Wednesday, August 5, 2015

South Africa Empowering the Majority

South Africa
In South Africa, there are incredible opportunities for empowering the majority, and it all starts with seriousness about building an economy and a better life. It continues with pursuing education and learning how to be competitive with the rest of the world. The majority must use Western tools, Western business concepts, and Western agricultural techniques.
By rejecting Western resources and concepts, the majority in South Africa remain static in a bowl of poverty and non-advancement. The majority must embrace all of the positive aspects of Western business practices and mechanisms,  and do so quickly, disregarding the parts the people do not need and make the ones which are needed a unique South African brand.
Talking and hearing about the evil Westerners does not help; all it gains is isolation, crime, poverty, and hardship, for no apparent reason other than a mass conspiracy against black people. The majority must get over their self-centeredness and understand that the world does not revolve around black people.
The time is now to start empowering in order to move into a better future. If this is not done, the 50 million black South Africans will slip another generation behind more progressive countries, and the results could be devastating. It is time to make choices, start businesses, move forward and stop complaining. The majority must craft the Western bowl and make it uniquely African, so that all may eat from it, and there is fruit for all.
The black Africans who are trying desperately to reconstruct or redefine the African history should stop and look at the future. A black man in Gauteng spent months researching the invention of the laptop, and concluded that an ancient African tribe invented the first laptop. A painting or sculpture was produced to prove the story. Spinning wheels and debating over who created what, and desperately attempting to re-write black history, causes the rest of the world to surpass the millions who remain caught up in the past. It is like living the life of a dinosaur; appearing dull and limp, compared to the Africans who have embraced the future without racial lines and who can rejoice as Africans without harboring fear, hate, and self-loathing.
The majority can keep spinning yarns or they can join the real people who are forging a future for South Africa. Businesses are leaving South Africa in droves, and the African National Congress (ANC) government cannot afford to brush this off as insignificant. The long-term consequences are dire for the average person, and that alone should help people to realize that depending on the ANC government to create a future is unreliable. There is a major obstacle to advancement in South Africa, and that is changing jobs, investment, and security. If the majority, along with the ANC government, keeps spinning yarns, then the future is indeed bleak.
The hostile business environment the ANC government has created causes outrage, and that is no solution. It is better to forge ahead and adopt a policy of following a working solution. Take this working solution, turn it into a real South African entity, and embrace the future with confidence. The insults and attack on the dignity of the black man, the white man, the colored, Indian, and Khoi creates a hazy future. The affront will force the different ethnic groups to unite and rise against the foolishness exhibited by the pocket-lining ruling government of South Africa. The future is in the hands of the people who have the power to create something beautiful by moving forward, letting go of the past, and embracing workable solutions.
Opinion by Laura Oneale
Interview with Menzi Solomon Shange
PUBLISHED ON THE GUARDIAN LV TODAY - 

