Mbombela - Only law-abiding citizens will have a jolly festive season, the minister of police said on Tuesday at the Mpumalanga launch of the 2010/2011 operation, Duty Calls.
"The operation Duty Calls festive season campaign is not a mere crusade of empty words and paying lip-service but a government-led and community-orientated campaign," said Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
"We are therefore excited that today we are joined by the community of Emalahleni as we affirm our message that during this festive season only law-abiding citizens will have a jolly good season."
Operation Duty Calls is a festive season campaign aimed at decreasing the surge of crime and road accidents during the festive period.
"For some reason... South Africans have a tendency to not only abuse alcohol during this season, but also to drive recklessly... We shall be tightening the screws in these areas and shall have no mercy on anyone found on the wrong side of the law."
Mthethwa congratulated the Mpumalanga police for arresting 1 589 criminals since the start of the campaign on November 1 this year.
He attributed the reduction in crimes during last year's festive season to the campaign and "community support, proper policing strategies and commitment from our force".
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Politics/No-mercy-over-festive-season-cops-20101130
DUT Twitter
DA Youth challenges festival funding
Johannesburg - The World Festival of Youth and Students lacks focus on youth development and the millions spent on it should rather be used to empower the youth, the DA Youth said on Tuesday.
"According to our information, minister in the presidency Collins Chabane has requested each provincial government to contribute R4 730 000 to the hosting of this festival," said DA spokesperson Lebo More.
"As the DA Youth, we have distanced ourselves from this youth festival as it lacks focus on youth development... this festival costs millions which could be used to empower young people in provinces."
The festival, organised by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), is set to take place in Tshwane from December 13 to 21 and is expected to attract 30 000 people.
In a statement last week, NYDA executive chairperson Andile Lungisa said the National Treasury set aside an amount of R29m for the event.
"This is not a music festival or a jamboree as some have opportunistically chosen to label it.
"This is a festival of ideas that provides SA youth and the NYDA with increased international partnerships and networking opportunities with youth development practitioners and leaders from around the world."
More said many young people in Gauteng were not attending school and had no access to skills development or assistance to start businesses because of a lack of funds.
"Amounts such as those requested by Chabane from provinces should be channelled to programmes, for example youth wage subsidies and other youth development initiatives, and not on a few days conference that will end up not having benefited young people at large."
The DA Youth urged the Gauteng provincial government and all departments not to honour this "wasteful expenditure as it has no solid benefit to the entire youth community of this province".
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Politics/DA-Youth-challenges-festival-funding-20101130-2
"According to our information, minister in the presidency Collins Chabane has requested each provincial government to contribute R4 730 000 to the hosting of this festival," said DA spokesperson Lebo More.
"As the DA Youth, we have distanced ourselves from this youth festival as it lacks focus on youth development... this festival costs millions which could be used to empower young people in provinces."
The festival, organised by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), is set to take place in Tshwane from December 13 to 21 and is expected to attract 30 000 people.
In a statement last week, NYDA executive chairperson Andile Lungisa said the National Treasury set aside an amount of R29m for the event.
"This is not a music festival or a jamboree as some have opportunistically chosen to label it.
"This is a festival of ideas that provides SA youth and the NYDA with increased international partnerships and networking opportunities with youth development practitioners and leaders from around the world."
More said many young people in Gauteng were not attending school and had no access to skills development or assistance to start businesses because of a lack of funds.
"Amounts such as those requested by Chabane from provinces should be channelled to programmes, for example youth wage subsidies and other youth development initiatives, and not on a few days conference that will end up not having benefited young people at large."
The DA Youth urged the Gauteng provincial government and all departments not to honour this "wasteful expenditure as it has no solid benefit to the entire youth community of this province".
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Politics/DA-Youth-challenges-festival-funding-20101130-2
New licence plates for Gauteng
Johannesburg - A new number plate series was launched in Gauteng by provincial Roads and Transport MEC Ismail Vadi on Tuesday.
"This is part of a larger initiative aimed at reducing the incidence of fraud in respect of number plates," the department said in a statement.
It continued: "It is important to note that motorists will be able to keep their old registration numbers, as the new number plate series is mandatory only for newly-registered vehicles and for transfers of ownership of second-hand vehicles."
The new series, BB 01 BB GP, would be issued only on aluminium plates. They contained a distinctive security feature - a continuous mark or image running horizontally across the white, reflective plate surface.
"The number plate's border, letters and numbers are in dark blue and there is a distinctive watermark feature on the new plate."
The plates would be comparable in price to the cost of current number plates.
All number plate suppliers would be required by law to register with the department.
"Our government has noted the ease with which number plates can be illegally obtained to conduct criminal activities."
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/New-licence-plates-for-Gauteng-20101130
"This is part of a larger initiative aimed at reducing the incidence of fraud in respect of number plates," the department said in a statement.
It continued: "It is important to note that motorists will be able to keep their old registration numbers, as the new number plate series is mandatory only for newly-registered vehicles and for transfers of ownership of second-hand vehicles."
The new series, BB 01 BB GP, would be issued only on aluminium plates. They contained a distinctive security feature - a continuous mark or image running horizontally across the white, reflective plate surface.
"The number plate's border, letters and numbers are in dark blue and there is a distinctive watermark feature on the new plate."
The plates would be comparable in price to the cost of current number plates.
All number plate suppliers would be required by law to register with the department.
"Our government has noted the ease with which number plates can be illegally obtained to conduct criminal activities."
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/New-licence-plates-for-Gauteng-20101130
SA flights to Europe still set to go
Cape Town - Flights between Europe and South Africa seem to be unaffected by the poor weather conditions which has seen hundreds of flights cancelled across the European continent on Tuesday.
Snow and icy conditions forced the cancellation of more than 200 flights at Frankfurt International Airport, Europe's third-busiest, a spokesperson said.
"No expected flight delays as a result of weather problems in Europe have been reported to Acsa," the Airports Company of SA's spokesperson Solomon Makgale said in a text message to News24 on Tuesday.
South African Airways has two flights coming out of the German city on Tuesday, one at 20:45, the other at 22:40. Two flights are scheduled to fly into Frankfurt on Tuesday as well, at 19:50 and 20:20.
There is also one SAA flight from Frankfurt to Cape Town set to depart at 22:50. A Cape Town to Frankfurt flight is also scheduled at 19:05.
By mid-morning local time, a total of 128 arrivals and 80 departures had been cancelled, with many other flights experiencing significant delays, she said.
Virgin Airlines spokesperson Caron Parkinson said they also had two flights due to fly from Heathrow, in London, to Cape Town and Johannesburg at 20:35 and 19:25 respectively and both were ready to go.
A 21:45 plane from Johannesburg to London has also not been cancelled, Parkinson said.
Two people died in traffic chaos caused by the snowstorms in the UK, AFP reported.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/SA-flights-to-Europe-still-set-to-go-20101130
Snow and icy conditions forced the cancellation of more than 200 flights at Frankfurt International Airport, Europe's third-busiest, a spokesperson said.
"No expected flight delays as a result of weather problems in Europe have been reported to Acsa," the Airports Company of SA's spokesperson Solomon Makgale said in a text message to News24 on Tuesday.
South African Airways has two flights coming out of the German city on Tuesday, one at 20:45, the other at 22:40. Two flights are scheduled to fly into Frankfurt on Tuesday as well, at 19:50 and 20:20.
There is also one SAA flight from Frankfurt to Cape Town set to depart at 22:50. A Cape Town to Frankfurt flight is also scheduled at 19:05.
By mid-morning local time, a total of 128 arrivals and 80 departures had been cancelled, with many other flights experiencing significant delays, she said.
Virgin Airlines spokesperson Caron Parkinson said they also had two flights due to fly from Heathrow, in London, to Cape Town and Johannesburg at 20:35 and 19:25 respectively and both were ready to go.
A 21:45 plane from Johannesburg to London has also not been cancelled, Parkinson said.
Two people died in traffic chaos caused by the snowstorms in the UK, AFP reported.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/SA-flights-to-Europe-still-set-to-go-20101130
More rhino poached in KZN
Johannesburg - Three more rhinos have been poached in KwaZulu-Natal in the last four days, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife said on Tuesday.
"Field rangers discovered the de-horned carcass of a young adult male white rhino in the southern area of the Western Shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (on November 26)... A post-mortem examination established that the animal was probably shot about a week earlier," the organisation's CEO Bandile Mkhize said in a statement.
Field rangers in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park found the de-horned carcasses of two more white rhinos in the iMfolozi section of the park on Monday.
Despite these losses, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife remained "optimistic" about the fight against rhino poaching.
Mkhize gave a presentation on rhino poaching to the South African Association for the Conference Industry recently, where members "enthusiastically promised financial support for ongoing rhino anti-poaching work in the KZN park system".
He said 18 more field rangers would be deployed to the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park on Wednesday, and additional anti-poaching equipment issued.
Also on Tuesday three suspected rhino poachers were caught in the Tembe Elephant Park near the Mozambique border.
"On being challenged by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife field rangers the (men) opened fire and an exchange of gunfire ensued, during which one suspect was wounded."
The two other men were arrested. The wounded man was taken to hospital in Kwangwanase (Manguzi). Police were investigating.
To date 289 rhinos had been poached countrywide since the start of the year.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/More-rhino-poached-in-KZN-20101130
"Field rangers discovered the de-horned carcass of a young adult male white rhino in the southern area of the Western Shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (on November 26)... A post-mortem examination established that the animal was probably shot about a week earlier," the organisation's CEO Bandile Mkhize said in a statement.
Field rangers in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park found the de-horned carcasses of two more white rhinos in the iMfolozi section of the park on Monday.
Despite these losses, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife remained "optimistic" about the fight against rhino poaching.
Mkhize gave a presentation on rhino poaching to the South African Association for the Conference Industry recently, where members "enthusiastically promised financial support for ongoing rhino anti-poaching work in the KZN park system".
He said 18 more field rangers would be deployed to the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park on Wednesday, and additional anti-poaching equipment issued.
Also on Tuesday three suspected rhino poachers were caught in the Tembe Elephant Park near the Mozambique border.
"On being challenged by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife field rangers the (men) opened fire and an exchange of gunfire ensued, during which one suspect was wounded."
The two other men were arrested. The wounded man was taken to hospital in Kwangwanase (Manguzi). Police were investigating.
To date 289 rhinos had been poached countrywide since the start of the year.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/More-rhino-poached-in-KZN-20101130
Author's racist remarks trigger furore
Johannesburg - A leading white author has triggered a fresh debate about race relations after saying in an interview that she does not like black people, a newspaper reported.
Annelie Botes, 53, author of several novels, made the remarks last week in an interview with Rapport newspaper.
"I don't like black people," she told the paper, when asked what sort of people she disliked.
"I don't understand them! ... I know they are people just like me. I know they have the same rights as me. But I do not understand them. And then I do not like them. I avoid them because I am scared of them."
Botes blamed black people for South Africa's violent crime problem, which had claimed the life of her neighbour, and said the violence showed blacks were "angry because of their own incompetence".
The writer has been pilloried for her remarks, with many people accusing her of being prejudiced and stuck in the past.
But a large number of people have also praised her honesty and defended her right "to like who she likes".
Botes told the Mail & Guardian newspaper she had received about 1 000 e-mails backing her remarks and that she still stood by her comments.
"Naturally, there are a lot of black people that I like very much. But I certainly meant what I said," she said.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Authors-racist-remarks-trigger-furore-20101130
.
.
www.twitter.com/thokozani031
Annelie Botes, 53, author of several novels, made the remarks last week in an interview with Rapport newspaper.
"I don't like black people," she told the paper, when asked what sort of people she disliked.
"I don't understand them! ... I know they are people just like me. I know they have the same rights as me. But I do not understand them. And then I do not like them. I avoid them because I am scared of them."
Botes blamed black people for South Africa's violent crime problem, which had claimed the life of her neighbour, and said the violence showed blacks were "angry because of their own incompetence".
The writer has been pilloried for her remarks, with many people accusing her of being prejudiced and stuck in the past.
But a large number of people have also praised her honesty and defended her right "to like who she likes".
