South Africa Tribalism Is a Threat to Democracy

South Africa became a democratic country in 1994, but the threat of tribalism is no longer an old village myth. Tribalism is big. Kings are born and rule over entire villages, instituting laws and procedures and ignoring issues of national interest. People need to abandon the village mentality and move away from tribe rule. Otherwise, the political formation of South Africa will remain stagnant.

There is no other practice that has such devastating effects on the democracy of South Africa than the evils, extremes and venom of tribalism. Nobody has the bravery to challenge the monster of tribalism. Tribalism has crept into government departments, and the roots of corruption, theft, and nepotism are causing the destruction of real democratic values.

From 1994 until 2008, both President Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki gave preference to the Xhosa people and allowed the Zulu group to occupy second place in top positions. Other ethnic groups were given lesser roles in state enterprises. The favoritism of Xhosa and Zulu created a dominant force in all cabinets, national departments and state entities. It was expected that Jacob Zuma would turn away from primitive building tendencies and practices, and move toward a deployment to represent all South African ethnic groups. Instead, Zuma replaced the dominant Xhosa ethnic group with cadre deployment by giving preference to the Zulu people and, in turn, placing the Xhosa group into second position.

The practice and tendencies of tribalism are implemented by people who represent the highest position of the liberation struggle and who profess to be custodians of the majority. Tribalism is a social-cultural belief system; a psychological make-up of an ethnic group. It is often premised on unfounded and mythical attributes conferring superior qualities and values of a tribe, while at the same time, denigrating and deprecating other ethnic groups. Tribalism is not a facilitator of progress in African history; rather, tribalism played an extremely reactionary role and was responsible for humiliating defeats African people suffered at the hands of foreign invaders and colonialists.

Throughout all of the trials and errors and victories and defeats endured in an attempt to drive Africa into a process of consolidation and progress, tribes united into one nation, either voluntarily or by force, and combined to protect and expand the nation’s livelihood. While battling invaders for decades, there was unity to withstand the onslaught, and each independent chiefdom was nothing more than an invitation to the aggressors and a means for the domination of all. The African failed to take the truth from history.

The upsurge in tribalism in South Africa is driven by the appalling and weak political leadership. To secure a job or tender in either public or private sector does not depend on talent, but rather on who one knows, which fuels tribalism instead of a patronage-based society. The ANC deployment policies have flaws which affect democracy and leave it open to abuse for opportunistic, factional and tribal ends. Nepotism is big, and ethnic community deployment of friends into key positions does not take into account skills and capability.

Public sector corruption and failing service deliveries are rampant in state departments, and the distrust of government officials does not stop corrupt officials from lobbying ethnic compatriots into senior ANC positions. There is a perception that Zuma is looking after his own and not using the skills or talents within the ANC or South Africas to create wealth for all, rather than for a few. Race and ethnic identity matter and people are placed in elite positions based on tribal identity and race.

Zuma began to dig deep into cultural and religious roots by displaying traits that threaten democracy, such as by offering up prayers to ancestors, denouncing same-sex marriage as a disgrace, condemning political rivals as witches and snakes, and defending polygamy as an African trend. Zuma uses a deadly combination of religion, politics, and ethnicity in a quest to remain in power. Can South Africa move forward when primitive ideologies are trusted by the mindless people who delight in each word the charismatic Zuma spits out?  Zuma has unleashed the demon of tribalism.

Opinion by Laura Oneale

Edited by Jennifer Pfalz

Sources:
SABC: Netshitenzhe warns against tribalism and racialism
Interview with Menzi Solomon Shange

PUBLISHED TODAY ON THE GUARDIAN LV 

http://guardianlv.com/2015/08/south-africa-tribalism-is-a-threat-to-democracy/

Photo Courtesy of retlaw snellac’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License

South Africa Is Flourishing Under the Leadership of President Zuma

According to President Zuma, South Africa is doing well, and the country is flourishing under the direction and governance of the African National Congress (ANC) ruling party. There is a list of matters that raise concern about the bold statement Zuma has made. The infrastructure, crime, failing education system and corruption have not stopped, and have grown into uncontrollable ventures that the Zuma administration cannot control.

Why would Zuma make such a bold statement when it is an outright lie, and only made in an attempt to fool the majority one more time? Zuma does not comprehend the inanity of the ANC, nor does he realize South Africa is in trouble. Zuma does not acknowledge the shortcomings and is unable to grasp how inept the current leadership is. Perhaps uttering these statements mentally tricks Zuma into believing that all is well in South Africa.

