Ow man another superb Autumn morning in Joburg i tell you, a bit of a brisk chill in the air, but man sunshine blue skies (well with a thick layer of goo) but alas u cant have it all. I trust this email/blog finds you well wherever you are and if it doesn’t, my honest sincere apologies to you for whatever you are going through, but also if I may I’d like to offer some advice in that whatever you are going through that is pulling you down, is essentially of your own making. Whatever it is has happened, but you are deciding how to react. I know it may seem a very callous assessment on my part, and that is not the intention, but you have no idea the power of the mind.

The week before last I was once again stuck in no man’s land for a variety of reasons, but nothing too serious, it was getting to me, but I decided enough of this shaite. I decided to change my attitude, I am still sorta stuck in no man’s land a bit, but I know its just a phase (cos it happens most years when i start thinking is this as good as it gets or is this all that there is to this thing called life, you know that discussion, which generally results in you discovering a better you, but that whole process, is tiring and quite frankly sucks)and it too shall pass. Started hitting the gym some more, communicating with mates and in the words of JayZ the bounce is back....I so hope that whatever you are going through it too passes soon but it starts with an attitude shift.

Speaking of an attitude shift, I hope you are not one of those people that are saying to yourselves, I am not going to vote on Wednesday, because what difference will my vote make??!! Utter nonsense. You must go out there and vote damnit. Because people made the effort to vote, the leader of the free world (as they call it), America is of mixed decent, I mean who would have ever? Take nothing away from the man, because he was better than his rivals by a gap as wide as the one Hussein Bolt left between himself and his competitors at the Olympics, and he wasn’t even at full tilt near the end!! But who would have ever thought that America would have a president who would largely be seen as a member of the minority

This is by far our must crucial elections since 1994. In 1994 it was about the new dawn, 1999 and 2004 was about consolidation, and i guess this year is about endorsement or change. The past few months in South African politics has been by far the most interesting in yonks. We had the happenings in Polokwane, which for me and in all honesty was a huge wake up call. I was hugely appalled by the disrespect shown to the lady who was trying to conduct proceedings. Then we had president being recalled based on judge’s ruling which was later overturned, which should bring into question the process of recalling the president, which in some quarters is seen as unconstitutional (i cannot profess to be an expert on the workings of the constitutional court so i will have to just go on hearsay. Then the scorpions got dissolved. Schabir Shaik was allowed out of jail because he was terminally ill, which was such a dumb a$$ excuse because I have no idea how many people die in prison. The NPA’s independence has been called into question. We have a high court judge in the dock for allegedly interfering with judgements...then I hear the president in waiting telling me that the ruling party has never abused its electoral mandate.

I was watching Carte Blanche yesterday and frankly i was quite disgusted. The evidence of poor service delivery is but shocking. The apathy or lack of concern from those in power is nauseating. Here we are the citizens, coughing up plenty every month to ensure that our roads are driveable, we have water in our taps, electricity to our TVs and this doesn’t happen because of incompetent and unperturbed ignoramuses in positions of power. Nah man, this can’t be right!! Then there is the question of plenty money being spent on fixing Chapmans peak but Chappies still remains closed.

Now this may sound like I am slating the ruling party and this is not my intention. My intention is rather to highlight some questionable developments of late. So now how do we know all this, well thats because the ANC government has been ‘transparent’ enough to let those who are willing investigate and comment on its affairs, this cant be said of the previous government. Yes, I know it doesn’t negate the fact that they have let plenty people down, but at least they have done some...plenty right!!!

Just so you know and I didn’t know this till this weekend. If you have registered to vote in Cape Town but moved to Johannesburg and didn’t register to vote in Jhb, you can still vote! I repeat you can STILL VOTE in the national elections, but just not for local government.

This week I was going to do some investigation as to the all the political parties taking part in this years elections and to my surprise, and trust for I, I was surprised there are 40 parties, yip you read me, FOUR TIE!!! Just out if interest sake i will list them below (the ones in bold being the household names):

