Why is the former Acting NDPP's decision not to prosecute Jacob Zuma being opposed by the DA?

The Democratic Alliance is currently engaged in two significant court cases, both aimed at defending our Constitution from the continued power abuse of the ANC. We know how confusing all the ‘legalese’ can be, so we’ve drawn up easy to read summaries of the progress we have made in each case. Also, the summary tables include links to all of the key documentation in each case. Read more ...

DA-run municipality rated number one

The DA-run Midvaal municipality in Gauteng was rated number one in the province by the 2010 ‘Quality of Life Survey’, which measured citizen satisfaction with government service delivery. It was the only municipality in Gauteng where more than half (68%) of all residents reported they were either satisfied or very satisfied with their local government. Read more ...

‘Vloed van korrupsie’ laat LP’s na asem snak

2011-03-31 01:30
Pieter du Toit


Kaapstad - ’n “Vloed van korrupsie” is besig om oor Suid-Afrika te spoel.


Mnr. Willie Hofmeyr, hoof van die spesiale ondersoekeenheid (SOE), het die reusagtige omvang van staatskorrupsie wat sy eenheid ondersoek gister aan die parlement se portefeuljekomitee oor justisie uiteengesit.


Die SOE (die eenheid is gelykstaande aan ’n presidensiële kommissie van ondersoek) het tot dusver vanjaar 16 nuwe presidensiële proklamasies, die meeste ooit, ontvang.


Op ’n vraag van mnr. Steve Swart (ACDP) was hy huiwerig om te sê of die stryd teen korrupsie verloor word. “Die enigste manier waarop ons korrupsie kan pak, is deur te erken dis ’n probleem. Die hernude fokus daarop kom van die presidensie af en is ’n eerlike poging. Dit is egter so dat ons internasionale aansien, sover dit deursigtigheid betref, getaan het. Ons moet dit regstel.”


Volgens hom is daar vasberadenheid om korrupsie te verminder, word meer en meer hulpbronne aangewend om dit te beveg en is die SOE hoopvol op “groot en sigbare suksesse”.


LP’s het meer as een keer hoorbaar en gesamentlik na hul asem gesnak toe Hofmeyr van die besonderhede uitgelig het.


Dit sluit in ’n ondersoek “na ernstige misdadigheid” by die SAUK waar 20 werknemers geïdentifiseer is wat sowat R2,4 miljard ontvang het deur die tender- en aankopeproses te misbruik en self met die uitsaaier sake te doen. Lees verder: Die Burger

ANC fears losing Tshwane - WikiLeaks

2011-03-30 10:00
Cobus Claassen, Beeld


Pretoria - The Tshwane local government election battle has heated up, with revelations from whistleblower website WikiLeaks that the ANC is nervous the DA's "day dreams" will be realised in the metro.


The DA on Tuesday said this confirms the ANC's fears in the capital.


According to a WikiLeaks cable which emerged last month, the ANC's Gauteng spokesperson Dumisa Ntuli told an American diplomat that the ANC was bothered that it could possibly lose Tshwane to the DA.


Ntuli apparently said in the conversation on September 30, 2009 that the ANC had "big internal problems in Tshwane". Read more: news24

Ratepayers to pay for "cleansing ceremony" to stop road deaths?

The contents of a letter written by to Dr. M E Chabula-Nxiweni, Executive Director: Public Health, Nelson Mandela Metro Municipality, is quoted below. The author of the letter is Terry Herbst, DA Councillor, NMMM.

"According to documentation in my possession, Metro ratepayers will be asked to foot a R28,000 bill for a traditional “cleansing ceremony” suggested by songomas to reduce accidents and deaths on the M17 road to Motherwell.

The budget for this event, which will be met from the Executive Mayor’s Discretionary Fund, includes R31,500 for cows, sheep and goats to be slaughtered, and close on R14,000 for gin, brandy and beer.

The M17, which is a Provincial road, was never officially opened after being completed in 1988. Since then, 69 people have died and 1,390 were injured on the road.

I am informed that sangomas told a meeting of ANC politicians and municipal officials that ancestors living under the Swartkops River were angry at the road carnage, and that a traditional cleansing ceremony would help to improve the situation.

While it goes without saying that South Africa’s many cultural beliefs must always be respected, Metro ratepayers should not have to pay for this jamboree, more especially at a time when the local authority is facing a cash crisis of such major proportions that Bhisho has offered to bail the Metro out financially.

An official document shows that the first phase of the ceremony --- which is being driven by Public Health chairperson Councillor Noluthando Mapu --- was held last week at a cost of R6,670. This included R2,000 for a video of the proceedings; brandy (R110); gin (R80); tobacco (R100); beads (R1,600); two knobkerries (R100); snuff, matches, candles, wood, traditional medicines, and vegetables.

Friday’s ceremony, it seems, is going to be on a much grander scale.

Two tents, each seating 500 people --- who will be transported by bus at a cost of R4,000 --- will be erected at a cost of R30,000; a PA system will cost R4,500; security will cost R12,000; and crockery will be hired for R2,000; and plastic containers for food will cost R4,000.

The cost for this unprecedented event has been budgeted at R122,840.

The mind boggles that such expenditure of public money can be considered while the Metro struggles to make ends meet, particularly as there is no guarantee that the planned event will succeed in curbing deaths on our roads.

Even if the budget is taken from the Executive Mayor’s discretionary fund, it remains public money which cannot be abused and which must be fully accounted for.

One needs to seriously query the spending of more than R10,000 on liquor for an event of this nature, and why should ratepayers provide tobacco, snuff and matches for those in apparent contact with their ancestors?

I would suggest that the immediate cancellation of Friday’s ceremony would be in the best interests of all concerned, and that the money would be better spent eradicating the bucket system at Matthew’s Ground, which adjoins the M17.

I await your comments with considerable interest."

Munisipale verkiesing, 2011: DA maak sy kandidaat vir Wyk 11 bekend

Die sjarmante Mercia Ungerer is op 25 Augustus 1939 op Humansdorp gebore, die dogter van André en Emile du Plessis.


Sy het aan die Hoër Volkskool Graaff-Reinet gematrikuleer, die Hoër Primêre Onderwysdiploma aan die onderwyskollege op Graaf-Reinet behaal en daarna die
B Sc. (Huishoudkunde)-graad aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch verwerf. Sy het lank onderwys gegee en sake-ondernemings bestuur.


Mercia was getroud met raadsheer Eric Ungerer, ‘n hoogs gerespekteerde voormalige raadslid en burgemeester van Jeffreysbaai. Hy het haar in 2004 ontval. Die egpaar het drie dogters. Xandré is ‘n rekenmeester in Johannesburg. Celesté is eweneens ‘n gekwalifiseerde rekenmeester en boer saam met haar eggenoot, Schalk, in die Joubertina-distrik. Erica is ‘n pre-primêre skoolhoof in Kaapstad.


Die politiek het reeds in haar eerste jaar op onderwyskollege van Mercia besit geneem. Sy was die mede-stigter van die studente-tak van die Nasionale Party en was drie jaar lank die sekretaresse. Daarna was sy nooit ver van die politieke dampkring af nie. Gedurende Eric se vele termyne as raadslid en burgemeester, het sy hom getrou ondersteun en betrokke geraak by gemeenskapsaktiwiteite. Sy is self ook die afgelope ses jaar ‘n dienende raadslid van die Kouga Munisipaliteit.


Mercia put groot vreugde uit haar betrokkenheid by die Vroue-landbouvereniging van Kaapland (VLVK). Sy het verskeie beoordelaarseksamens geslaag en daar word gereeld op haar nommer gedruk om as beoordelaar van hekelwerk tot gepreserveerde produkte op te tree. Sy dien die VLVK op verskeie vlakke. Sy is reeds 40 jaar lank die voorsitter van die Jeffreysbaai-tak. Die afgelope tien jaar is sy ook die president van die Sirkel Suid-Ooskus. Hierbenewens dien sy in die VLVK-hoofbestuur.


This formidable woman lives her life in terms of a simple philosophy. She believes that one should have faith in one’s own ability; to deem oneself as good as the next person. “Be self-assured,” is her advice, “and you will achieve good results.”


