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6 Tel: (045) 839-4040 Emergency: (A/H) 083-272-0955 ° Editorial: sonjar@timesmedia.co.za - advertising: charodinev@timesmedia.co.za THE REPRESENTATIVE 5 May 2017 EDITORIAL OPINION Fight scourge of rape in EC THE Eastern Cape police issued a statement this week, condemning the high incidence of rape in the province, particularly in the rural areas. Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Liziwe Ntshinga said the sexual abuse of women and children was “shocking”. He highlighted alcohol and drugs as playing a major role in the crimes, while indicating that young children were being left in the care of people “who should never have been entrusted to take care of toddlers and children”. Ntshinga also indicated that the police were prioritising such crimes and were making progress in terms of providing assistance to victims while police units had received related training. During the period April 1 2016 to March 31 2017, 117 perpetrators in 96 cases received life sentences. The average age of the victims in these crimes was between three and 62 – with 43 of the victims minors. Ntshinga’s statement highlights a number of factors including the fact that people of all ages are falling victim to rapists – from children to the elderly – that the caregivers of children should be chosen with care and foresight, that women living in rural areas are at greater risk (possibly due to the remoteness of the areas and the perceived less likelihood of prosecution) and that no-one is s a fe . The word “rape” and the connotations of violence, abuse and fear, elicit a sense of horror in most South Africans. Women have traditionally been seen as a treasure of South African society – they are the ones who nurture and care for our nation and their violation stands in direct contrast to what we hold dear. In addition, the rape of children should affront every single sense we have as human beings. The sexual abuse of vulnerable and innocent children has no place in a civilised society. Let us not forget, either, that the sexual assault of men is classified as rape and that they too, fall victim to individuals who seek to assert power in the most reprehensible of ways. The situation is one that should have every South African who holds dear the values of this country, consider how to make a difference. Our country should not be associated with such depravity and we all have a role to play in keeping our people safe and holding accountable those who engage in such acts. The ANC should expect turmoil THE race to the December ANC congress is truly on. One may say these are the internal dynamics of the ANC. I beg to differ. It is still unclear whether the trend established since 1994, that whoever ascends to the ANC presidency becomes the next president, will continue in 2019. To be on the safe side, we must believe this trend will survive 2019 albeit by very slender margins. So what the ANC does between now and December and beyond is crucial. The first time the ANC had a real leadership race was in 2007 and it did not handle it very well, resulting in the formation of COPE and in 2012 the EFF. Maybe something far worse might happen this time. Already we have seen political murders in KZN and who knows what might happen in other areas as the conference draws near. Of course, the opposite is possible too. Cosatu-affiliated workers booed the ANC president, Jacob Zuma, Jessie Duarte and Baleka Mbete and they could not speak at all in the May Day rallies. Now the president of the ANCYL, the not-so-youthful Collen Maine declared, “We are going to boo Ramaphosa back and it won’t be nice. We ’re going to boo him in an ANC meeting before we boo him at a rally.” Hang on, this is a leader of the youth league of an organisation Cyril Ramaphosa is a deputy president of. Alarmingly, it looks like the ruling party has no idea of how to handle a modern leadership contestation. Their rules are, quite frankly, archaic and possibly suicidal. This election fever has gripped every corner of the Eastern Cape as we speak with their elective congress around the corner. While I have no issue with people punting whoever they want to lead either the province or the country, I think we are putting too much importance on these things. The “big man” syndrome is what got us here in the first place. No single leader will be a panacea to all our problems. You would swear all that is needed to solve everything is to elect Oscar Mabuyane or Phumulo Masualle and all our problems will be solved. People go into a frenzy extolling the virtues of these people. The day we realise all these leaders are just servants who we temporarily give levers of power to exercise on our behalf, the better. We give them too much respect, hence they misbehave with so much impunity when in power. It’s fine, campaign for your leadership choice, but please do not make him or her out to be more than he/ she is. The choices on the table, quite frankly, are mediocre and are nowhere near the best the ANC can produce. That, to me, is the real tragedy. IN TOUCH ... with Phumelele P Hlati FOR THE LORD: Some of the Komani folk who travelled to Middelburg for the Mighty Men conference at the weekend Picture: SUPPLIED FACE 2 FA C E Question: What do you like about Komani? Answer: It is home. This may sound arrogant, but everything I am is because it has been etched into my being through the experiences that have resulted from life here. Plus I love these mountains that surround us. Q: What are your interests? A: I want to pioneer a great film and television industry for the Eastern Cape. It seems impossible to imagine, but I believe that if you give yourself to something, the effort you put in will be equal to the result. Q: Who is your favourite film producer? A: There can not be one. I love the works of many creative minds. I love the quirky and life-questioning humour of Woody Allen, I am always intrigued by the exploration of James Cameron and the science he brings with his creativity ... and what about the adventures of Spielberg or the explosive cinematic Michael Bay with Lorenzo Di Bonaventura – and with director, producer and scriptwriter of Victoris Media, Cumani Maneli let’s not forget Ridley Scott. Q: Who/what inspires you when it comes to your work? A: My role model is my mother. She has taught me from a young age that