Divine intervention julius malema prays for by carien du plessis - beta
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how not to strike for dummies gadaffi & africa's misplaced loyalty wikileaks nomu
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divine intervention
julius Malema prays for
BY carien du plessis
sa's daily tablet newspaper for people with brains and money • monday, 29 August 2011
Index
index
A Day in Pictures
It happened overnight
how not to strike for dummies gadaffi & africa's misplaced loyalty wikilea
South Africa
Africa
WorlD
Business
divine intervention
julius malema prays for
LIFE, ETC by carien du plessis
sa's daily tablet newspaper for people with brains and money • monday, 29
Sport
MONday – 29 AUGUST 2011
A DAY IN PICTURES
ThurSDAY – 25 AUGUST 2011
a day in pictures south korea / brazil
Maurren Higa Maggi of Brazil competes in the women's long jump final at the IAAF World
Championships in Daegu August 28, 2011. REUTERS/Max Rossi
monDAY – 29 AUGUST 2011
a day in pictures united states
With the skyline of New York behind them, people walk along Hudson river after the pass
of Hurricane Irene at Hoboken in New Jersey August 28, 2011. Hurricane Irene swept along
the New Jersey shore early on Sunday, knocking down trees, leaving thousands of people
without electrical power and causing flooding. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
monDAY – 29 AUGUST 2011
a day in pictures south korea / china
Liu Xiang of China (L) sprints to the finish line
past Willi Mathiszik of Germany during their men's
110 metres hurdles heats at the IAAF World
Championships in Daegu August 28, 2011.
REUTERS/David Gray
monDAY – 29 AUGUST 2011
a day in pictures germany
A stylist applies make up to a participant of the "Gay not Gray" fashion show in Berlin,
August 27, 2011. Mature gay men performed in the show with younger peers to show that
being gay and old can be fun and does not have to mean isolation, organisers said. The
show was part of the Aids Gala 2011. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
monDAY – 29 AUGUST 2011
The reason golfers love to drive. The New C-Class Coupé. It’s easy to be modest about the New C-Class Coupe’s looks when it’s clearly irresistible. Equally as irresistible is the driving experience it offers, thanks to its leading on-board technology COMAND Online*, and its handling package tailored for supreme agility. Plus, the ample boot space is yet a another reason you’ll be the envy of your four-ball. www.mercedes-benz.co.za/c-coupe * Limited launch offer. Vehicle specifications may vary for the South African market. 125! years of innovation
IT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT
ThurSDAY – 25 AUGUST 2011IT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT BRIEFS
Politics
Japan
After the departure of Naoto
Kan last, Japan will pick a new
Prime Minister today – its sixth
leader in five years. There are
less regular winners of “Ameri-
can Idol”. The favourite for the
role is Bari Kaieda, the minister
of trade, as he has the back-
ing of the biggest faction of
the Democratic Party of Japan
(current ruling party) led by
Ichiro Ozawa, but it is unlikely
Kaieda will win the role without
a run-off, pitting all five names
in the hat against each other,
with very little differentiating Lockerbie bomber, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi (Reuters)
them. In all likelihood, we’ll be
doing this again within a year. William Hague doesn’t think it to demand that Muslim women
All candidates have served in is the end of the matter. remove face coverings and re-
the cabinet before and have all fusal to do so could lead to a
played a part in where Japan maximum sentence of a year in
sits politically now. Israel prison. Although no laws were
A Palestinian man from the changed to facilitate this ruling,
West Bank commandeered a the current regulations were
Libya taxi and injured five people examined and found that there
CNN claims to have located the in Israel. He ran over two and are no exceptions within the law
convicted Lockerbie bomber, stabbed three in Israel’s second- for the burqa or the niqab.
Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, in biggest city, Tel Aviv. Israeli po-
Tripoli. Megrahi, technically a lice say the man “[appeared] to
Scottish prisoner on parole, is have carried out an assault for Business
reportedly in a coma and near nationalist motives”, and said he
death – naturally this prevented shouted “Allah Akhbar” when
Nic Robertson, the CNN jour- he was arrested, in case you Greece
nalist who reported the story, were in any doubt as to whether An expected merger of two of
from speaking to him. The tran- he was Muslim or not. Greece’s biggest banks, Alpha
sitional national council (who Bank and Eurobank, will get a
may not be the official govern- massive capital injection with a
ment in everyone’s eyes, but has Australia share-capital increase to €1.25
more guns) said firmly that it Police in the state of Victo- billion, a €500 million convert-
will not extradite al-Megrahi, ria (where you will find Mel- ible bond offer (underwrit-
but Britain foreign secretary, bourne) now have the powers ten by the Qatari Investment
MONday – 29 AUGUST 2011IT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT BRIEFS
Authority which already owns
a small share in Alpha Bank)
and €200 million to €300 mil-
lion for the sale of the Turkish
branch of Eurobank. The com-
bined value of the new insti-
tution will push it above the
country’s biggest lender, the
National Bank of Greece.
South Korea
South Korea’s current account
surplus hit a nine-month high
in July, with an excess of $4.94
billion. The country’s central
banking authority revised its
estimate of the year’s surplus to Manchester United smashes Arsenal(Reuters)
$15.5 billion, up from $11 billion.
It’s probably good that they do, senal have not won a game this round fixtures. The matches are
considering a global slowdown season and have had a player in a wacky time-zone for South
will affect Asian exports, as sent off in all three of their Africa, so keep your eye on First
will a strong wong – the South matches. Manchester United top Thing and iMaverick throughout
Korean currency is one of the the Premier League table on goal the tournament for early-bird
better-performing Asian cur- difference over City, while Arse- results.
rencies this year, having gained nal sit 17th with one point.
4% against the dollar.
Football
Tennis Real Madrid began their sea-
Sport The US Open will begin today son with a 6-0 away victory at
as scheduled, but to a slightly Zaragoza on Sunday. Cristiano
adjusted timetable. First round Ronaldo scored a hat-trick and
Football matches today will include the other goals were added by
It was a poor effort from North eighth-seed Mardy Fish against Kaka, Xabi Alonso and Mar-
London on Sunday as fixtures Tobias Kamke, Maria Sharapova celo. Barcelona’s season will
between Arsenal and Man- will take on the most recent begin tonight when they play
chester United, and Tottenham saviour-to-be of British women’s Villareal at the Nou Camp.