Interview with Menzi Solomon Shange

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

South Africa ANC Is the Hope of the Hopeless


South Africa
The African National Congress (ANC) ruling party of South Africa is the hope of the hopeless or is this party determined on keeping people oppressed? It is time to wipe the slate clean and disinfect all the stench from the fattened ANC government by replacing the ruling party with a refreshing new government that focuses on governance and accountability. The name of the new party is not of primary concern; it is the act of cleaning out the scourge that has become significantly more critical to the future security of the country.
Do Africans enjoy being slaves to drugs, alcohol, and poverty? The physical chains were removed when the ANC become the first democratic government of South Africa, but the mental chains still keep people oppressed. The Africans are still enslaved in a hopeless situation.
Over the weekend at the Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg, while spectators gathered to watch a rugby game, the police beat a black man for attempting to enter the stadium. The four officers were identified as an Indian, colored and two black men. Were the officers racist? Another incident occurred during the game that was clearly racist when white people did not feel comfortable with blacks being seated close by. In these examples, the racial division between the different cultures openly express a desire to stay apart; this a desperate situation that calls for immediate action and unity among the people.
The freedom given to the majority when the ANC came into power was not voluntarily given. The ANC, the oppressor, keeps the hopelessness alive by keeping South Africa in an oppressed (or repressed) state. Will the act of a rebellion change the system? The greed, manipulation, and extreme poverty escalates while the elite continues to benefit. South Africans deserve better – a new government committed to governing with accountability will help unchain the mental enslavement.
The ANC government fought the apartheid system to give the people their freedom. The years of struggle to achieve a free society appear to have not been fully realized yet.  The ANC continues to keep people oppressed, and brainwashed into believing South Africa is a democratic country. After 21 years, South Africa still has townships, a reminder of the old apartheid system, where people are forced to live in undesirable and unhygienic conditions. The ANC government has apparently ignored the plight of the poor by keeping the majority uneducated and plagued with poverty, all while boasting about the transformation that is occurring. What transformation?
During elections in South Africa, the ANC will spend millions on food parcels to give to the poor coupled with empty promises. The poor oppressed people are the support base for the ANC which is focused on the elite while keeping these people brainwashed and uneducated. The humble attitude of the poor has only one thought, and that is how the leaders of the ANC left the country, families and friends to live in a foreign land and fight for freedom. There is no other liberating action the oppressed people know, and the ANC has craftily kept the people chained in mental enslavement.
The lies and deceit spread by the ANC are placing the black man deeper into debt, poverty, and helplessness. All are occurring under a pretense of empowerment. South Africa will be crippled and weakened in a few years if something does not change now. The ANC, the liberating party, abandoned the majority years ago. It is time for the people to shake off the shackles of helplessness and demand the right to live a life without oppression.
The future of the younger generation is at stake, and if the ANC government continues to control and manipulate the poor, there will be no bright future in a democratic country. Swift action and demand for accountability must be the order of the day, the people who placed the ANC into power have every right to live a life free from bonds of poverty.The years of struggle against apartheid should not be in vain. The people have earned the right for a government that holds the suffering people’s interests sacred. A government that works incessantly to address the deteriorating standard of living for the growing numbers of impoverished people in South Africa, the land of the still oppressed.
Opinion by Menzi Solomon Shange and Laura Oneale
PUBLISHED TODAY ON THE GUARDIAN LV 