Mercia is not afraid of criticism. What matters is the manner in which one deals with it. “It is entirely possible to isolate the good elements of criticism and turning it to one’s own advantage,” she declares.


She was forced to cope with a fair amount of misfortune in her life. This she did courageously. As a young woman she contracted tuberculosis. Although she was cured, the illness affected her ability to move about freely. A few years ago she was diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer.


Ten slotte belowe Mercia om die mense van Wyk 11 se belange te alle tye voorop te hou. “Ek het ‘n passie vir mense,” sê Mercia, “en omdat ek ‘n vrou is, het ek empatie met hulle behoeftes. Hierbenewens glo ek dat beloftes skuld maak.”


Barry Vosloo
29 Maart 2011

Things fall apart: ANC rift lines continue to deepen

29 March 2011


Statement by Dr Wilmot James MP, DA Federal Chairperson


Every day seems to bring a new division within the ANC. Today, it is ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema who once again seems bent on publicly undermining the ANC by casting doubts on President Jacob Zuma’s judgement and leadership.


This latest sign of discord underscores yet again that the ANC is at war with itself. And the consequences of a party at war with itself is that it is incapable of delivering to its constituency. Read more ...

Election not racial competition: Zille

2011-03-26 15:27


Johannesburg - The 2011 local government election is not a contest between race groups, DA leader Helen Zille said in Kliptown on Saturday.


"For too long now, we have used elections as a way of expressing racial identity and racial solidarity," she told supporters at the party's election campaign launch in Gauteng.


"This time, we must take the next step. We must make the issues the issue [and] the key issue...is achieving excellent service delivery for all."


The election should be used to break down barriers between South Africans, she said. Read more ...

The Cape Town Story

Helen Zille today launched the Cape Town Story, in Johannesburg. The document is one of the cornerstones on which the DA’s 2011 election campaign will be based – our case that we deliver for all. What is The Cape Town Story? It’s exactly that – a story. It tells of how the DA turned Cape Town round, from South Africa’s worst performing metro, into its best. Of how the DA inherited a City mired in corruption, mismanaged and mal-administered; of how the DA started the process of change, getting the basics right, collecting debt, setting in place an indigent policy, fixing rates payments and getting skilled people in the right jobs; of how it gathered momentum, getting basic services to work, opening up tender processes, creating economic growth; and, ultimately, of how the DA established Cape Town as the best-run metro in the country and a world class tourism destination. The document is loaded with facts and figures and constitutes the definitive piece of evidence in support of the DA’s claim that it delivers for all. It is also a compelling read, which should leave you feeling inspired. You can read the Cape Town Story here (A high resolution, formatted version (3MB) is available here). I have also uploaded a fact sheet from the Story here. Read it. Share it. Send other people the link. Show them what the DA did in Cape Town and let them know the DA can do the same thing for their municipality. Let’s make the Cape Town Story, South Africa’s Story. The Facts: The DA turned Cape Town from a closed, patronage system into an Open Opportunity Society for All. Read more ...

Wasteful expenditure: UN gender summit - another lavish overseas trip for ANC government officials

Athol Trollip, Parliamentary Leader of the Democratic Alliance
28 March 2011


The Democratic Alliance (DA) is stunned by reports that a delegation of 49 government officials, including eight ministers and deputy ministers, flew business class to New York on a two-week junket and failed to attend many of the sessions of the United Nations gender summit where they were supposed to represent South Africa. We understand that the cost of this trip was at least R6.8 million.


This brings the total amount of wasteful expenditure incurred since the start of the Zuma administration to R4 192 557 096.


Ministers and Deputy Ministers in attendance included Minister for Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, who led the South African delegation, Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini and Deputy Ministers Elizabeth Thabethe of Trade and Industry, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu of Public Works; Deputy Police Minister Maggie Sotyu, her health counterpart Gwen Ramokgopa, and Deputy Higher Education Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize.


The Sunday Times reported that delegates stayed at five-star hotels, which included the Ritz Carlton, where prices start at R5 500 per night, and that business class tickets were used. Minister Mapisa-Nqakula apparently failed to attend a single session, and complaints were received about the size of the delegation that was sent. Read more ...

DA kasty Zuma oor godsdiens

2011-03-28 09:27
Gloria Edwards


Johannesburg - "’n Stem vir die ANC sal jou nié in die hemel kry nie.”


Só het Sej Motau, DA-LP in Gauteng, Saterdag in Soweto gesê met die bekendstelling van die DA se verkiesingsmanifes.


Verskeie DA-lede, insluitend Helen Zille, DA-leier, en Patricia de Lille, waarnemende Wes-Kaapse premier en Kaapstadse burgemeesterskandidaat, het sterk teruggekap na die ANC met verwysing na godsdiens.


Hul uitlatings kom nadat pres. Jacob Zuma vroeër hewig gekritiseer is toe hy gesê het ’n stem vir die ANC sal jou in die hemel kry.


Motau het gesê dié leuen is ontbloot, want "’n stem vir die ANC sal nie die deure van die hemel oopmaak nie”.


"’n ANC-lidmaatskapkaart maak die hemel se deure slegs oop vir die elite-groepie met konneksies,” het hy gesê. “Die ANC gee aan kiesers kospakkies, maar gee tenders ter waarde van miljoene (rande) vir sy eie maatskappye.” Lees verder: nuus24

ANC vs ANC on May 18

2011-03-27 21:13


Johannesburg - ANC dissidents are likely to stand as independent candidates in four provinces in the local election, setting a massive poser for the governing party, according to City Press research across the country.


The revolt over lists is so serious that on Friday night the ANC provincial ­executive decided to deploy all its leaders at the weekend to “heal the divisions at branch level’’. Read more: news24

Campaign Launch speech: We deliver for all

May 18, 2011 will be a watershed in South Africa's democracy. For the first time since 1994, the DA enters this election as a party with a track record in government. We are no longer just a party of opposition.


Our record where we govern proves that, while others promise a better life for all, the DA is actually delivering it, step by step. This election offers voters everywhere the chance to make a change to the DA and bring a better life to the place where you live. Read more ...


[This speech was delivered by DA Leader Helen Zille at Walter Sisulu Freedom Square, Kliptown, Soweto at the DA’s National Campaign and Manifesto launch]

The DA's local government manifesto - 2011

Click here to download the DA's local government manifesto.

Nostalgic end to a once fine relationship

NOSTALGIA was the overwhelming feeling I experienced last Friday during the Kouga Mayor Robbie Dennis’s state of the municipality address.

It took me back five years when, as the newly-appointed reporter for Our Times, I also had the honour of attending this council’s first meeting.

In fact I, Dennis and the councillors embarked on new careers that would bring many highs and lows while forging relationships that worked beautifully for all involved.

Finding the balance between a working relationship with both the ruling party and the opposition in the early days was easy as they all wanted what was best for the community and they seemed to have a common goal.

At fist first it was a joy to watch them at work. They did sterling jobs making good on their election promises. The community and I were in awe of the likes of the mayor attending openings of crèches, visiting old-age homes while creating many photo opportunities for OT.

The general consensus in those early days was that the Kouga was a good place to live in and the council was doing a good job in running the municipality.

However, it gradually became clear councillors often struggled with their new found “power”. It slowly dawned on me certain councillors were using the press to be seen doing the right thing, only to renege on their promises once articles were published.

This saw them lose credibility in the community and the press.

Yet, despite a few bad apples there will always be those who command respect, are adamant in their pursuit of eradicating poverty and are committed to helping the community.

It is those I salute and wish well, but to those who lost the plot and almost succeeded in tarnishing the present council’s legacy, shame on you!

During this time I like to think Our Times has been able to successfully fulfill its role as the municipal watchdog.

Apart from keeping the councilors on their toes, a good understanding was also reached with certain municipal officials and a common trust was built.

Since there are always people who want the truth to endure we have, in the past five years, kept the community informed of all the bribery, corruption and nepotism.

At no time has Our Times shied away from publishing the truth about municipal shenanigans.

Yet of late the depth of the corruption within the municipal ranks seems to have intensified to such an extent that opposition parties are professing the institution is bankrupt.

But alas dear reader, who does one believe: the mayor who denies any financial woes or the opposition? Bear in mind that the election is around the corner, and many promises are again being made.