Hotspur and Manchester City tennis, Heather Watson, while
were both gloriously one-sided. Roger Federer begins his cam-
Tottenham received a drubbing paign against Santiago Giraldo. Golf
from City, and with a scoreline of Unseeded Venus Williams plays Thomas Bjorn won the John-
5-1 it’s pretty true. Until one sees Vesna Dolonts in the first round nie Walker Classic after a five-
the Manchester United 8, Arse- and is due to meet Wimble- man playoff, demonstrating big
nal 2 scoreline which included don semi-finalist Sabine Lisicki match temperament he’s never
a Wayne Rooney hat-trick. Ar- should they both win their first- showed us in the majors. Bjorn
MONday – 29 AUGUST 2011IT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT BRIEFS
and is overdue for investment,
particularly before the 2014
Fifa World Cup. One of the five
killed was the driver.
Madagascar
A boat accident in Madagascar,
followed up by an explosion
while rescue operations were
underway killed 11 people. Of
Casey Stoner easily wins the Indianapolis Grand Prix (Reuters) the 11 passengers on board, four
were killed, including a gov-
ernment official, when a wave
saw off the sudden-death chal- Life capsized their boat. The other
lenge of four other men, includ- seven were killed in the explo-
ing South Africa’s Gerrie Coetzee sion. It is unclear what caused
who was the last to drop. South Africa the blast.
One of South Africa's most
wanted, Bongani Moyo, was
Football arrested in Johannesburg last Iraq
Although the Serie A has not night just after 22:00, following A suicide bomber killed 29
yet begun, Italy coach Cesare his second escape from custody people and injured 38 during
Prandelli has announced his this year. Moyo is wanted for 35 prayers in Iraq’s largest Sunni
squad for the Euro 2012 quali- bank robberies, as well as his mosque in the capital city of
fiers against Slovenia and the two escapes, the most recent of Baghdad, reminiscent of a sim-
Faroe Islands, using only pre- which was when he walked out ilar attack carried out in 2006
season friendlies, Champions of the Pretoria magistrate's court on a Shiite shrine in the Sunni
League and Europa League earlier in August. Moyo will be city of Samarra. Iraq hardly
qualifiers and the one-match arraigned (hopefully) today. needs tensions inflamed.
Italian Supercup. Italy current-
ly leads Group C with 16 points
from five games. Brazil USA
Five people died and 57 were Lady Gaga opened the an-
injured in a tram accident in nual MTV music video awards
MotoGP Rio de Janeiro. The tram de- dressed like a man. Some say
Casey Stoner easily won the railed as it turned while going it was an improvement on her
Indianapolis Grand Prix, fin- through the busy tourist dis- dress made out of raw meat
ishing nearly five seconds trict of Santa Teresa. Primary last year. Other gossip doing
ahead of Dani Pedrosa. Ben investigations claim the tram the rounds is that Beyonce is
Spies came in third. The win was overloaded, but activists pregnant. Adele, Katy Perry
increased Stoner’s lead in the say the tram network in the and Bruno Mars will fight it out
championship to 44 points. city needs to be modernised for the year’s top video.
MONday – 29 AUGUST 2011SOUTH AFRICA
ThurSDAY – 25 AUGUST 2011south africa BRIEFS
Public protector lacks
funds for corruption
investigations
Due to a bumper season of cor-
ruption allegations, the public
protector is running low on
funds investigate the cases.
According to a Sunday Inde-
pendent report, public protec-
tor Thuli Madonsela’s office
has applied to the National
Treasury for an additional R30
million for salaries and op- Thulu Madonsela (iMaverick)
erational expenses for more
investigators. In the mean- day to that of Nelson Mandela,
time, corruption investigations Oliver Tambo and Walter Sisu- Injured leopard attacks
– including those into the in- lu, who were considered radical couple
volvement of state entities in in their day. Perhaps a bit of a
Limpopo in the tender fraud stretch, but still a smart move. Sapa reported that a leopard
alleged against ANCYL presi- mauled a husband and wife
dent Julius Malema’s company tracking team whose client, a
and trust fund – have been put Tutu invites Dalai Lama foreign trophy hunter, had shot
on hold. The National Treasury to birthday celebration and injured the animal. The
will announce the mid-year couple’s injuries were not life
budget adjustment in October. Archbishop Emeritus Des- threatening and are receiving
mond Tutu turns 80 on 7 Octo- treatment at the Mediclinic in
ber, and his one and only wish Limpopo. There was no word
Youth League braces for is for his friend, the Dalai Lama on how the leopard is doing.
disciplinary to join him at the celebration.
In 2009, the South African
The ANCYL spent the weekend government, fearing damaging Opposition to Mogoeng
rallying support ahead of Julius diplomatic relations with Chi- nomination grows
Malema and Floyd Shivambu’s na, controversially denied His
appearance before the ANC’s Holiness a visa to visit South Constitutional Court chief jus-
disciplinary committee this Africa, but said he was wel- tice nominee Mogoeng Mogo-
week. Malema addressed the come to visit another time. The eng will have to deal with the
Young Women’s Assembly on Sunday Independent reported spectre of his past rulings and
Friday while Floyd Shivambu that Tutu said the Tibetan spir- court cases as the voices oppos-
penned an op-ed in the Sunday itual leader accepted the invite ing his nomination grow. The
Times where he compared the and will be filing a visa applica- National Association of Demo-
actions of the Youth League to- tion on Monday. cratic Lawyers said Mogoeng
monday – 29 AUGUST 2011south africa BRIEFS
No commission on loan
for Mswati: National
Treasury
Following reports that Swa-
ziland King Mswati III was
claiming a R400 million com-
Bheki Cele (Reuters) mission for securing a R2.4 bil-
lion rand loan from the South
endorsed the death penalty ther the man in the picture, the African government, the Sun-
during his time as a state ad- person who created the photo or day Times reported that the
vocate in apartheid homeland anybody who saw it without re- National Treasury said the loan
Bophuthatswana, according to porting it, charged with a crimi- agreement makes no allowance
City Press. And responding the nal offence. However, EWN, for commissions. The Swazi-
Judicial Service Commission’s M&G and Beeld ran a story on land government also denied
invitation for comment from the picture in 2008, leading to that Mswati, one of the world’s
law bodies, public interest law the expulsion of a University of richest monarchs, had made
centre Section 27 questioned North West student who had such a claim.