Botes told the Mail & Guardian newspaper she had received about 1 000 e-mails backing her remarks and that she still stood by her comments.
"Naturally, there are a lot of black people that I like very much. But I certainly meant what I said," she said.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Authors-racist-remarks-trigger-furore-20101130
.
.
www.twitter.com/thokozani031
DA calls for Motata's suspension
Cape Town - The DA on Tuesday called for Judge Nkola Motata to be suspended after the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg dismissed his appeal against his drunken driving conviction.
Motata has remained on special leave on his full salary pending the outcome of the appeal against his conviction more than a year ago. Judges earn roughly R1.5m per year.
"It is untenable that an individual who holds a public position for which integrity is paramount, has not been suspended following a criminal conviction," Democratic Alliance justice spokesperson Debbie Schafer said.
"Those serving in the public service, especially in a judicial capacity, must embody the highest standards of dignity and integrity. Judge Motata has clearly failed in this."
Schafer said she would write to Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo in his capacity as chairperson of the Judicial Services Commission to request the reasons why the judge had not been suspended.
Motata on Tuesday declined to say whether he would be appealing again.
"I have no comment," he told Sapa.
The justice department had confirmed Motata would remain on special leave until the appeal process was over.
The Cape Times reported that the judge would turn 65 in February 2012, and would then be able to retire on his full salary if the process was still underway.
Motata was sentenced by the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court to a fine of R20 000 or 12 months in prison.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Politics/DA-calls-for-Motatas-suspension-20101130
.
.
www.twitter.com/thokozani031
Motata has remained on special leave on his full salary pending the outcome of the appeal against his conviction more than a year ago. Judges earn roughly R1.5m per year.
"It is untenable that an individual who holds a public position for which integrity is paramount, has not been suspended following a criminal conviction," Democratic Alliance justice spokesperson Debbie Schafer said.
"Those serving in the public service, especially in a judicial capacity, must embody the highest standards of dignity and integrity. Judge Motata has clearly failed in this."
Schafer said she would write to Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo in his capacity as chairperson of the Judicial Services Commission to request the reasons why the judge had not been suspended.
Motata on Tuesday declined to say whether he would be appealing again.
"I have no comment," he told Sapa.
The justice department had confirmed Motata would remain on special leave until the appeal process was over.
The Cape Times reported that the judge would turn 65 in February 2012, and would then be able to retire on his full salary if the process was still underway.
Motata was sentenced by the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court to a fine of R20 000 or 12 months in prison.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Politics/DA-calls-for-Motatas-suspension-20101130
.
.
www.twitter.com/thokozani031
ANC in KZN prepare for local elections
Durban - The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday said it was going to ensure that the best candidates were selected and deployed for the 2011 local government elections.
"We should strengthen list guidelines and processes for public representatives to enhance democratic participation… and involve the broader community in our candidate selection processes," the provincial executive committee said in a statement.
"We also need to ensure that we attract people with skills and ensure the broadest possible sectoral spread in our public representative corps."
The election was one of the topics discussed at the PEC meeting in Richards Bay on Monday. It said the party's national executive council had adopted guidelines on the nominations of candidates.
The province had started the process and was hoping to be finished by the end of the year.
"We believe that the current process will give us best candidates who will serve their wards and ensure service delivery."
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Politics/ANC-in-KZN-prepare-for-local-elections-20101130
.
.
www.twitter.com/thokozani031
"We should strengthen list guidelines and processes for public representatives to enhance democratic participation… and involve the broader community in our candidate selection processes," the provincial executive committee said in a statement.
"We also need to ensure that we attract people with skills and ensure the broadest possible sectoral spread in our public representative corps."
The election was one of the topics discussed at the PEC meeting in Richards Bay on Monday. It said the party's national executive council had adopted guidelines on the nominations of candidates.
The province had started the process and was hoping to be finished by the end of the year.
"We believe that the current process will give us best candidates who will serve their wards and ensure service delivery."
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/Politics/ANC-in-KZN-prepare-for-local-elections-20101130
.
.
www.twitter.com/thokozani031
Predator breeders win 'canned lion' appeal
Bloemfontein - The SA Predator Breeders' Association on Monday partly won a Supreme Court of Appeal case regarding the trophy hunting of captive lions - commonly called "canned hunting".
The SCA held the minister of environmental affairs at the time did not take a "rational decision" when he determined that captive-bred lions had to fend for themselves in an extensive wildlife system for 24 month before they could be hunted.
In the high court the predator breeders challenged the inclusion of lions as a listed large predator in the threatened or protected species regulations and the 24-month period in which captive-bred lions had to fend for themselves before they could be hunted. The SCA said there was no doubt the minister was entitled to take into account "strong opposition" and "revulsion" in public opinion to the hunting of captive lions.
Nevertheless, his 24-month decision should have been based on a rational foundation. "The evidence proves that he did not do so."
The judgment also held that on the premise upon which the application and the appeal were argued, the association had achieved substantial success. Relief sought by the predator breeders on other aspects of the regulations in their appeal were refuse.
Department spokesperson Roopa Singh said they received the judgment and were in the process of studying it and discussing the matter internally before deciding on how to proceed.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Predator-breeders-win-canned-lion-appeal-20101129
.
.
www.twitter.com/thokozani031
The SCA held the minister of environmental affairs at the time did not take a "rational decision" when he determined that captive-bred lions had to fend for themselves in an extensive wildlife system for 24 month before they could be hunted.
In the high court the predator breeders challenged the inclusion of lions as a listed large predator in the threatened or protected species regulations and the 24-month period in which captive-bred lions had to fend for themselves before they could be hunted. The SCA said there was no doubt the minister was entitled to take into account "strong opposition" and "revulsion" in public opinion to the hunting of captive lions.
Nevertheless, his 24-month decision should have been based on a rational foundation. "The evidence proves that he did not do so."
The judgment also held that on the premise upon which the application and the appeal were argued, the association had achieved substantial success. Relief sought by the predator breeders on other aspects of the regulations in their appeal were refuse.
Department spokesperson Roopa Singh said they received the judgment and were in the process of studying it and discussing the matter internally before deciding on how to proceed.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Predator-breeders-win-canned-lion-appeal-20101129
.
.
www.twitter.com/thokozani031
Div: I only answer to CEO
Adnaan Mohamed
London - Springbok coach Peter de Villiers says he has contract with SA Rugby, and as far as he is concerned he is only answerable to the CEO of the South African Rugby Union.
There were reports in a Sunday newspaper that De Villiers will, in future, have to answer to a technical committee on the performance of the Springboks.
But De Villiers was adamant that he has a contract with Saru and says that only if changes are made to his contract, that then he will have to report to these so-called experts in the future.
"I don't know anything about such a committee. It is the first time I hear about it," he said at the Springbok hotel on Sunday.
"All I know is that I still have a valid contract in place. I will first have to agree to changes in my contract before I report to such a committee."
The beleaguered Bok coach says he is contracted to SA Rugby and when they make a decision he has to abide by it.
"I report to the highest order in Saru and at the moment that is the CEO. The organisation I work for is very big. From the outside it might seem that they are not very organised, but things are planned way ahead of time," he explained.
According to reports, the technical committee will be asked to review the performance of de Villiers and his assistants Gary Gold and Dick Muir.
The experts are said to include former Springbok coaches. They are also the favourites to form the new technical committee to whom de Villiers would have to report in the future.
Meanwhile, the Bok coach says the Springboks want to do justice to the Bok jersey when they face the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday.
"It will not only be prestige that will be on the line. The biggest single challenge is to do justice to the Bok jersey.
"We know the Barbarians want to hold on to possession for long periods. They have a star-studded team that carries a lot of weight in years of experience, and they would like to make a lot of metres on our young players.
"The difference between the Barbarian game and any other test is the jersey that you are playing for. It doesn't matter what happens.
"Everybody will say it is the Boks that are playing there. And for me that is the carrot that is dangled in front of us. We have to make sure we perform to the best of our ability against the Baabaas," he added.
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/BoksOnTour/Div-I-only-answer-to-CEO-20101129
Choosy shrews eschew peanut butter
Cape Town - Cape rock elephant shrews prefer lily nectar to peanut butter, a Stellenbosch University researcher has discovered.
The researcher, Petra Wester, discovered this during a study which showed for the first time that the long-nosed creature is a pollinator of the Pagoda lily in the northern Cederberg.
The lilies - scientific name Whiteheadia bifolia - are found in shady rock crevices and cavities, she said in an article in the latest issue of the journal Science of Nature.
She said two elephant shrews kept in glass terraria containing flowering lily plants visited the flowers more than 50 times over four days, licking the nectar and in the process ending up with noses dusted with pollen.
The animals preferred the nectar over other food - peanut butter with rolled oats and apples - set out to attract them, and over water.
"Data on elephant shrews as pollinators (is) extremely scarce," she said.
"This study is the first to clearly show that Elephantulus edwardii visits flowers for nectar and as a consequence also pollinates them.
"It is very likely that further species of elephant shrews might be pollinators."
http://www.news24.com/SciTech/News/Choosy-shrews-eschew-peanut-butter-20101129
.
.
www.twitter.com/thokozani031
The researcher, Petra Wester, discovered this during a study which showed for the first time that the long-nosed creature is a pollinator of the Pagoda lily in the northern Cederberg.
The lilies - scientific name Whiteheadia bifolia - are found in shady rock crevices and cavities, she said in an article in the latest issue of the journal Science of Nature.
She said two elephant shrews kept in glass terraria containing flowering lily plants visited the flowers more than 50 times over four days, licking the nectar and in the process ending up with noses dusted with pollen.
The animals preferred the nectar over other food - peanut butter with rolled oats and apples - set out to attract them, and over water.
"Data on elephant shrews as pollinators (is) extremely scarce," she said.
"This study is the first to clearly show that Elephantulus edwardii visits flowers for nectar and as a consequence also pollinates them.
"It is very likely that further species of elephant shrews might be pollinators."
http://www.news24.com/SciTech/News/Choosy-shrews-eschew-peanut-butter-20101129
.
.
www.twitter.com/thokozani031
Igesund to rescue Birds
Johannesburg - Labelled "The Golden Boy" of the PSL after helping four different clubs to the Premier League title, Gordon Igesund has officially been announced as the new head coach of ailing Moroka Swallows, succeeding the troubled German-born Ranier Zobel.
"It's a challenging task, but not an impossible one," said Igesund about his task in attempting to rescue the renowned Soweto club, who are wallowing in bottom place in the PSL log table and winless after losing seven of their games and drawing the other two. Igesund said that, after a break from soccer after several projected appointments failed to materialise, he was now "champing at the bit" with his batteries recharged and ready to get back into action.
Swallows last week made a bizarre announcement that Zobel would be dismissed unless he was able to inspire The Birds to a victory over defending PSL champions SuperSport United on Saturday night - and despite the game ending in a 1-1 draw, the "auf wiedersein" message for the embattled German coach was not rescinded.
Swallows CEO Leon Prins, however, has intimated that Zobel might remain at the club in some other capacity, but Igesund said he would not fill the role of technical director or be part of his technical committee's inner circle.
As for the signing of new players, Igesund said he would first evaluate the present squad and then make a decision in this respect.
http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/PSL/Igesund-to-rescue-Birds-20101129
.
.
www.twitter.com/thokozani031
"It's a challenging task, but not an impossible one," said Igesund about his task in attempting to rescue the renowned Soweto club, who are wallowing in bottom place in the PSL log table and winless after losing seven of their games and drawing the other two. Igesund said that, after a break from soccer after several projected appointments failed to materialise, he was now "champing at the bit" with his batteries recharged and ready to get back into action.
Swallows last week made a bizarre announcement that Zobel would be dismissed unless he was able to inspire The Birds to a victory over defending PSL champions SuperSport United on Saturday night - and despite the game ending in a 1-1 draw, the "auf wiedersein" message for the embattled German coach was not rescinded.
Swallows CEO Leon Prins, however, has intimated that Zobel might remain at the club in some other capacity, but Igesund said he would not fill the role of technical director or be part of his technical committee's inner circle.
As for the signing of new players, Igesund said he would first evaluate the present squad and then make a decision in this respect.
http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/PSL/Igesund-to-rescue-Birds-20101129
.
