big business make sure you have a Shangaan partner in the mix."As much as these could just be construed as passing derogatory statements, I still believe in the age old saying that 'Where there's smoke there's fire'. This could all come from somewhere, or nowhere.A political lineage of this kind would have to go as far back as 1912 and the formation of the African National Congress or even further to the birth of colonisation on these shores. I would even dare to say that if it does exist there might have been/or still be some kind of arrangement or agreement between the Black structures at the top of the food chain and the then oppressive white structures. I strongly believe that 'Two devils in one space can never survive, which is why Good will always be in cohoots with at least one Bad to advance what it believes to be the greater Good.' The Yin and Yang. Eg. The Democrats and Bush; Bush and Osama; T-boz (Thabo Mbeki) and JZ (Whether you on the left or the right). One can not lead the masses to do 'good' if they can't use the 'evil' as a yard-stick form which to measure it and illustrate and re-affirm it point.Symbiosis!!!If you or anyone could enlighten me with some knowledge on this matter it would be highly appreciated and I'm sure not just by me, but all the readers of the Monday column. [Funny how it no longer seems come out on Mondays, but it's all good] – Dini

Very interesting, here is my take on this. In terms of the politics side, the ANC was set up mainly by Xhosas (even though a lot of the activism took place in the Vaal area) if I am not mistaken and in the age of tribalism and community etc. its more than likely that the powers that be would prefer to keep it in the family. Kinda like how Jewish people and Muslims do it. Even in some of our large corporates, if you went to Michaelhouse, Hilton, St Andrews, Bishops etc. you have a sure foot in the door (or if you went to Umtata High) it is what it is, and guys/gals please correct me if I am wrong.

I would definitely enjoy to hear what your take on this is, because it is an interesting conspiracy theory (and I will try and find out more myself)!!

So will he wont he… is he isn’t he??? All these questions? What does this all matter when the time is right we will know, whats the fuss? People have far too much time on their hands at the moment, case in point the big who ha about the comments made against that lovely Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, fools make comments, but we give those words power by reacting and repeating and making it headline news.

Anyway, so this man Mosima Gabriel Sexwale, aka Tokyo, a nickname he gained from his karate exploits. He was born in Orlando West on the 5th March 1953. In 1960, Steve Biko’s Black Consciousness Movement became his family. In 1970 he upgraded his family to become an MK (Umkhonto Wesizwe) cadre. In 1975 he went into exile. He lived in Swaziland for a wee while where he received his certificate in Business Administration from the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland (how this worked I know not, the article I read was not clear on it)

Early in 1976 he along with some others were captured and charged with terrorism and conspiracy to overthrow the government (he had received military training in the USSR, so these claims were not entirely unfounded). Near the end of 1977 after nearly 2 years of their court trial, they were sentenced to 18 years in Robben Island. Whilst in Robben Island, he studied a BComm (commerce degree) at UNISA (Uni of South Africa) no mention was made of whether it was completed, but I assume it was, cos I am an optimist like that! ;-). In 1990 after serving 13 years of his sentence he and many other political prisoners were released from Robben Island in accordance to Groote Schuur Agreement between the ANC and the NP (National Party).

He became a member of the executive committee of the ANC in the Pretori Witwatersrand Vereeniging (PWV) region. In 1991 he became chair of the ANC PWV and in 1994 became the first premier of the PWV following the first democratic elections of South Africa. He was credited with sorting out a lot of the violence and instability in many of the townships in the region, and there were plenty! In 1998 after it became clear that Thabo was to be the successor to Madiba, both he and Cyril Ramaphosa, stepped out of politics and entered the private domain to make some loot.

The company he formed was called Mvelaphanda, a Venda word for Progress, and progress he did! His main focus was oil and diamonds and was granted mining rights in Africa and Russia. Other than his business exploits, which includes directorships on the boards of ABSA, Altech and Goldfields as well as Chairmanship of Trans Hex and Northam Platinum, he is a bit of a Philanthropolist too.. Organisations he is involved with are far ranging and very impressive. They include trusteeship on the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Global Philanthropolist Circle, Business trust, Robben Island ex Prisoners Trust, a patron of Johannesburg Child and family Welfare, Streetwise SA (street kids organization), Save the family fund, Sky is no limit.

There has been some drama in his life and I don’t mean that pretty average showing on the Apprentice SA, uh huh, in 2001, he together with Cyril R and Mathews Phosa were accused of plotting to depose President Mbeki. Allegations were thrown out. In 2002 he was not allowed access into the USA because his name and that of Sydney Mfumadi were on Americas list of terrorists

Should he run shouldn’t he run. My take is simple, JZ or anyone else…anyone else wins flawless victory. On a serious note, I think he is a smart man in that he surrounds himself with people that know and that’s a mark of a good leader. Will he, well time will tell.

That’s me hope u r slightly wiser now!

Birthdays this week
15th Dr Clarke
16th Miss Ann-Louise
19th Miss Priya

Hope it was all that and then some!

That’s me for another week, maximum respect as always!