Mogoeng’s previous rulings put it up in a Facebook group.
on cases that involved gender- It’s unclear whether at the time
based violence, which they said the photo led to any investiga- Mbeki speaks at
reflected his patriarchal views. tion by the police. Stellebosch University
The judicial service commis- event
sion will interview Mogoeng on
the 3 September. Cele asks Mdluli to Students at Stellenbosch Uni-
explain why he should versity sang songs and danced
not be fired in honour of former President
Reappearance of racist Thabo Mbeki, who delivered a
photo sparks police The Sunday Independent re- speech on the campus on Fri-
investigation ported that it is in possession day. Mbeki was relaxed and jo-
of a letter from police com- vial, and often elicited laughter
The Sunday Times ran as their missioner general Bheki Cele from the packed auditorium.
front-page story a disturbing pic- where he asks suspended crime His speech on the potential of
ture from the profile of a Face- intelligence boss Richard Md- African students in light of the
book user, Eugene Terrorblance. luli to say why he should not be Arab spring, criticised Nato,
The paper reported that the fired. Mdluli is facing charges Syrian President Bashar Assad
picture, which depicts a white relating to the murder of Oupa and Libya’s National Transi-
hunter posing over the body of a Ramokgibi, who was appar- tional Council, and played up
black child, is being investigated ently Mdluli’s rival for the af- the potential of the African
by the Hawks and could see ei- fections of Tshidi Buthelezi. Union on the continent.
Monday – 29 AUGUST 2011south africa DA
Power to the tweeple as DA hosts another Twitter Town Hall meeting
Less than four months after the local elections, the DA has again started its popular Twitter Town Hall
meetings, and the tweeple are curious, with questions ranging from Julius Malema’s disciplinary to
“racism” in the DA. CARIEN DU PLESSIS followed the #DAQA.
They started before the elections as a way of apparently skewed reports on a Western Cape
engaging with their logged-on voters, and were government communications tender (Coetzee:
apparently very successful. “We believe the press should self regulate. We
On Sunday night, DA leader Helen Zille (@ don't believe in state regulations. And there is
helenzille) again roped in her team, including the constitution...”).
party spokeswoman Lindiwe Mazibuko (@ It wasn’t all smooth. Zille got impatient
lindimazibuko) and party strategist Ryan with @unathikondile’s persistent and critical
Coetzee (@ryancoetzee) to answer the couple of questions (“I am busy answering important
hundred tweets that poured in. questions from people who are serious about
According to the DA’s spin, the Twitter Town the future”) and one of @alexlansdowne’s great
Hall “provides a unique, engaging and highly concerns was why #DAQA, #DAQA, #DAQA (etc)
personal opportunity to ask the DA any question wasn’t trending in South Africa.
about South Africa, its people and its politics, Zille’s account at some point couldn’t
and get an immediate response”. handle the “huge volume” and slowed down
And they lived up to the promise. Questions while @paulachowles tweeted: “Not sure if 140
included what the DA’s view is on ANC Youth characters lends itself to any substantial debate
League leader Julius Malema’s impending but nice way to make yourself accessible”.
hearing this week (Zille said it’s all succession It’s likely that we’ll see a lot more of these
politics), what the party thinks of relaxing meetings, as Coetzee said the party’s 2014
labour laws (it’s in favour of this), and what election campaign was “in advanced stage and
its stance is on press regulation following already being actioned”.
Monday - 29 AUGUST 2011south africa malema goes to church
Disciplinary action: Malema prays for
divine intervention
Even as a church congregation prayed for strength for Julius Malema in his disciplinary before the
ANC this week, the Young Lion remained unrepentant about his wealth and how he got it. CARIEN
DU PLESSIS was in church on Sunday – and later also heard that the SACP is rejoicing in the ANC’s
disciplinary moves.
If it depended on the prayers of the 110-year- on Tuesday. After apparently struggling to find
old African Methodist Episcopal congregation someone in the ANC to represent him, Malema
in Pimville, Soweto on Sunday, God is on Julius has managed to pull big gun, Advocate Patric
Malema’s side as the young man faces the Mtshaulana, SC, to argue his case.
wrath of his elders in the party this week. Mtshaulana confirmed last night that he,
As it was, it appears the prayers may have as a member of the ANC for 30 years, will be
helped him secure a legal heavy-hitter to
Photo: Malema preaches his gospel to the African Methodist Episcopal
stand at his side at his disciplinary hearing church in Soweto (iMaverick)
MONDAY - 29 AUGUST 2011south africa malema goes to church
representing Malema and that he had met with the prophet Samuel, and how he had to battle it
the youth leader on Sunday – presumably after out with King Saul, who he was to succeed and
church – to discuss the case. who became jealous and suspicious.
To quote the subject of Sunday’s sermon, Malema’s message was, in essence, that he
Psalm 69, the waters have certainly reached was being persecuted for being black, successful
Malema’s neck, and he is wallowing in the and preaching economic freedom.
mire, as whispers in the ANC indicate that he’s But he also asked the church not to judge.
facing expulsion. “The church will protect successful black
He appeared ready to face his fate, and told people. Today, every successful black person (is
reporters on Sunday that no-one was entitled considered) a thief. People are suffering from
to ANC membership, and the party had the pulling-down syndrome.
right to take it away if they wished. “When one of our own is under attack,
Malema and one of his right-hand men, instead of protecting that person, we are joining
Youth League treasurer Pule Mabe, on Sunday the chorus. And in joining the chorus, we are
followed in the holy footsteps of their elders, undermining the work of God. God provides,
like President Pastor Jacob Zuma. and even if this person has stolen money to buy
The congregation – a warm, welcoming this car, it is not for you to judge. This person
assembly of Christians about 200 strong, will one day have to answer.”
containing a good generational mix with women He got a chorus of “amens” for this.
in a sure majority – outstretched their right In a swipe directed at the state agencies like
hands as the presiding elder, reverend Tsele Setai, the Hawks reportedly investigating his financial
and the younger pastor BJ Motaung led “a minute doings (he told journalists after that he hadn’t
or two” of prayers at the end of the service for heard from them yet), he said: “we, as children
Malema, their hands laid on his head. of Nelson Mandela, we must protect one
Mabe had his turn after that. another, we must trust one another”.