.
www.twitter.com/thokozani031
5 Jules pupils arrested for drugs
Johannesburg - Five pupils from Jules High School were arrested on Monday for possession of drugs and alcohol, the Gauteng department of community safety said. Three boys were found in possession of dagga and a girl, 14, with a 200ml bottle of Klipdrift, community safety spokesperson Thapelo Moiloa said in a statement.
Another girl was found with 10 unidentified tablets. The girl said they were headache tablets, but after an investigation by police they were found to be drugs, he said.
"Due to the fact that the pupils are minors, the station commissioner outlined the process to involve notifying their parents, as well as appearing before a probation officer who will assess corrective measures to take." Community Safety MEC Nonhlanhla Mazibuko expressed her dismay saying a school environment was meant to be a centre for learning and teaching.
"We are going to act decisively to root out this act of criminality within the school environment in line with school safety programme," she said.
The pupils were caught during a joint crime awareness programme between the community safety and education departments, the police and the independent complaints directorate, Moiloa said. Pupils at the school were searched on Monday as they entered school property. Jules High School hit headlines last month after a 15-year-old pupil accused two boys of drugging and raping her.
They allegedly filmed the incident on their cellphones. The girl later admitted in court that it was consensual sex. All three were charged with statutory rape by the national director of public prosecutions advocate Menzi Simelane last week.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/5-Jules-pupils-arrested-for-drugs-20101129
.
.
www.twitter.com/thokozani031
Another girl was found with 10 unidentified tablets. The girl said they were headache tablets, but after an investigation by police they were found to be drugs, he said.
"Due to the fact that the pupils are minors, the station commissioner outlined the process to involve notifying their parents, as well as appearing before a probation officer who will assess corrective measures to take." Community Safety MEC Nonhlanhla Mazibuko expressed her dismay saying a school environment was meant to be a centre for learning and teaching.
"We are going to act decisively to root out this act of criminality within the school environment in line with school safety programme," she said.
The pupils were caught during a joint crime awareness programme between the community safety and education departments, the police and the independent complaints directorate, Moiloa said. Pupils at the school were searched on Monday as they entered school property. Jules High School hit headlines last month after a 15-year-old pupil accused two boys of drugging and raping her.
They allegedly filmed the incident on their cellphones. The girl later admitted in court that it was consensual sex. All three were charged with statutory rape by the national director of public prosecutions advocate Menzi Simelane last week.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/5-Jules-pupils-arrested-for-drugs-20101129
.
.
www.twitter.com/thokozani031
No ruling in 'shoot the boer' appeal
Johannesburg - Judgment was reserved in an application by the ANC for leave to appeal an order that the lyric "shoot the boer" was incitement to crime after an unusual day in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg on Monday.
Proceedings began with Judge Leon Halgryn defending his order declaring that the words, prima facie, were incitement to crime.
He said the insertion of the words "Jew", "faggot", and the "K" word would still render the line unconstitutional.
"It has a place in the proud history of the ANC ...but for goodness sake, is there still place for it today?" he said to advocate Gilbert Marcus, who was arguing for leave to appeal on behalf of an application by ANC deputy secretary general Thandi Modise.
Earlier this year ANC Youth League president Julius Malema sang the lyric at a University of Johannesburg rally, sparking outrage, particularly among Afrikaners and farmers, who believed the song was directed at them.
A small protest outside the court, organised by the Pro Afrikaanse Aksie Groep (Praag), highlighted concerns over the song, saying that over 3 000 farmers had been murdered in the country since 1994.
"The ruling party is trying to uphold its right for the killing of one ethnic group," said Praag's Dan Roodt in the court corridor.
'Genocide'
The group had had a number of T-shirts printed, one bearing a picture of Queen Elizabeth II, framed with the words "I love Afrikaner genocide", another of former president FW de Klerk and US President Barack Obama with slogans: "I don't care a damn" and "Yes, we can kill Afrikaners".
Afrikaans singer Sunette Bridges was part of the group and her T-shirt had a picture of Malema and the words "genocidal juvenile delinquent".
In March Mpumalanga farmer Willem Harmse successfully applied for an order that the words Malema sang be banned. He and a businessman in the area, Mohammed Vawda, belong to a group called The Society for the Protection of our Constitution and they had planned a protest march against crime and farm murders.
Speaking outside the court, their lawyer Zehir Omar explained that Vawda wanted to put the words on a poster because he interpreted them to mean "shoot apartheid".
Harmse and Vawda argued about this, which led to Harmse taking it to the South Gauteng High Court.
Omar said the two had since reconciled, and Vawda now believed that the words are divisive and they wanted Monday's application to be dismissed.
The ANC applied for leave to appeal, feeling that Halgryn did not take into consideration the historic context of the song and that his order was too broad. It would, for example, ban academic discussion of the song, or prevent a group of anti-apartheid veterans from singing the song at a private gathering.
'Incitement a crime?'
But Halgryn argued that the National Prosecuting Authority would decide on the circumstances of a complaint it received whether to prosecute a person for singing it.
"The oppressive regime doesn't exist anymore, why should the song still be lawful?"
During proceedings, Halgryn said it had struck him that he had not banned the words, just declared that they were prima facie incitement to crime. Then the court debated whether incitement was actually a crime, without a conclusion.
Marcus declined Halgryn's repeated requests to explain the context of the song saying it was only appropriate to argue the leave to appeal application.
Halgryn said context would help him decide whether another court would come to a different decision to his own.
But Roelof du Plessis, lawyer for AfriForum, who wanted to be part of proceedings with the ANC, said another court had already made a decision on the matter.
The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria had granted an interdict against Malema singing the lyric until the final outcome of an Equality Court that went against Malema and is due to go on appeal in April.
Du Plessis said that just as there was context when the ANC sang it during the apartheid years, there was new context now, and for that reason they wanted to be part of proceedings.
No intervention application
When it was Omar's turn to present argument, the court sat bolt upright as he boomed a claim that Modise had no authorisation to take the case to court and that she was actually contradicting a statement on the subject by the president of the ANC, Jacob Zuma.
After the murder of Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging leader Eugene Terre'Blanche, which some people linked to the song, Zuma asked people to refrain from singing songs that could be divisive.
Omar said that neither the ANC nor AfriForum had the right to be there because they were not original parties to the ruling and that the ANC had also not followed court procedure by first applying to be allowed to intervene.
He said that during apartheid the government had united Afrikaners by turning them against black people, and Malema's lyrics had the potential to turn blacks against whites.
With ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu in court, he said: "They gate-crashed to come before your lordship illegally."
Halgryn appeared surprised that there had been no intervention application, and led Marcus to read one to him, prompting him on how to word it.
Omar banged his hands against his head and when given another chance to speak said: "It's beyond irregular to make a substantial application during replies."
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/No-ruling-in-shoot-the-boer-appeal-20101129
.
.
www.twitter.com/thokozani031
namaste
-n.
1. a conventional Hindu expression on meeting or parting, used by the speaker usually while holding the palms together vertically in front of the bosom.
<Word of the day>
Drama as husband avoids ID parade
28th November 2010 00:00
The husband of murdered honeymoon bride Anni Dewani did not attend a police identity parade yesterday, where witnesses pointed out three men arrested for the gruesome crime.
This was despite an impassioned plea by the murdered 28-year-old bride"s family earlier this week for Shrien Dewani, 30, to return to South Africa to help police identify his wife"s killers.
The identity parade was held in Cape Town amid an international storm of claim and counter-claim over whether Dewani is a suspect in the killing.
Anni"s uncle Ashok Hindocha told The Telegraph this week: "All the Hindocha family want is to know by whom and for what our girl was murdered. I can tell you, if it was my wife who was murdered I would jump into a plane, go there and ask those people, "Why did you kill my wife and for what?" This is a question that not only the Hindocha family but millions of people around the world would like to know."
But police hinted that Dewani"s presence at yesterday"s identity parade was not vital.
The Sunday Times has established that the lead investigator in the case has been replaced by a new team of detectives. Dewani has given differing accounts of what happened on the night two weeks ago when the couple were apparently hijacked in a taxi in Guguletu, Cape Town. Anni was shot in the neck.
Dewani has hired leading South African lawyer Billy Gundelfinger and a top UK spin doctor, Max Clifford.
Gundelfinger said yesterday that Dewani, who went home to Bristol four days after the murder, had not been asked to attend the parade.
"My client has not been asked to come to South Africa," he said. "He has not been asked to participate in an ID parade and he is not in South Africa."
The three suspects arrested so far - driver Zola Robert Tongo, Xolile Mngeniand Mziwamadoda Qwabe - will appear in Cape Town"s Wynberg Regional Court tomorrow on charges of murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping.
All three were at the identity parade at the Manenberg Police Station. Mngeni"s attorney, Vusi Tshabalala, said: "Three suspects were pointed out by two witnesses who placed them in a particular place at a particular time."
Tshabalala did not know whether police would charge anyone else.
Top criminal lawyer William Booth put in a surprise appearance, saying only that Gundelfinger had contacted him "for advice" regarding the case. He denied receiving instructions to act for anyone.
Anni"s family in Sweden said they don"t know what to think.
"There"s a lot of things here that don"t match up," Hindocha told the Sunday Times. "There are far more questions than answers."
Hindocha said he had read the reports that Shrien was a suspect. "We can"t comment on any rumours, nobody is guilty until proven guilty."
Speculation about what really happened when the honeymoon couple and Tongo were apparently hijacked has been stoked by contradictory accounts given by Dewani. Inconsistencies include: He first said it was Anni"s idea to visit the township, but later said Tongo had suggested it; He said two hijackers had pushed him out of the moving vehicle through a back window, but he had no cuts or bruises to show for it; and He said the vehicle was hijacked deep in the township, but his brother Preyen later said the hijack happened on or near the N2 highway.
Tongo, whose day job was as a chauffeur at a VIP tour and travel company, Platinum Escapes, is negotiating a plea bargain with police.
The owner of Platinum Escapes said Tongo was moonlighting at the time.
Clifford launched a blistering attack on the South African police and media this week, accusing them of dragging his client"s name through the mud.
"It has been claimed it was an arranged marriage and there was insurance money on Anni"s life," he said.
"Both those claims are lies and are deeply hurtful to Shrien. Other rumours include the allegation he knew the taxi driver before the holiday, which is also totally untrue."
Clifford said Dewani had been through a "living nightmare".
"Every day we are hearing more bogus claims and lies. It has been said Shrien will return to South Africa but I can tell you he is at home and under sedation after the shock he has been through," Clifford said.
UK newspapers quoted "friends" of Dewani as saying he believed the South African Police were trying to set him up because they were under political pressure to pin the crime on a foreigner.
But Hindocha said Anni"s family had "full trust" in the South African Police.
Police yesterday refused to answer any questions regarding the case. National police spokesman Tummi Shai said there would be no further comment until the investigation was closed: "Only then will our national police chief, General Bheki Cele, brief the press."
The Times
<I smell a rat in this case, can you? Someone please get me Bheki Cele's number, I need to be part of the investigating team>
http://sabeyond2010.blogspot.com
Prince William 'knows his place'
London - Prince William feels there is no question of him becoming king ahead of his father Prince Charles, a report said on Sunday, following a rash of polls in Britain showing subjects favouring such a move.
The Sunday Telegraph newspaper quoted a senior royal aide as saying 28-year-old William, second-in-line to the throne, had no desire to leapfrog the Prince of Wales to become king after Queen Elizabeth II's reign. "There is no question in Prince William's mind that the Prince of Wales will be the next monarch," the aide was quoted as saying.
"Prince William is aware of the speculation, but he is very thick-skinned. He knows his place in the royal family and he considers himself to be very low down the food chain. He has no desire to climb the ladder of kingship before his time.
"He is very close to his father and incredibly supportive of him and his work as the Prince of Wales.
No suggestion of skipping
"Both of them will let nature take its course. There is no suggestion from anywhere within the institution that a generation will be skipped."
Last Sunday, three polls suggested that most Britons wanted William and his new fiancee Kate Middleton to be their next king and queen, leapfrogging Charles and his wife Camilla to the throne.