adversity is an element of greatness. Q: If you were asked to take a picture that would best describe Komani, which place would you capture? A: I would take the picture next to the vendors across the road from the mall to reveal the taxis – just to show the inequality, the setbacks of this town, and also the improvements. We are a town that still needs a lot of construction. Q: Who is your favourite author? A: Ernest Hemingway. Q: What do you enjoy writing about the most? A: I love fiction, South Africa is too much about historical biopics, but the future is still unexplored. Q: What genre of music do you listen to? A: I listen to rap, and not this YOUR VOICE ... vox pops on the street What do you think about ... THE Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality recently launched its new corporate identity with its new values. Do you think it will live up to its values and why – The Rep intern Sivenathi Gosa went to find out. Allison Genade from Ko m a n i In the past they never sent us accounts, and most of the residents are behind with payments. We will see if they are going to be accountable by catching up with the accounts and clearing them. Cwayita Combi from Mlungisi This thing of changing names and logos is quiet confusing, and beside the name changes, they always promise job opportunities which do not materialise. There are no youth projects that I know of so I don’t think they are going to live up to their values. Mihle Makubalo from Khayelitsha I do not think so because the structure within the municipality is still the same. Job opportunities are lacking, especially for young people. There’s nothing concrete that the municipality is actually doing. Sarah Potye from Komani The municipality does not treat people equally because there are accounts that are being ignored, and people end up with huge amounts to pay back. Khuthala Ndara from Ko m a n i I would say they are excelling by introducing this idea of sending messages to residents about their accounts so that they are u p - t o - d at e . ALLISON GENADE CWAYITA COMBI They must improve on the illegal connections, and the employees of Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality must be honest and committed when it comes to their work. new trap style – the old school. Q: Describe South Africa in three words? A: The troubled state. MIHLE MAKUBALO SARAH POTYE KHUTHALA NDARA
THE REPRESENTATIVE 5 May 2017 Tel: (045) 839-4040 Emergency: (A/H) 083-272-0955 ° Editorial: sonjar@timesmedia.co.za - advertising: charodinev@timesmedia.co.za 7 IN OUR POST BAG 24 Prince Alfred Street, Queenstown or sonjar@dispatch.co.za or fax (045) 839-4059 Letters must be accompanied by the name and address of the author. A pseudonym should be supplied where necessary. The editor reserves the rights to choose and edit letters for publication. Defamatory and slanderous letters will not be considered. Letters have to be brief and to the point due to space restrictions. Please limit letters to 250 words or less HELPING HANDS: At the fundraising function for Restore Sonke Rehabilitation Centre led by, from left, Minnie Murphy, Charlene Williams, Lawrence Murphy and friends Try to stay positive despite SA blues MORE Optimism Please of Komani writes: The negativity that pervades a country when things go wrong can be catching. When bad things happen, such as the president’s refusal to step down, rampant corruption, racism between various race groups and a country “b o a st i n g ” junk status, it’s easy to become downhearted and to embark on negative rants. The more difficult road is to do the opposite – to remain positive. That does not mean to stop fighting for what’s right, however, whatever you perceive it to be. Negativity gets no-one anywhere, instead it just results in nagging, etc and I see enough of that on a daily basis – don’t you? I would like to urge all Komani people to stay positive. Maybe our little “centre of optimism” will have a greater impact on the country as a whole. Do more than use buzz word ZWELIBANGILE Modi of Ezibeleni writes: After listening to the secretary-general of the South African Communist Party when he addressed the Chris Hani memorial that Cosatu was planning to host a jobs summit sometime in the near future, I decided to give Cosatu some tips to consider. Here is what I suggest you do: ý Approach and persuade the department of higher education to admit all the youth who did not finish school, right from Grade 5 to Grade 11. ý Get all these young people of all genders to be trained in the following trades: brick-laying, plastering, roofing, plumbing and painting. ý Approach and persuade the public works department to do away with the outsourcing of all the building works such as school buildings, police stations, hospitals, housing projects etc. All these trained young people must be permanently employed by the public works department. This could be part of radical economic transformation. If the government does mean anything in relation to the quoted buzz word, it will not hesitate to listen to you. SOCIETY SNIPPETS From birthdays to anniversaries to achievements to notices ... Share your information with us on sonjar@dispatch.co.za or fax (045) 839-4059 BIRTHDAY wishes to Bridget King (May 2), Aviwe Qavane (May 5), Anastasia and Charlene April (May 8), Mechell Stander and Asanda Mdlela (May 9), Sibusiso Molefe (May 11), Reigene Jacobus (May 12), Leezille Walker (May 13), Pumeza Ngini, Onwabile Dyonase, triplets Jonathan, Mariska and Jennifer Cloete, Rosanne Weakley and Ann Field (May 14), Lindokuhle Gidzana, Lieeyah Prins, Jolanthe Benjamin, Lynette de Beer and Amy Cloete (May 15), Suzette Botha, Ndumiso Mkandla, Dawn Bennett and Louis Sinclair (May 16), Patricia Kuit, Erlank Nel and Rudi Nortje (May 17). BELATED birthday wishes are extended to Bronwynne Brown (April 28) and Janice Plaatjies (April 29). WEDDING anniversary wishes to Manie and Mariette Lemmer on May 22 and to Tony and Lynne Hustler on May 25. WISHES for better health go to Andries van Pletzen. CONDOLENCES are extended to the family and friends of the late Mzwabantu Zwelibanzi, Sipho Coba, Bongekile Taliwe, Kiera Lucas, Monigue Ngemntu, Sonwabile Jilingisi, Jenate Singram and Siphiwo Nocanda. DON’T miss the art exhibition at the Queens Hotel today and tomorrow. Entrance is free, so enjoy!
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