Perhaps we can again ride the wave of a new council, albeit for the first couple of years.

Cindy Liebenberg
OUR TIMES - Kouga's community newspaper
25 March 2011

Eskom dreig om Kouga se krag te sny

Die Kouga Munisipaliteit (KM) se finansiële posisie is weer eens onder die soeklig nadat Eskom die KM gewaarsku het om sy skuld te betaal of die gevaar loop dat kragvoorsiening aan dorpe in die Kouga afgesny gaan word. In ‘n brief, wat in Our Times se besit is en wat gerig is aan Dr. Eddie Rankwana, die munisipale bestuurder, het Thys Möller, algemene bestuurder van die suidelike streek van Eskom, die KM gewaarsku dat hulle Eskom meer as R19,5 miljoen skuld. Dié toedrag van sake is lynreg in teenstelling met ‘n uitspraak verlede Vrydag van Robbie Dennis, die uitvoerende burgemeester. In sy openingsrede van die munisipaliteit het hy gesê dat diegene wat te kenne gee dat die munisipaliteit in ‘n finansiële krisis met Eskom gewikkel is, leuens vertel.

Eskom het blykbaar op 8 Maart tydens ‘n vergadering met die KM ingestem om ‘n aanbod van die munisipaliteit te aanvaar dat uitstaande skuld in paaiemente betaal kan word. Die voorwaarde is dat indien die munisipaliteit faal om sy verpligtinge na te kom, die volle bedrag onmiddellik betaalbaar sal word. Versuim om díe ooreenkoms na te kom, sal meebring dat Eskom, sonder verdere kennisgewing, ‘n proses in werking sal stel waardeur die publiek in kennis gestel sal word van sy voorneme om elektrisiteitsvoorsiening te staak.

Uit die brief blyk dit dat die munisipaliteit nie genoeg geld het om sy lopende rekening van R10 miljoen wat op 9 Maart betaalbaar was, te betaal nie. Dié geld sal nou in vyf maandelikse paaiemente, vanaf Maart tot Julie, van R2 miljoen elk betaal word. Die laaste paaiment moet rente insluit. ‘n Verdere agterstallige bedrag van R9,5 miljoen wat oor vroeëre maande opgehoop het, moet ten volle op 31 Maart 2011 betaal word.

Buiten uitstaande skuld moet die munisipaliteit ook nog sy maandelikse verpligtinge teenoor Eskom nakom. Dit beloop blykbaar tussen R8 miljoen en R10 miljoen per maand afhangende van die seisoen.

Effektief beteken dit dat die munisipaliteit vandeesmaand alleen sowat R20 miljoen sal moet vind om Eskom te betaal Van April tot Julie sal dit sowat R12 miljoen maandeliks beloop.

Dr Nico Botha, DA-raadslid, sê dat hy dié omstandighede lankal te wagte was. “Hier is nóg ‘n bevestiging daarvan dat die ANC-beheerde stadsraad op ‘n finansiële ramp afstuur. Dis duidelik dat Eskom die KM as ‘n swak betaler geïdentifiseer het. Huishoudings, besighede en mediese dienste sal erg geraak word as Eskom ons kragvoorsiening staak” sê Botha.

Hy wil ook graag weet wat van die geld geword het wat verbruikers reeds betaal het wat Eskom nou opeis. Hy sê : “Elektrisiteitsvoorsiening is ‘n basiese diens waarvoor inwoners betaal. Mnr Dennis sal ook moet verduidelik hoekom hy Vrydag ‘n wanindruk geskep het dat alles pluis is met die Eskom-rekening. Wanneer ‘n munisipaliteit afbetalings reël, beteken dit hy kan hy nie meer kan betaal nie. Die nuwe raad wat op 18 Mei verkies word gaan met die intrapslag in die rooi begin te wyte aan die huidige raad se swak finansiële bestuur.”

Verder se Botha het hy by ‘n betroubare bron verneem dat die KM sukkel om salarisse te betaal en bevraagteken hy hoe lank nog die munisipaliteit sy personeel betyds sal kan betaal.

Piet Liebenberg
OUR TIMES - Kouga se koerant
25 Maart 2011

Dis Zuma se eie honde wat die seerste sal byt

2011-03-26 00:13

Die sfinksagtige stilte waarmee pres. Jacob Zuma gebeure gadegeslaan het toe ’n groep oproerige ANC-ondersteuners vandeesweek me. Patricia de Lille uitgejou het, spreek meer as duisend woorde oor die ANC.

Hoekom het Zuma sy mond gehou toe hy eintlik ’n ware president moes wees deur die skare tot orde te roep? Dawie kan aan twee moontlike verklarings dink.

Die eerste is dat Zuma heimlik op die verhoog gesit en lekker kry het toe De Lille, die waarnemende premier, se toespraak deur die uitjouery gedwarsboom is.

“Dis haar verdiende loon,” kon Zuma dalk by homself gedink het. “Dis wat jy moet verwag as jy jou kooi saam met die DA wil opmaak.”

Dít, reken Dawie, is ongelukkig die minder waarskynlike verklaring van die twee. Die ware rede vir Zuma se stilte is ook veel kommerwekkender as ’n oomblik van politieke nydigheid. Die waarheid is dat Zuma gewéét het wat die regte ding is om te doen.

Hy het ook gewéét dat indien hy niks doen nie, daar vir hom ’n verleentheid sou wag.

Hy het gewéét van die kritiek wat sou kom, wat die mense, politieke partye en geloofsorganisasies sou sê.

Feit is egter dat dié moontlike verleentheid vir hom die meer verteerbare een was. Die véél groter verleentheid sou wees om op te staan, die skare te probeer stilkry, en dat niemand dan op hom ag slaan nie.

Feit is Zuma was in sy hart nie oortuig dat die mense na hom sou luister nie. Hy kon eenvoudig nie die risiko loop dat die wêreld sien hy het nie meer volle beheer oor sy eie organisasie nie.

Lees verder: Dawie, Die Burger

'Skobbejakke' dalk agter ANC-herrie

2011-03-24 09:06

Kaapstad - Magte binne die ANC-faksies in die Wes-Kaap het dalk ’n aandeel in die herrie wat Dinsdag by die party se hoofkantoor in die middestad losgebars het.

Só meen ontleders wat gister die situasie bespreek het. Dít terwyl die DA in sy mou lag en in ’n verklaring gesê het die ANC voer ’n oorlog met homself.

ANC-lede van nagenoeg 19 takke in die provinsie, mees­tal in die metropool, het Dinsdag hul ontevredenheid met lysprosesse en die kies van kandidate gewys deur die kantore te beset en provinsiale ANC-leiers as gyselaars aan te hou. Lees verder: nuus24 ...

True test awaits

Barney Mthombothi
Thursday, 24 Mar 2011

South Africans tend to describe themselves or those things dear to them in superlative terms. We have the best constitution; the best judicial system; we hosted the best soccer World Cup. We even crow about our climate. It’s our own form of exceptionalism.

It’s funny that we don’t cast an admiring glance at our failing education system, our rotten hospitals or the criminal gangs who’ve turned our homes into our prisons.

Ah, but your land is beautiful. Alan Paton made what was a refrain by visitors to SA into the title of one of his books. It used to be music to the ears of apartheid apologists, an alibi of sorts. It gave them an excuse not to dwell on inconvenient matters.

Times may have changed, but the narrative hasn’t. We wax lyrical about the beauty of our newborn child, our democracy. It’s a miracle, we enthuse. And the world, on the whole, seems to agree with us. We have a democracy that looks fantastic on paper. It has yet to be tested. It is still skin-deep, I aver. It has yet to be internalised. In reality, SA is still a de facto one-party state.

I’ve often asked friends a simple question: would the ANC hand over power were it to lose an election? Most of them say they can’t see it happening. I tend to agree with them. The evidence is all around us.

The test for the endurance of our democracy will come when the ruling party loses an election and gracefully accepts the outcome. Until then, everything else is mere conjecture. Read more ...

Maak die kwessies die kwessie

Helen Zille, Leier van die Demokratiese Alliansie
22 March 2011

Binne twee maande gaan Suid-Afrikaners stem in ons vierde rondte plaaslike verkiesings. Dit kan ’n waterskeiding in die kort geskiedenis van ons demokrasie wees.