The surveys were conducted amid a wave of public support for the eldest son of Charles and the late Diana, princess of Wales, after William announced that he and Middleton would marry next year. William is a Royal Air Force search-and-rescue pilot, based at RAF Valley on the island of Anglesey, northwest Wales.
He conducts occasional royal duties but is largely focused on his military career. William "is not yet a full-time member of the royal family - first and foremost he is an RAF officer - and he will continue in his role at RAF Valley until at least 2013," the royal aide told The Sunday Telegraph.
Last weekend's polls also came after Charles suggested in an interview that Camilla might become queen when he accedes to the throne. It was announced when they married in 2005 that rather than queen Camilla, it was intended that she would use the title Princess Consort when Charles becomes king.
Despite the popular sentiment in the polls, it is difficult to see how Charles would not accede to the throne first when Queen Elizabeth dies.
Lord Anthony Lester, a constitutional expert, said: "The mechanism of succession is not based on a popularity contest, so all the polls in the world about who should be the next monarch are irrelevant.
"I would certainly not expect the Prince of Wales to ever relinquish that right to the throne in his lifetime, nor would I imagine that Prince William would ever consider challenging it."
http://www.channel24.co.za/News/International/Prince-William-knows-his-place-20101128
Honeymoon husband back in SA?
Cape Town - Police have kept mum about rumours that Shrien Dewani, husband of the
murdered British tourist, Anni Dewani, is back in South Africa at the request of the
investigative team and that he is a possible suspect.
Police allowed
him to leave the country after his wife was murdered in a hijacking in
Gugulethu, Cape Town,
but he was told that he might have to return to the country.
Suspects in the murder case on Saturday took part in an ID parade at the Manenberg police
station.
Police spokesperson lieutenant-colonel André Traut did not want to comment on the
Dewani case.
Earlier in the week,
police sources did tell reporters that Shrien Dewani was "on his way"
to South Africa
and that he was being accompanied by two British detectives.
Police are apparently still looking for another suspect.
The driver of the hijacked car, Zola Tongo, 31, was nabbed last Saturday. He was linked to a
firearm found on the scene.
Shrien Dewani asked Max Clifford in the UK to handle his affairs. Clifford said Dewani was in a "terrible state of mind" due to speculation that he
was behind the death of his millionaire wife.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Honeymoon-husband-back-in-SA-20101128
http://sabeyond2010.blogspot.com
murdered British tourist, Anni Dewani, is back in South Africa at the request of the
investigative team and that he is a possible suspect.
Police allowed
him to leave the country after his wife was murdered in a hijacking in
Gugulethu, Cape Town,
but he was told that he might have to return to the country.
Suspects in the murder case on Saturday took part in an ID parade at the Manenberg police
station.
Police spokesperson lieutenant-colonel André Traut did not want to comment on the
Dewani case.
Earlier in the week,
police sources did tell reporters that Shrien Dewani was "on his way"
to South Africa
and that he was being accompanied by two British detectives.
Police are apparently still looking for another suspect.
The driver of the hijacked car, Zola Tongo, 31, was nabbed last Saturday. He was linked to a
firearm found on the scene.
Shrien Dewani asked Max Clifford in the UK to handle his affairs. Clifford said Dewani was in a "terrible state of mind" due to speculation that he
was behind the death of his millionaire wife.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Honeymoon-husband-back-in-SA-20101128
http://sabeyond2010.blogspot.com
There is life after DIABETES
Last Updated: 2010/11/27
Both type-1 and type-2 diabetes can be prevented or managed. But key to this is to spread this message, writes TSHIDI MAMETSA

More and more people in Mzansi are leading Westernised lifestyles, our eating habits have changed and many people don't get enough exercise, resulting in many of them becoming overweight – which in turn leads to an increased incidence of diabetes.
Kwaito star Tshepo "Howza" Mosese is among the estimated 300m people in the world who have diabetes.
Diagnosed with type-1 diabetes in 2002, Mosese recently launched a music video of his latest song I Choose to Live, which is about the impact of diabetes on the world and the importance of prevention.
Written and performed with fellow artist Omen,the video also features the renowned Soweto Gospel Choir.
"When the initial symptoms of diabetes started hitting me, neither my parents nor I thought it could be the cause. The symptoms are more or less the same as those of HIV, so I was a bit scared, he says.
"This is why awareness and education are so important. This disease can affect people of any age, race or sex but it can be prevented and managed."
Mosese lost weight, became dehydrated and his vision became blurred. "Finding out was a relief," he says.
The scariest thing, he says, was when his doctor told him he had the disease and showed him the stats of people dying from the disease.
"That is what affected me the most and in turn it made me change my lifestyle.
"I never exercised at first and was never a vegetable person, but because of the scare I got I started doing what I had to do to prevent it becoming worse," says the star, who even quit drinking.
"Type-1 diabetes happens when the pancreas is no longer able to produce insulin. The pancreas produces insulin in response to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood and it is vital in controlling blood glucose levels. When a person has diabetes their body cannot control their blood glucose, so they become hyperglycaemic–they have an abnormally high blood glucose level," Mosese explains.
"Treatment involves the injection of insulin to maintain tightly controlled glucose levels at all times."he says.
"I think the key is to communicate that this (disease) can be prevented and managed."
http://m.sundayworld.co.za/(S(kd20me451mbh3ovkxoqokovr))/default.aspx?id=7&articleid=1180583
---------------------------------
<I'm lucky not to have any...>
--------------------------------
http://sabeyond2010.blogspot.com
Charmza
Last Updated: 2010/11/27
New minister of sports Fikile Mbalula's visibility, hands-on approach and his promise not to join the ministerial bling brigade–that is, those who bought cars worth over R1m–is definitely our charmza of the week.

We hope you also don't slip into oblivion and sleep on the job like your predecessor, Makhenkesi Stofile.
And we salute you for your decision to not waste taxpayers' money on expensive saloons. Thanks for being sensitive to the poor, Charmza.
http://m.sundayworld.co.za/(S(kd20me451mbh3ovkxoqokovr))/default.aspx?id=5&articleid=1180622
http://sabeyond2010.blogspot.com
New minister of sports Fikile Mbalula's visibility, hands-on approach and his promise not to join the ministerial bling brigade–that is, those who bought cars worth over R1m–is definitely our charmza of the week.

We hope you also don't slip into oblivion and sleep on the job like your predecessor, Makhenkesi Stofile.
And we salute you for your decision to not waste taxpayers' money on expensive saloons. Thanks for being sensitive to the poor, Charmza.
http://m.sundayworld.co.za/(S(kd20me451mbh3ovkxoqokovr))/default.aspx?id=5&articleid=1180622
http://sabeyond2010.blogspot.com
olio
-noun
1. dish of many ingredients
2. incongruous mixture or miscellany
3. mixture of heterogeneous elements; hodgepodge
4. medley or potpourri, as of musical or literary selections; miscellany
5. variety show or specialty act
MTN BEE offer raises R2.8bn, oversubscribed
Johannesburg - MTN Group [JSE:MTN] announced Friday that its MTN Zakhele offering raised R2.78bn from the black public and applications were 1.7 times subscribed.
Members of the black public were invited to apply for ordinary shares in MTN Zakhele. A total of 80.9 million shares were offered R20 per share.
The MTN Zakhele shares were allotted and issued to successful applicants on 24 November.
One of MTN's primary objectives with respect to offer was to achieve truly broad-based empowerment, the group said. In order to achieve this, the allocation process adopted a "bottom up" approach, starting with applications for the minimum number of MTN Zakhele Shares and with a priority for black individuals.
All valid applications for subscription amounts between R2 000 (100 MTN Zakhele shares) and R25 000 (1 250 shares) were accepted in full. In respect of applications for subscription amounts in excess of R25 000, applicants were allocated R25 000 worth of shares plus a percentage of the balance of the shares applied for.
In addition, black people who were RICA-compliant customers of MTN and who did not get their full allocation, received a preferential allocation of up to an additional 200 shares.
As a result, approximately 94% of all applicants, received all of the shares that they applied for.
All black staff and black directors of MTN and its major subsidiaries and their associates were entitled to participate in the MTN Zakhele Offer on precisely the same terms as members of the black public.
As a consequence of the implementation of the MTN BEE transaction, MTN has issued in aggregate 42 040 364 new MTN ordinary shares to MTN Zakhele, which will be listed on the JSE.
http://www.fin24.com/Companies/ICT/MTN-BEE-offer-raises-R28bn-oversubscribed-20101126
Members of the black public were invited to apply for ordinary shares in MTN Zakhele. A total of 80.9 million shares were offered R20 per share.
The MTN Zakhele shares were allotted and issued to successful applicants on 24 November.
One of MTN's primary objectives with respect to offer was to achieve truly broad-based empowerment, the group said. In order to achieve this, the allocation process adopted a "bottom up" approach, starting with applications for the minimum number of MTN Zakhele Shares and with a priority for black individuals.
All valid applications for subscription amounts between R2 000 (100 MTN Zakhele shares) and R25 000 (1 250 shares) were accepted in full. In respect of applications for subscription amounts in excess of R25 000, applicants were allocated R25 000 worth of shares plus a percentage of the balance of the shares applied for.
In addition, black people who were RICA-compliant customers of MTN and who did not get their full allocation, received a preferential allocation of up to an additional 200 shares.
As a result, approximately 94% of all applicants, received all of the shares that they applied for.
All black staff and black directors of MTN and its major subsidiaries and their associates were entitled to participate in the MTN Zakhele Offer on precisely the same terms as members of the black public.
As a consequence of the implementation of the MTN BEE transaction, MTN has issued in aggregate 42 040 364 new MTN ordinary shares to MTN Zakhele, which will be listed on the JSE.
http://www.fin24.com/Companies/ICT/MTN-BEE-offer-raises-R28bn-oversubscribed-20101126
SA bosses best off in the world
Bloemfontein - The living standards of South African chief executives and their net disposable incomes are by far the best in the world.
This is the finding of a report released this week by human resources company P-E Corporate Services, which analyses the latest global trends in remuneration and working conditions at more than 850 companies.
The survey calculates the purchasing power of executives' net disposable income after essential expenses, tax and pension are taken into account.
In last year's survey South African chief executives had already fared best in terms of the power of their disposable income – but then they were only slightly ahead of their peers in countries like the US and Germany, said P-E Corporate Services managing director Martin Westcott.
But this year's research shows that they are now doing far better than CEOs in the US, Europe, Australia and the rest of Africa. South Africa scored 100 points on the index, with its nearest competitor, Namibia, at 62.
Although the survey would seem to support Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel's growth plan proposal, in terms of which he suggested that high-income earners' salary increases and bonuses be capped, Westcott warned that they were rather an indication of the poor economic growth being seen elsewhere.
Factors like the rand's strength against the US dollar, as well as the low inflation rate, resulted in South African chief executives having greater buying power.
In addition, living expenses for chief executives residing in Johannesburg were the second lowest in the survey, with only Gaborone being cheaper.
American chief executives traditionally have had the highest purchasing power in the world, but that situation has weakened dramatically because of the economic recession in the world's biggest economy and the weakness of the dollar.
As for Patel's proposal of capping chief executives' remuneration, Westcott said it was an unnecessary and ineffective measure.
The private sector would find ways to circumvent the restriction and to pay whatever was necessary to retain the best talent, he reckoned.
The country has a skills shortage and it would be inappropriate for government to prescribe how much executives should be paid – especially while government itself awards exceptionally high bonuses to the executives of semi-state institutions.
The research also showed that the differential between the highest and the lowest paid workers in a medium-sized company in South Africa had dropped slightly from a 2008 high of 58:1 to this year's 55:1.
Increases for people in less well-paid posts had in the past eight years topped the inflation rate, while chief executives' bonuses had declined owing to difficult economic conditions.
The unions had now gained a foothold in this area and the situation was unlikely to change in the near future, Westcott said.
http://www.fin24.com/Economy/SA-bosses-best-off-in-the-world-20101126
SA cautious on rand moves
London - South Africa will wait to see if recently unveiled measures to keep the rand competitive and stable work before deciding on further steps to slow short-term capital inflows, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said on Friday.