Opinion by Menzi Solomon Shange and Laura Oneale

Sunday, July 26, 2015

South Africa Corruption From Apartheid to the ANC

South Africa
South Africa is a corrupt country more so now under the African National Congress (ANC) party than under the apartheid era. The apartheid regime ruled from 1948 to 1994, a total of 44 years and the ANC party have been in power for 21 years. Under the apartheid regime, there was corruption but nothing compared to the vast amount of corruption under the ANC government over the last 21 years. The apartheid government had ample time to launder money from state resources, knowing that the regime was to be dismantled and passed onto the ANC leadership.
The Apartheid regime was known for its secrecy, and many dealings took place without a trace. The few deals that have been in the public eye is enough to realize that corruption happened during apartheid. The many transfers of land from inhabitants to Sol Kerzner were he paid bribes and ivory trading by the defense force. Loans amounting to billions of rands from the reserve bank to Banks, which PW Botha failed to investigate.
During the CODESA meetings in the late 1980s, everybody involved, including typists and junior trade union officials became multimillionaires overnight. All came back to tell the story of how ANC had inherited a near bankrupt state, yet failed to disclose how personal wealth was accumulated and nobody saw anything wrong with the sudden status change.
Nelson Mandela was elected the president of South Africa in 1994 and did not waste time in distributing state assets. The massive oil reserves kept at Walvis Bay, and worth millions were given to Namibia for free, despite South Africa allegedly being a near-bankrupt country and everybody turned a blind eye. There were no consequences for the millions of mining royalties stolen.
An Iraqi oil for food sanction busting scandal allegedly involving Mbeki’s wife, washed under the bridge: There were a few newspaper headlines, regarding the mysterious death of Sandi Majali and then the story disappeared. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma gave the R14 Million Sarafina 2 HIV/AIDS funding program to Mbongeni Ngema, once again, followed by a few newspaper headlines and no consequences. The R90 million of public servants’ pension money granted to Smuts Ngonyama’s Elephant Consortium to buy Telkom Shares and sell them, no consequences.
The Arms deal amounting to billions, no consequences other than Tony Yengeni and Schabir Shaik taking the blame. The ANC earned hundreds of millions from building never-ending power stations for government through Chancellor House, without any consequences. Limpopo provincial government practically run into the ground and there were no consequences. Nkandla, the homestead of President Jacob Zuma, a never ending story without any consequences. Millions were given to the Gupta family through government advertising and direct funding to run the New Age newspaper and host a Television breakfast show. No, consequences.
The Public Broadcaster runs as a ruling party propaganda mouthpiece, nobody sees anything wrong with this. The Sekunjalo sea patrol tender worth millions without any consequences. The Guptas landing at a security Airforce Base for a wedding was without blame: Bruce Kholoane being paid tax money to accept responsibility, another sham. South African money was used to fund Cuba’s annual budget and nobody saw anything wrong. Clayson Monyela is allegedly paying mashonisas with South African tax money, there are no consequences.
Oversized trains at PRASA a waste of taxpayers funds, no not according to the ANC government: Gwede Mantashe and Blade Nzimande insult judges to divert attention away from the corruption that has no ending. The ANC is a corrupt government, and over the past 21 years of governing South Africa, the ANC have proved there is no end to the corruption.
Apartheid was incredibility wrong and should never have happened, yet apartheid cannot be used as an excuse to tolerate what the ANC regime is doing to South Africa. ANC corruption versus apartheid crime and the ANC has won outright by proving how devious the democratic government is. The ANC are taking South Africa down the tubes through corruption.
PUBLISHED ON THE GUARDIAN LV TODAY 

South Africa Whites Only Town

Read the article written by TNO staff and view the outstanding photos of this whites only town. Exceptions of course are that English speaking whites in South Africa do not qualify to live in Orania, a town within the the South African border which is only for people identified as Afrikaner.

Orania, a town with no crime, murder or rape. The blacks do not have any historical rights to that area and probably not a threat to the rest of South Africa. The Afrikaner will transform Orania in an oasis, like Israel has done in the Middle-east. New shopping centers, golf course, farms are being built and without any help from outside, all done by whites for Afrikaner whites only. Such a pity that there is division between the minority group - English and Afrikaans.

South Africa: Is Orania the Only Hope for a Better Future? 

