Mandela commands respect, Zuma demands it!

In the recent debate on the Budget vote of The Presidency, President Jacob Zuma used this debate to attempt to dictate to South Africa on how we should honour the Father of the Nation, Nelson Mandela.  Zuma told Parliament to stop projecting Mandela as the “only nice” person in the ANC.  When did anyone ever say that?

The reality is that the glorious ANC of the past, that I would’ve joined, is not the ANC of today.  The ANC today has deviated from the values that Madiba and his predecessors have stood for.  Gone are the values of reconciliation and multiracialism.  Gone is the vision to grow our people and our economy.  Gone is the aim to ensure that all our children receive quality education, irrespective of race, creed, background or economic background.

These are the real issues that Zuma is trying to hide.  Instead, he wants to dictate to you and I how we should remember the Father of our Nation.  The President claims that our memory of Mandela is superficial.  Exactly what is superficial about Mandela’s vision for South Africa?

Jacob Zuma’s frustration was evident during that debate as the DA spoke the truth when challenging the President’s weak leadership.  In response, the ANC expressed its demand that Zuma be treated with respect.  They just don’t get it; respect is commanded, not demanded!  Zuma cannot, and does not command respect.  Zuma should look to Mandela at how a man commands respect.

Home Affairs costs tax payers millions

Replies by the Minister of Home Affairs, Naledi Pandor to questions I posed reveal some shocking facts.  I asked the Minister about the amount her Ministry has spent on legal fees.

In the last 3 years an astronomical 5217 legal court actions have been fought by Home Affairs.  These court actions involve Immigration Services, Labour, Civil Services and Claims for damages arising either from contractual or delictual obligations.

What this means in Rands is that in the 2009/10 financial year, the Department paid an unbelievable R22 806 347,00 towards legal costs.  In the following year Home Affairs paid R21 396 000,00 on legal costs but in 2011/12 paid more than the previous 2 years combined amount of R46 339 000,00.  These figures are mind-blowing.

Imagine how much more Home Affairs could’ve done if it had not wasted R90 541 347,00 in the last 3 years on legal matters.

This is possible as most of these court cases were Home Affair’s own doing.  If Home Affairs did what it was supposed to in the first place this out-of-control expenditure wouldn’t be happening.

Home Affairs needs to ensure that they reduce administrative errors; deal with applications on time, don’t lose documents, (why are documents not dealt with electronically?) and tightened up verification processes.  These are such simply, easy to implement things.  In the meantime The Minister and her Department does nothing about improving this situation whilst her legal bill continues to go up. 

Shocking!



ANC acting like a bully on UK visas

Thanks to the rampant corruption within the Department of Home Affairs the United Kingdom (UK) withdrew its visa-free status to South Africans entering the UK since 2009. This did not happen out of the blue as there had been concerns before that in this regard.

Government reacted with surprise, as if it was new that there were doubts about the integrity of South African passports.  Weak administration and corruption within the Department made it easy for foreigners to acquire South African passports; authentic and “legal” ones at that. South Africans are now forced to pay over R1000,00 for short-term visitors’ visas for the UK.

At a question session to the Minister in Parliament, Minister Naledi Pandor advised us that the UK had committed to look at this matter after the London Olympics. There appears to be no progress on this matter.  In the meantime thousands of South Africans travelling to the UK are confronted with expensive visas.

Instead of continuing to tighten our systems and intensifying our discussions with UK authorities; the ANC does what it does best: by acting like a big bad bully.  The Ministry is now making a noise.  Minister Pandor was recently quoted as saying that her department to apply the same rules to UK visitors where “the international practice of reciprocity should apply as a principle”.

Interestingly enough, the Minister’s comments come in the wake of the British government’s decision to halt development aid to South Africa worth £19m (R271 million) from 2015.

The fact that the UK is SA’s biggest overseas tourist market seems to escape Pandor.

Should the Minister’s threats become reality it will indeed affect tourism, and therefore income which has implications for our economy.  Tourist will simply choose other more tourist-entry destination.

These proposed steep fees to obtain visas will also have negative implications on business between the 2 countries.  Additionally, the largest South African expatriate community is in the UK; here too expensive visas will affect friends and families in the 2 countries.

As much as the ANC may want to wish it away the relationship between South Africa and the United Kingdom is a special and unique one.  We have cultural, historical, and even diplomatic ties.  Introducing a “tit-for-tat” attitude simply does not party any good

Kleinfontein should be welcomed

The enclosure of Kleinfontein in Pretoria has received much media attention.  I understand that the Old Transvaal Republic vierkleur flag flies at the entrance to the area.  I also understand that residents are required to be descendant of the Voortrekkers and a Protestant Christian.  This community is also enclosed by a fence and entry is controlled. The Leadership of this micro-community indicated that their aim is to advance their culture.

With all this in mind it is as clear as daylight; this community was created out of fear and alienation.  The premise is that, in this case, white Afrikaans-speaking Voortrekker descendent Protestants have no place in our rainbow nation.  I fear that Mandela’s vision for South Africa is fast fading. 

It is up to each of us to keep this vision alive.  Each and very one of us needs to embrace the diverse cultures that makes up the beautiful quilt that is South Africa.  Isn’t it beautiful that we have a variety and diversity of cultures yet we are all South African!

The fact that our people look, sound, speak and act differently is a good thing, not bad.  We should all be striving to learn from each other.  I think it’s wonderful that South Africans are not the same; that our diversity allows for different languages, creeds and outlooks. This diversity allows and incorporates white compatriots who happen to be descendants of Voortrekkers and are Protestant Christians.

Kleinfontein residents should be welcomed with open arms, not isolated.