"We have said repeatedly that we would like a stable and competitive currency... The short-term capital flows that are affecting emerging markets are also affecting South Africa," Gordhan told a business forum.
"But South Africa is not the worst-hit," he said.
The rand has strengthened more than 25% against the dollar this year as foreign investors piled into its relatively high-yielding debt.
Gordhan said the government would monitor the impact of recently announced measures to curb the strength of the currency, such as accumulating foreign exchange reserves, before deciding if further steps were required.
The strengthening currency has frustrated government efforts to boost economic growth.
The economy expanded by a surprisingly soft 2.6% annualised in the third quarter, slower than a revised 3.1% growth rate in the second quarter.
http://www.fin24.com/Economy/SA-cautious-on-rand-moves-20101126
"We have said repeatedly that we would like a stable and competitive currency... The short-term capital flows that are affecting emerging markets are also affecting South Africa," Gordhan told a business forum.
"But South Africa is not the worst-hit," he said.
The rand has strengthened more than 25% against the dollar this year as foreign investors piled into its relatively high-yielding debt.
Gordhan said the government would monitor the impact of recently announced measures to curb the strength of the currency, such as accumulating foreign exchange reserves, before deciding if further steps were required.
The strengthening currency has frustrated government efforts to boost economic growth.
The economy expanded by a surprisingly soft 2.6% annualised in the third quarter, slower than a revised 3.1% growth rate in the second quarter.
http://www.fin24.com/Economy/SA-cautious-on-rand-moves-20101126
Petrol price hike ahead of holidays
Johannesburg – The retail price of all grades of petrol will increase by 13c a litre on Wednesday December 1, the Department of Energy announced on Friday.
This is from a 20c a litre increase in November.
The price of 0.05% sulphur diesel will increase by 14c a litre while that of 0.005% sulphur diesel will increase by 15c per litre.
Wholesale paraffin will increase by 14c a litre, and the price of illuminating paraffin - SMNRP- will rise by 19c per litre.
The maximum retail price for LPGAS will increase by 17c per litre, the energy department said.
During the period under review, the average international product prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin increased.
The average rand/US dollar exchange rate weakened when compared to the previous period.
The average rand/US dollar exchange rate for the period October 29 2010 to November 25 2010 was 6.9767 compared to 6.9374 during the previous period.
Petrol in Gauteng will now cost 845c a litre from 832c before, and 821c at the coast from 808c before.
http://www.fin24.com/Economy/Petrol-price-hike-ahead-of-holidays-20101126
This is from a 20c a litre increase in November.
The price of 0.05% sulphur diesel will increase by 14c a litre while that of 0.005% sulphur diesel will increase by 15c per litre.
Wholesale paraffin will increase by 14c a litre, and the price of illuminating paraffin - SMNRP- will rise by 19c per litre.
The maximum retail price for LPGAS will increase by 17c per litre, the energy department said.
During the period under review, the average international product prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin increased.
The average rand/US dollar exchange rate weakened when compared to the previous period.
The average rand/US dollar exchange rate for the period October 29 2010 to November 25 2010 was 6.9767 compared to 6.9374 during the previous period.
Petrol in Gauteng will now cost 845c a litre from 832c before, and 821c at the coast from 808c before.
http://www.fin24.com/Economy/Petrol-price-hike-ahead-of-holidays-20101126
World braces for WikiLeaks flood
Washington - Governments around the world on Saturday braced for the release of millions of potentially embarrassing US diplomatic cables by WikiLeaks as Washington raced to contain the fallout.
The whistle-blower website is expected to put online three million leaked cables covering US dealings and confidential views of countries including Australia, Britain, Canada, Israel, Russia and Turkey.
US diplomats skipped their Thanksgiving holiday weekend and headed to foreign ministries hoping to stave off anger over the cables, which are internal messages that often lack the niceties diplomats voice in public.
"WikiLeaks are an absolutely awful impediment to my business, which is to be able to have discussions in confidence with people. I do not understand the motivation for releasing these documents," said James Jeffrey, the US ambassador to Iraq.
"They will not help, they will simply hurt our ability to do our work here," he told reporters.
The top US military commander, Admiral Mike Mullen, meanwhile urged WikiLeaks to stop its "extremely dangerous" release of documents, according to a transcript of a CNN interview set to air on Sunday.
State Department spokesman Philip Crowley also condemned WikiLeaks' plans.
Impending file dump
"It will place lives and interests at risk. It is irresponsible," he said.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had contacted leaders in Germany, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Britain, France and Afghanistan over the issue, he added.
Russia's respected Kommersant newspaper said that the documents included US diplomats' conversations with Russian politicians and "unflattering" assessments of some of them.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov blamed the impending file dump on "little thieves running around the Internet," the Interfax news agency quoted him as saying.
WikiLeaks has not specified the documents' contents or when they would be put online, but Pentagon spokesperson Colonel Dave Lapan said officials were expecting a release "late this week or early next week".
The website has said there would be "seven times" as many secret documents as the 400,000 Iraq war logs it published last month.
Turkish media said the planned release includes papers suggesting that Ankara helped Al-Qaeda militants in Iraq and that the US helped Iraq-based Kurdish rebels fighting against Turkey - potentially explosive revelations for the two allies.
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey did not know what the documents contained.
"This is speculation," he said on CNN Turk. "But as a principle, tolerating or ignoring any terrorist action that originates in Turkey and targets a neighboring country, particularly Iraq, is out of the question."
Israel has also been warned of potential embarrassment from the latest release, which could include confidential reports from the US embassy in Tel Aviv, Haaretz newspaper said, citing a senior Israeli official.
The US ambassador in Canada telephoned Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon about the leak, a ministry spokesperson said, adding that the Canadian embassy in Washington was "engaging" with the State Department on the matter.
Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini told parliament that US diplomats informed him "that the person responsible for leaking the information has been arrested".
Security risk
The government meanwhile said that it was alarmed about "possible negative repercussions for Italy" from the release of the cables.
Officials in Australia, Britain, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden also said they had been contacted by US diplomats regarding the release.
Australia on Saturday condemned the whistle-blower website, saying the planned release could be a national security risk.
"The reckless and large-scale exposure of classified material by WikiLeaks could put at risk individuals named in these documents and harm the national security interests of the US and its partners," an Australian foreign affairs spokesperson said.
US officials have not confirmed the source of the leaked documents, but suspicion has fallen on Bradley Manning, a former army intelligence agent.
He was arrested after the earlier release of a video showing air strikes that killed civilian reporters in Baghdad.
Wired magazine said Manning confessed to the leaks during a webchat in May. He was quoted as saying he acted out of idealism after watching Iraqi police detain men for distributing a "scholarly critique" against corruption.
WikiLeaks argues that the first two document dumps - US soldier-authored incident reports from 2004 to 2009 - shed light on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, including allegations of torture by Iraqi forces and reports that suggested 15 000 additional civilian deaths in Iraq.
WikiLeaks is the project of Australian hacker Julian Assange. Sweden recently issued an international warrant for his arrest, saying he is wanted for questioning over allegations of rape and sexual molestation.
http://www.news24.com/World/News/World-braces-for-WikiLeaks-flood-20101127
Ugandan gays 'in hiding'
Kampala - Uganda's gay community has gone into hiding after a local tabloid published 100 of their names and pictures, their lawyer told a High Court judge Friday.
Kampala-based weekly Rolling Stone in October published the names and images of people they said were homosexuals, accompanied by the headline: "Hang Them, they are after our kids: Pictures of top 100 Homos".
Gay activists filed a petition in court to restrain the tabloid from further publication of pictures and anti-gay stories, and sought damages and costs incurred following the publication of the article.
"By publishing the identities of these people and places they were frequenting for dinner, and their residences, it was tantamount to a violation of their rights," lawyer Henry Onaria told the Kampala court.
"Homosexuals have always been harassed but this time they have been put in danger, they cannot move freely and they are in total hiding after this publication," he added.
Justice Kibuka Musoke, hearing the petition, said he would rule on the case in two weeks. There is a small but growing community of gays and lesbians in the East African country, but its members have frequently complained of harassment by both the government and sections of the public.
Last year, a lawmaker presented a bill in parliament spelling out tough penalties for homosexuality, ranging from a few years in jail, to life imprisonment and hanging.
The move prompted a furious reaction from human rights bodies and Uganda's western donors. The bill was subsequently put on ice.
http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Ugandan-gays-in-hiding-20101126
Kampala-based weekly Rolling Stone in October published the names and images of people they said were homosexuals, accompanied by the headline: "Hang Them, they are after our kids: Pictures of top 100 Homos".
Gay activists filed a petition in court to restrain the tabloid from further publication of pictures and anti-gay stories, and sought damages and costs incurred following the publication of the article.
"By publishing the identities of these people and places they were frequenting for dinner, and their residences, it was tantamount to a violation of their rights," lawyer Henry Onaria told the Kampala court.
"Homosexuals have always been harassed but this time they have been put in danger, they cannot move freely and they are in total hiding after this publication," he added.
Justice Kibuka Musoke, hearing the petition, said he would rule on the case in two weeks. There is a small but growing community of gays and lesbians in the East African country, but its members have frequently complained of harassment by both the government and sections of the public.
Last year, a lawmaker presented a bill in parliament spelling out tough penalties for homosexuality, ranging from a few years in jail, to life imprisonment and hanging.
The move prompted a furious reaction from human rights bodies and Uganda's western donors. The bill was subsequently put on ice.
http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Ugandan-gays-in-hiding-20101126
Zuma in bid to break Zimbabwe deadlock
Harare - South African President Jacob Zuma on Friday met with leaders in Zimbabwe's power-sharing government to try to smooth over disputes threatening their troubled coalition.
"We had good consultations. Very successful," Zuma told journalists after meeting at a Harare hotel with President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, the former opposition leader who shares power with the president in an uneasy compromise government.
"There were some small issues. There had been a breakdown of communication between the leadership of the government here. That has been resolved," Zuma said.
"The meetings (between Mugabe and Tsvangirai) are going to continue. All the issues are going to be discussed and resolved."
He would not give further details on the meeting, saying he needed to brief the leadership troika of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional bloc first.
"We have to report to the troika that will report to the SADC summit and therefore you should not expect us to deviate from reporting to the troika and report to yourselves," Zuma told journalists.
He returned to South Africa immediately after the meeting.
Neither Mugabe nor Tsvangirai would comment or give details of the meeting.
The visit followed talks Zuma held with the two leaders at a special SADC summit in Namibia last week, and came days after Tsvangirai asked Zimbabwe's high court to revoke Mugabe's appointment of provincial governors, saying his rival had filled the positions unilaterally.
The talks were also expected to focus on the timing of new elections, after Mugabe's Zanu-PF party declared polls would be held around June next year with or without the new constitution that was agreed to in the power-sharing deal.
"The key message is let's have a time-bound account of how the journey to free and fair elections is going to be undertaken," Nelson Chamisa, spokesman for Tsvangirai's MDC party, told AFP before the meeting.
Chamisa stressed "the issues of violence, the involvement of the military in elections and the monitoring and observing of elections" as key points.
"We want monitors six months ahead of the elections in order to cure the mischief of the past," he said.
Mugabe's party had said before the meeting that it would seek a decision on continuing the power-sharing arrangement.
"We look forward to breaking the deadlock. There should be a decisive position on whether we should continue with the GPA (global political agreement)," said Zanu-PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo.
"We hope we can break the impasse. We hope that he (Zuma) can decide the road map on elections."
But none of the leaders would elaborate on the timeline for elections or the future of the unity deal following the meeting.
http://www.news24.com/Africa/Zimbabwe/Zuma-in-bid-to-break-Zimbabwe-deadlock-20101127
Sailor's death - Satawu wants answers
Johannesburg - About 1 000 SA Transport and Allied Workers Union members marched to Transnet in East London on Friday to demand that the freight transport company look into the death of a female South African sailor in Croatia.
Satawu spokesperson Honest Sinama said in a statement that the focus of the march was to draw attention to the unresolved death of Akhona Geveza, a 19-year-old trainee seafarer from East London, who was found dead in Croatian waters on June 24.