Before that, Reverend Setai set the tone with He continued: “The only crime we
a spirited sermon in English and Sotho (from committed is asking if we could share equally.
David’s Psalm 69:1-8 and John 15:25-27) on how Those who benefited under apartheid still want
the God-fearing David was anointed king by to benefit in the same way. We are asking for a
“If as a elder you say you can’t control this
youth anymore, it means you have failed in
your responsibility to nurture the youth.” –
Julius Malema
MONDAY - 29 AUGUST 2011south africa malema goes to church
simple thing. We must all have a potion (sic) in places where we cannot reach them. If you
of this cake, we must all eat. But they kept pretend that you’re so powerful the conscience
on demanding we must all be locked outside. speaks to you and says you are a sell-out,” he
Some of those who should help us, are now said, also invoking moral regeneration (Zuma's
joining these people. Our freedom is not a obvious weak spot).
freedom of blue lights, but putting bread on Like Zuma, he told the faithful: “The ANC
the table,” Malema said. remains an organisation of the church and
He advised his elders not to suppress the you can’t separate the church from the ANC”.
“energy” of the youth, otherwise “they will be The AME church has close historic links with
sick. You must nurture that energy, you must give the party.
it direction. You don’t accuse the young ones of Although Malema, dressed smartly and
things. If as a elder you say you can’t control this simply in a dove-grey suit and crisp white
youth anymore, it means you have failed in your shirt, didn’t know some of the hymns (he did
responsibility to nurture the youth”. give about four R100 notes in when it was time
He urged congregants to “pray for our
leaders” so that the Holy Spirit would “guide
Photo: Reverend Tsele Setai, pastor BJ Motaung and others
them and teach them wrong or right. It is lay their hands on Malema in prayer, ranting against the
only the Holy Spirit that guides these people “Babylonian” government
MONDAY - 29 AUGUST 2011SOUTH AFRICA malema goes to church
"God provides, and even if this person has stolen
money to buy this car, it is not for you to judge. This
person will one day have to answer.” – Malema
for offerings), his taste in churches is better they’re still discussing charges against former
than Zuma’s. Young Communist League (YCL) chairman and
This journalist remembers covering a Limpopo MEC David Masondo (also a Malema
long birthday service for Zuma at the huge ally) for “disrupting” the YCL’s conference
International Pentecostal Holiness Church in in December last year, and for writing a
Westonaria in April 2009, where we, wearing critical story on “ZEE” or “Zuma economic
the compulsory skirts and head cover (women empowerment” around the same time.
still know their place here), witnessed multiple Nzimande also rejected “with contempt”
weddings, many of them polygamous. There charges from the ANC Youth League’s side that
was also Zuma’s controversial visit to the his party was central in drawing up the charges
Rhema church before the 2009 elections. against Malema.
But Malema is not leaving everything to It’s “an insult to the members and leaders of
God, and his League allies in the provinces the ANC, that some communists somewhere on
have over the weekend vowed to bus thousands the third floor of Cosatu House (in the SACP’s
of supporters into central Johannesburg on offices) can take a decision and impose it on the
Tuesday when he faces the party’s disciplinary ANC,” he said.
committee in Luthuli House. Malema’s recent fight-back campaign started
Cosatu has already declared that it supports in Centurion on Friday night, where he told a
the ANC’s move to discipline Malema, and the Youth League event the ANC “is not a pig, it
SACP, at a Sunday press conference in Cosatu will never eat its own children”.
House shortly after its central committee But it will take a miracle to save the young
meeting, indicated the same. motor-mouth’s bacon this week.
The SACP “warmly welcomed moves by the
leadership of the ANC to assert authority, and READ MORE:
1. Malema backlash? Probably not in Daily MaverickANC
to reaffirm the core principles of our ANC-led
shoots from its branches as party structures called into line
movement – non-racialism, non-sexism and in Daily Maverick
a respect for organisational democracy and 2. Julius, countryman, lend us your ears, in Daily Maverick
discipline,” general secretary Blade Nzimande 3. Malema’s disciplinary: not everyone in the League standing
read from its statement. But he admitted the by their man in Daily Maverick
4. Malema and the disciplinary committee: A rough guide in
party’s own discipline is not so swift, and
Daily Maverick
MONDAY - 29 AUGUST 2011south africa SAMWU
How not to strike for Dummies: Samwu edition
We’re in the midst of strike season, and Samwu leadership got its industrial action wrong. In fact, they’re
getting it so spectacularly, superlatively wrong that they’ve inspired PAUL BERKOWITZ to write a primer
on how not to go about striking. Other unions: take note. Do NOT try this in your home union.