A Party Democratic Alliance Pan Africanist Congress of Azania
Africa Muslim Party Dikwankwetla Party of South Africa Pan Africanist Movement
African Christian Alliance Peace and Justice Congress
African Christian Democratic Great Kongress of South Africa
African Independent Congress Sindawonye Progressive Party
African National Congress Independent Democrats South African Democratic Congress
African People's Convention Inkatha Freedom Party South African Political Party
Al Jamah-Ah
Alliance of Free Democrats Keep it Straight and Simple United Christian Democratic Party
Azanaian People's Organisation United Democratic Movement
Minority Front United Independent Front
Black Consciousness Party Movement Democratic Party Universal Party
Cape Party National Alliance VryheidsFront Plus
Christian Party National Democratic Convention Christian Democratic Alliance National Party South Africa Women Forward Congress of the People
New Vision Party Ximoko Party

Now doing some research on all 40 of these parties would be dom to say the least so I will just briefly touch on a couple of the household names. Last years top 8 were the ANC, DA, IFP, UDM, ID, NNP, ACDP and FF+, the NNP has since died and COPE has been born.

Before i delve into the details, I must just make it abundantly clear that I am but disgusted with most of the political parties with regards to their electioneering. My worst, not the party, but its message is the DA’s stop Zuma campaign, I mean really. Tell me what you are going to do for me, don’t tell me about Stop Zuma, how does that make sure my water and electricity flow as they are supposed to, jobs for the jobless, give me peace about the safety of my folks who are 60plus living on their own etc. Stop Zuma, i mean really!! I think Helen Zille is a great person with good intentions, honestly i do, but in my mind she has to be her own person other than taking over from Tony Leon and trying to be everything that the ANC is not. Then there is COPE. A party i believe is a godsend to South Africa, well hopefully. But what do they stand for? I like their presidential candidate Dr Dandala. He seems a good soul, one not yet tainted by polotics as Julius would say. But the jury is still out on the party. They were part of the ruling party for many a year. Yes understandable the ruling party was a tripartheid alliance along with COSATU and the SACP which could have hamstrung them quite a bit, but in the end thats what leadership is all about, making those hard decisions and making things work. So for me to now come and say that service delivery is the fault of the ruling party when it was you running the ruling party all these years is not altogether, in my mind a sound argument. With the recalling of President Mbeki came the reshuffling of the deck chairs which meant that the problematic minister of health was removed...a positive step, a new minister of safety and security, who i am yet to be convinced of is in place.....BUTTTTT, the bulk of people that have left the ANC to join COPE are intellectuals, and this may sound short sighted of me but in certain situations, there is very little substitution for education and this my friends is one such situation.

I would like JZ to have is day at the helm and for his sake prove his doubters wrong, because in my opinion, he is just one of those nice common people who was more than likely a victim of a smear campaign because of his perceived ineptness, by some of his peers in the upper echelons of the ANC, of representing the party without embarrassing himself or the party. Sometimes i have to agree. Especially when i have to compare him with other world leaders. The man is charismatic and he definitely does speak to his electoral base, his dancing and singing isn’t for you or me who have gone to school and are looking for real solutions to real problems and not milking struggle credentials. So when he dances and sings Umshiniwam and you and i cringe, hundreds of thousands gleefully sing along, i lose 2 but gain hundreds of thousands and those hundreds of thousands give me the power, well, tough choice that!! Another concern i have with him is the fact that when it comes to big speeches he tends to read every word as opposed to other party leaders who use their notes as merely that...notes. It makes me question his sincerity, but then again Thabo Mbeki and Nelson to some extent read their addresses too if memory serves me well.

Ok to the parties, who they are, their leaders and what they stand for...alphabetically
African Christian Democratic Party
The leader of this party is Reverend Kenneth Meshoe. This party was formed in December 1993. It was a result of Christians from a diverse background coming together to promote moral values as opposed to the divisive politics practised in the past.

Here is an extract from their “About Us” section of their website:
As a fast growing party in the country, the ACDP offers a fresh start based on Christian and family values. We are determined to address issues such as education, unemployment, health care, security and poverty, based on proven successful policies. We aim to rebuild the foundation of the nation by protecting families from the destructive effects of gambling, prostitution, pornography and abortion.

We are committed to rooting out corruption and creating accountable leaders that do not compromise their principles but serve with integrity, wisdom and accountability.

My opinion: it has its merits but its name suggests division in itself, so that which it was set up to guard against is being inadvertently/intentionally promoted

The African National Congress
No points for guessing who the ruler of this party is. It was first founded in 1912 as the South African Native National Congress. This party morphed into what we all now know as the African National Congress in 1923. The reason for its formation was to protect the black majority from the injustices that were being heaved upon them.