Could it be that Zuma is becoming disorientated and unreliable as a president? During a trip to America in August 2014,  Zuma was ill and apparently diagnosed with poisoning. One of Zuma’s wives, the president has asserted, was responsible for this dilemma. Not satisfied with the diagnosis, Zuma went to Russia for a second opinion and, apparently, the Russians confirmed it was indeed poisoning that had caused his ill health. Zuma has displayed erratic behavior over the past year, and perhaps the poison he consumed has affected his judgment.

The fuss and debates regarding the Nkandla issue never end, and it would appear that the president cannot grasp the truth of the wasteful expenditure, which includes the overspending, corruption and self-enrichment the president and contractors have managed to steal from hard working South African taxpayers. It is all dapper and brave of leader Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters to keep asking Zuma to pay back the money, and now Malema has taken the matter to the Constitutional Court in an attempt to force Zuma to pay back the money. The Democratic Alliance, the official opposition party, has instituted action against Zuma over the Nkandla issue in the Western High Court in a bid to prove that the president has indeed wasted taxpayers’ money.

South Africa is doing well under the Zuma leadership, so much so that there is a never-ending supply of money to support the tribal kings, wives and parliamentary ministers. There are flashy cars and a dozen triple-story houses for the elite. Travelling and holiday never stop. Alas, the majority continues to suffer and is ignored under the plight of poverty that rises daily.

So well is the country doing that the economic decline is not a matter of concern for the Zuma administration; it is something that will pass with time. The education system borders on collapse, and the incompetent teachers have no drive to initiate a competent system, thereby failing the youth of today.

The Zuma administration has not recognized the failure of state-run entities, and the consistent decline in service deliveries does not measure up to a state-run efficiently. The power supply giant under the Zuma leadership is collapsing and soon the country will remain in darkness, yet this is not a major problem for the government, as Zuma said all is well.

The public health sector, which according to Zuma is doing well, does not exist. It is a failed system on the verge of collapsing, as the few competent medical staff battle to save lives in the most disgusting of conditions. The general hospitals are disgraceful, dirty and overcrowded, and it is a real shame that in 21 years, the spiraling decline has no hope of recovering.

According to Zuma, South Africa is being governed very responsibly, and is even moving ahead. There is development, Zuma said during a parliamentary question-and-answer session. Zuma has lost the vision for South Africa which he once had, and cannot focus on reality. Perhaps Zuma is missing the point; it is not South Africa that is doing well, but only the Zuma administration, which is benefiting unduly from tax money. The blatant denial of the obvious is soothing the nepotistic consciousness and brainwashing the uneducated masses into believing that South Africa is flourishing.

Opinion by Laura Oneale

PUBLISHED TODAY ON THE GUARDIAN LV 

http://guardianlv.com/2015/08/south-africa-is-flourishing-under-the-leadership-of-president-zuma/

Edited by Jennifer Pfalz

South Africa Police Killings Spark outrage.

Statement issued by the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) regarding the recent unjust killing of police officers.  It is South Africa and really said that law enforcement officers trying to do their duty are killed.  Cold blooded murder. The government must implement harsher sentences and bring back the death penalty to stop the crime in South Africa.

POPCRU Statement on Police Killings
7 August 2015

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) is distraught over the recent spate of unjust Police killings, and sends its earnest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased police officers who had dedicated their lives to the Police services with a vision of protecting and defending our society.

Speaking here today, we mourn the senseless killings of 54 police officers who met their untimely deaths at the hands of criminals who continue with their ill-conceived acts, hell-bent on rendering our societies ungovernable, regardless of the lives taken, and the family lives destroyed.

We mourn the death of;
Constable Lukhanyo Mtshokotsha from the Somerset West SAPS, who was killed on the 23rd February,
Warrant Officer Petrus Holz of the Commercial Crimes Unit in Belville, who was killed on the 29th July 2015,
Constable Ledwaba, killed at Park Station on the 24th March,
Constable Myeza and Mafokoane who were gunned down on the 29 March, at the M3 highway in Johannesburg, where constable Mafanelo was hospitalised,
Constable Buthelezi, who was shot dead while on patrol at the Chris Hani Crossing Mall,
Another Constable who was shot while on duty effecting Operation Fiela at Jeppee in Johannesburg,
Constable Muhlari, who was killed yesterday in Organge Farm while at the Stradford Railway Station,
One officer shot in the head this morning in the Western Cape, and is in a critical condition.