Recently, Orania, a town in the Northern Cape, South Africa has been receiving a lot of attention as the only hope for a better future. Twenty years into a democracy and Orania remains a “whites only” town. Orania attracts more residents annually and the population growth is climbing at 10 percent a year.
Orania is a town for white people who identify themselves as Afrikaners. The town is peaceful, safe and home to more than 1,000 people. It is a small community where everybody is friendly, helpful and radiates an authentic Afrikaans culture.
Carel Boshoff, son-in-law of former South African Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd established Orania in 1990. Almost 40 Afrikaner families bought the dilapidated town, from the Government Department of Water Affairs. Orania is an arid region along the Orange River.
Carel Boshoff claimed white minority rule was immoral and black power was inevitable. The establishment of Orania is for the Afrikaners to have a town of their own. The aspect of keeping the Afrikaner language and culture alive was the main purpose for creating Orania. The concept of being governed by the practices and traditions of the Afrikaner heritage dominated the design.
Non Afrikaners are not allowed to work in Orania. There is a culture of keeping the Afrikaner language intact and forbidding the oppression of forcing their children to speak English. Formed on the method of creating a stronghold for Afrikaners, Orania continues to flourish as a growing town of cultural heritage. The primary objective is to create an Afrikaner majority in the North-Western Cape and encourage establishment of similar towns. In many ways, Carel Boshoff’s Afrikaner state is considered to be similar to Israel by offering refuge to a distinct ethnic group from all over the world.
Self Determination and sustained growth are strong factors from within this exclusive group of people. The building of Orania from zero to a thriving town, boasting of almost zero crime is admirable. In fact, Orania does not even have a police station. Tourism is an advancing industry within the small town and the rapid growth within the tourism boundaries are expanding.
Orania boasts two excellent schools focusing on Afrikaans, history and Christian education. The teaching system is self driven and often criticized as being an unorthodox method in comparison to the education system of South Africa. Its citizens are proactive and respecting the environment is a key factor. Clear visions, conservation and recycling methods are practiced as they strive to remain green and consistently work on improving their surroundings.
Orania is not a model of separation but one of determination and hard work. The town continues to attract South Africans interested in buying land and investing in the haven that is Orania. Racial segregation began during the Dutch and British colonial times and became official in 1948. Orania is the only hope of survival for the Afrikaners wanting their own government, in their own territory.
True Freedom according to Orania residents is all about self-determination and letting each cultural group rule themselves. The only benefits of their self-governing system are low crime and unemployment.
Orania built from nothing and without government support is a sought after town that people continue to visit. The humanity is the stark difference among these people, and that should be upheld above all. There will always be racial conflict yet the respect morals and self-reliance are the benchmark of efficiency.
The town boasts a statue of assassinated Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd, the man who governed South Africa under apartheid and who was responsible for sending Nelson Mandela to jail. During 1995, Betsy Verwoerd received a visit from Democratic President Nelson Mandela, and they shared a cup of coffee. Betsy told Mandela she identified herself with the wishes of her people and the development of their own state. Mandela replied that he wanted a united South Africa, one that would stop thinking in terms of color. This desire is a shared regard by many South Africans today.
