Finding the Truth

I received an email from a friend who was confused, hurt and sought the truth. She is a good person, faithful and loves her God. I am sharing this as there is a valuable life lesson to learn for most of us.

She works for a large corporation and in April they receive their annual increase in salary that is merit based. Having worked for the company for over seven years, she proved to be a dedicated, loyal work and received a promotion twice since joining the company. Previous increases have always been in the region of between nine and fifteen percent. Over the last year, she achieved some notable awards such as “best time keeping” Employee of the year” and “Diligent worker”.

Expecting to receive a relatively good increase based on her performance, she said that when she read the increment letter, she felt betrayed and that everybody within the company knew if the increase was enough, then management were pleased with their performance. A paltry four percent increase, she said, and then went on to say, that considering that taxes had increased, electricity increased, the petrol price increases and interest rate increases, how do bosses expect people to survive. She said that the price of bread a staple food for most South Africans had risen from around ZAR5.50 in 2008 up to over ZAR11.00 in 2015. She reminded me that the cost of living had increased so much that it people work to pay rent and buy food only. The quality of life, she said had deteriorated and she feared that suffering was inevitable.

After all the complaining, she then wrote the following:

I was shattered and sorrowful.

Last night I could not say a word of praise or thanks to my GOD. I was tired and eventually fell asleep, but because HE is so faithful, he still gave me LIFE.

This morning because HE is life, I woke up, and I tried to pray as normal, but I could not utter a word, so I reached for my Bible.

Praise GOD that HE gave me the answer. I read in the book of Haggai 1:6-9 and I realized where my problem lies, it is within me. (See scripture below)

 Firstly the word of GOD is the truth and if I cannot see any of HIS promises being fulfilled in my life I  had to know that there is something wrong that I am doing and that my Creator is not happy with the way I live.

The answer that I received through this scripture is that I should build his Temple and according to the book of 1Cor 6:19-20 my body is the temple of the HOLY SPIRIT [GOD _The Trinity].

For me, this message implied that I should put my life in order before the LORD so that I can receive  HIS blessings.

I would like to say JESUS is the truth, the way and life and there is nothing impossible with God  (Luke 1:37).HE is the solution to our daily life situation.

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Her second email, to me, confirmed that she pleaded for forgiveness and started to find blessings in all that she did. She told me that instead of complaining, and when her mind slips into a negative realm, she quickly remembers her countless blessings and gives praise and thanks.

She went on to say, she accepted the increase and even though it might not solve the financial woes; she is grateful. Grateful that an insignificant matter turned her heart to her Creator.

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 Haggai 1:6-9King James Version (KJV)

6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. 8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord. 9 Ye looked for much, and, lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.

South Africa’s Jacob Zuma and Gupta Family Tumble

President Jacob Zuma is once again an embarrassment to South Africa by failing to carry out the constitutional obligations. An announcement received by Mcebisi Jonas and Vytjie Mentor illustrates the extent of the powerful Gupta family influence over the president. The statement issued has the potential to weaken Zuma’s credibility and power. There is the possibility that Zuma will be recalled if the last allegations are proved to be factual.

In a press statement, Jonas openly admitted that the Gupta family offered him the position of Minister of Finance, a few weeks before Minister Nene was removed. Jonas rejected the offer and believed that it makes a mockery of the democracy. President Jacob Zuma is the person responsible for appointing ministers. It is constitutionally unethical to allow the Gupta family to make a decision about whom to appoint. This is especially true in the Ministry of Finance where corruption and apparent state capture is particularly vulnerable.
The Gupta family has denied the allegation and challenged Jonas in court. In the past months, the Gupta’s ‘relationship with Zuma has been described as a family who is politically connected. The ruling African National Congress (ANC) government and Gupta family strongly deny any connections. However, as new allegations surface, this places the ruling ANC party and Zuma in a sensitive position. The president and ANC members have bluntly rejected the relationship with the Guptas and claim all is well within the ranks.

The revelations will have devastating implications for all South Africans who are truly riding through troubled times. All this is happening while the appeal court has found that the ANC government did, indeed, break international law by not arresting the Sudanese president a few months back. There is also the Nkandla issue of paying back the money and the infamous spy tapes saga that remains unresolved. Did South Africa’s problem start with former unskilled, unemployable exiles and cronies, who resorted to turning the ANC government party into an employer, employment agency, and a tender distributor?

President Zuma is failing the people of South Africa and its constitution. Once the allegations of the Gupta family involvement is confirmed, it could proceed with preparations to recall Zuma. However, the protection the president has is vast, and the only way a recall vote would be fair is to hold it in secret. At this time, the level of the Gupta family influence would need to be determined and how this influence affects the people of South Africa.

Zuma must answer to the allegations and now is the time for all senior members of the government to come forward and tell the truth. The people of South African will ultimately have to decide if the constitutional law will be the governing force or if society is to be directed by the interests of private people.