Ek sê dit omdat hierdie verkiesings die eerste kans vir Suid-Afrikaners ná 1994 is om ’n volledige en behoorlike vergelyking tussen die rekord van verskillende regerende partye te tref.

In hierdie verkiesings sal kiesers byvoorbeeld vyf jaar van DA-bestuur in Kaapstad met vyf jaar van ANC-bestuur in Johannesburg kan vergelyk.

Juis vandeesweek het die Department van Samewerkende Regering en Tradisionele Aangeleenthede Baviaans, die enigste munisipaliteit met ’n DA-bestuur in die Oos-Kaap, as die beste munisipaliteit vir dienslewering in daardie provinsie aangewys. Baviaans het ook die toekenning vir die beste insameling van inkomste in die Oos-Kaap ontvang.

Die enigste munisipaliteit met ’n DA-bestuur in Gauteng is Midvaal. Soos Baviaans staan dit gedurig bo-aan die lys vir dienslewering in daardie provinsie. Vanjaar het Midvaal die agste keer in tien jaar ’n ongekwalifiseerde oudit ontvang. Verlede jaar het dit in die jaarlikse lewensgehalte-peiling heel bo-aan die lys in die provinsie gestaan.

Die sukses van DA-munisipaliteite in die Wes-Kaap staan duidelik aangeteken. Verlede jaar is Wes-Kaapse munisipaliteite (waarvan die meeste deur die DA bestuur word) in die Universele Huishoudelike Toegang tot Basiese Dienste-peiling eerste in die land vir dienslewering geplaas. ’n Onafhanklike peiling deur die Suid-Afrikaanse Instituut vir Rasseverhoudings het bevind dat meer arm mense in die Wes-Kaap toegang tot gratis basiese dienste as elders het.

Die beste kontras tussen ’n ANC- en ’n DA-bestuur is moontlik die geval van die Kouga-munisipaliteit in die Oos-Kaap. In 2000, toe die DA die bewind in daardie munisipaliteit aanvaar het, was die munisipaliteit bankrot, en het hy gesukkel om basiese dienste te lewer. Die DA het die munisipaliteit teen 2002 reggeruk. Sy finansies was gesond en dienste is klokslag gelewer. In daardie jaar het die DA teen die wense van die kiesers weens oorlopery beheer van die munisipaliteit aan die ANC afgestaan. Twee jaar later, in 2004, was die munisipaliteit weer bankrot. Lees verder ...

ANC: A party at war with itself

Lindiwe Mazibuko, DA National Spokesperson
23 March 2011

There is now even more evidence to demonstrate that the ANC is a party at war with itself, and as a result unable to govern and deliver services effectively to South Africa's citizens.

The party’s candidate selection process for the upcoming elections has been chaotic and marred by violence in several parts of the country. If the ANC cannot manage a straightforward internal process such as selecting candidates to represent communities around the country, there is little to suggest that it will be better able to manage the process of governing the municipalities it does win and ensure effictive service delivery in South Africa. Read more ...

ANC cadre deployment: Redefining cluelessness

James Lorimer, Shadow Deputy Minister of Co - operative Governance and Traditional Affairs
23 March 2011

The ANC’s MEC for local government in the Eastern Cape has justified the deployment of a cadre with a consistent record of failure to a new position. MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane has responded to a DA enquiry about the matter with an answer that redefines the concept of cluelessness.

Siphiwo Sohena is an ANC cadre who has been appointed to a succession of important jobs despite highly questionable results. He first rose to prominence as the head of Human Resources in the Nelson Mandela Metro in 2004. He was suspended after a scandal involving his purchase of golf shirts at R560 apiece. He left with a golden handshake.

He was then appointed as municipal manager of the Sundays River Valley Municipality, at that time one of the best run in the Eastern Cape. Within two years the municipality was bankrupt and he was sacked, facing 11 charges of gross misconduct and mismanagement. After party political infighting the ANC reinstated him. Unhappy residents took this decision to court and the court confirmed the sacking, awarding costs against Sohena. Read more ...

If the ANC is serious about fighting corruption, they will support our bill

Ian Davidson, Chief Whip of the Democratic Alliance
23 March 2011

Today I briefed the Committee on Private Members’ Legislative Proposals and Special Petitions on the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) private member’s bill to regulate the business interests of state employees.

The proposed bill is designed to address the continued scourge of corruption in the public service, which has reached alarming levels in recent years. Read more ...

Munisipale verkiesing, 2011: DA maak sy kandidaat vir Wyk 14 bekend

Pieter Willem Butler, oftewel Piet soos hy verkies om bekend te staan, is op 21 Oktober 1945 in Alberton gebore. Hy is die jongste van drie kinders van Charles en Marie Butler.

Piet het aan die Hoërskool Alberton gematrikuleer en is daarna na die Universiteit van Pretoria waarna hy by die Potchesftroomse Universiteit vir Christelike Hoër Onderwys die MA-graad verwerf het.

Hy en sy wederhelfte Eleanor het twee seuns (David en Richard), ‘n dogter (Catherin) en vier kleinkinders wat almal in Pretoria woonagtig is.

Voor sy uittrede het Piet inderdaad ‘n merkwaardige beroepslewe gehad; ‘n onderwysman in hart en niere. Hy was Hoof van die Hoërskool Klerksdorp, Direkteur van Onderwys (Jeugaangeleenthede), Hoofbestuurder van die Rugby-Akademie van die Noord-Transvaalse Rugby-unie, Rektor van die Centurion Kollege, Voorsitter van Opleidingsprojekte, SAAB/GRIPEN in Suid-Afrika en Swede, en, les bes, Adjunkhoof van die Tshwane-Suid Kollege.

Hy en Eleanor het hulle vier jaar gelede op Paradysstrand gevestig.

Vanuit ‘n Christelike oogpunt glo Piet onwrikbaar dat elke mens op die aarde geplaas is met ‘n bepaalde taak en roeping.

En waarom moet Wyk 14 se mense op 18 Mei vir hom stem?

“Eerstens,” sê Piet, “sal ek my beywer vir die skepping en handhawing van positiewe gemeenskapsverhoudings, gegewe die demografiese diversiteit van die inwoners van Wyk 14. Ek glo in gereelde skakeling met die onderskeie gemeenskappe oor sake wat hulle raak.”

Ewe belangrik is die aanwending van ‘n wyksgerigte begroting wat deursigtig, bekostigbaar en haalbaar is. Hierbenewens sal hy hom toespits op verbeterde en doelgerigte lewering van munisipale dienste aan elke inwoner. Hy voel baie sterk daaroor dat die bestaande infrastruktuur verbeter en behoorlik in stand gehou word.

“Hierdie dinge kom egter nie vanself tot stand nie,” sluit Piet af. “Dit vereis behoorlike beplanning en toepassing van tersaaklike regulasies.”

Barry Vosloo

23 Maart 2011

Your vote is your most precious right

The following is an excerpt from a recent press release issued by Helen Zille, Leader of the Democratic Alliance:

"In a democracy, people already have rights. They have the right to express themselves freely. They have the right to a basic level of services, including healthcare, education and housing.

If people don’t think that the government is delivering these rights, they have a right to vote them out of power. That is why, out of all the rights that come with a democracy, none is more important than the right to vote.

Your vote is your power to make a change in your life. It is your power to make sure that your government delivers.

It is up to you to make use of this right. If you do not claim your rights, nobody else will claim them for you.

It does not help to re-elect the same party in May and then join a protest march in August. By then it will be too late. You will have thrown away the power of your vote for another five years.

Your vote is your ticket to better service delivery. It is your weapon against corruption. It is a stepping stone on the path to a better life for all.

If you use it wisely on the 18 May you will be one step closer to the better life you were promised in 1994."

Twee ANC-lede sluit aan by DA

2011-03-22 16:19

Johannesburg – Twee lede van die ANC en ‘n UDM-lid het by die DA in KwaZulu-Natal aangesluit, het die party Dinsdag aangekondig.

Die ANC se Mergen Chetty van Pietermartizburg, die voormalige tesourier van die ANC se vroueliga in die Sisonke-streek Trish Crawley en die United Democratic Movement se Umzimkhulu-raadslid Vuyani Zaza het by die DA aangesluit.