I have put plagiarised an extract from www.myanc.org for you all to read below:
Since 27 April 1994, we have built a new nation, one that all South Africans can call home, and in which the old conflicts have been consigned to history. We have worked together, black and white, women and men, to improve the lives of all our people.

In 15 years we have shown what can be done when people come together in a common effort.

We have made significant progress in tackling the apartheid legacy, building our economy and sustaining economic growth. While carefully managing public finances, we have invested significant resources into tackling poverty, meeting people’s basic needs, and expanding access to education and health care.

We have built democratic institutions that serve the interests and safeguard the rights of all South Africans.

Recent events have shown the capacity of these institutions to effectively perform their constitutional mandate even in the face of heated political and legal disputes. Where there have been abuses of power, these institutions have been able to act as a check on such abuses and to correct the problems.

As we face the challenges of tomorrow, we need to show the same spirit, determination and unity in building a prosperous nation.

In government, the ANC has worked with all South Africans, not only its supporters, to tackle poverty, grow the economy, build peace and stability, and improve lives. It has shown that it can work in partnership with all South Africans in a common cause.
As we work to accelerate the process of change, the ANC remains the one party that is able to mobilise a broad cross-section of society in the reconstruction and development of South Africa.

My opinion: I will give this to the ANC, they have done much for us all. They have also failed many, but theirs is a 15 year legacy to unwind some of the atrocities of the prior umpteen years. By no means will it be a mean feat. RDP, ASGISA, GEAR, all policies that have been implemented to try and ignite the economy. Even the most hardened member of the opposition will agree that this economy is sound and foreigners are more than interested in doing business here. The recent awarding of the IPL to South Africa is testament to that. Inspite of all the perceived concerns about crime and corruption, foreigners see this country as a viable place to operate. BUT I can’t in all good conscience say I am not concerned about the party and its growing arrogance and smugness. This is not a result of anything that people are saying but i guess my own opinion based on what i have witnessed. And what I have witnessed is an attitude of we can and we will and you can’t do anything about it and on top of it all we will laugh at you too!! Not cool!! Epitomised by the celebratory Siyanqoba (to conquer) rally held on the weekend.

The Congress of the People
The party’s president is Mr Mosiua “Terror” Lekota, a former Minister of defence and Premier of the Free State. The party’s presidential candidate however is the Bishop Mvume Dandala. I googled him and from what i see he has no political past up until recently his vocation and dedication was to his family and the church which i guess translates to serving the people. COPE was formed after a national convention held in November 2008 in order to find a way forward and to protect the democracy that many South Africans so longed for. It was really exciting to be around when the concept of COPE went from conversations with people who may know something, to reports in the newspapers to its eventual actual formation. Much excitement was generated about its formation from all corners of not only former ANC supporters, but South Africans as a whole. It really was good to see South Africans of all walks of life looking forward to and supporting this party and hoping for its success. But has it lived up to its hype?? Well i guess time will tell. For those of us who don’t know below is an extract of its vision, mission and objectives obtained from www.congressofthepeople.org:
VISION STATEMENT
Our vision for South Africa is for a democratic, inclusive, prosperous country which shuns all racial, ethnic, gender, narrow chauvinistic stereotypes and prejudices in favour of a caring society, where shared national identity and pride are deeply rooted; and where the freedoms of the people are untrammelled by a selfish political leadership; and where as a country we are at peace with our neighbours and the world.

MISSION STATEMENT
Ours is to instil respect for our hard-won democratic and constitutional rights and the respect for the rule of law that all shall be equal before the law. We will give back dignity; pride and self confidence to the South African people to have a voice; to dream; to work; and to live in peace and prosperity. We will build an inclusive non-racial democratic modern nation with high moral values; guided by principles of ubuntu; and a sense of personal integrity. We will strive for a nation that guarantees personal and property security so that people may live their lives free from fear and want.

POLICY OBJECTIVES: Towards rebuilding a people-Centred South Africa
* To respect the sovereignty of the South African people;
* To pull our people out of the misery of abject poverty;
* To expedite our economic growth for large-scale labour absorption;
* To deepen and consolidate our democracy as this is a prerequisite for a modern progressive democratic state;
* To manage a modern and efficient depoliticised institutions of state;
* To recruit an appropriately qualified and professional civil service.