The Afrikaners want to live in peace with the rest of the world and help Africa to develop the continent. Strong ties with other communities have been a steady progress, based on mutual respect and trust. A hope for the future is that Orania, South Africa will become an independent state for the Afrikaans people.

Published on the Guardian LV

http://guardianlv.com/2014/05/south-africa-is-orania-the-only-hope-for-a-better-future/

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Afrikaner Nationalist Town of Orania Continues to Expand

Source

The remarkable Afrikaner nationalist settlement of Orania in South Africa continues to expand and will soon have the region’s leading shopping center, doctor’s surgery, dentist, and eye specialist—and there is no truth to an internet-based rumor that the town has been outlawed, according to an official spokesman.
Aantrede-stand-16-Jan-2014-11
The claim that the town has been “outlawed” was started on a blog called the “Diversity Times”—which said that a South African Supreme Court ruling had ordered the town to admit black residents.
“There has been no such court case, and no such ruling,” an Orania spokesman responded on Facebook. “The story is a total fabrication,” he continued, adding that there was in any event no “rule” in Orania about who could live there.
Furthermore, he said, it is illegal in terms of the South African constitution to have any sort of racial segregation, and the town adheres to the law of the land—meaning that there would never have been any basis for such a court case in the first place.
“The story is a malicious lie, put around by someone who seeks to undermine the progress Orania has recently made in becoming the beacon for Afrikaner survival,” the spokesman added.
Recent advances in the town, located in the center of South Africa in the Northern Cape, include the construction of the region’s first new shopping center, the creation of a doctor’s surgery, dentist practice, and optometrist for the growing number of residents of the town.
There are officially over 1,000 permanent residents in the town, although it continues to grow by a few dozen each month as increasing numbers of Afrikaners realize that Orania offers the only viable alternative to maintain their identity and culture in the face of mass demographic swamping.
Orania has grown dramatically over the last ten years, by more than 72 percent, and this exponential growth continues, according to the movement’s official blog.
“Orania’s growth is almost completely due to new arrivals, and not by natural reproduction, as the birth and death figures are relatively balanced. As far as the age spread goes, Orania looks very healthy,” the blog continued.
“There are enough children, but the largest group of people is to be found in the economically active ages of between 20 and 60. There are of course also elderly people present, but contrary to the outside perception, they are a small percentage when compared to the age profile of Afrikaners in general, or with other Western nations.”
The Orania blog added that there are more men than women—60 percent to 40 percent—which it says, is “not unusual for a pioneer community and a town whose core industries are agriculture and construction. As the service industries continue to grow, the gender balance will correct itself.”
As far as the surrounding area goes, the Orania blog pointed out, the demographics of the nearby farms are increasingly better due to the continuing process of urbanization which affects the colored population as well, as “mechanization has decreased the need for farm laborers.”
Nonetheless, the Orania blog adds, the demographics mean that the strategy of the Orania Movement must remain focused on building Orania into a small city, rather than trying to take over towns in the region. In this regard, the blog points out, the nearest small town of Strydenburg needs at least 3,000 Afrikaners in order to form a majority there.
“The ongoing purchase of farms is a strategy which is well worthwhile as they increasingly become depopulated and food security becomes an ever-more important issue,” the blog says, concluding by adding that Orania “already owns a large number of surrounding farms.”