Strike as often as possible Make sure that you don’t have the buy-in of
Make sure you earn a reputation as the Cosatu your members
Affiliate Voted Most Likely to Strike at the Drop Don’t, under any circumstances, canvass
of a Hat. This is going to be difficult, with all your members to gauge their appetite for yet
the competition, but you can do it. Strike every another strike. That’s just so old-fashioned.
year if you can. Make sure the strikes are about These bottom-up, democratic processes are for
political issues rather than the grievances of counter-revolutionaries and the Cosatu of old.
your rank and file – strike over the Municipal Pay no attention to the mood on the ground –
Systems Amendment Bill and strike over so what if your members feel that they haven’t
claims of executive corruption at Pikitup. Your
Striking workers of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU)
members will appreciate your using them as march through Durban disposing garbage into the streets and setting
mere cannon fodder to fight your wider political rubbish bins on fire, August 17, 2011. The unions are demanding an 18
percent increase in wages and the banning of labour brokers. REUTERS/
battles. Speaking of members... Rogan Ward
monday – 29 AUGUST 2011south africa SAMWU
recouped the losses incurred by previous strike Here’s what you do: make sure that your
actions? You know what’s best for them and most violent strike action is in opposition party
you’ll show them. Whatever you do, don’t let heartland. (They already despise you. In fact,
the one side of your mouth catch the other side they’ve drafted a private member’s Bill to hold
speaking about “worker solidarity” when the you and other unions responsible for strike-
actions of union management are so patently related violence.) Make sure your members
not in the interests of members. burn and loot and trash. Deny responsibility
and claim that you are unable to discipline
Make your strike actions as uncoordinated your striking members. Once you abdicate
as possible responsibility it will be a mere procedural issue
Start your strikes in different cities on different for the City of Cape Town to interdict you from
days. Proceed with strike action before you have further marches. After all, if you can’t guarantee
the support of your members (see above point) the safety of others’ property, why should you be
while making grandiose claims about bringing allowed to strike? Check and mate. Nice job.
entire municipalities to a standstill. When you’ve
proved that you can’t cash the cheques your mouth Lose the popular vote
is issuing you’ll have succeeded in weakening the Most of the chattering classes don’t like unions
resolve of undecided members to strike. You’ll also because strike action in South Africa is increasingly
ensure that any participation in strikes by Imatu, characterised by violence and intimidation –
your sister union, is muted. They sure as hell will and costs the country vast fortunes. You have to
want to distance themselves from your efforts. raise the bar and alienate even those who would
How will you know if you’ve succeeded? normally be sympathetic to your position. You do
You’ll know when you have to bus in strikers this by brutalising those who are poorer and more
from Pretoria to get the Joburg leg of your Strike desperate than you while you’re striking. That’s
Tour 2011 going – when you can barely rustle up right, the vendors who are unlucky enough to be
more than a hundred or so protesters in your in your way while you’re cutting a swathe through
power heartland. Cape Town city centre.
You’ll know that you’ve succeeded in this
Don’t pick your battles wisely respect when no less a dyed-in-the-wool socialist
Remember, you’re not Numsa. Your employers than Zackie Achmat condemns your actions on
are not in the private sector. If they were, Twitter (@ZackieAchmat), tweeting on 18 August
you could smash things and intimidate your “Is SAMWU leadership seriously suggesting that
non-striking colleagues and nobody would they have no evidence of violence? Anti-working
really care – certainly not any public officials. class struggle behaviour by their leaders.”
But you’re employed by the government, and
if you push them too far you’ll have the state Negotiate in bad faith
apparatus coming down on your head. (And In 2009, you signed a three-year agreement
they employ, uhm, plenty police.) with Salga. The agreement stated that your
monday – 29 AUGUST 2011south africa SAMWU
Take your cue from the Numsa strikes.
Make a demand for wage increases that
is a multiple of the inflation rate.
employees would receive wage increases equal any logic. Claim that it will bring Salga to the
to inflation plus 2% for three years, provided negotiating table quicker – don’t think even
inflation ranged between 5% and 10%. Now, for one second it might lead to them taking
some might think that an inflation rate above you less seriously. Couple that with a revealing
10% would prompt you to agitate for a higher soundbite from your spokesman, claiming “we
margin increase – for example, inflation plus will settle for nothing under double digits”
2.5% - while an inflation rate falling below 5% so that everybody knows just how far you’re
might lead to Salga arguing for a lower margin. prepared to compromise before you even make
They would be so wrong. When the official it to the negotiating table.
inflation rate came in below 5%, you launched Speaking of the negotiation table, when you
a fresh round of negotiations, turning your eventually get there....
back on the multi-year agreement. In other
words, an environment of lower-than-expected Climb down very quickly from your initial
inflation should be used to justify wage position
demands far in excess of inflation, which brings Make sure you reduce your demands from
us to the next point... 18% to 10% in the first round of negotiations,
without winning any concessions from the other
Make unrealistic demands side in return. This will weaken your position
Take your cue from the Numsa strikes. Make considerably, raising doubts over your ability to
a demand for wage increases that is a multiple even achieve your fallback position of double-
of the inflation rate. And don’t just demand an digit wage increases. This will help to further
increase that’s double the inflation rate – that’s erode the good faith some of your members
too close to a reasonable request. Think big – might still have in you and can only harm your
think three or four times the official inflation future bargaining power with Salga. It will also
rate. How’s a nice round number like 18% guarantee that you are taken less seriously by
sound? Sound good? Cool, do it. other Cosatu affiliates in the lead-up to any
When questioned on the wisdom of adopting important elective conferences over the next 16
this initial position, defend it bravely but without months. But hey, you're having fun.
monday – 29 AUGUST 2011south africa Sunday times
Exclusive: Sunday Times exclusive isn’t exclusive
iMaverick/Daily Maverick can exclusively reveal that this week’s Sunday Times’ “Facebook
racist” photograph is not an exclusive – it was exclusively revealed by 702’s Eyewitness
News in May 2008. And then exclusively revealed by the Mail & Guardian in October 2008.
Oh, and also by Beeld the same month. Actually, we can’t even reveal it exclusively – it was
all over Twitter yesterday, prompting legions of new tweets and retweets. By now we can
assume it’s all over the world. By CHRIS VICK.
One more disclaimer: the Sunday Times didn’t prompted the involvement of two Cabinet
actually say it was exclusive. But they treated it ministers: the minister of social development
like it was and splashed the image – of a gun- got seriously outspoken about children’s rights,
toting racist using a black child as a hunting and the minister of police initiated a probe by
trophy – all over their front page as if it was the Hawks (you would have thought they were
breaking news. So that’s close enough… too busy chasing Julius and the arms deal).
In case you missed it, the Sunday Times South Africa’s biggest selling newspaper
proudly reported how its discovery of the
Photo: 'Facebook racist'.
shocking photograph on a Facebook site had
monday – 29 AUGUST 2011south africa Sunday times
proudly told its readers: “The [Hawks]
investigation was sparked when the Sunday Just how old the image may be
Times presented the link to the site to the
was disclosed by 702’s Mandy
authorities”.