Hulle het by die DA se kandidaatsbenoemingproses aangesluit voor vanjaar se plaaslike verkiesings, het die opposisieparty in ‘n verklaring bekendgemaak.

Chetty sê hy is met afgryse vervul deur die ineenstorting van die Msunduzi-munisipaliteit.

Die ineenstorting is veroorsaak “deur niks anders as swak finansiële bestuur en korrupsie,” het hy gesê.

“Ek kon nie langer deel van die ANC wees nie.” Lees verder: nuus24 ...

Municipal election, 2011: DA announces its candidate for Ward 8

David Ernest Aldendorff was born in Johannesburg on the 12 March 1938. He matriculated at Marist Brothers College and subsequently obtained a BA degree at Rhodes University.

His first wife was killed in a car accident in 1993. He then married the charming Mary Webster in 1996 in Los Angeles, USA. Mary has three children living in Los Angeles.

David has two children. Michael and his family live in Dubai, and Cheryl and her family live in Pretoria. Michael has twins, a daughter and son, while Cheryl has a son.

After working for 23 years as Manager, Purchasing Department of the SA Co-op Citrus Exchange, he retired at the end of 1996.

When they moved to Jeffreys Bay at the end of June 2001, David was appalled by local media reports of mismanagement, wasted and fruitless expenditure, and corruption by municipal officials. He promptly decided to become involved in local politics and joined the Democratic Alliance in 2005.

His worth was soon recognised and he became secretary of the Ward 3 management committee in 2006. In 2010 he was elected chairman of the new Ward 8 management committee.

It came as no surprise that he was persuaded by members of his committee to stand as aspirant candidate for Ward 8 after the unfortunate death of Gerrie Botes.

During the past 14 months, David and his committee have visited some 1500 houses in Ward 8 to explain the results of the demarcation of ward boundaries and to encourage residents to re-register, and in some cases to register, for the upcoming municipal election. Their efforts bore fruit as evidenced by a large turnout on registration day.

David says, “We are confident of a record poll for the DA on election day. We plan to maintain close contact with the residents in our ward and will do our best to solve any problems they may have.”

Barry Vosloo
21 March 2011

Trevor Manuel is telling South Africans not to vote ANC

Lindiwe Mazibuko, DA National Spokesperson
17 March 2011

Trevor Manuel’s latest attack on the ANC government’s service delivery record is the fourth such incident in three months. Trevor Manuel is at war with the ANC. He has described it as unaccountable, racist, corrupt, and a party that has failed to deliver to the poor. But if Trevor Manuel, as a member of the senior leadership of the ANC, has no confidence in his party’s ability to govern, there is no reason why voters should. In short, Trevor Manuel has told South Africans why they should not vote for the ANC. Read more ...

SA druip gelykheid voor die reg

2011-03-20 22:35

Kaapstad - Terwyl Suid-Afrikaners regoor die land vandag Menseregtedag vier, toon ’n rapportkaart hieroor dat die land swak vaar wat betref gelykheid voor die reg, onderwys, vryheid tot handel en toegang tot inligting.

Die Sentrum vir Grondwetlike Regte se derde jaarlikse rapportkaart laat Suid-Afrika weer, net soos in 2010, met ’n E-simbool druip vir gelykheid. Lees verder: Die Burger

(Onse Kouga-bewindhebbers vaar nie veel beter nie!)

Munisipale verkiesing, 2011: DA maak sy kandidaat vir Wyk 3 bekend

Sophia Hendrina Thiart, in die handel en wandel bekend as Henda, sê sy is op 1 Mei “in die jaar toet” op Barkly-Oos gebore, die enigste dogter van Jan en Alida Delport. Sy het ook ‘n jonger broer, ‘n afgetrede SALM-generaal wat in Pretoria woon.,

Henda het aan die Hoërskool Sentraal in Bloemfontein gematrikuleer. Hierna was sy in Bloemfontein by die die Landmeter-Generaal, die Departement van Arbeid, Universitas Hospitaal en die Universiteit van die Vrystaat werksaam. As ‘n kranige tennisspeler, het sy ligatennis in Bloemfontein gespeel.

Soos vir die meeste Jeffreysbaaiers, was die roepstem van ons kusdorp baie sterk en het Henda in 1987 hierheen getrek om haar eie sake-onderneming op die been te bring. Sy was ook jare lank ‘n aktiewe lid van die Jeffreysbaaise rolbalklub.

Sy is met Johan Thiart getroud. Hy is ‘n bekende en gerespekteerde inwoner van Jeffreysbaai.

Henda is baie trots op haar kinders uit ‘n vorige huwelik. Haar oudste seun woon in Bloemfontein en haar dogter boer saam met haar eggenoot naby Humansdorp op die Oesterbaaipad. Haar jongste seun bevind hom tans in Sydney, Australië. Soos die meeste oumas verlang sy knaend na haar kleinkinders: twee seuns en drie dogters.

Haar lewensfilosofie is eenvoudig, sê sy: “Ek wil diens aan die mense in my omgewing lewer en die boodskap van liefde uitleef.”

En waarom moet Wyk 3 se mense op 18 Mei vir haar stem?

“As gevolg van my jarelange gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid, onder andere as lid en oud-voorsitter van die Jeffreysbaai-belastingbetalersvereniging, en as lid van die Demokratiese Alliansie, is ek ingestel op gemeenskapsdiens. Ek sal ‘n positiewe bydrae lewer aan die inwoners van Wyk 3,” belowe sy.

Barry Vosloo
21 Maart 2011

ANC se kiesers nie lus vir stem

2011-03-20 08:56
Jan-Jan Joubert

Johannesburg - Kiesers in opposisiewyke is oor die algemeen meer ywerig om te stem in 18 Mei se verkiesing as kiesers in wyke waar die ANC ’n meerderheid het, blyk uit die statistieke vir die twee pas afgelope registrasienaweke.

Dit geld byna oral in die land behalwe KwaZulu-Natal, waar die ANC met ’n reuse-registrasiepoging vorendag gekom het.

Politieke waarnemers hou die registrasiesyfers altyd fyn dop omdat dit aandui presies hoeveel mense op presies watter plekke geregistreer het. Dis ’n vroeë aanduiding van wie in ’n verkiesing gaan groei: die regering of die opposisie. Lees verder: nuus24 ...

DA is working to stop tender fraud with legislation - Bobby Stevenson

There is a way to stop corruption, maladministration and overpricing when it comes to the manner in which the province does its business.

Legislation simply has to be approved that prevents civil servants and their families doing business with the province.

I have introduced a Private Member’s Bill which is currently being considered by the provincial legislature to bar provincial employees from trading with the government. This is based on legislation that has already been passed by the Western Cape — with the support of the African National Congress. Read more ...

DA comments on EC budget

The DA regards the 2011/12 Eastern Cape budget as untruthful and devious. The budget is significant for what was unsaid rather than what was said. The MEC for Finance, Phumulo Masualle, must come clean with the public and spell out the real state of the province’s finances. Read more ...

DA municipality wins VUNA awards

March 16th, 2011

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is proud to announce that the Baviaans Municipality won two Vuna Awards in the Eastern Cape this week. The first is for the municipality with the best payment rate and the second award was for the municipality with the best service delivery.

These awards are proof that the DA governs very well where it is in control and the DA has the ability to run a clean and efficient administration. The DA in Baviaans has proved that it delivers services to all the people. Read more ...

ANC in EC may miss local elections

15 March 2011
Sabelo Skiti

The ANC risks missing out on local government elections in the Eastern Cape as turmoil in the party reaches new highs.

With just 10 days to go before all political parties are compelled to submit their candidates for local government elections, the ruling ANC is waging battle after battle in court with irate members. Read more: Daily Dispatch

SA 'on verge of being dysfunctional'

2011-03-16 14:47

Johannesburg - South Africa is on the "verge" of joining the ranks of dysfunctional states as the effects of corruption debilitate all spheres of life, the chairperson of a constitutional watchdog said on Wednesday.

"In the changing circumstances of our times, a conservative assault on the Constitution from some of the most powerful in our society threatens to fatally undermine our capacity to overcome poverty and inequality," Sipho Pityana, the chairperson of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) said.