"She was found just hours after she had reported to her captain that she had been raped by an officer," he said.
Sinama said Geveza had been on the brink of concluding her training under a scheme developed by Transnet Port Authority. She had worked on a container ship owned by Safmarine, which in turn was owned by Maersk.
A memorandum was handed over on Friday to demand that both Transnet and Maersk engage more actively to ensure that justice was done, especially because there were inconsistencies.
"Satawu is appalled that the alleged Ukrainian rapist has not been investigated or charged; that the Croatian authorities do not appear to be interested in investigating the possibility of a murder," Sinama said.
"The UK maritime authorities have washed their hands of the case, leaving it to the Croatian police...(and) we have no evidence that Maersk has investigated the manner in which the rape allegation was handled by the ship's captain," he said.
Sinama said that Transnet acknowledged the memorandum, saying they would respond timeously. They could however not conform with the 72-hour deadline given as the case was complex, he said.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Satawu-demands-answers-in-sailors-death-20101126
Satawu spokesperson Honest Sinama said in a statement that the focus of the march was to draw attention to the unresolved death of Akhona Geveza, a 19-year-old trainee seafarer from East London, who was found dead in Croatian waters on June 24.
"She was found just hours after she had reported to her captain that she had been raped by an officer," he said.
Sinama said Geveza had been on the brink of concluding her training under a scheme developed by Transnet Port Authority. She had worked on a container ship owned by Safmarine, which in turn was owned by Maersk.
A memorandum was handed over on Friday to demand that both Transnet and Maersk engage more actively to ensure that justice was done, especially because there were inconsistencies.
"Satawu is appalled that the alleged Ukrainian rapist has not been investigated or charged; that the Croatian authorities do not appear to be interested in investigating the possibility of a murder," Sinama said.
"The UK maritime authorities have washed their hands of the case, leaving it to the Croatian police...(and) we have no evidence that Maersk has investigated the manner in which the rape allegation was handled by the ship's captain," he said.
Sinama said that Transnet acknowledged the memorandum, saying they would respond timeously. They could however not conform with the 72-hour deadline given as the case was complex, he said.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Satawu-demands-answers-in-sailors-death-20101126
McBride had 'power' over witness cops
Pretoria - Former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) chief Robert McBride had the final say on whether three officers who became state witnesses in his trial would face disciplinary proceedings, the Pretoria Magistrates' Court was told on Friday.
Former EMPD deputy police chief Ashok Kumar Boodhoo told the court under cross-examination that his former boss had the final say within the department on whether disciplinary action was pursued against metro police officers before the complaints were handed to the municipality's internal complaints division.
The court was told that officers Stanley Sagathevan, Patrick Johnson and Itumeleng Koko were subjected to disciplinary action in May 2007, some five months after McBride's accident on the R511 near Hartbeespoort Dam on December 21 2006.
Asked by prosecutor Petronel du Plessis who would have the final say in the EMPD on whether officers were disciplined, Boodhoo said: "The chief of police makes the decision on discipline."
McBride, who was sacked as EMPD police chief in September 2008, could be seen in the dock shaking his head in disagreement.
McBride faces charges of fraud, defeating the ends of justice and drunken driving, and has blamed his accident after a work-related function on his diabetes medication.
Sagathevan, Johnson and Koko were employed by the EMPD. It was previously alleged they were being investigated for criminal activities, including the attempted murder of suspected cash-in-transit heist kingpin Marco Singh.
They are alleged to have changed their statements on McBride's sobriety after receiving immunity for these criminal charges. Their original statements stated that he was not drunk.
Removed ammunition
Boodhoo said the three men faced disciplinary action over the Singh incident, fraudulent overtime claims and unauthorised expenditure of R50 000 on a "souped up" EMPD car.
He admitted he was not aware of the fraud claims having been reported to the police.
He said that on the night of the accident he had given the instruction for guns and ammunition to be removed from McBride's car and the accident scene.
"You are securing a crime scene by removing things from a crime scene?" Du Plessis asked him.
He said he gave the instruction because he was concerned that the weapons and ammunition would fall out of the control of the EMPD and this would "cause serious trouble".
He did not believe their removal contaminated the crime scene and his decision to order their removal from the scene "does not bear any significance in my view".
He gave the instruction for McBride to be taken away from the accident scene so that he could receive medical attention.
The trial was postponed to February 23.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/McBride-had-power-over-witness-cops-20101126
Cele: No space for thugs
Durban - Police top brass on Friday issued a stern warning to criminals who terrorise people by robbing them.
"There will be no space for thugs. We will squeeze space for criminals. There must be no space for criminals," Police Commissioner General Bheki Cele told scores of officers.
He was speaking during the launch of festive season security plans, which was also attended by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa at Bridge City, KwaMashu, north of Durban.
Cele said there will be no mercy for criminals and urged members of the public to report any known offenders.
"These criminals are your boyfriends and husbands. They are known to the community and they must be reported to the police," he said.
Earlier Mthethwa and Cele went on a walkabout at Warwick Avenue, Durban's transport hub.
They spoke to people, listened to their grievances and promised that police will look into those issues.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Cele-No-space-for-thugs-20101126
Huntley's refugee status overturned
Ottawa - Canada's Federal Court overturned a contentious immigration ruling that granted refugee status to a white man from South Africa who claimed persecution from blacks in his home country. Brandon Huntley argued that whites are targeted by black criminals in South Africa and that the South African government does nothing to protect them.
He claimed he was attacked seven times during attempted robberies and muggings. A Canadian immigration board panel tribunal found Huntley's fears justified and gave him refugee status in August 2009.
South Africa had asked the Canadian government to appeal to the court. Judge James Russell said this week that the decision was badly flawed and it was clear to him that Huntley came to Canada looking for a job, not to flee persecution. When asked by the refugee panel why he came to Canada, Huntley said: "I came here to look for work because I can't find work in my country and it's easier finding work overseas."
When the refugee decision came down, the South African government expressed outrage and the case raised a furore in that country's media.
The authorities called the decision itself "racist" and "ridiculous" and made diplomatic complaints.
Rusell said it's possible some white South Africans could make a case for persecution, but had doubts about Huntley.
"I have serious reservations about why this particular white South African came to Canada and, after a considerable delay, opted to claim refugee status."
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Huntleys-refugee-status-overturned-20101126
He claimed he was attacked seven times during attempted robberies and muggings. A Canadian immigration board panel tribunal found Huntley's fears justified and gave him refugee status in August 2009.
South Africa had asked the Canadian government to appeal to the court. Judge James Russell said this week that the decision was badly flawed and it was clear to him that Huntley came to Canada looking for a job, not to flee persecution. When asked by the refugee panel why he came to Canada, Huntley said: "I came here to look for work because I can't find work in my country and it's easier finding work overseas."
When the refugee decision came down, the South African government expressed outrage and the case raised a furore in that country's media.
The authorities called the decision itself "racist" and "ridiculous" and made diplomatic complaints.
Rusell said it's possible some white South Africans could make a case for persecution, but had doubts about Huntley.
"I have serious reservations about why this particular white South African came to Canada and, after a considerable delay, opted to claim refugee status."
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Huntleys-refugee-status-overturned-20101126
Bus had cardboard numberplates
Johannesburg - An overloaded Zimbabwean bus with handwritten cardboard numberplates was stopped on the M1 North in Johannesburg on Friday evening, the city's metro police said.
The driver was arrested after he bribed a police officer and gave false documentation, Inspector Edna Mamonyane said.
"The man gave photocopied and false documents to the policeman," she said.
"When the officer told him you have to have legal papers for public transportation, he gave a doctor's certificate."
Even his driver's permit was photocopied, and some of the other papers was forged. The driver then tried to bribe the officer with R100.
"The policeman took it and then arrested him for fraud, corruption and bribery."
The bus had been leaving Johannesburg and heading back to Zimbabwe at 17:00 when it was stopped.
"The bus was overloaded with passengers and goods they had bought in the country," said Mamonyane. She said the bus would be impounded as soon as all the passengers were removed.
"Some of them are still in the bus right now."
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Bus-had-cardboard-numberplates-20101126
The driver was arrested after he bribed a police officer and gave false documentation, Inspector Edna Mamonyane said.
"The man gave photocopied and false documents to the policeman," she said.
"When the officer told him you have to have legal papers for public transportation, he gave a doctor's certificate."
Even his driver's permit was photocopied, and some of the other papers was forged. The driver then tried to bribe the officer with R100.
"The policeman took it and then arrested him for fraud, corruption and bribery."
The bus had been leaving Johannesburg and heading back to Zimbabwe at 17:00 when it was stopped.
"The bus was overloaded with passengers and goods they had bought in the country," said Mamonyane. She said the bus would be impounded as soon as all the passengers were removed.
"Some of them are still in the bus right now."
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Bus-had-cardboard-numberplates-20101126
Bus had cardboard numberplates
Johannesburg - An overloaded Zimbabwean bus with handwritten cardboard numberplates was stopped on the M1 North in Johannesburg on Friday evening, the city's metro police said.
The driver was arrested after he bribed a police officer and gave false documentation, Inspector Edna Mamonyane said.
"The man gave photocopied and false documents to the policeman," she said.
"When the officer told him you have to have legal papers for public transportation, he gave a doctor's certificate."
Even his driver's permit was photocopied, and some of the other papers was forged. The driver then tried to bribe the officer with R100.
"The policeman took it and then arrested him for fraud, corruption and bribery."
The bus had been leaving Johannesburg and heading back to Zimbabwe at 17:00 when it was stopped.
"The bus was overloaded with passengers and goods they had bought in the country," said Mamonyane. She said the bus would be impounded as soon as all the passengers were removed.
"Some of them are still in the bus right now."
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Bus-had-cardboard-numberplates-20101126
The driver was arrested after he bribed a police officer and gave false documentation, Inspector Edna Mamonyane said.
"The man gave photocopied and false documents to the policeman," she said.
"When the officer told him you have to have legal papers for public transportation, he gave a doctor's certificate."
Even his driver's permit was photocopied, and some of the other papers was forged. The driver then tried to bribe the officer with R100.
"The policeman took it and then arrested him for fraud, corruption and bribery."
The bus had been leaving Johannesburg and heading back to Zimbabwe at 17:00 when it was stopped.
"The bus was overloaded with passengers and goods they had bought in the country," said Mamonyane. She said the bus would be impounded as soon as all the passengers were removed.
"Some of them are still in the bus right now."
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Bus-had-cardboard-numberplates-20101126
Official 'cleared' convict's record
Johannesburg - A correctional services official suspected of clearing the criminal record of a notorious parolee was arrested in Boksburg on Friday.
Department spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said the official allegedly took "Bra Solly" Motsepe's name off the department's database. Motsepe, 72, who absconded and has not yet been found, was due to complete his parole in 2017.
The multi-millionaire drug kingpin was arrested in the 1990s following the discovery of over R20 million worth of mandrax tablets and drug manufacturing equipment.
The arrested official, who faces a charge of fraud and corruption, had been working in the IT section of the correctional centre.
He previously worked in the community corrections office in Johannesburg where Motsepe served his sentence.
The arrest comes after a two-week investigation by the department and the Hawks.
He was expected to appear in court on Monday.
Correctional Services national commissioner Tom Moyane welcomed the news and said it was a positive step in rooting out corrupt officials.
Wolela said the Hawks had launched a nationwide manhunt for the offender.
Anyone with information can contact Colonel Patrick Mbotho on 082-576-4407.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Official-cleared-convicts-record-20101126
Department spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said the official allegedly took "Bra Solly" Motsepe's name off the department's database. Motsepe, 72, who absconded and has not yet been found, was due to complete his parole in 2017.
The multi-millionaire drug kingpin was arrested in the 1990s following the discovery of over R20 million worth of mandrax tablets and drug manufacturing equipment.
The arrested official, who faces a charge of fraud and corruption, had been working in the IT section of the correctional centre.
He previously worked in the community corrections office in Johannesburg where Motsepe served his sentence.
The arrest comes after a two-week investigation by the department and the Hawks.
He was expected to appear in court on Monday.