But the common denominator in most Weiner, who tweeted yesterday
conversations about the Sunday Times on afternoon: “In May 2008, EWN
Twitter yesterday afternoon – and not just exposed the picture which is on
among people in the media space – was the the front page of the SunTimes on
same: “Why make such a fuss over a photo
a FB group called 'Ek laaik nie 'n
that’s been all over the place, and was taken and
published more than three years ago? And houtkop nie so what'.”
why pretend it’s new when it’s clearly several
years old?”
Just how old the image may be was disclosed took the matter even further on 20 October
by 702’s Mandy Weiner, who tweeted yesterday 2008 with a lengthy discussion article on what
afternoon: “In May 2008, EWN exposed the the newspaper termed “new media racism”
picture which is on the front page of the (thanks to James Myburgh for tweeting that,
SunTimes on a FB group called 'Ek laaik nie 'n and for providing the Beeld link). The article
houtkop nie so what'.” included detailed comment from the head of
The Facebook group she referred to was set the Human Rights Commission at the time,
up by students at North West University, and Jody Kollapen, and reminders of how the “Reitz
one student was expelled as a result of the 702 4” from Free State University had felt compelled
investigation (maybe the Hawks should ask to showcase their racism in a video rather than
Weiner for the student’s phone number so they keeping it to themselves.
can pick him up – that’ll make for the quickest In a weird twist, the SMS Crime Line
Hawks investigation in history). initiated by Weiner’s colleague at 702, Yusuf
In a later tweet, Weiner said research at the Abramjee, was tweeting the following at the
time had indicated that the photo might have time Weiner was blowing the whistle on the
been a hoax. non-exclusivity: “Crime Line - Wanted: Alleged
My own exclusive research yesterday Facebook racist. SMS your tip-off to 32211”.
afternoon (ok, I found a whole lot of tweets on None of this, of course, means it is right
the topic) shows that the Mail and Guardian’s for racists to go round posing for pictures that
Yolandi Groenewald did an extensive expose of show how retarded they are. Nor does it mean
right-wing social media – including the North that the media should shy away from exposing
West University student website which posted people who do this sort of thing. And it
the Sunday Times’ “exclusive” photograph this definitely doesn’t mean that the people who do
week – on 12 October 2008. this sort of thing are not dangerous, and should
I can almost-exclusively reveal that Beeld not be exposed and locked up.
monday – 29 AUGUST 2011south africa Sunday times
The media should do everything it can to story and photograph, why did the newspaper
expose racism, and in particular to expose go ahead and splash?
racists. One wonders how the Avusa shareholders
But when it does it, it’s not just what it does – are feeling about their flagship title this
it’s also about how it does it. And in many cases, morning. They are in the thick of a due
it’s as much about treatment – where a story diligence exercise with potential buyers Capitau
is placed, and how it is used – as it is about (a due diligence is when someone wants to buy
content. part of your company, spends a lot of time going
As part of their preparation for publication through your books looking at the viability of
of the photograph yesterday, the Sunday Times your business, and then makes you an offer).
clearly went to elaborate lengths to speak to And the last thing the current shareholders
everyone and their uncle about the mindset of want is for the Sunday Times to be taking it
the gun-toting cretin who posed for the picture, on the chin in public, week after week – not to
including the two ministers referred to above, a mention the trouble that its sister newspaper,
number of children’s rights groups, lawyers and the Sowetan has found itself in – when it’s
the police. trying to convince Capitau it’s an asset worth
But they were unable to “uncover” the fact buying.
that the photo was more than three years old, Put yourself in the shoes of an Avusa board
had been published on websites before, and was member: There was the Eric Miyeni debacle,
believed by a reporter who covered the issue at clearly the outcome of bad editorial decision-
the time to probably be a fake. making at the Sowetan, preceded by the Kuli
Why not? Or did they know, and choose to Roberts and David Bullard balls-ups.
ignore it in the interests of manufacturing a There was the Sowetan’s controversial front-
“splash” (and avoiding having to focus on Julius page screengrabs a couple of weeks ago from
for the gazillionth week in succession)? the “German cut porn video” starring a police
And if, as I hear from at least ten anonymous office and prison warder.
sources (that’s what the media say when they’ve More recently, there was the Sunday Times’
asked the same make-believe person the same R1 billion Democratic Alliance communications
question ten times), there was disquiet among tender, where some poor decision-making (and,
Sunday Times staff about the treatment of the some say, seriously poor editing and rewriting
One wonders how the Avusa shareholders are
feeling about their flagship title this morning.
monday – 29 AUGUST 2011SOUTH AFRICA Sunday times
... the details of the racist photo had also
been published in 2008 by, of all people,
The Times -- the Sunday Times' sister
newspaper.
by those at the top) resulted in something of a – in real terms, on the value of the Avusa
front-page climb-down. brand and the Avusa share-price – then an
And now the exclusive racist Facebook photo intervention may be necessary.
that’s far from exclusive. And that’s precisely what is happening now.
No doubt some of the editorial decision- As a result, the shareholders are
makers will fall back on their trusted throwaway becoming increasingly restless at the string
line that “it’s not news until it’s in the Sunday of embarrassments and the impact on the
Times”, and pat themselves on the back for value of their assets, and are calling for an
putting the spotlight on the new Facebook host intervention or two.
of the three-year-old racist photograph. Breaking news soon: Regime change at
But that argument apparently (now there’s Avusa titles. Now that will be an exclusive worth
another useful journalistic word) doesn’t reading – whether it’s exclusive or not.
wash anymore with the group’s shareholders
and management – not when the Sunday
Independent is breaking better stories two PS: News just in: Late last night, some serious
weeks out of four, and when City Press has investigation (and a bit more help from Twitter
clearly taken over as South Africa’s leading and James Myburgh) revealed that details
investigative Sunday newspaper. of the racist photo had also been published
The Avusa board has seemingly (that’s in 2008 by, of all people, The Times -- the
journalist-speak for “I think”) always held the Sunday Times' sister newspaper. At the time
view that it doesn’t involve itself in editorial (7 October 2008) it described the photo as
matters. Whether that was ever true, or is true follows: "... a picture of a young white man
now, remains to be seen. holding a gun while standing over a young
But I understand (just don’t ask me why) black boy lying on the ground".
some of its members are arguing that once The editor of the Times at the time was (I
editorial quality issues and credibility begin to kid you not) Ray Hartley -- now editor of the
impact on the value of the Sunday Times brand Sunday Times.
monday – 29 AUGUST 2011grootes assessment malema disciplinary
Malema under attack: ANC's winners and losers
When something as momentous as the Julius Malema ANC disciplinary hearing is on the cards, it’s
always good to examine the political power plays that are operating at the same time. The dynamics of
what’s actually happening are usually intertwined with the political personalities. In short, there’s a lot
going on. By STEPHEN GROOTES.