My opinion: The best thing to happen to South Africa, purely for the reason that I don’t believe any democracy with one party dominating is healthy for anyone except i guess those running the party that has the majority rule. We saw what happened with this country when the Nats were running it unopposed. Same thing can happen or might even be happening right now. I can’t say that I am entirely convinced by this party just yet. I will admit though I was sooo excited when I heard about its formation and was but too ready to nail my colours to its mast, but my excitement has since been doused. It is definitely still early days for the party, but the involvement of the youth of all walks of life is very promising. Even though in my mind they haven’t formed a proper identity of their own, they have started something that I hope and pray will live for a long time and prosper and benefit the people of this nation.

The Democratic Alliance
Helen Zille, the leader of the DA has spent her life serving. Before politics, she was a reporter who was once brave enough to do an expose on the death of Steve Biko. In her expose she reported that Steve Biko had died as a result of torture. For this she was found guilty of misreporting by the then apartheid government. Fluent in Xhosa she is, that in itself tells me she takes an interest in all people, just based on the fact that she made an effort. Below is an extract of a speech she delivered on the 18th April 2009, its a pretty long one but pretty deep: (http://www.da.org.za/newsroom.htm?action=view-news-item&id=6638 if you want to read it)
Truly, ours is a party united in diversity. A rainbow party for a rainbow nation. A party that lives the change we want to see: one nation, with one future. Een nasie met een toekoms.

In this campaign it has been a great privilege to witness what is best in South Africa, in the stories and in the faces of the men and women I have met throughout our country.

I have met remarkable people. They are ordinary South Africans doing extraordinary things to bring the vision of the open, opportunity society to life – often in the most difficult of circumstances.

I am thinking of December Mpapane, a maths and science teacher at Nkomazi High School in Mangweni, Mpumalanga. For the past 18 years he has given up his weekends to tutor learners. And every year for the past five years, between 90% and 100% of his pupils have passed maths and science in matric.

I am thinking of Gwynneth Marmetschke from Fernglen in Port Elizabeth. For the past 18 years, Gwynneth has been involved in the Baakens Valley Preservation Trust, which does everything it can to preserve the valley from destruction, pollution and decay, and save it for future generations.

I am thinking of Madikeledi Moita Khata, from Bataung in the North West. She runs a crèche for orphaned children – and cares for them and feeds them.

I am thinking of Dawn Philemon, from Chatsworth in KwaZulu-Natal. For many years, Dawn has waged a fearless – and often lonely – campaign against drug dealers in her community. Every day, she wages her battle to put drug dealers behind bars where they belong.

People like December, Gwynneth, Madikeledi and Dawn are “Everyday Heroes”. They symbolise everything that the DA believes in. They live out our policies.

These everyday heroes of South Africa are doing more than the government to fight poverty, hunger, homelessness disease and crime. It is a disgrace. It should be the other way around. And that is why the time has come to vote for people who understand that government is about service to the people. And to vote against a party that wants to put criminals into Parliament.

My Opinion: I think the DA missed a trick here. Instead of telling the voting public about who they are and what they stand for and can do for me as a voter, they tried the George Bush rule by fear tactic, you know the one about Al Qaeda and Osama. The Stop Zuma, vote to win campaign in my mind was really more about playing the man and not the game if that makes any sense and more often than not when you do that you tend to not get the desired result. This was the most opportune time for the DA to tell us more about what they have done and will keep on doing I unfortunately didn’t hear any of that.

The Freedom Front plus or Vryheids Front plus as they appear on the Voters roll as
This party makes no apologies for itself and I say good on them. They are a party that strives to protect the interests of the Afrikaner. I was listening to 702 the other day and a representative was telling us about some of the good that they do, which was pleasing to see. They claim to be a party for all people but truth be told i don’t think so. I went to their website earlier and it was in Afrikaans, so unfortunately I cant get any extracts to copy and paste here. The current leader of the VF+ is Pieter Mulder. He became the leader of the VF+ in 2001 when the founding president Constand Viljoen retired from politics

My opinion: definitely my party...NOOOT!! no disrespect intended to anyone, but regardless of what they try and tell me in my mind they are not an all encompassing sort of party and once again good for them, I have absolutely no disregard nor disrespect for any individual that identifies with what they stand for. And there are many such people seeing as they came 4th in the 1994 elections but 8th in the 2004 elections, i guess their base is reducing (they may all have left in fear of the swart gevaar) just an observation...