"It is now beyond doubt that corruption and patronage are so pervasive, rampant and crippling in our society that we are on the verge of being deemed a dysfunctional state..." Read more: news24

Spesiale stemme - munisipale verkiesing, 18 Mei 2011

Inleiding
Die Onafhanklike Verkiesingskommissie (OVK) het aangekondig dat spesiale reëlings getref sal word sodat inwoners van tehuise vir bejaardes, persone wat fisies gestremd of medies ongeskik is, en persone wat op stemdag uitstedig sal wees, hulle stem kan uitbring.

Inwoners van tehuise vir bejaardes
Inwoners van tehuise vir bejaardes moet tussen 15 April 2011 en 3 Mei 2011 ‘n skriftelike aansoek om ‘n spesiale stem by die OVK-kantoor op Humansdorp indien.

OVK-amptenare sal tehuise vir bejaardes op 16 en 17 Mei 2011 besoek sodat die inwoners hulle stem kan uitbring.

Kiesers wat fisies gestremd of medies ongeskik is
Fisies gestremde kiesers en kiesers wat om mediese redes nie hulle stembus op stemdag kan besoek nie, mag eweneens tussen 15 April en 3 Mei 2011 by die OVK-kantoor op Humansdorp aansoek doen om ‘n spesiale stem.

OVK-amptenare sal diegene op 16 en 17 Mei 2011 besoek sodat die hulle hulle stem kan uitbring.
Kiesers wat op stemdag uitstedig sal wees
Kiesers wat op stemdag uitstedig sal wees en dus nie hulle eie stembus kan besoek nie, word aangeraai om tussen 15 April 2011 en 3 Mei 2011 by die OVK-kantoor op Humansdorp aansoek te doen om ‘n spesiale stem.

Sodanige kiesers mag hulle stem dan op 16 Mei vanaf 08:00 en 17:00 by hul eie stembus uitbring.
Ten slotte
As daar enige onduidelikheid is, kan die OVK-kantoor op Humansdorp by
042 291 0083 geskakel word.

(Hierdie inligting is deur Deville Smith voorsien)

Nóg ’n minister koop luukse BMW

2009-10-17 08:10
Liesl Peyper

Kaapstad - Me. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, minister van internasionale betrekkinge, het die vierde minister geword wat ’n weelderige BMW van byna R1,2 miljoen as ampsmotor gekoop het.

Sy het die voorbeeld van haar drie ampsgenote – mnr. Siphiwe Nyanda, minister van kommunikasie, dr. Blade Nzimande, minister van hoër onderwys, en mnr. Trevor Manuel, ’n minister in die presidensie – gevolg en die luukse 7-reeks gekies.

Belastingbetalers het ook vir ’n verdere R103 337 se bykomstighede, waaronder spesiale beligting, opgedok. Die spandabelrige aankope is bekend gemaak in antwoord op ’n vraag van mnr. Kenneth Mubu, DA-LP.

Volgens die DA het pres. Jacob Zuma se ministers en hul adjunkte tot dusver saam byna R44 miljoen aan nuwe ampsmotors bestee en beloop die bykomstighede ook amper R1 miljoen. Lees verder: nuus24

Zuma calls for ANC unity in Western Cape

2011-03-13 21:43

Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma on Sunday renewed his appeal for unity in the ANC in the Western Cape ahead of the May 18 local government elections.

The ANC should unite and "put our differences aside", he told a packed Dal Josephat Stadium in Paarl at the ANC's provincial manifesto launch.

"We must unite to defeat the Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape," he said. Read more: news24.com ...

AquaticApe - Report comment:
And why do you think the people from the ANC run Eastern Cape are moving to the DA run Western Cape?

Employment outlook survey

Tim Harris, Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry
10 March 2011

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is encouraged by the findings of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, conducted by a leading international employment agency, which shows that the implementation of DA policy by provincial and local governments drives job creation where we are in power. Read more ...

Mrs. Sizani in ghost teacher scandal: The Herald

FORMER education MEC Stone Sizani’s wife has been implicated in defrauding the Education Department of about R2.5-million by creating “ghost teachers” and pocketing their salaries.

Pankie Sizani, who is alleged to be the head of a syndicate that created fake Grade R teaching positions attached to non-existent schools, is under investigation by police.

Senior investigators within the city’s directorate of priority crime investigation, known as the Hawks, confirmed yesterday they were wrapping up their investigation into Sizani, who is believed to have personally netted in the region of R500 000 through the syndicate. Read more ...

2011 Elections: South Africans have one last opportunity to register to vote

Helen Zille, Leader of the Democratic Alliance
8 March 2011

With the two official registration weekends now over, the next few days offer those South Africans who have not yet registered their last opportunity to get on the voters roll for this year’s election.

Many potential voters feel that they may have missed their chance to register and that the voters roll is now closed. This is not the case. The roll will only be closed later this week and those who have not yet had the chance to do so still have time to register. Read more ...

Laat ras agterweë

8 Maart 2011

Uittreksels uit 'n weeklikse nuusbrief deur die Leier van die Demokratiese Alliansie, Helen Zille.

Die blywende herinnering aan die Wêreldbeker van 2010 gaan nie die stadionne, die pretparke of selfs die sokker wees nie, maar eerder hoe alle Suid-Afrikaners agter ons span, Bafana Bafana, saamgestaan het. Dit was ons land se mees samesnoerende oomblik nadat Nelson Madela Francois Pienaar se No 6-trui tydens die Rugby-wêreldbeker van 1995 aangetrek het.
Sulke oomblikke is kwantumspronge wat rasseversoening betref. Hulle skep hoop by ons dat die visie van ’n reënboognasie nie ’n skim is nie, maar in die werklikheid geanker is. Ons moet hulle koester en hopelik herhaal totdat hulle in ons samelewing die reël word.
Elke nou en dan gebeur dinge egter wat ons ’n stappie terug laat neem.

Onlangse gebeure bewys dat die ANC die kiesers in die aanloop tot die verkiesings van 18 Mei nogmaals op die grondslag van ras gaan opsweep. Die heel berugste was die opmerkings deur regeringswoordvoerder Jimmy Manyi dat daar ’n “ooraanbod” van bruinmense in die Wes-Kaap is, en dat daar té veel Indiërs in bestuursposte is omdat hulle hul “pad boontoe onderhandel” het. Sulke kommentaar is verfoeilik en hoort glad nie in ’n demokratiese Suid-Afrika nie. Ons herhaal ons beroep dat Manyi onmiddellik moet bedank.

Vandeesweek het Trevor Manuel in ’n ope brief aan Manyi heel tereg op die ooreenkoms tussen Manyi en Verwoerd se rassisme gewys. Ons verwelkom Manuel se verklaring, maar vind dit interessant dat hy dié oomblik gekies het om hom oor die aangeleentheid uit te spreek. Na alles is kwotas op grond van rasse-“verhoudings” asook rasse-etikettering ’n al hoe sterker neiging in die era ná Mandela. En Manuel het elke tree saamgestap.

Goeie waarnemers van ons politiek weet baie goed wat agter Manuel se skielike ommekeer sit. Ons weet hy moet die skade aan die ANC se beeld onder die bruinmense in die Wes-Kaap herstel. Ons weet hy steun die nuwe voorsitter van die ANC in die provinsie, Marius Fransman. Die Luthuli-gebou het Fransman in die Wes-Kaap ontplooi (ondanks sy bedenklike verlede, wat strafregtelik ondersoek word), in die verkeerde en neerbuigende veronderstelling dat hy weens sy “ras” ’n meerderheid van die kiesers sal kan mobiliseer.

Toe dusver het pres. Zuma buite die kryt gestaan. Die ANC se Sekretaris-Generaal, Gwede Mantashe, het betoog dit is ’n “interne ANC-aangeleentheid”. Die vraag bly dus staan: was Trevor Manuel se ingreep ’n baie goed gekoördineerde ANC-strategie om “skadebeheer” in die Wes-Kaap toe te pas? Gee die ANC met die “segmentering” van sy “kiesersmark” voor dat hy nie-rassigheid in sommige dele voorstaan, as ’n skerm waaragter hy die Verwoerdiaanse voorstanders van “rasse-verteenwoordigendheid” toelaat om hulle in die hart van die regerende party in te burger? Pres. Zuma se reaksie op hierdie ramp – as daar ooit een gaan wees – gaan die antwoord duidelik maak.