A shortage of rental housing in Orania—caused by the dramatic growth in the town’s residents—has created an opportunity for developers, as can be seen in this range of ultra-modern houses being built in the Robyn Lane part of the town.
A shortage of rental housing in Orania—caused by the dramatic growth in the town’s residents—has created an opportunity for developers, as can be seen in this range of ultra-modern houses being built in the Robyn Lane part of the town.
New housing in Orania.
New housing in Orania.
New housing in Orania.
New housing in Orania.
New housing in Orania.
New housing in Orania.
Orania’s “Stokkiesdraai Shopping Center and Adventure Park” has recently had its first on-site management meeting. In this picture, developer Sarel Roets consults with the shop-owners. Enterprises to be housed in the center include, among others, a blacksmith, a framing shop, a restaurant, a clothing shop, and a conference center.
Orania’s “Stokkiesdraai Shopping Center and Adventure Park” has recently had its first on-site management meeting. In this picture, developer Sarel Roets consults with the shop-owners. Enterprises to be housed in the center include, among others, a blacksmith, a framing shop, a restaurant, a clothing shop, and a conference center.
Building work  proceeds at the Stokkiesdraai Shopping Center and Adventure Park.
Building work proceeds at the Stokkiesdraai Shopping Center and Adventure Park.
A model of the final construction of the Stokkiesdraai Shopping Center and Adventure Park.
A model of the final construction of the Stokkiesdraai Shopping Center and Adventure Park.
Building work  proceeds at the Stokkiesdraai Shopping Center and Adventure Park.
Building work proceeds at the Stokkiesdraai Shopping Center and Adventure Park.
Building work  proceeds at the Stokkiesdraai Shopping Center and Adventure Park.
Building work proceeds at the Stokkiesdraai Shopping Center and Adventure Park.
One of the classes at the Orania Akadamie (“Academy”) which uses a unique and in-house computer-based learning program which allows pupils to study at their own pace.
One of the classes at the Orania Akadamie (“Academy”) which uses a unique and in-house computer-based learning program which allows pupils to study at their own pace.
One of the classes at the Orania Akadamie (“Academy”) which uses a unique and in-house computer-based learning program which allows pupils to study at their own pace.
One of the classes at the Orania Akadamie (“Academy”) which uses a unique and in-house computer-based learning program which allows pupils to study at their own pace.
A class of the CVO-Skool Orania—part of a country-wide “Christian Own Education” schooling system set up after the end of white rule in 1994. This is a more traditional education system. CVO schools from around South Africa have their own national cultural and sporting events, at which pupils from all the schools can participate.
A class of the CVO-Skool Orania—part of a country-wide “Christian Own Education” schooling system set up after the end of white rule in 1994. This is a more traditional education system. CVO schools from around South Africa have their own national cultural and sporting events, at which pupils from all the schools can participate.
The Technical Center of one of Orania’s schools is currently under construction. Only Afrikaner labor is used in the town.
The Technical Center of one of Orania’s schools is currently under construction. Only Afrikaner labor is used in the town.
The Technical Center of one of Orania’s schools is currently under construction. Only Afrikaner labor is used in the town.
The Technical Center of one of Orania’s schools is currently under construction. Only Afrikaner labor is used in the town.
The official opening of the new Orania information center, built to cope with the hundreds of thousands of visitors the town attracts each year. Free guided tours are now offered from this center, which also serves as the head office of the Orania Movement.
The official opening of the new Orania information center, built to cope with the hundreds of thousands of visitors the town attracts each year. Free guided tours are now offered from this center, which also serves as the head office of the Orania Movement.
The Orania Post Office.
The Orania Post Office.
Orania’s attractive location on the banks of the Orange River—the largest river in South Africa—has made it an ideal holiday location. The Orania resort is a modern chalet-style development.
Orania’s attractive location on the banks of the Orange River—the largest river in South Africa—has made it an ideal holiday location. The Orania resort is a modern chalet-style development.
A chalet at the Orania Resort.
A chalet at the Orania Resort.
The Orania resort.
The Orania resort.
One of the latest developments in Orania is the Ou-Karooplaas (“Old Karoo Farm”) shopping center, currently still under construction. Designed using a unique steel frame system, the shopping center will become a regional landmark.
One of the latest developments in Orania is the Ou-Karooplaas (“Old Karoo Farm”) shopping center, currently still under construction. Designed using a unique steel frame system, the shopping center will become a regional landmark.
The building of the Ou-Karooplaas shopping center. Only Afrikaner labor is used.
The building of the Ou-Karooplaas shopping center. Only Afrikaner labor is used.
The building of the Ou-Karooplaas shopping center. Only Afrikaner labor is used.
The building of the Ou-Karooplaas shopping center. Only Afrikaner labor is used.
The building of the Ou-Karooplaas shopping center. Only Afrikaner labor is used.
The building of the Ou-Karooplaas shopping center. Only Afrikaner labor is used.
The building of the Ou-Karooplaas shopping center. Only Afrikaner labor is used.
The building of the Ou-Karooplaas shopping center. Only Afrikaner labor is used.
The Ou-Karooplaas shopping center gets its roof—the view from the passing national road. Note the Orania flag flying from the roof, a tradition in South African building.
The Ou-Karooplaas shopping center gets its roof—the view from the passing national road. Note the Orania flag flying from the roof, a tradition in South African building.
The existing shopping center in Orania.
The existing shopping center in Orania.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

