South Africa - December 16

Hello Everybody,

Today is a public holiday in South Africa. December 16, this date is significant to both the Afrikaans speaking people and the African cultures. In 1994, this date was recognized as a day of reconciliation and national unity.

Before the reign of Nelson Mandela and the end of apartheid, the Afrikaner commemorated this day as the Day of the Vow, a religious holiday, also known as the of the Covenant or Dingaan's Day. (This refers to victory over the Zulus, or Battle of Blood River.)
December 16, 1961 is known as the founding of Umkhonte we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation), the armed forces of the African National Congress (ANC)

Today is significant as the president of South Africa; Jacob Zuma will unveil the 9 meter high bronze statue of Nelson Mandela at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa

I began writing a few articles titled SOUTH AFRICA – A FAILING DEMOCRACY and the first two were published in the Guardian Liberty Express yesterday. Here are the links to both articles.

South Africa a Failing Democracy – The Introduction

South Africa a Failing Democracy: Hendrik Verwoerd, Jeff Radebe and Pik Botha

I am hoping to uncover some of the reasons why we have a failing democracy and am convinced that these articles will do just that. I am captivated by the vast amount of people and departments who are part of a net so intricately weaved, and perhaps not realizing there is a giant spider that can dismantle the entire web.. It’s a real challenge and one that I am enjoying.

All the best,
Your friend,
Laura

NELSON MANDELA ETERNALLY AT REST

Hello everybody,

It is such a beautiful day here in Johannesburg, South Africa. It’s a real hot summer's day, blue skies with a few clouds dancing about and no wind. Actually it is extremely hot outside, but perfect if you are in the shade under one of the beautiful large green trees, sipping a cold iced tea and admiring the lovely flowers and colors. Oh so perfect. I am blessed.

When the official time of death of Nelson Mandela was announced on December 5, it brought a swift end to the speculation of when he died and who was right about the date. Well that is clearly an issue that will be debated and the discovery of certain planned events before the announcement; there might just be a story to tell.
I wrote and published a story in the Guardian Liberty Voice (previously Guardian Express), titled Nelson Mandela Funeral Plans and His Final Resting Place in Qunu.
Please use this link NM Funeral Plans article link and read this article.

Since December 5, so many media channels have over exposed the Mandela story and history of his life. Perhaps it’s a little too much after all the man is not a god. I found the publicity given to Nelson Mandela unbearable at times and considered that the way news is generated through the social media, and communication channels is overpowering at times.

The memorial service held at the FNB Stadium, in Soweto, and attended by a huge contingent of world leaders, and royalty was amusing, sad, and caught my attention. Yes, I listened when Barak Obama spoke, his tribute was moving and that in my opinion was the best speech of the day.
The downpour of rain down all day long, left the stadium wet and covered by gloomy skies, but the heads of state and VIP's were secured behind a glass enclosure and protected from the weather, among other possible happenings. I was amused by the booing during President Zuma's speech.

That is a shameful action to undertake at an event of this magnitude and especially when so many world leaders are grouped together at the same time. This action prompted me to find out more, and yes I did. I will share during the next few weeks. It was like information overload, and I am overwhelmed at the real situation of the South African state. A hint, I think it was to ruin President Jacob Zuma.

Anyway, after that memorial service, the body of Nelson Mandela was moved to the mortuary at the Military Hospital in Pretoria. From Wednesday until Friday, the casket, draped with a South African flag was moved to the Union Buildings in Pretoria. I think it is pretty sad considering the number of people who queued the whole day to file past the body was unbearable. I wondered how people could stand all day long just to catch a fleeting glimpse of Nelson Mandela. Well people did love the man, and I guess it was a final goodbye for many. Or perhaps, it’s the first time that so many ordinary citizens could actually get that close to the famed Nelson Mandela. A friend of mine, who saw the corpse, told me it looked more like a wax figure than a real corpse. Of course, the frenzy of the photo doing the viral rounds on twitter caused a little controversy. Again people who did see this photo commented that it looked green and not real. Well the man is dead, what are we supposed to expect.

Now that the final burial takes place at Qunu in the Eastern Cape, a sense of normality has returned to our province, and people seem to be pleased to continue with their lives and holidays. That’s exactly what I want to do! I am officially on holiday and can enjoy my freedom for a month. Yeah, so happy about that!


Wishing you a wonderful week and stay blessed.
Your friend
Laura

(With my son on his wedding day)

Congratulations to Louis and Joulene

Hello Everybody,
Trusting all is well.