Correctional Services national commissioner Tom Moyane welcomed the news and said it was a positive step in rooting out corrupt officials.
Wolela said the Hawks had launched a nationwide manhunt for the offender.
Anyone with information can contact Colonel Patrick Mbotho on 082-576-4407.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Official-cleared-convicts-record-20101126
Gxowa sacrificed 59 years for SA
Johannesburg - ANC veteran Bertha Gxowa sacrificed 59-years of her life for the country, its people, and was part of a generation who was dedicated to building a better South Africa, President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday.
Zuma was addressing mourners at the funeral of mama Bertha, as she was affectionately known, at the Huntersfield Stadium in Ekurhuleni.
She died at the age of 76 from complications after an operation in Sunninghill hospital in Johannesburg last week.
"Compatriots, indeed, on this sad occasion, we can only soothe our pain by taking solace in mama Bertha's achievements, and use her life as a book from which to learn. She has been part of a very exemplary generation of men and women who understood the mission of building a better South Africa, based on tried and tested values enshrined in the Freedom Charter and the Constitution of our country," he said.
Gxowa was part of all the major historical campaigns in the country's history such as the Defiance Campaign of Unjust Laws in 1952, the formation of the Federation of South African Women in 1954, the adoption of the Freedom Charter in 1955, the staging of the historic Women's March to the Union Buildings in 1956 and the 1957 Treason Trial.
Zuma said the events were of historical significance in shaping Gxowa's thinking and outlook in life.
"We need to use these milestones in our history, to make our children, especially girl children, to realise that they have a critical role to play in the public life of this country, and to prepare them adequately for that role."
The increasing number of women in politics, business and other fields provide children with a perspective that said South Africa belonged to both men and women in terms of opportunities, the president said.
"In this way we can build the society that mama Bertha fought for."
"As we bid farewell to this national hero, living as we do now in a free, thriving non-racial democracy, let us all salute her for her self-less contribution, dedication and commitment to this country and its people," Zuma said.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Gxowa-sacrificed-59-years-for-SA-20101127
Plane hijacking prevented
Tehran - Iranian air marshals have arrested a "mentally unstable" man who threatened to hijack a Syria-bound Iran Air passenger plane, an airline spokesperson told Fars and Mehr news agencies on Saturday.
Iran Air spokesperson Shahrokh Nushabadi said the incident took place on Friday aboard Iran Air flight 517 which was bound for the Syrian capital Damascus.
"As the plane was approaching Damascus, one of the passengers falsely claimed he had a bomb and that the plane should land in another country," Nushabadi told Mehr news agency. "The air marshals immediately arrested the offender who was unarmed," he told Fars, describing the hijacker as "mentally unstable."
"The air marshals talked to him, calmed him down and the plane safely landed in Damascus airport," he said.
Nushabadi said that the was handed over to unspecified authorities at Damascus airport. Earlier Fars carried an unsourced report saying the incident happened Saturday morning.
"I have planted a bomb on the plane and want to take control of it," the agency quoted the hijacker as saying. The would-be hijacker "was armed with a weapon, which wasn't a firearm", Fars said in its previous report, adding that a preliminary investigation showed there was no bomb on the aircraft.
Iran's flagship carrier Iran Air has frequent weekly flights to the Syrian capital, which many Iranians visit on pilgrimage.
http://www.news24.com/World/News/Plane-hijacking-prevented-20101127
Iran Air spokesperson Shahrokh Nushabadi said the incident took place on Friday aboard Iran Air flight 517 which was bound for the Syrian capital Damascus.
"As the plane was approaching Damascus, one of the passengers falsely claimed he had a bomb and that the plane should land in another country," Nushabadi told Mehr news agency. "The air marshals immediately arrested the offender who was unarmed," he told Fars, describing the hijacker as "mentally unstable."
"The air marshals talked to him, calmed him down and the plane safely landed in Damascus airport," he said.
Nushabadi said that the was handed over to unspecified authorities at Damascus airport. Earlier Fars carried an unsourced report saying the incident happened Saturday morning.
"I have planted a bomb on the plane and want to take control of it," the agency quoted the hijacker as saying. The would-be hijacker "was armed with a weapon, which wasn't a firearm", Fars said in its previous report, adding that a preliminary investigation showed there was no bomb on the aircraft.
Iran's flagship carrier Iran Air has frequent weekly flights to the Syrian capital, which many Iranians visit on pilgrimage.
http://www.news24.com/World/News/Plane-hijacking-prevented-20101127
10 new ministries for E Cape
Johannesburg - Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet announced a cabinet reshuffle in the province on Saturday. "Over the last eighteen months, we have been seized with the task of improving the quality of services rendered to our communities particularly focusing on our priorities, the premier said in a statement.
"In doing so, proper attention had to be given to the much needed synergy's and alignment with the national efforts. In this regard, the posture of some of our ministries has had to be revisited." Kiviet said the during this period the provincial government had the opportunity to identify gaps within the service delivery chain which required prompt intervention to strengthen its leadership.
Two members of the executive council had also resigned which added to the "need to re-look" at the composition of the council, she said. Ten new ministries had been established:
- Public Works, Roads and Transport MEC Thandiswa Marawu.
- Human Settlements, Safety and Liaison MEC Helen August-Sauls.
- Provincial Planning and Finance MEC Phumulo Masualle.
- Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism MEC Mcebisi Jonas.
- Social Development, Women, Youth and People with Disabilities MEC Pemmy Majodina.
- Education and Training MEC Mandla Makupula.
- Health MEC Sicelo Gqobana.
- Local Government and Traditional Affairs MEC Mlibo Qhoboshiane.
- Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Xoliswa Tom.
- Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Zoleka Capa.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/10-new-ministries-for-E-Cape-20101127
"In doing so, proper attention had to be given to the much needed synergy's and alignment with the national efforts. In this regard, the posture of some of our ministries has had to be revisited." Kiviet said the during this period the provincial government had the opportunity to identify gaps within the service delivery chain which required prompt intervention to strengthen its leadership.
Two members of the executive council had also resigned which added to the "need to re-look" at the composition of the council, she said. Ten new ministries had been established:
- Public Works, Roads and Transport MEC Thandiswa Marawu.
- Human Settlements, Safety and Liaison MEC Helen August-Sauls.
- Provincial Planning and Finance MEC Phumulo Masualle.
- Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism MEC Mcebisi Jonas.
- Social Development, Women, Youth and People with Disabilities MEC Pemmy Majodina.
- Education and Training MEC Mandla Makupula.
- Health MEC Sicelo Gqobana.
- Local Government and Traditional Affairs MEC Mlibo Qhoboshiane.
- Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Xoliswa Tom.
- Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Zoleka Capa.
http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/10-new-ministries-for-E-Cape-20101127
SA to get pro ref structure
Johannesburg - The PSL Executive Committee has agreed to endorse the implementation of a professional refereeing structure in the PSL and NFD as soon as possible and is pleased to announce that it has accepted a proposal to move forward with the professionalising of match officials.
This follows a presentation that was made by world renowned English referee, David Elleray, to the PSL Exco on Friday which was unanimously endorsed by PSL chairperson, Dr Irvin Khoza, and the entire Executive.
The League will now work closely with SAFA to ensure that this project gets off the ground speedily, ideally early in 2011.
Elleray was brought to South Africa by SAFA to be a part of the Semenya commission recently.
This commission was tasked to look into corruption and match fixing in South African Football and find solutions to counter the scourge.
One of the recommendations from this commission was to see the implementation of a professional refereeing structure.
"It was something that SAFA and the PSL have been planning for the last few years and I'm extremely happy that we have found the right solution to professionalizing match officials," said PSL CEO, Kjetil Siem.
"This is a concept that is standard practice in some of the top leagues in Europe, and for us to follow in this route; it's another major achievement for the PSL. We will be within the top 10 in the world in refereeing structure when this project is fully implemented. I am proud of the Exco's decision."
Elleray explained the need for a professional refereeing structure in South Africa.
Elleray said: "South Africa is one of Africa's leading football nations and the PSL the best professional soccer league on the continent. Having a professional refereeing structure will raise the reputation of South African referees and football throughout Africa and the World as well as lead to greater respect and appreciation for match officials."
"This structure will become the model for referee development and professionalism in Africa," added Elleray.
The League will now liaise closely with SAFA and once the SAFA Executive approves the structure, a sponsor will be sought and the budgetary process will begin.
http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/SA-to-get-pro-ref-structure-20101127
Boks victorious in Twickenham
London - South Africa maintained their four-year winning streak against England on Saturday, bouncing back from their shock loss against Scotland to score a 21-11 victory at Twickenham.
The world champions, who had not lost to England for four years, rarely looked in danger of losing that proud record as they ran in tries from flanker Willem Alberts and wing Lwazi Mvovo to win a bruising contest.
Flyhalf Morne Steyn added three penalties and a conversion, with England's points coming from two first-half penalties from Toby Flood and a late interception try from Ben Foden.
Victory was no less than South Africa deserved after a ferociously committed effort that left England bruised and battered. Both flanker Tom Croft and flyhalf Flood departed injured long before the final whistle.
The defeat came as a setback to England manager Martin Johnson, who had seen his young team notch victories over Australia and Samoa in the past fortnight following an earlier defeat by New Zealand.
Flood had kicked England into a 3-0 lead on six minutes, after a sweeping English counter-attack featuring a gallop down the touchline from Croft forced South Africa onto the back foot.
Ben Youngs was shoulder-charged late by prop Jannie Du Plessis, leaving referee George Clancy no option but to whistle for the penalty.
But with South Africa exerting fearsome pressure on England at the scrum, it was only a matter of time before the Springboks drew level.
England had conceded two free-kicks within the opening 10 minutes and Clancy lost patience at another collapse on Andrew Sheridan's side in the 11th minute, leaving Morne Steyn to kick South Africa level.
Flood made it 6-3 midway through the half after South Africa were whistled for not moving away but from the ensuing kick-off England suicidally elected to run from deep in their own 22, ultimately conceding a five-metre scrum.
England nearly paid the price and had Youngs to thank for a desperate challenge on Matfield that denied the Springbok captain a certain try.
Croft meanwhile became the first casualty shortly afterwards, leaving the field with what looked like a shoulder injury, crucially diminishing England's line-out options.
South Africa saw two more penalty attempts hit the posts - one a routine effort from Morne Steyn, the other a long-range from Frans Steyn - and were denied a try after a cover tackle by Foden on Springbok No.8 Pierre Spies.
England suffered another key injury shortly afterwards, Flood coming off and replaced by Charlie Hodgson.
Yet South Africa's relentless pressure finally told on 35 minutes when Morne Steyn punished England lock Tom Palmer for coming in on the wrong side of a ruck, leaving Steyn to slot the three points.
Moments later the South Africa flyhalf missed a drop goal attempt from in front of the posts and England were relieved to turn round level.
Another Steyn penalty on 43 minutes left England 9-6 down, and despite a frenzied English assault on the South African line, including one 19-phase attack, the world champions defence held firm.
Instead it was South Africa who seized the initiative next, when, after an attacking line-out deep in the English 22, the ball was recycled and spun wide to replacement flanker Willem Alberts, who dotted down in the corner to give South Africa a 14-6 lead heading into the final quarter.
With wave after wave of English attacks foundering on South Africa's defence, the game was sealed 10 minutes from time, when Mvovo burst through a non-existent tackle from England wing Chris Ashton to score.
Steyn converted for 21-6 and although England hit back with a late interception try from Foden, centre Mike Tindall missed a drop-kick conversion from in front of the posts.