We are deeply saddened by the killings of these Police officers and many others not mentioned here.

Despite the amnesties and other measures utilised by the South African Police Services (SAPS) to minimise guns from our communities, it is becoming clear that there are still too many illegal firearms out there, and this has been demonstrated by the continuous killings of innocent victims who have at times found themselves in the crossfire between those who are for justice and those who are for lawlessness.

The killings of Police is a worry in that if those mandated with protecting and defending our communities in upholding the law are at the receiving end, it then means our communities are at a very high risk.
As POPCRU, we will not sit back and watch these criminals take over our streets!
We will not sit back and watch our members being killed on a daily basis!
We will not sit back and watch our communities being overtaken by criminal elements!
We will not sit back and watch while criminals undermine the very democratic institutions meant for the enjoyment of all South African citizens. They are inalienable and should be defended as such.
Many of our members leave behind widows and orphaned children. Most continue to worry as to whether when their husbands and wives will return home after work.
These killers need to be dealt with harshly in order to send a message that killing a cop is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
For us, the easy access to guns, are a great contributor to the levels of crime and killing of Police.
We need to work together in breaking the cycle of homelessness, poverty, gangsters and substance abuse rife in our communities. These normally lead to the life of crime.
We need to go back to basics.
In the long term, it is not about having more law enforcement and police that we need, but about starting now to create conditions which will create and sustain employment opportunities, free and quality education, equitable distribution of the country’s vast economic benefits, economic growth and infrastructural development, early child intervention programmes that would seek to shape up the manner in which society confronts its challenges.
We are convinced that there needs to be an urgent discussion about the socio-economic challenges the majority of South Africans find themselves. Crime is but a part of the socio-economic challenges our country finds itself and we can no longer ignore this reality as a country.
In dealing with the root causes of these challenges, we would be working closer towards the truth.
Many of us walk unconsciousness to the decay that lies in our societies, because at the end of the day, we wobble back behind our high walls and electric fences. We re-arrange our lives with aim to stay out of the way of criminals. This state of affairs must end. We need to reclaim our societies from criminals.

As part of ending these criminals’ bliss, we appeal to all communities to work together with the police and government in confronting those who aim to destroy our society.
We call on government to implement stricter gun laws and harsher sentences.
We call on communities to expose those who commit crime and harbour illegal firearms.
We need to have an urgent national campaign which should address issues around police killings; this should ensure all sectors of society are involved. Its main focus must be on creating good working relations between police and communities.
We encourage all police officers to be vigilant and have their bullet proofs on at all times and to further treat each crime call-up as serious. Police need to be vigilant and act decisively at anyone pulling a gun on any officer.
The constant improvement of training methods needs to be prioritised in this regard.
We emphasise the need to support community policing forums, know your neighbourhood campaigns and the revival of street communities.
The need for an improvement on training methods cannot be overly emphasised. The fact that a majority of Police killed are constables is indicative of the reality that most are new entrants in the Police service.
At our recent 8th National Congress, we deliberated on the need to strengthen consecutive forums aimed at engaging different provincial, regional, and community role-players around differences or perceptions communities might have about police, and in this regard build strong relations that would stabilise our communities.
Our structures are carrying that mandate out, but we need all sectors to form part as stakeholders.
The achievement and efficiency of all these initiatives depends on us all.

A POPCRU member is our Priority.

Issued by POPCRU
For further Information:

Richard Mamabolo
POPCRU Media and Communications Officer
Cell: 0796700274
Tel: 0112424615
Email: Mamabolor@popcru.org.za

BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES OF APARTHEID BEACHES IN SOUTH AFRICA (17 PHOTOS)

WRITTEN BY MARK ON MAY 12, 2012. POSTED IN AMAZING, CURIOUS, ENTERTAINMENT, INTERESTING, LIFE & LIFESTYLE,PICTURES, RANDOM, TRAVEL

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South Africa is a country located at the southern region of Africa. The most important point in history and politics of South Africa’s racial conflict was between the black majority and white minority. It reached its peak after 1948 and was established at apartheid regime that existed before the 1990. South Africa has also boasted some of the finest beaches in the world, such as South Beach, Durban, Hobie Beach, Big Bay Beach and Bollard Bay Beach.

Sandy beaches of South Africa during the reign of the white man minority.