Yesterday December 14 we celebrated the marriage agreement between my son Louis and Joulene. Today I want to tell you about this wedding.

Louis and Joulene both work in the music industry and have been friends for many years. During last year, they started dating and soon they were in love with one another. Head over heels, captivated and blinded by love.

I will say that these two are genuinely soul mates, so compatible and adaptable. Theirs was no whirlwind romance but certainly a committed relationship.

They are two people who openly express their love for one another and make countless sacrifices, please each other. Sometimes I think it is their competitive nature, but mostly it is their enduring everlasting love they have for one another.
Their wedding was a small event and attended to by almost fifty people.

The church service was friendly and inspiring. Listening to their vows brought a tear to my eye, it was moving and beautiful. There was no extravagant party but a small tea and cake event after the service, which was unusual, pleasant and enjoyable. All the guests, mostly family, were thrilled with the preparation and organization of the wedding.

The bridal couple, family members and friends went to a local park entertaining a small dam to take the official wedding photos. We had glorious weather, the sun shining brightly, a gentle breeze blowing, the lush green grass and tall Willow trees were attractive for a photo shoot.

Not to forget the duck families swimming around near the edge of the dam, waiting for humans to throw some crumbs their way.

A wonderful day and wishing the new married couple a lifetime of blessings and happiness!

Laura

Mandela Here, Mandela there, and Mandela Everywhere

Hello everybody,

What can I possibly say about Nelson Mandela, its the huge media coverage that says it all. The media exposure is explosive, compelling and massive.

Anyway I wrote an article, giving my views on this and it was published in the Guardian Express. Here is the link should you want to have a read.

Mandela Here, There and Everywhere [Op-Ed]

I think it is sheer madness, anyway that is my opinion. Especially here in South Africa, it seems as though the entire country has some opinion or comment or tribute they need to have published. Crazy, but I will say that some of the comments to the local articles are far more entertaining than the actual article. People are truly crazy sometimes; it's astounding to read what they have to say. It is entertaining and sometimes downright true.

I spent this morning writing another article and will probably have this published later on today. Of course, it's about Mandela. As Mandela is a top trending topic, I thought I would do another article.

I am so looking forward to the New Year, and the follow up on the Zuma scandal, the Nkandla spending and disclosure of the public protector's reports. We could say that the announcement of the Mandela death has given Zuma a reprieve and taken the spotlight off of him.

I certainly hope that the opposition parties and the media don’t forget to indulge in the Nkandla affair after Nelson Mandela is finally buried in Qunu.

I am sure that the Zuma followers will continue to protect him and deny the corruption of the latest scandal and hope that Mandela's death will force people to forget his devious deeds.

With the phenomenal media coverage Mandela is getting, I am sure the majority will not even think about Zuma and his corrupt allies.

Well timed, and well played. We have to say that Zuma is a true genius of manipulation.
I heard a rumor that something is coming down at the end of this year, it's to do with an influx of people that will arrive in South Africa, and this could either mean that Zuma has another plan to manipulate the people or that he is being cautious ahead of the elections. Will keep you posted.

Have a super week.
Your friend,
Laura

NELSON MANDELA DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT WAS EXPECTED

Hello again,

Early I said, the Nelson Mandela death reporting is all over the internet, television, radios, its astounding.

Well let me have a moment to give my two pennies worth as well.

What again!!!!! The reporting of the death of Nelson Mandela seems to realize the extent of how people have lost their minds over the expected death. Do I care, no, I don’t, it was expected and only the government and family knew when the main date would be announced?
It's ironic that they chose December 5, there is a link to this date with history and I am sure that soon the media will report on events that connect this date.

The reporting of his death: no not dead, oh wait, placed on life support: no no, sorry, dead again, life support oh what the heck: during June and July and the consistent reporting that gripped the attention of the world was enough. The drama we had to endure during these months, with the constant spotlight on Mandela, his family and the corrupt government. Gosh, that was a trying time for all. Well it is true Mandela was worshiped in a particularly dangerous cult fashion.

This expected death notification is a sad moment I can imagine. There are the extremely intense and connected followers of Nelson Mandela and the millions that do hold the man in high esteem and yes, he is not a God. Then there are the media that will play out this death with all the drama and reporting of each and every possible significance of his life.

Never in history has so much media hype being given to one person, such as Mandela, this is SO incredible!!!!!!! THE POWER OF THE MEDIA, It is remarkable really.

Can you imagine if the media gave Jesus this much attention and coverage, what a glorious world it would be indeed? This power is astounding, its BIG.

I am so pleased to have found a radio station that is playing MUSIC, yeah finally some normality.