South Africa - Human Trafficking Nightmare


             

Human trafficking in South Africa: an elusive statistical nightmare

Due to the lack of reliable statistics surrounding human trafficking, there is no real scope of how large the problem really is, making it more difficult to police. 

Human trafficking is a global crime affecting countless victims around the world. Yet its actual scope remains a mystery. The methodologies used to arrive at estimates about its nature and extent have been widely criticised as flawed or lacking in scientific rigour.
In South Africa, claims by anti-trafficking campaigners and NGOs include that 30,000 children are trafficked into the country annually as part of the sex trade. The same figure has been used by the Department of Home Affairs to justify recently introduced visa regulations aimed at combating child trafficking.
But this number has been discredited as “exaggerated and unsubstantiated”.
Human trafficking has become a focus of attention in the country following the introduction of the onerous and controversial visa requirements. In addition, a new act aimed at preventing trafficking is expected to be operational in the next few weeks. It defines trafficking to include the recruitment, transportation, sale or harbour of people by means of force, deceit, the abuse of vulnerability and the abuse of power for exploitation.

A statistical dilemma

But the absence of reliable statistics means that there is no clarity on just how big the problem is.
Inflated guesstimates continue to be used by those trying to stop the crime. But they create a credibility dilemma, detract from a constructive conversation and frustrate efforts to understand the multi-layered realities of the problem.
Notwithstanding the lack of reliable numbers, the problem is prevalent in South Africa. The number of cases being reported suggests it is on the increase. The situation may in fact be far more chronic and severe than we know.
It is well documented that South Africa is a source, transit and destination country for human trafficking. This is backed up by a forthcoming book, Long Walk to Nowhere: Forced Migration, Exploitation and Human Trafficking in South Africa, by social scientist Philip Frankel. He dismisses sceptics and exposes some of the unexplored and undocumented crevices in the mining and labour sector suggestive of human trafficking.
My ongoing research draws on the experiences of role-players in counter-human trafficking. These include all the responding agencies including civil society, survivors and ex-perpetrators.
Preliminary themes highlight multiple accounts of undocumented cases, direct and indirect complicity by political elites and bureaucratic officials, the paucity of border controls, corruption and a culture of impunity.
This toxic concoction makes human trafficking an attractive business with high returns and low risk. For example, trafficking in persons for sexual exploitation is the most documented type of trafficking, locally and internationally. Yet none of the international syndicates dominating the sex trade have ever been successfully prosecuted in South Africa.

A hidden and subversive crime

Society’s justifiable preoccupation with numbers to understand the scope of the problem does little to promote understanding of the complex issues associated with human trafficking.
Measures to combat the trade cannot be divorced from numerous other structural issues. These include racism, poverty, unemployment, education and inequality – all of which interpenetrate at some point.
The problem is further compounded by the absence of an official database on human trafficking. There are also no crime codes in the police service which capture the complexities of each reported incident. Associated human trafficking offences are still subsumed into crimes such rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, abduction and domestic violence. Much of this is due to an inability by some police officials or investigators to positively identify trafficking cases.
Many labour and sex trafficking victims don’t even know they are victims of a crime. Others, mostly children, are exploited in a distorted net of “culture”. These include aberrant forms of ukuthwala – meaning “to carry” in isiXhosa and isiZulu – a customary practice used to bypass extensive and lengthy marriage rituals.

Awareness about human trafficking across all sectors of society remains low. In addition, perceptions are often fuelled by skewed media representations. Hollywood movies like Taken and dramatic elements such as the use of force, kidnapping, and the brutality of perpetrators dominate discourses.
Misinformation is further fuelled by the fact that significant elements such as deceit, fraud, grooming, manipulation and trauma bonding often go unreported.
The possible link between missing persons and human trafficking also begs to be interrogated. In February 2014, the South African Police Services’ Missing Persons Bureau reported that 2641 adults and 754 children remain missing from cases reported between 2011 and 2013, a significant number for a mere two years.
Angie Motaung of Bana Ba Kae (“where are the children”), an NGO that works to alleviate the plight of children in poor communities in Pretoria, South Africa’s capital city, says that “there could be as many as 1000 children missing from homes across the city”.

Quantitative and qualitative data

Instead of trying to quantify the problem in terms of the number of human trafficking victims, the question we should be asking is: which communities are most vulnerable to human trafficking?
This would open the door to finding connections between measurable quantities on the one hand and qualities which cannot be counted but should be mapped on the other. Such a connection is crucial to understand the configuration of relationships in which the problem of human trafficking is rooted.
The hidden nature of the crime requires unconventional thinking and flexible methodologies to scope the problem. Every member of society should be empowered to be a co-participant in both quantitative and qualitative data collection. Community based participatory research methods could be used to do so. This would help find significant themes in the seemingly insignificant events of everyday life which may suggest the presence of “hidden transcripts” related to human trafficking.
Human trafficking presents a confluence of complexities. This denies us the convenience of an unambiguous and quantified understanding. The key lies in harnessing the complexity of the problem and acknowledging its deep and dense sociological abyss.
We need to redefine success in a way that is sensitive to the structural limitations of any given context. By doing so we may move towards a more even-handed understanding of the scope, nature and extent of human trafficking. It may also be more suitable to framing more appropriate policy and enforcement responses.

Disclosure statement

Marcel van der Watt is affiliated with the National Freedom Network (NFN) and the Global Resource Epicenter Against human Trafficking (GREAT)
The Conversation is funded by the National Research Foundation, the Knight Foundation and Barclays Africa. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is a Strategic Partner.

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READ MY BLOG ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND DRUG ABUSE

http://dillydee.blogspot.com/2014/09/forced-into-prostitution-and-drug.html