Independent Democrats
A party lead by another woman i have much respect for, Patricia De Lille. Because of her insistence, the stink about the arms deal came to light and Schabir Shaik was convicted and charges against Mr Zuma and a few other organisations were laid. Tony Yengeni did some time as a result of this. She in my mind is a woman of action even if she does talk she backs it up with a whole lot of action. She formed the ID in 2003 after a good few years with the PAC. She is not without her own controversies though. She has been accused of nepotism because her sister was given one of the ID’s 3 seats in the Western Cape provincial legislature, she has been accused of some deal with PAGAD (remember them??). In May 2007 she made a statement about the public abusing blogging and she wanted to see it regulated, this after someone accused one of her party members of paying him for sex...

That being said here is an extract from their website:
What is the ID?
The Independent Democrats (ID) was founded by Patricia de Lille in 2003 and was the first political party in South Africa to be led by a woman, contest elections and win seats.

The ID's plan for a better South Africa
The ID believes that the most important problems facing the country are: Unemployment, Poverty, Crime, Corruption, Housing, HIV/AIDS, Education and Health. Below is a summary of what the ID would do to improve the lives of all South Africans.

What has the ID done?
The ID has fought corruption on a massive scale, has campaigned for the extension of the Child Support Grant, for a greater increase in Pensions and Social Grants, for better care and treatment of people with HIV/AIDS and for a National Crime Summit to deal urgently with the problem of safety and security.

What will the ID do for you?
The ID will focus on the most important problems facing the country including Unemployment, Poverty, Crime, Corruption, Housing, HIV/AIDS, Education and Health.

The ID's Constitution
Here you will find the latest version of the Independent Democrats constitution.

My opinion: a very solid and sound choice for the undecided. She like us all have our flaws but her track record of exposing corruption and stirring things up a big speaks volumes of her willingness t fight corruption. Here is a link to the transcript of her final campaign speech: http://www.id.org.za/newsroom/speeches/news_item.2009-04-20.0098023429/

The Inkatha Freedom Party
This party in its current form only came into being in 1990, prior to that it was the Inkatha National Cultural Liberation Movement, founded by Prince Mangosutu Buthelezi in 1975. He has been running this party since I started watching TV.

Here is an extract of the party’s vision as extracted from their site: http://www.ifp.org.za/
OUR VISION
What society do we want for ourselves and future generations? It is, in short, a just,
prosperous and moral society whose citizens engage with each other on the basis of
ubuntu/botho.

A just society is one which is fair, which has successfully addressed the challenges of
our past and, unfortunately, even the present – the lack of access to basic services, to
sustainable jobs, to quality education and healthcare, and to security. It also results in
freedom and equality for all before the law, irrespective of who you are and where you
come from.

A prosperous society is one in which mass poverty has been eradicated and in which
our people are able to pursue a better life, in which everyone is able to develop to his or
her fullest human potential. A prosperous society provides opportunity for all, provides
high quality services and contributes towards stability and unity.

A moral society is one governed by timeless moral precepts of good, unlike the
situation in South Africa today which is characterised by fear, violence, crime, greed and
corruption. We believe in a society based on strong family and strong community. There
is a contrast between many amoral leaders and elites and the essential goodness of
most South Africans – we believe everyone has a role to play in making South Africa a
better place.

A society underpinned by the spirit of ubuntu/botho must necessarily promote
justice and prosperity and morality for all. We believe such a society is a possibility, and
is not merely a dream. We believe our values of solidarity, freedom and unity, and our
principles and policies coupled with bold leadership and political courage, can achieve
this vision.

My opinion: To the mans credit he has fought the good fight for a long time. He has stood up and spoken against the things he found fault with. My personal opinion is he has now become stale. As i mentioned before, he has been ruling this party before I was born and bra i is old man. For this party to be taken seriously, by non-Zulus, it needs a serious shake up in its leadership. I don’t know a single leader of the IFP bar Prince Buthelezi.

United Democratic Movement
Major General Bantu Holomisa, my boss when we lived in the former Transkei. The man makes sense when he speaks and he holds no punches. I listened to him speak to the youth at a gathering at the end of last year/the beginning of this and he had solutions not just emptiness. He has promised much though but delivered less, but i guess those are some of the realities that face smaller parties...lack of resources, but then again a true leader would have made a plan. I read his last campaign speech and it really was compelling, well worth the read, below is an extract for the(http://www.udm2009elections.co.za/elections-2009/holomisa-campaign-closing-rally-speech.html) :
We have taken note of the clarion call by the population for reform of the criminal justice system. However, the situation has been exacerbated by the Polokwane lynch-mob, who came with one objective, namely to remove any person or institution which they believed would be stumbling blocks to their leadership. Thus whether it was the Scorpions, or MPs, or judges, or the NPA, if they asked questions about the Arms Deal or Travelgate or any corruption, they would be harassed, vilified and purged.