The question is why Jonas would lie about something that could damage the country and what is to be gained from allegations of this magnitude? On the other hand, the Guptas have reasons and incentives to lie. Mentor has said that more will be revealed at the end of this week. Is someone setting the stage for a takeover?

Opinion by Laura Oneale
Edited by Leigh Haugh


PUBLISHED TODAY ON THE GUARDIAN LV - HERE IS THE LINK
 http://guardianlv.com/2016/03/south-africa-jacob-zuma-gupta-family-tumble/

Untouchable Gupta Family Perfectly Positioned in South Africa

By Laura Oneale on July 7, 2014

The powerful Gupta family is untouchable and remains perfectly positioned to control South Africa. The Gupta overlords have a tremendous power of influence, and the African National Party (ANC) government would not dare oppose them. The political influence, arrogance and bullying tactics of the Guptas has caused the ANC government to once again fall under the controlling schemes of the compelling family and it appears that the ANC has reached the point of no return.

There are allegations of mounting pressure on Eskom, the electricity giant of South Africa to approve a R500 million-coal contract to Idwala Coal, a company co-owned by the Guptas. Eskom officials signed a document evaluating the deal as risky. Zola Tsotsi the chairperson of Eskom is under immense pressure to sign the deal, despite the risks and disapproval by Eskom Management. Unconfirmed reports speculate that some key players of the Gupta Empire have approached government ministers and raised concerns about the reluctance of Eskom to sign the deal.

Last year the Idwala Coal Crypts, situated in Mpumalanga, South Africa was ordered to clean up its operations after breaking environmental laws. Environmental Rights spokesperson Melissa Fourie said mining infringements were troublesome in the Mpumalanga wetland areas and experienced recurring problems with acid mine water drainage. President Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzana has been linked to the Idwala Coal mining operation. Duduzana Zuma worked for the Gupta family for more than a decade and is now a high-ranking senior executive of the Gupta Group.

A report issued last year confirmed the mine had been operating illegally for over three years and the ANC government disregarded any complaints. Reports stated the mine had been operating without a water license, had illegally diverted a road and river, destroyed a wetland and had defaulted on payments to subcontractors.

The blatant abuse of power by the Gupta family raised questions again about another scandal regarding the private aircraft landing at Waterkloof airbase as three South African National Defense (SANDF) members appeared in court. The jet was carrying over 200 guests to attend a Gupta family wedding, and the landing caused a national rumpus. Over the investigation period, the charges against the soldiers have been substantially lessened. President Zuma tactfully defended this action and declared Waterkloof airbase was not a national key point. Once again, the mighty Guptas showed disrespect toward South Africa and its citizens.

The relatively unknown Gupta family arrived in South Africa from India almost twenty years ago and stepped into the Zuma fold after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) disrupted the corruption deals between Shaik Schabir and Zuma. Schabir openly flaunted his relationship with Zuma for material gain. Schabir was charged with corruption and handed down a 15 year jail sentence. After spending less than three years, mostly in the hospital while serving his sentence, he was released on medical parole, and all corruption charges against Zuma were cancelled.

The Guptas are ambitious businesspersons who do everything on an impressive scale, and their actions prove Schabir was an amateur. Within a matter of time, the Guptas embraced the Zuma family, the ANC government and cabinet ministers without any objections. The Zuma presidency immediately maintained an intimate relationship with the powerful Guptas and ensured contracts worth millions of rands were channeled to the Gupta Empire. Funds rolled in, and the constant parade of grand scale meetings helped the Gupta family conduct their business in an invincible and forthright manner.

Within a year the Gupta empire has concluded an agreement to set up a new television station and secure tender contracts worth billions of rands with Transnet, the major transportation company of South Africa. They have continued to run illegal mines, ignore environmental laws and pressurize Eskom into giving their empire the latest deal. The ANC government dare not cross the stronghold of the Gupta family, who are untouchable and ideally positioned to control South Africa.
Opinion by Laura Oneale

PUBLISHED ON THE GUARDIAN LV on July 7, 2014    - HERE IS THE LINK
http://guardianlv.com/2014/07/untouchable-gupta-family-perfectly-positioned-in-south-africa/

South African Schools

After 21 years of democracy, this is the state of some schools. I want to know why the students are protesting. 

 It is a disgusting that an educational institution is in such a tired state. How can the students keep up a motivated spirit learning in an environment that reeks of desperation?

 When will the government stop wasting the money and give back to the people? Teachers are the soul of the school and well compensated for teaching the children, why don’t they insist on better facilities.  

There are so many questions, and yet the answers are obviously the same – there is no money – it is all gone………………..

Suffering people who have no water

In South Africa, A squatter camp situated in Braylene has no water or toilets. Take a look at the photos and see how people get their water. It is shocking, to say the least, and this is after 21 years of democracy.