Plenty of people stand to gain, and many stand Let’s start with the most interesting. It’s not
to lose. And from there, you can work out what President Jacob Zuma, Gwede Mantashe or even
role they might play over the next little while. Malema himself. Nope, the person who in the
It’s worth having a look at who those winners long-term could stand to win or lose the most is
and losers could be. Photo: Helen Zille (Reuters)
monday – 29 AUGUST 2011grootes assessment malema disciplinary
Motlanthe is President, or just receiving his
already presidential pension.
If we’ve learnt Without Malema around – if he is sacked
from the ANC – well Zuma may not have a
anything over the challenger at all next year. He would be seen as
the man in charge, the person who thou must
last few years as a not cross. If we’ve learnt anything over the
last few years as a country, is that Zuma must
country, is that Zuma never be written off. And people who do so,
must never be written lose. So the person with the most to gain here
is probably Zuma. Should things go the other
off. And people who way though, if Malema wins out somehow, then
Zuma stands to lose the most. What effects
do so, lose. one positively, affects the other negatively in
what has grown to be a zero sum game. But, of
course, if the ANC’s tired line is to be believed,
neither Zuma nor Motlanthe really want to
be President, they just follow the will of their
Kgalema Motlanthe (or as we’ve taken to calling people.
him, SA's Keyser Soze. He’s once-the-reluctant- Now, the next most interesting: Mathews
president, now future would-be president that Phosa. The ANC’s treasurer has been rather
may or may not exist. The person who seems quiet of late. In the days after Polokwane, he
to be, to quote Churchill, “a riddle wrapped in popped up all over the place. Not so anymore.
a mystery inside an enigma”. There have been It doesn’t seem like he’s going to represent
serious rumours that the ANC Youth League Malema after all this time around. If he did,
wanted him to represent Malema. That doesn’t then it would be publicly known that he’s
seem to be happening. But if Malema goes, then been backing Malema all along. He would
it would seem that Motlanthe’s hopes (if he has be politically “outed” in a way, the man that
any) of taking over from Zuma at Mangaung Zuma and Mantashe could point to and say
could be dashed. Because only Malema can “see, this is the person who’s really the brains
do the hard running, the necessary legwork, behind Malema, everything that’s happened
to build the massive amount of momentum a around Malema is because of him”. But if
presidential campaign would need. This would Malema goes down, Phosa’s post-Mangaung
put Motlanthe in an uncomfortable position. horizons will probably be limited to another
Would he decide to have another five years as five years as treasurer, if that. It did seem all
deputy ANC leader, doing not terribly much, along that Phosa belonged to a group of senior
or would he just pack it all in. The next few ANC members who have been using Malema
days could really determine whether in 2013, to weaken Zuma; it was useful to them, as
monday – 29 AUGUST 2011grootes assessment malema disciplinary
barons, to have a weak king, and Malema made Premier Cassel Mathale. He’s being quoted
that happen. Without Malema, Phosa will be a by the City Press newspaper (who appear to
baron contending with a strong king. Not much have a recording from within a Limpopo ANC
fun for the baron. Youth League meeting) as saying that everyone
Someone who’s already a public Malema must get behind Malema. He has more to lose
supporter is, of course, Fikile Mbalula. Unless than just about anyone else. If Malema gets
he changes his allegiances overnight, Mbalula’s drummed out of the ANC, even temporarily,
really stuffed should Malema go. That’s it well, Mathale’s days as a premier could be
for him, at least in this cycle. And, once he's numbered. But that’s just the beginning of the
out, it will also be hard for him to come back. nightmare for him. Because if Malema loses
Suddenly he would have no one to run any any political protection he may enjoy, well,
kind of campaign for him, no battering ram to Mathale will too. And enter, stage left, the next
pry open doors for him; his hopes of ousting big factor in Mathale’s life. The Hawks. We all
Mantashe next year would be gone – just like know they’re investigating Malema and his
that. He’s a young man, and he’s fiery, so he relationship with certain provincial tenders
may still harbor a hope of somehow coming around Polokwane. Malema’s on record as
back without Malema. But the “how” is hard saying if he needs anything, including money,
to see. Because if Malema goes, and Mantashe he calls Mathale. And if one loses political
and Zuma are suddenly feeling very powerful, protection, the other’s very freedom could be
there would be no surprise if they feel a sudden the next to go.
urge to settle a score or two. Mbalula could find The same goes for a couple of ANC Youth
himself losing that first class ticket to Kiwi-land League personnel: Floyd Shivambu and the
for the Rugby World Cup, and instead move to other League leaders who are also facing ANC
a career of Deputy Minister of Prison Escapes charges, and who are so blindly behind Malema
With Special Responsibility for Ananias Mathe – remember, he virtually hand-picked them
– a place that would be hard to mount a come- for their jobs. What did they bring to the table,
back from. apart from loyalty and fanatical devotion –
Someone else who must be working the other than the promise that they will follow and
lobbying hard at the moment is Limpopo ask no questions?
Unless he changes his allegiances overnight,
Mbalula’s really stuffed should Malema go. That’s
it for him, at least in this cycle. And, once he's
out, it will also be hard for him to come back.
monday – 29 AUGUST 2011grootes assessment malema disciplinary
One other powerful political person with year that “Julius is the future”. For her, Malema’s
plenty to lose is Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. ousting from the ANC would be a huge blow.