In die komende verkiesingsveldtog gaan die ANC hom oor ras alkant toe draai, want hy kan die mense op geen ander manier opsweep nie. Hy word orals in die land met mislukte dienslewering verbind, en kan nét die rassekaart speel.

Die Suid-Afrikaanse politieke toneel is aan’t verander

Christi van der Westhuizen vra: "Jy kan Afrikaners uit apartheid haal, maar kan jy apartheid uit Afrikaners haal?" Van der Westhuizen is die skrywer van die boek White power and the rise and fall of the National Party (2007. Kaapstad: Zebra Press).

Sy skryf: "Dit is die destabilisering van wit identiteit ná die veranderings van 1994 wat Afrikaners laat vervreemd voel eerder as die ANC se sogenaamde harde Afro-nasionalisme."

Dié vervreemding, sê sy, kan toegeskryf kan word aan die feit dat die eksklusiewe, rasgebaseerde politieke mag van weleer vervang is deur 'n "volksvreemde stelsel van ['n breë] demokrasie, gerugsteun deur die ewe volksvreemde idee van ... ras- en geslagsgelykheid".

Wat gevolg het was die wydverspreide onttrekking van die Afrikaner aan die "nuwe" politieke en maatskaplike realiteite as 'n groepstrategie om wit Afrikaner-identiteit te probeer verskans; dis 'n vorm van ontkenning van die werklike historiese en huidige realiteite, want "dit is hoe fantasieë van wit meerderwaardigheid en bevoorregting in stand gehou word". Klik hier en lees ook "Inwaartse emigrasie"

Dit manifesteer, onder andere, in 'n diepliggende onverdraagsaamheid teenoor allerhande werklike en gewaande "euwels". 'n Klinkklare voorbeeld hiervan is Deon Maas se sogenaamde godslasterlike artikel in 'n onlangse uitgawe van Rapport wat die Christen-fundamentaliste onder ons laat stik het van verontwaardiging. Maas het dit durf waag om te beweer dat sataniste die reg onder die SA grondwet het om die duiwel te aanbid.

Nou, ek was nog nooit 'n stoere Afrikaner-nasionalis of ‘n Christen-fundamentalis nie en nog minder hang ek my geloofsake aan die groot klok. Ek kan dus nie juis identifiseer met dié soort histeriese tjol nie. Nogtans vind ek dit moeilik op my oudag vir my wit alie 'n nis in die hedendaagse politieke en maatskaplike bestel te vind en betrap ek my kort-kort dat ek inwaarts emigreer!

Madiba, bless his kind soul, het dit destyds veel makliker vir ons wittes gemaak as Mbeki en sy Afro-nasionaliste, en Zuma en sy populistiese politiek.

Van der Westhuizen dui vir wit Suid-Afrikaners die pad vorentoe aan: "Vir die ouer geslag was Afrikaner-nasionalisme 'n dwangbuis waaruit ons almal nou ontsnap het. Waar apartheid 'n geslote stelsel was met 'n rigiede inperking van ons liggaam en gees, bied die hedendaagse erkenning van ons regte en ons gelyke burgerskap veelvlakkige ruimtes waarin ons as mense tot ons reg kan kom. Die vraag dus aan alle Afrikaners is: Het ons die moed om hierdie potensialiteite met al hul onsekerhede aan te gryp en 'n volwaardige Suid-Afrikanerskap vir onsself uit te kerf?"

Dalk is ons stadig maar seker besig om ons weg uit die kokon van vooroordeel en gekoesterde bevoorregting te vind; “om ‘n volwaardige Suid-Afrikanerskap vir onsself uit te kerf”.

Volgens Die Burger se rubriekskrywer, Dawie, gebeur interessante dinge deesdae in die Suid-Afrikaanse politiek, dinge wat betreklik onlangs nog ondenkbaar sou gewees het.

“Om mee te begin,” skryf hy, “die meeste Afrikaners het hulle sedert die verkiesing van 1999 agter die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) geskaar. Die DA is die opvolger van die Progressiewe Federale Party, wat as die ergste parlementêre vyand van die van die ou Nasionale Party (‘n oorwegend Afrikaner-party) gereken is.”

“Ten tweede,” skryf hy voorts, “het die meeste Afrikaners ‘n Jood, mnr. Tony Leon, as hul leier aanvaar. Later het dieselfde Afrikaners ‘n vrou, me. Helen Zille, as hul leier aanvaar – ‘n vrou wat eweneens van Joodse afkoms is.”

Nog is het einde niet. Dawie vervolg: “Die kersie wat ook [mettertyd] op die koek geplaas is, is dat die meeste Afrikaners ook ‘n vrou, me. Sandra Botha, as parlementêre leier aanvaar het. Botha is weliswaar ‘n Afrikaner, en in teenstelling met ander, nie skaam om dit te erken nie, maar sy beskryf haarself as ‘n “liberale” Afrikaner. Wie onthou nog hoe liberale Afrikaners net ‘n dekade of twee, drie gelede deur die Afrikaner-wagters op Sionsmure as die laagste vorm van lewe beskou is.” In sekere kringe is hulle as pienk Afrikaners uitgekryt!

Ten slotte: “In ‘n baie kort tyd is die belangrikste heilige koeie van die Afrikanerdom dus op hul kop gekeer. Die Afrikaners moes aanvaar dat hulle nie meer baas van die Suid-Afrikaanse plaas is nie, dat Jode én Engelssprekendes leiers is van die party wat die meeste van hulle steun, dat hulle macho-houding van die verlede uitgedien is en dat die vroulike Joodse leiers deur liberale Afrikaners bygestaan word – alles dinge wat nie so lank gelede nie min of meer heiligskennis was.”

Wat is die volgende fase van hierdie proses? ‘n Politieke herskikking waarin “blanke” politieke partye irrelevant raak en die totale bevolking verdeel in ‘n hoofsaaklik linkse groepering aan die een kant en mense met meer gematigde politieke sienings aan die ander kant? Hoogs waarskynlik. Prof. Willie Esterhuise, van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch, meen dat hierdie herskikking hom binne die volgende tien jaar kan voltrek. Alhoewel oudpresident F W de Klerk nie ‘n tydsbeperking op die proses plaas nie, stem hy saam met prof. Esterhuise en stel ‘n “taamlike sentrumparty of net links van die sentrum en die ander ‘n verlinkse arbeidersparty” in die vooruitsig.

Barry Vosloo

Inwaartse emigrasie

Baie wit mense sukkel ná sewentien jaar van volwaardige demokrasie om vir hulle ‘n geestelike staanplek/lêplek in die “nuwe” Suid-Afrika te vind.

'n Interessante artikel oor Suid-Afrikaners se "inwaartse emigrasie" het in 2007 in Die Burger verskyn en is deur Willem Jordaan geskryf. Jordaan is die politieke redakteur van Die Burger.

Jordaan beweer dat die eerste tekens van inwaartse emigrasie vroeg in die vestiging van 'n demokratiese Suid-Afrika by wit mense merkbaar geraak het. Dit is veroorsaak en word tans aangehelp deur ergerlikheid oor die verlies van mag en bevoorregting, en 'n gevoel van vervreemding wat vererger word deur daaglikse dosisse geweld, gebrekkige dienslewering, nepotisme, korrupsie en wanbestuur. Hy meen die belangrikste algemene teken hiervan (die inwaartse emigrasie) is die onvermoë – of onwilligheid – by wit mense "om 'n ingeligte, kritiese meelewing met die kompleksiteit van 'n multikulturele SA en sy ontwikkelingsprobleme te ontwikkel". Voorts gee hy voorbeelde van tipiese gedragspatrone wat hieruit voortspruit.