Teams
England (15-1)Ben Foden; Chris
Ashton, Mike Tindall, Shontayne Hape, Mark Cueto; Toby Flood, Ben
Youngs; Nick Easter (capt), Lewis Moody, Tom Croft; Tom Palmer, Courtney
Lawes; Dan Cole, Dylan Hartley, Andrew SheridanReplacements: Steve Thompson, Matt Banahan, Danny Care, Hendre Fourie, David Wilson, Simon Shaw, Charlie HodgsonSouth Africa (15-1)Zane
Kirchner; Gio Aplon, Frans Steyn, Jean de Villiers, Lwazi Mvovo; Morne
Steyn, Ruan Pienaar; Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Deon Stegmann; Victor
Matfield (capt), Bakkies Botha; Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis,
Tendai MtawariraReplacements: Adrian Strauss, CJ van der Linde,
Flip van der Merwe, Willem Alberts, Francois Hougaard, Patrick Lambie,
Adi JacobsReferee: George Clancy (IRL)
http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/BoksOnTour/Boks-victorious-in-Twickenham-20101127
extrapolate
-verb (used with or without object)
-lated, -lating,
to infer (an unknown) from something known
-lated, -lating,
to infer (an unknown) from something known
Related forms:
extrapolatory, adjective
extrapolation, extrapolator, overextrapolation, noun
Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture by His Excellency President Jacob Zuma at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, Durban
24 November 2010
Members of the Luthuli Family,
Honourable Premier, Dr Zweli Mkhize;
Hon Minister of Arts and Culture Mr Paul Mashatile;
His Majesty King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, isilo Samabandla,
Judge President of the province, Justice Qeda Msimang,
His Worship Mayor Obed Mlaba;
Hon leader of the IFP, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi;
Fellow South Africans,
Sanibonani, Dumelang, Namaste!
We have come together on this special evening to celebrate the service to humanity of a man who left an indelible mark in our lives and our history, Chief Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli.
This memorial lecture affords us the opportunity to celebrate the life and teachings of Chief Luthuli not only as an ANC leader, but also as a leader beyond the confines of the congress movement.
He made himself available to serve in many community structures, in various capacities.
He is known as a traditional leader, lay preacher, devoted Christian, teacher, college choirmaster, sports and cultural activist.
The fact that he was also a sugar cane farmer and led the Sugar Cane Growers Association proves his belief that you cannot divorce political emancipation from economic emancipation.
Given his outstanding leadership qualities, it is not surprising that the ANC awarded him the prestigious Isithwalandwe award, together with Father Trevor Huddlestone and Dr Yusuf Dadoo at the Congress of the People in Kliptown, in 1955.
It was at this historic gathering of South Africans from all formations and walks of life that the Freedom Charter was adopted.
Compatriots, Of significance this year in 2010, is also the fact that we are marking 50 years of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Chief Luthuli, on the 10th of December 1961.
He received the award with great humility and dedicated it to oppressed South Africans, Africans and all other downtrodden masses in the entire world.
He stated in his acceptance speech: "This Award could not be for me alone, nor for just South Africa, but for Africa as a whole".
That historic award was one of the most significant milestones in the history of our country and our continent. It was no small achievement for a nation that was still in bondage.
It confirmed that Chief Luthuli was the right leader at the right time for the ANC and our country. The Award added much needed energy and renewed focus on the international campaign against apartheid.
Compatriots, It is also truly befitting that in the year that we celebrate 50 years of the first Nobel Peace Prize to Africa, we also proved to the world that Africa is capable of taking up any challenge that comes her way.
We successfully hosted the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup tournament just a few months ago.
Therefore, 2010 is a truly special year for our country and our continent.
The Nobel Peace Prize was not the only contribution of Chief Luthuli to the international pillar of our struggle.
He was actually the first South African to call for sanctions against this country, starting a movement that was to gather untold momentum in later years of the struggle.
For sustainable sanctions, the support of the international community was of the essence.
In a joint statement to the United Nations with Dr Martin Luther King Junior, entitled Chief Luthuli's Appeal for Action against Apartheid, in 1962, they stated:
"Economic boycott is one way in which the world at large can bring home to the South African authorities that they must either mend their ways or suffer from them."
Chief Luthuli constantly emphasised the importance of international solidarity to end apartheid, and also the fact that South Africa's destiny was intertwined with that of Africa.
He believed that South Africa itself could not be free until all the oppressed peoples of the world were free.
Therefore his service to humanity was not confined to South Africa only.
Ladies and gentlemen,
What is it about Chief Luthuli that made him stand out as a leader and statesman?
Like a true leader, he did not believe in words without effect, in action without results. He was an active agent of change.
We learn that at his first teaching post in Blaauwbosch, he emphasised the importance of intellectual development.
He would not let children suffer what oppressors had designed for them - to be hewers of wood and drawers of water.
As a chief of the abase-Makholweni people in Groutville, he engrossed himself wholeheartedly in the problems and circumstances of his people far beyond the call of duty.
As a Christian, he demonstrated the practical relevance of his religion through his devotion to mankind and fighting tirelessly for the liberation of his people.
Most importantly, Chief Luthuli was a born democrat. He believed in democracy. He practiced it, and made it his task to fight for democracy for this country.
Addressing the South African Congress of Democrats meeting in Johannesburg in 1958, he stated:
"To me democracy is such a lovely thing, that one can hardly hope to keep it away from other people…..We don't live in Parktown, but we appreciate the beauties of Parktown. …. Can you ever-lastingly cut off a human being from beauty? …..I suggest that democracy, being the fine thing it is, the apex of human achievement, cannot be successfully kept from the attainment of other men. I say not".
He was also known for his humility, which was the source of his strength. For example, when he was approached for leadership of the ANC as Natal President, he was very reluctant, as he felt there were others more deserving.
He stated once: "My ambitions are, modest – they scarcely go beyond the desire to serve God and my neighbour, both at full stretch".
Disciplined and consultative, he asked comrades to determine if indeed it was the general feeling that he becomes a leader. Once he was satisfied of the process, he became the provincial President of the ANC.
He was later elected ANC President-General in 1952, having joined the organisation only in 1945.
The character of the ANC as an all-inclusive, non-racial broad church that was accommodative to all ideological persuasions was a defining feature of his presidency of the ANC.
It was during this period for example, that the relationship between communists and nationalists thrived within the congress movement, as he promoted tolerance and co-existence. Under his leadership, nobody felt out of place.
Compatriots, In celebrating the service to humanity of this illustrious son of Africa, we must highlight his commitment to a non-racial, democratic society.
We speak of unity in diversity, and that is what Chief Luthuli preached and practiced.
The Freedom Charter assertion that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white, found true meaning in his leadership.
Again addressing the conference of the South African Congress of Democrats in 1958, he said:
"I am not prepared to concern myself with such questions as: "Where have you come from?", "Do you come from the North?" or "Did you come from Europe?" It is not important. What is important for our situation is that we are all here.
"That, we cannot change. We are all here, and no one desires to change it or should desire to change it. And since we are all here, we must seek a way whereby we can realize democracy, so that we can live in peace and harmony in this land of ours.'
Whatever we do, we must not fail his vision of a truly non-racial democratic society.
This is quite relevant on this special year, when we mark 150 years of the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in South Africa.
Chief Luthuli actively promoted relations between the ANC and the Natal Indian Congress.
He worked to ensure sound relations between the two communities in Natal, sometimes under difficult conditions, given the apartheid divisions.
This was truly, a remarkable leader of all the people of South Africa, not just members of the African National Congress. He was ahead of his time.
The co-chair of the American Committee on Africa, Dr Martin Luther King Junior, could have referred to Chief Luthuli in the book "Strength to Love" published in 1963 when he said:
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy".
This statement rings true when one thinks of the turbulent period of the 1950s into the 60s.
The intensification of apartheid brutality ignited growing impatience with the apartheid government, and the need to intensify the struggle in different ways.
The period called for decisive leadership by Chief Luthuli and the ANC.
Some of the critical campaigns and events which reflected the atmosphere of anger and impatience, and which led to a highly charged atmosphere in the country included the following:
The defiance Campaign against Unjust Laws in 1952;
The 1957 Peasant Uprising in Lehurutse, Zeerust in the North West province.
The Peasant Revolt in Sekhukhune, now known as "Motshabo" in the present day Limpopo.
The Cato Manor march in Durban where rioting broke out in 1959 in protest against the city's beerhalls or eMatsheni, and the destruction of dipping tanks by women.
The Sharpeville Massacre of 21 March 1960, in which 69 people were killed and scores were injured.
Another protest march on 30 March 1960 by about 30 000 people from the townships of Langa and Nyanga in Cape Town.
The Pondoland revolt in 1960 at Ngquza Hill.
The ANC as a leader of society had to appropriately channel people's anger.
It had two choices - to take leadership or allow the situation to deteriorate leading to some adventurists taking over and leading the country to anarchy.
Leading from the front, President-General Luthuli articulated the letter and spirit of MK, using an isiZulu analogy that uma isitha sikulandela size sifike emzini wakho, kufanele wenze njani uma uyindoda? Uyasukuma uhoshe umkhonto uzilwele.
(If an enemy follows you to your home, what do you do as a man? You stand up, take your spear and fight back).
This is the analogy that Chief Luthuli made to name Umkhonto Wesizwe, the Spear of the Nation.
The situation led to the decision taken by the structures of the ANC clandestinely, to take up arms as an additional pillar of struggle, without abandoning peaceful protests and other forms of resistance.
Umkhonto Wesizwe was born.
This was to ensure that the struggle is led responsibly with leadership. We could not have a situation where the leadership tailed behind the masses and did not lead.
The armed struggle was a well-thought out programme. This is why from the onset, the movement decided that in the course of MK operations, there must be an avoidance of loss of life, choosing sabotage and targeting of strategic installations.
It is important to note that Chief Luthuli was never meant to become the face of MK. Comrade Nelson Mandela was then appointed to lead MK as its first Commander-in-Chief.
As the commander of MK he had a duty to report to the leadership, and among these was the President-General. Thus, he was arrested in Howick having gone to report to the President-General.
Those who argue that Chief Luthuli may have not supported armed action need to appreciate the policies, practices and general traditions of the ANC, especially the quest for consensus.
Any member or leader of the ANC has a right to any view. However once a decision has been taken and agreed to by consensus, after much debate and argument, it becomes a collective decision of the ANC.
Chief Luthuli states as much in an interview with Drum magazine conducted on the 1st of May 1953:
"Accepting the presidency of Congress, one should do so because he believes in the objectives of Congress. Any man worthy of being president by his ability and prestige should make his influence felt in the organization, so that what he says is given due consideration by his colleagues.
"But the final decision in any matter is the collective will of the executive or the National Conference, as the case may be".
Compatriots and friends,
This statement indicates his belief in the discipline of the collective, and the need to take responsibility for decisions that are taken in any organization or institution.
From Chief Luthuli, we have learned the importance of humility, commitment, compassion and willingness to listen to others.
We have learned the importance of discipline, consistency and steadfastness in leadership.
We have also been reminded that the democracy and freedom we enjoy today came at great cost to many.
Therefore, we should guard our gains jealously, and commit ourselves to continuously promote and consolidate our hard won freedom and democracy.
In only 16 years, we have the type of democracy and systems of governance that have been able to withstand many tests.
We sail through smoothly simply because our democracy is based on very sound and solid foundations.
It is based on the teachings of our leaders such as Chief Albert Luthuli, from whom we learned that South Africa and its people should come first in everything we do.
In his honour, as South Africans, we must serve with dignity and to the best of our abilities wherever we are stationed, in the service of our people.
The deep-seated commitment to the attainment of freedom demonstrated by Chief Luthuli, Comrades Mandela, Sisulu, Dadoo and all our leaders should propel us forward always to ensure that we achieve what they fought for - a better life for all.
In closing, let us draw inspiration from Chief Luthuli's statement in the famous speech, The Road to Freedom is via the Cross, when he said:
"What the future has in store for me, I do not know. It might be ridicule, imprisonment, concentration camp, flogging, banishment and even death.
"I only pray to the Almighty to strengthen my resolve so that none of these grim possibilities may deter me from striving, for the sake of the good name of our beloved country, the Union of South Africa, to make it a true democracy and a true union in form and spirit of all the communities in the land".
Compatriots, Indeed, nothing can be bigger and more important than service to our nation, to the downtrodden and to humanity in general.
As Chief Luthuli did, he served his people in education, business, sports, as a traditional leader, as a preacher and as a political leader.
Throughout his life, he rendered service with distinction, recognized by the people of South Africa as Isithwalandwe, and by the world, through awarding him the Nobel Peace Prize.
We salute him for his contribution to our nation and to humanity in general.
OkaMadlanduna wayibeka induku ebandla!
I thank you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)