This behaviour has undermined the rule of law. To prove that they meant business, this lynch-mob closed down the Scorpions which was highly respected, this lynch-mob paroled Schabir Shaik under cloudy circumstances.

This lynch-mob formed a committee headed by some of the Cabinet Ministers to see to it that the charges against their leader are withdrawn at all costs.

We have all witnessed how this lynch-mob tried to brainwash us into believing a simple corruption case was part of a conspiracy. We saw how they turned a suspect into a political victim.

Indeed we are still puzzled; can anybody from this lynch-mob show that it was Mbeki who made Zuma meet with Shaik or meet with arms dealers?

Indeed, was it was Mr Mbeki who instructed Mr Zuma to go to Mauritius to prevent a diary of an arms dealer being brought to South Africa as evidence that would implicate him?

Indeed this lynch-mob has successfully dented the image of the NPA and its leadership. It is the programme of this lynch-mob, which has once again used its leader to attack the Constitutional Court. Only last week he questioned the integrity of Constitutional Court judges, just because they ruled against him.

The concept that we are all equal before the law has been vehemently opposed by this lynch-mob.

It is not the court, nor any individual political party, that will change that pattern of behaviour. It is you, the voter, who must change that.

Nor must we fall into the trap that we have witnessed elsewhere on the continent where people flaunt their struggle credentials and commit acts of corruption. One thing is certain, if you put all your eggs in one basket, we will continue to experience these embarrassing tendencies.

My opinion: I am not ashamed to say I am biased towards this man. He and his crew did a good job in governing us in the former Transkei for 7 years. He was quite a popular figure in the ANC, but for one or other reason he and the party didn’t get along and he was expelled from the ANC, it could have been his ego, or their fear of the personality he would become. I don’t see how a person who received the highest number of votes in the National Executive Council of the ANC can just fall out of favour in a matter of a year...

Anyway thats my bit for your election tomorrow. I so hope everyone goes out and exercises their right and my right for a better life and country.

Birthdays
13th Debbie, Jonty
16th Samantha
17th Louise
18th Eman
19th Bron and Dini
21st Lovely Ravi and Anthie
24th Kirst G and Tasneen
25th Shaka and Lizzy

Another short week followed by another, ordinarily i’d be chuffed but soo much to do and it feels a sin to do it on a public holiday but what to do

You all be safe and keep on making you a better you

Y

“You're on the road but you've got no destination, You're in the mud, in the maze of her imagination
You love this town even if that doesn't ring true, You've been all over and it's been all over you
It's a beautiful day, Don't let it get away, It's a beautiful day, Don't let it get away” - U2

Today, in my book was one of the most beautiful days I have witnessed. Whilst driving to work this morning I had such a smile on my face. It was just so perfect. Clear skies, not too hot, not a breath of wind. Had my window blinds in the office open. One of the many wonders of being an African in Africa. Oh man and the full moon this evening

Earlier this week, South Africa witnessed another wonder of being an African in Africa. Its not one of those wonders I am proud to be associated with but alas what to do?

Greetings to you my friends, I hope this mail finds you well and brimming with enthusiasm for this short opportunity our creator has given us to make a difference. Don’t waste it man, because before you know it we’ll be 70 or so and wondering where its all gone ;-)...Carpe Diem.

A perfect way to make a difference or to seize the day, particularly if you are South African is on the 22nd April instead of going to the beach or parking off at home, go out there and queue and make your mark. The happenings of the last few days...months...years should be evidence enough as to why you should.

Speaking of which, how disappoint, yet expected, the happenings of this week. With Mr Jacob Zuma’s charges being dropped not because the evidence is not substantial to take it to trial but because 2 people colluded as to WHEN to charge the man. Note...not whether to charge but when to charge...I am not a lawyer by any means but I watch a lot of LA Law and Ally McBeal (not enough Boston Legal though), but in my mind that is a feeble reason to drop charges. PLEASE DO NOTE, I AM NOT IN ANYWAY INDICATING THAT THE MAN IS GUILTY. Far from it I have always been on the opinion that they are out to get him. That being said, after spending close on 8 years and roughly R110 million rand to build a case against the man, I think it would only make sense to take the matter to the courts and let the judge decide as to whether or not the misuse of process is sufficient to warrant Mr Zuma’s acquittal.