Die eerste voorbeeld is dat ouer mense persoonlike ontberings en samelewingsellendes summier aan 'n onbevoegde, arrogante en magsbehepte swart owerheid toedig. Dit is dan ook die tema van talle briewe aan koerante, praatprogramme oor die radio en vleisbraaigesprekke. Hierdie mense leef in 'n toestand van negatiewe energie wat hulle neerslagtigheid voed. Hulle verval gevolglik in 'n "eskalerende spiraal van toenemende siniese apatie, gegriefdheid, klaagliedere, magteloosheid, onderliggende angsgevoelens en wanhopigheid", en vind hulle vervulling en identiteit in die vestiging van "klein eilandjies van geluksaligheid" soos die familiekring, besittings, stokperdjies en bekende kuierplekke.

Die tweede manifestasie van inwaartse emigrasie, sê hy, is te vinde by jonger mense wat hulle identiteit en lewensvervulling vind op die markplein. Hulle aanvaar die "nuwe stelsel" en probeer op opportunistiese maniere om dit vir eie gewin aan te wend. "Buite dié domein van geld verdien en nog meer geld maak, maak niks eintlik saak nie. Hulle eksploiteer alles wat hulle geldgedrewe lewenstyl in stand sal hou."

Die oplossing wat hy aan die hand doen is om die samelewing en die gemeenskap waarvan jy deel is "te omarm en krities deel te neem aan die werklik lewegewende prosesse ... "

Dit laat 'n mens dink, né?

Barry Vosloo

Moving beyond race

6 March 2011

From the Leader of the Democratic Alliance: Helen Zille

The enduring memory of the 2010 World Cup will not be the stadiums, the fan parks or even the football. It will be how all South Africans joined hands and got behind our team, Bafana Bafana. It was our country’s most unifying moment since Nelson Mandela wore Francois Pienaar’s number 6 jersey at the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

These moments are quantum leaps for racial reconciliation. They give us hope that the vision of a rainbow nation is not a mirage, but rooted in reality. They are to be cherished and, hopefully, repeated until they become the norm in our society.

But every so often things happen that take us a step backwards. In 2005, it was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, referring to white men as “baboons”. In 2008, it was the humiliation of black workers at the hands of four students from the Reitz hostel at the University of the Free State. Last year, it was Steve Hofmeyr’s racist generalisations about black South Africans.

Sometimes we manage to turn such threats into opportunities. The extraordinary forgiveness shown by the victims of the ‘Reitz Four’ this week is an example. At a reconciliatory meeting between the former students and university employees, one of the boys said to the women: “We are so sorry…we wish we could have talked much earlier.” One of the women replied: “You are still our children, and we love you.”

This moving account, told by Free State Vice-Chancellor Jonathan Jansen, demonstrates a unique South African character trait: the ability to seek forgiveness – and to forgive. Following the lead of Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, such South Africans are the torchbearers for reconciliation and non-racialism in our society.

And the fact is that most South Africans reject racism in all its forms. They want to move forward towards a non-racial future that offers real opportunities to all, not remain trapped in a racially divided past.

This is the promise of our Constitution. It was not foisted on anyone. It was the product of long and sensible negotiations, and is the foundation on which we must achieve a better life for all.

It is deeply unfortunate that many politicians in the ruling party and the highest echelons of government continue to play the divide-and-rule politics of apartheid that undermine the letter and spirit of the Constitution.

Just like the National Party did under apartheid, with a “whites only” electorate, the ANC benefits from keeping South Africans divided along racial lines. By mobilising its followers on the basis of race, the ANC believes it can secure its majority “until Jesus comes”. The ANC’s approach is insulting and patronising to all South Africans, including the ANC’s own voters, most of whom believe in the Freedom Charter’s declaration that “South Africa belongs to all who live in it”. This phrase informs the letter and spirit of the Constitution and we strongly endorse it.

Recent events indicate that the ANC will again mobilise voters on the basis of race in the run-up to the May 18 election. It started with Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande’s playing of the race card in an attempt to shut down debate in Parliament a few weeks ago. He said:

If the matric results are bad, this is taken as a proof that this government of "darkies" is incapable. If the matric pass rate goes up, it means the results have been manipulated by these "darkies".

When Nzimande was challenged by DA MP Lindiwe Mazibuko he said that her opinion didn’t count because she did not “grow up in the townships.”

Last Sunday, it was former ANC spokesperson Kuli Roberts’ column in the Sunday World newspaper that drove a racial wedge. I won’t repeat her crude generalisations about coloured South African women. Suffice to say it was significant that, while most people condemned her racist rant, the ANC remained silent.

Most notorious of all has been government spokesperson Jimmy Manyi’s remarks that there is an “over-supply” of coloureds in the Western Cape and that there are too many Indians in management positions because they “bargained their way to the top.” These comments are despicable and have no place in a democratic South Africa. We reiterate our call for Manyi to step down with immediate effect.

This kind of racial head-counting and social engineering was the hallmark of apartheid under Hendrik Verwoerd. One of Verwoerd’s first proposals on assuming office was to restrict the “over-supply” of Jewish South Africans in business by imposing quotas within the white population. Taking apartheid to its logical conclusion, he said:

‘…as Jews presently enjoy a disproportionate share of the wholesale and retail trade, such a balanced distribution can be achieved only by refusing them further trading licences, until such a time... as English- and Afrikaans-speakers have gained a proportion which (as far as practicable) corresponds to their percentage of the white population’

This week in an open letter to Manyi, Trevor Manuel correctly pointed out the similarity between Manyi’s and Verwoerd’s racism. We welcome Manuel’s statement, but find it interesting that he has chosen this moment to find his voice on this matter. After all, quotas based on racial “proportionality” and race labelling has been an escalating trend in the post-Mandela era. And Manuel has been there every step of the way.

A colleague in the National Assembly, Donald Lee, reminded me of an exchange with Manuel on the issue of quotas back in 2005. Manuel wrote:

“You argue that [quotas are] racism and the equivalent of apartheid. I think that you are so wrong.”

So, six years ago Manuel endorsed racial head-counting as a legitimate practice, now he says it is akin to apartheid.

Even more telling is that last year Trevor Manuel, along with the rest of President Zuma’s Cabinet, agreed on the amendments to the Employment Equity Act which impose national demographic quotas on the provinces. This legislation is a result of a belief in government – championed by Jimmy Manyi when he was Director-General in the Department of Labour – that there is an “over-supply” of coloured employees in the Western Cape and Indian employees in KwaZulu-Natal. And so it aims to change that by imposing new racial quotas. It is calculated that, if this legislation is passed, the jobs of more than 1.3 million coloured and Indian workers will be at risk.

The fact is that Manuel endorsed Manyi’s racist legislation when it mattered. Why did he not speak up then?

Close observers of our politics know very well what is behind Manuel’s sudden change of heart. We know that he has been tasked with repairing the ANC’s image amongst coloured people in the Western Cape. And we know he is backing the new ANC provincial chairperson Marius Fransman. Luthuli House deployed Fransman to the Western Cape (despite his dubious past which is the subject of criminal investigations) in the misguided and patronising belief that he will be able to mobilise a majority vote because of his “race”.

Up until now, President Zuma has kept out of the fray. ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe has argued that it is an “internal ANC matter”. And so the questions remain: was Trevor Manuel’s intervention a carefully co-ordinated ANC strategy of “damage control” in the Western Cape? In “segmenting” its “voter market” is the ANC pretending to uphold non-racialism in some areas, as a smokescreen for allowing the Verwoerdian proponents of racial “representivity” to entrench themselves at the heart of the governing party? President Zuma’s response – if one is ever forthcoming – to this debacle will provide the answer.

During the upcoming election campaign, the ANC will tie itself up in knots over race because it has no other means to mobilise people. It is associated country-wide with delivery failure, so it only has the race-card left to play.

The greatest irony of this election is that the ANC will accuse the DA of mobilising people on the basis of race. But simple logic demonstrates that it cannot possibly be in the DA’s interests to entrench racial divisions. Neither is it in South Africa’s interests.

As a country we must seek to move beyond race. In the run-up to the local election, all parties must commit themselves to letting the issues become the issue. The central question of this election must be: which party delivers best for all?

We believe the DA’s track record where we govern provides the answer to that question. We have a growing support base of all people who truly believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it. We understand that you cannot redress the tragic legacy of the past by re-imposing apartheid racism.

Of course we cannot pretend the past did not happen. And we must acknowledge the deep scars and inequalities that persist to this day. Our role where we govern is to build a society that heals these wounds and offers real opportunities for every South African to live a life they value.