This is the same place where black people have freedom and celebrate the new year eve.

http://funsterz.com/2012/05/12/before-and-after-pictures-of-apartheid-beaches-in-south-africa-17-photos/

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Around The Web

South Africa Respect and Appreciation For Early Settlers

The majority of people have appreciation and respect for South Africa and the decision by the and British and Dutch colonialists to settle in the country, an intriguing, vast sandy land. The first settlers appreciated the beauty, the radiance and bountiful crop the area could offer and invested in technology to harvest the earth, implementing irrigation and land-tilling skills. Communities were built; minerals were mined, the settlers created a structured delivery system for food and drive the economic strength. The future success of South Africa began in earnest

The firm and consistent leadership, the clear vision, and a precise plan on how to achieve a vision became a possibility driving the future to a successful country. Focusing on a workable concept the colonialist essentially built a new civilization for all the people of South Africa. Sharing imposed beliefs and traditions with the people in the land. There is no doubt the new settlers saw the advantage of using cheap labor and recognized a system to benefit the entire country.

The successful stories of migration and conquest of dominant countries or tribes around the world are similar to the early settlers story in South Africa. There was relatively no violence, and little blood drawn during the time the early settlers reach South Africa relative to other colonial conflicts or activities around the same time in world history.

There are similar stories of conquest and migration from dominant states and tribes across the world. In South Africa, the settlers appeared to have been less violent than other settlers with proportionally little or no blood drawn compared to other colonial activities or conflicts around that same time in world history.

Motivated by a need to find new natural resources, the Bantu have a remarkable story of migration throughout Africa. The indigenous inhabitants in Africa were influenced by the Bantu as the tribes moved in search of fertile land.

The Zulu history is permeated with domination and violence of other tribes. A history that is well understood and impressive in a visceral way. The Zulu tribe established roots in the old Natal land, and soon the tribe blazed a bloody path creating fear among neighboring tribes.

The KhoiSan had existed well before any other humans in Africa and inhabited the southern part of the continent. The KhoiSan lived harmoniously with nature and appears to have had the closest connection to the steady and ever-present "heartbeat" of Africa.

Shifting to current times, there are parallels with yesteryear. It appears today that people in positions of responsibility in the politically-and-racially-tainted-government-complex have lost the connection to the rhythmic heartbeat and soul of the country, and to that of the people. The government has forgotten why people are here. 

There is a different breed of people that rule South Africa today, the name given to the ruling party is African National Congress (ANC). The ANC was recognized for being a party that liberated the black man from the shackles of Colonialist infused apartheid. Now the ANC are known for diverting resources away from the people into private Swiss bank accounts. A party that is avoiding the hard work that is necessary to build a country to meet the growing needs of a nation, not the character traits people see in real leaders. The ruler today is not recognized as a qualified leader.

The ANC rulers, appear to have the respect of the original inhabitants, the KhoiSan, Bantu and colonialists had for the land called Africa. The current leaders do not have a clear vision for how the lifeblood of South Africa, both inhabitants as well as the resources should be appropriately harnessed. In a way that honors the land and creates a safe harbor for the citizens, respecting the spirit of Africa and supporting the people.

The land is being abused and used inappropriately. It is the acutely aware of the lack of stewardship shown by the ANC and the weariness takes its toll. The selfish rulers of South Africa, known as the ANC, spend the resources recklessly and then in a power-hungry-induced-trance, sell the treasured land and human capital to the Chinese in backdoor deals. The ANC and cronies at an alarming rate are selling the resources. Mother Africa stirs. The corrupt rulers cheapen everything the Africans know. The ANC leaders have betrayed the same people for whom liberation was fought. Mother Africa awakens.

The beloved South Africa will soon bare its fangs and turn on its rulers by sending a clear message that violating a position of power and the privilege of ruling a sacred land. The Africans are the soul of the country, who feels the vibrant blood coursing through dusty veins. Those Africans are awakening, and will rise up soon.

The Africans represent all the right stewards of the land. The land must return and implement the values of respect given by the English, the Dutch, the Koi and the Bantu. To go back without bloodshed, for the ANC is but a house of cards that is about to fall, no killing will be needed.

Our Africa so desperately deserves this respect. The ancestors demand this respect and the consciousness of Africans need to be appreciated.

Now is the time, to replenish the water back into Africa, so that she may provide for the people abundantly later. The people must earn the respect by giving. The people can give by finding real leaders who will give and not take.

Opinion by Menzi Solomon Shange and Laura Oneale

Opinion by Menzi Solomon Shange and Laura Oneale