I am just a lay person, but how can one judge rule that there was a generally corrupt relationship between one party and another. The one party gets a 15 year jail sentence (some of us knew he wouldn’t even serve one of those years in a jail cell) and the other party, who if i am not mistaken didn’t even challenge the judges ruling about the corrupt relationship, may well be the next president of our lovely nation of generally angry and intolerant people.

This whole situation is a bit surreal to be honest, I don’t think anyone could write a better political drama. There was once a happy party well so it seemed at the head was Tiboz and right next to him was jigga (JZ) they looked so happy together, they bought guns, planes and boats and I guess this was where the fighting began. One day Tiboz says to Jigga, here i have written this report about the guns we bought, please sign it. Yes sir yes sir, three bags full sir, i wont read it, I will just sign it because you are my ball blue. And the party still seemed happy till one day a former comrade Patricia started making some noise, hellooo world, please probe this plenty billion arms deal.

Along came Jiggas mate Shake, who is also said to be Jiggas banker and builder from time to time. The law guys went after them and Shake wasn’t fast enough and he got caught, the judge waved his finger at him and said bad boy, go to the corner for 15 years and think about what you have done see. Cough cough splutter and off Shake went into his corner, but before the judge let him go he said Shakey, you and Jigga have not been playing nicely. When Tiboz heard this, and being the clean cut guy the world sees him as, he had to part ways with Jigga, he almost even shed a tear...almost. The lawyers said hmm we have Shakey, now we cam go after Jigga, because our case which was initially a little bit shakey (no pun intended) is now getting solid. In the mean time the wife of the former government law boss became the deputy president of South Africa.
A few weeks after the judge sent Shake to the corner Jigga was charged, but the case was struck off the role. In the meantime, Jigga took one of his machine guns and started dancing, had a shower or two and even managed to be elected the big dog of the party that is currently running the show. His party was cut short though because a few million rand later, a few man hours of hard work later, raids subpoenas etc. the law people shouted eureka by George i think we have him. Jigga was recharged.

With a shower head on his head and maybe a tad delusional or may be wiser than we thought, Jigga started snickering and singing you can’t catch me I’m the gingerbread man. But wait lets make sure of this. The former big boss of law people, bra Vusi Pikoli who, Tiboz got rid of, we won’t let him come back in because this bra seems like he likes to play by the book too much. And those funny animals with the sting, ya those guys with the GTI’s we don’t like them either because the investigate deputy presidents and police commissioners! Who do they think they are? Don’t they know who we are? CRRRRUUUUNNNNCCCCHH (thats the sound of the Scorpions being squashed).

Jigga’s law people brought an application to the Durban High court last year, where a mightily wise judge decided that Jigga had been unlawfully charged but he didn’t stop there, nooo, he went as far as indicating that Tiboz had something to do with it. No no no no senior, please don’t do that to me, said Tiboz, but his bosses weren’t hearing it and they shouted Zobit (that was the ANC recalling Tiboz...get it??). The law people went to the Supreme Court of Appeals and they said nah man, you other judge guy, there is a line which says don’t cross me, but noooo you decided to cross it and incorrectly so, The SCA overruled Judge Nicholson’s ruling and Jigga’s 1 charge of racketeering (extortion or bootlegging), 1 charge of money laundering, 2 of corruption and 12 of fraud...man that’s a pretty heavy rap sheet...got reinstated. Trial date was set for August sometime.

Oh wait whats that i hear, what who when. Sorry guys, you know these last 8 years that rock solid case you built, well sorry man but i have some potentially illegally obtained tapes here that could blow your case sky high. Enter the acting NPA boss, yo mara guys, we cant charge this guy boss, because we are going to lose, but what about letting the judge dec...hey wena shut up man, we are going to lose, sing with me mshiniwam mshiniwam...

Interesting times ahead i tell you

Oh what to do...

Outta here but before I go a few birthday shout outs...
30th March Randal
1st April Carnita and Grace
2nd Gorata
3rd Shannon
4th Otto
5th Kirsty N and cousin Yaw Kyere

Chag sameach and Happy Easter to you all

Always remember there is no better time than the present!!

Have a great weekend

Y
“to whom much is given, much is required”