Looking back now, it seems when she was She’s quite mature now, and may find it difficult
defenestrated as Deputy Arts and Science to have any political project after him. But don’t
Minister by her former husband in the mid- underestimate her either. She’s a fighter, and
90’s. She seems to have transferred all of her will do anything she can to keep him in the tent
own ambitions to Malema. She brought him up, somehow.
politically speaking, pushed him, nurtured him These are just some of the people who have a
– much like she did with one of his predecessors stake in what will happen over the next few days.
Peter Mokaba. Sometimes when he speaks, you There are plenty others, both above and below the
can hear her clearly in his words. Much has been horizon. Some are allies or enemies of the above.
made of the fact that at Polokwane, she was Others are just maneuvering for the future. When
voted into the number one spot on the ANC’s Churchill was talking about his enigmatic riddles,
national executive committee. That was more to he was referring to Russia. He went on to say that
do with the fact no one wanted to vote against when it came to understanding it all: “there is a
her than people who wanted to vote for her. And key. And that key is (Russian) national interest”.
since then, she’s been a little embarrassing for Most politicians have changing alliances, but
the ANC’s leaders. You know, demanding to be permanent interests. Those permanent interests
an MP, then not pitching up for Parliament, that are simply what’s in it for them. We’ll see a lot of
kind of thing. And she’s publicly backed Malema that over the next week or so.
many times, saying both outside his Hate Speech
Trial and at the League’s Conference earlier this Grootes is an EWN reporter.
monday – 29 AUGUST 2011Thinking
doing,
for you.
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Moving Forward TMAFRICA ThurSDAY – 25 AUGUST 2011
africa BRIEFS
Malawi’s Mutharika
declares war on
protesters
Following protests in recent
months against his govern-
ment, Malawi’s president Bin-
gu wa Mutharika threatened to
arrest protesters who are plan-
ning a vigil on 21 September,
Radio Netherlands reported.
Last month, police opened Malawi’s president Bingu wa Mutharika (Reuters)
fired on protesters, killing 19.
The crackdown prompted for- Sudan sentences rebel Libya facing critical
eign agencies to pull funding leader to death shortages
from the country, throwing
it further into crisis as a sig- Al-Tom Hamed Tutu, a leader Tripoli, now mostly under the
nificant portion of the govern- of rebel group the Justice and control of the rebels, is reported
ment’s funding comes from Equality Movement, was sen- to be in dire need of water, fuel,
foreign sources. tenced to death by a Sudan food and medical supplies. The
court on Saturday for violat- National Transitional Council has
ing the court and fermenting been trying to get the country’s
Militant group beheads war against the state, Reuters National Oil Corporation restart-
Mogadishu youths reported. The rebel group ed to address the fuel shortages
draws its ideology from the and has called on international
Reuters reports that Islamist Black Book, which claims that aid agencies for help. The situa-
militant group Al Shabaab political control in Sudan is tion in the country remains vola-
beheaded two young boys in concentrated within the hands tile with pro-Gaddafi militants
Mogadishu on Thursday and of the people of northern Su- still thwarting efforts to stabilise
have beheaded at least seven dan to the marginalisation of the country. The continued fight-
youths in recent weeks. Al the rest. Sudanese president ing has prevented aid agencies
Shabaab, which has been wag- Omar Hassan Al-Bashir’s is from delivering humanitarian
ing war against Somalia’s gov- the only sitting head of state relief. After a meeting of the Afri-
ernment, was pushed out of to have been indicted by the can Union, South African Presi-
Mogadishu and has resorted to International Criminal Court dent Jacob Zuma said the body
guerrilla tactics to terrorise the for genocide. will not recognise the NTC as
city’s populace. long as fighting continued.
MONday – 29 AUGUST 2011africa BRIEFS
Deadly suicide bomb
attack in Algeria
Two suicide bombers set off ex-
plosions on Friday that ripped
through an Algerian military
academy’s dining hall, just as
officers were to sit down to
break the Ramadan fast. Ac-
cording to Sapa, 18 were killed
and 26 were wounded at the
Cherchell military academy.
Last month, a suicide car bomb-
er injured 29 people at a police Zambia's President Rupiah Banda (Reuters)
station. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic
Maghreb has claimed responsi-
bility for Friday’s attack. signatory to the International conjugal visits. They made
Criminal Court and would thus their plea to deputy chief jus-
not be obliged to act on the tice Nancy Barasa, who was vis-
20 killed in Nigerian warrant for his arrest. iting the prison. They told her
floods that denying them the right to
see their spouses amounted to
Heavy rains in south-western Zambia’s Banda will not psychological torture.
Nigeria have caused dams to seek third term
overflow and killed at least 20
people in Ibadan. The city’s Zambia goes to the polls on 20 Liberia votes yes
poor drainage is said to have September and President Ru- to constitutional
aggravated the flooding, the piah Banda says that should amendments
worst in 30 years. The floods he win re-election, he will not
have also left thousands home- seek a third term, according to The preliminary results from
less, and damaged property. Africa Review. Having served Liberia’s recent constitutional
in government from before referendum are in. The coun-
independence in 1964, Banda try’s citizens have voted to de-
Zimbabwe to deport Libyan is now 74 and says he would lay elections until November
ambassador like “a little bit of time to relax” 2011, and to up the residency
after he’s finished his tenure. requirement for presidential
Robert Mugabe’s government candidates from five years to
has kicked out the Libyan am- 10. Opposition parties in the
bassador and his staff after they Kenyan prisoners as for country opposed the referen-
defected to the NTC. Mugabe’s conjugal rights dum, saying its amendments
ties to the Gaddafi regime run would favour the ruling party,
deep and fuelled speculation The Nairobi Star reported that and were particularly opposed
in recent days that the deposed inmates at Kenya’s Malindi to holding the elections two
Libyan leader was hiding out prison have asked for the coun- months later than the sched-
in Zimbabwe, which is not a try’s government to allow them uled October date.
MONday – 29 AUGUST 2011You can also read
